bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the source “composition” of the bronze vessels in the burials of the Yinxu site
Authors: Tang Yuyun
Published: December 2020

The previous studies on the bronzes were usually focused on their “assemblages”; through analyses to several typical burials in the Yinxu site, this paper presents the concept of “source composition” of bronzes, which emphasizes the source and disposition of bronzes, and pays more attention to the social backgrounds of the bronzes than “assemblages” do. This paper analyzes M303 at Dasikong, M1713 at West Zone, Fu Hao’s tomb and M1046 at Liujiazhuang Locus North of the Yinxu site, and then reveals that the compositions of the bronzes found from them may have two types, namely the single-sourced and multiple-sourced. Moreover, the multiple-sourced compositions also had various forms, which may be caused by the social backgrounds of the burials and the social relations of the burial occupants.
Shang dynasty bronzes and society in southern China: an illustration of complexity and diversity
Authors: Shi Jingsong
Published: December 2020

The production and use of bronzes had significant influences on the social developments even the formation of the early states. However, in different areas, the bronzes played different roles. By observing the different characteristics of the bronzes in the Central Plains, the Ganjiang River basin, the Xiangjiang River basin, and the Chengdu Plains, various developments of societies can be revealed. The case studies of these areas can further explain the complex relationships between the bronzes and their societies, as well as the diversity of the patterns of the developments of the ancient societies.
Identification of domestic chicken bones in archaeological sites
Authors: Deng Hui , Li Jun
Published: December 2020

In recent years, with the participation of genetics and other disciplines, the controversy on the origins of the domestic chicken has returned. As the resource of primary data, archaeology plays an extremely important role in this dispute. Taking an archaeological standpoint, this paper aims to establish a set of bone morphological identification standards for domestic chicken bones unearthed at archaeological remains, beginning with the bone morphology as the most basic but also the least studied aspect. By this set of standards, we reanalyze available chicken bone materials and relevant pictorial and textual materials for domestic chicken candidate samples as mentioned by previous scholars. The results show that no confirmed domestic chicken bones have been found in China’s early to mid-Holocene remains to date; meanwhile, there is no substantial archaeological evidence to support China as the earliest place of origin of domestic chicken. Future work seeking to advance research on the origin of the domestic chicken should first pay proper attention to the archaeological background; only continuing scientific analyses and exploration on the origin of domestic chicken based on scientific morphological identification will prove the most convincing methodology.
Building a Capital Market – the Final Report of the High Level Forum on the EU Capital Market Union
Authors: Langenbucher Katja
Published: December 2020

Abstract: Building a capital market union is a core project of the European Union, facing not only brexit but also the need to recover from COVID-19. The recently published High Level Forum Report adresses these obstacles and suggests 17 precise, mutually reinforcing and interdependent recommendations for this European endeavour. The paper summarizes the four substantive areas of the High Level Forum’s recommendations and outlines the specific measures to create a harmonized capital market union: (i) promoting financing of business, (ii) creating a uniform market infrastructure, (iii) fostering individual investor’s engagement and (iv) tackling obstacles to cross-border investment.
The Role of Deposit Guarantee Schemes in Preventing and Managing Banking Crises: Governance and Least Cost Principle
Authors: Mecatti Irene
Published: December 2020

The Deposit Guarantee Directive enlarges the role of DGSs in supporting and financing with alternative interventions the early research of “market solutions”, that may avoid the failure of a bank. Despite the broad mandate formally set out in the Directive, the feasibility of the failure prevention measures by a DGS is restricted according to the current legal framework. More specifically, constraints to the use of alternative interventions could derive both from State aid rules and the super priority rule coupled with the least cost criterion. As regards the first point, the European Commission ruled that the Italian DGS’s alternative measures in favour of a bank named ‘Tercas’ constituted an illegal State aid, claiming that intervention was attributable to the Italian government and that the resources employed were subject to public control. With reference to the second point, according to the BRRD, within the creditor insolvency hierarchy, depositors are preferred to any of the bank’s other unsecured creditors. As the DGS, after the payout, is subrogated to the preferred claims of covered depositors, it will have a big recovery rate in the bank liquidation. This effect might hamper the DGS’s ability to undertake alternative interventions, since under the least cost criterion these could be more expensive than a depositor payout. Given the importance of the role of DGSs in preventing and minimizing the overall cost of a banking crisis, this paper aims at analysing the two issues above, in order firstly to suggest a governance model which allows a national DGS to intervene in a banking crisis without breaking State aid rules. Secondly, regarding the least cost principle, the paper suggests the adoption of some criteria, extrapolated by the DGSD, which may allow DGSs to overcome the problems arising from the combination of the above criterion with the super priority rule.
The Elusive Third Way: The Pyrrhonian Illumination in Wittgenstein’sOn Certainty
Authors: Eichorn Roger E.
Published: December 2020

