bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Saussure’s “anagrams”: A case of acousmatic mistaken identity?
Authors: Bennett Fionn
Published: November 2020

In the course of his painstaking study of ancient verse, Ferdinand de Saussure came up with an intriguing theory about the phonetics of the poetry he scrutinised. He postulated that the “jeux phoniques” he detected in the texts he analysed was proof that their authors were attempting to “parasite” the surface level meaning of their verse with a “hypotexte.” This hypotexte consisted of “anagrams” of “mots thèmes” whose phonetic properties were “isosyllabically diffracted” throughout the rest of the host text. Today it is generally accepted that Saussure was wrong about this. Few however maintain that what he discerned in the phonetic depths of the verse he auscultated was no more than the figment of a fertile imagination. But if this be so, what exactly had he detected? This paper maintains that what Saussure stumbled upon was the trace of a contribution made to ancient verse by melodically and metrically organised sounds. This was inevitable. Virtually all the texts he probed were “carmina sacra” that were composed to be sung and accompanied by music. This musical accompaniment had a decisive impact on the phonetics of the “lexemic” words in the Poetry that has survived. This is so because sung verse cannot “euphoniously” accommodate a musical accompaniment unless its phonetics constituents are selected, concatenated and intoned in such a way as to follow the melodic contours and rhythm patterns that modulate their articulation. In addition, the point of making verse consist both of melodically organised arrangements of sound and of organisations of sound in which one can recognise ordinary words was not simply ornamental. The real point was to bi-nature what one was hearing. In other words, the goal was to “over-signify” the usual meanings of the “logocentric” words in the verse with a separate but complementary meaning and narrative encoded in melodised tones and metered rhythms. Why qualify the accompanying music as “acousmatic voices”? Because the music in question was added to song to give a voice to whichever tutelary divinity the song was performed to honour. That’s what makes “acousmatic voices” an especially apt epithet for characterising the melodically and rhythmically structured bodies of sound Saussure so presciently discerned in the phonetic depths of the poésie phonisante he probed. The point of their being in poetry was to give a voice to the agencies to whom the object or occasion of verse is beholden for its Being-in-the-world.
The word revisited: Introducing the CogSens Model to integrate semiotic, linguistic, and psychological perspectives
Authors: Durst-Andersen Per , Bentsen Stine Evald
Published: November 2020

The paper develops a new holistic theory of the word by integrating semiotic, linguistic, and psychological perspectives and introduces the Cogitative-Sensory Word Model, the CogSens Model, that unites the human mind and body. Saussure’s two-sided sign is replaced by a Peirce-inspired three-sided conception in which the expression unit mediates two content units, namely, an idea content connected to the human mind and an image content linked to the human body. It is argued that it is the word that makes human language a unique tool of communication. Moreover, it is demonstrated how words interact with grammar to create an utterance. Finally, it is suggested that speech perception, i.e., fission of idea and image content, is the mirror image of speech production, i.e., fusion of idea and image content.
Zur Bedeutung von Kernwaffen unter Bedingungen strategischer Rivalität – analytische Denkanstöße
Authors: Lutsch Andreas
Published: November 2020

This article seeks to challenge sluggishness and wishful thinking in dealing with the issue of nuclear deterrence and to expose those tendencies to a reality check. Considering results of the latest research, the article offers methodological, conceptual, and empirical impulses to advance such an approach. On this basis, the article presents three key propositions to keep the current constellation of the European security order and its trajectories in perspective.
Air pollution, mortality, at-risk population, new entry and life expectancy of the frail elderly in three U.S. cities
Authors: Murray Christian J. , Lipfert Frederick W.
Published: November 2020

We present the findings of a new time-series model that estimates short-term health effects of particulate matter and ozone, as applied to three U.S. cities. The model is based on observed fluctuations of daily death counts and estimates the corresponding daily subpopulations at-risk of imminent death; it also shows that virtually all elderly deaths are preceded by a brief period of extreme frailty. We augment previous research by allowing new entrants to this at-risk population to be influenced by the environment, rather than be random. The mean frail subpopulations in the three cities, each containing between 3000 and 5000 daily observations on mortality, pollution, and temperature, are estimated to be about 0.1% of those aged 65 or more, and their life expectancies in this frail status are about one week. We find losses in life expectancy due to air pollution and temperature to be at most one day. Air pollution effects on new entrants into the frail population tend to exceed those on mortality. Our results provide context to the many time-series studies that have found significant short-term relationships between air quality and survival, and they suggest that benefits of air quality improvement should be based on increased life expectancy rather than estimated numbers of excess deaths.
Nominal and pronominal gender: Putting Greenberg’s Universal 43 to the test
Authors: Berg Thomas
Published: November 2020

