bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
German oncology certification system for colorectal cancer – relative survival rates of a single certified centre vs. national and international registry data
Authors: Richter Maximilian , Sonnow Lena , Mehdizadeh-Shrifi Amir , Richter Axel , Koch Rainer , Zipprich Alexander
Published: April 2021

Objectives

To evaluate how the certification of specialised Oncology Centres in Germany affects the relative survival of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) by means of national and international comparison.

Methods

Between 2007 and 2013, 675 patients with colorectal cancer, treated at the Hildesheim Hospital, an academic teaching hospital of the Hannover Medical School (MHH), were included. A follow-up of the entire patient group was performed until 2014. To obtain international data, a SEER-database search was done. The relative survival of 148,957 patients was compared to our data after 12, 36 and 60 months. For national survival data, we compared our rates with 41,988 patients of the Munich Cancer Registry (MCR).

Results

Relative survival at our institution tends to be higher in advanced tumour stages compared to national and international cancer registry data. Nationally we found only little variation in survival rates for low stages CRC (UICC I and II), colon, and rectal cancer. There were notable variations regarding relative survival rates for advanced CRC tumour stages (UICC IV). These variations were even more distinct for rectal cancer after 12, 36 and 60 months (Hildesheim Hospital: 89.9, 40.3, 30.1%; Munich Cancer Registry (MCR): 65.4, 28.7, 16.6%). The international comparison of CRC showed significantly higher relative survival rates for patients with advanced tumour stages after 12 months at our institution (77 vs. 54.9% for UICC IV; raw p<0.001).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that patients with advanced tumour stages of CRC and especially rectal cancer benefit most from a multidisciplinary and guidelines-oriented treatment at Certified Oncology Centres. For a better evaluation of cancer treatment and improved national and international comparison, the creation of a centralised national cancer registry is necessary.
Quantifying the efficiency of written language
Authors: Koplenig Alexander
Published: April 2021

Information theory can be used to assess how efficiently a message is transmitted on the basis of different symbolic systems. In this paper, I estimate the information-theoretic efficiency of written language for parallel text data in more than 1000 different languages, both on the level of characters and on the level of words as information encoding units. The main results show that (i) the median efficiency is ∼29% on the character level and ∼45% on the word level, (ii) efficiency on both levels is strongly correlated with each other and (iii) efficiency tends to be higher for languages with more speakers.
Efficiency in discourse processing: Does morphosyntax adapt to accommodate new referents?
Authors: Schnell Stefan , Schiborr Nils Norman , Haig Geoffrey
Published: April 2021

The introduction of new referents into discourse has traditionally been regarded as a major challenge to language processing, for which speakers deploy specific syntactic configurations, guided by the speaker’s assessment of the recipient’s state of mind (‘recipient design’). In this paper we probe these assumptions against discourse data from nine languages. We find little evidence for specialized syntactic configurations accommodating new referents; the only notable exception is the association of new reference with direct objects, suggests that linking new referents to already established discourse frames through a transitive construction is preferable to isolating them in an intransitive one. Where specific intransitive predicates are indeed found to host new referents, we find this to be motivated primarily by semantic considerations. Contrary to long-held assumptions, we conclude that the cognitive challenge of referent introduction is only weakly reflected in morphosyntax; instead, discourse production is most efficient when new referents are integrated seamlessly with content-driven demands of the narration.
Efficiency in human languages: Corpus evidence for universal principles
Authors: Levshina Natalia , Moran Steven
Published: April 2021

Over the last few years, there has been a growing interest in communicative efficiency. It has been argued that language users act efficiently, saving effort for processing and articulation, and that language structure and use reflect this tendency. The emergence of new corpus data has brought to life numerous studies on efficient language use in the lexicon, in morphosyntax, and in discourse and phonology in different languages. In this introductory paper, we discuss communicative efficiency in human languages, focusing on evidence of efficient language use found in multilingual corpora. The evidence suggests that efficiency is a universal feature of human language. We provide an overview of different manifestations of efficiency on different levels of language structure, and we discuss the major questions and findings so far, some of which are addressed for the first time in the contributions in this special collection.
New cyclic and spirocyclic aminosilanes
Authors: Herbig Marcus , Scholz Henrik , Böhme Uwe , Günther Betty , Gevorgyan Lia , Gerlach Daniela , Wagler Jörg , Schwarzer Sandra , Kroke Edwin
Published: April 2021

New cyclic and spirocyclic aminosilanes were synthesised using ethylenediamine, 2-aminobenzylamine, 1,8-diaminonaphthalene, o-phenylenediamine, andtrans-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine as starting material. These diamines were converted into aminosilanes using silicon tetrachloride and dimethyldichlorosilane directly and via theN,N’-bis(trimethylsilylated) amino derivatives. 15 new compounds of the type (diamino)(SiMe3)2, (diamino)2Si, (diamino)SiMe2, and (diamino)SiCl2have been prepared. The formation of two cyclotrisilazane derivatives was observed starting from (N,N’-2-aminobenzylamino)dichlorosilane by trimerisation. All synthesised compounds have been characterised with NMR-, Raman-, or IR-spectroscopy, mass-spectrometry, and boiling or melting point. Single-crystal X-ray structure analyses of several derivatives have been performed.

