bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How can Exchange Rates be Determined? Revisited from the Case of US-Yen Exchange Rate
Authors: Kurihara Yutaka
Published: March 2023

The issue ‘how can exchange rates be determined?’ has been discussed since the mid-1970s when a floating exchange rate system was introduced in developed economies. Many theories have been presented and have been examined empirically. Despite the fact that some trends which are strongly related to economic conditions all over the world have existed, several theories are now supported by academic fields. There seems to be some consensus. On the other hand, empirical studies have varied and they are not unified. This study focuses on representative theories, namely purchasing power parity, monetary approach, and interest rate parity, and these theories are examined empirically. The results show that these three theories fit well with reality. Representative theories can be used for the prediction of exchange rates when some limitations are permitted. However, examining long-term periods introduce many factors that have an influence on exchange rates. There are still many problems that interfere with exchange rate prediction.
Leven en Werken in de Kempen: De eerste fabriekswerkers tussen 1870 en 1886 - Tabellen
Authors: Tack Gil
Published: March 2023

Aangepaste tabellen bij Gil Tack, Leven en Werken in de Kempen. De eerste fabriekswerkers tussen 1870 en 1886, Turnhout: Brepols, 2023.

Tabel 10.1. Budget van een financieel goed geplaatst gezin, uitgaven per jaar.

Tabel 10.2. Budget van een beeldhouwer, uitgaven per jaar.

https://www.brepols.net/products/IS-9789056220747-1
Approximations of center manifolds for delay stochastic differential equations with additive noise
Authors: Wu Longyu , Gong Jiaxin , Yang Juan , Shu Ji
Published: March 2023

This article deals with approximations of center manifolds for delay stochastic differential equations with additive noise. We first prove the existence and smoothness of random center manifolds for these approximation equations. Then we show that the

C

k

{C}^{k}

invariant center manifolds of the system with colored noise approximate that of the original system.
Risk factors and inflammatory markers in acute coronary syndrome-ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)
Authors: Karthikeyan Thirumurthi , Raja Mani , Radha Devarajan , Gaur T Archana , Geetha Jeganathan , Sakthivadivel Varatharajan
Published: March 2023

Objectives

The increasing prevalence of coronary artery disease [CAD] poses worrying statistics. Atherosclerosis of coronary vessels is the main culprit for the spectrum of CAD especially acute coronary syndrome. Atherosclerosis is regarded as a consequence of inflammatory changes in the coronaries. Our study aimed to assess the role of risk factors and inflammatory markers with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction [STEMI].

Methods

100 patients with ST-elevation Myocardial infarction [STEMI] and 100 age and sex matched controls were included in the study. A history of risk factors like smoking, hypertension, diabetes and hypertension was noted. A venous blood sample was obtained for analysis of inflammatory markers. The data thus obtained was statistically analyzed.

Results

The cases had a significant number of risk factors such as smoking, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, previous history of CAD, increased body mass index [BMI], and raised high sensitive C-reactive protein [hs-CRP]. Patients with anterior myocardial infarction were older and had hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Patients with inferior myocardial infarction had high BMI, raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR] and alcoholism. Smokers, patients with diabetes mellitus, high total cholesterol, Low-density lipoprotein [LDL] cholesterol, and hs-CRP were more prone to complications.

Conclusions

Patients with a greater number of risk factors and raised inflammatory markers were at high risk of STEMI and its complications. An approach to control the modifiable risk factors like obesity and lifestyle changes can reduce the disease burden.
Adaptive Runge–Kutta regularization for a Cauchy problem of a modified Helmholtz equation
Authors: Jday Fadhel , Omri Haithem
Published: March 2023

In this paper, we investigate the Cauchy problem for the modified Helmholtz equation. We consider the data completion problem in a bounded cylindrical domain on which the Neumann and the Dirichlet conditions are given in a part of the boundary. Since this problem is ill-posed, we reformulate it as an optimal control problem with an appropriate cost function. The method of factorization of boundary value problems is used to immediately obtain an approximation of the missing boundary data. In order to regularize this problem, we firstly scrutinize two classical regularizations for the cost function. Then we propose a new numerical regularization named “adaptive Runge–Kutta regularization”, which does not require any penalization term. Finally, we compare them numerically.
COVID-19 in Mass Media: Manufacturing Mass Perceptions of the Virus among Older Adults
Authors: Pelletier Petra , Kanozia Rubal , Arya Ritu , Lefort Claire , McLaughlin Cécile , Boespflug Magali , Alain Sophie
Published: March 2023

According to the latest The Global Risks Report (2022) of World Economic Forum, the large-scale coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) threat creates various tensions that might lead to unexpected cascading impacts in various domains. Nevertheless, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, about 120 nm in diameter, remains invisible to people whose cognition, emotions, and health-related behaviors are driven primarily by the subjective perception of the virus. Mass media communicating information, symbols, beliefs, and codes of conduct to the population contribute widely to the socially constructed representations of the new SARS-CoV-2 virus. Thus, the aim of the current research is to investigate the impacts of the common COVID-19 mass media image of the “ball with spikes” representing the SARS-CoV-2 virus on older adults particularly vulnerable to the COVID-19 coronavirus disease and fake news dissemination. This research is based on an innovative mixed-methods research design that combines questionnaires (N = 144), semi-structured research interviews, and pictographic measures (N = 26). The primary results demonstrate that individuals’ perceptions of and emotional reactions to the invisible SARS-CoV-2 virus are shaped by mass media exposure, as the “ball with spikes” became a familiar symbol of the COVID-19 virus, marked by the symbolism of dangerousness and mystery with a divisive aesthetic. The current research that aims to highlight the role of mass media as the vector of an icon image of the new SARS-CoV-2 virus provides additional elements that may contribute to improved crisis management effectiveness of future pandemic outbreaks.
Francis, France, the French. Was French culture in fact central to St. Francis of Assisi?
Authors: Gambino Francesca
Published: March 2023

