bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Die Mittelstandspolitik nach Corona – für eine nachhaltige Zukunft
Authors: Welter Friederike , Levering Britta
Published: August 2021

Corona-Pandemie, Digitalisierung, Green Deal – die mittelständischen Unternehmen stehen in den kommenden Jahren neben ihren branchen- und größenspezifischen Aufgaben vor großen Herausforderungen. Diese können sie nur bewältigen, wenn die Politik ihnen einen verlässlichen Rahmen bietet, innerhalb dessen sie wirtschaftlich agieren können. Friederike Welter und Britta Levering zeigen in ihrem Beitrag, worauf die Mittelstandspolitik in Gesetzgebung und Gestaltung von Unterstützungsmaßnahmen aus Sicht der Mittelstandsforschung achten sollte, damit die Wettbewerbs- und Innovationsfähigkeit der mittelständischen Unternehmen nachhaltig gestärkt wird.
When the Going Gets Tough, How Do We Perceive the Future?
Authors: Tepper Stephanie J. , Lewis Neil A.
Published: August 2021

People struggle to stay motivated to work toward difficult goals. Sometimes the feeling of difficulty signals that the goal is important and worth pursuing; other times, it signals that the goal is impossible and should be abandoned. In this article, we argue that how difficulty is experienced depends on how we perceive and experience the timing of difficult events. We synthesize research from across the social and behavioral sciences and propose a new, integrated model to explain how components of time perception interact with interpretations of experienced difficulty to influence motivation and goal-directed behavior. Although these constructs have been studied separately in previous research, we suggest that these factors are inseparable and that an integrated model will help us to better understand motivation and predict behavior. We conclude with new empirical questions to guide future research and by discussing the implications of this research for both theory and intervention practice.
Estradiol-driven metabolism in transwomen associates with reduced circulating extracellular vesicle microRNA-224/452
Authors: Florijn Barend W , Duijs Jacques M G J , Klaver Maartje , Kuipers Eline N , Kooijman Sander , Prins Jurrien , Zhang Huayu , Sips Hetty C M , Stam Wendy , Hanegraaf Maaike , Limpens Ronald W A L , Nieuwland Rienk , van Rijn Bas B , Rabelink Ton J , Rensen Patrick C N , den Heijer Martin , Bijkerk Roel , van Zonneveld Anton Jan
Published: August 2021

Objective

Sex steroid hormones like estrogens have a key role in the regulation of energy homeostasis and metabolism. In transwomen, gender-affirming hormone therapy like estradiol (in combination with antiandrogenic compounds) could affect metabolism as well. Given that the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are not fully understood, this study assessed circulating estradiol-driven microRNAs (miRs) in transwomen and their regulation of genes involved in metabolism in mice.

Methods

Following plasma miR-sequencing (seq) in a transwomen discovery (n = 20) and validation cohort (n = 30), we identified miR-224 and miR-452. Subsequent systemic silencing of these miRs in male C57Bl/6 J mice (n = 10) was followed by RNA-seq-based gene expression analysis of brown and white adipose tissue in conjunction with mechanistic studies in cultured adipocytes.

Results

Estradiol in transwomen lowered plasma miR-224 and -452 carried in extracellular vesicles (EVs) while their systemic silencing in mice and cultured adipocytes increased lipogenesis (white adipose) but reduced glucose uptake and mitochondrial respiration (brown adipose). In white and brown adipose tissue, differentially expressed (miR target) genes are associated with lipogenesis (white adipose) and mitochondrial respiration and glucose uptake (brown adipose).

Conclusion

This study identified an estradiol-drive post-transcriptional network that could potentially offer a mechanistic understanding of metabolism following gender-affirming estradiol therapy.
Structural design and mechanical properties analysis of bamboo-wood cross-laminated timber
Authors: Li Chao , Wang Xilong , Zhang Yizhuo
Published: August 2021

To explore the overall mechanical properties of bamboo-wood composite cross-laminated timber (BCLT), a simulation model of BCLT mechanical behavior based on the solid element was established using the finite element software ABAQUS. The actual four-point bending experiment was compared and analyzed with the finite element numerical simulation. The total curve error coefficient of the BCLT specimen at 18-mm displacement was 0.2988 while the interval was 0.5 mm. The error coefficient was 0.0178 when the maximum load was reached, and the minimum error coefficient was 0.0015 at 12 mm of displacement. Analysis of the influence of material parameters, meshing density, and material arrangement on the final stress distribution indicate that the difference in the elastic parameters of the material greatly influence the final stress distribution, and the arrangement and combination of materials also have an effect on the overall mechanical properties of the BCLT board. The combination CLT1-2-1 (i.e., the upper and lower layers of the bamboo are Arrangement 1 and the hemlock is Arrangement 2) have a maximum load of 57682 Ν and a maximum stress of 103.9 MPa.
A quantitative comparison of the precipitation behavior of lignin from sweetgum and pine kraft black liquors
Authors: Jardim Juliana M. , Hart Peter W. , Lucia Lucian , Jameel Hasan , Chang Houmin
Published: August 2021

