bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diabetic Polyneuropathy Early in Type 2 Diabetes Is Associated With Higher Incidence Rate of Cardiovascular Disease: Results From Two Danish Cohort Studies
Authors: Bjerg Lasse , Nicolaisen Sia K , Christensen Diana H , Nielsen Jens S , Andersen Signe T , Jørgensen Marit E , Jensen Troels S , Sandbæk Annelli , Andersen Henning , Beck-Nielsen Henning , Sørensen Henrik T , Witte Daniel R , Thomsen Reimar W , Charles Morten
Published: May 2021

Objective

Symptoms indicative of diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) early in type 2
diabetes may act as a marker for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and
death.

Research Design and Methods

We linked data from two Danish type 2 diabetes cohorts,
ADDITION-Denmark and DD2, to national healthcare registers. The
Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument questionnaire (MNSIq) was
completed at diabetes diagnosis in ADDITION-Denmark and at a median of
4.6 years after diagnosis of diabetes in DD2. An MNSIq score ≥ 4 was
considered as indicative of DPN. Using Poisson regressions, we computed
incidence rate ratios of CVD and all-cause mortality comparing MNSIq
scores ≥ 4 with scores < 4. Analyses were adjusted for a range of
established CVD risk factors.

Results

In total, 1,445 (ADDITION-Denmark) and 5,028 (DD2) individuals were
included in the study. Compared with MNSIq scores < 4, MNSIq scores ≥
4 were associated with higher incidence rate of CVD, with incidence
rate ratios (IRRs) of 1.79 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.38-2.31] in
ADDITION-Denmark, 1.57 (CI: 1.27-1.94) in the DD2, and a combined IRR of
1.65 (CI: 1.41-1.95) in a fixed-effect meta-analysis. MNSIq scores ≥ 4
did not associate with mortality; combined mortality rate ratio 1.11
(CI: 0.83-1.48).

Conclusions

The MNSIq may be a tool to identify a subgroup within individuals
with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes who has a high incidence rate of
subsequent CVD. MNSIq scores ≥ 4, indicating DPN, were associated with a
markedly higher incidence rate of CVD, beyond that conferred by
established CVD risk factors.
Mitochondrial Efflux of Citrate and Isocitrate is Fully Dispensable for Glucose-Stimulated Insulin Secretion and Pancreatic Islet β-Cell Function
Authors: Bauchle Casey J. , Rohli Kristen E. , Boyer Cierra K. , Pal Vidhant , Rocheleau Jonathan V. , Liu Siming , Imai Yumi , Taylor Eric B. , Stephens Samuel B.
Published: May 2021

The defining feature of pancreatic islet β-cell function is the precise
coordination of changes in blood glucose levels with insulin secretion to
regulate systemic glucose homeostasis. While
ATP has long been heralded as a critical metabolic coupling factor to trigger
insulin release, glucose-derived metabolites have been suggested to further
amplify fuel-stimulated insulin secretion.
The mitochondrial export of citrate and isocitrate through the
citrate-isocitrate carrier (CIC) has been suggested to initiate a key pathway
that amplifies glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, though the physiological significance of β-cell
CIC to glucose homeostasis has not been established. Here, we generated constitutive and adult CIC
β-cell knockout mice and demonstrate these animals have normal glucose
tolerance, similar responses to diet-induced obesity, and identical insulin
secretion responses to various fuel secretagogues. Glucose-stimulated NADPH production
was impaired in β-cell CIC KO islets, whereas glutathione reduction was retained. Furthermore, suppression of the downstream
enzyme, cytosolic isocitrate dehydrogenase, Idh1, inhibited insulin secretion
in wild type islets, but failed to impact β-cell function in β-cell CIC KO
islets. Our data demonstrate that
the mitochondrial citrate-isocitrate carrier is not required for glucose-stimulated
insulin secretion, and that additional complexities exist for the role of Idh1 and
NADPH in the regulation of β-cell function.
Insights from behavioural economics to enhance the environmental dimension of sustainable development
Authors:   College of Management and Technology Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, Egypt, Ismail Ismail Hussein , Elkhalek Abeer Mohamed Ali Abd ,   College of Management and Technology Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, Egypt
Published: May 2021

Individuals everywhere and every day take decisions and make choices that affect the environment either positively or negatively. By understanding and analysing the determinants and incentives of humans' decision-making process, behavioural economics helps change behaviours toward more sustainable practices using efficient and well- designed policies. Using a survey targeting 4000 households' participants from 11 Egyptian governorates in 2019, the paper explores attitudes' determinants and behaviour's motivations concerning environmental concerns, which- in turn- help policymakers to design effective policies considering households' attitudes. Using a structural equation model, the paper examines the critical links among attitudes, values, and behaviours related to sustainability. It provides empirical evidence from a data set collected from the surveyed sample. The paper also indicates how insights and tools from behavioural economics could help understand attitudes, values, and behaviours. The current study builds on contemporary literature and develops last research to explore how behaviour economics helps policymakers design cost-effective policies to change behaviours toward sustainable environmental practices. The results indicated that behavioural economics has a minimal role in designing sustainable development policies and environmental interventions in Egypt- as a developing country- and showed that there is an overall willingness to change the way of thinking toward more environmentally friendly choices, specifically if policy interventions derive the behaviours in that direction. Finally, many essential recommendations and policy implications were concluded to develop public policies according to environmental sustainability considerations.
An overview of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI): Implications in geo-strategy and geo-politics
Authors:   International Management Institute (IMI) Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India, Choudhury Rahul Gupta
Published: May 2021

