bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mind your head: two cases of mucosal metastasis of BRAF-mutated melanoma of the scalp
Authors: Koppes S. A. , Schrader A. M. R. , Jansen A. M. L. , Rijken J. A. , Kamphuis A. M. , Blokx W. A. M.
Published: June 2021

Mucosal melanomas are rare and only a small portion bear BRAF mutations while cutaneous melanomas have a much higher prevalence and often harbor BRAF mutations. We present two cases in which, after a malignant melanocytic mucosal lesion with a BRAF mutation was found, the primary cutaneous source was identified and clonality confirmed between the lesions. In both cases, primary lesions occurred on the scalp, an often-overlooked site. Both lesions showed signs of regression implying that in due time these lesions could have been fully regressed and might never have been detected. In that case, the metastatic mucosal lesion would erroneously be identified as a BRAF-mutated mucosal melanoma. These cases give warrant; a careful dermatological inspection should be instigated when confronted with a BRAF-mutated mucosal melanoma. We hypothesize that some BRAF-mutated mucosal melanomas might actually represent metastases of regressed cutaneous melanomas.
The emerging role of small RNAs in ovule development, a kind of magic
Authors: Petrella Rosanna , Cucinotta Mara , Mendes Marta A. , Underwood Charles J. , Colombo Lucia
Published: June 2021

In plants, small RNAs have been recognized as key genetic and epigenetic regulators of development. Small RNAs are usually 20 to 30 nucleotides in length and they control, in a sequence specific manner, the transcriptional or post-transcriptional expression of genes. In this review, we present a comprehensive overview of the most recent findings about the function of small RNAs in ovule development, including megasporogenesis and megagametogenesis, both in sexual and apomictic plants. We discuss recent studies on the role of miRNAs, siRNAs and trans-acting RNAs (ta-siRNAs) in early female germline differentiation. The mechanistic complexity and unique regulatory features are reviewed, and possible directions for future research are provided.
Self-critical Rumination and Associated Metacognitions as Mediators of the Relationship Between Perfectionism and Self-esteem
Authors: Fearn Monica , Marino Claudia , Spada Marcantonio M. , Kolubinski Daniel C.
Published: June 2021

Past research has shown that perfectionism, can negatively impact self-esteem. However, the mediating factors that explain this relationship remain unclear. The current study aimed to investigate whether specific cognitive processes, namely, self-critical rumination and associated metacognitions, mediate this relationship. An opportunity sample of 347 participants completed a battery of online questionnaires measuring clinical perfectionism, self-critical rumination, metacognitions about self-critical rumination, self-esteem, and levels of psychological distress. Several hypotheses were tested to examine the associations between the study variables. Following this, a path analysis was used to determine whether the influence of perfectionistic concerns and perfectionistic striving on self-esteem is mediated by positive metacognitions about self-critical rumination, self-critical rumination, and negative metacognitions about self-critical rumination, serially. Positive metacognitions about self-critical rumination, self-critical rumination, and negative metacognitions about self-critical rumination partially mediated the relationship between perfectionistic concerns and self-esteem and fully mediated the relationship between perfectionistic striving and self-esteem. These results point towards possible interventions for those who struggle with low self-esteem due to their perfectionistic tendencies. Further investigations should explore additional factors that help to explain why perfectionism impacts self-esteem levels, whilst also addressing the limitations of this current research.
Intermethod Comparison and Evaluation of Measured Near Surface Residual Stress in Milled Aluminum
Authors: Chighizola C. R. , D’Elia C. R. , Weber D. , Kirsch B. , Aurich J. C. , Linke B. S. , Hill M. R.
Published: June 2021

Background

While near surface residual stress (NSRS) from milling is a driver for distortion in aluminum parts there are few studies that directly compare available techniques for NSRS measurement.

Objective

We report application and assessment of four different techniques for evaluating residual stress versus depth in milled aluminum parts.

Methods

The four techniques are: hole-drilling, slotting, cos(α) x-ray diffraction (XRD), and sin2(ψ) XRD, all including incremental material removal to produce a stress versus depth profile. The milled aluminum parts are cut from stress-relieved plate, AA7050-T7451, with a range of table and tool speeds used to mill a large flat surface in several samples. NSRS measurements are made at specified locations on each sample.

Results

Resulting data show that NSRS from three techniques are in general agreement: hole-drilling, slotting, and sin2(ψ) XRD. At shallow depths (< 0.03 mm), sin2(ψ) XRD data have the best repeatability (< 15 MPa), but at larger depths (> 0.04 mm) hole-drilling and slotting have the best repeatability (< 10 MPa). NSRS data from cos(α) XRD differ from data provided by other techniques and the data are less repeatable. NSRS data for different milling parameters show that the depth of NSRS increases with feed per tooth and is unaffected by cutting speed.

