bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deficiency in CCR2 increases susceptibility of mice to infection with an intracellular pathogen, Francisella tularensis LVS, but does not impair development of protective immunity
Authors: Kurtz Sherry L. , De Pascalis Roberto , Meierovics Anda I. , Elkins Karen L.
Published: March 2021

CCR2 is the major chemokine receptor that regulates appropriate trafficking of inflammatory monocytes, but the role of this chemokine receptor and its ligands during primary and secondary infection with intracellular infections remains incompletely understood. Here we used murine infection with the Live Vaccine Strain (LVS) of Francisella tularensis to evaluate the role of CCR2 during primary and secondary parenteral responses to this prototype intracellular bacterium. We find that mice deficient in CCR2 are highly compromised in their ability to survive intradermal infection with LVS, indicating the importance of this receptor during primary parenteral responses. Interestingly, this defect could not be readily attributed to the activities of the known murine CCR2 ligands MCP-1/CCL2, MCP-3/CCL7, or MCP-5/CCL12. Nonetheless, CCR2 knockout mice vaccinated by infection with low doses of LVS generated optimal T cell responses that controlled the intramacrophage replication of Francisella, and LVS-immune CCR2 knockout mice survived maximal lethal Francisella challenge. Thus, fully protective adaptive immune memory responses to this intracellular bacterium can be readily generated in the absence of CCR2.
MicroRNA-212-5p and its target PAFAH1B2 suppress vascular proliferation and contraction via the downregulation of RhoA
Authors: Kim Gwi Ran , Zhao Tingwei , Kee Hae Jin , Kee Seung-Jung , Jeong Myung Ho
Published: March 2021

Vascular remodeling and contraction contribute to the development of hypertension. We investigated the role of miR-212-5p and its downstream target in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation, migration, and contraction. MicroRNA microarray and PCR analyses showed that miR-212-5p expression was increased with angiotensin II treatment in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, miR-212-5p mimic treatment attenuated and miR-212-5p inhibitor treatment increased VSMC proliferation and migration. Additionally, miR-212-5p mimic treatment suppressed VSMC contraction and related gene expression [Ras homolog gene family member A (RhoA) and Rho-associated protein kinase 2], while miR-212-5p inhibitor treatment exerted opposite effects. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase 1B2 (PAFAH1B2) is a target of miR-212-5p. miR-212-5p mimic treatment significantly reduced and miR-212-5p inhibitor treatment increased PAFAH1B2 expression. Furthermore, PAFAH1B2 expression was decreased in angiotensin II-treated aortic tissues and VSMCs. PAFAH1B2 was ubiquitously expressed in most adult rat tissues. In the vasculature, PAFAH1B2 was only distributed in the cytoplasm. PAFAH1B2 overexpression decreased A10 cell proliferation, while PAFAH1B2 knockdown increased A10 cell proliferation and cyclin D1 mRNA levels. PAFAH1B2 knockdown stimulated VSMC contraction and RhoA expression. These results suggest that miR-212-5p and PAFAH1B2 are novel negative regulators of VSMC proliferation, migration, and contraction in hypertension.
Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity of
1,2,3-Triazole Linked Benzo[d]oxazole-2-thiol/
oxazolo[4,5-b]pyridine-2-thiol Derivatives
Authors: Gour Pankaj , Deshmukh Lata , Dadmal Tulshiram , Ramteke Archana
Published: March 2021

A new series of 1,2,3-triazole linked mercaptobenzoxazole/oxazolo-
[4,5-b] pyridine-2-thiol derivatives (6a-j) were synthesized starting
from 2-aminophenol/2-aminopyridin-3-ol in three steps via cyclization,
alkylation followed by reaction with various aromatic azides using
click chemistry approach. All the synthesized compounds were
evaluated for their antimicrobial activity viz. E. coli, P. aeruginosa,
S. aureus and S. pyogenus and three pathogenic fungi viz. C. albicans,
A. niger and A. clavatus and promising compounds were identified.
Polyaniline-Lemon Juice@Silica Nanocomposities an Efficient
Catalyst for Synthesis of β-Amino Ketone
Authors: Kulkarni Pramod , Kohinkar Swati
Published: March 2021

The lemon juice anchored polyaniline nanoparticles were synthesized using aniline as a monomer and
lemon juice as acid dopant with potassium persulfate as the oxidant. The synthesized nanoparticles
were characterized by XRD, FESEM and EDX. The XRD pattern of polyaniline-lemon juice has been
shown crystalline nature and the average size found to be 2.998 nm. The polyaniline-lemon juice
nanoparticles were immobilized on column silica by grinding method. The polyaniline-lemon
juice@silica nanocomposite were characterized by XRD and FESEM. The XRD pattern of polyanilinelemon
juice@silica nanocomposite has been shown amphorous nature. This study has explored the
catalytic application of these nanocomposites in the synthesis of various β-amino ketones via a onepot
three-component Mannich reaction of aldehydes, ketones and aromatic amines. This method provides
a novel and enhanced amendment of three-component Mannich reaction in terms of mild reaction
conditions and clean reaction profiles, using a small quantity of catalyst and simple workup procedure.
Consequences of Restrictions, Therapies and Vaccines for Covid-19 Infection
Authors: Boretti Alberto
Published: March 2021

