bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Isomorphism and language-specific devices in comprehension of Korean suffixal passive construction by Mandarin-speaking learners of Korean
Authors: Shin Gyu-Ho , Park Sun Hee
Published: March 2021

Across languages, a passive construction is known to manifest a misalignment between the typical order of event composition (agent-before-theme) and the actual order of arguments in the constructions (theme-before-agent), dubbed non-isomorphic mapping. This study investigates comprehension of a suffixal passive construction in Korean by Mandarin-speaking learners of Korean, focusing on isomorphism and language-specific devices in the passive. We measured learners’ judgment of the acceptability of canonical and scrambled suffixal passives as well as their reaction times (relative to a canonical active transitive). Our analysis generated three major findings. First, learners uniformly preferred the canonical passive to the scrambled passive. Second, as proficiency increased, the judgment gap between the canonical active transitive and the canonical suffixal passive narrowed, but the gap between the canonical active transitive and the scrambled suffixal passive did not. Third, learners (and even native speakers) spent more time in judging the acceptability of the canonical suffixal passive than they did in the other two construction types. Implications of these findings are discussed with respect to the mapping nature involving a passive voice, indicated by language-specific devices (i.e., case-marking and verbal morphology dedicated to Korean passives), in L2 acquisition.
Effect of gliding cupping with Roghan-e-Surkh in low back ache (Waja-uz-Zahr): a case series study
Authors: Ahmad Izhar , Nayab Mohd , Ahmad Tanzeel
Published: March 2021

Objectives

Pain in joints is a major clinical problem since ancient times. Waja-uz-Zahr stands for low back pain which may arise from internal or external structures of lumbosacral region due to Su-e-Mizaj sada or maddi due to the surplus of Burudat or accumulation of Kham Balgham in lower back. Imala (diversion) and Taqiya-e-Mavad (Evacuation) are inevitable in case of maddi amraz. Hijama (cupping therapy) is a simple, safe, tolerable, and effective regimenal modality, helpful in the treatment of aches and pains. Gruner mentioned a special kind of cupping method in the canon of medicine of Avicenna where cupping glasses are glided over a specified area of body intending the diversion of morbid material under the name of Bier’s treatment. The purpose of present case series was to provide the insight into the effect of gliding cupping in low back ache.

Case presentation

Three patients of Waja-uz-Zahr, aged between 29 and 64 years, were given gliding cupping treatment after the application of Roghan-e-Surkh on lumbosacral region alternatively for 14 days. Oswestry disability index (ODI) and visual analogue scale (VAS) were used for the assessment of efficacy. Improvement, in case 1, case 2, and case 3 in ODI score was 42.42, 68.18, and 62.50%, respectively while in VAS score, it was 50, 62.5, and 50%, respectively, was observed without any adverse effect.

Conclusions

On the basis of the above results, it can be concluded that the gliding cupping therapy may be used as an effective modality of treatment for low back ache.
Language Learning beyond English in the Netherlands: A fragile future?
Authors: Michel Marije , Vidon Christine , Graaff Rick de , Lowie Wander
Published: March 2021

The Netherlands have had a long tradition of modern foreign language (MFL) education: French, German and English have been standard subjects at secondary school since the 19th century. After the introduction of the Mammoetwet in 1968, several major educational reforms have shaped the current practice of Dutch MFL teaching. On the one hand, a greater diversity of languages is on offer in secondary schools (e. g., Arabic, Spanish), and following the implementation of the CEFR (Council of Europe 2001) MFL teaching has become more communicative. Additionally, more and more schools at all levels of education have adopted English as a medium of instruction. On the other hand, with the growing dominance of English in Dutch society, the time dedicated to languages other than English has declined substantially so that secondary school sections and university departments for other MFLs are closing down. In this article, we provide an overview of Dutch MFL teaching since 1945. We will sketch how the choices made by different parties involved, including learners and their parents, teachers, teacher educators, publishers and policy makers, have been shaping the teaching of MFLs at all levels of education with a special interest in MFL teacher education.
Regularized bidimensional estimation of the hazard rate
Authors: Goepp Vivien , Thalabard Jean-Christophe , Nuel Grégory , Bouaziz Olivier
Published: March 2021

In epidemiological or demographic studies, with variable age at onset, a typical quantity of interest is the incidence of a disease (for example the cancer incidence). In these studies, the individuals are usually highly heterogeneous in terms of dates of birth (the cohort) and with respect to the calendar time (the period) and appropriate estimation methods are needed. In this article a new estimation method is presented which extends classical age-period-cohort analysis by allowing interactions between age, period and cohort effects. We introduce a bidimensional regularized estimate of the hazard rate where a penalty is introduced on the likelihood of the model. This penalty can be designed either to smooth the hazard rate or to enforce consecutive values of the hazard to be equal, leading to a parsimonious representation of the hazard rate. In the latter case, we make use of an iterative penalized likelihood scheme to approximate the L
0 norm, which makes the computation tractable. The method is evaluated on simulated data and applied on breast cancer survival data from the SEER program.
The effect of random-effects misspecification on classification accuracy
Authors: El Saeiti Riham , García-Fiñana Marta , Hughes David M.
Published: March 2021