I argue in this paper that, like the Pyrrhonism of Sextus Empiricus, Wittgenstein’s response to negative–dogmatic skepticism inOn Certaintyturns on the attempt to free us from the demands of traditional philosophy and is therefore not a philosophical position, strictly speaking. Rather, it is a therapeutic metaphilosophy designed to bring into view (i.e., to illumine) the relationship between our everyday epistemic practices and those of philosophy such that we simultaneously come to recognize (a) what I call the pragmatic–transcendentalself–standingnessof the everyday and (b) its philosophical–rationalgroundlessness. The Pyrrhonian illumination of the everyday is therapeutic in that it aims to purify our metadoxastic attitudes of dogmatism.
Der Kosmos als schweigender Prophet: Zu Plotin,Enn. II 9 [33],9,39–42
Authors: Herkert Felix
Published: December 2020

InEnneadII 9,9,39–42 we find a singular passage in which Plotinus asserts that the cosmos ‘proclaims’ (προφητεύει) the divine order. It is the only passage in theEnneadswhere the verb προφητεύειν is used. In this paper the ‘prophetic function’ of the cosmos will be examined. It will be demonstrated how the mentioned passage – despite its unique character in theEnneads– points to the centre of Plotinus’ thought, namely his theory of the causality of intelligible beings. As a sensual product of transcendent causes, the cosmos ‘proclaims’ these causes. In consideration of other relevant passages, the implications of this notion will be delineated to deliver a more comprehensive interpretation of the cosmic προφητεύειν, not least in the context of Plotinus’ remarks about the genesis of time and the fundaments of astrology. It will be shown how Plotinus can articulate his theory of manifestation in terms of a ‘sigetic prophecy’ – ‘sigetic’ in the sense that manifestation unfolds ‘silently’.
Investigation of saturation flow rate using video camera at signalized intersections in Jordan
Authors: Al-Mistarehi Bara’ W. , Alomari Ahmad H. , Al Zoubi Mohamad S.
Published: December 2020

This study aimed to investigate a potential list of variables that may have an impact on the saturation flow rate (SFR) associated with different turning movements at signalized intersections in Jordan. Direct visits to locations were conducted, and a video camera was used. Highway capacity manual standard procedure was followed to collect the necessary traffic data. Multiple linear regression was performed to classify the factors that impact the SFR and to find the optimal model to foretell the SFR. Results showed that turning radius, presence of camera enforcement, and the speed limit are the significant factors that influence SFR for shared left- and U-turning movements (LUTM) with R2 = 76.9%. Furthermore, the presence of camera enforcement, number of lanes, speed limit, city, traffic volume, and area type are the factors that impact SFR for through movements only (THMO) with R2 = 69.6%. Also, it was found that the SFR for LUTM is 1611 vehicles per hour per lane (VPHPL),which is less than the SFR for THMO that equals to 1840 VPHPL. Calibration and validation of SFR based on local conditions can improve the efficiency of infrastructure operation and planning activities because vehicles’ characteristics and drivers’ behavior change over time.
Broadband gain enhancement of an UWB antenna using conformal wideband NRI metamaterial
Authors: Negi Deepa , Khanna Rajesh , Kaur Jaswinder
Published: December 2020

In this article, broadband gain enhancement of an ultra-wide band (UWB) antenna is achieved by using 4 × 4 array of a wideband negative refractive index (NRI) metamaterial as a reflector layer. A novel shaped metamaterial sized 14.8 × 14.8 mm2 with double negative (DNG) characteristics in three frequency regions has been fabricated on a flexible FR4 with 0.25 mm thickness. The proposed metamaterial gives a continuous NRI bandwidth of 10 GHz (2–12 GHz). The effective parameters of the unit cell cover S, C, X, and Ku-band independently and show DNG region of 6.1 GHz at C (4–8 GHz) and X band (8.8–10.5 GHz, 11.2–11.6 GHz). The unit cell structure is also found to be feed insensitive. The unit cell has small volume of 54.76 mm3 along with flexible nature which makes it suitable for wearable applications. For a 4 × 4 array the metamaterial still exhibits DNG characteristics. To understand the physical behavior of the unit cell, the circuit analysis along with the study of magnetic and electric field distribution at three resonance frequencies (2.2, 8.2 and 14.2 GHz) is done. Both simulation and measured results indicate that the gain and bandwidth of metamaterial antenna are enhanced by 2 dB and 0.8 GHz.
Treatment of wood with atmospheric plasma discharge: study of the treatment process, dynamic wettability and interactions with a waterborne coating
Authors: Žigon Jure , Pavlič Matjaž , Kibleur Pierre , Van den Bulcke Jan , Petrič Marko , Van Acker Joris , Dahle Sebastian
Published: December 2020

Plasma treatment is becoming a mature technique for modification of surfaces of various materials, including wood. A better insight in the treatment process and the impact of the plasma on properties of wood bulk are still needed. The study was performed on Norway spruce and common beech wood, as well as their thermally modified variations. The formations of the airborne discharge, as well as mass changes of the treated wood, were monitored. The impact of such treatment on wood-coating interaction was investigated by evaluating the dynamic wettability and penetration into wood. At the wood surface, plasma streamers were observed more intense on denser latewood regions. Wood mass loss was higher with increasing number of passes through the plasma discharge and was lower for thermally modified wood than for unmodified wood. Plasma treatment increased the surface free energy of all wood species and lowered the contact angles of a waterborne coating, these together indicating enhanced wettability after treatment. Finally, the distribution and penetration depth of the coating were studied with X-ray microtomography. It was found that the coating penetrated deeper into beech than into spruce wood. However, the treatment with plasma increased the penetration of the coating only into spruce wood.
Transcription, translation, and DNA repair: new insights from emerging noncanonical substrates of RNA helicases
Authors: Russon Matthew P. , Westerhouse Kirsten M. , Tran Elizabeth J.
Published: December 2020

