bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding of surface roughness of wood based on analysis its structure and
density
Authors: Jankowska Agnieszka
Published: January 2021

Understanding of surface roughness of wood based on analysis its structure and density. The main aim of
presented paper was to investigate the influence the wood density and anatomical details on surface roughness. The
scope of study included samples from ten different species of wood (mainly tropical) because of wide range of density
and anatomical difference. The results allow to conclude that the roughness of tested wood species demonstrated
variation, depending on the wood section and the measurement direction. In general, radial sections showed higher
roughness than tangential sections due to interlocked fibres in tested wood species (fibres cut in various ways on the
radial section of the wood). Roughness measured perpendicular to the wood fibres were twice as high as those measured
parallel to the grain. Wood density was not an important indicator determining surface roughness for tested wood
species. The determining element for the roughness measured across the fibres was the diameter of the vessels. Further
research is advisable due to the enormous variability of the structure and properties of wood.
Study of nursing students physical activity levels
Authors: Baj-Korpak Joanna , Korpak Filip , Shpakou Andrei , Pauliuts Volha
Published: January 2021

Background: Numerous connections between physical activity (PA) and health clearly indicate that nowadays
conscious and purposeful PA is essential.
Aim of the study: To determine PA levels reported by University nursing students and to indicate the dominant
activity areas.
Material and methods: A diagnostic survey which included the International Physical Activity Questionnaire
– Short Form (IPAQ) was used to examine 419 students of nursing.
Results: The reported total PA of the students under investigation was 3443.9 MET-min/week. Walking activities
were the dominant area of PA (mean = 1557.6 MET-min/week), whereas vigorous activities were the least
common. Compared to women, men accumulated higher values of MET-min/week in the area of total PA and
its components, with the exception of vigorous activities. Significant differences in PA were only shown when
place of residence was factored in.
Conclusions: The IPAQ showed that one in four participants demonstrated high levels of PA. More than onethird
of the respondents did not meet the criteria for moderate or high activity levels, thus exhibiting low levels
of PA. The participants from urban areas were more active than those from rural areas. Out of the three areas
of PA (vigorous, moderate and walking), walking was the most dominate activity.
Baustein der Sozialrendite
Authors: Salden George , Schmoldt Jochen
Published: January 2021

Sozialimmobilien gelten gerade in Krisenzeiten bei vielen institutionellen Investoren als sicherer Hafen. Verantwortliche sozialer Träger müssen deshalb Philosophie, Strategie und Werte eines potenziellen Investors genau prüfen, warnt der Immobilien-Experte George Salden.
Wie Fördermittelgeber ticken
Authors: Schmotz Torsten
Published: January 2021

Förderinstitutionen können nicht über einen Kamm geschert werden. Im Mittelpunkt steht auch hier letztlich, ob eine vertrauensvolle Kommunikation gelingt.
Rechtssichere E-Mail-Archivierung
Authors: Dessel Christoph
Published: January 2021

Auch für E-Mails gelten die Aufbewahrungsbestimmungen aus Handels- und Steuerrecht, sofern die Nachrichten für die Buchführung relevant sind. Christoph Dessel von der Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft Curacon zeigt für Wohlfahrtsverbände und Sozialunternehmen drei praxisnahe Lösungen mit ihren Vor- und Nachteilen. Und er erinnert daran, dass eine rechtskonforme Ausgestaltung der Archivierung von E-Mails die Vorgaben des Datenschutzes beachten muss. So stellt sich beispielsweise die Frage, wie die Archivierung von E-Mails mit personenbezogenen Daten mit dem Recht auf Vergessenwerden zu vereinbaren ist.
Quadratmeter follow Personal
Authors: Halfar Bernd
Published: January 2021

Lohnt sich die Renovierung der Heizungsanlage? Sollte man nicht gleich eine energetische Generalsanierung anpacken? Aber wenn sich die Energiekosten an den Kostenträger weiterreichen lassen? Bleibt die Regel mit den 16 qm Mindestgröße und die Zweibettzimmerquote dauerhaft bestehen? Lassen sich die Zweitbettzimmer überhaupt noch belegen? Prof. Dr. Bernd Halfar lehrt an der Katholischen Universität Eichstätt-Ingolstadt und ist unter anderem Experte für Sozialimmobilien. Seine Forderung: Die Sozialwirtschaft wird kooperativer werden müssen, wenn Immobilienprojekte schneller, kostengünstiger und unbürokratischer realisiert werden sollen.
Lung Cancer Risk Perception Among Older Smokers; a Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Zarghami Fatemeh , Allahverdipour Hamid , Asghari Jafarabadi Mohammad
Published: January 2021

