bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cultura, ideologia e hegemonia
Authors: Martins Ana Amélia Lage , Marteleto Regina Maria
Published: May 2020

As concepções epistemológicas críticas, constituídas historicamente em diálogo com as ciências históricas, sociais e humanas, colocaram em questão os referenciais fisicista, biológico e cognitivista adotados pelas primeiras teorias da informação, atraindo para o centro do debate teórico e metodológico a dimensão social do objeto informacional, tal como a sua manifestação no terreno da cultura. Ao ressaltar o caráter eminentemente social – material e simbólico, técnico e semiológico- da informação e os processos históricos que regulam as ações informacionais em seus contextos, a cultura pode ser considerada, a partir dessa compreensão, como premissa para a própria fundamentação do polissêmico conceito de informação. Este artigo busca apresentar contribuições que a rede categorial que compõe o pensamento do filósofo marxista italiano Antonio Gramsci, especialmente a relação entre cultura, ideologia e hegemonia, traz para este debate.
On two small collections of freshwater shrimps (Decapoda: Atyidae: Caridina) from Papua New Guinea, with descriptions of two new species
Authors: KARGE ANDREAS , VON RINTELEN KRISTINA , KLOTZ WERNER
Published: May 2020

Several species of atyid freshwater shrimp are currently known from Papua New Guinea. Here, two new species are described: Caridina buergersi sp. nov. and C. elisabethae sp. nov. In addition, we provide new records for C. demani and C. cognata, originally described from New Guinea by J. Roux (1911) and De Man (1915).
Palaemonella dijonesae sp. nov. (Crustacea: Decapoda: Pontoniinae) from Western Australia
Authors: BRUCE A. J.
Published: May 2020

A recent publication by Bruce (2008a) reported the presence of Palaemonella spinulata Yokoya, 1936 in the Dampier Archipelago, Western Australia. This report noted that “The holotype specimen from Misaki, Japan, is considered to be lost (Holthuis 1952; Bruce 1970; Okuno pers. comm.). The designation of a neotype would appear useful but one from Japanese or nearby waters would be more appropriate than one of the present specimens”. The brief description provided by Yokoya (1936), with only a single figure showing the whole specimen, antennule, antenna, mandible, second maxilliped and posterior telson, is inadequate for comparison with other species of the genus. This deficiency has now been rectified by Hayashi (2009) who has provided a detailed and well illustrated description of P. spinulata and designated a neotype from Sagami Bay, near Misaki, the type locality. This re-description immediately indicated that the Western Australian specimens were not conspecific and they are now described as a new species. The specimens are held in the collections of the Western Australian Museum, Perth.
The sand shrimp genus Philocheras (Caridea: Crangonidae) from the continental margin of Western Australia including the description of a new species and a key to Australian species
Authors: TAYLOR JOANNE
Published: May 2020

Eight species of Philocheras (Crustacea: Caridea: Crangonidae) are reported from the Northwest Shelf of Western Australia. One species is new to science Philocheras anthonyi sp. nov. Five species are reported for the first time from Australian waters, P. angustirostris (De Man, 1918), P. incisus (Kemp, 1916), P. japonicus (Doflein, 1902), P. modestus (De Man, 1918) and P. plebs (Kemp, 1916). A range extension within Australia is reported for Philocheras lowisi (Kemp, 1916) and P. planoculminus Bruce, 1994. These records expand the number of Philocheras species previously recorded from Australian waters from ten to 16. A revised key and illustrated guide to the species from Australia is provided.
Caridina H. Milne Edwards, 1837 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Caridea: Atyoidea:Atyidae) – freshwater shrimps from eastern and southern Africa
Authors: RICHARD JASMINE , CLARK PAUL F.
Published: May 2020

Since the study of Richard and Clark (2009), additional material of Caridina africana Kingsley, 1882 has been examined and as a consequence C. nilotica var. paucipara Weber, 1897 is considered to be a junior synonym of C. africana. Material of Caridina serratirostris De Man, 1892, C. angulata Bouvier, 1905, C. brachydactyla De Man, 1908 and C. moeri Woltereck, 1984 is reported, and redescribed. Caridina serratirostris and C. angulata are reported for the first time from the African mainland, both species being previously known from Madagascar. The first record of C. brachydactyla from the African continent is also noted. Furthermore, Caridina nilotica var. natalensis De Man, 1908 and Caridina nilotica var. brevidactyla J. Roux, 1920 are considered to be junior synonyms of C. brachydactyla. Part of the type series of C. brachydactyla was examined for the present study and this material together with the description and figures of the rostrum illustrated by De Man (1892) as Caridina wyckii appear to be three different species: C. brachydactyla s. str. and probably two new species. These are not described due to lack of additional material available for study. However, two new African species are described and an identification key is provided.
New species and new records of Caridea (Hippolytidae: Pasiphaeidae) from New Zealand
Authors: AHYONG SHANE T.
Published: May 2020

