bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Emotion Recognition for Human-Robot Interaction: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives
Authors: Spezialetti Matteo , Placidi Giuseppe , Rossi Silvia
Published: December 2020

A fascinating challenge in the field of human–robot interaction is the possibility to endow robots with emotional intelligence in order to make the interaction more intuitive, genuine, and natural. To achieve this, a critical point is the capability of the robot to infer and interpret human emotions. Emotion recognition has been widely explored in the broader fields of human–machine interaction and affective computing. Here, we report recent advances in emotion recognition, with particular regard to the human–robot interaction context. Our aim is to review the state of the art of currently adopted emotional models, interaction modalities, and classification strategies and offer our point of view on future developments and critical issues. We focus on facial expressions, body poses and kinematics, voice, brain activity, and peripheral physiological responses, also providing a list of available datasets containing data from these modalities.
Variable Impedance Control and Learning—A Review
Authors: Abu-Dakka Fares J. , Saveriano Matteo
Published: December 2020

Robots that physically interact with their surroundings, in order to accomplish some tasks or assist humans in their activities, require to exploit contact forces in a safe and proficient manner. Impedance control is considered as a prominent approach in robotics to avoid large impact forces while operating in unstructured environments. In such environments, the conditions under which the interaction occurs may significantly vary during the task execution. This demands robots to be endowed with online adaptation capabilities to cope with sudden and unexpected changes in the environment. In this context, variable impedance control arises as a powerful tool to modulate the robot's behavior in response to variations in its surroundings. In this survey, we present the state-of-the-art of approaches devoted to variable impedance control from control and learning perspectives (separately and jointly). Moreover, we propose a new taxonomy for mechanical impedance based on variability, learning, and control. The objective of this survey is to put together the concepts and efforts that have been done so far in this field, and to describe advantages and disadvantages of each approach. The survey concludes with open issues in the field and an envisioned framework that may potentially solve them.
Bivariate Entropy Analysis of Electrocardiographic RR–QT Time Series
Authors: Shi Bo , Motin Mohammod Abdul , Wang Xinpei , Karmakar Chandan , Li Peng
Published: December 2020

QT interval variability (QTV) and heart rate variability (HRV) are both accepted biomarkers for cardiovascular events. QTV characterizes the variations in ventricular depolarization and repolarization. It is a predominant element of HRV. However, QTV is also believed to accept direct inputs from upstream control system. How QTV varies along with HRV is yet to be elucidated. We studied the dynamic relationship of QTV and HRV during different physiological conditions from resting, to cycling, and to recovering. We applied several entropy-based measures to examine their bivariate relationships, including cross sample entropy (XSampEn), cross fuzzy entropy (XFuzzyEn), cross conditional entropy (XCE), and joint distribution entropy (JDistEn). Results showed no statistically significant differences in XSampEn, XFuzzyEn, and XCE across different physiological states. Interestingly, JDistEn demonstrated significant decreases during cycling as compared with that during the resting state. Besides, JDistEn also showed a progressively recovering trend from cycling to the first 3 min during recovering, and further to the second 3 min during recovering. It appeared to be fully recovered to its level in the resting state during the second 3 min during the recovering phase. The results suggest that there is certain nonlinear temporal relationship between QTV and HRV, and that the JDistEn could help unravel this nuanced property.
Technological Research of a Clean Energy Router Based on Advanced Adiabatic Compressed Air Energy Storage System
Authors: Ni Chenyixuan , Xue Xiaodai , Mei Shengwei , Zhang Xiao-Ping , Chen Xiaotao
Published: December 2020

As a fundamental infrastructure of energy supply for future society, energy Internet (EI) can achieve clean energy generation, conversion, storage and consumption in a more economic and safer way. This paper demonstrates the technology principle of advanced adiabatic compressed air energy storage system (AA-CAES), as well as analysis of the technical characteristics of AA-CAES. Furthermore, we propose an overall architectural scheme of a clean energy router (CER) based on AA-CAES. The storage and mutual conversion mechanism of wind and solar power, heating, and other clean energy were designed to provide a key technological solution for the coordination and comprehensive utilization of various clean energies for the EI. Therefore, the design of the CER scheme and its efficiency were analyzed based on a thermodynamic simulation model of AA-CAES. Meanwhile, we explored the energy conversion mechanism of the CER and improved its overall efficiency. The CER based on AA-CAES proposed in this paper can provide a reference for efficient comprehensive energy utilization (CEU) (93.6%) in regions with abundant wind and solar energy sources.
VIRGOLIM, A. Altas habilidades/superdotação
Authors: Valentim Bernadete de Fatima Bastos
Published: December 2020

