bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Low-stress handling for long-term wound care
Authors: Vivian Sarah
Published: December 2019

Many canine patients have a requirement to return to the veterinary practice on a regular basis for treatment. Those that have associations of fear or anxiety with a practice, can find themselves in extremely stressful situations, effecting not only the animal but also the owner. Therefore it is important to take into consideration the welfare of the animals that are returning for further consultations, such as wound care. Consideration of what can be done to try and make these visits as stress-free as possible is essential. The veterinary nurse should be aware of methods that can be utilised to distract patients when undergoing potentially uncomfortable and stressful treatments.
How to intubate a reptile
Authors: Worrell Brianna
Published: December 2019

Intubation in reptiles can be challenging in some species. From their anatomy, anaesthetic protocols, technique, and recovery, reptiles have several special considerations. With the right instruments, intubation can be performed successfully on reptiles. In this article, we will discuss the various tools that help to properly intubate reptiles. We will also discuss techniques that will help with intubation on reptile patients as well as protocols for anaesthesia and recovery.
Training vets, saving turtles
Authors: Rendle Matthew
Published: December 2019

Wildlife Vets International is a British charity which provides critical veterinary support to international wildlife and conservation projects. One of its many important projects involves training vets in Greece and Spain to help save sick and injured turtles. These animals are victims of plastic pollution and other human activities. Matthew Rendle describes how WVI is helping to save the Mediterranean's turtles, and explains how you can help.
The Political Economy of Domestic Violence
Authors: Marciano Alain
Published: December 2019

Nell’ambito del processo di transizione in corso in Europa orientale, l’evoluzione verso regimi politici democratici è uno degli sviluppi più importanti.

Naturalmente, il presupposto perché tale evoluzione possa aver luogo è quello di un insieme di regole costituzionali che impedisca la vioienza interna, cioè la vioienza esercitata dallo Stato all’interno dei suoi confini, a danno delle libertà civili e dei diritti politici.

Infatti, uno dei principali aspetti della vioienza consiste nel ricorso ad essa da parte dello stesso Stato.

Sebbene essa sia stata studiata empiricamente, non vi è alcuna definizione comunemente accolta di «violenza interna».

Obiettivo di questo scritto è quello di fornire una struttura teorica nel cui ambito il problema della vioienza interna possa essere discusso.

Si dimostra che la vioienza è minore quando la liberta economica coesiste con le libertà civili e politiche.

L’impostazione qui seguita si riferisce ai motivi dello Stato per infliggere vioienza. Si dimostra come e perché uno Stato fa ricorso alia vioienza politica ed economica per motivi strumentali ed espressivi.

Successivamente viene derivata una tipologia di regimi. La vioienza può essere «strumentale», quando il suo obiettivo è il controllo del comportamento dei cittadini, e «espressiva» quando essa costituisce una fonte diretta di vantaggio (favorendo gli interessi di altri gruppi).
Integral-based parallel algorithm for the fast generation of the Zernike polynomials
Authors: Hsieh Y. H. , Yu Y. T. , Lai Y. H. , Hsieh M. X. , Chen Y. F.
Published: December 2019

The integral representation of the Zernike radial functions is well approximated by applying the Riemann sums with a surprisingly rapid convergence. The errors of the Riemann sums are found to averagely be not exceed 3 ×10−14, 3.3×10−14, and 1.8×10−13 for the radial order up to 30, 50, and 100, respectively. Moreover, a parallel algorithm based on the Riemann sums is proposed to directly generate a set of radial functions. With the aid of the graphics processing units (GPUs), the algorithm shows an acceleration ratio up to 200-fold over the traditional CPU computation. The fast generation for a set of Zernike radial polynomials is expected to be valuable in further applications, such as the aberration analysis and the pattern recognition.
Simultaneous turbulence mitigation and channel demultiplexing for two 100  Gbit/s orbital-angular-momentum multiplexed beams by adaptive wavefront shaping and diffusing
Authors: Zhang Runzhou , Song Hao , Zhao Zhe , Song Haoqian , Du Jing , Liu Cong , Pang Kai , Li Long , Zhou Huibin , Willner Ari N. , Almaiman Ahmed , Zhou Yiyu , Boyd Robert W. , Lynn Brittany , Bock Robert , Tur Moshe , Willner Alan E.
Published: December 2019

We experimentally demonstrate simultaneous turbulence mitigation and channel demultiplexing in a 200 Gbit/s orbital-angular-momentum (OAM) multiplexed link by adaptive wavefront shaping and diffusing (WSD) the light beams. Different realizations of two emulated turbulence strengths (the Fried parameter

r
0

=
0.4
,

1.0

m
m

) are mitigated. The experimental results show the following. (1) Crosstalk between OAM

l
=
+
1

and

l
=
−
1

modes can be reduced by

>

10.0

and

>

5.8

d
B

, respectively, under the weaker turbulence (

r
0

=
1.0

m
m

); crosstalk is further improved by

>

17.7

and

>

19.4

d
B

, respectively, under most realizations in the stronger turbulence (

r
0

=
0.4

m
m

). (2) The optical signal-to-noise ratio penalties for the bit error rate performance are measured to be