This article explores Francis of Assisi’s relationship with France, starting with his name, and concluding that the importance of courtly culture for his personal development is generally overestimated in scholarship. In some hagiographic sources, it is indeed said that Francis used to praise God in French, but the contexts make it clear that this ability is instilled by the Holy Spirit and is therefore a glossolalic (‘divinely inspired speech’) phenomenon. Other references to French culture appear only in hagiographic legends, never in the writings of Francis, and are mainly attributable to the cultural climate of the period in which these later works were written.
Body Composition, Anthropometric Parameters, and Strength-Endurance Characteristics of Sport Climbers: A Systematic Review
Authors: Ginszt Michał , Saito Mika , Zięba Estera , Majcher Piotr , Kikuchi Naoki
Published: March 2023

Ginszt, M, Saito, M, Zięba, E, Majcher, P, and Kikuchi, N. Body composition, anthropometric parameters, and strength-endurance characteristics of sport climbers: a systematic review. J Strength Cond Res 37(6): 1339–1348, 2023—Sport climbing was selected to be part of the Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo 2021 with 3 subdisciplines: lead climbing, speed climbing, and bouldering. The nature of physical effort while speed climbing, lead climbing, and bouldering performance is different. This literature review aimed to describe differences between body composition, anthropometric parameters, and upper-limb strength-endurance variables between sport climbers with different ability levels and nonclimbers. The following databases were searched: PubMed and Scopus. The following keywords were used: “sport climbing,” “rock climbing,” “lead climbing,” and “bouldering.” Articles were considered from January 2000 to October 2021 if they concerned at least one of the following parameters: body composition (mass, body mass index, body fat, lean muscle mass, bone mineral density), anthropometric parameters (height, ape index), muscle strength (MVC finger strength in half-crimp grip, MVC finger strength to body mass, handgrip strength), and muscle endurance (force time integral, pull-ups). A review shows that body mass and body fat content were lower in the sport climbers compared with controls and in elite sport climbers compared with those less advanced. Sport climbers presented higher values of MVC finger strength in half-crimp grip, MVC finger strength to body mass, handgrip strength, and force time integral parameter than control subjects. Significantly higher MVC values in half-crimp grip were observed in elite sport climbers than in advanced athletes. None of the analyzed work showed differences between sport climber groups in the ape index. The abovementioned parameters may be a key factor in elite sport climbing performance.
Preparation and luminescence properties of Mg2Sr2-XTiO4: Eu3+, Gd3+ red phosphors
Authors:   Guangxi Key Laboratory of Optical and Electronic Materials and Devices, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541004, China, Li You , Huang Heng Jian ,   Guangxi Key Laboratory of Optical and Electronic Materials and Devices, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541004, China, Dong Li Min ,   Key Laboratory of Engineering Dielectrics and Its Application, Ministry of Education, Harbin University of Science and Technology, Harbin, China, Li Dan ,   Key Laboratory of Engineering Dielectrics and Its Application, Ministry of Education, Harbin University of Science and Technology, Harbin, China, Shi Wen Hao ,   Guangxi Key Laboratory of Optical and Electronic Materials and Devices, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541004, China, Yin Jia Rong ,   Guangxi Key Laboratory of Optical and Electronic Materials and Devices, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541004, China
Published: March 2023

Titanate-based luminescent materials have a strong absorption capacity for blue and near-ultraviolet light. Here, a sol-gel method is used to prepare a high-efficiency red phosphor of magnesium titanate Mg2Sr2-xTiO4: Eu3+, Gd3+ doped with rare-earth ions. The optimal doping concentrations of the activator rare earth ion Eu3+ and the sensitizer Gd3+ were investigated. Furthermore, the doping of a certain amount of Sr2+ and Na+ effectively improves the luminescence properties of silicate luminescent materials. The luminescence spectrum shows that the luminescent material has red monochromaticity and the strongest red-light emission is 614nm, which can be used for WLED.
Elastic properties of SiO2 nanostructure in high-pressure conditions
Authors:   Astronomy, Astrophysics and Geophysics Research Center, Algeria, Radi Z. , Tlili S. ,   Development of New and Renewable Energies in Arid and Saharan Zones Laboratory (LARENZA), Department of Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Material Sciences, Kasdi Merbah Ouargla University, Ouargla 30000, Algeria, Layadi K. ,   Astronomy, Astrophysics and Geophysics Research Center, Algeria, Louail L. ,   Laboratory for Studies of Surfaces and Interfaces of Solid Materials (LESIMS), Ferhat Abbas University, Sétif, Algeria., Yells-Chaouche A. ,   Astronomy, Astrophysics and Geophysics Research Center, Algeria, Madhekour Y. ,   Laboratory for Studies of Surfaces and Interfaces of Solid Materials (LESIMS), Ferhat Abbas University, Sétif, Algeria., Guettouche S. ,   Astronomy, Astrophysics and Geophysics Research Center, Algeria
Published: March 2023