Lignin is a by-product of the pulp and paper industry that can be precipitated by acidification from black liquor as a potential feedstock for valuable green materials. Precipitation and quantification of lignin from softwood black liquors have been documented and commercialized with well-established methods; however, applying those methods to the precipitation of lignin from hardwood black liquors has produced low lignin yields. A need to understand the main differences between hardwood and softwood lignin precipitation prompted the current investigation. Multiple black liquor samples from sweetgum and pine pulping were obtained at different times of standard kraft cooks. Two lignin fractions were precipitated from each of these black liquors, one at pH 9.5 and one at pH 2.5. Detailed lignin and carbohydrate material balances were performed around each of the sample sets, starting with the wood and ending with precipitated lignin fractions. For all conditions tested, the amount and purity of pine lignin precipitated were superior to sweetgum lignin. The maximum recovery for sweetgum lignin was 69.7%, while for pine lignin, it was 90.9%.
On efficient computation of sums of characters on the basis of A. G. Postnikov methods
Authors: Glazunov Nikolaj
Published: August 2021

An efficient p-adic method and the structure of an algorithm for computing the sums of characters of finite abelian groups are presented. The method and algorithm are based on the A.G. Postnikov summation method of characters modulo a prime power and its developments. A brief survey of the theory of characters of finite abelian groups, p-adic arithmetic and analysis is presented. Questions of the efficiency of p-adic methods are discussed. Moreover, we present results of computation of other types of sums of characters (Kloosterman sums), which are connecting with Artin-Schreier coverings over prime finite fields. The corresponding method and algorithm are based on the development of another method by A.G. Postnikov. Examples of computation of sums of characters are given.
Some features of the problems of computational optimization in the computer-integrated systems
Authors: Verlan Anatoly , Fedorchuk Volodymyr
Published: August 2021

For quality control in computer-integrated systems, it is assumed that the calculation of control signals is based on mathematical models of control objects. When solving the equations of the dynamics of the control object, it is necessary to take into account the limited computing resources of computer-integrated systems, which requires the choice of an effective method of solving equations, provided that the required accuracy of calculations. The paper considers a method for solving computational optimization problems in computer-integrated systems based on the proposed optimality criteria. A method is proposed based on the estimation of the discrepancy between the obtained and the reference solution to estimate the global error. The solution is accepted, the accuracy of which is two orders of magnitude higher than the required modeling accuracy.
The sufficient condition to find an exact dual bound in a separable quadratic optimization problem
Authors: Berezovskyi Oleg
Published: August 2021

The paper considers nonconvex separable quadratic optimization problems subject to inequality constraints. A sufficient condition is given for finding the value and the point of the global extremum of a problem of this type by calculating the Lagrange dual bound. The peculiarity of this condition is that it is easily verified and requires from the Hessian matrix of the Lagrange function only that its region of positive definiteness is not empty. The result obtained for the dual bound also holds for the bound obtained using SDP relaxation.
About the calculation of hypergeometric function F4 (1,2;2,2; z1, z2 ) by the branched continued fraction of a special kind
Authors: Hladun Volodymyr , Hoyenko Nataliya , Ventyk Levko , Manziy Oleksandra
Published: August 2021

In the paper, using some recurrent relations, the expansion of the hypergeometric Appel function F4 (1,2;2,2; z1, z2 ) into a branched continued fraction of special form is constructed. Explicit formulas for the coefficients of constructed development are obtained. The structure of the obtained branched continued fraction is investigated. The values of the suitable fractions and the corresponding partial sums of the hypergeometric series at different points of the two-dimensional complex space are calculated. A comparative analysis of the obtained values is carried out, the results of which confirm the efficiency of using branched continued fractions to calculate the values of the hypergeometric function F4 (1,2;2,2; z1, z2 ) in space C2.
Substantiation of requirements and ways of their realization at synthesis of proof-stable perspective electronic signatures
Authors: Yesina Maryna , Gorbenko Ivan
Published: August 2021

The paper identifies and substantiates the requirements and ways to implement these requirements at the synthesis of proof-stable perspective electronic signatures. Today there is a problem of building post-quantum electronic signatures. At the stages of solving this problem, a wide range of requirements for technical, technical-economical and other capabilities is formed. At the national and international levels, in the most generalized form, these requirements are implemented at the NIST USA level during the NIST PQC competition for electronic signatures, asymmetric ciphers and key encapsulation protocols. In Ukraine, work is also underway to synthesize such post-quantum cryptotransformations. Requirements in these areas are justified and approved at the state level. The peculiarity of the national requirements is that the requirements for protection against special quantum attacks and attacks through side channels have been significantly increased.
Optimization for the quick-code methods for the synthesis of discrete signals – physical carriers of data in information-communication systems
Authors: Zamula Alexander , Gorbenko Ivan
Published: August 2021

The paper presents the theoretical foundations of synthesis and analysis of complex nonlinear discrete cryptographic signals, the basis for the synthesis of which are random (pseudo-random) processes, including algorithms for cryptographic transformation of information, as well as methods for optimizing the synthesis of these signals using decimation and discrete programming. namely, the method of branches and boundaries. In order to improve the performance of signal generation and processing, estimates of the effectiveness of the decimation procedure are proposed and presented. It is shown that the use of the studied signal systems will improve the efficiency of modern ICS (speed of data generation and processing devices, noise immunity, information security, secrecy, protection against input (imposition) of false messages, message falsification, data integrity, etc.).
Simulated annealing method for equilibrium placement problem
Authors: Kozin Igor , Maksyshko Natalia , Tereshko Yaroslav
Published: August 2021

