bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prognostic factors, symptoms and consequences of dehydration and dyselectrolytemia in patients with terminal stomach cancer
Authors: Bryniarski Paweł , Bryniarska Magdalena , Jezioro Maciej , Andrysiak Daniel , Filipczak-Bryniarska Iwona
Published: February 2021

Background:

Dyselectrolytaemia and dehydration are common symptoms in people with terminal stomach cancer.

Aims:

To determine factors related to dyselectrolytemia and dehydration in patients with terminal stomach cancer.

Methods:

An analysis of 134 patients with terminal stomach cancer admitted to the palliative care unit was conducted, through an audit of the patients' medical records. The average age of women was 63.1 years and that of men was 64.9 years.

Findings:

Dehydrated patients were more likely to: have dyselectrolytaemia; have a higher PS scale score; be taking opioids as an analgesic; have a high sodium concentration; experience dyspnoea, constipation, nausea and vomiting during hospitalisation; and require glucocorticoids administration both during and before hospitalisation. Patients with dyselectrolytaemia were more likely to: be admitted to the palliative care unit from the emergency department; experience cachexia and dehydration during hospitalisation and constipation at discharge; have a lower albumin level; and have a higher glucose level. Patients with dyselectrolytaemia also had a shorter duration of treatment and a 2.48 greater chance for death compared with those who did not have it.

Conclusions:

Knowledge of the adverse factors connected with dehydration and dyselectrolytaemia will allow health professionals to avoid dangerous clinical symptoms and prolong the life of those with terminal stomach cancer, as they might be able to foresee the occurrence of these conditions based on the medication the patient has been taking and symptoms they have been experiencing. Nurses will have a greater understanding of the importance of fluid therapy to resolve ionic disturbances and the need to address dehydration and dyselectrolytemia as a means to prolong and improve quality of life.
Managing fatigue after an acquired brain injury: a pilot randomised controlled trial and qualitative investigation
Authors: Killington Maggie , Pearson Ginny , Campbell Emma , Snigg Michael
Published: February 2021

Background/Aims

Fatigue after brain injury is common and enduring, and rehabilitation improves patient understanding and strategy development. The aim of this study was to determine whether therapy supporting fatigue management can be provided economically in groups to inpatients undertaking rehabilitation.

Methods

A mixed-methods study was undertaken, including a pilot randomised control trial and a parallel qualitative investigation. A total of 78 adult inpatients with moderate to severe acquired brain injury were recruited to the study; 40 were allocated to routine usual care and 38 were allocated to the intervention, which consisted of routine usual care plus four group therapy sessions that took place over 2 weeks, run by an experienced occupational therapist. Participants were aged between 18 and 65 years and were considered to be able to manage learning in a group setting. Outcome measures were collected at baseline and at the end of the therapy intervention (Barrow Neurological Institute Fatigue Scale, Quality of Life after Brain Injury questionnaire and a Fatigue Knowledge questionnaire assessing knowledge related to the aims of the education modules). A qualitative study was conducted after the quantitative investigation in the form of patient interviews. A total of 10 patients were interviewed to discuss their fatigue journey and impressions of receiving fatigue management therapy in a group.

Results

A repeated measures analysis of variance with time as a within-subject factor and group as a between-subjects factor showed no interaction effect of group × time for fatigue, quality of life or acquisition of knowledge; however, knowledge improved over time, irrespective of group allocation (P<0.01). Although most participants found the group work satisfactory in terms of overall knowledge development, a number would have preferred to address their specific fatigue issues in an individual session. Participants described a confusing journey understanding fatigue symptoms before therapy, but reported an improved understanding and acquiring management strategies after receiving the educational therapy sessions.

Conclusions

Education regarding fatigue following brain injury can be provided successfully to inpatients receiving rehabilitation in group settings. However, it may be important to build in an additional individual therapy session to address each patient's individual issues and queries.
Corrigendum to "Determinants of Normalized Bohemian Upper Hessenberg Matrices"
Authors: Fasi Massimiliano , Feng Jishe , Negri Porzio Gian Maria
Published: February 2021

An amended version of Proposition 3.6 of [Fasi and Negri Porzio, Electron. J. Linear Algebra 36:352--366, 2020] is presented. The result shows that the set of possible determinants of upper Hessenberg matrices with ones on the subdiagonal and elements in the upper triangular part drawn from the set $\{-1,1\}$ is $\{ 2k \mid k \in \langle -2^{n-2} , 2^{n-2} \rangle \}$, instead of $\{ 2k \mid k \in \langle -n+1, n-1 \rangle \}$ as previously stated. This does not affect the main results of the article being corrected and shows that Conjecture 20 in the Characteristic Polynomial Database is true.
How to prioritize patients and redesign care to safely resume planned surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Logishetty Kartik , Edwards Thomas C. , Subbiah Ponniah Hariharan , Ahmed Marriam , Liddle Alexander D. , Cobb Justin , Clark Callum
Published: February 2021

Aims

Restarting planned surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic is a clinical and societal priority, but it is unknown whether it can be done safely and include high-risk or complex cases. We developed a Surgical Prioritization and Allocation Guide (SPAG). Here, we validate its effectiveness and safety in COVID-free sites.

