bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of the Quality of Life in Fertile and Infertile Women Admitted to Shiraz’s Healthcare Centers During 2017-2018
Authors: Bagheri Fatemeh , Nematollahi Azar , Sayadi Mehrab , Akbarzadeh Marzieh
Published: January 2021

Background: Infertility, as an individual and social problem, affects couples’ quality of life and family functioning, job relationships, sexual skills, and marital satisfaction. Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between infertility and the quality of life in fertile and infertile women. Methods: In this cross-sectional study with a convenience purposive sampling method, 220 eligible women (110 fertile and 110 infertile) admitted to Shiraz’s healthcare centers were selected. Data collection was conducted using a demographic information questionnaire and the World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire. Results: In this study, a total of 220 fertile and infertile women were studied. Our findings showed that the quality of life WHOQOL-BREF score was higher in the fertile group (72.21 ± 12.74) than in the infertile group (69.86 ± 12.58), although not significant. However, the physical area of the quality of life was significantly higher in the fertile group (17.55 ± 3.62) than in the infertile group (16.57 ± 3.55) (P = 0.04). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups concerning other quality of life areas (P > 0.05). Conclusions: The results showed that infertility could reduce the quality of life of infertile women in all areas, and this reduction was significant in the physical area. It appears that infertility diagnostic and therapeutic interventions can affect the quality of life of women in the physical area. Further research is recommended in this field.
Dal racconto storico-agiografico alla riscrittura poetica
Authors: Franchi Roberta ,   Instituto Patristico Augustinianum
Published: January 2021

Peristephanon X, a hymn on the martyrdom of St. Romanus of Antioch, may be considered the masterpiece of Prudentius’ poetry on the Christian martyrs. Romanus is represented as a Christian hero. As a rhetor, he defends his faith against paganism as if he were a lawyer; as a martyr, he follows Christ’s example in accepting torture and death. Prudentius’ poetry aims to stimulate and revivify the Christian belief of his audience.
René Ménil: Philosophy, Aesthetics, and the Antillean Subject
Authors: Izzo Justin , Murdoch H. Adlai ,   Caribbean Philosophical Association
Published: January 2021

René Ménil (1907–2004) was a renowned Martinican essayist, critic, and philosopher who, along with Aimé Césaire, Frantz Fanon, and Edouard Glissant, left an indelible mark on the Franco-Caribbean world of letters and intellectual thought. Ménil saw in surrealism a critical framework, a means to the specific end of exploring and expressing the specificities of the Martinican condition. Ménil assessed Martinique’s pre-war psychological condition through the telling metaphor of relative exoticism, pointing clearly to the typically unacknowledged fact that the exotic is a slippery signifier, dependent on perspective, distance and location. If the core of these conditions were to be recognized and contested, it would have to be addressed at its root, and here, there was no question for him but that colonialism was ultimately enabled by capitalism and its corollaries of avarice and accumulation. His editorship of the journal Tropiquesconstituted cultural combat. Ménil’s thought and writing were arguably aimed at achieving universality out of particularity, and so he eventually broke with Césaire—and more specifically with Senghor—over several key tenets in the Negritude platform, arguing for the actual existence of a Martinican culture. Marxism for Ménil offers a corrective to the perceived shortcomings of Negritude’s political aesthetics, namely its historical blind spots and its foregrounding of mythologized black unity at the expense of class struggle.
AS DISFUNÇÕES RELACIONADAS AOS TERMOS DE REFERÊNCIA DE COMPRAS PÚBLICAS E POSSÍVEIS SOLUÇÕES
Authors: Baldam Roquemar De Lima , Garcia Aline Nunes , Costa Leonardo Carneiro , Guizzardi Erivelton , De paula Kayque Pereira
Published: January 2021

Este estudo tem por objetivo identificar as principais falhas ou disfunções relacionadas à elaboração dos Termos de Referência (TRs) utilizados para realizar as compras públicas, bem como propor ações necessárias para eliminar ou mitigar as disfunções encontradas. Um Termo de Referência de compra pública é um documento que subsidia o setor de compras/licitações de instituições públicas com todas as informações necessárias para efetivar as aquisições de bens e serviços. A ocorrência de falhas na elaboração desse tipo de documento pode implicar atrasos na execução do processo de compra e na compra de produtos ou serviços diferentes daqueles almejados, implicando desperdícios de recursos públicos. Assim, realizou-se uma pesquisa com um grupo de foco em uma instituição pública, utilizando-se o método de análise de conteúdo para estudar os dados obtidos e estruturar os resultados. Identificaram-se duas categorias de disfunções: uma que mostra as dificuldades encontradas para elaborar TRs e outra relativa aos erros mais frequentes encontrados em TRs. Os resultados indicam a importância da implantação de comitês para realizar a análise preliminar dos projetos, com vistas à correção de erros ou falhas constantes nos TRs, antes da abertura do respectivo processo. Além disso, são apontadas possibilidades de solução em duas vertentes: desenvolvimento de um sistema de gestão da informação para elaboração de TRs; e capacitação dos servidores
The role of transforamtional leadership in R&D projects teams: The proposal of the research framework
Authors: Bjekić Radmila , Strugar-Jelača Maja
Published: January 2021

