bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acoustic and elastic finite-difference modeling by optimal variable-length spatial operators
Authors: Liu Yang
Published: November 2019

Time-space domain finite-difference modeling has always had the problem of spatial and temporal dispersion. High-order finite-difference methods are commonly used to suppress spatial dispersion. Recently developed time-dispersion transforms can effectively eliminate temporal dispersion from seismograms produced by the conventional modeling of high-order spatial and second-order temporal finite differences. To improve the efficiency of the conventional modeling, I have developed optimal variable-length spatial finite differences to efficiently compute spatial derivatives involved in acoustic and elastic wave equations. First, considering that temporal dispersion can be removed, I prove that minimizing the relative error of the phase velocity can be approximately implemented by minimizing that of the spatial dispersion. Considering that the latter minimization depends on the wavelength that is dependent on the velocity, in this sense, this minimization is indirectly related to the velocity, and thus leads to variation of the spatial finite-difference operator with velocity for a heterogeneous model. Second, I use the Remez exchange algorithm to obtain finite-difference coefficients with the lowest spatial dispersion error over the largest possible wavenumber range. Then, dispersion analysis indicates the validity of the approximation and the algorithm. Finally, I use modeling examples to determine that the optimal variable-length spatial finite difference can greatly increase the modeling efficiency, compared to the conventional fixed-length one. Stability analysis and modeling experiments also indicate that the variable-length finite difference can adopt a larger time step to perform stable modeling than the fixed-length one for inhomogeneous models.
Extra-Large Gα Protein (XLαs) Deficiency Causes Severe Adenine-Induced Renal Injury with Massive FGF23 Elevation
Authors: Matthias Julia , Cui Qiuxia , Shumate Lauren T , Plagge Antonius , He Qing , Bastepe Murat
Published: November 2019

Fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23) is critical for phosphate and vitamin D homeostasis. Cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying FGF23 production remain poorly defined. The extra-large Gα subunit (XLαs) is a variant of the stimulatory G protein alpha-subunit (Gsα), which mediates the stimulatory action of parathyroid hormone in skeletal FGF23 production. XLαs ablation causes diminished FGF23 levels in early postnatal mice. Herein we found that plasma FGF23 levels were comparable in adult XLαs knockout (XLKO) and wild-type littermates. Upon adenine-rich diet-induced renal injury, a model of chronic kidney disease, both mice showed increased levels of plasma FGF23. Unexpectedly, XLKO mice had markedly higher FGF23 levels than WT mice, with higher blood urea nitrogen and more severe tubulopathy. FGF23 mRNA levels increased substantially in bone and bone marrow in both genotypes; however, the levels in bone were markedly higher than in bone marrow. In XLKO mice, a positive linear correlation was observed between plasma FGF23 and bone, but not bone marrow, FGF23 mRNA levels, suggesting that bone, rather than bone marrow, is an important contributor to severely elevated FGF23 levels in this model. Upon folic acid injection, a model of acute kidney injury, XLKO and WT mice exhibited similar degrees of tubulopathy; however, plasma phosphate and FGF23 elevations were modestly blunted in XLKO males, but not in females, compared to WT counterparts. Our findings suggest that XLαs ablation does not substantially alter FGF23 production in adult mice but increases susceptibility to adenine-induced kidney injury, causing severe FGF23 elevations in plasma and bone.
The Main Factors of Labor Productivity in the Regions of the Central Federal District
Authors: Basovskiy Leonid , Basovskaya Elena
Published: November 2019

The transition to a postindustrial — information economy is capable of ensuring multiple growth in labor productivity. Until now, there is unequivocal opinion on the system of factors of economic growth and increase in labor productivity; research results are often contradictory. To identify factors that determine labor productivity, a correlation analysis of the relationships between labor productivity and indicators characterizing socio-economic and innovative factors in the regions of the Central Federal District is performed. It was revealed that in 2015, 2016 and 2017 labor capital, non-obsolete fixed assets, investments in fixed assets, foreign investments, employed workers with higher education, the level of wages and income inequality, the number of students, the development of transport infrastructure, the use of computers and the Internet, the number of employees engaged in scientific research developments, including those with advanced degrees, graduate school graduation, innovative activity of organizations, and exports had a significant effect. The number of employees in government bodies has a negative effect. The multicollenarity of the indicators characterizing the tested factors will allow us to consider that half of the identified factors are independent.
The effect of the natural degradation process on the cellulose structure of Moroccan hardwood fiber: a survey on spectroscopy and structural properties
Authors: Boukir Abdellatif , Mehyaoui Ikram , Fellak Somia , Asia Laurence , Doumenq Pierre
Published: November 2019

