bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reference intervals and reliability of cavum septi pellucidi volume measurements by three-dimensional ultrasound between 19 and 24 weeks’ gestation
Authors: Cinar Aslim , Sezik Mekin , Yalcin Serenat Eris , Yavuz And
Published: October 2020

Objectives

A small or a large cavum septi pellucidi (CSP) during routine second trimester sonography may suggest abnormal cerebral development. Therefore, determination of CSP volume with three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound can be valuable. For this purpose, we sought to evaluate the reference ranges and measurement reliability of CSP volume by Virtual Organ Computer-aided AnaLysis (VOCAL).

Methods

VOCAL software was used to calculate the CSP volume from transabdominal multiplanar datasets of 99 structurally normal fetal ultrasound examinations between 19 and 24 weeks of gestation. Linear regression was utilized to determine reference intervals for CSP volumes as a function of gestational week (GW). Agreement among three evaluators with different proficiency levels (obstetrics and gynecology resident, perinatology fellow, and perinatologist) was assessed, using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

CSP volume and gestational age was positively correlated (r2=0.383, p=0.0001), represented by the following equation: 0.058–(1.016 x GW). Interobserver agreement between perinatologist and fellow was relatively high (ICC, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.70–0.85), whereas limited ultrasound experience (resident) was associated with fair agreement with non-novice observers (ICC for resident and perinatologist, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.29–0.65 and ICC for resident and fellow, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.38–0.71).

Conclusions

Reference ranges of CSP volumes using VOCAL from 19 0/6 through 24 6/7 weeks of gestation were established. A first-degree model to estimate CSP volume as a function of gestational age was also constructed. CSP volumetry seems reliable when evaluated by an examiner with particular 3D sonography experience.
First-trimester presentation of ultrasound findings in trisomy 13 and validation of multiparameter ultrasound-based risk calculation models to detect trisomy 13 in the late first trimester
Authors: Rajs Bartosz , Nocuń Agnieszka , Matyszkiewicz Anna , Pasternok Marcin , Kołodziejski Michał , Wiercińska Ewa , Wiecheć Marcin
Published: October 2020

Objectives

To identify the most common ultrasound patterns of markers and anomalies associated with Patau syndrome (PS), to explore the efficacy of multiparameter sonographic protocols in detecting trisomy 13 (T13) and to analyze the influence of maternal age (MA) on screening performance.

Methods

The project was a prospective study based on singleton pregnancies referred for a first-trimester screening examination. The scan protocol included nuchal translucency (NT), fetal heart rate (FHR), secondary ultrasound markers [nasal bone (NB), tricuspid regurgitation (TR), ductus venosus reversed a-wave (revDV)] and major anomaly findings.

Results

The study population comprised 6133 pregnancies: 6077 cases of euploidy and 56 cases of T13. Statistically significant differences were found in MA, FHR, NT, absence of NB, presence of revDV, TR and single umbilical artery. Fourteen cases of T13 (25%) demonstrated no markers of aneuploidy. The best general detection rate (DR) (DR of 78.6% with an false positive rate (FPR) of 1.2%) was obtained for a cutoff of 1/300 utilizing the “NT+T13” algorithm. The logistic regression model revealed that the central nervous system (CNS) anomalies had the greatest odds ratio (of 205.4) for T13.

Conclusions

The effectiveness of the multiparameter sonographic protocol used for T13 screening showed promising results in patients older than 36 years and suboptimal results in patients between 26 and 36 years old. When screening for T13 left heart defects, CNS anomalies, abdominal anomalies, FHR above the 95th percentile, increased NT, revDV and lack of NB should receive specific attention.
Optimization of a molecular diagnostic strategy to verify SARS-CoV-2 infections by RT-qPCR
Authors: Noßmann Marcel
Published: October 2020

Objectives

Fast and precise detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in infected patients is essential for treatment decisions.

Methods

A diagnostic strategy by analyzing nasopharyngeal swabs to detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA in individuals was established. The negative impacts of the individual buffer components on RT-qPCR analysis was reviewed and overcome by RNA purification. To investigate the functionality of the improved protocol we compared the novel diagnostic strategy to a Bead-based RNA extraction method using previously positive tested samples.

Results

A method to extract purify RNA molecules from SARS-CoV-2 was established. We examined the significance of nucleic acid purification and the need for an RNase inhibitor. Evaluation of 3,664 samples from March 23rd until May 18th in 2020 showed the incidence of COVID-19 infections in Thuringia, Germany. Additionally, benefits and limits of three RT-qPCR kits were assessed.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that virus capsid lysis combined with nucleic acid purification enables a viable alternative for the molecular diagnostics of SARS-CoV-2 infections. Due to the current delivery delays from different companies, this method offers the possibility to continue diagnosis and to handle the large number of samples.
Aspects of the Never-Ending Translation Wars in South Korea
Authors: Schirmer Andreas
Published: October 2020

