bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study on the evolution of Chinese characters based on few-shot learning: From oracle bone inscriptions to regular script
Authors: Wang Mengru , Cai Yu , Gao Li , Feng Ruichen , Jiao Qingju , Ma Xiaolin , Jia Yu
Published: August 2022

Oracle bone inscriptions (OBIs) are ancient Chinese scripts originated in the Shang Dynasty of China, and now less than half of the existing OBIs are well deciphered. To date, interpreting OBIs mainly relies on professional historians using the rules of OBIs evolution, and the remaining part of the oracle’s deciphering work is stuck in a bottleneck period. Here, we systematically analyze the evolution process of oracle characters by using the Siamese network in Few-shot learning (FSL). We first establish a dataset containing Chinese characters which have finished a relatively complete evolution, including images in five periods: oracle bone inscriptions, bronze inscriptions, seal inscriptions, official script, and regular script. Then, we compare the performance of three typical algorithms, VGG16, ResNet, and AlexNet respectively, as the backbone feature extraction network of the Siamese network. The results show that the highest F1 value of 83.3% and the highest recognition accuracy of 82.67% are obtained by the combination of VGG16 and Siamese network. Based on the analysis, the typical structural performance of each period is evaluated and we identified that the optimized Siamese network is feasible to study the evolution of the OBIs. Our findings provide a new approach for oracle’s deciphering further.
Effect of preconditioning on propofol-induced neurotoxicity during the developmental period
Authors: Shibuta Satoshi , Morita Tomotaka , Kosaka Jun
Published: August 2022

At therapeutic concentrations, propofol (PPF), an anesthetic agent, significantly elevates intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2 +]i) and induces neural death during the developmental period. Preconditioning enables specialized tissues to tolerate major insults better compared with tissues that have already been exposed to sublethal insults. Here, we investigated whether the neurotoxicity induced by clinical concentrations of PPF could be alleviated by prior exposure to sublethal amounts of PPF. Cortical neurons from embryonic day (E) 17 Wistar rat fetuses were cultured in vitro, and on day in vitro (DIV) 2, the cells were preconditioned by exposure to PPF (PPF-PC) at either 100 nM or 1 μM for 24 h. For morphological observations, cells were exposed to clinical concentrations of PPF (10 μM or 100 μM) for 24 h and the survival ratio (SR) was calculated. Calcium imaging revealed significant PPF-induced [Ca2+]i elevation in cells on DIV 4 regardless of PPF-PC. Additionally, PPF-PC did not alleviate neural cell death induced by PPF under any condition. Our findings indicate that PPF-PC does not alleviate PPF-induced neurotoxicity during the developmental period.
Can adherence to moral standards and ethical behaviors help maintain a sense of purpose in life? Evidence from a longitudinal study of middle-aged and older adults
Authors: Weziak-Bialowolska Dorota , Bialowolski Piotr
Published: August 2022

Personal factors, such as character strengths, have been shown to be favorably associated with concurrent and future well-being. Positive associations have also been reported between purpose in life and concurrent and subsequent health and well-being. Evidence on antecedents of purpose in life is, however, limited. This study examines whether the adherence to moral standards and ethical behaviors (AMSEB) is associated with subsequent purpose in life. Data from the Health and Retirement Study obtained from a sample of 8,788 middle-aged and older adults in the US (mean age = 64.9 years, age range 50–96 years) were used. The prospective associations between AMSEB and purpose in life were examined using generalized linear models. A rich set of covariates and prior outcomes were used as controls to reduce the risk of reverse causation. The robustness analyses included computation of sensitivity measures, E-values, and running a set of secondary analyses conducted on subsamples of respondents and using a limited set of covariates. It was found that middle-aged and older adults who demonstrated higher AMSEB reported a higher sense of purpose in life after the 4-year follow-up period. This association was found to be monotonic, moderately robust to potential unmeasured confounding and independent of demographics, prior socioeconomic status, prior health conditions, and health behaviors as well as prior psychological predispositions such as dispositional optimism and life satisfaction. It was also robust to missing data patterns. Policymakers and health practitioners may consider a predisposition to adherence to moral standards and ethical behaviors as a potential intervention target, as its improvement and/or maintenance has the potential to improve longevity and to help promote healthy and purposeful aging.
Reasoning on conflicting information: An empirical study of Formal Argumentation
Authors: Guillaume Mathieu , Cramer Marcos , van der Torre Leendert , Schiltz Christine
Published: August 2022