The aim of this work is to study the effect of natural degradation on the cellulose structure conformation changes of 2 ageing Moroccan hardwoods (400 and 500 years) compared to recent one considered as a reference; and to provide information on the polymorphs content variability from two-phases material (crystalline and amorphous) influenced by a long time of ageing and environmental degradation effects. In order to investigate the effects of both natural degradation conditions and a long time of exposure on cellulose structure conformation (examined samples) with estimating their content (crystalline and amorphous cellulose), three combined techniques XRD, ATR-FTIR and FT-Raman spectroscopy were used. XRD results associated with the crystallographic planes and Miller indices provide information on the presence of a mixture of celluloses polymorphs (crystalline cellulose I, II, Ib and amorphous phase). The decrease in crystallinity-index values from recent to aged ones (38 to 19.5%) confirms well the occurred alteration of crystalline cellulose fibres and their evolution towards a high content of the amorphous form. The prominent regression in the intensities of three FTIR fingerprint cellulose regions evolving towards an overall increase in the intensities of C=O area (1733-1630 cm-1) is a sign on the introduced changes on cellulose conformation and cellulose fibres degradation more accentuated in the case of the very aged sample (500 years). Similar results were confirmed by combining FT-Raman spectroscopy as a vibrational technique. No work has been done on this genus of degraded Moroccan hardwood and the relevance of this study is to investigate the compositional content and structural conformation, to determine the variability in the forms of both crystalline and amorphous cellulose phases with estimating the evolution of their polymorphism, and to monitor the degree of crystalline cellulose fibres deterioration.
Adsorption of the anionic dye methyl orange on used artificial zeolites: kinetic study and modeling of experimental data.
Authors: Bensalah Jaouad , Habsaoui Amar , Abbou Brahim , Kadiri Lamya , Lebkiri Imane , Lebkiri Ahmed , Rifi El Housseine
Published: November 2019

The adsorption of methyl orange (MO) dye by artificial zeolites beads, used previously in the removal of heavy metal through the ionic exchange process, has been studied. The effect of several parameters such as temperature, MO concentration, and zeolite mass on MO adsorption was tested in order to determinate optimal conditions. All results have shown that the adsorption process was influenced by the studied parameters. The kinetic data concerning the study of temperature effect was modeled through pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order to determinate the adsorption mechanism. Thermodynamic parameters were calculated using the Van’t Hoff equation. Also, they have shown that the studied process has an endothermic, stable and spontaneous nature.
Die Filmprimadonna (The Film Primadonna, 1913): A case study of the fiction of a screenplay and the process of filmmaking in German early cinema
Authors: Henschen Jan
Published: November 2019

A case study on Urban Gad’s German shooting script for Die Filmprimadonna (The Film Primadonna, 1913) reviews the screenplay in the production process shortly after the emergence of multiple-reel feature films. In the dramatic story of the rise and fall of a film prima donna, a fictitious screenplay plays an idiosyncratic function in filmmaking that sketches, for the cinematic audience of that time, a specific idea of how and why an appropriate script has to be made. The article offers an analysis of Gad’s preserved script and demonstrates that this screen-idea contrasts with the value and agency of screenplays in the historic mode of production in 1913. Inasmuch as the plot of the movie simply highlights the function of acting, Die Filmprimadonna as a script itself functions as a complex and highly composed agent in the process of filmmaking – as both a narrative and, equally, a production schedule for the film.
Once again into the cabinets of Dr. Caligari: Evil spaces and hidden sources of the Caligari screenplay
Authors: Ksenofontova Alexandra
Published: November 2019

This article poses a question previously overlooked in the tremendous body of research on Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari: why does the cabinet take such a prominent place in the title alongside the protagonist? The question is approached through a reading of the Caligari screenplay, which reveals that its narrative can be fruitfully conceived as a struggle of ‘evil spaces’. Pursuing the origins of this original spatial structure, the article uncovers a close connection between the script and the popular fantasy novels of the early twentieth century, in particular the only novel by the Austrian graphic artist Alfred Kubin. It is finally argued that acknowledging this connection to fantasy novels as well as the importance of the spatial structure in the Caligari script allows us to reconsider the crude opposition between the script’s narrative and the film’s set design that is prevalent in the existing research on the film.
An Elementary Proof of the General Poincaré Formula for λ-additive Measures
Authors: Dombi József , Jónás Tamás
Published: November 2019

In a previous paper of ours [4], we presented the general formula for lambda-additive measure of union of n sets and gave a proof of it. That proof is based on the fact that the lambda-additive measure is representable. In this study, a novel and elementary proof of the formula for lambda-additive measure of the union of n sets is presented. Here, it is also demonstrated that, using elementary techniques, the well-known Poincare formula of probability theory is just a limit case of our general formula.
Child Maltreatment: Brief Communication
Authors: Macêdo Amanda Plácido da Silva , Maia Monnic Maria Lóssio Rocha , Pereira Izadora De Sousa , Figueiredo Thânia Maria Rodrigues , Rolim Neto Modesto Leite
Published: November 2019

