bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental investigation of high temperature effect on Slag based alkali activated concrete and ordinary concrete
Authors: Sonal Thakkar  , Urmil Dave  , Jay Patel
Published: August 2022

Effect of elevated temperature on residual mechanical properties of slag based alkali activated concrete (SAC) was compared with Ordinary Portland cement concrete (OPC) when subjected to temperature up to 900 ° C. SAC was prepared using sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate activators. Residual compres-sive strength, tensile strength, flexural strength, modulus of elasticity and bond strength was studied at differ-ent temperature ranges to evaluate effect of high temperature on both concrete. It was observed that compres-sive strength for OPC decreased from 32 MPa to 19 MPa while in SAC variation was decrease was found to be from 32 MPa to 25 MPa. Similarly in SAC variation in residual split tensile, residual flexural strength, re-sidual Modulus of Elasticity and residual bond test was much less compared to OPC concrete. Physical changes were much noticeable in case of OPC at high temperature compared to SAC. This indicates that SAC performed better at high temperature as compared to that OPC.
Structural Optimization for Asymmetric Framed Structures without Shear Walls
Authors: Anandu Sreeraj  , V. Vasugi  , Bindu Sunil
Published: August 2022

This paper proposes a method for the preliminary arrangement of columns having variable sizes on an asymmetric plan, such that the resulting structure will have minimum torsion. Asymmetry can be due to shape of the plan as well as arrangement of columns having variable sizes. This study shows the influence of first three modes in determining the structural behavior of RCC framed buildings during earthquake. The time periods were approximately calculated by using 3D-shear-torsion beam method. The optimization was done using Genetic algorithm in Matlab. The seismic performance of general asymmetric structures with uniform square columns were compared with optimized asymmetric structures having columns with variable sizes. The results from pushover analysis showed significant increase in strength and ductility along the direction having torsion.
Response Spectrum Solutions for Blast Loading
Authors: Lam N. T. K. , Mendis Priyan , Ngo Tuan
Published: August 2022

Existing knowledge on the modelling of blast pressure have been further developed in this paper for engineering applications.  Parametric studies involving time-history analyses of simple cantilevered wall models have been undertaken based on pre-defined pressure functions to study basic trends. The "corner period" of the velocity response spectrum was found to be the key controlling parameter in response behaviour modelling of the walls. An important contribution from this study is the identification of the directrelationship between the corner period and the "clearing time" for the blast. A simple and yet realistic capacity spectrum model has been developed for the design and assessment of cantilevered walls for its performance under blast loads. The practicality of the proposed model has been demonstrated herein by a worked example.
9/11: Five Years on - Changes in Tall Building Design?
Authors: Mendis Priyan , Ngo Tuan
Published: August 2022

This article discusses the changes in tall building design practice after the World Trade Centre (WTC) buildings collapse. Although many suggestions were made post-9/11, regarding the improvement of the performance of buildings, no major changes have yet been implemented. These suggestions and the lessons learnt from the collapse are discussed in the paper.
Buckling Reliability of Deteriorating Steel Beam Ends
Authors: J. W. van de Lindt  , S. Pei
Published: August 2022

Deterioration of steel beam ends due to deicing media is a common problem in colder climates. A primary effect of this deterioration is a reduction in the buckling capacity of the steel beam due to thinning or loss of the web section above the bearing plate.  Consequently, this can result in the need to post a reduced allowable load for a bridge possibly resulting in economic losses for nearby industries. It is the authors experience that when faced with this problem, a department of transportation structural analyst may make overly conservative assumptions. These assumptions may result in the posting or even closure of a bridge when it may not necessary. This paper presents the method and results of an alternate reliability-based damage assessment procedure using 1.) existing truckload data recorded at 42 weigh-in-motion (WIM) sites throughout the U.S. state of Michigan as the load and 2.) a detailed finite element model to determine the resistance of the section to buckling. A case study is presented for a selected bridge and varying levels of deterioration are modeled to examine the effect of web thinning on point-in-time (PIT) structural reliability index estimates, which are presented in chart format. Potential applications of such charts are qualitatively discussed including 1) reliability-based damage identification, 2) maintenance scheduling, and 3) integration into lifetime reliability models.
Numerical studies of a steel beam in a frame sub-assembly at elevated temperatures
Authors: M. A. Bradford  , K. T. Luu  , A. Heidarpour
Published: August 2022

