bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Les labyrinthes borgésiens : Nature et caractéristiques
Authors: Sayegh Majida
Published: March 2022

Le présent article tente d’identifier la notion du labyrinthe selon une méthode synthétique et exploratrice du texte littéraire. En effet, les caractéristiques d’un labyrinthe borgésien ne se limitent pas à l’aspect matériel ou architectural, mais il couvre les différentes variables qui affectent la vie humaine : l’errance dans l’ignorance, la peur de l’oubli, la stagnation de la pensée, l’emprisonnement dans la particularité, les conflits avec soi-même et avec l’autre, l’absence d’une interaction fructueuse entre l’homme et le savoir et la lutte pour dominer autrui. Pratiquement, déambuler dans un labyrinthe moral ou physique, spatial ou temporel, engendre des cheminements de solitude, d’angoisse incessante, de perturbation due aux diverses sources d’enchevêtrement inextricable, de désordre générateur de confusion et d’extrême complication. Malgré les souffrances endurées par les victimes prises au piège, le labyrinthe peut se révéler, parfois, comme leur itinéraire initiatique pour atteindre la libération suprême et la vérité radicale.

 

The present article attempts to identify the notion of the labyrinth according to a synthetic and exploratory method of the literary text. Indeed, the characteristics of a Borgesian labyrinth are not limited to the material or architectural aspects as it covers the different factors affecting human life. These aspects are the wandering in ignorance, the fear of forgetting, the stagnation of thought, the imprisonment in specifics, the conflicts within one’s self and with others, the absence of a fruitful interaction between man and knowledge, and the struggle to dominate others. Wandering in a moral, physical, spatial or temporal labyrinth, generates paths of solitude and of incessant anguish. It also leads to disruption due to the various sources of inextricable entanglement, confusion and extreme complication. Despite the suffering endured by the trapped victims, the labyrinth can sometimes prove to be an initiation towards supreme liberation and the radical truth.
Productivité Et Rôles Socio-Économiques Des Cultures Maraîchères Dans Les Communes De Tibiri Gobir Et De Madarounfa (Niger)
Authors: Rabo Younoussou , Issaharou Matchi Issiaka , Malam Assane Maigari , Mahamane Ali
Published: March 2022

Le maraîchage est une activité prépondérante qui prend de plus en plus de l’ampleur en milieu urbain et péri-urbain. Les communes urbaines de Madarounfa et Tibiri gobir ne sont pas en reste. Dès lors, l’objectif général de cette étude est d’évaluer la productivité et les rôles socio-économiques des cultures maraîchères sur les sites d’étude. La méthode de collecte des données a essentiellement concerné des enquêtes individuelles et des focus groupes sur chacun des deux (2) sites. Au total 50 producteurs ont été retenus sur chaque site. En vue de confronter les expériences des producteurs, des focus groupes ont été faits. Il ressort de cette étude que dix-huit (18) et dix-sept (17) cultures maraîchères sont pratiquées respectivement à Tibiri gobir et à Madarounfa. Les cultures les plus pratiquées à Madarounfa sont l’oignon avec une proportion de 23% suivi de la tomate (15%), le chou (15%) et de l’anis (15%). Par contre, dans la commune de Tibiri gobir c’est la tomate (28%) qui est la représentée puis viennent l’oignon (18%) et la citrouille (13%). En outre, les cultures qui ont eu les meilleurs rendements sont le manioc, l’oignon et la pastèque. Selon les résultats de cette étude, les cultures les plus rentables sont l’aubergine et dans une moindre mesure le melon, la citrouille, la pastèque, le manioc, l’oignon et le poivron. Ces cultures peuvent, en effet, procurer jusqu’à 500 000FCFA/ha/cycle. Le maraichage permet non seulement aux producteurs d’assurer leur sécurité alimentaire mais aussi le renforcement des relations sociales à travers des dons.
Influence Des Cultures Intercalaires Et De Bordure De L’oseille De Guinée Et Du Gombo Sur La Dynamique Des Insectes Ravageurs Et La Production Du Coton Dans Les Conditions Agro-Écologiques De Katibougou, 2019 /Mali
Authors: Seydou Diallo , Alpha Seydou Yaro , Laya Kansaye , Ali Doumma
Published: March 2022

La gestion des insectes ravageurs du cotonnier (Gossypium hirsutum) a toujours été émaillée par l’emploi répété de produits chimiques de synthèse, avec des effets néfastes sur l’environnement. Pour ce faire, une étude comparative portant sur différents modes d’association a été menée en vue d’apporter de nouvelles stratégies de biocontrôle des insectes ravageurs du cotonnier. L’essai a été conduit en plein champ à Katibougou au Mali sur un dispositif en bloc de Fischer avec 3 répétitions et 9 traitements. Les paramètres agronomiques et entomologiques ont été étudiés et les résultats suivants ont été obtenus : Les insectes ravageurs majeurs ont été Dysdercus vὃlkeri et Aphis gossypii. Les modes de semis en bordure avec les deux plantes pièges (oseille de guinée et le gombo) ont attiré le maximum de D. vὃlkeri avec 12 individus/4plants pour les traitements en mode d’implantation du gombo en bordure contre 4 individus/4plants sur le traitement témoin. Concernant A. gossypii, nous avons enregistré 77,33% individus sur 4 plants de gombo installé en bordure du cotonnier contre 77,67% individus pour 4 plants pour le témoin. Seul Haritalodes derogata n’a pas été attiré par les deux plantes pièges quel qu’en soit le mode d’implantation des cultures pièges. Le mode semis gombo intercalaire a obtenu le meilleur rendement avec 2264kg/ha contre 1292kg/ha sur le témoin. Les résultats obtenus permettent de conclure que le recours aux plantes pièges permet de contrôler les ravageurs majeurs du cotonnier et améliorer le rendement en coton grain tout en réduisant l’emploi des produits chimiques.
Badanie samorządu terytorialnego w Europie. Przykład Europejskiej Grupy Administracji Publicznej (European Group for Public Administration — EGPA)
Authors: Supernat Jerzy
Published: March 2022