Child maltreatment has serious consequences, including increasing an individual's risk of physical and mental health problems across their life course. Objective: Here we show that there  is an important public health message to focus, not only on approaches that prevent or detect childhood maltreatment, but also to explore methods of prevention and detection of mental ill health. Results: The study Childhood maltreatment and adult suicidality: a comprehensive systematic review with meta-analysis (2019) showed that all different types of childhood maltreatment including sexual abuse [odds ratio (OR) 3.17, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.76–3.64], physical abuse (OR 2.52, 95% CI 2.09–3.04) and emotional abuse (OR 2.49, 95% CI 1.64–3.77) were associated with two- to three-fold increased risk for suicide attempts. Conclusion: It is important to highlight emotional violence may actually be more powerful than physical and sexual abuse in its impact on adolescent suicide behaviors in low- and middle-income countries. Keywords: Child Maltreatment; Mental Health; Prevention.
Hidrodinâmica do Sistema Aquífero Cárstico Bambuí, com uso de traçadores corantes, na região de Lagoa Santa, Minas Gerais
Authors: Teodoro Maria Isabel Pereira , Velásquez Leila Nunes Menegasse , Fleming Peter Marshall , Paula Rodrigo Sérgio , Souza Rogério Tadeu , Doi Bruno Mamoru
Published: November 2019

A área estudada localiza-se a 30 km a norte de Belo Horizonte e engloba a Área de Proteção Ambiental Carste de Lagoa Santa. A Formação Sete Lagoas é a principal unidade aflorante, configurando uma geomorfologia cárstica diversa, caracterizada por canyons, vales cegos, dolinas e cavernas. Em subsuperfície, uma rede de condutos forma aquíferos cársticos que abrigam importantes reservas hídricas, que vêm sofrendo riscos qualitativos e quantitativos face a acentuada pressão da expansão demográfica e industrial. Empregando-se a técnica de injeção de traçadores corantes, procurou-se estabelecer as interconexões hidráulicas, condições hidrodinâmicas das rotas de fluxo, configurações da recarga, circulação e descarga desses aquíferos. Foram executados dez ensaios quali-quantitativos utilizando Fluoresceína e Rodamina WT. Resultados positivos para interconexões hídricas foram observados em sete ensaios, desvendando-se a proveniência de 68,3%, 13,0%, 70,2%, 41,3% das descargas em quatro surgências. As velocidades médias aparentes variaram de 9,5x10-3 m/s a 4,49x10-2 m/s e de 1,43x10-2 m/s a 6,27x10-2 m/s considerando-se o fator de sinuosidade da rota, o que evidencia a alta velocidade dos fluxos.
The role of ‘intermediaries’ in brokering training and building social compacts: Can sector skills authorities perform these roles?
Authors: Kraak André
Published: November 2019

This article focuses on the modus operandi of the sector education and training authorities (SETAs) in South Africa – seen by many critics of the training system as largely driven by the regulatory pressures of financial compliance imposed on public-sector organisations by the all-powerful Public Finance Management Act 29 of 1999 (PFMA). The article proposes an alternative modus operandi, one informed by the literature on ‘intermediaries’, where the main function of such intermediary organisations is not financial compliance but the strategic ‘brokering’ of training compacts. The article first outlines the role of the SETAs and the problems with a compliance mode of working. In explaining the alternative of intermediation, the discussion considers some best practices of intermediation in South Africa, but concludes that such practices are not fully diffused across the entire training system. Why diffusion is so poor is revealed through interviews with leaders in the training system.1 The analysis concludes on a positive note, arguing that the ‘social compact’ politics being emphasised by the new South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, could usher in a more conducive environment for brokering training and job compacts.
TVET policy in South Africa: Caught between neo-liberalism and privatisation?
Authors: Needham Seamus
Published: November 2019

Technical and vocational education and training (TVET) policy in South Africa since 1994 has stressed the vital importance of this sector in contributing to economic growth and alleviating socio-economic inequities. Twenty years after these policies were first set down and replicated in subsequent legislation, South Africa’s TVET sector has not been able to contribute to the key policy priority of reducing unemployment. Moreover, the sector has had a limited impact on achieving the nation’s economic goals. From the perspective of developing human capital, significant state investment in this sector has realised very low economic returns. There is extensive literature on the privatisation of education and the effects this has had on education and training policies and systems. This article draws on theoretical approaches that analyse the internal and external changes to public education and training systems as a result of privatisation. Furthermore, the article argues that both public and private TVET providers have been subjected to differing endogenous and exogenous privatisation approaches as defined by Ball and Youdell (2007). These dual approaches have affected the ability of the TVET college sector to respond effectively to South Africa’s education and training needs for economic growth, despite the prioritisation of this sector in government policy.
TEOREMA TITIK TETAP FUNGSI YANG KONTRAKSI TEGAS
Authors: Inuhan Michael , Indrati Ch. Rini
Published: November 2019

In this paper, it will be discussed some fixed point theorems in ultrametric spaces. By using spherically complete properties, it can be shown that there exists a unique fixed point of strictly contractive function. At the end, it will be shown there exists fixed point of strictly contracting on orbits function.
ELEMEN SIMETRIS DAN SIMETRIS DIPERUMUM PADA RING DENGAN INVOLUSI
Authors: Udjiani SRRM Titi
Published: November 2019

