bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimization methods for achieving high diffraction efficiency with perfect electric conducting gratings
Authors: Aylwin Rubén , Silva-Oelker Gerardo , Jerez-Hanckes Carlos , Fay Patrick
Published: July 2020

This work presents the implementation, numerical examples, and experimental convergence study of first- and second-order optimization methods applied to one-dimensional periodic gratings. Through boundary integral equations and shape derivatives, the profile of a grating is optimized such that it maximizes the diffraction efficiency for given diffraction modes for transverse electric polarization. We provide a thorough comparison of three different optimization methods: a first-order method (gradient descent); a second-order approach based on a Newton iteration, where the usual Newton step is replaced by taking the absolute value of the eigenvalues given by the spectral decomposition of the Hessian matrix to deal with non-convexity; and the Broyden–Fletcher–Goldfarb–Shanno (BFGS) algorithm, a quasi-Newton method. Numerical examples are provided to validate our claims. Moreover, two grating profiles are designed for high efficiency in the Littrow configuration and then compared to a high efficiency commercial grating. Conclusions and recommendations, derived from the numerical experiments, are provided as well as future research avenues.
Quasi-bound states in the continuum for deep subwavelength structural information retrieval for DUV nano-optical polarizers
Authors: Siefke Thomas , Hurtado Carol B. Rojas , Dickmann Johannes , Dickmann Walter , Käseberg Tim , Meyer Jan , Burger Sven , Zeitner Uwe , Bodermann Bernd , Kroker Stefanie
Published: July 2020

We demonstrate the retrieval of deep subwavelength structural information in nano-optical polarizers by scatterometry of quasi-bound states in the continuum (quasi-BICs). To this end, we investigate titanium dioxide wire grid polarizers for application wavelengths in the deep ultraviolet (DUV) spectral range fabricated with a self-aligned double-patterning process. In contrast to the time-consuming and elaborate measurement techniques like scanning electron microscopy, asymmetry induced quasi-BICs occurring in the near ultraviolet and visible spectral range provide an easily accessible and efficient probe mechanism. Thereby, dimensional parameters are retrieved with uncertainties in the sub-nanometer range. Our results show that BICs are a promising tool for process control in optics and semiconductor technology.
In-house beam-splitting pulse compressor for high-energy petawatt lasers
Authors: Liu Jun , Shen Xiong , Si Zhe , Wang Cheng , Zhao Chenqiang , Liang Xiaoyan , Leng Yuxin , Li Ruxin
Published: July 2020

One of the most significant bottlenecks in achieving kilojoule-level high-energy petawatt (PW) to hundreds-petawatt (100PW) lasers is the requirement of as large as meter-sized gratings so as to avoid the laser-induced damage in the compressor. High-quality meter-sized gratings have so far been difficult to manufacture. This paper proposes a new in-house (intra-) beam-splitting compressor based on the property that the damage threshold of gratings depends on the pulse duration. The proposed scheme will simultaneously improve the stability, save on expensive gratings, and simplify compressor size because the split beams share the first two parallel gratings. Furthermore, as the transmitted wavefront of a glass plate can be better and more precisely controlled than the diffraction wavefront of a large grating, we propose glass plates with designed transmitted wavefront to compensate for the wavefront distortion introduced by the second and third gratings, and other in-house optics, such as the beam splitter. This simple and economical method can compensate for the space-time distortion in the compressor, and thus improve focal intensity, which otherwise cannot be compensated by a deformable mirror outside the compressor. Together with a multi-beam tiled-aperture combining scheme, the proposed novel compressor provides a new scheme for achieving high-energy PW-100PW lasers or even exawatt lasers with relatively small gratings in the future.
Monolithic resonant CMOS fully integrated triple-band THz thermal detector
Authors: Wang Xu
Published: July 2020

Multiband terahertz (THz) detectors have attractive prospects in the areas of THz sensing and imaging. This paper presents a monolithic resonant CMOS fully integrated triple-band THz thermal detector that is composed of a compact loop antenna and an optimized proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT) sensor, leading to an uncooled, compact, low-cost, easy-integration, and mass-production multiband detector. The principles of operation, theoretical calculation, and experimental validation are demonstrated in detail. Calculated responsivities are 34.9 V/W, 51.6 V/W, and 47.6 V/W at the operation frequencies of 0.91 THz, 2.58 THz, and 4.3 THz, respectively, for the natural atmospheric windows. Relatively better experimental results are obtained at 0.91 THz and 2.58 THz due to the scarcity of THz sources, showing maximum responsivities of 29.2 V/W and 46.5 V/W with minimum NEPs of 1.57 µW/Hz0.5 and 1.26 µW/Hz0.5, respectively. The presented triple-band thermal detector has the natural scalability to focal plane arrays, providing great potential for multiband THz sensing and imaging systems.
Nonreciprocal conventional photon blockade in driven dissipative atom-cavity
Authors: Xue W. S. , Shen H. Z. , Yi X. X.
Published: July 2020