New species and new records of caridean shrimps are recorded from New Zealand. The hippolytid genera Leontocaris and Merhippolyte, and pasiphaeid genus Alainopasiphaea are reported for the first time from New Zealand waters, exemplified by three species of Leontocaris, Merhippolyte chacei and Alainopasiphaea australis, respectively. The three species of Leontocaris, M. chacei and A. australis were each previously known only from southern Australia. A new species of Lebbeus, the second to be recorded from New Zealand, is described. Lysmata vittata is recorded for the first time from New Zealand.
Description of a new genus and two new species of alpheid shrimps from Guam (Crustacea, Decapoda)
Authors: ANKER ARTHUR
Published: May 2020

Bruceopsis n. gen. is established for two species, Bruceopsis projectus n. gen., n. sp., and Bruceopsis guamensis n. gen., n. sp., both from Guam, Mariana Islands, in the tropical western Pacific. The new genus is characterised by having the eyes at least partly covered dorsally and laterally by orbital hoods, the latter with sharp or blunt teeth; the chelipeds equal or unequal in size, symmetrical or asymmetrical in shape, carried extended, moderately or feebly enlarged, with carpus and merus bearing rows of setae mesially, and with simple chelae, lacking a snapping mechanism on the fingers; the third to fifth pereiopods with dorsally notched dactyli; the first to fourth pereiopods with small dorsolateral coxal lobes; the second pleomere conspicuously enlarged in females; and the posteroventral angle of the sixth pleonite with a welldeveloped, sometimes projecting articulated plate. Bruceopsis n. gen. resembles Alpheopsis Coutière, 1896 in general appearance, but may be more closely related to the western Atlantic genera Coutieralpheus Anker & Felder, 2005 and Harperalpheus Felder & Anker, 2007.
On two new genera of Asian prawns previously assigned to Macrobrachium (Crustacea: Decapoda: Caridea: Palaemonidae)
Authors: WOWOR DAISY , NG PETER K. L.
Published: May 2020

Two new genera of palaemonid prawns are described from South and Southeast Asia. The new genera are allied to Macrobrachium Bate, 1868, but can easily be separated by having a slender and glabrous second pereiopod, a long fifth pereiopod which is distinctly longer than the second pereiopod, a bilobed posterolateral margin of the fifth abdominal pleurite, the presence of one or two pairs of plumose setae at the ventroposterior margin of the telson, the absence of anterior lobes on male thoracic sternite 8 and distinctly larger adult females than males. Arachnochium gen. nov. (type species Palaemon mirabilis Kemp, 1917), can be distinguished from Tenuipedium gen. nov. (type species Macrobrachium palaemonoides Holthuis, 1950) by having a relatively shorter branchiostegal groove running from the base of the hepatic spine to the antennal carapace margin below the antennal spine, and having plumose setae which are longer than the inner pair of spines on the ventroposterior margin of the telson.
On a new species of the shrimp genus Athanas Leach, 1814 (Crustacea, Decapoda, Alpheidae) from Iran
Authors: ANKER ARTHUR , NADERLOO REZA , MARIN IVAN
Published: May 2020

A new species of Athanas is described from the Iranian side of the Strait of Hormuz connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman. Athanas iranicus n. sp. is the only species in the genus characterised by the presence of dense setal brushes on the dorsolateral margin of the carpus and on most of the palm of the major and minor chelipeds; the presence of an additional setal brush on the dactylus of the major cheliped; a frontal margin with an untypically short rostrum and short, triangular extra-corneal teeth; and mostly concealed eyestalks.
A second species of the genus Manipontonia Bruce, Okuno & Li, 2005 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Palaemonidae)
Authors: MARIN IVAN
Published: May 2020

Manipontonia persiana n. sp., the second species of the genus, is described from the Persian Gulf. The species can be clearly distinguished from the type species Manipontonia psamathe (De Man, 1902) by a shorter and more robust carpus and a longer propodus of the major second pereiopod. Similarities in other morphological features suggest a similar lifestyle for both species.
The correct genus for the Afrotropical woodpeckers Campethera caroli and Campethera nivosa (Aves: Piciformes, Picidae)
Authors: DOWSETT ROBERT J. , GREGORY STEVEN M.S.
Published: May 2020

We argue that the correct generic name for the Afrotropical woodpeckers usually known as Campethera caroli and Campethera nivosa (Aves: Piciformes, Picidae) should be Pardipicus Bonaparte, 1854, and we choose and propose Chloropicus caroli Malherbe, 1852 as type species. Fuchs et al. (2018) had suggested Stictopicus Malherbe, 1861, following Wolters (1977), but that genus has as type species Picus nubicus Boddaert, 1783 (= Campethera nubica).
The cassava mealybug, Phenacoccus manihoti Matile-Ferrero (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae) arrives in India
Authors: JOSHI SUNIL , PAI SACHIN G. , DEEPTHY K.B. , BALLAL CHANDISH R. , WATSON GILLIAN W.
Published: May 2020