Background: Lung cancer is one of the deadliest cancers around the world. Also, scientific evidence proves the considerably lower lung cancer risk perceptions of smokers compared to non-smokers. Objectives: This study aimed at assessing the risk perception of smokers about their risk to contract lung cancer and their perceptions about lung cancer survival. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the data were collected from 215 smokers in Tabriz, Iran, between April 2019 and July 2019. The data collection tool was designed, using validated questionnaires and contained questions on the perceived risk of smokers to develop lung cancer and their perception of lung cancer survival. A general linear model was conducted to model the relationship of risk perception with underlying predictors considering a significance level of 0.1. Results: The results of modeling indicated that perceived susceptibility (P-Sus) was negatively related to “years smoked” in simple regression (B = -0.035, P = 0.069) and multiple regression (B = -0.069, P = 0.007). P-Sus was also negatively related to the variable “age” in the age category of 45 to 50 years (B = -1.981, P = 0.046). Moreover, perceived severity (P-Sev) was negatively related to the variable “sex” (B = -1.037, P = 0.068). The results of the Spearman correlation indicated significant and direct correlations between “quitting intention” and P-Sus (r = 0.296, P < 0.001), P-Sev (r = 0.162, P = 0.009). Conclusions: Lung cancer risk perception of participants was moderately above the average and significant correlations were observed between “quitting intention” and “P-Sus” and “P-Sev” and “Risk Perception score”. This could be utilized in developing educational programs to promote awareness about lung cancer, especially for smokers.
Quality of Work-life of Iranian Police Officers in the Year 2020: A Descriptive Study
Authors: Tabanejad Zeinab , Oskouie Fatemeh , Ebadi Abbas
Published: January 2021

Background: Stressful workplace experiences of police officers predispose them to physical and psychological injuries and affect their quality of work-life (QWL). Objectives: Therefore, this study aimed to examine the QWL of Iranian police officers. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2020 on 200 police officers working in different job positions of the Iranian Police Organization. A convenience sampling method was used to recruit the participants from 12 police departments in five cities. The Police Quality of Work-life questionnaire (PQWLQ) was used for data collection. The measures of descriptive and inferential statistics (independent-samples t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and Pearson correlation coefficient) were used for data analysis. Results: Of the 200 police officers, 87.5% (175) were males, 68% (136) had a bachelor’s degree or higher, and their work experience ranged between five and 27 years. The QWL score of the study participants ranged from 24 to 120 with a mean (± SD) of 63.20 (± 18.40), and the majority of them (56%) had a moderate QWL. Male police officers had a higher QWL (67%) than female ones (45%) (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The majority of the police officers who participated in this study had a moderate QWL. To increase the level of QWL among police officers, the Police authorities should plan appropriate strategies and programs.
The labour market of Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave amid Covid-19
Authors: Yemelyanova L. L. , Lyalina A. V.
Published: January 2021

The Covid-19 pandemic, which has swept across the globe, is a serious challenge to the Russian labour market. This article examines the consequences of Covid-19 for Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave and how its territorially isolated and lockdown-affected small labour market responds to drastic changes in employment, income, and consumption. Another question is how the immigrant-rich labour market will rebalance the supply-demand equation. Official statistics from the regional government and its subordinate bodies shows that the Kaliningrad regional labour market has been severely battered by shutdown measures. This particularly applies to organisations operating in the most sensitive industries: manufacturing, hospitality, tourism, estate, transport, and warehousing. The unemployment has gone up, reaching a level above the national average; the number of vacancies is dwindling. Keeping the proportion of out-of-the-region workforce at the usual level may aggravate the situation. Although effective, the measures taken by the regional authorities seem insufficient for an isolated regional labour market.
Disease control and border lockdown at the EU’s internal borders during Covid-19 pandemic: the case of Finland
Authors: Virkkunen J.
Published: January 2021

The article discusses the lockdown of the EU’s internal borders during the Covid-19 pandemic in Finland. Special attention is paid to bordering as a means of disease control and the governments’ aim to “protect the population and secure functions of society”. Not only did the government restrict flights and ‘non-essential’ travel from non-Schengen countries such as Russia, China and Thailand but, with some exceptions, it also restricted travel-to-work commuting and everyday cross-border encounters between Finland and its Schengen neighbours of Sweden, Norway and Estonia. The restrictions hampered tourism and migrant-dependent industries as well as complicated the lives of migrants’ families. While the lockdown of the Estonian and Russian border does not cause any debates in Finnish society, the closure of the Finnish-Swedish border that has been completely open since the 1950s and the new regime led to a debate of citizens’ constitutional rights and to civil disobedience that materialised in semi-legal border crossings.
Transformation of global value chains in Russia and the Baltics amid Covid-19: prospects for regionalization and implications for economic policy
Authors: Simachev Y. V. , Fedyunina A. A. , Averyanova Y. V.
Published: January 2021