In this Letter, we propose a scheme to achieve a nonreciprocal conventional photon blockade in a nonlinear device consisting of an atom and spinning cavity by manipulating the detuning between the atom and the cavity. We show that the single-photon blockade can be generated by driving the spinning resonator from one side, while photon-induced tunneling is driven by the other side with the same driving strength. This nonreciprocal conventional photon blockade effect originates from the Fizeau–Sagnac drag, which leads to different splitting of the resonance frequencies for the counter-circulating modes. We give four optimal solutions for Fizeau–Sagnac shifts to generate a nonreciprocal conventional photon blockade with the arbitrary detunings between atom and cavity.
Resource-efficient frequency conversion for quantum networks via sequential four-wave mixing
Authors: Wright T. A. , Parry C. , Gibson O. R. , Francis-Jones R. J. A. , Mosley P. J.
Published: July 2020

We report a resource-efficient scheme in which a single pump laser was used to achieve frequency conversion by Bragg-scattering four-wave mixing in a photonic crystal fiber. We demonstrate bidirectional conversion of coherent light between

S
r

+

2

P

1

/

2

→

2

D

3

/

2

emission wavelength at 1092 nm and the telecommunication C band with conversion efficiencies of 4.2% and 37% for up- and down-conversion, respectively. We discuss how the scheme may be viably scaled to meet the temporal, spectral, and polarization stability requirements of a hybrid light–matter quantum network.
Building a language community through radio in the age of social media: The case of Raidió na Life
Authors: Day Rosemary , Walsh John
Published: July 2020

This paper investigates the motivations of volunteers in participating in broadcasting on a community radio station in the age of social media. The station chosen broadcasts in Irish, a minority language in Ireland, although it is also the state’s national and first official language. It was founded to support and develop the community of Irish speakers in an English-speaking environment. Raidió na Life is based in Dublin and broadcasts to a mixed and dispersed population of Irish language speakers. One of the original aims of the station was to build a sense of community and linguistic empowerment for these people. Data generated by interviews and focus groups reveal that volunteers do not seem to share these clear-cut aims, in fact they seem to lack a sense of themselves as language or community activists. However, the performances of their roles as voluntary broadcasters, particularly in their engagement with their audiences on air and online, appear to be having the desired effect of building social, cultural and linguistic networks. The article demonstrates how social, communicative and cultural benefits can accrue through traditional broadcasting and new social media, even where practitioners are unaware of this dimension to their work. The element of fun or enjoyment keeps people volunteering and makes it personally worth their while. This is found to be more important than any sense of language or community activism as a motivation for participation in the station and is actually one of the reasons why Raidió na Life has manged to stay so successfully on air for the past 27 years.
Solvability of an infinite system of integral equations on the real half-axis
Authors: Banaś Józef , Woś Weronika
Published: July 2020

The aim of the paper is to investigate the solvability of an infinite system of nonlinear integral equations on the real half-axis. The considerations will be located in the space of function sequences which are bounded at every point of the half-axis. The main tool used in the investigations is the technique associated with measures of noncompactness in the space of functions defined, continuous and bounded on the real half-axis with values in the space l
∞ consisting of real bounded sequences endowed with the standard supremum norm. The essential role in our considerations is played by the fact that we will use a measure of noncompactness constructed on the basis of a measure of noncompactness in the mentioned sequence space l
∞. An example illustrating our result will be included.
Protein folding vs. COVID-19 and the Mediterranean diet
Authors: Roterman Irena , Konieczny Leszek
Published: July 2020

The experience of the ongoing pandemic gives rise to a variety of questions, touching – among others – upon its biological aspects. Among the most often raised issues is why the situation has deteriorated to such a degree in the Mediterranean basin and the American eastern seaboard. This work identifies possible links between the protein folding process and the aforementioned epidemic. Given the circumstances, it should be regarded as a popular science article.
LINC00202 promotes retinoblastoma progression by regulating cell proliferation, apoptosis, and aerobic glycolysis through miR-204-5p/HMGCR axis
Authors: Wu Aimin , Zhou Xuewei , Mi Linglong , Shen Jiang
Published: July 2020

LINC00202 is a newly identified long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) and has been demonstrated to involve in the progression of retinoblastoma (RB). Here, we further explored the role and the underlying molecular mechanism of LINC00202 on RB malignant properties and glycolysis. LINC00202, microRNA (miR)-204-5p, and 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) mRNA were detected by a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were analyzed using cell counting kit-8 assay and colony formation assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Glucose metabolism was calculated by measuring the extracellular acidification rate (ECRA). Western blot was used to detect the levels of HMGCR, ki67, pro-caspase-3, cleaved-caspase-3, and lactate dehydrogenase A chain (LDHA). The interaction between miR-204-5p and LINC00202 or HMGCR was analyzed by the dual-luciferase reporter assay. Murine xenograft model was established to conductin vivoexperiments. LINC00202 expression was upregulated in RB tumor tissues and LINC00202 knockdown inhibited RB cell proliferation, glycolysis, and stimulated apoptosisin vitroas well as impeded tumor growthin vivo. MiR-204-5p directly bound to LINC00202 and HMGCR in RB cells, and LINC00202 functioned as a competing endogenous RNA in regulating HMGCR through competitively binding to miR-204-5p. More importantly, the regulation of malignant properties and glycolysis of RB cells mediated by LINC00202 could be reversed by abnormal miR-204-5p or HMGCR expression in RB cells. In all, LINC00202 promoted RB cell proliferation, glycolysis, and suppressed apoptosis by regulating the miR-204-5p/HMGCR axis, suggesting a novel therapeutic target for patients with RB.
Age dependency of the diabetes effects on the iris recognition systems performance evaluation results
Authors: Azimi Mohammadreza , Rasoulinejad Seyed Ahmad , Pacut Andrzej
Published: July 2020