The aim of this study is to scrutinize Greenberg’s Universal 43, which predicts pronominal gender in the presence of nominal gender. On the basis of a sample of 500 gendered and ungendered languages, gender marking is examined in nouns, personal pronouns, possessors and possessums. Ungendered languages outnumber gendered languages. Eight out of 12 logically possible gender constellations are attested in the database. In keeping with Greenberg, languages with nominal gender show a strong bias towards gendered pronouns. There is a strong correlation between gendered personal pronouns and gendered possessors. Gendered possessums are cross-linguistically uncommon. The empirical patterns are brought about by a small set of theoretical principles. Gender is independently specified for each category. Gender marking is an effort. The strength of the correlation depends on the “distance” between two given gender sites. Coding gender twice in the same time frame creates a processing difficulty. Natural and grammatical gender conspire to generate the gender sensitivity of individual categories.
Mixed evidence for crosslinguistic dependency length minimization
Authors: Liu Zoey
Published: November 2020

We investigate whether and to what extent the principle of Dependency Length Minimization (DLM) predicts crosslinguistic syntactic ordering preferences. More specifically, we ask: (i) is there a typological tendency for shorter constituents to appear closer to their syntactic heads in constructions with flexible constituent orderings? (ii) how does the extent of DLM in these constructions vary for languages with different structural characteristics? Our study uses prepositional and postpositional phrase (PP) typology as a testbed. Leveraging multilingual corpora for 34 languages, we focus on sentences with verb phrases that have exactly two PP dependents on the same side of the head verb, the ordering of which under certain conditions contains flexibility. Overall we show a pronounced preference for shorter PPs to be closer to the head verb, establishing the first large-scale quantitative evidence that DLM exists in crosslinguistic syntactic alternations. Furthermore, we present evidence that while the efficacy of DLM depends on the specific ordering structures of different language types, across languages there appears to be a much stronger preference for DLM when the two PPs appear postverbally, compared to no or a much weaker tendency for shorter dependencies when the two PPs occur preverbally. This contrast is the most visible in mixed-type languages with head-initial PPs that can appear both after or before the head verb. Within the limited number of rigid OV languages in our dataset, which have head-final PPs before the head verb, we observe no robust tendency for DLM, in contrast to the patterns in languages with head-initial PPs after the head verb. This contradicts previous findings of a longer-before-short preference in preverbal orders of head-final languages.
The Art of Mythical History and the Temporality of the AthenianEpitaphioi Logoi
Authors: Kapach Avi
Published: November 2020

This essay examines the use of myth and history in the Athenian public funeral speeches (epitaphioi logoi), concentrating specifically on temporality implied by the impulse to “mythologize” recent memories through speech,logos(Dem. 60.9; cf. Pl.Menex. 239b7-c7). While Loraux and other scholars are correct that theepitaphioiendowed Athens with a certain eternity by construing the present through the timeless lens of myth, the prevailing tendency to suspend the Athens of theepitaphioioutside of time leads to difficulties. As I argue, the chronological organization of theepitaphioigrants these speeches an important temporal element and situates them in the same continuum as the present – a move further reinforced by the tendency of the orators to rationalize the Athenian myths much as historians might; accordingly, I propose an adjusted taxonomy with which to approach the temporal status of Athenian epitaphic encomium: theepitaphioiare “mythical” less because of their eternalizing perspective than because of the malleable and pluralistic way in which they conceived of the past and molded it to their ideological purpose. Borrowing from anthropological and cognitive psychological frameworks, I further suggest that by routinely reconsolidating the past in the collective memory of thepolistheepitaphioipositioned themselves in opposition to historiography.
The activities of GST isozymes in stomach tissues of female obese patients
Authors: Yilmaz Can , Bulus Hakan , Oguztuzun Serpil , Cihan Mehmethan , Fidan Ceylan
Published: November 2020

Objectives

Obesity has become an important public health problem because of its increasing prevalence and relation with many diseases and mortality. Studies have shown its association with oxidative stress. In this study, the effect of obesity on total amount of thiol and some glutathione S-transferase (GST) isozymes were investigated which could serve as an important criteria in dose adjustment of some certain drugs in obese.

Methods

The gastric tissues removed by gastrectomy operation from 29 morbid obese female patients were analysed for thiol levels and activities of total GST, GSTT1-1 and GSTM1-1. Patients were grouped according to age, presence of hypertension and/or diabetes, and family history.

Results

The average total thiol was 131.22 (±7.74) nmol/mg protein with no significant differences in between the groups. GSTT1 specific activities were about 20% higher in four groups: with ages over 35 years old, with hypertension, without diabetes and finally without family history, with respect to other groups. The differences between total GST and GSTM1 activity levels of experimental groups were not significant.