The degree of substitution with trimethylsilyl groups in the final compounds depends on the ring size of the spirocycles. It was shown with quantum chemical calculations on the M062X/6-31G(d) level that trimethylsilyl groups have a stabilising effect on 5-membered ring systems and a destabilising effect on 6-membered rings in these compounds.
Two-dimensional perovskites with alternating cations in the interlayer space for stable light-emitting diodes
Authors: Zhang Yiyue , Keshavarz Masoumeh , Debroye Elke , Fron Eduard , Rodríguez González Miriam Candelaria , Naumenko Denys , Amenitsch Heinz , Van de Vondel Joris , De Feyter Steven , Heremans Paul , Roeffaers Maarten B. J. , Qiu Weiming , Pradhan Bapi , Hofkens Johan
Published: April 2021

Lead halide perovskites have attracted tremendous attention in photovoltaics due to their impressive optoelectronic properties. However, the poor stability of perovskite-based devices remains a bottleneck for further commercial development. Two-dimensional perovskites have great potential in optoelectronic devices, as they are much more stable than their three-dimensional counterparts and rapidly catching up in performance. Herein, we demonstrate high-quality two-dimensional novel perovskite thin films with alternating cations in the interlayer space. This innovative perovskite provides highly stable semiconductor thin films for efficient near-infrared light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Highly efficient LEDs with tunable emission wavelengths from 680 to 770 nm along with excellent operational stability are demonstrated by varying the thickness of the interlayer spacer cation. Furthermore, the best-performing device exhibits an external quantum efficiency of 3.4% at a high current density (J) of 249 mA/cm2 and remains above 2.5% for a J up to 720 mA cm−2, leading to a high radiance of 77.5 W/Sr m2 when driven at 6 V. The same device also shows impressive operational stability, retaining almost 80% of its initial performance after operating at 20 mA/cm2 for 350 min. This work provides fundamental evidence that this novel alternating interlayer cation 2D perovskite can be a promising and stable photonic emitter.
Flexural bearing capacity and failure mechanism of CFRP-aluminum laminate beam with double-channel cross-section
Authors: Huang Teng , Zhang Dongdong , Huang Yaxin , Fan Chengfei , Lin Yuan , Zhang Fukai
Published: April 2021

In this study, the flexural bearing capacity and failure mechanism of carbon fiber-reinforced aluminum laminate (CARALL) beams with a double-channel cross-section and a 3/2 laminated configuration were experimentally and numerically studied. Two types of specimens using different carbon fiber layup configurations ([0°/90°/0°]3 and [45°/0°/−45°]3) were fabricated using the pressure molding thermal curing forming process. The double-channel CARALL beams were subjected to static three-point bending tests to determine their failure behaviors in terms of ultimate bearing capacity and failure modes. Owing to the shortcomings of the two-dimensional Hashin failure criterion, the user-defined FORTRAN subroutine VUMAT suitable for the ABAQUS/Explicit solver and an analysis algorithm were established to obtain a progressive damage prediction of the CFRP layer using the three-dimensional Hashin failure criterion. Various failure behaviors and mechanisms of the CARALL beams were numerically analyzed. The results indicated that the numerical simulation was consistent with the experimental results for the ultimate bearing capacity and final failure modes, and the failure process of the double-channel CARALL beams could be revealed. The ultimate failure modes of both types of double-channel CARALL beams were local buckling deformation at the intersection of the upper flange and web near the concentrated loading position, which was mainly caused by the delamination failure among different unidirectional plates, tension and compression failure of the matrix, and shear failure of the fiber layers. The ability of each fiber layer to resist damage decreased in the order of 90° fiber layer > 0° fiber layer > 45° fiber layer. Thus, it is suggested that 90°, 0°, and 45° fiber layers should be stacked for double-channel CARALL beams.
Chronic restraint stress impairs cognition via modulating HDAC2 expression
Authors: Wu Jie , Liu Cui , Zhang Ling , He Bing , Shi Wei-Ping , Shi Hai-Lei , Qin Chuan
Published: April 2021

Background

To investigate the effects of chronic restraint stress on cognition and the probable molecular mechanism in mice.

Methods

In the current work, a restraining tube was used as a way to induce chronic stress in mice. The protein levels were determined with ELISA and western blot. A series of behavior tests, including the Morris water maze, elevated plus maze, open field test, and novel object recognition test, were also performed to examine the anxiety and the ability of learning and memory. Moreover, murine neuroblastoma N2a cells were used to confirm the findings from mice under chronic stress.