In this paper, we attempt to answer the questions whether iris recognition task under the influence of diabetes would be more difficult and whether the effects of diabetes and individuals’ age are uncorrelated. We hypothesized that the health condition of volunteers plays an important role in the performance of the iris recognition system. To confirm the obtained results, we reported the distribution of usable area in each subgroup to have a more comprehensive analysis of diabetes effects. There is no conducted study to investigate for which age group (young or old) the diabetes effect is more acute on the biometric results. For this purpose, we created a new database containing 1,906 samples from 509 eyes. We applied the weighted adaptive Hough ellipsopolar transform technique and contrast-adjusted Hough transform for segmentation of iris texture, along with three different encoding algorithms. To test the hypothesis related to physiological aging effect, Welches’s t-test and Kolmogorov–Smirnov test have been used to study the age-dependency of diabetes mellitus influence on the reliability of our chosen iris recognition system. Our results give some general hints related to age effect on performance of biometric systems for people with diabetes.
Comprehensive analysis and identification of heat-responsive genes in Agarophyton vermiculophyllum by RNA-sequencing
Authors: Fu Feng , Zhang Xia , Zhang Xuejiao , Li Qianqian , Sun Liqin
Published: July 2020

Agarophyton vermiculophyllum is a commercially important red alga for agar production in the Northwest Pacific Ocean and is an invasive seaweed in Europe. High temperature is an important environmental stressor that influences its growth, metabolism, and migration. Nevertheless, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underpinning the response of A. vermiculophyllum to heat stress. Using RNA-sequencing, we performed the first comprehensive transcriptome analysis of A. vermiculophyllum under heat stress to explore and identify potentially important heat stress-responsive genes. After de novo assembly of the transcriptome, 55,486 unigenes were found, of which 39,687 unigenes (71.52%) were functionally annotated. In total, 2,923 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected between heat-stressed and control samples. Heat shock proteins represented the most abundant DEGs. Transcript factors were also significantly differently expressed under heat stress. Meanwhile, the photoprotective mechanism based on PsbS (Photosystem II subunit S) related nonphotochemical quenching and PGR5 (proton gradient regulation 5) dependent cyclic electron flow around photosystem I was found to be promoted under heat stress, which may help A. vermiculophyllum to cope with the high temperature. This study lays an important foundation for further elucidation of the molecular mechanism underlying heat tolerance in A. vermiculophyllum.
Quantification of plasma remdesivir and its metabolite GS-441524 using liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. Application to a Covid-19 treated patient
Authors: Alvarez Jean-Claude , Moine Pierre , Etting Isabelle , Annane Djillali , Larabi Islam Amine
Published: July 2020

Objectives

A method based on liquid chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry detection using 50 µL of plasma was developed and fully validated for quantification of remdesivir and its active metabolites GS-441524.

Methods

A simple protein precipitation was carried out using 75 µL of methanol containing the internal standard (IS) remdesivir-13C6 and 5 µL ZnSO4 1 M. After separation on Kinetex® 2.6 µm Polar C18 100A LC column (100 × 2.1 mm i.d.), both compounds were detected by a mass spectrometer with electrospray ionization in positive mode. The ion transitions used were m/z 603.3 → m/z 200.0 and m/z 229.0 for remdesivir, m/z 292.2 → m/z 173.1 and m/z 147.1 for GS-441524 and m/z 609.3 → m/z 206.0 for remdesivir-13C6.

Results

Calibration curves were linear in the 1–5000 μg/L range for remdesivir and 5–2500 for GS-441524, with limit of detection set at 0.5 and 2 μg/L and limit of quantification at 1 and 5 μg/L, respectively. Precisions evaluated at 2.5, 400 and 4000 μg/L for remdesivir and 12.5, 125, 2000 μg/L for GS-441524 were lower than 14.7% and accuracy was in the [89.6–110.2%] range. A slight matrix effect was observed, compensated by IS. Higher stability of remdesivir and metabolite was observed on NaF-plasma. After 200 mg IV single administration, remdesivir concentration decrease rapidly with a half-life less than 1 h while GS-441524 appeared rapidly and decreased slowly until H24 with a half-life around 12 h.

Conclusions

This method would be useful for therapeutic drug monitoring of these compounds in Covid-19 pandemic.
Meropenem for management of valproic acid overdose: a case report
Authors: Muñoz-Pichuante Daniel , Villa-Zapata Lorenzo , Lolas Russi
Published: July 2020

Objectives

Valproic acid (VPA) is an anticonvulsant used in several clinical scenarios. VPA has been increasingly associated with intentional or unintentional overdose. In patients presenting with severe VPA overdose, supportive care and airway protection are cornerstones of treatment, while levocarnitine is suggested in patients with hyperammonemia and hemodialysis is recommended in patients with VPA serum concentrations (SC) >1,300 mg/L and presence of cerebral edema or shock. Meropenem is a carbapenem antibiotic with a broad spectrum of activity. The pharmacological interaction between VPA and meropenem is characterized by a rapid decrease in VPA concentrations, which contraindicates concurrent use.

