bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Precipitação em Maringá-PR: estatísticas descritivas, tendência de longo prazo e probabilidade de eventos extremos diários
Authors: Montanher Otávio Cristiano , Minaki Cíntia
Published: August 2020

Este artigo buscou apresentar uma visão geral sobre a precipitação registrada na Estação Climatológica Principal de Maringá (ECPM), no período de 1980 a 2018. Quatro objetivos delinearam a pesquisa: i) obtenção de estatísticas descritivas; ii) avaliação de tendências de longo prazo; iii) avaliação da distribuição de probabilidade da precipitação diária, e iv) análise dos dias consecutivos com chuvas. Além do padrão geral dos períodos úmido e seco, observou-se máximos locais de precipitação em maio e outubro. As tendências de longo prazo foram avaliadas por meio da análise de regressão linear, não se identificando tendências estatísticas significativas. Entretanto, por meio do teste de médias, verificou-se que os anos mais recentes (2013 a 2018) foram mais chuvosos do que o restante da série (1980 a 2012). A distribuição gama foi a que apresentou o melhor ajuste entre os dados analisados e a distribuição teórica. Observou-se que em maio, setembro e outubro os volumes diários estimados são superiores aos observados no restante do ano. O período com maior número de dias consecutivos de chuva é entre outubro a março. Por outro lado, os maiores volumes por evento acontecem nesses meses e em maio e setembro. Embora tenham acumulados mensais menores do que nos meses de verão, nas estações do outono e da primavera ocorrem chuvas diárias expressivas, cujos extremos são maiores do que no verão. Essa característica relaciona-se à atuação intensificada de sistemas atmosféricos de baixa pressão, principalmente cavados e sistemas frontais precoces ou tardios.
Recordando a compositora e musicóloga Graciela Paraskevaídis aos 80 anos de seu nascimento
Authors: Silva Eliana Monteiro da , Zani Amilcar
Published: August 2020

Este artigo tem como objetivo recordar, refletir e dar visibilidade à obra musical, literária, investigativa e militante da compositora e musicóloga Graciela Paraskevaídis (1940-2017) em torno a temáticas como a música dos séculos XX e XXI, a música latino-americana e as questões de gênero neste ambiente. Usando como recorte a sua atuação como compositora e como integrante de comissões organizadoras de eventos como os Cursos Latino-americanos de Música Contemporânea – além de editora dos sites latinoamerica-musica.net e gp-magma.net – pretende-se desenhar um perfil coerente e linear desta que foi uma das mais importantes pensadoras da construção de uma música de vanguarda na América Latina sem, no entanto, deixar de lado questões ligadas ao pós-colonialismo e à dependência econômica e cultural do chamado Primeiro Mundo.
Entrevista com Sônia Rubinsky
Authors: Marques André Repizo
Published: August 2020

Entrevista realizada com a pianista brasileira Sônia Rubinsky. A presente entrevista contribuiu imensamente para a pesquisa acadêmica de mestrado (concluída dia 26 de junho de 2017) do entrevistador, que tem por propósito investigar a diversidade de interpretações da obra de Ernesto Nazareth, cuja performance tem sido realizada tanto por pianistas eruditos como por rodas de choro.
Citizen Impulse Responses
Authors: Lankford Elsa
Published: August 2020

Echo chambers are both spaces where sounds reflect until they lose their sharp edges and ways for citizens to lose perspective until only one viewpoint is reflected back. Echo chambers and their equivalencies have been used in music for decades. In our social and mass media, echo chambers have only recently made the headlines, particularly leading up to and following the 2016 U.S. presidential election. These cultural and physical echo chambers can be captured and studied, but what about the echo chambers found in the soundscapes of urban streets? The process and creation of the Citizen Impulse Response Library has connected these echo chambers of politics, democracy, media, and the streets of the U.S. capital. It is a collection of impulse response files created from recordings at protests in Washington, D.C. This conceptual yet tangible product grew from the history of spatial sonic effects, urban, and democratic soundscapes.
Unraveling the Links Underlying Arterial Stiffness, Bone Demineralization, and Muscle Loss
Authors: Tap Lisanne , Kirkham Frances A. , Mattace-Raso Francesco , Joly Laure , Rajkumar Chakravarthi , Benetos Athanase
Published: August 2020

The effects of elevated arterial stiffness on cardiovascular outcomes are widely studied, whereas the relation to noncardiovascular outcomes relevant to older persons, such as the effect on bones and muscles, is less well established. Arterial stiffness, bone demineralization, and muscle loss are all age-related processes with common risk factors, however, whether these are just parallel age-related alterations or whether these processes share common pathways is not yet understood. In this review, we outline previous literature using different assessments of arterial stiffness in various populations across the world to produce a comprehensive overview. Although there are many studies showing an association between arterial stiffness and loss of bone and muscle, the majority are cross-sectional and there is limited longitudinal evidence to justify causal conclusions. We also give an in-depth review of hypotheses and possible mechanisms which may underlie these associations including hormone dysregulation, impaired glucose metabolism, and inflammation. This narrative review highlights the associations between vessels, bones, and muscles with aging, offering insights into possible shared pathways.
“le maigre dos tourné à l’ humanité”
Authors: Simpson Hannah
Published: August 2020

