bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Physical Aging on the Mechanical Properties of Raw, Treated and Compatibilized Coir Fibers-Based Polyisoprene Bio-Composites
Authors: Kakou C. A. , Raji M. , Abdellaoui H. , Bouhfid R. , Qaiss A. , Rodrigue D.
Published: February 2021

The production of bio-composites based on vulcanized rubber reinforced by natural fibers has been widely studied. However, the aging phenomenon occurring during the long-term storage generating irreversible damage is limiting the performance of this kind of composites which has not been studied in details. So the objective of this work was to characterize and understand the structure-mechanical property relationships in these bio-composites and to correlate the effective crosslinking density with physical aging as a function of fiber content (0, 20, 30 and 40 wt.%) and fiber surface modification (alkali treatment) for the system polyisoprene (PI) and coir fibers. Furthermore, interfacial adhesion was improved by using maleic anhydride grafted polyisoprene as a coupling agent. From the samples produced, a complete set of morphological (scanning electron microscopy) and mechanical (shear and tension) characterization was performed before and after natural aging. The results showed that the tensile modulus increased with fiber content for the range of conditions studied and the presence of a coupling agent always gave higher tensile strength due to better interfacial stress transfer. However, important elasticity loss (strain at break) was observed due to the low fiber elasticity. Finally, different physical aging mechanisms led to changes in the molecular configuration and a reduction of free volume caused by a post-curing phenomenon of the polyisoprene matrix and low environmental stability of the fibers. These phenomena were shown to increase the Young’s modulus of the neat matrix by eight times compared to the unaged neat polyisoprene, but a smaller variation (five times) was observed for the bio-composites which was related to different crosslinking density and coir fibers state of dispersion in the vulcanized matrix
Preparation and Characterization of Reduced Graphene Oxide Based Natural Rubber Nanocomposites
Authors: Shahamatifard F. , Rodrigue D. , Park K. , Frikha S. , Mighri F.
Published: February 2021

This work describes the effect of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) addition in natural rubber (NR). Firstly, RGO was synthesized based on the improved Hummer’s method then characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to confirm that the RGO surface contains hydroxyl, epoxy, and carboxyl functional groups to improve graphene interaction with the NR matrix. In a second step, the synthesized RGO was predispersed in NR latex using the co-coagulation technique then added at different amounts (0 to 2 parts per hundred rubber (phr)) to a basic NR formulation and compounded in an internal mixer. The results show that the crosslink density of the developed NR/RGO nanocomposites increased by 65% for RGO concentration of 2.0 phr. For the same RGO concentration, a significant increase in tensile strength (53%) and Young’s modulus (31%) were also observed. Finally, a significant improvement (26%) of the thermal conductivity was obtained with the addition of only 0.5 phr of RGO.
The expression of modality in Logoori
Authors: Gluckman John , Bowler Margit
Published: February 2021

This study presents a theoretically informed description of the expression of modality in Logoori (Luyia; Bantu). We document verbal and non-verbal modal expressions in Logoori, and show how these expressions fit into proposed typologies of modal systems (Kratzer, Angelika. 1981. The notional category of modality. In Hans-Jurgen Eikmeyer & Hannes Rieser (eds.),Words, worlds, and contexts: New approaches in word semantics, 38–74. Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter, Kratzer, Angelika. 1991. Modality. In Armin von Stechow & Dieter Wunderlich (eds.),Semantics: An international handbook of contemporary research, 639–650. Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter; van der Auwera, Johan & Vladimir Plungian. 1998. Modality’s semantic map.Linguistic Typology2. 79–124.https://doi.org/10.1515/lity.1998.2.1.79; Nauze, Fabrice. 2008.Modality in typological perspective. Amsterdam: Institute for Logic, Language, and Computation PhD thesis). We show that Logoori’s modal system raises some interesting questions regarding the typology and theoretical analysis of modality and its relationship to other kinds of meaning. Our study contributes to the nascent but growing research on modal systems cross linguistically by adding data from an understudied Bantu language.
The utility of next-generation sequencing technologies in diagnosis of Mendelian mitochondrial diseases and reflections on clinical spectrum
Authors: Kose Melis , Isik Esra , Aykut Ayça , Durmaz Asude , Kose Engin , Ersoy Melike , Diniz Gulden , Adebali Ogun , Ünalp Aycan , Yilmaz Ünsal , Karaoğlu Pakize , Edizer Selvinaz , Tekin Hande Gazeteci , Özdemir Taha Reşid , Atik Tahir , Onay Hüseyin , Özkınay Ferda
Published: February 2021

Objectives

Diagnostic process of mitochondrial disorders (MD) is challenging because of the clinical variability and genetic heterogeneity of these conditions. Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology offers a high-throughput platform for nuclear MD.

Methods

We included 59 of 72 patients that undergone WES and targeted exome sequencing panel suspected to have potential PMDs. Patients who were included in the analysis considering the possible PMD were reviewed retrospectively and scored according to the Mitochondrial Disease Criteria Scale.

