bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A synoptic review of the family Dendronotidae (Mollusca: Nudibranchia): a multilevel organismal diversity approach
Authors: Korshunova Tatiana , Bakken Torkild , Grøtan Viktor V. , Johnson Kjetil B. , Lundin Kennet , Martynov Alexander
Published: September 2020

A synoptic review of the family Dendronotidae is presented based on morphological and molecular data. Three genera are recognized: Dendronotus, Pseudobornella, and Cabangus gen. nov. Two new Dendronotus species are described, D. yrjargul sp. nov. and D. nordenskioeldi sp. nov., which reveal fine-scale differences. Dendronotus yrjargul sp. nov. from mid-Norway and the Arctic regions is a sister species to the North Pacific D. kalikal. These two species are showing clear morphological and ontogenetic differences but are close in genetic distance. In contrast, Dendronotus nordenskioeldi sp. nov. from the Laptev Sea is externally similar to the white morphs of D. lacteus or D. frondosus, but according to the molecular data and radular morphology it is distinct from any of its congenerics. Comparison of molecular and morphological data of D. niveus from the type locality (White Sea) and material from other localities with those from the American North Atlantic coast (type locality of D. elegans) reveals their substantial similarity. Therefore, D. niveus is considered a junior synonym of D. elegans. The present review of the family Dendronotidae contributes to a general discussion on the species concepts and on a recent proposal of multilevel organismal diversity.
Review of the Malagasy lecithocerid species described by Pierre Viette and deposited in MNHN (Paris), with new generic combinations and descriptions of a new subfamily and genus of Momphidae (Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea)
Authors: PARK KYU-TEK , KOO JUN-MO , MINET JOËL
Published: September 2020

The holotypes of the Malagasy Lecithoceridae described by Pierre Viette (from 1954 to 1988) are reviewed, which represents a total of 23 specimens originally assigned to the genera Idiopteryx Walsingham, 1891 (4 named species) and Lecithocera Herrich-Shäffer, 1853 (19 named species). The holotype of Nemophora janineae Viette, 1954, erroneously described in Adelidae, is also included in the present study since it clearly belongs to the Lecithoceridae; N. janineae is here transferred to the genus Parkiana Cho, 2020. All these type specimens are housed in the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle (MNHN, Paris), where Pierre Viette had worked as a researcher during almost forty years (1945–1982). The Lecithocera species in question are transferred either to other genera of the Lecithoceridae, or to other families: 12 species, including Lecithocera kambanella and L. masoalella previously transferred by Park (2018), are assigned to Torodora Meyrick, 1894; three species to Parkiana Cho; the remaining species to non-lecithocerid groups, namely the Gelechiidae: Dichomeridinae (1 species), the Epichostis-group (considered incertae sedis but here expanded to include the genus Merocrates Meyrick, 1931; 1 species), and the Momphidae (2 described species, here regarded as synonyms, viz. L. andrianella Viette, 1968 and L. ranavaloella Viette, 1968). The four alleged Malagasy Idiopteryx turn out to belong to non-lecithocerid families and are transferred to the genera Dichomeris Hübner (Gelechiidae: Dichomeridinae; 1 species), Odites Walsingham (Peleopodidae: Oditinae; 1 species), and Moca Walker (Immidae, superfamily Immoidea; 2 species). Within the Momphidae, Lecithocera andrianella Viette is assigned to a new genus, Adelomompha Minet & Park gen. nov., which is placed in a new subfamily (Adelomomphinae Minet & Park subfam. nov.) since it lacks at least two imaginal apomorphies present in the ground plan of the remaining Momphidae (here placed in the subfamily Momphinae, revised status). High resolution photographs were taken to illustrate the habitus and various morphological structures (genitalia, notably) of the 24 above-mentioned type specimens (MNHN material).
Filicopsothrips genus recorded from China, with description of a new species (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)
Authors: LI YAJIN , LI YAJIN , YUAN SHENGYONG , ZHANG HONGRUI
Published: September 2020

Dendrothripinae is a small sub-family in Thripidae which has a characteristically sinuate metathoracic endofurca reaching into the mesothorax. This structure is associated with the large muscles that are involved in jumping, and a similar metathoracic furca occurs in some Panchaetothripinae members as well as Trachynotothrips in the Thripinae (Mound 1999; Masumoto & Okajima 2005). There are 12 extant genera and more than 100 species of Dendrothripinae, almost all feeding on leaves (ThripsWiki 2020). A few species are considered as pests, like Dendrothrips minowai and Pseudodendrothrips mori that damage the tea plant and mulberry respectively. An identification key to world genera of Dendrothripinae (except Projectothripoides) is available (Mound & Tree 2016), and 14 species representing six genera are recorded in Japan (Masumoto & Okajima 2017). Mirab-balou et al. (2011) provided a list of thrips in China including 15 Dendrothripinae species representing three genera: Asprothrips, Dendrothrips, and Pseudodendrothrips. Subsequently, three new species of Asprothrips have been described from this country (Tong et al. 2016, Wang & Tong 2017) and two other genera, Edissa and Ensiferothrips, were found in Southern China (Zhang et al. 2018). Just recently, Wang et al. (2019) provided a key to 10 Dendrothrips species from China, including one new species. Therefore, five genera and 26 species of Dendrothripinae are recorded in China up to now (Zhang et al. 2018).
A new congrid eel (Teleostei: Anguilliformes: Congridae) from the Western Pacific, with an analysis of its relationships
Authors: SMITH DAVID G. , KARMOVSKAYA EMMA S. , DA SILVA JOÃO PAULO CAPRETZ BATISTA
Published: September 2020