O livro Altas habilidades/superdotação: um diálogo pedagógico urgente é uma obra de importância singular para professores, mas também para familiares e demais profissionais que tem contato com as pessoas que têm AH/SD (altas habilidades/superdotação). Escrito por Angela Mágda Rodrigues Virgolim, atual presidente do ConBrasD (Conselho Brasileiro para Superdotação), está organizado em apresentação, seis capítulos, considerações finais e referências. A autora dispôs a obra em uma organização muito interessante abordando de forma progressiva, a questão da inteligência; perpassando pelo papel da criatividade na inteligência; concepções das altas habilidades/superdotação; a identificação da superdotação e o modelo de enriquecimento de Renzulli; aspectos socioafetivos da superdotação e estratégias criativo-produtivas para crianças e jovens superdotados na escola.
Recebido em: 20 de dezembro de 2019Modificado em: 20 de fevereiro de 2020Aceito em: 24 de fevereiro de 2020
Altas Habilidades/Superdotação e Interseccionalidade entre gênero, raça e classe social
Authors: Neumann Patrícia , Ribeiro Débora
Published: December 2020

The objective of this paper is to question the relation between high abilities/giftedness and the intersection among gender, race and social class. The method was documental through content analysis of the work Quarto de Despejo (1960) written by Carolina Maria de Jesus. Results were the content of extreme poverty, negligence of fundamental rights, violence committed by men, women and children, alcoholism, the presence of reading and writing and Carolina’s perceptions regarding her life and social milieu. We consider that social markers as gender, race and social class have a main role in marginalization and consequent lackof development of abilities and potentials. All society takes advantage giving opportunities to the development of gifted people’s potential because benefits of inclusion are for everybody. Besides, it is necessary to consider Brazilian social and historical reality in identification, evaluation and educational service of giftedness.
Criatividade e modelagem matemática
Authors: Silva Vantielen da Silva , Silva Weslley Kozlik , Burak Dionísio
Published: December 2020

The present work is an exploratory study and sought answers to the following questions: Are there works that address the thematic creativity and Mathematical Modeling? What are the conceptions presented about creativity? Are there indications that Mathematical Modeling contributes to creativity? The development of the study included the mapping and analysis of works published in annals of events in the last years (2009-2018) in the area of ??Mathematics Education, such as: International Seminar on Research in Mathematics Education (SIPEM), National Meeting of Mathematics Education (ENEM ), Paraná Meeting of Mathematical Education (EPREM), National Conference on Modeling in Mathematical Education (CNMEM) and Paraná Meeting of Modeling in Mathematical Education (EPMEM). In the respective period, we found only eight (8) works on that theme and these enabled the understanding that Modeling in Mathematics Education as a teaching methodology contributes to creativity by being characterized as a dialogical, investigative and problematic practice, in which students can choose topics, create problems and conduct research for resolutions.
O lugar do pensamento crítico e criativo na formação de professores que ensinam matemática
Authors: Gontijo Cleyton Hércules , Fonseca Mateus Gianni
Published: December 2020

Cada vez mais o pensamento crítico e criativo é defendido no cenário internacional como uma capacidade necessária para a educação do século XXI. No Brasil, esse assunto ainda é algo novo, sobretudo para os professores da educação básica. Com vistas a contribuir com o campo de formação de professores, planejou-se um conjunto de oficinas de pensamento crítico e criativo em matemática, realizado num contexto de formação continuada no espaço escolar, com 27 professores dos anos iniciais do ensino fundamental de uma escola de rede pública do Distrito Federal, de modo a analisar o potencial deste tipo de atividade como suporte ao trabalho docente com vistas ao estímulo do pensamento crítico e criativo dos estudantes. Neste trabalho, descrevemos uma dessas oficinas que explorou temática no campo das grandezas e medidas e proporcionalidade. As percepções reveladas pelos professores acerca da oficina demonstram que as atividades articulam adequadamente a base conceitual e metodológica, contribuindo positivamente com a formação docente e subsidiando a aplicação do modelo no trabalho com os estudantes.
Ways to Reduce Restaurant Industry Food Waste Costs
Authors: Blum David
Published: December 2020

Food waste costs U.S. restaurant leaders billions of dollars per year. The purpose of this research was to provide restaurant leaders with processes and strategies to reduce food waste costs. The research method used was systematic literature review in addressing this research question: What processes and strategies are available to U.S. restaurant leaders to reduce food waste costs? This study addresses a gap in literature related to processes and strategies to reduce food waste costs. Six processes and seven strategies to reduce food waste costs were presented.
Digital Colleague Connectedness: A Framework for Studying Teachers’ Professional Network Interactions
Authors: Harland Darci J.
Published: December 2020

The coronavirus outbreak will likely highlight both strengths and weaknesses of the pre-corona educational system. Researchers have a responsibility to examine the experiences educators have had during the pandemic; however, there are no education-specific frameworks for researchers to use to examine teachers interacting with digital colleagues for professional purposes. This paper describes the literature used to design the digital colleague connectedness framework. The purpose of the framework is to operationalize terminology used to examine educators interacting in professional exchanges within a virtual network. This framework includes six behaviors in which digital colleagues engage and four roles they may assume that specify their level of connectedness. Suggestions for how the framework might be used in future research are included.
The Relational Assessment of Neglected Youth (RANY): Probing the Need for an Assessment Tool
Authors: Dale Corrine
Published: December 2020

