bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metonymie in der Gedichtübersetzung
Authors: Papišta Žolt
Published: March 2022

This study represents a contrastive analysis of Michael Ende’s poem “Der Lindwurm und der Schmetterling oder Der
seltsame Tausch” and its Serbian translation by Spomenka Krajčević titled “Zmaj i Leptir ili Neobična zamena” based on the
cognitive-linguistic theory of conceptual metonymy. The purpose of the analysis is to determine in what way the mechanisms of
conceptual metonymy may be utilized for the purposes of poetry translation. For this reason, those passages of the translated poem
will be analyzed which deviate from the original in such a way that the semantic material of the deviating passages exhibits the
characteristics of metonymy, namely a specific conceptual configuration between an Idealized Cognitive Model (Frame) and its
parts. The analysis revealed 61 metonymic relationships between the target- and the source text, of which 46 in total (75.4%)
reveal a contiguous relationship between two parts of an ICM, indicating that this metonymic principle of configuration may
present a considerably more flexible translation strategy for poetry translation than the substitution of an entire ICM with one
of its parts or vice versa.
The marking of spatial relations on animate nouns in Basque
Authors: Krajewska Dorota
Published: March 2022

This corpus-based study examines the diachrony of differential place marking in Basque. In spatial cases, animate
nouns in Basque exhibit heavier morphological forms than inanimate ones, but, under some circumstances, they can also be marked as
inanimate. The data for the study comprises 66 sixteenth-to-twentieth-century texts (9,791 examples). A generalised linear
mixed-effects model was fitted to analyse factors influencing the choice of marking. It is shown that animate nouns are sensitive
to different aspects of the extended Animacy Hierarchy. The strongest effect is that of number (singular nouns prefer animate
marking), followed by referentiality (pronouns are more prone to take animate forms than other nominals) and definiteness
(definite nouns show animate marking more often than indefinite ones). The analysis also shows that animate marking became more
widespread, and that there are dialectal differences. Moreover, more factors were relevant for the alternation in the earliest
data (number, referentiality, definiteness, person and case) than in the most recent texts, where number is the most
important.
Populating ‘solidarity’ in political debate
Authors: Rautajoki Hanna , Fitzgerald Richard
Published: March 2022

The article examines the various ways in which ‘solidarity’ is invoked and signified through narrative and categorial devices in a political debate following the UK’s vote to leave the EU in 2016. Analysing a floor debate in the European Parliament concerning a white paper released by the European Commission on the future of the EU held in March 2017, we investigate how politicians deploy references to ‘solidarity’ in service of different political agendas. Our research highlights the strategic use of ‘core’ values in political debate through the way different speakers appeal to ‘solidarity’ as a self-evident positive value within the EU, but which is then mobilised through different relevant actors and scenarios to argue contrastive political positions. Our analysis demonstrates how narrative positioning and category-bound normative expectations are harnessed to serve the aims of political persuasion by “populating” a shared principle of governance with purposeful sets of identities and interrelations.
Field emission characteristics of ZnO nanowires grown by catalyst-assisted MOCVD on free-standing inorganic nanomembranes
Authors: Haugg Stefanie , Hedrich Carina , Zierold Robert , Blick Robert H
Published: March 2022

ZnO field emitters on freely suspended inorganic nanomembranes (NMs) were synthesized by catalyst-assisted metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) using the precursors zinc acetylacetonate hydrate and oxygen. The morphology and the possibly involved growth mechanisms of the randomly distributed ZnO nanostructures were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and by energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. The findings indicate a growth process that involves the vapor–liquid–solid as well as the vapor–solid–solid mechanism. The field emission (FE) properties of such ZnO nanowire (NW) samples showed to be highly reproducible and independent of the investigated Si-based substrate types. Herein, a new type of flexible substrate for the MOCVD process has been introduced that allows for the direct growth of ZnO NWs on free-standing membranes for potential FE-based sensor applications. A turn-on field of 4.1 V µm−1 was detected for a macroscopic emission current density of 10 µA cm−2 and the stability test revealed fluctuations of only 9% around the mean emission current over a duration of 3 h proving a reliable and stable operation of such devices. Moreover, approaches were identified to further enhance the FE characteristics of the ZnO NWs by variation of the synthesis parameters and by enlargement of the NM area.
Predicting the stability and electronic structure of alkali metal aurides
Authors: Gaona Carranza Axel M , Garcia Diaz Reyes , Hoat D M , Siqueiros Jesús M , Guerrero-Sanchez Jonathan
Published: March 2022

Density functional theory calculations of phonon modes predict that some compounds of the alkali metal aurides family, general formula A
2
MAu6 (A = K, Rb or Cs; M = Ti, Zr, Hf, Sn or Pb), have stable three-dimensional phase with a double perovskite-type structure and cubic Fm