∼

0.7

and

∼

1.6

d
B

under weaker turbulence, while measured to be

∼

3.2

and

∼

1.8

d
B

under stronger turbulence for OAM

l
=
+
1

and

l
=
−
1

mode, respectively.
Reconfigurable nonlinear nonreciprocal transmission in a silicon photonic integrated circuit
Authors: Li Ang , Bogaerts Wim
Published: December 2019

We present a programmable silicon photonic integrated circuit (PIC) that can be configured to show nonlinear nonreciprocal transmission at high optical input power. Nonreciprocal transmission in PICs is of fundamental importance in various fields. Despite diverse approaches to generate nonreciprocal transmission, the research on efficient control of this effect is still scarce. The silicon PIC presented here has programmable linear and nonlinear behavior using integrated phase shifters. In the nonlinear regime (high optical power), the device can be configured to be either reciprocal or nonreciprocal between opposite propagation directions with over 30 dB extinction ratio and only 1.5 dB insertion loss. More importantly, the high/low transmission direction can be dynamically reconfigured. Furthermore, nonreciprocal transmission based on nonlinearities usually requires the optical field in both propagation directions to be high, in order to induce a large extinction ratio. For our circuit, only the forward-propagating light needs to have high power to enjoy low-loss transmission while the backward propagating light will always suffer a high rejection. Besides this nonreciprocal behavior, the circuit also offers the ability for all-optical functions, such as switching, optical compute gates, or optical flip-flops, thanks to its unique controllable nonlinear behavior. This work can trigger new research efforts in nonreciprocal photonics circuits.
Exceptional points and the ring laser gyroscope
Authors: Horstman Luke , Hsu Ning , Hendrie James , Smith David , Diels Jean-Claude
Published: December 2019

An equivalence is made between the exceptional points proposed by the field of non-Hermitian quantum mechanics and the dead band observed in laser gyroscopes. The sensitivity enhancement near this exceptional point is plagued by increased uncertainty due to broadening of the beat-note bandwidth. Also, near the dead band the gyroscope response is caused by Rabi intensity oscillations and not solely by a phase modulation. Finally, a distinction is made between conservative and non-conservative coupling.
High-power hybrid GaN-based green laser diodes with ITO cladding layer
Authors: Hu Lei , Ren Xiaoyu , Liu Jianping , Tian Aiqin , Jiang Lingrong , Huang Siyi , Zhou Wei , Zhang Liqun , Yang Hui
Published: December 2019

Green laser diodes (LDs) still perform worst among the visible and near-infrared spectrum range, which is called the “green gap.” Poor performance of green LDs is mainly related to the p-type AlGaN cladding layer, which on one hand imposes large thermal budget on InGaN quantum wells (QWs) during epitaxial growth, and on the other hand has poor electrical property especially when low growth temperature has to be used. We demonstrate in this work that a hybrid LD structure with an indium tin oxide (ITO) p-cladding layer can achieve threshold current density as low as

1.6
  
kA
/

cm

2

, which is only one third of that of the conventional LD structure. The improvement is attributed to two benefits that are enabled by the ITO cladding layer. One is the reduced thermal budget imposed on QWs by reducing p-AlGaN layer thickness, and the other is the increasing hole concentration since a low Al content p-AlGaN cladding layer can be used in hybrid LD structures. Moreover, the slope efficiency is increased by 25% and the operation voltage is reduced by 0.6 V for hybrid green LDs. As a result, a 400 mW high-power green LD has been obtained. These results indicate that a hybrid LD structure can pave the way toward high-performance green LDs.
(Re)producing cultural narratives on women in public affairs programmes in Uganda
Authors: Maractho Emilly Comfort
Published: December 2019

Ugandan women have made tremendous strides in public life, and hold strategic positions in politics and policy-making. This increased participation in public life is attributed to Uganda’s focused pro-women constitution and affirmative action policy. In spite of this progress, women’s visibility and voice remain limited in public affairs programming in Uganda. The article examines how mass media reproduce cultural narratives that affect women in Uganda. It is part of a larger study on representation, interaction and engagement of women and broadcast media in Uganda. It is framed within critical theory, in particular feminist thought, cultural studies and public sphere theory. The research is conducted using a multi-method approach that encompasses case study design, content analysis and grounded theory. The findings suggest that the media reproduce cultural narratives through programming that mirror traditional society view of women and exclude women’s political and public narratives. The interactive and participatory public affairs programming is increasingly important for democratic participation. While men actively engage with such programming, women have failed to utilize it for the mobilization of women, reconstruction of gender stereotypes and producing new argumentation that challenge problematic cultural narratives that dominate media and society.
CTRANSPORT: Multi-agent-based simulation
Authors: Sánchez Pedro , Pato Denis , Martín Gabriel
Published: December 2019

Pollution nowadays is a really important issue that must be solved. Big cities suffer from overcrowding which result in traffic congestion and a lot of air pollution. Adapting to the idea of cities bike lane expansion, we design a Multi-agent simulation to distribute among the users green energy vehicles; concretely bikes, scooters and electric cars.
Learning process: Multi-Agent Tutoring System
Authors: Pérez-Moríñigo Manuel , Merchán-Montero Víctor , Martín-Pérez José Luis
Published: December 2019

