bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nonlinear Predictive Control of Manipulator Arms
Authors: Tatjewski Piotr
Published: June 2023

The subject of the article are predictive control algorithms (of MPC type – Model Predictive Control) for rigid manipulator arms. MPC with a state-space model and with the latest disturbance and modeling error suppression technique was applied, which avoids dynamic disturbance modeling or resorting to additional disturbance cancellation techniques, such as SMC. First of all, the most computationally efficient MPC-NPL (Nonlinear Prediction and Linearization) algorithms are considered, in two versions: the first with constrained QP (Quadratic Programming) optimization and the second with explicit (analytical) optimization without constraints and satisfying a posteriori inequality constraints. For all considered algorithms, a comprehensive simulation analysis was carried out for a direct drive manipulator, with two kinds of disturbances: external and parametric. The obtained results were compared with those for the well-known CTC-PID algorithm (CTC – Computer Torque Control), showing better control quality with MPC algorithms. In addition, the influence of the length of the sampling period and of the computational delay on control quality was investigated, which is important for model-based algorithms with fast sampling.
Extremal Problems for Second Order Hyperbolic Systems with Boundary Conditions Involving Multiple Time-Varying Delays
Authors: Kowalewski Adam
Published: June 2023

Extremal problems for second order hyperbolic systems with multiple time-varying lags are presented. An optimal boundary control problem for distributed hyperbolic systems with boundary conditions involving multiple time-varying lags is solved. The time horizon is fixed. Making use of Dubovitski-Milyutin scheme, necessary and sufficient conditions of optimality for the Neumann problem with the quadratic performance functionals and constrained control are derived.
Geschlecht als Kontinuum
Authors: Baltes-Löhr Christel
Published: June 2023

Wie lassen sich vielfältigste Geschlechtlichkeiten auf einer gleichberechtigten Ebene nebeneinander und miteinander kommunizierend abbilden? Christel Baltes-Löhr zeigt in ihrem Essay, wie sich mit der Figur des Kontinuums die Pluralität gelebter Realitäten cis*-weiblicher, cis*-männlicher, trans*-, inter*-, nicht-binär*- und a*-geschlechtlicher Menschen nachzeichnen lassen - mit allen potenziellen Differenzen, Ähnlichkeiten, Polypolaritäten und kategorialen Durchlässigkeiten. Damit werden bislang binär gefasste Argumente zur Geschlechtervielfallt grundlegend erweitert und ansatzweise gesprengt. Auch Migration/Flucht, Raum, Kultur, Familie, Arbeit und Zeit scheinen durch die innovative Figur des Kontinuums in einem neuen Licht auf, das gelebten Pluralitäten Raum gibt.
Neue Psychiatrie
Authors: Hasler Felix
Published: June 2023

»Leidet die Psyche, ist das Gehirn erkrankt«. Dieses Dogma der Biologischen Psychiatrie hat das Fach über lange Zeit als zentrales Paradigma der Forschung beherrscht. Die neurowissenschaftliche Wende hat den psychiatrischen Blick auf Gene und Moleküle gelenkt - und dabei den Menschen aus den Augen verloren. Kluge Wissenschaftler*innen, jahrzehntelange Forschung und Multimilliarden-Investitionen konnten der Biologischen Psychiatrie zu keiner Relevanz für die klinische Praxis verhelfen. Doch leise und allmählich zeichnen sich Veränderungen ab. Die Zukunft der Psychiatrie wird multiprofessionell, flexibel, digital und praxisorientiert sein. Felix Haslers pointierte Analyse ist ein vorgezogener Nachruf auf eine erfolglose, aber nebenwirkungsreiche Idee und ein Plädoyer für eine neue Psychiatrie des pragmatischen Handelns.
Die Kunst des Computer Game Design
Authors: Blankenheim Björn
Published: June 2023

Was ist die Kunst des Game Design? Wie unterscheidet sie sich von Schriftstellerei oder vom Filmemachen? Welche Aufgaben hat man als Game Designer_in? Und was macht ein gutes Spiel aus? Diesen grundlegenden Fragen widmen sich vor allem Game Designer_innen selbst - auf Konferenzen, in Zeitschriften und Büchern. Björn Blankenheims Studie zeichnet erstmals nach, wie im Zeitraum zwischen 1982 und 1996 Bemühungen einsetzten, den Ort der eigenen Disziplin, das Wesen des eigenen Mediums und die eigene Rolle im Produktionsprozess zu bestimmen. Damit rückt der Anspruch dieser Gründungsepoche in den Mittelpunkt - Game Design als Kunstform etablieren und etwas Neues erschaffen: Real Art through Computer Games.
Verrat üben
Authors: Erdogan Hayat
Published: June 2023

Hayat Erdoğan diskutiert in diesem Beitrag die Widersprüche und Grenzen scheinbar widerstreitender Ästhetiken. Autonomie oder Sozialintegration durch Kunst? Politisch und nützlich oder interesseloses Wohlgefallen? Teilhabe oder Exklusivität? Artivistische, dekoloniale und postkoloniale, diversitäts- und gemeinschaftsorientierte Kunstverständnisse sind unlängst Teil des Kunstfelds. Sie sind aber nicht das Andere einer eurozentrischen Autonomieästhetik, die sich u.a. Universalismus und Inkommensurabilität auf die Fahnen schreibt. Was Kunst ist, für wen und in welcher Weise, lässt sich nicht mit einer Ästhetik beantworten. Wo die Grenzen der ästhetischen Freiheit und Gleichheit erreicht sind, beginnt der Verrat: das Geheimnis der Kunst. Ein Plädoyer für eine dekonstruktive Denkbewegung.
Reenacting Racism
Authors: Kalu Joy Kristin , Quickert Anja
Published: June 2023