3

¯

m space group (K2PtCl6-type). Bader’s charge analysis shows that most electron density is located within the six atoms at the octahedra vertices like double perovskite halides. However, the short spacing between Au anions enables d-orbital interactions between them. Compounds of this family, with group 4 metals only, carry conduction states around the Γ point (k = 0). On the other hand, compounds with group 14 metals possess more conduction states around all the Brillouin zone and have electron pockets in their band structures. These compounds provide further insights into the unusual anionic behavior of gold and present other alternatives for the construction of divergent nanodevices.
A review of advances in imaging methodology in fluorescence molecular tomography
Authors: Zhang Peng , Ma Chenbin , Song Fan , Fan Guangda , Sun Yangyang , Feng Youdan , Ma Xibo , Liu Fei , Zhang Guanglei
Published: March 2022

Objective. Fluorescence molecular tomography (FMT) is a promising non-invasive optical molecular imaging technology with strong specificity and sensitivity that has great potential for preclinical and clinical studies in tumor diagnosis, drug development and therapeutic evaluation. However, the strong scattering of photons and insufficient surface measurements make it very challenging to improve the quality of FMT image reconstruction and its practical application for early tumor detection. Therefore, continuous efforts have been made to explore more effective approaches or solutions in the pursuit of high-quality FMT reconstructions. Approach. This review takes a comprehensive overview of advances in imaging methodology for FMT, mainly focusing on two critical issues in FMT reconstructions: improving the accuracy of solving the forward physical model and mitigating the ill-posed nature of the inverse problem from a methodological point of view. More importantly, numerous impressive and practical strategies and methods for improving the quality of FMT reconstruction are summarized. Notably, deep learning methods are discussed in detail to illustrate their advantages in promoting the imaging performance of FMT thanks to large datasets, the emergence of optimized algorithms and the application of innovative networks. Main results. The results demonstrate that the imaging quality of FMT can be effectively promoted by improving the accuracy of optical parameter modeling, combined with prior knowledge, and reducing dimensionality. In addition, the traditional regularization-based methods and deep neural network-based methods, especially end-to-end deep networks, can enormously alleviate the ill-posedness of the inverse problem and improve the quality of FMT image reconstruction. Significance. This review aims to illustrate a variety of effective and practical methods for the reconstruction of FMT images that may benefit future research. Furthermore, it may provide some valuable research ideas and directions for FMT in the future, and could promote, to a certain extent, the development of FMT and other methods of optical tomography.
Experimental investigation of the pseudoelastic behavior on zirconium modified Cu–Al–Be shape memory alloys for seismic applications
Authors: Kalinga T , Murigendrappa S M , Kattimani S
Published: March 2022

This paper examines the effect of 0.05–0.3 wt.% of zirconium-doping on microstructure, transformation temperatures, tensile properties, and pseudoelastic behavior of the parent

β
1

-phase Cu87.93–Al11.5–Be0.57 shape memory alloys (SMAs). Results reveal that alloying zirconium in the evaluated SMA samples exhibits an excellent grain refinement up to 0.15 wt.%. Further, higher additions of Zr ⩾ 0.2 wt.% lowers the grain refinement efficiency due to precipitates agglomeration. Larger the size and volume fraction of Al3Zr precipitates led to higher transformation temperatures. Tensile properties were improved with Zr-doping, resulting enhancements in the maximum tensile strength and ductility with the addition of 0.15 wt.% Zr. The alloy with 0.05 wt.% of Zr-dope showed a good pseudoelastic strain recovery of deformation strain and then lowered by retaining large residual strain, indicating deterioration in the pseudoelasticity of SMAs.
On the problem of obtaining extra hydrogen-containing synthesis gases during gasification of high-ash coal using iron-containing slags
Authors: Dikhanbaev Arystan , Dikhanbaev Bayandy , Ybray Sultan , Akbota Zhaksylyk , Olzhas Talipov , Nariman Tanirbergenov
Published: March 2022

In the dumps of power plants of the Republic of Kazakhstan, only from the combustion of Ekibastuz coal, ~ 300 million tons of ash have been accumulated, with an annual release of up to 30 million tons. Up to 200 g/t of gallium, germanium, 1 g/t of gold, 4% of zinc, 1% of lead, 0.3% of cadmium and other elements are lost with ash. The work is aimed at unit creation to obtain hydrogen-enriched water gas from ekibastuz coal with the production of Zn, Ga, Ge sublimates, copper-containing cast iron, slag wool and/or cast stone, when joint processing of iron-zinc-contained slag and ash-cinder wastes of thermal power plants.
Study of the droplet transition from Cassie to Wenzel state on laser-modified metal surfaces
Authors: Borovikov S S
Published: March 2022

The paper presents the experimental study of the influence of laser radiation on the texture formation on aluminum alloy, the droplet transition from Cassie to Wenzel state, as well as the main geometric characteristics of a droplet (contact angle, droplet diameter and height). It was found that laser methods for changing the characteristics and texture of metal surfaces are a modern, flexible tool that makes it possible to achieve unique results in controlling the properties of metal surfaces.
Modification of steel surfaces with aluminum oxide particles: study of wetting and spreading
Authors: Borovikov S S , Laga E Yu
Published: March 2022