The analysis of structural members in a compartment in a steel framed building subjected to fire attack is often difficult owing to the combined complexity of the material degradation and of the actions induced by thermal strains. Although such analyses can be carried out using advanced finite element packages such as ABAQUS and ANSYS, they do not permit an ‘overall feeling’ of the underlying structural mechanics to be fully articulated or understood. It is important that the response of structures under fire conditions, and the parameters that influence this response, are fully understood so that safe and economical performancebased fire designs can be achieved, and that codified treatments can be prescribed. This paper presents numerical studies of a steel beam subjected to fire attack in a steel framed compartment. The analysis is based on an analytical procedure that allows for a solution for the actions and deformations to be stated in closed form prior to the attainment of first yield of the steel at elevated temperature. It is found that the response of members under fire attack is governed by the slenderness ratio of the member subjected to elevated temperature the restraint afforded by the adjacent, cooler elements in the building frame and the applied thermal regimes.
Recent progress in fire-structure analysis
Authors: D. Duthinh  , K. McGrattan  , A. Khaskia
Published: August 2022

One recommendation of the National Construction Safety Team for the Federal Building and Fire Safety Investigation of the World Trade Center Disaster [1] is to enhance the capability of available computational software to predict the effects of fires in buildings, for use in the design of fire protection systems and the analysis of building response to fires. This paper presents two new interfaces in fire-thermal-structural analysis. The first interface uses adiabatic surface temperatures to provide an efficient way of transferring thermal results from a fire simulation to a thermal analysis. It assigns these temperatures to surface elements of structural members based on proximity and directionality. The second interface allows the transfer of temperature results from a thermal analysis modeled with solid elements to a structural analysis modeled with beams and shells. The interface also allows the reverse, namely the geometric updating of the thermal model with deflections and strains obtained from the structural analysis. This last step is particularly useful in intense fires of long duration, where significant deflections and strains could cause damage to insulation and displace the structure to a different thermal regime. The procedures can be used for a variety of fire simulation, thermal and structural analysis software.
review of the Current Vietnamese Earthquake Design Code
Authors: Ngo Tuan , M.D. Nguyen  , D.B. Nguyen
Published: August 2022

This paper provides a brief overview of the seismic activities in Vietnam. In the past, Vietnam did not have its own earthquake code. A new earthquake code which was based on Eurocode has been issued in 2006. The new earthquake code for Vietnam is reviewed in this paper. Due to the lack of historical records the establishment of the local site factors and design seismic response spectrum for major cities in Vietnam was found problematic. A case study was carried out to determine the full range response spectra for seismic design of building structures in Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam. The study comprises the following components: (i) development of a seismic activity model for the potential earthquake sources in the region surrounding Hanoi; (ii) the response spectrum modelling for rock sites based on the assumed seismic activity; (iii) soil amplification modelling to represent typical soil conditions in Hanoi. Several representative boreholes have been obtained for soil resonance analyses based on the predicted bedrock motion. This method has been found very useful to produce important seismic parameters for earthquake design.
Evaluation of Site Effects in Hong Kong
Authors: J.W. Pappin  , R.C.H. Koo  , M.W. Free  , H.H. Tsang
Published: August 2022

This paper describes an investigation into the potential seismic site response effects for the ground conditions in Hong Kong. A site classification map for the Hong Kong region has been produced using current IBC site classes. Published geological maps and detailed ground investigation information have been used for the classification. One-dimensional site response analyses have been carried out to determine how various representative types of site profiles of Hong Kong will potentially respond to earthquake ground motion. The response of soil profiles was investigated using three input earthquake ground-motion levels corresponding to bedrock motion with 50%, 10% and 2% probability of being exceeded in 50 years. The results are presented in terms of spectral ratios for the different Site Classes. A simplified manual procedure for rapid assessment of site response effects has been developed by the University of  Hong Kong to produce displacement- based design response spectra. There are extensive areas of reclamation in Hong Kong and the potential for liquefaction in these areas, and other areas underlain by non-cohesive, saturated soils, was considered sufficiently high to warrant investigation. The methodology and results of a liquefaction assessment are presented in the final part of this paper
Ultrasonic Signal Characteristics in Pre- and Post-yield Steel Structures
Authors: Y. Bingol  , A.M. Okeil
Published: August 2022

The theory of acoustoelasticity has been the main concept behind most studies investigating the stress level in different structural materials. In this paper, an alternative approach for stress assessment is investigated whereby signal characteristics are identified under different stress levels. The results of an experimental investigation on longitudinal waves propagating perpendicular to the applied stress are presented. Ultrasonic signals were acquired from steel specimens subjected to different uniaxial tensile stress levels. Two well known Digital Signal Processing (DSP) methods; the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) and Chirp-Z Transform (CZT), were used to analyse the signals in the frequency domain. Two other techniques; peak amplitudes and signal energies, were used for investigating the acquired signals in the time domain. This study confirms that the acoustoelastic effects on ultrasonic signals are miniscule within the elastic range for longitudinal signals travelling perpendicular to the applied stress. However, the results show a clear distinction between signal characteristics prior to and post yielding.
Human Blood
Authors: Varpit Francisca , Galama Vela
Published: August 2022