Methods

A multidisciplinary surgical prioritization committee developed the SPAG, incorporating procedural urgency, shared decision-making, patient safety, and biopsychosocial factors; and applied it to 1,142 adult patients awaiting orthopaedic surgery. Patients were stratified into four priority groups and underwent surgery at three COVID-free sites, including one with access to a high dependency unit (HDU) or intensive care unit (ICU) and specialist resources. Safety was assessed by the number of patients requiring inpatient postoperative HDU/ICU admission, contracting COVID-19 within 14 days postoperatively, and mortality within 30 days postoperatively.

Results

A total of 1,142 patients were included, 47 declined surgery, and 110 were deemed high-risk or requiring specialist resources. In the ten-week study period, 28 high-risk patients underwent surgery, during which 68% (13/19) of Priority 2 (P2, surgery within one month) patients underwent surgery, and 15% (3/20) of P3 (< three months) and 16% (11/71) of P4 (> three months) groups. Of the 1,032 low-risk patients, 322 patients underwent surgery. Overall, 21 P3 and P4 patients were expedited to ‘Urgent’ based on biopsychosocial factors identified by the SPAG. During the study period, 91% (19/21) of the Urgent group, 52% (49/95) of P2, 36% (70/196) of P3, and 26% (184/720) of P4 underwent surgery. No patients died or were admitted to HDU/ICU, or contracted COVID-19.

Conclusion

Our widely generalizable model enabled the restart of planned surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic, without compromising patient safety or excluding high-risk or complex cases. Patients classified as Urgent or P2 were most likely to undergo surgery, including those deemed high-risk. This model, which includes assessment of biopsychosocial factors alongside disease severity, can assist in equitably prioritizing the substantial list of patients now awaiting planned orthopaedic surgery worldwide. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2021;2(2):134–140.
Between donors and beneficiaries: towards a theory of dynamic two-sided markets
Authors: Hersberger-Langloh Sophie E.
Published: February 2021

The non-profit sector has experienced significant changes and growth over the past few decades. Market failure theories aim to explain why traditional non-profit organisations (NPOs) exist but fall short in accounting for the diversity and complexity we observe in the third sector today. This article takes a first step in applying a two-sided market model to describe the evolution of the sector. It finds that purely donative NPOs may have once had the characteristics of a platform in a two-sided market featuring donors and beneficiaries linked by non-profit intermediaries. However, the transition of the sector from donative to one reliant on earned income requires an extension of the model of two-sided markets so that it has a less static approach. The demand and supply sides in the two-sided market model have become more complex. The article therefore suggests a dynamic model, in which consumers and financiers of NPO products and services can move from one side of the platform to the other and take on different and at times overlapping roles.
Social workers, critical theory and the political sphere: addressing political misrecognition and marginalisation in the Republic of Ireland
Authors: Flynn Susan
Published: February 2021

Despite the traditional social justice mandate of social work, and critical and radical theoretical traditions that pursue egalitarian and just societies, the engagement of the social work academy with Irish politics has been underwhelming at best. While there are abstract analyses that address sociopolitical theory and ideological wrongdoings related to neoliberalist rationality, attention in social work academia to the nuts and bolts of everyday political life in Ireland, such as democratic party politics and electoral representation, leaves much to the imagination. This article therefore pursues a more grounded reading of social justice in Irish politics for social workers. The supporting proposition is that to effectively interject in political misrecognition and marginalisation, social workers must understand the present political state of play. Towards achieving this, Axel Honneth’s theory of recognition aids thematic critical commentary on the literature.
The Council of Europe, the European Convention on Human Rights and the Social Charter
Authors: Griffith Liz
Published: February 2021

Chapter 3 provides a critical perspective on the establishment of the Council of Europe and its development of human rights mechanisms amongst Western European powers during the Cold War. It discusses attempts to address the lack of coverage of social and economic rights in the ECHR, with the development of the European Social Charter and the Committee of Social Rights and looks at the Council of Europe’s differing approaches to civil and political rights (and the jurisdiction of the European Court of Human Rights) and the social and economic rights contained in the Social Charter (with oversight by the Committee of Social Rights). It outlines some of the strengths and weaknesses relating to enforcement and realisability of these differing sets of rights.
Introduction
Authors: Bamford Terry
Published: February 2021

The genesis of this book was a casual suggestion at a meeting of the Social Work History Network. Why don’t we do something to mark 50 years since BASW was formed in 1970, the Local Authority Social Services Act was passed and a unified social work training was about to be introduced? And this book is the something....
Diffractive VO2 metagrating for strong multi-objective amplitude modulation of optical reflection
Authors: Kim Sun-Je
Published: February 2021

Ultracompact dynamic modulation of light waves in free space has been one of the most desired goals in the field of optics and photonics. Recently, various strategies of combining optical metasurfaces and phase-change materials with largely reconfigurable optical properties have been in the spotlight for this challenging goal. However, intuitive, step-by-step design rules of a dynamic metasurface to meet multi-objective, high-performance modulation of optical beams have not been reported. I propose a theoretical and numerical study on the vanadium dioxide based diffractive metagrating exhibiting strong modulation of reflectance meeting multiple on-demand performance objectives, simultaneously. Leveraging the large dielectric-to-metal phase-change of vanadium dioxide and a non-resonant diffractive metagrating, multi-objective modulation of reflection intensity is achieved with large on-state reflectance, near-unity modulation depth, broad bandwidth, amplitude-only modulation, and further elimination of higher order diffractions.
Performance of InGaN green light-emitting diodes with on-chip photodetectors based on wire-bonding and flip-chip configurations
Authors: Yin Jiahao , Chen Liang , Luo Yumeng , Wang Qing , Yu Hongyu , Li Kwai Hei
Published: February 2021

