bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Language Matters
Authors: Eiland Howard
Published: February 2021

There is no getting around our residence in language—language understood not primarily as a system of signification but as the necessarily ambiguous existential condition of intelligibility in which we always already find ourselves situated, the historically evolving collective articulation of things. The ontological theory of language at issue here, with its concern for the problems of meaning and translation in particular and its methodological distance-in-nearness, entails a simultaneously concentrated and expansive allegorical experience of the world. Allegory brings out the word inherent in the thing—the word not as flat marker but as gravitating and radiating body of history. This essay touches on prominent nineteenth- and twentieth-century sources of this modernist theory of language and philosophical philology, thinkers who worked in different ways to open theoretical horizons while promulgating an art of reading. Such historically oriented and textually focused work of opening remains a political-educational imperative.
Tumours and tumour-like lesions of joints: Differential diagnoses in a paediatric population compared to adults
Authors: Junaid Syed , Gnanananthan Vaishnavi , Malhotra Karan , Saifuddin Asif
Published: February 2021

Objective:

To determine the differential diagnosis of intra-articular tumours and tumour-like lesions in a paediatric population compared to adults.

Methods:

Retrospective review of children up to the age of 18 years with suspected intra-articular tumours and tumour-like lesions referred to a specialist musculoskeletal oncology service from January 2019 to August 2020. Data recorded included patient age and gender, lesion location and morphology (based on the classification system of Adams et al.), and the final diagnosis made either by image-guided biopsy/resection or by clinical and imaging features. Comparison was then made with a group of adults presenting during the same period.

Results:

28 paediatric patients were included (12 males and 16 females with mean age 11.2 years, range 3–18 years). Joints involved were the knee (n = 22; 78.6%), ankle (n = 4; 14.3%), hip (n = 1; 3.6%) and elbow (n = 1; 3.6%). Lesion morphology was Type 1 (n = 18; 64.3%), Type 2 (n = 3; 10.7%), Type 3 (n = 1; 3.6%) and Type 4 (n = 5; 17.9%). Final diagnosis was made by image-guided biopsy/resection in 18 (64.3%) patients. The commonest neoplastic lesion was tenosynovial giant cell tumour (n = 11; 39.3%), followed by synovial haemangioma (n = 5; 17.9%). There was only a single malignant lesion, a case of synovial sarcoma. Of eight (28.6%) non-neoplastic lesions, three were diagnosed as juvenile idiopathic arthritis and three as non-specific synovitis. There was no difference compared to adults regarding gender, joint involved or lesion morphology, but there was a significant difference in final diagnoses (p < 0.001). The range of intra-articular tumours and tumour-like lesions in children differs from that in adults, although tenosynovial giant cell tumour is the commonest diagnosis in both groups and malignant lesions are rare.

Advances in knowledgeart:

In our series, ~16% of tumours and tumour-like lesions of joints occur in the paediatric population. Tenosynovial giant cell tumour remains the commonest diagnosis in children as in adults. Synovial haemangioma and juvenile idiopathic arthritis were the next commonest diagnoses in children, while primary synovial chondromatosis and reactive synovitis were the next commonest diagnoses in adults. Malignant lesions are rare in both groups.
Too old to sedate: How old is too old?
Authors: Bradley Natalie
Published: February 2021

The UK population is ageing with over a quarter of people predicted to be over 65 by 2040. People are retaining their teeth into old age, often having experienced complex restorative dental work over the years. The increasing complexity of dental treatment that older people require will create challenges for those who provide care for this population, including dental treatment under sedation or general anaesthesia. This article discusses the medical, dental and social considerations that need to be taken into account when planning dental care for older patients under sedation or general anaesthesia.

CPD/Clinical Relevance: Dentists who provide sedation must be able to appropriately assess and manage their older patients safely if considering this method of pain and anxiety control for dental treatment.
Non-syndromic oligodontia in siblings: A spectrum of experience
Authors: Heggie Claudia , Gartshore L
Published: February 2021

Non-syndromic oligodontia, the agenesis of six or more teeth, has a prevalence of 0.14–0.25%. Genetic, epigenetic and environmental influences affect expression. Three brothers presented with agenesis of 14, 21 and 23 permanent teeth, respectively. They were medically well, with no relevant family history. Each case presented with caries, microdontia and attritive tooth surface loss. Comprehensive care was delivered in each case by undergraduate dental students. Individualized prevention and stabilization were completed before referral for multidisciplinary long-term planning. Primary dental care practitioners are instrumental in delivering preventive care and stabilizing the dentition in cases of dental anomaly, while sharing care with specialist teams.

CPD/Clinical Relevance: An unusual presentation of non-syndromic oligodontia relevant to primary dental care practitioners who are likely to provide the first clinical contact and referral to the wider multidisciplinary team.
Aesthetic smile makeover using direct composite restorations: A case report of interdental spacing and altered passive eruption
Authors: Ziv Tal
Published: February 2021

Interdental space between anterior teeth is an aesthetic and a phonetic problem. While various treatment options are available, patients often have concerns regarding treatment invasiveness, duration of treatments, costs and long-term prognosis. This case report describes a step-by-step smile makeover with direct composite restorations in maxillary incisors and canines with interdental spaces, tooth size discrepancy and altered passive eruption.