Although Russia and the Baltics have historically been economic partners, the economic relations between them are tense today. Nearly stagnating bilateral trade contributes little to the development of either side. The Baltics-Russian bilateral trade conducted within global value chains (GVC) and operations of multinational companies is much more resistant to geopolitical and economic shocks than traditional international trade. In particular, the accession of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania to the EU and NATO in 2004 and the introduction of reciprocal EU-Russia sanctions in 2014 did not curb GVC activities between Russia and the Baltics. The article discusses factors in the transformation of the Baltics-Russian GVCs amid COVID-19. The research aims to prove regionalisation as a viable prospect for the transformation of global value chains in Russia and the Baltics. In the medium term, regionalisation is possible as (1) part of global trends towards GVC transformation in the industries in which Russia and the Baltics traditionally specialise; (2) as a response to the long-term structural challenges faced by Russia and the Baltics in creating a new generation of internationally competitive firms; (3) as a result of companies tackling the effects of the pandemic against the background of historically stable relationships; (4) as a product of strong social contacts and soft power. GVC regionalisation will be driven by individual companies, regional (local) governments, and Russian-Baltic cross-border cooperation initiatives. Finally, repercussions for Russian and Baltic politics are discussed alongside GVC regionalisation benefits for all the parties involved.
The Relation between the Position of Maxilla and Rapid Maxillary Expansion Failure
Authors: Celebi Fatih
Published: January 2021

Introduction: The palatal expansion may be a challenging treatment in late adolescents who has passed the peak of skeletal growth. The success rate of palatal expansion in these patients decreases due to decreased growth potential.

Aim: It was aimed to determine any clinical/radiological indicator to be used as a predictor in the failure of rapid maxillary expansion (RME) in late adolescence.

Materials and methods: The records of the patients who had undergone RME therapy between the years 2013-2019 were evaluated. The patients were allocated into two groups according to expansion success: successful (S-RME) and failed (F-RME) RME groups. Fifty systemically healthy patients in the cervical vertebral maturation stage 5/6 were enrolled (35 females, 15 males). Eleven patients were (10 females, one male) in the F-RME group, and 39 patients were (25 females, 14 males) in the S-RME group. Five cephalometric (related to maxillary position) and three clinical variables (age, gender, and CVMS) were evaluated. Variables were subjected to multiple logistic regression analysis for setting a prediction model and detecting predictors.

Results: Patients with CVMS-6 had a 16.8-fold higher risk of palatal expansion failure than CVMS-5. 1 mm anterior position of PNS increased the risk of failure 2.9 times. 1 mm reduction in the distance between the PNS and cranial base in the vertical direction increased 60% the risk of RME failure.

Conclusion: The CVM stage of the patient, along with the vertical and sagittal position of the PNS, were found to be the possible predictors of RME success in late adolescence.
EVALUATION OF A VERTICAL AXIS HYDROKINETIC TURBINE FOR WATER CHANNELS
Authors: FERNÁNDEZ JIMÉNEZ AITOR , BLANCO MARIGORTA EDUARDO , GHARIB AHMED , FERNANDEZ PACHECO VICTOR MANUEL , ALVAREZ  ALVAREZ EDUARDO
Published: January 2021

The growing interest on low-carbon energy systems has been essential to develop new electricity devices based on renewable resources. In this context, channel turbines are an excellent alternative to supply demands that are isolated from power mains. These devices, which harness the kinetic term of the water current, can be installed in hydraulic channels, rivers, or estuaries. This article carries out an experimental characterization of a hydrokinetic turbine in a hydrodynamic water tunnel under low velocity conditions, so its behavior under open field conditions can be obtained. The results show the relevance of the blockage effect made by the turbine during the power stage.

Keywords: hydrokinetic turbines, blockage, water channels, low velocity
QUASI-INVARIANTS OF CHEMICAL REACTIONS IN DISTRIBUTED SYSTEMS WITH DIFFUSION
Authors: Kol'tsov Nikolay I.
Published: January 2021

For reactions occurring in distributed systems with longitudinal and radial diffusion, the relations between the concentrations of reagents and temperature remaining practically constant in time and space (space-time kinetic quasi-invariants) are found. A method for determining such quasi-invariants for chemical reactions occurring in the mixing reactor taking into account the diffusion of reagents and temperature changes in the longitudinal and radial directions has been developed and tested. The quasi-invariants found relate nonequilibrium concentrations of diffusing reagents and temperatures measured in two or more experiments with different initial conditions (multi-experiments), and practically do not change throughout the reaction both in length and in radius of the reactor. Analytical expressions for quasi-invariants are obtained, allowing a priori to estimate the corresponding constants (initial values). It is shown that the number of basic quasi-invariants is determined by the number of reagents. The application of the method is illustrated by the reaction of isomerization A=B in a non-isothermal system with diffusion of reagents. Found for this reaction quasiinvariant based on three-dimensional (surface) matched with three-dimensional variations of concentrations and temperature given the diffusivity in the course of the reaction. It is shown that quasi-invariants change in a smaller spatial range than their corresponding concentrations and temperatures in different experiments, i.e. remain practically constant in time and space. Visually, quasi-invariants are four-dimensional structures, three-dimensional projections of which are similar to "recumbent" waves, pillows, lenses, etc. Elaborated method for determining quasi-invariants of chemical reactions in systems with diffusion develops D.A. Frank-Kamenetsky's macrokinetic methods for approximate study of temporal and spatial characteristics of distributed dynamic systems. The obtained results can be used to solve inverse problems and optimize the operation modes of chemical mixing reactors with longitudinal and radial diffusion of reagents and temperature changes.
COMPARISON OF ENERGY SAVING METHODS FOR DISTILLATION OF LIQUID MIXTURES
Authors: Zakharov Mikhail K. , Pisarenko Yuri A. , Sycheva Oksana I.
Published: January 2021

