A method of 3D embossed printing is proposed where both point and line images can be printed on rigid polyvinyl chloride (PVC) shrink films without any consumables, such as paints, primers, dampening solutions, or washes. Embossed lettering and symbols on packaging are intended for people with poor vision, but capable of tactile marking recognition and reading Braille. This 3D printing is based on reversible deformation and stress relaxation in anisotropic glassy polymers by local isometric heat treatment of thermoplastic films under pressure. Films can be protected from counterfeiting by hidden markings due to time separation of information recording onto the film and displaying this information for visual or tactile reading. The results quantify the rate of internal stress relaxation in PVC shrink films at various stages of 3D printing, including tactile sign formation conditions. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43046.

The wild boar Sus scrofa is one of the most widely distributed large mammal species in the world, existing on all continents except Antarctica. In the late 20th Century, its geographical range expanded naturally and through intentional releases. Despite the environmental, social, and economic importance of the wild boar, its current distribution in northern Eurasia remains uncertain, and the factors that limit and promote expansion in northern ecosystems are unknown. We aimed to summarise the history of wild boar range expansion and current distribution in the countries of northern Eurasia. We also assess the relative importance of climate (both harshness and warming), habitat (both current diversity and possible change), predators, releases, supplementary feeding, and hunting in limiting or promoting the distribution and range expansion of the species. We review hunting management and other regulations that may affect further northward expansion. Information on wild boar expansion and distribution was collated from available scientific publications, official statistics, volunteer reports, and expert knowledge. The effects of natural factors (climate harshness, habitat variation, predators) and anthropogenic factors (climate warming, habitat change, releases, supplementary feeding, hunting) on wild boar distribution were assessed using estimates (scores) provided by experts from the target regions. The wild boar in Europe is distributed up to 64°N. In Asia, the northern distributional limit is up to 61°N. The species' northern distributional limit is further north in the west than in the east of the geographic range. Experts regarded climate harshness, habitat, and hunting as the most important factors limiting wild boar distribution. Important factors that promote the expansion of the wild boar's range include climate warming and supplementary feeding. Our analysis of the official approaches to wild boar management suggests that the northern Eurasian countries do not have a united approach to the challenge of wild boar expansion. Collaboration between managers, policymakers, and researchers is needed for monitoring the wild boar distribution and range expansion throughout northern Eurasia. This data collection is especially important now, as parts of Europe and Asia are facing the challenge of African swine fever as well as other human–wildlife conflicts related to increasing wild boar populations.

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Authors propose a new method of information recording in the form of a relief on the surface of a membrane or film made of the thermo shrinkable polyvinyl chloride. The information is recorded with the help of printing equipment. The printing equipment should undergo partial modification to increase contact time of the film with liquid ink on a printing plate. The ink contains certain ingredients that quickly dissolve the film and reduce local internal compressive stresses in the contact zone. The paper represents the shape and size of the relief elements formed on a membrane made of the thermo shrinkable polyvinyl chloride using screen printing with the ink containing a solvent – tetrahydrofuran.