The definition of symmetric element in a ring with unity and equipped with involution can be generalized to generalized symmetric elements. But the properties of symmetric element not automatically can be generalized to generalized symmetric elements. In this paper, we discuss the property of symmetric element which can or cannot be generalized to generalized symmetric elements. Because of at least there is an element of symmetric and generalized symmetric elements which   have the generalized Moore Penrose inverse, so method in this paper is by establishing a relationship between symmetric element, generalized symmetric element and generalized Moore Penrose inverse of element.
MENGKONSTRUKSI DIRECT PRODUCT NEAR RING DAN SMARANDACHE NEAR RING
Authors: Bagas Rizky Muhammad , Udjiani SRRM Titi , Harjito Harjito
Published: November 2019

If we have two arbitrary non empty sets  ,then their cartesian product can be constructed. Cartesian products of two sets can be generalized into  number of  sets. It has been found that if the algebraic structure of groups and rings are seen as any set, then the phenomenon of cartesian products of  sets  can be extended to groups and rings. Direct products of groups and rings can be obtained by adding binary operations to the cartesian product. This paper answers the question of whether the direct product phenomenon of groups and rings can also be extended at the  near ring and Smarandache near ring ?. The method in this paper is  by following the method in groups and rings, namely by seen that  near ring and Smarandache near ring  as a set and then build their cartesian products. Next,  the binary operations is adding to the cartesian  products that have been obtained to build the direct product definitions of near ring and near ring Smarandache.
METODE MULTIPLE IMPUTATION UNTUK MENGATASI KOVARIAT TAK LENGKAP PADA DATA KEJADIAN BERULANG
Authors: Utami Rianti Siswi , Danardono Danardono
Published: November 2019

Multiple imputation is one of estimation method used to impute missing observations. This method imputes missing observation several times then it is more possible to get the right estimate than just one time imputation. In this research, the method will be applied to estimate missing observations in covariates of recurrent event data. Some multiple imputation methods will be considered including combination of the event indicator, the event  times,   the logarithm of event times, and the cumulative baseline hazard. To compare these methods, Monte Carlo simulation will be used based on relative bias and Mean Squared Error (MSE). The recurrent events will be modelled using Cox proportional hazard model. Furthermore, real data application will be presented.
NORMA OPERATOR PADA RUANG FUNGSI TERINTEGRAL DUNFORD
Authors: Solikhin Solikhin , Hariyanto Susilo , Sumanto Y.D. , Aziz Abdul
Published: November 2019

We are discussed operator norms on spce of Dunford integral function. We show that for a function which Dunford integral, operator from dual space into space of Lebesgue integral  is a bounded linear operator. Furthermore, sets of all bounded linear operator is a linear space and it is a normed space by norm certain. Finally, the distance function generated by the norm is metrix space.
Preparation, Characterization and Rheological Behavior of Glutathione-Chitosan Conjugates in Aqueous Media
Authors: Ciro Yhors , Rojas John , Yarce Cristian J. , Salamanca Constain H.
Published: November 2019

Glutathione-chitosan conjugates are adequate carriers for anticancer treatment due to their ability for inhibition of efflux pumps, improved mucoadhesivity and in-situ gelling. These conjugates were obtained via carbodiimide at different reaction times in order to get different thiolation degrees (i.e., 4.4!, 5.1! and 7.0!) and their behavior in aqueous media at a pH of 4, 5 and 6 was assessed by measurements of hydrodynamic diameter, zeta potential and rheological analyses at a pH ranging from 4 to 6. Data examination was conducted by principal component analysis (PCA) which in turn explained 73.1! of data variability. All samples showed a Newtonian flow and thiolation rendered materials with a highly pronounced temperature-dependent behavior and a gel-like structure. In turn, the phase shift angle was the most prominent rheological change especially at a pH of 5.0 and 6.0 due to the formation of disulfide bonds. The thiolation degree was the most influential factor and it was inversely related to particle charge and consistency index.
PREDICT: a checklist for preventing preanalytical diagnostic errors in clinical trials
Authors: Lippi Giuseppe , von Meyer Alexander , Cadamuro Janne , Simundic Ana-Maria
Published: November 2019

Although the importance of guaranteeing a high level of preanalytical quality in routine diagnostic testing has already been largely acknowledged over the past decades, minor emphasis is currently being placed on the fact that accurate performance and standardization of many preanalytical activities are also necessary prerogatives of clinical trials. Reliable evidence exists that clear indications on how to manage the different preanalytical steps are currently lacking in many clinical trials protocols, nor have detailed authoritative documents been published or endorsed on this matter to the best of our knowledge. To fill this gap, the European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EFLM) Working Group for Preanalytical Phase (WG-PRE) will provide here a specific checklist for preventing preanalytical diagnostic errors in clinical trials (PREDICT), especially focused on covering the most important preanalytical aspects of blood sample management in clinical studies, and thus encompassing test selection, patient preparation, sample collection, management and storage, sample transportation, as well as specimen retrieval before testing. The WG-PRE members sincerely hope that these recommendations will provide a useful contribution for increasing the success rate in clinical trials.
Social bureaucracy? The integration of social media into government communication
Authors: Figenschou Tine Ustad
Published: November 2019

