bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Radiation properties of quantum emitters via a plasmonic waveguide integrated with a V-shaped traveling wave antenna
Authors: Ding Yinxing , Xu Yi , He Axin , Zhang Tongzhou , Gao Baowei , Zhang Jiasen
Published: October 2020

We experimentally study the radiation direction and relaxation rate of quantum emitters (QEs) coupled with a plasmonic waveguide integrated with a V-shaped traveling wave antenna. The plasmonic waveguide couples the excitation energy of the nearby QEs into surface plasmons and the connected V-shaped traveling wave antenna converts them into highly directional radiation. The directivity of the radiation depends on the shape of the antenna. The half-power beam widths of the radiation with respect to the azimuthal and polar angles are as small as 15.1° and 13.1°, respectively, when the antenna has a 144° intersection angle. The relaxation rates of the QEs are enhanced up to 33.04 times relative to the intrinsic emission rate. The method to control the fluorescence of QEs is of great significance for optical devices, nanoscale light sources, and integrated optics.
Linear absorption tomography with velocimetry (LATV) for multiparameter measurements in high-speed flows
Authors: Grauer Samuel J. , Steinberg Adam M.
Published: October 2020

We present a linear model for absorption tomography with velocimetry (LATV) to reconstruct 2D distributions of partial pressure, temperature, and streamwise velocity in a high-speed flow. Synthetic measurements are generated by multi-beam tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS). The measurement plane is tilted relative to the streamwise direction and absorbance spectra are Doppler-shifted by the gas flow. Reconstruction comprises two stages. First, the thermodynamic state is obtained by reconstructing two or more integrated absorption coefficients and evaluating local Boltzmann plots. Second, the velocity field is directly reconstructed from absorbance-weighted linecenters. Absorbance data are inferred by Voigt fitting and reconstructions are quickly computed by matrix-vector multiplication. Nonlinear parameter combinations, such as the mass flow, are more accurate when computed by LATV than estimates obtained by assuming uniform gas properties along each beam.
Virtual multiplication of light sources for a 360°-viewable tabletop 3D display
Authors: Yoshida Shunsuke
Published: October 2020

A method to construct a virtual annular projector array that acts as numerous light sources to produce 360°-viewable 3D images on a round table is proposed. The conventional method requires multiple projectors and a conical screen for its 3D imaging principle but is limited physically by the projector arrangement. The proposed approach significantly increases the number of projectors virtually by inserting cylindrical mirrors into the optical paths used in the conventional method. This paper describes the multiplication principle and a prototype 3D display produces 3D images that are approximately 10 times denser than those produced by the conventional method.
Optical phased array beam steering in the mid-infrared on an InP-based platform
Authors: Midkiff Jason , Yoo Kyoung Min , Shin Jong-Dug , Dalir Hamed , Teimourpour Mohammad , Chen Ray T.
Published: October 2020

Compact, lightweight, high-power beam-steering devices operating in the
mid-infrared atmospheric window

λ
=

3

−

5

µ

m

are attractive for aerial-based
applications such as long-range lidar and countermeasures. In the
near-infrared spectral region, optical phased arrays (OPAs) have
emerged as the dominant nonmechanical on-chip beam-steering
technology, with a preponderance in silicon-based platforms.
Extensions to the mid-infrared spectral region are scarce. Further,
considering that the requirements for high performance in this region
will likely demand monolithic integration with quantum cascade lasers,
development of the photonic technology on a native III–V platform is
advantageous. To this end, at

λ
=

4.6

µ

m

, on an InGaAs/InP platform, we
experimentally demonstrate the operation of a 32-channel OPA with
thermo-optic tuning for azimuthal (lateral) steering. With a waveguide
spacing of

2.5

λ

, we steer the beam to the maximum
uninfringed field of view at

±

11.5

∘

.
Perceived Quality of Life among Health Personnel: The Vitamin Model Analogy
Authors: Gandi Joshua , Dachalson Edward
Published: October 2020

Purpose: Perceived quality of life has partly been based on the evaluation of people's major categories of fundamental life needs. Thus, people's perception of their position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which they live, as relates to their goals, expectations, standards, and concerns, is their perceived quality of life. The Vitamin model elucidates the analogy of the physiological relationship between vitamins and health thereby explaining how psychological vitamins affect perceived quality of life, based on the work environment, cultural determinism, and person-environment in this case. The need to evaluate how health personnel perceived quality of life would affect their productivity and the consequent effect on overall quality of life is apt.

Methods: The researchwas a cross-sectional designwith 346 participants, who were selected by stratified random sampling, as the study sample. The assessment tool was the Health Personnel Perceived Quality of Life Scale which measures how healthcare professionals perceived their quality of life in relation to job demand and performance. Principal component analysis and multiple regressions were used, based on p<0.05.

Results: Age (F
(4,3694)=0.01), marital status (F
(19,3678)=0.03); and ethnicity (F
(2,3696)=0.01) had significant influence on perceived quality of life among health personnel. However, gender (F
(5,3693)=0.59) and professional affiliation (F
(6,3692)=0.62) were not significant.