In contemporary business conditions there is a growing number of research and development (R&D) projects whose aims are different types of innovations. They represent the strength, while research and development project teams are "building blocks" of modern organizations. Leaders who have the clear vision, use intelectual stimulation, encourage team member's creativity and motivate them to think differently are adequate leaders to lead the research and development project team. Such are the characteristics of leaders who apply transformational style of leadership. Based on existing research it has been shown that transformational leadership dominantly influences project teams' innovativeness. The aim of this paper is to define the research framework that will be applied in future research, in which authors will examine the role of transformational leadership style in research and development project teams and the impact of this leadership style on project team innovativeness in organizations on the territory of the Republic of Serbia. Based on presentations of the dominant attitudes and the existing relevant literature, research hypothesis are set. The questionnaires that will be used are the standardized MLQ (Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire) and project team's innovativeness questionnaire created by authors Lovelace, Shapiro, & Weingart.
Evaluation of outdoor thermal comfort conditions in northern Russia over 30-year period: Arkhangelsk region
Authors: Konstantinov Pavel , Shartova Natalia , Varentsov Mikhail , Revich Boris
Published: January 2021

The aim of the current paper is to evaluate spatial and temporal characteristics of the distribution of bioclimatic comfort within the Arkhangelsk region (Russian Federation) with two modern indices of thermal comfort: PET and UTCI. Its average values calculated for the modern climatic period (1981-2010) in the monthly mean give a clear picture of spatial heterogeneity for the warmest month (July) and for the coldest one (January). The spatial picture of both indices in July allows us to distinguish three large internal regions: the Arkhangelsk province, the continental part of the Nenets Autonomous Okrug (NAO) and Novaya Zemlya islands (NZ). Winter distribution of thermal discomfort is fundamentally different: the coldest regions (with extreme cold stress) are equally NZ and the Eastern half of NAO; intermediate position is occupied by the West of the NAO and the extreme northeast of the Arkhangelsk region, the highest winter UTCI values are observed in the rest of the region. In Archangelsk-city extreme cold stress in January has repeatability 6.7%, in February-4%, in December-2.2%, respectively. The average number of time points during the year at which thermal stress is not observed is only 19%. Obtained results will be the basis for planning relevant health measures and providing reliable forecasts of the effects of climate change in the Arctic region.
Spatial and temporal variability of precipitation concentration in Iran
Authors: Ghaedi Sohrab , Shojaian Ali
Published: January 2021

Precipitation concentration is an important factor to assess climate hazards such as flood and availability of water resources at a regional scale. This paper investigates the spatial and temporal changes of precipitation concentration using the precipitation concentration index (PCI) in 113 stations in Iran for a duration of 30 years (1988-2017). The results show that the mean average of the annual rainfall in Iran varies from 55 mm in the Eastern and central regions (Zabol and Yazd) to 1838 mm in the southwest coast of the Caspian Sea (Bandar Anzali). The highest coefficient of variation (CV) of precipitation is related to the southeastern and southern parts of the country, whereas the lowest CV is observed in the Caspian Sea coast and northwest region. Therefore, its value is mostly a function of latitude. Precipitation concentration and its CV are also influenced by topography and reveal more homogeneity in the northern regions. The Mann-Kendall (MK) test on precipitation concentration data indicates that except for 6 stations (ascending in 2 stations and descending in 4stations), there was no significant trend in others. The stations with non-significant ascending values are located mostly in the Eastern, central and western parts of the country while the non-significant descending ones can be seen in the central and northeastern regions. The results of Sen's slope estimator are also similar to the values of the MK test.
On the perpetuation and contestation of racial stigma: Urban Roma in a disadvantaged neighbourhood of Szeged
Authors: Creţan Remus , Málovics György , Méreiné-Berki Boglárka
Published: January 2021

Stigmatisation of Roma people has long received attention in the academic literature but the internalisation of stigma among segregated urban Roma has been little researched. By adopting a theoretical perspective on collective identity and (urban Roma) racial stigmatisation, this paper aims to 1) understand the broader nature of urban Roma stigmatisation maintained by the non-Roma people and among the Roma, and 2) better position the internalisation of stigma and the burden of Roma stigmatisation. The paper uses Participatory Action Research (PAR) as a research methodology, taking a disadvantaged neighbourhood of the city of Szeged, Hungary as a case study. The findings suggest that stigmatisation against urban Roma is a process which has deeply rooted historical backgrounds, and current efforts which strive for desegregation and integration of urban Roma will be difficult to implement , as stigmatisation remains in the collective mentality. The importance of this study rests on bringing all major dimensions of stigma together, highlighting what policymakers should consider when addressing them in the longer term. We argue that the existing urban policies towards the Roma people need to be readdressed, with clear power given to the voices of the Roma, particularly from institutions which aim to protect them.
Balkan syndrome 20 years after NATO aggression
Authors: Rokvić Vanja , Dimitrijević Ivan , Rakonjac Ivan
Published: January 2021