China is a very interesting country, and the entire world is looking at it. This is not only because of its spectacular rise in the world stage and the fact that it has become one of the largest markets in the world. China has become a superpower economically as well as militarily. Simultaneously it has a penchant for doing things differently – from the established norms and practices, as followed primarily by the West. It is likely that China will be in a position to challenge USA shortly as the number one power in the world. It is also likely that China will soon be influencing world events in a major way. These are the primary reasons for undergoing this study. The specific objective is to understand in detail one of the grandest and most ambitious schemes floated by any country in modern times - that of the Belt and Road Initiative by China. The author is sure that this project will have a very substantial impact on the strategies and politics of the entire world. The originality of this study is that it takes a macro-view of the entire initiative and dissects the implications for each major region of the entire world - in terms of strategy as well as politics. It wishes to connect Asia and Europe and also bring Africa into the project and thus form a unified market known as Afro-Eurasia. China, also known as PRC (People’s Republic of China), has developed tremendously in the past few decades and has now spare capacities as well as resources. So, it has initiated the project BRI wherein they are giving loans to underdeveloped countries to build infrastructure of these nations. There are two primary routes which PRC aims to develop. One of them is the land route called the BELT, which connects Europe to China over land. The other is the maritime route through the oceans which again connects the Eastern parts of China right up to Europe – and including Africa in between. The countries along these routes are being helped by China to develop their infrastructure like railways or seaports so that they may also emerge as modern logistics and distribution hubs for transporting goods between China and Europe. PRC thus ensures that it receives its continuous supply of energy requirements and other commodities for consumption. It will also be able to increase its exports right up to Western Europe through these routes which will save them a lot of time and costs also. Some nations are however skeptical about the real intentions of China. These countries think that China is emerging as a major superpower of the world and one day, it might want to dominate this part of the world entirely. Whether China has military intentions or not will be clear sometime later. As of today, China claims that its intentions are completely peaceful.
Influence of Encapsulation of Fullerenes on Optical and Thermoelectric Properties of Carbon Nanotubes
Authors:   Ulyanovsk State University, Ulyanovsk, Russia, Morozova E.V. , Timkaeva D.A. ,   Ulyanovsk State University, Ulyanovsk, Russia
Published: May 2021

The hybrid systems based on the carbon nanotubes (CNT) and fullerenes (nanopipodes) are promising for applications in nanoelectronics. With insignificant variation of the CNT diameter the change of the fullerenes geometry takes place. The periodically located inside fullerenes represent a set of quantum points in the one-dimensional super-lattice. Using the variation of inside fullerenes it is possible to modulate the zone structure of the CNT – fullerene system and to control the electronic and phonon characteristics of nanopipodes. In the work the optical and thermoelectric properties of CNT with encapsulated molecules of C60 fullerene have been investigated. Using the first-principle methods the coefficients of absorption, optical conductivi-ty, thermal conductivity, thermoelectric figure of merit for CNT with fullerenes, periodically lo-cated inside the nanotubes at different distances from each other, have been calculated. It has been shown that with decreasing the distance between fullerenes the optical conductivity of CNT – C60 is suppressed at high frequencies. It has been determined that the conductance of the structures with fullerenes is less than the conductance of a clean tube, and approximately equal for considered distances (12.3 and 19.7 Å) between fullerenes. The CNT thermal conductivity due to the encapsulation of fullerenes considerably (3–4 times) decreases for the considered CNT (8.8) – C60 systems.
Real Number Modeling Flow of Digital to Analog Converter
Authors:   Synopsys Armenia CJSC, Yerevan, Armenia, Melikyan V.Sh. , Hovhannisyan V.D. ,   Aragats LTD, Yerevan, Armenia; National Polytechnic University of Armenia, Yerevan, Armenia, Grigoryan M.T. ,   Synopsys Armenia CJSC, Yerevan, Armenia; National Polytechnic University of Armenia, Yerevan, Armenia, Avetisyan A.A. ,   Synopsys Armenia CJSC, Yerevan, Armenia; National Polytechnic University of Armenia, Yerevan, Armenia, Grigoryan H.T. ,   Synopsys Armenia CJSC, Yerevan, Armenia; National Polytechnic University of Armenia, Yerevan, Armenia
Published: May 2021

This work introduces a flow of digital to analog (DAC) implementation in digital environment of SystemVerilog. Unlike the classical Verilog models, this digital to analog converter behavioral model is analog. Such type of model creation in general is called real number modeling. The DAC model is verified by the HSPICE and SystemVerilog Co-simulations which show its applicability in different register transfer level verification environments. The digital environment with real number modeled DAC runs around 8 times faster than the same environment with SPICE model. At the same time, the output signal’s voltage difference between RNM and SPICE models is less than 2 mV.
Methods and Algorithms for Real Time Voice Noise Cleaning
Authors:   Bauman Moscow State Technical University (National Research University), Moscow, Russia, Vishnyakov I.E. , Masyagin M.M. ,   Bauman Moscow State Technical University (National Research University), Moscow, Russia, Odintsov O.A. ,   Bauman Moscow State Technical University (National Research University), Moscow, Russia, Sliusar V.V. ,   National Research University of Electronic Technology, Moscow, Russia
Published: May 2021

