bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental investigations of spray flow rate and angle in enhancing the performance of PV panels by steady and pulsating water spray system
Authors: Nateqi Mojtaba , Rajabi Zargarabadi Mehran , Rafee Roohollah
Published: January 2021

In this study, a spray cooling system is experimentally investigated to increase the photovoltaic panel efficiency. Cooling of photovoltaic panels is one of the important parameters that affects the PV panel performance. In this experiment the effects of spray angle, nozzles to PV panel distance, number of nozzles, and pulsating water spray on the PV panel performance are investigated. For this purpose, an experimental setup was made. The spray angles varied from 15° to 50°. The comparison between the spray angles shows that by decreasing the spray angle to 15° increases the electrical efficiency of PV panel to 19.78% and simultaneously the average PV panel temperature decreases from 64 (for non-cooled PV) to 24 °C. Also, nozzle to PV panel distance was changed from 10 to 50 cm. The best result was obtained for the lowest distance by 25.86% increase in power output. Study of various frequency also show that due to the surface evaporation and the intensity of the radiation, increasing the water spraying frequency can increase or decrease the electrical efficiency. The On–Off water spray system results show that the maximum increase in efficiency was obtained with frequency of 0.2 Hz which it was 16.84%. Water consumption also decreased to half.
Model Checking Quantum Systems
Authors: Ying Mingsheng , Feng Yuan
Published: January 2021

Model checking is one of the most successful verification techniques and has been widely adopted in traditional computing and communication hardware and software industries. This book provides the first systematic introduction to model checking techniques applicable to quantum systems, with broad potential applications in the emerging industry of quantum computing and quantum communication as well as quantum physics. Suitable for use as a course textbook and for self-study, graduate and senior undergraduate students will appreciate the step-by-step explanations and the exercises included. Researchers and engineers in the related fields can further develop these techniques in their own work, with the final chapter outlining potential future applications.
Thoreau's Religion
Authors: Balthrop-Lewis Alda
Published: January 2021

Thoreau's Religion presents a ground-breaking interpretation of Henry David Thoreau's most famous book, Walden. Rather than treating Walden Woods as a lonely wilderness, Balthrop-Lewis demonstrates that Thoreau's ascetic life was a form of religious practice dedicated to cultivating a just, multispecies community. The book makes an important contribution to scholarship in religious studies, political theory, English, environmental studies, and critical theory by offering the first sustained reading of Thoreau's religiously motivated politics. In Balthrop-Lewis's vision, practices of renunciation like Thoreau's can contribute to the reformation of social and political life. In this, the book transforms Thoreau's image, making him a vital source for a world beset by inequality and climate change. Balthrop-Lewis argues for an environmental politics in which ecological flourishing is impossible without economic and social justice.
A.V. Dicey and the Common Law Constitutional Tradition
Authors: Walters Mark D.
Published: January 2021

In the common law world, Albert Venn Dicey (1835–1922) is known as the high priest of orthodox constitutional theory, as an ideological and nationalistic positivist. In his analytical coldness, his celebration of sovereign power, and his incessant drive to organize and codify legal rules separate from moral values or political realities, Dicey is an uncanny figure. This book challenges this received view of Dicey. Through a re-examination of his life and his 1885 book Law of the Constitution, the high priest Dicey is defrocked and a more human Dicey steps forward to offer alternative ways of reading his canonical text, who struggled to appreciate law as a form of reasoned discourse that integrates values of legality and authority through methods of ordinary legal interpretation. The result is a unique common law constitutional discourse through which assertions of sovereign power are conditioned by moral aspirations associated with the rule of law.
Demons in the Middle Ages
Authors: Ruys Juanita Feros
Published: January 2021

The medieval world was full of malicious demons: fallen angels commissioned to tempt humans away from God. From demons disguised as beautiful women to demons that took frightening animal-like forms, this book explores the history of thought about demons: what they were, what they could and could not do, and how they affected human lives. It considers the debates, stories, and writing that eventually gave shape to the witchcraze of the early modern period.
Islam on the Move
Authors: Noor Farish A.
Published: January 2021

In this exhaustive examination of the rise and spread of the Tablighi Jama'at, which is arguably the world's largest lay Islamic missionary movement, Farish Ahmad-Noor provides extensive research on the group as well as several conversion narratives from Tablighi members in a number of Asian countries. A key study of an important and complex movement, this volume locates the spiritual framework of the sect in the context of the national and political climate of the countries in which its followers live. Moreover, Ahmad-Noor analyzes the way in which Tablighi followers themselves see the movement, and he traces the way in which internal and external perspectives shape the religion. Islam on the Move seeks to create a more nuanced and variegated portrait of Islam than the reductivist narrative of the religion that became commonplace in the mainstream Western media after the events of September 11th.
Trying Out
Authors: Schokkenbroek Joost C. A.
Published: January 2021