A new species of congrid eel, Bathycongrus villosus sp. nov., is described from the Philippines and Vanuatu. It is similar to some of the small-toothed species currently placed in Bathycongrus and to the species of Bassanago. In this paper we compare the new species to Bassanago albescens (Barnard, 1923) and to Bathycongrus parviporus Karmovskaya, 2011, which it most closely resembles. An analysis of 19 characters shows that it agrees with Bat. parviporus in 16 characters and with Bas. albescens in one. In two characters, the three species are all different. We therefore place it in Bathycongrus.
On the enigmatic genus Oectropsis Blanchard (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Lamiinae): tribal allocation, synonymy, and new species
Authors: DE L. NASCIMENTO FRANCISCO ERIBERTO , MONNÉ MIGUEL A. , SANTOS-SILVA ANTONIO
Published: September 2020

The species of the genus Oectropsis Blanchard, 1851 (Cerambycidae, Lamiinae) are exclusively distributed west of the central Andes region (Chile) and were probably isolated due to phenomena caused by the Andes Mountains. Recent taxonomic revisions of the genus revealed that the species do not have the main features of Acanthocinini, the tribe in which this genus is currently allocated. Instead, they share characteristics with Pogonocherini, especially Pogonocherus Dejean, 1821, whose majority of species are distributed in North America. In addition to the tribal transference, we describe a new species, update a previous key, and we discuss the taxonomic status of some tribes.
Review of the genus Kisaura Ross 1956 (Trichoptera: Philopotamidae) from India
Authors: PANDHER MANPREET SINGH , KAUR SIMARJIT , PAREY SAJAD HUSSAIN
Published: September 2020

This paper synthesizes knowledge of caddisflies belonging to the genus Kisaura Ross 1956 from India. The study is based on collection expeditions undertaken since 2008 in streams of the Indian Himalayan region and some of its contiguous states. The species newly described here include Kisaura sangtam sp. nov. (Nagaland); K. acuta sp. nov., (Uttarakhand); and K. rotunda sp. nov. and K. teestaensis sp. nov. (both from Sikkim). Species reported for the first time from India include Kisaura longispina (Kimmins 1955) (from Uttarakhand); K. laban Malicky & Chantaramongkol 2009 (in Malicky 2009, Arunachal Pradesh); K. rossi (Kimmins 1955) (from Sikkim, Mizoram, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh); K. surasa Malicky & Chantaramongkol 1993 (Uttarakhand); K. filiformis Mey 1996 (from Himachal Pradesh); K. pectinata (Ross 1956) (from West Bengal); and K. intermedia (Kimmins 1955) and K. cina Malicky & Chantaramongkol 1993 (both from Arunachal Pradesh). With these additions the genus Kisaura is represented by 39 species, 35 of which have been described previously (27 described originally from India and 8 new records for India) and 4 are new species.
New species of Thoonchus (Enoplida, Enchelidiidae) from the Yellow Sea and redescription of T. giganticus Belogurova et al., 1986
Authors: ZOGRAF JULIA K. , PAVLYUK OLGA N. , TREBUKHOVA YULIA A. , BAOQUAN LI
Published: September 2020

The family Enchelidiidae is recovered as monophyletic and appears to be a more recently derived taxon within the superfamily Oncholaimoidea. It combines nematodes with buccal cavity with three unequal teeth, crenate pharynx, and absence of demanian system. Genus Thoonchus was erected for nematodes characterized by the large buccal cavity with heavily cuticularized walls and several rows of denticles, short and arcuate spicules and gubernaculums with expanded corpus. One new species is described here from the Sishili Bay, located in the northern Yellow Sea. Thoonchus covidus sp. nov. is characterized by the body length 3195‒4339 µm, outer labial and cephalic setae in one circle, pocket shaped amphid above the buccal cavity base, secretory-excretory pore at the base of cephalic setae, arched spicules, gubernaculum with thin proximal extension parallel to spicules, preanal supplement absent, three pairs of preanal papillae. It differs from other congeners by the position of secretory-excretory pore, absence of supplementary organ in males and presence of three pairs of precloacal papillae. Redescription of T. giganticus is also provided. After critical evaluation of the genus we recognize 4 valid species and provide a taxonomic key to species.
Leaving Kashi: Sanskrit knowledge and cultures of consumption in eighteenth-century South India
Authors: Venkatkrishnan Anand
Published: September 2020