Conclusion: The study concluded that quality of life perception among health personnel is influenced by their age level, marital status, and ethnicity, as mediated and or moderated by work environment andcultural determinism. Hence, the vitamin model analogy indicates a cogent need for the improved work environment, cultural determinism, and person-environment to ensure an improved quality of life. There is a need for more empirical studies, using the vitamin model analogy, towards improving the health personnel's perceived quality of life.
Effects of Audit Quality and Audit Committee Characteristics on Earnings Management During the Global Financial Crisis – Evidence from Australia
Authors: Mollik Abu T , Mir Monir , McIver Ron , Bepari Md. Khokan
Published: October 2020

Purpose: We examine the earnings management behaviour of Australian firms during the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) and the effectiveness of audit quality and audit committee characteristics in mitigating such behaviour. Design/methodology/approach: The sample consists of 503 firm-year -observations spanning from 2006 to 2009. The years 2008 and 2009 are considered as the global financial crisis period. Discretionary accruals have been used as the proxy for earnings management. To test the hypothesis, we apply multivariate fixed effect regression to test the hypothesis. As the robustness test, we use propensity matching score, to find out comparable clients audited by Big-4 and Non-Big-4 audit firms to control observations to mitigate the effect of selection bias. Findings: We find that the sampled firms engage in a significantly higher level of earnings management during the GFC compared to the pre-crisis period (PCP). We find that audit quality, in terms of being audited by Big4 auditors, constrains earnings management during the PCP, but not during the GFC. Audit committee independence has a significant mitigating effect on firms' earnings management, while audit committee members' accounting and finance expertise do not constrain earnings management. Research limitations/implications: Future research can include a larger sample and examine the effects of other corporate governance variables on earnings management during periods of macroscopic shocks. Practical implications: Our findings support the importance of having independent directors in the audit committee. Moreover, the fact that Big4 auditors do not constrain earnings management during the GFC although constraining it during the PCP implies that regulators and policy makers should concentrate more on the audit committee for effective mitigation of earnings management during periods of macroeconomic shock. Originality/value: A key policy implication of the findings is that regulators and standard setters may need to shift their focus from the quality of a firm's auditor to encouraging well-functioning audit committees. The specific action to promote audit committee effectiveness includes mandating independence.
Identification of responsive genes and analysis of genes with bacterial-inducible cis-regulatory elements in the promoter regions in Oryza sativa L.
Authors: SAIDI Abbas , HAJIBARAT Zohreh , HAJIBARAT Zahra
Published: October 2020

Bacterial blight of rice caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) is one of the most critical diseases in rice.  In order to study rice responsive genes to bacterial stress, microarray data were retrieved from GEO dataset. To identify the responsive genes to biotic stress (bacteria) bioinformatic tools were employed and the data presented in the forms of heatmap, gene ontology, gene network, and cis-element prediction were used. Almost all responsive genes were down-regulated at around 3 h time point and up-regulated 24 h time point in response to bacterial stress in rice varieties (Oryza sativa subs. japonica ‘IR64’, ‘IRBB5’, ‘IRBB7’ and ‘Y73’). Gene ontology showed that genes are involved in different biological processes including translation and cellular protein metabolic processes. Network analysis showed that genes expressed in response to pathogen infection (Xoo) included protein translation, eukaryotic initiation factors (eIFs), ribosomal proteins, protein ubiquitin, and MAPK genes. The genes expressed in response to bacterial stress can enable plant balance between synthesis and degradation of proteins which in turn allows plants for further growth and development. TATA-box and CAAT box had the highest number of cis elements involved in bacterial stress. These genes can provide novel insights into regulatory mechanisms in biotic stress responses in rice. Identification of bacterial stress response/tolerance genes of rice can assist the molecular breeding of new rice varieties tolerant to bacterial stress.
Comparative effects of cantharidin and endothall on gene expression and activity of antioxidant enzymes in Cichorium intybus L.
Authors: GHOTBZADEH KERMANI Yalda , KHAVARI NEJAD Ramazan Ali , MAHMOODZADEH Homa , SHAHROKH ABADI Khadijeh
Published: October 2020

Cantharidin and its analog, endothall, are known to have phytotoxic effects and their mechanism of action involves the inhibition of phosphatases. Enzymes and antioxidant compounds act as barriers against phytotoxic compounds. Catalase and peroxidase are among the most important antioxidant enzymes. Cichorium intybus L. has traditionally been used for its medicinal properties and contains various phytochemical and enzymatic compounds. The present study aimed to investigate the comparative effects of cantharidin and endothall with concentration of 2.5, 5.5 and 10 µg ml-1 on the changes in the gene expression of catalase and glutathione peroxidase. Furthermore, we assess the activities of these enzymes in the shoots and roots of Cichorium intybus L.. According to the findings, the expression of catalase and glutathione peroxidase increased in the samples treated with cantharidin more than endothall compared to the controls in both shoot (the most significant is in cantharidin with 2.5 µg ml-1 concentration) and root samples (the most significant is in cantharidin with 5.5 µg ml-1  concentration). In addition, the activity of catalase and concentrations of cantharidin (2.5 µg ml-1) in shoot samples led to the more intense stimulation of catalase and glutathione peroxidase compared to root samples. We suggest that cantharidin and endothall have negative effect on expression and absorption of antioxidant enzymes.
Bioactivity and effects of spraying interval of selected plant extracts for control of pre-flowering insect pests of watermelon (Citrulus lanatus[Thunb.] Matsum. & Nakai)
Authors: FATAI OLAITAN Alao , THIMOTY ABIODUN Adebayo , OLADELE ABIODUN Olaniran
Published: October 2020