In this study, the elastic properties of two high-pressure polymorphs SiO2 nanostructure, stishovite and CaCl2-type, are obtained using Density Functional Theory in 0-80 GPa high pressure domain at zero temperature, based on reducing an interacting many-electron problem to a single-electron problem. It is shown that below 40 GPa, the stishovite phase is more stable; superior to this limit, the CaCl2-type phase becomes more stable, using Gibbs free energy method. Furthermore, the pressure dependence of the density, volume, bulk, and shear moduli were defined in the selected pressure domain.
Effect of TiO2 nanoparticles filler on structural, optical, thermal, and mechanical properties of TiO2/LDPE nanocomposites films
Authors:   Division of Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, Pathum Thani 12110, Thailand, Thongpool V. , Phunpueok A. ,   Division of Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, Pathum Thani 12110, Thailand, Jaiyen S. ,   Division of Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, Pathum Thani 12110, Thailand, Sornkwan T. ,   Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, Pathum Thani 12110, Thailand, Jakarbutr W. ,   Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, Pathum Thani 12110, Thailand, Minyong P. ,   Department of Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering, Faculty of Technical Education, Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, Pathum Thani 12110, Thailand
Published: March 2023

This study blended low-density polyethylene (LDPE) polymer matrix with titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles as UV blocking filler to create a greenhouse cover film. The best properties for greenhouse application were discovered in TiO2/LDPE nanocomposites films with 5% wt TiO2 nanoparticles, according to the results. TiO2/LDPE nanocomposites films prepared in all conditions can block almost 100% of the UV (200- 400 nm) radiation and show good thermal stability. The TiO2/LDPE nanocomposites films with 5% wt TiO2 nanoparticles has a light transmittance in the visible range of about 80%, sufficient for plant photosynthesis. In addition, it showed good mechanical properties with 12.142 MPa of tensile strength and 319.274% of elongation at break.
Capacitive response of nanoporous HMDSO film coated interdigited electrodes towards VOCs molecules
Authors:   Laboratory of Electronic Materials Study for Medical Applications, Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Constantine 1, Constantine 25000, Algeria, Dallah K. , Bellel A. ,   Laboratory of Electronic Materials Study for Medical Applications, Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Constantine 1, Constantine 25000, Algeria, Lezzar O. C. ,   Laboratory of Electronic Materials Study for Medical Applications, Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Constantine 1, Constantine 25000, Algeria, Sahli S. ,   Laboratory of Microsystems and Instrumentations, Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Constantine 1, Constantine 25000, Algeria
Published: March 2023

In this paper, nano-porous thin films capacitive-type sensors have been fabricated for the detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) using the micro sized interdigitated electrodes (IDEs). The sensitive layers were elaborated from hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO) using plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) technique. The choice of HMDSO polymer as sensitive layer is based on its low dielectric constant compared to analytes ones. The sensing performances of plasma polymers were strongly correlated to their chemical and physical properties, which depend directly on the plasma polymerization conditions including monomer pressure. The sensor sensitivity was at its highest value of 0.32, 0.24 and 0.20 pF/ppm towards methanol, ethanol and acetone, respectively, for the device fabricated with the smallest gap (36 µm) and higher monomer pressure (50 Pa). Chemical and morphological structures of the elaborated thin sensitive layers have been investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM), respectively.
Novel statistically optimized one pot synthesis of inherently photoluminescent and electroactive graphene oxide nanosheets as 1, 4 dioxane sensor
Authors:   Centre for Nanoscience and Technology, Anna University, Chennai-600025, Tamil Nadu, India, Renjithkumar R. , Iffath B. ,   Centre for Nanoscience and Technology, Anna University, Chennai-600025, Tamil Nadu, India, Devasena T. ,   Centre for Nanoscience and Technology, Anna University, Chennai-600025, Tamil Nadu, India
Published: March 2023

1, 4 dioxane predominantly found in industrial effluents and air force plants, is of great concern worldwide due to its toxic and carcinogenic nature. Currently, there are limited research on 1,4 dioxane sensors and most of these sensors are intricate metal oxide composites. This study reports the fabrication of novel inherently electroactive graphene oxide nanosheets derived from a natural polyphenolic compound, and the process parameters were statistically optimized using TOPSIS based Taguchi L9 orthogonal array. The proposed novel sensor was employed in the linear range (0.1µM to 3µM) that conforms with the WHO guideline (0.56 µM) for dioxane in water, showed good sensitivity (117 nAnM-1 cm-2 ), detection limit (20.51 nM) and quantification limit (62.16 nM) which is far superior compared to the reported literature on dioxane sensing systems.
Effect of reduced graphene oxide hybridization on ZnO nanoparticles sensitivity to NO2 gas: A DFT study
Authors:   Department of Pharmacy, Al-Rasheed University College, Baghdad, Iraq, Abdulsattar M. A. , Hussein M. T. ,   Department of Physics, College of Science, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq, Kahaly M. U. ,   ELI-ALPS, ELI-HU Non-Profit Ltd., Szeged, Hungary
Published: March 2023