In this work, we report the performance study of InGaN-based green light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with on-chip photodetectors (PDs) based on wire-bonding and flip-chip configurations. Compared with a conventional wire-bonding design, the LED-PD device, which incorporates a flip-chip design, can offer superior optical and thermal performances and, under an LED current of 200 mA, its light output and detected photocurrent increase by 37.7% and 14.7%, respectively. The different extents of enhancement in both light output and photocurrent are also studied by analyzing their optical, electrical, and thermal properties under varying LED currents. The results provide important guidance for the design of LED-PD integrated systems operating at different current densities.
Real-time brain-wide multi-planar microscopy for simultaneous cortex and hippocampus imaging at the cellular resolution in mice
Authors: Zhuang Chaowei , Cao Jiangbei , Zhang Rujin , Xiao Guihua , Hu Jing , Xie Hao , Dai Qionghai
Published: February 2021

Interactions between the cerebral cortex and the deep cerebellar nuclei play important roles in cognitive processes. However, conventional microscopes fail to dynamically record cellular structures in distinct brain regions and at different depths, which requires high resolution, large field of view (FOV), and depth of field (DOF). Here we propose a single-photon excited fluorescence microscopy technique that performs simultaneous cortex and hippocampus imaging, enabled by a customized microscope and a chronic optical window. After we implant a glass microwindow above the hippocampus, the surface of the hippocampus is shifted to the superficial plane. We demonstrate that the proposed technique is able to image cellular structures and blood vessel dynamics in the cortex and the hippocampus in in vivo experiments, and is compatible with various mesoscopic systems.
The protein phosphatase PPM1A dephosphorylates and activates YAP to govern mammalian intestinal and liver regeneration
Authors: Zhou Ruyuan , Wu Qirou , Wang Mengqiu , Irani Seema , Li Xiao , Zhang Qian , Meng Fansen , Liu Shengduo , Zhang Fei , Wu Liming , Lin Xia , Wang Xiaojian , Zou Jian , Song Hai , Qin Jun , Liang Tingbo , Feng Xin-Hua , Zhang Yan Jessie , Xu Pinglong
Published: February 2021

The Hippo-YAP pathway responds to diverse environmental cues to manage tissue homeostasis, organ regeneration, tumorigenesis, and immunity. However, how phosphatase(s) directly target Yes-associated protein (YAP) and determine its physiological activity are still inconclusive. Here, we utilized an unbiased phosphatome screening and identified protein phosphatase magnesium-dependent 1A (PPM1A/PP2Cα) as the bona fide and physiological YAP phosphatase. We found that PPM1A was associated with YAP/TAZ in both the cytoplasm and the nucleus to directly eliminate phospho-S127 on YAP, which conferring YAP the nuclear distribution and transcription potency. Accordingly, genetic ablation or depletion of PPM1A in cells, organoids, and mice elicited an enhanced YAP/TAZ cytoplasmic retention and resulted in the diminished cell proliferation, severe gut regeneration defects in colitis, and impeded liver regeneration upon injury. These regeneration defects in murine model were largely rescued via a genetic large tumor suppressor kinase 1 (LATS1) deficiency or the pharmacological inhibition of Hippo-YAP signaling. Therefore, we identify a physiological phosphatase of YAP/TAZ, describe its critical effects in YAP/TAZ cellular distribution, and demonstrate its physiological roles in mammalian organ regeneration.
Patterns of allele frequency differences among domestic cat breeds assessed by a 63K SNP array
Authors: Alhaddad Hasan , Abdi Mona , Lyons Leslie A.
Published: February 2021

Cats are ubiquitous companion animals that have been keenly associated with humans for thousands of years and only recently have been intentionally bred for aesthetically appealing coat looks and body forms. The intense selection on single gene phenotypes and the various breeding histories of cat breeds have left different marks on the genomes. Using a previously published 63K Feline SNP array dataset of twenty-six cat breeds, this study utilized a genetic differentiation-based method (di) to empirically identify candidate regions under selection. Defined as three or more overlapping (500Kb) windows of high levels of population differentiation, we identified a total of 205 candidate regions under selection across cat breeds with an average of 6 candidate regions per breed and an average size of 1.5 Mb per candidate region. Using the combined size of candidate regions of each breed, we conservatively estimate that a minimum of ~ 0.1–0.7% of the autosomal genome is potentially under selection in cats. As positive controls and tests of our methodology, we explored the candidate regions of known breed-defining genes (e.g., FGF5 for longhaired breeds) and we were able to detect the genes within candidate regions, each in its corresponding breed. For breed specific exploration of candidate regions under selection, eleven representative candidate regions were found to encompass potential candidate genes for several phenotypes such as brachycephaly of Persian (DLX6, DLX5, DLX2), curled ears of American Curl (MCRIP2, PBX1), and body-form of Siamese and Oriental (ADGRD1), which encourages further molecular investigations. The current assessment of the candidate regions under selection is empiric and detailed analyses are needed to rigorously disentangle effects of demography and population structure from artificial selection.
Heterogeneous wireless networks with mobile devices of multiple interfaces for simultaneous connections using Fuzzy System
Authors: Amaro de Sarges Cardoso Jorge , Pereira Ferreira da Silva Fabio , Costa de Carvalho Tássio , Jailton Henrique Ferreira José , Vijaykumar Nandamudi Lankalapalli , Lisboa Francês Carlos Renato
Published: February 2021