According to the Argumentative Theory, human reasoning has an argumentative function, which consists of devising and evaluating arguments for and against various claims. It is however unclear how humans handle conflicting claims they face in everyday life (i.e., “Bob is telling me that Alice is at the library” vs. “Charles is telling me that Alice is at home”). We here investigate human argumentative reasoning in the light of Formal Argumentation, a research field that develops formal methods to give a normative account of argumentation and reasoning about conflicting information. In Formal Argumentation, multiple argumentation semantics that allow selecting sets of jointly acceptable arguments have been proposed. Nonetheless, it is unclear which of these semantics predicts best how humans evaluate the acceptability of conflicting arguments. We conducted an empirical study in which 130 young adults judged natural language arguments. We instructed them to draw the attack relation between the given arguments and to evaluate the acceptability of each of these arguments. Our results show that human judgments on the existence and directionality of attacks between the arguments conform to theoretical predictions from Formal Argumentation. We further found out that some less well-known argumentation semantics predicted human evaluation better than the most well-known semantics. These findings support the cognitive plausibility of variants of Formal Argumentation and bring new insights into reasoning about conflicting information.
The role of microbiota in immunotherapy outcomes in colorectal cancer patients: A protocol for a systematic review
Authors: Ajab Suad , Zoughbor Sumaya , Labania Lena , Olanda Marie , Östlundh Linda , Al Rasbi Zakeya
Published: August 2022

In the human gut, there are many microbes, including bacteria, viruses and parasites. The imbalance in the numbers of each type of these microbes can translate into gastrointestinal disorders. Lately, different microbiota patterns have been associated with the levels of efficacy of immunotherapy in multiple cancer conditions. Studies have shown that patients with a more diverse gut microbiome respond better to immunotherapy than those with a homogeneous microbiome. This systematic review aims to identify and assess the available evidence on the efficacy of immunotherapy in treating colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and the effect of their microbiota on their treatment outcomes. The researchers will study the literature regarding CRC and immunotherapy outcomes to survey the different approaches employed to assess the treatment outcomes. A systematic search will be performed in five biomedical databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Library) in June-July, 2022. Also, open-access registers of clinical trials will be trawled. The search will be conducted without geographical or publication date restrictions; however, only papers published in the English language will be sought. Details regarding patients’ diets, lifestyles, and characteristics will be assessed. We will define the primary outcome to compare CRC patients’ immunotherapy responses with their gut microbiota composition. The systematic review methodology does not require ethics approval due to the nature of the study design. The systematic review results will be published in an open-access peer-reviewed journal.

PROSPERO ID: CRD42021277691.
Prevalence and barriers to male involvement in antenatal care in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: A facility-based mixed-methods study
Authors: Mapunda Bosco , August Furaha , Mwakawanga Dorkas , Mhando Isaya , Mgaya Andrew
Published: August 2022

Background

Men have traditionally not been fully involved in reproductive health care of their partners, and yet, they play a crucial role in family decision-making and therefore crucial key players in preventing poor pregnancy outcomes. This study aimed to assess prevalence and determinants of male participation in maternal health care and explore male partners’ perspective of their involvement in antenatal care at an urban tertiary referral facility.

Methods

A mixed-methods study was conducted from October 2018 to January 2019 at Muhimbili National Hospital. A cross-sectional survey of 428 nursing mothers and two focus group discussions of male partners (n = 7 and n = 11) of women attending antenatal clinic and nursing mothers in the post-natal ward were performed. Using SPSS Ver. 23 (IBM, Chicago, IL), frequency distribution tables summarized demographic data and categories of male partners’ involvement in antenatal care. Focus group discussions included male partners of age from 24 to 55 years at their first to fifth experience of pregnancy and childbirth. Interviews were audio-recorded, and then transcribed and coded. Thematic analysis was applied.

Results

The prevalence of male involvement in antenatal care was 69%. More than two-thirds of nursing mothers received physical, psychological and financial support from partners (76%) and attended four or more antenatal visits (85%). Five themes of male perspective of their involvement in antenatal care were generated, including: a) cultural norms and gender roles, b) ignorance of reproductive health service, c) factors outside their control, d) couple interaction and conflicts, and e) institutional obstacles.

Conclusion

The prevalence of male partners’ involvement in antenatal care was relatively high. Men’s involvement in antenatal care depended on access to antenatal care education, standards of structure and process of antenatal service and how well their role was defined in the maternal health care system. Interactions and practice in society, employment sector and government health system should complement strategies to promote men’s involvement in maternal health.
T2DM patients with depression have higher levels of hyperglycemia and cognitive decline than T2DM patients
Authors: Thummasorn Savitree , Apichai Sopida , Chupradit Supat , Sirisattayawong Pornpen , Chaiwong Pachpilai , Sriwichaiin Sirawit , Pratchayasakul Wasana , Chattipakorn Nipon , Chattipakorn Siriporn C.
Published: August 2022