Recent studies of scholarly life in early modern India have concentrated on the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. My essay has two aims: to push this study into the long eighteenth century, and to contextualise the new configurations of Sanskrit scholarship in the movement of people between Banaras and Thanjavur, theorised here as centres of gravity and of levity, respectively. Towards the end of the seventeenth century, the Maharashtrian scholar Raghunātha Gaṇeśa Navahasta moved from his post as temple priest at Chāphaḷ, in the Sātārā district, down south to Thanjavur, to receive the patronage of Queen Dīpābāī. At the behest of the queen, Raghunātha began writing in Marathi instead of Sanskrit, in order to reach a wider audience. Despite his elite education as a young man in Banaras, his Sanskrit writing itself was likely accessible to the same audience that the queen had envisioned. What were Raghunātha’s true aspirations, and how did changes in his working conditions shape his career? In this essay, I trace Raghunātha’s entrepreneurial spirit through his Bhojanakutūhala, or Curiosities on Consumption. Although traditionally the prerogative of cultural historians of food, the Bhojanakutūhala reveals just as much about the intellectual context of its author as he travelled from north to south. I conclude by comparing Raghunātha’s career with that of his contemporary and namesake, Raghunātha Paṇḍita.
Construal Matching in Online Search: Applying Text Analysis to Illuminate the Consumer Decision Journey
Authors: Humphreys Ashlee , Isaac Mathew S. , Wang Rebecca Jen-Hui
Published: September 2020

As consumers move through their decision journey, they adopt different goals (e.g., transactional vs. informational). In this research, the authors propose that consumer goals can be detected through textual analysis of online search queries and that both marketers and consumers can benefit when paid search results and advertisements match consumer search–related goals. In bridging construal level theory and textual analysis, the authors show that consumers at different stages of the decision journey tend to assume different levels of mental construal, or mindsets (i.e., abstract vs. concrete). They find evidence of a fluency-driven matching effect in online search such that when consumer mindsets are more abstract (more concrete), consumers generate textual search queries that use more abstract (more concrete) language. Furthermore, they are more likely to click on search engine results and ad content that matches their mindset, thereby experiencing more search satisfaction and perceiving greater goal progress. Six empirical studies, including a pilot study, a survey, three lab experiments, and a field experiment involving over 128,000 ad impressions provide support for this construal matching effect in online search.
Biologic Immunomodulatory Drugs and Infection in the Respiratory Tract of Nonhuman Primates
Authors: Flandre Thierry D. , Piaia Alessandro , Cary Maurice G.
Published: September 2020

Though rare due to measures and practices to control the risk, infections can occur in research and toxicology studies, especially in nonhuman primates (NHPs) exposed to xenobiotics, particularly immunomodulatory drugs. With such xenobiotics, immunocompromised or immunosuppressed animals will not be able to mount a protective response to infection by an opportunistic pathogen (bacteria, virus, parasite, or fungus) that might otherwise be nonpathogenic and remain clinically asymptomatic in immunocompetent animals. The respiratory tract is one of the most commonly affected systems in clinic, but also in toxicology studies. Pulmonary inflammation will be the main finding associated with opportunistic infections and may cause overt clinical disease with even early sacrifice or death, and may compromise or complicate the pathology evaluation. It is important to properly differentiate the various features of infection, to be aware of the range of possible opportunistic pathogens and how they may impact the interpretation of pathology findings. This review will present the most common bacterial, viral, parasitic, and fungal infections observed in the respiratory tract in NHPs during research and/or toxicology studies.
Re-inventing Information: The Struggle for an Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Aleksander Igor
Published: September 2020

Traditionally, the Kelvin Lecture is given by a pure scientist to engineers on some scientific principles which have an application in engineering. In this case, it is the broader scientific principles of informational transactions which are discussed.
Intelligent Computer-assisted Instruction (ICAI): Flexible Learning through Better Student-Computer Interaction
Authors: Duchastel Philippe , Imbeau Jacques
Published: September 2020

Intelligent computer-assisted instruction (ICAI) uses artificial intelligence techniques to imitate in computer form the power of human tutorial processes. Its major technical features are the use of a modularized knowledge base instead of CAI's textual scripts, and the ability to interpret the student's statements and questions expressed in natural English. These features make ICAI systems extremely flexible and allow the student much greater learner control of the interaction than is traditionally possible in CAI. Other major elements of an ICAI system are an extensive model of the student and an explicit model of the tutoring process. Our research on the development of GEO, an ICAI system which interacts with students in the area of geography, is briefly described. Finally, the nature of this new technology is discussed in terms of its potential influence on university teaching and learning, especially in terms of our conception of learning.
The Importance of Organizational Considerations for the Implementation of Information Technology
Authors: Lunt P. J. , Barclay I.
Published: September 2020

Many companies introducing information technology, in any form, can experience problems because the organizational aspects of introducing such technology have not received their due consideration.