Results

Sixty-one percent of the patients were diagnosed with whole-exome sequencing (WES) (36/59) and 15% with targeted exome sequencing (TES) (9/59). Patients with MD-related gene defects were included in the mito group, patients without MD-related gene defects were included in the nonmito group, and patients in whom no etiological cause could be identified were included in the unknown etiology group. In 11 out of 36 patients diagnosed with WES, a TES panel was applied prior to WES. In 47 probands in 39 genes (SURF1, SDHAF1, MTO1, FBXL4, SLC25A12, GLRX5, C19oRF12, NDUFAF6, DARS2, BOLA3, SLC19A3, SCO1, HIBCH, PDHA1, PDHAX, PC, ETFA, TRMU, TUFM, NDUFS6, WWOX, UBCD TREX1, ATL1, VAC14, GFAP, PLA2G6, TPRKB, ATP8A2, PEX13, IGHMBP2, LAMB2, LPIN1, GFPT1, CLN5, DOLK) (20 mito group, 19 nonmito group) 59 variants (31 mito group, 18 nonmito group) were detected. Seven novel variants in the mito group (SLC25A12, GLRX5, DARS2, SCO1, PC, ETFA, NDUFS6), nine novel variants in the nonmito group (IVD, GCDH, COG4, VAC14, GFAP, PLA2G6, ATP8A2, PEX13, LPIN1) were detected.

Conclusions

We explored the feasibility of identifying pathogenic alleles using WES and TES in MD. Our results show that WES is the primary method of choice in the diagnosis of MD until at least all genes responsible for PMD are found and are highly effective in facilitating the diagnosis process.
Daily monitoring of vaginal interleukin 6 as a predictor of intraamniotic inflammation after preterm premature rupture of membranes – a new method of sampling studied in a prospective multicenter trial
Authors: Seliger Gregor , Bergner Michael , Haase Roland , Stepan Holger , Schleußner Ekkehard , Zöllkau Janine , Seeger Sven , Kraus Frank Bernhard , Hiller Grit Gesine Ruth , Wienke Andreas , Tchirikov Michael
Published: February 2021

Objectives

(A) To introduce a new technique for vaginal fluid sampling (biocompatible synthetic fiber sponge) and (B) evaluate the collected vaginal fluid interleukine-6 (IL-6vag)-concentration as a new diagnostic tool for daily monitoring of intrauterine inflammation after preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). Secondary objectives were to compare the potential to predict an intrauterine inflammation with established inflammation parameters (e.g., maternal white blood cell count).

Methods

This prospective clinical case-control diagnostic accuracy multicenter study was performed with women after PPROM (gestational age 24.0/7 – 34.0/7 weeks). Sampling of vaginal fluid was performed once daily. IL-6vag was determined by electrochemiluminescence-immunoassay-kit. Neonatal outcome and placental histology results were used to retrospectively allocate the cohort into two subgroups: 1) inflammation and 2) no inflammation (controls).

Results

A total of 37 cases were included in the final analysis. (A): Measurement of IL-6 was successful in 86% of 172 vaginal fluid samples. (B): Median concentration of IL-6vag in the last vaginal fluid sample before delivery was significantly higher within the inflammation group (17,085 pg/mL) compared to the controls (1,888 pg/mL; p=0.01). By Youden’s index an optimal cut-off for prediction an intrauterine inflammation was: 6,417 pg/mL. Two days before delivery, in contrast to all other parameters IL-6vag remained the only parameter with a sufficient AUC of 0.877, p<0.001, 95%CI [0.670–1.000].

Conclusions

This study established a new technique for vaginal fluid sampling, which permits assessment of IL-6vag concentration noninvasively in clinical daily routine monitoring.
Delivery characteristics in pregnancies with stillbirth: a retrospective case-control study from a tertiary teaching hospital
Authors: Pekkola Maria , Tikkanen Minna , Gissler Mika , Loukovaara Mikko , Paavonen Jorma , Stefanovic Vedran
Published: February 2021

Objectives

We compared delivery characteristics and outcome of women with stillbirth to those with live birth.

Methods

This was a retrospective case-control study from Helsinki University Hospital, Finland. The study population comprised 214 antepartum singleton stillbirths during 2003–2015. Two age-adjusted controls giving live birth in the same year at the same institution were chosen for each case from the Finnish Medical Birth Register. Delivery characteristics and adverse pregnancy outcomes were compared between the cases and controls, adjusted for gestational age.

Results

Labor induction was more common (86.0 vs. 22.0%, p<0.001, gestational age adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 35.25, 95% confidence interval [CI] 12.37–100.45) and cesarean sections less frequent (9.3 vs. 28.7%, p<0.001, aOR 0.21, 95% CI 0.10–0.47) among women with stillbirth. Duration of labor was significantly shorter among the cases (first stage 240.0 min [115.0–365.0 min] vs. 412.5 min [251.0–574.0 min], p<0.001; second stage 8.0 min [0.0–16.0 min] vs. 15.0 min [4.0–26.0 min], p<0.001). Placental abruption was more common in pregnancies with stillbirth (15.0 vs. 0.9%, p<0.001, aOR 8.52, 95% CI 2.51–28.94) and blood transfusion was needed more often (10.7 vs. 4.4%, p=0.002, aOR 6.5, 95% CI 2.10–20.13). The rates of serious maternal complications were low.

Conclusions

Most women with stillbirth delivered vaginally without obstetric complications. The duration of labor was shorter in pregnancies with stillbirth but the risk for postpartum interventions and bleeding complications was higher compared to those with live birth.
Peripartal anti-SARS-CoV-2-IgA/IgG in asymptomatic pregnant women during regional SARS-CoV-2-outbreak
Authors: Häusler Sebastian , Weigl Marco , Ambrosch Andreas , Gruber Rudolf , Seelbach-Göbel Birgit , Fill Malfertheiner Sara
Published: February 2021

Objectives

The Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Corona Virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic poses special challenges for the society and especially the medical staff. Even if a rather mild course is assumed among pregnant women the measures to prevent transmission of the infection are of outstanding importance.