Debates on whether or not depleted uranium (DU) causes cancer and other diseases is a hot topic in the public discourse and quite controversial in the scholarly research literature. The issue has grown in importance in the Republic of Serbia after increased rates of morbidity and mortality from malignancies since the 1999 NATO aggression and its use of DU ammunition. At the same time, the fact that the peacekeeping contingents of foreign military personnel involved in clearing the contaminated areas subsequently developed malignant diseases led to what has become known as the Balkan Syndrome. Beside health implications, the social and economic burden of cancer is significant in all countries, especially in transitioning economies, because of health care spending as well as lost productivity due to morbidity and premature death. Therefore, the main aims of this article are to summarize and discuss the current state of knowledge about the negative impact of DU on human health and social impact of cancer, specifically in Serbia, and to encourage rigorous and objective examination of health impacts of DU ammunition and, ultimately, to spotlight the inextricable connection between public health and security, and the indispensable consideration of health from the perspective of national security.
Transition, worker protests and blockades of public spaces in Serbia
Authors: Novaković Nada
Published: January 2021

The subject of this paper has been workers' protests and blockades of public spaces in Serbia over the last 20 years. Their most important causes and reasons, organization and efficiency are sociologically analyzed, described and explained. They were happening in "waves". The first started with the acceleration of privatization (2004 and 2005), the second with its deepening (2009 and 2010), and the third coincided with the end of privatization and the intensification of the global economic crisis (2014-2019). The main hypothesis is that workers' protests and blockades are systematically determined. The most important is the nature of the social system, i.e. the applied concept of transition and privatization. Individual and local factors (causes) are less significant. Workers' protests and blockades are less effective at the end than at the beginning of accelerated transition and privatization.
An idea about 'Vojvodina loyalist' and 'Serbian patriot': Social context of the 1932 Novi Sad resolution
Authors: Marković Saša , Vučković Željko
Published: January 2021

The area of today's Vojvodina in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia was the scene of the development of quite dynamic social and political ideas for the purpose of ensuring a better-quality approach to the constitutional and national questions. After the Decision on the accession of Vojvodina to the Kingdom of Serbia and subsequently the Decision on the unification of Yugoslavia, issued by the Great National Assembly on 25th November 1918, the national zeal was gradually replaced by realistic political ideas with the intention of finding the social identity of Vojvodina in the newly-created Yugoslav circumstances. In the 1918-1929 period of parliamentarism, these ideas had an exceptionally dynamic course and were directed towards democratic tolerance, but after the introduction of the 6th January Dictatorship in 1929, the political and party life was forbidden. Due to the new constitutional circumstances and political consolidation, Alexander Karađorđević, certain of the success of his state politics, tacitly allowed the restoration of the party life. The Sombor Resolution as well as the Novi Sad Resolution, both enacted in 1932, played the role of the moderator of the party and political life of the opposition parties with an extremely active attitude towards social circumstances dominated by the state party.
A century and a half since Lenin's birth: Relevance of Lenin's 'State and revolution' for the theoretical preparation of Bolsheviks to politically organize the new wave of creative revolutionary praxis of the working masses on the eve of the October revolution
Authors: Vratuša-Žunjić Vera
Published: January 2021

This paper examines the relevance of Lenin's theoretical work State and Revolution for the preparation of Bolsheviks to politically organize the new wave of creative revolutionary praxis of the working masses on the eve of the October 1917 Revolution in Russia, 150 years after the birth of the most influential Marxist of the XX century and inspiration of potential revolutionaries in the XXI century. The basic method used in this paper is the analysis of the main aspects of Lenin's State and Revolution content and placement of this analysis within the context of the historically specific social and economic circumstances of the time in which Lenin finished writing it in the summer and autumn of 1917. The main finding of this analysis is that Lenin's State and Revolution is the most relevant for the preparation of the Bolsheviks for the political organization of the new wave of revolutionary praxis of the working masses on the eve of the October 1917 revolution in Russia. In this work Lenin clarified both to himself and to his party comrades the revolutionary program of smashing the exploiting and oppressing bourgeois state as well as invention and organization of the new communal social form of semi-state withering away, without a standing army, police or bureaucracy, in which all literate citizens could take part in the administration of the common social problems.
Effects of the orientation of residential buildings with a sunspace on their energy performance and the emission of CO2
Authors: Vukadinović Ana , Radosavljević Jasmina , Đorđević Amelija
Published: January 2021