Le présent article examine la façon dont Eleutheria, la première pièce entière que Beckett a écrite, refuse un sentiment d’ humanisme simpliste de l’ après-guerre, grâce à sa manipulation de la relation entre scène et spectateurs supposés. Pour Beckett, le passage au théâtre a indiqué un nouvel engagement plus agressif avec le public français, et Eleutheria implique directement ses spectateurs imaginés, les rendant complices dans le spectacle de la souffrance qui se déroule sous leurs yeux. Cet article s’ oppose aux lectures humanistes d’ Eleutheria, et conteste à la fois le lieu commun critique qui la voit comme étant inhabituellement conventionnelle en termes dramaturgiques, en comparaison avec les autres pièces de Beckett. En effet, Beckett se tourne vers le théâtre comme moyen de souligner l’ aptitude humaine à se désengager de la souffrance d’ autrui.
Beckett’s Sade / Barthes’s Zade
Authors: Rabaté Jean-Michel
Published: August 2020

Eight thematic clusters are used to draw parallels between texts by Samuel Beckett and Roland Barthes that focus on Marquis de Sade and sadism. By examining places like Roussillon and La Coste and themes like Machines, Screams, Order and Reason, the Family, the Law, Class and Lit bodies, one can see better how both writers have worked with Sade’s images and concepts. If Barthes’s theses throw new light on Beckett’s texts like Watt, How It Is and Catastrophe, conversely Beckett’s skepticism facing Reason and narrative forms highlights Barthes’s main writerly strategies.
“Leur vie d’ homme presque, d’ homme tout juste, d’ homme assez”
Authors: Thobois Céline
Published: August 2020

Cet article offre une nouvelle mise en contexte des créatures beckettiennes dans l’ Anthropocène et la Grande Accélération, ce qui nécessite l’ introduction d’ un nouveau vocabulaire afin de conceptualiser les créatures hybrides de Beckett. Après la définition du concept de ‘techno-humain’ selon The Techno-Human Condition de Braden R. Allenby et Daniel Sarewitz, cet article étudie l’ usage que fait Beckett de la technologie dans Oh les beaux Jours et Comédie aux niveaux artistique, pratique et éthique, et montre comment cela ouvre la voie aux adaptations cybernétiques.
A revision of Eastern Palaearctic Anthobium Leach, 1819 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Omaliinae: Anthophagini). IV. The atrocephalum and convexior groups, and additional species of the morchella, nigrum and reflexum groups
Authors: SHAVRIN ALEXEY V.
Published: August 2020

Two new species groups are established for East Palaearctic species of the genus Anthobium Leach, 1819: the atrocephalum group containing the widespread Palaearctic A. atrocephalum (Gyllenhal, 1827), A. formosanum Shavrin, sp. n. (Taiwan), A. hammondi Watanabe, 1990 (Japan), A. lackneri Shavrin, sp. n. (Japan: Hokkaido), and two Chinese species, A. kabateki Shavrin, sp. n. (Yunnan, Gansu) and A. marci Shavrin, sp. n. (Sichuan); the convexior group containing four new species from China: A. convexior Shavrin, sp. n. (Shaanxi, Sichuan), A. auritum Shavrin, sp. n. (Yunnan), A. kabaki Shavrin, sp. n. (Sichuan), and A. semenovi Shavrin, sp. n. (Sichuan). New species are described and illustrated. The species groups are defined, briefly discussed and a key to the species of each group is given. Additionally, a new species of the morchella group, A. inopinatum Shavrin, sp. n. (China: Yunnan) and the nigrum group, A. bengalicum Shavrin, sp. n. (India: West Bengal), are described and illustrated. New faunistic records of A. reflexum (Reitter, 1891) from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan are provided.
The mitochondrial genome of Smerinthus planus (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) and its comparative analysis with other Lepidoptera species
Authors: WU LINGLING , JIANG XIAOLI , XIE FENGJIAO , KAUSAR SAIMA , LIANG DAN , WEI GUOQING , ZHU BAOJIAN , WANG LEI , LIU CHAOLIANG , QIAN CEN
Published: August 2020

In the present study, the complete mitochondrial genome of Smerinthus planus Walker (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) was sequenced and analyzed to add additional traits for expanding our knowledge on systematics and phylogenetics of world-wide studied Sphingidae moths. The mitochondrial genome is a circular double-stranded DNA molecule, 15368 bp in size. It includes 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, twenty-two transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and an adenine (A) + thymine (T) rich region. All the PCGs start with the typical ATN start codons, except for the nad5 gene, which initiates with TTA. The codon usage analysis revealed that Phe, Ile, Lys, Leu, Asn, and Tys were the most common amino acids, while Cys and Trp were least common. Among the 13 PCGs, nine genes harbor the complete termination codon TAA, whereas the remaining four genes (nad1, cob, nad4, and nad3) terminate with TAG. The A+T rich region of S. planus is 318 bp. This region displays the highest A+T rich content, accounting for 91.50%, with both AT skew (-0.09) and GC skew (-0.26) are negative. Like other Lepidopterans, the A+T-rich region of the S. planus also contains some conserved regions, including the motif ‘ATAGA’ followed by an 18 bp poly-T stretch, a microsatellite-like (AT)8 and a poly-A element. Phylogenetic relationships, based on nucleotide sequences from the genomes of 31 species, confirmed that S. planus belong to the Sphingidae family. This study is aimed to improve the mitochondrial genome database of moths and provide valuable information for studying the genetic evolution and phylogeny of Lepidopteran species.
Representation of Modes of Variability in Six U.S. Climate Models
Authors: Orbe Clara , Van Roekel Luke , Adames Ángel F. , Dezfuli Amin , Fasullo John , Gleckler Peter J. , Lee Jiwoo , Li Wei , Nazarenko Larissa , Schmidt Gavin A. , Sperber Kenneth R. , Zhao Ming
Published: August 2020