Methods

To screen asymptomatic pregnant women during admission to our university maternal hospital we focused on anti-SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG and IgA antibody responses. Hundred and fifty one women admitted to the hospital for childbirth or caesarean delivery were included. In case of suspicious anti-SARS-CoV-2-antibody levels an RT-PCR was performed to confirm an ongoing infection with SARS-CoV-2.

Results

A total of 89% showed negative results for anti-SARS-CoV-2-IgA antibodies, whereas 3% were borderline and 7% positive (both labeled as suspicious). In only one patient with suspicious serology we detected SARS-CoV-2-RNA in the following RT-PCR. 2% presented anti-SARS-CoV-2-IgG antibodies, all being positive for anti-SARS-CoV-2-IgA. The observed positive rate of our study collective of 10.6% seemed much higher than the expected one (1.3%) based on the reports of the Robert Koch Institute and the specifications given by the test’s manufacturer. The expected positive predictive value (PPV) was 4.3–6.7 times higher than the observed one.

Conclusions

To our knowledge this is the first report of anti-SARS-CoV-2-antibody levels in the peripartum period of asymptomatic women. As the positive anti-SARS-CoV-2 serology poorly correlated with the confirmatory RT-PCR and the fact that mainly the detection of the virus by PCR correlates with the patient’s infectiousness we suggest to rather perform a SARS-CoV-2-PCR-based admission screening in perinatal centers to prevent the spread of the disease.
„Mein Bestreben, das Martyrium zu verherrlichen…“ Zur Idee des Martyriums in Kierkegaards Journalen ab 1846
Authors: Winter Roman
Published: February 2021

The article aims at analysing a long and unduly neglected concept in Kierkegaard’s thought: the concept of martyrdom. I argue that this is indeed of central concern for Kierkegaard, and, moreover, that he conceptualizes it in a semantically unified and consistent way. In order to prove this I will focus on the so-called NB journals and provide a comprehensive account of the terms martyrdom and martyr in the context of these sources. Upon closer scrutiny, Kierkegaard distinguishes between two basic types of martyrdom: immediate and reflective. All other forms, as they appear in the journals (and also in the pseudonymous authorship), can be traced back to these basic types.
The Faust Project in Kierkegaard’s Early Journals
Authors: Bravo Nassim
Published: February 2021

This article offers a detailed and compact account of what might be called Kierkegaard’s Faust project, that is, the collection of notes, bibliographies and reflections on the mythical German necromancer that the young Kierkegaard registered in his various journals and notebooks from the years 1835 – 1837. As is well known, the young writer presumably intended to pen a book or essay about the universal idea represented by Faust. Additionally, I discuss Kierkegaard’s project within the context of the 1830s, the reception of the Faustian myth among his Danish contemporaries such as J.L. Heiberg and H.L. Martensen, and the enthusiasm for Goethe that seized Copenhagen during those years.
Effect of cooling rates of solution treatment on rejuvenation heat-treated microstructures of a cast nickel-based superalloy
Authors: Paa-rai Chuleeporn , Lothongkum Gobboon , Wangyao Panyawat
Published: February 2021

IN-738 turbine blade samples, deteriorated after long term service at high temperatures, were solution heat-treated at two temperatures, 1398 K and 1473 K, for 7.2 ks. Subsequently, the samples were cooled down in different atmospheres, in air and in furnace, for the purpose of studying the effects of different cooling media (rates) on the restored microstructures. Following this, the samples were aged at 1118 K for 43.2 ks and 86.4 ks in order to determine the characteristic of re-precipitated gamma prime particles. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) and ImageJ analysis software were used. The results show that the cooling in air provided gamma prime particles re-precipitating in spherical shape while the cooling in a furnace resulted in coarse gamma prime particles re-precipitating in irregular shape. The samples solutionized at 1398 K for 7.2 ks cooled down in air and then aging at 1118 K provided bimodal microstructure, while the sample solutionized at 1473 K for 7.2 ks, followed by air cooling and aging at 1118 K generated unimodal γ’ precipitation in spherical shape. Cooling in a furnace provides coarse γ’ recipitated particles in more irregular shape for the both solutionizing temperatures studied here. Cooling in a furnace provides coarse γ’ precipitated particles in more irregular shape for the both solutionizing temperatures studied here.
Ultrasonic C-scan techniques for the evaluation of impact damage in CFRP
Authors: Santos Mário , Santos Jaime , Reis Paulo , Amaro Ana
Published: February 2021