RNA helicases are enzymes that exist in all domains of life whose canonical functions include ATP-dependent remodeling of RNA structures and displacement of proteins from ribonucleoprotein complexes (RNPs). These enzymes play roles in virtually all processes of RNA metabolism, including pre-mRNA splicing, rRNA processing, nuclear mRNA export, translation and RNA decay. Here we review emerging noncanonical substrates of RNA helicases including RNA-DNA hybrids (R-loops) and RNA and DNA G-quadruplexes and discuss their biological significance.
The model of Mary between Islam and Catholicism: The figurativization of normative principles in the intercultural exchange
Authors: Ponzo Jenny
Published: December 2020

In the Catholic tradition, saintly characters work as figurativizations or narrative representations of underlying values and normative principles and therefore represent strategic communication media to disseminate particular models of behavior among the faithful. This paper tests the efficacy of the representation of saintly figures in the case of the interreligious dialogue by focusing on the case study of the construction and communication of the figure of the Virgin Mary in the encounter between Catholics and Muslims. What emerges from an analysis of scholarly and institutional texts, as well as from some reflections on ecumenical practices in Marian shrines, is that the representation of Mary as the figurativization of abstract values and norms mostly concerns a cultivated elite and that the dialogue on the respective representations of Mary is quite limited and concerns especially Mary as the model of the perfect pious and devout person.
Training strategies for a sustainable medical care: a survey among assistant and chief physicians in a tertiary care hospital in Germany
Authors: Kröplin Juliane , Zauner Eike-Ulrike , Dopp Hauke , Forberger Anke , Schön Gerhard , Bschorer Reinhard , Heese Oliver , Ritz Jörg-Peter
Published: December 2020

Purpose

As an essential part of the health care system, the requirements for specialist training are subject to a continuous process of change. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the current specialist training situation of all departments in a tertiary care hospital in Germany. Differences between assistant and chief physicians should be pointed out.

Materials and methods

The analysis of the current training situation was carried out on the basis of an individually created questionnaire. The questionnaire content included career goal and specialism. The characteristic values initial training (IT), training structure (TS) and training content were measured on a numeric scale from 1 to 5. In addition, an overall assessment of the trainers’ competences was performed. The questionnaire was sent to 208 assistant physicians (AP) and 34 chief physicians (CP).

Results

Totally 92 APs (44.2%) and 22 CPs (64.7%) participated. Senior physician was the most common career goal (34.1%), followed by the branch (28.6%). The importance of the topics initial training (IT) and training structure (TS) were evaluated as mean value: ITCP=1.5, ITAP=1.6; p=0.701 and TSCP=1.4, TSAP=1.5; p=0.669. The results concerning the implementation of the topics IT and TS in the daily routine show significant differences between APs and CPs (ITCP=2.0, ITAP=3.2; p=0.002; TSCP=1.9, TSAP=3.0; p<0.001). Skills lab training was acknowledged as the most important training format (CP=1.3, AP=1.5; p=0.401). The practical medical skills of the professional trainers were evaluated as high: AP: 94.6% (CP: 100.0%), as well as the training in interprofessional collaboration: AP: 79.4% (CP: 100.0%).

Conclusion

Our data underline the importance of specialist training subjects. These are partly perceived very differently by APs and CPs. Innovative concepts for the induction phase, well-structured training curricula, providing management skills, the overall use of skills labs and digital documentation might support the satisfaction and the outcome of specialist training. This could also improve quality in patient care.
Grammateis(secretaries) and legal procedure in ancient Athens
Authors: Filias Dionysios
Published: December 2020

The advent of writing in the Greekpolisadministration resulted in the appointment of officials responsible for document management. These were known asgrammateis(secretaries). The need for records connected to judicial proceedings led to the involvement of secretaries in thepolislegal procedure. Although there remains little evidence of this, in Athens secretarial support was certainly connected with almost every use of writing in a judicial context. Secretaries appear to have received suits, published notifications of trials and recorded fines, but their most well-attested duty is that of the reading of documents brought as evidence in the courtroom. The study of references to secretaries in a judicial context demonstrates that their duties were essential to the persons involved in the administration of justice. By keeping track of judicial documents secretaries helped the officials to keep accurate records for the sake of accountability, while the reading of legal texts enabled the Athenian citizen-judges to get to knowverbatimthe texts of the state laws and avoid manipulation by litigants who produced their own interpretations of a law. The purpose of this article is to present all the relevant cases of secretarial support in the justice system of Athens and to discuss the contribution made by the secretaries to the Athenian legal procedure.
IgG4-related hypophysitis in adolescence
Authors: Arya Ved Bhushan , El-Gasim Sarra Abu , Das Sreena , Reisz Zita , Zebian Bassel , D’Cruz David , King Andrew , Hampton Tim , Aylwin Simon J. B. , Kapoor Ritika R. , Buchanan Charles R.
Published: December 2020

Objectives

IgG4-related hypophysitis is a novel clinical disease entity, which is typically seen in the sixth decade of life and is typically complicated by hypopituitarism. We describe an adolescent female with IgG4-related hypophysitis with normal pituitary function and summarize the relevant literature.