A multi-agent architecture has been developed for tutorial assignation scheduling. It has two main types of agents: the students and the teachers. These two are coordinated by an algorithm which assigns the classes in order of arrival. The architecture will provide the necessary tools to the students, so they get the maximum profit from the tutorials. Students and Lecturers can coordinate their tutorial meeting in an efficient way with the help of the multi-agent system.
Plasma vs. serum in circulating tumor DNA measurement: characterization by DNA fragment sizing and digital droplet polymerase chain reaction
Authors: Lee Jee-Soo , Kim Miyoung , Seong Moon-Woo , Kim Han-Sung , Lee Young Kyung , Kang Hee Jung
Published: December 2019

Background

Choosing the specimen type is the first step of the pre-analytical process. Previous reports suggested plasma as the optimal specimen for circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) analysis. However, head-to-head comparisons between plasma and serum using platforms with high analytical sensitivity, such as droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR), are limited, and several recent studies have supported the clinical utility of serum-derived ctDNA. This study aimed to compare the DNA profiles isolated from plasma and serum, characterize the effects of the differences between specimens on ctDNA measurement, and determine the major contributors to these differences.

Methods

We isolated cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from 119 matched plasma/serum samples from cancer patients and analyzed the cfDNA profiles by DNA fragment sizing. We then assessed KRAS mutations in ctDNA from matched plasma/serum using ddPCR.

Results

The amount of large DNA fragments was increased in serum, whereas that of cfDNA fragments (<800 bp) was similar in both specimens. ctDNA was less frequently detected in serum, and the KRAS-mutated fraction in serum was significantly lower than that in plasma. The differences in ctDNA fractions between the two specimen types correlated well with the amount of large DNA fragments and white blood cell and neutrophil counts.

Conclusions

Our results provided detailed insights into the differences between plasma and serum using DNA fragment sizing and ddPCR, potentially contributing to ctDNA analysis standardization. Our study also suggested that using plasma minimizes the dilution of tumor-derived DNA and optimizes the sensitivity of ctDNA analysis. So, plasma should be the preferred specimen type.
Mixing studies for lupus anticoagulant: mostly no, sometimes yes
Authors: Moore Gary W.
Published: December 2019

Mixing tests have long been a mainstay in the lupus anticoagulant (LA) testing armoury of screen, mix and confirm assays. If a sample with an elevated screening test does not evidence inhibition in the mixing test, the search for an LA is halted and a different diagnostic pathway embarked upon. Recent years have seen studies evidencing sometimes high frequencies of false-negative mixing tests with perhaps sinister implications for missed diagnoses and skewed patient management. Issues such as the dilution effect, between-reagent sensitivity and specificity differences, variability of normal pooled plasma (NPP) quality and suitability and interpretive inconsistencies all contribute to questioning the reliability of mixing tests and their pivotal place in the LA assay hierarchy. The advent of integrated testing, where phospholipid-dependence is demonstrated or excluded prior to any attempt to evidence inhibitory properties with a fallible analytical principle, provides an alternative path to LA detection. In the absence of other causes of elevated clotting times, LA assay screen and confirm discordance is sufficient to secure a laboratory diagnosis of the presence of an LA, leaving the mixing test in a supplementary yet valuable role when further diagnostic discrimination is required.
Load Frequency Control Design for Two Area Interconnected Power System with DFIG Based Wind Turbine
Authors: Komboigo Charles , Urasaki Naomitsu , Senju Tomonobu , Elsayed Lotfy Mohammed , Motin Howlader Abdul , Datta Manoj
Published: December 2019

In this paper, a modern two stage frequency control approach for two area interconnected power system with doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) based wind turbine is proposed. For first stage, a proportional integral derivative (PID) controller is designed for every conventional thermal area to control frequency and tie line power. In the second stage, a PID controller is implemented in DFIG to regulate its speed and accordingly control system frequency particle swarm optimization is used to tune the controllers of conventional thermal units and DFIG. The effectiveness and robustness of the proposed control scheme are investigated under different operating conditions using MATLAB/Simulink.
Prehabilitation, making patients fit for surgery – a new frontier in perioperative care
Authors: Molenaar Charlotte J.L. , Papen-Botterhuis Nicole E. , Herrle Florian , Slooter Gerrit D.
Published: December 2019

Optimizing a patients’ condition before surgery to improve the postoperative outcome can be achieved by using prehabilitation; preoperative interventions focusing on modifiable risk factors to improve the physical, nutritional, and mental status of the patient. A multimodal, multidisciplinary approach induces a synergistic effect between the various interventions and affects the outcome postoperatively. While awaiting higher-quality evidence, the worldwide implementation of prehabilitation programs has started, resulting in a true revolution in perioperative care.
In vitro antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory properties of the n-butanol fraction of Senna podocarpa (Guill. and Perr.) leaf
Authors: Ajiboye Basiru Olaitan , Ojo Oluwafemi Adeleke , Fatoba Bamidele , Afolabi Olakunke Bamikole , Olayide Israel , Okesola Mary Abiola , Oyinloye Babatunji Emmanuel
Published: December 2019

Background

This study evaluates the antioxidant activity and enzyme inhibitory properties of the n-butanol fraction of Senna podocarpa leaves on α-amylase, α-glucosidase, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), tyrosinase, arginase, phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE-5), and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE).