In the present work, different ultrasonic C-scan approaches were used to evaluate Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRP) submitted to impacts of low energy, in order to evaluate their effectiveness for the detection and characterization of small defects. In particular, as to the question how useful could be the air-coupled C-scan approach, using low frequencies, for in-service application. For that goal, several samples with different stacking sequences and thicknesses were impacted with 1.5 and 3 J. Then, ultrasonic C-scan images were produced by immersion pulse-echo (in amplitude and time-of-flight (TOF)) and immersion through-transmission, and also by air-coupling through-transmission. The immersion C-scan images were produced using 5, 10 and 20 MHz probes and the air-coupled C-scan was made using two 400 kHz probes. The obtained images for the considered samples show that all used methods are able to detect the defects and give acceptable information about their size and shape. However, if the way of delamination evolving over thickness is of interest, the images by TOF should be used. As expected, good image resolution with sharp contour defects require high frequencies. Nevertheless, the air-coupled C-scan demonstrated similar capabilities to detect defects, with the advantage that the coupling medium is air, thus widening the range of applications, such as real-time damage monitoring of composite structures. As a disadvantage, the air C-scan system requires high power emission signals, and also great amplification of the received signals, to face the considerable attenuation in the air.
Strength of double-reinforced adhesive joints
Authors: Adin Mehmet Şükrü , Kılıçkap Erol
Published: February 2021

The use of adhesive joints is increasing in aerospace, aviation, automotive, construction and marine industry due to their easily applicable properties, low-costs and light weights compared to traditional jointing methods such as bolts, rivets, welding and soldering. Due to the high fatigue strength, resistance to seawater corrosion and light weight, aluminum alloys, with their high satiety, fracture strength, light weight, high specific strength and good dimensional stability and other properties, glass fiber reinforced composite materials have widespread uses.
Use of a Self-Delivering Anti-CCL3 FANA Oligonucleotide as an Innovative Approach to Target Inflammation after Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Pelisch Nicolas , Rosas Almanza Jose , Stehlik Kyle E. , Aperi Brandy V. , Kroner Antje
Published: February 2021

Secondary damage after spinal cord injury (SCI) occurs because of a sequence of events after the initial injury, including exacerbated inflammation that contributes to increased lesion size and poor locomotor recovery. Thus, mitigating secondary damage is critical to preserve neural tissue and improve neurologic outcome. In this work, we examined the therapeutic potential of a novel antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) with special chemical modifications [2′-deoxy-2-fluoro-D-arabinonucleic acid (FANA) ASO] for specifically inhibiting an inflammatory molecule in the injured spinal cord. The chemokine CCL3 plays a complex role in the activation and attraction of immune cells and is upregulated in the injured tissue after SCI. We used specific FANA ASO to inhibit CCL3 in a contusive mouse model of murine SCI. Our results show that self-delivering FANA ASO molecules targeting the chemokine CCL3 penetrate the spinal cord lesion site and suppress the expression of CCL3 transcripts. Furthermore, they reduce other proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin (IL)-1β after SCI. In summary, we demonstrate for the first time the potential of FANA ASO molecules to penetrate the spinal cord lesion site to specifically inhibit CCL3, reducing proinflammatory cytokines and improve functional recovery after SCI. This novel approach may be used in new treatment strategies for SCI and other pathologic conditions of the CNS.
Otoacoustic Emissions Evoked by the Time-Varying Harmonic Structure of Speech
Authors: Saiz-Alía Marina , Miller Peter , Reichenbach Tobias
Published: February 2021

The human auditory system is exceptional at comprehending an individual speaker even in complex acoustic environments. Because the inner ear, or cochlea, possesses an active mechanism that can be controlled by subsequent neural processing centers through descending nerve fibers, it may already contribute to speech processing. The cochlear activity can be assessed by recording otoacoustic emissions (OAEs), but employing these emissions to assess speech processing in the cochlea is obstructed by the complexity of natural speech. Here, we develop a novel methodology to measure OAEs that are related to the time-varying harmonic structure of speech [speech-distortion-product OAEs (DPOAEs)]. We then employ the method to investigate the effect of selective attention on the speech-DPOAEs. We provide tentative evidence that the speech-DPOAEs are larger when the corresponding speech signal is attended than when it is ignored. Our development of speech-DPOAEs opens up a path to further investigations of the contribution of the cochlea to the processing of complex real-world signals.
The Neuroscience Community Has a Role in Environmental Conservation
Authors: Keifer Joyce , Summers Cliff H.
Published: February 2021

We previously argued that the neuroscience community has a role in environmental conservation because protection of biodiversity and the specialized behavioral adaptions of animals is essential to understanding brain structure and function. Preserving biodiversity and the natural world is also linked to human mental health and broadens our insight on the origins of psychiatric disorders like stress, anxiety, and depression. The study of neuroscience has become a global scientific pursuit that involves thousands of researchers and has an economic impact in the billions of dollars. As a group of biomedical research scientists, neuroscientists have the knowledge base and public credibility to convincingly promote sustainable environmental actions and policies. Here, we outline several key areas in which we as a neuroscience academic community can participate to preserve a rich global biodiversity and confront the environmental crises that lie before us.
Paqueteros and Paqueteras
Authors: Gálvez Alyshia
Published: February 2021

In this article, I argue that paqueteros and paqueteras humanize an increasingly dehumanized food system, connecting people and places culturally who are divided by borders and food policy. Their activities constitute an important, while underacknowledged link between migrant communities and the places they came from, largely operating informally and without governmental support, although not without official scrutiny. Building on two decades of ethnographic data, I explore the practices and significance of paquetería, informal package deliveries, in the context of US-Mexico food policy after the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA, recently renamed the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement) and an increasingly globalized food system that systematically marginalizes and excludes human-scaled food production, processing, distribution, and consumption in favor of industrialized, corporate food.
Satisfaction Index of Employees on Service Quality through Quality Leadership at Three Hospitals B-Type, Central Java Province
Authors: Agiwahyuanto Faik , Suharyo Suharyo , Ayusasmita Via , Widjasena Baju
Published: February 2021