Results

Decreased synaptic functions were impaired in chronic stress with the downregulation of PSD95, GluR-1, the neurotrophic factor BDNF, and immediate-onset genes Arc and Egr. Chronic restraint decreased the histone acetylation level in hippocampal neurons while HDAC2 was increased and was co-localized with glucocorticoid receptors. Moreover, chronic stress inhibited the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and induced energy metabolism dysfunctions.

Conclusion

This work examining the elevated levels of HDAC2 in the hippocampus may provide new insights and targets for drug development for treating many neurodegenerative diseases.
Presynaptic Inhibitory Effects of Acetylcholine in the Hippocampus: A 40-Year Evolution of a Serendipitous Finding
Authors: Valentino Rita J. , Dingledine Raymond J.
Published: April 2021

Cholinergic regulation of hippocampal circuit activity has been an active area of neurophysiological research for decades. The prominent cholinergic innervation of intrinsic hippocampal circuitry, potent effects of cholinomimetic drugs, and behavioral responses to cholinergic modulation of hippocampal circuitry have driven investigators to discover diverse cellular actions of acetylcholine in distinct sites within hippocampal circuitry. Further research has illuminated how these actions organize circuit activity to optimize encoding of new information, promote consolidation, and coordinate this with recall of prior memories. The development of the hippocampal slice preparation was a major advance that accelerated knowledge of how hippocampal circuits functioned and how acetylcholine modulated these circuits. Using this preparation in the early 1980s, we made a serendipitous finding of a novel presynaptic inhibitory effect of acetylcholine on Schaffer collaterals, the projections from CA3 pyramidal neurons to dendrites of CA1 pyramidal cells. We characterized this effect at cellular and pharmacological levels, published the findings in the first volume of theJournal of Neuroscience, and proceeded to pursue other scientific directions. We were surprised and thrilled to see that, nearly 40 years later, the paper is still being cited and downloaded because the data became an integral piece of the foundation of the science of cholinergic regulation of hippocampal function in learning and memory. This Progressions article is a story of how single laboratory findings evolve through time to be confirmed, challenged, and reinterpreted by other laboratories to eventually become part of the basis of fundamental concepts related to important brain functions.
The King’s Men and His Kinsmen
Authors: Alumona Ikenna Mike , Okoli Al Chukwuma
Published: April 2021

Politics of patronage based on primordial identity is not a new phenomenon in Nigeria. The impact of such patterns of politicking has been obviously untoward. This study interrogates the apparent manifestation of ethno-clannish patronage in the politics of political appointments under Muhammadu Buhari’s civilian administration (2015-date). Relying on a descriptive analysis of secondary data, as well as a selective application of prebendal theory, the study observes that members of Buhari’s ethno-communal grouping tend to have been favored rather disproportionately in terms of the allotment of political appointments at the federal level. The study posits that such an ethno-clannish posture smacks of the politics of exclusion, which negates the spirit of national integration. The study further contends that not only had President Buhari favored his kinsmen and tribesmen in his appointments, but he has also appointed many of his family relations into strategic positions, thus entrenching nepotism in the process of statecraft. The study submits that such an approach to statecraft holds negative implications for good governance and national integration in Nigeria.
Circulating fatty acids and risk of gestational diabetes mellitus: prospective analyses in China
Authors: Pan Xiong-Fei , Huang Yichao , Li Xinping , Wang Yi , Ye Yi , Chen Huan , Marklund Matti , Wen Ying , Liu Yan , Zeng Huayan , Qi Xiaorong , Yang Xue , Yang Chun-Xia , Liu Ge , Gibson Robert A , Xu Shunqing , Yu Danxia , Chen Da , Li Yuanyuan , Mei Zhixiong , Pan An , Wu Jason H Y
Published: April 2021

Objective

We aimed to examine prospective associations between circulating fatty acids in early pregnancy and incident gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) among Chinese pregnant women.

Methods

Analyses were based on two prospective nested case-control studies conducted in western China (336 GDM cases and 672 matched controls) and central China (305 cases and 305 matched controls). Fasting plasma fatty acids in early pregnancy (gestational age at enrollment: 10.4 weeks(s.d., 2.0)) and 13.2 weeks (1.0), respectively) were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and GDM was diagnosed based on the International Association of Diabetes in Pregnancy Study Groups criteria during 24–28 weeks of gestation. Multiple metabolic biomarkers (HOMA-IR (homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance), HbA1c, c-peptide, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, adiponectin, leptin, and blood lipids) were additionally measured among 672 non-GDM controls at enrollment.

Results

Higher levels of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) 14:0 (pooled odds ratio, 1.41 for each 1-s.d. increase; 95% CI: 1.25, 1.59) and 16:0 (1.19; 1.05, 1.35) were associated with higher odds of GDM. Higher levels of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) 18:2n-6 were strongly associated with lower odds of GDM (0.69; 0.60, 0.80). In non-GDM pregnant women, higher SFAs 14:0 and 16:0 but lower n-6 PUFA 18:2n-6 were generally correlated with unfavorable metabolic profiles.

