bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Blood Pressure Control and the Association With Diabetes Mellitus Incidence
Authors: Roumie Christianne L. , Hung Adriana M. , Russell Gregory B. , Basile Jan , Kreider Kathryn Evans , Nord John , Ramsey Thomas M. , Rastogi Anjay , Sweeney Mary Ellen , Tamariz Leonardo , Kostis William J. , Williams Jonathan S. , Zias Athena , Cushman William C. ,   for the SPRINT Research Group
Published: December 2019

The SPRINT (Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial) demonstrated reduced cardiovascular outcomes. We evaluated diabetes mellitus incidence in this randomized trial that compared intensive blood pressure strategy (systolic blood pressure <120 mm Hg) versus standard strategy (<140 mm Hg). Participants were ≥50 years of age, with systolic 130 to 180 mm Hg and increased cardiovascular risk. Participants were excluded if they had diabetes mellitus, polycystic kidney disease, proteinuria >1 g/d, heart failure, dementia, or stroke. Postrandomization exclusions included participants missing blood glucose or ≥126 mg/dL (6.99 mmol/L) or on hypoglycemics. The outcome was incident diabetes mellitus: fasting blood glucose ≥126 mg/dL (6.99 mmol/L), diabetes mellitus self-report, or new use of hypoglycemics. The secondary outcome was impaired fasting glucose (100–125 mg/dL [5.55–6.94 mmol/L]) among those with normoglycemia (<100 mg/dL [5.55 mmol/L]). There were 9361 participants randomized and 981 excluded, yielding 4187 and 4193 participants assigned to intensive and standard strategies. There were 299 incident diabetes mellitus events (2.3% per year) for intensive and 251 events (1.9% per year) for standard, rates of 22.6 (20.2–25.3) versus 19.0 (16.8–21.5) events per 1000 person-years of treatment, respectively (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.19 [95% CI, 0.95–1.49]). Impaired fasting glucose rates were 26.4 (24.9–28.0) and 22.5 (21.1–24.1) per 100 person-years for intensive and standard strategies (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.17 [1.06–1.30]). Intensive treatment strategy was not associated with increased diabetes mellitus but was associated with more impaired fasting glucose. The risks and benefits of intensive blood pressure targets should be factored into individualized patient treatment goals.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01206062.
TLR4 (Toll-Like Receptor 4) Mediates the Development of Intracranial Aneurysm Rupture
Authors: Mitsui Kazuha , Ikedo Taichi , Kamio Yoshinobu , Furukawa Hajime , Lawton Michael T. , Hashimoto Tomoki
Published: December 2019

Inflammation is emerging as a critical factor in the pathophysiology of intracranial aneurysm. TLR4 (toll-like receptor 4) contributes not only to the innate immune responses but also to the inflammatory processes associated with vascular disease. Therefore, we examined the contribution of the TLR4 pathway to the development of the rupture of intracranial aneurysm. We used a mouse model of intracranial aneurysm. TLR4 inhibition significantly reduced the development of aneurysmal rupture. In addition, the rupture rate and levels of proinflammatory cytokines were lower in TLR4 knockout mice than the control littermates. Macrophage/monocyte-specific TLR4 knockout mice had a lower rupture rate than the control littermate mice. Moreover, the deficiency of MyD88 (myeloid differentiation primary-response protein 88), a key mediator of TLR4, reduced the rupture rate. These findings suggest that the TLR4 pathway promotes the development of intracranial aneurysmal rupture by accelerating inflammation in aneurysmal walls. Inhibition of the TLR4 pathway in inflammatory cells may be a promising approach for the prevention of aneurysmal rupture and subsequent subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Zhao Yan-Ci , Zhao Guo-Jun , Chen Ze , She Zhi-Gang , Cai Jingjing , Li Hongliang
Published: December 2019

Hypertension, a multifactorial disorder resulting from the interplay between genetic predisposition and environmental risk factors, affects ≈30% of adults. Emerging evidence has shown that nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), as an underestimated metabolic abnormality, is strongly associated with an increased risk of incident prehypertension and hypertension. However, the role of NAFLD in the development of hypertension is still obscure and is highly overlooked by the general public. Herein, we highlight the epidemiological evidence and putative mechanisms focusing on the emerging roles of NAFLD in hypertension, with the purpose of reinforcing the notion that NAFLD may serve as an independent risk factor and an important driving force in the development and progression of hypertension. Finally, we also briefly summarize the current potential treatments for NAFLD that might also be beneficial approaches against hypertension.
Interaction Between Slow Wave Sleep and Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Prevalent Hypertension
Authors: Ren Rong , Covassin Naima , Zhang Ye , Lei Fei , Yang Linghui , Zhou Junying , Tan Lu , Li Taomei , Li Yun , Shi Jie , Lu Lin , Somers Virend K. , Tang Xiangdong
Published: December 2019