One achievement of leadership style is job satisfaction. Therefore, this research aims to analyze the effect of job satisfaction on service quality through the leadership of hospital directors at various Type B Regional General Hospitals. This was done by processing data contained in the Decree of the Minister of Administrative Reform (Kepmenpan) No. Kep/25/M.PAN/2/2004. The research had a cross sectional study design and 500 samples who were employees from both civil servants and BLUD (300 respondents from hospital B type at Semarang city, 100 from Jepara regency, and 100 from Kendal regency). A simple random sampling was the technique used to obtain the subjects. Data processing and analysis was performed using the Community Satisfaction Index of Government Agencies Service Units. The results show that employee satisfaction index, service quality and the quality leadership of hospital B type at Semarang city and at Kendal Regency is decreasing. But hospital B type at Jepara regency is increasing. Therefore, a transformational leadership style can increase employee satisfaction.
COVID-19 Pandemic: The Existing Challenges and Available Solution; Evidence from a Systematic Review
Authors: Hoq Mohammad Injamul , Sime Md Hamidur Rahman , Hossain Md. Mohotasin , Awal Md Abdul , Hoque Muminul
Published: February 2021

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is presently the most important topic worldwide. However, no vaccine or specific anti-viral treatment for the disease has been shown to be effective. In this emergency, identifying risk factors, preventive measures and estimating challenges which control available drug options for COVID-19 are key to mitigating the severity of the pandemic until specific drugs or vaccines become available. Therefore, this study aims to identify possible factors which affect these drug options. This study searched PubMed database using necessary Boolean operators from December 31st to March 31st 2020 in order to identify common risk factors, preventive measures, information regarding control challenges & evidence on the available drug options against COVID-19. Risk factors were found to be human-animal interactions, males, aged peopleand people with co-morbidity. Furthermore, protective factors comprised of personal hygiene etiquette maintenance, rapid identification, isolation and informing (3I tools) of the COVID-19 cases and media coverage on COVID-19. Till date, anti-viral drugs like remdesivir, chloroquine, lopinavir/ritonavir and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) are available options to fight against COVID-19. More research is needed to determine other how to control the disease until specific treatment options are available as well as risk factors, and preventive measures.
Preliminary Results of Adding Meglumine Sodium Succinate to the Treatment of Patients with Moderate to Severe Acute Pancreatitis
Authors: Kovalenko A. L. , Rizakhanov D. M. , Parfenov S. A. , Yakovlev A. Yu. , Simutis I. S. , Bobovnik S. V. , Sorokin E. P. , Plekhov A. V. , Afonchikov V. S. , Lebedinsky K. M.
Published: February 2021

Objective: to develop criteria of inclusion/noninclusion of patients for further randomized clinical trial of meglumine sodium succinate in patients with acute pancreatitis based on analysis of individual outcomes.

Material and methods. The efficacy of treatment of patients with moderate-to-severe and severe acute pancreatitis (n=100, 23–65 years old) with meglumine sodium succinate (intravenous drip infusions, 10 ml/kg daily, for 11 days) was assessed. Data were collected by 10 medical centers as a part of an observational program developed in accordance with the requirements of the Guidelines and Clinical Trial Committee of the AllRussia Public Organization «Federation of Anesthesiologists and Reanimatologists» (FAR) and approved by local ethical committees of the institutions. Treatment was prescribed in accordance with national and international standards. The patients were divided into two groups based on the outcome: group 1 (n=81) included patients who survived, while the patients of group 2 (n=19) died. We analyzed demographic characteristics of the groups, life and illness history, physical examination, routine laboratory and instrumental investigation data. The obtained results were statistically analyzed.

Results. We identified several factors occurring during hospitalization and/or transfer to intensive care unit (ICU), which could be predictors of adverse outcome and had varying impact on the risk of death in patients treated with the study drug. High-risk factors included stupor, platelet count below 248.5×109/l, base excess (BE) less than -2.9 mmol/l, and urea above 11.85 mmol/l. Risk factors included body temperature below 37.1°C, plasma creatinine above 237 µmol/l, and glucose above 9.45 mmol/l. Mottled skin and plasma ionized calcium levels below 1.13 mmol/l were considered probable risk factors.

Conclusion. Determined prognostically significant predictors of adverse outcome in patients with acute pancreatitis receiving Reamberin should be considered when selecting inclusion/exclusion criteria for the randomized controlled comparative clinical study of the efficacy of meglumine sodium succinate in patients with acute pancreatitis.
MATHEMATICAL MODEL TO CALCULATE THE TRAJECTORIES OF ELECTROMAGNETIC MILL OPERATING ELEMENTS
Authors:   Czestochowa University of Technology, Armii Krajowej Avenue, 17, p.o. box 42-200, Czestochowa, Poland, Makarchuk O. , Calus D. ,   Czestochowa University of Technology, Armii Krajowej Avenue, 17, p.o. box 42-200, Czestochowa, Poland, Moroz V. ,   Czestochowa University of Technology, Armii Krajowej Avenue, 17, p.o. box 42-200, Czestochowa, Poland
Published: February 2021