CPD/Clinical Relevance: Minimally invasive dentistry is an integral component of contemporary clinical practice With recent advances in innovative materials and improved clinical technique, attaining aesthetic results with a minimally invasive approach is highly achievable.
See How They Grow: Testing the feasibility of a mobile app to support parents’ understanding of child growth charts
Authors: Humphrey Gayl , Dobson Rosie , Parag Varsha , Hiemstra Marion , Howie Stephen , Marsh Samantha , Morton Susan , Mordaunt Dylan , Wadham Angela , Bullen Chris
Published: February 2021

Background

Mobile devices provide new opportunities for the prevention of overweight and obesity in children. We aimed to co-create and test an app that offered comprehensible feedback to parents on their child’s growth and delivered a suite of age-specific information about nutrition and activity.

Methods

A two-phased approach was used to co-create the digital growth tool—See How They Grow—and test its feasibility. Phase one used focus groups (parents and professionals such as paediatricians and midwives) and a national on-line survey to gather requirements and build the app. Phase two involved testing the app over 12-weeks, with parents or carers of children aged ≤ 2-years. All research activities were undertaken exclusively through the app, and participants were recruited using social media and hard copy materials given to patents at a child health visit.

Findings

Four focus groups and 101 responses to the national survey informed the features and functions to include in the final app. Two hundred and twenty-five participants downloaded the app, resulting in 208 eligible participants. Non-Māori/Non-Pacific (78%) and Māori (14%) had the highest downloads. Fifty-four per cent of participants were parents of children under 6-months. These participants were more likely to regularly use the app than those with children older than 6-months (64% vs 36%,P = 0.011). Over half of the participants entered three measures (n = 101, 48%). Of those that completed the follow-up survey (n = 101, 48%), 72 reported that the app helped them better understand how to interpret growth charts.

Conclusion

The app was acceptable and with minor modifications, has the potential to be an effective tool to support parents understanding of growth trajectories for their children. A larger trial is needed to evaluate if the app can have a measurable impact on increasing knowledge and behaviour, and therefore on preventing childhood overweight and obesity.
The influence of regional preferential trade agreements on international manufacturing trade in value-added: Based on the complex network method
Authors: Wang Bo , Pu Yue , Li Shunli , Xu Lin
Published: February 2021

Based on a new trade accounting method—the trade in value-added accounting method—this paper constructs the international manufacturing trade in value-added networks and preferential trade agreement (PTA) networks and uses the complex network analysis method to explore the relations between PTA and international manufacturing trade in value-added from the perspective of the global value chain. The results are as follows: (1) Over the years, the international manufacturing trade in value-added networks and PTA networks has shown a significant clustering effect, and the size of networks has grown rapidly. (2) The TEX, DVA and FVA networks of the international manufacturing value added trade over the years can be divided into two societies in the Asia-Pacific region and the European region. This division just reflects the different modes of division of labor in the manufacturing value chain of the two major economic regions in the world. (3) QAP analysis shows that the influencing factors of the traditional gravity model can still explain the manufacturing trade network and its value-added trade network, while the influence of economic globalization, the enlargement of the EU and the internationalization strategy of enterprises, the PTA network and manufacturing value-added the relationship between trade networks changed from positive to negative in 2004.
Wheat amino acid transporters highly expressed in grain cells regulate amino acid accumulation in grain
Authors: Wan Yongfang , Wang Yan , Shi Zhiqiang , Rentsch Doris , Ward Jane L. , Hassall Kirsty , Sparks Caroline A. , Huttly Alison K. , Buchner Peter , Powers Stephen , Shewry Peter R. , Hawkesford Malcolm J.
Published: February 2021

Amino acids are delivered into developing wheat grains to support the accumulation of storage proteins in the starchy endosperm, and transporters play important roles in regulating this process. RNA-seq, RT-qPCR, and promoter-GUS assays showed that three amino acid transporters are differentially expressed in the endosperm transfer cells (TaAAP2), starchy endosperm cells (TaAAP13), and aleurone cells and embryo of the developing grain (TaAAP21), respectively. Yeast complementation revealed that all three transporters can transport a broad spectrum of amino acids. RNAi-mediated suppression of TaAAP13 expression in the starchy endosperm did not reduce the total nitrogen content of the whole grain, but significantly altered the composition and distribution of metabolites in the starchy endosperm, with increasing concentrations of some amino acids (notably glutamine and glycine) from the outer to inner starchy endosperm cells compared with wild type. Overexpression of TaAAP13 under the endosperm-specific HMW-GS (high molecular weight glutenin subunit) promoter significantly increased grain size, grain nitrogen concentration, and thousand grain weight, indicating that the sink strength for nitrogen transport was increased by manipulation of amino acid transporters. However, the total grain number was reduced, suggesting that source nitrogen remobilized from leaves is a limiting factor for productivity. Therefore, simultaneously increasing loading of amino acids into the phloem and delivery to the spike would be required to increase protein content while maintaining grain yield.
Those who ignore the past are doomed…to be heartless: Lay historicist theory is associated with humane responses to the struggles and transgressions of others
Authors: Gill Michael J. , Andreychik Michael R. , Getty Phillip D.
Published: February 2021