The analysis and review of the scientific literature on methods and approaches to energy saving in distillation, as one of the most energy-intensive processes for the separation of binary and multicomponent mixtures was carried out. Directions of the scientific literature are highlighted, showing the relevance of the thermodynamic method assessment of separation processes. A comparative analysis of various methods of energy conservation in the separation of liquid binary mixtures by the distillation method is performed (a binary mixture of benzene-toluene was chosen as an example). A conventional distillation column as well as a column with a heat pump and a column with heat integration were considered. As a result of the calculation experiment for each option performed using the Aspen Plus software package the optimal column parameters were determined - the total number of stages and the position of feed stage. The heat consumption in the column boiler was taken as the objective function. It is also shown that with the same characteristics of the columns, the best way to organize the process for separating the selected mixture is to compress the steam stream from rectifying profile of the column with its subsequent use in the boiler of the stripping profile according to the principle of a heat pump. It was established by a calculation experiment that heat integration by compressing steam from rectifying profile of the column and supplying it to the stripping profile gives significantly less energy saving. The calculation of internal energy saving by distillation column was carried out and it was shown that the distributed heat removal from the plates of the rectifying profile of the column and the supply of this heat to the stripping profile plates reduces internal energy saving and leads to an additional increase in heat consumption in the boiler.
POLYMERIC SUPPORTS FOR ENZYMES IMMOBILIZATION IN SYNTHESIS OF BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE COMPOUNDS
Authors: Grebennikova Olga V. , Mikhailova Anastasiya N. , Molchanov Vladimir P. , Sulman Aleksandrina M. , Doluda Valentin Yu. , Matveeva Valentina G.
Published: January 2021

The report presents the synthesis of biocatalysts based on horseradish peroxidase immobilized on commercially available polymeric supports: hyper cross-linked polystyrene MN-100 and Sepabeads EC-HA. The immobilization was carried out by covalent crosslinking of the enzyme with the support using glutaraldehyde. The optimal amount of glutaraldehyde for covalent binding of HRP was found to be 0.2 g/l. The peroxidase/MN-100 and peroxidase/Sepabeads EC-HA biocatalysts presented in the work showed good activity in the oxidation of 2-methylnaphthol to 2 methyl-1,4-naphthohydroquinone (vitamin K4). The biocatalyst based on MN-100 showed higher activity compared to the biocatalyst based on Sepabeads EC-HA, which is likely due to the different surface structure of the original polymer supports. The samples retained their activity in ten consecutive reuses. The high reusability of peroxidase/MN-100 and peroxidase/Sepabeads EC-HA is explained by the high sorption ability of commercial polymer supports MN-100 and Sepabeads EC-HA and the formation of strong covalent bonds between the enzyme and the support. The optimal conditions for the oxidation of 2-methylnaphthol to 2-methyl-1,4-naphthohydroquinone using synthesized biocatalytic systems were also selected. The temperature of 40 °C and pH 7.2 were found to be optimal for the oxidation of the proposed substrate. The presented results will undoubtedly make a positive contribution to the development of the chemical and pharmaceutical industry.
HORSERADISH PEROXIDASE CATALYZED DEGRADATION OF BROMOPHENOL BLUE DYE
Authors: Solovyeva Anna A. , Pham Thi Trinh , Lebedeva Olga E. , Ustinova Maria N.
Published: January 2021

In this study, the oxidative destruction of bromophenol blue dye with hydrogen peroxide was carried out at pH 4.0-4.1 in the presence of a commercial horseradish peroxidase, as well as peroxidase isolated directly from horseradish roots (Armoracia rusticana). To determine peroxidase activity, a model reaction of the oxidation of phenol to quinone was used. With a dye concentration of 32.7 μM, the optimal concentration of hydrogen peroxide was 0.04 mM at peroxidase concentration of 1.15 nM. The optimal temperature of the enzymatic reaction was determined: at 23 °С for 10 min 90% of the dye was exposed to destruction. When the temperature rises to 50 °С, the reaction rate decreases, and the degree of destruction is 56% for the same time interval. It was shown that the initial rate of peroxidase oxidation of bromophenol blue follows Michaelis-Menten equation. The kinetic parameters of the enzymatic reaction were determined by linearizing Michaelis-Menten equation in Lineweaver-Burk coordinates. It was found that for the peroxidase oxidation reaction of bromophenol blue Michaelis constant and maximum rate were 42.7 μM and 57.5 μM·min–1, respectively. In this work, а high percentage of dye degradation was also achieved when using peroxidase isolated from horseradish roots. The experiments were conducted at a temperature of 30оС and pH 4.1. With the increase in the volume of the extract from 0.1 to 0.2 ml, the percentage decolorization increases from 75% to 90%. The results demonstrate the high degradation efficiency of bromophenol blue with the participation of the commercial horseradish peroxidase and peroxidase isolated from horseradish roots. Enzymatic oxidative degradation can be considered as an alternative to biodegradation.
RESEARCH OF COMPOSITION OF ANTIWEAR ADDITIVES FOR JET FUELS
Authors: Goryunova Alexandra K. , Likhterova Natalia M. , Shatalov Konstantin V. , Kletter Elena A.
Published: January 2021