Inspired by an institutional logics approach, this article analyzes the barriers to and drivers of the integration of social media in the communication practices in Norwegian ministries. Drawing on rich ethnographic data, the paper analyzes the process of integrating social media logic into government communication units that were largely organized through a news media regime. To understand the process, it emphasizes four dimensions: how the symbolic resources, material resources, formal rules and practices have defined the logics of government communication in the period studied (May 2015–May 2016). The analysis meets the call for more empirical investigation into the interplay between the traditional news logics and new digital logics.
Two General Lessons from the 2019 Personal Income Tax Reform of China
Authors: An Zhiyong
Published: November 2019

We have identified two general lessons, suggested from the 2019 personal income tax reform of China, regarding third-party reporting, tax compliance, and tax incidence. First, third-party reporting is an effective mechanism to enforce tax compliance. Second, tax evasion can affect tax incidence. We argue that these two general lessons are important for both academic researchers and policymakers.
Engaging Stakeholders for Collaborative Decision Making in Humanitarian Logistics Using System Dynamics
Authors: Guo Xuesong , Kapucu Naim
Published: November 2019

Participatory System Dynamics modeling is presented as a methodology to engage stakeholders in collaborative decision making in scenarios involving humanitarian logistics. Using the System Dynamics (SD) model, we simulated different scenarios, the results of which yielded factors that influence performance of humanitarian logistics. Once these were identified and discussed, different options on performance improvement were tested. This approach showed that the SD model can facilitate system thinking for stakeholders and form shared mental models critical to reaching consensus-based decisions in humanitarian logistics situations.
Framing constructicography
Authors: Boas Hans C. , Lyngfelt Benjamin , Torrent Tiago Timponi
Published: November 2019

Constructicography can be defined as a blend between Construction Grammar and Practical Lexicography, which aims at developing constructicons: repositories of form and function pairings in a language. In this paper, we present a comprehensive overview of this emerging field by (i) tracking the origins of both Frame Semantics and Construction Grammar and the repercussions of their intertwined developments to Computational Lexicography and Constructicography; (ii) comparing the impacts of the different degrees of interconnection between constructicons and framenets and (iii) discussing the possible applications of these resources. Also, we argue that Constructicography, while obviously building on the accumulated knowledge compiled by numerous Construction Grammar approaches to language, also contributes to its mother theory, since the effort to build coherent formalized computational resources forces constructionist analysis to go beyond describing families of constructions into the enterprise of describing a coherent construction grammar of a language.
The German Constructicon Project: Framework, methodology, resources
Authors: Ziem Alexander , Flick Johanna , Sandkühler Phillip
Published: November 2019

The paper introduces aims and efforts of the German Constructicon Project (GCP) (www.german-constructicon.de) hosted at the University of Düsseldorf. The ultimate goal of the project is not only to identify and describe oftentimes overlooked grammatical constructions, but also to offer comprehensive descriptions of them in a dictionary-like online repository. Each construction entry is intended to provide all relevant grammatical information necessary to understand and correctly use the respective grammatical construction. Based on constructicographical analyses of authentic corpus examples, the paper reports on the methodological foundations of GCP, most importantly the annotation categories used, as well as on the computational work routine yielding construction entries. The routine includes five consecutive steps, (i) subcorporation and preliminary analysis, (ii) parsing pipeline (automatic annotations of part of speech, phrase type and grammatical function), (iii) semantic annotations, (iv) semi-automatic analyses of the annotations and, finally, (v) compilation of construction entries. For illustration, we present the geschweige denn (‘let alone’) construction in its habitat of the negating_connector construction family. The paper concludes with outlining a full-fledged construction entry for geschweige denn in the German Constructicon.
Gebrauchsbasierte Phraseologie des Italienischen: Digitale Lexikographie zwischen Frame-Semantik und Konstruktionsgrammatik
Authors: Schafroth Elmar , Imperiale Riccardo
Published: November 2019

This article presents the lexicographical-phraseological research project GEPHRI (Usage-based Phraseology of Italian), whose theoretical foundation lies at the interface between corpus-based construction grammar and frame semantics. First, the theoretical framework will be defined (chapter 2) and then the concepts ‘internalʼ and ‘external syntaxʼ will be discussed (chapter 3). In chapter 4, the methods and problems of practical implementation are illustrated by means of specific case studies.
Towards a valency and argument structure constructicon of English: Turning the valency patternbank into a constructicon
Authors: Herbst Thomas , Uhrig Peter
Published: November 2019

This article describes the project of a Valency Constructicon, i. e. a constructicon that covers low level valency constructions of individual verbs and links them to more general argument structure constructions. It will be shown how the Erlangen Valency Patternbank can be converted into a constructicon. The project is intended to develop a new type of reference work, but at the same time it can be seen as a test case for constructionist theory with respect to the generalizability of constructions.
Interpreting collocations: An analysis of collocation dictionaries of: English, German and Russian
Authors: Garibyan Armine
Published: November 2019