This work presents the experimental studies on the influence of the average particle size of aluminum oxide used to modify stainless steel surfaces on the change in wetting properties and the movement of the three-phase contact line. To record the formation of a droplet on the surface, we used the equipment of the shadow technique. he geometrical dimensions of the droplets were determined by the Young-Laplace, Tangential 1 and 2 methods. It was found that the larger the average size of aluminum particles used to modify steel surfaces, the more wetting properties and the characteristics of liquid spreading over such surfaces will change.
Design and Analyses of Broadband Perfect Light Absorber for Visible and Near IR Frequencies using Plasmonic Metamaterials
Authors: Tamilarasi Mani Gurukaelaiarasu , Mudachathi Renilkumar
Published: March 2022

Metal-insulator-metal nanostructures based plasmonic metamaterials have been extensively explored for the design of broadband perfect light absorption in all the technologically relevant windows of electromagnetic spectrum. We have computationally studied a unique metal-insulator-metal nanostructure for the design of a broadband perfect light absorber in the visible and near infrared frequencies. We explored different metal combinations for the same metal-insulator-metal geometry for the absorber design. The study shows that the dependence of spectral response is dominated by the geometrical shape and arrangement, rather than the nature of the metal combinations. We report an average light absorption of more than 80% from 400nm to 1100nm wavelength range.
Synthesis and characterization of electrical properties of nanostructured zinc oxide film prepared by spray coated seed layer based hydrothermal method
Authors: Bhuvaneshwari P , George Vasanthan S , Kaliyaperumal Ajaijawahar , Periyasamy Gokuladeepan
Published: March 2022

The aim of study was to investigate the carrier transport properties of seed layer assisted nanostructured ZnO thin film. The structural analysis by XRD showed the predominant peak at 34.63° (2θ) corresponding to <002> plane. From the SEM image, it was found that the particles grown vertical nanoparticles on the glass substrate. The optical bandgap of the material was calculated from UV-Visible absorption spectrum which was found as 3.28 eV. The I-V characteristics showed that the film possess semiconducting nature. The electron mobility was determined as 1.60×102cm2/Vs and the resistivity was around 1.99×10−4 Ω.cm and the carrier concentration of the film was 7.54×1020cm−3 by Hall effect measurement. The seed assisted nanostructured film exhibited good electron transport properties which can be applied in many electrical applications like a solar cells, sensors and optoelectronic devices.
An Investigation of Mechanical Properties by Reinforcing Steel Mesh into Aluminium Alloy 6061
Authors: Tripathi Harshit , Singh Rajvir , Kumar Sushil , Sharma J D , Bhardwaj Sumit
Published: March 2022

The application of aluminium-based composite is increasing day by day in structural and aerospace engineering sectors due its exceptional properties such as higher strength to weight ratio, excellent mechanical properties, and high corrosion resistance. In the current study the Metal Matrix Composite (MMC) with Aluminum alloy (AA) 6061 as matrix and steel mesh as reinforcement was fabricated by two routes. First, by hot rolling the steel mesh sandwiched between two 3 mm thick AA 6061 sheets and second by the pouring of AA 6061 over and below the steel mesh placed in horizontal plane in a sand mold such that the mesh gets completely incorporated at the centre of casting subsequently hot rolling them to obtain MMC. One specimen obtained by each route was given T6-heat treatment (HT). The microstructural study was done to characterize the composites formed and their mechanical properties such as hardness and tensile strength were compared with HT cast-rolled and HT rolled sheets of same thickness. The superior Ultimate tensile strength of 155.4MPa was shown by samples obtained by HT cast-rolled sheet with steel mesh sample than other samples.
Synthesis and Characterization of Graphene oxide for Gas Sensing Applications
Authors: Mathankumar G , Simon Patrick D , Praveen. P , Krishna Mohan. M
Published: March 2022

Organic 2D materials have gained extensive attraction in the field of the gas sensor. Because of their critical role in environmental monitoring, chemical manufacturing industries, and human health safety. In recent years most of the research groups have been interested, to fabricate the Graphene oxide-based chemi-resistive gas sensor, owing to its superior structural, mechanical, and electrical properties. Excellent mechanical strength (Young modulus ∼0.05 TPA), the potentiality of ultrafast electron transport (highest mobility ∼200,000 cm2/V s) along with the best surface to volume ratio. In this paper, we have prepared Graphene oxide nanosheets by the modified hummers method. Structural properties of the as-prepared sample were confirmed by XRD and RAMAN spectroscopy. morphological analyses were done by FE-SEM analysis.
Structural, Luminescence and Cytotoxicity Studies of PEG Capped CaS Nanophosphors
Authors: Rekha S , Aravind S , Venkidesh T V , Anila E I
Published: March 2022

Nanoparticles have remarkable applications in medical imaging and therapy owing to their enhanced optical, electronic, and structural properties. One of the challenges in nanoparticle application in the medical field is that when injected into the bloodstream, they are taken by the reticuloendothelial system (RES) of the body and removed by circulation. To avoid RES capture and protect them from the immune system, surface passivation of the nanoparticle is done with polyethylene glycol (PEG). The wet chemical synthesis of Calcium sulfide (CaS) nanophosphors capped with various concentrations of PEG is reported here. The structural and optical properties of the samples were studied by X-ray diffractogram (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), photoluminescence (PL) spectrum, and diffuse reflectance spectrum (DRS). The cell viability of the nanoparticles was estimated from the MTT assay using L929 human fibroblast cells. The cytotoxicity analysis revealed that PEG-capped CaS is biocompatible, which ensures the possibility of their prospective applications in the biomedical field.
3.2% efficient cadmium free Cu2ZnSnS4/ZnO solar cells fabricated using solvothermally synthesized nanoparticles
Authors: Kannan G. , Manjulavalli T. E. , Thambidurai M. , Habeeba K. , Ezhilarasi GnanaKumari D. V.
Published: March 2022