Conclusion

Hole-drilling, slotting, and sin2(ψ) XRD provided comparable results when assessing milling-induced near surface residual stress in aluminum. Combining a simple distortion test, comprising removal of a 1 mm thick wafer at the milled surface, with a companion stress analysis showed that NSRS data from hole-drilling are most consistent with milling-induced distortion.
Mechanistic modeling of pesticide uptake with a 3D plant architecture model
Authors: Jorda Helena , Huber Katrin , Kunkel Asta , Vanderborght Jan , Javaux Mathieu , Oberdörster Christoph , Hammel Klaus , Schnepf Andrea
Published: June 2021

Meaningful assessment of pesticide fate in soils and plants is based on fate models that represent all relevant processes. With mechanistic models, these processes can be simulated based on soil, substance, and plant properties. We present a mechanistic model that simulates pesticide uptake from soil and investigate how it is influenced, depending on the governing uptake process, by root and substance properties and by distributions of the substance and water in the soil profile. A new root solute uptake model based on a lumped version of the Trapp model (Trapp, 2000) was implemented in a coupled version of R-SWMS-ParTrace models for 3-D water flow and solute transport in soil and root systems. Solute uptake was modeled as two individual processes: advection with the transpiration stream and diffusion through the root membrane. We set up the model for a FOCUS scenario used in the European Union (EU) for pesticide registration. Considering a single vertical root and advective uptake only, the root hydraulic properties could be defined so that water and substance uptake and substance fate in soil showed a good agreement with the results of the 1D PEARL model, one of the reference models used in the EU for pesticide registration. Simulations with a complex root system and using root hydraulic parameters reported in the literature predicted larger water uptake from the upper root zone, leading to larger pesticide uptake when pesticides are concentrated in the upper root zone. Dilution of root water concentrations at the top root zone with water with low pesticide concentration taken up from the bottom of the root zone leads to larger uptake of solute when uptake was simulated as a diffusive process. This illustrates the importance of modeling uptake mechanistically and considering root and solute physical and chemical properties, especially when root-zone pesticide concentrations are non-uniform.
Effects of Zinc Lactate Supplementation on Growth Performance, Intestinal Morphology, Serum Parameters, and Hepatic Metallothionein of Chinese Yellow-Feathered Broilers
Authors: Long Lina , Zhao Xichen , Li Haojie , Yan Xia , Zhang Huihua
Published: June 2021

In poultry, organic zinc compounds have higher bioavailability than inorganic zinc sources. However, as an organic zinc source, the application of zinc lactate (ZL) on Chinese yellow-feathered broilers has been rarely reported. Hence, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of ZL supplementation on growth performance, small intestinal morphology, serum biochemical parameters, immune organ index, as well as hepatic metallothionein of Chinese yellow-feathered broilers. A total of 2100 broilers (19 days old) were randomly assigned to 5 treatment groups, including the control (fed basal diet), ZL40 (basal diet plus 40 mg/kg ZL), ZL60 (basal diet plus 60 mg/kg ZL), ZL80 (basal diet plus 80 mg/kg ZL), and ZS80 (basal diet plus 80 mg/kg ZS. Each treatment group had 6 replicates with 70 chickens per replicate. Compared to the control group, the ZL40 and the ZS80 groups had a lower feed to gain ratio (P < 0.05), ZL40 group had higher duodenum and ileum villus heights (P < 0.05), and ZS80 and ZL80 groups had a lower ratio of villus height to crypt depth in the jejunum (P < 0.01). In addition, the ZL60 group had a higher concentration of total protein (P < 0.05) and activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) (P < 0.01) compared with the ZS80 and the control groups. Interestingly, the ZL40, ZL60, and ZL80 groups all had higher levels of hepatic metallothionein than the other groups (P < 0.01). In conclusion, zinc lactate had a higher bioavailability and could be used as an alternative to zinc sulfate.
Hemodynamic Status During Endovascular Stroke Treatment: Association of Blood Pressure with Functional Outcome
Authors: Chen Min , Kronsteiner Dorothea , Pfaff Johannes , Schieber Simon , Jäger Laura , Bendszus Martin , Kieser Meinhard , Möhlenbruch Markus A. , Ringleb Peter A. , Bösel Julian , Schönenberger Silvia
Published: June 2021

Background

Optimal blood pressure (BP) management during endovascular stroke treatment in patients with large-vessel occlusion is not well established. We aimed to investigate associations of BP during different phases of endovascular therapy with reperfusion and functional outcome.

Methods

We performed a post hoc analysis of a single-center prospective study that evaluated a new simplified procedural sedation standard during endovascular therapy (Keep Evaluating Protocol Simplification in Managing Periinterventional Light Sedation for Endovascular Stroke Treatment). BP during endovascular therapy in patients was managed according to protocol. Data from four different phases (baseline, pre-recanalization, post recanalization, and post intervention) were obtained, and mean BP values, as well as changes in BP between different phases and reductions in systolic BP (SBP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) from baseline to pre-recanalization, were used as exposure variables. The main outcome was a modified Rankin Scale score of 0–2 three months after admission. Secondary outcomes were successful reperfusion and change in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score after 24 h. Multivariable linear and logistic regression models were used for statistical analysis.