Translation has always played a major role in Korea’s often painful process of modernization. But even in this context, the frequent “translation wars” are a striking phenomenon—especially when the zealous battles about mistranslations are fought not only within the limited confines of professional or aficionado circles, but also (as periodically occurs) captivate the general public. The fact that public discourse about the quality and reliability of translations is much more common in South Korea than anywhere in the West is very telling in cultural anthropological terms. This significance has, however, never been considered a matter deserving of academic attention in and of itself. Conspicuously, the public denunciation of translation mistakes, as practiced in Korea, often targets not only the immediate culprits but claims to expose a fundamental (culturally conditioned) mentality among the general Korean population. The implication is that Korean audiences lack self-assurance and tend to accept dubious passages meekly because they are conditioned to suspect themselves of being simply too stupid to understand. Korea’s ongoing translation wars are epitomized by encyclopedic books that present vast collections of detected mistakes and usually receive a great deal of media coverage. One regularly recurring motif of the multifaceted debates on mistranslations is the supposed disgrace and disadvantage sustained by Koreans when they are left with imperfect renderings of insights easily gleaned by those elsewhere in the world, who read, if not the originals, at least perfectly faithful translations.
Manner salience and translation: A case study based on a multilingual corpus of graphic novels
Authors: Molés-Cases Teresa
Published: October 2020

This paper examines the salience of Manner-of-motion and its translation in a multilingual corpus of graphic novels, with the dual aim of further investigating the role of visual language in Slobin’s Thinking-for-translating hypothesis and identifying the relevant translation techniques. Many studies that draw on the hypothesis have shown, for instance, that, in the translation process from a satellite-framed language (e. g. German, English) into a verb-framed language (e. g. Spanish, French), Manner-of-motion is usually omitted, whereas in the translation process between languages belonging to the same typological group, it is generally transferred, although some intratypological variation has also been identified in the literature. The corpus studied allows both inter- and intratypological analyses: it is composed of two graphic novels by the Austrian cartoonist Ulli Lust and their corresponding translations into Spanish, French and English. The resulting data were compared with previous research in the field. The paper concludes that, although visual language minimizes the consequences of Thinking-for-translating, the conventions and restrictions of graphic novels deserve greater attention within this framework.
Distribution of the dwarf dog-faced bat Molossops temminckii (Chiroptera: Molossidae) in Colombia and comments on its morphometry
Authors: Chacón-Pacheco Julio J. , Avendaño Maldonado Luis José , Agamez-López Carlos , Mejía-Fontecha Ingrith Yuliany , Velásquez-Guarín Daniela , Ossa López Paula A. , Rivera Páez Fredy A. , Morales-Martínez Darwin M. , Ramírez-Chaves Héctor E.
Published: October 2020

The genus Molossops includes two species that are restricted to South America: Molossops neglectus and Molossops temminckii. The smaller dog-faced dwarf Molossops temminckii is distributed from Colombia to Argentina and has a wide morphological variation and vocal plasticity. In Colombia, this species remains poorly known. To fill distributional gaps, we present novel records from Arauca, Atlántico, Bolívar, Córdoba, and Huila departments. We also present an analysis of the morphometric variation in South America using Principal Component Analyses. These show an external and cranial difference of specimens of Colombia in respect of other and South America populations. In Colombian landscapes dominated by the floodplain savanna of the Orinoco region, Molossops temminckii is smaller than in the other regions of the country, and the previously suggested existence of cryptic diversity within the taxon should be evaluated. Therefore, we suggest further integrative analyses to investigate a possible subspecific status of some Colombian populations.
Transcontinental 2200 km migration of a Nathusius’ pipistrelle (Pipistrellus nathusii) across Europe
Authors: Alcalde Juan Tomás , Jiménez Montserrat , Brila Ilze , Vintulis Viesturs , Voigt Christian C. , Pētersons Gunārs
Published: October 2020

A male Pipistrellus nathusii ringed in Pape Natural Park (S Latvia) in August 2015 was recovered recently dead in Pitillas’ Lagoon Natural Reserve (N Spain) in March 2017. At 2224 km in SSW direction, this is the first documented bat migration between these countries and worldwide the longest migration record of a bat. We also report other observations of this species in autumn in Northern Spain, suggesting that the Iberian Peninsula may be an important wintering area for Nathusius’ pipistrelles. Conservation measures should be agreed on by countries along the migration routes to improve the protection of this species.
Results on nonlocal stochastic integro-differential equations driven by a fractional Brownian motion
Authors: Issaka Louk-Man , Diop Mamadou Abdoul , Hmoyed Hasna
Published: October 2020

This paper deals with the existence of mild solutions for a class of non-local stochastic integro-differential equations driven by a fractional Brownian motion with Hurst parameter

H
∈

1
2

,
1

H\in \left(\tfrac{1}{2},1\right)

. Discussions are based on resolvent operators in the sense of Grimmer, stochastic analysis theory and fixed-point criteria. As a final point, an example is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the obtained theory.
Scaling capacity of fiber-optic transmission systems via silicon photonics
Authors: Shi Wei , Tian Ye , Gervais Antoine
Published: October 2020

