bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Critical and Theoretical Re-imagining of ‘Victimhood Nationalism’: The Case of National Victimhood of the Baltic Region
Authors: Okawara Kentaro
Published: January 2020

There are many arguments to support the idea that the Baltic nations (and other “victimized” areas) adhere to ‘victimhood nationalism’, a form of nationalism that explains the region’s recognition of its history and the related problems. Since the start of the 21st century, memory and area studies experts have used the concept of ‘victimhood nationalism’. However, the framework of victimhood nationalism is critically flawed. Its original conceptual architecture is weak and its effectiveness as an explanatory variable requires critical examination. This paper presents a theoretical examination of victimhood nationalism from the perspective of political and social historiology. Further, the paper criticizes the concept from the perspective of the empirical area studies of the Baltic region. First, it argues that the killing or damaging of one community by another does not automatically transform into a nationalism of victimhood. Unless it has been established that one community was the ‘victim’ and the other the perpetrator of the crime, these events will not be remembered as the basis of victimhood nationalism. Second, the effectiveness of this concept is criticized from two perspectives: “tangle” as an explanatory variable and its doctrinal history. It is tautological to claim that victimhood nationalism explains political issues, as was already being implied in the early twentieth-century collective memory studies. In conclusion, the assumption of victimhood is a preliminary necessity to a community claiming victimhood nationalism. Victimhood nationalism is not an explanatory, but an explained, variable. Therefore, the concept should be renamed otherwise. The alternative framework of collective memory studies framework of “victimhood” is needed. This research argues that Baltic area studies, particularly regarding history recognition, should be phenomenologically reconsidered to reimagine the framework of “victimhood”.
Euroscepticism in a Pro-European State on the Basis of Media Content Analysis
Authors: Jakubowski Jakub
Published: January 2020

Against the background of research conducted in other EU countries, Euroscepticism is a marginal sentiment among Poles. Nevertheless, this attitude and the arguments associated with it are noticeable in many areas in the public space: among members of the public presenting Eurosceptic arguments on the social media, journalists in press commentaries or politicians themselves. The aim of this article is to analyse the scale of such statements, their specific character and presence in the Polish press during the election and post-electoral period in 2015–2017. The study involved content analysis of selected text units which allowed the fundamental research question to be answered—namely, what is the nature of Eurosceptic attitudes manifested in the Polish press during the electoral/post-electoral period of lively discussions on the role of the European Union in Poland.
Europe at the Crossroad: Decline or Reconstruction?
Authors: Aidnik Martin
Published: January 2020

Uncertainty and unease surround both Europe’s current predicament and future prospects. Be it national governments devoid of European solidarity, the self-contained Brussels bureaucracy or fear of another economic recession, the status quo in Europe contains much to be concerned about. In particular, the rise of the far right casts a shadow over contemporary Europe from Poland and Hungary to France and Italy. The leitmotif of this article is social Europe, i.e. Europe with commitment to “good society”, conducive to human well-being. I seek to envision a reconstruction to the current maladies. Before taking up the main task of the article, I write about the two key developments that have lead to the decline of social Europe. I begin with the Maastricht Treaty which had a profound impact on the rules of economic governance in Europe, as well as contained a vision of competitive and individualistic social life. Thereafter, I probe into the divisive consequences that austerity has had in Europe in the 2010s. Lastly, I focus on a path forward and inquire into social thought that aims at a reconstruction of European politics and economy in order to arrive at a social Europe. I shall do this by engaging with the recent ‘Manifesto for the democratization of Europe’ (Boujou et al., 2019), an initiative led by prominent French intellectuals that seeks to save Europe from its current troubled state.
National survey on delta checks in clinical laboratories in China
Authors: He Shukang , Kang Fengfeng , Wang Wei , Chen Bingquan , Wang Zhiguo
Published: January 2020

Background

This study aimed to understand the status quo of delta checks in Chinese clinical laboratories through a nationwide online survey.

Methods

The survey was divided into two parts. The first part was a general situation survey in which clinical laboratories had to provide information about the laboratories, including delta checks used. In the second part, clinical laboratories were asked to record the delta check alerts generated in their laboratories from June 1st, 2019 to June 30th, 2019.

Results

The most frequently used analytes in delta checks were potassium (K), glucose (Glu), creatinine (Cre) for clinical chemistry and hemoglobin (Hgb), platelet (PLT) count and white blood cell (WBC) count for clinical hematology. The median maximum time interval between specimens for all analytes was 5 days. The most commonly used delta check calculation modes in Chinese clinical laboratories were percentage change and absolute change. K and Hgb were the analytes most involved in clinical chemistry and clinical hematology delta check alerts. The most common causes of delta check alerts were that the patients had received treatment, which was followed by the change in the patient’s physiological state and interference from hemolysis, lipemia and icterus. The two most common outcomes of delta check alerts were ‘no problems found, standard report issued’ and ‘no problems found, report issued with comment’.