Invasive species threaten the ecological and economic wellbeing of a country (Pimentel et al. 2001). In the last decade, several mealybugs and soft scale insects have been accidentally introduced to India, of which some have become serious pests (e.g., Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley, Paracoccus marginatus Williams & Granara de Willink, Phenacoccus madeirensis Green and Pseudococcus jackbeardsleyi Gimpel & Miller); others are widening their host ranges and spreading rapidly. Kilifia acuminata (Signoret) and Protopulvinaria longivalvata Green seem relatively harmless but Trijuba oculata (Brain) and Pulvinaria urbicola Cockerell cause economic damage (Joshi & Rameshkumar 2013; Joshi 2017).
Inverse control of single-input/single-output nonlinear time-varying systems with noise disturbances by multi-dimensional Taylor network
Authors: Yan Hong-Sen , Zhang Chao
Published: May 2020

In this paper, an inverse control scheme based on the novel dynamic network (multi-dimensional Taylor network (MTN)) is proposed for the real-time tracking control of nonlinear time-varying systems with noise disturbances. Utilized in this scheme are the three MTNs: the adaptive model identifier for system modeling, the adaptive inverse controller for inverse modeling, and the adaptive nonlinear filter for eliminating the noise disturbances, whose weights are modified by the variable forgetting factor recursive least squares (VFF-RLS), back propagation through model (BPTM), normalized least mean square (NLMS) algorithms, respectively. To avoid “compromise”, this scheme is designed into a structure wherein controlling the object dynamic response and eliminating the noise disturbances are implemented in two relatively independent processes. Furthermore, the weight-elimination algorithm is introduced for choice of effective regression items to avoid the dimension explosion, thus overcoming the shortcoming that the number of middle nodes needs to be determined before using the traditional neural network. After a certain number of training, the more streamlined MTNs are observed to contribute to satisfying the real-time requirements of software implementation and engineering application. To ensure that MTN inverse control is strict in theory, the general conditions for the existence of single-input/single-output (SISO) nonlinear inverse systems are identified. Simulation of the MTN inverse control is conducted to confirm the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Is Surgery an Inevitable Treatment for Advanced Salivary Lymphoepithelial Carcinoma? Three Case Reports
Authors: Lv Shaowen , Xie Dehuan , Wu Zheng , Wang Lei , Su Yong
Published: May 2020

Lymphoepithelial carcinoma (LEC) of the salivary gland is a rare malignancy which is identical to undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma. However, most patients are treated with surgery as primary treatment, which is impossible for some very locoregionally advanced patients. And there are few reports of patients treated by an induction chemotherapy (IC) and concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) approach. This report describes 3 cases of advanced stage LEC of the salivary gland. All patients presented with a palpable mass of variable duration and underwent induction CCRT. All cases were positive for Epstein-Barr virus–encoded small RNAs. After IC, all cases had reached partial response and all achieved complete response after CCRT. All patients remained local–regional recurrence-free after 6-month follow-up for case 1, 50-month for case 2, and 14-month for case 3 up to our last follow-up. No serious adverse events were found.
Monitoring Programmed Inservice Preparation of Teachers for Rural Gifted Students
Authors: Goodrum Smith , Irons Vicki
Published: May 2020

North Carolina legislation mandating services for the gifted as exceptional children has heightened the need for inservice preparation of regular classroom teachers. Inservice preparation for rural school teachers is complicated by a scarcity of resource personnel and a lack of continuity and reinforcement of inservice activities. E.S.E.A. Title IV-C Project G.A.I.T. (Gifted Are Important Too) has demonstrated a program design for rural schools which includes a pre- and postassessment of teaching styles with the CAQ (Class Activities Questionnaire), program instruction of both teachers and students in the use of Bloom's Taxonomy with S.O.A.R. (Stages for Opportunities to Academic Realization), and reinforced monthly by teacher demonstrations of related learning activities. The active participation of the teachers in the inservice activity seemed to enhance their effectiveness as resource personnel for gifted education in their respective schools.
Institutional thoughtlessness and the needs of older probation clients
Authors: Cadet Nichola
Published: May 2020

This article explores the increase in the number of older people on probation caseloads. ‘Older’ clients are defined as those aged 50 and over, in line with the use of this definition by Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service. Drawing upon a Freedom of Information request submitted to the Ministry of Justice, the data show increases in the age of probation clients across community orders, suspended sentences, and supervision on licence. One in five residents in Approved Premises are over 50. Despite the increase, there is a dearth of research relating to the needs of older people on probation and how well probation services and staff are equipped to meet their needs. Consequently, this article utilises research relating to older prisoners, drawing inferences to probation experiences. This prompts the question of whether probation is ‘institutionally thoughtless’, a term coined relating to the daily experiences of older prisoners. This article depicts findings from qualitative interviews with older prisoners in prison for the first time. The findings highlight ambivalence towards completing accredited programmes, which may be applicable to probation settings. This article concludes that action to tackle discrimination requires a commitment to justice, self-awareness, and knowledge via policy and practice.
Intramuscular venous malformations of the calf: Surgical treatment outcomes of 57 patients
Authors: Laurian Claude , Cerceau Pierre , Paraskevas Nikos , Massoni Claudine , Marteau Veronique , Wassef Michel , Houdart Emmanuel , Bisdorff Annouk ,   Interdisciplinary Study Group for Vascular Malformations Lariboisière and Saint-Joseph Hospitals
Published: May 2020

Objectives

To report the outcomes of surgical treatment of calf intramuscular venous malformations (IMVMs) on pain, functional limitation, and quality of life.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 57 consecutive patients who had surgery for IMVM of the posterior compartment of the leg between 2010 and 2015. Treatments were all done at a single institution.