Artykuł zawiera syntetyczne omówienie badań samorządu terytorialnego prowadzonych przez Stałą Grupę Badawczą nr 5: Samorząd Regionalny i Lokalny Europejskiej Grupy Administracji Publicznej (European Group for Public Administration — EGPA). Poczynając od momentu utworzenia w 2010 roku, Grupa 5 w coraz szerszym zakresie angażuje się w porównawcze badanie samorządu terytorialnego w Europie, stając się uznanym europejskim forum dla subnarodowej administracji i subnarodowego rządzenia.
Nowe formy współdziałania międzygminnego we Francji — metropolia Wielki Paryż („Grand Paris”)
Authors: Zacharko Lidia , Zacharko Adrian
Published: March 2022

Celem artykułu jest przedstawienie zmian w modelu samorządu terytorialnego we Francji. W koncepcji samorządu terytorialnego istotne miejsce zajmują różne formy współdziałania międzygminnego na obszarach metropolitalnych. Obszary metropolitalne stanowią złożoną strukturę, w skład której wchodzą gminy czy departamenty. Tworzenie wielkich struktur przestrzenno-gospodarczych stanowi odpowiedź na postęp cywilizacyjny i konieczność usprawnienia działania struktur samorządowych.
Udział izb gospodarczych w decentralizacji władzy publicznej
Authors: Bandarzewski Kazimierz
Published: March 2022

Izby gospodarcze stanowią organizację zrzeszającą przedsiębiorców, będącą według ustawy formą samorządu gospodarczego. Samorząd ten, w przeciwieństwie do samorządu terytorialnego, ma zróżnicowaną postać. Zawarta w art. 17 ust. 2 Konstytucji RP regulacja samorządu gospodarczego nie pozwala na jego zakwalifikowanie do kategorii podmiotów prawa publicznego i nie można go uznać za formę decentralizacji władzy publicznej. Nie stanowi to przeszkody przed sporadycznym przekazywaniem izbom gospodarczym zadań publicznych.
Instytucje wzmacniające korporacyjny charakter gminy
Authors: Kotulski Mariusz
Published: March 2022

Instytucje prawne umożliwiają mieszkańcom gminy — członkom wspólnoty samorządowej — aktywny udział w sprawowaniu władzy, kontrolowanie jej, a także współdecydowanie o części budżetu. Zwiększają poczucie partycypacji i współodpowiedzialności za decyzje podejmowane przez członków korporacji. Korporacyjne podejście do gminy tworzy upodmiotowienie tej samorządowej wspólnoty pod względem prawnym, socjologicznym i aksjologicznym.
Władztwo planistyczne gminy a określanie sposobów zagospodarowania i warunków zabudowy terenu
Authors: Małysa-Sulińska Katarzyna
Published: March 2022

W niniejszym artykule odniesiono się do władztwa planistycznego gminy, które nie jest nieograniczone i nie należy go pojmować jako pełnej swobody w zakresie określania przez gminę przeznaczenia terenu i zasad jego zagospodarowania. Decydowania o przeznaczeniu terenu i warunkach jego zabudowy ustawodawca nie pozostawił bowiem do wyłącznej kompetencji organów gminy, stanowiąc legitymację w tym zakresie także dla innych organów administracji publicznej. Nadto organy gminy — podejmując rozstrzygnięcia w ramach władztwa planistycznego — zostały przez ustawodawcę zobligowane do współdziałania z innymi organami. Analiza rozwiązań normatywnych odnoszących się do decyzji lokalizacyjnych wskazuje również, że organy gminy podejmując przedmiotowe rozstrzygnięcia nie dysponują w istocie swobodą planistyczną, a działają jedynie w ramach — zakreślonego przez prawodawcę — luzu decyzyjnego.
Fundacje prawa publicznego w świetle dorobku naukowego Tadeusza Bigi
Authors: Mędrzycki Radosław
Published: March 2022

Celem artykułu jest charakterystyka pojęcia fundacji prawa publicznego na tle refleksji Tadeusza Bigi poświęconej związkom publicznoprawnym. Należy podkreślić ogromne znaczenie dorobku Profesora dla obecnej doktryny prawa administracyjnego. Rozważania podjęte w artykule są zobrazowane przykładami współczesnych fundacji prawa publicznego. Treść artykułu dzieli się na trzy rozdziały oraz wstęp i zakończenie z wnioskami. W badaniach użyto metody teoretycznoprawnej oraz dogmatycznoprawnej. Badania wykazały, iż istnieje teoretyczna możliwość zaliczenia fundacji prawa publicznego do kategorii związków publicznoprawnych, chociaż taka kategoryzacja napotyka na trudności związane z rzeczowym substratem fundacji.
Związek metropolitalny jako forma związku publicznoprawnego
Authors: Pszczyński Mateusz
Published: March 2022