The paper discusses the effects of the orientation of a passive individual building with a sunspace, with different window to wall ratio (WWR = 20%, WWR = 40% and WWR = 60%), on total energy required for heating and cooling of the building. The emission of CO2, as a greenhouse gas, which is generated by the combustion of fossil fuels used for electricity generation utilized for heating the building in the winter and its cooling in the summer months, has also been calculated. The paper utilizes EnergyPlus software to calculate the energy demand of various orientation of the model of a building with a sunspace. The considered model of the building has only the ground floor G and the floor area Po = 92.16 m2, with the floor aspect ratio 2.25:1. The sunspace of the considered model is set along the entire length of the facade of the building and its width is 1.2 m. The research was performed for the city of Nis (43° 19' latitude, 21° 54' longitude, at an altitude of 202 m). When considering the total energy required for heating and cooling and the total annual mass of emitted CO2 pollutant, the research showed that the most favorable orientation of the building is to the south (azimuth of the facade with a sunspace Ps = 185° for the WWR = 20% and WWR = 40% and Ps = 180° for WWR = 60%).
Analysis of occupational health and safety system performance measurement in mining and energy complex
Authors: Lilić Nikola , Jääskeläinen Aki , Cvjetić Aleksandar , Tappura Sari
Published: January 2021

In modern mining complexes, the amount of available information on the performance of occupational health and safety systems is constantly increasing. Measurement and evaluation of system performance, as well as the need to develop a better measurement model, arises primarily due to necessity of the improvement of occupational health and safety. The scope of the model aiming to maturity analysis of safety performance measurement, which was applied in the research whose results are presented in this paper, included the performance measurement practice, the commitment and culture of performance measurement and the use of measurement results. In addition to the three basic topics mentioned, an assessment related to the state of the occupational health and safety system was added. As a result of the application of the proposed model, an overall maturity score was obtained. This paper presents the results of the maturity analysis of occupational health and safety system performance measurement in the company TE-KO "Kostolac", which identifies areas that will be given special attention in the future in terms of improving the management of occupational health and safety.
Application of differential evolution for defining the optimal grid reinforcement shown on the test-system
Authors: Ristić Vladan , Šošić Darko
Published: January 2021

Building of the renewable energy sources in the geographic areas that were not, until that moment, recognized as the locations where the energy could be generated could lead to the change in load flows and voltage values in the system in which these sources are being incorporated. The inability of the system operator to deny the connection of the renewable sources can often cause the need for the system reinforcements between the newly created productive regions and the existing zones with the significant consumption. Therefore, the goal of this paper is the determination of the optimal new line that should be commissioned in the system, according to the results of the conducted multi-criteria optimization, performed using the differential evolution method, modified applying the georeferencing principle. This calculation takes into account the maximization of the installed capacity of the connected renewable source and minimization of the energy losses ' costs in the system during the lifespan of the built line as the objective functions for optimization. The application of the developed methodology is demonstrated on the test-system containing 30 nodes, with the wind power plant being connected to the grid in one of them.
Management of promotional activities in higher education in the Republic of Serbia
Authors: Čačić Nataša , Duđak Ljubica , Šarac Dragana
Published: January 2021

This paper is the result of researching activities between faculties of the University of Novi Sad and Belgrade on social networks, as well as the impact of their activity on popularity among high school graduates. This researching presents the importance of popularizing science, using direct marketing tools, and creating competitive advantages among higher education institutions.
The role of ruthenium in perovskite-type mixed oxide in the electrochemical degradation of 4-nitrophenol
Authors: Mojović Zorica , Petrović Srđan , Rožić Ljiljana
Published: January 2021

In this paper new perovskite-based electrode materials for 4-nitrophenol detection were characterized. Mixed oxides of pereovskite type with general molecular formula La0.7Sr0.3Cr1-XRuX03 (X= 0; 0.05) were synthesized by ceramic procedure. The results of X-ray diffraction analysis showed that synthesized system has two-phase structure, including strontium chromate phase beside dominant perovskite phase. Carbon paste electrode was modified with synthsized perovskites in order to study their electrochemical activity. Electrode prepared innn such manner were used for oxido-reduction of 4-nitrophenol in acidic media. The addition of ruthenium to perovskite structure lead to increased electrochemical activity of this electrode for reduction of 4-nitrophenol.
Designing and realization of the control networks of the telecommunication tower Avala
Authors: Milovanović Branko , Vasiljević Slavko , Vranić Petko
Published: January 2021

The Avala telecommunication tower was destroyed during the NATO bombing in 1999. The construction of the new tower at the same place started in 2007. The new tower consists of reinforced concrete part, with a total height of 142 m, and the antenna part with the height of 70 m. The body shape of the construction is a triangular prism with the equilateral triangle base with sides of 7 m. Civil engineering experts defined structure tolerance of 10 mm in the horizontal plane and 2 mm in the vertical plane. The design was produced pursuant to the principles of surveying profession and the conditions set. The paper describes the complexity of designing the control networks for high-rise buildings. The main tasks presented in this article are as follows: choosing the position of the control network points, defining the measuring plan, the network datum and the precision of measurements, calculation of the network quality criteria, and technical conditions for the realization of measurement.
A reminder of the life and work of dr Vladimir Šolaja, full professor of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Belgrade: On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of his birth (1920-2020)
Authors: Jovičić Milenko , Tanović Ljubodrag , Popović Mihajlo
Published: January 2021