We compare the performance of several modes of variability across six U.S. climate modeling groups, with a focus on identifying robust improvements in recent models [including those participating in phase 6 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP)] compared to previous versions. In particular, we examine the representation of the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO), El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), the Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO), the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) in the tropical stratosphere, and the dominant modes of extratropical variability, including the southern annular mode (SAM), the northern annular mode (NAM) [and the closely related North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO)], and the Pacific–North American pattern (PNA). Where feasible, we explore the processes driving these improvements through the use of “intermediary” experiments that utilize model versions between CMIP3/5 and CMIP6 as well as targeted sensitivity experiments in which individual modeling parameters are altered. We find clear and systematic improvements in the MJO and QBO and in the teleconnection patterns associated with the PDO and ENSO. Some gains arise from better process representation, while others (e.g., the QBO) from higher resolution that allows for a greater range of interactions. Our results demonstrate that the incremental development processes in multiple climate model groups lead to more realistic simulations over time.
Quality of Split-Mouth Trials in Dentistry: 1998, 2008, and 2018
Authors: Qin D. , Hua F. , He H. , Liang S. , Worthington H. , Walsh T.
Published: August 2020

The objectives of this study were to assess the reporting quality and methodological quality of split-mouth trials (SMTs) published during the past 2 decades and to determine whether there has been an improvement in their quality over time. We searched the MEDLINE database via PubMed to identify SMTs published in 1998, 2008, and 2018. For each included SMT, we used the CONsolidated Standards Of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) 2010 guideline, CONSORT for within-person trial (WPT) extension, and a new 3-item checklist to assess its trial reporting quality (TRQ), WPT-specific reporting quality (WRQ), and SMT-specific methodological quality (SMQ), respectively. Multivariable generalized linear models were performed to analyze the quality of SMTs over time, adjusting for potential confounding factors. A total of 119 SMTs were included. The mean overall score for the TRQ (score range, 0 to 32), WRQ (0 to 15), and SMQ (0 to 3) was 15.77 (SD 4.51), 6.06 (2.06), and 1.12 (0.70), respectively. The primary outcome was clearly defined in only 28 SMTs (23.5%), and only 27 (22.7%) presented a replicable sample size calculation. Only 45 SMTs (37.8%) provided the rationale for using a split-mouth design. The correlation between body sites was reported in only 5 studies (4.2%) for sample size calculation and 4 studies (3.4%) for statistical results. Only 2 studies (1.7%) performed an appropriate sample size calculation, and 46 (38.7%) chose appropriate statistical methods, both accounting for the correlation among treatment groups and the clustering/multiplicity of measurements within an individual. Results of regression analyses suggested that the TRQ of SMTs improved significantly with time ( P < 0.001), while there was no evidence of improvement in WRQ or SMQ. Both the reporting quality and methodological quality of SMTs still have much room for improvement. Concerted efforts are needed to improve the execution and reporting of SMTs.
Intraductal Papilloma Arising From the Minor Salivary Glands of the Larynx: A Case Report
Authors: Hara Satoshi , Ohba Shinichi , Arakawa Atsushi , Matsumoto Fumihiko , Ito Shin , Fujimaki Mitsuhisa , Kojima Masataka , Ikeda Katsuhisa
Published: August 2020

It is rare for intraductal papilloma, a benign papillary tumor, to occur in the salivary glands. To our knowledge, intraductal papilloma occurring in the minor salivary glands of the larynx has not been reported. In this report, we describe a case of intraductal papilloma that occurred in the minor salivary glands of the larynx. A woman in her 30s presented with hoarseness and dyspnea since a year. Fiber-optic laryngoscopy revealed a submucosal tumor involving the left aryepiglottic fold and the left false vocal fold. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 17 × 15 × 10 mm3 mass with homogenous isodensity, with regular, well-defined margins located on the left aryepiglottic fold and the left false vocal fold. Surgical resection was performed, and subsequently a diagnosis of intraductal papilloma was made by pathologic evaluation. During the follow-up period of over 3 years, the lesion has not recurred. In conclusion, intraductal papilloma of the minor salivary glands should be considered in the differential diagnosis of laryngeal submucosal tumors.
Grand strategy, grand rhetoric: The forgotten covenant of campaign 1992
Authors: Boys James D
Published: August 2020

