bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Polynomial-Time Approximation Scheme for Sequential Batch Testing of Series Systems
Authors: Segev Danny , Shaposhnik Yaron
Published: March 2021

The paper studies a recently introduced generalization of the classic sequential testing problem for series systems, consisting of multiple stochastic components. The conventional assumption in such settings is that the overall system state can be expressed as an AND function, defined with respect to the states of individual components. However, unlike the classic setting, rather than testing components separately, one after the other, we allow aggregating multiple tests to be conducted simultaneously, while incurring an additional set-up cost. This feature is present in numerous practical applications, where decision makers are incentivized to exploit economy of scale by testing subsets of components in batches. The main contribution of this paper is to devise a polynomial-time approximation scheme for the sequential batch-testing problem, by leveraging a number of techniques in approximate dynamic programming, based on a synthesis of ideas related to efficient enumeration methods, state-space collapse, and charging schemes.
The place of ultraviolet therapy in the management of psoriasis
Authors: Harris Gemma
Published: March 2021

Gemma Harris provides an overview of common treatments for psoriasis and discusses whether ultraviolet therapy still has a place in the management of this condition.
Clinically isolated bacteria resistance to silver-based wound dressings
Authors: Norton Rhy , Finley Phillip J
Published: March 2021

Objective:

Silver has become a global treatment option with the US Food and Drug Administration providing marketing clearance for many silver-impregnated wound dressings and topical agents. However, the increased use of silver-based products across medical disciplines has raised questions concerning the development of acute silver resistance. In this study, the efficacy of previously identified silver-resistant clinical bacteria (Klebsiella pneumoniae and Enterobacter cloacae) against a variety of commercially available silver-based wound dressings was further investigated.

Method:

To further explore the clinical significance of these isolates, multiple time-course and repeat-challenge assays were conducted with nine dressings using a panel of silver-resistant and silver-sensitive microorganisms. Silver-impregnated dressings were ranked by silver species, quantity of silver and overall efficacy.

Results:

Both silver-resistant strains were largely unaffected and exhibited phenotypic resistance even when exposed to the high silver concentrations found in commercially available wound dressings. In stark contrast, the majority of the dressings were able to maintain a high degree of efficacy over the course of 72 hours and during repeated bacterial challenges against silver-sensitive microorganisms.

Conclusion:

Our findings provide additional evidence that clinically significant silver-resistance has emerged in the clinical setting. Such resistant microbes are capable of sustained silver resistance against a wide variety of silver adjuvants. These findings suggest that the further development and dissemination of these resistance mechanisms could significantly impact current practices in wound healing.
Cyber Homo Sacer: A Critical Analysis of
Cyber Islamophobia in the Wake of the Muslim Ban
Authors: Farokhi Zeinab
Published: March 2021

This article takes up Giorgio Agamben's formulation of “bare life” (1998) and
applies it to the contemporary perpetuation of violent Islamophobia in online
spaces, producing what I term a figuration of the (Muslim) cyber homo
sacer. Particularly focusing upon the proliferation of virulent,
anti-Muslim rhetoric and discourse on Twitter, I follow the hashtags #Muslimban
and #BanMuslim to demonstrate how Agamben's concepts of homo
sacer, state of exception, and the camp—though with important
differences—helpfully illuminate the ways in which current Islamophobic and
anti-Muslim sentiment online can be understand as a refiguration of Muslims as
bodies which exist in a state of in-betweenness. In this “state of exception,”
Muslims become more vulnerable to verbal, emotional, psychic, and ultimately
physical violence, at the same time as they become less recognizable to the
policies and laws which should, ostensibly, protect them.
Auto-detection of cervical collagen and elastin in Mueller matrix polarimetry microscopic images using K-NN and semantic segmentation classification
Authors: Roa Camilo , Du Le V. N. , Mahendroo Mala , Saytashev Ilyas , Ramella-Roman Jessica C.
Published: March 2021

We propose an approach for discriminating fibrillar collagen fibers from elastic fibers in the mouse cervix in Mueller matrix microscopy using convolutional neural networks (CNN) and K-nearest neighbor (K-NN) for classification. Second harmonic generation (SHG), two-photon excitation fluorescence (TPEF), and Mueller matrix polarimetry images of the mice cervix were collected with a self-validating Mueller matrix micro-mesoscope (SAMMM) system. The components and decompositions of each Mueller matrix were arranged as individual channels of information, forming one 3-D voxel per cervical slice. The classification algorithms analyzed each voxel and determined the amount of collagen and elastin, pixel by pixel, on each slice. SHG and TPEF were used as ground truths. To assess the accuracy of the results, mean-square error (MSE), peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), and structural similarity (SSIM) were used. Although the training and testing is limited to 11 and 5 cervical slices, respectively, MSE accuracy was above 85%, SNR was greater than 40 dB, and SSIM was larger than 90%.
Flexible resource provisioning of polarization independent coherent PONs based on non-orthogonal multiple access and multiCAP modulation
Authors: Izquierdo David , Altabas Jose A. , Barrio Miguel , Clemente Jesus , Millan Pablo , Sarmiento Samael , Lazaro Jose A. , Rommel Simon , Puerta Rafael , Vegas-Olmos Juan J. , Tafur Monroy Idelfonso , Garces Ignacio
Published: March 2021