The voice cleaning methods and algorithms play a key role both in preprocessing speech for further analysis and recognition, and in improving the quality of communication between users of information networks. The real-time streaming noise cleaning methods are the most important and complex area. The ability to process streaming data without delays imposes a number of significant restrictions on the algorithm: it cannot be iterative with a previously unknown number of iterations, and cannot explicitly use the data before or after the current block being processed. In the work, a modern adaptive noise reduction method for speech that can work with minimal signal transmission delays has been proposed. A large-scale study of existing approaches has been conducted, with special attention paid to two groups of algorithms: noise detection algorithms and noise suppression algorithms. Based on them the developed algorithm meeting the specified requirements has been built and analyzed. A set of audio data of Russian speech with various noises superimposed on it has been created. The testing of the algorithm has been made and its comparison with existing actual noise cleaning methods has been performed. The proposed adaptive method of noise cleaning without using specialized apparatus means and subsidiary information is able to operate in the real time conditions. The testing of the developed algorithm using the metrics of segment NC and PESQ have shown the high efficiency of the development and its superiority to common noise cleaning implementations Speex and WebRTC with respect to the noise cleaning quality and operation speed.
PEMBERDAYAAN MASYARAKAT MELALUI PELATIHAN KEWIRAUSAHAAN DAN PEMASARAN DIGITAL PADA BUMDes BLULUKAN GEMILANG
Authors: Nugrahaningsih Putri , Hanggana Sri , Murni Sri , Hananto Santoso Tri , Asrihapsari Andi , Syafiqurrahman M. , Zoraifi Renata , Hantoro Sri
Published: May 2021

Salah satu BUMDes di Kabupaten Karanganyar adalah BUMDes Blulukan Gemilang yang merupakan lembaga ekonomi desa, tujuan pendirian BUMDes untuk menanggulangi kemiskinan yang mana unit usahanya mengembangkan jiwa kewirausahaan melalui unit usaha konfeksi dan unit pengelolaan sampah. Tujuan dari kegiatan pengabdian masyarakat ini adalah (1) meningkatkan pengetahuan wirausaha pengelola BUMDes; (2) memberikan pemahaman dan pendampingan tentang cara mempromosikan dan memasarkan produk secara digital. Oleh karena itu, perlu pengembangan kompetensi dan kewirausahaan sebagai fase lanjutan dari fase awal pendirian BUMDes. Metode kegiatan pengabdian masyarakat yang digunakan adalah partisipatif, yaitu pendekatan yang berorientasi kepada upaya peningkatan peran serta masyarakat  secara langsung  dalam berbagai proses dan pelaksanaan, dengan cara pendampingan dengan cara memberikan  penyuluhan  kepada  staf pengelola BUMDes  dan  masyarakat  (ibu  ibu  rumah tangga) tentang kewirausahaan dan manajemen pemasaran serta memberikan pendampingan dalam pemasaran dengan mempromosikan produk hasil unit konfeksi yang dikelola.Hasil pengabdian menunjukkan bahwa pelaksanaan pemberdayaan masyarakat yang dilaksanakan mengalami beberapa kendala dalam hal produksi dikarenakan adanya keterbatasan modal mesin produksi dan saluran pemasaran produk yang belum menggunakan media digital. Oleh karena itu, tim pengabdi memberikan bantuan modal aset tetap berupa mesin potong kain untuk memperbanyak produksi masker. Langkah selanjutnya, tim pengabdi melakukan pendampingan berupa kegiatan literasi tentang informasi digital melalui pelatihan digital marketing dengan media sosial dan desain produk masker di masa pandemi sebagai langkah memupuk jiwa kewirausahaan. Diharapkan setelah pelatihan, peserta siap beraksi menerapkan jiwa wirausaha. Hasil kegiatan pengabdian yang dilakukan pada BUMDes Blulukan Gemilang telah memberikan dampak pada peningkatan pendapatan masyarakat dan bertambahnya lapangan pekerjaan bagi masyarakat Desa.
PEMBERDAYAAN MASYARAKAT DALAM PEMBUATAN BURONCONG TABARO SOLUSI PENINGKATAN EKONOMI DI TENGAH COVID-19
Authors: Salju Salju , Sari Harmita , Wahida Altri , Kusdarianto Indra
Published: May 2021