Herein, the available information about restrictions, therapies and vaccines for Covid-19 infection are
summarized. Fatalities have not been less in countries adopting harsher, generalized, lockdowns. Similarly,
dismissal of antiviral and immune therapeutic agents such as remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine,
lopinavir/ritonavir and interferon, while supporting only corticosteroids as therapy hasn’t translated
into a reduced number of casualties. First data from the country where the number of partially and fully
vaccinated has surpassed the 50% of the population suggests vaccines may not completely solve the
Covid-19 emergency.
Utility of Alternative Ankle Brachial Pressure Index for Screening Asymptomatic Peripheral Arterial Diseases in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction and Cerebrovascular Accident
Authors: Cherukumudi Amulya , Bhagavan Kalale Radhakrishna Iyengar
Published: March 2021

BACKGROUND Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is one of the macrovascular manifestations of systemic, diffuse atherosclerosis. Patients with acute myocardial infarction are at 3 - 5 times higher risk of developing associated PAD. Ankle Brachial Pressure Index (ABPI) is a simple, non-invasive test to diagnose peripheral arterial diseases in symptomatic cases. We wanted to assess the utility of an alternative formula for Ankle Brachial Pressure Index as a sensitive screening tool for asymptomatic peripheral arterial diseases in patients with acute myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular accident. METHODS This is a prospective observational study, recruiting eligible patients from medicine and cardiology outpatient department (OPD). Patients included were those with acute myocardial infarction (MI) or cerebrovascular accident (CVA). Sample size was calculated to be 257. ABPI was measured using a hand-held Doppler of 8 MHz and a standard sphygmomanometer. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. RESULTS Alternate ABPI showed a mean value of 0.9 + / - 0.072. In the study population, 61.1 % were found to have abnormal ABPI i.e., less than 0.9, which is nearly two thirds of the population. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was plotted against ABPI for sensitivity and specificity for the co-morbidities considered in the study. It was found that the AUC (Area Under the Curve) was statistically significant for acute MI and acute CVA, with a fair positive correlation. CONCLUSIONS The alternative, ABPI is a good screening test for detecting asymptomatic PAD in patients with acute MI and CVA. However, further comparative studies are required to confirm the utility of the same in such patients, especially in a larger, varied population. KEY WORDS Ankle Brachial Pressure Index, Atherosclerosis, Peripheral Arterial Disease, Cardiovascular Diseases
A Comparative Investigation on Egg Yolk Total Antioxidant Capacity Influencing Relativities to Mycotoxins - Ochratoxins
Authors: Kazemi Davar , Nosrati Arash Chaychi , Modiri Leila , Shahriyari Ali
Published: March 2021

BACKGROUND Ochratoxins include a family of toxic secondary metabolites produced by several species of fungi of the genus aspergillus and penicillium. Mycotoxins1 are important environmental pollutants that can be generated in a variety of food and feed components. Nowadays, most mycotoxins can be identified at an acceptable level in terms of legal, veterinary and medical needs. We wanted to compare the egg yolk total antioxidant capacity relativities to mycotoxins ochratoxins (OTA) to determine surges in side effects of human consumption. METHODS Samples were tested by the indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test kits according to the kit’s instructions. Finally, the collected data was analysed using SPSS software and descriptive statistics (contamination ratio, mean and standard deviation) and one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS Ochratoxin in all egg yolk samples of the studied 34 brands showed a minimum of 23.17 ppb and a maximum of 252.80 ppb. OTA residues indicate high risk levels to consumers. CONCLUSIONS According to the results, the transfer of mycotoxin metabolites to eggs has been in greater possibilities; therefore, control of mycotoxin contamination in laying hen diets and surveys in food and feed in intense risks is recommended to avoid the presence of mycotoxins in eggs intended for human consumption. KEY WORDS Mycotoxin, Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC), OTA, Egg Yolk
Choroidal Melanoma with No Evident Metastasis on Primary Diagnosis Hitting after a Long Period - A Challenging Case
Authors: Sune Pradeep , Sune Mona , Mukherji Ritica , Kalode Vishal , Pardasani Rajeev
Published: March 2021

Choroidal melanoma has been described in literature as “a complex and evolving story” which is not far from the reality. While the incidence of this deadly disease is lower in the Asian population in general, the severity of symptoms and lack of cost affordable strategies to manage a case with extensive metastasis are lacking. Therefore, it should be our primary objective as ophthalmologists to diagnose and manage the primary malignancy at the earliest and to persuade the patient for frequent follow ups. Uveal melanoma is the most commonly found primary intraocular tumour in adults.1 Out of the three varieties, choroidal melanoma accounts for 80 % of all uveal melanoma. It is more commonly found in Caucasians and in middle aged males2 with a predilection for tropical areas with high levels of solar radiation.3 The incidence of uveal melanoma in Asian and African population is 0.15 - 0.18 and 0.2 - 0.4 per million respectively which is lowest in the world.4 Its origin can be attributed to the melanocytes or melanin-containing cells found in uveal tissue and important predisposing factors include lighter skin tone and eye colour. Shah et al5 also stated that UV exposure due to arc welding is also a risk factor. Around one fourth of all cases maybe asymptomatic. Presentation as secondary angle closure glaucoma is rare. Othman et al6 found this rare presentation in eight cases all of whom required enucleation. In fact, glaucoma as an initial manifestation of uveal melanoma has been seen in only 3 % of all cases.7 Collaborative ocular melanoma study (COMS) was one of the largest multicentric randomised trials with 1302 subjects detailing demography of patients, classification as well as a comparative evaluation of its treatment modalities. It paved the way for the current standard of care in treating ocular melanomas. This study showed the growth patterns of small sized tumour and demonstrated that there was no significant difference in long term survival rates in patients treated by enucleation and those treated by brachytherapy.8 Although considered a landmark it did not take into account the doubling time for this aggressive malignancy nor did it account for micro metastasis not easily detectable at the time of presentation of primary tumour. There was also a lack of data regarding iris and ciliary body melanomas.9 In this respect the TNM classification of uveal melanoma is more comprehensive, if not complex. The main treatment modalities are radiation therapy and surgical removal of local tumour which range from the fairly simpler enucleation and exenteration to the more challenging endo-resection, exo-resection, transscleral or transretinal resection. The treatment of metastasis is less satisfactory and includes either resection of regional metastasis or hepatic intraarterial chemotherapy or hepatic perfusions. None of which have shown to have good long-term survival.10,11,12
Acute Appendicitis with Perinephric Abscess - A Rare Occurrence
Authors: Mohd Azharuddin , Jolly Harpreet Singh , Goyal Subhash
Published: March 2021