A combined non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) and multiband carrierless amplitude and phase modulation (multiCAP) scheme is proposed for flexible resource provisioning in coherent passive optical networks (PONs). While the proposed combination increases the data-rate and the number of users through the inclusion of NOMA and multiCAP, the coherent reception increases the range and splitting factor of the network through optical power budget enhancement. The proposed system is experimentally evaluated providing a 20 Gb/s aggregated data-rate per wavelength with 10G optoelectronics and applied in two main PON scenarios with four spectral configurations from full-band CAP to four-band multiCAP. The first PON scenario consists of an existing PON that the network operator requires to increase the number of users; NOMA with full-band CAP or multiCAP can be introduced replacing one or more users of the existing PON by one or several new sub-networks and multiplexing the sub-networks by NOMA. In the other PON scenario, several PONs can be nested sharing an initial splitter and achieving a larger number of users by the combination of NOMA and multiCAP. The proposed techniques are fully compatible with other multiplexing techniques such as dense wavelength division multiplexing, which should be considered to achieve higher numbers of users.
Wrinkled surface microstructure for enhancing the infrared spectral performance of radiative cooling
Authors: Zhang Xinping , Yang Luwei , Wang Fuqiang , Cheng Ziming , Liang Huaxu
Published: March 2021

Radiative cooling is a passive cooling method that does not consume additional energy and has broad application prospects. In recent studies, the surface microstructure was found to have a significant influence on improving the emissivity in infrared spectra for radiative cooling. Accordingly, in this paper, an innovative wrinkled surface microstructure without any periodicity is proposed for enhancing the infrared spectral performance of radiative cooling. The effects of the height and number of wrinkles as well as the radius and volume fraction of particles on the infrared spectral performance of radiative cooling are investigated. The radiative cooling performances of the plane, pyramid, moth-eye, and wrinkled microstructures are comparatively investigated using the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. The results show that the mean emissivity of innovative radiative cooling films with the wrinkled surface microstructure reaches 99.58% in the “atmospheric window” wavelength range. The mean emissivity of the wrinkled microstructure is improved by 19%, 22.16%, and 8.41% over those of the plane, pyramid, and moth-eye microstructures, respectively. This indicates that the wrinkled microstructure exhibits a better performance for radiative cooling than single periodic surface microstructures. Furthermore, the wrinkled microstructure has no periodicity so it has low production cost, which makes it possible to replace other periodic surface microstructures.
High-power actively Q-switched Ho-doped gadolinium tantalate laser
Authors: Duan Xiaoming , Wu Jiaze , Dou Renqin , Zhang Qingli , Dai Tongyu , Yang Xiaotao
Published: March 2021

In this paper, we present the acousto-optical (AO) Q-switched performance of a holmium (Ho):gadolinium tantalate (GdTaO4) (Ho:GTO) laser pumped by a thulium (Tm)-fiber laser emitting at 1.94 µm. In the efficient continuous wave (CW) regime, a maximum output power of 30.5 W at 2068.8 nm was achieved, corresponding to a slope efficiency of 74.9% with respect to the absorbed pump power. In the Q-switching regime, pulse energies of 2.4 mJ, 1.2 mJ, and 0.9 mJ were obtained with pulse repetition frequencies of 10 kHz, 20 kHz, and 30 kHz, respectively. The minimum pulse widths were 18 ns, 23 ns, and 26 ns, corresponding to peak powers of approximately 133.3 kW, 52.2 kW, and 34.6 kW, respectively.
Topology in quasicrystals [Invited]
Authors: Zilberberg Oded
Published: March 2021

Topological phases of matter have sparked an immense amount of activity
in recent decades. Topological materials are classified by topological
invariants that act as a non-local order parameter for any symmetry
and condition. As a result, they exhibit quantized bulk and boundary
observable phenomena, motivating various applications that are robust
to local disorder and imperfections. In this review, we explore such a
topological classification for quasiperiodic systems, and detail
recent experimental activity using photonic metamaterials.
Propagation properties of partially coherent quasi-rectangular beams in a turbulent atmosphere
Authors: Zhou Zheng-Lan , Xu Chang-An , Xu Hua-Feng , Yuan Yang-Sheng , Qu Jun
Published: March 2021

A class of random, wide-sense stationary optical beams with uniform correlations, named the partially coherent quasi-rectangular beam, is introduced theoretically. Based on the extended Huygens-Fresnel principle, the analytical expressions for the cross-spectral density (CSD), effective radius of curvature, and beam wander of the beam in the non-Kolmogorov turbulence are derived. It is found that the position of maximum intensity of the partially coherent quasi-rectangular beams shifts farther from the axis at intermediate distance, the shift in the turbulence is depressed compared to that in free space. As the effective radius of curvature decreases from infinity to a constant with the increase of the coherence length, it always takes a higher value than that in free-space propagation when the other parameters are fixed. In addition, the beam wander can be reduced by picking a relative small initial beam width, short coherence length, or long wavelength. These results are of importance for optical systems operating through long-range turbulent channels in which a beam must have a range-dependent tilt, e.g. on travelling around an obstacle on the axis.
Characterization of dynamic distortion in LED light output for optical wireless communications
Authors: Alexeev Anton , Linnartz Jean-Paul M. G. , Arulandu Kumar , Deng Xiong
Published: March 2021