This experiment was conducted to determine the efficacy of plant extracts of Tephrosial vogelii Hook. f., Moringa oleifera Lam., Annona squamosa L. and cashew nut (Anacardium occidentale L.) at two intervals of spraying against major pre-flowering insect pests of watermelon. The results show that the effectiveness of each plant extracts depends on the interval of spraying. Plants sprayed at 7-day intervals had significantly less insect infestation when compared with that of 10-day interval of spraying. T. vogelii and M. oleifera had higher insecticidal efficacy than A. squamosa and cashew nut extracts but the applied plant extracts had the same insecticidal potential with Lambda-cyhalothrin against the observed insects during late planting season. Therefore, the plant extracts proved to be alternative to synthetic insecticide in the management of insect pests of watermelon at 7-day interval application sequence.
Genetic variability in morpho-agronomic traits of various accessions of Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.
Authors: YEKEEN Maruf Olaide , SHAIB-RAHIM Hafsoh Olajumoke , OLABODE Joy
Published: October 2020

Vigna subterranea is an indigenous African legume widely cultivated across the continent. It is a highly diverse crop exhibiting diversity in morpho-agronomic characteristics. This genetic diversity is also crucial for crop improvement as it determines which breeding strategy/ methodology to utilize in its improvement. The study evaluated the diversity in morpho-agronomic characteristics of different accessions of Bambara groundnut. ‘TVSu596’ exhibited the highest germination percentage (100 %) and shortest days to 50 % flowering (40 days) while ‘TVSu11’ had the highest number of leaves (146). Qualitative evaluation revealed the diversity existing in their morphological characteristics. Elemental analysis showed the accessions are rich in mineral elements and exhibit diversity. Principal component analysis revealed 83.37 % of total variations in morphological and yield traits by the first three principal axes. Traits such as number of leaves, petiole length, and days to 50 % flowering furnish most of the variations. Cluster analysis revealed the accessions clustered into 4 groups. These accessions are therefore recommended for utilization in development of improved cultivars or early-maturing varieties.
Designs and characteristics of agri-environmental measures
Authors: ŠUMRADA Tanja , ERJAVEC Emil
Published: October 2020

Agri-environmental measures (AEM) are an agricultural policy instrument for enhancing of agricultural practices and activities that go beyond the basic environmental standards. Formulation of agri-environmental measures is a complex substantive, organisational and participatory process. Decision-makers are faced with the difficult task of selecting appropriate design of measures, while the available options and their (dis)advantages are in most part not readily available. The purpose of this paper is to outline a typology of possible AEM in terms of the basis for payments, coordination of actions and selection of beneficiaries. Furthermore, the paper provides an overview of the applicability and implementation of particular measures in practice, which is based on a literature review and an analysis of measures in the EU and EFTA Member States. In the European Union, AEM are among the essential instruments in the field of environmental protection and nature conservation. However, research shows that despite a substantial budgetary allocation, AEM have relatively small environmental impacts. Over the last two decades, various new designs of AEM have been tested in an attempt to improve their environmental effectiveness and efficiency. Predominantly management-based measures are thus becoming more result-oriented and more spatially targeted. Some European countries have also piloted the implementation of collective action by farmers and other stakeholders to achieve environmental and nature conservation objectives.
Modelos para estimar la variación biológica y la interpretación de resultados seriados: bondades y limitaciones
Authors: Díaz-Garzón Jorge , Fernández-Calle Pilar , Ricós Carmen
Published: October 2020

La variación biológica (VB) tiene múltiples aplicaciones en diversos campos del laboratorio clínico. Hay dos formas de relacionar el concepto de VB y los modelos estadísticos. Por un lado existen modelos para el cálculo de estimados de VB (intra e inter individual) y por otro, existen modelos que tienen en cuenta la VB y otros factores para la definición de rangos que ayudan a la interpretación de resultados seriados en un mismo individuo. Dentro de los modelos estadísticos dirigidos al cálculo de los estimados de VB existen dos tipos: A. Métodos directos. Estudios prospectivos, diseñados exclusivamente para el cálculo de estimados de VB: i. Modelo clásico: desarrollado por Harris y Fraser, revisado por EFLM-BVWG. ii. Modelos de efectos mixtos iii. Modelo bayesiano. B. Métodos indirectos. Estudios retrospectivos basados en extraer estimados de VB a partir de resultados que provienen de grandes bases de datos. Big-data. Ambos tipos presentan una serie de características que es importante conocer porque pueden condicionar su aplicabilidad en diferentes situaciones o poblaciones. Entre los modelos para definir rangos que ayudan a la interpretación de resultados seriados en un individuo encontramos: A. Valor de referencia del cambio (VRC). B. Red de datos bayesiana. En resumen, esta revisión pretende dar un enfoque general sobre los modelos para definir los componentes de VB así como otros para aplicarlos en el seguimiento de pacientes, que deberían ser explorados en el futuro para personalizar y mejorar la información aportada por el laboratorio clínico, aprovechando al máximo los recursos disponibles.
Performance enhancement of circularly polarized patch antenna using slotted circular EBG-based metasurface
Authors: Verma Alka , Singh Anil Kumar , Srivastava Neelam , Patil Shilpee , Kanaujia Binod Kumar
Published: October 2020