Vermiform appendix previously thought to be a vestigial organ, has a variable length of 2 - 20 cms. It arises from posteromedial wall of cecum, around 2 cms lower than the ileocecal valve. The tip of appendix can be in different directions like retrocecal, pelvic, subcecal, retroileal, preileal, subhepatic and ectopic.1 The appendix is supplied by the appendicular artery, anterior and posterior cecal arteries. Ileocolic and right colic veins drain venous blood of appendix. Ileocolic lymph nodes adjacent to the superior mesenteric artery drains the lymphatics.2 Acute appendicitis remains the commonest cause of acute abdominal pain requiring surgical intervention.3 Acute appendicitis may present as loss of appetite, periumbilical pain, nausea and few episodes of vomiting, associated with low grade fever (38˚ C), there is also signs of peritoneal inflammation in lower abdomen.4 Acute appendicitis is actually a clinical diagnosis and confirmed by laboratory investigations like neutrophilia and radiological studies like ultrasonography abdomen.5 Appendicular perforation, cecal perforation, gangrene, periappendicular abscess, peritonitis, bowel obstruction, septic seeding of mesenteric vessels, and very rarely perinephric abscess are the complications of acute appendicitis.6 Purulent collection between the kidney and Gerota’s fascia is called as perinephric abscess, mostly occurs due to rupture of intrarenal abscess into the space between kidney and Gerota’s fascia, few other causes of perinephric abscess include haematogenous spreading from other sites of infection and direct spread from adjacent viscera, perforated colon carcinoma, diverticulitis and osteomyelitis of adjacent ribs or vertebrae.7
Változások irányítás nélkül
Authors: Angyal Ádám
Published: March 2021

A változásvezetés korunk egy központi problémája. A hagyományos megközelítések mellett újabb értelmezések is kialakultak. A változásokat általában úgy tekintik, mint a vezetés által tervezett és megvalósított folyamatokat. Észre lehet azonban venni, hogy elég sok változás – például a válságok – nem a vezetők akarata szerint alakulnak. Ezeket irányítatlan változásoknak is nevezhetjük. Ezek felismerésére, kezelésére többféle, a hagyományos vezetéstudománytól eltérő módszerek állnak rendelkezésre. A cikk ezek közül mutat be néhány olyan megközelítést, amely alkalmas lehet az irányítatlan változások kezelésére.
Tulajdonosi értékteremtés melletti elkötelezettség Magyarországon és ennek hatása a pénzügyi teljesítményre
Authors: Kazainé Ónodi Annamária
Published: March 2021

A szerző az értékközpontú vállalatvezetés (VBM) elméleti koncepciójából kiindulva vizsgálta a magyarországi vállalatok tulajdonosi értékteremtéshez való viszonyát, illetve mintegy 11 évet felölelő versenyképességi kutatás adatbázisán az elkötelezett vállalatok pénzügyi teljesítményének alakulását. A nemzetközi kutatásoktól eltérően egy saját kategóriarendszert alakított ki a tulajdonosi értékteremtés melletti elkötelezettség vizsgálatához. A kutatás feltárta, hogy a magyarországi vállalatvezetők általában egyetértenek a tulajdonosi érdekek fontosságával, ugyanakkor bizonytalanság van abban a kérdésben, hogy mit is jelent a tulajdonosi érdekek figyelembevétele. A kutatás eredményei nem cáfolták meg azt a feltételezést, hogy a tulajdonosi értékre koncentrálás jobb pénzügyi teljesítményhez vezet.
Kvalitatív kutatás a Magyarországi integrált marketingkommunikáció-alkalmazás feltételeiről
Authors: Bernschütz Mária
Published: March 2021

A bemutatott kutatás fő célja az integrált marketingkommunikáció (IMK) jelentésének meghatározása, és a hozzá fűződő attitűdök, gyakorlatok összegzése. Szakirodalmi kutatások alapján elmondható, hogy a külföldi gyakorlat sem mutat egységes képet az IMK-val kapcsolatosan, holott az IMK egyik fő mondanivalója éppen az egységesség. Ezt a disszonanciát próbálták feltárni egy kvalitatív módszer, a grounded theory alkalmazás segítségével. A kutatás eredményeként az IMK alkalmazási modellt vázolják, s megemlítik a jelenséget, hogy egy marketingkommunikációs problémakör feltárásánál egy vezetési-szervezési nehézségbe ütköztek. Ez a cikk főképp a vállalati oldal véleményét testesíti meg. Az interjúalanyok között szerepeltek reklám-, médiaügynökségi képviselők, tanácsadók, illetve vállalati menedzserek.
Nanokompozyty na osnowie polipirolu w ochronie metali przed korozją – przegląd literatury
Authors: Zaręba Aleksandra
Published: March 2021