In the framework of the state import substitution program for the development of a domestic antiwear additive for jet fuels the physicochemical characteristics of the approved foreign antiwear additives of DNK, HITEC 580 and Unicor J were analyzed at the first stage. The analysis revealed that using solvents during the production of HITEC 580 additives and Unicor J improve their consumer properties (low temperature characteristics). At the second stage of the study the composition of currently used additives HITEC 580 and Unicor J was studied by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. It was shown, that the same active component is used in their composition - dimers of unsaturated fatty acids C18, namely a mixture of dimers of linolenic, linoleic and oleic acids, among which the dimer formed from linoleic and oleic acids prevails. An analysis of the solvents used in the additive composition showed that in the production of Unicor J additives they use an aromatic solvent containing 92% of monoaromatic compounds, mainly of the C10 series, which is probably the product of gasoline reforming, and HITEC 580 additives use an aliphatic solvent containing mainly n alkanes (41%). From the presented results of the study it follows that when developing a domestic antiwear additive formulation, it is necessary to choose compounds containing 1 or 2 carboxyl groups as the active component, and as the solvent either aromatic or aliphatic, depending on the cost and availability on the domestic market.
SYNTHESIS OF DIBENZO[cd, g]INDOLE
Authors: Kimyashov Aleksandr A. , Syromolotov Aleksandr V.
Published: January 2021

In this paper, a synthesis method is proposed and discussed for a compound not previously described – dibenzo [cd, g] indole. For the successful synthesis of the target compound we used the classical method based on well-known procedure of indoles obtaining according to Fisher method with some changes. Commercially available derivatives of anthracene were used as the starting compound since they already contain a ready-made system of three condensed aromatic rings and they reaction activity is rather high. The corresponding diazonium salt was obtained from 9-amino anthracene by reaction with ethyl nitrite. Attempts to obtain the diazonium salt by reaction the amine with inorganic nitrites in an acidic aqueous medium did not lead to a product with an acceptable yield. 9-Antryl hydrazine was prepared by reducing the diazonium salt under mild conditions. Reduction was carried out using sulfur dioxide in aqueous sodium hydrosulfite. Formaldehyde of 9-anthrylhydrazone was obtained from anthrylhydrazine after condensation with paraformaldehyde. The target product was obtained by intramolecular cyclization of hydrazone under the action of BF3 * Et2O under the condition of high dilution and low temperature. The physicochemical characteristics of all the obtained compounds are determined. Melting point was determined on a Stuart SMP-30 instrument. IR spectra were recorded on a Nicolet 380 FT-IR spectrometer in tablets with potassium bromide. NMR spectra were recorded on a Bruker DRX-400 spectrometer (400 MHz), Me4Si was used as a 1H standard, in CDCl3 as a solvent. Elemental analysis was performed on a EuroEA 3000 analyzer. Based on the data from the above analysis methods, it was concluded that the proposed structures correspond to the real ones. In addition, we can conclude that synthesized products are individual substances.
Efficacy of Evolocumab in Patients with Hypercholesterolemia
Authors: Jin Xuan , Kim Moo Hyun , Cho Young-Rak , Park Jong-Sung , Song Kai , Yuan Song Lin
Published: January 2021

Objectives The FOURIER trial reported that inhibition of PCSK9 with evolocumab on a background of statin therapy lowered low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels to a median of 30 mg per deciliter (0.78 mmol per liter) and reduced the risk of cardiovascular events. Here, we report data from a single center focusing on the effect of a PCSK9 inhibitor antibody on hyperlipidemia. Methods We enrolled 29 hypercholesterolemia patients who had LDL cholesterol levels ≥ 70 mg per deciliter or non-HDL cholesterol ≥ 100 mg per deciliter and were divided into two groups (placebo n = 14, evolocumab n = 15), and participated in a 72 – 96 week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with statin therapy. Patients were randomly assigned to receive evolocumab (140 mg every 2 weeks or 420 mg monthly) or matched placebo via subcutaneous injection. Lipid changes during follow-up were analyzed. Results The median LDL cholesterol level at baseline was 88 mg per deciliter, and the average LDL cholesterol level was 101.8 ± 20.0 mg per deciliter. At 4 weeks, the median LDL cholesterol level was 39 mg per deciliter, and the average LDL cholesterol level was 34.8 ± 51.8 mg per deciliter. Compared to placebo group, the LDL cholesterol levels were significantly reduced after treatment ( P < 0.001), as well as total cholesterol, ApoB, and ApoB/ApoA1 levels. During follow-up, no discomfort was reported at local injection sites, and no cases of abnormal liver function were observed. Conclusions Evolocumab significantly reduced LDL cholesterol levels and was well tolerated.
Usefulness of Psoas Muscle Cross-Sectional Area in Evaluating Physical Performance in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis
Authors: Jang Bo Seong , Choi Han Eum , Lee Jae Hyun , Sim Young Joo , Kim Ghi Chan , Jeong Ho Joong
Published: January 2021