The tremendous growth of data traffic has spurred a rapid evolution of optical communications for a higher data transmission capacity. Next-generation fiber-optic communication systems will require dramatically increased complexity that cannot be obtained using discrete components. In this context, silicon photonics is quickly maturing. Capable of manipulating electrons and photons on the same platform, this disruptive technology promises to cram more complexity on a single chip, leading to orders-of-magnitude reduction of integrated photonic systems in size, energy, and cost. This paper provides a system perspective and reviews recent progress in silicon photonics probing all dimensions of light to scale the capacity of fiber-optic networks toward terabits-per-second per optical interface and petabits-per-second per transmission link. Firstly, we overview fundamentals and the evolving trends of silicon photonic fabrication process. Then, we focus on recent progress in silicon coherent optical transceivers. Further scaling the system capacity requires multiplexing techniques in all the dimensions of light: wavelength, polarization, and space, for which we have seen impressive demonstrations of on-chip functionalities such as polarization diversity circuits and wavelength- and space-division multiplexers. Despite these advances, large-scale silicon photonic integrated circuits incorporating a variety of active and passive functionalities still face considerable challenges, many of which will eventually be addressed as the technology continues evolving with the entire ecosystem at a fast pace.
Plasmonic control of drug release efficiency in agarose gel loaded with gold nanoparticle assemblies
Authors: Moretti Luca , Mazzanti Andrea , Rossetti Arianna , Schirato Andrea , Polito Laura , Pizzetti Fabio , Sacchetti Alessandro , Cerullo Giulio , Della Valle Giuseppe , Rossi Filippo , Maiuri Margherita
Published: October 2020

Plasmonic nanoparticles (NPs) are exploited to concentrate light, provide local heating and enhance drug release when coupled to smart polymers. However, the role of NP assembling in these processes is poorly investigated, although their superior performance as nanoheaters has been theoretically predicted since a decade. Here we report on a compound hydrogel (agarose and carbomer 974P) loaded with gold NPs of different configurations. We investigate the dynamics of light-heat conversion in these hybrid plasmonic nanomaterials via a combination of ultrafast pump-probe spectroscopy and hot-electrons dynamical modeling. The photothermal study ascertains the possibility to control the degree of assembling via surface functionalization of the NPs, thus enabling a tuning of the photothermal response of the plasmon-enhanced gel under continuous wave excitation. We exploit these assemblies to enhance photothermal release of drug mimetics with large steric hindrance loaded in the hydrogel. Using compounds with an effective hydrodynamic diameter bigger than the mesh size of the gel matrix, we find that the nanoheaters assemblies enable a two orders of magnitude faster cumulative drug release toward the surrounding environment compared to isolated NPs, under the same experimental conditions. Our results pave the way for a new paradigm of nanoplasmonic control over drug release.
Understandable and trustworthy explainable robots: A sensemaking perspective
Authors: Papagni Guglielmo , Koeszegi Sabine
Published: October 2020

This article discusses the fundamental requirements for making explainable robots trustworthy and comprehensible for non-expert users. To this extent, we identify three main issues to solve: the approximate nature of explanations, their dependence on the interaction context and the intrinsic limitations of human understanding. The article proposes an organic solution for the design of explainable robots rooted in a sensemaking perspective. The establishment of contextual interaction boundaries, combined with the adoption of plausibility as the main criterion for the evaluation of explanations and of interactive and multi-modal explanations, forms the core of this proposal.
Talking to God:conceptualizing an alternative politeness approach for the human/divine relationship
Authors: Ridealgh Kim
Published: October 2020

The human/divine relationship is a dynamic that does not easily fit into existing politeness research frameworks and approaches. This paper will look to explore this relationship further, within the ancient Egyptian Late Ramesside Letters (c. 1099-1069 BCE), in order to explore the limitations of facework and ritual in fully exploring the phenomenon, and offer an alternative approach - the ‘community-embedded’ model - which expands on principles from both facework and ritual, as well as collective prayer. The use here of the ‘community-embedded’ approach allows for the analysis of the impact of utterances to and involving God (the divine entity who assumes this role in the communicative interaction) within wider social networks, and how this supports simultaneous relationship maintenance between humans, God, and larger networks specific to the culture under review.
How can ethnography contribute to understanding (im)politeness?
Authors: Reiter Rosina Márquez
Published: October 2020

This article presents an invitation to explore the benefits of adopting an ethnographic approach to (im)politeness research rather than an introduction to, or overview of, a well-established method in anthropology. It unfolds in four parts. In the first, I discuss some of the different ways in which (im)politeness scholars have grappled to reconcile lay and analyst understandings of (im)politeness with varying degrees of success. In the second, I offer the background of two examples which were gathered as part of ethnographic fieldwork in a contemporary migratory context. The examples deal with two classic topics in (im)politeness research: greetings and indirectness. The analysis demonstrates how insights from ethnography can enrich (im)politeness analysis by helping us to close the gap between lay and theoretical understandings of the practice. In the final section, I address the importance of delimiting the value of (im)politeness practices in the social reality of the speakers under study and invite colleagues to reflect on the societal impact of the discipline, including the expansion of the discipline beyond its middle-class milieu.
In-situ synthesis of Fe2O3/rGO using different hydrothermal methods as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Liu Zhuang , Fu Haiyang , Gao Bo , Wang Yixuan , Li Kui , Sun Yue , Yin Juntai , Kan Jiawen
Published: October 2020