Due to frequent abnormal breathing events and their effects on sleep architecture, patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) exhibit decreased amounts of slow wave sleep (SWS). Reduced SWS has been linked to hypertension in community-based studies. We sought to investigate whether SWS percentage modifies the association between OSA and prevalent hypertension. We studied 7107 patients with OSA and 1118 primary snorers who underwent in-laboratory polysomnography. Patients were classified into quartiles of percent SWS. Hypertension was defined based either on clinic blood pressure measures or on physician diagnosis. Multivariable logistic regression model showed a significant interaction effect of OSA and SWS on prevalent hypertension (
P
=0.002). Decreased SWS was associated with higher odds for hypertension in OSA but not in primary snoring, with patients with OSA exhibiting <0.1% SWS (OR, 1.44 [95% CI, 1.21–1.70];
P
=0.001) and those with 0.1% to 4.8% SWS (OR, 1.20 [95% CI, 1.03–1.40];
P
=0.02) being more likely to have hypertension compared with those with >11.1% SWS. In analysis stratified by OSA severity, significant associations between percent SWS and blood pressure emerged only in moderate and severe OSA. Effect modifications by sex (
P
=0.040) and age (
P
=0.007) were also only evident in OSA, indicating that decreased SWS was associated with hypertension only in men and in patients <60 years old. Decreased SWS is associated with a dose-dependent increase in odds of prevalent hypertension in patients with OSA. The effects of SWS are likely to be modulated by OSA severity. SWS may be implicated in the heightened risk of cardiovascular diseases exhibited by patients with OSA.
Change in NT-proBNP (N-Terminal Pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptide) Level and Risk of Dementia in Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)
Authors: Ostovaneh Mohammad R. , Moazzami Kasra , Yoneyama Kihei , A. Venkatesh Bharath , Heckbert Susan R. , Wu Colin O. , Shea Steven , Post Wendy S. , Fitzpatrick Annette L. , Burke Gregory L. , Bahrami Hossein , Sanchez Otto A. , Daniels Lori B. , Michos Erin D. , Bluemke David A. , Lima João A.C.
Published: December 2019

Cross-sectionally measured NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide) is related to incident dementia. However, data linking changes in NT-proBNP to risk of future dementia are lacking. We aimed to examine the association of change in NT-proBNP over 3.2 years with incident dementia. We included 4563 participants in MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) prospective cohort who were free of cardiovascular disease at enrollment, had NT-proBNP level measured at MESA exams 1 (baseline, 2000–2002) and 3 (2004–2005), and had no diagnosis of dementia before exam 3. The association of change in NT-proBNP level between MESA exams 1 through 3 and all-cause hospitalized dementia (by
International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision
, codes) after MESA exam 3 (2004–2005) through 2015 was assessed using competing-risks Cox proportional hazard regression analysis. During 45 522 person-years of follow-up, 223 dementia cases were documented. Increase in log-NT-proBNP from MESA exams 1 through 3 was positively associated with incidence of dementia (multivariable hazard ratio, 1.28 [95% CI, 1.001–1.64];
P
=0.049). An increase of at least 25% in NT-proBNP level from MESA exam 1 through 3 was associated with a 55% (
P
=0.02) increase in the risk of dementia in multivariable analysis. Addition of temporal NT-proBNP change to a model including risk factors and baseline NT-proBNP improved the prediction of dementia (Harrell C statistic from 0.85 to 0.87,
P
=0.049). Increase in NT-proBNP is independently associated with future all-cause hospitalized dementia and offers a moderately better predictive performance for risk of dementia compared with risk factors and baseline NT-proBNP.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00005487.
High Blood Pressure and Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Fuchs Flávio D. , Whelton Paul K.
Published: December 2019

Fragmented investigation has masked the overall picture for causes of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Among the risk factors for CVD, high blood pressure (BP) is associated with the strongest evidence for causation and it has a high prevalence of exposure. Biologically, normal levels of BP are considerably lower than what has typically been characterized as normal in research and clinical practice. We propose that CVD is primarily caused by a right-sided shift in the population distribution of BP. Our view that BP is the predominant risk factor for CVD is based on conceptual postulates that have been tested in observational investigations and clinical trials. Large cohort studies have demonstrated that high BP is an important risk factor for heart failure, atrial fibrillation, chronic kidney disease, heart valve diseases, aortic syndromes, and dementia, in addition to coronary heart disease and stroke. In multivariate modeling, the presumed attributable risk of high BP for stroke and coronary heart disease has increased steadily with progressive use of lower values for normal BP. Meta-analysis of BP-lowering randomized controlled trials has demonstrated a benefit which is almost identical to that predicted from BP risk relationships in cohort studies. Prevention of age-related increases in BP would, in large part, reduce the vascular consequences usually attributed to aging, and together with intensive treatment of established hypertension would eliminate a large proportion of the population burden of BP-related CVD.
Repeated Endovascular Thrombectomy in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Pirson France Anne Victoire , van Oostenbrugge Robert J. , van Zwam Wim H. , Remmers Michel J.M. , Dippel Diederik W.J. , van Es Adriaan C.G.M. , van den Wijngaard Ido R. , Schonewille Wouter J. , Staals Julie
Published: December 2019

Background and Purpose—

Patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with endovascular thrombectomy may be treated with repeat endovascular thrombectomy (rEVT) in case of recurrent large vessel occlusion. Data on safety and efficacy of these interventions is scarce. Our aim is to report on frequency, timing, and outcome of rEVT in a large nation-wide multicenter registry.

Methods—

In the Netherlands, all patients with endovascular thrombectomy have been registered since 2002 (MR CLEAN Pretrial registry, MR CLEAN Trial [Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke in the Netherlands], and MR CLEAN Registry). We retrospectively reviewed these databases for anterior circulation rEVT cases. Patient characteristics, procedural data, and functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale at 90 days) were analyzed.