Results

Functional outcomes were analyzed in 139 patients with successful reperfusion (defined as thrombolysis in cerebral infarction grade 2b–3). The mean (standard deviation) age was 76 (10.9) years, the mean (standard deviation) National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 14.3 (7.5), and 70 (43.5%) patients had a left-sided vessel occlusion. Favorable functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale score 0–2) was less likely with every 10-mm Hg increase in baseline (odds ratio [OR] 0.76, P = 0.04) and pre-recanalization (OR 0.65, P = 0.011) SBP. This was also found for baseline (OR 0.76, P = 0.05) and pre-recanalization MAP (OR 0.66, P = 0.03). The maximum Youden index in a receiver operating characteristics analysis revealed an SBP of 163 mm Hg and MAP of 117 mm Hg as discriminatory thresholds during the pre-recanalization phase to predict functional outcome.

Conclusions

In our protocol-based setting, intraprocedural pre-recanalization BP reductions during endovascular therapy were not associated with functional outcome. However, higher intraprocedural pre-recanalization SBP and MAP were associated with worse functional outcome. Prospective randomized controlled studies are needed to determine whether BP is a feasible treatment target for the modification of outcomes.
A Fully Automatic Calibration System for Hydrometers in NIM
Authors: Wang Jintao , Liu Xiang , Shi Wencai , Xu Changhong
Published: June 2021

Hydrometers are widely used in industry for liquid density measurement. It is important to achieve rapid and high accuracy calibration for hydrometers. Based on the Archimedes principle, a fully automatic hydrometer calibration system in NIM was designed using Cuckow’s method. The liquid density of n-tridecane (C13H28)is calibrated with 441 g high-purity fused silica ring as the solid density standard. The buoyancy of hydrometer is measured by static weighing system with resolution 0.01 mg. The alignment between liquid surface and hydrometer scale was achieved by the lifting platform with the positioning accuracy of 10 μm. According to the weighing value of hydrometer in air and liquid, the density correction value at different scales is calculated. Hydrometer covering a full range (650–1500) kg/m3can be calibrated without changing the liquid. Taking the calibration data of PTB as reference, the experimental data show that the measurement uncertainty of this system is better than 0.3 division (k = 2).
Unjustly forgotten scientist Wacław Mayzel (1847–1916)—co-discoverer of somatic mitosis
Authors: Limon Janusz , Bartnik Ewa , Komender Janusz
Published: June 2021

Descriptions of somatic cell divisions were made as early as the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries with varying degrees of accuracy. In this paper, we would like to present a forgotten Polish scientist Waclaw Mayzel (1847–1916), who described somatic mitosis in the corneal epithelium of the frog in 1875 almost simultaneously with the recognized discoveries of animal mitosis by Otto Bütschli and plant mitosis by Eduard Strasburger.
The single-point insulin sensitivity estimator (SPISE) index is a strong predictor of abnormal glucose metabolism in overweight/obese children: a long-term follow-up study
Authors: Barchetta I. , Dule S. , Bertoccini L. , Cimini F. A. , Sentinelli F. , Bailetti D. , Marini G. , Barbonetti A. , Loche S. , Cossu E. , Cavallo M. G. , Baroni M. G.
Published: June 2021

Purpose

To investigate the relationship between the single-point insulin sensitivity estimator (SPISE) index, an insulin sensitivity indicator validated in adolescents and adults, and metabolic profile in overweight/obese children, and to evaluate whether basal SPISE is predictive of impaired glucose regulation (IGR) development later in life.

Methods

The SPISE index (= 600 × HDL0.185/Triglycerides0.2 × BMI1.338) was calculated in 909 overweight/obese children undergoing metabolic evaluations at University of Cagliari, Italy, and in 99 normal-weight, age-, sex-comparable children, selected as a reference group, together with other insulin-derived indicators of insulin sensitivity/resistance. 200 overweight/obese children were followed-up for 6.5 [3.5–10] years, data were used for longitudinal retrospective investigations.

Results

At baseline, 96/909 (11%) overweight/obese children had IGR; in this subgroup, SPISE was significantly lower than in normo-glycaemic youths (6.3 ± 1.7 vs. 7 ± 1.6, p < 0.001). The SPISE index correlated positively with the insulin sensitivity index (ISI) and the disposition index (DI), negatively with age, blood pressure, HOMA-IR, basal and 120 min blood glucose and insulin (all p values < 0.001). A correlation between SPISE, HOMA-IR and ISI was also reported in normal-weight children. At the 6.5-year follow-up, lower basal SPISE—but not ISI or HOMA-IR—was an independent predictor of IGR development (OR = 3.89(1.65–9.13), p = 0.002; AUROC: 0.82(0.72–0.92), p < 0.001).