Results

Patients presented with pain (52), muscle contracture (14), or pulmonary embolism (4). Muscle involvement included the soleus muscle (n = 28, 49%), the gastrocnemius muscle (n = 25, 43%), and deep muscles (n = 4, 7%). Complete excision was possible in 52 patients (91%) and partial excision in 5 (9%). Thirty-five of 46 patients who had an MRI follow-up at six months had no residual venous malformation. At the final follow-up (mean 39 months), 32 of 40 patients seen had no residual pain and 37 had no residual functional impairment.

Conclusion

In cases where IMVM is located in one muscle in the leg, we demonstrated that surgery yielded improvement in pain, function, and quality of life.
Randomized multicenter study on long-term complications of peripherally inserted central catheters positioned by electrocardiographic technique
Authors: Yin Yu-Xia , Gao Wei , Li Xu-Ying , Lu Wei , Deng Qian-Hong , Zhao Cui-Yun , Liu Xue-Rong , Cao Ming-Kun , Wang Lu-Ning , Zhang Hai-Jun
Published: May 2020

Background

The intracavitary electrocardiogram (IC-ECG) method has been used for the tip location of central venous access devices for the advantage of being safe, accurate and highly cost effective. However, long-term follow-up is rare. This randomized clinical trial aimed to evaluate the long-term complications of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) positioned by the IC-ECG method.

Methods

We randomized 2250 patients who needed PICC placement to either a landmark length estimation supplemented by IC-ECG positioned group (ECG group) or the traditional landmark length estimation alone group (control group) in a 2:1 allocation. Post-procedural chest X-rays were applied to confirm tip position. Follow-up was performed monthly to six months. Standard statistics analyses were performed with the SAS 9.13 software, and p < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results

As evaluated by post-procedural chest X-ray, tip location in the ECG group had a first-attempt success (catheter tip located at optimal position) of 91.7% (95% confidence interval (CI): 90.3%–93.1%), significantly higher than 78.9% (95% CI: 76.0%–81.9%) observed in the control group (p < 0.001). At six-month follow-up, in the control group, frequency of total complications was 9.5%, including the exit site infection (4.0%), phlebitis (1.3%), deep venous thrombosis (1.5%), liquid extravasation (2.9%) and mechanical failure (1.9%). The IC-ECG group had significantly lower rates of complications (6.4%, p < 0.001), including the exit site infection (2.7%, p > 0.05), phlebitis (1.1%, p > 0.05), deep venous thrombosis (1.2%, p > 0.05), liquid extravasation (2.4%, p > 0.05) and mechanical failure (1.2%, p > 0.05). In the univariable logistic regression analysis, ECG method, other diseases and upper arms were the independent protective factors, and the number of adjustment procedures (n ≥ 2) were the independent risk factors of the complications.

Conclusions

The intra-procedural tip location by IC-ECG is more safe and accurate than the traditional method of verifying tip location only post-procedurally, by chest X-ray.
Hard return: the development and transformation process of social participation in stroke survivors; a qualitative study and initial theory
Authors: Zhou Xuan , Du Minxia , Weng Yingli , Zhou Lanshu
Published: May 2020

Objectives:

Given the characteristic of high disability rates, the successful return of stroke patients to society is increasingly becoming a serious challenge. This study aimed developing a theory to reveal the development and transformation process of social participation among stroke survivors as a foundation for creating strategies to improve their social participation.

Design:

A constructivist grounded theory approach using data from in-depth semi-structure interviews.

Setting:

The settings were various, including the stroke follow-up clinic, rehabilitation institutions, subjects’ homes, park, work unit, and rest home in Shanghai, China.

Subjects:

In all, 36 stroke survivors who have passed through the acute phase and returned home participated in this study to share their experiences of social participation and processes of changes from September 2017 to January 2019.

Results:

A substantive theory on the development and transformation process of social participation among stroke survivors was generated, which included four process ingredients: “in-orbit,” “off-orbit,” “returning orbit,” and “in-orbit again.” The core concept “hard return” revealed not only the tough development process but also the unsatisfactory change results. Both participation abilities and participation willingness had an important impact on social participation and also played a significant role in driving its development.