Results—

Of 3928 patients treated between 2002 and 2017, 27 (0.7%) underwent rEVT. Median time between first and second procedure was 78 (1–1122) days; 11/27 patients were re-treated within 30 days. Cardioembolism was the most common etiology (18 patients [67%]). In 19 patients (70%), recurrent occlusion occurred ipsilateral to previous occlusion. At 90 days after rEVT procedure, 44% of the patients had achieved functional independence (modified Rankin Scale score of 0–2), and 33% had died. Adverse events were 2/27 (7.4%) intracranial hemorrhage, 1/27 (3.7%) stroke progression, and 1/27 (3.7%) pneumonia.

Conclusions—

In this large nationwide cohort of patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with endovascular thrombectomy, rEVT was rare. Stroke cause was mainly cardio-embolic, and most recurrent large vessel occlusions in which rEVT was performed occurred ipsilateral. Although there probably is a selection bias on repeated treatment in case of recurrent large vessel occlusion, rEVT appears safe, with similar outcome as in single-treated cases.
Brachemys (Atelestodes) minotaurus sp.n., a new coastal Malachiidae (Coleoptera) from Crete
Authors: HERNANDO CARLES , RIBERA IGNACIO
Published: December 2019

A new species of the costal genus Brachemys Abeille de Perrin, 1890 is described from Crete, B. minotaurus n.sp. (Coleoptera, Malachiidae). The species is included in the subgenus Atelestodes Abeille de Perrin, 1890 due to the lack of modified protarsi, although the subgeneric classification of Brachemys may need to be revised. Specimens of the new species were found running on bare rock in the supralittoral zone, bearing a striking resemblance to ants.
A new species in the grass feeding leafhopper genus Hecalus Stål from Pakistan (Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae: Hecalini)
Authors: NAVEED HASSAN , ISLAM WAQAR , SOHAIL KAMRAN , ZHANG YALIN
Published: December 2019

A new leafhopper species Hecalus rawalakotensis sp. nov. is described and illustrated from Rawalakot, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. A key is provided to distinguish all species in this genus from Pakistan.
Performance of resistance in Croatia: A chronotopic review from the 1990s onwards
Authors: Marjanić Suzana
Published: December 2019

Performance of resistance in Croatia: A chronotopic review from the 1990s onwardsI follow the performance of resistance in performance art in Croatia from the 1990s – i.e. from the disintegration of Yugoslavia – in correlation with the visibility of the performance of resistance in public spaces, with an emphasis on the individual guerrilla action by Igor Grubić (1998), which is considered the first action and provocation in Croatia of the 1990s that was triggered by civic self-initiative. Due to socialist legacy and the war, it was only in 1998 that an action could occur in Croatia that would be as powerful action in terms of media influence as had been the case in the revolutionary year of 1968 in Yugoslavia with the action Red Peristyle, upon the aura of which Grubić’s Black Peristyle was built. I conclude this review of the performance of resistance in Croatia from the 1990s onwards with the story of Black Nylon Peristyle as the civic performative reaction on the occasion of the accession of Croatia to the EU. Thereby I follow chronotopically the performance of resistance in Croatia between 1998 and 2013 (and partly further, up to and including 2017) with regard to the performative centres, placing the starting and endpoint in Split i.e. Peristyle as the art forum of the performance of resistance in Croatia. Performans oporu w Chorwacji. Przegląd chronotopiczny od lat 90.W artykule prześledzono performans oporu w sztuce performansu w Chorwacji od lat dziewięćdziesiątych, tj. od rozpadu Jugosławii – w odniesieniu do kwestii widzialności performansu oporu w sferze publicznej. Akcent został położony na indywidualnej akcji partyzanckiej Igora Grubicia (1998), uważanej za pierwszą akcję i pierwszą prowokację jako przejaw inicjatywy obywatelskiej w Chorwacji w latach dziewięćdziesiątych. W związku z panującą wojną i trwającym okresem postsocjalizmu dopiero w 1998 roku w Chorwacji miało miejsce działanie, które pod względem medialnym było porównywalne do rewolucyjnego roku 1968 w Jugosławii, kiedy to odbyła się interwencja Czerwony Perystyl, do której odnosiło się przedsięwzięcie Grubicia – Czarny Perystyl. Przegląd performansów oporu w Chorwacji od lat dziewięćdziesiątych zamykam opowieścią o Czarnym Nylonowym Perystylu jako obywatelskiej reakcji performatywnej na przystąpienie Chorwacji do Unii Europejskiej. Tym samym śledzę w sposób chronotopiczny performans oporu w Chorwacji w latach 1998–2013 (i częściowo dalej, aż do roku 2017) z uwzględnieniem centrów performatywnych, umieszczając punkt początkowy i końcowy w Splicie, a dokładnie na Perystylu jako artystycznym forum performansu oporu w Chorwacji.
“The yellow duck” attacks: An analysis of the activities of the “Ne da(vi)mo Beograd” initiative in the Serbian public space
Authors: Domachowska Agata
Published: December 2019