Das hier abgedruckte Gespräch zwischen Joy Kristin Kalu (als Leiterin des Festivals "Save your Soul" in den Sophiensælen) und Anja Quickert (als Autorin für das Fachmagazin "Theater heute") setzt ein Interview fort, das im Rahmen der Berichterstattung über das Festival begonnen wurde. Kurz zuvor hatte Kalu die Performance der US-amerikanischen Künstlerin Ann Liv Young aufgrund eines Rassismus-Vorfalls abgebrochen. Der Vorgang bot Anlass, das Spannungsfeld zwischen der Autonomie künstlerischer Prozesse im experimentellen Gegenwartstheater einerseits und dessen soziale Relevanz und Verantwortung andererseits auszuloten und zu diskutieren.
Under Surveillance
Authors: Naqshband Saboura M.
Published: June 2023

Saboura Naqshband geht in diesem Text der Frage nach, welche alternativen, hegemoniekritischen Bilder im Sinne Spivaks durch die Künste imaginiert werden können, und auf welche Weise künstlerische Mittel es den vom Kunstbetrieb Marginalisierten ermöglichen spielerisch mitzugestalten und eine eigene Sprache in und durch die Künste entwickeln zu können. Anhand der eigenen Performance der Autorin und ihrer Intervention in der Videoinstallation "3x3x6" von Shu Lea Cheang auf der Venedig-Biennale 2019 veranschaulicht der Beitrag, wie aktuelle Diskussionen um sexualisierte Gewalt, antimuslimischer Rassismus, Geschlecht und koloniale Blickregime miteinander auf komplexe Weise - in Doppelbindungen - verflochten sind.
Dekolonisierung innerhalb nationalstaatlicher Förderlogiken?
Authors: Boger Mai-Anh , Simon Nina
Published: June 2023

Mai-Anh Boger und Nina Simon zeigen die Verbindung von Audre Lorde und Friedrich Schiller in der Frage auf, welche Freiheiten und welche Zwänge damit einhergehen, sich der Werkzeuge der Herrschenden zu bedienen. Die Aneignung verschiebt deren Bedeutung. Dies gilt jedoch auch für Instrumente der (dekolonialen) Kritik: Wenn kritische Werkzeuge im Herrenhaus verwendet werden, gehören diese dann jenen, die sie sich angeeignet haben? In der einen Richtung gelesen, geht es dabei um die Illusion, man könne mit den Werkzeugen der Herrschenden alles erreichen. In der Gegenrichtung verstanden, geht es um die Illusion, dass es sich nicht lohne, sich diese Werkzeuge der Dominanzkultur anzueignen. Wie zeigt sich die Ambivalenz sowie die Dialektik aus Zwang und Freiheit im Verwenden dieser Instrumente im Feld der Kulturellen Bildung?
Dreaming Big in Post-War Greece
Authors: Zermpoulis Miltiadis
Published: June 2023

In post-war Greece, Western Allies, the country's conservative political elite and parts of the middle class share a dream of consolidating and maintaining the country's Western, bourgeois-liberal orientation. In 1947, with the civil war still raging in the country, the Greek government chooses the path of the capitalist countries and joins the American program for the reconstruction of war-torn Europe. Miltiadis Zermpoulis focuses on the impact and significance of the social and political changes brought about by the civil war, the dominance of conservatives in the political arena and the promotion of political surveillance and compliance technologies in the daily life of Greece's second largest city, Thessaloniki.
David Lynchs »Mulholland Drive« verstehen
Authors: Lang Christine
Published: June 2023

»Mulholland Drive« (2001) von David Lynch ist ein Filmklassiker und ein Stück Popkultur. Seine Attraktion beruht vor allem auf der bedeutungsoffenen und »verrätselnden« Erzählweise, welche Zuschauende zur Interpretation einlädt. Christine Lang legt in einer detaillierten Studie dar, wie sich diese Rezeptionsbeziehung realisiert. Sie analysiert die narrative Struktur und die ästhetischen Strategien mit Methoden und Begriffen der Dramaturgie und macht den Film und seine avancierte Erzählweise dadurch auch inhaltlich nachvollziehbar.
Thinking Like a River
Authors: Krause Franz
Published: June 2023

The Kemi River is the major watercourse in the Finnish province of Lapland and the »stream of life« for the inhabitants of its banks. Franz Krause examines fishing, transport and hydropower on the Kemi River and analyses the profoundly rhythmic patterns in the river dwellers' activities and the river's dynamics. The course of the seasons and weekly and daily rhythms of discharge, temperature, work and other patterns make the river dwellers' world an ever-transforming phenomenon. The flows of life and the frictions of everyday encounters continually remake the river and its inhabitants, negotiating national strategies, economic power, people's ingenuity, and the currents of the Kemi River.
Für das Sagbare
Authors: Käser Matthias
Published: June 2023

Menschen bedürfen des Zeugnisses der Anderen, um sich zu vergewissern, was und wer sie sind oder was und wozu sie denken, reden und handeln - soweit eine gemeinhin unstrittige These. Doch gilt dies auch für die Zeug*innenschaft an Orten und in Momenten, in denen Menschen Opfer von extremem Unrecht, massiver Gewalt, Hass oder Diskriminierung werden? Lässt sich das Unsagbare eigentlich bezeugen? Matthias Käser plädiert mithilfe interdisziplinärer Zeug*innenschaftsdiskurse gegen das Unbeschreibliche und für das Ethos des Erzählens. Er zeigt auf, dass Erfahrungen um der Betroffenen willen versuchsweise bezeugt werden müssen - so gebrochen oder lückenhaft sie auch sein mögen.
Forschendes Lernen an der postdemokratischen Unternehmensuniversität
Authors: Reuter Ewald
Published: June 2023