Conclusion

In children, low SPISE index is significantly associated with metabolic abnormalities and predicts the development of IGR in life.
General type industrial temperature system control based on fuzzy fractional-order PID controller
Authors: Liu Lu , Xue Dingyu , Zhang Shuo
Published: June 2021

A fuzzy fractional-order PID control algorithm for a general type industrial temperature control system is proposed in this paper. In order to improve the production quality and controlled model accuracy, a fractional-order elementary system is used to describe the temperature control process. The gain coefficients of the proposed fractional-order PID controller is updated online based on a set of fractional-order fuzzy rules which are defined by Mittag–Leffler functions and follow fat-tailed distributions. Therefore, the proposed controller parameters could be auto-tuned according to model uncertainties, noise disturbance, random delay, and etc. Examples of the studied temperature control systems are shown to verify the effectiveness of the proposed controller. The superiority of fractional calculus is fully explored in the presented control methodology. The controlled temperature profile with the proposed algorithm could realize more satisfactory dynamic performance, better robustness respect to environment changes caused by internal and external disturbance.
Ripser: efficient computation of Vietoris–Rips persistence barcodes
Authors: Bauer Ulrich
Published: June 2021

We present an algorithm for the computation of Vietoris–Rips persistence barcodes and describe its implementation in the software Ripser. The method relies on implicit representations of the coboundary operator and the filtration order of the simplices, avoiding the explicit construction and storage of the filtration coboundary matrix. Moreover, it makes use of apparent pairs, a simple but powerful method for constructing a discrete gradient field from a total order on the simplices of a simplicial complex, which is also of independent interest. Our implementation shows substantial improvements over previous software both in time and memory usage.
Assessment of CMIP6 Performance and Projected Temperature and Precipitation Changes Over South America
Authors: Almazroui Mansour , Ashfaq Moetasim , Islam M. Nazrul , Rashid Irfan Ur , Kamil Shahzad , Abid Muhammad Adnan , O’Brien Enda , Ismail Muhammad , Reboita Michelle Simões , Sörensson Anna A. , Arias Paola A. , Alves Lincoln Muniz , Tippett Michael K. , Saeed Sajjad , Haarsma Rein , Doblas-Reyes Francisco J. , Saeed Fahad , Kucharski Fred , Nadeem Imran , Silva-Vidal Yamina , Rivera Juan A. , Ehsan Muhammad Azhar , Martínez-Castro Daniel , Muñoz Ángel G. , Ali Md. Arfan , Coppola Erika , Sylla Mouhamadou Bamba
Published: June 2021

We evaluate the performance of a large ensemble of Global Climate Models (GCMs) from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) over South America for a recent past reference period and examine their projections of twenty-first century precipitation and temperature changes. The future changes are computed for two time slices (2040–2059 and 2080–2099) relative to the reference period (1995–2014) under four Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs, SSP1–2.6, SSP2–4.5, SSP3–7.0 and SSP5–8.5). The CMIP6 GCMs successfully capture the main climate characteristics across South America. However, they exhibit varying skill in the spatiotemporal distribution of precipitation and temperature at the sub-regional scale, particularly over high latitudes and altitudes. Future precipitation exhibits a decrease over the east of the northern Andes in tropical South America and the southern Andes in Chile and Amazonia, and an increase over southeastern South America and the northern Andes—a result generally consistent with earlier CMIP (3 and 5) projections. However, most of these changes remain within the range of variability of the reference period. In contrast, temperature increases are robust in terms of magnitude even under the SSP1–2.6. Future changes mostly progress monotonically from the weakest to the strongest forcing scenario, and from the mid-century to late-century projection period. There is an increase in the seasonality of the intra-annual precipitation distribution, as the wetter part of the year contributes relatively more to the annual total. Furthermore, an increasingly heavy-tailed precipitation distribution and a rightward shifted temperature distribution provide strong indications of a more intense hydrological cycle as greenhouse gas emissions increase. The relative distance of an individual GCM from the ensemble mean does not substantially vary across different scenarios. We found no clear systematic linkage between model spread about the mean in the reference period and the magnitude of simulated sub-regional climate change in the future period. Overall, these results could be useful for regional climate change impact assessments across South America.
Migrants’ Quarantine and COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy: a Medico-anthropological View
Authors: Di Meo Silvia , Bentivegna Enrico
Published: June 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic represents an important risk factor for migrants’ health. Paul Farmer highlighted the risk of global health response in emergency conditions exacerbating global and social inequalities. We argue that this is the case for quarantine ships and migrants’ management during the pandemic. Every aspect of infection-control and prevention measures acquires detention characteristics in these situations. With emphasis to the evolution of the doctor-patient relationship and to the anthropological and cultural aspects that were established during the pandemic, this article aims to provide an integrated view where physicians and anthropologists collaborate to deepen the understanding of the topic.
Review: Progress with Functional Materials Based on Loess Particles
Authors: Shen Ya , Yan Haiyan , Wang Rongmin , Song Pengfei , He Yufeng
Published: June 2021