“The yellow duck” attacks: An analysis of the activities of the “Ne da(vi)mo Beograd” initiative in the Serbian public spaceThe main aim of the paper is to present the performative dimension of activities undertaken by the “Ne da(vi)mo Beograd” Initiative. The Initiative’s actions, which initially concerned opposition to the “Belgrade on Water” project, turned into a regular political campaign. These activities clearly illustrate contemporary ways of managing civil opposition, as well as performative practices aimed at creating a civil society. The focus is on verbal and non-verbal practices of expressing resistance, as well as strategies for building a sense of community among the participants of the Initiative’s gatherings. „Żółta kaczka” atakuj. Aanaliza działalności inicjatywy „Ne da(vi)mo Beograd” w serbskiej przestrzeni publicznejCelem artykułu jest przedstawienie performatywnego wymiaru działań podejmowanych przez inicjatywę „Ne da(vi)mo Beograd”. Akcje inicjatywy, początkowo związane ze sprzeciwem wobec projektu „Belgrad na wodzie”, przerodziły się w regularną kampanię polityczną. Działania te dobrze ilustrują współczesne sposoby zarządzania sprzeciwem obywatelskim, a także praktyki performatywne mające na celu tworzenie społeczeństwa obywatelskiego. W centrum zainteresowania znajdują się werbalne i niewerbalne praktyki wyrażania oporu, a także strategie budowania poczucia wspólnotowości wśród uczestników zgromadzeń organizowanych przez inicjatywę.
Memory in action – Performative practices in a dispute about the past: Serbia and Croatia at the turn of the 20th and 21st century
Authors: Giergiel Sabina , Taczyńska Katarzyna
Published: December 2019

Memory in action – Performative practices in a dispute about the past: Serbia and Croatia at the turn of the 20th and 21st centuryThe article is an attempt to combine in one reflection the elements of two directions of critical thinking: discursive and performative. The starting point of the analysis is the assumption (derived from beliefs common in pre-performative times) that every space (including a city’s territory) can be treated as a text. This means that both static artifacts and activities in a given space communicate a certain message and can be seen as signs or symbols that refer to something outside of them. Our reflection focuses on practices in which the performative potential is fully revealed and which can be interpreted as a kind of rebellion against the present reality and official policies of memory. The analyzed activities are understood here as symbolic and cultural practices and aim to introduce changes on several levels: to change the historical consciousness of community members; to affect the nuances and expansion of national memory (in this case Serbian or Croatian); to modify the nature of memory. We are interested in interventions that are usually undertaken by persons or groups located on the outskirts of the system of power. Pamięć w działaniu – praktyki performatywne w sporze o przeszłość. Serbia i Chorwacja na przełomie XX i XXI wiekuArtykuł stanowi próbę połączenia we wspólnej refleksji elementów dwóch kierunków myślenia krytycznego: dyskursywnego i performatywnego. Punktem wyjścia rozważań jest wywodzące się z przekonań patronujących czasom przedperformatywnym założenie, że każdą przestrzeń (w tym terytorium miasta) można traktować jako tekst. Oznacza to, że zarówno statyczne artefakty, jak i odbywające się w przestrzeni aktywne działania komunikują pewien przekaz i można je rozpatrywać jako znaki bądź symbole odsyłające do czegoś, co jest poza nimi. Nasza refleksja koncentruje się na praktykach, w których z całą mocą ujawnia się potencjał performatywny i które można odczytywać jako rodzaj buntu wobec zastanej rzeczywistości i obowiązujących polityk pamięci. Analizowane działania rozumiane są tutaj jako praktyki symboliczno-kulturowe, które stawiają sobie za cel wprowadzenie przekształceń na kilku poziomach: zmianę świadomości historycznej członków społeczności; wpłynięcie na zniuansowanie i poszerzenie pamięci narodowej (w tym wypadku serbskiej czy chorwackiej); modyfikację charakteru pamięci. Interesują nas interwencje podejmowane zwykle przez osoby bądź grupy sytuujące się na obrzeżach systemu władzy.
Bulgarian affairs in the second half of the 19th c. in Polish historiography since 1989
Authors: Cetnarowicz Antoni , Popek Krzysztof
Published: December 2019

Bulgarian affairs in the second half of the 19th c. in Polish historiography since 1989In this article, we present an overview of research topics concerning the history of Bulgaria in the second half of the 19th c. and early 20th c. that have appeared in Polish historiography since 1989. We adopted the timeframe of 1848–1908. The two dates are not only of key importance for the history of Europe and Slavdom, but also for Bulgarians. 1848 was the year which saw the birth of Hristo Botev, one of the most prominent Bulgarian poets and national revival activists, while in 1908 Bulgaria officially declared its independence and the beginning of the third empire. We wanted to avoid writing historiographical overview articles which consist only of dry bibliographical lists and focus on the most important research trends which can be observed in the field of Polish studies on Bulgaria in the second half of the 19th c. Sprawy bułgarskie w drugiej połowie XIX wieku w polskiej historiografii po 1989 rokuW niniejszym artykule zostanie przeprowadzony przegląd tematów badawczych dotyczących historii Bułgarii w drugiej połowie XIX i na początku XX wieku, pojawiający się w polskiej historiografii po 1989 roku. Jako cezurę czasową przyjęto lata 1848–1908. Obie te daty mają nie tylko kluczowe znaczenie dla dziejów Europy i Słowiańszczyzny, ale także Bułgarów. W 1848 roku urodził się Christo Botew, jeden z czołowych bułgarskich poetów oraz działaczy odrodzeniowych, w 1908 roku zaś Bułgaria oficjalnie ogłosiła niepodległość i początek trzeciego carstwa. Autorzy chcieli zerwać z historiograficznymi artykułami przeglądowymi opartymi na suchym wymienianiu pozycji bibliograficznych, a skupić się na najważniejszych nurtach badawczych, tendencjach oraz zjawiskach, widocznych na polu polskich badań nad Bułgarią w drugiej połowie XIX wieku.
Vilnius archipelago: Performative walks around this performative city
Authors: Kasner Małgorzata
Published: December 2019