Korozji, jako procesu korzystnego termodynamicznie, nie można zatrzymać, ponieważ metale występują naturalnie w postaci rud tlenkowych lub soli metali. Dla gospodarki jest to niestety proces kapitałochłonny i niepożądany, jednak z zastosowaniem odpowiednich strategii działania można ograniczyć jego skalę. Niniejszy przegląd literatury, głównie z lat 2018–2020, skupia się na powłokach kompozytowych opartych na polimerze przewodzącym – polipirolu (PPy), wybranych tlenkach metali oraz, ewentualnie, domieszkach surfaktantów i innych związków. Celem pracy jest wykazanie roli polipirolu – polimeru przewodzącego, a przy tym ekologicznego, w ochronie konstrukcji przed korozją metali.
Musical Composition in the Context of Globalization
Authors: Utz Christian
Published: March 2021

Since the early transformation of European music practice and theory in the cultural centers of Asia, Latin America, and Africa around 1900, it has become necessary for music history to be conceived globally - a challenge that musicology has hardly faced yet. This book discusses the effects of cultural globalization on processes of composition and distribution of art music in the 20th and 21st century. Christian Utz provides the foundations of a global music historiography, building on new models such as transnationalism, entangled histories, and reflexive globalization. The relationship between music and broader changes in society forms the central focus and is treated as a pivotal music-historical dynamic.
Mann-männliches Begehren und Sexualverhalten in mittelhochdeutschen Texten
Authors: Remele Florian
Published: March 2021

Mann-männliches Begehren und Sexualverhalten stellt in der (germanistischen) Mediävistik seit Langem kein vernachlässigtes Feld mehr dar, allerdings wird die Diskussion um unterschiedliche methodische Herangehensweisen noch immer kontrovers geführt. Dabei wurde zwar die Übertragung des modernen Konzepts der Homosexualität auf die Vormoderne schon häufig als anachronistisch kritisiert, doch werden bis heute nur selten methodische Konsequenzen aus diesen Einschränkungen gezogen. Dieser Beitrag stellt in kritischer Auseinandersetzung mit jüngeren Methoden - z.B. dem Queer Reading - eine Sichtweise vor, die zwischen unterschiedlichen historischen Phänomenen mann-männlichen Begehrens und Sexualverhaltens differenziert. Anhand des mittelhochdeutschen Textes ›Der Gürtel‹ Dietrichs von der Glezze soll dann der Mehrwert dieses Ansatzes für die Textinterpretation geprüft werden.
Der transgressive Charakter der Pornografie
Authors: Schocher Nathan
Published: March 2021

Viele Menschen nutzen täglich Pornografie. Doch was erregt, erregt auch Anstoß - aktuell vor allem im Rahmen zweier Debatten: der sogenannten Pornografisierung der Gesellschaft und der Popularisierung von alternativen Pornografien. Nathan Schocher zeigt, dass diese Debatten in einem transgressiven Charakter der Pornografie wurzeln. In der Auseinandersetzung mit den philosophischen Konzepten von Foucault und Bataille sowie feministischer Pornografie-Kritik von Butler und Preciado entwickelt er ein Instrumentarium, mit dem sich ein differenziertes Bild des transgressiven Charakters der Pornografie zeichnen lässt.
Der Dandy im Smart Home
Authors: Hüttemann Felix
Published: March 2021

Was ist ein Dandy? Und was hat diese Figur mit Technologie zu tun? Felix Hüttemann extrapoliert ausgehend von diesen Fragen eine (Medien-)Ästhetik, die dandyistische Prozesse für die Auseinandersetzung mit smarten Technologien (ubiquitous computing, calm technology, Internet der Dinge) fruchtbar macht. Die Relationen der Literatur, des Interieurs, der Dinge, der Technik und Medien sind hierbei Bezüge, anhand derer sich die Studie dem ästhetischen Paradigma »Dandyismus« annähert und zeigt: Die heutigen environmentalen Settings der Umgebungstechnologie revitalisieren Subjektivierungsprozesse, die im 19. Jahrhundert dandyistischen Figuren und Formierungen zu eigen waren.
Der alte Mensch als Verschlusssache
Authors: Schulz-Nieswandt Frank
Published: March 2021

Die soziale Ausgrenzung hochaltriger Menschen in Pflegeheimen ist mit der Corona-Krise eskaliert und macht die traditionellen Strukturprobleme des Pflegesektors überdeutlich. Statt ein Ort des alltäglichen Lebens und normalen Wohnens mit sozialen Kontakten zu sein, bestimmen mehr denn je Schutz und Sicherheit die Wirklichkeit der Bewohner*innen: Der alte Mensch im Pflegeheim wird zur Verschlusssache. Frank Schulz-Nieswandt nimmt sich in seiner interdisziplinären Analyse der Frage an, was angesichts der Krise an und mit den Menschen in diesen Wohnformen geschieht.
Möglichkeit
Authors: Gantner Gösta
Published: March 2021

Was meinen wir, wenn wir soziale Konstellationen als »möglich« bezeichnen? Diese Frage wurde allzu oft nur randständig beleuchtet, obwohl »Möglichkeit« seit Aristoteles zum grundbegrifflichen Repertoire der praktischen Philosophie zählt. Umso unverständlicher wirkt die Zurückhaltung von Horkheimer und Adorno, den Begriff gesellschaftstheoretisch zu explizieren. Gösta Gantner zeigt, inwiefern die Vorstellungen des »Andersseinkönnens« und der »Potentialität« die Kritische Theorie nahezu unbemerkt dominieren. Als Schlüsselbegriff trägt »Möglichkeit« dazu bei, aktuelle Varianten kritischen Denkens in ihrem leitenden Erkenntnisinteresse und ihrer praktischen Ausrichtung zu schärfen: Im Lichte der Kritik des Gegebenen geht es um das, was anders sein kann.
Paris (re)konstruieren
Authors: Kröger Julia
Published: March 2021