Conclusions

This study was the first nationwide survey of delta checks in China, the results of which help us to understand the current situation of delta checks in Chinese clinical laboratories.
Percentile transformation and recalibration functions allow harmonization of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) immunoassay results
Authors: Padoan Andrea , Clerico Aldo , Zaninotto Martina , Trenti Tommaso , Tozzoli Renato , Aloe Rosalia , Alfano Antonio , Rizzardi Sara , Dittadi Ruggero , Migliardi Marco , Bagnasco Marcello , Plebani Mario
Published: January 2020

Background

The comparability of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) results cannot be easily obtained using SI-traceable reference measurement procedures (RPMs) or reference materials, whilst harmonization is more feasible. The aim of this study was to identify and validate a new approach for the harmonization of TSH results.

Methods

Percentile normalization was applied to 125,419 TSH results, obtained from seven laboratories using three immunoassays (Access 3rd IS Thyrotropin, Beckman Coulter Diagnostics; Architect System, Abbott Diagnostics and Elecsys, Roche Diagnostics). Recalibration equations (RCAL) were derived by robust regressions using bootstrapped distribution. Two datasets, the first of 119 EQAs, the second of 610, 638 and 639 results from Access, Architect and Elecsys TSH results, respectively, were used to validate RCAL. A dataset of 142,821 TSH values was used to derive reference intervals (RIs) after applying RCAL.

Results

Access, Abbott and Elecsys TSH distributions were significantly different (p < 0.001). RCAL intercepts and slopes were −0.003 and 0.984 for Access, 0.032 and 1.041 for Architect, −0.031 and 1.003 for Elecsys, respectively. Validation using EQAs showed that before and after RCAL, the coefficients of variation (CVs) or among-assay results decreased from 10.72% to 8.16%. The second validation dataset was used to test RCALs. The median of between-assay differences ranged from −0.0053 to 0.1955 mIU/L of TSH. Elecsys recalibrated to Access (and vice-versa) showed non-significant difference. TSH RI after RCAL resulted in 0.37–5.11 mIU/L overall, 0.49–4.96 mIU/L for females and 0.40–4.92 mIU/L for males. A significant difference across age classes was identified.

Conclusions

Percentile normalization and robust regression are valuable tools for deriving RCALs and harmonizing TSH values.
Prescribing scalar curvatures: non compactness versus critical points at infinity
Authors: Mayer Martin
Published: January 2020

We illustrate an example of a generic, positive functionKon a Riemannian manifold to be conformally prescribed as the scalar curvature, for which the corresponding Yamabe typeL2-gradient flow exhibits non compact flow lines, while a slight modification of it is compact.
Green synthesis, characterization and photocatalytic applications of silver nanoparticles using Diospyros lotus
Authors: Yasmin Samaira , Nouren Shazia , Bhatti Haq Nawaz , Iqbal Dure Najaf , Iftikhar Shan , Majeed Junaid , Mustafa Rahat , Nisar Numrah , Nisar Jan , Nazir Arif , Iqbal Munawar , Rizvi Hina
Published: January 2020

Currently, the green route for synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) using plants leaf extract is an emerging research area in nanotechnology. The present study was explored for synthesis, characterization and catalytic application of Ag NPs using Diospyros lotus fresh leaf extracts. Factors affecting the synthesis were optimized and optimum conditions were pH of 8.6, silver nitrate (AgNO3) concentration of 1.5 mM and 10 mL leaf extract. Formation of Ag NPs was observed by change in color of reaction mixture from pale yellow to reddish brown. The synthesized Ag NPs were characterized using UV-Vis spectrophotometer, EDX, XRD and SEM analyses. UV-Vis spectrophotometer showed maximum absorbance peak in the range of 407 nm at different time intervals indicating formation of Ag NPs. SEM and XRD analysis confirmed face centered cubic structure and crystalline nature of biologically synthesized Ag NPs with average particle size of 27 nm. The purity of synthesized Ag NPs was revealed by EDX. Finally, photo catalytic activity (PCA) of Ag NPs was studied and 72.91% decolorization of industrial waste water was obtained at 54 h. Some important parameters like pH, turbidity, conductance; TSS, TDS, sulphide, sulphates, etc. were also monitored before and after treatment with Ag NPs.
Dielectric properties and microwave heating behavior of neutral leaching residues from zinc metallurgy in the microwave field
Authors: Luo Yongguang , Liao Tianqi , Yu Xia , Li Jing , Zhang Libo , Xi Yunhao
Published: January 2020

The method of microwave strengthens roasting neutral leaching slag contained germanium is put forward. The dielectric properties and temperature rising behavior of neutral leaching slag in the microwave field are analyzed via experimental and theoretical analysis. The experiment used the dielectric constant test device, the microwave roasting device and the temperature measuring device. The neutral leaching slag can absorb microwave energy and transform into heat energy. The specific surface area of the calcined slag containing the neutral leaching slag is increased by microwave roasting, and the microwave energy can reduce the particle size of the mineral particles to some extent. At the same time, cracks can be seen on the surface of the calcined sand after microwave roasting. The surface of neutral leaching slag roasted by microwave reformed cracks which help to open reaction channels making the oxygen to inside takes part in oxidizing reaction significantly improving germanium oxide reaction conditions, besides increasing the leaching process of the reaction area and increasing the leaching rate. The research on the dielectric constants and temperature characteristics of neutral leaching residue can provide the theoretical and experimental basis for microwave strengthen roasting.
Evaluation of the hygroscopicity and dimensional stability of silicone oil treated wood
Authors: He Zhengbin , Qu Lijie , Wang Zhenyu , Qian Jing , Yi Songlin
Published: January 2020

