bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Preparation and Characteristics of a Blue Pearlescent Pigment with LTA-Type Ultramarine Coated on the Mica Substrate
Authors: Shen Fei , Chen Hongling
Published: April 2021

Ultramarine is a nontoxic and cheap inorganic pigment, which has been rarely used in blue pearlescent pigments. This work reports the synthesis of nano-ultramarine with LTA structure by calcining the polysulfide impregnated zeolite at 600∘C for 1[Formula: see text]h. Then the ultramarine colored mica composite was prepared by using [Formula: see text]-(2,3-epoxypropoxy) propytrimethoxysilane (KH-560) to attach ultramarine to the mica substrate through a covalent bond. Scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM-EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Ultraviolet and Visible Spectrophotometry (UV-Vis) were employed to characterize the structure and properties of the ultramarine, composites as well as the intermediates. The results showed that LTA framework was retained in ultramarine during the calcination at the temperature below 700∘C. The FTIR spectra demonstrated that ultramarine was successfully modified by KH-560. The SEM, UV-Vis and [Formula: see text]*[Formula: see text]*[Formula: see text]* values revealed the increasing the amount of KH-560-modified ultramarine contributing to the formation of the dense coating layer on mica and changed the color of the ultramarine-coated mica composite. The optimum mass ratio of mica to ultramarine was 1:2 and the composite demonstrated an ideal blue pearlescent effect.
Ball intersection properties in metric spaces
Authors: Miesch Benjamin , Pavón Maël
Published: April 2021

The goal of the present work is to introduce new metric space techniques to study the intersection properties of families of balls. These new techniques add, on the one hand, to results due to Lindenstrauss on the extension of uniformly continuous functions and compact linear operators, and answer, on the other hand, questions raised by Aronszajn and Panitchpakdi on hyperconvex metric spaces. The present work is divided into two parts.

In the first part, the proofs of our two main results on ball intersection properties in metric spaces are presented. The first main result states that for any integer n greater or equal to three, a complete and almost n-hyperconvex metric space is automatically n-hyperconvex. The second main result shows that in complete metric spaces, the property of being 4-hyperconvex is equivalent to the property of being finitely hyperconvex and that the analogues are true for externally 4-hyperconvex and weakly externally 4-hyperconvex subsets. This last result and the results proved later in this work unify the analysis of those three properties: hyperconvexity, external hyperconvexity and weak external hyperconvexity.

In the second part of this work, we make the link with notions of convexity and bicombings and present applications. We extend local-to-global results on hyperconvex spaces to externally hyperconvex spaces as well as to weakly externally hyperconvex spaces. We conclude with applications of our results to the characterization of externally hyperconvex and weakly externally hyperconvex subsets of hyperconvex spaces.
Wave propagation in a temperature rate-dependent semiconducting medium with hydrostatic initial stress
Authors: Ailawalia Praveen , Priyanka
Published: April 2021

The aim of this paper is to investigate the effect of hydrostatic initial stress and temperature dependence of the modulus of elasticity on surface wave propagation in the semiconducting medium under photothermal theory. An infinite elastic half-space is overlying the infinite semiconducting medium and a mechanical force of constant magnitude is applied along with the interface. Surface wave solutions are used to solve the coupled plasma, thermal, and elastic wave equations. The effect of hydrostatic initial stress and temperature dependent properties have been studied and depicted graphically on the penetration depths of the waves and the components of stresses, displacement, temperature distribution and carrier density. It is observed that the effect of hydrostatic initial stress on the penetration depths is prominent in temperature independent semiconducting medium.
Extended Abstract
Authors: Chard Kyle , Babuji Yadu , Woodard Anna , Clifford Ben , Li Zhuozhao , Hategan Mihael , Foster Ian , Wilde Mike , Katz Daniel S.
Published: April 2021

Parsl is a parallel programming library for Python that aims to make it easy to specify parallelism in programs and to realize that parallelism on arbitrary parallel and distributed computing systems. Parsl relies on developers annotating Python functions-wrapping either Python or external applications-to indicate that these functions may be executed concurrently. Developers can then link together functions via the exchange of data. Parsl establishes a dynamic dependency graph and sends tasks for execution on connected resources when dependencies are resolved. Parsl's runtime system enables different compute resources to be used, from laptops to supercomputers, without modification to the Parsl program.
From Ada to Platinum SPARK
Authors: Rogers Patrick
Published: April 2021

An effective approach to learning a new programming language is to implement data structures common to computer programming. The approach is effective because the problem to be solved is well understood, allowing one to focus on the language details. Moreover, several different forms of a given data structure are often possible: bounded versus unbounded, sequential versus thread-safe, and so on. These multiple forms likely require a wide range of language features.
Real-time Issues in the Ada Parallel Model with OpenMP
Authors: Miguel Pinho Luis , Royuela Sara , Quiñones Eduardo
Published: April 2021

The current proposal for the next revision of the Ada language considers the possibility to map the language parallel features to an underlying OpenMP runtime. As previously presented, and discussed in previous workshops, the works on fine-grain parallelism in Ada map well to the OpenMP tasking model for parallelism. Nevertheless, and although the general model of integration, and the semantic constructs are already reflected in the proposed revision of the standard, the integration of these new features with the Real-Time Systems Annex of Ada is still not complete. This paper presents an overview of what is supported and the still open issues.
Integrating Biomaterials and Genome Editing Approaches to Advance Biomedical Science
Authors: Abdeen Amr A. , Cosgrove Brian D. , Gersbach Charles A. , Saha Krishanu
Published: April 2021