The paper proposes a modification of the simulated annealing algorithm as applied to problems that have a fragmented structure. An algorithm for simulating annealing for the traveling salesman problem is considered and its applicability to the optimization problem on a set of permutations is shown. It is proved that the problem of equilibrium placement of point objects on a plane has a fragmentary structure and, therefore, reduces to an optimization problem on a set of permutations. The results of numerical experiments for various types of algorithms for finding the optimal solution in the equilibrium placement problem are presented.
Reducing Chest Radiographs in Bronchiolitis Through High-Reliability Interventions
Authors: Frazier S Barron , Walls Claci , Jain Sweeti , Plemmons Gregory , Johnson David P.
Published: August 2021

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Bronchiolitis is a leading cause of pediatric hospitalization in the United States, resulting in significant morbidity and health care resource use. Despite American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations against obtaining chest radiographs (CXRs) for bronchiolitis, variation in care continues. Historically, clinical practice guidelines and educational campaigns have had mixed success in reducing unnecessary CXR use. Our aim was to reduce CXR use for children <2 years with a primary diagnosis of bronchiolitis, regardless of emergency department (ED) disposition or preexisting conditions, from 42.1% to <15% of encounters by March 2020.

METHODS

A multidisciplinary team was created at our institution in 2012 to standardize bronchiolitis care. Given success with higher reliability interventions in asthma, similar interventions affecting workflow were subsequently pursued with bronchiolitis, starting in 2017, by using quality improvement science methods. The primary outcome was the percent of bronchiolitis encounters with a CXR. The balancing measure was return visits within 72 hours to the ED. Statistical process control charts were used to monitor and analyze data obtained from an internally created dashboard.

RESULTS

From 2012 to 2020, our hospital had 12 120 bronchiolitis encounters. Preimplementation baseline revealed a mean of 42.1% for CXR use. Low reliability interventions, like educational campaigns, resulted in unsustained effects on CXR use. Higher reliability interventions were associated with sustained reductions to 23.3% and 18.9% over the last 4 years. There was no change in ED return visits.

CONCLUSIONS

High-reliability workflow redesign was more effective in translating American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations into sustained practice than educational campaigns.
Parents’ Intentions and Perceptions About COVID-19 Vaccination for Their Children: Results From a National Survey
Authors: Szilagyi Peter G. , Shah Megha D. , Delgado Jeanne R. , Thomas Kyla , Vizueta Nathalie , Cui Yan , Vangala Sitaram , Shetgiri Rashmi , Kapteyn Arie
Published: August 2021

OBJECTIVES

Assess the degree to which US parents are likely to have their children get coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines and identify parental concerns about the vaccines.

METHODS

In February 2021 to March 2021, we surveyed parent members of a nationally representative probability-based Internet panel of ∼9000 adults regarding their intent to have their children receive a COVID-19 vaccination, perceptions of COVID-19 vaccines for children, and trust in sources of information about COVID-19 vaccines for children. We used descriptive and multivariate analyses to evaluate parent-stated likelihood of having their children get a COVID-19 vaccine and to assess the association between likelihood of child COVID-19 vaccination and child age, parent demographics, and parental perceptions about COVID-19 vaccines.

RESULTS

Altogether, 1745 parents responded (87% of eligible parents, 3759 children). Likelihood of child COVID-19 vaccination was as follows: very likely (28%), somewhat likely (18%), somewhat unlikely (9%), very unlikely (33%), and unsure (12%). The stated likelihood of child vaccination was greater among parents of older children (P < .001) as well as among parents who had a bachelor’s degree or higher education (P < .001), had already received or were likely to receive a COVID-19 vaccine (P < .001), or had Democratic affiliation (P < .001); variations existed by race and ethnicity (P = .04). Parental concerns centered around vaccine safety and side effects. A key trusted source of information about COVID-19 vaccines for children was the child’s doctor.

CONCLUSIONS

Less than one-half of US participants report that they are likely to have their child receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Pediatric health care providers have a major role in promoting and giving COVID-19 vaccination for children.
Buschke-LÃ¶wenstein tumour (BLT)/giant condyloma acuminatum (GCA): An immunopathogenesis insight
Authors: Christopher Paulus Mario , Kosim Hartono , Wijaya Ratna Sari , Suhardi Silvi , Wijayadi Linda Julianti
Published: August 2021

Buschke LÃ¶wenstein tumor (BLT)/giant condyloma acuminatum is a rare variant ofÂ sexually transmitted infection caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) type 6 and 11. HPV has its viral factors that exist to avoid immune surveillance and control through 1) infecting only the basal layer of the epithelium, 2) downregulation of host immunity, 3) suppression of proinflammatory proteins essential for viral clearance. The incidence of BLT/GCA is estimated to be 0.1% in the general population, with males having 2.7 times increased risk than females.Â BLT/GCA is characterized by verrucous tumor or palpable cauliflower-likemass, exophytic growth, flesh-colored, and uneven surface. The definitive diagnosis of BLT/GCA is typical morphology along with histopathological examination, and/or viral serotyping. Treatment of BLT/GCA requires a multidisciplinary approach, determined based on age, the extent of the lesion, organ involvement, and organ location.
Assessing the salt tolerance of Spirulina platensis freshwater strains and examining cheap culture media for cultivation of the potential strain
Authors: Tam Luu Thi , Thom Le Thi , Ha Nguyen Cam , Hien Hoang Thi Minh , Thu Ngo Thi Hoai , Hong Dang Diem
Published: August 2021