Conclusions

We documented adverse associations of 14:0 and 16:0 but a protective association of 18:2n-6 with GDM among Chinese pregnant women. Our findings highlight the distinct roles of specific fatty acids in the onset of GDM.
Measurable Riesz spaces
Authors: Krasikova I. , Pliev M. , Popov M.
Published: April 2021

We study measurable elements of a Riesz space $E$, i.e. elements $e \in E \setminus \{0\}$ for which the Boolean algebra $\mathfrak{F}_e$ of fragments of $e$ is measurable. In particular, we prove that the set $E_{\rm meas}$ of all measurable elements of a Riesz space $E$ with the principal projection property together with zero is a $\sigma$-ideal of $E$. Another result asserts that, for a Riesz space $E$ with the principal projection property the following assertions are equivalent.

(1) The Boolean algebra $\mathcal{U}$ of bands of $E$ is measurable.

(2) $E_{\rm meas} = E$ and $E$ satisfies the countable chain condition.

(3) $E$ can be embedded as an order dense subspace of $L_0(\mu)$ for some probability measure $\mu$.
Evaluación de la Calidad Docente Universitaria desde la Perspectiva de los Estudiantes
Authors: Soledad Seivane Mariana , Elena Brenlla María
Published: April 2021

El presente trabajo se plantea dos objetivos: a) analizar las propiedades psicométricas de fiabilidad y validez del Cuestionario de Competencias Docentes del Profesorado Universitario (CCDPU) para su aplicación en el Área Metropolitana de Buenos Aires (AMBA), y b) identificar las competencias y atributos mejores valorados por los estudiantes universitarios de Buenos Aires en la evaluación de la calidad docente. Método: Se llevó a cabo un estudio empírico de alcance descriptivo-correlacional para la validación del cuestionario y el análisis de los datos obtenidos. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 120 estudiantes universitarios (94 mujeres y 26 hombres) residentes en el AMBA. Resultados: Se observó que la mayoría de las subescalas del CCDPU obtuvieron valores de alfa superiores a .70 y todos los ítems fueron clasificados como coherentes, suficientes y representativos por el juicio de expertos. La subescala del cuestionario mejor valorada por los estudiantes fue Actitud del Profesorado, la cual incluye aspectos relacionados a creencias, actitudes y formas de ser del profesor que influyen en su labor y actuación docente. Discusión: Según los resultados obtenidos se deduce que, desde la perspectiva de los alumnos, los buenos docentes son aquellos que se muestran receptivos con sus estudiantes, buscan motivarlos, se interesan activamente por su aprendizaje y crean un clima adecuado de trabajo y participación. A su vez, se concluye que el CCDPU constituye una herramienta útil y válida para futuras investigaciones sobre el tema.
Desarrollo de un Cuestionario de Autoevaluación de la Competencia Docente en Línea
Authors: Luna Serrano Edna , Vital Elías Luz Adriana
Published: April 2021

Una de las estrategias privilegiadas en los procesos de evaluación formativa de la docencia es la autoevaluación. El objetivo de este artículo es reportar el proceso de investigación que permitió desarrollar un cuestionario de autoevaluación de la competencia docente en línea en educación superior. Los participantes fueron seis expertos en el diseño e implementación de cursos en línea y un total de 130 docentes universitarios. El método consistió en dos etapas. 1) Desarrollo del instrumento a través de: fundamentación teórica sobre los elementos de la competencia docente en línea; operacionalización del constructo; y validación de la matriz por el juicio de expertos. 2) Aportación de evidencias de confiabilidad y validez incluyó: la aplicación del cuestionario; cálculo de estadísticos descriptivos; determinación de la confiabilidad de los puntajes; y análisis factorial exploratorio. Se identificaron dos factores: previsión e interacción didáctica; y, gestión del proceso de enseñanza y valoración de los aprendizajes; 44 ítems con una varianza total de 44.7 y alpha ordinal de .94. Se concluye que los resultados corroboraron el fundamento teórico del instrumento, por lo que se recomienda su aplicación en la retroalimentación de la práctica docente en línea.
En defensa de la neutralidad: el ejercicio de la diplomacia a través de la censura cinematográfica en Argentina, 1938-1940
Authors: Druetta María Eugenia
Published: April 2021

La segunda mitad de la década de 1930 encontró a la Argentina frente al desafío de consolidar su estructura estatal a la vez que su noción de nación, en el contexto de un mundo que comenzaba a desmoronarse y polarizarse. Sus vínculos con el exterior se volvieron cada vez más inciertos, tanto desde el punto de vista económico como del político. Uno de los ámbitos en que se expresaron estas tensiones fue el de la cinematografía. Como consumidora de filmes estadounidenses, la Argentina se encontró haciendo frente a una serie de conflictos de tipo diplomático, en cuya resolución se encontraría implícito un posicionamiento frente a la guerra. El accionar diplomático en conjunto con el de los organismos estatales de regulación cinematográfica revelan, a su vez, las dificultades en la enunciación de una política clara frente al conflicto.
La diplomacia cultural alemana y el cine de propaganda nazi en la Argentina en el período previo a la Segunda Guerra Mundial
Authors: Galván María Valeria , Moguillansky Marina
Published: April 2021