The presidential campaign of 1992 is remembered for its focus on the US economy, as George Bush, Ross Perot, and Bill Clinton proposed solutions for the state of the nation’s finances. A key challenge for the Clinton campaign was to present their candidate as a viable commander-in-chief, with a viable foreign policy, without betraying the campaign’s focus on the domestic economy. A consideration of key speeches reveals the evolution of the candidate and his foreign policy, as the campaign served as a training ground for power. What emerges is Clinton’s adoption of foreign policy as a positive force in American domestic political life, in contrast to his many predecessors and successors, who regularly utilised foreign policy to assail foreign nations and entities. In doing so, parallels and contrasts with the Trump’s 2016 message emerge, enabling a greater appreciation of the use of campaign rhetoric in the development of US grand strategy.
Disease Progression in Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush) Experimentally Infected With Epizootic Epitheliotropic Disease Virus (Salmonid Herpesvirus-3)
Authors: Shavalier Megan , Faisal Mohamed , Loch Thomas P. , Fitzgerald Scott D. , Thaiwong Tuddow , Kiupel Matti
Published: August 2020

Epizootic epitheliotropic disease virus (salmonid herpesvirus-3; EEDV) is responsible for the death of millions of hatchery-raised lake trout ( Salvelinus namaycush) in the Laurentian Great Lakes Basin. However, little is known about its biology, pathology, tropism, and host interactions. In this study, the presence and disease progression of EEDV were evaluated following exposure of naïve juvenile lake trout to EEDV via bath immersion under controlled laboratory conditions ( n = 84 infected; n = 44 control). Individual tissues ( n = 10 per fish), collected over 6 weeks, were analyzed for viral load by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, gross and histopathologic changes, and virus cellular targets using in situ hybridization. Skin, fin, and ocular tissues were the earliest viral targets and yielded the highest viral loads throughout the course of infection. Early gross lesions included exophthalmia, ocular hemorrhage, fin congestion, and hyperemia of visceral blood vessels. Advanced disease was characterized by multifocal to coalescing erosions and ulcerations of the skin, and congestion of visceral organs. Microscopically, there was cellular degeneration and necrosis in the epidermis and spleen, and lymphohistiocytic perivasculitis of the dermis, omentum, and the epicardium. EEDV DNA was first detected by in situ hybridization in epithelial cells of the epidermis, with subsequent labeling in the epithelial lining of primary and secondary gill lamellae. During advanced disease, EEDV was detected in endothelial and dendritic cells as well as blood monocytes. This study characterized EEDV tissue tropism and associated pathologic features, to guide research aimed at understanding EEDV disease ecology and improving strategies for disease control.
p53 Expression in Canine Liposarcoma Correlates With Myxoid Variant and Higher Proliferative Activity
Authors: Avallone Giancarlo , Muscatello Luisa V. , Leoni Alessandro , Roccabianca Paola , Lepri Elvio , Crippa Luca , Bacci Barbara
Published: August 2020

Canine liposarcoma is classified as well differentiated (WDL), dedifferentiated (DDL), myxoid (ML), and pleomorphic (PL). Overexpression of the protooncogene MDM2 has been reported in WDL and DDL, but little is known regarding the role of p53 in their tumorigenesis. The aim of this study was to assess p53 expression in canine liposarcoma and compare it with subtype, grade, mitotic count (MC), Ki67 labeling index (LI), and MDM2 expression. Forty-seven cases were included (13 WDL, 3 DDL, 7 ML, and 24 PL); 17 were MDM2-positive (13 WDL, 3DDL, and 1ML). Five were p53-positive (4 ML and 1 WDL) but DDL and PL were consistently negative. p53 expression correlated with higher Ki67-LI, higher MC, and myxoid histotype. No correlation was found with grade and MDM2 expression. Based on these results canine liposarcoma seems to embody a group of neoplasms whose subtypes, especially ML, may represent distinct diseases rather than morphological variants of the same entity.
Cellular Senescence: Mechanisms, Morphology, and Mouse Models
Authors: Beck Jessica , Horikawa Izumi , Harris Curtis
Published: August 2020

Cellular senescence is a cell cycle arrest in damaged or aged cells. Although this represents a critical mechanism of tumor suppression, persistence of senescent cells during aging induces chronic inflammation and tissue dysfunction through the adoption of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). This has been shown to promote the progression of age-associated diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, pulmonary fibrosis, and atherosclerosis. As the global population ages, the role of cellular senescence in disease is becoming a more critical area of research. In this review, mechanisms, biomarkers, and pathology of cellular senescence and SASP are described with a brief discussion of literature supporting a role for cellular senescence in veterinary diseases. Cell culture and mouse models used in senescence studies are also reviewed including the senescence-accelerated mouse—prone (SAMP), senescence pathway knockout mice (p53, p21 [CDKN1A], and p16 [CDKN2A]), and the more recently developed senolysis mice, which allow for direct visualization and elimination (or lysis) of senescent cells in live mice (p16-3MR and INK-ATTAC). These and other mouse models have demonstrated the importance of cellular senescence in embryogenesis and wound healing but have also identified a therapeutic benefit for targeting persistent senescent cells in age-associated diseases including neurodegeneration, diabetes, and cardiac fibrosis.
Are Women in Rural India Really Consuming a Less Diverse Diet?
Authors: Gupta Soumya , Sunder Naveen , Pingali Prabhu L.
Published: August 2020

Background:

It is widely considered that women have less diverse diets than other household members. However, it has been challenging to establish this empirically since women’s diet diversity is measured differently from that of other household members.