Wood is a renewable natural lignocellulosic material. However, its hygroexpansion characteristics dramatically shorten its service life, and limit its application. In this study, wood was treated in a silicone oil bath at different temperatures to improve its dimensional stability. Results demonstrated that the silicone oil treatment decreased the tangential swelling coefficient by 13% when treated at 80 °C and by 34% when treated at 160 °C and the radial swelling coefficient by 12% when treated at 80 °C and by 49% when treated at 160 °C. Also, the moisture absorption was reduced by the treatment.
Direct bioautography for the screening of selected tropical wood extracts against basidiomycetes
Authors: Wanschura Regina , Baumgartner Matthias , Linder Claudia U. , Windeisen Elisabeth , Benz J. Philipp , Richter Klaus
Published: January 2020

To understand the reasons for the high durability of tropical wood species, the chemistry of the extractives needs to be elucidated. As these extractives consist of a great variety of components differing in quantity and composition, the analysis is often time-consuming. To focus on the key bioactive substances, bioassay-guided fractionation is helpful, but the established bioassay methods cannot be readily adapted to basidiomycete fungi that are commonly used for the respective durability tests, because they do not sporulate easily in laboratory settings. The research therefore aims at developing a direct bioautography using homogenized hyphae from basidiomycetes, to overcome this restriction. Extracts from four tropical wood species were analyzed regarding their potential bioactivity on two selected basidiomycete fungi. To this end, the chemically complex mixtures and extract constituents were resolved by a two-dimensional planar chromatography and the metabolites were located by characteristic zones of fungal growth inhibition, which was accentuated by a color reaction. The bioactive fractions were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Potentially responsible compounds could be identified, such as the alkaloid bicuculline from Mezilaurus itauba, which has not been described in this species yet. The presented bioassay method can be used as a rapid screening method for bioactive components from wood.
Brownian Motion on Cantor Sets
Authors: Khalili Golmankhaneh Ali , Ashrafi Saleh , Baleanu Dumitru , Fernandez Arran
Published: January 2020

In this paper, we have investigated the Langevin and Brownian equations on fractal time sets usingFα-calculus and shown that the mean square displacement is not varied linearly with time. We have also generalized the classical method of deriving the Fokker–Planck equation in order to obtain the Fokker–Planck equation on fractal time sets.
Urate crystals trigger B-cell receptor signal transduction and induce B-cell proliferation
Authors: Eleftheriadis Theodoros , Pissas Georgios , Antoniadi Georgia , Filippidis Georgios , Liakopoulos Vassilios , Stefanidis Ioannis
Published: January 2020

Background

Urate in its crystal form is a known danger-associated molecular pattern, which after its internalization activates cells of the innate immune system. However, by inducing lipid raft sequestration and clustering of membrane-bound proteins with immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motifs, urate crystals can also activate cells of the innate immune system without previous internalization. Also, urate crystals trigger T-cell receptor signal transduction and induce T-cell proliferation. In this study, we evaluated whether urate crystals can also initiate B-cell receptor (BCR) signal transduction and promote B-cell proliferation.

Methods

B cells were isolated from the blood of 10 individuals and cultured with or without urate at a concentration of 10 mg/dL, at which crystallization occurs. Phosphorylated Igα (CD79A) and c-Myc were assessed by Western blotting and B-cell proliferation with BrdU assay.

Results

Urate increased the level of phosphorylated Igα, a component of the BCR complex. Phosphorylation of Igα is the very proximal event in BCR signal transduction. Also, urate increased the expression of c-Myc, an essential transcription factor for BCR-induced B-cell proliferation. Finally, urate induces B-cell proliferation.

Conclusions

Urate crystals trigger BCR signal transduction and induce B-cell proliferation. The clinical significance of urate-induced B-cell activation remains to be elucidated.
Impact of educational preeclampsia prevention booklet on knowledge and adherence to low dose aspirin among pregnant women with high risk for preeclampsia
Authors: Karunia Rella Indah , Purnamayanti Anita , Prasetyadi Fransiscus O.H.
Published: January 2020

Background

Postpartum bleeding and pregnancy induced hypertension – including preeclampsia – remain to be a great cause of maternal mortality. The use of aspirin for preventing preeclampsia has been practiced recently by fetomaternal specialists in Indonesia. This study aimed to analyze the impact of education using an aspirin booklet provided by pharmacists on knowledge and adherence in taking aspirin among pregnant women with high risk for preeclampsia.

Methods

This was one group of pretest-posttest study. We enrolled all pregnant women with high risk for preeclampsia screened at 11+0–13+6 weeks’ gestation at Fetomaternal Clinic, Dr. Ramelan Naval Hospital, Surabaya. All subjects prescribed with low-dose aspirin (100 mg) for preeclampsia prevention received oral and written education using the aspirin booklet and had been followed up for 2 months. Knowledge about aspirin for preeclampsia prevention was measured by a validated questionnaire developed for this study. Adherence to aspirin was measured by pill count method.

Results

A total of 12 pregnant women with high risk for preeclampsia were included during the study period. This study showed a statistically significant difference on knowledge of preeclampsia prevention before and after receiving oral and written education using aspirin booklet (p-value = 0.020), as well as aspirin adherence (p-value = 0.011).