Conclusions

This is the first study to compare activities of GST isozymes and total thiol content in the stomach tissues of obese female patients accompanying some common metabolic disorders, age and family history.
Aerodynamic Optimization of Winglet-Cavity Tip in an Axial High Pressure Turbine Stage
Authors: Zhou Zhihua , Chen Shaowen , Wang Songtao
Published: November 2020

A new geometry parametric method of winglet-cavity tip has been introduced in the optimization procedure based on three-dimensional steady CFD numerical calculation and analysis. Firstly, the reliability of numerical method and grid independency are studied. Then an aerodynamic optimization is performed in an unshrouded axial high pressure turbine with winglet-cavity tip. The optimum winglet-cavity tip has higher turbine stage efficiency and smaller tip leakage mass flow rate than the cavity tip and flat tip. Compared with the results of cavity tip, the effects of the optimum winglet-cavity tip indicate that the stage efficiency is improved effectively by 0.41% with less reduction of tip leakage mass flow rate. The variation of turbine stage efficiency with tip gap states that the optimum winglet-cavity tip obtains the smallest efficiency change rate ∆η/(∆τ/H). For the optimum winglet-cavity tip, the endwall flow and blade tip leakage flow pattern are used to analysis the physical mechanical of losses. In addition, the effects of pressure-side winglet and suction-side winglet are analyzed respectively by the deformation of the optimum winglet-cavity tip. The numerical results show that the pressure-side winglet reduces the tip leakage flow effectively, and the suction-side winglet shows a great improvement on the turbine stage efficiency.
Tongxinluo promotes axonal plasticity and functional recovery after stroke
Authors: Wang Xiaoting , Huang Xiaoqin , Yang Mengqi , Pan Xueying , Duan Meiyi , Cai Hui , Jiang Guimiao , Wen Xianlong , Zou Donghua , Chen Li
Published: November 2020

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the neural plasticity in contralesional cortex and the effects of tongxinluo (TXL) in cerebral ischemic rats.

Methodology

We used stroke-prone renovascular hypertensive (RHRSP) cerebral ischemia rat models to study the effect of TXL and the underlying mechanisms. We performed foot-fault and beam-walking tests to evaluate the motor function of rats after cortical infarction. Biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) was used to track axonal sprouting and neural connections.

Results

TXL enhanced the recovery of motor function in cerebral infarction rats. TXL increased axonal sprouting in the peri-infarcted area but not in the corpus callosum, indicating in situ origination instead of crossing between cortical hemispheres through the corpus callosum. TXL promoted the sprouting of corticospinal axons into the denervated side of spinal gray matter. The synaptophysin (SYN)-positive intensity in the peri-infarcted area of TXL-treated group was greater than that in the vehicle group. We observed co-localization of SYN with BDA-positive fibers in the denervated spinal cord gray matter in the TXL group, suggesting that axonal remodeling and synaptic connections were promoted by TXL.

Conclusion

TXL may promote the recovery of neurological function by promoting the axonal remodeling and synapse formation of motor neuronal fibers after focal cortical infarction in hypertensive rats.
The Postdeterminative
ki in the Hittite Cuneiform Corpus
Authors: Kryszeń Adam
Published: November 2020

Among almost 20,000 attestations of place names in Hittite cuneiform texts, only ca. 120 feature the geographic postdeterminative ki (“place”). This present paper explores possible reasons for such a modest number, analysing the data according to various criteria, including the geographical dispersal of toponyms determined by ki, the dating of the texts, their language and their cultural provenance. It is argued that the use of ki in the Hittite corpus is not random and should be viewed in the context of early Hittite scribal tradition. A catalogue of all attestations of the postdeterminative ki is included.
γ-Brass type structures with I- and P-cell in the ternary Cu–Zn–In system
Authors: Misra Samiran , Giri Souvik , Jana Partha P.
Published: November 2020

γ-Brass type phases in Cu–Zn–In ternary system were synthesized from the highly pure elements by conventional solid-state synthesis and characterized by X-ray diffraction and EDX analysis. Diffraction analysis confirmed the existence of cubic γ-brass type phases with I- and P-cell having a significant homogeneity range in the ternary Cu–Zn–In system. The phase homogeneity is connected with structural disorder based on mixed site occupancies. Site specific In substitution was observed during single-crystal structure analysis. The γ-brass structures with body-centered cubic lattice (I

4
‾

$‾{4}$

3m) are viewed as 26-atom γ-clusters. Like Cu5Zn8, the inner tetrahedron (IT), outer tetrahedron (OT) and octahedron (OH) sites in the 26-atom clusters of γ-brass structures with I-cell are occupied by Zn, Cu, Cu, respectively. Indium substitution is restricted to the cuboctahedral (CO) site and the CO site is assumed to be mixed with In, Cu and Zn throughout the homogeneity range. The structures of cubic γ-brass type (P

4
‾

$‾{4}$

3m) phases with P-cell are built up with two independent 26‐atom γ‐clusters and centered at the special positions A (0, 0, 0) and B (½, ½, ½) of the unit cell. According to the single‐crystal X‐ray analyses, In substitutions are largely restricted to the cuboctahedral sited B clusters. In the cubic γ-phases with P-cell, site occupancy pattern of cluster positioned at A is similar to the γ-cluster in Cu5Zn8, whereas cluster B bears a close resemblance to Cu-poor γ-cluster (Cu14In12) of Cu9In4 (P

4
‾

$‾{4}$

3m). The vec values for cubic γ-brass type phases in the Cu–Zn–In ternary system ranges between 1.57 and 1.64.
Biodegradation and decolorization of textile dyes by bacterial strains: a biological approach for wastewater treatment
Authors: Ikram Muhammad , Zahoor Muhammad , El-Saber Batiha Gaber
Published: November 2020