Objective:

In this article, we compare women’s dietary diversity with that of their respective households and thereby generate a measure of “dietary gap.”

Methods:

We measure women’s “dietary gap” by using the difference of homogenized household and woman dietary scores (using the same scales). This is done using primary data on 3600 households from 4 districts in India. Additionally, we show the robustness of our results to variations in scale and recall periods used to construct the diet diversity scores.

Results:

Mean difference tests indicate that women consistently consume 0.1 to 0.5 fewer food groups relative to other household members, with the results being statistically significant at the 1% level. The food groups driving this dietary gap are nonstaples like Vitamin A-rich fruits and vegetables, meat/fish/poultry, and dairy.

Conclusions:

Results point toward the discrimination faced by women in the variety of the food consumed, the importance of considering comparability in creating indices of diet diversity, and the need to collect more detailed information on diets. To our knowledge, this is one of the first studies to examine dietary discrimination faced by women using common scales.
Vaginocutaneous fistula: A rare long-term complication of transobturator tape procedure for stress urinary incontinence
Authors: Micoogullari Uygar , Yucel Cem , Ulker Volkan , Keskin Mehmet Zeynel , Celik Orcun
Published: August 2020

Introduction:

Synthetic mid-urethral slings are currently the most common performed surgical procedure for the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence. The transobturator mid-urethral sling technique has been widely accepted owing to its high success and low complication rates. Although complications are rarely seen, it may cause significant morbidity.

Case presentation:

We report a case of vaginocutaneous fistula following transobturator mid-urethral sling procedure and a successful reconstruction with transvaginal sling excision and fistula closure.

Conclusion:

Vaginocutaneous fistula is a known but rarely seen long-term complication of transobturator tape. With an increased use of mesh, various delayed complications can be seen in the long-term follow-up. This case showed us the need for longer and detailed studies that evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the transobturator tape procedure.
Marxist criticism of Soviet-type society in Czechoslovakia: The political thought of Egon Bondy after 1968
Authors: Kužel Petr
Published: August 2020

This paper focuses on the development of the political thought of Czech Marxist philosopher Egon Bondy. It examines his criticism of state socialism in the Eastern Block from a Marxist perspective, and it outlines the development of his analysis. The study covers the period from the late 1960s until the Velvet Revolution in 1989, a period during which Bondy explored the historical constitution and nature of a ‘new ruling class’ in the USSR, as well as deeper trends of convergence between Eastern and Western politico-economical systems. In the 1980s Bondy analysed the reasons for the eventual collapse of the Soviet Union. Even though Bondy was, during most of the period of state socialism between 1948–89, a forbidden author, he was also one of the main critics of the political approach of Charta 77 and Václav Havel. This criticism is also outlined in the paper.
Public Sector Compensation: An Application of Robust and Quantile Regression
Authors: Guajardo Salomon Alcocer
Published: August 2020

This study assesses whether the theoretical compensation framework used to explain differences in public sector pay among full-time federal and state employees may also explain differences in pay at a local government level. In doing so, this study uses ordinary least squares (OLS) regression to test the application of the theoretical framework to a specific local government. Robust and quantile regression models are used subsequently to validate the findings obtained by the OLS model. The findings reveal that the covariates used to explain differences in compensation among full-time federal and state employees have similar effects at a local governmental level. While the OLS statistical model explains 26% ( R2 = .26) of the variance, the robust regression model explains 39% ( R2 = .39) of the variance. The percentage of variation explained by the quantile statistical models ranges from 14% (pseudo- R2 = .14) to 50% (pseudo- R2 = .50).
Ullmann coupling for low-cost synthesis of anthracene-based polyfluorenes: A photophysical approach
Authors: Hasija Deepika C , Ghase Vaijayanti D , Rananaware Meenakshi M , Patil Vishwanath R
Published: August 2020

A set of anthracene containing polyfluorenes (PFs) having 9,10-diphenylanthracene with alkyl substituents and aniline containing fluorenes were prepared. Commonly, light-emitting polymers were synthesized using expensive palladium-like catalysts. In the present work, palladium was replaced by copper as a cost-effective PF synthesis catalyst, which is also suitable for large-scale polymer synthesis. Synthesized PFs emit light in the blue region with a bandgap of 2.87–2.90 eV. Thermally stable PFs had a decomposition temperature of more than 305°C and a glass transition temperature of 125–138°C. PFs were soluble in organic solvents and had a molecular weight of around 21,700–25,500. The electrochemical study of these PFs showed low level of highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy of −5.16 to −5.26 eV, which was significantly higher than that of PF (5.7 eV). These findings suggested that the resulting PFs could be used as a component of the light-emitting diode.
Leveraging subject-specific musculoskeletal modeling to assess effect of anterior cruciate ligament retaining total knee arthroplasty during walking gait
Authors: Zhang Qida , Chen Zhenxian , Zhang Zhifeng , Jin Zhongmin , Muratoglu Orhun K , Varadarajan Kartik M
Published: August 2020