The human blood is composed of 3 layers of humors when separated into its different components. The component that is clear, slightly yellow (plasma), the whitish viscous-like (buffy coat) and the red fluid (red cells). The plasma component is composed of proteins; however, it will not be discussed in this chapter. The buffy coat is composed of white blood cells and platelets. The white blood cells are composed of granulocytes and agranulocytes; all of which take part in immune defense. The granulocytes, including monocytes have non-specific immune response while agranulocytes, which include B and T cells have specific immune response. The platelets function to help maintain normal hemostasis during vascular injury. Blood group antigens are found on the surface of red cells and are composed of proteins, carbohydrates and lipids. They are mostly inherited on autosomes with the exception of two which have been found to be inherited on the X chromosomes. With the advance of technology, some of their physiological functional roles have been elucidated. These include; structural integrity, cationic exchange, transporters, adhesion and receptor functions, and cell to cell communication. However, these mechanisms have been capitalized by infectious agents to gain entry to the human body causing disease.
Actinomycosis: Diagnosis, Clinical Features and Treatment
Authors: J. Cantres-Fonseca Onix , Vando-Rivera Vanessa , Fonseca-Ferrer Vanessa , Castillo Latorre Christian , J. Del Olmo-Arroyo Francisco
Published: August 2022

Actinomycosis is a filamentous bacterium that forms part of the normal human flora of the gastrointestinal, oropharynx and female genitalia. This indolent infection is characterized by abscess formation, widespread granulomatous disease, fibrosis, cavitary lung lesions and mass-like consolidations, simulating an active malignancy or systemic inflammatory diseases. It is subacute, chronic and variable presentation may delay diagnosis due to its capability to simulate other conditions. An accurate diagnostic timeline is relevant. Early diagnosis of pulmonary actinomycosis decreases the risk of indolent complications. Proper treatment reduces the need for invasive surgical methods. Actinomycosis can virtually involve any organ system, the infection spread without respecting anatomical variables as metastatic disease does, making malignancy an important part of the differential diagnosis. As it is normal gastrointestinal florae, it is difficult to cultivate, and share similar morphology to other organisms such as Nocardia and fungus. It is often difficult to be identified as the culprit of disease. Its true imitator capability makes this infectious agent a remarkable organism within the spectra of localized and disseminated disease. In this chapter, we will discuss different peculiarities of actinomycosis as an infectious agent, most common presentation in different organ systems, and challenging scenarios.
Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy and Microscopy Study of Human Dental Tissues
Authors: Mustafa Muhammad , Latif Anwar , Jehangir Majid
Published: August 2022

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) analysis of human dental tissues: enamel and dentine, performed by utilizing Nd: YAG laser (𝜆=1064 𝑛𝑚, 𝜏=6 𝑛𝑠, 𝐸=50 𝑚𝐽) to investigate threshold ablation of laser energy density. Quantitative results based on the experiment provide us with threshold ablation value of laser energy density for calcium (Ca) ablation in enamel and dentine tissues. The computed threshold laser energy density for Ca ablation in dentin tissue is 0.38 J/cm2, which is significantly lower than the threshold in the enamel, which is 1.41 J/cm2. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) examination of dental tissues determines that the dentin surface contains pores, voids, and bubbles that make it easy to ablate at low laser energy density, while enamel has a closely packed smear layer structure that is difficult to ablate, requiring high energy densities. These findings are helpful in the field of laser dentistry, where lasers are widely used for dental treatment.
Atrial Fibrillation in Heart Failure: Rate or Rhythm Control Strategy
Authors: Chairuddin Lubis Anggia , Andina Munawar Dian , Munawar Muhammad
Published: August 2022

Atrial fibrillation and heart failure are intimately related as they shared the same risk factors, unsurprisingly they commonly coexist and complicate each other. Management of atrial fibrillation in heart failure is usually simplified into rate or rhythm control strategy, as each offers its advantages and limitations. Pharmacological rate and rhythm control strategy has been compared for the last decades; however, as more nonpharmacological approach raised as viable option has driven the management strategy discussion even further. On the other hand, heart failure understanding is also evolving and more detailed classification has been made based on left ventricular function. Justification for rate or rhythm control strategy should be individualized predicated on clinical phenotype. Moreover, the chosen strategy should be flexible and can be adjusted if the preferred strategy is ineffective.
Compact Incoherent Multidimensional Imaging Systems Using Static Diffractive Coded Apertures
Authors: Anand Vijayakumar , Hock Ng Soon , Katkus Tomas , Smith Daniel , Balasubramani Vinoth , P. Linklater Denver , J. Magistretti Pierre , Depeursinge Christian , P. Ivanova Elena , Juodkazis Saulius
Published: August 2022