Ewald Reuter erläutert, wie Forschendes Lernen auch an der postdemokratischen Universität gelehrt und gelernt werden kann.
Delitos contra los derechos de los ciudadanos extranjeros
Authors: Pardo Miranda Marta
Published: June 2023

El artículo 318 bis, único precepto del Título XV bis del Libro II del Código Penal, lleva como rúbrica los “delitos contra los derechos de los ciudadanos extranjeros”, pero ¿son los derechos de los ciudadanos extranjeros los que se están tutelando con este precepto? A través del análisis sistemático de los delitos contra los derechos de los ciudadanos extranjeros e indagando en cada uno de sus elementos llegamos a una conclusión bien distinta, lo que ha requerido un especial análisis del bien jurídico protegido, de los diferentes problemas que ha planteado esta figura delictiva y de la normativa supranacional que ha guiado los pasos del legislador español en la materia.
La revocación de la renuncia a la acción civil en el procedimiento penal tras la entrada en vigor de la ley orgánica 10/2022, de 6 de septiembre, de garantía integral de la libertad sexual
Authors: Rodriguez Almirón Francisco José
Published: June 2023

La responsabilidad civil ex delicto está sujeta a una serie de principios que emanan de su naturaleza civil, como el principio dispositivo. Fruto de este poder de disposición de la víctima se encuentra la posibilidad de renunciar a ser indemnizada. La renuncia es una dejación voluntaria de un derecho del que dispone el perjudicado. Se trata de un acto libre, terminante e inequívoco, y que requiere para su validez no estar afectado por un vicio en el consentimiento. Es un acto en principio irrevocable. La modificación del artículo 112 LECrim llevada a cabo por la Ley Orgánica 10/2022, de 6 de septiembre, de Garantía integral de la libertad sexual permite la revocación de la renuncia otorgada por la víctima en diferentes supuestos relacionados con el error o con vicios en la formación o exteriorización del consentimiento. Este trabajo trata de determinar la problemática en torno a la revocación de la renuncia a la indemnización.
FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE OF PHONEMES IN HINDI
Authors: N Sreedevi , M Irfana , Paulson Anu Rose
Published: June 2023

Hindi, an Indo-Aryan language is the national language of India and the state language of various North Indian states of India such as Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh etc. Statistics on the phonemes of a language provides useful information in the field of speech language pathology, audiology, linguistics and communication engineering. The data can be effectively used for the assessment and selection of target phonemes for treatment of various communication disorders, develop phonetically balanced word lists for audiological testing, and teach foreign language. It also provides valuable information to device text to speech systems and automatic speech recognition systems. The earlier data on frequently occurring phonemes in numerous Indian languages were derived from written sources. However, information from spoken language may be of more significance compared to written language. The aim of the present study was to determine the frequently occurring phonemes in spoken Hindi. Participants were native speakers of Hindi in the age range of 20 to 70 years. Eighteen group conversation samples were recorded. The samples were transcribed using IPA transcription. Systematic Analysis of Language Transcripts (SALT) software was used to analyze the samples in order to obtain the frequently occurring phonemes. Descriptive statistics was applied for the same. Results revealed that phonemes /n, a, e, f, h, k/ were the most frequently occurring phonemesin Hindi.  Aspirated phonemes (/gh/, /ʈh/, /ph/, /ɖh/) were the least present phonemes in the data. High and front vowels were more frequently present in spoken Hindi. Considering the manner of articulation, nasals and stops had higher occurrence. Alveolar dominated considering the place of articulation of phonemes. The applications of the study are extensive and can be utilized efficiently in a variety of disciplines.
THE REPRESENTATION OF SOCIAL ACTOR STRATEGIES ENFOLDED IN AUSTRALIAN NEWSPAPER
Authors: Surjowati Ribut - , Ardianyah Roely - , Susiloadi Sugeng - , Azizah Siti -
Published: June 2023

The purposes of this research are to explain how and why Sydney Morning Herald communicates its ideologies in such a way through the social actors represented in news reports. The data collected were analyzed by using Fairclough’s and Van Dijk’s model of Critical Discourse analysis (CDA) and Theo Van Leeuwen’s framework of the representation of social actors. The findings show that the newspaper viewed the Out group social actors which were Indonesian government, Indonesian army and Indonesian military officers and In Group social actors which were Australian, Papuan activists and those who support Papuan conflict, in terms of assimilation, nomination and categorization, functionalization and identification, Impersonalization. These categorizations serve different purposes. Those which are related to the Out groups express a purpose to emphasize their brutality, superiority and dominance towards the indigenous Papuans. However, In Groups social actors were indicated as peace makers. These findings illustrate Australia’s political ideologies and hidden agenda for Indonesia. Australia is liberal country which respects individual freedom; therefore, government must protect and get justice. That is why, it is also became Australia’s responsibility to give aids to Papuans who is seeking better place as stated in the international law. Furthermore, Australia’s attitudes in trying to interference the conflict by providing a place for the Papuan asylum seekers is a picture of how this country is concerned towards Indonesia
Intransitive-based Applicatives in Bahasa Indonesia
Authors: Candria Mytha , Sawardi F.X.
Published: June 2023