While child neglect is the most substantiated form of child maltreatment, there is a lack of assessment tools leading to effective treatment, particularly among older victims of neglect. To date, the research has focused on younger victims and the subsequent disruption in the attachment relationship. Although development of child neglect assessment tools has been pioneered by an ecological model, the relational nature of this type of maltreatment also necessitates an assessment of relational factors that are highly correlated to child neglect. Because neglect occurs within the caregiver relationship, assessment of interpersonal impairments among older youth can best be guided by relational cultural theory, which postulates people grow and develop through relationships. Accordingly, the Relational Assessment of Neglected Youth (RANY) is a proposed assessment tool aimed at identifying the foundational elements of neglect, the incongruence between neglect and relational growth and development, and the psychological impact of neglect. The development of the RANY depends heavily on the identification of interpersonal elements and is driven by the need for youth and caregiver input. This article constructs a case for the development of the RANY, which proposes to fill the gap in assessment of older victims of neglect and the resultant relational and psychological impairment.
Understanding Refugee Mental Health and Employment Issues: Implications for Social Work Practice
Authors: Disney Lindsey , McPherson Jane
Published: December 2020

Resettled refugees have high rates of some mental health disorders, such as PTSD and MDD, largely due to trauma histories and current resettlement stressors. Resettled refugees also have employment struggles that are unique to their status as refugees. This article provides overviews of refugee mental health and refugee employment issues with a specific focus on how these factors are interrelated in U.S. resettled refugee populations. The article describes prevalence rates of mental health disorders among refugees, barriers that limit refugees’ access to mental health treatment, and evidence-based mental health. Additionally, prevalence rates of refugee unemployment and underemployment are reported, along with barriers to adequate refugee employment. The article concludes with recommendations for social work professionals in their practices with resettled refugees in multiple settings: clinical practice, refugee resettlement, policy work, and research.
Revisão sistemática de estudos de avaliação de tecnologias educacionais para letramento e alfabetização de estudantes com Transtornos do Neurodesenvolvimento no contexto brasileiro
Authors: Rocca Julia Zanetti , Freitas Luiz Alexandre Barbosa de , Campos Junior Ricardo Fernandes , Martins Giovanna Rebouças Rodrigues , Pinheiro Henrique Gabriel Alves Vieira Anacledo , Souza Lissa Carvalho
Published: December 2020

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi realizar revisão sistemática de estudos que descrevessem e avaliassem a aplicação de tecnologias educacionais para o letramento de alunos com Transtornos do Neurodesenvolvimento. Os Transtornos do Neurodesenvolvimento são um grupo de condições que têm início precocemente na vida dos indivíduos e que são caracterizados por déficits no desenvolvimento, levando a prejuízos funcionais em diversas áreas. Foi realizada uma busca de artigos em bases de dados de periódicos Peer Reviewed e foram encontrados 138 trabalhos. Do total encontrado, 22 foram selecionados de acordo com o escopo da pesquisa. Após a avaliação de qualidade, 17 foram utilizados para a revisão. A população mais investigada foi a de alunos com autismo (6), seguido por alunos com dislexia (4) e deficiência intelectual (4). Houve apenas um trabalho para alunos com déficit de atenção e hiperatividade, transtornos de aprendizagem não específicos e um para alunos com gagueira. Em nenhum trabalho participaram indivíduos com Transtornos do Desenvolvimento Motor. Para alunos com autismo, a maior parte dos trabalhos enfocou no desenvolvimento de habilidades de comunicação. Para alunos disléxicos, o foco foi em desenvolver consciência fonológica e leitura de palavras. As tecnologias avaliadas consistiram em softwares aplicados por computador e aplicativos acessados via tablet ou celular. Dos estudos avaliados, seis eram experimentais, três eram quasi-experimentais e os demais eram relatos de intervenção. Todos os estudos experimentais relataram melhora nos repertórios de alunos que participaram da intervenção. Os relatos de experiência também consideraram o uso de tecnologias promissoras, apesar dos desafios para sua implantação no contexto escolar. Conclui-se que o uso de softwares tem contribuído para o processo de letramento de alunos com Transtornos do Neurodesenvolvimento na medida em que (a) facilitam a adaptação e personalização dos materiais; (b) oferecem feedback individualizado e (c) permitem que o aluno progrida em seu próprio ritmo.
COVID-19, Mudanças em Práticas Educacionais e a Percepção de Estresse por Docentes do Ensino Superior no Brasil
Authors: Araujo Renata Mendes de , Amato Cibelle A. de la Higuera , Martins Valéria Farinazzo , Eliseo Maria Amélia , Silveira Ismar Frango
Published: December 2020