Conclusion

The use of oral education and written aspirin booklet provided by pharmacists had impact on knowledge of preeclampsia prevention and adherence in taking aspirin among pregnant women with high risk for preeclampsia. We recommend to conduct randomized control study of adequate number of subjects.
Exploration of barriers affecting job satisfaction among community pharmacists
Authors: Rijaluddin Muhammad Khalid , Utami Wahyu , Othman Zulhabri , Puspitasari Hanni Prihhastuti , Rahem Abdul , Sukorini Anila Impian , Hermansyah Andi
Published: January 2020

Background

Understanding job satisfaction among community pharmacists is important as it may affect roles and performance. Several barriers in practice may affect job satisfaction.

Objectives

To explore barriers affecting job satisfaction among Indonesian community pharmacists.

Methods

This study reported data from the Nationwide Community Pharmacy Survey 2018. The results specific to participants in the East Java region were used for this study. Community pharmacists (507) participated in the survey between September 2018 and March 2019. The survey used questionnaire that asked 22 factors, which may act as barriers affecting job satisfaction. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results

The majority of respondents were female (83.43%), and most respondents were aged 31–40 years (41.63%). Most respondents perceived nine barriers such as lack of time for interaction and lack of recognition that were dominant affecting job satisfaction. On the other hand, respondents were not in major agreement perceiving the remaining barriers as dominant affecting job satisfaction. More than half of the respondents disagreed that the remaining barriers were significant affecting job satisfaction.

Conclusions

This study identified some significant barriers affecting job satisfaction among community pharmacists. In general, barriers can arise from individual, management, and environmental issues suggesting a specific approach to reduce these barriers.
Evaluation to the chemotherapy use in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
Authors: Dirani Dirani , Suharjono  , Sedana Made , Wahyuni Siti , Ardianto Chrismawan , Alderman Chris
Published: January 2020

Background

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is a large group of primary malignancies of solid lymphoid tissue. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common subtype of NHL. DLBCL has an aggressive natural history but responds well to chemotherapy. The objective of this study was to review the use of chemotherapy, identify its side effects, and examine the response to chemotherapy in patients with NHL at Dr. Soetomo General Hospital.

Methods

This study was a retrospective observational study using secondary data obtained from patients’ medical records from 2016 to 2018. Demographic data (age, sex), clinical characteristics, chemotherapy regimens, side effects of chemotherapy, and response to chemotherapy were recorded.

Results

Results revealed that of the 43 patients (age ranged from 21 to 80 years) who were included in this study, the prevalence of DLBCL was higher in male patients (74%) and about 44% patients were at stage III. R-CHOP (rituximab-cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine/oncovin, prednisone) (53%) was the most used chemotherapy regimen in this study. A total of 65% of patients showed good responses and 35% showed no response to the therapy. The most common side effect was myelosuppression, including 25% and 8% of the patients having anemia and leukopenia, respectively.

Conclusions

R-CHOP is the most used regimen. Most of patients with NHL have a complete response and the predominant side effect is anemia.
Common Law Codification: Lessons and Warnings from Twenty-First Century Australia
Authors: Lunney Mark
Published: January 2020

Codification of tort law is a rare phenomenon in the common law world. However, building on earlier precedents, in the early 2000s, Australian jurisdictions embarked on a project of placing important general principles of negligence law into legislation. This article considers these provisions and argues that they can be considered as an attempt to codify certain parts of the law of tort. Both the process by which this codification took place, and the contents of the ‘codes’, provide interesting comparative material for civilian jurisdictions with codified tort law as well as for common law systems.
Optimal mathematical and statistical models to estimate vertical crustal movements using satellite altimetry and tide gauge data
Authors: Iz H. Bâki , Yang T. Y. , Shum C. K. , Kuo C. Y.
Published: January 2020

Knowledge of vertical crustal movement is fundamental to quantify absolute sea level changes at tide gauge locations as well as for satellite altimetry calibration validations. While GPS measurements at collocated tide gauge stations fulfill this need, currently only few hundred tide gauge stations are equipped with GPS, and their measurements do not span a long period of time. In the past, several studies addressed this problem by calculating relative and geocentric trends from the tide gauge and satellite altimetry measurements respectively, and then difference the two trends to calculate the rate of changes at the tide gauge stations. However, this approach is suboptimal. This study offers an optimal statistical protocol based on themethod of condition equations with unknown parameters. An example solution demonstrates the proposed mathematical and statistical models’ optimality in estimating vertical crustal movement and its standard error by comparing them with the results of current methods. The proposed model accounts for the effect of autocorrelations in observed tide gauge and satellite altimetry sea level time series, adjusts observed corrections such as inverted barometer effects, and constraints tide gauge and satellite altimeter measurement to close. The new model can accommodate estimating other systematic effects such as pole tides that are not eliminated by differencing.
Presentation of 14 alkaptonuria patients from Turkey
Authors: Akbaba Alper Ilker , Ozgül Rıza Köksal , Dursun Ali
Published: January 2020

Background

Alkaptonuria (OMIM: 203500) is an inborn error of metabolism due to homogentisate 1,2-dioxygenase homogentisic acid 1,2 dioxygenase (HGD) enzyme deficiency. Due to the enzyme deficiency, homogentisic acid cannot be converted to maleylacetoacetate and it accumulates in body fluids. Increased homogentisic acid is converted to benzoquinones, the resulting benzoquinones are converted to melanin-like pigments, and these pigments are deposited in collagen – this process is called ochronosis. In patients with alkaptonuria, the urine is darkened, which is misinterpreted as hematuria, the incidences of renal stones, arthritis and cardiac valve calcification are increased, and spontaneous tendon ruptures, prostatitis and prostate stones can be encountered. The present study aimed to evaluate the HGD gene mutations in 14 patients with alkaptonuria.

