bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Asthma and diabetes association is not accidental
Authors:   Service de pneumologie, Hôpital Mohammed Seghir El Nekkache, Université d’Alger, Algérie, Aissani Samia , Zitouni Ali
Published: January 2021

L’association asthme et diabète a suscité de nombreuses interrogations du fait de l’augmentation simultanée de la prévalence de ces deux pathologies. Plusieurs facteurs peuvent favoriser la survenue du diabète chez les asthmatiques. La prescription pendant longtemps de fortes doses de corticoïdes associée ou pas à des corticoïdes par voie générale augmentent le risque de diabète particulièrement chez les non contrôlés. Ces corticoïdes sont souvent associés aux béta 2 mimétiques qui peuvent eux aussi entrainer des hyperglycémies. Le risque de diabète chez les asthmatiques se multiplie après 40 ans et lorsqu’il existe une notion de diabète familial. Parmi les facteurs du non contrôle de l’asthme, l’obésité et l’exposition au tabac qui sont des facteurs favorisant l’insulino-résistance responsable de la survenue du diabète chez les asthmatiques. À contrario, l’asthme peut apparaitre plusieurs années après le diabète. La recherche actuelle a montré que le poumon diabétique est le site de changements microangiopathiques tout comme le cœur et le rein. Des modifications pulmonaires induites par le diabète augmentent l’inflammation bronchique et le risque de maladies obstructives comme l’asthme.
Cognitive behavioural therapy : an Islamic perspective
Authors:   Psychiatre libéral Cité Larbi Benredjem 43000 Mila Algérie, Benmebarek Zoubir
Published: January 2021

Depuis leur introduction en pratique clinique dans les années 70, les thérapies comportementales et cognitives (TCC) ont connu un succès inégalé vu leur caractère empirique et leur efficacité dans le traitement de nombreux troubles psychiatriques. Ceci a encouragé leur adoption par la majorité des praticiens à travers le monde entier. Issues de la psychologie expérimentale, les TCC ont été développées essentiellement en occident et les principales études publiées concernaient des patients venant de cette région du monde. Pour appliquer les TCC à des patients d’autres cultures, il a toujours été nécessaire d’apporter des modifications soit dans leurs principes théoriques soit dans leurs techniques afin de les rendre compatibles aux autres contextes socioculturels et religieux. Dans le monde musulman, bien que globalement acceptées, les TCC ont fait l’objet d’évaluations et de critiques quant à leur harmonie avec les valeurs de l’Islam. Une littérature scientifique de plus en plus abondante, surtout en langue anglaise, aborde cette thématique bien qu’elle reste, à ce stade, essentiellement limitée à l’aspect théorique. Ce courant est quasi inexistant dans les pays francophones et le but de cette brève revue est de relever les points saillants des études sur les TCC vues d’une perspective islamique.
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. Advances and Challenges
Authors:   Université BATNA 2, Batna-ALGERIE, Hadef Djohra , Slimani Samy
Published: January 2021

L’arthrite juvénile idiopathique (AJI) est la cause la plus fréquente du rhumatisme chez l’enfant. L’AJI est un terme générique qui regroupe toutes les formes d'arthrite chronique d'origine inconnue apparaissant avant l’âge de 16 ans. La classification des différentes entités de l’AJI était et reste toujours un sujet de discussion et de raffinement. La distinction de groupes plus homogènes permettra une thérapeutique plus ciblée. Le diagnostic de l’AJI est un diagnostic d’exclusion et il est purement clinique. Aucun test biologique n’est spécifique. Les explorations sont utiles dans le diagnostic différentiel et dans la définition de la sous-classification de la maladie. Établir le diagnostic d’une forme d’AJI est un défi qui nécessite parfois la demande d’avis d’expert pour une meilleure prise en charge diagnostique et thérapeutique. Il n’existe aucun traitement curatif pour l’AJI jusqu’aujourd’hui. Les avancées de connaissances de mécanismes physiopathologiques ont permis une meilleure approche thérapeutique de l’inflammation. L’avènement de la biothérapie ces dernières décennies a révolutionné la prise en charge de l’AJI et a nettement amélioré le pronostic.
Literary visions of post-apocalyptic worlds in the works of Mary Shelley, Margaret Atwood and Maggie Gee
Authors: Bakay Gönül
Published: January 2021

Once hailed as the pinnacle of evolutionary progress, the human subject has more recently been under severe attack due to the destructive potential that has been unleashed by humans, especially in the last two hundred years. As a result, contemporary literature and art is replete with images of a utopia without humans. Many writers see humans, or rather human destructiveness, as the real plague on the planet and offer visions of utopia placed in the post-apocalyptic post-human era. Drawing on Patricia Vieira’s seminal article titled “Utopia and Dystopia in the Age of the Anthropocene”, I will first discuss how Mary Shelley portrayed ecological awareness in her The Last Man. I will then move on to examine how increasing ecological destruction leads to (post)-apocalyptic visions in the works of Margaret Atwood and Maggie Gee. My aim in juxtaposing two contemporary writers with Mary Shelley is to show that despite their different socio-historical contexts, these women writers have produced works that can not only be read as visionary and cautionary tales but that also promote heightened ecological awareness as an antidote to destructive and – ultimately – self-destructive tendencies of humankind.
Escultores del sonido: prácticas musicales creativas como elemento de transformación social
Authors: Murillo Ribes Adolf , Trvae Martí Joan Andrés , Sales Signes María Auxiliadora
Published: January 2021