The purpose of the research under consideration is to develop a mathematical model to calculate the trajectories of the ferromagnetic operating elements (millstones) of an electromagnetic mill, moving in a rotating magnetic field under electrodynamic and hydrodynamic resistance forces being limited by the space of the mill’s working chamber. The millstone motion is described through the equations of plane motion of arbitrary-shaped two-dimensional body. The driving forces of this motion are determined on the basis of the approximation of the tabulated functions connecting the module and the orientation of the equivalent force applied to the millstone, with its position in the working chamber and composite MMF phase of mill inductor winding. These tabulated functions are derived from the estimation of the magnetic field inside a working chamber with millstones, in two-dimensional quasi-stationary approximation, using FEM analysis. The publication contains the approximation algorithm for these tabulated vector functions of a vector argument, mathematical statement of millstones trajectories calculating, and analysis of mathematical experiments results that make it possible to evaluate the adequacy of the model. The developed tool enables conducting quantitative analysis of grinding/mixing process and will help to establish relationships between the electromagnetic mill design parameters and its performance. References 21, figures 6.
IMPROVEMENT OF A MULTILEVEL RECTIFIER AS PART OF A BOOSTER CHANNEL OF A DC POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM BY DECOMPOSITION OF ITS ELEMENTS
Authors:   Institute of Electrodynamics National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine Peremohy, 56, Kyiv, 03057, Ukraine, Lypkivskyi K.O. , Mozharovskyi A.G. ,   Institute of Electrodynamics National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine Peremohy, 56, Kyiv, 03057, Ukraine
Published: February 2021

In power systems with renewable energy sources, the output voltage level depends on a priori unstable meteorological environmental conditions. This requires the introduction of an energy storage device (storage battery) into such systems and the organization of an appropriate booster channel (BC). In the output stage of the BDK, various types of transformer-and-switches executive structure (TSES) are used, in particular, multilevel rectifiers (MLR), one of the quality indicators of which is the efficiency of using semiconductor devices. In order to increase this indicator, it is proposed to perform the decomposition of the MLU from two series-connected blocks, which made it possible to synthesize new circuitry solutions for the TSES of this type. The possibility of achieving the desired accuracy of maintaining the output voltage with a limited number of semiconductor devices has been confirmed on specific examples. References 14, tables 2, figures 4.
New data on the genetic diversity of European bison Bison bonasus (Linnaeus, 1758) in Belarus
Authors:   SSPA “SPC NAS of Belarus on Bioresources” (Homel, Belarus), Homel Kanstantsin V. , Śliwińska K. ,   SSPA “SPC NAS of Belarus on Bioresources” (Homel, Belarus), Valnisty Arseni A. ,   SSPA “SPC NAS of Belarus on Bioresources” (Homel, Belarus), Nikiforov Mikhail E. ,   SSPA “SPC NAS of Belarus on Bioresources” (Homel, Belarus)
Published: February 2021

The paper presents data on the assessment of the genetic diversity of five subpopulations of the European bison (Bison bonasus) in Belarus — from the National Park “Belovezhskaya Pushcha”, the National Park “Pripyatsky”, the Osipovichi district (Mogilev area), SEI “Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve” and the Grodno region. In general, the work includes 30 samples of muscle tissue from the collection of Gene bank of wild fauna in SSPA “SPC NAS of Belarus on Bioresources” (Minsk, Belarus). Microsatellites were used as markers to assess genetic diversity, structure, and search for signs of a sharp decline in the size of bison subpopulations in the past. A total of 11 microsatellite markers were used, recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations for cattle research. The analysis of B. bonasus subpopulation from the NP “Pripyatsky” showed signs of passing through the genetic bottleneck. All studied subpopulations are characterized by a similarly low genetic diversity level in all analyzed indicators (mean number of alleles, allelic diversity, observed and expected heterozygosity). The expected heterozygosity (He) for the three subpopulations from the NP “Belovezhskaya Pushcha”, the NP “Pripyatsky” and from the Osipovichi district ranged from 0.37 to 0.39. For the studied subpopulations, the values of the fixation index were negative. The assessment of the presence of genetic structuring between the subpopulations of bison from the NP “Belovezhskaya Pushcha”, the NP “Pripyatsky” and from the Osipovichi district based on the values of such indexes as Fst and DJost which showed no signs of genetic differentiation, which is also confirmed by principal coordinates analysis (PCoA). The European bison conservation in Belarus has required tremendous efforts in the past. So far, even though the impressively large population size reached in Belarus, B. bonasus status still should not be considered as stable, which is closely linked to aspects of its overall low genetic diversity. Our research confirmed the low genetic variability of Belarusian subpopulations. Therefore, the more extensive research concentrated on identifying genetic diversity is necessary to ensure the beneficial control of gene flow and register a potential correlation of unfavorable gene variants with possible inbreeding depression. These attempts are required to lay the groundwork for the management and protection of the European bison in Belarus.
The first record of a piebald common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) in offshore waters of the north-western Black Sea
Authors:   National Antarctic Scientific Center of Ukraine (Kyiv, Ukraine), Savenko Oksana ,   Ukrainian Scientific Center of Ecology of the Sea (Odesa, Ukraine)
Published: February 2021