Methods

The total phenol and flavonoids, iron (Fe) chelation, and 2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) free radical scavenging were used to determine the antioxidant activity, and the inhibitory activities of α-glucosidase, α-amylase, AChE, BChE, tyrosinase, arginase, PDE-5 and ACE were also assessed.

Results

The n-butanol fraction of S. podocarpa shows high total phenol and total flavonoid contents. The n-butanol fraction of S. podocarpa leaves also chelates Fe2+ and ABTS radicals. The n-butanol fraction of S. podocarpa leaves also inhibited α-glucosidase, α-amylase, AChE, BChE, tyrosinase, arginase, PDE-5, and ACE at the concentration tested. Chromatographic analysis displayed the presence of β-elemene, phytol and caryophyllene oxide chrysophanol, 3-oxo-methyl ester, α-humulene, β-caryophyllene, rhein, emodin, and α-copaene.

Conclusions

Hence, the n-butanol fraction of S. podocarpa leaves demonstrates encouraging feat in controlling and/or managing cognitive dysfunction such as Alzheimer’s disease and also hypertension, diabetes, erectile dysfunction, endothelial dysfunction, and hyperpigmentation.
Pump Laser Automatic Signal Control for Erbium-Doped Fiber Amplifier Gain, Noise Figure, and Output Spectral Power
Authors: Amiri I. S. , Rashed Ahmed Nabih Zaki , Yupapin P.
Published: December 2019

This paper has simulated the pump laser automatic signal control for erbium-doped fiber amplifier gain, noise figure, and output spectral power. Signal gain and noise figure are deeply studied in relation to laser pump power variations at operating pumping wavelengths of 980 nm and 1,480 nm for previous and proposed models. Similar to the study of the light signal to noise ratio, output power level and maximum Q factor are also simulated versus EDFA amplifier length at pumping power of 500 mW and different pumping wavelength by using the proposed model. The obtained results are better by using a pumping wavelength of 1,480 nm than a pumping wavelength of 980 nm. The optimum EDFA amplifier is 5 m, which gives better performance than other amplifier lengths.
Two-dimensional Kalman filter approach to airborne vector gravimetry
Authors: Vyazmin V.S. , Bolotin Yu.V.
Published: December 2019

The paper presents a new approach to the airborne vector gravimetry problem. The idea of the approach is to take into account spatial correlation of the gravity field to improve observability of horizontal components of the gravity disturbance vector (GDV). We consider the GDV determination problem given airborne data at a set of parallel survey lines assuming that lines are flown in the same direction at a constant height above the reference ellipsoid. We use a 2-D random field model for the gravity field at the flight height. The random field is governed by two autoregressive equations (one in the direction along the lines, the other across the lines). Then we pose the estimation problem simultaneously for the GDV horizontal components and systematic errors of an inertial navigation system at all the lines simultaneously. The developed estimation algorithm is based on 2D Kalman filtering and smoothing techniques. Numerical results obtained from simulated data processing showed improved accuracy of the gravity horizontal component determination.
Effects of human milk fortifier properties on intrinsic probiotic bacteria
Authors: Codipilly Champa N. , Koppel Adira , Ranasinghe Oneli , Roffe Stephanie , Ahn Seungjun , Navarathna Malithi , Abeyweera Nishmi , Coors Callie , Purushotham Amika , Kamoga Ronnie , Schanler Richard J.
Published: December 2019

Background

To meet the nutritional needs of preterm infants, multicomponent nutrient fortifiers are added to human milk. The fortified human milk (FHM) product changes the physical and biochemical characteristics of the milk. We questioned whether such physical-chemical changes in the milk would alter intrinsic probiotic bacterial activity. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of osmolality and pH on the growth of probiotic bacterial species intrinsic to human milk.

Methods

Human milk samples (n = 26) were collected from mothers in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and stored at −20°C until analyzed. The samples were thawed and divided into three portions. Human milk fortifiers (HMFs) were added to two portions to prepare concentrations of FHM. The remaining portion was the unfortified control sample. Each sample was then divided into two parts. One part (baseline) was used to measure the osmolality and pH and plated on selective agar to enumerate the growth of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria species. The remaining part was incubated at 37°C for 24 h to further test bacterial integrity (post-incubation) and then the same measurements were made (osmolality, pH, bacterial colony counts).

Results

When compared with unfortified milk at baseline, osmolality increased and pH decreased significantly after the addition of HMFs. Lactobacilli and bifidobacteria colony counts did not differ among the groups pre-incubation. Post-incubation lactobacilli and bifidobacteria increased in all the groups.