El principal objetivo de esta investigación es mostrar de qué manera los usos de la tecnología planteados por músicos sin formación académica (“no músicos”), ofrecen un nuevo marco para la transformación social a través de sus prácticas musicales creativas. Como metodología de trabajo se utilizó la investigación etnográfica y la muestra se conformó a través de trece participantes con perfiles profesionales y trayectorias vitales de gran diversidad, con un patrón de coincidencia común: no tener formación musical académica (conservatorio). Como instrumentos y técnicas se emplearon las propias de esta metodología: las entrevistas individuales y grupales, el análisis documental de plataformas de intercambio del tipo netlabel o redes sociales y la observación participante en ensayos y conciertos. Los resultados revelaron que, al margen de lo académico e institucional, las prácticas creativas estudiadas generan auténticas redes de ciudadanos comprometidos con la construcción de la cultura contemporánea. Se destaca además, que este tipo prácticas a través de la tecnología aplicada a la creación musical permiten generar nuevos espacios para la creatividad colectiva, la colaboración y la difusión musical.
Redefiniendo la Educación Musical Inclusiva: Una revisión teórica
Authors: Díaz Santamaría Santiago , Moliner García Odet
Published: January 2021

Más allá de la integración de las personas con necesidades especiales, la educación inclusiva parte de la consideración de la educación como un derecho de toda la ciudadanía. La educación musical comparte este derecho y se inspira en los principios de la inclusión. Con objeto de profundizar en los desafíos que presenta la educación musical desarrollada con un enfoque inclusivo, el objetivo de este estudio es presentar, a partir de la revisión de la literatura, la definición del concepto de Educación Musical Inclusiva (EMI). La revisión de la literatura científica a partir de la búsqueda en bases de datos especializadas, siguió el proceso de tres fases propuesto por Guirao, Olmedo y Ferrer (2008) finalizando con un análisis de contenido de tipo mixto. Como resultado se presenta una conceptualización de EMI que, sin obviar los aportes del enfoque terapéutico, incide en el enfoque didáctico centrándose en los factores de adaptabilidad y utilización de la música como recurso para lograr la inclusión educativa y social.
Tripiana Muñoz, Silvia. (2019). Estrategias eficaces de práctica instrumental: primeros pasos al estudiar una obra musical. Libargo: Granada.
Authors: Hernández Vázquez Eduardo
Published: January 2021

Reseña de la obra de Tripiana Muñoz, Silvia. (2019). Estrategias eficaces de práctica instrumental: primeros pasos al estudiar una obra musical. Libargo: Granada.
El uso de los test como herramientas para la intervención psicomotriz: su valor en el análisis de la estructura psicomotriz
Authors: De Pena Lucía , Diez Mariana
Published: January 2021

Los test han sido utilizados como instrumentos de valoración de diferentes componentes de la estructura psicomotriz desde los orígenes de la psicomotricidad como disciplina y como profesión. Esta práctica se ha consolidado en todos los ámbitos de intervención y en todas las franjas etarias, por lo que la generalización en su uso exige profundos niveles de análisis respecto a las consideraciones técnicas y éticas que subyacen. Nos proponemos poner en discusión su valor para el análisis de la estructura psicomotriz a efectos de reconocer su potencialidad, a la vez que señalar sus limitaciones y controversias.  La información que arrojan los test porta un valor que sólo puede ser asignado en su articulación con el análisis de todos los elementos de la estructura psicomotriz, en tanto entendemos el hacer psicomotriz como la proyección que emerge del entrecruzamiento del equipamiento neurobiológico, las experiencias con un otro significativo y los discursos en torno al cuerpo.
Reseña/Review (Galán Díez, Ilia, 'Homo o cyborg politicus: nueva e-política (evolución de las tecnodemocracias en la cuarta revolu-ción)', Madrid, Dykinson, S.L., ISBN: 978-849148-627-5, 202 págs., 2018)
Authors: Castillo Patton Andy Eric
Published: January 2021

Reseña/Review (Galán Díez, Ilia, 'Homo o cyborg politicus: nueva e-política (evolución de las tecnodemocracias en la cuarta revolución)', Madrid, Dykinson, S.L., ISBN: 978-849148-627-5, 202 págs., 2018)
Pituitary Surgery: Changing the Paradigm in Veterinary Medicine in the United States
Authors: Rivenburg Rachel , Owen Tina Jo , Martin Linda G. , Chen Annie V.
Published: January 2021