The cognitive impairment, depression, a decrease in the ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs), and salivary gland dysfunction, as indicated by the reduction of alpha-amylase activity, have been reported in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). However, the effects of depression on cognitive function, salivary alpha-amylase activity, and ADLs in T2DM patients have never been investigated. In this study, 115 participants were divided into three groups, including 30 healthy people, 50 T2DM patients without depression, and 35 T2DM patients with depression. Then, the cognitive function, the level of depression, salivary-alpha amylase activity, ADLs, and metabolic parameters were determined. Results showed that T2DM patients had hyperglycemia and cognitive impairment. A decrease in the salivary alpha-amylase activity was observed in T2DM patients. Interestingly, T2DM patients with depression had higher level of hyperglycemia and cognitive impairment than T2DM patients. Additionally, cognitive function was associated with the salivary-alpha amylase activity in T2DM without depression, while the severity of depression was associated with the salivary-alpha amylase activity in T2DM patients with depression. Therefore, we concluded that T2DM caused the impairment of metabolism, decreased salivary alpha-amylase activity, and cognitive impairment. Furthermore, T2DM patients with depression had higher level of hyperglycemia and cognitive decline than T2DM patients.
When the times get tough the toughs get funny: Means by which humor buffers against death anxiety emerged during COVID-19 outbreak
Authors: Mahat-Shamir Michal , Kagan Maya
Published: August 2022

According to Terror Management Theory (TMT), there are three common buffers that minimize the anxiety of mortality salience: affirmation of a) one’s cultural worldview, b) the self and one’s personal values, and c) one’s significance in the context of close personal relationships. The current study aimed at examining the contents of memes, which were distributed on social media during the COVID-19 outbreak, to explore the means by which humor buffers against death anxiety. A deductive and inductive thematic analysis captured three means by which humor buffers against death anxiety, a) humor as a means for connecting to cultural worldviews; b) humor as a means for inclusion in group; c) humor as a means to gain a sense of control. These findings are discussed through the theoretical lens of TMT.
Development and psychometric assessment of cutaneous leishmaniasis prevention behaviors questionnaire in adolescent female students: Application of integration of cultural model and extended parallel process model
Authors: Alidosti Masoumeh , Shahnazi Hossein , Heidari Zahra , Zamani-Alavijeh Fereshteh
Published: August 2022

Background

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is an important public health issue in at least 83 countries, including Iran. Individuals’ behavior modification is believed to be one of the best ways for CL prevention. However, no comprehensive questionnaires have been psychoanalyzed for identification of CL prevention behaviors and its numerous associated factors, as well as the impact of educational messages. Thus, the present study was conducted to develop and psychometrically assess CL prevention behaviors questionnaire in female students.

Methods

The present study was performed from October 2020 to May 2021 by developing a preliminary questionnaire based on integration of Cultural Model and Extended Parallel Process Model. The questionnaire was completed online by 460 adolescent female students living in endemic areas of Isfahan, Iran. Exploratory factor analysis was performed using SPSS 24 to ensure the construct validity. Internal reliability was assessed via Cronbach’s alpha and external reliability was determined using the test-retest method based on the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) index.

Results

The first version of the questionnaire contains 110 items, out of which 82 remained according to content validity ratio (CVR) and content validity index (CVI) criteria. Afterwards, 11 items were removed due to low factor load in the construct validity process using the factor analysis technique. Ultimately, a 71-items questionnaire was developed and 12 factors were extracted from it. According to Cronbach’s alpha index, the internal reliability for the questionnaire was 0.877 and the ICC index calculated the external reliability as 0.833.

Conclusions

Integration of a Cultural Model with individual model was used for the first time to measure the factors related to CL prevention behaviors in this questionnaire; owing to the strength of the factor structure and appropriate psychometric properties, the questionnaire is applicable in the evaluation process of educational interventions concerning CL prevention, especially in female students.
Game statistics that discriminate winning and losing at the NBA level of basketball competition
Authors: Cabarkapa Dimitrije , Deane Michael A. , Fry Andrew C. , Jones Grant T. , Cabarkapa Damjana V. , Philipp Nicolas M. , Yu Daniel
Published: August 2022

The purpose of the present study was to examine differences in game-related statistical parameters between National Basketball Association (NBA) regular and post-season competitive periods and to determine which variables have the greatest contribution in discriminating between winning and losing game outcomes. The data scraping technique was used to obtain publicly available NBA game-related statistics over a three-year span (2016–2019). The total number of games examined in the present investigation was 3933 (3690 regular season and 243 post-season games). Despite small to moderate effect sizes, the findings suggest that NBA teams’ style of play (i.e., tactical strategies) changes when transitioning from the regular to post-season competitive period. It becomes more conservative (i.e., fewer field goal attempts, assists, steals, turnovers, and points scored), most likely due to greater defensive pressure. Discriminant function analysis correctly classified winning and losing game outcomes during the regular and post-season competitive periods in 82.8% and 87.2% of cases, respectively. Two key game-related statistics capable of discriminating between winning and losing game outcomes were field goal percentage and defensive rebounding, accounting for 13.6% and 14.2% of the total percentage of explained variance during the regular season and 11.5% and 14.7% during post-season competitive periods. Also, overall shooting efficiency (i.e., free-throw, 2-point, and 3-point combined) accounted for 23–26% of the total percentage of explained variance.
Models of spatial analysis for vector-borne diseases studies: A systematic review
Authors: Molina-Guzmán Licet Paola , Gutiérrez-Builes Lina A. , Ríos-Osorio Leonardo A.
Published: August 2022

Background and Aim: Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) constitute a global problem for humans and animals. Knowledge related to the spatial distribution of various species of vectors and their relationship with the environment where they develop is essential to understand the current risk of VBDs and for planning surveillance and control strategies in the face of future threats. This study aimed to identify models, variables, and factors that may influence the emergence and resurgence of VBDs and how these factors can affect spatial local and global distribution patterns.