With the exponential increase in heterogeneous wireless networks today, there has been a growing interest from the academic community for issues related to handover problems. The main objective of this paper is to evaluate the quality of service and performance of a device with a dual interface that connects simultaneously to two heterogeneous networks with no competition in the exchange of packets between them. It is a proposal to solve the mitigation of handover impacts. The tool used for evaluation was the Network Simulator 2. The results showed a better use of the band in comparison to the scenario using a traditional mobile device.
Biomechanical evaluation of high tibial osteotomy plate with internal support block using finite element analysis
Authors: Yang Jesse Chieh-Szu , Lin Kuan-Yu , Lin Hsi-Hsien , Lee Oscar K.
Published: February 2021

Background/Objective

High tibial osteotomy (HTO) is a common treatment for medial knee arthrosis. However, a high rate of complications associated with a plate and a significant loss of correction have been reported. Therefore, an internal support block (ISB) is designed to enhance the initial stability of the fixation device that is important for successful bone healing and maintenance of the correction angle of the osteotomy site. The purpose of this study was performed to examine if an internal support block combined with a plate reduces the stress on the plate and screw area.

Methods

Finite element models were reconstructed following three different implant combinations. Two loading conditions were applied to simulate standing and initial sit-to-stand postures. Data analysis was conducted to evaluate the axial displacement of the posteromedial tibial plateau, which represents the loss of the posteromedial tibial plateau in clinical observation. Moreover, the stresses on the bone plate and locking screws were evaluated.

Results

Compared to the TomoFix plate, the ISB reduced the axial displacement by 73% and 76% in standing and initial sit-to-stand loading conditions, respectively. The plate with an ISB reduced stress by 90% on the bone plate and by 73% on the locking screw during standing compared to the standalone TomoFix plate. During the initial sit-to-stand loading condition, the ISB reduced the stress by 93% and 77% on the bone plate and the locking screw, respectively.

Conclusion

The addition of the PEEK block showed a benefit for structural stability in the osteotomy site. However, further clinical trials are necessary to evaluate the clinical benefit of reduced implant stress and the internal support block on the healing of the medial bone tissue.
Deciphering microRNA-mRNA regulatory network in adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma; the battle between oncogenes and anti-oncogenes
Authors: Ghobadi Mohadeseh Zarei , Emamzadeh Rahman , Mozhgani Sayed-Hamidreza
Published: February 2021

Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) is virus-caused cancer that originates from the infection by human T-cell leukemia virus type 1. ATLL dysregulates various biological pathways related to the viral infection and cancer progression through the dysexpression of miRNAs and mRNAs. In this study, the potential regulatory subnetworks were constructed aiming to shed light on the pathogenesis mechanism of ATLL. For this purpose, two mRNA and one miRNA expression datasets were firstly downloaded from the GEO database. Next, the differentially expressed genes and miRNAs (DEGs and DE-miRNAs, respectively), as well as differentially co-expressed gene pairs (DCGs), were determined. Afterward, common DEGs and DCGs targeted by experimentally validated DE-miRNAs were explored. The oncogenic and anti-oncogenic miRNA-mRNA regulatory subnetworks were then generated. The expression levels of four genes and two miRNAs were examined in the blood samples by qRT-PCR. The members of three oncogenic/anti-oncogenic subnetworks were generally enriched in immune, virus, and cancer-related pathways. Among them, FZD6, THBS4, SIRT1, CPNE3, miR-142-3p, and miR-451a were further validated by real-time PCR. The significant up-regulation of FZD6, THBS4, and miR-451a as well as down-regulation of CPNE3, SIRT1, and miR-142-3p were found in ATLL samples than normal samples. The identified oncogenic/anti-oncogenic subnetworks are pieces of the pathogenesis puzzle of ATLL. The ultimate winner is probably an oncogenic network that determines the final fate of the disease. The identified genes and miRNAs are proposed as novel prognostic biomarkers for ATLL.
Design and construction of a novel measurement device for mechanical characterization of hydrogels: A case study
Authors: Shahab Shayan , Kasra Mehran , Dolatshahi-Pirouz Alireza
Published: February 2021