Unless online collocation tools have not become common yet, printed collocation dictionaries are still one of the few sources of checking collocative possibilities of a lexical unit. The aim of this paper is to analyse one printed collocation dictionary in each of the 3 languages: English, German and Russian and see which interpretation of collocation was focused on and what user groups were targeted. Also, it was attempted to see whether the morphological specificity of the languages was taken consideration of as compared to the structure of these dictionaries, and further determine whether inclusion or exclusion of certain language-specific information aims at a particular group of target users.
Imprinted plasmonic measuring nanocylinders for nanoscale volumes of materials
Authors: Zhu Jinfeng , Chen Xizhao , Xie Yinong , Ou Jun-Yu , Chen Huanyang , Liu Qing Huo
Published: November 2019

Optical measurement of materials at the nanoscale is important for nanotechnology. Various plasmonic nanorulers have been studied for measuring nanoscale distance and orientation of materials, but they lack the capability to contain and measure nanoscale volumes, especially for liquid or soft materials. Here, we demonstrate the use of imprinted plasmonic volumetric nanocylinders, which act as nanoscale graduated cylinders and facilitate nanomaterial measurement via visible light. Our theoretical and experimental achievements illuminate a promising method for non-destructive, low-cost and fast measurement of material volume changes at the nanoscale, which will benefit the fields of analytical chemistry, nanofabrication and biomedical sensing.
Hydrophobin HGFI–based fibre-optic biosensor for detection of antigen–antibody interaction
Authors: Duan Shaoxiang , Wang Bo , Qiao Mingqiang , Zhang Xu , Liu Bo , Zhang Hao , Song Binbin , Wu Jixuan
Published: November 2019

A compact S-tapered fibre biosensor functionalised with class I hydrophobin HGFI found in Grifola frondosa has been proposed for the first time to accrue label-free detection of reaction between goat–anti-rabbit immunoglobulin G (IgG) (GAR, antibody) and rabbit–anti-hemagglutinin IgG (R, antigen). The HGFI nanolayer self-assembled on fibre surface provides a distinguished analytical platform to implement biocompatible binding owing to its prominent amphiphilicity and remarkable optical as well as biochemical properties. Water contact angle measurements, atomic force microscopy, and immunofluorescence assay are utilised to characterize the modification properties of siliconised substrate surface with HGFI. Functionalisation of the S-tapered fibre is achieved by exploiting self-assembly of HGFI and immobilisation of GAR for specific R detection. HGFI with a concentration of 300 μg/ml allows the formation of a self-assembled amphipathic film on fibre surface, which can adsorb antibody smoothly with such desirable merits as ease of operation, fast response, good stability, good repeatability, and no side effects. Immunoassay experiments are conducted based on dip wavelengths interrogation of the interferometric transmission spectrum. In this study, we propose a novel antigen detection scheme, which could be extended for the detection of other biomolecules owing to its high integration, good specificity, real-time detection, and simple detection scheme.
Double-layer graphene on photonic crystal waveguide electro-absorption modulator with 12 GHz bandwidth
Authors: Cheng Zhao , Zhu Xiaolong , Galili Michael , Frandsen Lars Hagedorn , Hu Hao , Xiao Sanshui , Dong Jianji , Ding Yunhong , Oxenløwe Leif Katsuo , Zhang Xinliang
Published: November 2019

Graphene has been widely used in silicon-based optical modulators for its ultra-broadband light absorption and ultrafast optoelectronic response. By incorporating graphene and slow-light silicon photonic crystal waveguide (PhCW), here we propose and experimentally demonstrate a unique double-layer graphene electro-absorption modulator in telecommunication applications. The modulator exhibits a modulation depth of 0.5 dB/μm with a bandwidth of 13.6 GHz, while graphene coverage length is only 1.2 μm in simulations. We also fabricated the graphene modulator on silicon platform, and the device achieved a modulation bandwidth at 12 GHz. The proposed graphene-PhCW modulator may have potentials in the applications of on-chip interconnections.
Electrical conductivity anisotropy of copper matrix composites reinforced with SiC whiskers
Authors: Feng Jiang , Liang Shuhua , Guo Xiuhua , Zhang Yi , Song Kexing
Published: November 2019

Copper matrix composites reinforced with 1, 3, 5, 7 vol.% Cu-coated SiC whiskers of consistent orientation (SiCw/Cu) were prepared by powder metallurgy and hot extrusion. The microstructure of composites was investigated by scanning electron microscopy. The SiC whiskers were arranged along the direction of hot extrusion and distributed uniformly. The composites were fabricated into specimens with different whisker orientations, and their electrical conductivity was tested. The effects of SiC whiskers orientation and content on the electrical conductivity of composites were investigated through experiment. Results show that the SiC whiskers content was the major factor affecting the electrical conductivity of the composites. With increasing SiC whisker orientations angel, the electrical conductivity of composites is improved. The electrical conductivity model has been established by taking into account the SiC whiskers content, whisker orientation and microstructure parameters, and the results were in good agreement with experimental data.