In this paper, we report thefabrication of a hetero-junction solar cell using nanocrystallinep-type Cu2ZnSnS4(CZTS) as absorber layer and ZnO as buffer layer.The effect of copper ratio on the properties of copper zinc tin sulfide nanoparticles synthesized using solvothermal method and the influence of Cu ratio on the cell efficiencies are also systematically investigated.The structural, optical andelectrical properties of prepared nanoparticles were studied using X-ray powder diffraction, Raman analysis, scanning electron microscopy, UV-vis absorption and J-Vcharacteristic studies.The device fabrication and conversionefficiency of cadmium free CZTS/ZnOsolar cellsare also discussed.The highestpower conversion efficiency of the solar cell was observed to be 3.2% for copper slightly poor (0.9) compositional ratio.
Process Variation analysis of 1-bit ALU based on GAA-CNTFET
Authors: Sharma Pragya , Rohitkumar Shailendra Singh , Aarthy M. , Mimura Hidenori
Published: March 2022

This paper is based on a technique of Carbon Nanotube Field-Effect Transistors (CNTFET) for Arithmetic Logical Unit (ALU) using 10nm technology. For the past few decades, global demand for smaller dimension transistors with ultra-speed and low power consumption processor is a challenge for device designers. According to Moore’s law, the number of transistors on an integrated circuit (IC) doubles every two years. Traditional Si transistors, scaled down to its limit sub 10nm, suffer from short channel effects, direct tunneling from source to drain, drain induced barrier lowering, and hot carrier degradation. Hence device designer is looking for nano devices which can replace traditional Si. Carbon Nanotube Field Effect Transistors (CNTFET) are promising Nano device for the next generation. A parametric analysis has been performed for various measurements such as delay, power, and PDP by varying chirality vector. Here we discuss four Different configurations such as Single channel Single chirality (SCSC), Single Channel Dual chirality (SCDC), Double Channel Single Chirality (DCSC), Double Channel Dual chirality (DCDC). Based on the results it was observed that as the chirality vector increases delay decreases. It is also observed that the delay in Double channel configuration is less than in Single-channel configuration.
Development of Al6061-B4C Composite and Study the Effect of Heat Treatment on its Mechanical Properties
Authors: Singh Rajvir , Khanna Paawan , Singh Panwar Ranvir , Datt Jagmohan
Published: March 2022

Aluminum composites are growing in demand as an advanced material in aerospace industries, automobile industries, marine applications and structural applications. In the current work, an attempt has been made to study the mechanical properties of the monolithic AA6061 alloy, it’s composite by reinforcing B4C (4wt%) particles and T6 heat treated composite on the same ground. Al6061-B4C composite was developed by stir casting method and uniform distribution of particles were observed throughout the bulk which was confirmed by SEM-EDS. Subsequently T6 heat treatment was done on composite. Reinforcement in the matrix increase the hardness value of base alloy by 21.3%. The hardness value of heat-treated Al6061-B4C composite was found to be increased by 20.5% than that of non-heat-treated composite which may be due to formation of coherent Mg2Si precipitates. The presence of B4C particles and gas porosity in the matrix of aluminum alloy tend to decrease the value of impact strength of composite and heat-treated composite.
An optimum design of one dimensional photonic crystal for solar cell applications
Authors: Sankar Karthika , Manoharan Rahna , Saif Safna , Priya Rose T
Published: March 2022

Efficient anti reflection (AR) coatings and back reflectors are crucial components for the better performance of a solar cell. Hence perfect designing of the same is very important. We propose the design of both these structures based on a multilayer dielectric system, a one dimensional photonic crystal, with maximum efficiency on the basis of optical interference transfer matrix theory. Optical parameters were optimized and transmission and reflection spectra were obtained using transfer matrix formulation via a personal computer using MATLAB program. Theoretical analysis has shown that a triple layer AR coating and a DBR based back reflector effectively enhance the efficiency of a solar cell.
A Review on Properties of Concrete with Magnetizing Cement
Authors: Gurram Kalyani , Pannirselvam N
Published: March 2022