Materials and Methods: A systematic review was designed based on identification, screening, selection, and inclusion described in the research protocols according to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guide. A literature search was performed in PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and SciELO using the following search strategy: Article type: Original research, Language: English, Publishing period: 2010–2020, Search terms: Spatial analysis, spatial models, VBDs, climate, ecologic, life cycle, climate variability, vector-borne, vector, zoonoses, species distribution model, and niche model used in different combinations with "AND" and "OR."

Results: The complexity of the interactions between climate, biotic/abiotic variables, and non-climate factors vary considerably depending on the type of disease and the particular location. VBDs are among the most studied types of illnesses related to climate and environmental aspects due to their high disease burden, extended presence in tropical and subtropical areas, and high susceptibility to climate and environment variations.

Conclusion: It is difficult to generalize our knowledge of VBDs from a geospatial point of view, mainly because every case is inherently independent in variable selection, geographic coverage, and temporal extension. It can be inferred from predictions that as global temperatures increase, so will the potential trend toward extreme events. Consequently, it will become a public health priority to determine the role of climate and environmental variations in the incidence of infectious diseases. Our analysis of the information, as conducted in this work, extends the review beyond individual cases to generate a series of relevant observations applicable to different models.
Emotional Freedom Techniques (Tapping) to Improve Wellbeing and Reduce Anxiety in Primary School Classrooms
Authors:   Charles Darwin University, Lambert Margaret , Smith Sue ,   Charles Darwin University, Moss Simon ,   Charles Darwin University, Kirshbaum Marilynne ,   Charles Darwin University
Published: August 2022

The use of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) as a class exercise was investigated to ascertain its effectiveness for student wellbeing. Although EFT has been validated in clinical settings, studies have not yet established whether this approach could be applied in classrooms to curb anxiety and improve wellbeing. A pragmatic, mixed methods study was conducted with 138 students in northern Australian primary schools. Student anxiety dissipated over two stages of intervention. Aside from class tapping sessions, students sometimes tapped surreptitiously, and teachers applied tapping for themselves on occasions. Students generally preferred a quieter, individual approach during class tapping sessions. Broader themes derived from student and teacher data suggested that tapping is a mechanism for change, the skills are transferable, and unsurprisingly, tapping is not always effective. EFT supports social and emotional learning and aligns with the Australian school curriculum. Findings suggest EFT used in classrooms can benefit students and teachers.
Chelating Resin Based on Silica Gel for Solid-Phase Extraction Coupled with Flame
Atomic Absorption Spectrometric Determination of Nickel and Cadmium
Authors: Mittal Sachin , Kumar Vinod , Sharma Rakesh Kumar
Published: August 2022

Chelating resins offer a fast, accurate and simple method for separation and preconcentration of metal
ions at low concentrations prior to their determination by an instrumental method. Silica gel-based
chelating resin with chemically immobilized aurintricarboxylic acid was synthesized, characterized
and used to determine Ni(II) and Cd(II) at trace levels, coupled with their analysis by flame atomic
absorption spectrometer. The resin had sorption capacities of 0.21 mmol g-1 and 0.10 mmol g-1 for
Ni(II) and Cd(II), respectively. The analytical detection limit (N = 20) was 1.70 μg L-1 for Ni(II) and
1.90 μg L-1 for Cd(II). The proposed method was useful for the quantitative determination of Ni(II)
and Cd(II) in some commercial and water samples.
From Ottoman to Indonesia: Aesthetic Acculturation in Musical Tradition
Authors: Sunarto Sunarto , Habiba Abror Robby
Published: August 2022

This article provides an understanding of the aesthetic relationship between the Ottoman and Indonesia. Turkey was instrumental in Islamization and political support for Indonesia. Islam came to Indonesia in the 13th century which was brought by merchants of the Middle East and Ottoman Turks. They used several dawah mediums, such as economics, politics, social, and arts. Many sources write about the central role of traders from the Middle East in Islamization in Indonesia, yet few resources give explanations of the role of Turkish traders and preachers. Using the descriptive analysis method, this article argues that Turkey has given a strong influence on Sufism in Indonesia. The main instrument in this research is library observation. This study found that the Ottoman Turks influences aesthetic-Sufistic interactions in Indonesia. Ottoman Turkey with Sufism from Mevlana Jalāl ad-Dīn Rūmī has introduced music to Indonesia, which includes recitative poetry sung, Turkish musical instruments, and Sufistic Whirling Darvish dance of Tarekat Mevlevi Rūmī. The influence of Turkey spread to Javanese and Malay-speaking Sumatran people.
Lekarz Hermiasz z Kos w świetle źródeł epigraficznych
Authors: Kaczyńska Elwira
Published: August 2022