Case presentation

The following case report describes the use of meropenem to enhance the clearance of VPA in the case of severe VPA overdose. A patient with altered mental status was transported to the emergency department (ED) after VPA overdose. Meropenem was prescribed for significant elevated VPA SC. An important decline in SC was observed with short-term meropenem dosing, and an improvement in mental status occurred shortly after administration.

Conclusions

Carbapenem therapy has the potential to be used as last line strategy in the management of severe VPA overdose in patients where SC represent a significant risk of toxicity and clinical symptoms suggest difficulty managing the patient.
The synthesis and characterisation of porous and monodisperse, chemically modified hypercrosslinked poly(acrylonitrile)-based terpolymer as a sorbent for the adsorption of acidic pharmaceuticals
Authors: Subri Nur Nida Syamimi , Jamil Siti Nurul Ain Md. , Cormack Peter A. G. , Abdullah Luqman Chuah , Kamaruzaman Sazlinda , Adeyi Abel A.
Published: July 2020

The synthesis and characterization of porous poly(acrylonitrile(AN)-co-divinylbenzene-80 (DVB-80)-co-vinylbenzylchloride (VBC)) polymers with high specific surface areas and weak anion-exchange character have been successfully researched. The hypercrosslinked (HXL) microspheres were chemically modified with 1,2-ethylenediamine (EDA) to enhance the adsorption selectivity of the HXL materials. The zeta potential of EDA-modified HXL poly(AN-co-DVB-80-co-VBC) revealed that the surface of the modified terpolymer was positively charged. The FT-IR spectra of the chemically modified hypercrosslinked poly(AN-co-DVB-80-co-VBC) showed that the nitrile groups derived from the AN unit were utilised by the presence of diamine groups. The BET-specific surface areas of the EDA-modified hypercrosslinked poly(AN-co-DVB-80-co-VBC) was 503 m2 g−1; meanwhile, the specific surface area of the HXL terpolymer was 983 m2 g−1. The adsorption isotherm data were well fitted by both the Langmuir and Freundlich models, whereas the adsorption kinetics followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. This study confirms that the EDA-modified hypercrosslinked poly(AN-co-DVB-80-co-VBC) terpolymer is a potential adsorbent for the adsorption of acidic pharmaceuticals.
Understanding Vaccine Hesitancy as Extended Attitudes
Authors: Vulpe Simona
Published: July 2020

Vaccine hesitancy is not a singular view but encompasses a set of positions located between complete acceptance of vaccination and complete rejection of vaccination. In this paper, I argue that vaccine-hesitant attitudes emerge at the intersection of individual and structural processes, and thus can be better conceptualized as “extended attitudes”. Drawing on the theoretical understanding of risk and science scepticism in post-modern societies, I consider hesitant attitudes towards vaccination as addressing risks that are induced in our everyday lives by science developments. I conducted K-Means Cluster Analysis on Eurobarometer data from 2019 regarding Europeans’ attitudes towards vaccination. Four clusters of vaccine-hesitant attitudes were identified. “Price hesitation” and “Effort hesitation” result from restricted access to vaccination because of structural constraints, such as low economic capital and health care system’ deficits. “Unexercised pro-vaccination” is an attitude manifested by people who grant authority to science to manage health-related risks, even though they did not vaccinate in the last five years. “Consistent anti-vaccination” pertains to highly reflexive individuals who dismiss experts’ authority because of scientifically derived risks. My analysis enhances the theoretical understanding and the empirical assessment of vaccine-hesitant attitudes in the European Union and can inform public health policies in this area.
Den Klimawandel stoppen
Authors: Giegold Sven
Published: July 2020

Der Grüne Europapolitiker Sven Giegold analysiert in diesem Interview die Bedeutung des Klimawandels für das Wirtschaftssystem, die europäische und internationale Klimapolitik, die Rolle der Zivilgesellschaft und die Folgen der Corona-Krise für die Klimapolitik.
Ultra-Wideband (UWB) characteristic estimation of elliptic patch antenna based on machine learning techniques
Authors: Gençoğlan Duygu Nazan , Arslan Mustafa Turan , Çolak Şule , Yildirim Esen
Published: July 2020

In this study, estimation of Ultra-Wideband (UWB) characteristics of microstrip elliptic patch antenna is investigated by means of k-nearest neighborhood algorithm. A total of 16,940 antennas are simulated by changing antenna dimensions and substrate material. Antennas are examined by observing Return Loss and Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR) characteristics. In the study, classification of antennas in terms of having UWB characteristics results in accuracies higher than 97%. Additionally, Consistency based Feature Selection method is applied to eliminate redundant and irrelevant features. This method yields that substrate material does not affect the UWB characteristics of the antenna. Classification process is repeated for the reduced feature set, reaching to 97.44% accuracy rate. This result is validated by 854 antennas, which are not included in the original antenna set. Antennas are designed for seven different substrate materials keeping all other parameters constant. Computer Simulation Technology Microwave Studio (CST MWS) is used for the design and simulation of the antennas.
Geochronology, trace elements and Hf isotopic geochemistry of zircons from Swat orthogneisses, Northern Pakistan
Authors: Sheikh Lawangin , Lutfi Wasiq , Zhao Zhidan , Awais Muhammad
Published: July 2020