The incorporation of strong magnetic powders (NdFeB) into cement mixtures has produced improved mechanical properties of cement pastes. The magnetic cement (cementitious magnet) used a simple and inexpensive cement process to form complex forms of the NdFeB magnet. Particulate NdFeB has been distributed uniformly in the cement matrix. The magnetic cement composites increased in density and compressive strength with the NdFeB concentration. Magnetization (stable up to one year) also increased with NdFeB powder but there was no improvement in coercivity. The introduction of magnetic particles into cement matrices has also been another important method in recent years to enhance the mechanical and other properties of cement-based materials. Nanoparticles (IONs) made from iron oxide (Fe2O3, Fe2O4) are among the most popular cement fillers. Cement composites mixed with IONs showed enhanced compressive strength, as well as other enhanced functions. This paper presents literature analysis of a study of magnetizing cement on concrete properties.
Recent advances on strong light-matter coupling in atomically thin TMDC semiconductor materials
Authors: Al-Ani Ibrahim A M , As’ham Khalil , Klochan Oleh , Hattori Haroldo T , Huang Lujun , Miroshnichenko Andrey E
Published: March 2022

The strong light–matter interaction between the exciton of atomically thin transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) and photonic nanocavities leads to the formation of unique hybrid light-matter quasiparticles known as exciton-polaritons. The newly formed mixed state has the advantages of the photonic part such as rapid propagation and low effective mass and the highly desirable optical properties of TMDC’s exciton, including the interparticle strong interactions nonlinearity and spin-valley polarization. These joint properties make such systems an ideal platform for studying many compelling physics phenomena and open the possibility of designing novel optoelectronic devices. This work reviews recent progress of strong coupling between exciton in TMDC and different resonant photonic structures, such as optical microcavities, plasmonic and all-dielectric nanocavities. Furthermore, we discussed the unique valleytronic and nonlinear properties of TMDC monolayers in the strong coupling regime. Finally, we highlighted some of the challenges and potential future research opportunities in this field.
The behavior of sustainable self-compacting concrete reinforced with low-density waste Polyethylene fiber
Authors: Hamah Sor Nadhim , Ali Taghreed Khaleefa Mohammed , Vali Kolimi Shaiksha , Ahmed Hemn Unis , Faraj Rabar H. , Bheel Naraindas , Mosavi Amir
Published: March 2022

Sustainable concrete production and recycling the construction wastes are of utmost importance for today’s sustainable urban development. In this study, low-density polyethylene waste was recycled in the form of fibers (LDPF) to produce eco-friendly fiber-reinforced sustainable self-compacting concrete (SCC). The content of LDPF ranged from 0.5% to 3.5% at a raise of 0.5% of the mix’s volume. The SCC’s features in fresh and hardened states were tested. The slump flow diameter, T500, V-funnel, and L-box ratio were measured for the fresh properties. The compressive, splitting tensile and flexural strengths were tested at the age of 28 days. However, the outcomes indicated that LPDF had some negative effect on the workability features, but all the results of SCC mixtures were within the standard limitations of SCC except that related to the L-box, which satisfied the standards up to 2% of LDPF. However, the incorporation of LDPF enhanced the mechanical properties, especially the flexural strength. The optimum ratio for the LPDF was 2%, which satisfies the required workability and the highest strength with modulus of elasticity. The thermal conductivity decreased with increasing LDPF content in the SCC mixtures.
Valley population of donor states in highly strained silicon
Authors: Voisin B , Ng K S H , Salfi J , Usman M , Wong J C , Tankasala A , Johnson B C , McCallum J C , Hutin L , Bertrand B , Vinet M , Valanoor N , Simmons M Y , Rahman R , Hollenberg L C L , Rogge S
Published: March 2022

Strain is extensively used to controllably tailor the electronic properties of materials. In the context of indirect band-gap semiconductors such as silicon, strain lifts the valley degeneracy of the six conduction band minima, and by extension the valley states of electrons bound to phosphorus donors. Here, single phosphorus atoms are embedded in an engineered thin layer of silicon strained to 0.8% and their wave function imaged using spatially resolved spectroscopy. A prevalence of the out-of-plane valleys is confirmed from the real-space images, and a combination of theoretical modelling tools is used to assess how this valley repopulation effect can yield isotropic exchange and tunnel interactions in the xy-plane relevant for atomically precise donor qubit devices. Finally, the residual presence of in-plane valleys is evidenced by a Fourier analysis of both experimental and theoretical images, and atomistic calculations highlight the importance of higher orbital excited states to obtain a precise relationship between valley population and strain. Controlling the valley degree of freedom in engineered strained epilayers provides a new competitive asset for the development of donor-based quantum technologies in silicon.
Laser ablation reveals the impact of Cdc15p on the stiffness of the contractile ring
Authors: Moshtohry Mohamed , Bellingham-Johnstun Kimberly , Elting Mary Williard , Laplante Caroline
Published: March 2022

We use laser ablation to sever the constricting contractile ring of fission yeast cells and reveal the impact of Cdc15p, a putative anchoring protein, on its mechanical properties. Our work suggests that Cdc15p, and thus the anchoring mechanism, impacts the stiffness of the contractile ring more than the viscous drag.
Improvisation as a Method of Composition: Reconciling the Dichotomy
Authors: Davisson Katya
Published: March 2022