The recent discovery and subsequent development of the CRISPR–Cas9 (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat–CRISPR-associated protein 9) platform as a precise genome editing tool have transformed biomedicine. As these CRISPR-based tools have matured, multiple stages of the gene editing process and the bioengineering of human cells and tissues have advanced. Here, we highlight recent intersections in the development of biomaterials and genome editing technologies. These intersections include the delivery of macromolecules, where biomaterial platforms have been harnessed to enable nonviral delivery of genome engineering tools to cells and tissues in vivo. Further, engineering native-like biomaterial platforms for cell culture facilitates complex modeling of human development and disease when combined with genome engineering tools. Deeper integration of biomaterial platforms in these fields could play a significant role in enabling new breakthroughs in the application of gene editing for the treatment of human disease.
Capability and Reversibility of LiCoO2 during Charge/Discharge with O3/H1−3 Layered Structure Change
Authors: Yano Akira , Taguchi Noboru , Kanzaki Hisao , Shikano Masahiro , Sakaebe Hikari
Published: April 2021

The capability and reversibility of surface-coated LiCoO2 (LCO) during charge/discharge with a layered structure change between O3 and H1−3 phases was investigated. A compound oxide phase with a thickness of several nanometers and a LiMO2 structure (M: Co, Al, or Zr) formed on the surface of the coated LCO. The discharge capacity (Q
D) and discharge energy density (E
D) at a current-rate of 0.05 C in the initial charge/discharge voltage range of 2.5–4.6 V were 228 mAh g−1 and 936 Wh kg−1, respectively. The Q
D at the 1st cycle at 1 C was 213 mAh g−1, and the retention at the 101st cycle was 88.8%. The Q
D and E
D at 6 C were 204 mAh g−1 and 778 Wh kg−1. Operando XRD and impedance analyses revealed that the decrease in capacity by cycling was mainly due to the increased polarization, which was caused by the increase in the Li-ion intercalation resistance at the electrode/electrolyte interface. The O3/H1−3 phase transition was reversible even after the cycle-test. Most of the capacity in the O3/H1−3 transition region could be reversibly charged/discharged up to 100 cycles. The transition from H1−3 to O3 during discharging was responsive up to a current-rate of 6 C.
Investigation on the Overlithiation Mechanism of LiCoO2 Cathode for Lithium Ion Batteries
Authors: Yu Lele , Tian Yexing , Xiao Xiang , Hou Chen , Xing Yiran , Si Yongheng , Lu Han , Zhao Yujuan
Published: April 2021

Overlithiation of lithium ion batteries often causes a structural transformation of the electrode and capacity degradation and may even lead to severe safety problems. In this study, the electrode structure, surface morphology and compositions at the different overlithiation depths of LiCoO2 cathode material were investigated in detailed by examining the LCO/Li cells and anode-free cells, combined with post-mortem characterizations. When LiCoO2 is found in a slight overlithiation state, the cycle capacity fades slightly and minority of LiCoO2 reduces to CoO and Li2O. After LiCoO2 undergoes a deep overlithiation reaction, a long flat voltage plateau appears at 1.2 V and the cycle performance is greatly deteriorated. SEM and EIS tests show that the single-crystal particles are fractured into small particles with thick-layer formation at the surface and the shape of the EIS curve changes strongly with increasing overlithiation depth. Additionally, as shown by XPS Ar-ion etching and TEM characterization, the LiCoO2 surface is converted into greater amounts of Li2O, CoO and Co metal associated with the severe electrolyte decomposition, and LiF, Li2CO3 and LixPOyFz are the main electrolyte decomposition products. The detailed investigation of the overlithiation mechanism of LiCoO2 provides comprehensive and thorough guidance for understanding the overlithiation mechanism of cathode materials as well as important reference information for practical all-solid-state battery applications.
A Highly Active Oxygen Reduction Composite Electrocatalyst of Fe3C with a N, F Dual-Doped Carbon Layer Hide
Authors: Zhang Hui-Juan , Jia Li , Zhang Yujing , Ma Zi-Feng , Xue Yuhua , Zheng Shiyou , Zhang Jiujun
Published: April 2021

In low-temperature fuel cells, effective and low-cost electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) have played an critical role in achieving a practical performance. In this study, a class of non-precious composite electrocatalyst of Fe3C nanoparticles hided in N, F dual-doped carbon layer (Fe3C@NFC) for ORR is successfully synthesized through a facile strategy by heat-treating iron chloride, melamine hydrogen fluoride together with carbon black at high temperature. The obtained Fe3C@NFC pyrolyzed at 800 °C (Fe3C@NFC800) shows the best ORR electrocatalytic activity, where its ORR peak potential and half-wave potential are 0.908 V and 0.882 V, respectively, and the ORR process is dominated by a major direct 4-electron reaction pathway (n = 3.8–4.0) in alkaline solution. Furthermore, it owns more methanol tolerance and stability than those of 20 wt% Pt/C. The high ORR electrocatalytic performance of this Fe3C@NFC800 origins from the synergistic effect between Fe3C crystal and N, F dual-doped carbon layer to form a core–shell structure, having a specific surface area of 786 m2 g−1 with high defect degree (ID/IG is ∼1.2), where Fe3C species are beneficial to the formation of pyridinic N, pyrrolic N and graphitic N for enhancing catalytic ORR process.
Role of Recovery in Evolving Protection against Systemic Risk: A Mechanical Perspective in Network‐Agent Dynamics
Authors: Park Chulwook
Published: April 2021