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are widely used for data transmission in emerging optical wireless communications (OWC) systems. This paper analyzes the physical processes that limit the bandwidth and cause nonlinearities in the light output of modern, high-efficiency LEDs. The processes of carrier transport, as well as carrier storage, recombination, and leakage in the active region appear to affect the communications performance, but such purely physics-based models are not yet commonly considered in the algorithms to optimize OWC systems. Using a dynamic modeling of these phenomena, we compile a (invertable) signal processing model that describes the signal distortion and a parameter estimation procedure that is feasible in an operational communications link. We combine multiple approaches for steady-state and dynamic characterization to estimate such LED parameters. We verify that, for a high-efficiency blue GaN LED, the models become sufficiently accurate to allow digital compensation. We compare the simulation results using the model against optical measurements of harmonic distortion and against measurements of the LED response to a deep rectangular current modulation. We show how the topology of the model can be simplified, address the self-calibration techniques, and discuss the limits of the presented approach. The model is suitable for the creation of improved nonlinear equalizers to enhance the achievable bit rate in LED-based OWC systems and we believe it is significantly more realistic than LED models commonly used in communications systems.
Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in critically ill patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia: Results from the prospective AspCOVID-19 study
Authors: Lahmer Tobias , Kriescher Silja , Herner Alexander , Rothe Kathrin , Spinner Christoph D. , Schneider Jochen , Mayer Ulrich , Neuenhahn Michael , Hoffmann Dieter , Geisler Fabian , Heim Markus , Schneider Gerhard , Schmid Roland M. , Huber Wolfgang , Rasch Sebastian
Published: March 2021

Background

Superinfections, including invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA), are well-known complications of critically ill patients with severe viral pneumonia. Aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence, risk factors and outcome of IPA in critically ill patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia.

Methods

We prospectively screened 32 critically ill patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia for a time period of 28 days using a standardized study protocol for oberservation of developement of COVID-19 associated invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA). We collected laboratory, microbiological, virological and clinical parameters at defined timepoints in combination with galactomannan-antigen-detection from nondirected bronchial lavage (NBL). We used logistic regression analyses to assess if COVID-19 was independently associated with IPA and compared it with matched controls.

Findings

CAPA was diagnosed at a median of 4 days after ICU admission in 11/32 (34%) of critically ill patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia as compared to 8% in the control cohort. In the COVID-19 cohort, mean age, APACHE II score and ICU mortality were higher in patients with CAPA than in patients without CAPA (36% versus 9.5%; p<0.001). ICU stay (21 versus 17 days; p = 0.340) and days of mechanical ventilation (20 versus 15 days; p = 0.570) were not different between both groups. In regression analysis COVID-19 and APACHE II score were independently associated with IPA.

Interpretation

CAPA is highly prevalent and associated with a high mortality rate. COVID-19 is independently associated with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. A standardized screening and diagnostic approach as presented in our study can help to identify affected patients at an early stage.
Honey bee behaviours within the hive: Insights from long-term video analysis
Authors: Siefert Paul , Buling Nastasya , Grünewald Bernd
Published: March 2021

The combined behaviours of individuals within insect societies determine the survival and development of the colony. For the western honey bee (Apis mellifera), individual behaviours include nest building, foraging, storing and ripening food, nursing the brood, temperature regulation, hygiene and defence. However, the various behaviours inside the colony, especially within the cells, are hidden from sight, and until recently, were primarily described through texts and line drawings, which lack the dynamics of moving images. In this study, we provide a comprehensive source of online video material that offers a view of honey bee behaviour within comb cells, thereby providing a new mode of observation for the scientific community and the general public. We analysed long-term video recordings from longitudinally truncated cells, which allowed us to see sideways into the cells in the middle of a colony. Our qualitative study provides insight into worker behaviours, including the use of wax scales and existing nest material to remodel combs, storing pollen and nectar in cells, brood care and thermoregulation, and hygienic practices, such as cannibalism, grooming and surface cleaning. We reveal unique processes that have not been previously published, such as the rare mouth-to-mouth feeding by nurses to larvae as well as thermoregulation within cells containing the developing brood. With our unique video method, we are able to bring the processes of a fully functioning social insect colony into classrooms and homes, facilitating ecological awareness in modern times. We provide new details and images that will help scientists test their hypotheses on social behaviours. In addition, we encourage the non-commercial use of our material to educate beekeepers, the media and the public and, in turn, call attention to the general decline of insect biomass and diversity.
Patient perceived barriers to surgical follow-up: Study of 6-month post-operative trichiasis surgery follow-up in Tanzania
Authors: Saheb Kashaf Michael , Wolle Meraf A. , Muñoz Beatriz E. , Mkocha Harran , Funga Nicodemus , Gracewello Catherine , West Sheila K.
Published: March 2021

Background

Post-surgical follow-up is a challenge in low- and middle-income countries. Understanding barriers to trachomatous trichiasis (TT) surgical follow-up can inform program improvements. In this study, patient perceived barriers and enabling factors to follow-up after TT surgery are identified.