A pandemia decorrente da COVID-19 trouxe mudanças profundas para toda a sociedade, seja no seu contexto social ou profissional. Escolas e Universidades no Brasil e no Mundo fecharam com a intenção de frear a contaminação da COVID-19 e muitos professores se viram obrigados, num curto período de tempo, a reinventar suas aulas presenciais em uma modalidade não presencial, mediadas pela tecnologia. No entanto, nem todos os professores, que no seu cotidiano já possuem uma sobrecarga de trabalho, estavam preparados para esta mudança tão repentina. Muitos se viram obrigados a adquirir novos conhecimentos em relação ao uso das tecnologias para integrá-las nas suas atividades pedagógicas, aumentando ainda mais esta sobrecarga. Este cenário de trabalho excessivo pode leválo ao estresse, favorecendo quadros de angústia, além de ansiedade e depressão devido às incertezas decorrentes da pandemia, à busca por aquisição de conhecimento e à intensificação do fluxo de informação. Neste contexto, este artigo mostra os resultados provenientes de uma pesquisa realizada com 394 professores universitários, que estejam ou tenham estado em isolamento social imposto pelo COVID-19 exercendo atividade docente. O objetivo foi compreender os fatores de estresse relacionados às mudanças urgentes e em caráter de contingência nas práticas de ensino na educação superior decorrentes da pandemia, no Brasil. Os resultados mostram que a percepção de estresse é real entre os docentes do ensino superior no Brasil que se mantiveram em atividade de ensino remoto durante o isolamento social decorrente da pandemia; há predominância de estresse nas professoras em relação aos professores; professores das áreas de Ciências Jurídicas e da Saúde parecem perceber mais o estresse; aqueles que se declararam com um nível de habilidade no uso de tecnologia mais baixo são os que mais sentiram as variáveis de estresse durante a pandemia.
Mediações-lives e Aprendizagens Etnocenológicas por Jovens com os Dispositivos Digitais, durante a Pandemia da Covid-19
Authors: Santos Vinicius Silva , Schneider Henrique Nou
Published: December 2020

Este artigo tem como objetivo refletir sobre a emergência e exponenciação das performances "mediações-lives" criadas por jovens nas redes sociais digitais, durante a pandemia da COVID-19 e como estas experiências comunicacionais refletem, como achados potenciais e propositivos, para entender o campo das "aprendizagens etnocenológicas" com o uso dos dispositivos digitais. O estudo faz parte da investigação em andamento no Programa Pós-graduação em Educação da Universidade Federal de Sergipe - UFS, sendo uma pesquisa inspirada na multirreferencialidade, contando com a participação de dez jovens sergipanos, atores e atrizes sociais, engajados com coletivos Net-ativista (presenciais e virtuais), que criam estilizações performáticas (extraordinárias) de partilha, engajamento, mediação propositiva nas redes compostas por pares que, compreende o fenômeno da etcnocenolgia virtual da aprendizagem virtual juvenil na contemporaneidade.
Uma Nova Metodologia para formação de Grupos em VANETs
Authors: Vieira André , Farias Claudio , Melo Jr. Wilson
Published: December 2020

This work proposes a new methodology to create groups in intervehicular networks as a basis for complex applications involving smart vehicles. We proposed a distributed protocol whose purpose is to build a higher number of groups in less time, keeping the vehicles grouped for most of their journey. We implement our proposal in two versions. The first one considers only the interaction among vehicles. The second includes a group merge functionality. We validate both versions of our protocol using simulation with real traffic data. We evaluate the amount of created groups and their persistence and size.
Towards to an Embedded Edge AI Implementation for Longitudinal Rip Detection in Conveyor Belt
Authors: Klippel Emerson , Oliveira Ricardo Augusto , Maslov Dmitry , Bianchi Andrea , Silva Saul Emanuel , Garrocho Charles Tim
Published: December 2020

The use of deep learning on edge AI to detect failures in conveyor belts solves a complex problem of iron ore beneficiation plants. Losses in the order of thousands of dollars are caused by failures in these assets. The existing fault detection systems currently do not have the necessary efficiency and complete loss of belts is common. Correct fault detection is necessary to reduce financial losses and unnecessary risk exposure by maintenance personnel. This problem is addressed by the present work with the training of a deep learning model for detecting images of failures of the conveyor belt. The resulting model is converted and executed in an edge device located near the conveyor belt to stop it in case a failure is detected. The results obtained in the development and tests carried out to date show the feasibility of using Edge AI to solve complex problems in a mining environment such as detecting longitudinal rips and stimulate the continuity of the work considering new scenarios and operational conditions in the search for a robust and replicable solution.
Genetics Practice Class: A Useful Educational Method to Enhance the Learning of Medical Students
Authors: Bijanzadeh Mahdi
Published: December 2020