The paper will firstly review the various aspects to be considered, and then discusses the results of research work undertaken in companies in the UK and Japan, to compare and contrast the differing approaches of these two countries to technology implementation.
An Overview of Intelligent Decision Systems
Authors: Lee Daniel T.
Published: September 2020

System integration has been the goal for both academicians and practitioners for more than two decades. Tremendous efforts have been made toward the achievement of a unifying theory or at least a framework in system integration. Unfortunately, the goal has not been achieved because of the dynamic nature of the subject. The purpose of this paper is to conduct a systematic analysis of the related subjects in system integration and to develop a framework which can be used to guide researchers and practitioners in system integration development. Traditional data modelling techniques and knowledge representation methodologies will be reviewed first. Major emphasis will be placed on object-oriented system integration and hybrid knowledge representation methods for developing an integrated intelligent decision system for next generation decision making.
Impact of Knowledge Based Information Systems on Organisations
Authors: Jamieson Rodger , Szeto Richard
Published: September 2020

This paper investigates the impact of knowledge based information systems (KBIS) on commercial organisations. A questionnaire and interview format was used to gather information from eleven commercial organisations developing KBIS. Three prime areas were considered, namely knowledge acquisition, knowledge representation, and KBIS development methodologies. For each of these areas, the normative position as expressed in the literature is presented and then compared to the survey findings. Problems involved in the development of KBIS are mentioned as well as developers’ perceptions of the future directions for KBIS within their organisations. Additional information on each organisation is presented in an Appendix in order to provide a richer picture and background to the study. The main preliminary findings are that KBIS have made an impact on organisations in Australia who are willing to make a considerable investment of resources in this new venture. While most organisations are treating this technology as research and development, they believe that the technology will be absorbed into their mainstream information systems in the future. These systems are seen as providing a competitive edge to those organisations willing to make the investment.
Frontal lobe epilepsy manifesting as vertigo: a case report and literature review
Authors: Jiang Yongning , Zhou Xiangqin
Published: September 2020

Frontal lobe epilepsy is a common neurological disorder with a broad spectrum of symptoms. Frontal lobe epilepsy presenting with vertigo is extremely rare, and the relevant pathogenesis remains unclear. Herein, we report a case of frontal lobe epilepsy manifesting as vertigo, and we review the relevant literature. A 34-year-old woman presented with a 10-year history of general tonic–clonic seizures. In the month prior to admission, she experienced nocturnal seizures on two occasions. Video electroencephalogram monitoring showed frequent clinical seizures during which the patient felt transient vertigo. The ictal electroencephalogram revealed a medium-amplitude spike and slow wave complex originating from the frontal lobes. The patient was treated with oral sodium valproate, levetiracetam, and lamotrigine. After a 6-month follow-up period, her seizures were well controlled. Our findings expand the symptom spectrum of epilepsy, suggesting that vertigo can be an uncommon clinical manifestation of frontal lobe epilepsy. Although the pathological correlation between vertigo and epilepsy remains elusive, our findings indicate that vestibular cortical neurons may participate in periodic epileptiform discharges of the frontal lobe. Clinicians should be aware of a potential diagnosis of epilepsy in patients presenting with vertigo as the onset symptom because this condition is usually underdiagnosed.
Practical Approaches and Knowledge Gaps in the Care for Children With Leukodystrophies
Authors: Keller Stephanie R. , Mallack Eric J. , Rubin Jennifer P. , Accardo Jennifer A. , Brault Jennifer A. , Corre Camille S. , Elizondo Camila , Garafola Jennifer , Jackson-Garcia April C. , Rhee Jullie , Seeger Elisa , Shullanberger Kaprice C. , Tourjee Amanda , Trovato Melissa K. , Waldman Amy T. , Wallace Jenna L. , Wallace Michael R. , Werner Klaus , White Angela , Ess Kevin C. , Becker Catherine , Eichler Florian S.
Published: September 2020

Leukodystrophies are a group of neurodegenerative genetic disorders that affect approximately 1 in 7500 individuals. Despite therapeutic progress in individual leukodystrophies, guidelines in neurologic care are sparse and consensus among physicians and caregivers remains a challenge. At patient advocacy meetings hosted by Hunter’s Hope from 2016-2018, multidisciplinary experts and caregivers met to conduct a literature review, identify knowledge gaps and summarize best practices regarding neurologic care. Stages of severity in leukodystrophies guided recommendations to address different levels of need based on a newly defined system of disease severity. Four core neurologic domains prioritized by families were identified and became the focus of this guideline: sleep, pain, seizures/epilepsy, and language/cognition. Based on clinical severity, the following categories were used: presymptomatic, early symptomatic, intermediate symptomatic, and advanced symptomatic. Across the leukodystrophies, neurologic care should be tailored to stages of severity while accounting for unique aspects of every disease and multiple knowledge gaps present. Standardized tools and surveys can help guide treatment but should not overburden families.
Characteristics and Outcomes of Mechanically Ventilated COVID-19 Patients—An Observational Cohort Study
Authors: Krause Martin , Douin David J. , Kim Kevin K. , Fernandez-Bustamante Ana , Bartels Karsten
Published: September 2020

Background:

The United States currently has more confirmed cases of COVID-19 than any other country in the world. Given the variability in COVID-19 testing and prevention capability, identifying factors associated with mortality in patients requiring mechanical ventilation is critical. This study aimed to identify which demographics, comorbidities, markers of disease progression, and interventions are associated with 30-day mortality in COVID-19 patients requiring mechanical ventilation.