A 3 × 3 slotted circular Electromagnetic Band gap based Metasurface (SCEBG-MS) has been presented in this article, which enhances the performance of a circularly polarized (CP) patch antenna by improving its impedance bandwidth, axial ratio bandwidth and gain. The proposed antenna is having a low profile of 0.065 λ
o (λ
o is the free-space wavelength at center frequency of 6.16 GHz) with ground size selection of 30 × 30 mm. The prototype antenna achieves a measured −10 dB impedance bandwidth of 37% (5.02–7.30 GHz) and measured 3-dB axial ratio bandwidth of 5.9% (5.24–5.56 GHz). Furthermore, the antenna yields a good peak gain of 6.6 dBic in the CP bandwidth which makes it a promising candidate for Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) applications. Experimental results obtained from the fabricated prototype closely matched with the simulated results.
Genomic insights into cyanobacterial protein translocation systems
Authors: Russo David A. , Zedler Julie A. Z.
Published: October 2020

Cyanobacteria are ubiquitous oxygenic photosynthetic bacteria with a versatile metabolism that is highly dependent on effective protein targeting. Protein sorting in diderm bacteria is not trivial and, in cyanobacteria, even less so due to the presence of a complex membrane system: the outer membrane, the plasma membrane and the thylakoid membrane. In cyanobacteria, protein import into the thylakoids is essential for photosynthesis, export to the periplasm fulfills a multifunctional role in maintaining cell homeostasis, and secretion mediates motility, DNA uptake and environmental interactions. Intriguingly, only one set of genes for the general secretory and the twin-arginine translocation pathways seem to be present. However, these systems have to operate in both plasma and thylakoid membranes. This raises the question of how substrates are recognized and targeted to their correct, final destination. Additional complexities arise when a protein has to be secreted across the outer membrane, where very little is known regarding the mechanisms involved. Given their ecological importance and biotechnological interest, a better understanding of protein targeting in cyanobacteria is of great value. This review will provide insights into the known knowns of protein targeting, propose hypotheses based on available genomic sequences and discuss future directions.
RNA secondary structure dependence in METTL3–METTL14 mRNA methylation is modulated by the N-terminal domain of METTL3
Authors: Meiser Nathalie , Mench Nicole , Hengesbach Martin
Published: October 2020

N
6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant modification in mRNA. The core of the human N
6-methyltransferase complex (MTC) is formed by a heterodimer consisting of METTL3 and METTL14, which specifically catalyzes m6A formation within an RRACH sequence context. Using recombinant proteins in a site-specific methylation assay that allows determination of quantitative methylation yields, our results show that this complex methylates its target RNAs not only sequence but also secondary structure dependent. Furthermore, we demonstrate the role of specific protein domains on both RNA binding and substrate turnover, focusing on postulated RNA binding elements. Our results show that one zinc finger motif within the complex is sufficient to bind RNA, however, both zinc fingers are required for methylation activity. We show that the N-terminal domain of METTL3 alters the secondary structure dependence of methylation yields. Our results demonstrate that a cooperative effect of all RNA-binding elements in the METTL3–METTL14 complex is required for efficient catalysis, and that binding of further proteins affecting the NTD of METTL3 may regulate substrate specificity.
The cognitive saliency of word associations of verbs of speech in English as a Lingua Franca interactions
Authors: Pang Yang
Published: October 2020

Building on the theoretical insights into the socio-cognitive approach to the study of interactions in which English is used as a lingua franca (ELF)), this paper reports on the idiosyncratic phenomenon that ELF speakers do not adhere to the norms of native speakers, but instead create their own particular word associations during the course of the interaction. Taking the verbs of speechtalk, say, speak, andtellas examples, this study compares word associations from three corpora of native and non-native speakers. The findings of this study reveal that similar word associative patterns are produced and shared by ELF speech communities from different sociocultural backgrounds, and these differ substantially from those used by native English speakers. Idiom-like constructions such assay like, how to say, andspeakinare developed and utilized by Asian and European ELF speakers. Based on these findings, this paper concludes that ELF speakers use the prefabricated expressions in the target language system only as references, and try to develop their own word associative patterns in ELF interactions. Moreover, the analysis of the non-literalness/metaphorical word associations of the verbs of speech in the Asian ELF corpus suggests that ELF speakers dynamically co-construct their shared common ground to derive non-literal/metaphorical meaning in actual situational context.
Synthesis and crystal structure of 1-octyl-3-phenylquinoxalin-2(1H)-one, C22H26N2O
Authors: Abad Nadeem , Ferfra Souad , Essassi El Mokhtar , Mague Joel T. , Ramli Youssef
Published: October 2020

C22H26N2O, monoclinic, C2/c (no. 15), a = 47.4887(9) Å, b = 5.0220(1) Å, c = 16.4551(3) Å, β = 108.993(1)°, V = 3710.70(12) Å3, Z = 8, R

gt
(F) = 0.0345, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.0935, T = 150(2) K.