Incoherent holographic imaging technologies, in general, involve multiple optical components for beam splitting—combining and shaping—and in most cases, require an active optical device such as a spatial light modulator (SLM) for generating multiple phase-shifted holograms in time. The above requirements made the realization of holography-based products expensive, heavy, large, and slow. To successfully transfer the holography capabilities discussed in research articles to products, it is necessary to find methods to simplify holography architectures. In this book chapter, two important incoherent holography techniques, namely interference-based Fresnel incoherent correlation holography (FINCH) and interferenceless coded aperture correlation holography (I-COACH), have been successfully simplified in space and time using advanced manufacturing methods and nonlinear reconstruction, respectively. Both techniques have been realized in compact optical architectures using a single static diffractive optical element manufactured using lithography technologies. Randomly multiplexed diffractive lenses were manufactured using electron beam lithography for FINCH. A quasi-random lens and a mask containing a quasi-random array of pinholes were manufactured using electron beam lithography and photolithography, respectively, for I-COACH. In both cases, the compactification has been achieved without sacrificing the performances. The design, fabrication, and experiments of FINCH and I-COACH with static diffractive optical elements are presented in details.
Fouling and Mechanism
Authors: Ur Rehman Obaid , Erniza Mohammad Rozali Nor , Gounder Ramasamy Marappa
Published: August 2022

Fouling is the deposition of material on the heat transfer surface which reduces the film heat transfer coefficient. The impact of fouling on the heat exchanger is manifested as the reduction of thermal and hydraulic performance, in which the latter has a minor effect. This factor needs to be considered when calculating the effectiveness of the heat exchanger. During the design of heat exchangers, the fouling factor increases the required heat transfer area, which adds extra manufacturing costs. With less efficient heat exchangers, the economic cost of fouling is related to excess fuel consumption, loss of production, and maintenance or cleaning. The extra fuel consumption also damages the environment by increasing greenhouse gas production. Although much of the research work has been done on modeling and predicting fouling, it is still a poorly understood phenomenon representing the complexity of its mechanism. The common fouling mitigation action after the onset of fouling is to optimize the operating condition, e.g., increase the bulk flow velocity or decrease surface temperature. However, many quantitative and semi-empirical models have been developed to predict the fouling rate for preventive actions and optimizing cleaning schedules.
A Hybrid Genetic, Differential Evolution Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Stubberud Peter
Published: August 2022

This chapter presents a heuristic evolutionary optimization algorithm that is loosely based on the principles of evolution and natural genetics. In particular, this chapter describes an evolutionary algorithm that is a hybrid of a genetic algorithm and a differential evolution algorithm. This algorithm uses an elitist, ranking, random selection method, several mutation methods and both two level and three level Taguchi crossover. This algorithm is applied to 13 commonly used global numerical optimization test functions, including a spherical, three hyper-ellipsoid, the sum of different powers, Rastrigin’s, Schwefel’s, Griewank’s, Rosenbrock’s valley, Styblinski-Tang, Ackley’s Path, Price-Rosenbrock, and Eggholder’s functions. This algorithm is applied 1000 times to each of the 13 test functions, and the results shows that this algorithm always converges to each of the 13 test function’s global minimum.
Oncological-Therapy-Associated Liver Injuries
Authors: Sacerdoțianu Victor-Mihai , Streba Costin-Teodor , Rogoveanu Ion , Streba Liliana , Constantin Vere Cristin
Published: August 2022

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) represents a large group of hepatic disease caused by various treatments, including oncological agents. The liver is an important organ with a role in drug metabolization and excretion and may be affected when oncologic treatment is initiated. The most common liver disease patterns induced by oncologic therapy are steatosis and steatohepatitis, focal nodular hyperplasia, pseudocirrhosis, acute hepatitis, hepatic necrosis, immune-mediated hepatitis, cholestasis, fibrosis and cirrhosis, sinusal obstructive syndrome. In rare cases, chemotherapy treatment is associated with a high-risk hepatic adenoma or hepatocellular carcinoma development. It was demonstrated that the majority of chemotherapy classes can induce these effects on the liver, for example, alkylating agents, antimetabolites, and antitumor antibiotics, but also immunotherapy agents can be involved. The majority of patients that receive oncological treatment who developed liver injury as adverse reactions are identified by symptoms and/or blood test abnormalities. Imaging techniques may be helpful in the diagnosis of oncological-therapy-associated liver injuries, for example, focal nodular hyperplasia, pseudocirrhosis, and sinusal obstructive syndrome. If liver disease occurs as an adverse effect of these agents, the recommendation to stop or continue the administration of oncologic treatment with close monitoring relies upon the risk and benefits of this medication.
Polysaccharide Chiral Stationary Phases for the Achiral and Chiral Separation of Cannabinoids
Authors: J. Umstead Weston
Published: August 2022