Natural biopolymer-based hydrogels especially agarose and collagen gels, considering their biocompatibility with cells and their capacity to mimic biological tissues, have widely been used for in-vitro experiments and tissue engineering applications in recent years; nevertheless their mechanical properties are not always optimal for these purposes. Regarding the importance of the mechanical properties of hydrogels, many mechanical characterization studies have been carried out for such biopolymers. In this work, we have focused on understanding the mechanical role of agarose and collagen concentration on the hydrogel strength and elastic behavior. In this direction, Amirkabir Magnetic Bead Rheometry (AMBR) characterization device equipped with an optimized electromagnet, was designed and constructed for the measurement of hydrogel mechanical properties. The operation of AMBR set-up is based on applying a magnetic field to actuate magnetic beads in contact with the gel surface in order to actuate the gel itself. In simple terms the magnetic beads leads give rise to mechanical shear stress on the gel surface when under magnetic influence and together with the associated bead-gel displacement it is possible to calculate the hydrogel shear modulus. Agarose and Collagen gels with respectively 0.2–0.6 wt % and 0.2–0.5 wt % percent concentrations were prepared for mechanical characterization in terms of their shear modulus. The shear modulus values for the different percent concentrations of the agarose gel were obtained in the range 250–650 Pa, indicating the shear modulus increases by increasing in the agar gel concentration. In addition to this, the values of shear modulus for the collagen gel increase as function of concentration in the range 240–520 Pa in accordance with an approximately linear relationship between collagen concentration and gel strength.
CoViD-19, learning from the past: A wavelet and cross-correlation analysis of the epidemic dynamics looking to emergency calls and Twitter trends in Italian Lombardy region
Authors: Rivieccio Bruno Alessandro , Micheletti Alessandra , Maffeo Manuel , Zignani Matteo , Comunian Alessandro , Nicolussi Federica , Salini Silvia , Manzi Giancarlo , Auxilia Francesco , Giudici Mauro , Naldi Giovanni , Gaito Sabrina , Castaldi Silvana , Biganzoli Elia
Published: February 2021

The first case of Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Italy was detected on February the 20thin Lombardy region. Since that date, Lombardy has been the most affected Italian region by the epidemic, and its healthcare system underwent a severe overload during the outbreak. From a public health point of view, therefore, it is fundamental to provide healthcare services with tools that can reveal possible new health system stress periods with a certain time anticipation, which is the main aim of the present study. Moreover, the sequence of law decrees to face the epidemic and the large amount of news generated in the population feelings of anxiety and suspicion. Considering this whole complex context, it is easily understandable how people “overcrowded” social media with messages dealing with the pandemic, and emergency numbers were overwhelmed by the calls. Thus, in order to find potential predictors of possible new health system overloads, we analysed data both from Twitter and emergency services comparing them to the daily infected time series at a regional level. Particularly, we performed a wavelet analysis in the time-frequency plane, to finely discriminate over time the anticipation capability of the considered potential predictors. In addition, a cross-correlation analysis has been performed to find a synthetic indicator of the time delay between the predictor and the infected time series. Our results show that Twitter data are more related to social and political dynamics, while the emergency calls trends can be further evaluated as a powerful tool to potentially forecast new stress periods. Since we analysed aggregated regional data, and taking into account also the huge geographical heterogeneity of the epidemic spread, a future perspective would be to conduct the same analysis on a more local basis.
Our American Cousin, our dysfluent nation: Transatlantic stammering on the nineteenth-century stage
Authors: McGuire Riley
Published: February 2021

This article reconstructs the underexamined stage history and reception of one of the most popular stammering figures of the nineteenth century: the bumbling aristocrat Lord Dundreary, as performed by E. A. Sothern. Dundreary originated in Tom Taylor’s comic melodrama Our American Cousin, which premiered in 1858 and is best remembered today as the backdrop of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. Sothern rewrote and expanded the originally minor part and received acclaim for his portrayal on both sides of the Atlantic for several decades. This praise centred on Sothern’s performative blend of stammering and lisping speech used to animate Dundreary and amuse audiences. Dundreary’s unprecedented dysfluent stardom is situated within the context of nineteenth-century vocal discourse’s frequent hostility to modes of speech that deviate from social norms of fluency, pace and articulacy. In particular, the theatrical culture from which Dundreary emerged construed a dysfluent actor as a liability while celebrating a dysfluent character, illuminating an evaluative schism between innate and performed vocal disability. Prescient of contemporary vocal hierarchies, Dundreary’s reception demonstrates that entertainment value mitigates the stigma that otherwise accrues to dysfluent voices. Dundreary obtains cultural centrality as a dysfluent speaker on stage in a manner foreclosed to dysfluent speakers offstage.
A warm and sympathetic thing: Voice and dysfluency in Robert Browning’s ‘Mr Sludge, “The Medium”’
Authors: Martin Daniel
Published: February 2021

This article takes a dysfluency studies approach to representations and expressions of voice and dysfluent speech in Robert Browning’s minor dramatic monologue ‘Mr Sludge, “The Medium”’ (1864). Browning’s speaker, an American spiritualist medium named Sludge, is vile and repugnant in his casuistry and sophistry as he defends his deceptions after being caught as a cheat during one of his séances. While Browning’s contemporaries recognized ‘Mr Sludge’ as a mockery of the real-life American medium Daniel Dunglass Home, the monologue relies on one central metaphor of the medium’s stuttering and stammering body that challenges broader Victorian assumptions about the relationship between speech, voice and elocutionary practices. Throughout this article, G.K. Chesterton’s claim that Browning’s critique of spiritualist practices is paradoxically a ‘warm and sympathetic thing’ becomes the keystone for understanding the monologue’s contributions to modern thought about the pleasures and vitality of dysfluent speech. Fundamentally, Browning’s exploration of the spiritualist’s deceptions and conjuring of the voices of the dead reflects broader medical analogies beginning in the 1840s that linked the causes of dysfluent speech to invasive and contagious voicings.
Dysfluent, Conor Foran (ed.) (2020)
Authors: Andrews Carolyn
Published: February 2021