Methods

A longitudinal study was carried out in a community-based cohort of persons who received TT surgery in Bahi district, Tanzania. Questionnaires were administered before TT surgery and again after the scheduled 6-month follow-up. Those who did not return were examined at their homes.

Results

At baseline, 852 participants were enrolled. Of these, 633 (74%) returned at 6 months and 128 (15%) did not and were interviewed at home. Prior to surgery, attenders were more likely to report familiarity with a community health worker (CHW) (22% vs. 14%; p = 0.01) and less likely to state that time constraints are a potential reason for failure to follow-up (66% vs. 74%; p = .04). At follow-up, non-attenders were more likely to endorse barriers pertaining to knowledge about the need for follow-up, lack of transportation, and satisfaction with surgery. There was no difference in post-operative TT between attenders and non-attenders (23% vs. 18% respectively; p = 0.25).

Conclusions

The outcome of surgery was not a barrier to follow-up. However, better integration of CHWs into their communities and work at coordinating post-surgical care may improve follow-up rates. Moreover, provision of transportation and implementation of effective reminder systems may address patient-perceived barriers to improve follow-up.
Effects of precipitation change and nitrogen addition on the composition, diversity, and molecular ecological network of soil bacterial communities in a desert steppe
Authors: Jia Meiqing , Gao Zhiwei , Gu Huijun , Zhao Chenyu , Liu Meiqi , Liu Fanhui , Xie Lina , Wang Lichun , Zhang Guogang , Liu Yuhua , Han Guodong
Published: March 2021

Currently, the impact of changes in precipitation and increased nitrogen(N) deposition on ecosystems has become a global problem. In this study, we conducted a 8-year field experiment to evaluate the effects of interaction between N deposition and precipitation change on soil bacterial communities in a desert steppe using high-throughput sequencing technology. The results revealed that soil bacterial communities were sensitive to precipitation addition but were highly tolerant to precipitation reduction. Reduced precipitation enhanced the competitive interactions of soil bacteria and made the ecological network more stable. Nitrogen addition weakened the effect of water addition in terms of soil bacterial diversity and community stability, and did not have an interactive influence. Moreover, decreased precipitation and increased N deposition did not have a superimposed effect on soil bacterial communities in the desert steppe. Soil pH, moisture content, and NH4+-N and total carbon were significantly related to the structure of bacterial communities in the desert steppe. Based on network analysis and relative abundance, we identified Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria and Cyanobacteria members as the most important keystone bacteria that responded to precipitation changes and N deposition in the soil of the desert steppe. In summary, we comprehensively analyzed the responses of the soil bacterial community to precipitation changes and N deposition in a desert steppe, which provides a model for studying the effects of ecological factors on bacterial communities worldwide.
HIV serostatus disclosure and associated factors among HIV positive pregnant and lactating women at Nekemte public health facilities, western Ethiopia
Authors: Tolossa Tadesse , Wakuma Bizuneh , Besho Merga , Mulisa Diriba , Fekadu Ginenus , Bayisa Lami , Tsegaye Reta
Published: March 2021

Background

Disclosure of Human Immune Virus (HIV) serostatus by pregnant and lactating women is crucial for the successful prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV/AIDS. However, little has been studied regarding the prevalence and factors associated with HIV status disclosure among HIV positive pregnant and lactating women in Ethiopia.

Methods

An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the Nekemte Public Health facilities among 380 pregnant and lactating women enrolled in universal antiretroviral therapy (ART) treatment from January 2015-December, 2019. The data were collected by using a checklist, developed from Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) logbook, ART intake forms, and medical cards of the patients. Epidata version 3.2 was used for data entry, and then the data were exported to STATA version 14 for further analysis. The binary logistic regression model was employed to determine factors associated with the disclosure status among HIV positive pregnant and lactating women. Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals was computed and statistical significance was declared when it is significant at a 5% level (p-value < 0.05).

Results

A total of 380 women have participated in the study. Two hundred seventy-six (73.4%) of women had disclosed their HIV status to at least one individual. The study found living in urban (OR = 1.83, 95% CI: 1.04, 3.20), married women (OR = 4.16, 95% CI: 1.87, 9.24), higher educational status (OR = 2.35, 95% CI: 1.31, 5.51), positive HIV status of partner (OR = 2.35, 95%CI: 1.17, 4.70), and being multipara (OR = 4.94, 95% CI: 2.29, 10.66) were independent determinants of HIV status disclosure.