Textile industry releases large quantities of toxic dyes, which is a threat to public health and needs proper management before their release into environment. Out of the different approaches used these days, biodegradation and bio-decolorization is considered an eco-friendly and effective technique as this involves the use of microbes. This technique has the potential to be used effectively for a wide variety of dyes. In biological methods, mainly bacteria, fungi, and some algae are usually employed to remove or decolorize dyes present in textiles effluents and wastewaters. A number of researchers have used bacterial strains and relevant isolated enzymes successfully to decolorize a number of dyes. In this review article, various biological methods that have been used for the biodegradation and decolorization of textile dyes have been described. The review will also revive the significance of biological methods over other physical and chemical treatment methods that would be helpful in ensuring clean environment if used on large scale. Out of these methods, biodegradation through bacterial strains is considered as the best alternative to control water pollution as the growth rate of bacteria is considerably high as compared to other microorganisms. Thus if used the required biomass needed for biodegradation can be obtained in comparatively short interval of time.
At Roncevaux without Roland: Giovanni Codagnello’s Gesta Carli Francorum regis (1219–1222)
Authors: Galbiati Roberto
Published: November 2020

Giovanni Codagnello, a notary from Piacenza (c.1154–c.1234), wrote in his Liber rerum gestarum (1219–1222) a very personal re-elaboration of the defeat at Roncevaux, which he entitled Gesta Carli Francorum regis. Codagnello’s account is one of the oldest witnesses to the circulation in Italy of the legend of Roncevaux, but it has so far escaped the notice of scholars who have studied the Roland tradition in Italy. This article examines which version of the legend Codagnello knew. According to the author, he was familiar with a rhymed redaction of the Chanson de Roland. If this is the case, then it means that an exemplar of the Roland rimé was already circulating in northern Italy at the beginning of the thirteenth century.
A step forward in understandingpas: the post-verbal negator in Old Occitan from the perspective of communication and rhetorical strategizing
Authors: Paoli Sandra
Published: November 2020

In recent years, within the cognitive linguistics approach there has been a trend of scholarly research committed to exploring the motivation for language change. The way in which people use language in communication, together with principles of human categorization, are the locus where language change and innovations are to be found. Interactional contexts in particular, seen as playing a crucial role in bringing about syntactic change (Traugott 2010b), have figured prominently in recent contributions on diachronic micro-changes, bringing to the fore the role played by dialogue as both the manifestation of the participants’ own voices and the realization of the constant negotiation that characterizes human communication. Against this background, this contribution focuses on a particular use of the Occitan post-verbal negatorpasin negative rhetorical questions, which was very productive in fifteenth-century collections of religious theatrical texts. It is claimed that these dialogic contexts allowed a polyphonic use ofpas, crucially restricted to this post-verbal negator, which is key to identifying the reasons behind the eventual establishment ofpasas the generalized sentential negator in the modern language.
Bocado: scalar semantics and polarity sensitivity
Authors: Amaral Patrícia
Published: November 2020

This paper traces the developments of the nounbocadoas it participates in two polarity-sensitive constructions in the history of Portuguese: the minimizerbocado‘[not even] a bit’, a negative polarity item in Old Portuguese, and the degree adverbialum bocado‘a bit’, which emerges in the 1700 s and is a positive polarity item. I adopt Israel’s (2011) grammar of polarity based on two lexical features, a quantitative value (q-value) and an informative value (i-value), in order to analyze the properties of these constructions as they reveal the interaction between lexical meaning and the logic of scalar reasoning. By applying this model in diachrony, I show how the logic of pragmatic scales underlies the patterns observed: a low q-value (lexical meaning) constrains the possible contexts of use of the expression in terms of the informativity of the propositions conveyed. Diachronic studies can thus shed light on the types of meaning associated with scalar terms as well as on types of scalar items.
CAPACITY BUILDING NEEDS OF SMALL AND MEDIUM CONTRACTING ENTERPRISES IN KLANG VALLEY MALAYSIA
Authors: Lee Wah-Peng , Toh Tien-Choon , Lew Yoke-Lian , Khor Sin-Huai , Goh Kai-Chen , Gui Hun-Chuen , Zainordin Nadzirah , Lee Chia Kuang
Published: November 2020

This study investigated the issues constraining the growth of small and medium-scale contracting firms, which can, in turn, reflect the small and medium-scale contractors’ needs that are corresponding to the needs or supports required by small and medium-scale contractors. The purpose of this study is to help SMCEs realise their own needs and also to assist government and policymakers to discover the approaches that should be executed and allocate scarce resources to the critical parts through needs identification and appraisal. A closed-ended questionnaire survey was deployed and the responses collected only reflecting the construction players that are currently working in CIDB registered Grade 1 to Grade 6 contracting enterprises in the Klang Valley area. Through factor analysis, five critical needs have been identified. They are technical and technological needs, job accessibility needs, favourable fiscal and monetary policy needs, business development needs and anti-corruption needs. Besides, this study revealed that the success of SMCEs can be perceived in the aspects of their business growth, profit growth and employment growth. Research studies on this topic are limited in the Malaysian construction industry. Therefore, this study provides guidance and references for SMCEs and policymakers concerning the capacity building needs and how their successes can be achieved so that SMCEs can be assisted in a way that is truly able to build their capabilities in today’s construction sector in Malaysia.
Evaluation of paper straws versus plastic straws: Development of a methodology for testing and understanding challenges for paper straws
Authors: Gutierrez Joseph N. , Royals Aidan W. , Jameel Hasan , Venditti Richard A. , Pal Lokendra
Published: November 2020