Polysaccharide-based chiral stationary phases (CSPs) have been widely utilized in the pharmaceutical, agricultural, and natural product industries since their first-reported use and subsequent commercialization more than 50 years ago. Although they have been traditionally used for the separation of small drug molecules containing one or more chiral centers, their uses have recently grown to include achiral separations in emerging fields like the cannabis industry. The ability to separate and study individual cannabinoids is critical to understanding their impact in both medicinal and recreational applications. Furthermore, it is not difficult to envision a future where cannabinoids, particularly for medicinal use, are treated like pharmaceuticals—that is requiring rigorous purity testing, including the determination of chiral purity. While current methods of analysis are sufficient for the separation of achiral cannabinoid mixtures, some critical chiral pairs like cannabichromene cannot be separated fully. This is where the use of polysaccharide CSPs is and will continue to be important, as a chiral resolution will be needed to satisfy these potential requirements. This chapter will cover an introduction and evolution of polysaccharide CSPs, including a discussion on their unique separations mechanism, and review a number of the applications described in the literature of their uses for the achiral and chiral separation of cannabinoids.
Canine Glioma as a Model for Human Glioblastoma
Authors: M. Yost Nicole , M. Angelastro James
Published: August 2022

Glioblastoma, a high-grade diffuse glioma, carries a poor clinical prognosis despite decades of extensive research on the genetic and molecular features of disease and investigation of experimental therapeutics. Because spontaneous canine glioma and human glioblastoma share many clinicopathologic characteristics, recent efforts have focused on utilizing companion dogs as a preclinical model for both research and therapeutic development. A detailed investigation of the canine disease, with particular attention to the genetic and molecular profile, is important in order to allow translation of specific clinical findings from canines to humans and vice versa. In this chapter, we investigate the most common genetic, molecular, and epigenetic alterations associated with canine and human glioma. Appropriate implementation of the canine glioma model may provide valuable information to improve both human and veterinary patient care.
Criminal immunity of state officials in international law
Authors: Arsić Katarina
Published: August 2022

The paper analyzes the practice of the states and international courts regarding the recognition, non - recognition or withdrawal of immunity in cases which are in accordance with international criminal law and against state officials, including highlevel officials. This paper offers an analysis of the historical role of World War II in recognizing individual criminal responsibilities in international law, enabling the criminal process and prosecuting officers for violating jus cogens norms. In this sense, we should distinguish the immunity ratione personae (personal immunity) from the immunity ratione materiae (functional immunity). High state officials such as the Head of State, the Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs have the immunity ratione personae. On the other hand, the immunity ratione materiae is enjoyed by other officials. While personal immunity derives from the function performed by high-rank officials and should ensure unhindered performance of their duties, functional immunity is the immunity of the state and should primarily protect the state, not the official, because the official acts only on behalf of the state. Based on this, the paper points out that the practice of domestic courts, the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court in recognizing or withdrawing immunity of state officials is inconsistent. The paper analyzes the Seventh Report on Immunity of State Officials from foreign criminal jurisdiction by the Commission on International Law and indicates the areas in which the articles of a potential document on the criminal immunity of state officials in international law should be elaborated. In addition to contradictory judgments of the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court, the impossibility of defining uniform rules arises because the states have different understanding and believe that the dignity of the state will be endangered if their high officials are prosecuted by courts of other states. The paper concludes that further monitoring of the work of relevant international and domestic courts is needed in order to uniform rules and produce a draft document on criminal immunity of state representatives in international law based on uniform practice.
Decade of population changes in Europe and Serbia (2011 - 2020)
Authors: Marinković Ivan
Published: August 2022

The period 2011 - 2020 was full of challenges that shook the slow demographic trends. The impact of the global economic crisis, war conflicts, and pandemics has been remarkable on population dynamics around the world, especially in Europe. The main goal of this paper is analysis of basic demographic indicators of births, deaths, migrations, as well as age structure and changes in the total population in Europe and Serbia. Fertility continues to decline in most countries. Only Eastern European countries have a positive trend, while the lowest values are in the countries of the southern part of Europe. Serbia belongs to a smaller group of countries that have recorded a modest increase. The trend of increasing life expectancy in Europe stops abruptly in the year of the pandemic (2020) and returns to the level of 2013. The situation in Serbia was even more unfavorable than the European average. The migrant crisis in Europe, starting in 2015, is culminating with inflows of between 2.4 and 2.7 million migrants annually. Germany, Spain, France and Italy have the highest inflows. Half of the migrants are under 30 years old. In Serbia, the trend of emigration has continued, and depending on estimates, the negative annual migration balance amounts to 15 to 20 thousand people. Demographic aging of the population continues in most European countries. The population of Serbia has been one of the oldest in Europe and the world for many years, and the process in the period 2011-2020, compared to other European countries, is of moderate intensity. Half of the analyzed European countries have a negative natural increase, which will be an introduction to depopulation for many in the coming period. The forecast for Serbia is that the next census will show that the population of Serbia has decreased to the level of 60 years ago.
Theoretical understanding of the concepts of nationalism and secession
Authors: Petrović Rajko
Published: August 2022