In this study, zircon grains are applied for U–Pb dating, Hf isotopes and trace elements to reveal the origin of magmatism and tectonic evolution of Late Paleozoic rocks of the Indian plate, Northern Pakistan. Most of the zircons are characterized by oscillatory zoning, depletion of light rare earth elements (LREE) and enrichment of heavy rare earth elements (HREE) with Ce and Eu anomalies. The yielded ages for these rocks are 256 ± 1.9 Ma and are plotted in the zones defined for the continental setting with few deviated toward the mid-oceanic ridge and the oceanic arc setting. Deviated zircons are recognized as inherited zircons by displaying a high concentration of normalized primitive La and Pr values, while others are plotted in the continental zones. Rare earth elements (REE) and trace elements including Th, Hf, U, Nb, Sc and Ti discriminate Swat orthogneisses into the within plate setting and the inherited zircons are plotted in the orogenic or the arc-related setting. The LREE discriminated these zircons into a magmatic zone with inherited zircons deviated toward the hydrothermal zone. The temperature calculated for these rocks based on the Ti content in zircon ranges from 679 to 942°C. The ε
Hf(t) ranging from −11.1 to +1.4 reveals that the origin is the continental crust with the minute input of the juvenile mantle.
Challenges to the Assessment of Damages Claims Involving Crypto-Assets in Investment Arbitration
Authors: Chakravarty Aveek
Published: July 2020

This article addresses the particular challenges involved in valuing various types of crypto-assets as investments under treaty-based investment arbitration. The interaction of the international investment protection regime with crypto-investments has largely remained un-examined, even though increasing amounts of foreign investments have flown into the development of crypto-assets its related markets. The existing investment treaty regime is set to face significant challenges in grappling with crypto-assets as investments due to several distinct features that differentiate them from traditional asset classes. This issue is explored further in the article from the perspective of the principles governing damages under international law.
The study of rod-shaped TiO2 composite material in the protection of stone cultural relics
Authors: Shu Hui , Song Yujian , Liu Qiang , Luo Maobin
Published: July 2020

TiO2 has many advantages, such as UV resistance, thermal stability, and antibacterial; the attention toward TiO2 composite materials (TCMs) is rapidly increasing in the protection of stone culture relics. An innovative rod-shaped TCM was synthesized in this study. The structure and morphology of TCM were studied by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The acid resistance, weather resistance, hydrophilicity, and photocatalytic performance of TCM had been investigated. The experimental results indicated that TCM has good protection effects. The stone sample treated with TCM has stronger acid resistance and weather resistance, better hydrophilicity, and more excellent photocatalytic activity compared with the untreated stone. More importantly, the stone treated with TCM has better acid resistance and weather resistance than that treated with normal shaped TiO2 materials of the previous study. This work describes an effective way to protect stone cultural relics.
Influence of processing parameters on slab stickers during continuous casting
Authors: Liu Yu , Tian Yuanpeng , Wang Xudong , Gao Yali
Published: July 2020

In this study, the parameters of 44 sticker breakout samples were analysed. The research mainly focused on the steel grades and slab thickness of stickers. Other processing parameters, such as slab width, casting speed, mould fluctuation, heat flux and operation, were also discussed. The results show that the number of stickers of low carbon steel and low alloy steel was 16 and 28, respectively. The stickers of low carbon steel were less than those of low alloy steel regardless of the thickness and width. The ratio of stickers per 1,000 casting heats of 220, 260 and 320 mm thickness slabs was 2.5, 0.5 and 0.6, respectively. The higher casting speed of 220 mm thickness slabs made the casting status unsteady and caused more stickers. From the perspective of width, the stickers were gradually increased along with the increase in width due to the worse mould slag. This study provides a foundation to reduce slab stickers and is helpful for a more efficient technology of continuous casting.
(K)ein Platz für Übersetzungen in der nationalen Literaturgeschichtsschreibung? Aus Anlass einiger Neuerscheinungen zu ihrer Geschichte und Gegenwart
Authors: Bachleitner Norbert
Published: July 2020

The review of four recent publications on the history and methodology of literary translation underlines the importance of translations for the target literatures: they introduce new styles of writing, influence the genre system, and compete with ‚indigenous‘ works for readership. The progress of studies in translation history raises the question of the role of translations in literary histories – particularly as literary historians orientate themselves towards transnational and translingual perspectives. The inclusion of translation, therefore, as the most important link between ‚national‘ literatures appears as a logical and even necessary step. This article discusses various concepts for the future of transcultural literary history.
Derivative free iterative methods with memory having higher R-order of convergence
Authors: Jain Pankaj , Bahadur Chand Prem
Published: July 2020

We derive two iterative methods with memory for approximating a simple root of any nonlinear equation. For this purpose, we take two optimal methods without memory of order four and eight and convert them into the methods with memory without increasing any further function evaluation. These methods involve a self-accelerator (parameter) that depends upon the iteration index to increase the order of the optimal methods. Consequently, the efficiency of the new methods is considerably high as compared to the methods without memory. Some numerical examples are provided in support of the theoretical results.
Introduction and Overview of the Special Issue: Challenges to Assessing the Sustainability Performance of Food Quality Schemes
Authors: Mathijs Erik
Published: July 2020

This introductory article frames the special issue on “The sustainability performance of food quality schemes” by reflecting on the normative, systemic and procedure aspects and challenges of sustainability assessment frameworks in agriculture and the food system.
Beneficial effect of Bidens pilosa L. (Asteraceae) in a rat model of colitis
Authors: Abiodun Oyindamola O. , Sosanya Aderemi S. , Nwadike Norah , Oshinloye Adedunke O.
Published: July 2020

Background

Bidens pilosa (BP) possessed anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory activities. Its beneficial effects on intestinal inflammation and oxidative stress in 2,4,6 trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) induced colitis in Wistar rats was evaluated.