This article builds upon existing scholarship concerning the relationship between improvisation and composition. Sections 1 to 3 comprise an exploration into and analysis of both the traditional understanding of improvisation and composition as opposing categories, as well as the more modern, nuanced view of their interpenetrating natures. I conclude that the former view should be replaced by the latter. Sections 4 and 5 present and subsequently negate two potential failings of my argument. First, I confront the problem posed by Goehr’s work-concept, whose essence is opposed to the spirit of improvisation, but argue that recording allows for the solidification of these improvisations into works. Secondly, I undermine the view that composition is creation ex nihilo whilst improvisation is the mere reworking of old material. I uncover the originality of improvisation and formulae of composition to restore their compatibility and reinforce improvisation’s status as a method of broad- and narrow-sense composition.
Audio universe: tour of the solar system
Authors: Harrison Chris , Trayford James , Harrison Leigh , Bonne Nicolas
Published: March 2022

Chris Harrison, James Trayford, Leigh Harrison and Nicolas Bonne have developed a sensory odyssey to demonstrate how the Universe can be made more accessible.
Developmental diversity in an endemic family of Patagonian frogs (Anura: Batrachylidae)
Authors: Grosso Jimena , Barrasso Diego A , Baldo Diego , Nuñez José J , Candioti Florencia Vera
Published: March 2022

The Patagonian rainforest has environmental conditions that may have been appropriate for the evolution of different reproductive strategies in anurans. Despite its low species richness, the endemic family Batrachylidae has a wide diversity of reproductive modes. All species have exotrophic tadpoles, but oviposition sites may vary from lakes/ponds to the forest floor and tree holes. Here we study the embryonic development of five species to explore the morphological diversity and heterochronic shifts related to aquatic vs. terrestrial development. The main differences concern the length of the intracapsular period, morphology at tailbud stage, and gut and hind-limb development. Terrestrial embryos of Batrachyla have some peculiar features also reported in species with endotrophic development, such as yolk-rich eggs, poorly developed gills, precocious development of hind limbs and delayed gut coiling. Furthermore, observations on embryos releasing from the jelly layers with the vitelline membrane intact plus the likely absence of hatching gland cells at hatching stages make it likely that differences can occur in the hatching mechanism. Our results highlight that batrachylids and other neoaustraranans offer an excellent opportunity to investigate the evolution and diversity of reproductive and developmental strategies divergent from aquatic/exotrophic development.
If We Look at Child Protection Reform through the Lens of Systems Science, What do we See?
Authors: Cullin Joel
Published: March 2022

The challenge of improving the functioning of child protection systems is a complex one shared by many governments internationally. In Australia alone, there have been dozens of public inquiries and reform efforts in this vitally important domain over the past four decades. The English system has also undergone numerous reforms, including that led by Munro a decade ago. Despite these efforts, systemic pathologies persist. This article views the challenges of child protection reform through the lens of the long-established transdisciplinary systems science of cybernetics. This article argues that reform efforts are often founded on an epistemological and ontological error. Despite pervasive recourse to use of the term ‘child protection system’, and reference to the need for ‘systemic’ change, reform efforts, to varying degrees, fail to operate from a basis in the established tenets of systems science. A critique is offered and some fundamental ‘rules’ that should inform such reform efforts are distilled. It is argued that to achieve positive and enduring change, these systems must be ‘built’ from the front line. It is also argued that the political context in which reform efforts take place is perhaps more of a hindering factor than is the complexity of the systems themselves.
Who killed social welfare?
Authors: Hartley Todd
Published: March 2022

Social welfare policy is a modernist enterprise that grew out of the Enlightenment project. By attacking the theoretical foundation of Enlightenment thought, postmodernism directly challenges the theoretical foundation of social welfare policy. As postmodern theory is increasingly used to ‘deconstruct’ social policy, the means to justify the welfare state are at risk of collapsing. It will be argued that, despite all its acclaim, postmodern theory has not only functioned as an ally of neoliberalism, postmodern theory has obscured the problems of mushrooming inequality, increasing privatisation of public and social services and, the erosion of the welfare state by framing these issues as questions of difference, diversity and choice. Through a re-examination of the Enlightenment project as it relates to the theoretical foundation of the welfare state, it will be argued that the welfare state requires a notion of collective responsibility, a position that is theoretically supported by psychoanalytic theory. Applied to social welfare, psychoanalytic theory could provide the intellectual tools to develop and justify policies; it offers a theoretical method to re-establish the welfare state as an ideal of the democratic project.
COVID-19 infection and renal injury: where is the place for acute interstitial nephritis disease?
Authors: León-Román Juan , Agraz Irene , Vergara Ander , Ramos Natalia , Toapanta Nestor , García-Carro Clara , Gabaldón Alejandra , Bury Roxana , Bermejo Sheila , Bestard Oriol , Soler María José
Published: March 2022

Novel coronavirus disease infection (coronavirus disease 2019, COVID-19) was declared a global pandemic in March 2020 and since then has become a major public health problem. The prevalence of COVID-19 infection and acute kidney injury (AKI) is variable depending on several factors such as race/ethnicity and severity of illness. The pathophysiology of renal involvement in COVID-19 infection is not entirely clear, but it could be in part explained by the viral tropism in the kidney parenchyma. AKI in COVID-19 infection can be either by direct invasion of the virus or as a consequence of immunologic response. Diverse studies have focused on the effect of COVID-19 on glomerulonephritis (GN) patients or the ‘novo’ GN; however, the effect of COVID-19 in acute tubulointerstitial nephritis (ATIN) has been scarcely studied. In this article, we present five cases with different spectrums of COVID-19 infection and ATIN that may suggest that recent diagnosis of ATIN is accompanied by a worse clinical prognosis in comparison with long-term diagnosed ATIN.
A meta-analysis of impacts of immune response and infection on oxidative status in vertebrates
Authors: Costantini David
Published: March 2022