Nationalism and secession are two important theoretical concepts, but also practical phenomena in political and social life. The aim of this paper is to analyze different theoretical concepts of nationalism and secession as two phenomena that often stand in a cause-and-effect relationship for a better understanding of their nature and essence, as well as the consequences they produce in practice. This is of special importance for countries like the Republic of Serbia, which for a long time have been facing various forms of nationalism and secessionist efforts in parts of their territories as real threats. The research results show that there are different theories of nationalism that view this specific political ideology, ie the movement, as well as the nation as its central part, completely differently - from the fact that the nation is a biological category to the fact that it is a socio-political construct and product of modern processes such as industrialization and modernization. Likewise, the results in the case of secession suggest that there are different interpretations of both the nature of secession as a process and the conditions under which it can be implemented and the arguments by which it can be justified. In methodological terms, we used the method of analysis and the comparative method.
Television formats as user generated content: YouTube as mass media channel(s) of influencers
Authors: Ercegovac Ivana
Published: August 2022

Professionalism in creating media messages is no longer considered as exclusiveness of mass media outlets. With time, because of the growing interest in watching the video content online, YouTube channels have moved from amateur home videos towards higher quality production. Considering these changes, it is interesting to see how youtubers are contributing to the evolution of media content and television formats in particular. By examining and analyzing a number of YouTube channels this research is trying to establish in which way the television formats were adopted by youtubers and how youtubers particularly those considered to be influencers have changed the principles of making audio-visual content.
Popular culture: Pinter's drama characters in the culture of body and pleasure
Authors: Rafailović Sanja
Published: August 2022

The topic of this paper is defining the concept of popular culture and determining its influence on the attitude and behavior of Harold Pinter's drama characters in the culture of body and pleasure. The first part of the paper relies on the theories of eminent sociologists regarding the conceptualization of popular culture, with a special focus on the element of popular pleasures and body. The body is viewed from a physical, class and gender perspective of popular culture which differs from the ruling ideology, while the performance of popular pleasures is seen through John Fiske's explication, which supports the view that subordinate social groups create their own meanings of content and develop popular pleasures in contrast to the hegemonic pleasures. Also, the paper studies the culture of pleasure and body from the point of view of Roland Barthes' division of the respective into jouissance and plaisir, as well as from the point of view of carnivalization of Mikhail Bakhtin. In the second part of the paper, the behavior of Harold Pinter's drama characters in the dramas Dumb Waiter, Birthday Party, Caretaker, Homecoming, No Man's Land, and Betrayal, is defined and explained by the comparative method, from the perspective of enjoying pleasures. More precisely, the thinking and acting of Pinter's protagonists are classified as manifestation of popular pleasures of jouissance and plaisir. The aim of the paper is to determine how Harold Pinter's drama characters behave in the culture of body, how they enjoy popular pleasures and to what extent popular pleasures affect their life course.
The impact of working capital management on profitability of large firms in Serbia
Authors: Milošev Ivana
Published: August 2022

Short term firms' decisions about working capital influence the firms value and profitability. This study aims to find new empirical evidence of the influence of managing working capital on profitability, measured by ROA, with application to 367 large non-financial firms in Serbia during a four-year period (2016-2019) using panel-corrected standard error model. The results show that after controlling the characteristics of the firm and macroeconomic conditions, working capital management has statistically significant and non linear influence to firm profitability. This suggests the existence of an optimal level of net working capital of analysed firms, while optimal level working capital has positive and above optimal level working capital has negative effects on the firms' profitability.
Valorization of the quality of the products made by enterprises on the market where they do business
Authors: Miletić Vuk , Ćurčić Nikola
Published: August 2022