This study describes and analyses a wide array of initiatives leading to the hunt, by Dutch whalemen, of whales and seals in Arctic waters, the temperate zones of the South Pacific and the waters of the Dutch East Indies during the major part of the nineteenth century (1815–1885) an era neglected so far.
Improving the External Validity of Conjoint Analysis: The Essential Role of Profile Distribution
Authors: de la Cuesta Brandon , Egami Naoki , Imai Kosuke
Published: January 2021

Conjoint analysis has become popular among social scientists for measuring multidimensional preferences. When analyzing such experiments, researchers often focus on the average marginal component effect (AMCE), which represents the causal effect of a single profile attribute while averaging over the remaining attributes. What has been overlooked, however, is the fact that the AMCE critically relies upon the distribution of the other attributes used for the averaging. Although most experiments employ the uniform distribution, which equally weights each profile, both the actual distribution of profiles in the real world and the distribution of theoretical interest are often far from uniform. This mismatch can severely compromise the external validity of conjoint analysis. We empirically demonstrate that estimates of the AMCE can be substantially different when averaging over the target profile distribution instead of uniform. We propose new experimental designs and estimation methods that incorporate substantive knowledge about the profile distribution. We illustrate our methodology through two empirical applications, one using a real-world distribution and the other based on a counterfactual distribution motivated by a theoretical consideration. The proposed methodology is implemented through an open-source software package.
U-TEST, a simple decision support tool for the diagnosis of sarcopenia in orthopaedic patients: the Screening for People Suffering Sarcopenia in Orthopedic cohort of Kobe study (SPSS-OK)
Authors: Kamitani Tsukasa , Wakita Takafumi , Wada Osamu , Mizuno Kiyonori , Kurita Noriaki
Published: January 2021

We aimed to develop and validate a new simple decision support tool (U-TEST) for diagnosis of sarcopenia in orthopaedic patients. We created seventeen candidate original questions to detect sarcopenia in orthopaedic patients with sarcopenia through expert opinions and a semi-structured interview. To derive a decision support tool, a logistic regression model with backward elimination was applied to select variables from the seventeen questions, age and underweight (BMI < 18·5 kg/m2). Sarcopenia was defined by Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 criteria. After assigning a score to each selected variable, the sum of scores was calculated. We evaluated the diagnostic performance of the new tool using a logistic regression model. A bootstrap technique was used for internal validation. Among a total of 1334 orthopaedic patients, sixty-five (4·9 %) patients were diagnosed with sarcopenia. We succeeded in developing a ‘U-TEST’ with scores ranging from 0 to 11 consisting of values for BMI (Underweight), age (Elderly) and two original questions (‘I can’t stand up from a chair without supporting myself with my arms’ (Strength) and ‘I feel that my arms and legs are thinner than they were in the past’ (Thin)). The AUC was 0·77 (95 % CI 0·71, 0·83). With the optimal cut-off set at 3 or greater based on Youden’s index, the sensitivity and the specificity were 76·1 and 63·6 %, respectively. In orthopaedic patients, our U-TEST scoring with two questions and two simple clinical variables can help to screen for sarcopenia.
Using manure for improving nitrogen fertilization and maize yield
Authors: Jia Xucun , Yang Qinglong , Dong Shu-Ting , Zhang Ji-Wang , Zhao Bin , Liu Peng
Published: January 2021

Manure and chemical fertilizers have different effects on soil properties, the nitrogen cycle, and crop yield. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different fertilizer applications under the same N input on soil physicochemical properties and soil bacterial communities and to explain the contributions of soil properties to grain yield. Manure substitution of chemical fertilizer was conducted in leaching monitoring systems. The study began in 2009 and sampling was carried out in 2014 and 2016. Three fertilizer treatments with the same total N, P, and K application rates and one control treatment were designed as follows: (1) CK, without nitrogen fertilizer; (2) 100%U, whole nitrogen coming from urea; (3) 100%M, whole nitrogen coming from composted cattle manure; and (4) 50%U + 50%M, half nitrogen from composted cattle manure and half nitrogen from urea. Soil organic carbon (SOC) content was positively correlated with total N (TN), NO3−–N, and NH4+–N contents, the mean weight diameter of soil aggregates, and the Shannon diversity index of bacteria, whereas SOC content was not significantly correlated with grain yield. NO3−–N content was positively correlated with grain yield. Substituting half the amount of chemical fertilizer with manure as a nitrogen source improved soil stability, increased bacterial diversity, and enhanced nitrogen supply, while reducing nitrogen loss from ammonia volatilization and nitrogen leaching. Substituting half the amount of chemical fertilizer with manure as a nitrogen source was a more sustainable way to increase grain yield through a sustainable nitrate supply and to reduce N loss.
An Intimate Yet Anglo-Centric Account of a Renaissance Human Rights Man
Authors: Kurban Dilek
Published: January 2021