Conclusions

HIV status disclosure among pregnant and lactating women in the study area was sub-optimal. Empowering women through education, encouraging partners for HIV testing, and enhancing active male involvement in HIV treatment and control programs should get due attention.
Reevaluating pragmatic reasoning in language games
Authors: Sikos Les , Venhuizen Noortje J. , Drenhaus Heiner , Crocker Matthew W.
Published: March 2021

The results of a highly influential study that tested the predictions of the Rational Speech Act (RSA) model suggest that (a) listeners use pragmatic reasoning in one-shot web-based referential communication games despite the artificial, highly constrained, and minimally interactive nature of the task, and (b) that RSA accurately captures this behavior. In this work, we reevaluate the contribution of the pragmatic reasoning formalized by RSA in explaining listener behavior by comparing RSA to a baseline literal listener model that is only driven by literal word meaning and the prior probability of referring to an object. Across three experiments we observe only modest evidence of pragmatic behavior in one-shot web-based language games, and only under very limited circumstances. We find that although RSA provides a strong fit to listener responses, it does not perform better than the baseline literal listener model. Our results suggest that while participants playing the role of the Speaker are informative in these one-shot web-based reference games, participants playing the role of the Listener only rarely take this Speaker behavior into account to reason about the intended referent. In addition, we show that RSA’s fit is primarily due to a combination of non-pragmatic factors, perhaps the most surprising of which is that in the majority of conditions that are amenable to pragmatic reasoning, RSA (accurately) predicts that listeners will behave non-pragmatically. This leads us to conclude that RSA’s strong overall correlation with human behavior in one-shot web-based language games does not reflect listener’s pragmatic reasoning about informative speakers.
Biomechanical effects of foot orthoses with and without a lateral bar in individuals with cavus feet during comfortable and fast walking
Authors: Moisan Gabriel , Descarreaux Martin , Cantin Vincent
Published: March 2021

Background/purpose

The biomechanical effects of foot orthoses (FOs) with and without a lateral bar compared to a control condition during walking at different speeds are still unknown. The objective of this study was to compare the biomechanical effects of functional FOs with and without a lateral bar to a control condition during comfortable walking in individuals with cavus feet and determine if their effects change at a fast speed.

Methods

Fifteen individuals with cavus feet (age: 25.3 ± 5.8 yrs) walked under two experimental conditions (FOs with and without a lateral bar) and a control condition (shoes only) at comfortable (CW) and fast (FW) speeds. The outcome measures were ankle and knee angles and gluteus medius, vastus lateralis, gastrocnemius lateralis, gastrocnemius medialis, peroneus longus and tibialis anterior electromyography (EMG) amplitudes during the stance phase of walking and were compared between the FOs and a control condition using one-dimensional statistical parametric mapping.

Results

During CW, both FOs decreased ankle dorsiflexion and increased knee extension angles compared to no FOs. FOs with a lateral bar also decreased peroneus longus EMG amplitudes. During FW, FOs with and without a lateral bar decreased ankle dorsiflexion angles compared to no FOs.

Conclusion

Both types of FOs had different effects on the biomechanics of the lower limb compared to a control condition. The decreased peroneus longus EMG amplitudes during CW in individuals with cavus feet could have important clinical implications in other populations, such as individuals with painful cavus feet. The orthoses only affected the ankle dorsiflexion angles at a fast speed and no EMG amplitude or knee kinematics effects were observed. Further studies assessing the ankle kinematics and kinetics effects of these orthoses are needed to improve our understanding of their mechanism of action and inform future efficacy trials.
Early photographers encounter Tongans
Authors: Kaeppler Adrienne L.
Published: March 2021

Four early photographers are examined here in relation to their encounters with Tongans and Tonga. These photographers are Andrew Garrett, Gustav Adolph Riemer, Clarence Gordon Campbell and Walter Stanhope Sherwill. Garrett, an American natural historian who specialized in shells and fish, took two ambrotypes of Tongans in Fiji in 1868, which are two of the earliest Tongan photographs known. Riemer, born in Saarlouis, Germany, was a marine photographer on S.M.S. Hertha on an official diplomatic visit and took at least 28 photographs in Tonga in 1876. Campbell, a tourist from New York, took 25 culturally important photographs in 1902. Sherwill, a British subject born in India, moved to Tonga about the time of the First World War. He probably took many photographs with more modern equipment, but only two have been identified with certainty. This article presents information about the photographers and those depicted, where the original photographs can be found and the research that made it possible to glean cultural information from them. These early photographers are placed in the context of other more well-known early photographers whose works can be found in archives and libraries in New Zealand, Australia, Hawai‘i and Germany. In addition, summary information about two Tongan-born photographers is presented, as well as where their photographs/negatives can be found.
Measuring monetary policy in emerging economies
Authors: Trung Bui Thanh
Published: March 2021

Measuring the stance of monetary policy is of importance for the analysis and implementation of monetary policy. The existence of multiple instrument framework as well as the significance of the interest rate and exchange rate channel in emerging economies imply that monetary condition index can play an important role in evaluating whether monetary policy is restrictive or expansive in these economies. In this paper, we use the VAR model to evaluate the role of monetary condition index as an overall measure of monetary policy in emerging economies. The weight of components of monetary condition index is derived from the inflation equation in the VAR estimation. The empirical results suggest that a contraction in monetary policy causes a reduction in inflation. The finding implies that monetary condition index is a useful indicator that can predict the stance of monetary policy and predict the trend of inflation in emerging economies.
Some observations on CSR and Strategic Management
Authors: Milton Simon
Published: March 2021