This paper studies in-situ synthesis of Fe2O3/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) anode materials by different hydrothermal process.Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis has found that different processes can control the morphology of graphene and Fe2O3. The morphologies of Fe2O3 prepared by the hydrothermal in-situ and oleic acid-assisted hydrothermal in-situ methods are mainly composed of fine spheres, while PVP assists The thermal in-situ law presents porous ellipsoids. Graphene exhibits typical folds and small lumps. X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) analysis results show that Fe2O3/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) is generated in different ways. Also, the material has good crystallinity, and the crystal form of the iron oxide has not been changed after adding GO. It has been reduced, and a characteristic peak appears around 25°, indicating that a large amount of reduced graphene exists. The results of the electrochemical performance tests have found that the active materials prepared in different processes have different effects on the cycle performance of lithium ion batteries. By comprehensive comparison for these three processes, the electro-chemical performance of the Fe2O3/rGO prepared by the oleic acid-assisted hydrothermal method is best.
The role of sensory and olfactory pathways in multiple chemical sensitivity
Authors: Palmieri Beniamino , Corazzari Veronica , Vadalaʹ Maria , Vallelunga Annamaria , Morales-Medina Julio César , Iannitti Tommaso
Published: October 2020

Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is characterised by non-specific and recurring symptoms affecting multiple organs and associated with exposure to chemicals, even at low concentrations, which are, under normal circumstances, harmless to the general population. Symptoms include general discomfort, cardiovascular instability, irritation of the sensory organs, breath disorders, hypersensitivity affecting the skin and epithelial lining of the gut, throat and lungs, anxiety, and learning and memory loss. Chemical intolerance is a key distinguishing feature of MCS, limiting considerably patients’ lifestyle with serious social, occupational and economic implications. Since no specific diagnostic markers are currently available for chemical intolerance, the diagnosis relies on clinical symptoms. Despite the formulation of several hypotheses regarding the pathophysiology of MCS, its mechanisms remain undefined. A person-centred care approach, based on multidisciplinary and individualised medical plans, has shown promising results. However, more definite treatment strategies are required. We have reviewed the main experimental studies on MCS pathophysiology, focusing on the brain networks involved, the impact of environmental pollution on the olfactory system and the correlation with other pathologies such as neurodegenerative diseases. Finally, we discuss treatment strategies targeting the olfactory system.
The dagoba and the gopuram: A semiotic contrastive study of the Sinhalese Buddhist and Tamil Hindu cultures
Authors: Bonta Steven
Published: October 2020

Having shown previously how a culture type can be given a unitary description in terms of a semiotic “lens” constrained by one of the Peircean Categories (“Shamanic” culture, by Firstness), we apply this methodology to a more “fine-grained” level of analysis, by comparing the Tamil and Sinhalese cultures under the assumption that one of them (Sinhalese) is in fact a “hybrid” culture-sign. Having shown in previous work that the greater South Asian microculture may be characterized as a Firstness of Thirdness (13), in this paper we provide evidence from a variety of semiotic contexts, including language, art, and religion, that the novel or “intrusive” sign in Sinhalese culture is Firstness of Secondness (12), resulting in a hybrid culture sign that may be described as 12 × 13.
How did 1MDB’s CEO manage impressions of culpability in an accountability interview?
Authors: Yoong David
Published: October 2020

Scandalous revelations invite public scrutiny and strong oppositions that harm the hegemonic grip of the elites. When this happens, damage control discourses are deployed to quell public discontentment. One measure taken by the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) sovereign wealth fund in 2016 to address its corporate and political scandal was to accept an independent radio station’s invitation to participate in what is labelled here “an accountability interview.” To show how the CEO successfully managed and evaded impressions of culpability in this complex and adversarial interview, I adopt membership categorisation analysis. The analysis reveals how the CEO successfully downgrades morally and ethically wrong behaviour, associates the interviewers with bad behaviour, and reframes perceived abnormalities as usual practices. This research is driven by two purposes: i) to demystify the complex communication of 1MDB and the CEO’s methods in navigating around tough questions; and ii) to contribute to the growing field of accountability interview analysis, especially in the South-East Asian region, as micro-interactional accountability interview studies tend to lean considerably toward western data and perspectives.
On necessary conditional marking and proposition suspension: The meaning of the Spanish construction si es que
Authors: Reig Alamillo Asela
Published: October 2020

This paper offers a unified analysis of the coded meaning of Spanish conditional marker si es que: it conventionally conveys conditionality and the speaker’s lack of commitment to the proposition. This second meaning differentiates si es que from the general conditional marker si. It is also argued that si es que has two values: suspending a proposition and expressing a necessary condition, and established that these two share the conventional meaning but differ in the discourse status of the proposition: suspension takes place when the proposition was explicitly evoked in previous discourse, while the marking of necessary conditionals takes place when the proposition is not evoked, but typically new information. The analysis of Spanish si es que contributes to determining the relationship between the operation of suspending a content and the expression of conditionality.
Unabhängigkeit von Aufsichtsratsmitgliedern
Authors: Kumpan Christoph
Published: October 2020

Die Unabhängigkeit von Aufsichtsratsmitgliedern spielt in der Diskussion um gute Corporate Governance eine zentrale Rolle. Die wesentlichen Vorgaben dazu finden sich im Deutschen Corporate Governance Kodex, der Ende 2019 in einer neuen Fassung erschienen ist. In dieser sind auch die Empfehlungen zur Unabhängigkeit überarbeitet worden. Der vorliegende Beitrag nimmt dies zum Anlass, die Empfehlungen zur Unabhängigkeit genauer zu beleuchten und mit ihnen zusammenhängende offene Fragen und Probleme zu erörtern und Lösungen aufzuzeigen. Die Ausführungen werden eingebettet in generelle konzeptionelle Überlegungen zum Thema Unabhängigkeit und der rechtlichen Umsetzung dieses Erfordernisses im Deutschen Corporate Governance Kodex, samt dessen Zweck, Inhalt und Grenzen.
Zur Reichweite der Regelungen zur Vermeidung von Interessenkonflikten in der atypischen Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien
Authors: Fiebelkorn Timo
Published: October 2020