In his well-researched biography, Mike Chinoy chronicles Kevin Boyle's life and career as a scholar, activist and lawyer, bringing to light his under-appreciated role in the civil rights movement in Northern Ireland and the efforts to find a peaceful solution to the conflict, as well as his contributions to human rights movements in the United Kingdom, Europe and the world. Are You With Me? is an important contribution to the literature on the actors who have shaped the norms, institutions and operations of human rights. In its efforts to shed light on one man, the book offers a fresh alternative to state-centric accounts of the origins of human rights. The book offers a portrait of a social movement actor turned legal scholar who used the law to contest the social inequalities against the minority community to which he belonged and to push for a solution to the underlying political conflict, as well as revelations of the complex power dynamics between human rights lawyers and the social movements they represent. In these respects Are You With Me? also provides valuable insights for socio-legal scholars, especially those focusing on legal mobilisation. At the same time the book could have provided a fuller and more complex biographical account had Chinoy been geographically and linguistically comprehensive in selecting his interviewees. The exclusion of Kurdish lawyers and human rights advocates is noticeable, particularly in light of the inclusion of Boyle's local partners in other contexts, such as South Africa.
The Fractured Centre: ‘Two-headed government’ and threats to the peace process in Myanmar
Authors: THAWNGHMUNG ARDETH MAUNG , HTOO SAW EH
Published: January 2021

This article analyses the evolving nature and dynamics of the relationship between the centre and the periphery by examining how semi-democratic reforms have shaped and influenced the peace negotiation process between the government and ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) since 2011. We demonstrate that while the 2008 constitution has reduced restrictions on political, economic, and cultural activities in Myanmar, it has also inevitably produced a ‘two-headed government’ after the main opposition party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), took charge in 2016 and was forced to share power with the military. This ‘two-headed’ government is the result of the historical distrust between the NLD and the army, combined with the NLD's lack of a clear strategy in dealing with EAOs. This has enabled the army to assert its well-articulated and hardline approach—without itself having an effective strategy or the capacity to end the country's armed insurgencies or bring the peace process forward. We show that the split at the centre has produced inertia and weakened the ability of the central government to formulate and implement effective policy, and further undermined the prospects for national reconciliation. Situating this case study within the wider literature of centre–periphery relationships and democratic transition, this article offers a nuanced and comprehensive analysis of how specific institutional arrangements at the centre in semi-democratic settings affect relations in both the centre and the periphery, as well as centre–periphery relationships.
Powder diffraction data and preliminary spectroscopic and thermal characterization of pinaverium bromide, a drug used for functional gastrointestinal disorders
Authors: Quintana Mendoza José H. , Aparicio Andrea P. , Henao J. A.
Published: January 2021

Pinaverium bromide (C26H41Br2NO4) is an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) usually prescribed for the relief of spasm and functional gastrointestinal disorders. This work reports its powder diffraction data, Raman and FT-IR spectroscopy and thermal characterization. Indexing of the powder diffraction pattern showed this material crystallizes in a monoclinic unit cell with a = 16.00(4) Å, b = 8.901(2) Å, c = 19.225(4) Å, β = 98.68(3)°, and V = 2808.2(6) Å3.
Assessing colonies of Antarctic shags by unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) at South Shetland Islands, Antarctica
Authors: Pfeifer Christian , Rümmler Marie-Charlott , Mustafa Osama
Published: January 2021

Due to the remote location of colonies of Antarctic shags (Phalacrocorax(atriceps)bransfieldensis) in Antarctica, there is only sparse data on the abundance of this species. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) survey for known and unknown Antarctic shag colonies along the coasts of Nelson Island and western King George Island, Antarctica, was conducted in December 2016. Four colonies, one of them previously unknown, were detected. For the first time since the 1980s, the total population size of the colonies in that area was determined. A comparison with previous estimates revealed evidence of a population increase by a factor of 2.86. To support future survey campaigns, several characteristic features of Antarctic shag colonies, nests and individuals in aerial imagery were identified. This makes possible more reliable detection and determination of population size in Antarctic shag colonies. These characteristic features were compared with those of chinstrap penguin colonies (Pygoscelis antarcticus) because these species often overlap spatially and are difficult to distinguish. In addition, the optimal weather conditions and flight parameters for an aerial survey were specified.
On a repulsion Keller–Segel system with a logarithmic sensitivity
Authors: JIANG JIE
Published: January 2021

In this paper, we study the initial-boundary value problem of a repulsion Keller–Segel system with a logarithmic sensitivity modelling the reinforced random walk. By establishing an energy–dissipation identity, we prove the existence of classical solutions in two dimensions as well as existence of weak solutions in the three-dimensional setting. Moreover, it is shown that the weak solutions enjoy an eventual regularity property, i.e., it becomes regular after certain time T > 0. An exponential convergence rate towards the spatially homogeneous steady states is obtained as well. We adopt a new approach developed recently by the author to study the eventual regularity. The argument is based on observation of the exponential stability of constant solutions in scaling-invariant spaces together with certain dissipative property of the global solutions in the same spaces.
Hypotheses on Agony: Field Research in a Genocidal Context
Authors: Lischer Sarah Kenyon
Published: January 2021