Mixed models are a useful way of analysing longitudinal data. Random effects terms allow modelling of patient specific deviations from the overall trend over time. Correlation between repeated measurements are captured by specifying a joint distribution for all random effects in a model. Typically, this joint distribution is assumed to be a multivariate normal distribution. For Gaussian outcomes misspecification of the random effects distribution usually has little impact. However, when the outcome is discrete (e.g. counts or binary outcomes) generalised linear mixed models (GLMMs) are used to analyse longitudinal trends. Opinion is divided about how robust GLMMs are to misspecification of the random effects. Previous work explored the impact of random effects misspecification on the bias of model parameters in single outcome GLMMs. Accepting that these model parameters may be biased, we investigate whether this affects our ability to classify patients into clinical groups using a longitudinal discriminant analysis. We also consider multiple outcomes, which can significantly increase the dimensions of the random effects distribution when modelled simultaneously. We show that when there is severe departure from normality, more flexible mixture distributions can give better classification accuracy. However, in many cases, wrongly assuming a single multivariate normal distribution has little impact on classification accuracy.
Multistep concentration of lizardite/antigorite from chrysotile mine tailings – case of the Carey Mine site in East-Broughton (Québec)
Authors: Kabombo Dieudonné , Azizi Dariush , Hébert Réjean , Larachi Faïçal
Published: March 2021

Revalorization of mining residues is of central concerns to the mining industry and the environment. Specifically, environmental management of residual products from the exploitation of chrysotile in the Thetford Mines region is one of the government concerns in Quebec and Canada. This work uses mining wastes in a second resource generation for production of magnesium from cheap and health-friendly mineral sources; the goal being to produce chrysotile-depleted pre-concentrates for a use as precursors in the leach off extraction of magnesium. The concentration of lizardite/antigorite from chrysotile containing serpentine rock mine tailings originating from the Carey Mine site in East-Broughton (Québec) was carried out using a suite of hydrocyclone, settling/decantation and magnetic separations. Four size classes of the mining residue, namely (−3150,+1580), (−1580, +600), (−600, +300) and (−300, +150) μm, were tested with an aim to reduce the level of objectionable asbestos fibers to allow access to the safer Mg-bearing minerals contained in the mine waste sources. The asbestos fibers clean-up consisted of subjecting the sieved fractions to two hydrocyclone steps, six settling/decantation steps and two magnetic separation steps. The best results were achieved when the hydrocyclone separators led to Mg recovery of 85% (±4) for the coarsest size fraction size. Both hydrocyclone underflow streams underwent settling/decantation separations. The settling tests lasted 30 min and led to Mg recoveries of 82.5% (±1.8) of Mg in the ultimate concentrate. SEM characterizations revealed that it was possible to reduce substantially the amount of chrysotile fibers to render the coarse-sized fraction in the mining waste usable while significantly lowering the health risk of the fibers. A two-step magnetic separation was applied to the final settling/decantation underflow to remove magnetic minerals such as magnetite from the lizardite/antigorite concentrate. The final quasi-non-magnetic chrysotile-depleted lizardite/antigorite concentrate allowed sample recovery of 62.5% (±0.9) wt. of Mg. These preliminary results are intended as a first compulsory step in support of viable restoration and sustainable development scenarios for the Thetford Mines mining sites as second-breath sources for valuable magnesium.
Utilizing emerging knowledge to support medical argument retrieval
Authors: Nawroth Christian , Engel Felix , Hemmje Matthias
Published: March 2021

This article summarizes selected aspects of a dissertation project and prior publications related to the DFG-funded RecomRatio research project. As such, it provides an end-to-end overview of a research project that aims at extracting and utilizing Emerging Knowledge represented by two concepts that we define as Emerging Named Entities and Emerging Argument Entities to support medical argumentation retrieval. We use these two concepts to model novelty in general scientific literature and, in particular, in medical argumentation. Therefore, this paper will provide an overview of Emerging Knowledge and definitions of Emerging Named Entities and Emerging Argument Entities. It includes a review of state-of-the-art and related work. A preparatory study shows that Emerging Argument Entities are in use in the medical literature. Based on the state of the art review and the preparatory study, a conceptual system design based on Emerging Named Entity Recognition and a state-of-the-art Argumentation Mining framework (ArgumenText) is introduced to extract Emerging Argument Entities from medical literature and make them available for Argument Retrieval. The conceptual system design supports two Argument Retrieval use cases: 1.) Ranking of result sets based on Emerging Argument Entities, and 2.) Highlighting Emerging Argument Entities within result sets. A case study for the extraction and visualization of Emerging Named Entities and Emerging Argument Entities is implemented based on the conceptual design. This proof-of-concept system is used to conduct technical evaluations regarding the Emerging Named Entity Recognition. Furthermore, prior results of an expert-based evaluation are presented. The article finishes with a conclusion and brief outlook of future work, e. g., supporting the Argument Interchange Format.
Chronic exposure of industrial grade calcium carbide and ethylene glycol alter histological architecture of systemic organs by disrupting redox balance in rat
Authors: Bini Markose , Rajesh Bhargavan , Babu Thekkekara Devassy
Published: March 2021

Objectives

The threat to human health or the surroundings by the use of artificial fruit ripening agents has become a global concern. Calcium carbide (CaC2) and ethylene glycol (EG) are the two widely using ripening agents. The present study evaluates the toxic effect of chronic exposures of CaC2 and EG in rats.

Methods

CaC2 and EG were administered to the rats for 180 days orally. The alterations in oxido-reduction status, haematological, biochemical and histopathological parameters were analysed. Arsenic content in CaC2 and animal samples were detected by atomic absorption spectrometer and phosphorus by molybdate-UV method.