Graphical abstract: Copper matrix composites reinforced with SiC whiskers of consistent orientation were prepared. The orientation of SiC whiskers changes from 0∘ to 90∘, resulting in electrical conductivity anisotropy of composites.
The United States and European Defense Cooperation European Strategic Autonomy and Fighter Aircraft Procurement Decisions
Authors: Hellemeier Lucas Fernando
Published: November 2019

This paper addresses a topic that has taken on increasing urgency since the presidency of Donald Trump: how can the European Union member states insure strategic autonomy in military defense? One answer given by policymakers and academics alike is that an independent industrial-military base is central to achieving autonomy. In particular, the production and procurement of military equipment ought to be EU-internal. However, the US remains the most important provider of military equipment worldwide, and many EU member states continue to procure from the US. In this context, this paper asks why some EU member states procure fighter jets from the US while others procure from European sources. It hypothesizes that those countries with a security or economic dependence on the US are more likely to continue to procure from the US. The paper tests this hypothesis with a statistical analysis that seeks a relationship between indicators of security and economic dependence on the US and procurement decision. The results this analysis yields are mixed, but I find that on average European countries that decide to procure US-made fighter are more subordinate to the US.
Fiscal policy uncertainty and US output
Authors: Popiel Michal Ksawery
Published: November 2019

The rise in US partisan conflict following the Great Recession led to a popular belief that uncertainty about fiscal policy was impeding output growth. I explore this hypothesis by nesting it in a standard structural vector autoregression (SVAR) model traditionally used for estimating fiscal multipliers. I augment the model with stochastic volatility (a measure of uncertainty) and allow that to interact with the endogenous variables. I consider various trend assumptions, subsamples and information sets and find that the evidence does not support this hypothesis. The results reveal that there is no systematic relationship between fiscal policy uncertainty and output. Moreover, a time-varying parameter version of the model shows that the lack of consistency across specifications is not driven by changes in the transmission of uncertainty shocks over time. Finally, I revisit Fernández-Villaverde, Guerrón-Quintana, Kuester, and Rubio-Ramírez (Fernández-Villaverde, J., P. Guerrón-Quintana, K. Kuester, and J. Rubio-Ramírez. 2015. “Fiscal Volatility Shocks and Economic Activity.” American Economic Review 105: 3352–3384) who find a significant negative relationship between fiscal policy uncertainty and output. I show that when their estimation is modified to incorporate the uncertainty around the estimate of uncertainty, their empirical result falls in line with the findings in this paper.
A method for high-purity isolation of neutrophil granulocytes for functional cell migration assays
Authors: Avci Edibe , Akkaya-Ulum Yeliz Z. , Yoyen-Ermis Digdem , Esendagli Gunes , Balci-Peynircioglu Banu
Published: November 2019

Background

Neutrophil-mediated killing of pathogens is one of the most significant functions of the primary defense of the host. Neutrophil activity and migration play a key role in inflammatory conditions. To gain insights into the interactions between neutrophils and neutrophil migration-related disorders, a large number of sophisticated methods have been developed. The technical limitations of isolating highly purified neutrophil populations, minimizing both cell death and activation during the isolation process, and the short lifespan of neutrophils present challenges for studying specific functions of neutrophils in vitro. In this study, we aimed to evaluate a separation medium-based density gradient method to obtain highly purified neutrophil populations and combined this protocol with a model for studying neutrophil migration in-vitro.

Materials and methods

Human granulocytes were isolated using Lympholyte-poly solution. The purity and viability of isolated neutrophils were assessed by flow cytometry and morphological analysis. Neutrophil activation was confirmed by immunocytochemistry. Lastly, filter assay was performed to measure neutrophil chemotaxis.

Results and discussion

All validation experiments revealed that this method was capable of generating a highly purified neutrophil population for further functional in-vitro assays. Consequently, this study demonstrates a quick, cost effective, and easy-to-follow model, and may be a significant alternative to isolation methods that need extra subsequent steps such as flow cytometry-based cell sorting for reaching highly purified neutrophil population.

Conclusion

The suggested combination of methods for the isolation and cell migration analysis of human neutrophils is highly recommended to use for disease models involving neutrophil migration such as autoinflammatory disorders.
Orthodoxie als vernachlässigtes Thema und als Zukunftsherausforderung der evangelischen Religionspädagogik in Deutschland
Authors: Schweitzer Friedrich , Simojoki Henrik
Published: November 2019

Der Beitrag spricht sich in kritisch-konstruktiver Absicht für eine stärkere Integration der orthodoxen Perspektive im religionspädagogischen Wissenschaftsdiskurs aus. Die Argumentation verläuft in drei Schritten: Zunächst wird die breitflächige Ausblendung des orthodoxen Christentums in der evangelischen Religionspädagogik in Deutschland ausgewiesen und problematisiert. Danach richtet sich der Blick auf religionspädagogische Initiativen der Vergangenheit und Gegenwart, die auf eine ökumenische Blickwinkelerweiterung und kooperative Öffnung hin zur Orthodoxie zielen. Abschließend werden religionsdidaktische Klärungsanliegen und religionspädagogische Kooperationsperspektiven für den zu intensivierenden Dialog mit der orthodoxen Religionspädagogik markiert.
Mucoadhesive Multiparticulate Drug Delivery Systems: An ExtensiveReview of Patents
Authors: Komati Someshwar , Swain Suryakanta , Rao Muddana Eswara Bhanoji , Jena Bikash Ranjan , Dasi Vishali
Published: November 2019