Od wielu lat poszukuje się formy prawnej właściwej dla zarządzania obszarami silnie zurbanizowanymi, obejmującymi wielomiejskie tereny o skomplikowanych układach społecznych, gospodarczych, komunikacyjnych oraz administracyjnych. Związek metropolitalny w województwie śląskim funkcjonuje czwarty rok. Także inne duże miasta wraz z gminami sąsiadującymi oczekują objęcia zbliżoną formą organizacji w celu realizacji zadań publicznych. Wśród wielu pytań pojawia się takie: czym jest związek metropolitalny w sensie prawnym? Niniejszy artykuł jest próbą sprawdzenia, na ile koncepcja Tadeusza Bigi z 1928 roku jest aktualna i czy może służyć jako pewien model teoretycznoprawny. Cechami związku publicznoprawnego są kreacja przez państwo, obligatoryjna przynależność, nadzór ze strony państwa oraz posługiwanie się władztwem publicznym. Wszystkie je spełnia istniejąca Górnośląsko-Zagłębiowska Metropolia. Projektowane rozwiązania prawne dotyczące nowych metropolii przechodzą również test Bigi. Można tylko oczekiwać szybkiego uchwalenia stosownych aktów i powołania metropolii we Wrocławiu, Gdańsku — Gdyni — Sopocie lub Łodzi.
Związek powiatowo-gminny jako nowy model formy współpracy jednostek samorządu lokalnego
Authors: Sikora Kamil , Stelmasiak Jerzy
Published: March 2022

Od 2016 roku stało się możliwe tworzenie związków powiatowo-gminnych jako nowej formy współpracy jednostek samorządu lokalnego. Dotychczas prawnie dopuszczalnym było tworzenie związków w układzie tak zwanym poziomym, pomiędzy gminami — jako związków międzygminnych, pomiędzy powiatami jako związków powiatowych. Związki powiatowo-gminne są formą współpracy w układzie tak zwanym pionowym. Tym samym współpraca może się rozwijać nie tylko jak dotychczas horyzontalnie, lecz także w układzie wertykalnym między jednostkami gminnymi i powiatowymi. Procedura utworzenia związku powiatowo-gminnego jest analogiczna do procedury utworzenia związku powiatów z tym, że w postępowaniu w sprawie uzgodnienia projektu statutu związku powiatowo-gminnego powiaty i gminy zamierzające utworzyć związek reprezentuje starosta jednego z powiatów albo wójt jednej z gmin upoważniony przez starostów i wójtów pozostałych powiatów i gmin. Związek powiatowo-gminny stanowi formę organizacyjno-prawną wspólnego wykonywania zdań publicznych przez powiaty i gminy. Związek wykonuje zadania publiczne w imieniu własnym i na własną odpowiedzialność, posiada osobowość prawną, może występować jako samodzielny podmiot praw i obowiązków w obrocie prawnym. Do końca marca 2021 roku zostało zarejestrowanych w sumie trzynaście związków powiatowo-gminnych.
Koncepcja współzarządzania w administracji publicznej — ujęcie z punktu widzenia nauki administracji
Authors: Wrzosek Stanisław
Published: March 2022

Współzarządzanie w administracji publicznej jest koncepcją mającą istotne znaczenie w wyznaczaniu celów działania administracji w ramach samorządu terytorialnego. Musi ono odzwierciedlać misję administracji. Realizacja koncepcji współzarządzania wymaga analizy w ramach nauki administracji procesu decyzyjnego w jednostkach administrujących (urzędach). W tym zakresie przedstawiciele nauki administracji mogą korzystać z dorobku nauk o zarządzaniu. Należy wypracować niezbędne do realizacji koncepcji współzarządzania relacje podmiotów administracji z ich otoczeniem zewnętrznym. Szczególnie ważne jest określenie relacji z podmiotami wchodzącymi w skład wspólnoty samorządowej.
Raumplanung in Deutschland und Polen – eine rechtsvergleichende Skizze
Authors: Geis Max-Emanuel , Frank Kevin
Published: March 2022

Die Geschichte der Raumplanung in Deutschland und Polen geht weit zurück. Dabei bestehen neben einzelner raumplanerischer auch gemeinsame und europäische Ansätze für die Raumnutzung. Der Aufsatz zeigt zunächst den rechtlichen Rahmen auf nationaler und supranationaler Ebene auf. Hiernach erfolgt eine vertiefende Darstellung anhand mehrerer Projekte aus dem Bereich der Energiewirtschaft und der Infrastruktur. Abschließend werden die  Gemeinsamkeiten und Unterschiede herausgearbeitet.
Self-Government Activities of Professional Chambers — Legislation and Application (with a Focus on the Conditions of the Czech Republic)
Authors: Kopecký Martin , Balounová Jana
Published: March 2022

The article “Self-Government Activities of Professional Chambers” is focused on the exercising of self-government by professional chambers as public corporations, especially on its legislation and application in conditions of Czech Republic. The article presents professional chambers in the Czech Republic, which are based on compulsory membership. The article also deals with the issue of compensation when there is damage caused by professional chambers. Finally, attention is paid also to statutory regulations as a form of abstract acts published by professional chambers.
Gmina w systemie transformacji energetycznej Niemiec (uwagi na tle nowelizacji ustawy o odnawialnych źródłach energii 2021)
Authors: Kusiak-Winter Renata
Published: March 2022