As there has not been research specifically focused on the meanings of intransitive-based applicatives in bahasa Indonesia, this research was carried out as an effort to uncover the meanings of Indonesian intransitive-based applicative constructions. To reach the goal, we use Dixon’s framework of four broad categorizations of applicative meanings (2012). The research is descriptive and qualitative in nature, and the approach used is that of structural typology. Data were collected using library research, document analysis, and purposive sampling. Intransitive-based applicatives in bahasa Indonesia has four meanings; they, ordered based on the frequency of occurences, are locative, stimulus for a stative verb (G-stimulus), stimulus for corporeal activities (G-corporeal), and comitative. There are, however, -kan intransitive-based applicative constructions that cannot neatly fall into Dixon’s meaning categorization. We then proposed another applicative meaning of -kan, as is suggested by Sneddon et al. (2010). In conclusion, we hold that Dixon’s categorization of applicative meanings is a framework quite exhaustive to understand the semantic elements of Indonesian transitive-based applicatives.
Deep learning models for multilabel ECG abnormalities classification: A comparative study using TPE optimization
Authors: Rawi Atiaf A. , Elbashir Murtada K. , Ahmed Awadallah M.
Published: June 2023

The problem addressed in this study is the limitations of previous works that considered electrocardiogram (ECG) classification as a multiclass problem, despite many abnormalities being diagnosed simultaneously in real life, making it a multilabel classification problem. The aim of the study is to test the effectiveness of deep learning (DL)-based methods (Inception, MobileNet, LeNet, AlexNet, VGG16, and ResNet50) using three large 12-lead ECG datasets to overcome this limitation. The define-by-run technique is used to build the most efficient DL model using the tree-structured Parzen estimator (TPE) algorithm. Results show that the proposed methods achieve high accuracy and precision in classifying ECG abnormalities for large datasets, with the best results being 97.89% accuracy and 90.83% precision for the Ningbo dataset, classifying 42 classes for the Inception model; 96.53% accuracy and 85.67% precision for the PTB-XL dataset, classifying 24 classes for the Alex net model; and 95.02% accuracy and 70.71% precision for the Georgia dataset, classifying 23 classes for the Alex net model. The best results achieved for the optimum model that was proposed by the define-by-run technique were 97.33% accuracy and 97.71% precision for the Ningbo dataset, classifying 42 classes; 96.60% accuracy and 83.66% precision for the PTB-XL dataset, classifying 24 classes; and 94.32% accuracy and 66.97% precision for the Georgia dataset, classifying 23 classes. The proposed DL-based methods using the TPE algorithm provide accurate results for multilabel classification of ECG abnormalities, improving the diagnostic accuracy of heart conditions.
New Evidence on Nicanor’s Theory of Punctuation
Authors: Nünlist René
Published: June 2023

A concise summary of Nicanor’s theory of punctuation that has recently been discovered in a codex mixtus of the 15th century throws precious new light on a topic of some complexity. The general picture that emerges from the new extract does not substantially differ from that of the other known summary, which has been the starting point for all modern reconstructions of Nicanor’s theory. Therefore, these reconstructions need not be rewritten on a larger scale. The two summaries nevertheless display some telling differences in how they explain and present the details, not least when read against the backdrop of Nicanor’s actual practice that can be derived from the relevant scholia to Homer. The purpose of the present article is to assess the new discovery especially with regard to these differences and their effects on how Nicanor’s theory is to be reconstructed.
Exitium Troiae funestaque flamma. Il personaggio di Paride nell’Ilias Latina
Authors: Aricò Giuseppe
Published: June 2023

The character of Paris in the Ilias Latina maintains the ambiguity that characterises him in the Greek Iliad, where he does not lack military attitudes, but chafes against his duties to his country, being committed instead to satisfying his taste for luxury. This ambiguity is even reinforced in the epitome. The ‘heroic’ aspect of Paris’ personality emerges in a clearer light, expressed in a more mature awareness of his obligations to his family and country, but the other aspect, his indolence, is also accentuated: the character becomes a true elegiac lover, immersed in the experience of an exalted passion that partly distinguishes him from the cliché of the libertine of the Homeric tradition. It might therefore seem legitimate to interpret the Paris of the Ilias Latina in a more positive key than the Homeric character. However, this exegesis is opposed by the judgement expressed by the authorial voice at many significant points of the story: by his dissolute and unscrupulous behaviour, Paris has started a war that will lead to the ruin of his country; he himself is thus his own funesta ruina (234), the funesta ... flamma (253) that will burn down Troy and his own fate.
“L’importante è finire”. Ancora a proposito del riuso di Verg.Aen.4.415 in Auson.Epigr.75.8 Green
Authors: Ortoleva Vincenzo
Published: June 2023

In the complete quotation of Verg.Aen.4.415 in Auson.Epigr.75.8 Green, the participlemoritura, originally referring to Dido, takes on the obscene double entendre of “about to orgasm”, matching analogous attestations of this distinctive sense of the verbmorior.
Edge strengthening and phonetic variability in Spanish /l/: an ultrasound study
Authors: Ramsammy Michael , King Matthew
Published: June 2023

Previous research has shown that /l/ in Spanish displays patterns of articulatory variability that are determined by a complex interaction of phonetic, phonological and dialectal factors. In this study, we report the results of an experiment using Ultrasound Tongue Imaging (UTI) that tests /l/-articulations in a dialectal cross-section of Spanish speakers. We show that lengthening of /l/ in phrase-edge contexts is accompanied by articulatory distinctions (e.g. root/dorsum retraction) for some speakers, whereas others produce lengthened realisations of /l/ in these contexts without observable differences in tongue position. We also find acoustic evidence for reduction in utterance-medial intervocalic and preconsonantal environments (duration, intensity, F1 frequency measures are discussed). However, articulatory correlates of reduction are not consistently observed across speakers in these contexts. As well as relating the results to prosodically-driven strengthening and reduction patterns, our findings are of relevance to debates about resyllabification in Spanish. Specifically, we argue that our results cannot be straightforwardly accommodated under phonological analysis assuming that word-final consonants regularly resyllabify across word boundaries prevocalically.
Preparation and application of corona noise-suppressing anti-shedding materials for UHV transmission lines
Authors: Cui Xiangyu , Shi Xin , Hou Xiaobang , Yin Jianguang , Li Fangwei , Zang Yuwei , Hu Jingchuan , Xie Lianke , Peng Jiashun
Published: June 2023