The paper was written on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Dr. Vladimir Šolaja, a full professor at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Belgrade, to remind his numerous students and associates and the wider engineering public in the field of mechanical engineering of his life and work. It contains basic data from the working biography and its most important contributions to the improvement of educational curricula and organizing of scientific research work in the field of production engineering in Serbia in the second half of the 20th century and research on the history of engineering in Serbia.
Development of an educational 3-axis CNC machine tool for rapid prototyping with two translational and one rotary axis
Authors: Vorkapić Nikola , Živanović Saša , Dimić Zoran
Published: January 2021

The paper shows the development of a 3-axis CNC machine tool for rapid prototyping by subtracting materials, with two translational and one rotating axis, whose control is based on the LinuxCNC system, with an integrated virtual machine as a digital twin. The concepts of machines with one rotary axis were analyzed and the concept of a machine for realization was adopted, which is completely configured in a CAD/CAM environment. For successful verification of the programming system, a virtual machine has been configured in the CAD/CAM system, as well as in Vericut. The final validation of the machine design was achieved by its trial work on characteristic examples.
Expert assessment of measures on reduction of congestion in cities
Authors: Milutinović Milica , Đorić Vladimir
Published: January 2021

Traffic congestion is defined as mutual obstruction of traffic by vehicles due to the existing relation between the speed of vehicles and the flow in conditions of exceeding the capacity of the infrastructure. The paper presents an analysis of local experts survey on the role of non-motorized and motorized ways of travel to reduce congestion, as well as a comparison with the assessments given by foreign experts. The performance and the impact of different modes of transport (motorized and non-motorized) on congestion in urban conditions were assessed. The impact of the mode of transport on congestion was assessed using measures that are usually implemented in cities. Possibilities for improving multimodal mobility with an emphasis on walking and cycling have also been identified, as the most perspective ways due to the relatively low costs of implementation and the potential to affect the modal distribution.
Financial analysis of the intermodal terminal in Belgrade
Authors: Tadić Snežana , Petrović-Vujačić Jelica , Kovač Milovan
Published: January 2021

The development of logistics infrastructure in Serbia is the key to achieving regional competitiveness and economic prosperity of the state. Intermodal terminals have great significance in logistics networks and their development enables the implementation of intermodal transport technologies as well as participation in international goods flows. Belgrade, the national and regional economic centre and an important traffic node, attracts significant intermodal, container flows. For this reason, it represents a location for the development of an intermodal terminal that would play an important role in the logistics network of Serbia and the region as well. This paper analyses the financial justification of the development of an intermodal terminal in Belgrade, based upon four parameters - net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR), benefit-cost ratio (B/C) and investment return period (RP). Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis of the observed parameters regarding the change of input parameter values (the volume of intermodal, container flows and the service price levels) is conducted. Two project funding scenarios are defined according to the involvement of the private sector in overall investments. The result analysis indicates that in both of the scenarios, the development of an intermodal terminal in Belgrade would be financially justified. The sensitivity analysis has shown that the financial justification of the development of the observed intermodal terminal is more sensitive to the change in container flow volumes in comparison with the change in terminal service price levels.
Residential building evacuation: Simulation of potential evacuation scenarios with presence of immobile persons
Authors: Jevtić Radoje
Published: January 2021

The increase in urban population leads to the lack of housing in cities. One of potential solutions for this problem is to build tall residential buildings. The height of this objects, in recent times, ranges from several tens of meters even to several hundreds of meters, while the number of residents ranges from several hundred even to several thousands. Although these objects have built related to modern standards and technologies, with usage of modern materials and machines, problems can happen. One of particularly complex and hard problem presents the evacuation of residents in case of some disaster. Problem is much more severe and complicated if there are people with disabilities or people with special needs in the building. The potential solution for this problem can be the usage of simulation software. This paper was written to show the usage of simulation software Pathfinder in calculation of evacuation times for different evacuation scenarios, without the presence of immobile occupants, with presence of immobile occupants in the percentage of 5 % from complete occupant's number and with presence of immobile occupants in the percentage of 10 % from complete occupant's number.
Understanding the Impact of Racial Attitudes on Preservice Teachers’ Perceptions of Children’s Mathematical Thinking
Authors: Battey Dan , Bartell Tonya , Webel Corey , Lowry Amanda
Published: January 2021