En este trabajo abordamos la articulación entre política, diplomacia cultural y cine, en relación a los vínculos de la Argentina con la Alemania nazi en el período previo a la declaración de la Segunda Guerra Mundial. En primer lugar, caracterizamos las relaciones culturales entre Alemania y Argentina, atendiendo al despliegue de la diplomacia cultural alemana en el país y a los vínculos que estableció con la comunidad local, en particular en el ámbito del cine. En la segunda sección, describimos la circulación de cine alemán en Buenos Aires en el período que va desde 1935 hasta 1939, con el estallido de la guerra. Allí, analizamos el rol de las principales distribuidoras de cine alemán, sus contactos con las productoras alemanas y con cierto circuito de salas. Nos ocupamos especialmente de los títulos que fueron posteriormente censurados por considerase “propaganda nazi” en cuanto a su permanencia en cartelera y la recepción crítica.
Clinical and radiographic evaluation of demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft with concentrated growth factor versus concentrated growth factor alone in the treatment of intrabony defects
Authors: Vaid Tithi , Kumar Santosh , Mehta Rupal , Shah Sujay , Joshi Surabhi , Bhakkand Susmita , Hirani Tanvi
Published: April 2021

Background. Periodontal disease is one of the major causes of alveolar bone loss. There are various ways of regenerating the lost bone, i.e. guided tissue regeneration, bone grafts, and growth factors. In this purview, it becomes immensely important for a clinician to decide the best modality of treatment. In this study, we compared the effect of demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft (DFDBA) in combination with concentrated growth factors (CGF) verses CGF alone.

Methods. This double-blind, split-mouth study was conducted on ten patients with two comparable bilateral intrabony defects. Each pair of defects was randomly treated by DFDBA + CGF or CGF alone. Clinical parameters such as plaque index (PI), modified gingival index (MGI), pocket probing depth (PPD), and relative attachment level (RAL) were recorded at baseline, three months, and six months. In addition, radiograph with grids was also taken at baseline and six months. The paired t-test was used to compare the pre- and post-treatment values and the unpaired t-test was used to compare the test and control group.

Results. The PI score decreased significantly from baseline to six months. Similarly, the mean MGI score decreased significantly from baseline to six months. The intragroup comparison showed that there was a significant reduction in PPD in both the test and control group. However, the intergroup comparison showed that the reduced pocket depth was not significant. The intragroup radiographic comparison showed that there was the significant formation of bone in both the test and control group but inter-group showed that the formation of bone among both the group were non-significant.

Conclusion. Radiographic and clinical outcomes of this study concluded that post six months, both groups demonstrated significant improvement in clinical and radiographic parameters. However, the addition of DFDBA to CGFs did not give any additional benefits.
Impact of self-esteem on the relationship between orthodontic treatment and the oral health-related quality of life in patients after orthodontic treatment – a systematic review
Authors: Mandava Prasad , Singaraju Gowri Sankar , Obili Sobitha , Nettam Venkatesh , Vatturu Sasipriya , Erugu Seshu
Published: April 2021

Objective. The treatment protocol in the modern health care paradigm has shifted considerably towards enhancing the quality of life in the last decade. This is particularly important in cosmetic and elective treatments, and hence the interest in oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) also has increased. OHRQoL always been measured by endogenous, functional, social, or psychological determinants. Self-esteem (SE) is one of the internal factors that affect the perception of malocclusion and hence OHRQoL before and after treatment. The purpose of this review is to assess whether there exists any correlation between the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life, Self-esteem (SE) in patients following orthodontic treatment.

Methods. A literature search was confined to the English language using Medical Subject Heading terms (MeSH) in PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Ovid® covering the period from January 1, 1951 to May 15, 2020. Search in Google Scholar, grey literature, and hand search on cross-references was performed to find additional data. The studies found to be suitable were selected based on the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The quality of assessment and risk of bias for the included studies were evaluated independently by two invigilators utilizing “The Cochrane Collaboration’s tool for assessing the risk of bias” and “Modified version of the Newcastle Ottawa scale” for Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) and non-randomized trials respectively.

Results. A total of 7688 studies were retrieved from all the sources. After screening all the titles and excluding the duplicates, 28 studies were finally included for text review, and all of them were fit for quality appraisal. The design of the final studies included comprised of 3 RCTs, 14 cohort studies, 9 cross-sectional studies, and 2 case-control studies.