Loess is a large-scale deposit which is easy to mine and widely distributed on the epipedon. The clay fraction of loess, also known as ‘loessial clay’, is a very important component of loess which affects its properties and performance. From a ‘materials’ perspective, the clay fraction of loess has been ignored. Recently, loess particles have attracted interest because of their potential applications. The focus in the current review is on the methods of modifying loess particles and their application as functional materials. The major components of loess particles are clays, calcite, and quartz, with the clays including kaolinite, illite, montmorillonite, and chlorite. Loess has a range of particle sizes, types, and dispersibilities. The particles agglomerate readily, mainly because cementation occurs readily in the clay fraction. Loess particles can be modified and their properties can be improved by compaction, separation, purification, acidification, calcination, surfactant modification, geopolymerization, and polymer modification. Loess-based functional materials have been used as sorbents, eco-friendly superabsorbents, soil and water conservation materials, humidity-regulating materials, and building materials. Separated and purified loess particles can adsorb metal ions and harmful elements directly. Surfactant-modified loess particles can remove organic compounds effectively. After modification with polymers, loess particles exhibit greater capacity for the removal of environmental pollutants such as harmful metal ions and dyes. As a superabsorbent, modified loess shows excellent thermal stability and swelling behavior. Calcined loess could be utilized as an energy-saving building material with good humidity-regulating performance, and geological polymerization has further expanded the scope of applications of loess in architecture. In summary, loess-based functional materials, which are inexpensive and ecologically friendly, deserve more attention and further development.
Principles related to informed consent in functional and aesthetic rhinoplasty: A prospective study
Authors: Rachid Aloua , Ouassime Kerdoud , Amine Kaouani , Ulrich Opoko , Sayouba Savadogo , Ousmane Belem , Tarcissus Konsem , Faiçal Slimani
Published: June 2021

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

Rhinoplasty is one of the most complex surgical procedures in plastic surgery.

Context:

Patient requirement is often mixed, aesthetic and functional, for resolution of functional respiratory problems is therefore as important as correction of nasal deformity. Informed consent in rhinoseptoplasty is a difficult process because of the complexity of the operative technique, which presents a wide range of potential complications.

Patients and method:

Type of study: This is a prospective, descriptive study conducted in the department of oral and maxillofacial surgery. Fifty-two patients, who consulted for rhinoplasty, participated in the study. Patients were informed about the complications commonly discussed during the consent process in rhinoplasty surgery. Each patient was contacted one month after the initial consultation to assess recall of complications and acceptance of surgery.

Conclusion:

The aim of our study is to highlight the importance of informed consent in rhinoplasty surgery in terms of complications, and to identify gaps in the consent process.

Highlights
Statistics for Laboratory Scientists and Clinicians
Authors: McDonnell Sill Anne
Published: June 2021

Understanding the underlying principles of statistical techniques and effectively applying statistical methods can be challenging for researchers at all stages of their career. This concise, practical guide uses a simple, engaging approach to take scientists and clinicians working in laboratory-based life science and medical research through the steps of choosing and implementing appropriate statistical methods to analyse results. The author draws on her extensive experience of advising students and researchers over the past 30 years, breaking down complex concepts into easy-to-understand units. Practical examples using free online statistical tools are included throughout, with illustrations and diagrams employed to keep jargon to a minimum. Sample size calculations and considerations are covered in depth, and the book refers to the types of experiment and data lab-based scientists are likely to encounter. Straightforward, accessible and encouraging throughout, this is a go-to reference for researchers who want to achieve statistical autonomy.
Vanguardia y humorismo gráfico en crisis
Authors: Catalá-Carrasco Jorge L.
Published: June 2021

El libro analiza la relación entre vanguardia y humorismo gráfico en dos periodos históricos críticos: la Guerra Civil Española (1936-1939) y los primeros años de la Revolución Cubana (1959-1961). Secentra en los periódicos y la llamada prensa de trincheras en España orientada a un público adulto, tanto en el bando republicano (No Veas, Trincheras, L'Esquella de la Torratxa, entre otras) como enel nacional (Vértice y La Ametralladora). En la parte dedicada a Cuba, el análisis se centra en el diario Revolución y en la revista de humor vanguardista El Pitirre, que discurrió paralela al suplemento cultural Lunes de Revolución y corrió similar suerte cuando tanto Lunes como El Pitirre fueron clausurados en 1961. El enfoque del libro traza la trayectoria de la vanguardia en el humorismo gráfico en ambos periodos, cuando el compromiso político y la militancia desplazaron paulatinamente el desarrollo de la vanguardia estética. La especial coyuntura socio-política planteó retos a los artistas gráficos de índole ideológico y estético-conceptual, estableciendo áreas de contacto e influencia entre España y Cuba.  The book studies the relation between the avant-garde and graphic humour in two critical historical periods: the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) and the early years of the Cuban Revolution (1959-1961). It focuses on the so-called war magazines in Spain on the Republican side (No Veas, Trincheras, and L'Esquella de la Torratxa, among others) and the Francoist side (Vértice and La Ametralladora). In the part devoted to Cuba, the analysis covers the newspaper Revolución and the avant-garde humour magazine El Pitirre, which ran simultaneously to the cultural supplement Lunes de Revolución and shared the same fate when Lunes and El Pitirre were closed down in 1961. The book unveils the trajectory of the avant-garde graphic humour in both periods, when the political commitment progressively overshadowed the development of the aesthetic avant-garde. The special socio-political conjuncture posed ideological and aesthetic-conceptual challenges to graphic artists, establishing contact areas and influences between Spain and Cuba.  Jorge L. Catalá Carrasco es Lecturer in Hispanic Studies en Newcastle University.
The Road to Soweto
Authors: Brown Julian
Published: June 2021