Inferring from patterns observed in biomedical research, ecoimmunological theory predicts that oxidative stress is a ubiquitous physiological cost that contributes to generating variation in immune function between individuals or species. This prediction is, however, often challenged by empirical studies testing the relationship between immune response or infection and oxidative status markers. This points out the importance of combining ecological immunology and oxidative stress ecology to further our understanding of the proximate causes and fitness consequences of individual variation in health, and adaptability to natural and anthropogenic environmental changes. I reviewed evidence and performed phylogenetic meta-analyses of changes in oxidative status markers owing to either injection of an antigen or infection in captive and free-living vertebrates (141 studies, 1262 effect sizes, 97 species). The dataset was dominated by studies on fish, birds and mammals, which provided 95.8% of effect sizes. Both antigen injection and parasite exposure were associated with changes of oxidative status. There were significant effects of taxonomic class and experimental environment (captivity vs. wild). In contrast with my predictions, age category (young vs. adult), study design (correlational vs. experimental) and proxies of pace of life (clutch size, litter size, and body mass; for birds and mammals only) were negligible in this dataset. Several methodological aspects (type of immunostimulant, laboratory assay, tissue analysed) showed significant effects on both strength and direction of effect. My results suggest that alterations of oxidative status are a widespread consequence of immune function across vertebrates. However, this work also identified heterogeneity in strength and direction of effect sizes, which suggests that immune function does not necessarily result in oxidative stress. Finally, this work identifies methodological caveats that might be relevant for the interpretation and comparability of results and for the application in conservation programs.
Diseases 2.0: a weekly updated database of disease–gene associations from text mining and data integration
Authors: Grissa Dhouha , Junge Alexander , Oprea Tudor I , Jensen Lars Juhl
Published: March 2022

The scientific knowledge about which genes are involved in which diseases grows rapidly, which makes it difficult to keep up with new publications and genetics datasets. The DISEASES database aims to provide a comprehensive overview by systematically integrating and assigning confidence scores to evidence for disease–gene associations from curated databases, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and automatic text mining of the biomedical literature. Here, we present a major update to this resource, which greatly increases the number of associations from all these sources. This is especially true for the text-mined associations, which have increased by at least 9-fold at all confidence cutoffs. We show that this dramatic increase is primarily due to adding full-text articles to the text corpus, secondarily due to improvements to both the disease and gene dictionaries used for named entity recognition, and only to a very small extent due to the growth in number of PubMed abstracts. DISEASES now also makes use of a new GWAS database, Target Illumination by GWAS Analytics, which considerably increased the number of GWAS-derived disease–gene associations. DISEASES itself is also integrated into several other databases and resources, including GeneCards/MalaCards, Pharos/Target Central Resource Database and the Cytoscape stringApp. All data in DISEASES are updated on a weekly basis and is available via a web interface at https://diseases.jensenlab.org, from where it can also be downloaded under open licenses.

Database URL: https://diseases.jensenlab.org
High-sensitivity cardiac troponin serving as a useful marker for the early recognition of relapse of isolated cardiac sarcoidosis: a case report
Authors: Tashiro Akira , Tanaka Yasuaki , Hikita Hiroyuki , Takahashi Atsushi
Published: March 2022

Background

Isolated cardiac sarcoidosis is a relatively rare disease that is difficult to manage because of challenges in determining the progression and flare-up of cardiac lesions. Routine reduction of glucocorticoid doses may lead to treatment failure and disease relapse, which are associated with increased mortality.

Case summary

Herein, we present the case of a 49-year-old woman with isolated cardiac sarcoidosis in whom high-sensitivity cardiac troponin served as a biomarker for tailoring immunosuppressive therapy. She presented with progressive dyspnoea on exertion for 2 months and had elevated levels of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) at presentation. A diagnosis of isolated cardiac sarcoidosis was made based on the finding of electrocardiography, echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography. After the introduction of glucocorticoids, the hs-cTnI concentration immediately decreased, followed by the disappearance of FDG uptake in the heart. However, 2 months after oral prednisolone was reduced to the maintenance dose, the hs-cTnI concentration began to increase gradually, and 2 months later, worsening heart failure, progression of impaired left ventricular function, and de novo accumulation of FDG in the heart were observed, confirming the relapse of cardiac sarcoidosis. Intensified glucocorticoid therapy resulted in another immediate decrease in hs-cTnI concentration and improved heart failure management.