Spirulina cyanobacteria have been widely cultivated to exploit products such as crude protein, vitamins, phycocyanin pigment... with high nutritional and pharmacological values. However, the commercialization of these products is still a challenging issue due to high biomass cost, which is mainly caused by expensive nutrients in the culture medium. In this study, from 11 freshwater S. platensis strains, by culture screening, we found 7 strains being capable of profitable growth on inexpensive seawater with salinity ranging from 5 - 30‰, and selected ST strain as the potential strain for further study. Natural seawater must be pretreated to remove ions that easily cause precipitation of nutrients in the culture medium such as Mg2+, Ca2+, SO42-… before using. The ST strain showed the best growth in the natural seawater medium with 30‰ salinity containing 3 g/L NaNO3, 0.5 g/L K2HPO4, 0.05 g/L FeSO4. This strain reached the highest biomass yield at 0.487 g/L and the specific growth rate (µ) of 0.12 x day-1; protein and phycocyanin contents reached 48.6% and 127 mg/g of dry biomass, respectively. There was no difference in the mentioned above values with biological statistical significance between this medium and SOT medium in distilled water. The ST strain biomass was qualified to be used for the production of functional foods. Results of this study provided scientific basis for the use of marine and brackish waters to produce biomass of this highly economic cyanobacterium.
Pedophilia as a Legal Term (Criminal Pedophilia)
Authors: Kolbasin Vladislav
Published: August 2021

Introduction: in our opinion, special attention should be paid to the content of the terms “pedophilia” and “pedophile”, which are often found in the analysis of the legal literature, the reports of government officials, on the Internet, as well as in the content of the normative legal acts regulating the responsibility for committing sexual crimes against the category of victims of interest to us. To date, none of the legal sources operating within the territory of the Russian Federation does not contain the interpretation of the above terms, which fully reveals the specifics of the form of sexual deviation we are studying. The purpose of the study is to analyze the legislation of the Russian Federation regulating the responsibility for the commission of a crime that encroaches on the sexual freedom and sexual integrity of minors and juveniles, by persons suffering from a disorder of sexual preference in the form of pedophilia, as well as the medical and psychological sources containing information about the sexual deviation we are studying, to form the concept of the terms “pedophilia” and “pedophile” in the legal sphere. Methods: the statistical method, the methods of induction, analysis and synthesis are used. Results: the paper considers various definitions of the terms “pedophilia”, “pedophile”. The paper analyzes the affiliation of the previously mentioned term with any branch of scientific knowledge. Conclusions: as a result of the conducted research, the author formulated the concepts of the terms “criminal pedophilia” and “criminal pedophile”, whose use in the normative legal acts regulating the responsibility for committing crimes that infringe on the sexual freedom and sexual integrity of minors and juveniles, in our opinion, would contribute to the significant development of the system of combating sexual crime in relation to the category of citizens of interest to us.
Translinguagem e seus atravessamentos: dos entendimentos conceituais e das possibilidades para decolonizar a educação linguística contemporânea
Authors: Rocha Cláudia Hilsdorf , Megale Antonieta Heyden
Published: August 2021

Este artigo se propõe a discutir o conceito de translinguagem, explorando a multiplicidade de entendimentos frente ao termo e buscando tecer ligações entre as principais características da orientação translíngue e as bases de uma educação linguística crítica e decolonial na sociedade contemporânea. Inicialmente, o histórico do referido termo é brevemente apresentado, na medida em que são também tensionados entendimentos acerca da translinguagem e de seus traços constitutivos. A fim de expandir possibilidades de conceituação, toma-se como foco o processo de construção de sentidos, ressaltando-se sua natureza historicamente situada e complexa, além de suas marcas heterodiscursivas, plurissemióticas e multissensoriais. Nesse contexto, as noções de assemblagem e repertórios, entre outras, são discutidas, a partir de uma orientação espacial e temporalmente marcada. Por fim, tomando-se a translinguagem como uma prática de resistência, em um mundo constituído por discursos opressores e diferenças abissais, são apresentados princípios de uma educação translíngue e possíveis desafios para pedagogias de cunho transformador e decolonial.
PANDEMIA E DESIGUALDADES RACIAIS NA EDUCAÇÃO BRASILEIRA: OLHARES CRÍ(P)TICOS
Authors: Reis Diego dos
Published: August 2021