Conclusion

The appropriate addition of HMFs differentially affected the osmolality and pH of the milk. These physical changes did not affect the growth of probiotic bacterial species.
Synthesis, characterization and low energy photon attenuation studies of bone tissue substitutes
Authors: Joshi Shailesh , Ajikumar P.K. , Sivasubramanian K. , Jayaraman V.
Published: December 2019

Epoxy composites with different weight percentages of calcium carbonate and calcium phosphate were synthesized as bone tissue substitutes (BTS) for internal dosimetry. The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis confirmed that no chemical reaction occurred between the polymer and the fillers. Thermogravimetric analysis also showed improvement in the thermal properties of the composites due to the fillers. The uniform distribution of fillers in the epoxy matrix was established by X-ray radiography. The attenuation behavior of BTS was probed for low energy γ source 241Am (59.5 keV) using planar HPGe detector. The measured mass attenuation coefficients of BTS were found to match with the values calculated using XCOM software. The radiological properties derived for these composites were found to be on par with those of ICRU-44 cortical bone and B-100 bone equivalent plastic.
Relationship between serum homocysteine level and cognitive impairment in patients with Parkinson‘s disease
Authors: Liu Xuejuan , Dong Tong , Zhang Yi , Zhao Yumei , Yang Jingwen , Gu Cheng , Ren Taowen , Li Baiyu , Zhang Yamin , Bao Lijuan , Jiao Keping
Published: December 2019

OBJECTIVE To investigate the correlation between serum homocysteine (Hcy) and cognitive impairment (CI) in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD).

METHODS Eighty-one PD patients were prospectively recruited in this study from Feb 2015 to Jan 2018 in Gansu Provincial Hospital. Of the subjects, 41 were diagnosed with cognitive impairment (PD-CI) vs. the 40 others without PD (PDN). The clinical characteristic and demographic features were recorded for the two groups. The serum Hcy, folate and vitamin B12 (VitB12) were examined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS The serum Hcy, folate, VitB12 concentration were 21.7±6.2 (μmol/L), 9.2±3.7 (ng/mL), 354.1±123.5 (pg/mL) for PD-CI group and 14.1±5.7 (μmol/L), 12.4±4.5 (ng/mL), 378.7±128.2 (pg/mL) for PDN group respectively. The serum level of Hcy in PD-CI group was significantly higher than that of PDN group (p<0.05), serum folate was significantly lower than PDN group (p<0.05). The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and AUC were 77.5% (95%CI:61.6%-89.2%), 78.1% (95%CI:62.4%-89.4%), 0.82 (95%CI:0.73-0.91) for serum Hcy and 72.5% (95%CI:56.1%-85.4%), 63.4% (95%CI:46.9%-77.9%), 0.71(95%CI:0060-0.83) for serum folate respectively as serological markers for cognitive impairment diagnosis in patients with PD.

Conclusion Serum Hcy and folate were different between PD-CI and PDN patients, which may play an important role in cognitive impairment development in patients with PD and can be used as promising serological diagnostic marker.
Nano Resistive Memory (Re-RAM) Devices and their Applications
Authors: Dash Chandra Sekhar , Prabaharan S. R. S.
Published: December 2019

Use of solid state ionic conductors the so-called Solid Electrolytes has brought new impetus to the field of solid state memories namely resistive random access memory (Re-RAM). In this review article, to begin we present the detailed understanding on the basics of solid electrolytes. Later, the same has been reviewed focusing on its application in novel solid state memory applications. Few examples of solid electrolytes are considered and their impact on the state-of-art research in this domain is discussed in detail. An in-depth analysis on the fundamentals of Resistive switching mechanism involved in various classes of Memristive devices viz., Electrochemical Metallization Memories (ECM) and Valence change Memories (VCM). A few important applications of Memristors such as Neuristor and artificial synapse in neuromorphic computing are reviewed as well. Finally, the most anticipated energy efficient battery-like cells as artificial synapse in brain-inspired computing is also covered.
Mechanical and Tribological overview of ceramic particulates reinforced aluminium alloy composites
Authors: Bhaskar Sourabh , Kumar Mukesh , Patnaik Amar
Published: December 2019

This review manuscript highlights the effects of various ceramic particulates on different aspects like tribo-logical (sliding wear), mechanical and thermal behaviour etc. of aluminium alloy composites, across various operating parameters like normal load (N), sliding velocity (m/s), sliding distance (m), temperature (°C), reinforcement weight percentage. It also discusses different fabrication techniques of such composites as reported by various scholars. Such advanced alloyed-composites find frequent applications in automotives, military, marine, structural, etc. applications, where tribo-logical phenomenon plays a dominant role. The material scientists world-wide are actively engage in improving life of such components by enhancing their mechanical, physical, chemical etc. properties along with improvement in wear resistance in a cost-effective manner. This overall enhances the working efficiency of the component in required applications. Single or binary or hybrid ceramic reinforcement with varying content is explored by scholars and has ample scope of further exploration. It has been concluded from the literature review that ceramic reinforcement lead to significant enhancement in mechanical, tribological and thermal characteristics of Al alloy based MMCs. Further, the micro-sized ceramic particulates increase the interfacial bond strength between the matrix-reinforcement that enhances effective load transfer and sustain it at various tribological operating parameters, that further validated by surface morphology studies.
Spectrum of BRCA1/BRCA2 variants in 1419 Turkish breast and ovarian cancer patients: a single center study
Authors: Bahsi Taha , Erdem Haktan Bağış
Published: December 2019

Objectives

Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome is chacterized with multiple cases of breast cancer and/or ovarian cancer on the same side of the family. BRCA1/BRCA2 genes are associated with 20–25% of all patients. For developing national health policies for genetic testing, it is important to determine the range of pathogenic mutations in susceptibility genes and to identify recurrent founder mutations.