The aim of my article is to discuss six Hellenistic inscriptions which mention Hermias, son of Emmenidas, a distinguished physician from Kos. Two longer honorary inscriptions are connected with Hermias’ five-year stay on the island of Crete as a public doctor. The epigraphic sources in question will be carefully reviewed, translated into Polish and commented on the article.
Flexible social perspective taking in higher education and the role of contextual cues
Authors: Wolgast Anett , Barnes-Holmes Yvonne
Published: August 2022

Being able to coordinate the perspectives of oneself and others is likely to be helpful in educational contexts. For example, teachers need flexible social perspective taking to understand their own perspectives and those of their students. Evidence suggests that reading facilitates social perspective taking because it involves readers coordinating social perspectives. However, there is little evidence on actual flexible perspective taking in educational contexts. In the current research, we assumed that the presence of different spatial, temporal, and social cues with regard to (higher) educational contexts would affect flexible social perspective taking performances of prospective psychologists and teachers. Across two different studies, we employed relational frame theory and a within-subject design (n = 44 undergraduate students in Study 1 and n = 176 teacher education students in Study 2). We analyzed the data by Rasch-trees and general linear modeling. The results showed faster responding on flexible spatial and temporal social perspective taking tasks, involving a fictional college course in “English” rather than “statistics” (Study 1). In Study 2, the results suggested greater accuracy on flexible spatial and temporal social perspective taking tasks involving spatial rather than temporal relations (Study 2). The results shed some light on the integration of different approaches for research on understanding the relevance of flexible social perspective taking in educational contexts. Flexible spatial and temporal social perspective taking may be of benefit to both students in higher education and teachers in school education.
Confucius the untouchable: on the semiotics of historization
Authors: Yu Hongbing
Published: August 2022

The present paper focuses on the semiotics of historization, that is, of “narration as history” and provides a meta-analysis of the semiotic modeling of Confucius as a case in point. I argue that the personage who has come to be known as Confucius has existed and can only exist, without exception, in multiple forms of sociocultural representation and interpretation that are natural results of distinct modeling processes. These forms compose the immediate realities of Confucius for us and the very foundation upon which any further discussions about Confucius, his disciples, and their thoughts and lives are even possible in the first place. This treatment reminds us of how easily we can fall victim to the objective illusion and the confusion of understanding and axiology that Mieke Bal has rightly cautioned against. Moreover, the paper is by no means intended to be a revisionist or nihilistic denial of the historicity of Confucius, but rather an attempt to underscore the central and fundamental role that modeling systems about historical figures play in historization as human sociocultural and cognitive practice. In this sense, the case of Confucius serves as an instance, a specimen, a sign, which is extensible to any other historical figures.
Narratives as cultural embedment
Authors: Larsen Svend Erik
Published: August 2022

All cultures produce stories; all humans are storytellers. Hence, by implication, narratives must serve a fundamental cultural and existential function in human life. This article suggests the term “cultural embedment” to characterize this function. This article points out that, for narratives to play the role as a tool for cultural embedment, the double structure of narratives always switches back and forth between an object level and a meta level. To capture this reduplication as a contextualized and historical dynamics, Clifford Geertz’s term “thick description” is introduced together with Jurij Lotman’s conception of culture as an interconnected primary and a secondary modeling system. After a short outline of six important approaches to narratives that have to be taken into account, the article proposes a thick description that characterizes narratives as tools for cultural embedment. A final analytical sketch of Chigozie Obioma’s novel An Orchestra of Minorities (2019) briefly demonstrates a non-formalistic approach to narratives as tools for cultural embedment in a dynamic interchange between several levels.
Narratorial frame–person duality: an analysis in general narratology
Authors: Zhao Yiheng
Published: August 2022

There can be no narrative text without a narrator. Locating the source of narration is the starting point for an understanding of any narrative. There is no agreement among narratologists, nevertheless, on how the narrator could be located in a narrative text, in a so-called “third-person” fictional narrative, for instance, or in dramatic or cinematic narratives. The narrator should be ubiquitous in theory, yet is extremely elusive in practice. That is why there has hardly been any effort among scholars to offer a description of the general shape of the narrator. The present paper attempts to divide all narratives into a few categories in terms of narratorial transfiguration so as to reveal the narrator’s various shapes, from a fully individuated flesh-and-blood person to a fictionalized character, to an almost totally depersonalized frame. The narrator, however, consistently functions as the source of the narrative discourse, sliding in a frame–person scalar duality, but always integrating both. The narrator’s duality provides the key to a general narratology.
Metonymy as a semiotic resource in fictional narrative
Authors: Feng Zongxin
Published: August 2022