Bi-cruciate retaining total knee arthroplasty has several potential advantages including improved anteroposterior knee stability compared to contemporary posterior cruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty. However, few studies have explored whether there is significant differences of knee biomechanics following bi-cruciate retaining total knee arthroplasty compared to posterior cruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty. In the present study, subject-specific lower extremity musculoskeletal multi-body dynamics models for bi-cruciate retaining, bi-cruciate retaining without anterior cruciate ligament, and posterior cruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty were developed based on the musculoskeletal modeling framework using force-dependent kinematics method and validated against in vivo telemetric data. The experiment data of two subjects who underwent total knee arthroplasty were obtained for the SimTK “Grand Challenge Competition” repository, and integrated into the musculoskeletal model. Five walking gait trials for each subject were used as partial inputs for the model to predict the knee biomechanics for bi-cruciate retaining, bi-cruciate retaining without anterior cruciate ligament, and posterior cruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty. The results revealed significantly greater range of anterior/posterior tibiofemoral translation, and significantly more posterior tibial location during the early phase of gait and more anterior tibial location during the late phase of gait were found in bi-cruciate retaining total knee arthroplasty without anterior cruciate ligament when compared to the bi-cruciate retaining total knee arthroplasty. No significant differences in tibiofemoral contact forces, rotations, translations, and ligament forces between bi-cruciate retaining and posterior cruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty during normal walking gait, albeit slight differences in range of tibiofemoral internal/external rotation and anterior/posterior translation were observed. The present study revealed that anterior cruciate ligament retention has a positive effect on restoring normal knee kinematics in bi-cruciate retaining total knee arthroplasty. Preservation of anterior cruciate ligament in total knee arthroplasty and knee implant designs interplay each other and both contribute to restoring normal knee kinematics in different types of total knee arthroplasty. Further evaluation of more demanding activities and subject data from patients with bi-cruciate retaining and posterior cruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty via musculoskeletal modeling may better highlight the role of the anterior cruciate ligament and its stabilizing influence.
Predicting ground reaction and tibiotalar contact forces after total ankle arthroplasty during walking
Authors: Zhang Yanwei , Chen Zhenxian , Peng Yinghu , Zhao Hongmou , Liang Xiaojun , Jin Zhongmin
Published: August 2020

The motion capture and force plates data are essential inputs for musculoskeletal multibody dynamics models to predict in vivo tibiotalar contact forces. However, it could be almost impossible to obtain valid force plates data in old patients undergoing total ankle arthroplasty under some circumstances, such as smaller gait strides and inconsistent walking speeds during gait analysis. To remove the dependence of force plates, this study has established a patient-specific musculoskeletal multibody dynamics model with total ankle arthroplasty by combining a foot-ground contact model based on elastic contact elements. And the established model could predict ground reaction forces, ground reaction moments and tibiotalar contact forces simultaneously. Three patients’ motion capture and force plates data during their normal walking were used to establish the patient-specific musculoskeletal models and evaluate the predicted ground reaction forces and ground reaction moments. Reasonable accuracies were achieved for the predicted and measured ground reaction forces and ground reaction moments. The predicted tibiotalar contact forces for all patients using the foot-ground contact model had good consistency with those using force plates data. These findings suggested that the foot-ground contact model could take the place of the force plates data for predicting the tibiotalar contact forces in other total ankle arthroplasty patients, thus providing a simplified and valid platform for further study of the patient-specific prosthetic designs and clinical problems of total ankle arthroplasty in the absence of force plates data.
Trade union responses to precarious employment: the role of power resources in defending precarious flight attendants at Ryanair
Authors: Mendonça Pedro
Published: August 2020

Drawing on a case study on the civil airline industry in Portugal, this article addresses the impact of precarious employment on trade union action and examines the conditions under which trade unions defend precarious workers’ interests. Using a power-resource theoretical framework, findings in this article highlight that cost-cutting employment practices are used strategically by employers to curb collectivisation and trade unionism. In addition, this article shows that when trade unions engage in an inclusive strategy to defend precarious workers’ interests, the compounded and inter-linked effect of trade union power resources, network embeddedness and international solidarity may be key to achieving success.

S’appuyant sur une étude de cas portant sur l’industrie du transport aérien civil au Portugal, cet article traite de l’impact de l’emploi précaire sur l’action syndicale et examine les conditions dans lesquelles les syndicats défendent les intérêts des travailleurs précaires. À partir d’un cadre théorique fondé sur les ressources du pouvoir, les conclusions de cet article soulignent que les pratiques de réduction des coûts de l’emploi sont utilisées de manière stratégique par les employeurs pour freiner la collectivisation et le syndicalisme. En outre, cet article montre que lorsque les syndicats s’engagent dans une stratégie inclusive pour défendre les intérêts des travailleurs précaires, les effets combinés et interdépendants des ressources de pouvoir des syndicats, de leur ancrage dans les réseaux et de la solidarité internationale peuvent être la clé du succès.