Die Reichweite der auf Vermeidung potentieller Interessenkonflikte persönlich haftender Gesellschafter ausgerichteten gesetzlichen Regelungen in der atypischen KGaA wird in der Literatur weitgehend ohne vertiefte Auseinandersetzung abgehandelt. Nach herrschender Ansicht in der Literatur sollen die betroffenen gesetzlichen Regelungen extensiv auszulegen sein. Dies führt in der Rechtspraxis atypischer KGaA in Konzernen zu erheblichen Schwierigkeiten. Der nachfolgende Beitrag arbeitet den Diskussionsstand auf und hinterfragt die herrschende Ansicht. Hierbei zeigt sich, dass die Besonderheiten der atypischen KGaA regelmäßig nicht angemessen gewürdigt werden. Der durch die Literatur bestimmte Anwendungsbereich der betroffenen gesetzlichen Regelungen erweist sich im Ergebnis als zu weitgehend.
Artefacts from Ban Chiang, Thailand: pottery with hematite-red geometric patterns
Authors: Bismayer Ulrich , Srilomsak Sutham , Treekamol Yaowapa , Tanthanuch Waraporn , Suriyatham Kanokwalee
Published: October 2020

Ban Chiang () is an extensively studied archeological site in Northeast Thailand, Udon Thani Province, which became a UNESCO world heritage in 1992. Depending on their production period ceramic artefacts show characteristic patterns at the surface which may be interpreted as iconographic motifs for the site. Two ceramic samples, excavated in 2003, from different periods were re-investigated, previously studied by Tanthanuch W., Pattanasiriwisawa W., Somphon W., Srilomsak S. Synchrotron studies of Ban Chiang ancient pottery. Suranaree J. Sci Technol. 2011, 18, 15–28 who focussed on thermal firing and redox-conditions. Shards selected for this study were sample 5412-S6E15 dated from Bronze Age (ca. 1000–300 BC) with yellow-brown, paint-free surface and a younger sample 8027 from Iron Age (ca. 300 BC–200 AD) with red painted design carrying pictorial patterns typical for the Ban Chiang ceramics. The surface material and colour of both shards was studied in detail using optical reflectance, FTIR spectroscopy and X-ray powder diffraction. Thin sections were used to determine the thickness of the red paint and the elemental composition of the surface using an electron microprobe. Chemical composition of sample 5412-S6E15 consists as oxides of elements mainly of SiO2 and Al2O3 (representing ca. 59 and 20 wt. %) and that of the red colour of the youngest sample 8027 consists mainly of SiO2, Al2O3 and Fe2O3 (representing ca. 52, 13 and 13 wt. %), the average composition adjacent to the red painted area has ca. 72 wt. % SiO2, ca. 10 wt. % Al2O3 and only 2 wt. % Fe2O3. X-ray powder diffraction, FTIR spectroscopy and optical reflectance measurements confirm hematite in the mineralogical composition of the red pigment of shard 8027.
New layered supertetrahedral compounds T2-MSiAs2, T3-MGaSiAs3 and polytypic T4-M
4Ga5SiAs9 (M = Sr, Eu)
Authors: Weippert Valentin , Haffner Arthur , Johrendt Dirk
Published: October 2020

The new supertetrahedral compounds MSiAs2, MGaSiAs3 and mC/tI-M
4Ga5SiAs9 (M = Sr, Eu) have been synthesized by solid-state reactions at high temperatures. The structures were determined by single crystal or powder X-ray diffraction. MSiAs2 and MGaSiAs3 crystallize in the monoclinic TlGaSe2- and RbCuSnS3-type structures, respectively (space group C2/c). These are topologically hierarchical variants of the tetragonal HgI2-type structure with stacked layers of T2 or T3 supertetrahedra. The T4 compounds M
4Ga5SiAs9 are dimorphic and form new structure types in the space groups C2/c and I41/amd, respectively. The latter exhibits coinciding layer stacking as known from tetragonal HgI2. The T4 compounds close the gap between the longer known T2 types and the recently reported compounds with T5 and T6 supertetrahedra. Measurements of the optical band gap, electrical resistivity and Hall Effect support the semiconducting nature of M
4Ga5SiAs9. Magnetization measurements confirm Eu2+ in Eu4Ga5SiAs9 and indicate ferromagnetism below T = 2 K.
Lu–Hf Isotope Composition of Zircon and Magma Sources of the Vendian–Early Paleozoic Granitoids in Tuva (by the Example of the Kaa-Khem and East Tannu-Ola Batholiths)
Authors: Rudnev S.N. , Mal’kovets V.G. , Belousova E.A. , Turkina O.M. , Semenova D.V.
Published: October 2020