Innovations in pharmaceutical research are striving for designing newer drug therapies toeradicate deadly diseases. Strategies for such inventions always flourish with keys and objectivesof minimal adverse effects and effective treatment. Recent trends in pharmaceutical technologyspecify that mucoadhesive drug delivery system is particularly appropriate than oral controlrelease, for getting local systematic delivery of drugs in GIT for an extended interval of time ata predetermined rate. However, it is somehow expensive and unpleasant sensation for somepatients, but still it is needful for getting short enzymatic activity, simple administration withoutpain and evasion of fast pass metabolism. Usually the vehicles employed in drug delivery ofmucoadhesive system have a significant impact that draws further attention to potential benefitslike improved bioavailability of therapeutic agents, extensive drug residence time at the site ofadministration and a comparatively faster drug uptake into the systemic circulation. The drugrelease from mucoadhesive multiparticulates is contingent on several types of factors comprisingcarrier need to produce the multiparticles and quantity of medication drug contained in them.Mucoadhesion is characterized by selected theories and mechanisms. Various strategiesemergent in mucoadhesive multiparticulate drug delivery system (MMDDS) by in-vitro as wellas ex-vivo description and characterization are also critically discussed. Apart from these, theprimary focus during this review is to highlight current patents, clinical status, and regulatorypolicy for enhancement of mucoadhesive multi-particulate drug delivery system in the present scenario.
Bidirectional and Opposite Effects of Naïve Mesenchymal Stem Cells Ontumor Growth and Progression
Authors: Rahmatizadeh Faramarz , Gholizadeh-Ghaleh Aziz Shiva , Khodadadi Khodadad , Lale Ataei Maryam , Ebrahimie Esmaeil , Soleimani Rad Jafar , Pashaiasl Maryam
Published: November 2019

Cancer has long been considered as a heterogeneous population of uncontrolled proliferation ofdifferent transformed cell types. The recent findings concerning tumorigeneses have highlightedthe fact that tumors can progress through tight relationships among tumor cells, cellular, andnon-cellular components which are present within tumor tissues. In recent years, studies haveshown that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are essential components of non-tumor cells withinthe tumor tissues that can strongly affect tumor development. Several forms of MSCs have beenidentified within tumor stroma. Naïve (innate) mesenchymal stem cells (N-MSCs) derived fromdifferent sources are mostly recruited into the tumor stroma. N-MSCs exert dual and divergenteffects on tumor growth through different conditions and factors such as toll-like receptorpriming (TLR-priming), which is the primary underlying causes of opposite effects. Moreover,MSCs also have the contrary effects by various molecular mechanisms relying on direct cellto-cell connections and indirect communications through the autocrine, paracrine routes, andtumor microenvironment (TME).Overall, cell-based therapies will hold great promise to provide novel anticancer treatments.However, the application of intact MSCs in cancer treatment can theoretically cause adverseclinical outcomes. It is essential that to extensively analysis the effective factors and conditionsin which underlying mechanisms are adopted by MSCs when encounter with cancer.The aim is to review the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the dual effects ofMSCs followed by the importance of polarization of MSCs through priming of TLRs.
Enhancement of Dermal Delivery of Finasteride Using MicroemulsionSystems
Authors: Mohammad Soleymani Saeed , Salimi Anayatollah
Published: November 2019

Purpose: Finasteride is a pharmaceutical agent that treats hair loss and acne with hormonalpatterns. Due to its poor water solubility, and the smaller surface area in comparison to totalskin surface area, penetration of the drug into hair follicles and skin is low. The aim of thisresearch was to formulate, characterize and evaluate in vitro skin permeability of finasteridemicroemulsions (MEs).Methods: Finasteride MEs were prepared using a pseudo-ternary phase diagram method withan appropriate ratio of oil mixture, surfactant-co-surfactant mixture and water. MEs containing1% finasteride were prepared with a suitable amount of oily phase and surfactant and cosurfactant.The physicochemical properties of these MEs and in vitro skin permeability of MEswere evaluated.Results: The results showed that the mean droplet size range of ME samples was 5–17 nm andpH was 5.1–5.7. The viscosity of MEs ranged from 86.4–209.6 cps. The drug release profileshowed that 49.510% of the drug was released (ME-F-6) over the 24 hours of the experiment.The kinetics of drug release from all selected MEs were approximately described by Higuchiand first-order modeling. All ME formulations with different compositions and propertiessignificantly increased flux and permeability coefficient from rat skin. The selected MEs exhibit99.9% finasteride after six months of storage.Conclusion: This study showed that any change in the content and composition of MEs couldchange the physical and chemical properties in addition to ME permeability parameters. TheMEs increased permeability of the skin to finasteride.