With the continuous expansion of the construction scale of the State Grid and the gradual improvement of people’s awareness of environmental protection, the power contradictions and disputes caused by the North–South Power Transmission and Transformation Project have become increasingly prominent, which has attracted widespread attention from all walks of life. This study focuses on the development of conductive silicone gel for UHV transmission lines using carbon fiber (CF) powder, carbon black (CB), and carbon nanotubes as fillers, and organic silicone polymer as the matrix. The aim was to address the issues of corona noise and detachment. We prepared a series of conductive silicone gels with different proportions of CF and CB conductive fillers and conducted a comprehensive analysis of their electrical conductivity, tensile performance, hydrophobicity, and rheological properties. The research results demonstrated that the maximum electrical conductivity of the conductive silicone gel was achieved when the CF and CB contents reached a ratio of 2:1. In the case of a 70% organic silicone polymer gel, the electrical conductivity reached 0.73 S/cm, while it increased to 1.17 S/cm in an 80% organic silicone polymer gel. This indicates that optimizing the proportion of fillers can significantly enhance the electrical conductivity of the conductive silicone gel, meeting the requirements of UHV transmission lines. Additionally, the study evaluated the tensile performance, hydrophobicity, and rheological properties of the conductive silicone gel. The results showed that the 70% organic silicone polymer gel exhibited a tensile strength, Young’s modulus, and elongation at a break of 678.6 MPa, 1.3 MPa, and 15.22%, respectively. The corresponding values for the 80% organic silicone polymer gel were 129.9 MPa, 1.6 MPa, and 55.89%. This indicates that the conductive silicone gel possesses excellent mechanical properties and ductility, enabling it to withstand stress and deformation in UHV transmission lines while providing anti-detachment effects. In summary, this study successfully developed a conductive silicone gel that meets the requirements of UHV transmission lines. By optimizing the ratio of CF and CB contents, the electrical conductivity of the gel was maximized. Furthermore, the conductive silicone gel exhibited favorable tensile performance, electrical conductivity, and anti-detachment effects, effectively addressing corona noise and detachment issues in UHV transmission lines. These research findings are of great significance for the design and application of UHV transmission lines.
An uncanny case of paraneoplastic calcitriol mediated hypercalcaemia
Authors: Shah Preet Mukesh , Saeed Saadia , Gonzalez Susana
Published: June 2023

A 77-year-old female patient with a history of treated breast cancer and a recently diagnosed laryngeal cancer presented with severe hypercalcaemia associated with suppressed parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels. Her initial investigations included 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels, short synacthen test, bone scan, myeloma screen and thyroid function tests which were within normality. A computerised tomography (CT) scan showed some right lung apical fibrotic changes. Her PTH-related peptide (PTHrP) was normal and sarcoidosis was also excluded. Her previous and current malignancies were thought to be unlikely behind her hypercalcaemia. Her 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D (calcitriol) levels were found to be elevated. Her hypercalcaemia was initially managed with intravenous fluids and intermittent bisphosphonates infusions which would transiently reduce her calcium levels. Steroid treatment was initiated which improved her hypercalcaemia; however, the calcium levels rebounded on tapering the steroids down, a pre-requisite prior to a positron emission computerised tomography (PET-CT) scan to determine the source of the excess calcitriol production. This was cancelled following an emergency admission with marked hypercalcaemia and acute renal and liver injury. A contemporary CT scan showed a right apical lung mass with hepatic lesions suggestive of a disseminated lung primary. The histology obtained from a liver biopsy was compatible with metastatic small-cell lung carcinoma. Unfortunately, her clinical condition deteriorated further and she did not survive. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report in the literature describing calcitriol-mediated hypercalcaemia due to a small-cell lung cancer.

Learning points

Paraneoplastic hypercalcaemia may manifest even without overt detection of the primary cancer.

The workup for paraneoplastic hypercalcaemia should be meticulous.

Both bisphosphonates and steroids are useful in the initial management of calcitriol-mediated hypercalcaemia, but the definitive management is the treatment of the cause.
Estudio tomográfico e histológico comparativo de dos biomateriales para preservación del reborde alveolar
Authors: Castaño-Granada María Catalina , Arismendi-Echavarria Jorge Alberto , Pérez-Cano María Isabel , Gómez-Yali Andrea Julieth , Sanchez- Gómez Sara
Published: June 2023