Koncepcja transformacji energetycznej wynikająca z Europejskiego Zielonego Ładu zasadza się nie tylko na transformacji sektora energetycznego, ale zakłada zmianę sposobu funkcjonowania gospodarki i w konsekwencji również społeczeństwa. To z kolei wymaga aktywnego zaangażowania władz publicznych poziomu centralnego oraz władz lokalnych, usytuowanych najbliżej obywatela. W związku z tym, że doświadczenia niemieckie w zakresie promowania odnawialnych źródeł energii uchodzą za wzorcowe nie tylko w Europie, ale i na świecie, celem niniejszego artykułu jest zaprezentowanie najnowszych rozwiązań prawnych przyjętych w Niemczech, umożliwiających uczestnictwo władz lokalnych w systemie wsparcia energii pochodzących ze źródeł odnawialnych.
Análise da Revisão Cochrane: O Papel dos Antiagregantes Plaquetários para Prevenir a Pré-Eclâmpsia e as Suas Complicações. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019;10:CD004659.
Authors: Reis de Carvalho Catarina , Bigotte Vieira Miguel , Costa João , Vaz Carneiro António
Published: March 2022

A pré-eclâmpsia está associada à produção intravascular deficiente de prostaciclina, um vasodilatador, e à produção excessiva de tromboxano, um vasoconstritor e estimulante da agregação plaquetária. Essas observações levaram à hipótese de os antiagregantes plaquetários, em particular o ácido acetilsalicílico, poderem, em dose reduzida, prevenir ou retardar o desenvolvimento da pré-eclâmpsia. Esta revisão da Cochrane teve como objetivo avaliar a eficácia e segurança de antiagregantes plaquetários comparativamente a placebo ou a ausência de tratamento, quando administrados a mulheres em risco de desenvolver pré-eclâmpsia. Foi realizada uma revisão sistemática da literatura até setembro de 2019, através de pesquisa nas seguintes bases de dados: Registo de Ensaios de Gravidez e Parto da Cochrane, ClinicalTrials.gov, Plataforma Internacional de Registo de Ensaios Clínicos da OMS (ICTRP) e listas de referência de estudos recuperados. Foram incluídos 77 ensaios clínicos aleatorizados, incluindo 40 249 mulheres grávidas em risco de desenvolver pré-eclâmpsia. Cerca de 80% destas mulheres foram avaliadas em nove dos 77 ensaios incluídos, sendo que oito destes nove ensaios disponibilizavam dados individuais. O ácido acetilsalicílico foi o antiagregante plaquetário avaliado na maioria dos ensaios, incluindo nos nove ensaios de maior dimensão. A presente revisão concluiu, com qualidade de evidência elevada, que a administração de ácido acetilsalicílico em dose reduzida (50 - 150 mg) a mulheres grávidas está associada a benefícios, considerados de magnitude pequena a moderada, na redução do risco de pré-eclâmpsia, parto prematuro, feto pequeno para a idade gestacional, e morte fetal ou neonatal. A administração de antiagregantes plaquetários a 1000 mulheres resultou em menos 20 gestações com desfechos adversos graves.
A New Hybrid Dynamic FMECA with Decision-Making Methodology: A Case Study in An Agri-Food Company
Authors: Di Nardo Mario , Murino Teresa , Osteria Gianluca , Santillo Liberatina Carmela
Published: March 2022

The Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) is often used to improve a system's reli-ability. This paper proposes a new approach that aims to overcome the most critical defects of the traditional FMEA. This new methodology combines the Entropy and Best Worst Method (BWM) methodology with the EDas and System Dynamics, FMECA: The EN-B-ED Dynamic FMECA. The main innovation’s point of the proposed work is the presence of an unknown factor (Cost), that allows to obtain an objective weighted factor, a risk index when a machine failure occurs. The criticality analysis has been carried out using software (Vensim PLE x64) to simulate System Dynamics models to identify corrective actions and evaluating the possible implementation of these ac-tions. The methodology proposed is applied to a case study in a relevant Italian com-pany in the agri-food sector.
Hypnotizability-Related Cerebral Blood Flow
Authors: Rashid Anas , Santarcangelo Enrica Laura , Roatta Silvestro
Published: March 2022

Hypnotizability is a cognitive trait associated with differences in the brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation of individuals with high hypnotizability (highs) and low hypnotizability scores (lows). The study investigated possible hypnotizability-related cerebrovascular differences. Among 24 healthy volunteers the Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale Form A, identified 13 medium-to-lows (med-lows), 11 medium-to-highs (med-highs), 1 medium hypnotizable. Hypnotizability did not influence the significant changes produced by the trail making task (TMT), mental arithmetic task (MAT), hyperventilation (HVT) and rebreathing (RBT) on Heart rate (HR), arterial blood pressure (ABP) and partial pressure of end-tidal CO2 (PETCO2) and oxygenation (TOI); but moderated the correlations between the changes occurring during tasks with respect to basal conditions (Δ) in ABP and PETCO2 with MCAv. In HVT, med-lows exhibited a significant correlation between ΔMCAv and ΔPETCO2, med-highs showed a significant correlation between ΔABP and ΔMCAv; a significant correlation between ΔTHI and ΔTOI was observed in medium lows. Cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) and conductance (ΔCVCi) were significantly correlated with ΔMCAv in med-lows during HVT and RBT. Findings represent the first assessment of hypnotizability-related differences in the mechanisms controlling the middle cerebral artery flow velocity, cerebrovascular reactivity and conductance in response to hyperventilation and rebreathing.
Mechanical Performance of Curved Link-Slab of Simply Supported Bridge Beam
Authors: Zhuang Yizhou , Luo Silv , Easa Said , Zhang Meng , Wang Chengquan
Published: March 2022