Case presentation

A 11.8-year-old girl presented with headache and left VI cranial nerve palsy. MRI brain identified an enlarged pituitary gland. Endocrine investigations revealed normal pituitary function. She underwent a transsphenoidal biopsy of the pituitary gland, and histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of IgG4-related hypophysitis. Serum IgG4 concentrations were normal and no evidence of other organ involvement was found. Although the patient tested strongly positive for TB on an interferon gamma release assay, pituitary biopsy was negative for granuloma formation and acid-fast bacilli (Ziehl-Neelson staining). IgG4-related hypophysitis was treated with oral prednisolone and mycophenolate-mofetil with a good response.

Conclusions

We describe to the best of our knowledge, the youngest patient in the published literature with IgG4-related hypophysitis presenting without pituitary insufficiency. A literature review identified only five cases of IgG4-related hypophysitis in adolescence. Serum IgG4 concentrations were normal in all, except one of the adolescent patients reported so far, and appear unhelpful in diagnosis in this age group.
How well do Elo-based ratings predict professional tennis matches?
Authors: Vaughan Williams Leighton , Liu Chunping , Dixon Lerato , Gerrard Hannah
Published: December 2020

This paper examines the performance of five different measures for forecasting men’s and women’s professional tennis matches. We use data derived from every match played at the 2018 and 2019 Wimbledon tennis championships, the 2019 French Open, the 2019 US Open, and the 2020 Australian Open. We look at the betting odds, the official tennis rankings, the standard Elo ratings, surface-specific Elo ratings, and weighted composites of these ratings, including and excluding the betting odds. The performance indicators used are prediction accuracy, calibration, model discrimination, Brier score, and expected return. We find that the betting odds perform relatively well across these tournaments, while standard Elo (especially for women’s tennis) and surface-adjusted Elo (especially for men’s tennis) also perform well on a range of indicators. For all but the hard-court surfaces, a forecasting model which incorporates the betting odds tends also to perform well on some indicators. We find that the official ranking system proved to be a relatively poor measure of likely performance compared to betting odds and Elo-related methods. Our results add weight to the case for a wider use of Elo-based approaches within sports forecasting, as well as arguably within the player rankings methodologies.
Activity patterns of jaguar and puma and their main prey in the Greater Madidi-Tambopata Landscape (Bolivia, Peru)
Authors: Ayala Guido Marcos , Viscarra María Estela , Sarmento Pedro , Negrões Nuno , Fonseca Carlos , Wallace Robert Benedict
Published: December 2020

Activity pattern studies can help explain the coexistence of competing species. Between 2001 and 2017 we evaluated the activity pattern overlap of jaguar (Panthera onca), puma (Puma concolor), and their main prey, using camera traps at 17 Amazonian sites in the Greater Madidi-Tambopata Landscape. We used the Kernel density estimation to generate species activity patterns and the overlap between both cats. We then calculated the overlap coefficient (Δ) by carrying out 10,000 bootstraps (95%). Both cats were active 24 h a day. The puma has higher nocturnal activity (57%), whilst jaguar activity is split almost equally between night (53%) and day (47%). We did not find temporal segregation between jaguars and pumas, which showed similar activity patterns with a high overlapping coefficient (Δ4 = 0.84; 0.78–0.91). Also, we did not find significant differences between Male and Female activity patterns for both species (X2 = 0.50, gl = 1, P = 0.47). Moreover, both cats had significant overlap with the activity patterns of their main prey. Temporal segregation was not detected in any of our study sites within the Greater Madidi-Tambopata Landscape, suggesting that in this region, these predators employ other mechanisms to avoid competition.
Congruence pairs of principal MS-algebras and perfect extensions
Authors: Badawy Abd El-Mohsen , Haviar Miroslav , Ploščica Miroslav
Published: December 2020

The notion of a congruence pair for principal MS-algebras, simpler than the one given by Beazer forK2-algebras [6], is introduced. It is proved that the congruences of the principal MS-algebrasLcorrespond to the MS-congruence pairs on simpler substructuresL°°andD(L) ofLthat were associated toLin [4].

An analogy of a well-known Grätzer’s problem [11: Problem 57] formulated for distributive p-algebras, which asks for a characterization of the congruence lattices in terms of the congruence pairs, is presented here for the principal MS-algebras (Problem 1). Unlike a recent solution to such a problem for the principal p-algebras in [2], it is demonstrated here on the class of principal MS-algebras, that a possible solution to the problem, though not very descriptive, can be simple and elegant.