Conclusion:

This study has identified the development process of social participation in stroke survivors and “hard-return” suggests not only the tough process but also unsatisfactory results. Interventions targeted process ingredients seem to be potentially promising to improve stroke survivors’ social function outcomes.
Shibboleths in the studio: Informal demarcation practices among audio engineers
Authors: Marshall Owen
Published: May 2020

Recording engineers have an interest in maintaining their roles as skilled professionals as compared to external competitors, which increasingly include unpaid amateurs and automated software tools. They do this through a variety of material-semiotic demarcation practices. Formal modes of demarcation, such as unionization and professional attire, have largely eroded in recent decades, making informal practices increasingly important. These informal demarcation practices, which I term ‘shibboleths’, allow engineers to locally observe and perform differences between ‘real’ engineers and non-engineers (amateur and automated) while also controlling the visibility of these performances for various audiences. I situate the shibboleth concept within the existing literature on boundary objects and boundary-work, suggesting that it is useful for analyzing situations where collaboration and consensus temporarily break down. I consider two examples: electrical audio cable wrapping techniques and hearing the artifacts of digital vocal tuning software.
Voxel-Based Methodology for Automated 3D Sight Distance Assessment on Highways using Mobile Light Detection and Ranging Data
Authors: Shalkamy Amr , El-Basyouny Karim , Xu Hai Yang
Published: May 2020

Ensuring that the available sight distance (ASD) on highways meets the minimum requirements of geometric design standards is crucial for safe and efficient operation of highways. Current practices of ASD assessment using design software or through site visits are labor intensive, time consuming, and traffic disruptive. Thus, this paper introduces a fully automated algorithm that allows large-scale assessment of ASD in three-dimensional (3D) space on highways utilizing mobile light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data. The algorithm was tested on LiDAR data of highway segments in Alberta, Canada. The results showed that the algorithm was highly accurate in detecting sight distance limitations at the defined regions and, in all cases, the driver’s vision was restricted by the pavement surface on vertical crest curves. In the case of combined vertical and horizontal curves, the vertical crest curve was found to be the controlling element in sight distance deficiencies. In addition, the assessment of historical collision data revealed clusters along the regions defined with ASD limitations, indicating that restrictions in drivers’ vision could have contributed to the collision occurrence.
In vitro toxicity assessment of respirable solid surface composite sawing particles
Authors: Mandler W Kyle , Kang Seungkoo , Farcas Mariana , Qi Chaolong , Friend Sherri A , Qian Yong
Published: May 2020

Solid surface composites (SSCs) are a class of popular construction materials composed of aluminum trihydrate and acrylic polymers. Previous investigations have demonstrated that sawing SSC releases substantial airborne dusts, with a number-based geometric mean diameter of 1.05 µm. We reported that in mice, aspiration exposure to airborne SSC dusts induced symptoms of pulmonary inflammation at 24-h postexposure: neutrophilic influx, alveolitis, and increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in lavage fluid. The particles appeared to be poorly cleared, with 81% remaining at 14-day postexposure. The objective of this study was to determine the toxicity specifically of respirable particles on a model of human alveolar macrophages (THP-1). The relative toxicities of subfractions (0.07, 0.66, 1.58, 5.0, and 13.42 µm diameter) of the airborne particles were also determined. THP-1 macrophages were exposed for 24 h to respirable particles from sawing SSC (0, 12.5, 25, 50, or 100 µg/ml) or size-specific fractions (100 µg/ml). Exposure to respirable SSC particles induced THP-1 macrophage toxicity in a dose-dependent manner. Viability was decreased by 15% and 19% after exposure to 50 and 100 µg/ml SSC, respectively, which correlated with increased cell culture supernatant LDH activity by 40% and 70% when compared to control. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and inflammatory cytokines were increased in a dose-dependent manner. A size-dependent cytotoxic effect was observed in the cells exposed to subfractions of SSC particles. SSC particles of 0.07, 0.66, and 1.58 µm diameter killed 36%, 17%, and 22% of cells, respectively. These results indicate a potential for cytotoxicity of respirable SSC particles and a relationship between particle size and toxicity, with the smallest fractions appearing to exhibit the greatest toxicity.
Catalytic reduction of nitrate in reverse osmosis concentrate by using Pd-Cu/activated carbon felt
Authors: Fuentes Carolina Andrea Bahamondes , Hwang Yuhoon
Published: May 2020

The reverse osmosis concentrate generated during the water reuse process contains a high concentration of nitrate but a low amount of biodegradable organic carbon for heterotrophic denitrification. Catalytic reduction of nitrates using Pd-Cu is one of the most promising technologies to achieve complete removal of nitrate; however, the effect of a range of experimental factors on the nitrate removal rate and N2 selectivity is still an ongoing concern. Two kinds of supporting materials, alumina and activated carbon felt, were used to immobilize the Pd-Cu catalyst. The alumina-based catalyst was used to establish reference conditions for further experiments, and the effect of pH control was evaluated for both supporting materials. It was observed that pH has a direct influence on the nitrate reduction rate as well as the N2 selectivity. Nitrate reduction efficiency was low at acidic conditions while the highest N2 selectivity was obtained at the acidic conditions. The optimal pH condition for Pd-Cu/activated carbon felt was determined as pH 4, showing the highest total nitrogen removal as N2 gas. Finally, the feasibility of catalytic nitrate reduction for reverse osmosis concentrate was evaluated by investigating the effects of organic and inorganic components commonly present in reverse osmosis concentrate. The organic and inorganic components did not show a significant inhibitory effect on catalytic nitrate reduction, while a high concentration of salt significantly decreased the nitrate reduction rate as well as the N2 selectivity. The filter type morphology of the Pd-Cu/activated carbon felt would be beneficial for field application compared to the conventional catalyst with powder form.
Conceptualising flexibility: Challenging representations of time and society in the energy sector*
Authors: Blue Stanley , Shove Elizabeth , Forman Peter
Published: May 2020