CCDC Nr.: 2025941
Lovely Earth (Leonidas of TarentumAnth. Pal.7.440 = Gow/Page,HE11)
Authors: Coughlan Taylor S.
Published: October 2020

Scholars and editors of Hellenistic epigram have often discounted the authenticity of dialectal variance attested in the manuscript tradition, either privileging the dialectal variant that conforms to the predominant dialect in the epigram or even choosing to change attested dialect forms to produce a uniform coloring. This article argues that the addresses to earth at lines 2 and 10 of Leonidas of TarentumAnth. Pal.7.440 = Gow/Page,HE11 were originally Doric. I show that there are paleographic as well as literary grounds for the reading. In particular, the presence of Doric forms at these two points in the epigram evoke the language of tragic lament. The findings of this article have potentially significant implications for the editing of dialectal mixture in theGreek Anthology.
Entstehung und Befolgung neuer sozialer Normen.
Authors: Diekmann Andreas
Published: October 2020

In Krisensituationen müssen Menschen umdenken. Ein kollektiver Lernprozess beginnt und neue Ordnungsmuster entstehen. Externalitäten des Verhaltens führen zur Entstehung neuer sozialer Normen. Doch werden die sozialen Normen auch befolgt? Eine genauere Untersuchung muss dem unterschiedlichen Charakter sozialer Normen Rechnung tragen. Im Anschluss an die Theorie von Ullmann-Margalit (1977) haben Koordinationsnormen oder Konventionen (Lewis 1969) andere Konsequenzen für normorientiertes Verhalten als Kooperationsnormen. Diese Unterscheidung ist auch für die Rechtssetzung von Bedeutung. Denn bei Koordinationsnormen gibt es kein „Trittbrettfahrerproblem“, wohl aber bei Kooperationsnormen. In dem Beitrag wird der Frage nach den Eigenschaften in der Corona-Krise neu entstandener Normen wie Abstandsgebot, Maskenpflicht und die Kooperation beim digitalen „Tracing“ von Infektionsketten nachgegangen. Aus der Analyse folgen Bedingungen, die den Grad der Befolgung von Normen erklären können.
Die Themistoklesbriefe zwischen Fälschung und Fiktion – Zur Relevanz griechischer Brieffiktionen für die neutestamentliche Pseudepigraphiefrage
Authors: Janßen Martina
Published: October 2020

Pseudepigraphy is a widespread and complex phenomenon in ancient Greek culture. Numerous letters are attributed to famous historical figures, especially in the first and second century. The letters of Themistocles offer a useful case study of pseudepigraphy of this kind. The purpose of the letters is still under discussion. Several interpretations are proposed by scholars (sometimes combined with one another), e. g. worthless forgery, epistolary novel, prosopopoiia, fictional self-biography. One of the most interesting questions is whether there is any evidence for a “fictional contract” between author and reader (“open” pseudepigraphy, epistolary fictions). In many respects, research on the letters of Themistocles and related literature may open up new perspectives for the study of New Testament pseudepigraphy.
Comparison of Traditional and Rest-Redistribution Sets on Indirect Markers of Muscle Damage Following Eccentric Exercise
Authors: Merrigan Justin J. , Jones Margaret T. , Malecek Jan , Padecky Jan , Omcirk Dan , Xu Nan , Peñailillo Luis , Tufano James J.
Published: October 2020

Merrigan, JJ, Jones, MT, Malecek, J, Padecky, J, Omcirk, D, Xu, N, Peñailillo, L, and Tufano, JJ. Comparison of traditional and rest-redistribution sets on indirect markers of muscle damage following eccentric exercise. J Strength Cond Res 36(7): 1810–1818, 2022—The purpose was to investigate the effect of rest-redistribution (RR) on muscle damage after eccentric knee extensions. After 2 weeks of eccentric familiarization, 11 resistance-trained men performed 2 work-matched isokinetic unilateral eccentric knee extension protocols at 60°·s−1 using a crossover design, separated by 7 days. Subjects performed 40 repetitions with 285 seconds of rest using traditional sets (TS; 4 sets of 10 with 95 seconds of interset rest) and RR (RR; 20 sets of 2 with 15 seconds of interset rest). Muscle morphology, tensiomyography, range of motion, perceived soreness, and strength were measured before and 0, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hour after RR and TS. There were no protocol × time interactions (p < 0.05). When collapsed across protocol and compared to baseline, echo intensity of the proximal vastus lateralis was 7 ± 9% greater at 0 hour (p = 0.042), echo intensity of the distal vastus lateralis was 6 ± 7% and 9 ± 7% greater at 0 hour (p = 0.048) and 24 hour (p < 0.001), respectively, and passive ROM was 2 ± 1% lower at 48 hour (p = 0.043) after exercise. No other differences existed over time for any other variable. Thus, contrary to concentric performance where RR likely plays a large role in maintaining performance, RR during eccentric isokinetic resistance training does not strongly influence exercise performance and indications of subsequent muscle damage.
Neokolonialismus in der globalisierten Ökonomie des 21. Jahrhunderts - Ein Überblick
Authors: Ziai Aram
Published: October 2020

Auf der Grundlage von Kwame Nkrumahs Definition von Neokolonialismus untersucht der Beitrag Praktiken in der globalisierten Ökonomie aus den Bereichen Verschuldung, Strukturanpassung, Entwicklungszusammenarbeit und Landwirtschaft sowie die zentralen Institutionen der globalen politischen Ökonomie (Weltbank, IWF, WTO). Er kommt zu dem Schluss, dass die Kontrolle der Wirtschaft durch ausländische Akteure in der heutigen Wirtschaft ein häufig auftretendes Phänomen ist. Diese Akteure sind aber nicht notwendigerweise identisch mit früheren Kolonialmächten.
Zum Verhältnis von Texten, Bildern und Illustrationen in der Konstruktion von Subjektpositionen am Beispiel des (bewusst) Konsumierenden
Authors: Brandmayr Michael
Published: October 2020