Ausgehend von Henri Lefebvre und Paul Ricoeur entwickelt Julia Kröger eine Raumtheorie, die eine Neubewertung der (Re)Konstruktionen von Paris im Naturalismus Émile Zolas erlaubt. Um den Prozess von der Dokumentation hin zur literarischen Fiktion in seinen unterschiedlichen Stufen nachvollziehen zu können, untersucht sie neben ausgewählten Romanen auch die Arbeitsbücher des Schriftstellers und Journalisten. Dabei wird deutlich, inwiefern in Zolas Darstellungen des Stadtraums schon zahlreiche Aspekte jener urbanen Moderne vorweggenommen wurden, die bisher vor allem Texten und Theorien des 20. Jahrhunderts zugeschrieben werden.
Mythos Lesen
Authors: Benesch Klaus
Published: March 2021

Die Gründe für den rasanten Prestigeverlust von Buchkultur und Geisteswissenschaften sind vielfältig. Niemand weiß, wie die Zukunft des Lesens tatsächlich aussehen wird. Dennoch lassen sich einige Antworten aus den Entwicklungen seit der Jahrtausendwende extrapolieren. Um ein breites Spektrum unterschiedlicher Positionen zu Wort kommen zu lassen, nimmt Klaus Benesch das Thema nicht nur aus Sicht der Leseforschung und der Literaturwissenschaften in den Blick. Das Fragen nach der sich wandelnden Rolle des Lesens und der Geisteswissenschaften im Informationszeitalter verlangt auch nach der Ausweitung der Perspektive in den Bereich der Gesellschafts- und Wissenschaftspolitik. Neue Selbstbilder der Geisteswissenschaften sind nötig, die die Kulturtechnik des Lesens in Zeiten der Digitalisierung auf neuartige Weise zeitgemäß und nachhaltig erschließen.
Doing Journeys - Transatlantische Reisen von Lateinamerika nach Europa schreiben, 1839-1910
Authors: Riettiens Lilli
Published: March 2021

Lilli Riettiens untersucht spanischsprachige Reiseberichte, die von der Atlantiküberquerung mit dem Dampfschiff erzählen, und nimmt die reisenden Körper und ihre Praktiken in den Blick. Im Spannungsfeld von Körper und Raum beleuchtet sie die geografischen und sozialen Räume, die durch die Bewegung der reisenden Körper auf textueller Ebene entstehen. Ihre Perspektive zeigt die maßgebliche Beteiligung der schreibenden Transatlantikreisenden an der Herstellung sozialer Wirklichkeit(en).
Power Conversion System for Hybrid Battery-Capacitor Storage
Authors: Serna-Garcés Sergio Ignacio , Ramos-Paja Carlos Andrés , Gonzalez-Montoya Daniel
Published: March 2021

Context: Thanks to the low emissions of CO2 generated by electric systems, those solutions have anincreased attention from industry and academia. However, the electrical storage systems required in alarge amount of applications must to have both high energy and power densities.

Method: To meet those requirements, this paper proposes an active hybrid energy storage system(HESS), which is formed by a battery, i.e. the device with high energy density, and a capacitor, i.e. the device with high power capability. The proposed power system also protects the battery by limiting the current derivative.

Results: Two sliding-mode controllers (SMC) are designed to regulate both the battery current and the load voltage. The design process guarantees the global stability and safe battery operation.

Conclusions: The controller avoids the battery degradation caused by the high-frequency current components since the capacitor assumes those components demanded by the load profile.
Formação acadêmica e as compreensões de natureza da ciência e de investigação científica de alunos de cursos de licenciatura
Authors: Manica Grando Letícia , Aparecida Meglhioratti Fernanda
Published: March 2021

Este estudo faz parte de uma pesquisa maior, na qual, em um primeiro momento, os estudantes dos últimos anos de diferentes cursos de graduação de uma universidade pública do Oeste do Paraná - Brasil responderam ao questionário VASI - The Views About Scientific Inquiry. De modo geral, verificamos nessa etapa que os estudantes não têm clareza dos aspectos que compreendem uma Investigação Científica. Essa investigação foi complementada por uma entrevista semiestruturada com 19 alunos de seis cursos de diferentes áreas do conhecimento, abordando tanto as questões que apareceram no questionário VASI como outras questões referentes à Formação Científica, Natureza da Ciência e Investigação Científica em diferentes cursos de licenciatura. Nesse artigo, apresentamos as respostas dos estudantes a essas entrevistas. As respostas foram sistematizadas por meio de Análise de Conteúdo. Identificamos que uma quantia significante de estudantes reconhece que teve seu primeiro contato científico na graduação. Além de que, os alunos, em geral, compreendem que a profissão cientista, condiz com o trabalho realizado pelos seus professores da graduação. Ainda, alguns estudantes apresentam ideias de que o processo científico vai além das pesquisas realizadas na área estritamente experimental. A maioria dos estudantes considera que uma pesquisa científica começa por um problema ou questão, no entanto, quando se pede para reconhecer uma situação de pesquisa não identifica a presença da questão norteando a mesma. Também identificamos dificuldades entre os alunos na distinção entre os termos experimentação e observação. Esses dados indicam que o trabalho explícito, em especial com os aspectos relativos à Investigação Científica, seria importante para a formação dos acadêmicos em diferentes áreas do conhecimento, tanto para o entendimento de seus próprios campos de pesquisa como para sua futura docência.
Práticas de professores com abordagens investigativas
Authors: Lima Maria da Conceição , Miranda Vianna Deise
Published: March 2021