—We present results of geochemical and Sr–Nd isotope studies of rocks and of local dating and determination of the Lu–Hf isotope composition of zircons from late Vendian–early Cambrian and Cambrian–Ordovician intrusive associations (granitoids and gabbroids) of the Kaa-Khem and East Tannu-Ola batholiths in Eastern Tuva. The wide ranges of the eNd values (6.9 to 0.5) of rocks and the εHf values of magmatic and inherited zircons reflect the diversity of the magma sources of late Vendian–early Paleozoic intrusive associations formed at the island arc and accretion–collision stages. Late Vendian (572–562 Ma, Kopto and Buren massifs) and early Cambrian (522–518 Ma, East Tannu-Ola batholith) island arc tholeiitic and calc-alkalic plagiogranitoids resulted from the melting of the Vendian–early Cambrian island arc crust without the contribution of a more ancient crustal material. The subalkalic gabbro–monzodiorite–granosyenite association of the Zubovka massif (510 Ma) formed from a mantle source depleted isotopically but enriched in incompatible elements, with the participation of an island arc crust material; this process took place in the early phase of plume activity at the accretion–collision stage. Island arc complexes were the main source of Cambrian–Ordovician accretion–collision calc-alkalic plagiogranitoids (500–450 Ma, Terektyg-Cheder, Karaos, Tapsa, Baisyut, and other massifs). Variations in their composition were due to the melting of thick crust, whose isotopic heterogeneity was caused by the different contributions of a more ancient crustal source. The crust of the Tuva–Mongolian terrane made the main contribution to the formation of the potassic granitoids of the Bren’ massif (450 Ma), marking the completion of accretion–collision processes in this region. The isotope parameters of the Vendian–early Paleozoic granitoids are indicators of the crust formation and evolution in the course of subduction and accretion–collision processes.
Vendian Taseeva Group, Southwestern Margin of the Siberian Platform: Isotope, Geochemical, and Geochronological Data, Age, and Correlation
Authors: Kochnev B.B. , Proshenkin A.I. , Pokrovsky B.G. , Letnikova E.F.
Published: October 2020

—A high-amplitude negative δ13C anomaly (–11‰ V-PDB) has been found in the carbonate horizons of the Chistyakovka Formation of the Taseeva Group in the type sections of the southern Yenisei Ridge. The δ18O values (–2.7 to –5.4‰ V-PDB) and the lithologic features of carbonates indicate that these are primary sedimentary rocks and their isotope parameters reflect the primary isotope composition of the paleobasin waters. The negative δ13C excursion in the Chistyakovka Formation is close in stratigraphic position and amplitude to similar isotope excursion in the Vendian strata of the southern Siberian Platform and to the global middle Ediacaran Shuram–Wonoka anomaly. According to the data on clastic zircons, the age of the Chistyakovka Formation is no older than 580 Ma, which agrees with the earlier estimated age of the Shuram–Wonoka event. As follows from the data obtained, the age of the basement of the Taseeva Group is no older than 600 Ma. This provides a more accurate correlation of the Vendian complex along the southwestern margin of the Siberian Platform. The different stratigraphic scales of the sediments indicate that the marginal trough here began to form at different times (from late Riphean to late Vendian), which explains its segmented structure.
Mechanisms of High-Purity Quartzite Formation at the Bural-Sardyk Deposit (Russia)
Authors: Ayurzhanaeva D.Ts. , Fedorov A.M. , Mazukabzov A.M. , Nepomnyashchikh A.I. , Ochirova E.A. , Posokhov V.F.
Published: October 2020

—The paper discusses the mechanisms of formation of high-purity quartzites from the Bural-Sardyk deposit. Based on a stadial analysis of the sedimentary-metamorphic sequence, we interpret the succession of postsedimentary transformations of high-silica rocks. Comprehensive studies using geological and geochemical methods and isotope research data reveal the role of tectonics, magmatism, metamorphism (regional and contact), and dynamic metamorphism in the formation of high-purity quartzites. Two main varieties of tectonites have been identified and described: stress-metamorphic tectonites and cataclasites. The paper presents a new geological map of the Bural-Sardyk deposit on a 1:10,000 scale.
Climate Signals in the Late Quaternary Bottom Sediments of Lake Baunt (Northern Transbaikalia)
Authors: Solotchin P.A. , Solotchina E.P. , Bezrukova E.V. , Zhdanova A.N.
Published: October 2020

—The bottom sediments of lakes with different mineralization located in the basins of inland areas are high-resolution archives of climate and environmental changes. We present results of study of the Late Pleistocene–Holocene sediments of freshwater Lake Baunt, one of the lakes of the Baunt (Tsipa) depression in the permafrost zone in northern Buryatia. The sediments were studied by XRD, IR spectroscopy, laser granulometry, elemental analysis, AMS dating, etc. Mineral analysis of the bottom sediments with an age of ~18 ka has revealed predominant phyllosilicates, quartz, and feldspars. Mathematical modeling of complex XRD spectra made it possible to identify chlorite, muscovite, illite, mixed-layer illite–smectite and chlorite–smectite, and kaolinite among the phyllosilicates. We have determined their structural and crystal-chemical features and quantitative proportions in the section (800 cm long core), which vary in accordance with the climate cycles and lake level fluctuations. The results obtained helped to reconstruct the evolution of the Lake Baunt basin controlled by the regional climate throughout the Late Pleistocene–Holocene. This paper continues a series of our publications concerned with the reconstruction of the Late Pleistocene–Holocene climate in East Siberia by comprehensive studies of the mineral composition of sedimentary sections of small lakes.
The Nature and Compositional Peculiarities of Volcanogenic Diamonds
Authors: Galimov E.M. , Kaminsky F.V. , Karpov G.A. , Shilobreeva S.N. , Sevast’yanova V.S. , Voropaev S.A. , Anikin L.P. , Wirth R. , Khachatryan G.K. , Saraikin V.V.
Published: October 2020