O ensaio objetiva analisar o impacto da pandemia do novo coronavírus no agravamento das desigualdades educacionais no Brasil. Diante da declarada situação de emergência global, trata-se de tematizar tanto as estratégias adotadas por instituições educativas, com o predomínio das mediações digitais e tecnológicas, quanto os desafios no contexto atual, que refletem-se nas desigualdades de acesso ao ensino de qualidade, no aumento da evasão escolar e nas lacunas na aprendizagem. Questionam-se os limites das práticas educativas remotas ou a distância, principalmente na educação pública, em um país marcado por profundas disparidades socioeconômicas e raciais, no qual a lógica do sacrifício, alçada à racionalidade de governo, imputa aos próprios sujeitos a responsabilidade por seu sucesso ou fracasso, de modo que as desigualdades passam a ser concebidas como mecanismos inevitáveis. Conclui-se, por fim, que, sem a promoção da justiça racial e social, não será possível garantir a efetivação da educação enquanto direito social a grupos em situação de vulnerabilidade no país.
Hygrothermal simulation of building performance: data for Scottish masonry materials
Authors: Banfill P. F. G.
Published: August 2021

Retrofitting thermal insulation to solid masonry walls alters their hygrothermal behaviour, which can be modelled by hygrothermal simulation software. However, such software needs values of key material properties to ensure satisfactory results and until now data has not been available for Scottish masonry buildings. This work aims to contribute to a Scotland-specific dataset of material properties for use by designers working on such buildings. Thermal conductivity, water vapour permeability, sorptivity, water absorption coefficient, hygroscopic sorption, density and porosity were all determined experimentally for selected historic and contemporary masonry materials. Within the range of materials tested three groups of materials properties emerge. Natural hydraulic lime mortars, hot-mixed quicklime mortar and earth mortar all show comparatively low density, high porosity, low thermal conductivity, high water vapour permeability and variable but generally high hygroscopic sorption. Craigleith, Hailes and Giffnock sandstones, no longer available but obtained from conservation works on historic buildings, and Locharbriggs and Hazeldean sandstones, obtained from current production, all show intermediate values of these properties. Crathes granodiorite and Scottish whinstone (from current production) show high density, low porosity, high thermal conductivity, low water vapour permeability and low hygroscopic sorption. It is shown that these materials are all relevant to Scottish buildings constructed in traditional masonry and this paper presents the first comprehensive set of hygrothermal property data for them.
Bearing capacity improvement using soil-filled post-consumer PET bottles
Authors: Moghaddas Tafreshi S. N. , Rafiezadeh Malekshah A. , Rahimi M. , Dawson A.R.
Published: August 2021

This study proposes reusing post-consumer soil-filled PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles as a novel soil reinforcing element by conducting a laboratory-scale experimental investigation. The concept is that the polymer bottle walls act to confine the interior soil so that the bed behaves somewhat like a brick-built load spreading zone. The soil-filled bottles were horizontally laid within the soil bed in the desired depth and then the backfilling was performed. The effect of different parameters such as depth of placement, width and height of the soil-filled, bottle-reinforced mattress are studied under static plate load testing. Test results revealed that the bottle-reinforced bed is highly rigid, delivering very high bearing capacities at small soil displacements. Optimum depth of placement, width and height of the bottle-reinforced zone were respectively about 0.03B, 2.17B and 0.57B. An improvement in bearing capacity ratio (BCR) by a factor of ∼3, and up to 80% reduction in soil settlement, were observed. The proposed method of soil reinforcement can be an excellent and relatively economic alternative to conventional geosynthetic reinforcement, as well as delivering geotechnical and environmental advantages.
Shaking table tests on bridge abutments reinforced by EPS and geogrid
Authors: Kyokawa H. , Yamazaki Y. , Koseki J. , Konami T. , Nishi T. , Kubota T.
Published: August 2021

This study is aimed at improving the seismic stability of bridge abutments. To study the effects of the combined use of a block of expanded polystyrene (EPS) and geogrid, a series of 1 g shaking table tests were conducted on a reduced-scale model of a cantilever-type bridge abutment and its backfill soil. The experiment results indicated that the base sliding and tilting of the wall can be further reduced by partly replacing the backfill soil with blocks of EPS, in combination with the use of the middle-height geogrid. Moreover, the relative settlement of the backfill soil at the interface with the wall could be reduced by the combined use of EPS and geogrid. Furthermore, the resultant normal force and rotational moment acting on the wall from the backfill soil during excitation also became small for the reinforced wall with both EPS and geogrid.
Air and hydraulic flow characteristics of polymer amended bentonite based unsaturated GCLs
Authors: Rajesh S. , Jain A.
Published: August 2021

Geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) are used in landfill applications because of their high deformation resistance and excellent self-healing ability. In the present study, air and hydraulic flow characteristics of natural bentonite based GCL (GCL-N) and polymer amended bentonite based GCL (GCL-A) were assessed using air permeability and hydraulic conductivity measurements. The airflow characteristics of GCLs were studied at various apparent degrees of saturation (Sa) and corresponding suction using a custom-designed air permeability test setup. The effect of desiccation on the airflow characteristics of GCL-A was also examined. Further, hydraulic flow characteristics of virgin and desiccated-rehydrated GCLs were assessed using a flexible wall permeameter. The water absorption capacity of GCL-A is relatively higher than GCL-N, irrespective of the stress state. For any chosen Sa, air permeability of GCL-A is lower than GCL-N. Moreover, with the decrease in the suction from 2500 kPa to 1000 kPa, the air permeability of virgin GCL-A has reduced from 9 × 10−12 m2to 3.57 × 10−16 m2while the desiccated-rehydrated GCL-A has reduced from 8.86 × 10−11 m2to 1.9 × 10−13 m2. The hydraulic conductivity of GCL-A is two orders of magnitude less than GCL-N, which shows the better performance of GCL made with amended bentonite.
E-government em portais públicos de municípios
Authors: Neves Fabrício , Silva Polyana
Published: August 2021