This revisionary account of the Soweto Uprising of June 1976 and the decade preceding it transforms our understanding of what led to this crucial flashpoint of South Africa's history. Brown argues that far from there being "quiescence" following the Sharpeville Massacre and the suppression of African opposition movements, during which they went underground, this period was marked by experiments inresistance and attempts to develop new forms of politics that prepared the ground for the Uprising. Students at South Africa's segregated universities began to re-organise themselves as a political force; new ideas about race reinvigorated political thought; debates around confrontation shaped the development of new forms of protest. The protest then began to move off university campuses and ontothe streets: through the independent actions of workers in Durban, and attempts by students to link their struggles with a broader agenda. These actions made protest public once again, and helped establish the patterns of popular action and state response that would come to shape the events in Soweto on 16 June 1976. Julian Brown is a Lecturer in the Department of Political Studies atthe University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. Southern Africa (South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Swaziland & Botswana): Jacana 'throws new light on the background to the Soweto Uprising, providing insight into white and black student politics, worker protest and broader dissent' - William Beinart, University of Oxford 'an extremely important contribution to thehistoriography on protest in South Africa. It links black and white student protests (too often studied in isolation from one another) to workers' movements by looking at the changing forms of protest during the 1960s and 1970s, and the apartheid government's changing responses.' - Anne Heffernan, University of the Witwatersrand 'By showing how the Soweto Uprising served as a precursorfor later historical and political events, the author convincingly shows the continuity from one from one protest and decade to the next.' - Dawne Curry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Popular Song and the Poetics of Experience
Authors: COLE ROSS
Published: June 2021

This article argues that songwriting can be an autobiographical activity. I trace a long-standing mistrust of self-expression in popular music through a branch of scholarship fixated with performance and personification, demonstrating its underlying affinities with post-structuralism and modernist dreams of impersonality. What we have lost as a result of this undue insistence on mediation is an awareness of the two-way traffic between life and lyrical craft. A poetics of song should pay increased attention to this intricate relationship – not reducing lyrics to biographical contingencies, but rather viewing autobiography itself as a complex process of self-reading, a public act of autobiographical making. My argument is illustrated with reference to three contemporary singer-songwriters who have interpreted aspects of their lives through song: Vic Chesnutt, Sun Kil Moon (Mark Kozelek) and Anohni (formerly of Antony and the Johnsons). Their work ultimately traverses and obscures the interstices between experience and imagination.
Black Opera, Operatic Racism and an ‘Engaged Opera Studies’
Authors: HENSON KAREN
Published: June 2021

Naomi André’sBlack Opera: History, Power, Engagementis a call for recognition and inclusion. Over the course of nearly 300 pages, André covers a range of subjects, from long-forgotten concert performances, to opera, Broadway and opera film, to contemporary operatic composition and practice. As she does, she moves between the United States and South Africa – a striking way of approaching her material and a feature of the book that ought to prove highly influential. Some of the arguments she makes are new, some combine pre-existing thought and research in new ways. The most important moments, though, are when she pauses to describe her experiences or those of another black opera lover or group of black opera lovers.
‘Remplis l’air d’alegresse pour ce seigneur chery des cieux’: Music in the Entries of Nobility and Other Dignitaries in Late Renaissance France (c.1585–c.1615)
Authors: ROBINSON ALEXANDER
Published: June 2021

Although royal entries have long been studied by scholars, those undertaken by nobles and other political figures have generally attracted less attention. This is particularly true in musicological literature, a fact undoubtedly attributable to the paucity of surviving documentation on this topic. Yet music often played an important part in these spectacles, both by underlining the dignitary’s status and by enhancing key components of the symbolism deployed. Rather than concentrating on one particular event, this article brings together information about as many entries as possible made by such figures into French cities in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. This enables us to make general observations about the types of music used in these events (such as fanfares, Te Deums and dance music) in order to draw possible connections with extant musical sources, and also to ponder why certain musical elements mattered more than others to the contemporaries describing these occasions.
Methamphetamine use and psychotic symptoms: findings from a New Zealand longitudinal birth cohort
Authors: Boden Joseph M. , Foulds James A. , Newton-Howes Giles , McKetin Rebecca
Published: June 2021

Background

This study examined the association between methamphetamine use and psychotic symptoms in a New Zealand general population birth cohort (n = 1265 at birth).

Methods

At age 18, 21, 25, 30, and 35, participants reported on their methamphetamine use and psychotic symptoms in the period since the previous interview. Generalized estimating equations modelled the association between methamphetamine use and psychotic symptoms (percentage reporting any symptom, and number of symptoms per participant). Confounding factors included childhood individual characteristics, family socioeconomic circumstances and family functioning. Long term effects of methamphetamine use on psychotic symptoms were assessed by comparing the incidence of psychotic symptoms at age 30–35 for those with and without a history of methamphetamine use prior to age 30.