The need of different enterprises for exploring the level of the quality of their products/services is growing with the expansion of their business operations in the global environment and with the growth of their competition. The subject matter of this research study is the valorization of certain characteristics of the products with which enterprises appear on a target market, which on their part especially relate to their quality. The purpose of the exploration and valorization of the product quality level is connected with numerous business arrangements of the enterprises competing on selected markets in a particular period of time so as to achieve an expected financial result. The starting premise implies that the installed concept of the quality of a product made by an enterprise should encompass all those quality elements pertaining to the consumer/user, i.e. to achieving their satisfaction. That is even more so given the fact that all the relevant analyses and experiences of global enterprises indicate that buyer/consumer satisfaction with a quality product ultimately decides on their financial success. In the research study, the comparative statistics, hypothetical-deductive, analytical-deductive and comparative, historical and statistical-descriptive methods are used.
The influence of paraolympic and special programs in children without disabilities: Systematic review research
Authors: Utvić Nikola , Simijonović Ivana , Prakash Dubey , Glišić Miloš , Aleksandrović Marko
Published: August 2022

Introduction: Children with disabilities have a low level of acceptance by their peers. Applying Paralympics programs to people without disability could change their attitudes towards people with disability. Method: The scientific works from the following electronic databases were searched: PubMed / Medline, Cihnal, Embase, Open-J-Gate, ScienceDirect, Google Schollar and Kobson. The requested works were published between 2008 and 2021. Criteria for inclusion are divided into four parts: study strategy, study design, type of measurement results, exclusion criteria. The procedures were conducted in accordance with the statement of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA). Results: Of the 110 papers included in the review, 11 works were taken for in-depth analysis on the basis of which a conclusion was made. Conclusion: Paralympics programs have had a positive impact on the attitudes of children without disability.
Spirituality in critical epidemic conditions
Authors: Markov-Čikić Ivana , Prtljaga Snežana
Published: August 2022

Spirituality can be important in various types of stress because it significantly contributes to a person's well-being, affects the overall quality of life and acts proactively, accelerating person's cognitive development by seeking different answers to a new situation. With a retrospective view of the spiritual and creative space at the time of COVID, we can say that this is a period of increased self-actualization of people, in which they manifested their absolute potentials as individuals. Although COVID left people without liturgical celebrations in certain periods, the living space did not have to remain spiritually empty, since the faithful could express their spirituality through their own prayer in their homes. These were modified conditions in Christian spirituality, where prayers represent an ecclesiastical act that connects the praying person with the community, conditions in which participation of an individual in the prayer of the church community that keeps and nourishes Jesus' prayer was hindered. The newly-established conditions opened up specific mental states in which people turned their attention to various non-religious forms of spirituality close to them: writing poetry, reading, painting, composing music, and thus new creative/artistic opuses were created that marked and are still marking this period. The books and songs 'at the times of COVID' were created, which represent a living and lucid document of time and a personal, authentic comment of an individual on one of the most unusual situations in which humanity has found itself in the last few decades. Painting studios have become a kind of quarantine in which painters stand behind their easels and in which the art world lives, transferred to the canvas in various techniques, waiting for its first exhibition entitled: 'From the times of COVID'.
Envelhecimento, saúde e cognição humana: importância da dieta, da genética e do estilo de vida
Authors: Sgarbieri Valdemiro Carlos , Bertoldo-Pacheco Maria Teresa , Gibrim Nádia Fátima , Oliveira Denise Aparecida Gonçalves de , Caetano-Silva Maria Elisa
Published: August 2022

O livro enfatiza fatores que regem a vida humana do início ao fim e que podem ser muito diferentes entre indivíduos e populações: 1) caracteres genéticos herdados diretamente de nossos pais e indiretamente de nossos ancestrais, os quais permanecem relativamente estáveis ao longo da vida; 2) fatores ambientais (alimentação, condição e estilo de vida) até certo ponto controláveis, sendo a alimentação o mais importante. A primeira parte do livro trata da definição e da conceituação do processo de envelhecimento e seus efeitos na saúde. Seguem-se a apresentação e a discussão de mecanismos que promovem degradação molecular e celular responsáveis por distúrbios metabólicos que podem resultar em doenças crônico-degenerativas. A maior parte do texto é dedicada à apresentação de alimentos e compostos bioativos que agem combatendo o envelhecimento precoce e retardando doenças da idade. Por fim, faz-se uma discussão sobre conceitos de dietas saudáveis com sugestões para pesquisas, visando melhorar o perfil alimentar do brasileiro.
Targeting A-kinase anchoring protein 12 phosphorylation in hepatic stellate cells regulates liver injury and fibrosis in mouse models
Authors: Ramani Komal , Mavila Nirmala , Abeynayake Aushinie , Tomasi Maria Lauda , Wang Jiaohong , Matsuda Michitaka , Seki Eki
Published: August 2022