Review of: Dysfluent, Conor Foran (ed.) (2020)

60 pp., https://www.dysfluentmagazine.com, p/bk, £10
Lipsynching, Merrie Snell (2020)
Authors: Macpherson Ben
Published: February 2021

Review of: Lipsynching, Merrie Snell (2020)

New York and London: Bloomsbury Academic, 200 pp..,

ISBN 978-1-50135-234-8, p/bk, £21.99
The Performative Power of Vocality, Virginie Magnat (2019)
Authors: Karantonis Pamela
Published: February 2021

Review of: The Performative Power of Vocality, Virginie Magnat (2019)

London and New York: Routledge, 240 pp.,

ISBN 978-0-42934-033-8, e-book, £37.79
Standardization and characterization of adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction from New Zealand white rabbits for bone tissue engineering
Authors: Sharun Khan , Pawde Abhijit M. , Kumar Rohit , Kalaiselvan E. , Kinjavdekar Prakash , Dhama Kuldeep , Pal Amar
Published: February 2021

Background and Aim: Adipose tissue-derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF) contains a heterogeneous cell population comprising multipotent adipose-derived stem cells. Regenerative therapy using adipose-derived SVF has broad applications in bone tissue engineering due to the superior osteogenic potential of SVF. This study was designed to standardize and characterize adipose-derived SVF obtained from New Zealand white rabbits for bone tissue engineering and other potential applications.

Materials and Methods: Ten skeletally mature and clinically healthy adult New Zealand white rabbits were used in this study. The SVF was prepared using surgically resected interscapular adipose tissue following enzymatic digestion with 0.1% collagenase type I solution. The SVF pellet obtained after the final centrifugation step was suspended in a 0.5 mL control solution to obtain ready-to-use adipose-derived SVF. The freshly prepared SVF was characterized based on the total SVF cell count and cell yield per gram of adipose tissue. The SVF cells were enumerated using a hemocytometer.

Results: Interscapular adipose tissue depots are ideal for preparing autologous adipose-derived SVF due to the ease of access. The interscapular adipose-derived SVF prepared by enzymatic digestion had an average cell yield of 3.15±0.09×106 cells/g adipose tissue. Freshly prepared SVF had a total cell count of 3.15±0.09×104 cells/μL.

Conclusion: The enzymatic digestion of adipose tissue using 0.1% collagenase resulted in better cell yield per gram than methods previously reported in rabbits. The use of adipose-derived SVF can preclude the requirement for an additional culture period. In addition, it may also reduce the risk of extensive cell contamination, which makes it a safe and cost-effective strategy for bone tissue engineering applications.
Lean termelés és üzleti teljesítmény – nemzetközi empirikus eredmények (Lean production and business performance – international empirical results)
Authors: Demeter Krisztina , Losonci Dávid
Published: February 2021

A lean termelés javít a vállalatok operatív teljesítményén. Korábbi kutatásokkal összhangban ezt nemzetközi kérdőíves felmérésből származó eredmények is alátámasztják. Nem mutatható ki azonban egyértelmű kapcsolat a lean termelés és az üzleti teljesítmény között. A szerzők kutatásukban – kifejezetten a több lean eszközt elmélyülten használó és jó operatív eredményekkel rendelkező ún. haladó lean termelők üzleti eredményeire fókuszálva – azonosították az üzleti teljesítményt befolyásoló tényezőket. Bár számos tényező kívül esik a termelésmenedzsment hatáskörén (pl. piaci dinamika, új piacra lépők száma, személyre szabás), de a termék/szolgáltatás arányának befolyásolásán, a beszállítók és a kapacitástartalékok menedzsmentjén keresztül a termelésnek is van lehetősége az üzleti teljesítmény javítására. Végül, bár közvetlen kapcsolat nem mutatható ki a lean termelés és az üzleti teljesítmény között, de a szerzők várakozásai szerint a folyamatosan javuló operatív teljesítmény kiegyensúlyozott és stabil üzleti teljesítmény alapja lehet. A haladó lean vállalatok pedig nagyobb eséllyel kerülhetnek (maradhatnak?) a jó üzleti teljesítménnyel büszkélkedő vállalatok körébe(n). ____________ The lean production has improved the operational performance of companies. However a clear link between lean production and business performance can not be detected. In their research the authors have identified the factors affecting business performance focusing on business results of the advanced lean producers. Although a direct connection is not detected between lean production and business performance, but according to the author expects the continuously improving operational performance shall be a base for the balanced and stable business performance.
A társadalmi felelősségvállalás vállalati on-line kommunikációjának kritikai elemzése (Critical Analysis of Online CSR Communication in Hungary)
Authors: Pataki György , Szántó Richárd
Published: February 2021