Vilnius archipelago: Performative walks around this performative cityThe present study deals with the performative memory of a city, namely modern Vilnius, the capital of the Republic of Lithuania. The difficult past of Vilnius that is shared by other eastern and central European cities and is marked by the bitter legacy of the “city of changed blood” (Pl. “miasto o wymienionej krwi”, a notion introduced by M. Lewicka) has been subjected to a number of changes effected by modernity and dynamic Europeanization at the turn of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. The confrontation between the past and modernity has resulted in serious social and national problems (e.g. Polish–Lithuanian relations) dating to the early as well as the most recent history of Lithuania and its capital. Having experienced various totalitarian regimes, Vilnius is an interesting example of the redefining of the memory of the space of a city at a time of a changing political system; it is also an example of the establishing of a hierarchy of new values and symbols. Vilnius is also a cultural hybrid resulting from long-lasting transgressions. However, a comprehensive account of its history still remains utopian. Drawing on the #skaitomevilniu (‘We read Vilnius’) project that was carried out in Vilnius in 2016–2017 and which adopted a performative perspective, the author of the present study attempts to describe a city that is constantly becoming. Archipelag Wilno. O performatywnym chodzeniu po performatywnym mieścieNiniejszy artykuł został poświęcony problematyce performatywnej pamięci miasta na przykładzie współczesnego Wilna, stolicy Republiki Litewskiej. Skomplikowana, choć tak charakterystyczna dla miast Europy Środkowo-Wschodniej, przeszłość Wilna, naznaczona bolesnym dziedzictwem „miasta o wymienionej krwi” (pojęcie M. Lewickiej), zderzyła się na przełomie XX i XXI wieku z pełną zmian nowoczesnością i pośpieszną europeizacją. Ta konfrontacja stała się źródłem poważnych problemów społecznych i narodowych (w tym relacji polsko-litewskich), których korzenie sięgają zarówno najodleglejszych, jak i nowszych dziejów Litwy i jej stolicy. Wilno jako miasto silnie nacechowane doświadczeniem totalitaryzmów jest ciekawym przykładem ilustrującym proces redefiniowania pamięci przestrzeni miasta w okresie transformacji ustrojowej oraz ustanawiania nowej hierarchii wartości i symboli. Jest także kulturową hybrydą będącą efektem wielowiekowych transgresji, której całościowy opis pozostaje ciągle badawczą utopią. Autorka artykułu podejmuje próbę opisu miasta, które „ciągle się staje”, na przykładzie realizowanego w Wilnie w latach 2016–2017 projektu #skaitomevilniu (pol. Czytamy Wilno) z zastosowaniem perspektywy performatywnej.
Cywilizacja Majów w nowych formach muzealnych. O przywłaszczaniu prekolumbijskiego dziedzictwa na rzecz meksykańskiej kultury narodowej
Authors: Biernacka Maja Magdalena
Published: December 2019

The Maya civilization in new forms of museum exposition. Appropriation of pre-Columbian heritage for the benefit of Mexican national cultureThe article is dedicated to the reconstruction and reinterpretation of pre-Columbian heritage by Mexican museums, with a special focus on the Maya civilization which is a permanent feature of the Mexican imagery and an object of artistic fascination. Characteristic of the history of the Yucatan, it is subject to symbolic manipulation and subordinated to the national culture. This is accompanied by the processes of its banalization, folklorization and commercialization which are facilitated by new audiovisual forms. References to the heritage are selective and the images are transformed and adjusted in order to develop apprehensible artistic products for the general public. Cywilizacja Majów w nowych formach muzealnych. O przywłaszczaniu prekolumbijskiego dziedzictwa na rzecz meksykańskiej kultury narodowejArtykuł poświęcony jest współczesnym działaniom w Meksyku w zakresie rekonstrukcji oraz reinterpretacji znaczenia spuścizny prekolumbijskiej dla kultury narodowej tego kraju, na przykładzie muzealnictwa. Chodzi zwłaszcza o dziedzictwo Majów, które jest trwałym elementem meksykańskiego imaginarium i obiektem artystycznej fascynacji. Charakterystyczne dla historii Jukatanu i jego ludności tubylczej, podlega ono zabiegom przywłaszczania na rzecz kultury narodowej, tj. podporządkowywania jako integralnej jej części. Towarzyszą temu procesy banalizacji, folkloryzacji oraz komercjalizacji spuścizny Majów, czego przykładem są nowe formy ekspozycyjne. Odniesienia do dziedzictwa mają charakter selektywny, obrazy traktowane są wybiórczo, adaptowane i poddawane obróbce audiowizualnej w celu wypracowania łatwych w odbiorze produktów artystycznych dla masowego odbiorcy, łączących w sposób swobodny przeszłość ze współczesnością.
Rewolucja oczami Wandei
Authors: Stępniewska Joanna
Published: December 2019