As a step to a more descriptive solution of Problem 1, a special case is then considered when a principal MS-algebraLis a perfect extension of its greatest Stone subalgebraLS. It is shown that this is exactly when de Morgan subalgebraL°°ofLis a perfect extension of the Boolean algebraB(L). Two examples illustrating when this special case happens and when it does not are presented.
“We contribute to the development of South Korea”: Bilingual womanhood and politics of bilingual policy in South Korea
Authors: Sohn Bong-Gi , Kang Mia
Published: December 2020

Global flows of migration to South Korea bring a new challenge of how to negotiate the identities of migrants. Unlike other reported cases that reframe the value of migrants’ first language as part of contingent practices of diversity management, the South Korean government has responded to this challenge by explicitly reframing so-calleddamunhwamothers (foreign women married to Korean men) as bilingual workers, imagining them as self-governed, autonomous workers whose linguistic capital can be mobilized for the betterment of South Korean society. The government’s adoption of linguistic entrepreneurship and ethnocentric nationalism becomes particularly salient in this process. This paper studies how fourdamunhwamothers respond to this new bilingual worker identity as promoted in the bilingual policy texts. We examine the ways in which they negotiate their bilingual worker identities by echoing the government’s new linguistic nationalism and linguistic entrepreneurship on the one hand, and by problematizing the insecure job markets, stratified linguistic needs, lack of systematic training for bilingual instructors, and native Korean’s misunderstanding of their new roles on the other. Finally, we discuss the implications of Korea’s bilingual policy, elaborating on the significance of linguistic entrepreneurship in language policy planning and practice and calling for more reflective accounts of ecological and translingual policy implementation in Korea.
Lockdown during COVID-19 pandemic: impact on road traffic noise and on the perception of sound environment in France
Authors: Munoz Patricio , Vincent Bruno , Domergue Céline , Gissinger Vincent , Guillot Sébastien , Halbwachs Yann , Janillon Valérie
Published: December 2020

Acoucité¹, centre of expertise in environmental acoustics and observatory of the sound environment, has investigated the changes in sound environment and its perception during the French lockdown period. The approach adopted is multidimensional, since it combines long-term acoustic measurements, large area noise mapping, as well as the study of sound perception self-reported by population sample through an on-line structured questionnaire. Data from 21 continuous sound monitoring stations² were analysed for the entire lockdown period in five conurbations in the south of France and compared to typical values in the “normal” situation (before lockdown) in order to quantify the reduction in terms of sound levels. Reductions from 4 dB to 6 dB (Lden) were observed for monitoring stations with highly dominant road noise. These results were used to obtain new Strategic Noise Maps for road noise (corresponding to the lockdown situation) for the conurbations of Lyon and Grenoble. The impact of such reductions in terms of noise exposure of their inhabitants was thus assessed. An estimation of the impact on health effects in comparison with the “normal” situation (Strategic Noise Maps “Round 3 CE-DE-2002”) was also carried out. This estimation considers a scenario where the above level reductions (4 to 6 dB) would take place in the long-term. An on-line perception questionnaire was available during the lockdown period with the aim of gathering information on the way that the changes in sound environment were perceived by people all over France and ended up with more than 3000 respondents. This paper reports the main findings of the study in terms of acoustics and sound perception.
Model and optimal operational windows for hydrodynamic fiber fractionation
Authors: Schmid Thomas , Radl Stefan
Published: December 2020

Based on fitted experimental data, an empirical fractionation model for mini-channel hydrodynamic fiber fractionation (miniFrac) is presented. This model, combined with an optimization procedure, is then used as a design tool to synergize competing fractionation performance characteristics, i. e., product quality, product yield and energy demand. Based on this model, miniFrac is compared to state-of-the-art fiber fractionation technology with respect to (i) long fiber-short fiber fractionation and (ii) fines-fiber fractionation. In terms of fines-fiber fractionation, miniFrac is outperformed by typical micro-hole pressure screening regarding the purity of fines fraction. However, a comparison with a slotted (slot width of 0.2 mm) and a smooth-holed pressure screen (hole diameter of 0.8 mm) shows, that miniFrac is capable of outperforming both systems regarding product quality and energy demand at a comparable product yield. If, in the case of fines-fiber fractionation, reject purity (i. e., fines exclusion) is more important than fines purity (i. e., long fiber remain in the reject), miniFrac is an interesting tool with some key advantages over pressure screens.
Full-field hygro-expansion characterization of single softwood and hardwood pulp fibers
Authors: Vonk N. H. , Geers M. G. D. , Hoefnagels J. P. M.
Published: December 2020