Methods:

Adult patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 admitted to one of the health system’s intensive care units and requiring mechanical ventilation between March 9, 2020 and April 1, 2020, were included in this observational cohort study. We used Chi-Square and Mann-Whitney U tests to compare patient characteristics between deceased and living patients and multiple logistic regression to assess the association between independent variables and the likelihood of 30-day mortality.

Results:

We included 85 patients, of which 20 died (23.5%) within 30 days of the first hospital admission. In the univariate analysis, deceased patients were more likely ≥60 years of age (p < 0.001), non-Hispanic (p = 0.026), and diagnosed with a solid malignant tumor (p = 0.003). Insurance status also differed between survivors and non-survivors (p = 0.019). Age ≥60 and malignancy had a 9.5-fold (95% confidence interval 1.4-62.3, p = 0.020) and 5.8-fold higher odds ratio (95% confidence interval 1.2-28.4, p = 0.032) for 30-day mortality after adjusted analysis using multivariable logistic regression, while other independent variables were no longer significant.

Conclusions:

In our observational cohort study of 85 mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients, age, and a diagnosis of a solid malignant tumor were associated with 30-day mortality. Our findings validate concerns for the survival of elderly and cancer patients in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, where testing capabilities and preventative measures have been inconsistent. Preventative efforts geared to patients at risk for intensive care unit mortality from COVID-19 should be explored.
Fabrication of chondrocytes/chondrocyte-microtissues laden fibrin gel auricular scaffold for microtia reconstruction
Authors: Yue Haiqiong , Pathak Janak L , Zou Rui , Qin Lei , Liao Ting , Hu Yongxin , Kuang Wei , Zhou Libin
Published: September 2020

Fibrin gel-based scaffolds have promising potential for microtia reconstruction. Autologous chondrocytes and chondrocyte cell sheets are frequently used seed cell sources for cartilage tissue engineering. However, the aesthetic outcome of chondrocyte-based microtia reconstruction is still not satisfactory. In this study, we aimed to fabricate the chondrocytes/chondrocyte-microtissues laden fibrin gel auricular scaffold for microtia reconstruction. We designed a unique auricular mold that could fabricate a fibrin gel scaffold resembling human auricle anatomy. Primary chondrocytes were harvested from rabbit auricular cartilage, and chondrocyte cell sheets were developed. Chondrocyte-microtissues were prepared from the cell sheets. The mixture of chondrocytes/chondrocyte-microtissues was laden in fibrin gel during the auricular scaffold fabrication. The protrusions and recessed structure in the auricular scaffold surface were still clearly distinguishable. After a one-week in vitro culture, the 3 D structure and auricular anatomy of the scaffold were retained. And followed by eight-week subcutaneous implantation, cartilaginous tissue was regenerated in the artificial auricular structure as indicated by the results of H&E, Toluidine blue, Safranin O, and type II collagen (immunohistochemistry) staining. Protrusions and depressions of the auricular scaffold were slightly deformed, but the overall auricular anatomy was maintained after 8-week in vivo implantation. Extracellular matrix components content were similar in artificial auricular cartilage and rabbit native auricular cartilage. In conclusion, the mixture of chondrocytes/chondrocyte-microtissues laden fibrin gel auricular scaffold showed a promising potential for cartilaginous tissue regeneration, suggesting this as an effective approach for autologous chondrocyte-based microtia reconstruction.
Multi material 3D printing of PLA-PA6/TiO2 polymeric matrix: Flexural, wear and morphological properties
Authors: Kumar Sudhir , Singh Rupinder , Singh Mohit , Singh TP , Batish Ajay
Published: September 2020

The poly-lactic acid (PLA), bio compatible polyamide (PA6) and TiO2 has established bio-medical applications especially in 3D printing of scaffolds. But hitherto little has been reported on improving the performance of multi-material matrix for PLA-PA6/TiO2 especially in 3D printing application of biomedical scaffolds. The anti-bacterial properties of PA6/TiO2 make it worthy to be explored with PLA matrix in multi layered fashion on the platform of fused deposition modeling (FDM) being low cost 3D printing technology for in house development of scaffolds. In this work an effort has been made for in-house development of feedstock filaments of PLA and PA6/TiO2 based polymeric composite matrix on twin screw extrusion (TSE) machine. Further the feedstock filament wires were used on FDM to establish the flexural, wear and morphological properties of multi-material 3D printed functional prototype. The results of the study suggest that for flexural strength, infill speed: 90mm/s; infill pattern: triangular and layer combination as 5 consecutive layers of PLA and 5 consecutive layers of PA6/TiO2 are the optimized conditions for FDM printing. The wear testing results suggest that the composite of PA6/TiO2 held low wear rate (823 µm) in comparison to PLA (wear rate: 1092 µm). Further porosity testing (based upon optical photomicrographs) at ×100 and fractured surface analysis at ×30 supported the observed trends for flexural and wear testing. The photomicrographs of fractured surface were 3D rendered to predict the role of surface roughness (Ra) profile for flexural properties. The mechanical and morphological observations are also supported with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis.
‘This scene is itself living’: Buildings as landscapes in transatlantic human geography, 1870–1970
Authors: Ekman Peter
Published: September 2020