Results

At chronic doses, there were no significant alterations in haematological and biochemical parameters except in creatinine level especially by EG. However, histological details revealed microvesicular fatty change in liver, corpuscles degeneration in kidney and lymphocytes infiltration in various tissues. In intestine, the mucosal lesion scoring was found high (p<0.01). SOD and CAT activities and GSH level was reduced significantly by CaC2 administration (p<0.01). Arsenic and phosphorus detected is above the toxic level: 7.222 and 13.91 mg/dL in CaC2, 1.634 and 6.22 mg/dL in blood and 0.563 and 6.99 mg/dL in liver, respectively.

Conclusions

The study suggests that the industrial grade CaC2 and EG induce systemic toxicity to rats and the liver is the most susceptible organ. The CaC2 and EG toxicity is mediated through the upset of redox balance and subsequent inflammatory responses. This could be due to the presence of arsenic and phosphorus contents that detected above the normal level in the industrial grade CaC2.
Rethinking Unconditional Convergence in Manufacturing in the Age of New Technologies
Authors: Erten Bilge , Schwank Oliver
Published: March 2021

We revisit unconditional convergence within manufacturing with a focus on differences in technology intensity across industries. For Latin American and Sub-Saharan African economies, we observe that low-technology and medium-technology intensive industries experience a significantly slower convergence in comparison to high-technology intensive ones. In contrast, we find no evidence of a significant differential for low-technology industries’ convergence in Asian economies, and if anything, we see that medium-technology intensive sectors experience a faster convergence than high-technology industries. In developed economies, we observe that while low-technology industries experience a slightly slower convergence, medium-technology industries converge at similar rates to high-technology industries. We also find that these differences emerge during the period of increased global integration, which exposed developing economies to increased competition both from advanced markets and fast industrializers within the developing world. Finally, we show that differential convergence patterns are stronger after the peak of manufacturing employment share has been reached. We discuss the implications of these trends for the future of development policy making.
Proving God without Dualism: Improving the Swinburne-Moreland Argument from Consciousness
Authors: Blondé Ward , Jansen Ludger
Published: March 2021

With substance dualism and the existence of God, Swinburne (2004,The Existence of God, Oxford University Press, Oxford) and Moreland (2010,Consciousness and the Existence of God, Routledge, New York) have argued for a very powerful explanatory mechanism that can readily explain several philosophical problems related to consciousness. However, their positions come with presuppositions and ontological commitments which many are not prepared to share. The aim of this paper is to improve on the Swinburne-Moreland argument from consciousness by developing an argument for the existence of God from consciousness without being committed to substance dualism. The argument proceeds by suggesting a solution to the exceptional-point-of-view problem, i.e., the question how it can be explained that there is a conscious being lucky enough to experience the point of view of a relatively tiny brain amidst a giant universe that is indifferent about which physical entities it brings about according to the laws of physics.
A blueprint for green chemists: lessons from nature for sustainable synthesis
Authors: West Julian G.
Published: March 2021

The design of new chemical reactions that are convenient, sustainable, and innovative is a preeminent concern for modern synthetic chemistry. While the use of earth abundant element catalysts remains underdeveloped by chemists, nature has developed a cornucopia of powerful transformation using only base metals, demonstrating their viability for sustainable method development. Here we show how study of nature’s approach to disparate chemical problems, from alkene desaturation to photodetection in bacteria, can inspire and enable new approaches to difficult synthetic chemistry problems past, present, and future.
Development of a Two-Stage Etching Procedure for Grain Analysis of Intermetallic Iron Aluminides (Fe-Al-Ta)
Authors: Schaberger-Zimmermann E. , Pütz R. D. , Subašić E. , Zander D.
Published: March 2021

The present work will introduce a novel two-step etching procedure for grain analysis of intermetallic iron aluminides. A grain boundary etching technique from the literature will be complemented by subsequent grain-contrast etching to visualize different grains in polarized light. The use of an XY-table for the acquisition of MosaiX images also enables grain analysis over the entire cross-section of the sample.
Research on Microstructural and Performance Evolution of IN783 Bolt in Service
Authors: Wang J. , Zhao Q. , Liu J. , Wu Y. , Du X.
Published: March 2021

In this paper, the evolution of the microstructural and performance of IN783 hightemperature bolts in service was studied. The results showed that under high-temperature service environment, with the increase of service time, the superalloy of IN783 bolt and the precipitation quantity of second phase increased. The second phase mainly existed in the form of particles and rods, which were distributed in an obvious oriented way. With the extension of service time, the strength of the alloy increased, but the hardness decreased, the plasticity and toughness decreased significantly, so it is difficult for the IN783 high-temperature bolts to reach the normal level of safe service. Therefore, the IN783 high-temperature bolts that have been in service for a long time should be strictly supervised and replaced appropriately to reduce losses.
Are representations glorified receptors? On use and usage of mental representations
Authors: Grabarczyk Paweł
Published: March 2021

In the paper I present an application of Jerzy Pelc’s functional semiotics to contemporary cognitive science. I argue that, even though the original theory addressed only linguistic representations, it can be fruitfully applied to mental representations. I show how Pelc’s distinction betweenuseandusagehelps us clarify the notion of mental representations and how it makes it immune to skeptical challenges presented in contemporary cognitive science literature.
Frankreichs langer Rückzug aus der Gemeinsamen Sicherheits- und Verteidigungspolitik der EU
Authors: Deubner Christian
Published: March 2021