This paper proposes a curved link-slab (CLS) structure, simplified into a hingeless-arch model, to address the current cracking phenomenon of CLS concrete. The stress formula of the hingeless arch under various loads is derived based on the classical mechanic's method. Based on an actual bridge example, the mechanical properties of CLS are analyzed under different loads and load combinations. The results show that: (1) the CLS stress is significantly lower than that of the flat link-slab structure (FLS), (2) its stress values are less than the concrete tensile limit, and (3) the CLS can effectively solve the concrete cracking phenomenon on the link-slab. The rationality of the stress formula derived from the simplified model of the hingeless arch is verified using the finite element method (FEM). The parametric sensitivity analysis shows that variation of the reinforcement ratio of the CLS has a limited impact on it. Considering both the concrete tensile and compressive limit, the thickness of the CLS should be 15 cm to 20 cm, and its design span should be about 5% to7.5% of the main beam length.
A Dynamic Mechanistic Model of Perceptual Binding
Authors: Kraikivski Pavel
Published: March 2022

The brain’s ability to create a unified conscious representation of an object by integrating information from multiple perception pathways is called perceptual binding. Binding is crucial for normal cognitive function. Some perceptual binding errors and disorders have been linked to certain neurological conditions, brain lesions, and conditions that give rise to illusory conjunctions. However, the mechanism of perceptual binding remains elusive. Here, we present a computational model of binding using two sets of coupled oscillatory processes that are assumed to occur in response to two different percepts. We use the model to study the dynamic behavior of coupled processes to characterize how these processes can modulate each other and reach a temporal synchrony. We identify different oscillatory dynamic regimes that depend on coupling mechanisms and parameter values. The model can also discriminate different combinations of initial inputs that are set by initial states of coupled processes. Decoding brain signals that are formed through perceptual binding is a challenging task, but our modeling results demonstrate how crosstalk between two systems of processes can possibly modulate their outputs. Therefore, our mechanistic model can help one gain a better understanding of how crosstalk between perception pathways can affect the dynamic behavior of the systems that involve perceptual binding.
Microfluidic Microcirculation Mimetic as a Tool for the Study of Rheological Characteristics of Red Cells in Patients With Sickle Cell Anaemia
Authors: Asuquo Marcus Inyama , Effa Emmanuel , Gbotosho Oluwabukola , Otu Akaninyene , Tofner Nicole , Soter Ameh , Sruti-Prathivadhi Bhayankaram , Zetocha Noah , Nwakama Chisom , Egbe William Ohobu , Guck Jochen , Ekpenyong Andrew E.
Published: March 2022

Sickle cell disorder (SCD) is a multisystem disease with heterogeneous phenotypes. Although all patients have the mutated haemoglobin (Hb) in the SS phenotype, the severity and frequency of complications are variable. When exposed to low oxygen tension, the Hb molecule becomes dense and, forms tactoids which, lead to the peculiar sickled shapes of the affected red blood cells, giving the disorder its name. This sickle cell morphology is responsible for the profound and widespread pathologies associated with this disorder, such as vaso-occlusive crisis, (VOC). How much of the clinical manifestation is due to sickled erythrocytes and what is due to the relative contributions of other elements in the blood, especially in the microcapillary circulation, is usually not visualized and quantified for each patient during clinical management. Here, we used a microfluidic microcirculation mimetic (MMM) which has 187 capillary-like constrictions to impose deformations on erythrocytes of SCD patients, visualizing and characterizing the morpho-rheological properties of the cells in normoxic, hypoxic (using of sodium meta-bisulfite) and in treatment conditions (using hydroxyurea). The MMM enabled a patient-specific quantification of shape descriptors (circularity and roundness) and transit time through the capillary constrictions, which are readouts for morphorheological properties implicated in VOC. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of microfluidics-based monitoring of individual patients for personalized care in the context of SCD complications such as VOC, even in re-source-challenged settings.
Emerging Biomarkers of Multiple Sclerosis in the Blood and the CSF: a Comprehensive Review of the Literature with a Focus on Neurofilaments and Therapeutic Considerations
Authors: Biernacki Tamás , Kokas Zsófia , Sandi Dániel , Füvesi Judit , Fricska-Nagy Zsanett , Faragó Péter , Kincses Tamás Zsigmond , Klivényi Péter , Bencsik Krisztina , Vécsei László
Published: March 2022

Introduction: multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common immune-mediated chronic neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system (CNS), affecting young people. Due to the permanent disability, cognitive impairment, and the enormous detrimental impact MS can exert on the patients’ health-related quality of life. It is of great importance to recognise it in time and commence adequate treatment at an early stage. The currently used disease-modifying therapies (DMT) aim to reduce disease activity and thus halt disability development, which in current clinical practice are monitored by clinical and imaging parameters but not by biomarkers found in blood and/or the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Both clinical and radiological measures routinely used to monitor disease activity lack information on the fundamental pathophysiological features and mechanisms of MS. Furthermore, they lag behind the disease process itself. By the time a clinical relapse becomes evident or a new lesion appears on the MRI scan, potentially irreversible damage has already occurred in the CNS. In recent years several biomarkers that previously have been linked to other neurological and immunological diseases have received increased attention in MS. Additionally, other novel, potential biomarkers with prognostic and diagnostic properties have been detected in the CSF and blood of MS patients. Areas covered: in this review, we summarise the most up to date knowledge and research conducted on the already known and most promising new biomarker candidates found in the CSF and blood of MS patients. Author commentary: the current diagnostic criteria of MS rely on three pillars; MRI imaging, clinical events and the presence of oligoclonal bands in the CSF (which was reinstated into the diagnostic criteria by the most recent revision). Even though the most recent McDonald criteria made the diagnosis of MS faster than the prior iteration, it is still not an infallible diagnostic toolset, especially at the very early stage of clinically isolated syndrome. Together with the gold standard MRI and clinical measures, ancillary blood and CSF biomarkers may not just improve diagnostic accuracy and speed but very well may become agents to monitor therapeutic efficacy and make even more personalised treatment in MS a reality in the near future. The major disadvantage of these biomarkers in the past has been the need to obtain CSF to measure them. However, the recent advances in extremely sensitive immunoassays made their measurement possible from peripheral blood even when present only in minuscule concentrations. This should mark the beginning of a new biomarker research and utilisation era in MS.
Finite Rate Reaction Mechanism Adapted for Modeling Pseudo-Equilibrium Pyrolysis of Cellulose
Authors: Mora Tomas
Published: March 2022

