Impact of Short-Cut SWCF Yarn on Conductivity and Electrical Heatability of Silicone–MWCNT Composites

The incorporation of MWCNTs in polymer systems up to the percolation range renders them electrically conductive. However, this conductivity is not high enough for heating applications in the low-voltage range (<24 V). The combination of nanoscaled MWCNTs with microscaled short SWCNT fibers that was investigated in this study causes an abrupt rise in the conductivity of the material by more than an order of magnitude. Silicone was used as a flexible and high-temperature-resistant matrix polymer. Conductive silicone coatings and films with SWCF contents of 1.5% to 5% and constant MWCNT contents of 3% and 5% were developed, and their electrical and thermal properties in the voltage range between 6 and 48 V were investigated. The electrical conductivity of 3% MWCNT composite materials rose with a 5% addition of SWCFs. Because of this spike in conductivity, output power of 1260 W/m2 was achieved, for example, for a 100 µm thick composite containing 3% MWCNT and 4% SWCF at 24 V with a line spacing of 20 cm. Thermal measurements show a temperature increase of 69 K under these conditions. These findings support the use of such conductive silicone composites for high-performance coatings and films for challenging and high-quality applications.

Order–disorder transition of a rigid cage cation embedded in a cubic perovskite

The structure and properties of organic–inorganic hybrid perovskites are impacted by the order–disorder transition, whose driving forces from the organic cation and the inorganic framework cannot easily be disentangled. Herein, we report the design, synthesis and properties of a cage-in-framework perovskite AthMn(N3)3, where Ath+ is an organic cation 4-azatricyclo[2.2.1.02,6]heptanium. Ath+ features a rigid and spheroidal profile, such that its molecular reorientation does not alter the cubic lattice symmetry of the Mn(N3)3− host framework. This order–disorder transition is well characterized by NMR, crystallography, and calorimetry, and associated with the realignment of Ath+ dipole from antiferroelectric to paraelectric. As a result, an abrupt rise in the dielectric constant was observed during the transition. Our work introduces a family of perovskite structures and provides direct insights to the order–disorder transition of hybrid materials.

130 Boerhaave’s Syndrome: A Rare Complication of Cannabinoid-Induced Hyperemesis Syndrome

A 22-year-old man was referred to our surgical department with severe central chest pain after a three-day history of &gt; 200 episodes of vomiting a day on a known background of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. A computed tomography (CT) scan showed a ruptured oesophagus and pneumomediastinum, in keeping with Boerhaave’s syndrome. Conservative treatment with keeping the patient nil by mouth and administering intravenous fluids, anti-emetics and broad-spectrum antibiotics was initiated. Follow up CT showed significant reduction in pneumomediastinum. The patient was discharged home 7 days after admission. Spontaneous rupture of the oesophagus is a rare but potentially fatal event. It is caused by an abrupt rise in intra-luminal pressure, usually secondary to forceful vomiting. CT scan should be performed in all suspected cases as the findings dictate management, this being conservative, endoscopic, or surgical. We report on the first published case of Boerhaave’s syndrome as a result of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome.

E.U. and China Trends in Trade in Challenging Times

The sudden and abrupt rise of COVID-19 became a challenge for the world economy. In this paper, we investigate the changes in a trend of mutual trade between the EU-15 countries and China during the demanding times of the COVID-19 crisis. We use monthly data for Chinese exports to the E.U. (2018:01–2020:05) and imports from the E.U. (2018:01–2020:07) relying on the data from the open-source TradeMap developed by the International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO (ITC). Overall, there is an obvious decline of 13–32 percent in worldwide trade as predicted by the WTO. This affected China as the main trading partner of electronic devices and medical supplies. The trade between the E.U. and China has decreased, but the major change in demand brought an alteration in commodities structures and the reorientation of Chinese export production. In the first five months of 2020, we witnessed the strong engagement of the Chinese economy in the production of goods newly in high demand—mainly articles strongly related to healthcare and medical equipment. Thus, we have observed that the Chinese were very flexible in changing the structure of their exports triggered by the COVID-19 crisis. This flexibility is worth further exploration, especially because the COVID-19 crisis is still not over and new data and changing results can be expected.

Order–Disorder Transition of a Rigid Cage Cation Embedded in a Cubic Perovskite

The structure and properties of organic–inorganic hybrid perovskites are impacted by the order–disorder transition, whose driving forces from the organic cation and the inorganic framework cannot easily be disentangled. Herein, we report the design, synthesis and properties of a cage-in-framework perovskite AthMn(N3)3, where Ath+ is an organic cation 4-azatricyclo[2.2.1.02,6]heptanium. Ath+ features a rigid and spheroidal profile, such that its molecular reorientation does not alter the cubic lattice symmetry of the Mn(N3)3− host framework. This pure order–disorder transition is well characterized by NMR, crystallography, and calorimetry, and associated with the realignment of Ath+ dipole from antiferroelectric to paraelectric. As a result, an abrupt rise in the dielectric constant was observed during the transition. Our work introduces a new family of perovskite structures and provides direct insights to the order–disorder transition of hybrid materials.

The Son King and the ‘Man of the Palace’

This chapter discusses the events surrounding and leading up to the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi by operatives of the Saudi regime in the country’s consulate in Istanbul. It explains the killing of Khashoggi—an insider who knew too much—as a function of the new repression in Saudi Arabia. The chapter examines Khashoggi’s transformation from a regime propagandist to a persona non grata, explaining this change with reference to the abrupt rise of Crown Prince Muhammad ibn Salman and the shift in Saudi politics that it brought about.

EU and China Trend in Trade in Challenging Times

The sudden and abrupt rise of COVID-19 became a challenge for the world economy. In this paper, we investigate the changes of a trend of mutual trade between the EU-15 countries and China during the demanding times of the COVID-19 crisis. We use monthly data for Chinese export to the EU (2018:01 &ndash; 2020:05) and import from the EU (2018:01 &ndash; 2020:07) relying on the data from open source Trademap. We employ descriptive statistics to analyze the trade. Overall, there is the obvious decline of 13-32 per cent in worldwide trade as predicted by the WTO. This affected China as the main trading partner of electronic devices and medical supplies. The trade between the EU and China has decreased, but the major change in demand brought the alteration in commodities structure and re-orientation of Chinese export production. In the first five months of 2020, we have witnessed strong engagement of the Chinese economy in new highly demanded production - mainly to articles strongly linked with healthcare and medical equipment. Thus, we have observed that the Chinese were very flexible in changing the structure of export which was triggered by COVID-19 crisis. This flexibility is worth further exploration.

Revolutions of 1848

The present chapter explores the historiographical problems surrounding the role and relative strength of national sentiment in the revolutions of 1848. Here again the national problem is considered in relation to other contemporary sources of political and social discontent. In each of the cases under review, from Germany to Habsburg Europe to Italy, historians portray a sharp and even abrupt rise in the strength and assertiveness of, in the words of James Sheehan, ‘liberal political action’ in the years immediately preceding the 1848 revolutions, with a corresponding elevation in the perceived stature of national sentiment and demands.

Will COVID-19 Trigger Extinction of All Life on Earth?

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus and the associated COVID-19 is causing an abrupt reduction in industrial activity. As a result of the associated reduction in the aerosol masking effect (“global dimming”), Earth might experience an abrupt rise in global-average temperature. The current temperature of Earth is the highest with Homo sapiens present, suggesting that an abrupt rise in global-average temperature could destroy habitat for humans on Earth. Human extinction could result.