Buroncong tabaro merupakan salah satu makanan tradisional khas Sulawesi Selatan berbahan dasar sagu yang pembuatannya cukup banyak digeluti masyarakat. Buroncong pada umumnya berbahan dasar tepung terigu. Melihat besarnya produksi sagu di Kabupaten Luwu Utara menjadi alasan penulis untuk menginovasikan buroncong dengan menggunakan bahan dasar sagu. Dengan adanya pengolahan sagu sebagai bahan baku buroncong tabaro, dapat meminimalisasi biaya bahan baku yang tentunya akan memengaruhi harga jual buroncong tabaro serta dapat menciptakan cara baru dalam mengonsumsi sagu yang umumnya hanya dikonsumsi sebagai pengganti makanan pokok seperti kapurung, sinole, dan dange. Tujuan dan target hasil kegiatan program pemberdayaan masyarakat ini adalah sebagai sarana dalam membantu masyarakat untuk memaksimalkan produksi makanan olahan berbahan dasar sagu yang dapat dijadikan sebagai alternatif usaha dalam meningkatkan pendapatan masyarakat. Buroncong tabaro berbahan dasar sagu memiliki harga yang relatif murah dibandingkan buroncong pada umumnya yang berbahan dasar tepung terigu tanpa mengurangi rasa dan kualitas buroncong itu sendiri. Adapun pelaksanaan kegiatan yang dilakukan yaitu demonstrasi pembuatan buroncong tabaro. Hasil kegiatan dalam pemberdayaan masyarakat yaitu masyarakat mampu membuat olahan makanan tradisional buroncong tabaro, mengemas produk dengan desain menarik dan higienis serta menerapkan manajemen usaha yang baik dan meningkatkan jiwa berwirausaha yang tinggi.
Proceso de establecimiento de las normas internacionales de auditoría
Authors: Del Valle Fermín
Published: May 2021

La calidad de la auditoría de los estados financieros contribuye a la confianza en la calidad de dichos estados y promueve su efectiva utilización. Esto, a su vez, es esencial para el mejor funcionamiento de los mercados financieros y de capitales y para la buena gestión de las entidades, tanto privadas como públicas. Las normas internacionales de auditoría constituyen un elemento clave para asegurar la calidad de la auditoría. La profesión contable, a través de la Federación Internacional de Contadores (IFAC), fue la primera en tomar el desafío de elaborar normas internacionales de auditoría y lo ha hecho muy bien, produciendo un conjunto de normas de alta calidad. Basadas en una supuesta percepción de indebida influencia de la profesión en el proceso de emisión de las normas, las organizaciones internacionales de organismos reguladores han promovido una reforma y han emitido recomendaciones que reducirán significativamente la participación de la profesión en el proceso de emisión de las normas. Nada asegura que los cambios propuestos incrementen la calidad de las normas. La profesión contable enfrenta el desafío de encontrar una nueva posición desde la cual seguir cumpliendo eficazmente con su misión de promover un ejercicio profesional de alta calidad y al servicio del interés público.
Morphometric and meristic character variability and relationships among populations of Boops boops (L.) from four marine stations along the Tunisian coast
Authors: Ben Labidi Mouna , Allaya Hassen , Basyouny Shahin Adel A. , Quignard Jean-Pierre , Trabelsi Monia , Ben Faleh Abderraouf
Published: May 2021

The variability of 14 morphometric and seven meristic characters of Boops boops (L.) collected at four stations along the Tunisian coast was examined in 518 samples ranging from 126 to 206 mm in total length and 37 to 78 g in total weight. Statistical analysis of both sets of characters showed significant variation among the four populations in 13 (92.9%) morphometric and four (57.1%) meristic characters. CVA and cluster analysis of the morphometric characters revealed four groups corresponding to four populations, with 95.36% correct classifications of individuals to their populations of origin. However, CVA and cluster analysis of the meristic characters showed a reticulate relationship among the four populations, as there was clear differentiation between those in Monastir and Zarzis and an overlap between those in Bizerte and Kelibia, with only 51.75% of individuals correctly classified to their respective populations. This morphological differentiation among the populations from the four stations was attributed to the differences in the physico-chemical water properties at these stations. However, further studies are needed on the impact of environmental factors and diet at these stations on the morphological population structure of B. boops to better understand the contribution of environmental conditions to morphological variation.
The Common European Investment Policy and Its Perspectives in the Context of the Achmea Case Law
Authors: Nováčková Daniela , Peráček Tomáš
Published: May 2021

Current developments in the field of international investment relations are influenced by the ruling of the Court of Justice in the Achmea case, when de facto European law became superior to international law. The verdict of the Court of Justice changes the usual legal procedures and customs in the field of bilateral investment agreements. However, the impact of this court decision is an almost unexplored area due to the lack of interest of legal theorists, and it is relatively difficult to find answers to the ambiguities and problems that have arisen. The scientific study analyses the current process of introducing new rules in the field of investment policy within the European Union, which means the end of bilateral investment agreements within the European Union. It also examines the European Union’s activities in the field of foreign direct investment and the development of a stable European investment policy. Determining the goal of the scientific study is based directly on current needs and emerging practical problems in practice. Their correct understanding and application has a fundamental impact on the possibilities of rules in the field of investment policy. Due to the nature of the researched topic, we applied selected qualitative methods suitable for recognising the law. However, we also analysed scientific literature, case-law and the analogy of law, thus providing qualified answers to the application pitfalls of legal practice.
Market Structure and Determinants of Firm Profitability on General Insurance Industry in Indonesia
Authors: Arintoko  , Ahmad Abdul Aziz , Habibah Siti Nur
Published: May 2021