Methods

Fourteen patients diagnosed with alkaptonuria and followed up from 1990 to 2014 were retrospectively evaluated. Their demographic, clinical and treatment-related data were retrieved from hospital files. For mutation analysis, genomic DNAs of the patients were isolated from their peripheral blood samples. Variations in the HGD gene were scanned on the HGD-mutation database (http://hgddatabase.cvtisr.sk).

Results

Among 14 patients, the female/male ratio was 1/1 and the median age was 9 years (range, 6–59 years). All patients were symptomatic at their first visit and the most common symptom was dark urine (71%) followed by arthralgia. Independent of the urinary homogentisic acid concentrations, patients with the presenting symptom of arthralgia were elder. Nine different mutations including p.Ser59AlafsX52, p.Gly161Arg, p.Asn219Ser, p.Gly251Asp, p.Pro274Leu, p.Arg330Ser, p.Gly372Ala, c.656_657insAATCAA and a novel mutation of p.Val316Ile were detected. All of the pediatric-age patients (n = 13) were treated with ascorbic acid at a dose of 250–1000 mg/day.

Conclusions

Nine different HGD gene mutations with a novel one, p.Val316Ile, were detected. The most common mutation was p.Ser59AlafsX52 for the HGD gene followed by p.Gly161Arg and p.asn219Ser, which can be considered specific to the Turkish population.
Familial hypophosphatemic rickets caused by a PHEX gene mutation accompanied by a
NPR2
missense mutation
Authors: Zhao Yongting , Yang Fan , Wang Lihong , Che Hui
Published: January 2020

Background

Familial hypophosphatemic rickets, which is usually acknowledged as X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets (XLH), is a rare hereditary disease. XLH caused by mutations in the PHEX gene often manifests as growth retardation, skeletal deformities, osteodynia and dental dysplasia. NPR2 mutations are reported to cause disproportionate short stature. Our study was designed to identify the gene mutations of three patients in one family.

Case description

A 40-year-old Chinese male visited the hospital for continuous osteodynia and presented with bilateral leg bowing, absent teeth and a progressive limp. The age of onset was approximately 2 years old. His 63-year-old mother and 42-year-old brother both shared identical symptoms with him. The laboratory tests were consistent with XLH, which showed decreased levels of blood phosphorus and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 as well as increased urinary phosphorus excretion. Mutation analysis revealed that the proband as well as his mother and his brother all had a PHEX mutation in exon 14 (c.1543C > T), and the proband also had a NPR2 mutation in exon 21 (c.3058C > T).

Conclusions

We report the familial hypophosphatemic rickets of three patients in a Chinese family caused by a PHEX gene mutation in exon 14 (c.1543C > T), which had never been reported in Chinese patients. We first report an XLH case together with a NPR2 mutation that had never been reported before.
Amniotic fluid concentrations of soluble endoglin and endothelial cell-specific molecule-1 in pregnancies complicated with neural tube defects
Authors: Ovayolu Ali , Ovayolu Gamze , Yuce Tuncay , Ozek Murat Aykut , Dogan Ilkay , Bostancieri Nuray
Published: January 2020

Objective

To determine the concentrations of soluble endoglin (sCD105) and endothelial cell-specific molecule-1 (ESM-1) in the amniotic fluid (AF) of pregnant women, and to investigate the relationship between these concentrations and neural tube defects (NTDs).

Methods

AF concentrations of sCD105 and ESM-1 were measured in the study group, which included 60 pregnant women complicated with NTDs, and 64 pregnant women with unaffected healthy fetuses (control group). The AF concentrations of sCD105 and ESM-1 in both groups were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and compared.

Results

There were no significant differences in terms of the mean AF concentrations of sCD105 and ESM-1 between the groups (P=0.141, P=0.084, respectively). There was a significant difference between the AF sCD105 concentrations in those with gestational age <24 weeks (n=101) and ≥24 weeks (n=23) (X̅<24=76.35±126.62 vs. X
≥
24=39.87±58.32, P=0.041). AF ESM-1 concentrations were found to be statistically significant in the gestational age <22 weeks (n=90) and ≥22 weeks (n=34) groups (X̅
<22=135.91±19.26 vs. X̅
≥22=148.56±46.85, P=0.035). A positive and low-level relation at a statistically significant level was determined between the gestational age and AF ESM-1 concentration in the study group (r=0.257; P=0.048).