Conclusion. There is moderate evidence to show that fixed orthodontic treatment improves OHRQoL and SE in children. OHRQoL also increased in adolescents and adults. However, there is a weak correlation between SE and OHRQoL. More evidence-based studies are needed to analyze the relationship.
VIRULENCE FACTORS, ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE, AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF ENTEROCOCCUS SPP. ISOLATED FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES IN ALGERIA
Authors: Houicher Abderrahmane , Alkay Zuhal , Bourahla Mahdi , Dertli Enes
Published: April 2021

This study aimed to isolate and identify different Enterococcus spp. from diverse sources including dromedary raw milk, rhizospheric soil and natural saline water samples and to determine their antimicrobial activities and safety aspects.  From these sources, distinct strains of E. faecium, E. durans, E. hirae, and E. gallinarum species were detected. No virulence factors were observed for six Enterococcus strains while none of the tested Enterococci harboured the genes encoding cytolysin and aggregation substance. All tested strains showed a high sensitivity to many antibiotics, particularly vancomycin, and exhibited a remarkable antagonist activity toward Salmonella typhimurium, Fusarium graminearum and Penicillium expansum. PCR testing of enterocins revealed the co-presence of entA and entB among all tested Enterococci. No hemolytic reaction was also detected in Enterococci isolates, except for six strains. Based on these findings, potential candidates for use as biocontrol agents or probiotic starters were selected for further studies.
Impact of Environmental Performance on Financial Performance: Empirical Evidence from Indian Banking Sector
Authors:   School of Management, The North Cap University, Sector 23A, Gurugram, Haryana–122017, India, Munjal Parul , Malarvizhi P. ,   IILM University, Sector 53, Gurugram, Haryana–122003, India
Published: April 2021

There has been long-standing debate over whether or not firms gain economic competiveness from reducing their impact on the environment. Although ample literature is available on association between environmental performance and financial performance across various sectors, little empirical evidence is available in context of Indian banking sector. This research aims to analyze whether there is any significant relationship between environmental performance and financial performance of banks operating in India for a period 2013-14 to 2017-18. Secondary data has been collected for a sample of 83 banks operating in India. Content analysis was applied to extract information about environmental performance disclosed by sample banks followed by construction of environmental disclosure score index. Hierarchical multiple regression was applied to analyze relationship between environmental performance and financial performance after controlling for effects of size, financial leverage and capital intensity. Results exhibit no significant relationship between environmental performance and financial performance of banks operating in India. Findings of this research are expected to provide insight to users and readers of financial statements to have better understanding about the environmental practices carried out by banks. It would also contribute significantly towards decision making for policy makers in Indian banking sector to establish mandatory environmental legislations for reporting on environmental practices in order to improve non financial disclosure and financial performance in Indian banking sector.
Flipped Instruction Methods and Digital Technologies in the Language Learning Classroom Edited by John Paul Loucky and Jean L. Ware
Authors: Ludwig Christian
Published: April 2021

Flipped Instruction Methods and Digital Technologies in the Language Learning Classroom Edited by John Paul Loucky and Jean L. Ware Hershey PA: IGI Global US $ 165 ISBN 978-1-52250-824-3 (Hardback) 342 pages 2014
A Video-Conferencing English–Spanish eTandem Exchange
Authors: Arellano-Soto German , Parks Susan
Published: April 2021

This study analyzed eTandem video-conferencing exchanges between five pairs of university students of English as a foreign language (EFL) and Spanish as a foreign language (SFL). The exchanges, which involved discussion of seven tasks, took place on a weekly basis. Drawing on an interactionist perspective (Ellis et al., 2001a; Loewen, 2005), the study explored the impact of incidental noticing on subsequent language learning. Data were collected from two sources: transcripts of all the video-conferencing sessions and immediate and delayed post-tests. Drawing on Loewen’s (2005) framework of analysis, the transcripts revealed that students generated a total of 915 focus-on-form episodes (FFEs). As measured by the post-tests, participants recalled over half of the targeted FFE linguistic items. In contrast to previous studies (Loewen, 2005; Shekary & Tahririan, 2006), where successful uptake was a predictor for L2 learning, the present study revealed that the only significant predictor was deferred timing. More generally, the present study supports the claim that eTandem video-conferencing is a useful activity for promoting L2 acquisition.
Św. Jan Paweł II i niepodległość
Authors: Subačius Paulius V.
Published: April 2021

The article reflects the impact of encouragement by John Paul II on the Lithuanian struggle for Independence. Three messages by the Pope were the most important: proclamation Bishop Jurgis Matulaitis the Blessed in 1987, promotion Bishop Vincentas Slad-kevičius to cardinal in 1988 and the trip to Lithuania in September 1993 directly related with the pull-out of the Red Army. Sustainable independence unites rather than divides people of different cultural backgrounds and delights rather than arouses someone’s anger in society. The steps of John Paul II were instrumental to help cross the limits between languages and contradictory memories. Having arrived in Vilnius, the Pope addressed the Catholics speaking his mother tongue as Lithuanians of Polish origin. This concept acting as the legacy of the saint and benchmark allowing actualising the call and promise of the Gospel in national states and Europe of nations: “There is neither Jew nor Gentile” (Gal 3, 28). Reflections by ordinary people on speeches by the Pope Francis delivered in Lithuania recently reasonable to interpret as the mark left by John Paul II on Lithuanian consciousness.
„Duchowe przetrwanie czasów najcięższych” według Romana Ingardena i Karola Wojtyły
Authors: Radziechowski Dariusz
Published: April 2021