Dieser Beitrag stellt anhand eines Beispiels dar, wie die Subjektpositionen des „bewussten Konsumierenden“ in Grafiken und Bildern konstituiert und dem Betrachtenden vermittelt werden. Dazu wird das Bild Your Own Personal Slaves von Daniel Garcia mit der Drei-Schritt-Methode nach Panofsky analysiert. Der ikonologische Gehalt des Bildes wird im Hauptteil des Textes interpretiert. Die These lautet dabei, dass auch in der gegenwärtigen Akzentuierung von bewussten Konsumpraktiken die bereits bei Veblen bemerkte Funktion des Konsums, Disktinktion herzustellen, nachgewiesen werden kann. Nicht nur entspricht die Fokussierung einer nachhaltigen, bewussten Konsumweise stärker der Konsumpraxis mittlerer und oberer Schichten und ihren finanziellen Möglichkeiten; die Positionierung dieser Praxis als moralisch höher stehend und objektiv vernünftig liefert Gründe, ein abweichendes Verhalten als rückständig zu klassifizieren und abzuwerten. Anhand dieses Beispiels sollen im letzten Teil des Artikels zwei Thesen diskutiert werden, die argumentieren, dass Bilder gegenüber Texten über eine bestimmte Einzigartigkeit bei der Konstruktion von Subjektivität verfügen.
The “Šreter” Prizes
Authors: Jovanović Srđan M.
Published: October 2020

Linguistic purism in Croatia has long figured as one of the main elements of Croatian linguistic nationalism. Though it has been tackled in scholarly production, its newest embodiment, the so-called Šreter prizes, has not. The Šreter prizes are an award contest, established by the editorial board of the highly nationalist linguistic journal, Jezik (Serbo-Croatian “language”), in which competitors vie for prizes awarded for the “best new Croatian word,” often referred to as “neo-Croatian.” This article explores the narratives centered around the Šreter prizes, tackling additionally the lexical and morphological features of the newly minted “Croatian” lexemes.
Stories Painting Pictures <<>> Pictures Painting Stories
Authors: Thomson Jody
Published: October 2020

In this essay, I work with the stories and artwork generated by a small group of visual art therapists who came together in a collective biography workshop. All of the participants, including the author, specialize in end-of-life and palliative art therapy. As a collective, we worked to bring our experiences back to our bodies through stories, art-making, and writing, to explore how working with people in the last days, weeks, or months of their lives affects us. In this essay I ask: What happens when stories paint pictures, and when pictures paint stories, to make visible our experiences of death, vulnerability, and love—experiences that might otherwise have been impossible to know?
Reimagining Qualitative Analysis and Writing via a Comparative Constructed Focus Group Method
Authors: Eger Elizabeth K. , Way Amy K.
Published: October 2020

This essay explores our journey to a new comparative qualitative data analysis and writing method. In attempting to compare our separate qualitative youth work-life research, our analysis was stymied by traditional qualitative coding, writing conventions, and comparison norms. Our comparative research literature review revealed restrictions for our goals and ultimately inspired our new analysis and writing method called a “comparative constructed focus group.” We use a post-coding approach to connect participants in communication via a retrospectively constructed focus group and subsequent researcher dialogue. Our method enriches qualitative analysis and comparative writing by surfacing richer nuances and departures in participants’ communication and creates future potential for intersectional analysis.
INVESTIGATING THE ROLE OF JOB SATISFACTION: DOES IT ACT AS A MODERATOR OR MEDIATOR BETWEEN ORGANIZATIONAL IDENTIFICATION AND WORK ENGAGEMENT?
Authors: KILIÇ AKINCI Sevcan
Published: October 2020

This study extends Social Identity Theory by examining the link between organizational identification (OI) and work engagement (WE) through enhanced job satisfaction (JS) and testing it in a non-US environment, which makes contribution to the literature. The study was conducted on a large sample (527) of Turkish blue and white-collar employees from business units of 15 independent companies from 10 different industry types and data was analyzed with Structural Equation Modelling. The results showed that organizational identification is positively related with work engagement. Job satisfaction did not moderate the relationship between OI and WE, but it mediated 54 % of the effect of OI and thus, confirmed the applicability of Social Identitiy Theory in a Turkish context. Results revealed that a sense of identiﬁcation may be a precondition for work engagement; but it is the mediating effect of job satisfaction, which enhances this relationship.
Managing symptoms in hypothyroid patients on adequate levothyroxine: a narrative review
Authors: Razvi Salman , Mrabeti Sanaa , Luster Markus
Published: October 2020