The dimensional stability of paper products is a well-known problem, affecting multiple engineering applications. The macroscopic response of paper to moisture variations is governed by complex mechanisms originating in the material at all length-scales down to the fiber-level. Therefore, a recently-developed method, based on Global Digital Height Correlation of surface topographies is here exploited to measure the full-field hygro-expansion of single fibers, i. e. a surface strain tensor map over the full field of view is obtained as function of time. From the strain field, the longitudinal and transverse hygro-expansion and principle strains can be calculated. Long- and intermediate-duration dynamic tests are conducted on softwood and hardwood fibers. A large spread in the softwood fiber’s transverse and longitudinal hygro-expansion coefficient ratio was found, while hardwood fibers behave more consistently. Computing the principle strain ratios reduces this spread, as it takes into account the variations of the deformation direction, which is directly affected by the micro-fibril angle (MFA). Furthermore, long-duration tests allow identification of the half-times at which the fibers equilibrate. Finally, the determined major strain angles for all fibers are consistent with the MFA ranges reported in the literature.
A review of passive methods in microchannel heat sink application through advanced geometric structure and nanofluids: Current advancements and challenges
Authors: Japar Wan Mohd. Arif Aziz , Sidik Nor Azwadi Che , Saidur Rahman , Asako Yutaka , Nurul Akmal Yusof Siti
Published: December 2020

Microchannel heat sink (MCHS) is an advanced cooling technique to fulfil the cooling demand for electronic devices installed with high-power integrated circuit packages (microchips). Various microchannel designs have been innovated to improve the heat transfer performance in an MCHS. Specifically, the utilisation of nanotechnology in the form of nanofluid in an MCHS attracted the attention of researchers because of considerable enhancement of thermal conductivity in nanofluid even at a low nanoparticle concentration. However, a high-pressure drop was the main limitation as it controls the MCHS performance resulted from heat transfer augmentation. Therefore, this study aimed to critically summarise the challenges and limitations of both single and hybrid passive methods of MCHS. Furthermore, the performance of nanofluid as a coolant in the MCHS as affected by the type and concentration of nanoparticle and the type of base fluid was reviewed systematically. The review indicated that the hybrid MCHS provides a better cooling performance than MCHS with the single passive method as the former results in a higher heat transfer rate with minimal pressure drop penalty. Besides that, further heat transfer performance can be enhanced by dispersing aluminium dioxide (Al2O3) nanoparticles with a concentration of less than 2.0% (v/v) in the water-based coolant.
Response of the rotifer community to human-induced changes in the trophic state of a reservoir
Authors: Kim Seong-Ki , Kim Jeong-Cheol , Joo Gea-Jae , Choi Jong-Yun
Published: December 2020

Human disturbance and nutrient runoff lead to water pollution, particularly in downstream waters and reservoirs. We hypothesized that increased human activity in summer would affect the trophic state of downstream reservoirs, affecting the interannual species composition of rotifers. We used long-term data for the Unmun Reservoir in South Korea (2009–2015), which is increasingly affected by human activity. The interannual variation of nitrogen and phosphorus levels was higher in summer and autumn, resulting in eutrophication. This led to a change in species composition of rotifers. Anuraeopsis fissa, Brachionus calyciflorus and Trichocerca gracilis were abundant in the most eutrophic state, while high densities of Ascomorpha ovalis and Ploesoma hudsoni were observed when nutrient concentrations were lower. The trophic state changes in the Unmun Reservoir were largely attributed to summer human activity in tributary streams. Our study location is typical of the stream network in South Korea and we assume that similar trophic state changes in reservoirs will be common. Changes in the density and species diversity of rotifers due to eutrophication indicate the need for active management and conservation, including the restriction of human activity around streams.
Analysis by pXRF of Prehistoric Obsidian Artifacts From Several Sites on Ustica (Italy): Long-Distance Open-Water Distribution From Multiple Island Sources During the Neolithic and Bronze Ages
Authors: Tykot Robert H. , Martin Franco Foresta
Published: December 2020

The small island of Ustica was a regular part of the obsidian distribution network in the central Mediterranean, despite its location more than 50 km north of western Sicily. More than 1000 obsidian artifacts from several different sites, ranging in age from the Neolithic through Bronze Age, were analyzed using a non-destructive, portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometer. Obsidian from Lipari-Gabellotto dominates the assemblages at all sites tested, yet Pantelleria obsidian from both Balata dei Turchi and Lago di Venere are of notable quantities. Obsidian was not likely a major part of the material transported across open waters to this seemingly remote location, while our data support the hypothesis that some direct travel occurred from the Aeolian Islands to Ustica.
Cytokine clearance in serum and peritoneal fluid of patients undergoing damage control surgery with abdominal negative pressure therapy for abdominal sepsis
Authors: Faes Seraina , Hübner Martin , Demartines Nicolas , Hahnloser Dieter
Published: December 2020

Objectives

Open abdomen technique with negative pressure therapy (NPT) is widely used in patients with severe abdominal sepsis. The aim of this study was to evaluate cytokine clearance in serum and peritoneal fluid during NPT.

Methods

This prospective pilot study included six patients with severe abdominal sepsis requiring discontinuity resection and NPT for 48 h followed by planned reoperation. Cytokines (IL6, IL8, IL10, TNFalpha, and IL1beta) were measured in the serum and peritoneal fluid during index operation, on postoperative days 0, 1, and 2.