Frankreichs Teilnahme an der Gemeinsamen Sicherheits- und Verteidigungspolitik der EU (GSVP) verringert sich seit Jahren. Es verfolgt einen Sonderweg mit drei Merkmalen: (1) Geografisch hat es eine Präferenz für Afrika, (2) kapazitätsmäßig überragt es die anderen an Schnelligkeit der Entscheidung, an Truppenstärke und an Einsatzfähigkeit. Zudem (3) ist die französische Staatselite im Vergleich stärker auf sicherheitspolitische Glaubwürdigkeit und militärische Effizienz orientiert. Expliziter als andere beharrt sie auf ihrer nationalen Entscheidungsautonomie in sicherheits- und verteidigungspolitischen Fragen und leitet daraus einen Führungsanspruch gegenüber den EU-Partnerländern ab. In der Folge ist es zu einem Auseinanderlaufen von kleinen und auf Kapazitätsstärkung orientierten GSVP-Missionen auf der einen Seite und robusten Militärmissionen Frankreichs auf der anderen Seite gekommen. Dieses Muster ist mit dem Interesse Deutschlands an gleichberechtigter Einbindung in eine gemeinschaftliche Sicherheits- und Verteidigungspolitik unvereinbar. Die Aussichten für eine Annäherung sind gering. Eine Wende ist nur vorstellbar, wenn das Kapazitätsgefälle zwischen Frankreich und den übrigen Mitgliedern (insbesondere Deutschland) verringert würde. Wenn Deutschland effektive Schritte zur Stärkung der Bundeswehr unternähme und gleichzeitig Bereitschaft zu mehr militärischer Zusammenarbeit innerhalb der GSVP zeigen würde, könnte eine Annäherung Frankreichs an die GSVP denkbar werden.
Strategic Overload: Die neue Rohstoffstrategie Deutschlands zwischen Pragmatismus und Überambition
Authors: Kullik Jakob , Schmid Marc
Published: March 2021

Die Anfang 2020 erschienene deutsche Rohstoffstrategie soll zu einer ökologisch und sozial verträglichen, zuverlässigen und wettbewerbsfähigen Rohstoffversorgung der deutschen Wirtschaft beitragen. Sie ist damit eine politische Antwort auf drängende Herausforderungen im Rohstoffsektor, insbesondere die hohe Versorgungsabhängigkeit Deutschlands und die protektionistischen Tendenzen Chinas bei kritischen Rohstoffen, die für grüne Technologien benötigt werden. Im Gegensatz zur alten Rohstoffstrategie aus dem Jahr 2010 ist die überarbeitete deutsche Rohstoffstrategie deutlich ambitionierter und versucht, die aktuellen Herausforderungen zu adressieren. Angesichts des dadurch drohendenstrategic overloadstellt sich allerdings die Frage, ob ein europäischer Ansatz zu favorisieren wäre.
Comparison of different SLAM approaches for a driverless race car
Authors: Le Large Nick , Bieder Frank , Lauer Martin
Published: March 2021

For the application of an automated, driverless race car, we aim to assure high map and localization quality for successful driving on previously unknown, narrow race tracks. To achieve this goal, it is essential to choose an algorithm that fulfills the requirements in terms of accuracy, computational resources and run time. We propose both a filter-based and a smoothing-based Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) algorithm and evaluate them using real-world data collected by a Formula Student Driverless race car. The accuracy is measured by comparing the SLAM-generated map to a ground truth map which was acquired using high-precision Differential GPS (DGPS) measurements. The results of the evaluation show that both algorithms meet required time constraints thanks to a parallelized architecture, with GraphSLAM draining the computational resources much faster than Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) SLAM. However, the analysis of the maps generated by the algorithms shows that GraphSLAM outperforms EKF SLAM in terms of accuracy.
Superstructure formation in the solid solution Sc3Pt3−xIn3 (x = 0–0.93)
Authors: Gulay Nataliya L. , Hoffmann Rolf-Dieter , Kösters Jutta , Kalychak Yaroslav M. , Seidel Stefan , Pöttgen Rainer
Published: March 2021

The equiatomic indide ScPtIn (ZrNiAl type, space group P

6
‾

$‾{6}$

2m) shows an extended solid solution Sc3Pt3–xIn3. Several samples of the Sc3Pt3–xIn3 series were synthesized from the elements by arc-melting and subsequent annealing, or directly in a high frequency furnace. The lowest platinum content was observed for Sc3Pt2.072(3)In3. All samples were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction and their lattice parameters and several single crystals were studied on the basis of precise single crystal X-ray diffractometer data. The correct platinum occupancy parameters were refined from the diffraction data. Decreasing platinum content leads to decreasing a and c lattice parameters. Satellite reflections were observed for the Sc3Pt3–xIn3 crystals with x = 0.31–0.83. These satellite reflections could be described with a modulation vector

(

1
3

,

1
3

,
γ

)

$\left(\frac{1}{3},\frac{1}{3},\gamma \right)$

(

γ
=

1
2

$\gamma =\frac{1}{2}$

c* for all crystals) and are compatible with trigonal symmetry. The interplay of platinum filled vs. empty In6 trigonal prisms is discussed for an approximant structure with space group P3m1.
Predator-dependent transmissible disease spreading in prey under Holling type-II functional response
Authors: Ghosh Dipankar , Santra Prasun K. , Elsadany Abdelalim A. , Mahapatra Ghanshaym S.
Published: March 2021