What do houses do to the people who live with them? In what sense are houses themselves living things? If they live and act, how to conceive of the relationship between built and natural landscapes, and between environment and life more broadly? This article considers three moments at which human geographers have attempted to answer these questions without submitting to visions of environmental causation and constraint favoured by determinists, who dominated the discipline into the early 20th century. The article begins with the work of Carl Sauer, by 1925 the major American figure refuting environmental determinism at a theoretical level and recommending the study of housing as an articulate transcript of human action. It then looks back to the American writings of Friedrich Ratzel, one of several German scholars Sauer canonized, to illuminate a more vitalistic ontology of domestic architecture, and an urbanism, untapped by Sauer when filing his dissent. It then looks ahead to mid-century studies of vernacular architecture – by those of Sauer’s students friendlier to urban life than he was, and by the critic and publisher J. B. Jackson – to assess how this inheritance informed critiques of industrial modernity in the post-war United States. The article observes certain continuities, despite manifest tensions, between ‘old’ and ‘new’ cultural geographies. It also routes a long-standing set of debates concerning the relationship of materiality to meaning – and of spatial to social form – through the case of human geography, a peculiar interstice in the broader constellation of disciplines.
Numerical investigation of the pressure and friction resistance of a high-speed subway train based on an overset mesh method
Authors: Liu Zhen , Chen Guang , Zhou Dan , Wang Zhe , Guo Zijian
Published: September 2020

The aerodynamic resistance induced by a high-speed metro train entering and operating in a tunnel with a speed of 120 km/h is simulated using a three-dimensional, compressible turbulence model. An overset mesh method is adopted to solve the moving boundary problem, and the flow field around the train is simulated with a k-omega SST turbulence model to obtain accurate stress values at the walls. The selected model is verified with experimental and numerical data from the literature. Then, numerical simulations are performed to analyse the formation mechanisms of the pressure and friction drags. The aerodynamic drag basically stabilizes after the expansion wave passes the train head. The results reveal that the variations in friction resistance are related to the direction of the Mach wave, and this trend differs from that observed for pressure resistance. Mach wave influences the velocity where it passes, and further influences the friction drag. Result shows that friction drag of the train increases when encounter with compression wave propagated from the front or expansion wave propagated from the back, and decreases otherwise. The effects of the blockage ratio on the maximum and average pressure and friction resistance values of each train section are evaluated based on fitting functions. The predicted aerodynamic drag varies with the blockage ratio and for each train section, and the results are summarized and compared with predictions and experimental data from the literature. The variations in tunnel resistance and the overall trend are in good agreement with the previous results. Therefore, the findings presented in this study may provide a reference for the design of high-speed subway tunnels.
Experimental study of the optimum puncture pattern of robot-assisted needle insertion into hyperelastic materials
Authors: Wang Yao , Fu Zhuang , Zhao Zhi-Feng , Shen Yun , Zhang Tie-Feng , Shi Wei-Yi , Fei Jian , Chen Guang-Biao
Published: September 2020

The robot-assisted insertion surgery plays a crucial role in biopsy and therapy. This study focuses on determining the optimum puncture pattern for robot-assisted insertion, aiming at the matching problem of needle insertion parameters, thereby to reduce the pain for patients and to improve the reachability to the lesion point. First, a 6-degrees of freedom (DOFs) Computed Tomography (CT)-guided surgical robotic system for minimally invasive percutaneous lung is developed and used to perform puncture experiments. The effects of four main insertion factors on the robotic puncture are verified by designing the orthogonal test, where the inserting object is the artificial skin-like specimen with high transparent property and a digital image processing method is used to analyze the needle tip deflection. Next, the various phases of puncture process are divided and analyzed in detail in view of the tissue deformation and puncture force. Then, short discussion on the comparison of puncture force with different effect factors for the same beveled needle is presented. The same pattern can be observed for all of the cases. Finally, based on the experimental data, the formulations of the puncture force and needle deflection which depends on Gauge size, insertion velocity, insertion angle, and insertion depth are developed using the multiple regression method, which can be used to get an optimum puncture pattern under the constrains of minimum peak force and minimum needle tip deflection. The developed models have the effectiveness and applicability on determining the optimum puncture pattern for one puncture event, and which can also provide insights useful for the setting of insertion parameters in clinical practice.
It is about time: Birthdays as modern rites of temporality
Authors: Shoham Hizky
Published: September 2020