Results

Concentrations of cytokines in peritoneal fluid were higher than in serum. IL10 showed a clearance both in serum (to 16.6%, p=0.019) and peritoneal fluid (to 40.9%, p=0.014). IL6 cleared only in serum (to 24.7%, p=0.001) with persistently high levels in peritoneal fluid. IL8 remained high in both serum and peritoneal fluid. TNFalpha and IL1beta were both low in serum with wide range of high peritoneal concentrations. Only TNFalpha in peritoneal fluid showed significant differences between patients with ischemia vs. perforation (p=0.006).

Conclusions

The present pilot study suggests that cytokines display distinct patterns of clearance or persistence in the peritoneal fluid and serum over the first 48 h of treatment in severe abdominal sepsis with NPT.
Preparation and properties of metal textured polypropylene composites with low odor and low VOC
Authors: Liu Xiao-lin , Zhou Lei , Chen Jian
Published: December 2020

The aim of the present work is to upgrade the functionality and environmental friendliness of polypropylene (PP) by means of a blending technique. The influence of the metal pigment on the odor, volatile organic compounds (VOC) and metal texture of PP, and the effects of the extractant, adsorbent and processing technology on the odor and VOC of PP composites were studied systematically. It was found that metallic pigment significantly increased the VOC, odor, metallic texture and MFR of PP, and reduced the impact strength and elongation at break. The adsorbent and extractant can effectively reduce the VOC and odor of the PP composites. When the adsorbent and extractant contents were 0.5 and 5 wt%, respectively, the maximum reduction in the VOC and odor reached 73.6% and 1 level, respectively. When the extractant and adsorbent were used at the same time, the method of adding extractant and adsorbent from the main and the secondary feeding port respectively was significantly superior to the method of adding the extractant and adsorbent from the main feeding port together in reducing the odor and VOC of PP composites, which displayed a good synergistic effect.
A new bivariate Archimedean copula with application to the evaluation of VaR
Authors: Topcu Guloksuz Cigdem , Kumar Pranesh
Published: December 2020

In this paper, a new generator function is proposed and based on this function a new Archimedean copula is introduced. The new Archimedean copula along with three representatives of Archimedean copula family which are Clayton, Gumbel and Frank copulas are considered as models for the dependence structure between the returns of two stocks. These copula models are used to simulate daily log-returns based on Monte Carlo (MC) method for calculating value at risk (VaR) of the financial portfolio which consists of two market indices, Ford and General Motor Company. The results are compared with the traditional MC simulation method with the bivariate normal assumption as a model of the returns. Based on the backtesting results, describing the dependence structure between the returns by the proposed Archimedean copula provides more reliable results over the considered models in calculating VaR of the studied portfolio.
The effect of price discrimination on dynamic duopoly games with bounded rationality
Authors: Song Qi-Qing , Zhang Wei-li , Jiang Yi-Rong , Geng Juan
Published: December 2020

In a homogenous product market, customers’ different demand elasticities may lead to different prices. This study examined price discrimination’s effect on equilibrium points in Cournot duopoly games by assuming that each firm charges K prices and adjusts its strategies based on bounded rationality. In consideration of price discrimination, two discrete dynamic game systems with 2K variables were introduced for players with homogenous or heterogenous expectations. The stability of the Nash equilibrium point was found to be independent of price discrimination. Given price discrimination, the stability of boundary stationary points for the system with homogenous players is different from that for the system with heterogenous players. Numerical simulations verified the critical point for the system with homogenous players from being stable to its bifurcation.
Cultural Heritage-Based Urban Festival as a Tool to Promote Local Identity and City Marketing
Authors: Bitušíková Alexandra
Published: December 2020

This paper deals with the processes of transformation of an urban festival – the Radvaň Fair in the city of Banská Bystrica, Slovakia – in a comprehensive way and from a chronological point of view. The main focus is on the development of the festival in the post-1989 (post-communist) period. The fair has been organised continuously since 1655 and went through a number of transformations. Its function has changed from a primarily commercial event of three centuries to a significant cultural and social hallmark festival in the 21st century. The key research questions concern the role of cultural heritage-based festival in identity building and city marketing, and the relationship between the festival and place (location). The paper also addresses the question of potential use/misuse of cultural heritage in current political discourse and practice.
Glucocorticoids reset circadian clock in choroid plexus via period genes
Authors: Liška Karolína , Sládek Martin , Čečmanová Vendula , Sumová Alena
Published: December 2020

The epithelial cells of choroid plexus (CP) in brain ventricles produce cerebrospinal fluid and act as the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier. In this study, we confirmed that CP in the 4th ventricle is composed of cellular oscillators that all harbor glucocorticoid receptors and are mutually synchronized to produce a robust clock gene expression rhythm detectable at the tissue level in vivo and in vitro. Animals lacking glucocorticoids (GCs) due to surgical removal of adrenal glands had Per1, Per2, Nr1d1 and Bmal1 clock gene rhythmicity in their CP significantly dampened, whereas subjecting them to daily bouts of synthetic GC analog, dexamethasone (DEX), reinforced those rhythms. We verified these in vivo effects using an in vitro model of organotypic CP explants; depending on the time of its application, DEX significantly increased the amplitude and efficiently reset the phase of the CP clock. The results are the first description of a PRC for a non-neuronal clock in the brain, demonstrating that CP clock shares some properties with the non-neuronal clocks elsewhere in the body. Finally, we found that DEX exhibited multiple synergic effects on the CP clock, including acute activation of Per1 expression and change of PER2 protein turnover rate. The DEX-induced shifts of the CP clock were partially mediated via PKA-ERK1/2 pathway. The results provide the first evidence that the GC rhythm strengthens and entrains the clock in the CP helping thus fine-tune the brain environment according to time of day.
The Reinvention of the Health and Fitness Industry During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Authors: Myers Kayla , Brown Michael B. , Payne Samuel C. , Rosney Daniel M.
Published: December 2020