—We have studied volcanogenic diamonds in the context of a discussion of their genesis, including some assumption on their artificial origin. The carbon isotope composition of diamonds collected from the eruption products of Tolbachik volcano (δ13CVPDB from –22 to –29‰) is within the range of the δ13CVPDB values of natural diamonds, including those from kimberlites. The δ15NAir values of the Tolbachik diamonds, measured for the first time (–2.58 and –2.32‰), correspond to δ15NAir of volcanic gases and differ from that of atmospheric nitrogen (δ15NAir = 0‰), which may be expected in synthetic diamonds. In the studied volcanogenic diamonds, as in synthetic ones, the nitrogen impurity is unaggregated. However, such an unaggregated form of nitrogen is specific to many natural diamonds (e.g., variety II diamonds, according to Orlov’s classification). Impurity elements (Cl, F, O, S, Si, Al, Ca, and Na) are locally concentrated in volcanogenic diamonds; they are a constituent of micro- and nanoinclusions in them. The high contents of F and Cl in the studied diamonds are correlated with the composition of volcanic gases; there is no reason to expect a similar correlation in synthetic diamonds. Moreover, the studied cube-octahedral Tolbachik diamonds have a number of accessory forms, some of which are not observed in synthetic diamonds. Their surfaces are frequently covered with films composed of Mg–Fe and Ca–Mg silicates, aluminosilicates, sulfates, metal alloys, and native Al. Mineral inclusions in the studied diamonds are Mn–Ni–Si alloys and silicides varying in composition from (Mn,Ni)4Si to (Mn,Ni)5Si2, Mn5Si2, and pure Mn silicide MnSi. Summing up the obtained data, we conclude that volcanogenic diamonds form in a strongly reducing environment, in which silicides and native metals and their alloys are stable. The predominant cube-octahedral morphology of these diamonds and the unaggregated nitrogen impurity point to their short-term residence under high-temperature conditions. This makes them similar, to some extent, to synthetic diamonds. There are, however, clear differences as well. Volcanogenic diamonds are similar in compositional peculiarities, including isotope compositions, to natural diamonds that form under most unfavorable conditions, such as cuboids, balases, carbonado, and some diamonds of the eclogite paragenesis. They also resemble diamonds found in situ in harzburgite and chromitite of ophiolites. This suggests a specific mechanism of formation of both volcanogenic and ophiolitic diamonds in the oceanic lithosphere.
Performance of Participants on Multiple Answers Type Item in Research Methodology as a Function of Discipline, Gender and their Interaction
Authors:   Department of Education, Devi Ahilya University, Indore, Madhya Pradesh-452001, India, Sansanwal DN
Published: October 2020

Examination is a part and parcel of Teaching-Learning Process. In examination or tests different types of question are asked by teachers. These are Essay, Short Answer, Multiple Choice, Fill-in the Blanks, and Matching Types. These are not very suitable for Open Book Examination. Multiple Answers Type Items in Research Methodology were developed for the research. It is a new type of question which can be used by school, College and University teachers irrespective of the subject taught by them. The objective of this research was to study the influence of Discipline, Gender and their interaction on Performance of participants on Multiple Answers Type Items in Research Methodology. The Hypothesis formulated in null form was there is no significant influence of Discipline, Gender and their interaction on Performance of participants on Multiple Answers Type Items in Research Methodology. This study was conducted on Sample of 423 Deans, Professors, Associate Professors, Assistant Professors, Research Fellows and Postgraduate students from 26 states and six countries. Data were collected online using WhatsApp and emails during Covid-19 period. The findings were: (1) Social Science participants were found to have better understanding of Research Methodology than Science as well as Humanities participants. Further Science as well as Humanities participants were found to similar understanding of Research Methodology. (2) Male and Female Participants were found to perform equally well on Multiple Answers Type Items in Research Methodology. (3) Performance on Multiple Answers Type Items in Research Methodology was found to be independent of interaction between Discipline and Gender of Participants.
Ninety years of k-tridiagonal matrices
Authors: da Fonseca Carlos M. , Kowalenko Victor , Losonczi László
Published: October 2020

This survey revisits Jenő Egerváry and Otto Szász’s article of 1928 on trigonometric polynomials and simple structured matrices focussing mainly on the latter topic. In particular, we concentrate on the spectral theory for the first type of the matrices introduced in the article, which are today referred to as k-tridiagonal matrices, and then discuss the explosion of interest in them over the last two decades, most of which could have benefitted from the seminal article, had it not been overlooked.
Lemniscate and exponential starlikeness of regular Coulomb wave functions
Authors: Aktaş İbrahim
Published: October 2020