This works is related to the modeling of cellulose pyrolysis with a pseudo equilibrium approach. The objective is to model the kinetics of the cellulose pyrolysis with a semi-global mechanism obtained from the literature, in order to obtain the yield and the rate of formation of char. The pseudo equilibrium sense consists in the supposition that the solid phase devolatilization can be described kinetically - at finite rate - , preserving the competitive characteristic between the production of char and tar, while the gas phase can be described by means of chemical equilibrium. A set of ordinary, linear and non linear, differential equations was obtained and solved numerically with a simple but consistent scheme using the Totally Implicit Euler method. Chemical equilibrium was solved using CANTERA coupled with a code written in Matlab. Results showed that the scheme preserve the tar-gas competitive characteristic for cellulose pyrolysis. The gas phase, is defined as a mixture of CO2, CO, H2O, CH4, H2 and N2 showed similarly composition compared with models from literature. Finally, the extension of the model to biomass in general, is straightforward, in order to include the hemicellulose and lignin.
E-Government in Europe. A Machine Learning Approach
Authors: Leogrande Angelo , Magaletti Nicola , Cosoli Gabriele , Massaro Alessandro
Published: March 2022

The following article analyzes the determinants of e-government in 28 European countries between 2016 and 2021. The DESI-Digital Economy and Society Index database was used. The econometric analysis involved the use of the Panel Data with Fixed Effects and Panel Data with Variable Effects methods. The results show that the value of “e-Government” is negatively associated with “Fast BB (NGA) coverage”, “Female ICT specialists”, “e-Invoices”, “Big data” and positively associated with “Open Data”, “e-Government Users”, “ICT for environmental sustainability”, “Artificial intelligence”, “Cloud”, “SMEs with at least a basic level of digital intensity”, “ICT Specialists”, “At least 1 Gbps take-up”, “At least 100 Mbps fixed BB take-up”, “Fixed Very High Capacity Network (VHCN) coverage”. A cluster analysis was carried out below using the unsupervised k-Means algorithm optimized with the Silhouette coefficient with the identification of 4 clusters. Finally, a comparison was made between eight different machine learning algorithms using "augmented data". The most efficient algorithm in predicting the value of e-government both in the historical series and with augmented data is the ANN-Artificial Neural Network.
The Impact of the Dividend Policy on the Price Volatilization of Common Stock–Evidence from the Stock Market of Hong Kong
Authors: Kam Wai Tong
Published: March 2022

This paper intends to examine whether a company’s policy of dividend would impact or influence the price fluctuation of respective common stock in the designated stock market particularly in Hong Kong. Hence, there are 354 companies in Hong Kong which are all listed company on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (HKEX), were chosen as sample data for analysis with their audited financial information ranged from 2001 to 2020. Two proxies, the yield and the ratio of pay-out of dividend were widely adopted for the measurement of the effect of dividend policy and the possible influence on the volatility of respective common stock price by employing two statistical models, which are the model of fixed and random effects to provide accurate regression coefficients. With the results from the model of fixed effects, the yield and the pay-out ratio of dividend have been found statistically associated to the price volatilization of respective common stock in Hong Kong. The statical results in this study also find the yield and the ratio of pay-out of dividend are apparently and negatively associated to the price volatilization of respective common stock in Hong Kong. The research outcomes will be a reference for further study on different variables may have effects or volatilize the price of common stock price particularly in Hong Kong capital market.
Pluripotent Core in Bovine Embryos: A Review
Authors: Aguila Luis , Osycka-Salut Claudia , Treulen Favian , Felmer Ricardo
Published: March 2022

Early development in mammals is characterized by the ability of each cell to produce a complete organism plus the extraembryonic, or placental, cells, defined as pluripotency. During subsequent development, pluripotency is lost, and cells begin to differentiate to a particular cell fate. This review summarizes the current knowledge of pluripotency features of bovine embryos cultured in vitro, focusing on the core of pluripotency genes (OCT4, NANOG, SOX2, and CDX2), and main chemical strategies for controlling pluripotent networks during early development. Finally, we will discuss the applicability of manipulating pluripotency during morula to blastocyst transition in cattle species.
Helicobacter Pylori in Native Americans in Northern Arizona
Authors: Monroy Fernando P , Brown Heidi E. , Sanderson Priscilla R. , Jarrin Gregory , Mbegbu Mimi , Kyman Shari , Harris Robin H
Published: March 2022