In the present work, a density functional theory (DFT) calculation to simulate reduced graphene oxide (rGO) hybrid with zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticle's sensitivity to NO2 gas is performed. In comparison with the experiment, DFT calculations give acceptable results to available bond lengths, lattice parameters, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), energy gaps, Gibbs free energy, enthalpy, entropy, etc. to ZnO, rGO, and ZnO/rGO hybrid. ZnO and rGO show n-type and p-type semiconductor behavior, respectively. The formed p-n heterojunction between rGO and ZnO is of the staggering gap type. Results show that rGO increases the sensitivity of ZnO to NO2 gas as they form a hybrid. ZnO/rGO hybrid has a higher number of vacancies that can be used to attract oxygen atoms from NO2 and change the resistivity of the hybrid. The combined reduction of oxygen from NO2 and NO can give a very high value of the Gibbs free energy of reaction that explains the ppb level sensitivity of the ZnO/rGO hybrid. The dissociation of NO2 in the air reduces the sensitivity of the ZnO/rGO hybrid at temperatures higher than 300 ̊C.
Analysis of a-Si:H/SiGe heterostructure solar cell
Authors:   Laboratory of Semiconductor Devices Physic, University of Tahri Mohamed, PB 417, Bechar (08000), Algeria, Ayat L. , Idda A. ,   Laboratory of Semiconductor Devices Physic, University of Tahri Mohamed, PB 417, Bechar (08000), Algeria
Published: March 2023

In this paper we present the results of the numerical simulation using wx-AMPS1D software of a solar cell based on hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si: H / c-SiGe), the top layer has the largest band gap, while the bottom layer has the smallest bandgap. This design allows less energetic photons to pass through the upper layer(s) and be absorbed by the layer below, which increases the overall efficiency of the solar cell to obtain an efficiency high conversion rate. As the results, remarkable improvements on Voc, Jsc and FF have been achieved with the incorporation of n-c-SiGe layer, we achieved an efficiency of 11.93%.
Theological arguments of Hubert Hayer
Authors:   Duquesne University Pittsburgh, PA, USA, Drozdek Adam
Published: March 2023

Hubert Hayer, an eighteenth century French Catholic theologian, waged a theological battle against anti-religious sentiment of his times. He presented a massive, elaborate treatise proving that the soul is an incorporeal entity endowed with attributes and faculties that cannot be explained in purely materialist terms. In addition, he presented arguments showing the immortality of the soul. However, these arguments relied to a large extent on the attributes of God and so he also presented several proofs of the existence of God.
The Procedure of Joining the order in Belarus in the Second Half of XIX and at the Beginning of XX Century: Legislation and Practice
Authors:   Belarus Institute of History NAN, Minsk, Zianiuk Raisa
Published: March 2023

The article highlights the evolution of the legislation of the Russian Empire regarding the rules for joining the monastic order. It also shows how the approach to understanding the organization of monastic life in the Russian Empire has evolved: from the order as the main form to the monastery. On the examples of some people who wanted to join a monastic order, the discrepancy between the state legislation that allowed entry, and the practice that forbade them is shown.
Tras las huellas del concepto de responsabilidad social universitaria: aportes para la disertación
Authors: Naranjo César
Published: March 2023

This article presents the history of the concept ‘university social responsibility (USR)’, the result of a methodological requirement in the research process of a doctoral thesis. It is intended, through the literature review that deals with the subject, to reach the approach to various theoretical references in the historical evolution of the concept of 'responsibility' that allow to know and understand some of the ways in which, since modernity, it has been adjective in and from various scenarios and disciplinary areas, to finally permeate the reflections and dynamics of higher education, until becoming, at present, from an ethical criterion, a central issue in the agendas of the universities under the nomination of university social responsibility.
La formación en el trabajo en la economía popular rural organizada de Concordia, Argentina
Authors: Palumbo María Mercedes
Published: March 2023

This research article is aimed at inquiring on the ways of configuration of on-the-labour formation within organized rural popular economy. Specifically, we analyze the rural sector of the Movimiento de Trabajadores Excluidos (Movement of Excluded Workers) in Concordia city, located in the northeast of Entre Ríos province, in Argentina. We focus on three dimensions of on-the-labor formation built for the analysis: the cross-generational aspect, the urban-rural articulation, the trade union organizational frame. The research was based on a qualitative methodological design. We held a fieldwork in a hybrid modality (virtual and on-site) that combined in-depth interviews, visits and observations of quotidian situations, as well as audio-visual records. The findings indicate that on-the-labor formation is configurated from different dimensions that imply specific kinds of knowledge (technical, political, syndical) and scales, that include production unit, the rural sector and the movement at the local and national level. The organizational frame constitutes an aspect that mediates those knowledge and scales.
Perfect Storm
Authors: Von Feigenblatt Otto
Published: March 2023

K-12 Education is in crisis in the United States of America. At the center of the crisis looms a severe teacher shortage. To understand the severity of the crisis it is necessary to explore the nexus between structural factors, strategic blunders, and the socio-economic environment. A case study guided by grounded theory, helps elucidate the complex nature of the phenomenon. Official statements released by school districts, the Department of Education of Florida, and professional associations are interpreted through the constant comparative method to reveal the interaction between strategy, structure, and environmental context. A tentative model of the interrelationship between factors considered to be important by the organizations in question was developed to help stakeholders understand the complexity of the crisis and by doing so, engage in more constructive and effective ways in the policymaking process.
RESPONSABILIDAD CIVIL DERIVADA DEL USO DE SISTEMAS DE IA. SITUACIÓN ACTUAL Y RETOS PARA UN FUTURO REGLAMENTO EUROPEO
Authors: CAMPOS RIVERA GONZALO
Published: March 2023