A vállalatok társadalmi felelősségvállalásával (CSR) kapcsolatos alapelvek, kezdeményezések és tevékenységek kommunikációja a vállalati kommunikáció egyik sarkalatos pontjává vált szinte az egész világon. A cégek CSR-kezdeményezéseik bemutatásához egyre többször az internetet is igénybe veszik. Az on-line média használatával párhuzamosan az elmúlt évtizedben egyre többen kutatják a CSR-kommunikáció elektronikus formáit, jóllehet ezek a kutatások többnyire leíró jellegűek, és a CSR-kommunikáció, valamint egyes vállalati jellemzők (méret, iparág és más magyarázó változók) között keresnek kapcsolatot. A szerzők e cikkben a társadalmi felelősségvállalással foglalkozó vállalati weboldalakat kritikai szemüvegen keresztül vizsgálják. Céljuk, hogy feltárják az on-line kommunikációt jellemző belső ellentmondásokat és a vallott és követett értékek közötti különbségeket. _______ Communicating corporate social responsibility (CSR) principles, initiatives, and activities has become a common practice of companies all around the world. It is quite apparent that firms use internet more and more often to communicate their CSR initiatives to their stakeholders. Parallel with the extensive use of the online media, more and more research has been elaborated on the field of online CSR communication in the last decade as well. However, these studies usually have a strong descriptive focus trying to reveal connections between the intensity of online communication of CSR values and activities, and company size, industrial background, and other explanatory variables. In contrast, the authors analysed corporate web pages dedicated to CSR through critical lenses. Their research was designed to explore any dissonances and contradictions within online communication and between communication and real activities of firms from construction, retail, and telecommunication industries in Hungary.
A magyarországi kis- és középvállalkozások marketingszervezetének felépítése
Authors: Máté Zoltán
Published: February 2021

A tanulmány egy széles körű kutatás részeredményeit közli. A teljes kutatás célja a kis- és középvállalkozások marketingtevékenységének, valamint a marketingszervezet létének és funkciójának felmérése. A szerző vizsgálja – azon középvállalkozásoknál, amelyek önálló piaccal rendelkeznek – a marketingszervezet kialakulását, működését, szervezeti méretét, jelentőségét, a marketingszervezet kialakulását, kialakításának elveit, az összvállalati szervezeten belüli helyét. A helyzetértékelést követően általános következtetések levonására, valamint gyakorlati tapasztalatokra épülő tanácsok megfogalmazására is sor kerül.
Digital Sufficiency as a Principle for Energy Transition Policies
Authors: Colaço Irmela
Published: February 2021

The energy transition will only succeed if digital tools are used under the guiding principle of digital sufficiency. Using only as much digitalisation as necessary to bring sufficient momentum to the urgently needed socio-ecological transformation of society.
Policies to Transform the Internet from Marketplace to Public Space
Authors: Frick Vivian , Gossen Maike , Pentzien Jonas , Piétron Dominik , Tangens Rena
Published: February 2021

The internet has become characterized by deficiencies in data protection, distributive justice and sustainability. They result from commercialization, privatization and the dominance of a few tech companies. We present policy measures to retransform the internet into a public space designed for the common good.
The effect of ownership structure on leverage with credit rating as a moderating variable
Authors: Muharam Harjum , Putri Galuh Kusuma
Published: February 2021

This paper aims to examine the effect of ownership structure on leverage with credit rating as a moderating variable. The ownership structure used in this study is government ownership and managerial ownership. Leverage is measured using a debt to assets ratio (DAR). Credit rating uses ratings issued by PEFINDO.The sample used in this study was companies rated by PEFINDO and listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in 2015-2017. The number of samples used were 53 companies determined using a purposive sampling method. The analysis using Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression analysis indicated that government ownership does not affect leverage, and the credit rating does not moderate the relationship between government ownership and leverage. Managerial ownership has a negative effect on leverage, and the credit rating moderates the relationship between managerial ownership and leverage
The effect of brand equity dimensions on repurchase intention
Authors: Aquinia Ajeng , Soliha Euis
Published: February 2021

This research aims to find out the effect of brand equity dimensions (brand awareness, perceived quality, brand association, and brand loyalty) on repurchase intention. The population in this research were the consumers of Starbucks café in Semarang, Indonesia, by purposive technique sampling with the criteria that consumers have been purchase and consume Starbucks product. The data was collected by questionnaire and analyze by validity test, reliability test, and multiple analysis regression tests. Consistent with our proposed hypotheses, the results indicated that perceived quality and brand loyalty positively affect repurchase intention. However, our study suggested that brand awareness negatively affects repurchase intention while brand association not significantly affects repurchase intention.
Canadian resource guides for individuals and families affected by primary immunodeficiency
Authors: Shama Wendy
Published: February 2021

A diagnosis of immunodeficiency can be challenging for families as they navigate the emotional impact of this diagnosis, as well as the potential financial burden of treatment. For rare diseases such as primary immunodeficiency (PI), patients are often required to take a proactive role in managing their own care and may be engaged with health care providers who have minimal experience with PI disease. These providers may also have limited access to information on the resources available for this population. A review of the information available showed that a paucity of information existed for these families who were looking for appropriate resources related to their diagnosis. The PI Social Work Network was established in 2011 by Immunodeficiency Canada to develop a network of social workers across Canada who work with patients diagnosed with PI. This network has had a focus on support programs, education, and research. Resource guides were created by the network to support families by providing information on both provincial as well as national resources available. While these lists are not exhaustive, there is an attempt to keep them as up to date as possible. If additional psychosocial support would be beneficial or a family requires support accessing resources, they should be directed to their local hospital social worker, or they may contact Wendy Shama, MSW, RSW, at Immunodeficiency Canada.