As plataformas digitais de governos são percebidas pela literatura como uma ferramenta eficaz para aumentar a entrega de informações, interação com usuários e prestação de serviços de governos, sendo um dos aspectos mais visíveis dos cidadãos em relação à gestão pública. No entanto, a interação dos cidadãos com os governos ainda não está clara. Os efeitos práticos para a condução de um governo eletrônico, capazes de ampliar essa relação, ainda são invisíveis. Este artigo tem o objetivo de fornecer uma compreensão sobre como os portais públicos são utilizados como ferramenta de governo eletrônico em governos locais, destacando como os conceitos relacionados ao governo eletrônico têm sido empregados empiricamente. O estudo adota uma abordagem qualitativa, analisando cinco municípios de uma microrregião do estado da Bahia. As informações foram obtidas por meio de uma triangulação que envolveu entrevistas semiestruturadas, análise dos portais e aplicação de questionários de opinião aos cidadãos. As análises indicam uma ausência de ações de convencimento e de processos internos alinhados dos governos, que acabam gerando um descolamento entre a prática e as políticas de governança digital, o que resulta em baixa participação dos cidadãos e desconhecimento dos canais de comunicação governamentais. O estudo contribui para a literatura de governo eletrônico e dá mais informações sobre como pessoas e organizações afetam o uso de tecnologias, fornecendo elementos que podem guiar gestores públicos motivados a aumentar a relação e a comunicação com a sociedade. Destaca-se a necessidade de investigar, no nível organizacional, os fenômenos de transformação digital em governos.
Comparison of Maximum Power Point Tracking Methods Using Metaheuristic Optimization Algorithms for Photovoltaic Systems
Authors: BİLGİN Necati , YAZİCİ İrfan
Published: August 2021

The maximum power value that can be obtained from photovoltaic systems can change continuously due to environmental conditions such as temperature, sunlight and partial shading. Direct current-direct current (DC-DC) converters and maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithms are required, especially in cases of partial shading, in order for the photovoltaic systems to operate at the maximum power point, that is, to draw the maximum possible power value from the system. In this study, simulation studies has been carried out for two different partially shaded scenarios using the boost-type DC-DC converter and MPPT algorithm in the PV array consisting of 3 panels connected in series. In the simulation studies, the output powers obtained by the application of particle swarm optimization, cuckoo optimization, bat optimization and firefly optimization techniques as MPPT algorithm has been compared. In the scenarios examined, the firefly optimization algorithm reached the maximum power point faster, and it has been observed that the firefly optimization method obtained the highest average power at the end of the simulation periods.
(a-)Topics and animacy
Authors: Belletti Adriana , Manetti Claudia
Published: August 2021

The aim of this paper is twofold: first, we intend to contribute to the debate on the identification of the features to which syntactic locality expressed in terms of the featural Relativized Minimality/ fRM principle appears to be sensitive (Rizzi 2004; Friedmann, Belletti & Rizzi 2009); second, we aim at providing a better characterization of the distributional and interpretive properties of the process of a-marking in the Topic position of the Italian left periphery identified by syntactic cartography, in relation to (in)animacy (Belletti & Manetti 2019).To these ends, we examined the role of animacy in a production experiment eliciting left dislocated topics with 5-year-old Italian-speaking children. To the extent that a-marking is related to a kind of affectedness of object topics (Belletti 2018a), we examined whether an inanimate left dislocated object could constitute a felicitous a-Topic. Furthermore, the question is directly addressed whether complexity effects in fRM configurations can be modulated in the animacy mismatch condition, with an inanimate left dislocated object and an intervening (animate) lexical subject in ClLDs. Our results show that, in the tested animacy mismatch condition, children seldom a-marked the pre-posed object. Instead, they appeared to creatively explore other solutions to overcome the production of the hard intervention structure, mainly using null subjects. As children are not ready to compute the intervention configuration with a lexical preverbal subject, but could not naturally adjust it through a-marking of the inanimate topic, they ended up opting for different types of productions in which intervention was eliminated. If the animacy feature seems to be implicated in the process of a-marking to some extent, it is not a feature to which the fRM principle is sensitive in building the object A’-dependency in ClLD: we conclude, in line with previous work, that animacy is not among the features implicated in triggering syntactic movement (in Italian).
The Dynamics of the U.S. Overnight Triparty Repo Market
Authors: Paddrik Mark E. , Ramírez Carlos A. , McCormick Matthew J.
Published: August 2021