La irrupción de los sistemas de inteligencia artificial (IA) en la vida humana ha llevado al cuestionamiento del actual modelo de responsabilidad civil previsto en la Directiva 85/374 y su normativa de transposición para los daños derivados de productos defectuosos. La posibilidad de que los sistemas de IA puedan desarrollar una «razón» algorítmica supone un importante reto jurídico para los Estados Miembro. Como alternativa, proponemos la adaptación del marco normativo europeo de responsabilidad civil a través de un modelo ecléctico basado en la aminoración de la carga de la prueba del defecto por parte del damnificado, la cuasi-objetivación de la responsabilidad del productor y la gestión de riesgos de producción. Por otro lado, estimamos pertinente la creación de personalidades jurídicas ad hoc a efectos de imputación de responsabilidad civil al sistema de inteligencia artificial que permita a los productores no asumir este tipo de daños.
Ordered mesoporous TiO2/activated carbon for adsorption and photocatalysis of Acid Red 18 solution
Authors: Zhang Ji , Liu Fu , Gao Jianmin , Chen Yao , Hao Xinmin
Published: March 2023

Ordered mesoporous TiO2, loaded on walnut shell-based activated carbon, was prepared via sol-gel and ultrasonic-assisted technology. The obtained composites (M-TiO2/AC) were characterized via X-ray diffraction, N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The adsorption–photocatalytic reduction capabilities were calculated using the removal rate of Acid Red 18 solution via UV spectrophotometry. The specific area of M-TiO2/AC increased from 563 m2·g-1 to 881 m2·g-1, compared to TiO2/AC. The removal rate was 92.3% when the Acid Red 18 with a concentration of 80 mg·L-1 was subjected to illumination for 2 h with 0.15 g of M-TiO2/AC. Under this condition the removal rate of Acid Red 18 solution by M-TiO2/AC was higher than that of TiO2/AC (83.7%), or AC (73.1%), which was attributed to the regular mesoporous structure, pore-pore synergistic amplification, and TiO2 photocatalysis. Acid Red 18 might be oxidized and decomposed into small molecular substances, such as CO2 and H2O, by strong oxidizing free hydroxyl radicals provided during the photocatalytic process by M-TiO2. The adsorption and photocatalytic processes followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Internal diffusion and external diffusion processes influenced the adsorption rate.
Adsorption of Hg(II) ions from aqueous solution by thiosemicarbazide-modified cellulose adsorbent
Authors: Jiang Jiahao , Wang Xiwen
Published: March 2023

A highly selective cellulose-based adsorbent for mercury [(Hg)II] ion was prepared and characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectrometry, elemental analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that functional thiosemicarbazide-grafted cellulose achieved equilibrium adsorption in 120 min, and the adsorbents had a Hg(II) ion removal rate of approximately 98.5% at a pH of 5.0. The adsorption kinetics fit the pseudo-second-order model, which indicated that the adsorption was a chemical process. Additionally, the adsorption isotherm data showed a best fit with the Langmuir isotherm model, with a maximum Hg(II) ion adsorption capacity of 331.1 mg/g. This adsorbent had a good selectivity for Hg(II) during competitive adsorption.
Pollutant characteristics from wastewater of poplar pre-conditioning refiner chemical alkaline peroxide mechanical pulping pretreated with Phanerochaete chrysosporium
Authors: Yang Zong-Zheng , Guo Ya-Nan , Liu Ai-Lin , Zhang Jie , Wang Ming-Yue , Liu Ying , Cao Xiao-Le , Wu Zhi-Guo , Wu Li-Ya , Wang Chun-Hu , Cao Jing-Guo
Published: March 2023

The compositions of the organic pollutants of chemi-mechanical pulping wastewater were studied using Fourier transform infrared spectra and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) was approximately 18110 mg/L, and the ratio of biological oxygen demand to COD (BOD5/COD) was approximately 0.17, due to low biodegradability. In this study, Phanerochaete chrysosporium was selected and the changes in bacterial culture time required to transform pulping wastewater and the metabolites present before and after pretreatment in the wastewater were identified. A decline in the components of the pulping wastewater was observed. Initially, 43 kinds of organic compounds were detected in the raw water. After 3 days of treatment, only 21 organic compounds were detected. Then, 7 days later, the organic pollutants in the waste amounted to only 7 organic compounds. Through the analysis of analysis of P-RC APMP pulping wastewater and that treated by Phanerochaete chrysosporium using GC-MS, the relative content of organic acids was 12.4%, in which phenylpropionic acid had the highest concentration of 11.3%. So, in the culture medium, phenylpropionic acid as the single carbon source can be completely degraded within 96 h.
Biosorption of heavy metals by lignocellulosic biomass and chemical analysis
Authors: Lindholm-Lehto Petra C.
Published: March 2023