This paper focusses on developing two species, where only prey species suffers by a contagious disease. We consider the logistic growth rate of the prey population. The interaction between susceptible prey and infected prey with predator is presumed to be ruled by Holling type II and I functional response, respectively. A healthy prey is infected when it comes in direct contact with infected prey, and we also assume that predator-dependent disease spreads within the system. This research reveals that the transmission of this predator-dependent disease can have critical repercussions for the shaping of prey–predator interactions. The solution of the model is examined in relation to survival, uniqueness and boundedness. The positivity, feasibility and the stability conditions of the fixed points of the system are analysed by applying the linearization method and the Jacobian matrix method.
Anticancer Cardenolides from the aerial parts of Calortopis procera
Authors: Sweidan Nuha , Esawi Ezaldeen , Ismail Mohammad , Alshaer Walhan
Published: March 2021

Column chromatography (CC) analysis of methanol and butanol extracts of the aerial parts of Calortopis procera as well as the methanol extract of its latex, led to the isolation of 8 cardenolides, of which the structures were elucidated by NMR and HRESIMS spectroscopy. They also revealed several triterpenes and flavonoid glycoside. Based on the antiproliferative activity reported for cardenolides, the activity of calotropin and calotoxin was tested against two common cancer cell lines, human triple-negative breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-231) and human lung adenocarcinoma cell line (A549). The high toxicity of the latex also encouraged performing the same test on the same cancer cell lines. The anti-proliferative activity of calotropin and calotoxin was compared to the methanol extract and the wax of the latex. The results showed that calotropin and calotoxin have significant cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231 and A549 cell lines ranging from 0.046 to 0.072 μM compared to the methanol extract and the wax of its latex ranging from 0.47 to 58.41 μM. Moreover, the results showed lower toxicity of all treatments to the human skin fibroblasts compared to the toxicity to both MDA-MB-231 and A549 cancer cells lines except the higher toxicity of Methanolic extracts of C. procera latex to the MDA-MB-231 cells. In conclusion, C. procera is a medicinal plant with a wide spectrum of cardinolides including calotropin and calotoxin, which are promising agents for targeted cancer phytotherapy.
Simulation in der Praxis: Hindernisse überwinden
Authors: Kranz Michael , Duisberg Max , Harlacher Markus , Mütze-Niewöhner Susanne
Published: March 2021

Individuelle Produkte, komplexe Prozesse und hohe Produktivitäts- und Flexibilitätsanforderungen - Bedingungen, die viele Unternehmen vor große Herausforderungen bei der Planung ihrer Produktionssysteme stellen. Simulationsverfahren können hierbei unterstützen, in der Praxis sind allerdings diverse Hürden zu überwinden. Am Beispiel einer simulationsbasierten Optimierung der Maschinenbelegungsplanung des Presswerks eines Herstellers weißer Ware werden mögliche Lösungsansätze demonstriert.*)
Flussorientierte Positionierungsmethode für die Fabrikplanung
Authors: Kaucher Christian , Gessert Stephan , Erlach Klaus
Published: March 2021

Die flussgerechte räumliche Anordnung von Funktionseinheiten ist eine Kernaufgabe der Fabrikplanung. Diese Anordnung erfolgt häufig stark materialflussdominiert und vernachlässigt dabei weitere Flussbeziehungen. Der Beitrag stellt eine flussorientierte Positionierungsmethode basierend auf der Funktions-Beziehungs-Matrix von Muther & Hales vor. Diese Positionierungsmethode ermöglicht die Berücksichtigung aller Flussbeziehungen sowie einen verbesserten und quantifizierten Vergleich von Alternativen.*)
Kompaktwickelprozess zur Herstellung verteilter Wicklungen
Authors: Halwas Maximilian , Wirth Felix , Fleischer Jürgen
Published: March 2021

Die Weiterentwicklung von Runddraht-Wickelverfahren zur Performancesteigerung elektrischer Antriebe stellt einen wichtigen Forschungsgegenstand am wbk Institut für Produktionstechnik des KIT dar. Im Rahmen bisheriger Arbeiten wurde in diesem Zusammenhang der neuartige Prozess des Kompaktwickelns entwickelt. Im vorliegenden Beitrag werden dieser definiert, eine erste prototypische Umsetzung des Kompaktwickelns vorgestellt sowie mögliche industrielle Anwendungen und Zukunftsperspektiven skizziert.*)
Agile Produktion elektrischer Traktionsmotoren als Antwort auf volatile Märkte und Technologien
Authors: Fleischer Jürgen , Pfund Thomas , Wirth Felix , Fraider Felix , Halwas Maximilian , Hausmann Ludwig , Wößner Wilken
Published: March 2021

Elektrische Traktionsmotoren nehmen – unabhängig von der Art der Elektrifizierung – eine zentrale Rolle im Mobilitätswandel ein. Volatile Rahmenbedingungen, Märkte und Technologien führen jedoch dazu, dass das Investitionsrisiko in dem Stand der Technik entsprechende Produktionssysteme mit eingeschränkter Flexibilität als hoch einzustufen ist. Vor diesem Hintergrund soll im Forschungsvorhaben AgiloDrive durch die integrierte Entwicklung modularer Produkt- und Produktionsbaukästen eine nachfrageorientierte Wandlungsfähigkeit des Produktionssystems befähigt werden.**)
Bedeutung der Robustheit von Produktionssystemen
Authors: Stockmann Christian , Winkler Herwig
Published: March 2021