Trans-differentiation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) to activated state potentiates liver fibrosis through release of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, distorting the liver architecture. Since limited antifibrotics are available, pharmacological intervention targeting activated HSCs may be considered for therapy. A-kinase anchoring protein 12 (AKAP12) is a scaffolding protein that directs protein kinases A/C (PKA/PKC) and cyclins to specific locations spatiotemporally controlling their biological effects. It has been shown that AKAP12’s scaffolding functions are altered by phosphorylation. In previously published work, observed an association between AKAP12 phosphorylation and HSC activation. In this work, we demonstrate that AKAP12’s scaffolding activity toward the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident collagen chaperone, heat-shock protein 47 (HSP47) is strongly inhibited by AKAP12’s site-specific phosphorylation in activated HSCs. CRISPR-directed gene editing of AKAP12’s phospho-sites restores its scaffolding toward HSP47, inhibiting HSP47’s collagen maturation functions, and HSC activation. AKAP12 phospho-editing dramatically inhibits fibrosis, ER stress response, HSC inflammatory signaling, and liver injury in mice. Our overall findings suggest a pro-fibrogenic role of AKAP12 phosphorylation that may be targeted for therapeutic intervention in liver fibrosis.
Double NPY motifs at the N-terminus of the yeast t-SNARE Sso2 synergistically bind Sec3 to promote membrane fusion
Authors: Peer Maximilian , Yuan Hua , Zhang Yubo , Korbula Katharina , Novick Peter , Dong Gang
Published: August 2022

Exocytosis is an active vesicle trafficking process by which eukaryotes secrete materials to the extracellular environment and insert membrane proteins into the plasma membrane. The final step of exocytosis in yeast involves the assembly of two t-SNAREs, Sso1/2 and Sec9, with the v-SNARE, Snc1/2, on secretory vesicles. The rate-limiting step in this process is the formation of a binary complex of the two t-SNAREs. Despite a previous report of acceleration of binary complex assembly by Sec3, it remains unknown how Sso2 is efficiently recruited to the vesicle-docking site marked by Sec3. Here, we report a crystal structure of the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain of Sec3 in complex with a nearly full-length version of Sso2 lacking only its C-terminal transmembrane helix. The structure shows a previously uncharacterized binding site for Sec3 at the N-terminus of Sso2, consisting of two highly conserved triple residue motifs (NPY: Asn-Pro-Tyr). We further reveal that the two NPY motifs bind Sec3 synergistically, which together with the previously reported binding interface constitute dual-site interactions between Sso2 and Sec3 to drive the fusion of secretory vesicles at target sites on the plasma membrane.
Esophageal Diverticulum
Authors: Shin Cheol Min
Published: August 2022

An esophageal diverticulum is rare and is usually asymptomatic, although this condition may cause dysphagia, regurgitation, chest pain, globus, halitosis, and aspiration pneumonia. Based on its location and the characteristic pathophysiology associated with this anomaly, esophageal diverticula are classified into the following types: Zenker’s, epiphrenic, and mid-esophageal diverticula (Rokitansky diverticulum). Esophagography is useful to diagnose esophageal diverticula. Evaluation of accompanying esophageal motility disorders, including achalasia and distal esophageal spasm is essential in patients with epiphrenic diverticula. Appropriate treatment is important for management of symptomatic esophageal diverticula. Previously, diverticulectomy or diverticulopexy was the usual treatment for this condition. However, surgical resection of diverticula is challenging owing to the complex esophageal anatomy, particularly in patients with diverticula located in close proximity to the oral cavity. Technological advances have led to the introduction of minimally invasive endoscopic approaches focused on symptom improvement. Rigid diverticuloscope-assisted septotomy, flexible endoscopic septum division, Zenker peroral endoscopic myotomy (Z-POEM), and peroral endoscopic septotomy (POES) are useful for treatment of a Zenker’s diverticulum. Recent studies recommend diverticulum peroral endoscopic myotomy (D-POEM) for endoscopic management of epiphrenic diverticula. Further studies are warranted to conclusively establish the technical success rates, clinical symptom improvement, and long-term prognosis of Z-POEM, POES, and D-POEM.
A simple hierarchical model for heterogeneity in the evolutionary correlation on a phylogenetic tree
Authors: Revell Liam J. , Toyama Ken S. , Mahler D. Luke
Published: August 2022

Numerous questions in phylogenetic comparative biology revolve around the correlated evolution of two or more phenotypic traits on a phylogeny. In many cases, it may be sufficient to assume a constant value for the evolutionary correlation between characters across all the clades and branches of the tree. Under other circumstances, however, it is desirable or necessary to account for the possibility that the evolutionary correlation differs through time or in different sections of the phylogeny. Here, we present a method designed to fit a hierarchical series of models for heterogeneity in the evolutionary rates and correlation of two quantitative traits on a phylogenetic tree. We apply the method to two datasets: one for different attributes of the buccal morphology in sunfishes (Centrarchidae); and a second for overall body length and relative body depth in rock- and non-rock-dwelling South American iguanian lizards. We also examine the performance of the method for parameter estimation and model selection using a small set of numerical simulations.