There is broad agreement that the need to decarbonise and make better use of renewable and more intermittent sources of power will require increased flexibility in energy systems. However, organisations involved in the energy sector work with very different interpretations of what this might involve. In describing how the notion of flexibility is reified, commodified, and operationalised in sometimes disparate and sometimes connected ways, we show that matters of time and timing are routinely abstracted from the social practices and forms of provision on which the rhythms of supply and demand depend. We argue that these forms of abstraction have the ironic effect of stabilising interpretations of need and demand, and of limiting rather than enabling the emergence of new practices and patterns of demand alongside, and as part of, a radically decarbonised energy system. One way out of this impasse is to conceptualise flexibility as an emergent outcome of the sequencing and synchronisation of social practices. To do so requires a more integrated and historical account of how supply and demand constitute each other and how both are implicated in the temporal organisation of everyday life. It follows that efforts to promote flexibility in the energy sector need to look beyond systems of provision, price, technology, and demand-side management narrowly defined, and instead focus on the social rhythms and the timing of what people do.
Effects of different gums on tensile properties of cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs)-reinforced starch
Authors: Eslami Razieh , Azizi Alireza , Najafi Mohsen
Published: May 2020

This research is focused on the development of a new starch-based nanocomposite films reinforced with cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) for food packaging purposes. A series of starch films were produced by the solution casting method with various concentrations of glycerin, CNF, and citric acid (CA). Mechanical properties of the films were investigated using tensile tests. Based on the results, the best formulation with optimal mechanical properties was introduced by different amounts of various gums to study the effects of the gums on tensile properties of the samples. Fourier-transform infrared analysis was performed to study posttreatment chemical structure of the sample to confirm the cross-linking and esterifying of the nanocomposite films. Results revealed that the tragacanth gum had a negative impact on the mechanical properties, while the frankincense gum (F-gum) and Arabic gum positively influenced the mechanical properties through strengthening the network structure. The sample containing 0.3 g of F-gum (10% w/w, relative to the starch weight) showed the best results compared to the control films.
Innovate or Execute: Spurring the Discussion on a More Controlled and a Regulatory Framework in Social Media Platform
Authors: Kathuria Sakshi , Saha Raiswa , Bansal Harbhajan
Published: May 2020

Social media marketing has garnered a lot of attention in recent times. Regulators, however, do not have any established frameworks to exert a level of control on social media marketing activities. Furthermore, some research studies have shown that control at an organizational level does not appear to be either formal or particularly strong. There are other areas that require investigation as well, such as confusion on the use of personal accounts for marketing the organizations’ products and services, the pressure of releasing media content at speed and the possibility of misuse of any information that is disseminated. There is no doubt social media is an attractive channel for marketing purposes given its free usage and scale of adoption by consumers; however, there is a considerable risk it can be misused as well. Hence, it can be argued that strong control systems should be in place. The case of multiple fatalities in a mob-lynching in India, allegedly as a result of the so-called ‘fake news’ being disseminated via the social media platform Whatsapp, has caught the attention of the Indian government, which is seeking to exert more control over social media channels. Thus, this article critically examines the issue of control over social media marketing in India, and makes suggestions for the creation of a robust control and regulatory framework for the same. This study broadens our understanding of the roles of regulatory framework in social media marketing context.
Optimising the Learning Potential of Simulations Through Structural Transparency and Exploratory Guidance
Authors: Capelo Carlos , Silva Ana Lorga
Published: May 2020

Background. Simulation-based learning environments are used extensively to support learning in complex business systems. Nevertheless, studies have identified problems and limitations due to cognitive processing difficulties. In particular, previous research has addressed some aspects of model transparency and instructional strategy and produced inconclusive results.

Aim. This study investigates the learning effects of using transparent simulations (that is, showing users the internal structure of models) and exploratory guidance (that is, guiding learners so they are able to explore the simulation by themselves, supported by specific cognitive aids) from a mental models perspective.

Method. A test based on a simulation experiment with a system dynamics model, representing a supply chain system, was performed. Participants are required to use the simulator to investigate some issues related to the bullwhip effect and other supply chain coordination concepts.