Eine adäquate Robustheit ist in allen Produktionssystemen eine wesentliche Voraussetzung für effiziente Produktionsprozesse. Angesichts der technologischen Entwicklungen im Zuge der vierten industriellen Revolution wird davon ausgegangen, dass aufgrund der zunehmenden Digitalisierung, Automatisierung und Vernetzung heute bedeutsame Störungen stark an Einfluss verlieren werden. Somit würde sich auch eine Verbesserung der Robustheit in den Produktionssystemen einstellen. Dieser Beitrag untersucht Entwicklungen der vierten industriellen Revolution kritisch hinsichtlich ihrer Wirkungen auf die Robustheit und zeigt auf, weshalb eine hohe Robustheit auch im Zielzustand der Industrie 4.0 keine Selbstverständlichkeit sein wird.
Integration eines omnidirektionalen FTF in eine Produktionsprozesssteuerung
Authors: Rolfs Lennart , Schweers Dirk , Hoppe Nils Hendrik , Petzoldt Christoph , Shahwar Zain , Freitag Michael
Published: March 2021

Die Optimierung logistischer Abläufe durch Integration neuer Systeme kann mit hohem Planungs- und Inbetriebnahmeaufwand verbunden sein. Mit der neuen cloudbasierten Open Platform for Innovations in Logistics (OPIL) lassen sich Maschinen und Logistiksysteme zu einer IoT-Plattform verbinden, die durchgängig für die Optimierung, Evaluation und anschließende Produktionsprozesssteuerung herstellerunabhängig eingesetzt werden kann. In diesem Beitrag wird die Plattform durch die Integration eines omnidirektionalen FTF validiert.**)
Kinetic Analysis of Pack-Borided Gray Cast Iron
Authors: Azouani O. , Keddam M. , Allaoui O. , Sehisseh A.
Published: March 2021

In this work, a gray cast iron containing copper of grade EN-GJL-250 was pack-borided within the temperature range of 800°C–1,000°C with treatment times of 2–6 h. According to the X-ray diffraction analysis, the Fe2B phase has been identified over the surface of this material and the boride layer has an average thickness between 20.8 ± 2.9 and 149.1 ± 10.2 µm. The morphological aspect of the Fe2B layer was investigated with a scanning electron microscope. The regression model based on the ANOVA analysis has been established to investigate the growth kinetics of boride layers on EN-GJL-250 gray cast iron. The boron activation energies in the EN-GJL-250 cast iron were estimated as 148.03 and 147.96 kJ mol−1 by the parabolic growth law and the mean diffusion coefficient method, respectively. Furthermore, the experimental Fe2B layers’ thicknesses were in accord with the predicted values given by the regression model and the MDC method.
Effect of applying crust-freezing after skin-packaging on the natural microflora of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) during storage at low temperatures
Authors: Pedrós-Garrido S. , Condón-Abanto S. , Calanche J.B. , Beltrán J.A. , Lyng J.G. , Bolton D. , Brunton N. , Whyte P.
Published: March 2021

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of crust-freezing (CF) on fresh salmon fillets in skin-packaging during storage at −2.0°C. After CF, all treated samples and untreated controls were stored in a refrigerated cabinet for 20 d. Sampling was carried out at days 0, 2, 6, 8, 10, 14 and 20 in order to analyse total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) and levels of mesophilic and psychrophilic viable counts (MVC and PVC). Enterobacteriaceae (ENT), lactic acid bacteria (LAB), H2S-producing bacteria (SPB) and Pseudomonas spp. (PSE). No significant differences in TVB-N were found between samples except for those taken on day 20 where TVB-N levels of CF samples were lower than controls. Our results suggest that ENT might be the limiting microbial group to determine the end of shelf-life. Thus, if this group is used as an indicator of acceptability, the shelf-life of salmon can be extended from 8 to 20 d when skin-packed and then treated with CF.
A note on the early transcriptional response in leaves and root of potato plants to cadmium exposure
Authors: Mengist M.F. , Byrne S.L. , Griffin D. , Milbourne D.
Published: March 2021

Potato plants can accumulate a high amount of cadmium (Cd) in the tuber when grown in soils rich in Cd. The molecular mechanisms governing Cd accumulation in the potato plant are poorly understood. Here we performed an RNA-sequencing experiment to identify genes differentially expressed in the leaf and root of potato during early stages of Cd exposure. Results did not identify any significant transcriptional response in leaves under 1 or 5 mg kg−1 Cd after 72 h. However, in the roots we did identify 2,846 genes that were significantly differentially expressed after 72 h between plants grown in 5 mg kg−1 Cd and controls. These included genes involved in photosynthesis and autophagy being up-regulated, and genes involved in intracellular transport being down-regulated. This study is the first report on the transcriptome-wide response of potato to Cd stress, providing insight into the molecular mechanisms involved in the response.
Angiotensin-II Modulates GABAergic Neurotransmission in the Mouse Substantia Nigra
Authors: Singh Maibam R. , Vigh Jozsef , Amberg Gregory C.
Published: March 2021