Results

After adjusting for confounding factors and time-varying covariate factors including concurrent cannabis use, methamphetamine use was associated with a modest increase in psychosis risk over five waves of data (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.33, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03–1.72 for the percentage measure; and IRR 1.24, 95% CI 1.02–1.50 for the symptom count measure). The increased risk of psychotic symptoms was concentrated among participants who had used at least weekly at any point (adjusted OR 2.85, 95% CI 1.21–6.69). Use of methamphetamine less than weekly was not associated with increased psychosis risk. We found no evidence for a persistent vulnerability to psychosis in the absence of continuing methamphetamine use.

Conclusion

Methamphetamine use is associated with increased risk of psychotic symptoms in the general population. Increased risk is chiefly confined to people who ever used regularly (at least weekly), and recently.
Biharmonic navigation using radial basis functions
Authors: Fan Xu-Qian , Gong Wenyong
Published: June 2021

Path planning has been widely investigated by many researchers and engineers for its extensive applications in the real world. In this paper, a biharmonic radial basis potential function (BRBPF) representation is proposed to construct navigation fields in 2D maps with obstacles, and it therefore can guide and design a path joining given start and goal positions with obstacle avoidance. We construct BRBPF by solving a biharmonic equation associated with distance-related boundary conditions using radial basis functions (RBFs). In this way, invalid gradients calculated by finite difference methods in large size grids can be preventable. Furthermore, paths constructed by BRBPF are smoother than paths constructed by harmonic potential functions and other methods, and plenty of experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method is valid and effective.
The effect of givenness and referring expression on dative alternation in Norwegian: A reaction time study
Authors: Velnić Marta , Anderssen Merete
Published: June 2021

This study investigates how givenness and pronominality affect the dative alternation in Norwegian. Previous studies have found givenness to influence the Double Object Dative (DOD) but not the Prepositional Dative (PD). Thirty-one Norwegian native speakers completed a speeded acceptability judgment task, in which given objects were expressed by definite DPs or pronouns, and either preceded or followed the new referent. DODs were found to be highly sensitive to givenness. Surprisingly, PDs also showed contextual dependency. Referring expressions affected the two structures differently: reaction times were faster with pronouns in DODs and slower in PDs. This suggests that the alternates have different processing biases, with the former preferring pronouns and the latter DPs. The results are further considered in relation to the notion of harmonic alignment, as PDs, in which the typically animate recipient is always the second object, and will thus consistently represent a suboptimal and non-harmonious order when givenness is adhered to.
An unusual umbilical venous connection to a left posterior intercostal vein
Authors: Madrid-Pinilla Antonio , Zambrano-Benavides Diana , Quintero Juan C
Published: June 2021

A foetal echocardiogram, in a 27-week foetus referred for cardiomegaly, demonstrated dextrocardia, absence of the ductus venosus, and an unrestricted unusual umbilical venous drainage to a left posterior intercostal vein, which continued to left hemiazygos vein and drained into the coronary sinus. Progressive cardiomegaly led to early delivery. To the best of our knowledge, no case with similar umbilical venous drainage has been previously reported.
Provincial deficits and political centralization: evidence from the personnel management of the Chinese Communist Party
Authors: Zhang Yang , Wang Xi
Published: June 2021

The political autonomy of Chinese provinces derives from their economic independence. After the 2008 economic crisis, budget deficits increased significantly in most Chinese provinces, making them more reliant on financial support from Beijing. Provinces suffering high deficits will lose their political clout in both local and national politics. Therefore, provinces with large deficits tend to be less resistant to the enforcement of the law of avoidance and underrepresented in the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party. We find that in provincial standing committees, the members who are native or have more birthplace ties are more likely to be ranked behind the outsiders, especially so in provinces with a high level of deficits. We also find that provincial-standing-committee members from high-deficit provinces have a low possibility to obtain seats in the party's Central Committee. These findings confirm the close relationship between economic independence and political autonomy of Chinese provinces. In addition, we find that the logic of economic independence cannot depict the whole picture and that regional pluralism is also an important concern when the party manages its provincial leadership teams.
The Use of Agile Project Management and Related Tools for Book Moves
Authors: Flerlage Beth , Satterley Renae
Published: June 2021

In this article Beth Flerlage and Renae Satterley reflect on the library staffs’ experience of using Agile project management techniques and cloud-based tools to restructure resources at Middle Temple Library.
The Kluwer Arbitration and Competition Law Modules: a Product Review
Authors: Geidt Lenka
Published: June 2021

Middle Temple Library has recently significantly enriched its portfolio of electronic resources. This situation was caused not only by the Covid-19 crisis, which certainly accelerated its efforts in this field, but also by the changing demands and habits of the Inn's members. The library specialises in arbitration and competition law, so a decision was taken to try two new digital platforms and, as Lenka Geidt writes, to share their experiences in the course of this article.
GEOMETRIC QUADRATIC CHABAUTY
Authors: Edixhoven Bas , Lido Guido
Published: June 2021