Background: The current curriculum of genetics for medical students in the universities of Iran includes basic and clinical materials that are mainly theory-based. The integration of medical genetics into various aspects of medicine and exposing students to the practical and clinical aspects of genetics play a key role in improving the skills of graduated young physicians. Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the viewpoints of medical students regarding the practicality of genetics practice classes. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted using a researcher-made questionnaire, which was completed by 72 medical students at Ahvaz Jundishapour University of Medical Sciences in Ahvaz, Iran. The respondents had a genetics practice class (during two-credit course), which was taught in the third semester of basic medical education. The participants were asked about the quality and quantity of the genetics course and teaching methods of the instructor, as well as the practicality of the course. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 19. Results: The majority of the students (59.7%) believed that the genetics practice class was useful and helped with the better understanding of genetics principles. In addition, 60% of the students stated that the class increased their interest to study and research in medical genetics. In response to the open question, 32% of the students emphasized on teaching more clinical examples by teachers and doing more laboratory tests by students. Conclusions: The practical aspect of medical education is constantly reshaped, and the curricula of medical schools have to encompass new measures to keep up with the high speed of these changes. Each item in the medical genetics education should be accompanied with students’ practical experiences and advanced teaching methods in order to meet the requirements of genetics practice classes and prepare the students for the visitation of genetics patients in hospitals, analysis of laboratory genetic tests, and holding counseling sessions in this regard.
Association Between Income and Hepatitis B Seroprevalence: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Ding Ye , Sun Xueying , Xu Ying , Yang Ling , Zhang Yu , Shen Qing
Published: December 2020

Context: Hepatitis B serology is very important for both diagnosis and treatment of the diseases. However, evidence regarding the association between income and hepatitis B seroprevalence are not sufficient to make a definitive conclusion. Objectives: This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the association between income inequality and hepatitis B seroprevalence. Methods: We searched PubMed and Web of Science databases to identify all relevant epidemiological studies published up to February 10, 2020. A categorical meta-analysis was applied to pool risk effects of income on hepatitis B seroprevalence. Results: A total of 1525 pieces of literature related to income level and hepatitis B seroprevalence were retrieved, of which 10 articles were finally included. The results revealed a borderline risk (OR: 1.14, 95%CI: 1.00 - 1.30) for hepatitis B seroprevalence (positive for one or more seromarkers) among low-income groups. A significant income effect was observed for HBsAg seroprevalence with a 28% higher risk for low income versus high cases (OR: 1.28, 95%CI: 1.16 - 1.41). However, no statistically significant associations were found between seroprevalence of Anti-HBs, Anti-HBc, and income. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that low income may increase the risk of hepatitis B seroprevalence, especially for HBsAg seroprevalence. Programs on hepatitis B prevention should focus on those with low income. Further studies are warranted to establish causality.
The guilt: From mythos to law
Authors: Stepanov Radivoj
Published: December 2020

U radu su obuhvaćeni osnovni pravni, sociološki, politički i kulturološki aspekti krivice. Strukturu rada čine sledeći delovi: Uvodne napomene; Krivica u Starom zavetu (Hebrejskoj Bibliji) i sveštenoj (rabinskoj) literaturi; Antička književnost i filozofija o krivici; Krivica u rimskom i germanskom pravu; Savremena shvatanja problema krivice; Odgovornost (krivica) u Srbiji - pitanja bez odgovora?.
About the guilt
Authors: Kubinjec Janko
Published: December 2020

The author discusses the phenomenon of guilt from law-philosophical viewpoint and from critique of Jasper's opinions. He points on the difference between the empirical kinds of guilt (legal, ethical, political traditional) and their metaphysical fundament. On the metaphysical level the theoretical mind establishes the concept of guilt, but on the empirical level the practical mind creates the individual norms and judgments about the guilt.
Enforcement of judgments according to European legal standards
Authors: Grubač Momčilo
Published: December 2020

The author gives an overview of the achievements of the 24th Conference of European Ministers of Justice, held in Moscow in October 2001, and in particular its section relating to enforcement of judgments. In the first part of the article, the author writes about enforcement of judgments containing a long-term imprisonment sentence. He analyzes in depth the conditions and rules on keeping prisoners, their education and employment, security of prisoners and personnel, conditional release, status of aliens and stateless persons, and relations between the prison system and private sector. In the second part of the article, the author writes about enforcement of judgments in civil matters and the respective strengthening and/or weakening of the state role in this domain.
Stabilization and association treaties in the law of the European Union
Authors: Medović Vladimir
Published: December 2020

The European Communities did not cease to exist after the foundation of the European Union by the Treaty of Mastricht in 1992. In fact, they act as pillars on which the European Union stands, together with the Police and Judicial Cooperation in Criminal Matters and Common Foreign and Security Policy. The European Union does not have the status of a legal entity or a capacity to enter into treaties with third countries or international organization. In both foreign and domestic proceedings it relies upon the institutions and instruments of the European Communities. The European Communities are autonomous in relation to the European Union and act in accordance with the rules contained in the foundation Treaties, which, however, make a constituent part of the Treaty on European Union. The foundation Treaties of the European Communities provide for a possibility for the Communities to enter into international treaties with third countries or international organizations. Stabilization and Association Treaties belong to the category of Association Treaties defined in Article 310 of the Treaty on European Union. Considering that these treaties regulate certain fields which belong to competence of the member states, the member states are usually parties to these treaties along with the European Communities. International treaties entered into between the European Communities and third countries are binding upon the Community institutions and upon member states. International treaties entered in this way are considered a part of Community law. Member states are bound to recognize such effects to these treaties as are provided in the Community law itself.
Regulatory activities of the European Union and other states in the international community: The tripartite relationship in the field of private international law
Authors: Korhecz Tamas
Published: December 2020