We propose a model of evolving protection against systemic risk related to recovery. Using the failure potential in network‐agent dynamics, we present a process‐based simulation that provides insights into alternative interventions and their mechanical uniqueness. The fundamental operating principle of this model is that computation allows greater emphasis on optimizing the recovery within the general regularity of random network dynamics. The rules and processes that are used here could be regarded as useful techniques in systemic risk measurement relative to numerical failure reduction analyses.
Story Generation Using Knowledge Graph under Psychological States
Authors: Xu Feifei , Wang Xinpeng , Zhou Shanlin
Published: April 2021

Story generation, aiming to generate a story that people could understand easily, captures increasing researchers’ attention in recent years. However, a good story usually requires interesting and emotional plots. Previous works only consider a specific or binary emotion like positive or negative. In our work, we propose a Knowledge‐Aware Generation framework under Controllable CondItions (K‐GuCCI). The model assigns a change line of psychological states to story characters, which makes the story develop following the setting. Besides, we incorporate the knowledge graph into the model to facilitate the coherence of the story. Moreover, we investigate a metric AGPS to evaluate the accuracy of generated stories’ psychological states. Experiments exhibit that the proposed model improves over standard benchmarks, while also generating stories reliable and valid.
Open Relation Extraction in Patent Claims with a Hybrid Network
Authors: Geng Boting
Published: April 2021

Research on relation extraction from patent documents, a high‐priority topic of natural language process in recent years, is of great significance to a series of patent downstream applications, such as patent content mining, patent retrieval, and patent knowledge base constructions. Due to lengthy sentences, crossdomain technical terms, and complex structure of patent claims, it is extremely difficult to extract open triples with traditional methods of Natural Language Processing (NLP) parsers. In this paper, we propose an Open Relation Extraction (ORE) approach with transforming relation extraction problem into sequence labeling problem in patent claims, which extract none predefined relationship triples from patent claims with a hybrid neural network architecture based on multihead attention mechanism. The hybrid neural network framework combined with Bi‐LSTM and CNN is proposed to extract argument phrase features and relation phrase features simultaneously. The Bi‐LSTM network gains long distance dependency features, and the CNN obtains local content feature; then, multihead attention mechanism is applied to get potential dependency relationship for time series of RNN model; the result of neural network proposed above applied to our constructed open patent relation dataset shows that our method outperforms both traditional classification algorithms of machine learning and the‐state‐of‐art neural network classification models in the measures of Precision, Recall, and F1.
Correlation of Low Levels of α-1 Antitrypsin and Elevation of Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio with Higher Mortality in Severe COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Shimi Ghazaleh , Sohrab Golbon , Pourvali Katayoun , Ghorbani Arman , Balam Farinaz Hosseini , Rostami Khalil , Zand Hamid
Published: April 2021

Background. Variations in COVID-19 prevalence, severity, and mortality rate remain ambiguous. Genetic or individual differences in immune response may be an explanation. Moreover, hyperinflammation and dysregulated immune response are involved in the etiology of severe forms of COVID-19. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to analyze serum alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) levels, as an acute-phase plasma protein with immunomodulatory effect and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as a marker of inflammation response in severe COVID-19 illness. Methods. In this retrospective observational cohort study, 64 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positive COVID-19 hospitalized patients were studied for AAT, C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), troponin, complete blood count (CBC), random blood sugar, serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), and arterial oxygen saturation (O2sat) at admission and during hospitalization. Results. The results showed that hospitalized patients with COVID-19 had low serum levels of AAT and high CRP levels at the first days of hospitalization. In particular, the percentages of individuals with low, normal, and high AAT levels were 7.80%, 82.80%, and 9.40%, respectively, while high and low values of CRP accounted for 86.70% and 13.30% of patients. Most of the patients had an upward neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) trend, with a higher mortality rate (

p
<
0.05

) and troponin levels (

p
<
0.05

). However, comorbidities, CRP alterations, ESR alterations, nonfasting blood sugar, SGOT, SGPT, O2sat, RBC, and PLT values were not significantly different between the NLR downward and upward trend groups. Conclusions. The current study revealed that severe COVID-19 patients had low serum AAT levels related to CRP values. Therefore, AAT response may be considered as a new mechanism by which some COVID-19 patients show immune dysregulation and more severe symptoms.
Flow of the Bingham-Papanastasiou Regularized Material in a Channel in the Presence of Obstacles: Correlation between Hydrodynamic Forces and Spacing of Obstacles
Authors: Mehmood Asif , Mahmood Rashid , Majeed Afraz Hussain , Awan Farah Jabeen
Published: April 2021