Der vorliegende Artikel beruht auf einer Fallstudie über die zivile Luftfahrt in Portugal und befasst sich mit den Auswirkungen prekärer Beschäftigung auf gewerkschaftliches Handeln sowie mit den Bedingungen, unter denen die Gewerkschaften die Interessen prekär beschäftigter Arbeitnehmer wahrnehmen. Die Autoren nutzen den Rahmen der Machtressourcentheorie für ihre Untersuchung und kommen zu dem Schluss, dass kostensenkende Beschäftigungspraktiken von Arbeitgebern strategisch genutzt werden, um gegen kollektives Handeln und Gewerkschaftsbewegung zu agieren. Darüber hinaus zeigt der Artikel, dass es für die Gewerkschaften ein Schlüssel zum Erfolg sein kann, wenn sie zur Wahrnehmung der Interessen prekär beschäftigter Arbeitnehmer eine inklusive Strategie nutzen, die auf sich gegenseitig verstärkende und ergänzende gewerkschaftliche Machtressourcen, Einbettung in Netzwerke und internationale Solidarität setzt.
Social Experiences of Turkish Parents Raising a Child With Apert Syndrome: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Saydam Senem Zeytinoğlu , Çüçülayef Darina , Doğan Tuğçe Nur , Crerand Canice E. , Özek Memet
Published: August 2020

Objective:

Apert syndrome is a rare and understudied craniofacial condition with regard to its psychosocial impact on children and their parents. Due to the lack of studies focusing solely on the social experiences of children and families with Apert syndrome, it is difficult to develop interventions and strategies to support well-being and positive adjustment for this particular population. This study addressed this gap by assessing the unique social experiences of parents who are raising their children with Apert syndrome including difficulties they face and strategies they use to cope with challenges.

Design:

Descriptive qualitative study using thematic analysis.

Participants:

Participants included 21 parents of 12 children (aged 1-12 years) with Apert syndrome (9 couples, 2 fathers, and 1 mother) who were recruited from a pediatric neurosurgery unit in Turkey.

Results:

The qualitative analysis yielded four main themes describing the experiences of parents including (1) social challenges; (2) coping with negative reactions; (3) promoting socialization and independence; and (4) sources of strength.

Conclusions:

Parents reported several challenges, including social stigmatization, and utilized a range of strategies to support both their own and their child’s positive adaptation and resiliency, including the use of religion and reliance on their spouses for support. Results offer clinically relevant insights about the strengths and challenges of families coping with Apert syndrome.
Development and validation of a simplified nonlinear dynamic model of a passive twin-tube hydraulic shock absorber
Authors: Santos Arconada Verónica , García-Barruetabeña Jon
Published: August 2020

In this study, the development and validation of a simplified nonlinear dynamic model of a passive twin-tube hydraulic shock absorber is presented. First, the experimental dynamic response is characterized. Then, the numerical model is presented where flow, pressure, displacement, and velocity are considered. Finally, the numerical–experimental correlation is performed on force-movement dynamic behavior to prove the accuracy of the proposed model. The final goal of the model is to be integrated in a real-time driving simulator for ride comfort studies.
Development of a high-risk neonatal infection control competency scale
Authors: Yu Mi , Kang Hyunju , Park Jisun , Yang Miran
Published: August 2020

The purpose of this study was to develop a scale to measure high-risk neonatal infection control competency among nurses in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). The study participants included 251 nurses working in NICUs at seven hospitals in South Korea. The scale was designed to measure high-risk neonatal infection control competency in terms of performance (HirNICCS_P) and knowledge (HirNICCS_K), which were addressed by 42 and 54 items, respectively, and was initially subjected to content validity testing by a panel of experts in neonatal nursing. The items were divided into five factors: (1) basic care, (2) skin care, (3) feeding management, (4) medication and invasive procedures, and (5) environment management. After participant completion of the scale, construct validity was examined using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, and internal reliability tests were also performed. The total variance of validity was 53.7% for HirNICCS_P, and the Cronbach’s alpha values for reliability were .95 for HirNICCS_P and .67 for HirNICCS_K based on a Kuder–Richardson-20 test. We concluded that this scale can be used to assess the performance and knowledge with regard to infection control competency among neonatal nurses and that its application can support strengthening of infection control education for nurses who score low on performance and knowledge competency.
On the medication distribution system for home health care through convenience stores, lockers, and home delivery
Authors: Suwatcharachaitiwong Sirirat , Lin Chun-Cheng , Huang Weidong , Hung Lun-Ping
Published: August 2020