The subject of the study above, is the relation between the legislation, the normative system of the European Union and European and other states, with or without membership in European Union, especially in the field of international private law. The author, as visiting professor of International Private Law Faculty of law in Szeged, Hungary, with his short presentation of some legal institutes of international private law, comparing the legislation and the case law of the European Unions and European Court and international private law in general with signed and ratified Conventions, Agreements and Contracts of European and non European states, with and without membership in European Union, trying to make conclusions and to point out the problem of the hierarchy of this law in its application.
Constitutional charter and judicial review of constitutionality of general legal provisions
Authors: Gajić Dušan
Published: December 2020

Uređivanje navedenih, kao i mnogih drugih otvorenih pitanja Zakonom o organizaciji, funkcionisanju i načinu odlučivanja Suda Srbije i Crne Gore, zahteva, pored konstruktivne političke volje, stručni i odgovorni prilaz predlagača navedenog Zakona, koji zahteva uključivanje, u izradi tog Zakona, i što šireg kruga stručne javnosti, budući da u velikoj meri od budućih rešenja datih u navedenom Zakonu, zavisi i uspešno funkcionisanje vrlo značajne institucije državne zajednice Srbije i Crne Gore. Ovo je skromni prilog u navedenom cilju.
Certain disputed issues related to the preemption right
Authors: Cvetić Radenka
Published: December 2020

At one time there was a law in the Republic of Serbia ordering the court to check ex officio at the time of certification of the contract of sale of immovableness, whether the statutory preemption right has been respected. There is no such law since 1998, but the current Law on sale of immovable leaves a possibility of interpretation in favor of existence of a public protection of the preemption right. For this reason, the author, in the first section of her work, poses a general question: should there be a protection of the preemption right ex officio, or should such protection be available only at the request of the authorized person. In the second section of her work, the author draws attention to the necessity of existence of adequate rules that would prevent evasion of the preemption right, as well as the need to regulate precisely the legal effects of a request seeking protection of this right in case of breach of the right of priority.
Exemption of a Judge according to the law on civil procedure, article 71, paragraph 1, hyphens 6
Authors: Đisalov Miodrag
Published: December 2020

Requests for the exemption of a judge-chairman of tribunal according to the Article 71, Paragraph 1, Hyphens 6. are very common in practice. Justified or not, these requests affect the law principles and usage of a trial's authorizations and they immediately influence the judge's efficiency. This text is about establishing limits in the already existing legal solutions and directing the law applications and judge's behavior. The aim is to protect the judge's functions and authority of the court, as well as, to protect the other party in the trial that may have consequences as the result of the prolongation.
Serbian judiciary in the early XIX Century
Authors: Petrić Branko
Published: December 2020

The author shows that four periods may be identified within the history of development of Serbia judiciary in the early XIX century: period of the First Serbian Uprising (1804-1813); time of Turkish reoccupation (1813-1815) period of Duke Miloš Obrenović's first reign (1815-1839); and the period between 1840-1850. With full obedience of historical facts, the article identifies the first magistrates and their competences, legal resources evidences used in criminal and civil procedure, kinds of criminal acts and penalties, civil and property rights and certainty.
Sud Srbije i Crne Gore
Authors: Gajić Dušan
Published: December 2020

U cilju stvaranja pravnih pretpostavki za uspešno ostvarivanje principa vladavine prava pred sve građane i njihove institucije nameće se, u sadašnjoj fazi razvoja našeg društva, posebna pojačana obaveza da daju svoj doprinos kako bi navedeni princip što potpunije zaživio u praksi. U okviru te aktivnosti izuzetno mesto ima budući Zakon o organizaciji, funkcionisanju i načinu rada Suda Srbije i Crne Gore.
Research progress of the investigation of intrinsic and extrinsic origin of piezoelectric materials by X-ray diffraction
Authors: Zhang Guan-Jie , Yang Hao , Zhang Nan ,   Electronic Materials Research Laboratory, Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education & International Center for Dielectric Research, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China
Published: December 2020

Ferroelectric/piezoelectric perovskites are an important class of functional material and have broad application prospects in commercial, industrial, military and other areas because of their high dielectric constants, high piezoelectric coefficients, and high electromechanical coupling coefficients. Their structures, applications, and physical mechanisms have been intensively studied in condensed matter physics and material science. The piezoelectric properties of ferroelectric materials mainly originate from the intrinsic field-induced lattice distortion and extrinsic domain inversion and domain wall motion. Therefore, the understanding of and the distinguishing between these mechanisms are important for ascertaining the origin of the high-piezoelectric properties and developing new functional materials. In this article, we review the research progress of technical means and methodology of analyzing the changes of crystal lattices and magnetic domains of materials under the action of an externally applied electric field through the high-energy synchrotron X-ray diffraction experiments. The techniques and analysis methods involved in the review cover the time-resolved X-ray diffraction, single/double-peak analysis, full-pattern refinement, center-of-mass calculation, and field-induced phase transformation analysis, which are used to study the intrinsic and extrinsic contributions to sample’s macroscopic properties. It is expected to provide the research methods, which fulfill the individual experimental requirements, and the technical support for the mechanism analysis of various piezoelectric materials through the introduction and review of various methods.
Emergent vortex Majorana zero mode in iron-based superconductors
Authors: Kong Ling-Yuan , Ding Hong ,   Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China,   School of Physical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China,   CAS Center for Excellence in Topological Quantum Computation, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
Published: December 2020