The purpose of this study is to analyze the market structure of the general insurance industry in Indonesia and the effect of market share, operating expenses to operating income (OEOI), and debt ratio(DR) on profitability measured by return on assets (ROA). This study uses panel data regression analysis with the Chow and Hausman test to determine the best model. This analysis uses a combination of cross-section data, which consists of 11 companies, and time-series data, which consists of five years. The results showed that the Indonesian general insurance industry in 2014-2018 took the form of a tight oligopoly with a high concentration level after being analyzed through the four-firm concentration ratio (CR4) and Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI). The average CR4 ratio is 84.77%, while the value of HHI is 3,374.19. Meanwhile, the results showed that based on panel data analysis, the OEOI variable has a significant negative effect on firm profitability. Also, the debt ratio variable has a significant negative effect on the profitability of general insurance firms in Indonesia. The firm efficiency can be able to increase profits rather than mastery of market share.
The effects of the implementation of Law no. 153/2017 on the unitary remuneration of personnel paid from public funds
Authors: PROFIROIU Constantin Marius , ANDREI Tudorel , DINCĂ Dragoș
Published: May 2021

Regarding remuneration, the last 20 years in the Romanian public sector have been marked by extensive debates on the discrepancies between the incomes of the different categories of public personnel, the differences in the application of the legal framework, as well as the lack of correlation between the results of individual work performance and the level of remuneration. The low level of remuneration and the lack of legal forms for rewarding public personnel for their achievements as a form of developing motivation, led to low performance in the public sector. In 2017, the Romanian authorities conducted a reform regarding public personnel remuneration through the adoption of Law no. 153/2017 on the unitary remuneration of the personnel paid from public funds. The purpose of the mentioned law was to ensure a uniform remuneration framework in the public sector by applying clearly formulated principles and criteria as well as to decentralize the decisions taken in this area. From this perspective, the purpose of the present study is to analyze the impact of the implementation of Law no. 153/2017 on the unitary remuneration of the personnel paid from public funds from the perspective of its application, its effects, and the correlation of individual performance with the level of payment. Within the framework of the research, the process of applying the new rules, the principles underlying the new payment system, the criteria for adopting the new payment system, the level of income increases, the correlation between civil servants’ activities and the level of remuneration as well as, the objectivity of the individual evaluations were considered. The research methodology consists of an opinion survey conducted in public administration institutions using as a research instrument, a self-administered questionnaire where 320 civil servants participated. The study revealed a high degree of dissatisfaction among civil servants regarding the new remuneration system as well as the existence of certain factors that are more relevant and important than the income level, for developing civil servants’ motivation, such as the hierarchical superiors’ attitudes and the appreciation expressed by the beneficiaries of the provided services. The study also revealed that the current remuneration system does not support sufficiently the modernization process in the public administration and more than that, it led to an increase in the costs of implementing the regulations of the normative act because a significant proportion of public servants have contested in court the manner in which this law was applied
Job satisfaction of public social workers
Authors: ELSAYED Walaa , BASKIEWICZ Nicoletta , YOUSIF Nagwa Babiker Abdalla , BORISOV Vitaliy
Published: May 2021

The profession of a social worker is one of the most important professions for the functioning of a household and society as a whole. A key feature of this type of activity is that an employer does not have economic benefits associated with the tasks that a social worker performs. The study aims to determine the components of job satisfaction of public social workers and to conduct a quantitative analysis of the dependence of these components on factors of the external (professional) environment. The research methodology is focused on considering the object as a system. To achieve a goal, other studies were analyzed with the allocation of categorical data of satisfaction components and external (professional) environment factors. Using the statistical method, categorical data are presented in the form of frequencies to conduct a quantitative analysis of the dependence of satisfaction components on external (professional) environment factors, using the correlation coefficient. The study focused on two categories - job satisfaction and the external (professional) environment. The most significant components of job satisfaction are interpersonal relationships and commitment to an organization; the most significant factors of the external (professional) environment are the interaction of social workers with different population groups and compliance with the law and regulations. On the other hand, the least significant components of job satisfaction are social connections and wages, and the least significant factors of the external environment are professional burnout and personal life. A positive relationship was established between the components of job satisfaction and factors of the external (professional) environment. This indicates that job satisfaction components have an inverse relationship with external environment factors such as rules and norms. The research results are applicable in the field of public policy development, as well as for managers of public institutions, in particular, human resource management.
Recenzja książki: Brockman, J. (Ed.) (2019). The Last Unknowns: Deep, Elegant, Profound Unanswered Questions About the Universe, the Mind, the Future of Civilizations, and the Meaning of Life
Authors: Mudyń Krzysztof
Published: May 2021

Recenzja książki: Brockman, J. (Ed.) (2019). The Last Unknowns: Deep, Elegant, Profound Unanswered Questions About the Universe, the Mind, the Future of Civilizations, and the Meaning of Life. New York: Morrow (p. 352). ISBN: 978-0-06-289794-7
Atopic Dermatitis and Breast Feeding/Weaning: Are they Related?
Authors:   “Dr. Eduardo Liceaga”, Secretaría De Salud, Magaña Mario
Published: May 2021