Background: In Arizona Helicobacter pylori prevalence of infection among Navajo adults is about 62% and gastric cancer incidence rate is 3-4 times higher than that of the non-Hispanic White population. Aim: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of specific H. pylori virulence factors (cagA and vacA) among Navajo patients undergoing and their association with gastric disease. Methods: Virulence genes, cagA and vacA, in H. pylori were investigated in gastric biopsies from 96 Navajo patients over age 18 who were undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Biopsies from the antrum and fundus were used for molecular characterization to determine cagA type and number of EPIYA motifs and presence of alleles in the signal (s) and medium (m) regions of the vacA gene. Results: H. pylori infection was found in 22.9% of the biopsy samples. The cagA gene amplified in 57.6% of samples and showed a predominant “Western cagA” type, with the EPIYA-ABC motif (45.4%), most prevalent. The vacA allele s1bm1 was the most prevalent (54.5%). Conclusions: H. pylori genotypes were predominantly cagA Western-type and ABC EPIYA motifs. The vacA s1bm1 genotype was the most prevalent and seemed to be associated with gastritis. American Indian/Alaska Native populations are at higher risk for gastric cancer. It is important to identify genotypes of H. pylori and virulence factors involved in the high prevalence of H. pylori and associated disease among the Navajo population.
University Libraries of Pakistan, Application of Social Media to Market Library Sources and Services
Authors: Muhammad Anwar , Zhewei Tang
Published: March 2022

Purpose –The basic purpose of this paper is to find out the librarians perceptions, skills, most effective and constrains to use social media for the marketing purposes in the University libraries and to examine how these libraries perceive the importance of social media marketing. Design/methodology/approach –A nation-wide online survey on University libraries in the Pakistan was conducted to flourish this study, and a total number of 161 responses were used to analyze collected data. Findings –This study revealed the application of social media in university Libraries is very high .The results also disclosed that University libraries observe social media as a substantial tool to increase marketing of library sources and services anticipate to increase their use. Practical implications –The findings of this study can help as a parameter for University libraries when engaging social media for marketing purposes in their libraries. Originality/value –This study calculated the present situation of social media use for marketing in the University Libraries environment, a background that has been under-study in the literature, from these perspectives: perceptions, Skills, effectiveness, practices and constrains
Race, Utilization, and Outcomes in Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Alvarez Paul M. , McKeon John F. , Spitzer Andrew I. , Krueger Chad A. , Pigott Matthew , Li Mengnai , Vajapey Sravya P.
Published: March 2022

Background:

Previous studies have shown that utilization and outcomes of total joint arthroplasty (TJA) are not equivalent across different patient cohorts. This systematic review was designed to evaluate the currently available evidence regarding the effect that patient race has, if any, on utilization and outcomes of lower-extremity arthroplasty in the United States.

Methods:

A literature search of the MEDLINE database was performed using keywords such as “disparities,” “arthroplasty,” “race,” “joint replacement,” “hip,” “knee,” “inequities,” “inequalities,” “health,” and “outcomes” in all possible combinations. All English-language studies with a level of evidence of I through IV published over the last 20 years were considered for inclusion. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed on the collected data.

Results:

A total of 82 articles were included. There was a significantly lower utilization rate of lower-extremity TJA among Black, Hispanic, and Asian patients compared with White patients (p < 0.05). Black and Hispanic patients had lower expectations regarding postoperative outcomes and their ability to participate in various activities after surgery, and they were less likely than White patients to be familiar with the arthroplasty procedure prior to presentation to the orthopaedic surgeon (p < 0.05). Black patients had increased risks of major complications, readmissions, revisions, and discharge to institutional care after TJA compared with White patients (p < 0.05). Hispanic patients had increased risks of complications (p < 0.05) and readmissions (p < 0.0001) after TJA compared with White patients. Black and Hispanic patients reached arthroplasty with poorer preoperative functional status, and all minority patients were more likely to undergo TJA at low-quality, low-volume hospitals compared with White patients (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

This systematic review shows that lower-extremity arthroplasty utilization differs by racial/ethnic group, and that some of these differences may be partly explained by patient expectations, preferences, and cultural differences. This study also shows that outcomes after lower-extremity arthroplasty differ vastly by racial/ethnic group, and that some of these differences may be driven by differences in preoperative functional status and unequal access to care.

Level of Evidence:

Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
The Analysis of the Culture-Related Contents in an Indonesian English Textbook
Authors: Riadini Ulya Safira , Cahyono Bambang Yudi
Published: March 2022

This research analyzed the presentation of culture-related contents of the tenth-grade senior high school English textbook. The textbook was published by the Ministry of Education and Culture of Republic Indonesia. The written texts that contain cultural information were identified by employing content analysis based on Cortazzi & Jin (1999) three sources of cultural information, and coded under the eight categories by Byram (1993). Cortazzi & Jin (1999) categorization is used to portray the presentation of culture-related contents in the English textbook. The written texts were classified into those sources, and Byram (1993) checklist was used in the procedure of the content analysis mentioned earlier. The scope of the cultural content and how it meets the needs of cultural teaching in English language teaching are revealed in this checklist. The findings showed that the EFL textbook not only reflects the target cultures, but also source cultures and international cultures. The materials present source cultures as the most frequently depicted cultures and the international cultures are the least frequently depicted cultures. In conclusion, the materials related to culture in this English textbook are well represented to be integrated into the English language teaching and learning process.
Indonesian EFL Learners’ Reading Motivation
Authors: Indrayadi Toni
Published: March 2022