Recent international studies have found that teachers’ attitudes, biased against historically marginalized groups, predict lower student achievement in mathematics (e.g., van den Bergh et al., 2010). It is not clear, however, if or how teachers’ racial attitudes affect their evaluation of students’ mathematical thinking to produce these effects. Using an experimental design, we conducted an online survey to examine the relationship between preservice teachers’ (PSTs) racial attitudes and their perceptions of students’ mathematical thinking. The survey used comparable videos, with similar mathematics content and student thinking, one including Black students and the other, White students. Findings show that PSTs evaluated Black students’ thinking less favorably compared with White students. Explicit, but not implicit, attitudes, as well as reported time spent in African American communities, were factors in how PSTs rated the quality of students’ mathematical thinking by race.
THE ROLE OF GREEN HYDROGEN IN THE ENERGY TRANSITION OF THE INDUSTRY
Authors: DE SIMÓN MARTÍN MIGUEL , CORTES  NAVA BRIAN RAYMUNDO , RODRIGUEZ PARRA RAUL , CARRO DE LORENZO FRANCISCO
Published: January 2021

Expectations for hydrogen as a clean substitute of fossil fuels can be met in a very near future, driven by the inevitable energy transition towards a decarbonized economy. The green hydrogen technology will play a fundamental role in transport, residential uses and, in a very relevant way, the industrial sector. This work aims to carry out an updated review of the possibilities of green hydrogen in the industrial sector to achieve the objectives of the energy transition and identify both the opportunities, barriers and development needs of this technology.

Keywords: Hydrogen, industry, energy transition, decarbonization, fuel cell, green hydrogen, renewable energy sources, energy storage
Temperature characteristics of high repetition rate water-cooled Nd:YAG active mirror amplifier
Authors: Xiao Kai-Bo , Zheng Jian-Gang , Jiang Xin-Ying , Jiang Xue-Jun , Wu Wen-Long , Yan Xiong-Wei , Wang Zhen-Guo , Zheng Wan-Guo ,   Research Center of Laser Fusion, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621900, China,   Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on High Energy Laser, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621900, China,   Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
Published: January 2021

In order to deal with the thermal management problem of high-energy high-repetition rate laser amplifiers, the efficient heat removal in water-cooled Nd:YAG active mirror amplifiers is investigated in detail through numerical modeling and experimental analysis. According to the low Reynolds number k-ε turbulence model, a full fluid-solid conjugate heat transfer model is established to give a comprehensive model of flow and thermal characteristics in three dimensions. The thermal distributions obtained from the model are then used to calculate all mechanical stresses in the laser medium and thermally-induced wavefront distortions. In comparison with the standard k-ε turbulence model, the influences of the near-wall treatments of the above model on the process of fluid flow, convection diffusion and heat conduction, and temperature distributions are analyzed. Meanwhile, the effects of coolant flow rate and pump parameter on the flow field characteristics, temperature and wavefront distributions of the YAG disk are also studied. Numerical simulation results reveal that the temperature distribution of the laser medium is closely related to the viscous effect in the solid-liquid boundary layer. Although the heat deposition distribution of the laser medium is symmetrical, the temperature profile is asymmetrical as a result of the increasing water temperature along the water flow. The maximum temperature rise of the disk is at the outlet end, and the position remains almost unchanged. The front-surface temperature distributions and wavefront profiles of Nd:YAG vary nonlinearly with the coolant flow rates, but linearly with the pump parameter. Model predictions show that when the laser amplifier operates at a repetition rate of 50 Hz, the thermal diffusion of the coolant mainly occurs in a range of 100 μm, and the maximum temperature difference of the coolant reaches up to 10.85 ℃. Correspondingly, the maximum temperature variation over the front-surface active region is less than 4 ℃, with an average temperature of 49.62 ℃, which leads to a total peak-to-valley wave front distortion of 7.27λ. The experimentally measured temperature distributions are in reasonable agreement with numerical simulations. The research results are beneficial to designing and optimizing the high-energy, high-repetition rate water-cooled Nd:YAG active mirror amplifiers.
Identification of an immune prognostic 11-gene signature for lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Yang Tao , Hao Lizheng , Cui Renyun , Liu Huanyu , Chen Jian , An Jiongjun , Qi Shuo , Li Zhong
Published: January 2021

Background

The immunological tumour microenvironment (TME) has occupied a very important position in the beginning and progression of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains poor for the local progression and widely metastases at the time of clinical diagnosis. Our objective is to identify a potential signature model to improve prognosis of LUAD.

Methods

With the aim to identify a novel immune prognostic signature associated with overall survival (OS), we analysed LUADs extracted from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Immune scores and stromal scores of TCGA-LUAD were downloaded from Estimation of STromal and Immune cells in MAlignant Tumour tissues Expression using data (ESTIMATE). LASSO COX regression was applied to build the prediction model. Then, the prognostic gene signature was validated in the GSE68465 dataset.

Results

The data from TCGA datasets showed patients in stage I and stage II had higher stromal scores than patients in stage IV (P < 0.05), and for immune score patients in stage I were higher than patients in stage III and stage IV (P < 0.05). The improved overall survivals were observed in high stromal score and immune score groups. Patients in the high-risk group exhibited the inferior OS (P = 2.501e − 05). By validating the 397 LUAD patients from GSE68465, we observed a better OS in the low-risk group compared to the high-risk group, which is consistent with the results from the TCGA cohort. Nomogram results showed that practical and predicted survival coincided very well, especially for 3-year survival.