[Objetivo] Este estudio evalúa los cambios dimensionales tomográficos y cambios histológicos posexodoncia con el uso de dos materiales de injerto: xenoinjerto Bio-Oss® y membrana colágena reabsorbible Bio-Gide® y aloinjerto Puros® y membrana de colágeno reabsorbible Biomed Extend® en la preservación del reborde alveolar.  [Materiales y Métodos] Estudio experimental en el que se realizaron 20 extracciones de diente único, y se comparan dos biomateriales diferentes repartidos aleatoriamente en dos grupos. Al grupo A se le colocó material tipo xenoinjerto (Bio-Oss y Bio-Gide®) y al grupo B se le colocó material tipo aloinjerto (Puros y Biomed®).  Se realizaron medidas tomográficas al día 0 y al día 210 después de la extracción.  En el día 210 se tomaron muestras de tejido para análisis histológico.  [Resultados] Las medidas tomográficas no mostraron variaciones estadísticamente significativas excepto en la amplitud máxima del reborde óseo, siendo esta menor en el grupo del aloinjerto en el día 210 con valor de p<0.05.  En los resultados histológicos se observa similitud entre los dos grupos en la respuesta celular, tejido osteoide y hueso nuevo mineralizado.  Se observaron diferencias en la cantidad de material remanente, presentando mayor presencia de material el grupo del xenoinjerto. [Conclusión] Este estudio presentó resultados similares a los encontrados en la literatura y se observa un comportamiento adecuado de la preservación del reborde óseo posterior a una extracción cuando se colocan materiales sustitutos óseos del tipo xenoinjerto o aloinjerto para las dimensiones de altura y amplitud, con cambios muy leves en el tiempo de evaluación.
Modelo 5E para la enseñanza de la termodinámica. Diseño y evaluación de secuencias de enseñanza-aprendizaje
Authors: Zárate-Moedano Ramón , Suárez-Medellín Jorge Manuel , Pérez-Hernández Rosa Luz
Published: June 2023

[Objetivo] El objetivo es documentar el proceso de diseño, implementación y evaluación de una secuencia de enseñanza-aprendizaje basada en el modelo 5E para la enseñanza de los conceptos de calor y temperatura. [Metodología] Utilizando la metodología de investigación basada en el diseño se diseñó, implemento y evaluó la aplicación de una secuencia de enseñanza-aprendizaje a estudiantes con edades entre 13 y 15 años, de educación secundaria. Participaron 19 estudiantes de dos escuelas en México organizados en dos grupos, uno por cada escuela. Utilizando pretest y postest, se registraron datos cuantitativos asociadas a los conocimientos de los estudiantes y datos cualitativos, obtenidos durante las sesiones con los estudiantes, asociados al uso de los conceptos de calor y temperatura para explicar fenómenos naturales. Los datos cuantitativos fueron analizados con la prueba Shapiro-Wilk y ANOVA de dos factores, utilizando JASP con p≤0.05. Además, se realizó una triangulación con datos cualitativos para dar soporte a las conclusiones. [Resultados] Los resultados obtenidos muestran efectos positivos relacionados con los conocimientos que alcanzan los estudiantes durante la implementación. También se encuentran efectos positivos en las evidencias cualitativas donde se observa que la integración conceptual que logran los estudiantes logra explicar de forma coherente y compleja los fenómenos naturales relacionados con los conceptos de calor y temperatura. [Conclusiones] En conclusión, la secuencia de enseñanza-aprendizaje diseñada alcanza las metas de aprendizaje propuestas relacionadas con los conceptos de calor y temperatura. Se incluye un listado de principios de diseño que pretenden ser una guía para otros docentes interesados en adaptar esta experiencia a sus contextos locales.
Adsorption of Ca(II) from aqueous solution onto cellulosic fibers and its impact on the papermaking process
Authors: Yuan Guangxiang , Dai Hongqi , Ye Chunhong , Zhang Yujuan , Wang Zhongliang
Published: June 2023

Calcium(II) is one of the most common metal ions in papermaking systems. However, the effect of Ca2+ on papermaking processes has not drawn much attention. The adsorption of Ca2+ from aqueous solutions onto bleached Eucalyptus globulus kraft pulp fibers was investigated. Thermodynamic results indicate that the adsorption of Ca2+ onto bleached E. globulus kraft pulp fibers was exothermic, reversible, and spontaneous. The equilibrium data followed Langmuir isotherms. The adsorption basically agrees with the ionic reaction model between carboxyl groups of fibers and Ca2+ in which the molar ratio of carboxyl to Ca2+ is close to 2:1. The binding capacity with carboxyl groups is so strong that the anionic charge of the adsorption sites in fibers can be screened, leading to decreased performance of cationic polyacrylamide for retention and drainage, Alkyl Ketene Dimer (AKD) for sizing, and cationic starch for dry strengthThe precipitation effect of Ca2+ with three kinds of dissolved and colloidal substances (sodium rosinate, sodium stearate, sodium oxalate) also was investigated. The results showed that deposits formed by Ca2+ and dissolved and colloidal substances, which could adsorb to the surfaces of fibers, would affect drainage and retention abilities of cationic polyacrylamide.
Purification and characterization of laccase produced by Schyzophylum commune IBL-06 in solid state culture of banana stalks
Authors: Irshad Muhammad , Asgher Muhammad , Sheikh Munir Ahmad , Nawaz Haq
Published: June 2023

Shyzophyllum commune IBL-06 produced 367 IU/mL of laccase in solid state bioprocess of banana stalk under optimum physical and nutritional parameters. The optimum SSF conditions were рH 4.5; temperature, 35°C; inoculum size, 3mL (106-108 mL-1); moisture content, 60%; C:N ratio in the medium, 15:1 (glucose and ammonium nitrate as additional carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively), ABTS (1mM), 1 mL, and CuSO4 (1mM), 1mL. Laccase was purified 3.95-fold with specific activity of 158 U/mg by ammonium sulfate precipitation, followed by gel filtration chromatography using Sephadex G-100 column. Molecular weight of the laccase was 63 KDa on SDS-PAGE. Purified laccase had an optimum рH of 6.0 and was stable in the рH range from 6 to 7. The optimum temperature was 40 °C, and it displayed considerable stability within the range 30 to 35 °C with 24 h incubation. Km and Vmax were 0.025 mM and 80 mM/min, respectively, using ABTS as a substrate. Copper sulfate increased the activity of purified laccase when used at low concentration, but silver nitrate exerted the strongest inhibition.
Preparation and application of dimer acid/lignin graft copolymer
Authors: Fang Run , Cheng Xian-Su , Lin Wu-Shi
Published: June 2023