Medical management is currently the most common treatment for pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism and hypersomatotropism/acromegaly in veterinary medicine. Medical management does not provide a cure for either disease process, and rarely is pituitary imaging a part of initial diagnostics. Early pituitary imaging in animals with clinically functional pituitary tumors provides a baseline assessment, allows monitoring of tumor changes, and permits radiation and surgical planning. Surgery is the only treatment for pituitary tumors that has curative intent and allows for a definitive diagnosis. Surgical removal of pituitary tumors via transsphenoidal hypophysectomy is an effective treatment for clinical pituitary tumors in patients exhibiting endocrine abnormalities associated with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism and hypersomatotropism. Surgery, however, is rarely pursued until patients have failed medical management, and often not until they are showing neurologic signs, making surgical success challenging. It is well documented that dogs surgically treated when the pituitary mass is small have a lower mortality, a lower recurrence rate, and a longer survival than those with larger pituitary masses. Providing owners with the option of early pituitary imaging in addition to medical, surgical, and radiation treatment options should be the standard of care for animals diagnosed with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism or hypersomatotropism.
Consumer Behavior in the Information Economy: Generation Z
Authors: Grigoreva Ekaterina Anatolevna , Garifova Liliya Fuatovna , Polovkina Elvira Anasovna
Published: January 2021

The article examines the features of consumer behavior of Generation Z, the largest consumer group in the world today. The authors highlight the ability and willingness to purchase goods and services online as the main trends in changing consumer behavior, while the main means of getting information, choosing a product (service), and paying for a purchase today are smartphones and tablets actively used by representatives of Generation Z. Generation Z has been determined to be digital consumers boldly shopping online. They stay online most of their time (working online, studying online, social media from 3 to 6 hours a day, watching movies and entertainment content online, etc.) and before purchasing anything, Generation Z expects to access to and evaluate information, reads reviews, and conducts its research. Generation Z looks forward to co-creation with brands, participation in teams, and collaboration with managers; it expects innovation from their employers, leaders, and brands. Due to this digital literate consumption, it makes highly informed, more pragmatic, and analytical decisions than representatives of previous generations. The article also shows that social networks are becoming the main channel for delivering advertising information to a young audience with a focus on visual content (video, infographics) and the shortest formats possible: Generation Z consumes information fragmentarily, as they use several devices simultaneously.
The Relative Importance of Financial Ratios in Making Investment and Credit Decisions in Jordan
Authors: Alqam Mohammad Ahmad , Ali Haitham Yousef , Hamshari Yaser Mohd
Published: January 2021

This study has aimed to demonstrate the relative importance of financial analysis using ratios for each of lenders and investors in Jordan when making decision.Also; this study, included the financial ratios that could be adopted by decision makers in the industry (area) of lending or investment. The study included two categories; first is the category of financial intermediaries; to express the category of investors in Amman stock exchange (ASE), while the second category included employees of credit departments -in Jordanian banks- for the category of lenders.The collection of study data was based on a review of the subject's scientific literature, previous studies and by preparing a questionnaire that was designed on the basis of the theoretical framework of the study and its hypotheses.The objectives of financial analysis are to judge the efficiency of management and to use the information available to make various administrative decisions. The study found that financial ratios are used by data users when making decisions related to investment and lending. The results of the study also revealed the interest of lenders in debt and liquidity ratios, while investors' attention is focused on profitability and market ratios.
Is Islamic Bank More Stable Than Conventional Bank? Evidence From Islamic Rural Banks in Indonesia
Authors: Widarjono Agus , Anto M. B. Hendrie , Fakhrunnas Faaza
Published: January 2021

This study investigates whether Islamic rural banks perform better than conventional rural banks as their competitor in Indonesia. To measure Islamic rural banks' financial performance, we apply financial stability using Z-score and profitability using the return on assets. We use monthly time series data from January 2009 to December 2018. The dynamic regression of the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model is then employed. The results report that the Z-Score of Islamic rural banks is higher than the Z-Score of conventional rural banks. This finding shows that Islamic rural banks are less risky than conventional rural banks. However, the Islamic rural banks' financial stability is very vulnerable to changes in equity, output, and inflation than conventional rural banks. Although the Islamic rural banks' profit rate is lower compared to conventional rural banks, it is considered more stable. The profit of Islamic rural banks is affected by size, equity, domestic output, and inflation.
Evaluation of an HSM 208F 14tone HVT-R2 Forwarder Prototype under Conditions of Steep-Terrain Low-Access Forests
Authors: Borz Stelian Alexandru , Marcu Marina Viorela , Cataldo Maria Francesca
Published: January 2021