In this study, a normalized form of regular Coulomb wave function is considered. By using the differential subordinations method due to Miller and Mocanu, we determine some conditions on the parameters such that the normalized regular Coulomb wave function is lemniscate starlike and exponential starlike in the open unit disk, respectively. In additon, by using the relationship between the regular Coulomb wave function and the Bessel function of the first kind we give some conditions for which the classical Bessel function of the first kind is lemniscate and exponential starlike in the unit disk 𝔻.
Quadrilateral cell graphs of the normalizer with signature (2,4,∞)
Authors: Gözütok Nazli Yazici , Güler Bahadir Özgür
Published: October 2020

In this study, we investigate suborbital graphs Gu,n of the normalizer ΓB (N) of Γ0 (N) in PSL(2, ℝ) for N = 2α3β where α = 1, 3, 5, 7, and β = 0 or 2. In these cases the normalizer becomes a triangle group and graphs arising from the action of the normalizer contain quadrilateral circuits. In order to obtain graphs, we first define an imprimitive action of ΓB (N) on using the group (N) and then obtain some properties of the graphs arising from this action.
China – Cooperation and rivalry in today's interdependent world: Will pandemic change the trends?
Authors: Hübner Wojciech
Published: October 2020

The paper examines the importance of the ‘Chinese factor’ in today's world from the perspective of current phenomena such as particular political and economic uncertainty and also examines them against the background of processes of global cooperation and parallel unprecedented competition at the same level. Complex phenomena occurring in this area have recently been additionally disrupted by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Will the world be different?

Globalization processes have taken place over the centuries but have gained particular importance in our present times, because we left ‘the golden age’ of globalization (1990–2010) already behind us. China, ever louder, talks about the need for a ‘new’ globalization, in line with its new aspirations as a pretender to the leadership position in the global economy. The Belt and Road Initiative, launched in 2013, has been in the centre of its vision. It has become the foundation for China's foreign policy in the horizon of at least the middle of XXI century. It was designed to re-confirm China's unprecedented economic success of the past four decades, which to a great extent could be derived from a skilful use of the ‘traditional’ mechanisms of globalization.
The great Chinese transformation: From the third to the first world
Authors: Kolodko Grzegorz W.
Published: October 2020

In the era of irreversible globalisation, the worldwide economic and political rules of play must take into account of the growing importance of China. Rather than fight the country, one should pragmatically cooperate on solving the mounting global problems. Contemporarily, both China should adapt to the external world and the world itself should adapt to China. There is no possibility of imposing on it a model developed elsewhere, especially that these days liberal democracy is experiencing a systemic crisis in many countries. Neither is there a chance to impose the Chinese model on others, though it seems tempting to a country; it is not an exportable ‘commodity,’ but its elements may prove useful elsewhere. China is not aiming for global domination; instead, it is consistently integrating with the world to maintain its own development. The only reasonable way forward is thorough observation, mutual learning and pragmatic collaboration based on the non-orthodox economic thought.
Development equipment for hydro-jet forming of women designer's headwear
Authors: Yakymchuk Olena , Yakymchuk Dmytro , Bilei-Ruban Nataliia , Nosova Iryna , Horiashchenko Serhiy , Horiashchenko Kostyantyn , Kisil Tetyana , Tuz Viacheslav
Published: October 2020

The objective of this research is to develop the equipment for liquid-jet forming of women's headwear hats, which will allow expanding design assortment of these products. The equipment for cyclic liquid-jet forming of headwear hats in liquid-active working environment (LAWE) with forming element rotation was designed. The mechanism of movement and orientation of liquid -jet forming nozzle was developed, which allows influencing fabric parts by flooded and controlled liquid-jet, repeating the contour at a certain distance and with appropriate angle attack on each technological section of the part. The conducted experimental research allowed to receive semi-spherical forms of headwear hats from six fabrics suit-coat assortments, which are one of the most difficult forms of non-seam forming. Completely formed hats of a given complex configuration were obtained by liquid-jet forming, different from standard semi-spherical ones. The developed equipment provides mobility of the production from the point of view of quick equipment adaptation due to action use of flooded controlled liquid-jet and forming of a significant number of various hats contours, various combinations of technological forming modes.
Analysis of income determinants among rural households in Kosovo
Authors: Ymeri Prespa , Musliu Arben , Shkodra Jehona , Miftari Iliriana , Fogarassy Csaba
Published: October 2020

Kosovo is one of the poorest countries in Europe, despite the various poverty alleviation programs implemented by the authorities and the international funding community. This study aims to analyze income distribution inequality and factors behind rural households' poverty in Kosovo. Data on farm income, nonfarm income, unearned income, and socio-economic characteristics were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire from 203 randomly selected households in Kosovo. Linear regression, one-way ANOVA, and different versions of poverty indexes were used to examine the data. One-quarter of households' income comes from nonfarm activities. The middle-income households had the highest potential to find alternative employment in the nonfarm sector. Years of education, household size, number of family members above the age of 18, and total income had a positive impact on nonfarm revenues. The poorest rural households had the highest share of income from farm activities (77.52%). Nonfarm revenues have a positive impact on poverty alleviation; thus, the study suggests adopting suitable rural policies to enhance nonfarm employment for vulnerable rural households. The agro-tourism sector and circular economy approaches in agriculture with the focus on renewable energy can be considered as potential sources of nonfarm income, which could lead to sustainable poverty reduction.