Nossa principal pergunta é se é possível empregar a abordagem didática do ensino por investigação em quaisquer ênfases do ensino de Física trabalhados pelos professores, seja teoricamente, em sala de aula, ou em laboratório, durante as aulas. Para respondermos a tal questão, debatemos com os professores durante suas formações iniciais e continuadas, diferentes ênfases de ensino, sempre ressaltando que em quaisquer delas o Ensino por Investigação é uma possibilidade de abordagem didática. Para o Ensino Fundamental e o Médio, consideramos como ênfases de ensino de Física, tanto teóricas, quanto experimentais, abordagens da História da Ciência; relações entre Ciência e Arte, como também em Ciência, Tecnologia e Sociedade (CTS); questões de Inclusão Escolar; relações com o Meio Ambiente; atividades de Divulgação Científica, como por exemplo, a organização de visitas a museus, entre outras. Cada estudante tem sob sua responsabilidade preparar materiais ao longo do curso ministrado na Universidade, considerando as diferentes ênfases de ensino de Física, mas obrigatoriamente fazendo o uso de atividades por investigação. Consideramos que, com este tipo de formação inicial, oferecemos aos licenciandos condições de ter, quando formados, alternativas para atuar no mercado de trabalho de maneira diferenciada ao ensino tradicional, que até hoje temos nas escolas brasileiras, mas não nos limitamos à formação inicial. Pesquisas de mestrado e doutorado têm sido orientadas, tendo como tema questões que envolvem o ensino por investigação. Estas práticas vêm sendo desenvolvidas nos Institutos de Física das Instituições de Ensino Superior: UFRJ e UERJ, assim como no Programa de pós-graduação em Biociência e Saúde do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz.
O conhecimento em Vigotski: uma contribuição à compreensão do referencial histórico-cultural
Authors: Pires de Camargo Eder , Galbiatti Douglas Augusto
Published: March 2021

Nesse artigo abordamos pontos chave acerca do tema do conhecimento segundo a perspectiva vigotskiana, tais como: apropriação do conhecimento, parceiro mais capaz e desenvolvimento do pensamento.   Expomos assim, segundo essa teoria, as formas pelas quais o conhecimento é formulado e internalizado pelos seres humanos. Almejamos, dessa forma, elucidar as vias de formação e desenvolvimento intelectual dos indivíduos, embasados nas investigações experimentais de Vigotski e seus colaboradores. Para esse autor, o conhecimento é um produto essencialmente cultural, que é internalizado pelos indivíduos devido às interações sociais existentes entre eles e, em especial, os reconhecidos “parceiros mais capazes”. Salientamos, ainda, que as contribuições presentes nesse artigo são de cunho teórico.
Unblocking tapones and finding pleasant places
Authors: Garcia Ofelia
Published: March 2021

Tapón is the word that comes to mind when I think about this piece. The tapón of my bathtub in Cuba when I was a child that prevented the water from streaming out. The tapón of the traffic jams in Puerto Rico, leaving my mother-in-law´s house to go anywhere, as the traffic stopped flowing. And the tapón I feel today, in NYC, in the midst of a pandemic that has hit poor communities of color the hardest, and as a smooth transition to a new president has been slowed down by lies and innuendos of fraud. I have written many academic articles, but never have I struggled with the tapón I have felt in writing this piece that urged me to take a “viaje a la semilla,” the title of a book by Alejo Carpentier, a Cuban author. Taking a trip ‘to the seed of it all’ is painful, and I have resisted lifting the tapón that has kept me from looking inward, linking my today with my past. I thank Sonia Nieto, a beacon and inspiration to all Latinas and all educators, for asking me to unclog memories of who I am, and how my who is related to the work in which I have engaged. In so doing, I recognize those who have been with me in the streams of my life as a woman, a student, a mother, a wife, a grandmother, a teacher, an academic.  As I have done so, I have realized more than ever that as Psalm 16 says: “The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places,” and it has been my family, teachers, colleagues and students who have given me more than I deserve. [Download the PDF to read more about Dr. Garcia's journey and wisdom]
Short-term Hydro-Thermal-Wind-Solar Power Scheduling: A Case Study of Kanyakumari Region of India
Authors: Kaur Sunimerjit , Brar Yadwinder Singh , Dhillon Jaspreet Singh
Published: March 2021

In this paper, a multi-objective hydro-thermal-wind-solar power scheduling problem is established and optimized for the Kanyakumari (Tamil Nadu, India) for the 18th of September of 2020. Four contrary constraints are contemplated for this case study (i) fuel cost and employing cost of wind and solar power system, (ii) NOx emission, (iii) SO2 emission, and (iv) CO2 emission. An advanced hybrid simplex method named as-the -constrained simplex method (ACSM) is deployed to solve the offered problem. To formulate this technique three amendments in the usual simplex method (SM) are adopted (i) -level differentiation, (ii) mutations of the worst point, and (iii) the incorporation of multi-simplexes. The fidelity of the projected practice is trailed upon two test systems. The first test system is hinged upon twenty-four-hour power scheduling of a pure thermal power system. The values of total fuel cost and emissions (NOx, SO2, CO2) are attained as 346117.20 Rs, 59325.23 kg, 207672.70 kg, and 561369.20 kg, respectively. In the second test system, two thermal generators are reintegrated with renewable energy resources (RER) based power systems (hydro, wind, and solar system) for the same power demands. The hydro, wind, and solar data are probed with the Glimn-Kirchmayer model, Weibull Distribution Density Factor, and Normal Distribution model, respectively. For this real-time hydro-thermal-wind-solar power scheduling problem the values of fuel cost and emissions (Nox, SO2, CO2) are shortened to 119589.00 Rs, 24262.24 kg, 71753.80 kg, and 196748.20 kg, respectively for the specified interval. The outturns using ACSM are contrasted with the SM and evolutionary method (EM). The values of the operating cost of solar system, wind system, total system transmission losses, and computational time of test system-2 with ACSM, SM, and EM are evaluated as 620497.40 Rs, 1398340.00 Rs, 476.6948 MW & 15.6 seconds; 620559.45 Rs, 1398479.80 Rs, 476.7425 MW & 16.8 seconds; and 621117.68 Rs, 1399737.80 Rs, 477.1715 MW and 17.3 seconds, respectively. The solutions portray the sovereignty of ACSM over the other two methods in the entire process.
Żywiołowe rozprzestrzenianie się Poznania: profil morfologiczny i mikroekonomiczny
Authors: Lityński Piotr
Published: March 2021