Forwarding technology is well established in use around the world but, at the same time, forwarders are expensive machines that require a good planning to ensure the sustainability of operations. In addition, forwarder market is characterized by a limited pool of customers, therefore innovation attempts may be limited compared to other product development industries. Since the steps towards a full automation of operations are still at their beginning, improvements of forwarder machines may rest in developing and integrating components that could contribute to an increased effectiveness. To respond to such challenges, the Forwarder2020 project developed innovative components that were integrated in a number of forwarder prototypes based on a market pull approach that resulted in a flexible adaptation to customer requirements and work environments. Since one of the typical work environments was that of low access forests, some components (i.e. suspended cabin and transmission system) were engineered to enable faster and safer operations and to economize fuel. As a common validation step is that of bringing field evidence on the performance improvement, this study evaluated the operational speed, productivity and fuel consumption of a forwarder prototype in conditions of a steep-terrain low-access forest. The main findings were very promising as the prototype was able to operate at significantly increased speeds and the fuel savings were evident. For an average forwarding distance of about 1.5 km, net productivity and efficiency rates were estimated at 14.4 m3/h and 0.07 h/m3, respectively. They were related to the availability of wood, and further improvement of such figures is possible by a better organization of tree felling and processing. Operational speed was affected by the condition of skid roads used for forwarding, which were harsh. During the transportation tasks developed on roads typical for forwarding, the machine was able to sustain average speeds estimated at 8 km/h. As a matter of fact, in such tasks, the dominant operational speed (almost in 100% of the cases) was higher than 5 km/h irrespective of the road condition. Hourly fuel consumption was estimated based on the time in which the engine was working and it amounted to 17.1 l/h. More importantly, by considering the forwarded payload in terms of volume and mass, the unit fuel consumption was estimated to be 1.25 l/m3 and 1.47 l/t, respectively. These results bring evidence on the performance improvement by modular innovation. In fact, such solutions could answer the challenges related to the sustainability of forest operations in low access forests.
Speed Management in Small Cities and Towns—Guidelines for Indiana
Authors: Tarko Andrew P. , Hall Thomas , Lizarazo Cristhian , España-Monedero Fernando
Published: January 2021

Many small cities and towns in rural states such as Indiana are crossed by arterial highways. The local traffic on these roads, particularly vulnerable road users, face the excessive risk of injury and death. This danger is amplified with local land development, driveways, and on-street parking in town centers. This report presents an Indiana study of the speeding problem on arterial roads passing through small communities. Past research on various countermeasures suitable for the studied conditions were identified and the connection between speed reduction and safety improvements was investigated in a sample of Indiana small towns. Promising speed-reduction measures include speed feedback signs and converging chevrons with speed limit legends marked on the pavement. Point-to-point enforcement is a modern and highly effective alternative that may be applicable on highways passing small towns if the through traffic prevails with limited interruptions. This report provides a method of evaluating the benefits of speed reduction in the studied conditions where the risk of severe injury and fatality is excessive to road users while the frequency of crashes is low. The method includes the proactive estimation of the economic benefit. The results indicate that both the local and through traffic on highways passing a small town benefit considerably from speed reduction even after accounting for the loss of time. An Excel spreadsheet developed in the study facilitates the calculations.
Meat quality characteristics of pork bellies in relation to fat level
Authors: Hoa Van-Ba , Seol Kuk-Hwan , Seo Hyun-Woo , Seong Pil-Nam , Kang Sun-Moon , Kim Yun-Seok , Moon Sung-Sil , Kim Jin-Hyoung , Cho Soo-Hyun
Published: January 2021

Objective: Pork belly is considered as the most commercially important and preferable primal cut by consumers worldwide. Thus, this study was conducted to determine the effects of fat levels on the meat quality characteristics of pork bellies.Methods: Seventy-eight growing-finishing pigs collected from different commercial pig farms were slaughtered and used in the present study. After slaughter 24 h, bellies were fabricated according to the Korean Pork Cutting Specification, and immediately sampled for analysis of their fat content. Based on the fat levels, the bellies were segregated into three different groups: low fat (LF, fat ≤20%, n = 15), medium fat (MF, fat 21% to 30%, n = 30), and high fat (HF, fat ≥31%, n = 33). The bellies were then analyzed for meat quality traits, fatty acids, flavor compounds and eating quality properties.Results: The HF group had lower moisture and cooking loss levels compared to the other groups (p<0.05). The LF group presented higher proportions of polyunsaturated fatty acids compared to the other groups (p<0.05). The LF group showed higher amounts of the Maillard reaction-derived flavor compounds (e.g., 2,5-dimethyl pyrazine, 2-ethyl-3,5-dimethyl, and 4-methylthiazole) associated with meaty and roasty flavors whereas, the HF group showed higher amounts of oleic acid- derived compounds (e.g., nonanal and octanal) associated with the fatty and oily flavors. Interestingly, significantly higher scores for all the eating quality attributes (flavor, juiciness, tenderness, and overall acceptance) were found in the HF group compared to those in the LF or MF group (p<0.05).Conclusion: The high-fat bellies (fat ≥31%) had a better technological quality and eating quality compared to the low-fat bellies (fat ≤20%). Thus, increasing the fat content may improve the technological quality and eating quality traits of pork bellies, however, this increase may also result in more trimmed loss due to excessively deposited body fat.
Productive performance of Mexican Creole chickens from hatching to 12 weeks of age fed diets with different concentrations of metabolizable energy and crude protein
Authors: Matus-Aragón Miguel Ángel , González-Cerón Fernando , Salinas-Ruiz Josafhat , Sosa-Montes Eliseo , Pro-Martínez Arturo , Hernández-Mendo Omar , Cuca-García Juan Manuel , Chan-Díaz David Jesús
Published: January 2021

Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the productive performance, carcass yield, size of digestive organs and nutrient utilization in Mexican Creole chickens, using four diets with different concentrations of metabolizable energy (ME, kcal/kg) and crude protein (CP, %).Methods: Two hundred thirty-six chickens, coming from eight incubation batches, were randomly distributed to four experimental diets with the following ME/CP ratios: 3,000/20, 2,850/19, 2,700/18 and 2,550/17. Each diet was evaluated with 59 birds from hatching to 12 weeks of age. The variables feed intake (FI), body weight gain (BWG), feed conversion (FC), mortality, carcass yield, size of digestive organs, retention of nutrients, retention efficiency of gross energy (GE) and CP, and excretion of N were recorded. Data were analyzed as a randomized block design with repeated measures using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS, with covariance AR (1) and adjustment of degrees of freedom (KendwardRoger), the adjusted means were compared with the least significant difference method at a significance level of 5%.Results: The productive performance variables BWG, mortality, carcass yield, fat and GE retention and excretion of N were not different (p>0.05) due to the diet effect. In the 3,000/20 diet, the chickens had lower values of FI, FC, crop weight, gizzard weight, retention, and retention efficiency of CP (p<0.05) than the chickens of the 2,550/17 diet.Conclusion: The Mexican Creole chickens from hatching to 12 weeks of age can be feed with a diet with 2,550 kcal ME and 17% CP, without compromising productive parameters (BWG, mortality, carcass yield) but improving retention and retention efficiency of CP.
Laser methane detector-based quantification of methane emissions from indoor-fed Fogera dairy cows
Authors: Kobayashi Nobuyuki , Hou Fujiang , Tsunekawa Atsushi , Yan Tianhai , Tegegne Firew , Tassew Asaminew , Mekuriaw Yeshambel , Mekuriaw Shigdaf , Hunegnaw Beyadglign , Mekonnen Wondimeneh , Ichinohe Toshiyoshi
Published: January 2021

Objective: Portable laser methane detectors (LMDs) may be an economical means of estimating CH4 emissions from ruminants. We validated an LMD-based approach and then used that approach to evaluate CH4 emissions from indigenous dairy cows in a dryland area of Ethiopia. Methods: First, we validated our LMD-based approach in Simmental crossbred beef cattle (n = 2) housed in respiration chambers and fed either a high- or low-concentrate diet. From the results of the validation, we constructed an estimation equation to determine CH4 emissions from LMD CH4 concentrations. Next, we used our validated LMD approach to examine CH4 emissions in Fogera dairy cows grazed for 8 h/d (GG, n = 4), fed indoors on natural-grassland hay (CG1, n = 4), or fed indoors on Napier-grass (Pennisetum purpureum) hay (CG2, n = 4). All the cows were supplemented with concentrate feed. Results: The exhaled CH4 concentrations measured by LMD were linearly correlated with the CH4 emissions determined by infrared-absorption-based gas analyzer (r2 = 0.55). The estimation equation used to determine CH4 emissions (y, mg/min) from LMD CH4 concentrations (x, ppm m) was y = 0.4259x+38.61. Daily CH4 emissions of Fogera cows estimated by using the equation did not differ among the three groups; however, a numerically greater milk yield was obtained from the CG2 cows than from the GG cows, suggesting that Napiergrass hay might be better than natural-grassland hay for indoor feeding. The CG1 cows had higher CH4 emissions per feed intake than the other groups, without significant increases in milk yield and body-weight gain, suggesting that natural-grassland hay cannot be recommended for indoor-fed cows. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate the potential of using LMDs to valuate feeding regimens rapidly and economically for dairy cows in areas under financial constraint, while taking CH4 emissions into consideration.
Effect of MnO2 Dopant on Properties of Na+-β/β"-Al2O3 Solid Electrolyte Prepared by a Synthesizing-cum-sintering Process
Authors: LEE Dae-Han , KIM Jin-Sik , KIM Young-Hyuk , LIM Sung-Ki
Published: January 2021

In order to simplify the complexity of the conventional solid-state reaction process, Na+-β/β″-Al2O3 as a fast Na+-ionic conductive solid electrolyte was fabricated using a synthesizing-cum-sintering process combined with the double-zeta method, which is able to distribute a small amount of Li2O more homogeneously in the Na2O-Al2O3-Li2O system. Additionally, in order to enhance the ionic conductivity, MnO2 was used as a dopant to increase the Na+-ion concentration on the conduction plane in the Na+-β/β″-Al2O3 crystal structure. The relative sintered density increased with the synthesis temperature, ultimately reaching 99.7 % after synthesis at 1400 °C. The phase formation showed an overall β″-phase fraction over 90 %. The addition of MnO2 had a positive effect on the phase formation, but a negative influence on the relative density resulting from the grain growth promotion effect. The highest ionic conductivity was observed at 1.74 × 10-1 S/cm (350 °C) for the sample sintered at 1600 °C with 0.5 wt.% MnO2.
Electro-Optical Properties of a Transmissive Diffuser based on Electrically-Tuneable Polymer-Dispersed Liquid Crystal Film
Authors: LI Hui , YANG Feifan , PENG Jing , PAN Fan , WU Yuntao , ZHANG Yanduo , XIE Xiaolin
Published: January 2021

A transmissive diffuser that is based on polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) film has been developed. Liquid crystal E7 and polymer NOA65, at a ratio of 55:45 by weight, were utilized to fabricate the diffuser. With the use of phase separation, diffuser of 7.5 µm PDLC film thickness can be formed after 20 minutes UV irradiation with an ultraviolet lamp (36E @ 365nm). Test results have shown that the proposed diffuser has good classic electro-optical and transmissive imaging features under an external tuneable electric field. The development has a great application potential in augmented reality or mixed reality-type applications.
Die Maskenpflicht im Unterricht aus verfassungsrechtlicher Perspektive
Authors: Stodt Frederic , Cremer Wolfram
Published: January 2021