When one learns that current struggles or transgressions of an individual or group are rooted in an unfortunate history, one experiences compassion and reduced blame. Prior research has demonstrated this by having participants receive (or not) a concrete historicist narrative regarding the particular individual or group under consideration. Here, we take a different approach. We explore the possibility that everyday people show meaningful variation in a broad lay theory that we calllay historicism. Lay historicists believe that—as a general fact—people’s psychological characteristics and life outcomes are powerfully molded by their life histories. We present eight studies linking lay historicism to broad tendencies toward compassion and non-blaming. Collectively, Studies 1–5 suggest that lay historicism affects compassion and blame, respectively, via distinct mechanisms: (1) Lay historicism is associated with compassion because it creates a sense that—as a general fact—past suffering lies behind present difficulties, and (2) lay historicism is associated with blame mitigation because historicists reject the idea that—as a general fact—people freely and autonomously create their moral character. Thus, lay historicism increases compassion and decreases blame via distinct mechanisms. The remaining studies diversify our evidence base. Study 6 examines criminal justice philosophies rather than broad moral traits (as in the earlier studies) and shows that lay historicism is associated with preference for humane criminal justice philosophies. Study 7 moves from abstract beliefs to concrete situations and shows that lay historicism predicts reduced blaming of an irresponsible peer who is encountered face-to-face. One additional study—in our Supplemental Materials—shows that lay historicism predicts lower levels of blaming on implicit measures, although only among those who also reject lay controllability theories. Overall, these studies provide consistent support for the possibility that lay historicism is broadly associated with humane responding to the struggles and transgressions of others.
Compressive behaviour of soft contact lenses and its effect on refractive power on the eye and handling off the eye
Authors: Shihab Ahmad H. , Eliasy Ashkan , Lopes Bernardo T. , Wu Richard , White Lynn , Jones Steve , Geraghty Brendan , Joda Akram , Elsheikh Ahmed , Abass Ahmed
Published: February 2021

Purpose

To investigate the stress-strain behaviour of 9 soft contact lens materials, that are commonly used in the market, under uniaxial compression loading.

Methods

Seven types of hydrogel and two types of silicone-hydrogel soft contact lens materials were hydrated in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution then subjected to uniaxial compression loads. The load rate was set to 16.0 N/min starting with two consecutive initial 5.0 N loading cycles followed by three relaxation periods of 4.0 min within which there were two more 5.0 N loading cycles and eventually, a full loading cycle that stopped at a load of 49.0 N. The load and contraction data obtained experimentally were analysed to derive the stress-strain behaviour. Finite Element (FE) analysis was then utilised to evaluate the performance of soft contact lenses on the human eye and handling lenses off the eye.

Results

Unlike tensile tests, all tested materials showed nonlinear behaviour when tested under compression. When fitted to first-order Ogden hyperelastic model, parameter μ was found to be varying in the range 0.12 to 0.74 MPa and material parameter α was found to be varying in the range 8.2 to 20.326 among the nine tested materials. Compression modulus of elasticity was 2.2 times higher than the tensile modulus of elasticity on average. FE simulation with nonlinear Ogden constitutive model showed a limited change (8%~12%) in the optical performance when compared to other material models, however, it predicted higher stress when the lens was simulated under bending during off-eye handling.

Conclusions

Compression tests revealed slightly nonlinear behaviour when materials were strained under compression stress down to 15% ~ 30% of their nominal heights. Considering the physiological compression loading range of 8 mmHg, secant moduli of elasticity were 1.5% to 6.9% higher than the tension moduli of elasticity depending on the material. Tensile-based moduli of elasticity could be used in FE analysis as a step towards simulating the optical performance of soft contact lenses on-eye. However, nonlinear compression-based material models are recommended for FE analysis of soft contact lenses when lens-handling is investigated off-eye.
Community practice of using face masks for the prevention of COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Al Naam Yaser A. , Elsafi Salah H. , Alkharraz Zeyad S. , Alfahad Othman A. , Al-Jubran Khalid M. , Al Zahrani Eidan M.
Published: February 2021