Drawing on my field research experiences in Rwanda, Bosnia, and Cambodia, I present a personal narrative that creates a vivid picture of field research in challenging environments and contemplates what research ethics look like in post-genocide societies. Working in violent, traumatized, or oppressive conditions reveals the fragility of traditional political science methods when confronted with the realities of human suffering. Part of the intrinsic value of field interviews is the unique interactive experience between researcher and respondents, which can never be fully replicated. Addressing the controversies about research methods, I argue that the Data Access and Research Transparency (DA-RT) versions of protection, replicability, and transparency undermine the integrity of field research and can threaten the security of researchers and respondents. This article also reflects on the personal experience of working in three post-genocide societies, including the effects of trauma and empathy. Despite the difficult subject matter and personal challenges, I continue to champion field research for the unmatched understanding it offers researchers. This reflection encourages a broader discussion about the value of human interaction in the research process, even if those interactions do not fit neatly into a methodological template.
A new ultradian rhythm in mammalian cell dry mass observed by holography
Authors: Ghenim Lamya , Allier Cédric , Obeid Patricia , Hervé Lionel , Fortin Jean-Yves , Balakirev Maxim , Gidrol Xavier
Published: January 2021

We have discovered a new 4 h ultradian rhythm that occurs during the interphase of the cell cycle in a wide range of individual mammalian cells, including both primary and transformed cells. The rhythm was detected by holographic lens-free microscopy that follows the histories of the dry mass of thousands of single live cells simultaneously, each at a resolution of five minutes. It was vital that the rhythm was observed in inherently heterogeneous cell populations, thus eliminating synchronization and labeling bias. The rhythm is independent of circadian rhythm, and is temperature-compensated. We show that the amplitude of the fundamental frequency provides a way to quantify the effects of, chemical reagents on cells, thus shedding light on its mechanism. The rhythm is suppressed by proteostasis disruptors and is detected only in proliferating cells, suggesting that it represents a massive degradation and re-synthesis of protein every 4 h in growing cells.
Grain boundary oxidation of proton-irradiated nuclear grade stainless steel in simulated primary water of pressurized water reactor
Authors: Deng Ping , Peng Qunjia , Han En-Hou
Published: January 2021

Grain boundary (GB) oxidation of proton-irradiated 304 nuclear grade stainless steel in primary water of pressurized water reactor was investigated. The investigation was conducted by studying microstructure of the oxide and oxide precursor formed at GB on an "atom-by-atom" basis by a combination of atom-probe tomography and transmission electron microscope. The results revealed that increasing irradiation dose promoted the GB oxidation, in correspondence with a different oxide and oxide precursor formed at the GB. Correlation of the oxide and oxide precursor with the GB oxidation behavior has been discussed in detail.
Influence of ultrasound on juvenile hormone titers in Monochamus alternatus Hope (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)
Authors: Zha Yu-Ping , Wu Xiao-Ling , Zhang Zi-Yi , Chen Jing-Yuan , Chen Qi-Cai
Published: January 2021

Abiotic stress factors can significantly affect insects. In particular, the stressful effects of exposure to ultrasound on insects are considered important. In the present study, we investigated the effects of ultrasound on the important global pest Monochamus alternatus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), which is the main vector of the pinewood nematode. We exposed M. alternatus adults (aged 1 day, 3 days, and 5 days) to ultrasound at different frequencies (using two ultrasonic devices, i.e., LHC20 with a mixture of frequencies at 35 kHz, 70 kHz, and 105 kHz; and GFG-8016G at two separate frequencies of 30 kHz and 60 kHz) for different periods of time (1 h, 12 h, and 24 h), before evaluating the juvenile hormone III (JHIII) titers. All of the ultrasound treatments significantly decreased the JHIII titers in M. alternatus adults. The decreases in the JHIII titers due to ultrasound exposure did not differ according to sex, but the effects on beetles of different ages differed significantly depending on the duration of exposure. The decreases in the JHIII titers were highest in male and female beetles after exposure to ultrasound for 12 h. Following exposure to ultrasound for any time period, the decreases in the JHIII titers were lower in adults aged 3 days than those aged 1 day and 5 days. The different ultrasonic frequencies led to variable decreases in the JHIII titers in M. alternatus adults, where the greatest decreases occurred in beetles exposed to ultrasound at 60 kHz. Our results indicate that ultrasound can negatively affect the normal JHIII levels and it may further disrupt sexual maturation by M. alternatus adults.
Quality of Life Following Stroke: A Qualitative Study Across 30 Years
Authors: Chleboun Steffany M. , Brady Kathryn , Zelenak Jennie
Published: January 2021

Much of what we know about stroke is limited to the first 5 years postinjury; however, the effects of having a stroke remain several years, even decades, postinjury, and the impact this has on an individual's quality of life over a long period of time is not completely understood.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to understand one woman's experience living with the effects of stroke over multiple decades postinjury and to explore factors that affected her quality of life during this time.