The aim of the article is to assess Poznań’s urban sprawl from the perspective of the morphology of space and financial situation of suburban households. The morphological assessment uses a method based on two grids of squares with a side: 1 km, 500 m; and data on the location of buildings from CCGCD. On the other hand, the assessment of households was carried out on the basis of the CSO Household Budget database. The results of the research indicate that the analyzed communes in the Poznań area are characterized by a moderate degree of disorder in the spatial structure. There are no communes with a completely compact specificity, there are also no communes with an absolutely high degree of spatial disorder. Households causing urban sprawl in Poznań are entities that incur moderate financial losses in order to maximize their housing preferences.
Laser toys fail to comply with safety standards – case study based on laser product classification
Authors: Mlynczak Jaroslaw
Published: March 2021

The article describes the laser safety classification of a laser toy for children equipped with a laser aimer/illuminator with two radiation sources. Following the rules presented in EN 60825-1: 2014 standard, the tests and measurements of the accessible emission were carried out and the class of the laser product was determined to be 3R. It was shown that the laser toy does not comply with the requirements of the EN 62115: 2020 standard and the Public Health England Guidance. The potential hazards associated with Class 3R, indicated in the EN 60825-1: 2014 standard, are also discussed.
Wir müssen abwägen – aber wie sollen wir abwägen?
Authors: Wingert Lutz
Published: March 2021

The global Covid-19 crisis raises at least three moral questions, which my contribution answers as follows: (1) Which patient should get treatment according to triage criteria? The patient whose treatment has the best prospect of success. (2) How should we resolve the conflict between public health measures and economic needs? Public health should have priority, but reaches its limits where the individual right to stay afloat through one’s own work is violated. (3) How should we resolve the conflict between public health measures and civil liberties? Public health should have priority, but reaches its limits where the restriction of freedom violates the integrity of individual health and personal freedom. The answers and the arguments behind these are developed through the discussion of a wide range of current public health policies, concrete measures, and competing approaches to moral questions in the Covid-19 pandemic.
When is the Best Time to Learn? – Evidence from an Introductory Statistics Course
Authors: Massing Till , Reckmann Natalie , Blasberg Alexander , Otto Benjamin , Hanck Christoph , Goedicke Michael
Published: March 2021

We analyze learning data of an e-assessment platform for an introductory mathematical statistics course, more specifically the time of the day when students learn and the time they spend with exercises. We propose statistical models to predict students’ success and to describe their behavior with a special focus on the following aspects. First, we find that learning during daytime and not at nighttime is a relevant variable for predicting success in final exams. Second, we observe that good and very good students tend to learn in the afternoon, while some students who failed our course were more likely to study at night but not successfully so. Third, we discuss the average time spent on exercises. Regarding this, students who participated in an exam spent more time doing exercises than students who dropped the course before.
Prediction Model of Magnetorheological (MR) Fluid Damper Hysteresis Loop using Extreme Learning Machine Algorithm
Authors: Saharuddin K. D. , Ariff M. H. M. , Mohmad K. , Bahiuddin I. , Ubaidillah  , Mazlan S. A. , Nazmi N. , Fatah A. Y. A.
Published: March 2021

Magnetorheological (MR) fluid is among the smart materials that can change its default properties with the influence of a magnetic field. Typical application of an MR fluid based device involves an adjustable damper which is commercially known as an MR fluid damper. It is used in vibration control as an isolator in vehicles and civil engineering applications. As part of the device development process, proper understanding of the device properties is essential for reliable device performance analysis. This study introduce an accurate and fast prediction model to analyse the dynamic characteristics of the MR fluid damper. This study proposes a new modelling technique called Extreme Learning Machine (ELM) to predict the dynamic behaviour of an MR fluid damper hysteresis loop. This technique was adopted to overcome the limitations of the existing models using Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs). The results indicate that the ELM is extremely faster than ANN, with the capability to produce high accuracy prediction performance. Here, the hysteresis loop, which represents the relationship of force-displacement for the MR fluid damper, was modelled and compared using three different activation functions, namely, sine, sigmoid and hard limit. Based on the results, it was found that the prediction performance of ELM model using the sigmoid activation functions produced highest accuracy, and the lowest Root Mean Square Error (RMSE).
Geochemistry of the Madawara Igneous Complex, BundelkhandCraton, Central India: Implications for PGE Metallogeny
Authors: Manavalan Satyanarayanan , Singh Surya Prakash , Balaram Vysetti , Niranjan Mohanty
Published: March 2021