Piebaldism is one of three types of hypopigmentation of animals, when some areas on the skin have no pigments. Anomalously white cetaceans are rare, although they have been reported in more than 20 different cetacean species, including the common bottlenose dolphin, which in the Black Sea is recognized as an endangered endemic subspecies — the Black Sea bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus ponticus Barabash-Nikiforov, 1940). Its main habitat in the north-western Black Sea region is the coastal waters, however, these dolphins also occur offshore. Thirty cases of anomalously white bottlenose dolphins have been reported from the Black Sea, which were unevenly distributed, and only a few sightings have been reported from the north-western Black Sea. Cetacean observations were conducted in the Ukrainian part of the north-western Black Sea waters in April 2017, onboard the research vessel "Auguste Piccard". All encountered cetaceans were photographed, and individual distinctiveness of dorsal fin images was used for their photo-identification. On 13 April 2017, four groups of up to four individuals of bottlenose dolphins were encountered in the same area at a distance of 61 km south of Odesa (34 km from the nearest coast). The depth at the observation site was about 20 m. The initially observed type of dolphins’ behavior was feeding. However, two groups changed their behavior and followed the vessel by 5–6 individuals for approximately 18 minutes. The joint group consisted of adults and one juvenile individual. Among the adults, there was one piebald specimen with white patches on its dorsal fin, peduncle, and tail fluke. The piebald dolphin was photographed and photo-identified. Our research has shown that piebald Black sea bottlenose dolphins occur not only in the coastal waters, but also in offshore waters of the north-western Black Sea. However, the frequency of such hypopigmentation in local populations remains unknown. Further intensive photo-identification and genetic sampling of local stocks of the Black Sea bottlenose dolphins are necessary for the assessment of their population genetic structure and its divergence.
Small mammals as reservoirs and vectors of yersiniosis pathogens (Yersinia enterocolitica and Y. pseudotuberculosis)
Authors:   Crimean Republican Sanitary-Epidemiological Station (Simferopol, Ukraine), Evstafiev Igor
Published: February 2021

Yersinia infections are recorded worldwide and sapronotic natural foci of Yersinia enterocolitica and Y. pseudotuberculosis infections also occur in the Crimean Peninsula. Here we studied the distribution and prevalence of pathogenic Yersiniae among small mammals of the Crimean Peninsula based on results of epizootiological monitoring of natural foci infections. Pathogenic Y. enterocolitica were found in 10 species of small mammals, and the average number of infected specimens in the Crimea was 0.11 ± 0.03. The highest prevalence of yersiniosis pathogens was recorded among specimens of M. socialis (4.22 %), M. spicilegus (2.06 %), C. leucodon (1.96 %), S. flavicollis (1.85 %), and S. uralensis (1.33 %). The number of small mammals that are carriers of pathogens of yersinioses varies significantly in different natural zones of the Crimean Peninsula. In the mountain-forest zone, the prevalence of Y. enterocolitica among Micromammalia is 2.94 %, in the foothills it decreases to 0.99 %, in the lowland — to 0.77 % with a lowest value of 0.62 % in steppe areas of the Kerch Peninsula. Results show a decreasing pattern of prevalence of Y. enterocolitica among small mammals from the mountain-forest zone to plain steppe. A reverse trend was revealed for the prevalence of Y. pseudo¬tuberculosis among Micromammalia: 0.03 % in the mountains, 0.17 % in the foothills, and 0.25 % in the steppe. The number of trap-lines with records of Micromammalia having both infections varies from 18.3 % in the foothills to 21.3 % in the mountains and 24.8 % in the steppe zone. The portion of trap-lines with three and more infections is also high (6.7 % in the mountains and foothills and 5.5 % in the steppe). The obtained results show a wide distribution of combined foci in the Crimea. Considering that, in the peninsula, several tick-transmitted and other zoonotic infections (e.g. tick-borne encephalitis and borrelioses, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, Marseilles fever, Q fever, etc.) are widely distributed in the same areas and the pathogens of which are able to reproduce in the same small mammal species as those of yersiniosis and pseudotuberculosis, the real number of combined foci and their diversity in the Crimea could be 3 to 5 times higher.
Umbilical Cord Management for Newborns <34 Weeks' Gestation: A Meta-analysis
Authors: Seidler Anna Lene , Gyte Gillian M.L. , Rabe Heike , Díaz-Rossello José L. , Duley Lelia , Aziz Khalid , Testoni Costa-Nobre Daniela , Davis Peter G. , Schmölzer Georg M. , Ovelman Colleen , Askie Lisa M. , Soll Roger ,   ON BEHALF OF THE INTERNATIONAL LIAISON COMMITTEE ON RESUSCITATION NEONATAL LIFE SUPPORT TASK FORCE
Published: February 2021

CONTEXT:

The International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation prioritized scientific review of umbilical cord management strategies at preterm birth.

OBJECTIVE:

To determine the effects of umbilical cord management strategies (including timing of cord clamping and cord milking) in preterm infants <34 weeks’ gestation.

DATA SOURCES:

Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Medline, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and trial registries were searched through July 2019 for randomized controlled trials assessing timing of cord clamping and/or cord milking.

STUDY SELECTION:

Two authors independently assessed trial eligibility, extracted data, appraised risk of bias, and assessed evidence certainty (GRADE).

DATA EXTRACTION:

We identified 42 randomized controlled trials (including 5772 infants) investigating 4 different comparisons of cord management interventions.

RESULTS:

Compared to early cord clamping, delayed cord clamping (DCC) and intact-cord milking (ICM) may slightly improve survival; however, both are compatible with no effect (DCC: risk ratio: 1.02, 95% confidence interval: 1.00 to 1.04, n = 2988 infants, moderate certainty evidence; ICM: risk ratio: 1.02, 95% confidence interval: 0.98 to 1.06, n = 945 infants, moderate certainty evidence). DCC and ICM both probably improve hematologic measures but may not affect major neonatal morbidities.