Conclusion

We obtained an 11 immune score related gene signature model as an independent element to effectively classify LUADs into different risk groups, which might provide a support for precision treatments. Moreover, immune score may play a potential valuable sole for estimating OS in LUADs.
Level of Knowledge and Challenges Associated With Practice of Dental Implants among Dental Practitioners in Selected Hospitals in South East, Nigeria
Authors: Okoronkwo Samuel Chinonyerem , Okorie Peter Chidiebere , Onyemobi Marcus Ikechukwu , Obiekwe Chidinma Sonia , Emaimo John , Azubuine Raphael Onyejiaka , Okoronkwo Esther Chinwedu
Published: January 2021

Aim: This study is aimed at ascertaining the level of knowledge and challenges associated with the practice of dental implants among dental practitioners in selected hospitals in South East, Nigeria.

Study Design: the study employed cross sectional study design.

Place and Duration of Study: The research was carried out within six months (September 2018 to March 2019) in selected hospitals and clinics in South-East, Nigeria.

Methodology: Data were collected using structural pretested questionnaire administered to 117 purposefully selected consenting respondents (Dental Professionals). Data were analyzed descriptively and inferentially using SPSS version 20. The hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance and data generated were subjected to percentage findings presented by the use of tables. Data collected were analyzed and discussed.

Result: the result affirmed female respondents were more than male with 59.0%, indicating Dental Therapist as majority in proportion with 64%. On quality of implant shows 64.9% and 56.4% on comfort and function which indicates it as a good quality, 64.9% poor availability and 49.6% awareness and knowledge. While inferentially, using Pearson Chi-Square showed a significant relationship of 177.552; df = 16 @ P=0.05 between profession of respondents and knowledge of dental implant materials/devices types while using ANOVA showed a significant relationship with F =42.147; df =4 @ P=.05; knowledge of dental implant materials and assessment of dental implant to aesthetics on oral cavity, F =77.760; df =4 @ P=.05 and  knowledge of dental implant materials and assessment of dental implant to retention on oral cavity, F =54.985; df =4 @ P=.05.

Conclusion: from the results obtained, accredited dental implant as an appliance capable of obviating most of dentures shortcomings which depends on contra-indication and indication of it, and its challenges in the profession. Although there are challenges associated with dental implant awareness and application in Nigeria. Recommendations and tips on successful further studies were given.
Influence of Arbuscular Mycorrhizae on the Development and Attack of Leaf-Cutting Ants in Clonal Seedlings of Eucalyptus urophylla x Eucalyptus camaldulensis
Authors: Oliveira Josielly Cândida Macêdo de , Pereira Muriel da Silva Folli- , Garlet Juliana , Bertolazi Amanda Azevedo , Neves Ivone da Silva , Junior Getulio de Freitas Seben
Published: January 2021

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of the mycorrhizal association in the development and attack of leaf-cutting ants Atta sexdens (Linnaeus, 1758) in clonal seedlings of Eucalyptus urophylla x Eucalyptus camaldulensis hybrid. The treatments consisted of inoculated and uninoculated seedlings with 100 grams of sand containing spores from arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) collected on native soil from four different areas of the amazon: native forest area (NF), permanent preservation area recovered to three years (PPA03), permanent preserved area degraded (PPAD) and permanent preservation area recovered to four years (PPA04). At 45 and 90 days after inoculation (d.a.i.), height, fresh and dry matter of shoot and root, root development, number of leaves, stem diameter and tolerance to leaf-cutting ants were evaluated. In the first group of plants (45 d.a.i.), mycorrhizal plants presented the higher root volume with the use of APP04, APP03 and NF all with 6.16 mm. For the second group of plants (90 d.a.i.), the highest root volume was also found on mycorrhizal plants with the soil of APP03 and control with 7.16 mm. For the attractiveness test of ants, 16 discs were taken from the non-inoculated seedlings. Regarding the disks of mycorrhizal seedlings with the soil of APP04, only 9 were taken. Although the use of AMF to stimulate plant resistance to attack by leaf-cutting ants is a new study, studies related to the influence of mychorrizas on plant development are quite common and the results presented in this study did not evidence the influence of mychorrizas on plant development. However, it was observed that the early inoculation of the seedlings can reduce the attractiveness of leaf-cutting ants by the seedlings of the hybrid Eucalyptus urophylla x Eucalyptus camaldulensis, already in the first 45 d.a.i of the seedlings and the inoculum used can interfere in this process.
Maize Growth and Yield Response to Incremental Rates of Nitrogen in N-Depleted Lixisols in Northern Ghana
Authors: Appiah Ebenezer Ayew , Kugbe Joseph Xorse , Rufai Ahmed Mahama
Published: January 2021