Medication distribution service can be delivered based on a combination of home delivery and customer pickup. That is, medications are delivered either to customers’ homes directly or to the pickup facilities (e.g. lockers) close to customers’ homes. In Taiwan, there are more than 11,000 convenience stores that provide a 24-h service for customers to pick up the ordered items from e-commerce, which is unique to the world. In the medication distribution system, convenience stores can provide a unique opportunity for customers to more conveniently collect medications at stores, and also can reduce the operating cost for a logistics company providing the medication delivery service. Therefore, this work proposes a medication distribution system through convenience stores, lockers, and home delivery. Under this system, this work investigates how to simultaneously determine employment of convenience store chains, the convenience store locations to be visited, locations of lockers, vehicle routes for convenience stores and lockers, and vehicle routes for customers’ homes, so that the total operating cost is minimized. This work further proposes a genetic algorithm to solve the medication distribution problem. Through simulation, the experimental results show that the proposed algorithm is able to solve the problem efficiently.
Study on the efficiency of a spark-ignition variable displacement and compression ratio engine
Authors: Rufino Caio H , Ferreira Janito V
Published: August 2020

A variable stroke engine was proposed as a promising solution for improving the efficiency of flex-fuel engines by adjusting the compression ratio; this prevents knock onset for fuels with different octane numbers. Similarly, the displacement was adjusted by varying stroke length with the objective of mitigating cylinder pumping losses. This article compares the efficiency of a spark-ignition, port-fuel injection engine, with variable displacements and compression ratios; a conventional engine with a fixed compression ratio; and an engine with variable compression ratios. A simulation-based calibration was performed for each engine, using the results from a phenomenological model to predict the engine performance. The calibration maps were obtained by maximising efficiency through determining the optimal combination of available engine parameters such as spark timing, compression ratio, displacement, and throttle actuation. A comparison of the efficiencies of the different types of engines showed an improvement of approximately 15% for the engine under partial load conditions and with variable displacement and compression ratio, compared to a conventional engine.
Detonation development from a hot spot in methane/air mixtures: Effects of kinetic models
Authors: Su Jingyi , Dai Peng , Chen Zheng
Published: August 2020

Natural gas is a promising alternative fuel which can be used in internal combustion engines to achieve low carbon emission and high thermal efficiency. However, at high compression ratio, super-knock due to detonation development might occur. In this study, the autoignitive reaction front propagation and detonation development from a hot spot were investigated numerically and the main component of natural gas, methane, was considered. The objective is to assess the performance of different kinetic models in terms of predicting hot spot–induced detonation development in methane/air mixtures. First, simulations for the constant-volume homogeneous ignition in a stoichiometric methane/air mixture were conducted. The ignition delay time, excitation time, critical temperature gradient, thermal sensitivity and reduced activation energy predicted by different kinetic models were obtained and compared. It was found that there are notable discrepancies among the predictions by different kinetic models. Then, hundreds of one-dimensional simulations were conducted for detonation development from a hot spot in a stoichiometric CH4/air mixture. Different autoignition modes were identified and the detonation regimes were derived based on the peak pressure and reaction front propagation speed. It was found that even at the same conditions, different propagation modes can be predicted by different kinetic models. The broadest detonation development regime was predicted by the reduced GRI mechanism, while a relatively narrow regime was predicted by the recent kinetic models such as FFCM-1 and Aramco 3.0. The present results indicate that super-knock prediction strongly depends on the kinetic model used in simulations. Therefore, significant efforts should be devoted to the development and validation of kinetic models for natural gas at engine conditions.
STAT1 regulates interferon-γ-induced angiotensinogen and MCP-1 expression in a bidirectional manner in primary cultured mesangial cells
Authors: Penrose Harrison M , Katsurada Akemi , Miyata Kayoko , Urushihara Maki , Satou Ryousuke
Published: August 2020

Objective:

Intrarenal interferon-γ significantly contributes to the development of glomerular injury in which angiotensinogen and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 levels are elevated. However, the exact nature of the role that interferon-γ plays in regulating angiotensinogen and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 expression has not been fully delineated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the role that interferon-γ plays in angiotensinogen and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 expression.

Methods:

Primary cultured rat mesangial cells were treated with 0–20 ng/mL interferon-γ for 2, 8 or 24 hours. Expression levels of angiotensinogen, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, suppressors of cytokine signaling 1, an intracellular suppressor of Janus kinase-signal transducers and activators of transcription signaling and activity of the Janus kinase-signal transducers and activators of transcription pathway were evaluated by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis.

Results:

Interferon-γ increased angiotensinogen expression in mesangial cells with maximal augmentation observed following 5 ng/mL interferon-γ at 8 hours of treatment (1.87 ± 0.05, mRNA, relative ratio). Further increases were reduced or absent using higher concentrations of interferon-γ. Following treatments, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 expression was induced in a linear dose-dependent manner (6.85 ± 0.62-fold by 20 ng/mL interferon-γ at 24 hours). In addition, interferon-γ induced STAT1 phosphorylation and suppressors of cytokine signaling 1 expression in a linear dose-dependent manner. The suppression of STAT1 and suppressors of cytokine signaling 1 expression by small interference RNAs facilitated an increase in interferon-γ-induced angiotensinogen expression, indicating that these two factors negatively regulate angiotensinogen expression. In contrast, the increase in interferon-γ-induced monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 expression was attenuated in STAT1-deficient mesangial cells, suggesting that STAT1 positively regulates monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 expression in mesangial cells.

Conclusion:

These results demonstrate that while interferon-γ increases both angiotensinogen and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 expression, STAT1 plays an opposing role in the regulation of each factor in mesangial cells.