Der Beitrag beleuchtet die im Zuge der Wiederaufnahme des Schulbetriebs teilweise angeord­nete Maskenpflicht im Unterricht und bewertet diese in verfassungsrechtlicher Hinsicht. Hier­bei wird insbesondere auf die Einschätzungsprärogative des Verordnungsgebers eingegangen.
Die Richterin als Mensch – zugleich Anmerkung zum Kopftuch-III-Beschluss des Bundesverfassungsgerichts
Authors: von Ungern-Sternberg Antje
Published: January 2021

Nach der Kopftuch-III-Entscheidung des Bundesverfassungsgerichts darf der Gesetzgeber muslimischen Richterinnen das Kopftuch im Gerichtssaal verbieten. Aber die Richterin ist als Mensch im Gerichtssaal sichtbar, so dass dies auch für das Kopftuch gelten muss, kritisiert die­se Anmerkung.
Verfassungsreform in der Mongolei steigert Resilienz des politischen Systems
Authors: Nelle Dietrich
Published: January 2021

This report sheds light on the history, process and content of the fundamental reform of the Mongolian Constitution, a remarkably genuine piece of legislation carved out after the peaceful revolution of 1990 having undergone now a fundamental overhaul for the first time. Leaving behind decades of Soviet-influenced structures, the constitutional text of 1992 had succeeded in gaining a high level of trust for a democratically structured Mongolia. However, during almost three decades in operation, weaknesses had become evident. These included, in particular, the governments' lack of stability and of its capacity to act as well as a significant loss of prestige for the other central pillars of the state system. This mainly concerned the Parliament and its Members, but also to a very large extent the President of the Republic and the judiciary. Key issues in the discourse also included the participation of the population in the income from the country's resource wealth and the protection of its natural resources, as well as the weak structures at the municipal level. These fields were then also the subject of a strongly participatory reform process. The constitutional amendments reflect the underlying pressure to act. Thus, the new provisions strengthen the government's capacity to act, the independence of the judiciary as well as local self-government, while the dominant position of Parliament is being reduced and also the President of the Republic is losing essential powers. A full translation of the amendments into German is attached as an appendix.
Vermittlungsarbeit
Authors: Angerer Klaus
Published: January 2021

In which ways do knowledge production and economic value creation interact in natural product chemistry as various kinds of data and compounds are generated, analysed and circulated? And is there something new about those services offered by specialised actors? Based on an ethnographic case study in a small company and on insights from the history and sociology of science and medicine, this book investigates a series of practices which, considered as a whole, constitute a form of market-oriented intermediary work. For this purpose, highly specialised research is not enough: Mobilising a vast array of biological materials is as crucial as being able to deal with regulatory issues and offer compounds in standardised formats.
Verbundene Dienstleistungen
Authors: Schwarz-Vomhof Ira
Published: January 2021

The thesis provides a critical overview of the treatment of related services, in particular installation, in the European Union and Germany. The development and content of related services are examined. On this basis, problems in distinction of the contract of sale and the contract of work or material caused by related services are investigated. Consideration is also given to the various legal consequences of the different warranty rights, also in a comparative legal context. Thereafter solutions are proposed to facilitate the distinction by taking another systematic account of related services. Regards also are given to whether more favourable legal consequences of the contract of work and material can be applied to related installations.
L’indemnisation des victimes d’actes criminels au Québec : la loi exclut-elle les victimes de violences sexuelles ou conjugales ?
Authors: Lessard Michaël
Published: January 2021

L’article qui suit propose une incursion dans la Loi sur l’indemnisation des victimes d’actes criminels avec une attention particulière aux conditions d’accès au régime d’indemnisation par les victimes de violences sexuelles ou conjugales. L’objectif de l’auteur est de déceler les failles dans la structure juridique du régime québécois d’indemnisation (IVAC) et de proposer des pistes de solution pour mieux répondre aux besoins des victimes. Son article se divise en quatre parties qui correspondent chacune à une faille de la Loi sur l’indemnisation des victimes d’actes criminels. La première partie critique le fait qu’une demande d’indemnisation puisse être rejetée si l’agresseur d’une victime de violence sexuelle est en mesure, hypothétiquement, de soulever une défense de croyance sincère mais erronée au consentement. La deuxième partie met en relief les nombreux crimes oubliés par le régime d’indemnisation. La troisième partie expose la manière dont la notion de faute lourde contribue parfois à perpétuer des stéréotypes sexistes causant le rejet de demandes d’indemnisation. Enfin, la quatrième partie révèle que le délai de production d’une demande de deux ans est incompatible avec la réalité de la majorité des victimes de violences sexuelles ou conjugales. Une solution sera proposée pour répondre à chacune de ces critiques.
Multimodalitätspuzzle – ein Navigator zur disziplinübergreifenden multimodalen Analyse. Janina Wildfeuer, John A. Bateman und Tuomo Hiippala (2020): Multimodalität: Grundlagen, Forschung und Analyse – eine problemorientierte Einführung. Berlin, Boston: de Gruyter, 415 S.
Authors: Woźniak Beata
Published: January 2021