Discussion

This case highlights the potential of hs-cTnI to serve as a serum biomarker for monitoring disease activity and response to immunosuppressive therapy in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis. The hs-cTnI could be a highly sensitive and cost-effective biomarker reflecting the inflammatory status of cardiac sarcoidosis.
Functional variability in adhesion and flocculation of yeast megasatellite genes
Authors: Saguez Cyril , Viterbo David , Descorps-Declère Stéphane , Cormack Brendan P , Dujon Bernard , Richard Guy-Franck
Published: March 2022

Megasatellites are large tandem repeats found in all fungal genomes but especially abundant in the opportunistic pathogen Candida glabrata. They are encoded in genes involved in cell–cell interactions, either between yeasts or between yeast and human cells. In the present work, we have been using an iterative genetic system to delete several Candida glabrata megasatellite-containing genes and found that 2 of them were positively involved in adhesion to epithelial cells, whereas 3 genes negatively controlled adhesion. Two of the latter, CAGL0B05061g or CAGL0A04851g, were also negative regulators of yeast-to-yeast adhesion, making them central players in controlling Candida glabrata adherence properties. Using a series of synthetic Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains in which the FLO1 megasatellite was replaced by other tandem repeats of similar length but different sequences, we showed that the capacity of a strain to flocculate in liquid culture was unrelated to its capacity to adhere to epithelial cells or to invade agar. Finally, to understand how megasatellites were initially created and subsequently expanded, an experimental evolution system was set up, in which modified yeast strains containing different megasatellite seeds were grown in bioreactors for more than 200 generations and selected for their ability to sediment at the bottom of the culture tube. Several flocculation-positive mutants were isolated. Functionally relevant mutations included general transcription factors as well as a 230-kbp segmental duplication.
No increased risk of mature B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma after Q fever detected: results from a 16-year ecological analysis of the Dutch population incorporating the 2007–2010 Q fever outbreak
Authors: Weehuizen Jesper M , van Roeden Sonja E , Hogewoning Sander J , van der Hoek Wim , Bonten Marc J M , Hoepelman Andy I M , Bleeker-Rovers Chantal P , Wever Peter C , Oosterheert Jan Jelrik
Published: March 2022

Background

A causative role of Coxiella burnetii (the causative agent of Q fever) in the pathogenesis of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) has been suggested, although supporting studies show conflicting evidence. We assessed whether this association is present by performing a detailed analysis on the risk of mature B-cell NHL after Q fever during and after the largest Q fever outbreak reported worldwide in the entire Dutch population over a 16-year period.

Methods

We performed an ecological analysis. The incidence of mature B-cell NHL in the entire Dutch population from 2002 until 2017 was studied and modelled with reported acute Q fever cases as the determinant. The adjusted relative risk of NHL after acute Q fever as the primary outcome measure was calculated using a Poisson regression.

Results

Between January 2002 and December 2017, 266 050 745 person-years were observed, with 61 424 diagnosed with mature B-cell NHL. In total, 4310 persons were diagnosed with acute Q fever, with the highest incidence in 2009. The adjusted relative risk of NHL after acute Q fever was 1.02 (95% CI 0.97–1.06, P = 0.49) and 0.98 (95% CI 0.89–1.07, P = 0.60), 0.99 (95% CI 0.87–1.12, P = 0.85) and 0.98 (95% 0.88–1.08, P = 0.67) for subgroups of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma or B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, respectively. Modelling with lag times (1–4 years) did not change interpretation.

Conclusion

We found no evidence for an association between C. burnetii and NHL after studying the risk of mature B-cell NHL after a large Q fever outbreak in Netherlands.
Mitigation of benznidazole toxicity and oxidative stress following ascorbic acid supplementation in an adult traveller with chronic indeterminate Chagas’ disease
Authors: Van Den Broucke Steven , Van Herreweghe Maxim , Breynaert Annelies , Van Esbroeck Marjan , Truyens Carine , De Bruyne Tess , Hermans Nina , Huits Ralph
Published: March 2022

Background

Benznidazole is an effective drug in the trypanocidal treatment of acute and chronic indeterminate Chagas’ disease (CD). However, adverse drug reactions (ADR) are common and frequently cause patients to discontinue treatment.

Objectives

We hypothesized that antioxidant supplementation could mitigate benznidazole-induced toxicity.

Methods

We co-supplemented an adult traveller with chronic indeterminate CD who experienced benznidazole ADR with ascorbic acid (AA), 1000 mg/day. We measured selected serum biomarkers of oxidative stress [total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidative status (TOS), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), malondialdehyde (MDA), extracellular glutathione peroxidase (GPX3), catalase (CAT) and total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD)] at timepoints before and throughout benznidazole treatment and after AA co-supplementation.

Results

AA co-supplementation effectively mitigated benznidazole-induced ADR during the aetiological treatment of chronic indeterminate CD. The kinetics of serum biomarkers of oxidative stress suggested significantly decreased oxidative insult in our patient.

Conclusions

We hypothesize that the key pathophysiological mechanism of benznidazole-associated toxicity is oxidative stress, rather than hypersensitivity. AA co-supplementation may improve adherence to benznidazole treatment of chronic indeterminate (or acute) CD. Oxidative stress biomarkers have the potential to guide the clinical management of CD. Prospective studies are needed to establish the benefit of antioxidant co-supplementation to benznidazole treatment of CD in reducing benznidazole toxicity, parasite clearance and the prevention of end-organ damage.