The numerical modeling and simulation for the stationary Bingham fluid flow around two confined circular cylinders with various gap ratios are studied. The singularity in the model’s apparent viscosity is dealt by Papanastasiou’s regularization. The model equations are discretized by adopting the methodology based on finite element method (FEM) by choosing a mixed higher order LBB-stableP2−P1finite element pair. The direct solver PARADISO has been utilized to solve the linearized system of equations. Hydrodynamic forces represented by drag and lift coefficients are computed, and a correlation coefficient is calculated for the gap ratios0.1≤Gp≤0.3and for several values of the Bingham number0≤Bn≤50. Line graphs for horizontal and vertical velocities are drawn. Moreover, velocity and pressure profiles are plotted for pertinent values of the parameters. Plug and shear zones are revealed via velocity snapshots in the domain. Pressure is nonlinear in the vicinity of the obstacles and becomes linear downstream in the cylinders as expected in channel flows.
Study on Pounding Response of Adjacent Inelastic SDOF Structures Based on Dimensional Analysis
Authors: Chen Xuyong , Guo Huipeng , Wang Tao , Wu Qiaoyun
Published: April 2021

The dimensional analysis method is applied to study the pounding response of two inelastic single‐degree‐of‐freedom (SDOF) structures under simplified earthquake excitation. The improved Kelvin pounding model is used to simulate the force and deformation of the collider during the contact process. Using bilinear interstory resistance model to simulate the inelastic characteristics of SDOF structures, the expression of dimensionless pounding force and the dimensionless equation of motion during the pounding process are deduced. When dimensionless parameters are used to represent the colliding equation of adjacent inelastic SDOF structures, the variables affecting the pounding response of the adjacent structures are reduced from 14 to 11, which can clearly reflect the rules during the pounding process. The correctness and superiority of the improved Kelvin model are verified by comparing the pounding responses between the improved Kelvin model and Kelvin model. The pounding response of the two inelastic SDOF structures with improved Kelvin model is illustrated in the form of spectra, and the self‐similarity of pounding response of the two inelastic SDOF structures is revealed. The effects of structural parameters on the pounding response are analyzed. The results show that the effects of mass ratio, frequency ratio, and initial spacing between the adjacent inelastic SDOF structures on the pounding response of the left‐side structure (with smaller mass and stiffness) are closely related to the division of spectral regions. For the right‐side structure with larger mass and stiffness, the amplification of pounding on structural response increases with the increase of mass ratio Πm and decreases with the increase of frequency ratio μ and structural spacing Πd.
Evaluation of Phytochemical, Antioxidant, and Memory-Enhancing Activity of Garuga pinnata Roxb. Bark and Bryophyllum pinnatum (Lam) Oken. Leaves
Authors: Bhandari Ravin , Gyawali Sabina , Aryal Nisha , Gaire Devika , Paudyal Kalpana , Panta Abaru , Panth Pooja , Joshi Dirgha Raj , Rokaya Rabindra Kumar , Aryal Pramod , Pandey Jitendra
Published: April 2021

Garugapinnata Roxb. (Burseraceae) is a medium-sized tree widely available all over the tropical regions of Asia. Bryophyllum pinnatum (Lam) Oken. (Crassulaceae) is an indigenous and exotic plant grown in tropical regions. Both plants have been used for their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, wound healing, antidiabetic activities, etc. This investigation was designed to explore the result shown by methanolic extract of Garuga pinnata bark and Bryophyllum pinnatum leaves, on cognitive power and retention of the memory in experimental mice along with quantification of phenolic compounds and DPPH radicals neutralizing capacity. The memory-enhancing activity was determined by the elevated plus-maze method in Scopolamine-induced amnesic mice, using Piracetam as allopathic and Shankhpushpi as ayurvedic standard drugs. Two doses (200 and 400 mg/kg p.o.) of both extracts were administered to mice up to 8 consecutive days; transfer latency of individual group was recorded after 45 minutes and memory of the experienced things was examined after 1 day. DPPH assay method and the Folin–Ciocalteu method were employed to determine antioxidant potency and total phenol amount, respectively. 400 mg/kg of the methanolic B. pinnatum bark extract significantly improved memory and learning of mice with transfer latency (TL) of 32.75 s, which is comparable to that of standard Piracetam (21.78 s) and Shankhpushpi (27.83 s). Greater phenolic content was quantified in B. pinnatum bark extract (156.80 ± 0.33 µg GAE/mg dry extract) as well as the antioxidant potency (69.77% of free radical inhibition at the 100 µg/mL concentration). Our study proclaimed the scientific evidence for the memory-boosting effect of both plants.
The Effect of Aromatherapy with Lavender Oil on the Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Fibromyalgia
Authors: Yasa Ozturk Gulsah , Bashan Ibrahim
Published: April 2021

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of lavender oil, which has been used in complementary medicine as an aromatherapeutic, on the health-related quality of life in patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia and to determine the main volatile compounds of lavender oil with healing effects. Forty-two patients aged 18 years and over who were diagnosed with fibromyalgia according to the American College of Rheumatology 2010 diagnostic criteria and used lavender oil as an aromatherapeutic by applying it on the wrist or via inhalation for four weeks were included in this study. The Short-Form (SF)-36 Quality of Life Scale was administered to the patients at baseline and after four weeks of lavender oil treatment to determine whether there was any change in their quality of life. The averages and correlation levels between the scores were calculated with the paired-sample t-test taking

p

 < 0.05 as the statistical significance limit. In addition, the chromatographic analysis of lavender oil was performed with the combined headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry methods. When the quality of life scores were evaluated at baseline and after four weeks of lavender oil treatment, improvements were detected in all the subscales of SF-36 at the end of the study. It was found that all the subscale scores, except for general health, were statistically significantly higher compared to the baseline scores (

p

 < 0.05). The major volatile compounds detected in lavender oil were linalool (29.33%) and linalyl acetate (27.69%). The remaining main compounds were terpinolene, cis-ocimene, eucalyptol, and lavandulol in the order of frequency, which is consistent with the literature. To our knowledge, this is the first study investigating the effect of lavender oil aromatherapy on patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia, and our results support that lavender oil aromatherapy significantly improves the quality of life in these patients. However, further comprehensive studies are needed to confirm our findings.
Binding of Cd(II) by Amorphous Aluminum Hydroxide-Organophosphorus Coprecipitates: From Macroscopic to Microscopic Investigation
Authors: Lu Lei , Xu Feng , Rao Wenkai , Nie Ning , Du Huihui
Published: April 2021