Many types of lignocellulosic biomass show effective binding of toxic heavy metals from industrial and environmental effluents. Biosorption is an emerging option for conventional methods to remove heavy metals, some of them with even better efficiencies compared to conventional methods. Raw material for biosorption is typically low-cost and easily available, including agricultural waste or forest residues such as sawdust, bark, or needles. This review concentrates on the accumulation of heavy metals by lignocellulosic biosorbents. Thus far, biosorption has not been economically feasible on a large scale and needs further development for profitability. Industrial-scale wood-based biosorbent applications are especially still lacking. Moreover, due to legislative demands, there is an increasing need for accurate and reliable analytical methods for metal analysis of environmental and industrial effluents. In the future, biosorption processes are likely to become common, and the requirement for environmental monitoring will increase due to ever restricting regulations. This emphasizes not only the need for the development of feasible process solutions, but also a requirement for accurate analytical methods.
Effect of humic acid as an organic additive on growth performance, carcass traits and selected blood parameters of Japanese quails
Authors: Zigo František , Vargová Mária , Veszelits Laktičová Katarína , Mišková Jana
Published: March 2023

The supplementation of different organic sources to diet have become an inherent practice in poultry production to improve the growth and quality of meat. Therefore evaluation of the effects of humic acids (HA) on the final body weight, carcass traits and the changes in selected blood parameters of Japanese quails was the major concern in this study. A total of 72 one day old unsexed Japanese quail chicks from line Pharaoh fed a commercial diet were randomly divided into one control and two experimental groups (n=24) with two replications (12 and 12 per pen), and fattened for 52 days. The dietary treatments consisted of the basal or control diet without supplementation and the diet supplemented with 0.5% and 1.0% of humic acids (HA1 group at 5g•kg-1 and HA2 group at 10g•kg-1) from the 1st day finally to 52 days of fattening in HA1 and HA2 group, respectively. The results showed that quails weight and carcass yields of breast and thigh meat after 52 days of fattening did not show any alterations between monitored groups. The 1% addition of HA had a positive impact on the reduction of blood cholesterol level, which can contribute to the use of HA in the feed for the production of quality meat with low-fat content
Hematological features of patients with type 2 diabetes depending on the variant of SARS-COV-2
Authors:   I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University, Ukraine, Petakh P. ,   Uzhhorod National University, Ukraine, Loshak K. ,   Uzhhorod National University, Ukraine, Kamyshnyi A. ,   I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University, Ukraine
Published: March 2023

The aim of our work was to investigate the peculiarities of hematological indicators in patients with COVID-19 depending on the variant of SARS-CoV-2. A retrospective study of the electronic medical records of 19 patients with the delta variant (7 patients had comorbidity with type 2 diabetes (T2D); 12 patients without T2D - control group) and 46 patients with the omicron variant (26 patients had comorbidity with T2D; 20 patients without T2D - control group). No statistically significant differences were found in gender, the number of leukocytes, lymphocytes, and granulocytes in peripheral blood, C-reactive protein, and D-dimer. The results also showed a significant difference in procalcitonin level and monocyte count in patients with delta variant and T2D. A predictive model was developed using binary logistic regression to determine the SARS-CoV-2 variant based on hematological parameters (sensitivity - 76.5%, specificity - 84.8%). Thus, the peculiarities of hematological indicators of patients with T2D depending on the variant of SARS-CoV-2 (delta or omicron) were established.
EVALUATION OF THE EFFICIENCY OF THE NEUROPROTECTIVE DRUGS AFTER PRENATAL HYPOXIA
Authors:   Zaporizhzhia State Medical University, Ukraine, Belenichev I.F. , Aliyeva O.G. ,   Zaporizhzhia State Medical University, Ukraine, Gunina L.M. ,   National University of Physical Education and Sport of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine, Bukhtiyarova N.V. ,   Zaporizhzhia State Medical University, Ukraine
Published: March 2023

We studied the effect of angiolin, thiotriazoline, tamoxifen, glutaredoxin, cerebrocurin, mildronate, nicomex, L-arginine, HSF-1, and the reference drug piracetam on molecular markers of neurodestruction/neuroprotection in a model of chronic hemic prenatal hypoxia (PH) for experimentally substantiate the prospects for further study of these drugs as components of complex treatment of central nervous system damage at prenatal hypoxic. The concentration of HSP70, metalloproteinase-8 (MPP-8), and nitrotyrosine in the blood plasma of rats on days 30 and 60 after PH was studied by enzyme immunoassay. It has been established that chronic PH leads to an increase in the concentration of nitrotyrosine, MMP8, and inhibition of the synthesis of HSP70, which indicates a violation of the mechanisms of neuroprotection/neurodestruction processes regulation. Course injections of the studied preparations led to an increase in the level of HSP70 in the blood serum of animals and a decrease in the concentration of nitrotyrosine and MPP-8 with a prolonged effect. Cerebrocurin (150 mg/ kg), Angiolin (50 mg/kg), HSF-1 (50 mg/kg) and Glutaredoxin (200 μg/kg) most actively affected the parameters of the studied molecular markers, so they can be considered as promising neuroprotective agents means in complex therapy after PH.
The Biology of Neuropathic Pain
Authors:   Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute and Department of Pharmacology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, Smith P. A.
Published: March 2023