Community face masking is possibly of great value in reducing COVID-19 transmission, especially when universally adopted with high compliance. The aim of this study is to investigate the knowledge, common misconceptions, barriers, and the compliance of the community with the use of face masks for the prevention of COVID-19. A validated questionnaire was administered to the participants through a web link by using various social media. The collected data were statistically analyzed for significant differences according to demographic variables. The average knowledge of face masks and their role in preventing COVID-19 transmission was 95.64%, with no differences among most of the demographical factors. Older groups and females demonstrated a better attitude towards wearing face masks than other groups did (p<0.001). Another significant difference in the participant’s attitude was noticed between the various educational levels, employment, and nationality (p<0.001). Of the total respondents, 88.2% encouraged wearing face masks. Misconceptions about wearing face masks were very low. The frequency of wearing face masks at public places, workplaces, or social gatherings was 87.2%, 80.5%, and 47.5% respectively. There was a significant variation in the compliance with wearing face masks between the various groups based on age, gender, nationality, and employment status (p<0.001). The inconvenience in wearing face masks was reported by 36.3%. Face irritation and ear pain were reported by 70.2% and 43.5%, respectively. The inconvenience of wearing face masks with eyeglasses was reported by 44.3% of those wearing eyeglasses. In general, the study demonstrated a good attitude among participants towards wearing face masks. Although the respondents in the study were aware of the benefits of wearing face masks, the barriers may have decreased their desire to do so. These barriers include difficulty in breathing, discomfort, face irritation, and ear pain.
Improving dog training methods: Efficacy and efficiency of reward and mixed training methods
Authors: Vieira de Castro Ana Catarina , Araújo Ângelo , Fonseca André , Olsson I. Anna S.
Published: February 2021

Dogs play an important role in our society as companions and work partners, and proper training of these dogs is pivotal. For companion dogs, training helps preventing or managing dog behavioral problems—the most frequently cited reason for relinquishing and euthanasia, and it promotes successful dog-human relationships and thus maximizes benefits humans derive from bonding with dogs. For working dogs, training is crucial for them to successfully accomplish their jobs. Dog training methods range widely from those using predominantly aversive stimuli (aversive methods), to those combining aversive and rewarding stimuli (mixed methods) and those focusing on the use of rewards (reward methods). The use of aversive stimuli in training is highly controversial and several veterinary and animal protection organizations have recommended a ban on pinch collars, e-collars and other techniques that induce fear or pain in dogs, on the grounds that such methods compromise dog welfare. At the same time, training methods based on the use of rewards are claimed to be more humane and equally or more effective than aversive or mixed methods. This important discussion, however, has not always been based in solid scientific evidence. Although there is growing scientific evidence that training with aversive stimuli has a negative impact on dog welfare, the scientific literature on the efficacy and efficiency of the different methodologies is scarce and inconsistent. Hence, the goal of the current study is to investigate the efficacy and efficiency of different dog training methods. To that end, we will apply different dog training methods in a population of working dogs and evaluate the outcome after a period of training. The use of working dogs will allow for a rigorous experimental design and control, with randomization of treatments. Military (n = 10) and police (n = 20) dogs will be pseudo-randomly allocated to two groups. One group will be trained to perform a set of tasks (food refusal, interrupted recall, dumbbell retrieval and placing items in a basket) using reward methods and the other group will be trained for the same tasks using mixed methods. Later, the dogs will perform a standardized test where they will be required to perform the trained behaviors. The reliability of the behaviors and the time taken to learn them will be assessed in order to evaluate the efficacy and efficiency, respectively, of the different training methods. This study will be performed in collaboration with the Portuguese Army and with the Portuguese Public Security Police (PSP) and integrated with their dog training programs.
Exploring novel and potent cell penetrating peptides in the proteome of SARS-COV-2 using bioinformatics approaches
Authors: Kardani Kimia , Bolhassani Azam
Published: February 2021

Among various delivery systems for vaccine and drug delivery, cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) have been known as a potent delivery system because of their capability to penetrate cell membranes and deliver some types of cargoes into cells. Several CPPs were found in the proteome of viruses such as Tat originated from human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1), and VP22 derived from herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1). In the current study, a wide-range of CPPs was identified in the proteome of SARS-CoV-2, a new member of coronaviruses family, using in silico analyses. These CPPs may play a main role for high penetration of virus into cells and infection of host. At first, we submitted the proteome of SARS-CoV-2 to CellPPD web server that resulted in a huge number of CPPs with ten residues in length. Afterward, we submitted the predicted CPPs to C2Pred web server for evaluation of the probability of each peptide. Then, the uptake efficiency of each peptide was investigated using CPPred-RF and MLCPP web servers. Next, the physicochemical properties of the predicted CPPs including net charge, theoretical isoelectric point (pI), amphipathicity, molecular weight, and water solubility were calculated using protparam and pepcalc tools. In addition, the probability of membrane binding potential and cellular localization of each CPP were estimated by Boman index using APD3 web server, D factor, and TMHMM web server. On the other hand, the immunogenicity, toxicity, allergenicity, hemolytic potency, and half-life of CPPs were predicted using various web servers. Finally, the tertiary structure and the helical wheel projection of some CPPs were predicted by PEP-FOLD3 and Heliquest web servers, respectively. These CPPs were divided into: a) CPP containing tumor homing motif (RGD) and/or tumor penetrating motif (RXXR); b) CPP with the highest Boman index; c) CPP with high half-life (~100 hour) in mammalian cells, and d) CPP with +5.00 net charge. Based on the results, we found a large number of novel CPPs with various features. Some of these CPPs possess tumor-specific motifs which can be evaluated in cancer therapy. Furthermore, the novel and potent CPPs derived from SARS-CoV-2 may be used alone or conjugated to some sequences such as nuclear localization sequence (NLS) for vaccine and drug delivery.
Comparison of long-term outcomes after trans-catheter aortic valve implantation between patients primarily diagnosed by cardiac murmur and those diagnosed by other reasons
Authors: Taniguchi Yousuke , Sakakura Kenichi , Nomura Yohei , Hatori Masashi , Shibata Kaho , Tamanaha Yusuke , Kasahara Taku , Tsukui Takunori , Ibe Tatsuro , Yamamoto Kei , Jinnouchi Hiroyuki , Wada Hiroshi , Yamaguchi Atsushi , Fujita Hideo
Published: February 2021