This article argues that metonymy provides “cognitive roundabouts” that semiotically create more meaning in fictional narrative against the popular views that metonymy provides “referential shorthand” and “communicative shortcuts.” In the light of Lakoff and Johnson’s observation on the relationship between symbolic metonymy and the comprehension of religious and cultural concepts, it explores the semiotic potentialities of metonymy in constructing fictional reality with special reference to O. Henry’s short story “The Cop and the Anthem.” It concludes that artistic deployment of metonymic devices comically exploits and explicitizes various conceptual associations and logical relations between the source and the target and requires greater cognitive effort from the reader; in defamiliarizing the fictional representation, the narrative text produces more symbolic meanings and ultimately refamiliarizes the reader with aspects of actual-world reality that are otherwise hardly perceivable.
Fabrication of green nanoinsecticides from agri-waste of corn silk and its larvicidal and antibiofilm properties
Authors: Sujitha Vasu , Murugan Kadarkarai , Panneerselvam Chellasamy , Aziz Al Thabiani , Alatawi Fuad A. , Trivedi Subrata , Mohammedsaleh Zuhair M. , Al-Aoh Hatem A. , Saleh Fayez M. , Bani-Atta Suhair A. , Bonacucina Giulia , Maggi Filippo
Published: August 2022

The corn silk (CS) is composed of the thread-like stigmas of female inflorescences of Zea mays L. and represents an important waste material from maize crop production that can be recycled in further applications. In this research, the CS was used for the bio-fabrication of Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) that were evaluated against (I–V) larval instars and pupae of the mosquito vector Aedes aegypti. CS-AgNPs were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, TEM, EDAX, XRD, FTIR, DLS, and zeta potential analysis. Z. mays extract analyzed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry reveals 14 compounds. The larvicidal effectiveness of CS-fabricated AgNPs was 2.35 μg·mL−1 (I Instar) to 6.24 μg·mL−1 (pupae). The field application in water storage reservoirs of both CS extracts and CS-AgNPs (10 × LC50) led to a 68–69% reduction in larval density after 72 h post-treatment. Ecotoxicological impact of CS-fabricated AgNPs was evaluated on the predatory efficacy of Poecilia reticulata on all the larval instars and pupae of Ae. aegypti. Finally, CS-AgNPs were tested to elucidate its anti-biofilm attributes. The CS-AgNPs at 125 μg·mL−1 showed a biofilm inhibition of 90% on S. aureus and 79% on S. epidermidis. These results support the use of CS-AgNPs for futuristic green alternative to mosquito vector management.
Effect of microstructural evolution during dry sliding on the corrosion behaviour of martensitic stainless steel
Authors: Gassner Andreas , Palkowski Heinz , Müller Claas , Wilde Jürgen , Mozaffari-Jovein Hadi
Published: August 2022

In this study, the effects of cycle dependent wear on the consecutive corrosion behaviour of AISI 420 in 0.15 M NaCl solution were investigated to determine the influence of the tribological microstructure alteration on the electrochemical behaviour. The results revealed adhesion dominated wear at low cycle counts that led to the formation of a lamellar microstructure with delamination and enlarged Cr-depleted areas, resulting in a significant decline in pitting corrosion resistance. As the number of cycles increased, a transition of the wear mechanisms towards abrasion was observed. The progressive deformation allowed strong grain refinement and homogenization of the microstructure, which led to a significant increase in the pitting corrosion potential.
A Tripolar Model of Gas Price Formation in Germany. Does the Shale Revolution in the US Matter?
Authors: Moenke Anna , Welfe Aleksander
Published: August 2022

Presented analysis of gas price formation mechanism in Germany was prompted by changes brought about by technological advancements and the liberalization and harmonization of natural gas markets in the European Union after the year 2000. Because the data used in the study is generated by nonstationary stochastic processes, the cointegrated vector autoregressive model was applied as the most appropriate. The analysis pointed out that the price of natural gas, oil and the USD/EUR exchange rate influence each other in the long run and thus should be modelled together. Gas price in Germany is driven by both fundamental and financial factors, and so it rises with economic expansion, oil price increases, and the depreciation of the USD. It also reacts to changes in short-term interest rates and the volume of gas production in the US, which confirms that the shale revolution in this country has been consequential for gas prices in Europe, like any other supply shock would have been.
Signe, science et jeux sportif : esquisse de sémiotricité triadique
Authors: Martínez-Santos Raúl , Nubiola Jaime
Published: August 2022

Depuis 1959, Pierre Parlebas tente de développer une éducation physique scientifique centrée sur la personne qui se meut et non plus sur le mouvement produit ou observé. La pierre angulaire de ce virage copernicien est un concept plein de résonances sémiologiques: la conduite motrice, entendue comme « organisation signifiante du comportement moteur ». En fait, sa proposition pédagogique est toujours allée de pair avec un projet épistémologique dont le noyau dur est une sémiologie de la motricité, c’est à dire une « semiotricité ». Si l’action motrice est le fer de lance de l’éducation physique la sémiotricité, c’est le fer de lance de la praxéologie motrice.