The mobility of Cd(II) in soils, sediments, and aquatic systems is strongly dependent on adsorption behaviors occurring at the mineral-water interface, and this process may be influenced by the presence of organic phosphorus (OP). In this study, we investigate Cd(II) adsorption onto amorphous aluminum hydroxide (AAH), both in the presence and absence of OP, represented by the widely abundant myo-inositol hexakisphosphate (IHP). Isothermal adsorption experiment coupled with attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) and 1H solid-state NMR spectra were employed. Physiochemical characterization shows that IHP can increase the surface negative charge and the number of surface sites. Isothermal results show that high IHP loading enhances Cd(II) adsorption while no obvious increase is observed at low IHP loading. The overall effect of IHP on Cd(II) sorption depends on the extent of two positive processes, i.e., (1) IHP can form ternary complexes with adsorbed Cd(II) on AAH and (2) IHP can increase the negative surface charge of AAH, and a negative process, i.e., AAH competes with Cd(II) for AAH surface sites. ATR-FTIR results confirm the possible formation of three structurally distinct ternary complexes, i.e., the AAH-IHP-Cd, AAH-Cd-IHP, and AAH-Cd-IHP-Cd. The analysis of 1H solid-state NMR demonstrates that IHP only increases the number of surface OH groups rather than changes their chemical environment and speciation. Cd does not bind to the AAH surface but mainly binds with the OH groups of IHP. All findings of this work suggest that the presence of high dose of OP promotes the retention of Cd(II) in soils, thereby decreasing their bioavailability to biota.
Standardized Flanged Intrascleral Intraocular Lens Fixation with the Double-Needle Technique for Cataract Luxation in the Vitreous Chamber during Phacoemulsification
Authors: Besozzi Gianluca , Posarelli Chiara , Costa Maria Carmela , Montericcio Alessio , Nitti Giuseppe , Giancipoli Ermete , L’Abbate Milena , Pignatelli Francesco , Parolini Barbara , Figus Michele
Published: April 2021

Purpose. To assess the visual and refractive outcome of immediate intraoperative vitrectomy and intrascleral intraocular lens implantation using a “standardized” sutureless Yamane technique during cataract luxation in the vitreous chamber as a complication of phacoemulsification. Design. A prospective, interventional, consecutive case series. Materials and Methods. Twelve patients underwent vitrectomy and intrascleral intraocular lens fixation using a standardized Yamane technique as the primary procedure during complicated phacoemulsification. Patients were evaluated preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively for best-corrected distance visual acuity, correspondence to the preoperative refractive target in the spherical equivalent, endothelial cell count, and complications. Results. Mean preoperative best-corrected visual acuity was 1.16 ± 0.3 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR), the endothelial cell count was 1910.5 ± 297.64, and target refraction at baseline was −0.197 ± 0.087. Postoperatively, best-corrected visual acuity was significantly improved; the mean value was 0.05 logMAR ± 0.06. Mean baseline target refraction in the spherical equivalent was −0.20 ± −0.09 (range: −0.08 to −0.37), and mean final refraction was −0.44 ± −0.14 (range: −0.25 to −0.75) with no significant difference

p
=
0.87

. No complication was registered intra- and postoperatively. Conclusion. Standardization of the Yamane technique seemed a valuable option for patients who had complicated phacoemulsification to achieve a predictable refractive outcome. Synopsis. The predictable refractive outcome could be achieved with the immediate standardized Yamane technique in patients with intraoperative cataract luxation in the vitreous chamber during phacoemulsification.
A Critical Review of South Africa’s Foreign Policy in Promoting Continental Integration
Authors: Phetha Hlengiwe R. , Zondi Siphamandla
Published: April 2021

Since 1994, South Africa has demonstrated a strong commitment to promote the interests of Africa and in being the “voice” of the continent. Through its foreign policy posture, South Africa has played a pivotal role in the African continent and the world over. After gaining its independence, South Africa had to promote a strategy of Africans speaking with one voice while still building coalitions amongst themselves. This paper examines South Africa’s approach to global issues on addressing the challenges of underdevelopment, the restructured global division of labour, the increasing iniquitous distribution of global wealth, global poverty, the growing power of trans-nationals and the implications for progressive governance and administration. The paper seeks to discuss South Africa’s foreign policy position on globalization in the era of neoliberalism. This paper uses the critical theory to report on the comprehensive scholarly literature review on the role of South Africa’s foreign policy on continental integration. The results show that South Africa needs to position itself in a new international economic paradigm that incorporates both democratic governance and an accountable and responsible market place beyond the anti-globalization stance. Furthermore, South Africa has attempted to cut the powers of colonizers in Africa, particularly the new powers whose motives fail to promote the African agenda. The paper concludes that South Africa’s policies and actions since 1994 have significantly helped the country to enhance its benefits for its population, while domestic challenges and weaknesses in its conduct have at times had a weakening effect on its endeavour to promote continental integration.
Trust, Trusting and Trustworthiness in Ethical Discourse
Authors: Eggen (نورة س. أگّين) Nora S.
Published: April 2021