Careful auscultation is the first step to diagnose aortic stenosis (AS). The aim of this study was to compare clinical outcomes following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) between the patients primarily diagnosed by heart murmur and those diagnosed by other reasons. We retrospectively included 258 patients who underwent TAVI in our medical center, and divided those into the murmur group (n = 81) and the other-reason group (n = 177) according to the primary reason for AS diagnosis. The primary endpoint was the major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), which was defined as the composite of cardiovascular death, hospitalization due to acute decompensated heart failure, and disabling stroke. The murmur group included younger patients than the other-reason group (82.8 year-old vs. 84.0 year-old, P = 0.02). History of AF was more frequently observed in the other-reason group than in the murmur group (21.5% vs. 7.4%, P <0.01). STS score and logistic EuroSCORE were lower in the murmur group than in the other-reason group (STS: 4.7% vs. 7.2%, P <0.01, logistic EuroSCORE: 8.3% vs. 11.2%, P <0.01). The median follow-up period was 562 days. MACCE was more frequently observed in the other-reason group than in the murmur group (27.7% vs. 9.9%, Log Rank P <0.01). The multivariate COX hazard analysis revealed that the AS patients primarily diagnosed by heart murmur was inversely associated with MACCE (HR 0.38, 95%CI 0.17–0.86, P = 0.020). Among AS patients who underwent TAVI, the patients primarily diagnosed by heart murmur were significantly associated with favorable long-term clinical outcomes.
Critical reflections on cultural appropriation, race and the role of fancy dress costume
Authors: Wild Benjamin Linley
Published: February 2021

Cultural appropriation in fashionable dress has become an increasingly urgent subject within scholarly and generalist discussions. Few weeks now pass without a news story criticizing a fashion brand for producing and promoting culturally insensitive clothing. A form of clothing most frequently and controversially associated with cultural trespass, but generally marginalized within academic enquiries, is fancy dress costume. This article seeks, first, to promote a critical and continuous academic engagement with fancy dress costume and contribute to a growing body of scholarship that recognizes its cultural and social importance. Second, I complicate discussions about the causes of cultural appropriation within fancy dress costume by reflecting on the circumstances and motives in which people perform, dressed very differently to their conventional appearance. Addressing these points, the article makes a unique contribution to clothing studies and discussions about cultural appropriation by advocating a more nuanced understanding of people’s self-awareness when they participate in fancy dress costume, and suggests how this might be achieved.
Scenarios of style: An exploration of subcultural research as embodied practice in Los Angeles’s vintage Jamaican music scene
Authors: Cole Nina L.
Published: February 2021

This article sets forth a performance studies framework for subcultural research: scenarios of style. This embodied epistemology brings together Diana Taylor’s scenario paradigm with interdisciplinary perspectives on style to provide a means for researchers to explore the ways in which style is constitutive of subcultural life. Twenty-five years of involvement in Los Angeles’s vintage Jamaican music scene and four years of fieldwork – comprised of participant observation, oral history interviews and archival research – undergird my theorization. To communicate individual agency and subcultural traditions of style, this article explores a single case study situated within my larger research setting. Because scenarios of style supports embodied, situated understandings of knowledge and is contextually adaptable, this article posits its broader relevancy for fashion studies research.
A description of New Horizons Band assistants’ perceptions and experiences
Authors: Rohwer Debbie , Coffman Don D. , Dabback William
Published: February 2021

The purpose of the current study was to describe the perceptions and experiences of New Horizons Band assistants in terms of learning, skill transfer and pedagogical preparation. The participant population for this study was 35 past student teacher-assistants from three New Horizons bands, one in Texas, one in Florida and one in Virginia. There were ten open-ended items on the questionnaire that asked about student assistant perceptions and experiences. Participants noted the growth they experienced from serving as a band teaching assistant in a New Horizons programme, describing their appreciation for lifelong learning, exposure to the complexity of how to teach to a variety of learners, and experience with the challenges of pacing with adults and blunt feedback from programme participants. The article concludes with a discussion of possible collegiate preparatory experiences that could broaden the teacher training experience for college programmes.
Considering EU External Relations after Brexit: Introduction
Authors: Cardwell Paul James , Dickson Rachael
Published: February 2021