New alternatives to plastic straws are being considered due to consumer demands for sustainability and recent changes in government policies and regulations, such as bans on single-use plastic products. There are concerns regarding paper straw quality and stability over time when in contact with beverages. This study evaluated the performance and properties of commercially available paper straws and their counterpart plastic straws in various intended applications. The physical, mechanical, and compositional characteristics, as well as the liquid interaction properties of the straws, were determined. The paper straws were composed mainly of hardwood fibers that were hard sized with a hydrophobic sizing agent to achieve a contact angle of 102° to 125°. The results indicated that all the evaluated paper straws lost 70% to 90% of their compressive strength after being in contact with the liquid for less than 30 min. Furthermore, the paper straws absorbed liquid at approximately 30% of the straw weight after liquid exposure for 30 min. Increased liquid temperatures caused lower compressive strengths and higher liquid uptake in the paper straws. This report provides directions and methods for testing paper straws and defines current property limitations of paper straws relative to plastic straws.
A submillimeter frequency multiplier. Part 1. Conditions of simultaneous two-mode excitation in the slow-wave structure of the o-type oscillator
Authors:   O. Ya. Usikov Institute for Radiophysics and Electronics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Mil’cho M. , Ilyenko K.
Published: November 2020

Subject and Purpose. A special need for oscillators amenable to operation in the short-wave end of the submillimeter wave band sends us in search for new ways of their development. A proposal exists related to vacuum-tube frequency multipliers based on the backward-wave oscillator (BWO) or its variant, the clinotron. Sometimes a simultaneous excitation of two different-frequency oscillations is experimentally observed in ordinary millimeter wave clinotrons, orotrons and diffraction radiation oscillators. The aim of the present study is to examine whether those operational regimes can be implemented in the creation of electronic frequency multipliers in the submillimeter wave band. Methods and Methodology. The research method is a theoretical analysis of the process of simultaneous interaction of the electron beam with the electromagnetic fields of two modes in the BWO slow-wave structure. The aim is finding relationships to impose on the slow-wave structure parameters and the BWO operation figures and thus furnish a simultaneous excitation of the two modes. The obtained relationships are tested against published experimental results. Results. Two conditions of simultaneous mode excitations have been formulated, requiring (i) equal velocities of the operating spatial harmonics and (ii) their strict frequency multiplicity. Handy diagrams have been constructed, which made it possible to build frequency multiplication schemes with any multiplicity. The rigorous analytical method of comb dispersion calculation has been generalized to the higher passbands of large numbers. The calculation results have been compared with relevant experimental data, lending support to the validity of the obtained formulas to describe the frequency multiplication regime. Conclusion. A possibility has been theoretically shown of designing submillimeter vacuum-tube frequency multipliers upon clinotron-type oscillators with a single slow-wave structure. The regime of simultaneous generation of two given frequencies requires that the system dispersion in different passbands be controlled by moving a screen over the comb-type slow-wave structure.
A submillimeter frequency multiplier. Part 2. Substantiation of a long-lived compact bunch model
Authors:   O. Ya. Usikov Institute for Radiophysics and Electronics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Mil’cho M. , Ilyenko K.
Published: November 2020

Subject and Purpose. Part 1 of the present paper presents a feasibility study of a submillimeter frequency multiplier based on a clinotron with a single slow-wave structure. The aim of Part 2 is to gain a better insight into the electron bunching mechanism, seeking for efficient energy exchange between the electron bunches and the RF field in the multiplier of the sort. Methods and Methodology. The research method is a theoretical analysis given to the electron bunching process in a BWO-type oscillator with rigorous numerical models involved. The bunch longitudinal size is calculated in steady state regime with regard to the space charge influence. The necessary conditions for compact electron bunching are sought via numerical integration of the motion equations of electrons subject to the interaction with the RF field of the slow-wave structure. Results. A mechanism of compact electron bunching has been revealed by numerical modeling and described. The pattern of long-lived compact electron bunches continuously moving along the surface of the clinotron comb-type slow-wave structure holds owing to the continuous deposition of compact electron bunches on the comb surface. The compact bunches are formed in electron beam layers farthest from the comb surface but moving to it in consequence of the electron beam inclination under magnetic field action (the clinotron effect). The bunch size and its dependence on the problem parameters have been specified. The research results find use in analysis of operational regimes of conventional clinotrons. Clinotron designers are provided with relevant recommendations. Conclusion. A model of electron bunching in clinotron-type oscillators has been developed with regard to the process of deposition of electron beam layers on the comb-type slow-wave structure surface. It is the existence of a system of compact electron bunches continuously moving along the comb surface that makes possible efficient electron beam interaction with the high-frequency electromagnetic field of multiplied-mode oscillations. We justifiably claim that multipliers of the kind can be advanced to the short-wave end of the submillimeter band.
Employment of electric torch discharge and a steam-gas generator in surface schooping of materials
Authors:   O. Ya. Usikov Institute for Radiophysics and Electronics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Puzanov O.
Published: November 2020