Methods

Thirty female Wistar rats weighing 180–200 g were distributed into six groups (n = 5): non-colitic, untreated colitic and colitic rats treated graded doses of methanol extract of BP (50–400 mg/kg). Colitis was induced in rats by intracolonic instillation of 0.2 mL of 40 mg/mL TNBS. BP was administered two days pre-colitis induction and treatments continued until seven days post-colitis induction. A day after the last treatment, rats were euthanized, colon removed aseptically and response to treatment assessed. Phytochemical composition of BP was determined using the GC-MS.

Results

BP significantly reduced macroscopic colonic damage score, weight/length ratio, colonic lipid peroxidation level, leukocytes infiltration, and TNF-α level in comparison to untreated colitic rats (p ≤ 0.008). Similarly, treatment with 200 and 400 mg/kg BP prevented depletion of colonic glutathione level than other treatment groups (p ≤ 0.0002). Histological findings revealed that treatment with 400 mg/kg BP significantly preserved the mucosal epithelial layer. It also prevented ulceration and sloughing of the mucosal layers and reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells compared to other treatment groups. Among the 16 compounds identified were oleic acid (6.2%) and n-hexadecanoic acid (2.0%) with antioxidant anti-inflammatory activities.

Conclusions

The beneficial effects of BP in rat colitis might be related to the reduction of leucocytes infiltration, inhibition of oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Improvement in resilience and stress-related blood markers following ten months yoga practice in Antarctica
Authors: Nirwan Mohit , Halder Kaushik , Saha Mantu , Pathak Anjana , Balakrishnan Ragavendrasamy , Ganju Lilly
Published: July 2020

Background

Wintering is associated with distress to humans who work in the isolated and confined environment of Antarctica and yoga has been proved helpful for coping with stress. Therefore, a study was conducted on 14 winter expedition members of Indian Scientific Antarctic Expedition (2016) to find out the effects of yoga on stress-related markers.

Methods

Participants were divided into yoga, and control (non-yoga) groups. The yoga group practiced yoga for 10 months (from January to October 2016) daily in the morning for an hour. The Resilience test questionnaire was administrated at baseline and endpoint of the study. Blood samples were collected during the study at different intervals for the estimation of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), serotonin and cortisol using ELISA.

Results

A trend of improvement was observed in the resilience test score in the yoga group. From January to October, 8-OHdG serum values in the yoga group declined by 55.9% from 1010.0 ± 67.8 pg/mL to 445.6 ± 60.5 pg/mL (Mean ± SD); in the control group, the decline was 49.9% from 1060.4 ± 54.6 pg/mL to 531.1 ± 81.8 pg/mL. In serotonin serum levels in the yoga group, there was a 3.1% increase from 6.4 ± 1.6 ng/mL to 6.6 ± 0.4 ng/mL while no increase was noticed in the control group. Cortisol values in the yoga group decreased by 19.9% from 321.0 ± 189.6 ng/mL to 257.1 ± 133.8 ng/mL; in the control group it increased by 2.8% from 241.2 ± 51.8 ng/mL to 247.8 ± 90.9 ng/mL.

Conclusions

It could be concluded from the present study that following 10 months yoga practice may be useful for better resilience and management of stress-related blood markers for the polar sojourners.
High cholesterol diet promotes dysfunction of arginase and cholinergic enzymatic system in rats: ameliorative role of caffeic and chlorogenic acids
Authors: Agunloye Odunayo Michael , Oboh Ganiyu
Published: July 2020

Background

Dietary phenolic compounds intake have been reported to have an inverse relationship to the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia. The objective of this study is to determine the effect of caffeic acid (CFA) and chlorogenic acid (CGA) on rats fed with high cholesterol diet (HCD).

Methods

Experimental animals were fed with high cholesterol diet (HCD) for a period of 21 days while simvastatin (0.2 mg/kg BWT), CFA and CGA (10 and 15 mg/kg BWT) were administered daily.

Results

Activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and arginase were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the rats fed with HCD alone. Also, level of malondiadehyde equivalent compounds (MDA) was significantly (P<0.05) elevated in hypercholesterolemic rats. Nevertheless, treatment with simvastatin, CFA and CGA normalized altered AChE, BChE and arginase activities as well as improved antioxidant status in hypercholesterolemic rats.