The notion of CSR and the notion of strategic management of companies are often thought to be contradictory. The former is associated with the aim of generation of profits while the latter idea is often associated with ensuring business earns a ‘social license to operate’. However, emerging literature and practice suggests that a process of integration of the theoretical concepts and practices of CSR with strategic management is occurring. This paper describes some of the evidence for this so-called ‘theoretical synthesis of economics and ethics’ (Windsor). The first part of the paper starts with a description of commonly-used definitions of CSR and highlights critical differences. It continues by describing how aspects of CSR and strategic management are in some ways becoming more integrated at the organisational, strategy-setting and business management level at some companies. The paper then describes how theoretical approaches to CSR have the potential to become absorbed (and to enleaven) pre-existing strategic management theory. It concludes by giving a warning of potential hazards of incomplete integration of the two theories and practices.
Influence of Simulated LOCA on the Properties of Zircaloy Oxide Layers
Authors: Frank H.
Published: March 2021

Specimens of Zr1Nb and Zry-4W were pre-oxidized first for 360 days in steam at 425 °C and were then exposed for 3 min to 1200 °C in steam, simulating loss of coolant conditions. In this way, the oxide thickness was more than doubled. The I-V characteristics, measured up to 90 V at temperatures up to 180 °C, revealed the formation of double layers, consisting of dark monoclinic oxide with 1.3 eV activation energy near the metal, and of a whitish surface phase with only 0.5 eV, for both samples. The I-V characteristics of Zr1Nb showed normal behavior, whereas Zry-4W changed from an unusual sub-linear form at low temperatures and voltages to normal space-charge limited currents at higher temperatures and voltages. Observation of the injection and extraction currents in the Zry-4W sample showed abnormally high negative zero voltages produced by extraction after former injection.
A Constellation Space Dimensionality Reduced Sub-Optimal Receiver for Orthogonal STBC CPM Modulation in a MIMO Channel
Authors: Hekrdla M.
Published: March 2021

We consider burst orthogonal space-time block coded (OSTBC) CPM modulation in a MIMO flat slow Rayleigh fading channel. The optimal receiver must process a multidimensional non-linear CPM signal on each antenna. This task imposes a high load on the receiver computational performance and increases its complexity. We analytically derive a suboptimal receiver with a reduced number of front end matched filters (MFs) corresponding to the CPM dimension. Our derivation is made fully in the constellation signal space, and the reduction is based on the linear orthogonal projection to the optimal subspace. Criterion optimality is a standard space-time rank and determinant criterion. The optimal arbitrary-dimensional subspace search leads to the eigenvector solution. We present the condition on a sufficient subspace dimension and interpret the meaning of the corresponding eigenvalues. It is shown that the determinant and rank criterion for OSTBC CPM is equivalent to the uncoded CPM Euclidean distance criterion. Hence the proposed receiver may be practical for uncoded CPM and foremost in a serially concatenated (SC) CPM system. All the derivations are supported by suitable error simulations for binary 2REC h= 1/2, but the procedure is generally valid for any CPM variant. We consider OSTBC CPM in a Rayleigh fading AWGN channel and SC CPM in an AWGN channel.
Determination of Rheological Parameters from Measurements on a Viscometer with Coaxial Cylinders
Authors: Rieger F.
Published: March 2021

The paper deals with measurements of non-Newtonian fluids on a viscometer with coaxial cylinders. The procedure for determining the rheological model parameters is recommended  for power-law fluids and Bingham plastics.
Experience of Implementing Moisture Sorption Control in Historical Archives
Authors: Zítek P. , Vyhlídal T. , Chyský J.
Published: March 2021

This paper deals with a novel approach to inhibiting the harmful impact of moisture sorption in old art works and historical exhibits preserved in remote historic buildings that are in use as depositories or exhibition rooms for cultural heritage collections. It is a sequel to the previous work presented in [2], where the principle of moisture sorption stabilization was explained. Sorption isotherm investigations and EMC control implementation in historical buildings not provided with heating are the main concern in this paper. The proposed microclimate adjustment consists in leaving the interior temperature to run almost its spontaneous yearly cycle, while the air humidity is maintained in a specific relationship to the current interior temperature. The interior air humidity is modestly adjusted to protect historical exhibits and art works from harmful variations in the content of absorbed moisture, which would otherwise arise owing to the interior temperature drifts. Since direct measurements of moisture content are not feasible, the air humidity is controlled via a model-based principle. Two long-term implementations of the proposed microclimate control have already proved that it can permanently maintain a constant moisture content in the preserved exhibits.
Properties of Erbium and Ytterbium Doped Gallium Nitride Layers Fabricated by Magnetron Sputtering
Authors: Prajzler V. , Burian Z. , Hüttel I. , Špirková J. , Hamáček J. , Oswald J. , Zavadil J. , Peřina V.
Published: March 2021