Nerve injury or disease often leads to intractable neuropathic pain. Axons which are severed undergo Wallerian degeneration. This involves the activation of Schwann cells, mast cells, fibroblasts, keratinocytes and epithelial cells and the release of inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and growth factors. These primary mediators sensitize sensory nerve endings, attract macrophages, neutrophils and lymphocytes, alter gene expression, promote post-translational modification of proteins and alter ion channel function. This evokes spontaneous activity in primary afferent neurons that is crucial for the onset and maintenance of pain. In addition, secondary mediators such as colony stimulating factor 1 are generated and released from primary afferent terminals. These promote release of tertiary mediators such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor and interleukin 1b from spinal microglia and astrocytes. Tertiary mediators facilitate the generation and transmission of nociceptive information by facilitating excitatory transmission and attenuating inhibitory transmission in the dorsal horn. Transfer of information between neurons and immune cells is bidirectional. Neurons directly control immune cell function in a process termed neurogenic neuroinflammation. Increased permeability of the blood-brain barrier allows access of immune cells to neurons in central pain pathways. This, together with neurogenic neuroinflammation, increases activity throughout the pain sensory system. This review provides an overview of processes involved in the generation and persistence of peripherally generated neuropathic pain. Attention is drawn to the idea that pain etiology is dependent on the nature of the injury and different processes operate in males compared to females.
Analysis of the structural and chemical state of the duplex – system of silicates – silicides of alkaline earth metals. Message 2. Duplex - system SiO2-MgO-CaO : Si-Mg–Ca
Authors:   Institute for Problem of Materials Science National Academy of Science of Ukraine, Belov B. , Trotsan A. , Vlasova O.
Published: March 2023

A polygonal diagram of the state of the CaO-SiO2-MgO ternary system was constructed in the entire range of concentrations of solid and liquid initial components, which increases the informativeness of polygonal diagrams of the state of metallurgical systems. The obtained results of the SCS analysis of the silicate and silicide phases of the duplex system SiO2–MgO–CaO : Si–Mg–Ca are the scientific basis for the optimization of blast furnace iron refining processes with smelting slags and magnesium alloys. Keywords: polygonal diagram, magnesium slag, silicate and silicide phases of calcium, physicochemical, technological and quantum-mechanical parameters.
Філософський аналіз екологічного світогляду
Authors: Мікаїлов Шасаддін
Published: March 2023

Проблеми, що виникають у зв'язку з життям людини, взаєминами людини з природою на нашій неспокійній планеті, є полем справжніх пошуків. У Новий час регулювання відносин людини і природи має універсальний зміст. Взагалі проблема людини та її ставлення до природи історично нерозривно пов'язана з вирішенням головної проблеми філософії. Навколо цієї проблеми століттями точиться гостра боротьба ідей. Нині ця боротьба загострилася. Зараз неможливо вирішити жодну іншу проблему, не розв’язавши проблему людини і природи. Проблему змішаного впливу природи і суспільства намагаються досліджувати не тільки представники цього напрямку, а й екологи, географи, кібернетики, економісти, медики, соціологи, психологи, генетики, юристи, математики та інші наукові напрями. Тому в останні роки часто обговорюється конфлікт між природою і суспільством, у тому числі й екологічна криза. Зараз на землі не вистачає питної води і чистого повітря, очевидне збіднення тваринного та рослинного світу. Вони безконтрольно видобувають із земної поверхні корисні копалини. Людство стало вирішальним чинником зміни та розвитку біосфери в 20 столітті. Гуманістичний погляд на природу та взаємний аналіз суспільного розвитку як однієї з важливих екологічних основ розв'язання сучасної екологічної кризи дозволяють дійти низки висновків. Ряд екологічних шкіл, що виникають на Заході, висунули свої методологічні концепції, що розходяться одна з одною (фізичний комплекс знань А.Уеслі, Ч. Монтейр, економіко-екологічний синтез Т. Дейлі, К. Боулдінг, А. Ніс та ін.). Дотепер у важливих державних документах збереження та примноження природних ресурсів, їх ефективне використання, формування високого почуття відповідальності висуваються як головні.
ДИНАМІКА І ЗУСИЛЛЯ У ШАРНІРІ ДВОЛАНКОВОЇ СИСТЕМИ ПРИ ПОЗИЦІОНУВАННІ КОРИСНОГО НАВАНТАЖЕННЯ ВІДНОСНО КОСМІЧНОГО АПАРАТУ
Authors: Beitsun V. S. , Tarasov S.V.
Published: March 2023

Проведено моделювання руху маніпулятора антропоморфного типу без моделей космічного апарату, корисного навантаження та з ними. Досліджено вплив часу розкладання частини маніпулятора на силові параметри поворотних вузлів. Метою статті є аналіз моделювання динаміки розгортання дволанкової системи при заданому керованому русі, визначення зусиль у шарнірі.
НЕСТАЦІОНАРНІ КОЛИВАННЯ П’ЄЗОЕЛЕКТРИЧНИХ ПЕРЕТВОРЮВАЧІВ З ФУНКЦІОНАЛЬНО-ГРАДІЄНТНИХ МАТЕРІАЛІВ
Authors: Hryhorieva L. O. , Yanchevskyi I. V.
Published: March 2023