The subject of this article is the works of Roman Ingarden and Karol Wojtyła in the years of the Second World War and post-war occupied Poland. Ingarden – as a professor of philosophy – worked during the war on his work entitled Controversy over the Existence of t h e Wo r l d. Wojtyła started then his studies that were disrupted by the war. He was a poet, actor and alumnus of secret Seminary of Cracow Archdiocese since 1942. Ingarden and Wojtyła formed close relationship in the mid-1960s. What is similar, even during the war, in their thoughts is phenomenological philosophy and belief in the power of spirit of resis-tance not only in armed struggle, but also in that what is spiritual: science, culture and art.This article is structurally divided into three fundamental parts. The first part refers to Ingarden, the second part to Wojtyła and the third part to proper remembering and not forgetting historical experiences of struggle for independence of Poland.
Charles Edward Ives Amerykański śpiew wolności
Authors: Janicka-Słysz Małgorzata
Published: April 2021

Charles E. Ives (1874–1954), an American composer – wanted to preach in music and music – freedom and truth. The essence of the composer’s outlook on the world is included in his Essays Before a Sonata, which can be interpreted as a unique composer’s treaty – the only one of its kind. Ives believed that music was an internally dialectic set of values, composed of two subsets – a higher subset of substance, and a lower subset of style or manner, a manner of expression. He wrote: “Why can’t a musical thought be presented as it is born – perchance ‘a bastard of the slums,’ or a ‘daughter of a bishop’”. Ives recalls an important thought by Ralph Emerson, the leading figure of American transcendentalism, and his spiritual mentor: “What you are talks so loud, that I cannot hear what you say?” The generation of Stalowa Wola – „new humanists” or „new romantics” – entered the ax-iological space marked by Ives’s thought: Eugeniusz Knapik (1951), Andrzej Krzanowski (1951–1990) and Aleksander Lasoń. They came back to what – after Mikhail Bakhtin and Roger Scruton – I call emotional memory; they were returning through the reception of the views of Ives and his concept of music as a set of values.
Od Óneiros do Hablika – o wolności tworzenia w refleksji kompozytorskie
Authors: Szymańska-Stułka Katarzyna
Published: April 2021

This paper discusses the subject of the composer’s identity and freedom of creating today. One hundred years of independence changed mentality and sensibility of the nation. During this period, many events happened and reality, which is changing constantly and dynamically, transforms our way of feeling, reasoning and approach to creating. How do we perceive artistic activity today at the beginning of the new century of independence? How we see our identity as creators and researchers of music? How we define and feel ar-tistic freedom now? The above aspects constitute the main area of interest in my research directed to the current situation in music and composers’ motivations to create music today. I was wondering what composers think and how they relate their creative activeness to the categories of artistic freedom, identity and inspirations. I chose general aspects of the topic and accepted them as the basis for research. Then I formulated questions based on them and posed to composers. I decided to ask selected representatives of the young generation of composers, who grew on the threshold of free Poland in the early 90s. The questions were as follows: what is our reaction to changes in reality and awareness of these changes in creation, how we think today in the post digital and highly performative reality? How we experience its impact on the artistic process? What we are looking for, whether the slogan “everything has already been discovered” still makes sense? What affects us the most, what is the motivator for our artistic activity? Direct conversations brought an interesting result. One of them, concerning the composer’s activity of Dariusz Przybylski, I present in the following paper.
Critical evaluation of rheological behaviour of low-calcium fly ash geopolymer pastes
Authors: Kondepudi Kala , Subramaniam Kolluru V. L.
Published: April 2021

The rheological behaviour of alkali-activated low-calcium fly ash (AAF) pastes is evaluated. The sodium-based, alkali-silicate activating solutions are proportioned for specific reactive oxide ratios in the paste considering the reactive content of the fly ash. Alkali-silicate activating solutions with different silica contents, with an MS value (the mass ratio silica to sodium oxide (SiO2 : Na2O)) of less than 1.80 are used. The activating solutions exhibit a Newtonian behaviour with higher viscosities at larger silica contents or lower MS. The yield stress and the viscosity of the AAF pastes increase with the viscosity of the activating solution. The zeta potential of the fly ash particles in the alkaline solution with dissolved silica is lowered on decreasing its MS. The yield stress of the AAF paste increases sensitively on decreasing the MS of the activating solution due to the combined influences of reducing the zeta potential of fly ash particles and increasing the viscosity of the activating solution. There are counteracting effects of increasing the viscosity of the activating solution and raising the zeta potential of fly ash, produced by increasing the silica content in the activating solution. The yield stress of AAF paste is less sensitive to the silica content in the activating solution.
Hazardous waste on waste rock of São Pedro da Cova coal mine (Portugal): site reclamation
Authors: Roque António José , Monteiro Vitor
Published: April 2021