Dimer acid (DA) was grafted onto lignin (EHL) to form a graft copolymer DA-g-EHL. The selection of the reaction type and the optimization of the reaction conditions for the grafting reaction were conducted through orthogonal and single factor experiments. FT-IR and thermal analysis were used to characterize the graft product. It was found that, compared with free radical grafting, DA can be grafted onto EHL more effectively by ester condensation with strongly acidic cation exchange resin as a catalyst. Under optimum reaction conditions, the increase of acid value and the yield of graft copolymer can reach about 9.3% and 83%, respectively. The application of DA-g-EHL in preparing modified phenolic aldehyde amine curing agent (PAA) was studied. Results showed that the flexibility of the epoxy resin cured by DA-g-EHL modified PAA is significant higher than that of the resin cured by EHL modified PAA. The graft of DA onto EHL may reduce the rigidity of EHL and the chain stiffness of the PAA modified by EHL.
Potential of Trametes hirsuta to produce ligninolytic enzymes during degradation of agricultural residues
Authors: Ćilerdžić Jasmina , Stajić Mirjana , Vukojević Jelena , Duletić-Laušević Sonja , Knežević Aleksandar
Published: June 2023

Trametes hirsuta is an efficient lignin-degrading species due to its ability to produce laccase and Mn-dependent peroxidase. Agricultural residues represent prospective substrates for the bioconversion into fungal biomass and lignocellulolytic enzymes, but also they could be potential environmental pollutants. Evaluation of the potential of T. hirsuta to produce ligninolytic enzymes during solid-state fermentation of selected plant raw materials was the goal of the study. The highest level of laccase activity (3827.0 ± 219.0 U/L) was noted in mandarin orange peels medium, while wheat straw and glucose-enriched mandarin orange peels media were the optimum for Mn-dependent peroxidase (1971.5 ± 23.0 U/L) and versatile peroxidase (1173.0 ± 100.0 U/L), respectively. Levels of veratryl alcohol oxidation in the presence of H2O2 were similar to those in its absence during fermentation of all selected agricultural residues, and the highest values were obtained in glucose-enriched mandarin orange peels medium. The obtained results demonstrated the potential of T. hirsuta to produce ligninolytic enzymes and mineralize various plant wastes to low-molecular weight compounds that could be further used in food, feed, and other industries.
Bacillus subtilis for improving spruce wood impregnability
Authors: Pánek Miloš , Reinprecht Ladislav
Published: June 2023

Impregnation of spruce and other conifers is very difficult due to aspiration of pits in tracheids. In this experiment, freshly cut and instantly debarked Norway spruce logs were pre-treated with the bacterium Bacillus subtilis at their ponding for 1, 3, 6 and 9 weeks under laboratory conditions at 30 °C or under outdoor conditions during the summer at 5 to 35 °C. Significant increases of the permeability and the impregnability of spruce sapwood were observed already after 3 weeks of its ponding due to bacterial attack and opening of pits in tracheids. Applied bio-treatments did not have a significant influence on selected mechanical properties of spruce wood. This method could be effectively used for poles and other round products from spruce or other conifers before their impregnation with preservatives or modification substances. However, its use for squared spruce timbers is not convenient because tracheids in the bacterially treated heartwood zone remained unchanged.
A novel acylated flavonoidic glycoside from the wood of cultivated Acacia nilotica (L.) Willd. Ex. Delile.
Authors: Khanam Zakia , Adam Farook , Singh Ompal , Ahmad Jamal
Published: June 2023

Acacia is a fast-growing plant that has high potential in commercial plantations in tropical areas. It is already being grown as a plantation crop for building and industrial raw materials, as well as for reforestation of difficult sites. Extensive cultivation of this promising tree would enrich the natural resources besides being useful for industrial raw material, waste land management, and afforestation. In addition, Acacia exhibits extensive medicinal values. In view of the medicinal importance of Acacia nilotica and the therapeutic utility of flavonoids, an attempt has been made to isolate novel flavonoids from the wood of cultivated A. nilotica. The extraction of crude ethanol extract from the A. nilotica wood was followed by fractionation with chloroform, ethyl acetate, and methanol in increasing order of polarity of the solvent. The mixed ethyl acetate and methanol extract afforded three pure compounds through column chromtomatography and fractional crystallization. Among the isolated phenolic compounds, a new acylated flavonoidic glycoside, tricin-4′-O-β-(6′′-hydroxycinnamic)-glucoside (1) was isolated from the wood of A. nilotica together with two known compounds, gallic acid and apigenin. Their structures were established by chemical evidence, spectroscopic techniques (FT-IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, HSQC, HMBC, and ESI-MS), and by comparison with already existing spectroscopic data. The yield of novel tricin glucoside showed that it make up to 0.0786% of mixed ethyl acetate and acetone extract.
Enzymatic hydrolysis of switchgrass and coastal Bermuda grass pretreated using different chemical methods
Authors: Xu Jiele , Wang Ziyu , Sharma-Shivappa Ratna R. , Cheng Jay J.
Published: June 2023