Conclusion

AF concentrations of sCD105 and ESM-1 were not associated with the development of NTDs. Unlike studies that reported that ESM-1 concentrations decreased in maternal plasma with increased gestational age, we determined an increase that was proportionate to gestational age in AF.
Microbial burden and inflammasome activation in amniotic fluid of patients with preterm prelabor rupture of membranes
Authors: Theis Kevin R. , Romero Roberto , Motomura Kenichiro , Galaz Jose , Winters Andrew D. , Pacora Percy , Miller Derek , Slutsky Rebecca , Florova Violetta , Levenson Dustyn , Para Robert , Varrey Aneesha , Kacerovsky Marian , Hsu Chaur-Dong , Gomez-Lopez Nardhy
Published: January 2020

Background

Intra-amniotic inflammation, which is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, can occur in the presence or absence of detectable microorganisms, and involves activation of the inflammasome. Intra-amniotic inflammasome activation has been reported in clinical chorioamnionitis at term and preterm labor with intact membranes, but it has not yet been investigated in women with preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (preterm PROM) in the presence/absence of detectable microorganisms. The aim of this study was to determine whether, among women with preterm PROM, there is an association between detectable microorganisms in amniotic fluid and intra-amniotic inflammation, and whether intra-amniotic inflammasome activation correlates with microbial burden.

Methods

Amniotic fluids from 59 cases of preterm PROM were examined for the presence/absence of microorganisms through culture and 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and ASC [apoptosis-associated spec-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (CARD)], an indicator of inflammasome activation, were determined.

Results

qPCR identified more microbe-positive amniotic fluids than culture. Greater than 50% of patients with a negative culture and high IL-6 concentration in amniotic fluid yielded a positive qPCR signal. ASC concentrations were greatest in patients with high qPCR signals and elevated IL-6 concentrations in amniotic fluid (i.e. intra-amniotic infection). ASC concentrations tended to increase in patients without detectable microorganisms but yet with elevated IL-6 concentrations (i.e. sterile intra-amniotic inflammation) compared to those without intra-amniotic inflammation.

Conclusion

qPCR is a valuable complement to microbiological culture for the detection of microorganisms in the amniotic cavity in women with preterm PROM, and microbial burden is associated with the severity of intra-amniotic inflammatory response, including inflammasome activation.
Some remarks on divisible polyhedral MV-algebras
Authors: Lapenta Serafina
Published: January 2020

Building on similar notions for MV-algebras, polyhedral DMV-algebras are defined and investigated. For such algebras dualities with suitable categories of polyhedra are established, and the relation with finitely presented Riesz MV-algebras is investigated. Via hull-functors, finite products are interpreted in terms of hom-functors, and categories of polyhedral MV-algebras, polyhedral DMV-algebras and finitely presented Riesz MV-algebras are linked together. Moreover, the amalgamation property is proved for finitely presented DMV-algebras and Riesz MV-algebras, and for polyhedral DMV-algebras.
On the oscillatory behavior of third order differential equations with a sublinear neutral term
Authors: Thandapani E. , El-Sheikh M. M. A. , Sallam R. , Salem S.
Published: January 2020

A class of third order differential equations with a sublinear neutral term of the type

$$\begin{array}{} \displaystyle \left( a(t)\left( b(t)\left[ x(t)+p(t)x^{\alpha }(\tau (t))\right] ^{\prime }\right) ^{\prime }\right) ^{\prime }+q(t)x^{\gamma }(\sigma (t))=0 \end{array}$$

is considered. Some oscillation criteria are presented to improve and complement those in the literature. Several examples are established to illustrate the main results.
The Performances at the Theatre of the Pythion in Gortyna, Crete. Virtual Acoustics Analysis as a Support for Interpretation
Authors: Manzetti Maria Cristina
Published: January 2020

The location of the so-called “small” Roman theatre of Gortyna (Crete), precisely at the back of the temple dedicated to Apollo Pythios, suggests a clear correlation of this monument with religious rituals. We may suppose that the theatre was used in particular during the Ludi Apollinares (Pythia), namely games and a festival dedicated to the God Apollo (held for the first time in Rome in 212 BC) or during the iso-Olympic agones as witnessed by the epigraphic sources of the imperial age. However, we have to consider also the possibility that the “small” theatre of Gortyna could have housed civic ceremonies or other activities related to the life of the Koinon ton Kreton, the federal assembly of all the Cretan cities which had its seat during the imperial times right in the space of the sanctuary. This paper aims to verify the typology of performances and activities that could take place in the theatre of the Pythion (namely if it was more suitable for music or speech) through virtual acoustics analysis. The study of the acoustics’ quality has provided significant support to formulate hypotheses about the primary function of the theatre of the Pythion at Gortyna.
Religious Experience: Experience of Transparency and Resonance
Authors: Theissen Gerd
Published: January 2020

At a time in which religion is breaking away from the normative power of its traditions and new forms of spiritual experience are emerging, religious philosophy must find criteria for what a religious experience is and how to judge its truth. In their empirical critique of religion L. Wittgenstein and R. Carnap accepted two forms of religious experience, which they described with an optical and acoustic metaphor. They denied their cognitive truth value, but not their value for life. However, an extended concept of truth, which encompasses every correspondence between experience and reality, can also find truth in religious experiences of “transparency” and “resonance”. They differ from aesthetic experience not only by the depth of transparency and resonance, but also by their cognitive interpretation. What is experienced is cognitively referred to a final reality: either to a “summum ens” in this world, or to the whole of this world or something unknown beyond of this world. This final point of reference is a unity of “being” and “value”. Religion makes experiences of the everyday transparent for both aspects of an ultimate reality und motivates to a life full of resonance with this reality.
Apparent molar volumes of sodium arsenate aqueous solution from 283.15 K to 363.15 K at ambient pressure: an experimental and thermodynamic modeling study
Authors: Cui Wanjing , Hou Hongfang , Chen Jiaojiao , Guo Yafei , Meng Lingzong , Deng Tianlong
Published: January 2020