Materials and methods

All the patients were provided BRCA testing criteria according to National Comprehensive Cancer Network. QIAseq multiplex amplicon panel, BRCA MASTR™ Dx and Ion AmpliSeq Panel were used for BRCA1/BRCA2 coding regions. SALSA® MLPA® was performed for negative patients.

Results

Of 1419 patients, 134 (9.4%) were found to carry a pathogenic and 5 (0.3%) were found to carry a likely pathogenic mutation. Of those, 58 patients were found to carry a mutation in BRCA1 and 64 in BRCA2. Variant of uncertain significance was detected in 91 patients (6.4%).

Conclusion

The spectrum of BRCA1/2 mutations in Turkish population has been shown in the largest patient group to date. The thesis that founder mutations show diversity in different populations has been confirmed in our study, and the mutations that are common in Turkish population have been presented in this study.
A new ternary silicide GdFe1−

x
Si2 (x=0.32): preparation, crystal and electronic structure
Authors: Babizhetskyy Volodymyr , Köhler Jürgen , Tyvanchuk Yuriy , Zheng Chong
Published: December 2019

The title compound was prepared from the elements by arc-melting. The crystal structure was investigated by means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction. It crystallizes in the TbFeSi2 structure type, orthorhombic space group Cmmm, a = 4.0496(8), b = 16.416(2), c = 3.9527(6) Å, Z = 4, R1 = 0.041, wR2 = 0.11 for 207 unique reflections with I
o > 2 σ(I
o) and 19 refined parameters. The Fe position is not fully occupied and the refinement results in a composition GdFe0.68Si2 in agreement with a chemical analysis. The structure consists of zig-zag chains of Si(1) atoms which are terminally bound to additional Si(2) atoms. For an ordered variant GdFe0.5Si2 the Zintl concept can be applied which results in formal oxidation states Gd3+(Fe2+)0.5Si(1)1−Si(2)3−. The electronic structure of this variant GdFe0.5Si2 was analyzed using the tight-binding LMTO method and the results confirm the simple bonding picture.
A First Look at the First Step Act
Authors: Berman Douglas A.
Published: December 2019

This Issue of FSR explores a range of perspectives on the import and impact of the First Step Act as we approach the first anniversary of President Trump signing it into law. Key themes that emerge from materials in this Issue include the need for effective implementation of the Act and the idea that the Act provides just a start on needed federal criminal justice reforms. The clear takeaway is that there is still much work to do both in advocating for the next pieces of federal criminal justice legislation and in seeking to better administer existing laws. But, as we reach a notable first anniversary for the First Step Act, all should be sure to take time to celebrate a year of real progress, no matter how much further one believes we need to go.
Carceral Practices and Geographies in Roman North Africa
Authors: Larsen Matthew D. C.
Published: December 2019

I explore the landscape of carceral practices and geographies in late antique Roman North Africa by applying a comparative lens to carceral punishments of exile and condemnation to the mines. I situate the research within the field of carceral studies, using the concept of carceral practices and geographies (as opposed to the narrower concepts of prison and imprisonment). I first offer a contextualization of the punishments of exile and condemnation to the mines as carceral punishments, remaining especially sensitive to the legal, material, and spatial aspects of each punishment. I then consider how different North African Christians used their carceral punishments and geographies to negotiate issues of political and social power in the broader Roman Mediterranean, specifically the letter exchange between Cyprian and three other groups of Christians condemned to the mines (Ep. 76–79). I use the letter correspondence as a case study to explore the “real-and-imagined” aspects of carceral practices and geographies in Roman North Africa. The carceral punishments of exile and condemnation to the mines have legal, material, social, gendered, rhetorical, and lived-experience components, all of which are treated as distinct, yet also fluid and intersectional with each other. I conclude by gesturing to how the case study adds texture to our understanding of how carceral punishment worked in Late Antiquity.
Text and Context
Authors: Osland Daniel
Published: December 2019

This study brings together a set of primary sources for the period of transition from late Roman to post-Roman rule over central Hispania, from the city of Mérida (Augusta Emerita) in west-central Spain. These sources—all inscriptions—illustrate important changes and continuities in the power dynamics at work in one of the most important urban centers of late antique Iberia in the period of Visigothic expansion. The central piece of evidence is the so-called Bridge Inscription of Mérida, which is preserved only in a ninth-century manuscript. A new critical reading of this complex text paves the way for a reconstruction of the local and regional context in which the events documented on the inscription took place.
Contingent Convergence: The Ability To Detect Convergent Genomic Evolution Is Dependent on Population Size and Migration
Authors: Whiting James R , Fraser Bonnie A
Published: December 2019