Subject and Purpose. The present paper is concerned with the method of surface schooping of materials using high-frequency torch discharge (HFTD) and glycerol vapor as a base for dissolving activating additives to the working gas. To approach the problem, a steam generator is employed in an effort to improve the HFTD catalytic performance in the activation of surfaces and deposition of coatings on them. The purpose is to develop a design technique of a steam generator intended for making a proper gas environment in the HFTD burning area. The discussed design techniques seek to enhance efficiency of the self-contained steam generator with allowance for its small size compared to the wavelength. Methods and Methodology. The analysis of the glycerol vapor behavior in the HFTD plasma depends on the knowledge of glycerol molecule ionization potential in the electron impact case. To find out about the measure to which the glycerol vapor affects the HFTD current, a known calcium ionization potential is used as a defined point. The heating elements as part of the steam generator are designed in terms of thermal design methodology adopted in the electroheating machine making. The calculation formulas of the running time ratios of the steam generator with various heating elements and energy efficiencies have been obtained in terms of galvanic cell theory. Results. It has been shown that glycerol vapor itself cannot affect the HFTD current. For the HFTD excitation, the microwave region has been chosen. In cooperation with activating additives to the discharge plasma, this factor also adds to the HFTD current increase. Hence, the HFTD catalytic performance depends not only on the HFTD energy and its excitation field frequency but on the glycerol-dissolved additives as well. A special design has been developed for the heating element as part of a small-size steam generator. Reference tables have been composed, enabling one to pick up a prpoper diameter and number of parallel connected wires in the spiral coil. Conclusion. A good use of glycerol vapor as a base for vaporous fluxes and activating additives to the HFTD working gas has been shown. The developed design technique concerning the heating element of the steam generator optimizes its heating circuit. Specifically, it enhances the steam generation and reduces the power consumption of the steam generator running on the galvanic cell. Second, it makes it possible to use stainless-steel spiral heating coils in regime of automatic temperature control.
Experimental study of a frequency discriminator with input signal level compensation
Authors:   O. Ya. Usikov Institute for Radiophysics and Electronics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Mytsenko I. , Khalameyda D.
Published: November 2020

Subject and Purpose. Answering the need for powerful high-frequency signal generation and desired radar range provision, pulsed magnetrons hold the current lead as part of radar transmitters. Yet there are some disadvantages, such as significant noise level and technological difficulties concerning the frequency tuning implementation. In this connection, a direct control of the pulsed magnetron frequency with the use of the Automatic Frequency Control (AFC) causes problems. And in the receiver, the AFC of the heterodyne rather than of the magnetron is more frequently used. The heterodyne frequency is maintained at such a level that the receiver is always tuned to the frequency of signal to receive. For various signal generation arrangements, the existing methods of frequency tuning with a frequency discriminator will be analyzed towards the following development of a principal electrical schematic diagram with gaining the operating characteristics of the frequency discriminator prototype on that diagram basis. Methods and methodology. The electrical schematic diagram is developed in terms of intuitive approach and analyzed by the mathematical modeling method. Results. The functional scheme of a frequency discriminator combining advantages of both single-cycle circuit (design simplicity and ease of tuning) and two-cycle circuit (null output voltage at a given frequency of the input signal and compensation possibilities as to the input voltage amplitude varying and interference) has been developed. The principal electrical schematic diagram of this new frequency discriminator has been reported together with the measured amplitude and frequency characteristics, dynamical figures, etc. Conclusions. The novelty of the proposed concept of a heterodyne AFC system built around a frequency discriminator has been confirmed. Its advantages over the known solutions have been shown.
Algorithm of surface relief retrieval at arbitrary phase shift between interferograms
Authors:   Karpenko Physico-Mechanical Institute of the NAS of Ukraine, Voronyak T.I. ,   Lviv Polytechnik National University, Kmet A.B. ,   Karpenko Physico-Mechanical Institute of the NAS of Ukraine, Muravsky L.I. ,   Karpenko Physico-Mechanical Institute of the NAS of Ukraine,   Lviv Polytechnic National University, Nazarchuk Z.T. ,   Karpenko Physico-Mechanical Institute of the NAS of Ukraine, Stasyshyn I.V. ,   Karpenko Physico-Mechanical Institute of the NAS of Ukraine,   Lviv Polytechnik National University
Published: November 2020