To investigate the effects of biomass feedstock and pretreatment method on the enzyme requirement during hydrolysis, swichgrass and coastal Bermuda grass pretreated using H2SO4, NaOH, and Ca(OH)2 at the optimal conditions were subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis using two enzyme combinations: NS 50013 + NS 50010 and Cellic CTec + Cellic HTec. The enzyme loadings were optimized, and correlations between feedstock property, pretreatment strategy, and enzyme usage were evaluated. The results show that pretreatment methods resulting in greater lignin contents in the pretreated biomass were generally associated with higher enzyme requirements. More sugars could be recovered from alkaline-pretreated biomass during enzymatic hydrolysis due to the better carbohydrate preservation achieved at mild pretreatment temperatures. The cellulase enzyme, Cellic CTec, was more efficient in catalyzing the hydrolysis of coastal Bermuda grass, a feedstock more digestible than the pretreated swichgrass, following pretreatment with NaOH or Ca(OH)2.
Influence of the raw materials and production parameters on chosen standard properties for furniture panels of biocomposites from fibrous chips
Authors: Kowaluk Grzegorz , Fuczek Dorota , Beer Piotr , Grzeskiewicz Marek
Published: June 2023

The particleboards with different density from specially prepared particles from black locust and willow were prepared. The standard mechanical parameters of the panels were investigated, as well as the corner wall connections with eccentric connecting fitting element or confirmat strength. The screw withdrawal resistance and hinge bearing were also measured for investigated panels. The results, compared to the strength of commercial particleboards, show that excluding panels from black locust with low density, the rest of the panels can be successfully used for furniture production purposes.
Characterization of Acacia mangium wood based activated carbons prepared in the presence of basic activating agents
Authors: Danish Mohammed , Hashim Rokiah , Ibrahim M. N. Mohamad , Rafatullah Mohd , Ahmad Tanweer , Sulaiman Othman
Published: June 2023

The aim of this study was to observe the effects of alkaline activating agents on the characteristics, composition, and surface morphology of the designed activated carbons. Activated carbons were prepared by pyrolysis of Acacia mangium wood in the presence of two basic activating agents (calcium oxide and potassium hydroxide). The extent of impregnation ratio of precursor to activating agents was fixed at 2:1(w/w). Prior to pyrolysis, 24 hours soaking was conducted at 348 K. Activation was carried out in a stainless steel capped graphite crucible at 773 K for 2 hours in the absence of purge gas. The burn-off percentage was found to be 70.27±0.93% for CaO activated carbon (COAC) and 73.30±0.20% for KOH activated carbon (PHAC). The activating agents had a strong influence on the surface functional groups as well as elemental composition of these activated carbons. Characterization of the activated carbon obtained was performed with field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and nitrogen adsorption as Brunauer, Emmett and Teller (BET) and Dubinin-Radushkevich (DR) isotherms.
The solubility of lignin from bagasse in a 1,4-butanediol/water system
Authors: Wang Qiang , Chen Kefu , Li Jun , Yang Guihua , Liu Shanshan , Xu Jun
Published: June 2023

The solubility of lignin from bagasse in mixed solution was investigated and explained by the solubility parameter (). To explore the lignin solubility, enzymatic hydrolysis/mild acidolysis lignin (EMAL) isolated from bagasse was used as the starting material to prepare lignin solution by ultrasonic treatment. The lignin content in solution was determined by UV-vis spectroscopy at a wavelength of 280 nm. The results showed that 240 minutes of ultrasonic treatment was needed to achieve lignin dissolution equilibrium in the 1,4-butanediol/water mixture. Maximum lignin solubility (14.6 g/L) occurred at a concentration of 80% (v/v). The δ-value of lignin (14.0 (cal/cm3)1/2) was calculated based on the atomic and functional groups present in the phenylpropane unit. The δ-values of the 1,4-butanediol/water showed a decrease from 22.31 to 11.09 (cal/cm3)1/2 as the concentration of 1,4-butanediol increased. The maximum lignin solubility predicted by the δ-value should occur at a concentration of 80% (v/v), which agreed with the experimental result.
Research on differentiated xylem cells based on fractal dimension
Authors: Xi En-Hua , Zhao Guang-Jie
Published: June 2023

characteristics of differentiated xylem cells of the fast-growing 76’during the active phase by the method of differential box-counting fractal dimension. The fractal characteristics of differentiated xylem cells as well as the relationship between fractal dimension and tissues proportion were considered. Results showed that the fractal dimensions of cross sections were larger than those of tangential sections. Fractal dimension of cross sections had a remarkable negative correlation with the ratio of vessel element, significant positive correlations with the proportion of wood fiber and the proportion of parenchyma. The correlation of fractal dimension with wood fiber proportion was more significant than that with parenchyma proportion. The results were also verified by replacement of the tissues in the cross section. It was observed that fractal characteristics of the wood microstructure were very much related to the proportions of different tissues of the xylem cells.
A cationic polyacrylamide dispersion synthesis by dispersion polymerization in aqueous solution
Authors: Wang Yufeng , Chen Kefu , Mo Lihuan , Hu Huiren
Published: June 2023

A cationic polyacrylamide (CPAM) dispersion, the copolymer of acrylamide (AM) and acryloyloxyethyltrimethyl ammonium chloride (DAC), has been synthesized through dispersion polymerization in aqueous ammonium sulfate ((NH4)2SO4) solution. The polymerization was initiated by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) and ferrisulfas (FeSO4) using poly(dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride) (PDMDAAC) as the stabilizer. At the optimal reaction conditions, the relative molecular weight of the CPAM dispersion was 4.2×106, its charge density was 2.2 mmol·g-1, its average particle size was 6.01 μm, and its stability and dissolvability were both excellent. The CPAM dispersion was characterized using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). Results indicated that the copolymerization was successful.