This special issue of Europe and the World: A law review consists of selected articles that were presented at a workshop on External Relations in the post-Brexit EU, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow in October 2018. The workshop was generously funded by the James Madison Charitable Trust and the New Professors Fund of the University of Strathclyde. The purpose of the workshop was to consider the multifaceted dimensions of Brexit on the European Union’s external relations, and in particular to consider how interdisciplinary perspectives can enrich our understanding of the law underpinning the subject. This includes the EU’s externally facing institutional frameworks; law and policy on foreign, security and defence policies; trade and the Common Commercial Policy; and bilateral agreements with third countries or regions. The workshop was held around the mid-point in time from the referendum of June 2016 until the eventual departure of the UK on 31 January 2020 (although the final departure date and exit arrangements were unknown at the time). As such, the workshop contributors based their analyses on what the future impact of Brexit might be. Drawing on the extensive scholarship on EU external relations that has blossomed over previous decades, the authors of this special issue have been able to comprehensively analyse what future EU external relations might look like.
Tres nuevos registros de Agaricomycetes para la Argentina: Cortinarius casimiri var. hoffmannii, Lactarius hepaticus y Mycena margarita
Authors: Martínez Agustín P. , Suarez Juan M. , Lechner Bernardo E.
Published: February 2021

Three new records of Agaricomycetes are cited for the first time for Argentina: Cortinarius casimiri var. hoffmannii, Lactarius hepaticus and Mycena margarita. Complete descriptions and illustrations are provided in this work, and color photographs of the fresh samples were added. Comments were made about the taxonomy and ecology of the species presented.
Un evento de floración en el género Chusquea (Poaceae, Bambusoideae, Bambuseae)
Authors: Guerreiro Carolina , Rúgolo Zulma
Published: February 2021

Flowering in woody bamboos is an intriguing phenomenon. Documenting a flowering event provides valuable information about bamboo life cycles. Chusquea argentina is a species endemic to the Andean Patagonian beech forests of Argentina and Chile. We here report a flowering event of C. argentina in northwestern Argentinean Patagonia. We provide a map of the area indicating flowering sites. Photographs showing details of the flowering event are presented. The epidemiological effects of the flowering of C. argentina are taken into consideration.
Primer registro de Agave sisalana (Agavaceae, Asparagales) para Colombia
Authors: Giraldo-Cañas Diego
Published: February 2021

Agave sisalana Perrine, a native species from Yucatán Peninsula (Mexico), is recorded for the first time for Colombia. It is morphologically related to Agave fourcroydes Lem. and Agave pax Giraldo-Cañas, but clearly differs from it in various vegetative and reproductive characteristics, which are given. Thus, a total of ten species of Agave are currently known in South America, seven are native and three are naturalized. A key for the South American species is included.
Are There Peer Effects from English Learners in Elementary Schools? Evidence from an IV Approach
Authors: Gaastra Sieuwerd , Labanca Claudio
Published: February 2021

We study the peer effects of English Learners on the test scores of native English speaking students using a new instrument to account for the endogeneity of students’ English Learner status. Relative to what OLS estimates would suggest, we find smaller and insignificant peer effects of English Learners on native English speaking students in California elementary schools.
PVC arrhythmia classification based on fractional order system modeling
Authors: Assadi Imen , Charef Abdelfatah , Bensouici Tahar
Published: February 2021

It is well known that many physiological phenomena are modeled accurately and effectively using fractional operators and systems. This type of modeling is due mainly to the dynamical link between fractional-order systems and the fractal structures of the physiological systems. The automatic characterization of the premature ventricular contraction (PVC) is very important for early diagnosis of patients with different life-threatening cardiac diseases. In this paper, a classification scheme of normal and PVC beats of the electrocardiogram (ECG) signal is proposed. The clustering features used for normal and PVC beats discrimination are the parameters of the commensurate order linear fractional model of the frequency content of the QRS complex of the ECG signal. A series of tests and comparisons have been performed to evaluate and validate the efficiency of the proposed PVC classification algorithm using the MIT-BIH arrhythmia database. The proposed PVC classification method has achieved an overall accuracy of 94.745%, a specificity of 95.178% and a sensitivity of 90.021% using all the 48 records of the database.
Target metric and Shell Shaping
Authors: Argento Gloria Rita , Gabriele Stefano , Teresi Luciano , Varano Valerio
Published: February 2021

We exploit the possibility of deforming a shell by assigning a target metric, which, for 2D structures, is decomposed into the first and second target fundamental-forms. As well known, an elastic shell may change its shape under two different kinds of actions: one are the loadings, the other one are the distortions, also known as the pre-strains. Actually, the target fundamental forms prescribe a sought shape for the solid, and the metric effectively realized is the one that minimizes the distance, measured through an elastic energy, between the target and the actual fundamental forms. The proposed method is very effective in deforming shells.
ArchLab: a MATLAB tool for the Thrust Line Analysis of masonry arches
Authors: Marmo Francesco
Published: February 2021

According to Heyman’s safe theorem of the limit analysis of masonry structures, the safety of masonry arches can be verified by finding at least one line of thrust entirely laying within the masonry and in equilibrium with external loads. If such a solution does exist, two extreme configurations of the thrust line can be determined, respectively referred to as solutions of minimum and maximum thrust.