Background: Atopic Dermatitis (AD) is a very common polygenic chronic disease for which several environmental risk and protective factors have been considered, including breastfeeding and early weaning. Methods: To determine the influence of breastfeeding and early weaning in the development of AD in a sample of Mexican children, one hundred patients with AD were selected (group I) and compared with one hundred non-atopic children (group II). The subjects in these groups were matched according to age and gender. The mothers of both groups completed a questionnaire that collected information on the length of breastfeeding, and the child’s age at the time of weaning. Statistical analyses were performed and information was presented in percentages, X square, Odds Ratios (OR), and 95% Confidence Intervals (CI). Results: The relationship between breastfeeding and AD was not statistically significant; however, we were able to demonstrate a close relationship between early weaning (before four months of age) and AD (p<0.0001, OR=2.85, 95% CI: 1.15-5.3). Conclusion: In a sample of the indigent pediatric population with Mestizo ancestry, AD is significantly related with early weaning. Infants who are weaned before four months of age have an almost three times greater riskthan the general population of developing AD.
Power Flow and Short Circuit Analysis of Distribution System with 300 kW Distributed Generation Connected
Authors: Muhardika Muhardika , Syahroni Syahroni
Published: May 2021

Power flow analysis aims to determine the capacity of a generator to serve loads, to know the value of power losses in the electrical system, and to carry out a planning and development of the electric power system. Power flow analysis is carried out in order to find out the characteristics of the electric power system to be built or to be developed as desired. In this study, power flow analysis and short circuit analysis were carried out in the electrical system of Andalas University with 2 conditions, namely, when the conditions were normal or when the Distributed Generation was not added and when the conditions were added, the Distributed Generation (DG) Photovoltaic 300 kW. The results of this study indicate the largest system losses when normal conditions are on bus 1 to bus 2 amounting to 20.21 kW and 6.13 kVar, and when conditions add DG on bus 17 to bus 18 are 230.8 kW and 142.7 kVar. The results of the short circuit analysis of the two conditions are on bus 1 when the condition is experiencing the addition of DG with an increase in average current, namely 1 soil phase of 0.86 kA, 2 phases of 0.175 kA, 2 soil phases of 0.09609 kA, and 3 phases of 0.085273 kA from when the conditions were normal.
Keywords : Power Flow Analysis, Short Circuit Analysis, Photovoltaic, Wind Turbine
Repurposing a community asset for revitalizing cities: The future of FirstOntario Centre in Hamilton
Authors:   Booth School of Engineering Practice and Technology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, Qureshi Ahmed Taha , Krantzberg Gail ,   Booth School of Engineering Practice and Technology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Published: May 2021

This paper explores the possibility of renovating the FirstOntario Centre in Hamilton, Ontario, a large hockey stadium that can also be used to host concerts and similar events. Presently the facility is too big to fit the needs of Hamiltonians in a sustainable way and the excess space/seating raise the cost of maintenance unnecessarily while leaving the arena severely underutilized at around an average of just over 50% utilization. In other words, FirstOntario Centre is a case study in regenerating excellence. We describe the challenges and potential solutions to repurpose this space in order to regenerate social, economic, and environmental excellence in the heart of this mid-sized Ontario city. This case study can inform others seeking to reinvigorate attributes of livable cities.
Diferencias en las propiedades ópticas de pupas de machos y hembras de Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera: Tephritidae)
Authors: Jahnke Simone Mundstock , Gebbers Robin , Capella Zanotta Daniel , Intreβ Joachim
Published: May 2021

Una alternativa al uso de inseticidas sintéticos en el control de especies importantes de moscas de la fruta (Tephritidae) es la técnica del insecto estéril (TIE). La TIE se basa en liberaciones masivas de machos estériles (sometidos a radiación) para controlar una población de plagas. Para especies de importancia como Rhagoletis pomonella, Bractocera oleae y Anastrepha fraterculus, es un desafio diferenciar los machos de las hembras en el estadio pupal. Aunque para algunas especies se liberan hembras estériles en campo, esto no es deseable en Anastrepha spp., ya que puede ocasionar daño por punción. Por lo tanto, hemos investigado imágenes hiperespectrales y RGB para classificar el sexo en pupas de A. fraterculus. Nuestro objetivo fue discriminar, a través de la descripción de espectros RGB y de perfiles hiperespectrales, machos y hembras en diferentes estadios de desarrollo pupal. Se obtuvieron imágenes de pupas de diferentes tiempos de desarrollo de grados-día (GD). Los perfiles hiperespectrales de las pupas de 288, 345 y 403 GD mostraron diferencias, indicando que el tono de la pupa se altera durante el desarrollo. En el espectro NIR (800 a 1.700 nm) se observó una mayor reflectancia entre 1.100 y 1.400 nm. En estas bandas ocurren diferencias en la desviación estándar de la reflectancia entre machos y hembras. En las imágenes RGB se observaron diferencias en el ángulo de variación radiométrica, desde la parte superior hasta la parte basal de las pupas. Para las hembras, el ángulo de variación radiométrica fue mayor (26°) que para los machos (15°). Por lo tanto, es posible determinar características discriminantes utilizando los perfiles espectrales, técnicas de imagen y análisis de datos para separar los sexos.
Mobilization in everyday life of the population of Trans-Baikal Region during the period of “Chinese complications” (1900-1901)
Authors: Sevostyanova Elena
Published: May 2021