For 12 years, in Portugal, a waste deposit was in contact with the underlying ground. The waste, fly ash, was produced by electric arc furnaces of the Portuguese Iron and Steel Company. The subsoil consisted of waste rock spoils from an old coal mine site. The waste was transported to the site as part of a recovery operation. At the time of the operation, the waste was classified as ‘inert’. Site investigations performed later showed that the waste was hazardous. The waste mainly consisted of high concentrations of lead and petroleum hydrocarbons, and there was no containment structure to confine the waste, which put local public health and the environment at risk. It was therefore recommended that the waste be moved to a hazardous waste landfill. In this paper, the methodology used to study the waste disposal is presented, followed by the methodology adopted for the reclamation of the site. Firstly, the deposited waste was excavated and the remediation of the subsoil was performed by removing contaminated soil areas, whose depth did not exceed 0.75 m. Then, an on-site reuse operation was carried out by backfilling the natural soil that was covering the waste deposit.
Determination of heat generation due to organic degradation in a double-layered bioreactor
Authors: Shi Jianyong , Li Yu Ping , Zhang Yuchen , Tai Jun , Li Yulin , Ai Yingbo
Published: April 2021

Heat generation occurs in landfills due to the degradation of organic matter. This paper aims to evaluate the heat generated due to the organic matter degradation of synthetic municipal solid waste using a bioreactor. A double-layered bioreactor is developed for the waste degradation test, during which the waste temperature, ambient temperature, gas emissions and total degraded organic matter are measured. The waste degradation tests last more than 350 h and indicate peak values for both the waste temperature and the rate of gas emission. The heat generated from waste degradation is determined by accounting for increases in the waste temperature, gas emissions and bioreactor conduction. The total heat generated per unit mass of the dry organic matter ranges from 1503 to 1776 kJ, which shows reasonable comparison results with the reported heat values. The variation in the total heat generated with waste degradation time is well predicted by an empirical formula, in which the heat parameters are correlated with the times of the peak waste temperature and peak heat generation rate.
Inhabit in the pandemic: the news published on the ArchDaily website
Authors: Paula Ana Luiza Delgado de , Braida Frederico
Published: April 2021

This article approaches pandemic’ influence in architecture and urbanism and tries to answer the question: what are the main subjects that have been discussed by architects and urbanists in the news when they try to understand the relationship between habitation and pandemic? The article’s purpose is to reveal an overview of the main reflexions running on specialized websites, such as searches at ArchDaily Brazil, about how Covid-19 affects architecture and urbanism. It’s a qualitative research with an exploratory character and a sistematic literature review with an extensive content analysis. In the end, some topics try to bring possible answers for the distancing and social isolation repercussions in residential architecture and cities.
Impact of reforms on the health system and access to care in Haiti and Bangladesh: a scoping review protocol v1
Authors: Udechukwu Treasure , Carnapete Louise , Haider Shabab , Ridde Valery
Published: April 2021

Objective: The overall objective of this scoping review is to explore the literature on reforms in Haiti and Bangladesh, and understand their impact on past and current health systems in the context of climate-induced environmental change and population (im)mobilities Introduction: The concept of health system resilience is defined as its ability to adapt and transform to maintain and improve access to health services as a result of shocks or disturbances to the system. Shocks or disturbances of the health system are the results of a number of various drivers or causal factors that do not necessarily mean just stresses and extreme system issues caused by external events. However, the possibility that shocks and disturbances are a result of intentional actions taken by actors in international, national or local spheres is still widely overlooked in the resilience literature. For example, reforms of modes of governance, funding structures or delivery of care are all types of health system disturbances or shocks that can have both expected and unintended effects. Building a resilient health system is a non-linear process that requires evaluation of the system's strengths and limitations, as well as historical learning to comprehend how the health system has evolved. In other words, we can learn about the resilience of current health systems by looking at past disturbances or shocks triggered by stressors (such as reforms). Inclusion criteria: Peer-reviewed articles, literature reviews, book chapters, grey literature, reports were included in the review if they have been published between 1991 and 2021, and published in English or in French. Methods: The search strategy will aim to locate both academic and grey literature. An extensive search of several scientific and grey literature databases (such as Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar) will be conducted to identify all studies and reports citing the impact of reforms on health systems. All selected documents will be saved in Zotero online software. The search strategy, including all identified keywords and index terms, will be adapted for each included database and/or information source. Data such as the different types of reforms that have been implemented over the last 30 years, the impact of these reforms on the health system using Turennes's 10 dimension framework, and the impact of these reforms on access to care using the Levesque framework will be collated, summarized and analysed in order to inform policy and practice recommendations relevant to the project