In this paper it is presented a numerical procedure for determining both these solutions with reference to masonry arches of general shape, subjected to both vertical and horizontal loads. The algorithm takes advantage of a simplification of the equations underlying the Thrust Network Analysis. Actually, for the case of planar lines of thrust, the horizontal components of the reference thrusts can be computed in closed form at each iteration and for any arbitrary loading condition. The heights of the points of the thrust line are then computed by solving a constrained linear optimization problem by means of the Dual-Simplex algorithm. The MATLAB implementation of presented algorithm is described in detail and made freely available to interested users (https://bit.ly/3krlVxH). Two numerical examples regarding a pointed and a lowered circular arch are presented in order to show the performance of the method.
Filament wound composite fatigue mechanisms investigated with full field DIC strain monitoring
Authors: Hugaas Eivind , Echtermeyer Andreas T.
Published: February 2021

Fatigue of filament wound materials was investigated using Digital Image Correlation DIC monitoring every 50th cycle of a high cycle fatigue test of a split disk ring sample. The ring was cut from a filament wound glass fiber reinforced polymer pressure vessel and had a hole. The strain field redistributed over time, lowering and moving strain concentrations. The redistributive behavior was most extensive in areas that later developed local fiber failure, which soon led to catastrophic failure. Microscopy was carried out on partially fatigued material. Damage evolved as matrix cracks and matrix splitting of groups of fibers and complete debonding of single fibers. This occurred at borders of voids and matrix cracks, easing progressive fiber failure. It was concluded that fatigue in filament wound composites has an extensive matrix damage phase before final failure. Fibers could locally withstand strains close to and above the static failure strain for considerable number of cycles if little local strain field redistribution was observed. The used method was able to detect changes in the strain fields that preceded catastrophic failure. It was concluded that DIC combined with the post processing methods presented may serve as a valuable tool for structural integrity monitoring of composite pressure vessels over time.
Race and Gender on Fox and MSNBC
Authors: Berry Jeffrey M. , Glaser James M. , Schildkraut Deborah J.
Published: February 2021

The political content on cable TV is symptomatic of the highly polarized era we live in. In this study of Fox and MSNBC, we sampled primetime evening programs on both and analyzed each major story presented. Our approach conceptualized each segment as a narrative and, as such, we coded the political arc of these stories and focused on the villains animating each set piece. On Fox the villains, who are harshly denounced, are disproportionately people of color. In contrast, on MSNBC, the villains are rarely minorities. Likewise, women are disproportionately the villains on Fox, frequently described as unintelligent and out of control. On MSNBC, women are almost never the villain. Despite the abrasiveness of its content, Fox’s business model works as there is a substantial audience for this type of outrage programming.
The Rural-Urban Continuum of Polarization: Understanding the Geography of the 2018 Midterms
Authors: Johnson Kenneth M. , Scala Dante J.
Published: February 2021

This study of the 2018 congressional midterms demonstrates how voting patterns and political attitudes vary across a spectrum of urban and rural areas in the United States. Rural America is no more a monolith than is urban America. The rural-urban gradient is better represented by a continuum than a dichotomy. This is evident in the voting results in 2018, just as it was in 2016. We found that the political tipping point lies beyond major metropolitan areas, in the suburban counties of smaller metropolitan areas. Democrats enjoyed even greater success in densely populated urban areas in 2018 than in 2016. Residents of these urban areas display distinctive and consistent social and political attitudes across a range of scales. At the other end of the continuum in remote rural areas, Republican candidates continued to command voter support despite the challenging national political environment. Voters in these rural regions expressed social and political attitudes diametrically opposed to their counterparts in large urban cores.
Oscillation theorems for second-order delay difference equations with superlinear neutral terms
Authors: Grace Said R. , Graef John R.
Published: February 2021

Oscillation criteria for a class of second-order delay difference
equations with a superlinear neutral term are established using a new approach.
The results improve and significantly simplify
the ones reported in the literature.
Altered methylarginine levels after surgery in subjects with multinodular goiter
Authors: Karaman Suheyla , Sivrikaya Abdullah , Onmaz Duygu Eryavuz , Alptekin Husnu
Published: February 2021

Objectives

Thyroid disorders are important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Levels of methylarginines such as asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA), L-monomethyl arginine (L-NMMA), symmetric dimethyl arginine (SDMA) are increase in cardiovascular diseases. Multinodular goiter (MNG) is the most common type of goiter in adults. To date, no study has been conducted to determine the levels of methylarginine in euthyroid MNG patients. Our aim in this study is to compare levels of methylarginines and related metabolites in the preoperative, postoperative MNG patients and controls.

Methods

Serum ADMA, SDMA, L-NMMA, homoarginine (hArg), arginine and citrulline concentrations were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

Results

ADMA (p<0.001), L-NMMA (p=0.002), l-arginine (p=0.006) and citrulline (p<0.001) levels were statistically significantly higher in preop group than postop group. ADMA (p=0.003), L-NMMA (p=0.003) levels were statistically significantly higher and SDMA/ADMA (p<0.001), hArg/ADMA (p<0.001) levels were statistically significantly lower in preop group than control group.