GABAergic projections neurons of the substantia nigra reticulata (SNr), through an extensive network of dendritic arbors and axon collaterals, provide robust inhibitory input to neighboring dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra compacta (SNc). Angiotensin-II (Ang-II) receptor signaling increases SNc dopaminergic neuronal sensitivity to insult, thus rendering these cells susceptible to dysfunction and destruction. However, the mechanisms by which Ang-II regulates SNc dopaminergic neuronal activity are unclear. Given the complex relationship between SN dopaminergic and GABAergic neurons, we hypothesized that Ang-II could regulate SNc dopaminergic neuronal activity directly and indirectly by modulating SNr GABAergic neurotransmission. Here, using transgenic mice, slice electrophysiology, and optogenetics, we provide evidence of an AT1receptor-mediated signaling mechanism in SNr GABAergic neurons where Ang-II suppresses electrically-evoked neuronal output by facilitating postsynaptic GABAAreceptors (GABAARs) and prolonging the action potential (AP) duration. Unexpectedly, Ang-II had no discernable effects on the electrical properties of SNc dopaminergic neurons. Also, and indicating a nonlinear relationship between electrical activity and neuronal output, following phasic photoactivation of SNr GABAergic neurons, Ang-II paradoxically enhanced the feedforward inhibitory input to SNc dopaminergic neurons. In sum, our observations describe an increasingly complex and heterogeneous response of the SN to Ang-II by revealing cell-specific responses and nonlinear effects on intranigral GABAergic neurotransmission. Our data further implicate the renin-angiotensin-system (RAS) as a functionally relevant neuromodulator in the substantia nigra, thus underscoring a need for additional inquiry.
Eudaemonic Well-Being in Midlife Women: Change in and Correspondence Between Concurrent and Retrospective Reports
Authors: Segerstrom Suzanne C. , Blevins Tessa R. , Leger Kate A. , Reed Rebecca G. , Crofford Leslie J.
Published: March 2021

Concurrent and retrospective reports correspond for personality, affect, and coping. The present study described how autonomy, competence, and relatedness components of eudaemonic well-being (EWB) change over days and months and tested correspondences of daily and retrospective reports between and within people. Midlife and older (50-75 years) women (N = 200) completed online diaries daily for 1 week for 9 bursts over 2 years and answered questionnaires at the end of each burst (burst n = 1,529). Multilevel models partialed levels of variance and tested correspondence. Women varied in their daily experiences of EWB but did not vary substantially between bursts. Burst-level diary means and questionnaire responses corresponded between people, but changes within people were less strongly related. The daily, but not monthly, time scale of change is important for capturing within-person changes in EWB. Finding EWB change over months to years may depend on measurement designed to capture medium-term change.
How the Maldives Have Navigated Disease and Development
Authors: Knoll Eva-Maria
Published: March 2021

For centuries, malaria kept European colonial interests away from the Maldive islands, leaving the remote Indian Ocean island chain on a distinct and largely self-governed trajectory. Successful mosquito eradication in the twentieth century paved the way for development. The COVID-19 pandemic posed a new challenge to the economy, which is now heavily dependent on tourism. But resorts were able to reopen relatively quickly, since they are mostly set up on islands apart from those inhabited by local communities. The nation also has proved adept at finding ways to make tourism compatible with Muslim traditions, though imported harder-line Islamic ideology has raised tensions in recent years. Now the islanders must manage their entanglements with rival regional powers, as China and India compete to provide infrastructure.
Recovering Hindustan and India
Authors: Truschke Audrey
Published: March 2021

A new book explores a premodern idea of the Indian subcontinent as a home for members of all religious traditions: the vision of Hindustan developed by the seventeenth-century historian Firishta, a Persian-speaking Muslim. His perspective was neglected and distorted by colonial-era historians who contributed to a Hindu-centric idea of India.
Adsorption of Vanadium(V) From Textile Industry Effluent Using Luffa cylindrica Activated Carbon
Authors: Nwosu-Obieogu Kenechi , Aguele Felix , Akatobi Kelechi , Okolo Bernard , Dzarma Goziya
Published: March 2021

This study investigated the utilisation of Luffa cylindrica activated carbon as a low-cost adsorbent in the removal of vanadium(V) from textile industry effluent in a batch adsorption experiment. The adsorption rate was studied for contact time, pH, and adsorbent dosage. The effect of pH on vanadium(V) removal was studied with 0.2 g/100 ml adsorbent dose, 10 min contact time, and textile effluent solution. The maximum removal efficiency was 99.90 % at pH 4, 97.43 % at 60 min of contact time, and 97.83 % at an adsorbent dosage of 1.0 g. The characterisation results from FTIR and SEM indicated that the adsorbents’ potential was fully exploited. In this study, the experimental findings were fitted using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. Freundlich model gave a better fit of the experimental data. The kinetic data by the pseudo-second order kinetic model gave a better fit than the pseudo-first order kinetic model.
Educational technology and the construction of authentic learning environments
Authors: Istenič Andreja
Published: March 2021

The main goal of the present scientific monograph is the importance and role of educational technology in the function of the educational process, while researching the trends and influences of parents in the child's personal development during the educational process. In doing so, he researches and highlights didactic-methodological principles in the use of educational technologies and, at the implementation level, highlights the method of digital storytelling with the help of educational technologies.
Exposure to non-persistent pesticides and puberty timing: a systematic review of the epidemiological evidence
Authors: Castiello Francesca , Freire Carmen
Published: March 2021

Background

Numerous modern non-persistent pesticides have demonstrated estrogenic/anti-androgenic activity and have been classified as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Processes involved in puberty development are vulnerable to EDCs, such as compounds that interfere with the metabolism or activity of sex steroids.