The goal of this contribution is to review and to discuss the content of the publication by Janina Wildfeuer, John A. Bateman und Tuomo Hiippala (2020): Multi- modalität: Grundlagen, Forschung und Analyse – eine problemorientierte Einführung. Berlin, Boston: de Gruyter, 415 S.
Un ricordo di Franco Fontana
Authors: CAROLI MATTEO , BOCCARDELLI PAOLO , ORIANI RAFFAELE , GIUSTINIANO LUCA , PERUFFO ENZO , PIROLO LUCA , CICCHETTI AMERICO , PROFILI SILVIA , RECCHIONI MARCO , FRATOCCHI LUCIANO , ACHARD PAOLA , SIRIANI CARLO
Published: January 2021

Entrasti da professore ordinario alla Luiss alla fine degli anni ’80; una delle prime chiamate di punta dell’ambizioso programma di rafforzamento dell’università voluto dall’allora presidente Guido Carli. Ti venne dato l’obiettivo di sviluppare il filone degli studi sulla gestione e l’organizzazione d’impresa. Hai fondato quella Scuola, riempiendola di allievi, molti dei quali sono oggi in ruoli importanti nella tua stessa università, o si fanno valere in Italia o all’estero. Ti occupasti poi di sviluppare l’offerta formativa e il potenziamento della Facoltà di Economia. Gestitisti tu, dal lato accademico, l’operazione delle “borse Amici della Luiss”, istituite per far crescere all’interno giovani di belle speranze che sarebbero poi potuti divenire accademici di “scuola” Luiss. … to be continued
How is digital transformation changing business models and internationalisation in Made in Italy SMEs?
Authors: MATARAZZO MICHELA , PENCO LARA , PROFUMO GIORGIA
Published: January 2021

Purpose of the paper: This study examines the impact of digital transformation on business model innovation and internationalization using the context of small and medium-sized firms (SMEs) operating in the Made in Italy. The study attempts to answer the following research questions: 1) How is digital transformation changing the business model of SMEs? 2) How is digital transformation changing the internationalization strategies of SMEs? Methodology: To answer these research questions, we present a multiple case study research on the digital transformation of three Made in Italy SMEs. Results: We found that digital instruments contribute to innovate the business model of all the selected SMEs, creating new distribution channels and new ways to build and deliver value to customers; moreover, the use of social media becomes the driver and the “prerequisite” for internationalisation. Research limitations: The main limitations are related to the limited number of case studies and the difficulty in the replication of results. Practical implications: Focusing on Made in Italy, our study contributes to the existing literature on business model and digital transformation of SMEs. Second, it contributes to the internationalisation literature, identifying new paths for entering new geographical markets. In addition to the theoretical implications, this study provides some managerial implications to accomplish the digital transformation of SMEs operating in Made in Italy. Originality. To the best of our knowledge, the present is the first specific study aimed at investigating this intriguing theme for Made in Italy SMEs.
Development and application of vapor deposition technology in atomic manufacturing
Authors: Guo Qin-Min , Qin Zhi-Hui ,   State Key Laboratory of Refractories and Metallurgy, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, China,   Key Laboratory for Micro/Nano Optoelectronic Devices of Ministry of Education, School of Physics and Electronics, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
Published: January 2021

With the development of future information devices towards smaller size, lower power consumption and higher performance, the size of materials used to build devices will be further reduced. Traditional “top-down” technology has encountered a bottleneck in the development of information devices on a nanoscale, while the vapor deposition technology has attracted great attention due to its ability to construct nanostructures on an atomic scale, and is considered to have the most potential to break through the existing manufacturing limits and build nano-structures directly with atoms as a “bottom-up” method. During molecular beam epitaxy, atoms and molecules of materials are deposited on the surface in an “atomic spray painting” way. By such a method, some graphene-like two-dimensional materials (e.g., silicene, germanene, stanene, borophene) have been fabricated with high quality and show many novel electronic properties, and the ultrathin films (several atomic layers) of other materials have been grown to achieve certain purposes, such as NaCl ultrathin layers for decoupling the interaction of metal substrate with the adsorbate. In an atomic layer deposition process, which can be regarded as a special modification of chemical vapor deposition, the film growth takes place in a cyclic manner. The self- limited chemical reactions are employed to insure that only one monolayer of precursor (A) molecules is adsorbed on the surface, and the subsequent self- limited reaction with the other precursor (B) allows only one monolayer of AB materials to be built. And the self- assembled monolayers composed of usually long- chain molecules can be introduced as the active or inactive layer for area- selective atomic layer deposition growth, which is very useful in fabricating nano- patterned structures. As the reverse process of atomic layer deposition, atomic-layer etching processes can remove certain materials in atomic precision. In this paper we briefly introduce the principles of the related technologies and their applications in the field of nano- electronic device processing and manufacturing, and find how to realize the precise control of the thickness and microstructure of functional materials on an atomic scale.
Gene signatures with predictive and prognostic survival values in human osteosarcoma
Authors: Qiu Zhongpeng , Du Xinhui , Chen Kai , Dai Yi , Wang Sibo , Xiao Jun , Li Gang
Published: January 2021