The object of this research is the everyday life of Trans-Baikal Region during the military-political conflict. The official name of the conflict was “Military Campaign in China 1900-1901”, but in common practice it was called “Chinese complications” and “danger on the borders”. The subject of this research is mobilization in everyday life of the population of Trans-Baikal Region during the period of “Chinese complications” (1900-1901). The author examines the impact of mobilization upon life of the population, which behavioral strategies and psychological reactions were prevalent, assessments of the population regarding the causes of the conflict and its consequences for Trans-Baikal region, what and what language was used to describe it. In the analysis of newspaper materials, the article employed the methods of determining semantic-lexical elements; considered the methodological ideas of studying everyday life as a correlation between power strategies and tactics of everyday life. It was established that the population identified mobilization with uncontrolled natural disasters and catastrophic events, such as crop setback, floods, and large-scale epizootics. Mobilization alongside the Russia-China conflict overall, did not entail a surge of anti-Chinese sentiments, although incited xenophobia. The author explores the main issues of everyday life determined by mobilization and measures taken by the regional authorities aimed at ensuring security of the border areas and preventing famine. Analysis is conducted on the ideological and informational role of the church. The Trans-Baikal Church led the charity work, and all priests were authorized to accept donations.
Application of seepage theory methods for solving the tasks of flow planning in transport networks with consideration of their structural dynamics
Authors: Kochkarov Azret Ahmatovich , Yatskin Danil Vladilenovich , Kochkarov Rasul Ahmatovich
Published: May 2021

This article reviews the theoretical-graph approach towards transport and logistic systems, which allows describing key details and processes that take place therein. The question of searching for an effective solution of transport and logistics tasks and dependence of such solutions to throughput of the system and the value of the seepage coefficient. This article offers to use seepage theory as an applied instrument for describing and solving transport and logistics tasks. The indicated approach is innovative and original, which may be very promising in the context of global transport planning and management. The essence of this method, based on adaptation of seepage theory for solution of the typical transport and logistics tasks, is reduced to operation of surface run-off and origin on the graph. The model for assessment of the global throughput of transport and logistics system is developed on the basis of the methods of seepage and multidrain flow models. The author offers a model calculation of the impact of holdups upon transport and logistics systems and the tasks solved thereof. A theoretical-graph model, which reflects the structure of transport and logistics system, describes the objects and processes common to transport and logistics tasks. The toolset of graph theory allows solving the specific transport and logistics tasks, as well examining the structural properties of the system, building predictive models, as well as developing new approaches towards solving of these tasks. The characteristics of graph are correlated with the actual network, system and task, as well as with the characteristics of transport or logistics flows examined for the purpose of optimization of topological structure of the system and solution of other tasks.
Female images in the novel “Arch of Triumph” by Erich Maria Remarque
Authors: Pokhalenkov Oleg Evgen'evich , Nikulicheva Sof'ya Evgen'evna
Published: May 2021

This article is dedicated to the analysis of female images in the novel “Arch of Triumph” by Erich Maria Remarque, particularly their symbolic meaning infused by the author into some characters. The research objective consists in the analysis of female images from the cultural, artistic and literary perspectives. The article employs structural analysis based on the methodology of N. V. Pavlovich. Special attention is given to the references to mythology for describing one or another image.  The author substantiates the idea of the connection of each female character with the time and place of her initial stay or origin. Review is conducted on the following heroines: Joan Madou – a mediocre actress and singer, mistress of the protagonist; Kat Hegstrom – a patient and close friend of Ravic; Sybil – beloved of the German doctor died in the gestapo. The scientific novelty of this work consists in consideration of images of the heroines through the prism of associative-imagery, metaphorical meaning of the prototypes used by the author in creating and describing the characters. A comparison of the compositional roles of the aforementioned heroines is carried out. Particular attention is given to the female characters from “Osiris” brothel (which is an important location in the novel and plays a significant compositional role in the text), and their manager Roland. The similarity is noticed between “Osiris” brothel and  the boarding house for noble girls, as well as few other comparisons of the women of easy virtue with the ladies brought up in the spirit of the Victorian Era. The article determines certain intertextual correlations n the historical-literary and cultural-historical context. Attention is also paid to consideration of the[WU1]  philosophical views of the novelist and the process of their implementation in developing the images of the characters. The work indicates the impact of philosophical ideas of “lost generation” upon the characters of the novel and their life attitudes. The author of the article touches upon the theme of romantic relationships and behavior of the heroines therein.  [WU1]
Motivational-imagery component of the meaning of some verbal phraseological units with the abstract substantive ‘thought’ in the modern Russian language
Authors: Lu Ziyi
Published: May 2021