What do birthdays mean? Why are they so obligatory for modern people? Based on neo-Durkheimian perspectives on ritual, this article suggests the anthropological history of the western birthday as a key to understand its meaning. The article points at the unique ritual system developed by modern industrial culture, such as birthdays, jubilees, and other anniversaries—designated here as Rites of Temporality—which latch on to the numerical milestones marking the passage of time to which the celebrant (individual, institution, settlement, state, and so forth) is subject. Comparing the birthday with classical rites of initiation then reveals how over and above individualism, consumer culture, state bureaucracy, and historical consciousness, the birthday honors time’s most noticeable markers since the industrial era—numbers—thus objectifying conventionalized time as a central meaning maker for modern people.
Comparing the knowledge gap hypothesis in the United States and Singapore: The case of nanotechnology
Authors: Ho Shirley S. , Looi Jiemin , Leung Yan Wah , Bekalu Mesfin Awoke , Viswanath Kasisomayajula
Published: September 2020

This study examines the knowledge gap hypothesis in the United States and Singapore in the context of nanotechnology. This study proposes that academic discipline serves as a better indicator than education levels in predicting nanotechnology knowledge gaps. To reflect the contemporary media landscape, this study examines how attention to online media and documentaries alongside traditional news outlets affect individuals’ nanotechnology knowledge. In both countries, online media and documentaries, as well as traditional news outlets, were related to nanotechnology knowledge to various extents. While the knowledge gap hypothesis was not observed in Singapore, results revealed that increased media attention and interpersonal discussion widened knowledge gaps between individuals from science and non-science disciplines in the United States. Education levels failed to reveal a consistent moderation effect. Taken together, the interaction analyses revealed that academic discipline predicted nanotechnology knowledge gaps more consistently than education levels in the United States. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
The Constitution of Non-Monetary Surplus Values
Authors: Teubner Gunther
Published: September 2020

The article rebuts the primacy of economic profit in advanced capitalist societies, and submits that the imperative to extract surplus value governs also the law and other social domains and is not merely a product of economic forces. Not only the economy but also the law and other function systems force each of their operations to generate a specific surplus value – but now explicitly non-monetary – beyond its immediate production of meaning. The object of the surplus orientation is the system’s own communication medium – power, truth/reputation, money, and juridical authority. The success of surplus pressures is responsible for the immensely productive forces unleashed in capitalism. However, they demonstrate an excessive ambivalence: immense productivity and its destructive dark side. Similar to the monetary profit pressure in the economy, (auto- and hetero-) destructive tendencies of non-monetary surplus pressures have multiplied in the law and in other areas of life. Political-legal counterstrategies combating the negative side of diverse societal surplus productions could be inspired from Karl Polanyi’s famous concept of false commodities and their replacement by non-market institutions.
Child Marriage Among Girls in India: Prevalence, Trends and Socio-Economic Correlates
Authors: Paul Pintu
Published: September 2020

This article examines prevalence of child marriage among girls in India, its trends and socio-economic correlates. It is based on data extracted from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS). This analysis shows that the prevalence of marriage among female children has considerably declined between 1992–1993 (NFHS-1) and 2015–2016 (NFHS-4). Its incidence by age cohorts also shows a significant reduction during the recent period. However, child marriage is persistent among uneducated, poor and rural women. The results of multivariate logistic regression reveal that the educational attainment and wealth status of the household are the most significant correlates of female child marriage in India. Girls and young women with secondary and higher educational levels are less likely to be married before 18 years compared to the uneducated ones. Further, females living in poverty are associated with increased odds of child marriage compared to those from wealthier economic status. The findings suggest that increasing opportunities for girls’ education and providing financial assistance to the poor families would eliminate the practice of child marriage among Indian women.
Modeling of magnetic shape memory alloy plates for pressure sensor application
Authors: Sayyaadi Hassan , Naderi Hossein
Published: September 2020

This article investigates the basis for pressure sensor application based on the magnetic shape memory effect in membranes. Von Karmans nonlinear terms are considered in strain–displacement relationships of thin films, and a new method is presented for solution of large deflections of thin films with arbitrary boundary condition. In this study, the equations of motion of magnetic shape memory alloys are extended. In pressurized membranes, the complex distribution of mechanical stress can cause the martensitic reorientation, which is the underlying mechanism for sensing applications in magnetic shape memory alloys. To examine the obtained model, the governing equations of magnetic shape memory alloys are solved for clamped thin films and results are compared with experimental data. Demonstrating good agreement with experimental data, the presented model can be used for analysis of magnetic shape memory alloy–based smart structures. In this article, the deflection profile of the uniformly loaded thin films is determined with different boundary conditions. Furthermore, the center deflection of magnetic shape memory alloy membrane under different magnetic bias field is simulated. The results of simulation can be used for designing a membrane-based pressure sensor using magnetic shape memory alloys.
Party Competition, Personal Votes, and Strategic Disloyalty in the U.S. States
Authors: Burke Richard , Kirkland Justin H. , Slapin Jonathan B.
Published: September 2020