Cinquante ans après son démarrage, nous proposons revisiter les fondements de cette conception de l’éducation physique qui reste aujourd’hui révolutionnaire. La sémiologie de la motricité est née sous l’égide de la Sorbonne du milieu du XXe siècle. Les principes du sémiologie linguistique de Saussure inspirent les concepts et les modèles de « un champ du signe discordant » qui bénéficie également des contributions d’autres auteurs pertinents du moment. Cependant, à cette époque, le pragmatisme et la sémiotique américains étaient bien connus. Une question se pose aussitôt: à quoi ressemblerait une sémiotricité triadique? Les processus de communication praxique déclenchent phénomènes d’anticipation et préaction motrices basés en une continuelle interprétation des intentions d’autrui. Paradoxalement, autant ces phénomènes communicatifs que les signes propres des situations ludomotrices (les praxèmes et les gestèmes) peuvent être plus facilement conçus et analysés avec un modèle plus complexe, voire triadique, que nous aimerions partager avec sémioticiens et praxéologues.
Herstellung und Anwendung vollkeramischer Mikroschaftfräser
Authors: Mayer Tobias , Kieren-Ehses Sonja , Kirsch Benjamin , Aurich Jan C.
Published: August 2022

Beim Mikrofräsen werden vielfach Mikroschaftfräser aus Ultrafeinstkornhartmetall eingesetzt. Technische Keramiken kommen mit ihren mechanischen und thermischen Eigenschaften als alternatives Werkzeugsubstrat in Frage, finden bisher jedoch noch nicht für Mikrofräser Anwendung. In diesem Beitrag wurden zur Erforschung der Einsatztauglichkeit und möglicher Vorteile vollkeramischer Mikrofräser Werkzeuge aus vier verschiedenen Keramiksubstraten durch Schleifen hergestellt und Mikrofräsversuche in Messing sowie Reintitan durchgeführt. Dabei wiesen die Mikrofräser aus Zirkonoxid (Y-TZP) die schärfsten Schneiden auf und erreichten die besten Ergebnisse in den Mikrofräsversuchen.
Der digitale Zwilling des Menschen zur flexiblen Produktionsplanung
Authors: Prinz Christopher , Schulte Daniel , Gorsek Daniel , Kuhlenkötter Bernd , Haase Tina , Hauptvogel Matthias , Berndt Dirk
Published: August 2022

Das volatile Unternehmensumfeld mit schwankenden Absatz- und Produktivitätszahlen und gleichzeitig der Konkurrenzkampf um Fachkräfte sowie dem Bedarf, wertvolles Erfahrungswissen zu sichern, stellt Unternehmen vor die Herausforderung, neue Konzepte der flexibleren Produktionsplanung und -steuerung, basierend auf individuellen physischen sowie kognitiven Parametern und persönlichen Präferenzen der Mitarbeitenden einsetzen zu müssen. Der digitale Zwilling des Menschen wird hierbei eine essenzielle Rolle spielen, um Wissen zu sichern und bereitzustellen.
3D-FEM-Wärmeübertragungssimulation des Schleifens
Authors: Weber Daniel , Kirsch Benjamin , Silva Eraldo J. da , Aurich Jan C.
Published: August 2022

Kühlschmierstoffe werden beim Schleifen zur Minimierung der hitzebedingten Probleme wie Oberflächenrisse und Schleifbrand eingesetzt. Allerdings entstehen dadurch erhebliche Kosten. Eine Alternative ist die kryogene Prozesskühlung. 3D-FEM-Wärmeübergangssimulationen bieten die Möglichkeit der zeitlichen und örtlichen Abbildung der Temperaturentwicklung im Werkstück und bilden somit die Grundlage zur Beurteilung der Eignung kryogener Kühlstrategien. Die Validierung dieser sowie benötigte Randbedingungen werden hier für das Trockenflachschleifen vorgestellt.
Drohnen in der Intralogistik
Authors: Spurk Alexander , Grosse Eric , Schnellbächer Benedikt , Glock Christoph
Published: August 2022