Outlier scans, in which the genome is scanned for signatures of selection, have become a prominent tool in studies of local adaptation, and more recently studies of genetic convergence in natural populations. However, such methods have the potential to be confounded by features of demographic history, such as population size and migration, which are considerably varied across natural populations. In this study, we use forward-simulations to investigate and illustrate how several measures of genetic differentiation commonly used in outlier scans (FST, DXY and Δπ) are influenced by demographic variation across multiple sampling generations. In a factorial design with 16 treatments, we manipulate the presence/absence of founding bottlenecks (N of founding individuals), prolonged bottlenecks (proportional size of diverging population) and migration rate between two populations with ancestral and diverged phenotypic optima. Our results illustrate known constraints of individual measures associated with reduced population size and a lack of migration; but notably we demonstrate how relationships between measures are similarly dependent on these features of demography. We find that false-positive signals of convergent evolution (the same simulated outliers detected in independent treatments) are attainable as a product of similar population size and migration treatments (particularly for DXY), and that outliers across different measures (for e.g., FST and DXY) can occur with little influence of selection. Taken together, we show how underappreciated, yet quantifiable measures of demographic history can influence commonly employed methods for detecting selection.
Pervasive Strong Selection at the Level of Codon Usage Bias in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Machado Heather E , Lawrie David S , Petrov Dmitri A
Published: December 2019

Codon usage bias (CUB), where certain codons are used more frequently than expected by chance, is a ubiquitous phenomenon and occurs across the tree of life. The dominant paradigm is that the proportion of preferred codons is set by weak selection. While experimental changes in codon usage have at times shown large phenotypic effects in contrast to this paradigm, genome-wide population genetic estimates have supported the weak selection model. Here we use deep genomic population sequencing of two Drosophila melanogaster populations to measure selection on synonymous sites in a way that allowed us to estimate the prevalence of both weak and strong purifying selection. We find that selection in favor of preferred codons ranges from weak (|Nes| ∼ 1) to strong (|Nes| > 10), with strong selection acting on 10–20% of synonymous sites in preferred codons. While previous studies indicated that selection at synonymous sites could be strong, this is the first study to detect and quantify strong selection specifically at the level of CUB. Further, we find that CUB-associated polymorphism accounts for the majority of strong selection on synonymous sites, with secondary contributions of splicing (selection on alternatively spliced genes, splice junctions, and spliceosome-bound sites) and transcription factor binding. Our findings support a new model of CUB and indicate that the functional importance of CUB, as well as synonymous sites in general, have been underestimated.
Electoral sentiments and behavior of voters as a manifestation of political subjectivity
Authors: Balakireva Olga , Dmytruk Dmytro
Published: December 2019

Electoral sentiments and electoral behavior were analyzed based on the monitoring results of electoral sentiments and exit polls, in particular, exit polls data obtained on the election day of the President of Ukraine, electoral sentiments monitoring between the elections of the President of Ukraine and the Verkhovna Rada elections, and exit polls on the day of Parliamentary elections. The macroregional analysis is performed, depending on the voter’s age and type of settlement.
Digest of U-Report surveys: 3rd quarter of 2019
Authors: Nesterenko Yevheniia , Liudohovska Karyna
Published: December 2019

The results of the U-Report innovative youth project surveys conducted in June – September 2019 are presented: art education, reasons for refusal to study art, radicalization, assessment by U-reporters of radicalization average level in Ukrainian society, medical services for adolescent girls, problems adolescent girls face when addressing doctors.
Wooden sacral architecture as an object of cultural tourism in Ukraine
Authors: Iaromenko Sergey G. , Shykina Olga V. , Niecheva Natalia V.
Published: December 2019

Scientific article deals with the topic of wooden sacral architecture of Ukraine, which is the object of cultural tourism. The study of tourist resources, including cultural and historical ones, has a significant theoretical background among Ukrainian and foreign scholars. This topic is related to the study of architecture, peculiarities of construction of wooden structures, their spread in the territory of Ukraine and Ukrainian ethnic territories, which are beyond the limits of modern borders. Insights in the field of cultural heritage studies is very significant as well as the assessment of their uniqueness, geography of tourism, economic and social sciences that are related to the field of tourism. Definition of the cultural tourism, the concept of «heritage product» is related to the tourism marketing, as well as mechanisms of product management and ways of promoting cultural heritage sites for tourists attraction. This scientific article is based on the researches of experts, who study sacral architecture monuments, their classification, geography of distribution and regionalization, which are the basis for evaluating various aspects of buildings appearance. It is important to develop cultural tourism in regions, where tourist activity is in low condition. In the territory of Ukraine, there are objects of wooden church architecture that are included to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These structures are located on the territory of Ukraine and Poland. Objects of wooden sacral architecture are mainly located on the Carpathian foothills, Galicia and Polissia territory. The smallest number of these structures you can find in the south, where wooden architecture is predominantly located in the remote areas and belong to the Podilska and Naddnipryanska schools of temple building. There are some differences between the geography of extension of the objects of wooden temple building and index of domestic tourism for leisure and recreation purposes. Thus, objects of wooden architecture as sites of cultural tourism are concentrated in the western and in the northern regions of Ukraine, while the biggest amount of domestic tourists prevails in Kiev city, as well as in Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv and Odesa region. The main activity on the Black Sea coast is recreation, medical and wellness tourism, or medical tourism on the resorts of the South. However, areas of the north of Odesa and Kherson regions, remain presidial. Combining tours to the north of Odesa region and rest on the banks of the Southern Bug River with active types of tourism and recreation will be promising thing. Lack of marketing activities is a significant impediment for promotion of the cultural tourism product in southern Ukraine. Also, the question of upgrading the infrastructure for tourism needs: transport system, hospitality facilities, remains unsolved. This region is perspective for the development of peripheral and rural areas and is a driver of economic growth.
Location pattern and genetic classification of granite pegmatites of the Ukrainian Shield
Authors: Isakov Leonid V. , Isakova Maria L.
Published: December 2019