Досліджуються нестаціонарні коливання п’єзоелементів різної геометрії в припущенні про функціональний розподіл матеріальних характеристик за товщиною п’єзоелемента. Для опису товщинних коливань п’єзоелектричних пластин, циліндрів та куль використовується уніфікована система розв’язуючих рівнянь. Порівнюються механічні коливання однорідних, двошарових та функціонально-градієнтних п’єзоелементів з твердої та м’якої п’єзокераміки PZT. Встановлено, що градієнтний перехід між матеріалами знижує швидкість поширення та підвищує амплітуду коливань в порівнянні з двошаровими тілами. Функціонально-градієнтний матеріал з параболічним розподілом за товщиною дає підвищення амплітуди на 12–30% в залежності від геометрії тіла. Рекомендується розміщувати м’яку п’єзокераміку біля закріплення для збільшення електромеханічної чутливості та зменшення напружень в защемленні.
INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECT OF NANOCOATINGS ON THE WEAR-RESISTANCE OF SOCKET CARBIDE MILLS
Authors: Kairov A. S. , Oshovsky V. Ya , Kairov V. A.
Published: March 2023

The results of studies of the wear-resistance of socket mills made of hard alloys in the processing of hard-to-process structural chromium steels are presented. The technology of hardening of cutting teeth with a wear-resistant coating obtained by the Physical Vapour Deposition method is considered. The influenceof the structure of the hardening composite coating based on titanium nitrides and carbonitrides on the mechanical characteristics and working capacity of the tool is shown. The nature of wear and brittle destruction of the working surfaces of the tool under intermittent cutting conditions and the influence of wear-resistant coatings on the thermal and stress state of the cutting wedge in the contact zone are investigated.
Avaliação espaço-temporal da qualidade da água do Rio Comandaí, através do Índice de Qualidade da Água
Authors: Thomaz Danilo , Centeno Luana Nunes , Tolentino Cecconello Samanta
Published: March 2023

O monitoramento dos recursos hídricos é um poderoso instrumento de avaliação e gestão da qualidade da água, uma vez que auxilia na redução dos impactos atrelados às atividades antrópicas. Contudo, para a realização do monitoramento da qualidade da água, é essencial conhecer o comportamento das características físicas, químicas e biológicas da água, ao longo do tempo e do espaço. Sendo assim, este estudo objetivou avaliar espacial e temporalmente a qualidade da água do Rio Comandai, localizado na Região Hidrográfica do Uruguai, através do Índice de Qualidade da Água (IQA-Cetesb). Foram coletados dados de três pontos diferentes ao longo dos anos de 2018, 2019 e 2020. Nestes dados foram aplicados a formulação matemática multiplicativa aglomerativa do IQA Cetesb e por meio desta foi possível identificar três faixas de qualidade da água ao longo da variação espacial estudada, a saber, ruim, aceitável e boa, sendo o ponto 2 o que apresentou a maior variabilidade temporal. Por fim, concluiu-se que o IQA-Cetesb, poderá servir de base preliminar para o monitoramento e gestão do rio Comandaí e servir como uma ferramenta de comunicação com a sociedade em geral.
Burning Still
Authors: Walley Akiko
Published: March 2023

Using an eighth-century copy of the 60-fascicle Flower Ornament Sutra as a case study, this article examines the transformation of a Buddhist scripture into an aesthetic object in early modern Japan. On the 14th day of the second month, 1667, a fire decimated Nigatsudo at Todaiji (Nara prefecture) along with most of the sacred objects within. Clerics salvaged partially burnt scrolls of an eighth-century Flower Ornament Sutra done in silver ink on indigo-dyed paper. The scrolls were restored ten years later, but by the first half of the eighteenth century, part of the set left the temple and began circulating in the art market as collectable calligraphy fragments, later known as the “Nigatsudo burnt sutra” (Nigatsudo yakegyo). This study traces the curious shift in the attribution of Nigatsudo yakegyo’s calligrapher that took place in the eighteenth century to consider how the burn marks impacted the transformation of this scripture from a devotional text into a collectable artefact. I argue that the curious switch in attribution occurred adhering to the popular imagination of the calligraphers, as well as the distinct role certain fragments played within the early-modern calligraphy collecting culture.
Philip Jenkins, Climate, Catastrophe, and Faith: How Changes in Climate Drive Religious Upheaval
Authors: Welch Shawn
Published: March 2023

Philip Jenkins, Climate, Catastrophe, and Faith: How Changes in Climate Drive Religious Upheaval(New York: Oxford University Press, 2021), 257 pp., $29.95, ISBN: 9780197506219.
Impact of metal doping and co-doping on the electrical and optical behavior of tin oxide nanoparticles
Authors: Thankaian Regin Das , Muthukrishnan Meena , Thiagamani Senthil Muthu Kumar , Siengchin Suchart , Rangappa Sanjay Manvikere
Published: March 2023

Metal oxide semiconductors with distinctive optical and electrical properties are required by the modern electronics industry. In this research, it was found that doping with transition and rare-earth metals is suitable for tuning the optical band gap and dielectric parameters of tin (IV) oxide (SnO2) nanoparticles (NPs) to meet the requirement for highly conductive semiconductors through one-step hydrothermal synthesis. Doping with samarium (Sm) results in tin (IV) oxide NPs having a narrower band gap (2.54 eV) than pure tin (IV) oxide NPs (3.36 eV) and increased conductivity at higher frequencies and temperatures, which are crucial for potential applications such as light-emitting diodes, biological labels and optoelectronic devices. The particle size of the doped and co-doped samples was found to be smaller than that of pure tin (IV) oxide, which effectively enhanced the quantum confinement effect in these metal oxides. Co-doping samarium–copper (Cu) ions into the tin (IV) oxide lattice was done for the first time to increase the dielectric strength, with the absorption shift toward the visible blue region suggesting the use of this particular sample for photocatalytic application.