Statement of novelty: National and provincial resources guides have been created for families and individuals affected by primary immunodeficiency.
Potential der modellprädiktiven Regelung für Fahrsimulatoren
Authors: Lamprecht Alexander , Steffen Dennis , Haecker Jens , Graichen Knut
Published: February 2021

Der Beitrag stellt ein Verfahren zur Bewegungsplanung von dynamischen Fahrsimulatoren basierend auf der modellprädiktiven Regelung vor. Das Ziel dabei ist es, einen möglichst realitätsnahen Bewegungseindruck bei einer Testperson unter Berücksichtigung des beschränkten Arbeitsraums des Simulators zu erzeugen. Zusätzlich wird eine Methode zur Schätzung des zukünftigen Fahrerverhaltens auf Basis der optimalen Regelung vorgestellt, mit der die zukünftigen Referenzwerte für die modellprädiktive Regelung geschätzt werden, um so den prädiktiven Charakter des Verfahrens auch in der Online-Anwendung voll ausnutzen zu können.
Christliche Identitäten und die Synchronisierung der Zeit in der Antike
Authors: Markschies Christoph
Published: February 2021

In dem Beitrag wird das Problem, wie unterschiedliche Zeitangaben, Zeitvorstellungen und Zeitmessungen synchronisiert werden können, an Beispielen aus der Antike behandelt. Dazu wird der Begriff »Synchronisation« und seine Bedeutungen untersucht, dann antike wissenschaftliche Literatur zur Bearbeitung von Synchronisationsproblemen (insbesondere die Chronik des Eusebius) in den Blick genommen, weiter die Bedeutung von Synchronisation im Alltag für die Identität von Gruppen und Untergruppen (anhand eines Festkalenders einer römischen Garnison im Osten des Imperium) studiert und schließlich einige Konsequenzen aus diesen Beobachtungen für das Verständnis antiker Gesellschaften formuliert.
Das sozialistische »Königreich Gottes auf Erden« als Erfüllung der Heilsgeschichte
Authors: Strube Julian
Published: February 2021

Die frühen sozialistischen Strömungen in Frankreich, und insbesondere ihre religiösen Ansichten, wurden von der marxistischen Historiographie als »utopisch« marginalisiert. Dieser Beitrag konzentriert sich auf die heilsgeschichtlichen Theorien der Saint-Simonisten, die eine Einheit von Religion und Politik anstrebten. Im Lichte der Polemiken zwischen ihnen und der neo-katholischen Bewegung um Félicité de Lamennais wird die Verflechtung von Sozialismus und Katholizismus von den 1820er bis in die 1840er Jahre herausgestellt. Es wird argumentiert, dass ein eschatologisches Geschichtsbild für die Frühsozialisten essentiell war und auch auf spätere Sozialisten nachhaltigen Einfluss ausübte.
Außerwestliche Konzepte von Zeit am Beispiel China
Authors: Meyer Christian
Published: February 2021

Der Beitrag zeigt anhand von Schlaglichtern aus dem vormodernen China, dass es in außerwestlichen Kontexten im Vergleich zu den europäisch-vorderasiatischen respektive abrahamitischen Traditionen zwar durchaus Konvergenzen, aber auch gravierende Unterschiede im Zeitverständnis gibt. Dabei finden sich zyklisch-kalendarische, historisch-unilineare und situationelle Zeitkonzepte nebeneinander in jeweils unterschiedlichen Funktionskontexten.
Incidental L2 Vocabulary Acquisition and Reading: Concerns, Progresses and Future Directions
Authors: Wang Qian
Published: February 2021

There has been a consensus that vocabulary knowledge has become a major contributor to L2 learners ’ efficient communication and comprehension. Incidental vocabulary acquisition relates to lexical gains as a by-product resulting from accomplishing another activity which is not aimed at learning vocabulary. This article intends to provide a digest of research on incidental vocabulary acquisition over the past few decades by primarily focusing on related theoretical frameworks, possible explanatory variables mediating incidental vocabulary learning, and tasks targeted at enhancing incidental lexical growth. In line with analyses of findings yielded from an impressive number of illuminating studies conducted, this article calls for a diversification of efforts in relation to multi-word lexical items, multi-modal e-learning technologies, and insights from neuroscience that may warrant more scholarly attention. These possible areas would further enrich the current scope of L2 incidental vocabulary acquisition research.
Lectura Dantis: Paradiso VII
Authors: Kilian Sven Thorsten
Published: February 2021

Riassunto

Nel sottolineare gli aspetti narrativi del canto, la lectura intende concentrarsi sul problema della rappresentabilità della fede. Conforme alla dottrina dei quattro elementi, il ragionamento di Dante distingue tra la facoltà di percezione limitata della natura lapsa, che descrive in termini di cecità, e l’autorizzazione a trascendere, grazie alla perfezione di Beatrice, mediatrice del logos divino, quella natura data al protagonista e ai lettori del poema. Questa messinscena della trascendenza corrisponde alla necessità storica di una delimitazione teologica della setta ebraica.