Legislators will sometimes vote against their party’s position on roll-call votes to differentiate themselves from the party mainstream and to accrue a “personal vote.” Research suggests that the use of rebellion to generate a personal vote is more common (1) among majority party members and (2) among ideological extremists. But these majority party extremists only have a strong incentive to rebel in situations where the accrual of a personal vote is electorally useful. In this manuscript, we evaluate variation in rebellion rates of state legislators in the United States conditional on ideological extremism and majority control. Using donation-based measures of ideology and roll call–based measures of party loyalty over a twenty-year period across more than 30,000 legislators, we find that when legislators have little incentive to differentiate themselves from their parties, this “strategic” party disloyalty among majority party ideological extremists is limited. However, when legislators have strong incentives to craft a personal vote, ideological extremists defect from their party more often than their moderate counterparts. In particular, we find greater evidence for this type of strategic party disloyalty in states with high intra-party competition and low inter-party competition and less evidence in states with high inter-party competition.
Evaluation of the Validity of SAMe-TT2R2 Score in a Cohort of Venous Thromboembolism Patients Treated With Warfarin
Authors: Alhmoud Eman Nawash , Elewa Hazem , Abdul Gelil Mohammed S. , Abd El Samad Osama B. , Elzouki Abdelnasser Y.
Published: September 2020

Low SAMe-TT2R2 score of <2 was validated as a predictor of optimum anticoagulation control, reflected by mean time in therapeutic range (TTR) above 65% to 70%, among warfarin-treated atrial fibrillation patients. This study aimed to validate the ability of SAMe-TT2R2 score and its individual components in predicting anticoagulation control (mean TTR and clinical events) among a cohort of venous thromboembolism (VTE) patients in Qatar. A total of 295 patients were retrospectively evaluated. There was a trend toward statistical significance in mean TTR between low (<2) and high (≥ 2) SAMe-TT2R2 score groups ( P = .05), a difference that was not sustained when a cutoff of 3 was used (ie, a score of 3 or more). Patients with poor INR control (TTR <70%) were numerically less likely to have SAMe-TT2R2 score of <2 compared with those with good INR control, though the difference was not statistically significant (16.7% vs 83.3%, respectively, P = .4). No thromboembolic events were reported, and no association was found between the score and risk of bleeding. Non-Caucasian origin was the only significant predictor of good anticoagulation in the studied cohort. In conclusion, SAMe-TT2R2 score could not predict quality of anticoagulation control in a cohort of VTE patients treated with warfarin in Qatar. Contribution of other clinical factors and whether a different scoring may yield better prediction of anticoagulation control remains to be tested.
Low-conservative robust composite nonlinear feedback control for singular time-delay systems
Authors: Jafari Emad , Binazadeh Tahereh
Published: September 2020

A low-conservative composite nonlinear feedback controller is proposed for singular time-delay systems with time-varying delay. The proposed composite nonlinear feedback controller not only improves the transient responses of the closed-loop system but it also has less conservatism than other composite nonlinear feedback controllers. The gain of the linear part of the composite nonlinear feedback controller is obtained by precise mathematical calculation to depend not only on the upper bound of the delay but also on the delay range and rate of its changes. More advantages of the proposed composite nonlinear feedback controller are its accurate operation in the presence of actuator saturation, model uncertainties, and system singularities. The linear and nonlinear parts of the proposed controller are designed by solving a linear matrix inequality problem confirmed through a theorem using Lyapunov stability analysis. The theoretical achievements are endorsed by computer simulation through numerical and practical examples.
Assessing the Effects of Service Variability on Consumer Confidence and Behavior
Authors: Voorhees Clay M. , Beck Jonathan M. , Randhawa Praneet , DeTienne Kristen Bell , Bone Sterling A.
Published: September 2020

This research examines the effects of service variability on consumer confidence and behavior across multiple transactions in a service relationship. This article integrates discussions of service relationships and models of service variability. Leveraging a field study, the authors track over 12,000 experiences across 3,084 consumers for a 2-year period and model the impact of variability in these experiences on consumer relationships. The results reveal variability in a service relationship can significantly impact consumer confidence and that the nature of this relationship is nonlinear, revealing that small variations in quality will have strong effects on confidence and that these effects plateau as variability increases. Despite these overall effects, we also demonstrate that the positive benefits of service improvement strategies can offset these effects. Finally, in a second study, the results suggest firms can insulate themselves from the effects of variability by encouraging consumer involvement in relational investments (i.e., loyalty programs) that provide consumers with both interpersonal (i.e., status) and economic resources (i.e., points). Taken together, the results demonstrate that consumers integrate evaluations across transactions when evaluating a service provider, thus focusing on a single transaction, in isolation, may not accurately capture consumers’ perceptions of the service relationship.
Redefining screenshots: Toward critical literacy of screen capture practices
Authors: Švelch Jan
Published: September 2020

With the help of screenshots, human and nonhuman actors alike document their professional and leisure encounters with screen-based technologies. In this article, I investigate how and why screenshots have come to be understood as faithful visual records of digital culture. By tracing screenshot’s origins to photographic techniques used for capturing medical imaging, oscillograms, and first applications of computer-aided design, I show a lineage of a straightforward mode of representation built on the assumptions of indexicality and iconic resemblance. However, this initially mechanical act of image reproduction has given rise to transformative practices of promotional and artistic screenshots (represented in this article by in-game photography), which subvert the conventions of accurate representation. By contrasting these visual phenomena, I argue for the redefinition of screenshot and show the need for critical literacy of screenshot-based images.