This research is dedicated to the analysis of some verbal phraseological units, in which an object is expressed by the abstract substantive 'thought', from the perspective of motivational-imagery component. The article presents the results of study of the motivational-imagery component in the semantics of a number of verbal phraseological units with the abstract name 'thought', which is based on linguoculturological method developed by V. N. Telia and her supporters and presented in the “Large Phraseological Dictionary of the Russian Language”. The author explores the phraseological units within the framework of Chinese linguoculture for more determining the characteristics the Russian units. For this analysis, the author filtered out the phraseological units contained in the Russian National Corpus (https://ruscorpora.ru/new/), which include the abstract noun ‘thought’ that performs the function of the object of action, and the verbs “come / reach / run into / lead / point. The following conclusions were formulated: 1) the considered phraseological units reflect the metaphorical understanding of thought as a static object that outside the human body, the move towards which is performed by an individual, especially active is in relation to thought; 2) all phraseological units analyzed in the article demonstrate that thought is described as an intellectual product acquired by a human either through targeted mental activity, or influenced by external circumstances; 3) in general, the phraseological units under review act as a stereotypical representation on thought process of a person under the influence of certain external or internal factors.
Peasants’ bynames in the Yeniseian Siberia of the XVII century as a reflection of work activity of the first settlers
Authors: Gorodilova Lyudmila Mikhailovna
Published: May 2021

The object of this research is the anthroponymic space of business writing records in the Yeniseian Siberia of the XVII century, while the subject is the peasants’ bynames. The unpublished manuscripts preserved in the Russian State Archive of Ancient Acts (Moscow) served as the sources for this research. Emphasis is placed on the semantic content of bynames as part of the anthroponymic formula. Using the traditional onomastic and lexical-semantic methods of research (descriptive, statistical, semantic and definitional analysis, etc.), the author describes bynames united by the concept “the type of work activity”. The semantics of the anthropological grounds of bynames, clarification is given to the composition of the social group under review, as well as to the types of economic activity of the peasants of Yeniseian and Krasnoyarsk counties. The acquired results indicated that semantic diversity of peasant bynames is substantiated by the objective situation during the colonization of Siberia, as well as complex composition of the peasantry, which could include the representatives of service class and suburb inhabitants. The scientific novelty consists in expanding the scope of sources for carrying out a comprehensive research of the regional anthroponymicon, as well as in broadening the knowledge on byname nomination within a single social group. The obtained results can be used as comparative materials in the analysis of anthroponymic systems of other regions, as well as in development of the regional dictionary of non-calendric personal names and bynames of the first Russian settlers of Yeniseian Siberia.
Antioxidant and UV-radiation absorption activity of aaptamine derivatives – Potential application for natural organic sunscreens
Authors: Nguyen Thi Le Anh , Doan Thi Hoai Nam , Truong Dinh Hieu , Nhung Nguyen Thi Ai , Quang Duong Tuan , Khiri Dorra , Louis Florent , El Bakali Abderrahman , Taamalli Sonia , Dao Duy Quang
Published: May 2021

Antioxidant and UV absorption activities of three marine product originated - aaptamine derivatives including piperidine[3,2-b]demethyl(oxy)aaptamine (C1), 9-amino-2-ethoxy-8-methoxy-3H-benzo[de][1,6]naphthyridine-3-one (C2), and 2-(sec-butyl)-7,8-dimethoxybenzo[de]imidazo[4,5,1-ij][1,6]-naphthyridin-10(9H)-one (C3) were theoretically studied by density functional theory (DFT). Direct antioxidant activities of C1–C3 were firstly evaluated via their intrinsic thermochemical properties and radical scavenging activity of the potential antioxidants with the HOO●/HO● radicals via four mechanisms, including: hydrogen atom transfer (HAT), single electron transfer (SET), proton loss (PL) and radical adduct formation (RAF). Kinetic calculation reveals that HOO● scavenging in water is occurred via HAT mechanism with C1 (kapp, 7.13x106 M-1 s-1) while RAF is more dominant with C2 (kapp, 1.40x105 M-1 s-1) and C3 (kapp, 2.90x105 M-1 s-1). Antioxidant activity of aaptamine derivatives can be classified as C1 > C3 > C2. Indirect antioxidant properties based on Cu(I) and Cu(II) ions chelating activity were also investigated in aqueous phase. All three studied compounds show spontaneous and favorable Cu(I) ion chelating activity with DG0 being -15.4, -13.7, and -15.7 kcal.mol-1, whereas DG0 for Cu(II) chelation are -10.4, -10.8, and -2.2 kcal.mol-1 for C1, C2 and C3, respectively. In addition, all compounds show UVA and UVB absorption; in which the excitations are determined mostly as π-π* transition. Overall, the results suggest the potential applications of the aaptamines in pharmaceutics and cosmetics, i.e. as sunscreen and antioxidant ingredient.
Bifunctional N-Aminopyridinium Reagents Enable C–H Amination, Olefin Carboamination Cascades
Authors: Roychowdhury Pritam , Maity Asim , Powers David
Published: May 2021

C–H amination reactions provide streamlined access to nitrogen-containing small molecules. Here, we disclose benzylic C–H amination with N-aminopyridiniums, which are bifunctional reagents that provide avenues for further diversification. Reductive activation of the incipient N–N bonds unveils electrophilic N-centered radicals, which can be engaged by nucleophilic partners such as olefins, silyl enol ethers, and electron-rich heterocycles. We highlight the synthetic potential of these sequences in the synthesis of tetrahydroisoquinolines, which are important heterocycles in molecular therapeutics, via anti-Markovnikov olefin carboamination. Unlike many C–H amination reactions that provide access to protected amines, the current method installs an easily diversifiable synthetic handle that serves as a lynchpin for C–H amination, deaminative N–N functionalization sequences.