Die Innovationsfähigkeit von Unternehmen bestimmt deren Wettbewerbsfähigkeit und wirtschaftlichen Erfolg. Dies trifft insbesondere auf innerbetriebliche logistische Prozesse zu, die einen direkten Einfluss auf Durchlaufzeiten und Kundenzufriedenheit haben. Innovationen im Rahmen einer „Logistik 4.0“ versprechen Prozessverbesserungen durch Automatisierung und durch die technische Unterstützung des Menschen bei manuellen Tätigkeiten. Eine dieser vielversprechenden Technologien sind unbemannte Luftfahrzeuge (Drohnen). Der vorliegende Beitrag konsolidiert den Stand der Forschung zu flugfähigen Drohnen in der Intralogistik und untersucht Potenziale und Barrieren. Es zeigt sich, dass grundlegende Veränderungen der Intralogistik durch Drohnen bislang ausgeblieben sind. Drohnen weisen aber vielfältige Potenziale auf, insbesondere in der Automatisierung spezifischer intralogistischer Prozesse, vor allem hinsichtlich der innerbetrieblichen Lieferung und der Inventur, aber auch der Inspektion von Fertigungsanlagen.
International Committee of Red Cross versus International Red Crescent: The Recent Practices as Subject International Law
Authors: Arifin Ridwan , Zulfa Zaeda , Saraswati Dhanny
Published: August 2022

The International Red Cross has different characteristics so that in its development, this organization is accepted as one of the subjects of international law. However, the International Red Cross has limitations in the subject of law. International treaties such as the 1949 Red Cross Conventions provide certain rights and obligations. The rights and obligations are given by the convention indirectly to individuals through the country that is a participant in the convention. Through such construction, many individual circumstances or events that are subject to international law based on a convention can be returned to the countries that are participants in such a convention, namely the Convention on the Settlement of Investment Disputes between States and Nationals of Other States and The European Convention on Human Rights. This study analyzes recent developments regarding the International Red Cross as a subject of international law. This study also analyzes the position of the International Red Crescent as one of the subjects of international law in practice.
Mass Media and Social Distancing Regulations to Prevent the Spread of the Covid-19 Virus Outbreak in Indonesia
Authors: Yunus Nur Rohim , Rezki Annissa
Published: August 2022

The current outbreak of the corona virus is becoming increasingly worrisome. More and more people became infected with the corona virus, with some even succumbing to their illness and dying as a result of the virus's spread. Today, social media is a popular means of communicating outside traditional means. In order to prevent the spread of this new disease, I'd like to share my experiences as someone who has been infected with the corona virus, as well as to warn others to stay at home and take care of themselves in order to avoid contracting the sickness. Descriptive qualitative research is employed in this study. It is the goal of this study to educate community members and millennial youth with information and an overview so that they can pay more attention to social ties in society and avoid societal changes as a result of false news causing undue worry. According to the study's findings, the community's usage of social media and other online tools has increased its members' access to information. A large false news campaign about social isolation preceded this, despite the government's call to heed the recommendations relating to social isolation.
El aula de ingreso como lugar curricular donde mirar la comunicación no verbal del discurso docente en la Universidad de la República, Uruguay
Authors: Plachot González Graciela B.
Published: August 2022

The text presents the theoretical discussion towards the notion of the entrance classroom as a curricular place and the value of non-verbal teacher communication in communicational interactions at the beginning of training. It thus refers to the construction of a singular discursive, didactic-pedagogical and physical-temporal space for the promotion of communicational interactions towards student permanence and persistence at the beginning of university education. This view is of special interest in university models of free access and gratuity in which the expansion of enrollment becomes a situation of profound relevance in the right to education. The documentary analysis carried out consolidates the entrance classroom as a unique curricular and communicational place for each discipline in particular and for the field of Higher Education in general. Entrance teaching can make available and model experiences that affect student persistence in the early days of institutional accommodation. Among those doings, non-verbal communicational interactions make up 93% of communication. Its interactive didactic value promotes classroom climates that facilitate learning according to communication styles. The findings deepen, from the field of the curriculum and from communication theories, the value of non-verbal communication (NVC) in the teaching discourse at the beginning of university education. They propose to understand and deepen their particularities in the communicational pedagogical positions towards the awareness of a differentiated doing in the initiating period as a subjective student process and admission as a curricular place of teaching.
La mirada estudiantil acerca de la motivación por aprender: el derecho a una educación de calidad
Authors: Barrantes Pereira Rolando , Castro Pérez Marianella
Published: August 2022

This article is based on research carried out at the Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies of Children and Adolescents (INEINA) of the Universidad Nacional in Costa Rica, entitled “Factors that affect the motivation to learn”. The main objective is to determine what are the factors that generate motivation in students so that a significant learning process is achieved; with the purpose of helping in the construction of proposals for a better approach by educational agents to the situations that occur in secondary education and that derive in conditions and actions that guarantee the right to quality education and keep adolescents away of exclusion and social inequalities. The present paper summarizes the results of the perspective of the students of one public and one private institution in the province of Heredia. The research approach was qualitative, descriptive in nature, in order to obtain the perspectives of the participants. The instrument for data collection was a questionnaire consisting of 14 open questions. The main results refer to the desire of the students to be recognized as people by the educational staff, seeking a connection between their characteristics and personal experiences and the interactions and pedagogical activities in the classroom. The importance of diversifying and innovating learning methodologies and strategies is mentioned, as well as the constant improvement of infrastructure and institutional services to promote motivation to learn and, therefore, guarantee the right to quality education.