The overnight segment of the triparty repurchase agreement (repo) market plays a pivotal role in the normal functioning of the U.S. financial system by acting as an important source of secured short-term funding and supporting the liquidity of key fixed income markets, including U.S. Treasury and agency securities. This over-the-counter market accounts for over $1 trillion in daily transactions and provides a unique venue in which a diverse set of market participants invest their cash as well as obtain short-term funding.
A New Look at the Effects of the Interest Rate Ceiling in Arkansas
Authors: Elliehausen Gregory , Hannon Simona M. , Miller Jr., Thomas W.
Published: August 2021

Arkansas has been a popular place to study the effects of rate ceilings because of its exceptionally low interest rate ceiling. This paper examines the effects of the Arkansas rate ceiling on credit use by risky nonprime Arkansas consumers, which are especially vulnerable to credit rationing because of the low ceiling. We compare the level and composition of consumer debt of nonprime consumers in Arkansas with that of prime Arkansas consumers and also nonprime consumers in the neighboring states. We find that nonprime Arkansas consumers are less likely to have consumer debt and, conditional on having debt, have lower, but not much lower, levels of consumer debt than prime Arkansas consumers and nonprime consumers in neighboring states. Types of credit used by nonprime Arkansas consumers tend to differ from those of our comparison groups. Notable is much lower use of consumer finance loans, traditionally an important source of credit for higher risk consumers. This finding suggests rate-based rationing of risky consumers. Also notable is lower use of bank credit despite federal preemption of the rate ceiling for banks. This result is consistent with banks’ traditional avoidance of risky lending.
The Intangible Gender Gap: An Asset Channel of Inequality
Authors: Avenancio-Leon Carlos F. , Shen Leslie Sheng
Published: August 2021

We propose an "asset channel of inequality" that contributes to gender inequities. We establish that industries with low (high) gender pay gaps have high (low) shares of tangible assets. Because asset tangibility determines firms' ability to collateralize assets and borrow, credit conditions affect industries differently. We show that credit expansions further reduce the pay gap in low-pay-gap industries while leaving it unaffected in high-pay-gap industries, making low-pay-gap industries more appealing for women. Consequently, gender sorting across industries increases, which then cements gender roles and accentuates workplace gender bias. Ultimately, credit expansions help women "swim upstream" but also reinforce glass ceilings.
Innovaciones virtuales para la enseñanza de posgrado en tiempos de pandemia
Authors: Sánchez Anguita Muñoz Ángel , Pulido López María Fátima , Pérez López Berta
Published: August 2021

Antecedentes: La pandemia que ha azotado el mundo ha provocado cambios insospechados en todos los ámbitos de la vida humana. La enseñanza ha debido adaptarse a esta nueva situación, pasando a una docencia virtual por el confinamiento. Los nuevos escenarios docentes nos muestran que tenemos que debemos estar preparados para adaptar la forma de enseñar a los nuevos medios y técnicas virtuales, basados en las TICs y que en los últimos años indican ser excelentes auxiliares de la enseñanz.. Por ello, es tan importante buscar o crear herramientas de carácter audiovisual para ser usadas desde las plataformas informáticas disponibles de forma interactiva (Sánchez-Anguita et al, 2016). Objetivos: Explorar e incorporar nuevas herramientas y recursos docentes para facilitar la adaptación a la formación virtual usando nuevos canales de formación virtual y nuevos métodos adaptados al formato audiovisual. Muestra: Se realizó prueba piloto con participantes en posgrado para valoración de utilidad de herramientas. Método: La investigación se ha realizado elaborando o adaptando materiales para ampliar posibilidades de recursos que facilitaran la docencia virtual. Con uso de canales virtuales perfeccionados o novedosos y herramientas como: foros, prácticas, cuestionarios, webinar, píldoras audiovisuales, videos, videoconferencias, tutorías virtuales, enlaces web, etc. Resultados: Los resultados indican que se pueden adaptar las nuevas metodologías a los nuevos formatos según el EEES para conseguir un panel de recursos didácticos adaptados a las nuevas tecnologías (Sánchez-Anguita et al.,2017). Tanto la mejora de las plataformas como Studium de la Universidad de Salamanca como los canales de comunicación han facilitado que podamos mejorar o adaptar herramientas y recursos al nuevo escenario de virtualidad. Conclusión: Valoración positiva de los diversos recursos audiovisuales por parte de los participantes, para la mejora del proceso enseñanza/aprendizaje, potenciando la adquisición de competencias transversales facilitado por el avance en TICs, una docencia más dinámica, y nuevas formas de comunicación.
Las actividades de la vida diaria en personas mayores durante el confinamiento
Authors: González Moreno Jesús , Román González Francisco Javier , Cantero García María
Published: August 2021

El estado de alarma declarado por el Gobierno de España durante la pandemia de la COVID-19, ha afectado en gran medida al estado y a las actividades de la vida diaria de una población especialmente vulnerable son las personas mayores. El objetivo de este estudio es explorar el impacto de la pandemia en las personas mayores en cuanto a sus actividades de la vida diaria y su relación con el estado emocional. Se realizó un estudio de tipo expostfacto, con finalidad descriptiva y exploratoria, con un único tiempo de media (transversal). La recogida de datos se realizó mediante encuestas online destinadas a personas mayores de 50 años españolas, donde se incluyó la valoración de sociodemográficos, junto con aspectos específicos de la pandemia y una escala sobre actividades de la vida diaria realizada ad-hoc basada en instrumentos validados. Los resultados ponen de manifiesto que las AVD se han visto afectadas durante el confinamiento en personas de mediana y avanzada edad, especialmente las ABVD. Se ha encontrado una relación entre mantener las ABVD y un mejor estado anímico, así como una relación entre edad y mantener ese tipo de actividades.
Las tic tac tep en tiempos de crisis
Authors: López Company José Vicente
Published: August 2021