Improved algorithm for processing of interferograms obtained by a single arbitrary phase shift of the reference beam is proposed to reproduce the surface relief (SR). The advanced algorithm makes it possible to reproduce not only the relief of smooth or nanorough surfaces, but also its separate components, thus macrorelief (waviness) and nanorelief (roughness). Computer modulation of this algorithm was used to analyze the errors of complete SR and its components reproduction. The analysis allowed us to identify two factors that significantly affect the errors of the SR components determining by this algorithm. First, it turned out that the error of SR reproduction as the sum of macro- and nanoreliefs is much smaller than errors of these components reproduction, because the correlation coefficient between the errors fields of these components reproduction is close to 0,9. Therefore, it is better to extract the macrorelief phase map by filtering from the expanded (decyclized) SR phase map than from the collapsed (cyclic) one, which is possible by introducing the second iteration of SR recovery into the algorithm, which significantly reduces the errors. The second factor is related to boundary effects, which are observed during use of Fast Fourier transform (FFT) and spatial filtering to determine the macrorelief phase map and which increase its reproduction error. For this reason, it is proposed to eliminate the influence of boundary effects. The obtained dependences of the relief and its components reproduction errors from the test surfaces roughness for the advanced processing algorithm indicate a significant errors reduction comparing to the corresponding dependences for its previous version. These dependences are the theoretical limit for SR and its components reproduction errors in the case of using the advanced algorithm for interferograms processing.
3D visualization of the fracture surface by the series of multilevel images
Authors:   Karpenko Physico-Mechanical Institute of the NAS of Ukraine, Berehulyak O.R. , Vorobel R.A. ,   Karpenko Physico-Mechanical Institute of the NAS of Ukraine, Ivasenko I.B. ,   Karpenko Physico-Mechanical Institute of the NAS of Ukraine, Krechkovska H.V. ,   Karpenko Physico-Mechanical Institute of the NAS of Ukraine, Student O.Z. ,   Karpenko Physico-Mechanical Institute of the NAS of Ukraine, Nykyforchyn H.M. ,   Karpenko Physico-Mechanical Institute of the NAS of Ukraine
Published: November 2020

The method for visualization of details on the image of the still fracture surface of impact testing specimen on the base of the series of optical microscope images with the small focus depth is proposed. A series of images of a still object was obtained by successive change of the distance to focal plane with a certain fixed step. The local contrast maximum principle was applied to images in the sequence for construction of aggregated all-in-focus image. A level map was formed from the indexes of the image in the series, which at certain pixel indicates the most probable distance to the corresponding point of the object. The Chebyshev best approximation was used for estimation of the height of the relief to provide better 3-D visualization of a three-dimensional image of the fracture surface. The area of fracture surface was estimated by train-gulation of alpha shape.
The other side of compliance systems and codes of ethics: A Foucauldian perspective on rule-based ethics and corruption control
Authors: Fróes Couto Felipe , De Pádua Carrieri Alexandre
Published: November 2020

The purpose of this reflection paper is to provide a Foucauldian view of the influence of the neoliberal ethos on the rational choices of agents in organizations and how this impacts the tendency to make decisions about deviant behavior. We propose that practices of codes of ethics have less substantive effects and more symbolic effects. The control of corruption occurs in three dimensions: egoism, utilitarianism and opportunism. Codes of ethics and compliance systems, in this sense, possess only the capacity to partially meet each of these requirements, not being enough measure for business integrity assurance. We believe it is essential to distinguish the arguments presented in this paper from the dominant thinking on theories about ethics in organizations. Our interest is to give a politicized response to the discussions raised in the field. The originality of the article resides in the transposition of Foucauldian concepts for practices of control of conducts in the contemporary management. The inadequacy of the normative measures is worked out. Besides, alternative perspectives are proposed to the practices of management for ethical behavior in or­ganizations.
Reseña. Ramírez-Martínez, G., & Gonzales-Miranda, D. (Ed.). (2017). Tratado de estudios organizacionales. Vol. 1: teorización sobre el campo. Medellín: Editorial EAFIT.
Authors: Suárez Gómez Juan Diego
Published: November 2020

Las Universidades Autónoma Me­tropolitana de la Ciudad de México y EAFIT de Colombia traen al español una de las obras fundacionales de los estudios organizacionales (EO) a nivel global: el Tratado de estudios orga­nizacionales, Volumen 1: Teorización sobre el campo. Guillermo Ramírez Martínez y Diego René Gonzales-Mi­randa son los editores de la versión en español del compendio The SAGE Handbook of Organization Studies, que había sido originalmente publi­cado por SAGE en el 2006. El tratado, en su primer volumen, consta de 26 capítulos, además de sendas intro­ducciones proyectadas tanto por los editores anglosajones como por los editores de la versión en español, cen­trándose este primer volumen sobre las relaciones entre la teoría, la inves­tigación y la práctica de los EO.
COVID-19 and Thyroid Diseases: How the Pandemic Situation Affects Thyroid Disease Patients?
Authors:   School of Medicine and Health Sciences Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia, Pramono Laurentius Aswin
Published: November 2020