Conclusion

CFA and CGA could offer protective role in hypercholeseterolemic rats via their antioxidant potentials as well as restoring altered activity of acetylcholinesterase, butrylcholinesterase and arginase. Based on our findings chlorogenic acid exhibits better attribute.
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) and turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) supplementation effects on quality of life, body composition, bone mineral density and osteoporosis related biomarkers and micro-RNAs in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis: a study protocol for a randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Aghamohammadi Dawood , Dolatkhah Neda , Shakouri Seyed Kazem , Hermann Pernille , Eslamian Fariba
Published: July 2020

Objectives

Phytomedicine is widely suggested for the prevention of chronic disease, but evidence for a favorable effect on bone health is lacking. The present study will investigate the Zingiber officinale (ZO) and Curcuma longa L. (CL) supplementation effects on quality of life, body composition, bone mineral density (BMD) and osteoporosis related biomarkers and micro-RNAs in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO).

Methods

This study protocol is designed as prospective triple-blind randomized controlled trial. One hundred and 20 patients with PMO will be enrolled in a 4 month, prospective, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial and randomly assigned to four groups: ZO (500 mg b.i.d.) + CL (500 mg b.i.d.) (ZO + CL); ZO (500 mg b.i.d.) + placebo CL (b.i.d.) (ZO + P); placebo ZO (b.i.d.) + CL (500 mg b.i.d.) (CL + P); and placebo ZO (b.i.d.) + placebo CL (b.i.d.) (P + P). Quality of life, body composition and BMD will be defined as the primary endpoints and osteoporosis related serum biomarkers and circulating micro-RNAs will be defined as the secondary endpoints. The ANCOVA statistical method will be used to investigate the effect of the interventional variables on the response variable.

Conclusion

To our knowledge, this trial is the first clinical study exploring the effect of Ginger and turmeric on quality of life, body composition, BMD and osteoporosis related biomarkers and micro-RNAs in women with PMO. The findings of this trial could be the basis for the development of harmless and inexpensive preventive and therapeutic approaches for PMO.
Hyperbolic Feature-based Sarcasm Detection in Telugu Conversation Sentences
Authors: Bharti Santosh Kumar , Naidu Reddy , Babu Korra Sathya
Published: July 2020

Recognition of sarcastic statements has been a challenge in the process of sentiment analysis. A sarcastic sentence contains only positive words conveying a negative sentiment. Therefore, it is tough for any automated machine to identify the exact sentiment of the text in the presence of sarcasm. The existing systems for sarcastic sentiment detection are limited to the text scripted in English. Nowadays, researchers have shown greater interest in low resourced languages such as Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, Indonesian, etc. To analyse these low resource languages, the biggest challenge is the lack of available resources, especially in the context of Indian languages. Indian languages are very rich in morphology which pose a greater challenge for the automated machines. Telugu is one of the most popular languages after Hindi among Indian languages. In this article, we have collected and annotated a corpus of Telugu conversation sentences in the form of a question followed by a reply for sarcasm detection. Further, a set of algorithms are proposed for the analysis of sarcasm in the corpus of Telugu conversation sentences. The proposed algorithms are based on hyperbolic features namely, Interjection, Intensifier, Question mark and Exclamation symbol. The achieved accuracy is 94%.
Transaction Cost and the Theory of Games: The “Prisoners’ Dilemma” as an Example
Authors: Junhui Li
Published: July 2020

Since mathematician John von Neumann and economist Oskar Morgenstern introduced the theory of games as a branch of modern mathematics into Economics, it has become rather prevalent, and it is even thought to be able to rewrite the whole microeconomics, that is to say, replace the frame of economic theory found by Marshall in “Principles of Economics”. But this paper will show that there are two frauds in the “Prisoners’ Dilemma”, one of the classical models in the theory of games. One is the missing calculation of costs of “cooperative solution”, the other is invalidity of “cooperative solution” when adopted to explain the phenomenon in economy or business field, because of misleading by the wrong definition of Monopoly. Oligarchs cannot increase the monophonic degree, even if they cooperate or collide to decrease the productions. But the fundamental problem of the prisoners’ dilemma lies in ad hoc theory. There are transaction costs in cooperation, which is the key constraint. Some special ways (such as repeated game) to decrease transaction costs in special cases are not key factors. This problem exists in all models of the theory of games, so it is its Achilles’ heel.
Why Are Inferior Seats “Underpriced”? Evidence from the English Premier League
Authors: Leung Tin Cheuk , Tsang Kwok Ping , Tsui Kevin K.
Published: July 2020

This paper studies the practice of loss-leader pricing strategy in the English Premier League (EPL). While the TV broadcasting revenue for EPL clubs has increased over the past 20 years, the importance of revenue from ticket sales has declined. The theory of multi-product pricing suggests that a change in the relative importance of revenue sources can induce profit-maximizing firms to underprice one product in order to raise the demand for a complementary one. Using other leagues in England and Scotland that do not have as much TV broadcasting revenue as a control group, we find that inferior seats are underpriced among the EPL clubs. Consistent with the growing importance of TV broadcast revenue, we also find that such “loss-leader pricing” is stronger in later years of the sample. Furthermore, we provide evidence that the underpricing of inferior seats is more pronounced in (i) EPL clubs compared to clubs in other European leagues; (ii) elite clubs in EPL compared to non-elite clubs in EPL that have less TV broadcasting revenue; and (iii) clubs promoted to EPL as compared to clubs that are either promoted or relegated to different leagues in England and Scotland. These findings corroborate with the hypothesis that clubs that rely more on TV broadcasting underprice their inferior seats as loss leader to attract more passionate fans.
Tensions, Challenges and Issues in Evaluating Communication for Development
Authors: Lennie June , Tacchi Jo
Published: July 2020

The complexity of development and social change and growing tensions between dominant results-based and emerging learning and improvement-based approaches to evaluating development interventions have created major challenges for the evaluation of communication for development (C4D). Drawing on our recent research, we identify significant tensions, challenges and issues in evaluating C4D. They include contextual and institutional challenges, problems with attribution and unrealistic timeframes, a lack of capacities in both evaluation and C4D, and a lack of appreciation, funding and support for approaches that are more appropriate for the evaluation of C4D.