N/A
Solubility of Gold in Common Gold-Concentrating Minerals
Authors: Tauson V.L. , Lipko S.V.
Published: December 2020

—The paper is a summary of the authors’ and published data on the occurrence of Au in common gold-concentrating minerals (pyrite, arsenopyrite, pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, bornite, galena, sphalerite, and magnetite). The solubility of gold in minerals is evaluated through identification of the limiting element incorporation into the real crystal. The distribution of gold between coexisting minerals is considered. Obtaining reliable data on the gold solubility involves discrimination of the structural form of the element and correct separation of Au forms between the surface and the volume, which is not always possible because of the small size and low quality of crystals (defects and highly developed internal surfaces). It is also necessary to have a phase (individual or nonautonomous) limiting the incorporation of Au or to compare the mineral under study (within the framework of the principle of phase composition correlation) with a reference mineral with a reliably established structural form of Au. The most reliable and consistent estimates for the hydrothermal parameters (450–500 ºC, 1 kbar) are as follows (µg/g): sphalerite – 0.7, highly ferrous sphalerite – 5, magnetite – 1, pyrite – 3, manganese and copper-containing pyrite – 10, pyrrhotite – 21, chalcopyrite – 110, bornite – 140, and galena – 240. The highest solubility of gold (up to 30,000 µg/g) is established in arsenopyrite, but it is likely to be a metastable miscibility caused by the nonstationary conditions of crystal growth or by the crystal growth at the expense of the surficial nonautonomous phase. The same factors can cause supersaturation of pyrite with Au admixture at low temperatures. The dual behavior of Au in pyrrhotite and magnetite is for a different reason: Under reducing conditions, these minerals can contain a submicroscopic elemental form of Au indistinguishable from the structural one. We consider the forms of Au occurrence and the relationship between the solubility of gold and its metallic bonds in minerals.
Elektronische Schuldverschreibungen auf den Inhaber – des Wertpapiers neue Kleider
Authors: Linardatos Dimitrios
Published: December 2020

Das BMJV und das BMF haben am 11. 8. 2020 einen gemeinsamen Referentenentwurf zur Einführung von elektronischen Wertpapieren (eWpG-E) veröffentlicht. Ziel ist es, den Emittenten die Option zu eröffnen, Schuldverschreibungen auf den Inhaber unter Verzicht auf eine Skriptur durch Eintragung in ein elektronisches Wertpapier zu begeben. Unternehmen sollen sich dadurch effizienter finanzieren können, indem eine kostengünstige Aufbewahrung und Lieferung von Wertpapieren ermöglicht wird. Dieser Schritt zu Gunsten eines digitalen Effektenverkehrs ist richtig und wichtig. Emittenten müssen dadurch nicht mehr den Umweg über das europäische Ausland gehen, um elektronische Schuldverschreibungen zu begeben. Es bleibt jedoch noch die Aufgabe, die Reform des deutschen Wertpapierrechts im Detail stringent zu verwirklichen. Der Beitrag wirft dafür einige Schlaglichter auf die sachenrechtlichen Regelungskomplexe des Referentenentwurfs und streicht einzelne Stellen mit Verbesserungspotenzial heraus.
Literacy in Contact and in Context
Authors: Weekes Brendan Stuart Hackett
Published: December 2020

According to UNESCO, at least 2500 languages are vulnerable. Chinese, English, Spanish, Arabic, Hindi, Portuguese, Bengali, Russian, Japanese, French are “hegemons” - each having at least 100 million native speakers and accounting for over 51 percent of the global population. Half of the hegemons are written with an alphabet. For the non-alphabetic group, native speakers may read and write in logographic (e.g. Chinese) or syllabic writing systems (e.g. Devanagari) or both (e.g. Japanese). In languages that are spoken by less than one million people, Latin, Arabic and Chinese writing systems dominate but they do not always map to local dialects transparently. Multi-literacy is a growing global phenomenon particularly in Asia. In the 21st century, access to electronic literacy will include multi-literate speakers. However, multi-literacy brings questions. Multi-literacy is as old as civilization due to spoken language contact in commerce, ideology and religion. Literacy adapts to new technology via codification of symbols allowing multi-literacy to grow. Documentation of writing has a history but it is not prominent in global policy making. Programmes to develop literacy are reserved for monolingual ‘hegascripts’ (dominant languages) e.g. English. However, neglecting diversity in writing systems in developing countries risks more inequalities if indigenous language speakers are taught literacy in their non-native language only.