Revolution seen through the eyes of VendéeThis paper aims at reviewing a publication entitled "The Franco-French Genocide. Vendée – the Department of Vengeance" by Reynald Secher. The book touches on the issue of fights between the Republicans and peasants opposing the regime of the revolutionaries. This event’s history has been hushed up. Moreover, it has effectively been removed from the national narrative. Reynald Secher propagates the process of reminding us of those facts. In this review, information on the fights will be contrasted with theories presented by other historians in order to make the reader aware of the whole process’s complexity and of many persistent inaccuracies.Materials collected by the author will be subjected to our analysis. Due to the reconstruction of events by eye-witnesses, previously an underestimated but abundant source of knowledge, the author has learned the truth about the acts of the revolutionary heroes. In Secher's work, the accuracy with which he presents all the issues becomes equally important.Special attention should be paid to the very word “genocide” and its associations. Indeed, the work is not focused on carnage. Instead, it plays a part both as a reminder that carnage did take place, and a presentation of reasons for its occurrence. Rewolucja oczami WandeiNiniejsza praca ma na celu zrecenzowanie publikacji „Ludobójstwo francusko-francuskie. Wandea - Departament Zemsty” Reynalda Sechera. Książka dotyczy walk między republikanami oraz chłopami sprzeciwiającymi się rządom rewolucjonistów. Historia o tym zdarzeniu została wyciszona i skutecznie usunięta z narracji narodowej. Reynald Secher propaguje proces „odpamiętnienie” tamtejszych wydarzeń. W niniejszej recenzji informacje na temat walk zostaną skontrastowane z teoriami prezentowanymi przez innych historyków, aby uświadomić czytelnikowi złożoność całego procesu oraz o wielu wciąż istniejących nieścisłościach.Analizie poddane zostaną zebrane przez autora materiały. Dzięki rekonstrukcji zdarzeń oczami bezpośrednich świadków wydarzeń, będącymi dotąd niedocenioną skarbnicą wiedzy, autor poznał prawdę o czynach bohaterów rewolucji. W pracy Sechera równie ważna staje się szczegółowość, z jaką przedstawia wszystkie elementy.Szczególną uwagę należy przyłożyć do samego słowa „ludobójstwo” i konotacji z nim związanych. Sednem pracy nie jest bowiem przedstawienie rzezi, ale przypomnienie, że miała ona miejsce i zaprezentowanie powodów jej zaistnienia.
Jews and social transformations in Polesie in the works of Józef Obrębski
Authors: Hruntou Siarhei
Published: December 2019

Jews and social transformations in Polesie in the works of Józef ObrębskiThe article studies the place of Jews in the work of J. Obrębski about Polesie. They were an important part of his Polesie society triangle model. The model proved to be an effective instrument for the study of Polesie society but imposed noticeable restrictions on the author's understanding of the role of the Jews in Polesie. This functional analyses-based model helped Obrębski to show Jews as an extremely important mediatory element in the life of the Polesie society. But at the same time, it limited his understanding of the Jewish community mainly to this sole role. The article shows that the reason for this disbalance is not only the author's methods but also sources he used to get information about the Jewish life in the region. Żydzi a przemiany społeczne na Polesiu w pracach Józefa ObrębskiegoArtykuł analizuje miejsce Żydów w poświęconych Polesiu pracach J. Obrębskiego. Stanowili oni istotny składnik w jego trójelementowym modelu społeczeństwa. Model ten sprawdził się jako skuteczne narzędzie badawcze w odniesieniu do społeczności Polesia, zarazem jednak wyraźnie ograniczył autorskie rozumienie ról pełnionych przez Żydów w regionie. Dzięki temu funkcjonalnemu, wywiedzionemu z analiz modelowi Obrębski ukazał Żydów jako czynnik mediacyjny, niezwykle istotny w życiu społecznym Polesia. Jednocześnie model ten zawęził jego rozumienie społeczności żydowskiej głównie do tej właśnie roli. Artykuł pokazuje, że przyczyna tej dysproporcji leży nie tylko w metodzie autora, lecz także w charakterze źródeł, z których czerpał informacje o żydowskim życiu w regionie.
‘Stranded Pakistanis’ in Bangladesh – victims of political divisions of 70 years ago
Authors: Kuczkiewicz-Fraś Agnieszka
Published: December 2019

‘Stranded Pakistanis’ in Bangladesh – victims of political divisions of 70 years agoNearly 300 000 Urdu-speaking Muslims, coming mostly from India’s Bihar, live today in Bangladesh, half of them in the makeshift camps maintained by the Bangladeshi government. After the division of the Subcontinent in 1947 they migrated to East Bengal (from 1955 known as East Pakistan), despite stronger cultural and linguistic ties (they were Urdu, not Bengali, speakers) connecting them with West Pakistan. In 1971, after East Pakistan became independent and Bangladesh was formed, these so-called ‘Biharis’ were placed by the authorities of the newly formed republic in the camps, from which they were supposed – and they hoped – to be relocated to Pakistan. However, over the next 20 years, only a small number of these people has actually been transferred. The rest of them are still inhabiting slum-like camps in former East Bengal, deprived of any citizenship and all related rights (to work, education, health care, insurance, etc.). The governments of Pakistan and Bangladesh consistently refuse to take responsibility for their fate, incapable of making any steps that would eventually solve the complex problem of these people, also known as ‘stranded Pakistanis.’ The article explains historical and political factors that were responsible for the fate of ‘Biharis’ and presents their current legal situation in Bangladesh. „Opuszczeni Pakistańczycy” w Bangladeszu - ofiary podziałów politycznych sprzed 70 latW prowizorycznych obozach utrzymywanych przez rząd Bangladeszu żyje do dziś blisko pół miliona muzułmanów z indyjskiego Biharu, którzy po podziale subkontynentu w 1947 roku wyemigrowali do Bengalu Wschodniego (później: Pakistanu Wschodniego), pomimo silniejszych więzi kulturowych i językowych (posługują się językiem urdu) łączących ich z Pakistanem Zachodnim. W 1971 roku po uniezależnieniu się Pakistanu Wschodniego i utworzeniu Bangladeszu, około 300-tysięczna grupa Biharczyków została zamknięta przez władze nowo powstałej republiki w obozach, z których następnie miała zostać relokowana do Pakistanu. Jednak w kolejnych 20 latach zaledwie część tych osób została rzeczywiście przesiedlona. Pozostali, pozbawieni obywatelstwa i wszystkich wiążących się z tym uprawnień (np. do pracy, edukacji, ochrony zdrowia, ubezpieczenia itd.), wciąż zamieszkują przypominające slumsy obozy na terenie byłego Bengalu Wschodniego, zaś rządy Pakistanu, Indii i Bangladeszu wzajemnie przerzucają na siebie odpowiedzialność za ich losy, niezdolne do poczynienia jakichkolwiek kroków, które pozwoliłyby ostatecznie rozwiązać skomplikowany problem tzw. opuszczonych Pakistańczyków (ang. stranded Pakistanis). Artykuł wyjaśnia czynniki historyczne i polityczne, które były odpowiedzialne za los „Biharczyków”, oraz przedstawia ich obecną sytuację prawną w Bangladeszu.
Advancing Women’s Political Rights in Africa: The Promise and Potential of ACDEG
Authors: Abdulmelik Nebila , Belay Tsion
Published: December 2019