In literary genres concerned with an ethics of character, scholars in the third through fifth/ninth through eleventh century wrote about social trust. In this article I examine the ethical thinking of four such scholars: Ibn Abī l-Dunyā (d. 281/894), al-Kharāʾiṭī (d. 327/939), al-Māwardī (d. 450/1058), and al-Ghazālī (d. 505/1111). Locating conceptualisations of the ethical concerns related to trust and mistrust, trustworthiness, trusting and misplaced trust, in a semantic field including the vocabulary of amāna, tawakkul, thiqa and ḥusn al-ẓann, I identify and discuss in this article some of these concerns, and I analyse in what ways the scholars’ respective conceptualisations of issues related to trust are similar, and how they differ from each other. While some scholars explicitly conceptualise the ethical value of trust in the concept of amāna, the juxtaposed social and spiritual aspects of the concept of amāna is more implicit with other scholars.
A new genus and species of Tingidae from Cretaceous Burmese amber (Hemiptera, Heteroptera)

Authors: HEISS ERNST , GOLUB VIKTOR B.
Published: April 2021

Mid-Cretaceous amber has yielded to date twelve species assigned to six genera of the plant bug family Tingidae Laporte, 1832: Burmacader Heiss & Guilbert (2 sp.); Cucullitingis Du & Yao (1 sp.); Paraphatnomacader Guilbert & Heiss (1 sp.); Spinitingis Heiss & Guilbert (1 sp.); Tingiometra Heiss, Golub & Popov (4 sp.); Tingiphatnoma Guilbert & Heiss (2 sp.) (Du & Yao, 2018; Golub & Heiss, 2020; Guilbert & Heiss, 2018; Heiss, Golub & Popov, 2015; Heiss & Guilbert, 2013, 2018, 2019; Maksoud, Azar & Huang, 2019; Ross, 2019). A new genus and species Microtingis leptosoma gen. et sp. nov. is described and illustrated below.
Taxonomy of the clam shrimp Halysestheriidae (Diplostraca: Spinicaudata) from the Upper Cretaceous Nenjiang Formation in central Dayangshu Basin of eastern Inner Mongolia, northeastern China

Authors: LI GANG
Published: April 2021

A re-examination of the holotype of the type species Halysestheria biformis Zhang & Chen in Zhang et al., 1976 has revealed new characters that were overlooked in the original description. And a taxonomic research was carried out on the clam shrimp collected from the Upper Cretaceous Nenjiang Formation in the central Dayangshu Basin in Ganhe, Oroqen Autonomous Banner, eastern Inner Mongolia. The discovery of Halysestheria biformis indicates the fossil bearing horizon belongs to the upper Santonian First Member of the Nenjiang Formation.
A new species of Dixonius (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Vientiane Capital, Laos
Authors: NGUYEN THUONG HUYEN , LUU VINH QUANG , SITTHIVONG SALY , NGO HANH THI , NGUYEN TRUONG QUANG , LE MINH DUC , ZIEGLER THOMAS
Published: April 2021

A new species of the gekkonid genus Dixonius is described from Huaysorn-Huaysua village, Nasaithong District, Vientiane Capital, Laos. The new species can be distinguished from all other species by a combination of the following characters: maximum SVL 47.1 mm; 19–21 longitudinal rows of dorsal tubercles at midbody; 23–26 longitudinal rows of ventrals across the abdomen; 7 or 8 supralabials, 6 in mid-orbital position; 5 or 6 infralabials; 5 or 6 precloacal pores in males, femoral pores lacking; precloacal and femoral pores absent in females; a canthal stripe running from rostrum through the eye and terminating at back of head; dorsum brown with irregular dark marks. In phylogenetic analyses, the species is recovered as the sister taxon to D. siamensis, which occurs in Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. Genetically, the two species are approximately 9.4% divergent from each other based on the complete mitochondrial ND2 gene with six partial or complete adjacent tRNAs. It is the 12th species known in the genus Dixonius and the second Dixonius species described from Laos.
Cybaeus (Araneae: Cybaeidae): the consocius species group of the Californian clade
Authors: BENNETT ROBB , COPLEY CLAUDIA , COPLEY DARREN
Published: April 2021