The southern part of the Bundelkhand cratoncontains a series of a E-W trending mafic and ultramaficrocks, about 40 km in length and 2–4 km wide, that occuras intrusions within the Bundelkhand Gneissic Complex(BnGC). They are confined between the Madawara-Karitoran and Sonrai-Girar shear zones. Dunite, harzburgite,lherzolite and websterite are the commonly occurringultramafic rocks that have high MgO, Ni, Cr, PGE andlow Al2O3, CaO, K2O, TiO2 and V contents, and showsperidotitic affinity. A distinct trend of crystallization fromperidotite to komatiitic basalt has been inferred from geochemicalplots, which also indicates the occurrence ofat least two varieties among the ultramafic suite of theMadawara ultramafic complex, namely, Group I comprisingdunite, spinel peridotite, harzburgite and lherzolite,and Group II consisting of pyroxenite, websterite andolivine websterite. In several places, the rocks of Group IIhave an intrusive relationship with Group I, and are relativelyenriched in total platinum group elements (PGE ~300 ppb). The discrimination diagrams suggest that thePGE are enriched in low sulphur-fugacity source magma atmoderate to deeper depths by high degree of partial meltingof the mantle.
Evaluation of some sunflower genotypes for agronomic traits and oil quality
Authors: Aboelkassem Khaled Mohamed , Ahmed Asmaa Abd-EL-Halime , Abdelsatar Mohamed Ali
Published: March 2021

The present investigation was carried out to evaluate agronomic performance and oil quality of seven sunflower genotypes at Shandaweel Research Station, Agricultural Research Center, Sohag, Egypt during 2018 and 2019 summer seasons. These genetic materials were sown in a randomized complete block design having three replications. Significant genetic variations among evaluated sunflower genotypes for agronomic traits and oil quality were observed. The superior sunflower genotypes were Line 120 for seed yield per hectare (3102.38 kg), Sakha 53 for seed oil content (44.63 %) and Line 125 for oil quality where it contained the highest proportion of unsaturated fatty acids (89.20 %). The phenotypic coefficients of variation were slightly higher than genotypic coefficients of variation for all studied traits. High heritability (exceeded 60%) and genetic advance as percent of mean (ranged from medium to high, exceeded 10%) was observed for most studied traits. Seed yield per plant positively correlated with plant height, stem diameter, head diameter, and 100-seed weight and most chemical traits at phenotypic and genotypic levels. Maximum phenotypic direct effects on seed yield per plant were observed for 100-seed weight, head diameter and total unsaturated fatty acids. While, the highest genotypic direct effect on seed yield per plant was observed for head diameter. Hence, most studied traits could be employed as selection criteria for improving evaluated sunflower genotypes.
Employing satire and humor in facing a pandemic
Authors: Zekavat Massih
Published: March 2021

This research employs the Theory of Planned Behavior and the Focus Theory of Normative Conduct to convey howThe Late Show with Stephen Colbertemploys humor and satire with the aim of providing information, proffering injunctive norms, and modifying attitudes and subjective norms in its public audience, while exposing the inefficacy of behavioral controls and urging public authorities to adopt effective ones instead. In the earlier stages of the pandemic in the US, theShowprimarily appealed to people to change their behavior through providing information, invoking injunctive norms and affiliations, foregrounding appropriate attitudes and subjective norms; at the same time, its repertoire included social and political satire drawing on organizational and institutional mechanisms of behavioral control. As the health crisis became increasingly politicized, theShowredirected its satire to policies and political figures and sought to change the behavior of policymakers in setting proper role models and adopting wiser behavioral controls to lead the nation through the crisis. Meanwhile, individual responsibility was never spared in satiric attempts to change behavior as theShowcontinued to provide its audience with new scientific information and encouraged them to follow scientific recommendations.
Bayesian approaches to variable selection: a comparative study from practical perspectives
Authors: Lu Zihang , Lou Wendy
Published: March 2021

In many clinical studies, researchers are interested in parsimonious models that simultaneously achieve consistent variable selection and optimal prediction. The resulting parsimonious models will facilitate meaningful biological interpretation and scientific findings. Variable selection via Bayesian inference has been receiving significant advancement in recent years. Despite its increasing popularity, there is limited practical guidance for implementing these Bayesian approaches and evaluating their comparative performance in clinical datasets. In this paper, we review several commonly used Bayesian approaches to variable selection, with emphasis on application and implementation through R software. These approaches can be roughly categorized into four classes: namely the Bayesian model selection, spike-and-slab priors, shrinkage priors, and the hybrid of both. To evaluate their variable selection performance under various scenarios, we compare these four classes of approaches using real and simulated datasets. These results provide practical guidance to researchers who are interested in applying Bayesian approaches for the purpose of variable selection.
Two seemingly paradoxical results in linear models: the variance inflation factor and the analysis of covariance
Authors: Ding Peng
Published: March 2021

A result from a standard linear model course is that the variance of the ordinary least squares (OLS) coefficient of a variable will never decrease when including additional covariates into the regression. The variance inflation factor (VIF) measures the increase of the variance. Another result from a standard linear model or experimental design course is that including additional covariates in a linear model of the outcome on the treatment indicator will never increase the variance of the OLS coefficient of the treatment at least asymptotically. This technique is called the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), which is often used to improve the efficiency of treatment effect estimation. So we have two paradoxical results: adding covariates never decreases the variance in the first result but never increases the variance in the second result. In fact, these two results are derived under different assumptions. More precisely, the VIF result conditions on the treatment indicators but the ANCOVA result averages over them. Comparing the estimators with and without adjusting for additional covariates in a completely randomized experiment, I show that the former has smaller variance averaging over the treatment indicators, and the latter has smaller variance at the cost of a larger bias conditioning on the treatment indicators. Therefore, there is no real paradox.