The current standard of care for hypothyroidism is levothyroxine (LT4) monotherapy to reduce levels of thyrotropin (thyroid-stimulating hormone, TSH) within its reference range and amelioration of any symptoms. A substantial minority continues to report hypothyroid-like symptoms despite optimized TSH, however. These symptoms are not specific to thyroid dysfunction and are frequent among the euthyroid population, creating a therapeutic dilemma for the treating clinician as well as the patient. We present a concise, narrative review of the clinical research and evidence-based guidance on the management of this challenging population. The clinician may endeavor to ensure that the serum TSH is within the target range. However, the symptomatic patient may turn to alternative non-evidence-based therapies in the hope of obtaining relief. Accordingly, it is important for the clinician to check for conditions unrelated to the thyroid that could account for the ongoing symptoms such as other autoimmune conditions, anemia or mental health disorders. Systematic and thorough investigation of the potential causes of persistent symptoms while receiving LT4 therapy will resolve the problem for most patients. There may be some patients that may benefit from additional treatment with liothyronine (LT3), although it is unclear as yet as to which patient group may benefit the most from combined LT4 + LT3 therapy. In the future, personalized treatment with LT4 + LT3 may be of benefit for some patients with persistent symptoms of hypothyroidism such as those with polymorphisms in the deiodinase enzyme 2 (DIO2). For now, this remains a subject for research.
Active management of severe hyponatraemia is associated with improved mortality
Authors: Garrahy Aoife , Cuesta Martin , Murphy Brian , O’Reilly Michael W , Tormey William P , Sherlock Mark , Thompson Chris J
Published: October 2020

Objective

Severe hyponatraemia (plasma sodium concentration, pNa <120 mmol/L) is reported to be associated with mortality rates as high as 50%. Although there are several international guidelines for the management of severe hyponatraemia, there are few data on the impact of treatment.

Design and methods

We have longitudinally reviewed rates of specialist input, active management of hyponatraemia, treatment outcomes and mortality rates in patients with severe hyponatraemia (pNa <120 mmol/L) in 2005, 2010 and 2015, and compared the recent mortality rate with that of patients with pNa 120–125 mmol/L.

Results

Between 2005 and 2010 there was a doubling in the rate of specialist referral (32 to 68%, P = 0.003) and an increase in the use of active management of hyponatraemia in patients with pNa <120 mmol/L (63 to 88%, P = 0.02), associated with a reduction in mortality from 51 to 15% (P < 0.001). The improved rates of intervention were maintained between 2010 and 2015, but there was no further reduction in mortality. When data from all three reviews were pooled, specialist consultation in patients with pNa <120 mmol/L was associated with a 91% reduction in mortality risk, RR 0.09 (95% CI: 0.03–0.26), P < 0.001. Log-rank testing on in-hospital survival in 2015 found no significant difference between patients with pNa <120 mmol/L and pNa 120–125 mmol/L (P = 0.56).

Conclusion

Dedicated specialist input and active management of severe hyponatraemia are associated with a reduction in mortality, to rates comparable with moderate hyponatraemia.
Uso y abuso del celular por parte de estudiantes de la Universidad Santo Tomás, una perspectiva estadística
Authors: Castellanos Rosas Julián , Rodríguez Padilla Luz Adriana , Téllez Piñerez Cristian Fernando
Published: October 2020

¿Considera que invierte demasiado tiempo en su celular? Para esta generación el dispositivo móvil se ha convertido en un dispositivo indispensable en la vida cotidiana. El internet es el motivo principal de la globalización, pues estos dispositivos reúnen todas las mejores características de las nuevas tecnologías de innovación e información en un solo objeto, volviendo al dispositivo móvil el artefacto más popular y usado por las personas en todo el mundo. Esto ha producido enormes y evidentes cambios en las sociedades y personas, por este motivo, se decidió hacer un estudio en el cual, se caracterizó el uso del celular enfocándose en los estudiantes de la Universidad Santo Tomas. Este estudio se realizó utilizando técnicas de muestreo para recolectar la información y posteriores estimaciones y técnicas de análisis multivariado para generar la validación de la encuesta y los indicadores. Los principales resultados que se encontraron fueron indicios de adicción manifestada en angustia al no hacer uso de su celular por tiempos prolongados, así como también beneficios académicos bajo un uso correcto del dispositivo.
A Multiple-Trait Bayesian Variable Selection Regression Method for Integrating Phenotypic Causal Networks in Genome-Wide Association Studies
Authors: Wang Zigui , Chapman Deborah , Morota Gota , Cheng Hao
Published: October 2020

Bayesian regression methods that incorporate different mixture priors for marker effects are used in multi-trait genomic prediction. These methods can also be extended to genome-wide association studies (GWAS). In multiple-trait GWAS, incorporating the underlying causal structures among traits is essential for comprehensively understanding the relationship between genotypes and traits of interest. Therefore, we develop a GWAS methodology, SEM-Bayesian alphabet, which, by applying the structural equation model (SEM), can be used to incorporate causal structures into multi-trait Bayesian regression methods. SEM-Bayesian alphabet provides a more comprehensive understanding of the genotype-phenotype mapping than multi-trait GWAS by performing GWAS based on indirect, direct and overall marker effects. The superior performance of SEM-Bayesian alphabet was demonstrated by comparing its GWAS results with other similar multi-trait GWAS methods on real and simulated data. The software tool JWAS offers open-source routines to perform these analyses.
Behavioral States
Authors: Flavell Steven W , Raizen David M , You Young-Jai
Published: October 2020

Caenorhabditis elegans’ behavioral states, like those of other animals, are shaped by its immediate environment, its past experiences, and by internal factors. We here review the literature on C. elegans behavioral states and their regulation. We discuss dwelling and roaming, local and global search, mate finding, sleep, and the interaction between internal metabolic states and behavior.
A Model of Indel Evolution by Finite-State, Continuous-Time Machines
Authors: Holmes Ian
Published: October 2020