Densities of the sodium arsenate aqueous solution with the molality varied from (0.04165 to 0.37306) mol · kg−1 were determined experimentally at temperature intervals of 5 K from 283.15 K to 363.15 K and ambient pressure using a precise Anton Paar Digital vibrating-tube densimeter. The apparent molar volumes (V
ϕ

), thermal expansion coefficient (α) and partial molar volume

(

V
¯

B

)

$({\bar V_{\rm{B}}})$

were obtained based on the results of density measurement. The 3D diagram of apparent molar volume against temperature and molality as well as the diagram of thermal expansion coefficient and partial molar volume against molality were plotted, respectively. On the basis of the Pitzer ion-interaction equation of apparent molar volume model, the Pitzer single-salt parameters (

(

β

M,X

(
0
)
v

,

β

M,X

(
1
)
v

,
 

β

M,X

(
2
)
v

 and 

C

M,X

v

,
M
X
=
N

a
3

A
s

O
4

)

$(\beta _{{\rm{M,X}}}^{(0)v},\beta _{{\rm{M,X}}}^{(1)v},{\rm{ }}\beta _{{\rm{M,X}}}^{(2)v}{\rm{ and }}C_{{\rm{M,X}}}^v,MX = N{a_3}As{O_4})$

and their temperature-dependent correlation F(i, p, T) = a
1 + a
2ln(T/298.15) + a
3(T – 298.15) + a
4/(620 – T) + a
5/(T – 227) (where T is temperature in Kelvin, a
i

is the correlation coefficient) for Na3AsO4 were obtained on account of the least-squares method. Predictive apparent molar volumes agree well with the experimental values, and those results indicate that the single-salt parameters and their relational coefficients of temperature-dependence for Na3AsO4 obtained are reliable.
Meeting with social robots like the cat-cucumber meeting? An integrated model of human-robot first contact. Psychological perspective.
Authors: Maj Konrad , Zarzycki Pawel
Published: January 2020

People contacts with social robots, especially humanoid ones, are still rare. The vastness of research shows that we have cognitive relationships. Based on the studies in the field of social psychology, we propose an integrated theoretical model of developing cognitive category “social robot” and the mental model as a result of contact with the robot. We are discussing the consequences of this process, both social and personal, such as cognitive conflicts, unmet expectations and disappointments.
Collective expression: how robotic swarms convey information with group motion
Authors: St-Onge David , Levillain Florent , Zibetti Elisabetta , Beltrame Giovanni
Published: January 2020

When faced with the need of implementing a decentralized behavior for a group of collaborating robots, strategies inspired from swarm intelligence often avoid considering the human operator, granting the swarm with full autonomy. However, field missions require at least to share the output of the swarm to the operator. Unfortunately, little is known about the users’ perception of group behavior and dynamics, and there is no clear optimal interaction modality for swarms. In this paper, we focus on the movement of the swarm to convey information to a user: we believe that the interpretation of artificial states based on groups motion can lead to promising natural interaction modalities. We implement a grammar of decentralized control algorithms to explore their expressivity. We define the expressivity of a movement as a metric to measure how natural, readable, or easily understandable it may appear. We then correlate expressivity with the control parameters for the distributed behavior of the swarm. A first user study confirms the relationship between inter-robot distance, temporal and spatial synchronicity, and the perceived expressivity of the robotic system. We follow up with a small group of users tasked with the design of expressive motion sequences to convey internal states using our grammar of algorithms. We comment on their design choices and we assess the interpretation performance by a larger group of users. We show that some of the internal states were perceived as designed and discuss the parameters influencing the performance.
Erratum to “A receptionist robot for Brazilian people: study on interaction involving illiterates”
Authors: Trovato Gabriele , Ramos Josue G. , Azevedo Helio , Moroni Artemis , Magossi Silvia , Simmons Reid , Ishii Hiroyuki , Takanishi Atsuo
Published: January 2020

The original article was published in Paladyn, Journal of Behavioral Robotics, 2017, 8(1), 1-17, https://doi.org/10.1515/pjbr-2017-0001. The aim of this erratum is to report the results of a new analysis of the data.
Homogenous dispersion and interfacial bonding of carbon nanotube reinforced with aluminum matrix composite: A review
Authors: Hashim Hanizam , Salleh Mohd Shukor , Omar Mohd Zaidi
Published: January 2020