To help economize fertilizer use and predict soil-based and site-specific fertilization regimes in crop production, knowledge on crop response to incremental rates of nutrition have long been identified to play a significant role. In the nutrient-poor lixisols of northern Ghana where bulk of Ghanaian maize is produced, the response of maize growth and yield to eleven rates of N fertilization was evaluated in 2019 as a first step in developing a tool that could predict site-specific nitrogen rates for optimum maize production. The rates were 00, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105, 120, 135, and 150 kg/ha; laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design. Collected maize growth and yield data were subjected to analyses of variance, where significantly different means were separated at a probability of 5% using the least significant difference. The study revealed no significant differences in plant height from the third to sixth week after planting, days to 50% flowering, 100 grain weight, and leaf area index at sixth week after planting. However, plant height and leaf area index at ninth week, cob weight, cob length, straw weight and grain yield were significantly affected by N fertilizer rates. Increasing nitrogen fertilizer rates had a pronounced effect on later-stages of growth, on grain yield and on yield components of maize.  Application of 120 to 150 kg/ha N achieved statistically similar, and maximum growth and yield parameters compared to lower rates. The findings provide essential agronomic data required to relate soil test results with corresponding maize yield.
Stigma Linked to COVID-19
Authors: Nuckchady Dooshanveer C.
Published: January 2021

When it is safe to do so, medical professionals should not delay the treatment of patients who present with respiratory difficulties. Stigmatization of such patients can result in the unnecessary deferral of emergency therapy; this may lead to fatalities that could have been avoided.
Spatial Transformation of Subak in Northern Kuta Tourism Area, Bali: From Agricultural to Cultural-Service
Authors: Sunarta I. Nyoman , Nugroho Saptono , Adikampana I. Made
Published: January 2021

As one of the world cultural heritage designated by UNESCO, Subak in Bali experienced various challenges in the framework of its existence. Subak is recognized as a traditional Balinese agricultural institution based on local water management. The risks that subak must face when in the circle of international tourism practices because Bali is a tourist destination that is very reliable by the Government of Indonesia in order to obtain foreign exchange. The purpose of this article is to reveal the problems faced by as a local genious irrigation system. Especially related to spatial function changes that occur in Northern Kuta tourism area, Bali, by identifying the distribution of subak, composition, and typology of existing actors related to their interest in water, sub-urban development patterns, and subak alienation practices. Spatial approach adopted to determine spatial changes that occur ranging from agriculture to tourism. Data collection based on spatial analysis with GIS application, observation, interview, and focus group discussion. Spatial changes were found to be caused by the penetration of accommodation development, accessibility, and communal facilities. This situation occurs because of the limited tourism space in the center of tourism areas or tourism business areas (TBD) such as Kuta and Legian. There has been a transformation of spatial functions: from agricultural functions to cultural-service functions. The change in spatial planning indicates a tendency to shift the socio-cultural community around Kuta Tourism Area from agrarian to sub-urban characteristics. Thus, it has an impact on the existence of subak as the last bastion of sustainable tourism development in Bali.
Cyclophilin D‐dependent mitochondrial permeability transition amplifies inflammatory reprogramming in endotoxemia
Authors: Veres Balazs , Eros Krisztian , Antus Csenge , Kalman Nikoletta , Fonai Fruzsina , Jakus Peter Balazs , Boros Eva , Hegedus Zoltan , Nagy Istvan , Tretter Laszlo , Gallyas Ferenc , Sumegi Balazs
Published: January 2021

Microorganisms or LPS (lipopolysaccharide), an outer membrane component of Gram‐negative bacteria, can induce a systemic inflammatory response that leads to sepsis, multiple organ dysfunction, and mortality. Here, we investigated the role of cyclophilin D (CypD)‐dependent mitochondrial permeability transition (mPT) in the immunosuppressive phase of LPS‐induced endotoxic shock. The liver plays an important role in immunity and organ dysfunction; therefore, we used liver RNA sequencing (RNA‐seq) data, Ingenuity® Pathway Analysis (IPA ®) to investigate the complex role of mPT formation in inflammatory reprogramming and disease progression. LPS induced significant changes in the expression of 2844 genes, affecting 179 pathways related to mitochondrial dysfunction, defective oxidative phosphorylation, nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, nuclear factor, erythroid 2 like 2 (Nrf2), Toll‐like receptors (TLRs), and tumor necrosis factor α receptor (TNFR)‐mediated processes in wild‐type mice. The disruption of CypD reduced LPS‐induced alterations in gene expression and pathways involving TNFRs and TLRs, in addition to improving survival and attenuating oxidative liver damage and the related NO‐ and ROS‐producing pathways. CypD deficiency diminished the suppressive effect of LPS on mitochondrial function, nuclear‐ and mitochondrial‐encoded genes, and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) quantity, which could be critical in improving survival. Our data propose that CypD‐dependent mPT is an amplifier in inflammatory reprogramming and promotes disease progression. The mortality in human sepsis and shock is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. Prevention of mPT by CypD disruption reduces inflammatory reprogramming, mitochondrial dysfunction, and lethality; therefore, CypD can be a novel drug target in endotoxic shock and related inflammatory diseases.