Species of North American Cybaeus L. Koch (Araneae: RTA clade: Cybaeidae) are common moist-forest spiders classified in Holarctic and Californian clades. Here, in the third paper in a planned series reviewing the six Californian clade species groups, we review the species of the consocius group. We recognize nine species: Cybaeus consocius Chamberlin & Ivie, C. hesper Chamberlin & Ivie, C. hummeli Bennett spec. nov., C. opulentus spec. nov., C. pan Bennett spec. nov., C. penedentatus Bennett, C. simplex Roth, C. ubicki Bennett spec. nov., and C. vulpinus Bennett. Eight of these species have restricted distributions in the central Sierra Nevada Mountains of eastern California, U.S.A (C. opulentus, C. pan spec. nov., and C. vulpinus) or the central coast of western California (C. consocius, C. hesper, C. hummeli spec. nov., C. penedentatus, and C. ubicki spec. nov.); a single species (C. simplex), is relatively widely distributed in western Oregon, U.S.A. Descriptions, illustrations, distribution maps, and an identification key are provided as well as a discussion of conservation issues of relevance to the group.
A new species of the rare genus Myroconger Günther, 1870 (Anguilliformes: Myrocongridae) from Brazilian waters, tropical western Atlantic
Authors: ESPÍNDOLA VINICIUS C. , CAIRES RODRIGO A. , TIGHE KENNETH A. , PINNA MARIO C. C. DE , DE MELO MARCELO R. S.
Published: April 2021

The family Myrocongridae comprises some of the rarest and least known benthopelagic eel species. It is composed of a single genus, Myroconger Günther, 1870, and five valid species: M. compressus Günther, 1870, from the Atlantic Ocean; M. gracilis Castle, 1991, M. prolixus Castle & Béarez, 1995, and M. nigrodentatus Castle & Béarez, 1995, from the Pacific Ocean; and M. seychellensis Karmovskaya, 2006, from the Indian Ocean. Herein, we report on an additional species from the Atlantic Ocean, Myroconger pietschi n. sp., based on a specimen obtained on the Aracati Bank, North Brazilian ridge, off Ceará State, western South Atlantic. Myroconger pietschi can be diagnosed by having 190 anal-fin rays, a short pectoral fin (16.6% HL), the posterior portion of the ethmovomerine teeth arranged in a single row, teeth on lower and upper pharyngeal tooth plate 24 and 27, and 10 branchiostegal rays.
The Effect of Bottom – Generated Tidal Mixing on Tidally Pulsed River Plumes
Authors: Spicer Preston , Cole Kelly L. , Huguenard Kimberly , MacDonald Daniel G. , Whitney Michael M.
Published: April 2021

The mixing of river plumes into the coastal ocean influences the fate of river-borne tracers over the inner-shelf, though the relative importance of mixing mechanisms under different environmental conditions is not fully understood. In particular, the contribution to plume mixing from bottom generated shear stresses, referred to as tidal mixing, is rarely considered important relative to frontal and stratified shear (interfacial) mixing in surface advected plumes. The effect of different mixing mechanisms is investigated numerically on an idealized, tidally pulsed river plume with varying river discharge and tidal amplitudes. Frontal, interfacial, and tidal mixing are quantified via a mixing energy budget to compare the relative importance of each to the overall buoyancy flux over one tide. Results indicate that tidal mixing can dominate the energy budget when the tidal mixing power exceeds that of the input buoyancy flux. This occurs when the non-dimensional number, RiE (the estuarine Richardson number divided by the mouth Rossby number), is generally less than 1. Tidal mixing accounts for between 60% and 90% of the net mixing when RiE < 1, with the largest contributions during large tides and low discharge. Interfacial mixing varies from 10% to 90% of total mixing and dominates the budget for high discharge events with relatively weaker tides (RiE > 1). Frontal mixing is always less than 10% of total mixing and never dominates the budget. This work is the first to show tidal mixing as an important mixing mechanism in surface advected river plumes.
Comparative genomics and physiological investigation supported safety, cold adaptation, efficient hydrolytic and plant growth-promoting potential of psychrotrophic Glutamicibacter arilaitensis LJH19, isolated from night-soil compost
Authors: Borker Shruti Sinai , Thakur Aman , Kumar Sanjeet , Kumari Sareeka , Kumar Rakshak , Kumar Sanjay
Published: April 2021

Background

Night-soil compost (NSC) has traditionally been conserving water and a source of organic manure in northwestern Himalaya. Lately, this traditional method is declining due to modernization, its unhygienic conditions, and social apprehensions. Reduction in the age-old traditional practice has led to excessive chemical fertilizers and water shortage in the eco-sensitive region. In the current study, a bacterium has been analyzed for its safety, cold-adaptation, efficient degradation, and plant growth-promoting (PGP) attributes for its possible application as a safe bioinoculant in psychrotrophic bacterial consortia for improved night-soil composting.

Results

Glutamicibacter arilaitensis LJH19, a psychrotrophic bacterium, was isolated from the NSC of Lahaul valley in northwestern Himalaya. The strain exhibited amylase (186.76 ± 19.28 U/mg), cellulase (21.85 ± 0.7 U/mg), and xylanase (11.31 ± 0.51 U/mg) activities at 10 °C. Possessing efficient hydrolytic activities at low-temperature garners the capability of efficient composting to LJH19. Additionally, the strain possessed multiple PGP traits such as indole acetic acid production (166.11 ± 5.7 μg/ml), siderophore production (85.72 ± 1.06% psu), and phosphate solubilization (44.76 ± 1.5 μg/ml). Enhanced germination index and germination rate of pea seeds under the LJH19 inoculation further supported the bacterium’s PGP potential. Whole-genome sequencing (3,602,821 bps) and genome mining endorsed the cold adaptation, degradation of polysaccharides, and PGP traits of LJH19. Biosynthetic gene clusters for type III polyketide synthase (PKS), terpene, and siderophore supplemented the endorsement of LJH19 as a potential PGP bacterium. Comparative genomics within the genus revealed 217 unique genes specific to hydrolytic and PGP activity.