How do instantaneous rate models of insertion-deletion processes relate to distributions over pairwise sequence alignments? The only exactly-solved model is the 1991 Thorne.....
Techno-economic analysis for manufacturing cross-laminated timber
Authors: Brandt Kristin , Wilson Alex , Bender Donald , Dolan James D. , Wolcott Michael P.
Published: October 2020

Cross-laminated timber (CLT) is a bio-based building material that enables rapid construction and buildings with low embodied energy. Despite its comparative maturity in European markets, relatively little information regarding process design and economics for the manufacture of cross-laminated timber is available in the literature. Two techno-economic analyses were conducted to quantify the mill-gate cost of cross-laminated timber. The cross-laminated timber manufacturing process was described, and costs were analyzed for two facility scales. Cross-laminated timber produced at the large-scale facility using lumber priced at an average value for the northwest United States has a minimum selling price of $536/m3. Sensitivity analyses were used to define the impact of plant size, asset utilization, lumber price, plant capital cost, material waste, and other variables on minimum selling price. The cost of cross laminated timber rises quickly when a facility is not fully utilized. The second-ranking cost controlling variable is lumber price, while energy prices have minimal influence. The price of cross laminated timber can be optimized by locating a facility near low-cost lumber. The lowest-price region analyzed was the southeast United States using Southern Pine, which reduced the cost of cross laminated timber to $518/m3.
Risk Disclosure And Corporate Governance Characteristics
Authors: bin Kiflee Ag Kaifah Riyard , bin Ali Khan Mohd Noor Azli
Published: October 2020

This study examined the degree of disclosure of risk information disclosed by companies established in Malaysia. Additionally, this study sought to identify the governance attributes that influenced the practice of risk disclosure among the selected companies in Malaysia. Secondary data gathered from Bursa Malaysia for a range of 10 years (2008-2017) were analysed. Among the governance aspects studied refer to independence of board, board size, independence of auditor, and independence of audit committee (AC). In order to assess the degree of information disclosure, the content analysis approach was adopted. This study applied the descriptive statistical method and fixed effect analysis to measure the degree of information disclosure, as well as to elaborate the interrelationship between disclosure practice in Malaysia and governance attributes. A total of 167 companies were assessed to unravel the degree of information disclosure within the context of Malaysia. Agency and signalling theories were adopted in this study to elucidate the company disclosure practice.
Impact of Land Use Change on Climate: A Study of Tripura
Authors: Vipin Solanki  , Aparna Joshi
Published: October 2020

Land use is the human utilization for money, private, recreational, conservational and administrative purposes. The idea of land use is firmly interwoven with human network advancement. Examples of human turn of events and land use have molded the earth legitimately and internationally since ancient occasions. Current improvement designs, along with highlights of the common habitat and the outcomes of past advancement exercises, decide future advancement openings, and furthermore the requirement for rebuilding or upgrade of natural assets. North-east India is the abode of highly endemic flora and fauna preserving the pristine environment with little human interference until recent times. However, for past two decades a drastic change in the land use pattern in the region has been observed which may threaten the fragile ecological balance of the region. Tripura, known as one of the seven sisters, is a bamboo resource and second largest rubber producer in India. Tripura has the highest number of primate species found in any Indian state. However, as compared to its other sisters, the state is economically backward. The land use of the state is undergoing rapid change which is facilitated to a great extent by rapidly increasing population. The present paper deals with the changing land use of Tripura especially in the last two and a half decades. The objective of the study is to analyse the changing land use of the state in general and changes in agricultural and non-agricultural land use in particular based upon the data collected from secondary sources like Statistical Abstract of Tripura, Population Tables of Census 1991, 2001 and 2011 along with the information collected from various government websites.
Fenología, producción y valor nutritivo del pasto alpiste (phalaris arundinacea) en la zona alta lechera de Costa Rica
Authors: Villalobos Luis
Published: October 2020

Se evaluó la producción de biomasa, el valor nutricional y la fenología del pasto alpiste (Phalaris arundinacea) con 3 edades de cosecha (49, 70 y 91 días), a lo largo de año y medio, en una finca comercial de ganado lechero ubicada en Santa Rosa de Oreamuno, provincia de Cartago. La producción de biomasa promedio para el pasto alpiste fue 3101 kg.ha-1.corte-1 de MS. La composición nutricional promedio fue de 17,77% PC, 55,89% FDN, 35,93% FDA, 4,14% lignina y 66,87% DIVMS y su contenido energético expresado como TND, ED, EM, ENL (3X) y ENG fue 63,07%, 2,76; 2,13; 1,31 y 0,81 Mcal. kg-1 de MS, respectivamente. Se comparó el fraccionamiento de la PC de los pastos estrella africana (Cynodon nlemfuensis) y ryegrass perenne (Lolium perenne) con la del pasto alpiste, con el que las especies de clima templado presentan un aporte principalmente de la fracción insoluble degradable (B2+B3), mientras el estrella africana lo hace a nivel de la fracción degradable (A+B1). La edad fenológica promedio del pasto alpiste fue 5,96 hojas verdes por rebrote y su edad debe encontrarse entre 5 y 6 hojas para optimizar su producción de biomasa y valor nutricional. El pasto alpiste se ha utilizado en diversas fincas de ganado de leche y ha adquirido importancia como una opción que puede soportar las condiciones climatológicas de las regiones altas de Costa Rica; asimismo, ya hay empresas que importan semilla sexual de dicha especie.