During the recent years, the iron-based superconductors with a topological band structure have attracted intensive attention from the science community as a new and promising platform for emerging Majorana zero modes in their vortex core. These topological iron-based superconductors possess all of the desirable properties, i.e. single material, high-Tc superconductivity, strong electron-electron correlation and topological band structure, thus successfully avoiding the difficulties suffered by previous Majorana platforms, such as intrinsic topological superconductors and multiple types of proximitized heterostructures. So far, one has observed pristine vortex Majorana zero modes in several different compounds of iron-based superconductors. The systematic studies performed on those systems show that the vortex Majorana zero modes are quite evident experimentally and very clear theoretically, leading to a bright future in applications. The vortex cores of iron-based superconductors can become one of the major candidates for exploring topological quantum computing in the future. In this review article, we will focus on Fe(Te, Se) single crystal, to introduce the original ideas and research progress of the new emerging “iron home” for Majorana zero modes. Having elabrated the basic band structures and the experimental facts of the observed vortex zero modes in Fe(Te, Se), we will systematically summarize the main observations and fundamental physics of vortex Majorana zero modes in Fe(Te, Se). First of all, with the help of the observed behavior of Majorana wavefunction and quasiparticle poisioning, we will analyze the emerging mechanism of vortex Majorana zero modes in Fe(Te, Se). Then we will elaborate the measurements on Majorana symmetry and topological nature of vortex Majorana zero modes, assisted by several existing Majorana theories. After that, we will switch our view angle from quantum physics to quantum engineering, and comprehensively analyze the fate of vortex Majorana zero modes in a real material under a real environment, which may benefit the potential engineering applications in the future. This review article follows the physical properties of vortex Majorana zero modes, and emphasizes the link between theories and experiments. Our goal is to bridge the gap between the classical Majorana theories and the new emerging Majorana platform in iron-based superconductors, and help the readers to understand the experimental observations of the newly discovered “iron home” for Majoranas.
Does operating leverage increase firm's profitability and bankruptcy risk? Evidence from China's entry into WTO
Authors: Tao Qizhi , Zahid Zohaib , Mughal Azhar , Shahzad Farrukh
Published: December 2020

This study tests the relationship among operating leverage, profitability and financial leverage. Operating leverage boosts profitability and cuts down the optimal financial leverage of the firm. Therefore, operating leverage renders a negative relationship between profitability and financial leverage that is inconsistent with the static trade‐off theory. By considering WTO and using data of export manufacturing firms in China for the period 1990–2018, our results indicate that operating leverage and profitability have a positive relationship, and operating leverage is a central cause to create an inverse correlation between profitability and financial leverage when firm's revenue declines. In addition, operating and financial leverages have substitutions effect when the firm operating cost is quasi‐fixed. Furthermore, the firm's bankruptcy risk is linked with higher operating leverage. Our study suggests that firms should consider both operating and financial leverage to maximize their profitability because the preference of one leverage on the other increases bankruptcy risk, and operating leverage preference creates an inverse correlation between profitability and financial leverage.
Mechanically Induced Bright Luminescence from 1,2‐Dioxetane Containing PDMS Boosted by Fluoroboron Complex as an In‐Chain Fluorophore
Authors: Yuan Yuan , Di Baohua , Chen Yulan
Published: December 2020

Improving mechanochemiluminescent (MCL) sensitivity of 1,2‐dioxetane containing polymers is important for the applications of stress‐reporting soft materials. Herein, a series of MCL poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) have been synthesized by simultaneously incorporating difluoroboron β‐diketonate dye and 1,2‐dioxetane as the co‐crosslinkers to tune the energy transfer process across polymer chains. By covalently linked fluoroboron complex in PDMS network, the aggregation of the complex is overcome. Owing to its excellent opto‐physical properties, this fluoroboron complex is shown to be an effective in‐chain fluorophore to effectively enhance the chemiluminescence from polymeric 1,2‐dioxetane that is broken either thermally or mechanically. Studies on the optomechanical properties of these PDMS show that MCL intensity is increased with the concentration of fluoroboron complex and the wavelength of the emission is shifted. The results of the present study appear to be broadly useful for designing elastomeric networks with chemiluminescent property not only attractive for optical technology, but also useful for damage self‐reporting.
Antibacterial properties of cationic copolymers as a function of pendant alkyl chain length and degree of quaternization
Authors: Gokkaya Damla , Topuzogullari Murat , Arasoglu Tulin , Trabzonlu Kubra , Ozmen Mehmet Murat , Abdurrahmanoğlu Suzan
Published: December 2020