Conclusions

The levels of methylarginines and related metabolites altered in the euthyroid MNG patients compared to the control group, and more importantly, there were significant differences between the preop and postop groups. Therefore, these metabolites can be useful in the diagnosis and prognosis of thyroid disorders, even if thyroid hormone levels are normal.
Gas-liquid downward flow through narrow vertical conduits: effect of angle of entry and tube-diameter on flow patterns
Authors: Kumar Amit , Das Gargi , Ray Subhabrata , Jha Jay Mant , Thakur Amit K. , Panda Swapna Rekha
Published: February 2021

The present study investigates the flow pattern characteristics of air-water co-current down-flow in millichannels. The experiments have been performed in glass tube of diameter 0.0042 and 0.008 m. The fluids are injected through Y entry the included angle between the Y arms being 45°, 90°, 135°, and 180° (T Entry). The investigation reveals that the flow patterns are function of tube-diameter, and angle of fluid entry. Interestingly, stratified flow has been observed for steeper Y entry section at low liquid flow rates.
A note on secure multiparty computation via higher residue symbols
Authors: Cascudo Ignacio , Schnyder Reto
Published: February 2021

We generalize a protocol by Yu for comparing two integers with relatively small difference in a secure multiparty computation setting. Yu's protocol is based on the Legendre symbol. A prime number p is found for which the Legendre symbol (· | p) agrees with the sign function for integers in a certain range {−N, . . . , N} ⊂ ℤ. This can then be computed efficiently.

We generalize this idea to higher residue symbols in cyclotomic rings ℤ[ζr
] for r a small odd prime. We present a way to determine a prime number p such that the r-th residue symbol (· | p)
r
agrees with a desired function

f
:
A
→

{

ζ
r
0

,
…
,

ζ
r

r
−
1

}

f:A \to \left\{ {\zeta _r^0, \ldots ,\zeta _r^{r - 1}} \right\}

on a given small subset A ⊂ ℤ[ζr
], when this is possible. We also explain how to efficiently compute the r-th residue symbol in a secret shared setting.
Using Inclusion / Exclusion to find Bent and Balanced Monomial Rotation Symmetric Functions
Authors: Reid Elizabeth M.
Published: February 2021

There are many cryptographic applications of Boolean functions. Recently, research has been done on monomial rotation symmetric (MRS) functions which have useful cryptographic properties. In this paper we use the inclusion/exclusion principle to construct formulas for the weights of two subclasses of MRS functions: degree d short MRS functions and d-functions. From these results we classify bent and balanced functions of these forms.
Long-term Follow-up of Patients with Congenital Hyperinsulinism in Austria
Authors: Rami Birgit , Mercimek-Mahmutoglu Saadet , Feucht Martha , Herle Marion , Rittinger Olaf , Stoeckler-Ipsiroglu Sylvia , Schober Edith
Published: February 2021

Aim: To assess the neurological and clinical long-term outcome of patients diagnosed with congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) in Austria. Patients and Methods: Fourteen patients diagnosed with CHI (1978-2000) were investigated retrospectively by reviewing hospital records. Thirteen of them were evaluated with either a questionnaire or clinical, neurological and biochemical investigations (age at evaluation 4.2- 25.5 years) in a follow-up study in the year 2004. Results: Fifty percent of the patients needed a pancreatectomy. The prevalence of mental retardation was 31%, of epilepsy 15% and of pancreatic insufficiency 14%. None of our patients had developed diabetes mellitus. Additionally the prevalence of obesity was 43% in patients after pancreatectomy. Sixty-nine percent of the patients had no further treatment at the time of follow-up. Conclusion: Despite early diagnosis and intensive treatment, 31% of the patients presented with mental retardation.
Clinical and Laboratory Findings of Two Newborns with Wiedemann-Rautenstrauch Syndrome: Additional Features, Evaluation of Bone Turnover and Review of the Literature
Authors: Cagri Dinleyici Ener , Tekin Neslihan , Dinleyici Meltem , Aksit M. Arif
Published: February 2021

Wiedemann-Rautenstrauch syndrome (WRS) is a rare autosomal recessive condition which represents a complex of symptoms and laboratory findings with unknown cause and pathogenesis. Approximately 30 patients with WRS have been reported. We report here two newborns with WRS from Turkey with clinical and laboratory findings including bone marker evaluation. Our two patients had characteristic features of WRS, including intrauterine growth retardation, aged appearance, near absence of subcutaneous fat, gluteal fat pads, also labial pad in the first infant, wrinkled thin skin, sparse scalp hair, prominent scalp veins and facial dysmorphism. They also have severe osteopenia and elevated urinary deoxypyridinoline levels which have not been previously described in patients with WRS. Impaired lipid and hormone profiles including elevated prolactin and triglyceride level have been reported in patients with WRS. Our first patient also has excessive joint contractures, persisting thrombocytosis and rectal prolapse. We evaluated bone mineral findings in our two patients with WRS and recommend caution when handling children with WRS.