LIMITATIONS:

For many of the included comparisons and outcomes, certainty of evidence was low. Our subgroup analyses were limited by few researchers reporting subgroup data.

CONCLUSIONS:

DCC appears to be associated with some benefit for infants born <34 weeks. Cord milking needs further evidence to determine potential benefits or harms. The ideal cord management strategy for preterm infants is still unknown, but early clamping may be harmful.
A representação de Angola na construção das personagens em Se o passado não tivesse asas, de Pepetela
Authors: Wertheimer Ana Maria Coelho Silva
Published: February 2021

O presente artigo tem por objetivo analisar a construção das personagens do romance de Pepetela Se o passado não tivesse asas, que narra os tempos de guerra civil e de pós-guerra em Angola, um período entre 1995 e 2012. À luz de conceitos como exterioridade e excedente da visão, postulados por Mikhail Bakhtin, investiga-se como duas narrativas aparentemente independentes, qu apresentam protagonistas supostamente distintas (Himba e Sofia), são capazes de descrever metafórica e criticamente o processo de reconstrução do país. Por meio do olhar do narrador heterodiegético, é possível estabelecer-se uma relação entre o eu e o outro em dois planos que se interligam: um plano temporal (a trajetória das duas personagens) e um plano espacial (o olhar do outro que observa de uma posição externa e que, por isso, pode identificar o que excede). O discurso não finalizável sugerido por Bakhtin revela o que parece ser a proposta dos textos literários de Pepetela a partir de 1990: denunciar a tentativa de Angola de apagar o passado.
Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on international academic study exchange and research mobility programs
Authors: Dahdouh-Guebas Farid , Vandebroek Ina
Published: February 2021

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, international exchange students and mobility researchers are probably the most neglected group within academia. We highlight their challenges within academia and society and we propose solutions towards academic flexibility, mobility preparedness and cultural immersion in host communities.
Historia colonial del sur de la Ciudad de Belice. Espacios marginales y exclusión en el Caribe centroamericano
Authors: Domínguez Barbosa Harry Jonathan
Published: February 2021

La Ciudad de Belice se ha desarrollado en un territorio notorio de divisiones espaciales y sociales; el crecimiento de una urbe en el Caribe anglófono, producto de un colonialismo inglés que extraía maderas preciosas dio forma a una ciudad costera que fue extendiéndose en la parte sur del rio Belice en dirección suroeste, a la par de que los terrenos cercanos a la costa y de la zona norte representaron espacios atractivos para la élite. Este crecimiento, puede percibirse desde los primeros asentamientos británicos hasta nuestros días, no obstante desastres naturales y problemas sociales en el sur de la ciudad han reforzado estereotipos negativos de esa sección de la ciudad, a pesar de la riqueza histórico y cultural de las calles y su gente.

 

Palabras claves: Honduras Británica, Ciudad de Belice, colonialismo, afrodescendientes, creole.
Performance, Structure and Policy in the Belize Economy
Authors: Bulmer-Thomas Victor
Published: February 2021

This article examines the Belizean economy since independence in 1981 (excluding the impact of the virus COVID-19). During this time there have been significant changes in structure, especially the increase in the importance of exports of services, while population has expanded rapidly due both to natural increases and net inward migration. Slow economic growth in the first two decades led to an experiment with debt-led growth that ended in failure. The years since the global financial crisis in 2008/9 have proved especially difficult as a result of the debt overhang, the erosion of preferences for commodity exports and the increase in corruption. Belize has therefore found itself in a low-level equilibrium debt trap from which it is hard to escape. The level of poverty unsurprisingly has become severe.
De objeto a sujeto. Los esclavos ante la legislación y el poder colonial en Centroamérica, 1532-1600. Obando Andrade, Rafael. San Salvador, El Salvador: UCA editores, 2019
Authors: Cuvardic García Dorde
Published: February 2021

Este libro investiga la participación de Centroamérica en la llamada esclavitud atlántica, la “tercera meseta” de la esclavitud, en terminología de Michael Zeuske, que se desarrolló entre los siglos XVI y XIX. En particular, la obra se centra en la etapa inicial de este proceso: el siglo XVI.
Students of Revolution: Youth, Protest and Coalition Building in Somoza-Era Nicaragua. Rueda, Claudia. Austin: University of Texas Press, 2019
Authors: Chaves Zamora Randall Andrés
Published: February 2021

Students of Revolution expone toda una “genealogía de la disidencia” política del movimiento estudiantil nicaragüense que, a lo largo de cuatro décadas, creó una verdadera cultura insurreccional de la juventud.
ANALYSIS OF DYNAMICS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF MOTOR SKILLS OF STUDENTS IN UNIVERSITY OF FORESTRY AFTER THE APPLIED MODEL FOR INCREASING PHYSICAL ABILITY
Authors: Georgiev Zhelyazko
Published: February 2021

The optimization of physical activity of students is directly related to the issue of improving their physical abilities. Proper physical development and a high degree of physical activity are essential basis on which they should be built as socially active individuals. The objective of this study is to track and analyses the changes occurred in the physical abilities indicators of students from the University of Forestry after applying a model to develop motor skills. In this survey, 187 students have been involved and evaluated with a test battery, consisted of ten physical fitness tests, conducted at the beginning and at the end of the experiment. We used a variational and comparative analysis to process the survey results.