Objectives To investigate the relationship between the psoas muscle cross-sectional area and physical performance in patients with liver cirrhosis. Methods This study analyzed ambulatory patients with liver cirrhosis aged < 65 years, who underwent abdominal computed tomography (CT) and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) tests from December 2018 to December 2019. A total of 46 patients (36 men, 10 women) were included. In abdominal CT scans, the psoas muscle cross-sectional area (mm2) was measured at the distal end-plate level of the L4 vertebral body and normalized by dividing by height (m). Physical performance was evaluated using SPPB. A correlation analysis between the psoas muscle cross-sectional area and SPPB was performed. Kruskal-Wallis test was used to determine differences in the psoas muscle cross-sectional area and SPPB according to the Child-Pugh classification. Multiple regression analysis was performed to determine factors affecting SPPB. Results The correlation coefficient between the psoas muscle cross-sectional area and SPPB was 0.459 at the P < 0.01 level. No difference was observed in the psoas muscle cross-sectional area and SPPB according to the Child-Pugh classification. The psoas muscle cross-sectional area was a factor affecting SPPB in multiple regression analysis. Conclusions Abdominal CT is an essential diagnostic tool in patients with liver cirrhosis. Ambulatory patients with liver cirrhosis aged < 65 years could have reduced physical performance. In this study, the psoas muscle cross-sectional area was correlated with physical performance and was a factor affecting physical performance. The psoas muscle cross-sectional area and physical performance should be evaluated in patients with liver cirrhosis.
Use of Three-dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiography for the Chiari Network
Authors: Hong Jeong-Min , Cho Ah-Reum , Baik Seung-Hoon , Moon Dea-Hwan
Published: January 2021

The Chiari network is an embryonic remnant of the sinus venosus valve, which is characterized by a fenestrated, netlike structure in the right atrium and has the potential to be misdiagnosed as another right atrial pathology. Additionally, the Chiari network has been frequently reported to entrap intracardiac devices during surgical procedures. In this case report, we present two patients with a Chiari network confirmed by three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography, which assisted in preventing device entrapment during intracardiac procedures.
ESTUDIO SOCIOLINGÜÍSTICO DE LA DESPALATALIZACIÓN DEL FONEMA PALATAL NASAL SONORO EN EL ESPAÑOL DE ROSARIO (ARGENTINA)
Authors: Peña Arce Jaime
Published: January 2021

Este trabajo describe y analiza, desde un punto de vista sociolingüístico, la frecuencia del fenómeno de la despalatalización del fonema palatal nasal sonoro dentro del habla de la principal ciudad del área lingüística litoraleña: Rosario. Para ello, se ha realizado una encuesta a 168 informantes –respetando las variables de edad, sexo y nivel sociocultural– en la urbe más poblada de la provincia argentina de Santa Fe. Los resultados evidencian la existencia de este proceso de desfonologización en el español de la zona, realidad apenas considerada por la bibliografía existente; al mismo tiempo, se detallan los resultados según las variables consignadas y, también, en función del contexto fónico y de las características prosódicas en las que se manifiesta este proceso de supresión del carácter palatal del mencionado fonema.
THE HIDDEN MEANING OF CODESWITCHES IN SPANISH ENGLISH CONVERSATIONS
Authors: Smith Daniel
Published: January 2021

Resumen:  El análisis de la conversación en dos lenguas desde los puntos de vista de Myers-Scotton, Auer y otros investigadores se usa como base para analizar la conversación en español e inglés en una comunidad hispana de Georgia, EEUU. Indicamos cuáles son las fuerzas y las debilidades en el análisis de estos investigadores para mejorar nuestro análisis, con implicaciones para futuros estudios.
SOBRE LOS ANGLICISMOS SHOPPING CENTER, MALL, OUTLET Y BLACK FRIDAY EN EL ESPAÑOL DE AMÉRICA
Authors: Gómez-Pablos Beatriz
Published: January 2021

El presente trabajo analiza cuatro anglicismos crudos en el español de América. Para ello contextualiza en primer lugar el origen de las voces ofreciendo el marco histórico en el que surgen. A continuación se repasa la presencia de las voces en cinco obras lexicográficas publicadas en los últimos diez años: el Diccionario de mexicanismos (2010), el Diccionario de uso del español de Chile (2010), el Diccionario del habla de los argentinos (2010), el Diccionario de americanismos (2010) y el Diccionario de colombianismos (2018); repertorios que comparten importantes semejanzas. En tercer lugar se rastrea de modo aleatorio la prensa de México, Chile, Colombia y Argentina con el fin de descubrir si los anglicismos shopping center, mall, outlet y black Friday forman parte del léxico común de sus hablantes. Por último, se considera el tipo de fuentes empleadas para la elaboración de los diccionarios y se hacen unas consideraciones finales.
An Exploratory Investigation of Traditional Stalking and Cyberstalking Victimization among University Students in Spain and the United States: A Comparative Analysis
Authors: Fernández-Cruz Victòria , Agustina José R. , Ngo Fawn T.
Published: January 2021