We report about some properties of erbium and erbium/ytterbium doped gallium nitride (GaN) layers fabricated by magnetron sputtering onsilicon, quartz and Corning glass substrates. For fabricating GaN layers two types of targets were used - gallium in a stainless steel cup anda Ga2O3 target. Deposition was carried out in the Ar+N2 gas mixture. For erbium and ytterbium doping into GaN layers, erbium metallicpowder and ytterbium powder or Er2O3 and Yb2O3 pellets were laid on the top of the target. The samples were characterized by X-raydiffraction (XRD), photoluminescence spectra and nuclear analytical methods. While the use of a metallic gallium target ensured thedeposition of well-developed polycrystalline layers, the use of gallium oxide target provided GaN films with poorly developed crystals. Bothapproaches enabled doping with erbium and ytterbium ions during deposition, and typical emission at 1 530 nm due to the Er3+ intra-4f 4I13/2 → 4I15/2 transition was observed.
Flat Coordinates and Hidden Symmetry for Superintegrable Benenti Systems
Authors: Sergyeyev A.
Published: March 2021

In this talk I present the results from my paper Exact solvability of superintegrable Benenti systems, J. Math. Phys. 48 (2007), 052114.
Root Asymptotics of Spectral Polynomials
Authors: Shapiro B. , Tater M.
Published: March 2021

We have been studying the asymptotic energy distribution of the algebraic part of the spectrum of the one-dimensional sextic anharmonic oscillator. We review some (both old and recent) results on the multiparameter spectral problem and show that our problem ranks among the degenerate cases of Heine-Stieltjes spectral problem, and we derive the density of the corresponding probability measure.
Quantization of Equations of Motion
Authors: Kochan D.
Published: March 2021

The Classical Newton-Lagrange equations of motion represent the fundamental physical law of mechanics. Their traditional Lagrangian and/or Hamiltonian precursors when available are essential in the context of quantization. However, there are situations that lack Lagrangian and/or Hamiltonian settings. This paper discusses a description of classical dynamics and presents some irresponsible speculations about its quantization by introducing a certain canonical two-form ?. By its construction ? embodies kinetic energy and forces acting within the system (not their potential). A new type of variational principle employing differential two-form ? is introduced. Variation is performed over “umbilical surfaces“ instead of system histories. It provides correct Newton-Lagrange equations of motion. The quantization is inspired by the Feynman path integral approach. The quintessence is to rearrange it into an “umbilical world-sheet“ functional integral in accordance with the proposed variational principle. In the case of potential-generated forces, the new approach reduces to the standard quantum mechanics. As an example, Quantum Mechanics with friction is analyzed in detail.
Valuating the Investment Efficiency of Distribution Companies
Authors: Karajica M.
Published: March 2021

The task of this study is to valuate the investment efficiency of distribution companies. Although a series of publications and studies has been dedicated to this topic, it is difficult to find a general consensus in defining the investment efficiency of a company. Nevertheless if we simplify an imaginary  company as a production unit in which a series of actions transforms inputs to outputs, efficiency can be understood as like an effort to achieve maximum value of the outputs together with minimum usage of inputs, where the inputs constitute investments by a company. The investment efficiency of a company can be measured by expressing the absolute values of selected inputs and outputs, a relative expression of inputs and outputs, and perhaps an expression of the difference between them. However, an examination of the efficiency of a certain company is impossible without a valuation of other companies. In view of the amount of benchmarking, it should be emphasized, that this study is dedicated to a certain category of benchmarking, which we may term investment benchmarking. This benchmarking can be defined as a comparison of companies in terms investment efficiency. The purpose of this comparison is not only to investigate levels of investment efficiency and to relate them to other companies from the same branch, but also to locate the greatest efficiency and indicate potential improvement.
Extending the Life Time of a Nuclear Power Plant: Impact on Nuclear Liabilities in the Czech Republic
Authors: Havlíček L.
Published: March 2021

Nuclear power plant (NPP) operators have several basic long-term liabilities. Such liabilities include storage, treatment and disposal of radioactive waste generated at the operators’ NPP, storage and management of nuclear fuel irradiated in the reactor of the operator’s NPP (“spent fuel”), disposal of the spent fuel (SF) or residues resulting from spent fuel reprocessing. Last but not least, the operator is liable for decommissioning its nuclear facilities. If the operator considers extending the life time of its NPP or if the construction of a new NPP is being evaluated by an investor, an integral part of the economic evaluation must be a comprehensive assessment of future incremental costs related to the above-mentioned long-term liabilities. An economic evaluation performed by standard methods (usually NPV, alternatively real options) leads to a decision either to proceed with the project or to shelve it. If the investor decides to go ahead with the project there can be an immediate impact on nuclear liabilities. The impact is not the same for all operator liabilities. Depending on the valid legislation and the nature of the liability, in some cases the extent of the liability must be immediately recalculated when a decision is made to proceed with the project, and the annual accrual of accumulated reserves / funds must be adjusted. In other cases, the change in liability is linked to the generation of additional radioactive waste or spent fuel. In the Czech Republic, responsibility for each of the nuclear liabilities is defined, as is the form in which the financial means are to be accumulated. This paper deals with the impact of NPP life time extension (alternatively NPP power up-rate or construction of a new NPP) on individual nuclear liabilities in the conditions of the Czech Republic.
Communication between a Matrix Converter Modulator and a Superset Regulator
Authors: Pošta P.
Published: March 2021