Motivation in reading is very important for engaging learners in reading activity which can affect better reading comprehension. However, without motivation in reading can affect the worst reading comprehension. Therefore, motivation in reading needs to be constructed first by the teachers. This study examined whether intrinsic and extrinsic reading motivation different among students and reading motivation in general. This study used a descriptive quantitative approach with a survey design. Eighty-five third-year students voluntarily returned the motivation reading questionnaire about their motivation in reading. The data were analyzed through descriptive statistics using SPSS 23 and criteria-referenced and norm-referenced interpretations. From the analysis, it was found that most extrinsic reading motivation dimension percentages were slightly higher than intrinsic motivation and reading motivation dimension percentages in general in high category percentage. This study concludes that the external reason likely influenced students' motivation in reading. The students who were more motivated to read in this study were because of the expectation to get appreciation from others, good grades, better information from the text, and to finish the assignment. It also implies the theory of motivating students to engage with English reading texts.
Investigating the Use of Speech Act of Suggestions of Turkish ELT Students
Authors: Şenel Müfit
Published: March 2022

This paper outlines an attempt to research the speech act of suggestion of ELT students majoring at a state university in Turkey. A written discourse completion task (WDCT) and a semi-structured interview were used to collect data. The WDCT was developed by the researcher, and the responses of the participants were analyzed based on Martinez-Flor’s speech act of suggestion criteria. Regarding the participants' answers, it can be said that most of the participants used more conventionalized forms rather than the other forms. The data revealed that ‘direct strategies’ were the least used ones, but ‘hints’ were never used.  Moreover, gender and high school differences did not play a prominent role in the production of suggestion strategies. It is believed that the findings of this study will enlighten our knowledge to understand some Turkish EFL/ELT university students’ production and perception of the speech act of suggestion because most of the studies in the Turkish context were about either refusal or complaining strategies; therefore, this study is believed to fill in this gap in this area. Correspondingly, this present study will also pave the ground to reconsider some critical points regarding the gap in the literature.
Challenges Faced by Bachelor Level Students While Speaking English
Authors: Chand Gambhir Bahadur
Published: March 2022

Speaking is regarded as an indicator of language proficiency in general. It is believed that a learner who can speak a particular language fluently is regarded as a proficient learner of that language.  In the context of Nepal, the English language is taken as a foreign language and taught from elementary level to university level as a compulsory subject but Nepalese students in general and university students in particular, face a lot of difficulties in speaking English fluently. Even after completing their graduate degree, some of them could not speak a little bit of English. This present study tried to explore the difficulties faced by undergraduate level students and the possible causes of their difficulties in speaking skills. This is an empirical qualitative study in which the researcher adopted a questionnaire and semi-structured interview to collect data from 15 undergraduate level students studying at the University. The collected data were thematized and analyzed in terms of two broad categories: Difficulties and causes with four/four subcategories of the broad themes. The study explored mainly: personal, social, environmental, and linguistic problems for speaking difficulties and teacher and teaching, course content, overuse of mother tongue, poor schooling, and classroom culture as the causal factors of speaking deficiency. The study suggested creating a favorable environment, maximizing learner autonomy, changing teaching practices, revising courses, and conducting speaking activities time and again.
Facile Synthesis of Cadmium Doped Graphite Carbon Nitride for Photocatalytic Degradation of Tetracycline Under Visible Light Irradiation
Authors: zhao yin , qin hong , wang ziwei , wang han , he yangzhuo , Tian Quyang , luo Qianlan , Xu Piao
Published: March 2022

Using semiconductor photocatalysts for antibiotic contaminants degradation under visible light has become a hot topic in recent years. Herein, a novel and ingenious cadmium doped graphite phase carbon nitride (Cd-g-C3N4) photocatalyst was successfully constructed via 60°C oil bath method to degrade tetracycline. Experimental and characterization results revealed that cadmium was well doped at g-C3N4 surface and exhibited high intercontact with g-C3N4. Additionally, the introduction of cadmium significantly improved the photocatalytic activity, and the optimum degradation efficiency of 10-Cd-g-C3N4 reached to 98.1%, which was exceeded 2.0 times than pure g-C3N4 (43.9%). Meanwhile, the 10-Cd-g-C3N4 sample presented higher electrical conductivity, light absorption property and photogenerated electron-hole pairs migration compared with bare g-C3N4. Additionally, the quenching experiments and electron spin-resonance tests were exhibited holes (h+), hydroxyl radicals (•OH) and superoxide radicals (•O2−) were main active species involved in TC degradation. Equally, the effects of various conditions on photocatalytic efficiency, such as pH, initial TC concentrations and catalyst dosage, were also researched. This work gives a reasonable point to synthesize high-efficiency and economic photocatalysts.
On the mathematical lifetime mechanism of Chinese dynasties
Authors: Cao Yufei
Published: March 2022

The long history of China is composed of different imperial dynasties. However, all dynasties only survive limited time and follow the identical development process, which is a dynamical process from establishment to extinction. Based on the historical fact about the Chinese dynasties, this paper proposes a continuous-time Markov chain model combined with Coxian phase-type distributions to investigate the survival time for Chinese dynasties. Our model includes four different states, which correspond to the four typical social and political states for the traditional Chinese imperial dynasties. Three states are transient, which are the establishment state, the prosperity state, the rottenness state, and one state is absorbing, which is the perishment state. We use the historical survival time data for Chinese dynasties to estimate our model by maximizing the log-likelihood function. We obtain the closed-forms for the transition probabilities, the survival function and the force of mortality for Chinese dynasties. The analysis for hitting times and absorption probabilities shows that Chinese dynasties can survive 92 years on average. We use our model to conduct the phases analysis, which can be used to predict the current social state given the excising survival years for Chinese dynasties. Based on our analysis, we give suggestions on foreign policy and business.