Results. Participants provided with the more transparent strategy and offered the more exploratory guidance demonstrated better understanding of the structure and behaviour of the underlying model. However, our results suggest that while exploratory guidance is a beneficial method for understanding both model structure and behaviour, making only the model transparent is more limited in its effect.
ABO Blood Groups and Thrombophilia Markers in Patients With Unstimulated Thrombosis in Kurdistan Region of Iraq
Authors: Mohammed Ali Ibrahim , Abdulqader Aveen M. Raouf , Jalal Sana Dlawar , Mahmood Sarwar Noori
Published: May 2020

Thromboembolism (TE) is a complex disease caused by various acquired and inherited factors. The common mutations; factor V Leiden G1691A (FVL G1691A), prothrombin G20210A (PTG20210A), and methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase C677T (MTHFR C677T) are important inherited causes in both venous and arterial thrombosis. The association between ABO blood groups and thrombophilia has been noted by researchers. We aimed to determine the frequency and association of ABO blood groups as a risk factor along with 3 thrombophilia mutations and another 3 thrombophilia markers in a group of patients with unstimulated thrombosis. In a prospective case-control study, we focused on 100 samples, 50 patients with documented thrombosis as well as 50 healthy age-matched controls. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction and reverse hybridization to oligonucleotide particular probes were employed to detect FVL G1691A, PT G20210A, and MTHFR C677T mutations. Analysis of other thrombophilia markers including protein C (PC), protein S (PS), and antithrombin (AT) assays was also performed. ABO blood group typing was done according to standard methods. Non-O blood group was significantly more frequent among cases than controls (76% vs 54%) with high odds of TE (odds ratio [OR] = 2.69). Positivity for at least 1 thrombophilia marker was more in cases (60%) than controls (34%; OR = 2.9). The combined effect of non-O blood group and thrombophilia markers raised the risk of TE (OR = 4.16, P = .001), particularly FVL (OR = 6.76). This study illustrates that harboring the non-O blood group poses an additive effect with other thrombophilia markers in the causation of TE.
Optimum design of electromechanical vibration isolators
Authors: Minnemann Kuhnert Willian , Cammarano Andrea , Silveira Marcos , Paupitz Gonçalves Paulo José
Published: May 2020

Conventional vibration isolators have been used for a long time to isolate a receiver from a source of disturbance. Probably, the most popular example of vibration isolators can be found in automotive suspensions. In vehicles, the spring and damper elements are used to damp road vibration and also to maintain drive handling stability. In this process, the mechanical energy is converted into heat and dissipated in the damper element. The idea of recovering part of the energy has become an attractive topic among researchers over the last three decades. In this context, this study investigates the possibility of replacing the damper element with an electrical circuit coupled to the mechanic system using a permanent magnet/coil transducer. Different electrical circuit configurations are analyzed to study the influence of damping on the mechanical system. Expressions to obtain critical damping and optimum damping to reduce the maximum peak in the frequency response are developed and presented in tabular form for ease of reference. The methodology is then applied to a two-degree-of-freedom system representing a quarter-vehicle suspension model. The results show that coupled electrical circuits can be used to replace fluid dampers in the design of vibration isolators without performance loss.
Intraoperative use of transit time flow measurement improves patency of newly created radiocephalic arteriovenous fistulas in patients requiring hemodialysis
Authors: Cyrek Anna E , Bernheim Johannes , Juntermanns Benjamin , Husen Peri , Pacha Arkadius , Hoffmann Johannes N
Published: May 2020

Background:

The autologous arteriovenous fistula is the primary choice to establish hemodialysis access without high failure rates. Intraoperative ultrasound flow measurements of newly created autologous arteriovenous fistulas represent a possibility of quality control and may therefore be a tool to assess their functionality. The aim of our study was to correlate intraoperative blood flow with access patency.

Methods:

Between March 2012 and March 2015, intraoperative transit time flow measurements were collected on 89 patients. Measurements were performed 5–10 min after the creation of a standardized anastomosis using 3–6 mm flow probes. To examine the correlation between intraoperative blood flow and access patency, groups of patients with high (> 200 mL/min) versus low flow (< 200 mL/min) were enrolled. Patients were assessed clinically and with ultrasound every 3 months. Data were analyzed retrospectively.

Results:

In the current short-term follow-up, including 89 patients (age 62 ± 3 years), 61 (68.5%) of the autologous arteriovenous fistulas were currently being used in an observation period ranging from 3 months to 3 years (mean observation period 546 ± 95 days) postoperatively. The intraoperative blood flow in patients with functioning autologous arteriovenous fistula (78) was significantly higher than that of patients without functioning autologous arteriovenous fistulas (407 ± 25 vs 252 ± 42 mL/min, respectively; p < 0.005) (11).

Conclusion:

The intraoperative measurement of blood flow is a useful tool to predict the outcome of maturation in autologous arteriovenous fistula. With this method, technical problems can be detected and corrected intraoperatively. Routine implementation of intraoperative flow measurements has to be examined by prospective controlled trials.
Do hotel business benefit from increased tourist accessibility? Evidence from China’s high-speed railway program
Authors: Deng Taotao , Gan Chen , Hu Yukun
Published: May 2020

The operation of high-speed railway (HSR) always plays a key role in promoting tourism development of city by improving transportation accessibility and facilitating tourists’ travel. Based on the panel data of 50 major tourist cities in China from 2010 to 2017, this article uses a Tobit model to explore the impact of HSR service on hotel performance that is embodied in occupancy rate. The results show that with other factors unchanged, the cities with a high-frequency HSR service system or hub HSR station tend to have higher hotel occupancy rate. Moreover, the hotel occupancy rate of cities with a suburb HSR station is lower than that of other HSR-served cities. After classifying hotels into luxury and budget groups, this article finds that HSR train frequency and station grade still show positive effects on both luxury and budget hotels. However, in cities with suburb HSR stations, budget hotels tend to have lower occupancy rates, while occupancy rate for luxury hotels shows no significant difference.
Instructor feedback on free writing and automated corrective feedback in drills: Intensity and efficacy
Authors: Gao Jianwu , Ma Shuang
Published: May 2020