Traditional stalking and cyberstalking have become a significant legal and social issue in today's society. Although a sizeable body of research on stalking victimization and perpetration currently exists, very little is known about cyberstalking victimization. Relatedly, there is a dearth of comparative research on the topics of traditional stalking and cyberstalking. Examining the prevalence and nature of stalking victimization across national settings will allow for an exploration of the significance of social context in affecting victims’ experiences as well as help highlight the competing influences operating in different contexts. Cross-national research on stalking will also provide an opportunity to consider a wide range of alternative options and solutions to the problem. The aim of this study is to compare and contrast the prevalence and nature of traditional stalking and cyberstalking victimization between American and Spanish university students. This study focuses on university students because there is evidence that they have a higher risk of becoming victims of stalking relative to the general population. Moreover, the comparative analysis undertaking in this study involves a country that has criminalized stalking for almost three decades (the United States) and a country that has just recently enacted an anti-stalking statute (Spain). Such analysis is warranted as it will allow the researchers to engage in critical analyses of current anti-stalking statutes and advocate for innovative, sensible, and effective solutions in addressing the crime of stalking. In addition to presenting the results, the policy implications derived from the study will also be discussed.
The Impact of National Economic Development on the Shadow Economy
Authors: Ginevicius Romualdas , Kliestik Tomas , Stasiukynas Andrius , Suhajda Karel
Published: January 2021

A country’s competitiveness depends primarily on its economic development which in turn is affected by a number of factors. Some of these, such as investment, favorable business conditions, legal environment, etc., promote economic development, while others, such as low labor productivity, insufficient staff qualification that fails to meet the requirements of the labor market, etc., slow down the pace of economic development. The latter category describes the phenomenon of the shadow economy (SE). Research into shadow economies is dominated by the analysis of the local impact factors. Nevertheless, the results of such analyses do not reveal the general patterns of the shadow economy, without the knowledge of which it is difficult to develop effective preventive measures. The basic determinants of the shadow economy must first and foremost reflect national economic development, as these particular determinants have the most significant impact on the size of the phenomenon of the shadow economy. National economic development can be expressed by employing various indicators, but recently it has most commonly been expressed by GDP per capita. GDP reflects national competitiveness, integrates a number of domestic factors, and is easily accessible and publicly available in national and international statistical sources. In addition, this indicator is calculated by employing a unified methodology, which makes it universal, allowing the comparison of countries in different situations. As presented in this article, the analysis of the relationship between economic development and the size of the shadow economy allows the division of all the EU member states into characteristic groups by the level of their economic development as well as size of the country’s SE. Our research attempts to reveal the regularity of the above-mentioned relationship: the higher the level of national economic development, the lower the size of the shadow economy.
Towards an Asian Model of Clusters and Cluster Policy: The Super Cluster Strategy
Authors: Kowalski Arkadiusz Michał
Published: January 2021

Clusters are recognized as important drivers of competitiveness and economic development. There are various models of clusters development all over the world, some of which may be initiated bottom-up by private firms, as in most European countries, or top-down by public administrations. In the case of Asian clusters, many are driven by foreign direct investments (FDI), with the most notable example being China. The objective of this study is to examine the Super Cluster strategy introduced in Thailand in 2015, especially in terms of the rationale and mechanism for selecting assisted clusters as well as the instruments used to support them. The goal is to contribute to a more in-depth formulation of the Asian model of clusters and cluster policy. The conducted analysis shows that Thai strategy deviates from traditional bottom-up approaches to cluster policy, veering towards the top-down approach in which government designates targeted regions and industries for the development of clusters. Another finding is that the Super Cluster strategy shares more common characteristics with Special Economic Zones (SEZ) than it does with the traditional approach to cluster policy in terms of its main objective of attracting foreign direct investments (FDI), securing support mechanisms as well as in the selection of target areas and the type of instruments to be implemented. The experience of Thailand is discussed along with that of other Asian countries, most notably China, in order to identify and verify the characteristics of the Asian model of clusters and cluster policy.
Competitiveness in European Regions and Top-Ranked Universities: Do Local Universities Matter?
Authors: Mas-Verdu Francisco , Roig-Tierno Norat , Nieto-Aleman Paula Andrea , Garcia-Alvarez-Coque Jose-Maria
Published: January 2021

Based on fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), this paper examines the interactions between the presence or absence of regional and national top-ranked research universities and other innovation-related conditions that foster regional competitiveness in the European Union context. We evaluated the effect of a region’s membership in different regional clusters as characterized by the following conditions: inter-firm collaboration in innovation activities, public R&D expenditure, private R&D expenditure as well as ranking in the list of the world’s top 300 (or top 100) universities. As one region might benefit from the presence of a local top-ranked university and/or from spillover effects from other national universities, we distinguish between the presence of universities within the region or elsewhere in the same country. Our results suggest that some conditions are necessary to achieve the outcome of being a “competitive region,” including having at least one top-300-ranked university in the same country (EU member state). Nevertheless, this attribute is not individually sufficient to incur the outcome of regional competitiveness. Our findings support the idea that the closeness of top-ranked universities does not itself guarantee regional competitiveness; instead, having an excellent research university within the same member state is only one of numerous configurations which may lead to a region’s success. These results support evidence in recent literature that leading research universities may be geographically connected to a wide network of actors with external knowledge interactions.
The Importance of Online Shopping Behavior in the Strategic Management of E-Commerce Competitiveness
Authors: Svatosova Veronika
Published: January 2021