The pegmatites of the Ukrainian Shield, their formation and occurrence are con- sidered. It is shown that the Ukrainian Shield is a pegmatite province encompassing seven regions: Middle Prydniprovia, Western Pryazovia, Eastern Pryazovia, Ingulski, Rosynsko- Tikytski, Dnistersko-Buzki and Volyn, respectively encompassing megastructures of the same names and including pegmatite fields of different mineralogical composition and geochemical specialization. The Volynski, Ingulski, Middle Prydniprovia, Western Pryazovia regions have rare-earth and rare-metal specialization presented by pegmatites of different origin and petrological and mineral composition and occurring in different structural and tectonic conditions, having different formation age, which allows a full classification scheme of the pegmatites of Ukrainian Shield to be given. These structures can be considered as having formed as a result of abyssal magmatic plumes. The geological-structural position of these megastructures with obvious signs of influence of certain abyssal processes on their formation supports this assumption. We present the main geological structural and genetic factors of formation of pegmatite-bearing megastructures of the Ukrainian crystalline core-area, these factors forming the basis of a classification scheme of pegmatites of Pre-Cambrian shields. We have systematized the pegmatites of the Ukrai- nian Shield , and designed their classification scheme . We have distinguished the following groups of pegmatites by the development of pegmatite-generating zones: - three genetic groups of pegmatites: ultrametamorphogenic, magmatogenic and metamorphogenic-meta- somatic; - six genetic subgroups of pegmatites: migmatic; autochthonous granite massifs; metamorphogenic and metasomatic displaced and formed pegmatites; multiphase intrusive granite massifs; multiphase intrusive alkaline massifs; multiphase granite batholiths. By the nature of pegmatite-bearing structures, the following structural groups have been singled out: granite-gneiss regional structures and domes; dome- synclinore and dome-trough plume-structures (subgroups: interdome synclinore and trough structures, in particular greenstone structures; intrusive domes and batholiths); specific tectonic zones of stress tensions.
Lithoecotopes and Vegetation on Dumps of the Central Mining and Ore Enrichment Combine (the central zone of Kryvbass)
Authors: Voroshylova Natalia V. , Сhorna Valentina I.
Published: December 2019

In the article, characteristics of development of vegetation communities under conditions of mine rock dumps of the Central Mining and Ore Enrichment Combine or their rocky components (lithoecotopes) were determined, namely only lithophilic vegetation. We сlassified various lithoecotopes and characterized vegetation communities of varying complexity growing on plateau tops, terraces and slopes, depending on specifics of their constituent rocks and typological features.  In accordance with the state of lithoecotopes, including all typological characteristics and the geochemical nature of the rocks, plant lithophilic communities growing on the dumps of the Central Mining and Ore Enrichment Combine, were characterized by significant differences in analytical (floristic and ecomorphic composition, occurrence, layerage, aspect, abundance, cover) and synthetic (similarity, constancy) signs. A detailed survey of the state of plants and their communities within the lithoecotopes has allowed us to establish that their distribution and development have clearly expressed dependence on substrate and relief-exposure,which can be used in phytocoenic and phytocenotic melioration of such technogenic ecotopes. Native overgrowth of all dumps has a shrub-tree forest and grassy pattern in accordance with the typological characteristics and rock composition. In general, taxonomic composition of plant communities growing on the dumps of the Kryvbas central zone is characterised by 153 species belonging to 31 families, of which 66 species are petrophytes, and 18 species are typical only for zone surveyed.
Supercritical behavior of thermodynamic systems
Authors: Galdina A. N.
Published: December 2019

It is known that basic stability characteristics of a system are inversely proportional to fluctuations of external parameters. Above the critical point there is a region remaining homogeneous macroscopically, but becoming microheterogeneous within an interval of thermodynamic forces. Within this interval thermodynamic coefficients of stability pass finite non-zero minima. This corresponds to the considerable growth of fluctuations and indicates the occurrence of supercritical transition of continuous kind. The limit case of such continuous phase transitions is the critical state, which is also the limit point of some first-kind transitions (the limit point of phase equilibrium curve).In this paper we consider the relation between thermodynamic stability conditions and fluctuations of external parameters of the system. We study the behavior of a simple one-component thermodynamic system (liquid, magnet, and ferroelectric) in the supercritical region and derive the equation of the line of supercritical transition for this system.