Since Faltings proved Mordell’s conjecture in [16] in 1983, we have known that the sets of rational points on curves of genus at least
$2$
are finite. Determining these sets in individual cases is still an unsolved problem. Chabauty’s method (1941) [10] is to intersect, for a prime number p, in the p-adic Lie group of p-adic points of the Jacobian, the closure of the Mordell–Weil group with the p-adic points of the curve. Under the condition that the Mordell–Weil rank is less than the genus, Chabauty’s method, in combination with other methods such as the Mordell–Weil sieve, has been applied successfully to determine all rational points in many cases.

Minhyong Kim’s nonabelian Chabauty programme aims to remove the condition on the rank. The simplest case, called quadratic Chabauty, was developed by Balakrishnan, Besser, Dogra, Müller, Tuitman and Vonk, and applied in a tour de force to the so-called cursed curve (rank and genus both
$3$
).

This article aims to make the quadratic Chabauty method small and geometric again, by describing it in terms of only ‘simple algebraic geometry’ (line bundles over the Jacobian and models over the integers).
Conditional mean risk sharing in the individual model with graphical dependencies
Authors: Denuit Michel , Robert Christian Y.
Published: June 2021

Conditional mean risk sharing appears to be effective to distribute total losses amongst participants within an insurance pool. This paper develops analytical results for this allocation rule in the individual risk model with dependence induced by the respective position within a graph. Precisely, losses are modelled by zero-augmented random variables whose joint occurrence distribution and individual claim amount distributions are based on network structures and can be characterised by graphical models. The Ising model is adopted for occurrences and loss amounts obey decomposable graphical models that are specific to each participant. Two graphical structures are thus used: the first one to describe the contagion amongst member units within the insurance pool and the second one to model the spread of losses inside each participating unit. The proposed individual risk model is typically useful for modelling operational risks, catastrophic risks or cybersecurity risks.
Joint CO2 Mole Fraction and Flux Analysis Confirms Missing Processes in CASA Terrestrial Carbon Uptake Over North America
Authors: Feng Sha , Lauvaux Thomas , Williams Christopher A. , Davis Kenneth J. , Zhou Yu , Baker Ian , Barkley Zachary R. , Wesloh Daniel
Published: June 2021

Terrestrial biosphere models (TBMs) play a key role in the detection and attribution of carbon cycle processes at local to global scales and in projections of the coupled carbon‐climate system. TBM evaluation commonly involves direct comparison to eddy‐covariance flux measurements. We use atmospheric CO2 mole fraction ([CO2]) measured in situ from aircraft and tower, in addition to flux‐measurements from summer 2016 to evaluate the Carnegie‐Ames‐Stanford‐Approach (CASA) TBM. WRF‐Chem is used to simulate [CO2] using biogenic CO2 fluxes from a CASA parameter‐based ensemble and CarbonTracker version 2017 (CT2017) in addition to transport and CO2 boundary condition ensembles. The resulting “super ensemble” of modeled [CO2] demonstrates that the biosphere introduces the majority of uncertainty to the simulations. Both aircraft and tower [CO2] data show that the CASA ensemble net ecosystem exchange (NEE) of CO2 is biased high (NEE too positive) and identify the maximum light use efficiency Emax a key parameter that drives the spread of the CASA ensemble in summer 2016. These findings are verified with flux‐measurements. The direct comparison of the CASA flux ensemble with flux‐measurements confirms missing sink processes in CASA. Separating the daytime and nighttime flux, we discover that the underestimated net uptake results from missing sink processes that result in overestimation of respiration. NEE biases are smaller in the CT2017 posterior biogenic fluxes, which assimilate observed [CO2]. Flux tower analyses reveal an unrealistic overestimation of nighttime respiration in CT2017 which we attribute to limited flexibility in the inversion strategy.
Precise Time Synchronization and Clock Comparison Through a White Rabbit Network‐Based Optical Fiber Link
Authors: Neelam  , Olaniya M. P. , Rathore H. , Sharma L. , Roy A. , De S. , Panja S.
Published: June 2021

Precise transfer of time and frequency signals over long distances as well as clock synchronization to an ultra‐stable reference are very crucial for many of the technological applications as well as for advanced scientific research. These reinforces a wide range of applications such as navigation, power grid management, mobile communication, and so on. In order to compare the performances of two highly stable and accurate atomic clocks, it is desirable that the link between the two clocks, that is, the transmission link has higher level of stability than those clocks. This article describes establishment of an ultra‐stable optical fiber link employing White Rabbit network for transfer of time and frequency signals and also for comparing performance of atomic clocks. Utilizing this link, time signals have been transferred within an uncertainty of ±130 ps at ambient temperature (30°C–40°C) and the instability of the link in terms of modified Allan‐deviation reaches to ∼10−16 within one day of integration time.