This study investigated the intensity and efficacy of automated corrective feedback (CF) in a tutorial CALL (computer-assisted language learning) environment during form-focused drills as compared with those of instructor CF on free writing in the classroom. The English simple past tense, a previously learned target structure, was selected as the target structure. A hundred and fifty-two Chinese intermediate learners of English as a foreign language (EFL) were randomly assigned to six groups and completed three writing tasks: a pretest, an immediate posttest, and a delayed posttest. The six groups included two automated feedback groups (direct correction on an error-correction test and metalinguistic feedback on an error-correction test), two feedback-on-writing groups (direct correction and metalinguistic feedback), a group who completed the error-correction test with no feedback, and a control group who participated in none of the interventions. The results showed that the error-correction test provided the participants with more intensive CF exposure than the writing task. However, the groups that received CF in the writing task were the only groups that performed better than the control in subsequent written production. Post hoc analyses of the production data revealed that the metalinguistic-feedback-on-writing group’s improvement could be attributable to error avoidance.
Advancing Indigenous Mental Health Research
Authors: Gone Joseph P , Kirmayer Laurence J
Published: May 2020

The articles in this issue of Transcultural Psychiatry point the way toward meaningful advances in mental health research pertaining to Indigenous peoples, illuminating the distinctive problems and predicaments that confront these communities as well as unrecognized or neglected sources of well-being and resilience. As we observe in this introductory essay, future research will benefit from ethical awareness, conceptual clarity, and methodological refinement. Such efforts will enable additional insight into that which is common to Indigenous mental health across settler societies, and that which is specific to local histories, cultures and contexts. Research of this kind can contribute to nuanced understandings of developmental pathways, intergenerational effects, and community resilience, and inform policy and practice to better meet the needs of Indigenous individuals, communities and populations.
Characterization of an indoor environmental chamber and identification of C1–C4 OVOCs during isoprene ozonolysis
Authors: Tan Yan , Liu Chang , Ho Kinfai , Ma Qingxin , Lee Shun-Cheng
Published: May 2020

An environmental chamber was built up and characterized at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. The chamber consists of a 6 m3 poly tetrafluoroethylene-co-perfluoropropyl vinyl ether Teflon film reactor inside a stainless-steel enclosure stocked with a series of online gas-phase and aerosol-phase analytical instruments. Temperature and relative humidity are controllable and can be set to a range of 10–40 ± 1°C and 5–85%, ± 3%, respectively. An air purification system provides zero air for the chamber with concentrations of total volatile organic compounds < 1 ppb, NOX and O3 < 1 ppb and particles concentration < 102 particles·cm−3. Characterization experiments were performed under dry conditions (relative humidity< 5%) and ambient temperature (25°C). Average wall loss rates of O3 and NO2 were observed as 2.92 × 10−6 s−1 and 9.3 × 10−4 s−1 respectively, and the particle wall loss rate was 0.27 h−1. Dark ozonolysis of isoprene was studied using this chamber and the production of C1–C4 oxygenated volatile organic compounds such as formaldehyde, methacrolein and methyl vinyl ketone (MVK) was identified using proton-transfer-reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Results of experiments indicate that this new facility can be used to investigate and simulate the gaseous chemistry and secondary aerosol formation.
Aggression Type Influences Perceptions of a Woman’s Body Size, Personality, and Behavior
Authors: Palmer-Hague Jaime L.
Published: May 2020

Although women engage in both physical and nonphysical aggression, little is known about how aggression type influences perceptions of their morphology, personality, and social behavior. Evolutionary theory predicts that women avoid physical aggression due to risk of injury, which could compromise reproductive success. Engaging in physical aggression might therefore decrease women’s perceived mate value. However, physical aggression could be advantageous for some women, such as those who are larger in size and less vulnerable to injury. This presents the possibility that physically aggressive women might be perceived as larger and not necessarily lower in mate value. These hypotheses have not been tested. Across three studies, I used narratives to test the effect of aggression type (physical, verbal, indirect, nonaggressive) on perceptions of women’s height, weight, masculinity, attractiveness, and social status. In Studies 1 and 2, participants perceived a physically aggressive woman to be both larger and more masculine than nonphysically aggressive women. In Study 3, participants perceived both a physically aggressive woman and a nonaggressive woman to be larger than an indirectly aggressive woman; the effect of aggression type on perceptions of a hypothetical man’s height was not significant. I also found some evidence that aggression type influenced perceptions of attractiveness and social status, but these were small and inconsistent effects that warrant further study. Taken together, the results suggest that physical and indirect aggressive behavior may be associated with certain morphological and behavioral profiles in women.