Las Tecnologías de la Información y de la Comunicación (TIC) están integradas en nuestra sociedad: sociedad del aprendizaje. Las Tecnologías del Aprendizaje y el Conocimiento (TAC) y las Tecnologías para el Empoderamiento y la Participación (TEP) cobran sentido en la actual situación que vivimos para motivar a los alumnos, potenciar su creatividad e incrementar sus habilidades. Las TIC-TAC-TEP tienen grandes ventajas en el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje y por ello es necesario que se pueda sensibilizar a todos los agentes implicados en los centros educativos buscando una mejora en la calidad de la educación que ayude a la creación de mejores personas para la sociedad. Aquí se muestra la experiencia de como trabajar estos elementos en tiempos de crisis a través de una Radio. Se propone un proyecto interdisciplinar con una serie de actividades relacionadas con los contenidos de quinto de primaria mediante: proyectos, propuestas, juegos,etc.através delasasignaturas de ciencias naturales, ciencias sociales, lengua castellana y literatura, lengua valenciana y literatura y valores sociales y cívicos creando programas de radio usando las TIC-TAC-TEP.
Depressão e pandemia: estudo com universitários brasileiros
Authors: Sandin Machado Maria Eduarda , Casiraghi Bruna
Published: August 2021

A depressão é uma doença incapacitante, crônica e recorrente. Tem como sintomas humor deprimido, desprazer em atividades que antes geravam prazer, perda ou ganho significativo de peso por alteração no apetite, insônia ou hipersonia, falta de energia, sentimento de culpa, dificuldade de se concentrar, baixa autoestima, irritabilidade, ansiedade, e, em casos graves, pode levar ao suicídio. Pode ser classificadas como leve, moderada ou grave de acordo com a intensidade dos síntomas. Essa doença pode piorar em diversos contextos, como em situações de isolamento social, devido ao estresse, ansiedade, falta ou excesso de informação. Os universitários são afetados devido a mudança na rotina e a pressão psicológica. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a quantidade de universitários com sintomas de depressão, comparando cursos da área da saúde com o de outras áreas. A pesquisa teve uma amostra de 210 universitários do estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, sendo 69% do gênero feminino e 31% masculino, com idade média de 23 anos. O questionário foi enviado via rede social contendo: um formulário avaliando dados pessoais e o Inventário de Depressão de Beck (BDI). O BDI mostrou em relação aos universitários que 119 (56.7%) não apresentaram sintomas, 20 (9.5%) apresentaram disforia e 61 (29%) apresentaram sintomas de depressão.  onclui-se que os dados indicaram altas taxas de sintomas depressivos entre os universitários estudados e a necessidade de ações de acompanhamento.
Estudio de la salud mental en estudiantes universitarios de la rama sociosanitaria
Authors: Sánchez Casado J. Inmaculada , Benítez Sánchez Elena I.
Published: August 2021

El estigma y los recurrentes prejuicios en torno a la salud mental continúan coexistiendo en la sociedad globalizada del conocimiento y de la comunicación en pleno S.XXI. No olvidemos que la población general suele ser “opaca” ante cualquier problema psíquico y/o psicológico. Se acepta, en el contexto tecnológico actual y más en esta etapa pandémica, todo lo referente a los problemas físicos pero no tanto aquellos referentes a salud mental. De ahí, que la idea-fuerza del presente trabajo se centra en analizar el posible impacto de una salud mental positiva en el grupo de estudiantes universitarios de la rama sociosanitaria. Entendemos que la capacitación y/o formación de estos futuros profesionales ha fomentado un mayor estudio “per se” en cuanto a la necesidad de identificar rasgos vocacionales o de motivación intrínseca para el desempeño profesional, y por ello se ha comprobado en la revisión bibliográfica realizada que experimentan una prevalencia mayor de enfermedades mentales que otros estudiantes universitarios o que la población general. Además también se ha valorado que los estudiantes de Grado que quieren cursar estas carreras, están más predispuestos a padecer depresión, ansiedad o problemas con el alcohol, y que estas circunstancias tienden a empeorar conforme avanzan en su formación de acuerdo a los 50 artículos analizados. Una cuestión de evolución nada desdeñable por las especiales exigencias que implica tales Grados en la historia de vida de cada estudiante. Por ello, tal situación generalizada de excesiva responsabilidad asociada a su competencia profesionalizadora de toma de decisiones, genera una serie de demandas y necesidades específicas para las instituciones de Educación Superior, que no siempre son adecuadas en su respuesta universitaria. De manera que el conocimiento de dicho fenómeno es vital y no solo porque afecta al posible rendimiento académico del estudiante universitario de ciencias de la salud, sino porque también coarta la producción de conocimiento y contamina su futuro socioprofesional en los términos que plantea la OMS como calidad de vida total.