Patients with thyroid diseases need special attention during this COVID-19 pandemic. There is a paucity of publications that review the effect of coronavirus infection on thyroid disease patients, such as those with hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, thyroid nodules and cancer. This article aims to collect reviews and statements about how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the management of thyroid disease patients.
Clinical Characteristics, Residual Beta-Cell Function and Pancreatic Auto-Antibodies in Thai people with Long-Standing Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors:   Theptarin Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand, Thewjitcharoen Yotsapon , Krittiyawong Sirinate , Vongterapak Somboon , Nakasatien Soontaree , Aroonparkmongkol Suphab , Khurana Ishant , El-Osta Assam , Himathongkam Thep
Published: November 2020

Objectives. To describe the characteristics of long-standing T1DM in Thai patients and assess residual beta-cell function with status of pancreatic autoantibodies. Methodology. This is a cross-sectional study of Thai subjects with T1DM and disease duration ≥25 years seen at the Theptarin Hospital. Random plasma C-peptide and pancreatic auto-antibodies (Anti-GAD, Anti-IA2, and Anti-ZnT8) were measured. Patients who developed complications were compared with those who remained free of complications. Results. A total of 20 patients (males 65%, mean age 49.4±12.0 years, BMI 22.5±3.1 kg/m2, A1C 7.9±1.6%) with diabetes duration of 31.9±5.1 years were studied. Half of the participants remained free from any diabetic complications while the proportions reporting retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy were 40%, 30%, and 15%, respectively. HDL cholesterol was significantly higher and triglyceride concentration significantly lower in patients who were free from diabetic nephropathy but not in those who were free from other complications. The prevalence rates of anti-GAD, anti-IA2, and anti-ZnT8 were 65%, 20%, and 10%, respectively. None of the patients who tested negative for both anti-GAD and anti-IA2 was positive for anti-ZnT8. Residual beta-cell function based on detectable random plasma C-peptide (≥0.1 ng/mL) and MMTT was found in only 3 patients (15%). There was no relationship between residual beta-cell function and protective effects of diabetic complications. Conclusion. Endogenous insulin secretion persists in some patients with long-standing T1DM and half of longstanding T1DM in Thai patients showed no diabetic complications. HDL cholesterol was significantly higher and triglyceride concentration significantly lower in patients who were free from diabetic nephropathy.
Prevalence and Risk Factors for Hypovitaminosis D among Healthy Adolescents in Kota Bharu, Kelantan
Authors:   Hospital University Science Malaysia, Hussain Suhaimi , Elnajeh Maged
Published: November 2020

Objective. We aim to study the prevalence and risk factors of hypovitaminosis D among healthy adolescents in Kota Bharu, Kelantan based on the most recent Paediatric Consensus guideline. Methodology. Ten public schools were selected from Kota Bharu, Kelantan. We analysed their demography (age, gender, ethnicity, income), measured their anthropometry (height, weight, BMI) and finally analysed their vitamin D and intact- Parathyroid hormone levels. Results. The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D was 16.9% among healthy teenagers with mean age of 15.9±1.39 years. Multivariate analysis showed female gender (adjusted OR, 95% CI): 23.7 (5.64, 100.3) and Chinese 0.24 (0.07, 0.84) were the significant predictors for hypovitaminosis D. Conclusion. The prevalence of healthy adolescents with hypovitaminosis D in Kota Bharu, Kelantan was 16.9% using the most recent cut off value of 30 nmol/L from the global consensus 2016. Female and Malay were the significant risk factors associated with hypovitaminosis D. Higher cut off value would result in overestimation of prevalence rate of hypovitaminosis D.
Relationship between Plasma Adiponectin Level and Corrected QT interval in Smoker and Non-Smoker Adult Male Subjects
Authors:   University of Medicine 2, Yangon, Myanmar, Theint Yin Thu , Khin Ei Ei , Thein Ohnmar Myint , Sein Mya Thanda
Published: November 2020

Objective. This study determined the relationship between plasma adiponectin level and corrected QT interval (QTc) in smokers and non-smokers. Methodology. This cross-sectional analytical study was undertaken in 30 smokers and 30 non-smokers. Plasma adiponectin level was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The QT interval was measured by routine 12-lead ECG with Lead II rhythm and QTc was calculated. Results. Mean plasma adiponectin level was significantly lower in smokers (27.89±15 μg/ml) than that of non-smokers (52.13±21.57μg/ml) (p<0.001). Mean QTc interval was significantly longer in smokers than that of non-smokers (415.37±29.9 versus 395.63±26.13 ms, p<0.01). Higher risk of low adiponectin level (odds ratio [OR],8.1; 95% confidence interval [CI],1.61-40.77) and QTc interval prolongation (OR,6; 95%CI,1.17-30.73) were observed in smokers. There was weak significant negative correlation between plasma adiponectin level and QTc interval in the study population (n=60, r=-0.407, p=0.001). Moreover, low plasma adiponectin level was significantly associated with prolonged QTc interval in the study population (n=60, Fisher's exact p value<0.05). Risk of QTc interval prolongation was 4.3 times higher in subjects with low plasma adiponectin level (OR,4.27; 95% CI,1.05-17.46). Conclusion. Smokers have greater risk for low plasma adiponectin level and prolonged QTc interval. There is a relationship between plasma adiponectin level and QTc interval.