Method

Using Grounded Theory methodology, data were drawn from 28 years of journals kept by the participant and from semistructured family interviews.

Results

Four major interacting themes emerged from the data: family support, faith, personality, and journaling. Findings are discussed in the context of resilience theory.
Takeover as a Form of Corporate Conflict and the Process of Transfer of Stock Ownership’s Rights
Authors: Belayeva I.Yu. , Danilova O.V. , Uskov K.V.
Published: January 2021

The article considers the problem of corporate conflicts in the Russian practice of corporate relations in the joint-stock companies. Today, corporate relations are changing, the role of intangible resources is growing, and a 100% share in the company capital does not always guarantee control over the company. In this regard, the range of ways to acquire corporate control is expanding. The purpose of the article is to develop a classification of the methods of joint stock companies takeovers. The proposed classification differs from existing classifications by differentiating takeover methods according to the criterion “takeover tool used by the takeover initiator”. The use of this classification by companies in the development of protective mechanisms against takeovers will make it possible to choose the most appropriate and effective protective measures in a particular situation and thereby avoid some corporate conflicts.
Sources of Investment Support of Production and Business Activities in the Russian Economy
Authors: Streltsov A.V. , Yakovlev G.I. , Kosyakova I.V.
Published: January 2021

The problems of determining effective and available sources of investment for the purposes of technical and organizational development of enterprises and business activities are studied. An urgent requirement is to reverse the unstable dynamics of the industrial investments volumes implemented by Russian enterprises, the low degree of renewal of fixed assets of enterprises that go to a critically high level of wear and tear, which does not allow for high resource productivity and competitiveness of Russian enterprises of processing activities in the world market. The purpose of the study is to consider the indicators of the current state and the possibility of using certain available sources of investment in production, to analyze the characteristics of state regulation of investment activity in the economy. The article uses methods of statistical grouping, analysis of cause-and-effect relations, and meaningful economic interpretation of the phenomena of the investment process in the Russian and world economy conditions. A comparative analysis of the most popular sources of investment support for production and economic activities of enterprises is carried out, their advantages and disadvantages, and features of use are shown. As a result, recommendations were formed on the choice of investment sources in relation to various economically stable groups of manufacturing enterprises operating in markets of different regulatory severity.
Value Added Tax and Its Influence on Pricing and Price Decision Making of Companies – A Case Study
Authors: Kubjatkova Anna , Krizanova Anna , Jurickova Veronika
Published: January 2021

Pricing is a complex process that is influenced by many factors, which companies must constantly take into account when creating prices. The final selling price is formed by various influences, including the impact of value added tax (VAT). This tax affects all final consumers, but it also affects the businesses themselves in setting their sales prices. The main goal of this paper is to analyze the impact of VAT on pricing and to prove the fact that VAT values affect both the payer and the non-payer of VAT, if they buy from the VAT payer. The purpose is to point out the difference in the selling price between these two entities and thus to prove the influence of VAT on their pricing. In this paper, the methods of induction and deduction were used, as well as methods of analysis and synthesis. Based on the performed analyzes, we proved the influence of VAT on the pricing of both the payer and the non-payer of VAT, while the difference is observable in the amount of their selling price and tax liability.
On the Relationship between Bank Lending Indicators and General Economic Indicators
Authors: Korobov Yury , Bogomolov Sergey , Ilyina Larisa , Plotnikova Marina
Published: January 2021

One of the most important tasks of any state is to ensure stable economic growth. Banks can play an important role in performing this task, primarily by providing loans. The purpose of the study is to identify the relationship between indicators of banks’ lending activity and general indicators of economic development. Index of physical volume of GDP and index of physical volume of fixed capital investment were selected as resultant economic indicators, and growth rate of debt on bank loans (overall and by loan types), the share of loans in fixed capital investment, and the ratio of debt on bank loans to GDP were used as factor variables. The study of the dynamics of these indicators showed that the trajectory of economic indicators has a general tendency to decrease their values; the dynamics of economic indicators depends more on bank lending to legal entities than on lending to individuals, and often reflects the change in the share of loans in fixed capital investment with a time lag; economic growth is more strongly influenced by bank lending to legal entities than by lending to individuals. The revealed patterns indicate the need to develop a monetary policy aimed at stimulating corporate lending and moderate curbing consumer lending.
Sustainable Growth of Airline Companies: Challenges and Prospects Assessment
Authors: Slepneva T.A. , Svishcheva N.V.
Published: January 2021