This work deals with the modulator of a matrix converter and its communication with the superset regulator. A switching algorithm is briefly introduced. The input voltage measurement method is presented. In the last part of the paper, the testing of communication between the superset regulator and the modulator in FPGA technology are also presented.
OPTIMIZED CONVECTIVE VOLUME IN ONLINE HEMODIAFILTRATION
Authors: Lopot František , Fabián Vratislav
Published: March 2021

Hemodiafiltration (HDF) adds convective elimination of middle molecules (MM), proportional to filtered volume (Vconv) on the top of diffusion-based elimination of small molecules (SM) by conventional hemodialysis (HD). Studies, both observational and randomized controlled ones, performed so far generally indicated positive impact of higher Vconv on all-cause mortality in HDF patients, although the magnitude of Vconv at which HDF becomes apparently superior to HD differed widely among the studies. Also the issue of a suitable anthropometric parameter by which the Vconv should be normalized has not yet been solved. Data from the ESHOL study seems to indicate that patient´s body surface area (BSA) could well be used for this—mortality was decreasing with increasing Vconv/BSA with a bottom plateau starting at about 15 L/m2. We have therefore devised a formula and a graph for determination of Vconv which fulfils the requirement Vconv/BSA= 15. Assuming maximum feasible and safe filtration fraction QF/QB= 0.3, the Vconv actually defines the necessary blood flow (QB) to reach Vconv/BSA= 15 as QB=15·BSA/(0.3·t) (t – session time). It is also possible to check what QB is needed in terms of sufficient diffusion-based transport (target Kt/V) and compare both QB values to see if adequate combined elimination of both SM and MM can be achieved at the same time and under what conditions, respectively.
XANTHENE DYES-MEDIATED IN VITRO PHOTODYNAMIC TREATMENT OF CANCER AND NON-CANCER CELL LINES
Authors: Malina Lukáš , Bartoň Tománková Kateřina , Hošíková Barbora , Jiravová Jana , Hošík Jakub , Zapletalová Jana , Kolářová Hana
Published: March 2021

Rose bengal and erythrosin B are xanthene dyes mainly known and used as antimicrobial agents, but due to their photodynamic activity they are also potential photosensitizers for cancer photodynamic therapy. The aim of this work is to study a photodynamic efficacy of rose bengal and erythrosin B against human skin melanoma and mouse fibroblast cell lines, compare them with each other and find out their photodynamic properties induced by light emitting diodes with total light dose of 5 J/cm2. To fully identify and understand photodynamic properties of both potentially effective photosensitizers, a set of complex in vitro tests such as cell cytotoxic assay, measurement of reactive oxygen species production, mitochondrial membrane potential change assay, mode of cell death determination or comet assay were made. Although both photosensitizers proved to have similar properties such as increasing production of reactive oxygen species with the higher concentration, predominance of necrotic mode of death or genotoxicity, the more effective photosensitizer was rose bengal because its EC50 was over 20 times lower for both cell lines than in case of erythrosin B.
Avaliação, Plano Nacional de Educação de 2014 - 2024 e as interpretações acerca da Meta 7
Authors: Barbosa José Marcio Silva , Mello Rita Márcia Andrade Vaz de
Published: March 2021

No presente estudo, tomamos como base a análise documental do índice de Desenvolvimento da Educação Básica, meta 7, do Plano Nacional de Educação, objetivamos discutir acerca de suas implicações na gestão da educação pública. Preocupados em eximir o Estado de sua responsabilidade pelos baixos índices do sistema de avaliação do ensino público e escassos investimentos na educação pública, evidenciamos que há dúvidas se o índice tem sido considerado um indicador suficiente para realmente avaliar a qualidade em educação. O discurso sobre o rendimento escolar do aluno face à gestão por resultado cria a imagem de que a Escola tem conseguido resolver todos os seus problemas e situações conflituosas no seu espaço e que nela se reproduz a lógica do capital global em vigor.
Financiamento da educação no contexto do federalismo
Authors: Gutierres Dalva Valente Guimarães , Farias Laurimar de Matos , Terto Daniela Cunha
Published: March 2021

O artigo analisa as possibilidades e limites do regime de colaboração a partir do Fundeb e do PAR considerando municípios do PA, MG e RN. Com base em dados do Sistema de Informações sobre Orçamentos Públicos em Educação (SIOPE) e do MEC/FNDE, analisam-se os montantes financeiros recebidos decorrentes do PAR e do Fundeb visando dimensionar a participação dos entes federativos na composição desses recursos. Em todos os municípios, os recursos do PAR oriundos da União foram ínfimos em relação ao aplicado em educação. Com o Fundeb, 86,6% dos municípios recebem aportes significativos de outros entes federados, mas apenas 33,3% recebem complementação da União, um regime de colaboração, portanto parcial.