Recent developments in the field of carbon nanotube (CNT) have attracted attentions on a new development of aluminum matrix composite (AMC). Homogenous dispersion and interfacial bonding of CNT/metal matrix are the two main problems yet to have sound solutions. In general, to ensure uniform dispersion, the overall process can be divided into three steps: preprocessing, mixing and post processing. This paper summarizes previous works on solid and liquid processing techniques which some are more successful than others by looking at the improvement of the composite tensile strengths. On the other hand the interfacial bonding depends on the existance of Al4C3 phase and physical conditions of CNT. Both elements must be controlled for the optimized results. The review presented here would be used as references in the future works to fabricate higher strength CNT/aluminum composites.
Crystal-structure of active layers of small molecule organic photovoltaics before and after solvent vapor annealing
Authors: Berlinghof Marvin , Langner Stefan , Harreiß Christina , Schmidt Ella Mara , Siris Rita , Bertram Florian , Shen Chen , Will Johannes , Schindler Torben , Prihoda Annemarie , Rechberger Stefanie , Duesberg Georg S. , Neder Reinhard B. , Spiecker Erdmann , Brabec Christoph J. , Unruh Tobias
Published: January 2020

It is demonstrated by a detailed structural analysis that the crystallinity and the efficiency of small molecule based organic photovoltaics can be tuned by solvent vapor annealing (SVA). Blends made of the small molecule donor 2,2′-[(3,3′″,3″″,4′-tetraoctyl[2,2′:5′,2″:5″,2′″:5′″,2″″-quinquethiophene]-5,5″″-diyl)bis[(Z)-methylidyne(3-ethyl-4-oxo-5,2-thiazolidinediylidene)]]bis-propanedinitrile (DRCN5T) and the acceptor [6,6]-phenyl C71 butyric acid methyl ester (PC71BM) were annealed using solvent vapors with either a high solubility for the donor (tetrahydrofuran), the acceptor (carbon disulfide) or both (chloroform). The samples were analyzed by grazing-incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering (GIWAXS), electron diffraction, X-ray pole figures, and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). A phase separation of DRCN5T and PC71BM is induced by SVA leading to a crystallization of DRCN5T and the formation of a DRCN5T enriched layer. The DRCN5T crystallites possess the two dimensional oblique crystal system with the lattice parameters a = 19.2 Å, c = 27.1 Å, and β = 111.1° for the chloroform case. No major differences in the crystal structure for the other solvent vapors were observed. However, the solvent choice strongly influences the size of the DRCN5T enriched layer. Missing periodicity in the [010]-direction leads to the extinction of all Bragg reflections with k ≠ 0. The annealed samples are randomly orientated with respect to the normal of the substrate (fiber texture).
Scaling Up a Strengthened Youth-Friendly Service Delivery Model to Include Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives in Ethiopia: A Mixed Methods Retrospective Assessment
Authors: Fikree Fariyal F. , Zerihun Habtamu
Published: January 2020

Background:Donor funded projects are small scale and time limited, with gains that soon dissipate when donor funds end. This paper presents findings that sought to understand successes, challenges and barriers that influence the scaling up and sustainability of a tested, strengthened youth-friendly service (YFS) delivery model providing an expanded contraceptive method choice in one location – the YFS unit – with additional units in Amhara and Tigray, Ethiopia.Methods:This retrospective mixed methods study included interviews with key informants (KIs) (qualitative arm) and analysis of family planning (FP) uptake statistics extracted from the sampled health facilities (quantitative arm). A multistage convenience purposive sampling technique was adopted to randomly select 8 health facilities aligned with respective woredas, zones and regional health bureaus (RHBs). A semi-structured interview guide soliciting information on 6 scaling-up elements (stakeholder engagement, roles and responsibility, policy environment, financial resources, quality of voluntary FP services and data availability and use) guided the interviews. Fifty-six KI interviews were conducted with policy-makers, program managers, and clinic staff. Recurring themes were triangulated across administrative levels and implementing partners. Relevant FP data (acceptor status, age and method uptake) were extracted from the 8 sampled health facilities for a thirteen-month period. Qualitative findings triangulated with FP service statistics assessed the influence of the 6 scaling-up elements with trends in long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) uptake before and after training.Results:Our findings depict that respondents were knowledgeable and supportive of an expanded method mix. Statistically significant increases in long-acting contraceptive uptake were noted at 2 of the 8 health centers. Fidelity to the tested model was operationally constrained; respondents frequently mentioned trained staff absences and turnover as obstacles in offering quality FP services.Conclusion:Despite conducive policy environment, supportive stakeholders, favorable environment, and financial support for trainings, statistically significant increases in LARC uptake occurred at only 2 of the 8 health centers; indicating the influence of weak health systems, poor quality of voluntary FP services and a ceiling effect. Scale-up processes must consider potential bottlenecks of weak health systems and availability of financial resources by addressing these as crucial elements in any systematic scale-up framework.
Long-term Care Financing: Inserting Politics and Resource Allocation in the Debate Comment on "Financing Long-term Care: Lessons From Japan"
Authors: Gori Cristiano
Published: January 2020

The ageing of the countries’ populations, and in particular the growing number of the very old, is increasing the need for long-term care (LTC). Not surprisingly, therefore, the financing of LTC systems has become a crucial topic across the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). In the last three decades, various financing policies have been carried out in different countries and the related international debate has grown. The latter has so far focused mostly on the different alternatives to collect economic resources to pay for care. The international debate needs now to focus also on other issues, so far less discussed. One is the politics of LTC: the degree and nature of the political interest in LTC, that affects the size and profile of public financing. The other is resource allocation: how different services and benefits are distributed among people with different care needs, that determines if resources made available are optimized. If we do not pay more attention to these issues – inextricably connected to policies aimed to collect funds – our understanding of LTC financing will remain inevitably limited.