Objective

To conduct a systematic review of epidemiological studies on the relationship between early-life exposure to non-persistent pesticides and puberty timing and/or sexual maturation in girls and boys.

Methods

A systematic search was carried out using MEDLINE and SCOPUS databases, including original articles published up to November 2020.

Results

Thirteen studies were selected after excluding non-original and non-human studies. Exposure to different types of pesticides has been associated with altered puberty timing in girls and/or boys in eight studies. In utero exposure to atrazine has been related to earlier age of menarche in girls; exposure to organophosphate (OP) pesticides has been related to delayed sexual development in boys and girls; childhood pyrethroid exposure has been associated with pubertal delay in girls and pubertal advancement in boys; and prenatal/childhood exposure to multiple pesticides has been linked to earlier puberty onset in girls and pubertal delay in boys.

Conclusions

Most of the reviewed studies describe a relationship between pesticide exposure and changes in the age of puberty onset or sex hormone levels, although the quality of the evidence is generally low. Further well-designed longitudinal studies are warranted on specific classes of pesticides and on possible interactions between different types of compounds.
Selective vs non-selective alpha-blockade prior to adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zawadzka Karolina , Więckowski Krzysztof , Małczak Piotr , Wysocki Michał , Major Piotr , Pędziwiatr Michał , Pisarska-Adamczyk Magdalena
Published: March 2021

Objective

Alpha-adrenergic blockade is currently the first choice of preoperative treatment in patients with functional pheochromocytoma and sympathetic paraganglioma. Nevertheless, there is no consensus whether selective or non-selective alpha-blockade is superior for preventing both perioperative hemodynamic instability and complications.

Design

Our study aimed to compare selective and non-selective alpha-blockade through a systematic review with meta-analysis.

Methods

MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library were searched for eligible studies. Randomized and observational studies comparing selective and non-selective alpha-blockade in pheochromocytoma and sympathetic paraganglioma surgery in adults were included. Data on perioperative hemodynamic parameters and postoperative outcomes were extracted.

Results

Eleven studies with 1344 patients were enrolled. Patients receiving selective alpha-blockade had higher maximum intraoperative systolic blood pressure (WMD: 12.14 mmHg, 95% CI: 6.06–18.21, P < 0.0001) compared to those treated with non-selective alpha-blockade. Additionally, in the group pretreated with selective alpha-blockers, intraoperative vasodilators were used more frequently (OR: 2.46, 95% CI 1.44–4.20, P = 0.001). Patients treated with selective alpha-blockers had lower minimum intraoperative systolic blood pressure (WMD: −2.03 mmHg, 95% CI: −4.06 to −0.01, P = 0.05) and shorter length of hospital stay (WMD: −0.58 days, 95% CI: −1.12 to −0.04, P = 0.04). Operative time, overall morbidity and mortality did not differ between the groups.

Conclusions

This meta-analysis shows non-selective alpha-blockade was more effective in preventing intraoperative blood pressure fluctuations while maintaining comparable risk of both intraoperative and postoperative hypotension and overall morbidity.
Sodium-glucose co-transporter inhibitors in insulin-treated diabetes: a meta-analysis
Authors: Ferreira João Pedro , Oliveira Ana Cristina , Saraiva Francisca A , Vasques-Nóvoa Francisco , Leite-Moreira Adelino
Published: March 2021

Background

Patients with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes (T2D) have a high risk of major adverse cardiovascular events. Sodium-glucose cotransporter inhibitors (SGLTi) improve outcomes without hypoglycaemic risk.

Aims

To study the effect of SGLTi in patients with T2D with and without background insulin treatment in outcome-driven RCTs.

Methods

Random effects models.

Results

A total of 54 374 patients with T2D were included in the analysis, of which 26 551 (48.8%) were treated with insulin. For 3P-MACE in patients without insulin treatment, the HR (95% CI) for the effect of SGLTi vs placebo was 0.93 (0.81–1.05), with moderate heterogeneity (I2 = 49.2%, Q statistic P = 0.11). In insulin-treated patients, the HR (95% CI) was 0.88 (0.82–0.95), without evidence of heterogeneity (I2 =0.0%, Q statistic P =0.91). The pooled effect evidenced a 10% reduction of 3P-MACE with SGLTi (HR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.85–0.96), without SGLTi-by-insulin interaction P = 0.53. For the composite outcome of HF hospitalisation or cardiovascular death in patients without insulin treatment, the HR (95% CI) for the effect of SGLTi vs placebo was 0.77 (0.61-0.92), with marked heterogeneity (I2 = 66.8%, Q statistic P = 0.02). In insulin-treated patients, the HR (95% CI) was 0.77 (0.68–0.86), without significant heterogeneity (I2 = 31.7%, Q statistic P = 0.25). The pooled effect evidenced a 23% reduction of HF hospitalisations or cardiovascular death with SGLTi (HR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.68–0.85), without SGLTi-by-insulin interaction P = 0.98.

Conclusion

SGLTi reduces cardiovascular events regardless of insulin use. However, the treatment effect is more homogeneous among insulin-treated patients, supporting the use of SGLTi for the treatment of patients with T2D requiring insulin for glycaemic control.