Due to the sufficient openness of the Russian air transportation market, such factors as demand and investment activity, exchange rate fluctuations, economic sanctions against large companies and other unfavorable conditions lead to a slowdown (sometimes a decrease) in sales growth of Russian companies, weakening their economic position and financial stability. In this regard, it is necessary to study the conditions and opportunities for achieving sustainable growth, based on the example of Russian airlines using econometric modeling methods The solution of this problem requires the study of a system of economic and non-economic factors to achieve sustainable growth. It also requires an analysis of the industry specifics of air passenger transportation market to determine the main indicators of economic growth.
Scoring Method of Assessment: Relevance and Perspective
Authors: Gusev Andrey , Invdeeva Alina , Motuzenko Polina
Published: January 2021

The article reveals the essence of banking scoring and the importance of compiling high-quality scoring models for assessing risks when working with borrowers. The complexity of processing surface information about the borrower and the need for clarification with additional questions are indicated. The history and causes of the appearance of scoring modeling in the middle of the 20th century are described. The main criteria for scoring used to create algorithms for assessing the financial reliability of the borrower are listed. The contribution of post-Soviet scientists to the improvement of scoring models is indicated. Further prospects of banking scoring and its relevance in the light of the emergence of more progressive evaluation programs.
The usage of the CSR concept and its communication in Slovak companies in the process of globalization
Authors: Nadanyiova Margareta , Majerova Jana , Gajanova Lubica
Published: January 2021

The socially responsible communication is focused on the visibility of the social, economic and environmental responsible activities of the company through a variety of communication tools. In the reason of the gradual globalization that brings many changes whit the impact on the business and the environment including the growing importance of socially responsible corporate behaviour, the paper is aimed on the usage of the CSR concept in Slovak companies and the determination of their communication in the process of globalization. This includes providing the theoretical background and analysis of the corporate social responsibility and its communication from the viewpoint of Slovak and foreign authors. The important source for secondary data was scientific researches, statistical databases, published professional publications. In order to determine the level of usage, the CSR concept and its communication in companies in Slovak Republic, a questionnaire survey was conducted among Slovak consumers. Based on the analysis and results of the questionnaire survey, benefits of the efficient socially responsible company’s communication are highlighted such as gaining competitive advantage, increasing the brand value, improving customers loyalty and relationships with stakeholders.
Deciphering Tumor Heterogeneity in Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)—Multi-Omic and Singulomic Approaches
Authors: Dhanasekaran Renumathy
Published: January 2021

Tumor heterogeneity, a key hallmark of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs), poses a significant challenge to developing effective therapies or predicting clinical outcomes in HCC. Recent advances in next-generation sequencing-based multi-omic and single cell analysis technologies have enabled us to develop high-resolution atlases of tumors and pull back the curtain on tumor heterogeneity. By combining multiregion targeting sampling strategies with deep sequencing of the genome, transcriptome, epigenome, and proteome, several studies have revealed novel mechanistic insights into tumor initiation and progression in HCC. Advances in multiparametric immune cell profiling have facilitated a deeper dive into the biological complexity of HCC, which is crucial in this era of immunotherapy. Moreover, studies using liquid biopsy have demonstrated their potential to circumvent the need for tissue sampling to investigate heterogeneity. In this review, we discuss how multi-omic and single-cell sequencing technologies have advanced our understanding of tumor heterogeneity in HCC.
Clinical Conundrums When Integrating the QbTest into a Standard ADHD Assessment of Children and Young People
Authors: Vogt Carsten
Published: January 2021

The uptake of the QbTest in clinical practice is increasing and has recently been supported by research evidence proposing its effectiveness in relation to clinical decision-making. However, the exact underlying process leading to this clinical benefit is currently not well established and requires further clarification. For the clinician, certain challenges arise when adding the QbTest as a novel method to standard clinical practice, such as having the skills required to interpret neuropsychological test information and assess for diagnostically relevant neurocognitive domains that are related to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or how neurocognitive domains express themselves within the behavioral classifications of ADHD and how the quantitative measurement of activity in a laboratory setting compares with real-life (ecological validity) situations as well as the impact of comorbidity on test results. This article aims to address these clinical conundrums in aid of developing a consistent approach and future guidelines in clinical practice.
Objects that matter
Authors: Caronia Letizia , Colla Vittoria
Published: January 2021

It has been two decades since the social-material turn in social interaction studies proved the heuristic limits of a logocentric analytical geography. In this paper, we focus on the performative function of objects in an underexplored learning activity: parent-assisted homework. Adopting a Conversation Analysis informed approach complemented by the ventriloquial perspective on communication, we illustrate how parent-assisted homework is accomplished through the multiple resources in the semiotic field. Particularly, we show how participants orient to and exploit the agency of materiality in interaction. In the conclusion we raise a socio-pedagogical issue concerning the cultural capital embedded in the learning environment as well as the parents’ competence in recognizing and exploiting it in ways that are aligned with the school culture.
Small interfering RNAs in tendon homeostasis
Authors: Gargano Giuseppe , Oliviero Antonio , Oliva Francesco , Maffulli Nicola
Published: January 2021

Background

Tenogenesis and tendon homeostasis are guided by genes encoding for the structural molecules of tendon fibres. Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), acting on gene regulation, can therefore participate in the process of tendon healing.