This paper places women at the centre of analysis, examining the potential and promise of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG) in the advancement of women’s political rights. This is a highly under-researched topic, necessitating a mapping of the current political landscape for women and an understanding of how ACDEG addresses these challenges as well as provides opportunities for advancing women’s political participation. This paper argues that ACDEG provides a good basis and framework to operate from for member states – some of whom already have suitable policies, and more importantly suitable practices, in place that emerge from a range of normative frameworks, including the Maputo Protocol. ACDEG complements these frameworks and makes a further case for women’s full and meaningful participation in public and private life by obligating states to take concrete steps to guarantee women’s political rights. Considering this, the paper identifies prospects for women’s rights activists and organisations to invoke ACDEG and monitor its implementation in the move towards the realisation of African women’s political rights.
Vibrational Stark Spectroscopy of Fluorobenzene Using Quantum Cascade Laser Dual Frequency Combs
Authors: Szczepaniak Urszula , Schneider Samuel Hayes , Horvath Raphael , Kozuch Jacek , Geiser Markus
Published: December 2019

We demonstrate the performance of a dual frequency comb quantum cascade laser (QCL) spectrometer for the application of vibrational Stark spectroscopy. Measurements performed on fluorobenzene with the dual-comb spectrometer (DCS) were compared to results obtained using a conventional Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) instrument in terms of spectral response, parameter estimation, and signal-to-noise ratio (S/N). The dual-comb spectrometer provided similar qualitative and quantitative data as the FT-IR setup in 250 times shorter acquisition time. For fluorobenzene, the DCS measurement resulted in a more precise estimation of the fluorobenzene Stark tuning rate ((0.81 ± 0.09) cm−1/(MV/cm)) than with the FT-IR system ((0.89 ± 0.15) cm−1/(MV/cm)). Both values are in accordance with the previously reported value of 0.84 cm−1/(MV/cm). We also point to an improvement of signal-to-noise ratio in the DCS configuration. Additional characteristics of the dual-comb spectrometer applicable to vibrational Stark spectroscopy and their scaling properties for future applications are discussed.
Telling Medical Professionals About Victimization by Intimate Partner: Analysis of Women Surviving Intimate Partner Violence
Authors: Cheng Tyrone C. , Lo Celia C.
Published: December 2019

This study investigated factors in women’s disclosure of intimate partner violence (IPV) to medical professionals. Its sample of 3,226 women surviving IPV was extracted from the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey public-use dataset, dated 2010. The dichotomous outcome variable was told medical professional about IPV. Explanatory variables were physical violence experienced in the past year, need for medical services for IPV, injury, fear, poor physical health, number of health problems, poor mental health, African American, Latina, other ethnic minority, education, family income, inability to afford seeing doctor, age, and being married. Logistic regression results showed likelihood of IPV disclosure increased with 31 or more physical IPV episodes in preceding year, needed medical services for IPV, IPV-related injury, 2 or more health problems, fear of partner, poor mental health, inability to afford seeing doctor, and age 55 and over. Disclosure likelihood was decreased by other ethnic minority and absence of high school graduation. Our findings support standardized protocols identifying recent IPV, IPV injury, and multiple health problems, along with corresponding response training for medical professionals. Our findings also support making victim advocates and behavioral health specialists available in medical facilities to address patients’ fears and mental health.
Do We Pronounce Quotation? An Analysis of Name-informing and Non-name-informing Contexts
Authors: Schlechtweg Marcel , Härtl Holden
Published: December 2019

Quotation marks are a tool to refer to the linguistic form of an expression. For instance, in cases of so-called pure quotation as in “Hanover” has three syllables, they point to the syllabic characteristics of the name of the town of Hanover. Cases of this nature differ from sentences like Hanover is a town in New Hampshire, in which Hanover is used denotationally and, thus, refers to the town of Hanover itself. Apart from quotation marks, other means such as italics, bold, capitalization, or air quotes represent potential means to signal a non-stereotypical use of an item in the written or gestural mode. It is far less clear, however, whether acoustic correlates of quotation marks exist. The present contribution aims at investigating this issue by focusing on instances of quotation, in which the conventionalized name of a lexical concept is highlighted by means of quotation marks, either together with or without an additional lexical quotational marker, such as so-called, on the lexical level (cf. The so-called “vuvuzela” is an instrument from South Africa vs. The “vuvuzela” is an instrument from South Africa). The data clearly show that quotation marks are pronounced, primarily triggering a lengthening effect, independently of whether they appear together with or without a name-informing context. The results of the experiments are interpreted against the background of a pragmatic implementation of quotation marks in general as well as in spoken discourse in particular.
Testing for Down Syndrome in Catholic Health Care: Complicity in Eugenic Abortion
Authors: Linn James G.
Published: December 2019