Conclusion

The physiological and genomic evidence promotes LJH19 as a potentially safe bio-inoculant to formulate psychrotrophic bacterial consortia for accelerated degradation and improved night-soil compost.
The impact of COVID-19 social distancing and isolation recommendations for Muslim communities in North West England
Authors: Hassan Shaima M. , Ring Adele , Tahir Naheed , Gabbay Mark
Published: April 2021

Introduction

People from Minority Ethnic backgrounds living in the UK are at greater risk of not only contracting COVID-19, but also experiencing serious consequences of the virus. These emerging health inequalities mirror those already evident in UK society.

Aim

The aim of this study was to understand how COVID-19 and the associated imposed restrictions affected the lives of people from the Muslim community living in the North West of England.

Method

Twenty-five in-depth qualitative interviews and four focus groups (n = 22) explored individual experiences of COVID-19 and imposed restrictions. Data were analysed thematically.

Findings

The virus and associated imposed restrictions had negative impacts on the psychological wellbeing of participants, their families and the wider community. Worry and low mood were particular features of participant’s pandemic stories. Main concerns were those of contracting and transmitting the virus to others and employment-related difficulties. Low mood was particularly linked to the impact of restrictions on fundamental interactions embedded within cultural and religious practices. These practices are central to feelings of belonging and connectedness within the Muslim community. Religious beliefs were important in helping to mitigate psychological distress for some participants.

Conclusion

Psychological distress was associated with COVID-19 virus and impact of COVID-19 restrictions on livelihoods and fundamental human interactions. Better provision of culturally appropriate information, improving local channels of communication and practical support are important during times of pandemic when usual support systems may be disrupted.
Self-reported prevalence of periodontal disease among the Spanish population and immigrants: 2006, 2011/12 and 2017: a population-based study
Authors: Gómez-Costa Diego , San-Roman-Montero Jesús , Rojo Rosa , Gil Ángel , Gómez de Diego Rafael , López-Sánchez Antonio F.
Published: April 2021

Background

Periodontal disease is one of the most common pathologies in the population. Self-reporting has been used as a diagnostic tool in large populations, among other reasons, to detect the needs of potentially vulnerable groups. This study evaluated the prevalence of periodontal disease in people of Spanish nationality and immigrants in Spain.

Methods

This population-based, cross-sectional study was carried out using data obtained from National Health Interview Surveys (NHSs) carried out in 2006, 2011/2012 and 2017 in Spain. Subjects aged 16 years and older were included in the NHS-2006 and aged 15 years and older were included in the other NHSs. The following variables were self-reported by the participants: gum bleeding, tooth mobility, tooth extraction and missing teeth. Chi-square homogeneity tests were performed to assess the main associations between the independent variable (nationality) and the dependent variables (bleeding gums, tooth mobility, tooth extraction and missing teeth). Multinomial logistic regression models were constructed to evaluate the influences of the variables age and sex and their interactions on the main associations.

Results

A total of 115,123 participants were included in the NHS-2006 (n = 37,327, 11.38% immigrants), NHS-2011/12 (n = 38,727, 14.39% immigrants) and NHS-2017 (n = 39,069, 13.71% immigrants). The variables directly related to periodontal disease were gum bleeding and tooth mobility. These were significantly associated with nationality in the NHS-2006 and NHS-2017 cohorts. In the NHS-2011/12 cohort, only tooth mobility was associated with nationality. After adjustments for sex, age, and their interactions, immigrant status was associated with increased odds of bleeding in only the NHS-2006 cohort (RR = 1.65, 95% CI 1.38–1.99, p = 0.000).

Conclusion

Immigrants in Spain have a lower probability of developing signs associated with periodontal disease than the Spanish population. Among the immigrant cohort, females and those in adult age groups had lower prevalence rates than their counterparts.
Prediction of successful de-cannulation of tracheostomised patients in medical intensive care units
Authors: Park Chul , Ko Ryoung-Eun , Jung Jinhee , Na Soo Jin , Jeon Kyeongman
Published: April 2021

Background

Limited data are available on practical predictors of successful de-cannulation among the patients who undergo tracheostomies. We evaluated factors associated with failed de-cannulations to develop a prediction model that could be easily be used at the time of weaning from MV.

Methods

In a retrospective cohort of 346 tracheostomised patients managed by a standardized de-cannulation program, multivariable logistic regression analysis identified variables that were independently associated with failed de-cannulation. Based on the logistic regression analysis, the new predictive scoring system for successful de-cannulation, referred to as the DECAN score, was developed and then internally validated.

Results

The model included age > 67 years, body mass index < 22 kg/m2, underlying malignancy, non-respiratory causes of mechanical ventilation (MV), presence of neurologic disease, vasopressor requirement, and presence of post-tracheostomy pneumonia, presence of delirium. The DECAN score was associated with good calibration (goodness-of-fit, 0.6477) and discrimination outcomes (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve 0.890, 95% CI 0.853–0.921). The optimal cut-off point for the DECAN score for the prediction of the successful de-cannulation was ≤ 5 points, and was associated with the specificities of 84.6% (95% CI 77.7–90.0) and sensitivities of 80.2% (95% CI 73.9–85.5).

Conclusions

The DECAN score for tracheostomised patients who are successfully weaned from prolonged MV can be computed at the time of weaning to assess the probability of de-cannulation based on readily available variables.