Antibacterial polymers are promising materials in the fight against bacterial infection which is a vital health problem. Among these materials, cationic (co)polymers with quaternary ammonium groups are of great interest and importance as they interact with the bacterial membrane causing cell death. The antibacterial efficacy can be improved by modifying the pendant alkyl groups and charge density of the polycation. In this study, alkylbromides with different chain lengths were used to obtain quaternized poly(4‐vinylpyridine‐co‐N‐vinylpyrrolidone) (P(4VP‐co‐NVP)) copolymers of various positive charge densities and pendent alkyl chain lengths. While the chemical structures of the produced copolymers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared and 1H NMR spectroscopy, physicochemical properties such as size and zeta potential were measured by dynamic light scattering spectrometry. It was determined that the zeta potentials and hydrodynamic diameters of the samples vary between +10 and +32 mV and 10 and 16 nm, respectively. The antibacterial activity of the copolymers were tested against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria by broth microdilution and standard ‘plate’ count methods. The results revealed that the antibacterial activity of the copolymers against Escherichia coli can be successfully adjusted through varying the chain length of the alkylating agent (hydrophobic chains) and the degree of quaternization (positive charge density). © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Author Correction: Aspartate/asparagine-β-hydroxylase: a high-throughput mass spectrometric assay for discovery of small molecule inhibitors
Authors: Brewitz Lennart , Tumber Anthony , Pfeffer Inga , McDonough Michael A. , Schofield Christopher J.
Published: December 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing Compared With Cultures, Gram Stain, and Microscopy in the Diagnosis of Vaginitis
Authors: Danby Claire S. , Althouse Andrew D. , Hillier Sharon L. , Wiesenfeld Harold C.
Published: December 2020

Objective

The aim of the study was to evaluate the performance of nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) for the diagnosis of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), bacterial vaginosis, and Trichomonas vaginalis.

Methods

A cross-sectional analysis of women with (n = 200) and without (n = 100) vulvovaginal symptoms was enrolled from outpatient gynecology offices and a vulvovaginal referral clinic. Vaginal swabs were analyzed by wet mount microscopy, yeast culture, Gram stain, T. vaginalis culture, and NAAT. Sensitivity and specificity analyses were performed.

Results

Among symptomatic women, the sensitivity of microscopy was 48.5% for VVC and 75% for T. vaginalis. Sensitivities of NAAT and culture for diagnosing VVC were 92.4% and 83.3%, respectively, whereas these methods were 100% and 93.8% for T. vaginalis. The sensitivity for bacterial vaginosis diagnosis by clinical criteria (“Amsel criteria”), Gram stain, and NAAT were 98.7%, 82.7%, and 78.7%, respectively. Test concordance rates were high between culture and NAAT for Candida species (91%) and between Gram stain and NAAT for the detection of bacterial vaginosis (88%). Among asymptomatic women, 20%–21% tested positive for bacterial vaginosis by Gram stain or NAAT, and 8%–13% were colonized with Candida species based on culture or NAAT.

Conclusions

Given the limitations of wet mount sensitivity for VVC and T. vaginalis, culture or NAAT testing should be considered when evaluating women with symptoms of vaginitis who test negative by microscopy. Although Amsel criteria accurately diagnosed bacterial vaginosis, NAAT is preferred for detection of T. vaginalis and performed similarly to culture for the diagnosis of VVC.
The intracellular domain of UNC5B facilities proliferation and metastasis of bladder cancer cells
Authors: Huang Yexiang , Zhang Zhe , Miao Miao , Kong Chuize
Published: December 2020

The intracellular domain of UNC5B contains both death domain and caspase‐3 cleavage site, and is regarded as a functional domain that mediates apoptosis. However, in our previous studies, we found that the death domain of UNC5B in bladder cancer cells could not be activated to promote apoptosis. In this study, different UNC5B truncates (residue 399‐945, residue 412‐945) were created to explore whether the caspase‐3 cleavage site (site 412), as another potential functional domain of its intracellular portion, could be activated to induce apoptosis in bladder cancer cells. Using mass spectrometry, we acquired a comprehensive and detailed identification of differentially expressed proteins by overexpressing UNC5B and its truncates. Protein‐protein‐interaction (PPI) network analysis was also applied to investigate the aggregation of related proteins and predict the functional changes. EDU assay, apoptosis, xenograft tumour implantation, migration, invasion and tumour metastasis were performed to comprehensively identify the effects of UNC5B truncates on bladder cancer cells. We demonstrate that the intracellular domain of UNC5B promotes cell proliferation in vitro and tumour formation in vivo, by binding to a large number of ribosomal proteins. The overexpression of intracellular domain also facilitates cells to migrate, invade and metastasize by interacting with fibronectin, beta‐catenin and vimentin. In addition, we reveal that overexpressing the intracellular domain of UNC5B cannot bind or activate cleaved caspase‐3 to trigger apoptosis in bladder cancer cells.