Sources of data

A systematic search of different databases to October 2020 identified 17 suitable studies.

Areas of agreement

SiRNAs can be useful to study reparative processes of tendons and identify possible therapeutic targets in tendon healing.

Areas of controversy

Many genes and growth factors involved in the processes of tendinopathy and tendon healing can be regulated by siRNAs. It is however unclear which gene silencing determines the expected effect.

Growing points

Gene dysregulation of growth factors and tendon structural proteins can be influenced by siRNA.

Areas timely for developing research

It is not clear whether there is a direct action of the siRNAs that can be used to facilitate the repair processes of tendons.
ANALYSIS OF GENETIC MOSAICS OF THE NEMATODE CAENORHABDITIS ELEGANS
Authors: Herman Robert K
Published: January 2021

A new method for producing genetic mosaics, which involves the spontaneous somatic loss of free chromosome fragments, is demonstrated. Four genes that affect the behavior of C. elegans were studied in mosaic animals. The analysis was greatly aided by the fact that the complete cell lineage of wild-type animals is known. Two of the mutant genes affect certain sensory responses and prevent uptake of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) by certain sensory neurons. Mosaic analysis indicated that one of these mutant genes is cell autonomous with respect to its effect on FITC uptake and the other is cell nonautonomous. In the latter case, the genotype of a non-neuronal supporting cell that surrounds the processes of the neurons that normally take up FITC probably is critical. The other two mutant genes affect animal movement. Mosaic analysis indicated that the expression of one of these genes is specific to certain neurons (motor neurons of the ventral and dorsal nerve cords are prime candidates) and the expression of the other gene is specific to muscle cells.
GENETIC HETEROZYGOSITY IN UNREPLICATED BACTERIOPHAGE Λ RECOMBINANTS
Authors: White Raymond L , Fox Maurice S
Published: January 2021

Bacteriophage crosses using density-labeled parents have been carried out under conditions restricting DNA synthesis. The parental material and genetic contributions to progeny manifesting recombination within a genetic interval sufficiently short to exhibit high negative interference have been examined. The unreplicated products of recombination isolated as phage particles appear to contain long continuous heteroduplex regions which are heterozygous for the closely linked markers. Recombination between closely linked markers seems to be the consequence of the removal of base-pair mismatches that are present within the heteroduplex regions. This localized reduction of heterozygosity within the heteroduplex regions that join the parental components of recombinant DNA molecules can account for high negative interference.
A STUDY OF PNEUMOCOCCAL MERODIPLOIDS AT THE MOLECULAR LEVEL
Authors: Kashmiri S V S , Hotchkiss Rollin D
Published: January 2021

The DNA of a sulfonamide-resistant Pneumococcal strain (heterozygous for sulr-c) and that of three highly resistant and persistently heterozygous cd transformants, derived by introducing sulr-c marker into a stable sulfonamide resistant strain (sulr-d), were studied to analyze the genetic basis of their merodiploidy. The physical properties of the native and denatured DNA from the heterozygotes and the nonheterozygous strains were not distinguishable. The denaturability and the renaturability of biological activity for the heterozygous markers were essentially identical to those of the normal markers. The heterozygosity extends to the closely linked locus giving rise to four different configurations of cd and cd  + transformants, characterized by their frequencies of segregation and donor-marker activities. The marker-activity ratios and the frequency of co-transfer of heterozygous markers were found to remain the same in each when the donor DNA was native, denatured or reannealed without fractionation or reannealed after remixing of resolved strands. Possible models were weighed against these observations and these considerations led to the suggestion that tandem duplication of a gene region may be responsible for the heterozygosity and instability of this region. A more detailed examination of this model will be presented in an accompanying paper.
Cold-water shellfish as harvestable resources and important ecosystem players
Authors: Hvingel Carsten , Sainte-Marie Bernard , Kruse Gordon H
Published: January 2021

The symposium, Shellfish—Resources and Invaders of the North, took place 5–7 November 2019 in Tromsø, Norway. Approximately 110 participants presented and discussed 60 talks and 25 posters. Of these, ten articles are published in this symposium issue. The goal of this symposium was to discuss the role of shellfish, both as harvestable resources and as important ecosystem players in northern hemisphere cold marine environments. To provide perspective for the symposium, the development of four major crustacean fisheries (northern shrimp, snow crab, Homarus, Norway lobster) are reviewed. Our review showed that landings of all these fisheries are still in a state of flux due to inherent population dynamics, fishing, and climate change. The talks and posters covered a broad range of state-of-the-art bioecological knowledge and present challenges in the assessment and management of the most ecologically and/or commercially important cold-water shellfish species belonging to the phyla Arthropoda, Mollusca, and Echinodermata. Various alternative harvesting and management techniques were presented along with perspectives for shellfish aquaculture. Methods and models for stock assessment were thoroughly covered as well as the ecological role of shellfish, their population dynamics, new insights into their biology and genetics, and their changing distribution and significance as invasive species.
Recurrence rates of surgically resected solitary fibrous tumours of the pleura: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Liu Wan-Li , Wu Wei , Hong Qiong-Chuan , Lv Kun
Published: January 2021

OBJECTIVES

Recurrence rates of solitary fibrous tumours of the pleura (SFTP) after surgical resection vary widely in the published literature. Our objective was to systematically review the existing literature to determine an accurate estimate of SFTP recurrence rates after surgical resection and to determine risk factors associated with recurrence.