Osteosarcoma is a common malignancy seen mainly in children and adolescents. The disease is characterized by poor overall prognosis and lower survival due to a lack of predictive markers. Many gene signatures with diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive values were evaluated to achieve better clinical outcomes. Two public data series, GSE21257 and UCSC Xena, were used to identify the minimum number of robust genes needed for a predictive signature to guide prognosis of patients with osteosarcoma. The lasso regression algorithm was used to analyze sequencing data from TCGA-TARGET, and methods such as Cox regression analysis, risk factor scoring, receiving operating curve, KMplot prognosis analysis, and nomogram were used to characterize the prognostic predictive power of the identified genes. Their utility was assessed using the GEO osteosarcoma dataset. Finally, the functional enrichment analysis of the identified genes was performed. A total of twenty-gene signatures were found to have a good prognostic value for predicting patient survival. Gene ontology analysis showed that the key genes related to osteosarcoma were categorized as peptide–antigen binding, clathrin-coated endocytic vesicle membrane, peptide binding, and MHC class II protein complex. The osteosarcoma related genes in these modules were significantly enriched in the processes of antigen processing and presentation, phagocytosis, cell adhesion molecules, Staphylococcus aureus infection. Twenty gene signatures were identified related to osteosarcoma, which would be helpful for predicting prognosis of patients with OS. Further, these signatures can be used to determine the subtypes of osteosarcoma.
High expression of MAPK-14 promoting the death of chondrocytes is an important signal of osteoarthritis process
Authors: Deng Zhiqin , Hu Xiaotian , Alahdal Murad , Liu Jianquan , Zhao Zhe , Chen Xiaoqiang , Xie Junxiong , Duan Li , Wang Daping , Li Wencui
Published: January 2021

Background

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common degenerative diseases worldwide. Many researchers are studying the pathogenesis of OA, however, it is still unclear.

Methods

Screening and validation of OA relevant hub genes are an important part of exploring their potential molecular mechanism. Therefore, this study aims to explore and verify the mechanisms of hub genes in the OA by bioinformatics, qPCR, fluorescence and propidium iodide staining.

Results

Microarray datasets GSE43923, GSE55457 and GSE12021 were collected in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), including 45 samples, which divided into 23 osteoarthritis knee joint samples and 22 samples of normal knee joint. Thereafter, 265 differentiallyexpressedgenes (DEGs) were identified in all, which divided into 199 upregulated genes and 66 downregulated genes. The hub genes MAPK-14, PTPRC, PTPN12 were upregulated, while B9D1 was downregulated. In order to further confirm the expression of screening differential genes in human chondrocytes, the human chondrocytes were extracted from a joint replacement surgery and stained with toluidine blue for identification. Compared with normal chondrocytes, OA chondrocytes had high expression of COL I protein and low expression of COL II protein. The expression levels of MAPK-14, PTPRC and PTPN12 in OA chondrocytes were significantly higher than the expression levels of B9D1 in normal chondrocytes. Moreover, the inflammatory necrosis of OA chondrocytes was increased compared with the normal chondrocytes by propidium iodide staining.

Conclusions

The high expression of MAPK-14 works as a promoter of chondrocytes death and an important signal of the osteoarthritis process.
Clusters of sub-Saharan African countries based on sociobehavioural characteristics and associated HIV incidence
Authors: Merzouki Aziza , Estill Janne , Orel Erol , Tal Kali , Keiser Olivia
Published: January 2021

Introduction

HIV incidence varies widely between sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. This variation coincides with a substantial sociobehavioural heterogeneity, which complicates the design of effective interventions. In this study, we investigated how sociobehavioural heterogeneity in sub-Saharan Africa could account for the variance of HIV incidence between countries.

Methods

We analysed aggregated data, at the national-level, from the most recent Demographic and Health Surveys of 29 SSA countries (2010–2017), which included 594,644 persons (183,310 men and 411,334 women). We preselected 48 demographic, socio-economic, behavioural and HIV-related attributes to describe each country. We used Principal Component Analysis to visualize sociobehavioural similarity between countries, and to identify the variables that accounted for most sociobehavioural variance in SSA. We used hierarchical clustering to identify groups of countries with similar sociobehavioural profiles, and we compared the distribution of HIV incidence (estimates from UNAIDS) and sociobehavioural variables within each cluster.

Results

The most important characteristics, which explained 69% of sociobehavioural variance across SSA among the variables we assessed were: religion; male circumcision; number of sexual partners; literacy; uptake of HIV testing; women’s empowerment; accepting attitude toward people living with HIV/AIDS; rurality; ART coverage; and, knowledge about AIDS. Our model revealed three groups of countries, each with characteristic sociobehavioural profiles. HIV incidence was mostly similar within each cluster and different between clusters (median (IQR); 0.5/1000 (0.6/1000), 1.8/1000 (1.3/1000) and 5.0/1000 (4.2/1000)).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that the combination of sociobehavioural factors play a key role in determining the course of the HIV epidemic, and that similar techniques can help to predict the effects of behavioural change on the HIV epidemic and to design targeted interventions to impede HIV transmission in SSA.