Catholic healthcare institutions, physicians, and midwives routinely employ testing for Down syndrome as a part of prenatal care. This testing is an essential part of eugenic abortion and often leads to it. Catholic teaching clearly forbids such testing when undertaken with abortive intent if the baby has Down syndrome or other abnormalities. This article discusses (1) the evolution of prenatal genetic testing and abortion, (2) how this testing may involve complicity in eugenic abortion, and (3) offers proposals to avoid and end Catholic healthcare’s cooperation with this evil.

This article discusses why prenatal genetic testing as practiced in many Catholic healthcare institutions is ethically problematic and then proposes solutions.
A New Taxonomy of Affect—A Spatiotemporal Framework: Constructing the Elephant
Authors: Shanahan Gerard
Published: December 2019

The holy grail of emotion theory is arguably still the discovery of a taxonomy, but one that is predicated on first establishing a corresponding structure of affect. Plans for the construction of a taxonomy are presented, based on the emotions and supported with the tripartite mind. A two-axis circumplex-like framework forms the proposed structure. The fundamental orthogonal axes are a temporal vertical axis and a spatial horizontal axis, which subsume another five essential opposing and complementary properties that underpin affect. These dimensions create four basic states that categorize affect and account for the differences and similarities between emotions within categories. A binomial labeling method posits the view that the valence of emotions is determined by the valence of the category they emanate from. The Euclidian spaces created account for mixed emotions and conditions and show how basic emotions from different categories create complex emotions and conditions. This model will also explore why some emotions like shame-embarrassment and contempt-disgust are often seen as synonyms due to a categorical error. It also provides an exposition of the function of reactive and self-reflective emotions and anxiety.
Innovation, internationalisation and the performance of microbusinesses
Authors: Henley Andrew , Song Meng
Published: December 2019

This article integrates internationalisation, and specifically exporting, into a conceptualisation of how innovation production leads to productivity performance in microbusinesses employing fewer than 10 people. Innovation production is reframed for the microbusiness context by focusing on knowledge acquisition and formalisation rather than on research and development (R&D) activity. Propensity score matching analysis is used to investigate British microbusiness survey data. It finds a causal process in which innovation promotes exporting activity. This in turn leads to improved productivity. In contrast to research on larger businesses, this study finds no direct link between innovation production and productivity. These findings are robust to various checks for potential endogeneity arising from feedback into innovation from internationalisation and from self-selection of high productivity firms into exporting.
Local flow sensing on helical microrobots for semi-automatic motion adaptation
Authors: Barbot Antoine , Decanini Dominique , Hwang Gilgueng
Published: December 2019

Helical microrobots with dimensions below 100 µm could serve many applications for manipulation and sensing in small, closed environments such as blood vessels or inside microfluidic chips. However, environmental conditions such as surface stiction from the channel wall or local flow can quickly result in the loss of control of the microrobot, especially for untrained users. Therefore, to automatically adapt to changing conditions, we propose an algorithm that switches between a surface-based motion of the microrobot and a 3D swimming motion depending on the local flow value. Indeed swimming is better for avoiding obstacles and difficult surface stiction areas but it is more sensitive to the flow than surface motion such as rolling or spintop motion. First, we prove the flow sensing ability of helical microrobots based on the difference between the tracked and theoretical speed. For this, a 50 µm long and 5 µm diameter helical microrobot measures the flow profile shape in two different microchannels. These measurements are then compared with simulation results. Then, we demonstrate both swimming and surface-based motion using closed-loop control. Finally, we test our algorithm by following a 2D path using closed-loop control, and adapting the type of motion depending on the flow speed measured by the microrobot. Such results could enable simple high-level control that could expand the development of microrobots toward applications in complex microfluidic environments.
Investigation of flexoelectric effect on nonlinear forced vibration of piezoelectric/functionally graded porous nanocomposite resting on viscoelastic foundation
Authors: Ebrahimi Farzad , Hosseini S Hamed S
Published: December 2019

Investigation of flexoelectric effect on nonlinear forced vibration of piezoelectric/functionally graded porous nanocomposite is the objective of this study. The nanocomposite is exposed to electric voltage and external parametric excitation. First, a functionally graded porous core nanoplate is modeled and then two piezoelectric layers are glued with core. It is also rested on a visco-Pasternak foundation. Second, to derive governing equation of motion, two theories including Mindlin and Kirchhoff plate theories and Hamilton’s principle are utilized. In the next step, to obtain and solve ordinary differential equation, Galerkin technique and multiple time scales method are used, respectively. At the end, modulation equation of piezoelectric/functionally graded porous nanocomposite for both primary and secondary resonances is obtained and discussed. Emphasizing the effect of piezoelectric and flexoelectric, von Karman nonlinear deformation and parametric external excitation are simultaneously taken into account. It is found that electric voltage has no effect on the performance of piezoelectricity and flexoelectricity of the material on vibration behavior. The results of this study can be useful as benchmark for the next investigations in field of energy harvesting systems and piezoelectric structures.