METHODS

PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane library were systematically searched for randomized controlled trials and observational studies (prospective or retrospective) through 20 June 2020 that reported the recurrence rates after surgical resection. The outcome of interest was recurrence.

RESULTS

Of the 23 included studies comparing 1262 patients, the overall recurrence of SFTP in patients who underwent surgical resection was 9% [95% confidence interval (CI) 7–12%; I2 = 52%]. In addition, pooled benign and malignant recurrence rates were 3% (95% CI 2–5%; I2 = 8%) and 22% (95% CI 15–32%; I2 = 52%), respectively. A benign SFTP was associated with a significantly lower recurrence rate than a malignant SFTP [odds ratio (OR) 0.11; 95% CI 0.06–0.20; I2 = 0%]. There was no significant difference in the recurrence rates between lesions originating from parietal versus visceral pleura (OR 1.30; 95% CI 0.28–6.02; I2 = 59%). Female sex was associated with increased recurrence (OR 5.29; 95% CI 1.66–16.92; I2 = 0%).

CONCLUSIONS

Collectively, this systematic review demonstrated a 9% SFTP post-resection recurrence rate. Furthermore, the recurrence rates for benign and malignant SFTP were 3% and 22%, respectively. Histological malignancy and female sex were associated with higher risk.
Vitamin D supplementation, COVID-19 and disease severity: a meta-analysis
Authors: Shah K , Saxena D , Mavalankar D
Published: January 2021

Objective: Current meta-analysis aims to understand the effect of oral supplementation of vitamin D on intensive care unit (ICU) requirement and mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Methods: Databases PubMed, preprint servers, and google scholar were searched from December 2019 to December 2020. Authors searched for the articles assessing role of vitamin D supplementation on COVID-19. Cochrane RevMan tool was used for quantitative assessment of the data, where heterogeneity was assessed using I2 and Q statistics and data was expressed using odds ratio with 95% confidence interval.

Results: Final meta-analysis involved pooled data of 532 hospitalized patients (189 on vitamin D supplementation and 343 on usual care/placebo) of COVID-19 from three studies (Two randomized controlled trials, one retrospective case-control study). Statistically (p<0.0001) lower ICU requirement was observed in patients with vitamin D supplementation as compared to patients without supplementations (odds ratio: 0.36; 95% CI: 0.210-0.626). However, it suffered from significant heterogeneity, which reduced after sensitivity analysis. In case of mortality, vitamin D supplements has comparable findings with placebo treatment/usual care (odds ratio: 0.93; 95% CI: 0.413-2.113; p=0.87). The studies did not show any publication bias and had fair quality score. Subgroup analysis could not be performed due to limited number of studies and hence dose and duration dependent effect of vitamin D could not be evaluated.

Conclusions: Although the current meta-analysis findings indicate potential role of vitamin D in improving COVID-19 severity in hospitalized patients, more robust data from randomized controlled trials are needed to substantiate its effects on mortality.
Resurrection of the Follow-Back Method to Study the Transdiagnostic Origins of Psychosis
Authors: van Os Jim , Schaub Annette , Carpenter William T
Published: January 2021

There has been a major drive in research trying to understand the onset of psychosis. Clinical-high risk (CHR) studies focus on opportunistic help-seeking samples with non-psychotic disorders and a degree of psychosis admixture of variable outcome, but it is unlikely that these represent the population incidence of psychotic disorders. Longitudinal cohort studies of representative samples in the general population have focused on development and outcome of attenuated psychotic symptoms, but typically have low power to detect transition to clinical psychotic disorder. In this issue of Schizophrenia Bulletin, Cupo and colleagues resurrect a time-honored method to examine psychosis onset: the epidemiological follow-back study, modernizing it to fit the research framework of the early intervention era. The authors set out to investigate the hypothesis that psychotic disorder represents the poorest outcome fraction of initially non-psychotic, common mental disorders and present compelling findings, unifying previous opportunistic CHR and representative cohort-based work.
Mycetoma: the journey from neglect to recognition as a neglected tropical disease
Authors: Fahal Ahmed H
Published: January 2021

Mycetoma recently had gained international attention and conscious awareness after its inclusion under the WHO/NTD list in 2016. The journey to achieve that was both long, challenging as well as it was exciting and hard. In this article, the milestones and various events that took place in this journey were documented and highlighted.