In this article a total of fifteen determinants of online shopping behavior have been identified that could have an impact on the strategic management process in e-commerce competitiveness. The main objective of the paper is to evaluate the impact of determinants of online shopping behavior on the strategic management process in e-commerce. The main research methods used in the research are as follows: analysis of secondary data, a questionnaire survey among a selected group of e-commerce companies, a critical analysis and a quality comparison of the actually applied determinants of online shopping behavior. The verification of hypotheses is realized using selected methods of statistical induction and descriptive statistics. In summary, the research has shown there is no relationship between evaluating the quality of determinants companies in e-commerce and evaluating the importance of determinants of online shopping behavior. Determinants have an important impact in the process of creating and realizing an e-commerce strategy, with all e-commerce companies regardless of their size being aware of their practical impact and importance. It can be concluded the importance and quality of determinants of online shopping behavior correspond to the type of strategy and strategic management process in terms of e-commerce competitiveness.
Risk Reporting Practices of Listed Companies: Cross- Country Empirical Evidence from the Auto Industry
Authors: Vyychytilova Jana , Nadirov Orkhan , Pavelkova Drahomira , Mikeska Martin
Published: January 2021

Prior literature has shown that corporate transparency is linked to a firm’s competitiveness. The frequently noted vagueness and inadequacy of reported risk disclosures have been accompanied by calls for industry-specific studies. This paper aims to examine the disclosure informativeness of leading multinational automobile firms worldwide regarding firm-specific risks, namely company risk and company size. Applying a content analysis to examine the prevalent disclosure context in the automotive industry, we analyze and classify the annually reported risk statements of 34 multinationals quoted within the NASDAQ OMX Global Automobile Index. These corporations are headquartered in 10 countries, located in the U.S. as well as in the E.U. and in Asia. Based on an employed Wilcoxon signed rank test, our results show that automobile multinationals favor revealing fewer (more) forward-looking and bad-news risk disclosures as compared to past-looking and good-news risk statements. Our findings further indicate that bigger and riskier automobile multinationals do not reveal larger amounts of risk information. This finding is inconsistent with disclosure theory and provides insight into less complex risk reporting practices that affect investor perceptions of risk by omitting risk information. This paper also provides new empirical evidence regarding the association between company risk and corporate risk disclosing practices in the auto industry; our data show that company size did not play a significant role. With our concentration on explaining current risk reporting practices in the automotive sector, these results are robust with respect to firm-specific risk variables, thus the findings may prove usable for policy frameworks.
Suppression of artifacts in X-ray phase-contrast images retrieved by Fourier transform
Authors: Yang Jun , Wu Hao , Luo Kun-Hao , Guo Jin-Chuan , Zong Fang-Ke ,   College of physics and optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University,   Shenzhen 518000, China
Published: January 2021

Over the last two decades, the grating-based phase-contrast imaging has aroused the interest of a number of researchers. It could provide an access to three complementary signals simultaneously: the conventional absorption contrast, the differential phase contrast related to refraction of incident wave, and the dark-field contrast that relates to ultra small angle scattering in a sample. The grating-based phase-contrast signals have higher contrast sensitivity for some types of soft samples than the absorption signals. Dark-field signals have better diagnostic effects in the detection of lung tumors, pneumothorax and the identification of microcalcifications in breast. There are two main phase retrieval methods in grating-based X-ray phase-contrast imaging, i.e. phase stepping method and Fourier transform method. The phase signals retrieved by phase stepping is high precise and has low noise. But the sample suffers high dose due to at least three exposures. The phase signals retrieved by Fourier transform is low-dose due to the fact that only one image with sample is needed, but it is easily affected by artifacts when the size of the filtering window is too large. However, when the size of the filtering window is too small, the high-frequency information of the phase-contrast image will be lost, and the image will become blurred. A trade-off between definitions of the image and artifacts should be made. Since the phase-contrast signal and the dark-field signal of the sample are modulated by carrier fringes, the frequency spectrum of the detected image consists of many different harmonics. The artifacts in the retrieved signals originate from the spectrum aliasing between primary peak around zero spatial frequency and first-order harmonic peaks. Therefore, the subtraction between two images with phase difference can remove the primary peak, and the artifacts in the phase-contrast signals and dark-field signals will be suppressed. In order to further suppress the artifacts, we increase the frequency of carrier fringes, which results in a larger distance between first-order harmonic peaks in frequency domain. We finally attain artifact-free phase-contrast images and dark-field images while maintaining high definition of the images. The method proposed here is not only applicable to incoherent imaging system, but also to Talbot-Lau interferometer, and it would be useful in fast and low-dose X-ray phase-contrast and dark-field imaging.