We propose various strategies that can help to address these challenges and issues, including using a rigorous mixed methods approach, and implementing long-term, holistic evaluation capacity development at all levels and our new framework for evaluating C4D. These and other strategies can help to create a supportive environment in which new ideas and approaches can flourish, more sustainable outcomes of C4D can be achieved, and C4D organisations can become more sustainable and effective. The implications for C4D policy are considered.
Interrogating Practitioner Tensions for Raising Citizen Voice with Participatory Video in International Development
Authors: Plush Tamara
Published: July 2020

Within international development, strengthening the voice of citizens living in poverty is recognised as vital to reducing inequity. In support of such endeavors, participatory video (PV) is an increasingly utilised communicative method that can stimulate community engagement and amplify the voice of groups often excluded from decision-making spaces. However, implementing PV processes specifically within an international development context is an immensely complex proposal. Practitioners must take into consideration the different ways institutions may understand the use of participatory video for raising citizen voice; and how therefore the practice may be influenced, co-opted or even devalued by these institutional assumptions. To this end, this article interrogates how global PV practitioners express tension in their work. Analysis of their descriptions suggests six influential views on PV practice with the potential to diminish the value of voice from the margins.
Long-term changes in phytoplankton and macrophyte communities in an eutrophic shallow reservoir and prospects for its restoration
Authors: Rusanov Alexander , Trifonova Irina , Ignatyeva Natalia , Pavlova Oksana
Published: July 2020

Long-term changes in hydrochemistry and community structure of phytoplankton and macrophytes were analyzed in the Sestroretskiy Razliv reservoir (northwestern Russia). The average content of total phosphorus (TP) in May–October increased from 73 μg P l−1 in 1980 to 163 μg P l−1 in 2000. A significant increase in average chlorophyll a content from 16.6 μg l−1 in 1980 to 84.7 μg l−1 in 2000 and a shift in phytoplankton composition to the dominance of cyanobacteria over diatoms indicated a change in the trophic status of the reservoir from meso-eutrophic to hypertrophic. In 2016 and 2018, average TP was 96 and 101 μg P l−1, respectively. The average content of chlorophyll a was 43.6 μg l−1 in 2016 and 66.6 μg l−1 in warmer 2018, indicating persistent eutrophic conditions. Diatoms dominated both in 2016 and 2018, especially in 2016 characterized by unfavorable weather conditions. Cyanobacteria were more abundant in 2018 with higher summer temperatures. The decline of the total area covered by aquatic vegetation from 157 ha in 1980 to 76 ha in 2016 likely resulted from an increase in phytoplankton biomass and water turbidity. Based on the results of our observations, in addition to further reduction in nutrient loading, biomanipulation by introducing predatory fish as a restoration measure was proposed to improve the ecological status of the reservoir.
Spat efficiency in the pearl oyster Pinctada radiata (Leach, 1814) in the surface and bottom water at Karantina Island
Authors: Yigitkurt Selcuk , Lök Aynur , Kirtik Ali , Acarli Sefa , Kurtay Evrim , Küçükdermenci Aysun , Durmaz Yaşar
Published: July 2020

The present study was carried out to determine the spat efficiency in the pearl oyster (Pinctada radiata, Leach, 1814) in surface and bottom water at Karantina Island (Izmir/Turkey). Polyethylene mesh bags were used as collectors. An annual average of 175.16 ± 11.32 spat m−2 was obtained from PSC (placed surface collectors) and 82.65 ±3.89 spat m−2 was obtained from PBC (placed bottom collectors). The largest number of new spat attachments occurred in August, both on PSC and PBC: 44 ± 3.46 and 26 ± 2.88 spats were found respectively in the outer and inner mesh bags of PSC, and 33 ±5.77 and 48 ± 6.92 spats were found respectively in the outer and inner mesh bags of PBC. New spat attachments (≥ 10 mm) continued throughout the study period, except April and May. Adult pearl oysters (≥ 50 mm) were found in May. There was a significant difference between PSC and PBC in the total number of spat attachments, the monthly spat attachments and the first spat attachments (p < 0.05). The total number of new spat attachments was positively correlated with temperature and chlorophyll a for both depths (p<0.05).
A Literature Survey on Defense Expenditures – External Debt Nexus
Authors: Pempetzoglou Maria
Published: July 2020

The aim of this study is to survey the literature dealing with the relationship between defense expenditures and external debt. Especially, nowadays, amid the international financial crisis and the global security challenges, understanding the relationship between external debt and defense spending is prominent in designing the debt management policy in conjunction with defense policy. The empirical investigation has produced mixed results, which can be attributed to differences in data sets or time periods, variable selection, econometric methodologies used etc. However, most of the studies confirm the presence of a long-run relationship among military spending and external debt and consider military spending as a significant contributing factor to the stock of external debt.