bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thermo-hydraulic Simulation of AP1000 Nuclear Reactor Fuel Assembly
Authors: Acosta Martínez Leonardo , García Hernández Carlos Rafael , Rosales García Jesus , Ortiz Puentes Annie
Published: November 2021

One of the challenges of future nuclear power is the development of safer and more efficient nuclear reactor designs. The AP1000 reactor based on the PWR concept of generation III + has several advantages, which can be summarized as: a modular construction, which facilitates its manufacture in series reducing the total construction time, simplification of the different systems, reduction of the initial capital investment and improvement of safety through the implementation of passive emergency systems. Being a novel design it is important to study the thermohydraulic behavior of the core applying the most modern tools. To determine the thermohydraulic behavior of a typical AP1000 fuel assembly, a computational model based on CFD was developed. A coupled neutronic-thermohydraulic calculation was performed, allowing to obtain the axial power distribution in the typical fuel assembly. The geometric model built used the certified dimensions for this type of installation that appear in the corresponding manuals. The thermohydraulic study used the CFD-based program ANSYS-CFX, considering an eighth of the fuel assembly. The neutronic calculation was performed with the program MCNPX version 2.6e. The work shows the results that illustrate the behavior of the temperature and the heat transfer in different zones of the fuel assembly. The results obtained agree with the data reported in the literature, which allowed the verification of the consistency of the developed model.
Seção Especial sobre Energia Nuclear - Apresentação
Authors: Alves Filho Hermes , Silva Fernando Carvalho
Published: November 2021

Apresentação da Seção Especial sobre Energia Nuclear.
Comparative Image Quality Analysis of Spatial Filters for Pre-processing of CT Abdominal Images
Authors: Mohan Ramya , Chokkalingam S.P. , Ganapathy Kirupa , Rama A.
Published: November 2021

Aim: To determine the efficient noise reduction filter for abdominal CT images. Background: Image enrichment is the first and foremost step that has to be done in all image processing applications. It is used to enhance the quality of digital images. Digital images are liable to addition of noise from various sources such as error in instrument calibration, excess staining of images, etc., Image de-noising is an enhancement technique used to remove / reduce noise present in an image. Reducing the noise of images and preserving its edges are always critical and challenging in image processing. Materials and Method: In this paper, four different spatial filters namely Mean, Median, Gaussian and Wiener were used on 100 CT abdominal images and their performances were compared against the following four parameters: Peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR), Mean Square Error (MSE), Normalised correlation coefficient (NCC) and Normalised Absolute Error (NAE) to determine the best denoising filter for the abdominal CT images. Result: Based on the experimental parameters, the median filter had the maximum efficiency in managing salt and pepper noise than the other three filters. Both Median and Wiener filters showed efficiency in removing the Gaussian noise. Whereas, the Wiener filter demonstrated higher efficiency in reducing both Poisson and Speckle noise. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, we can conclude that the median filter can be used to reduce Salt and Pepper noises. Median and Wiener filters are significantly better for Gaussian Noise and the Wiener filter can be used to reduce both Poisson & Speckle noise in abdominal CT images.
Thermogravimetric Analysis and Kinetic Study on Catalytic Pyrolysis of Rice Husk Pellet using Its Ash as a Low-cost In-situ Catalyst
Authors: Wibowo Wusana Agung , Cahyono Rochim Bakti , Rochmadi Rochmadi , Budiman Arief
Published: November 2021

The thermogravimetric behaviors and the kinetic parameters of uncatalyzed and catalyzed pyrolysis processes of a mixture of powdered raw rice husk (RRH) and its ash (RHA) in the form of pellets were determined by thermogravimetric analysis at three different heating rates, i.e., 5, 10, and 20 K/min, from 303 to 873 K. This research aimed to prove that the rice husk ash has a catalytic effect on rice husk pyrolysis. To investigate the catalytic effect of RHA, rice husk pellets (RHP) with the weight ratio of RRH:ARH of 10:2 were used as the sample. Model-free methods, namely Friedman (FR), Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS), and Flynn-Wall-Ozawa (FWO), were used to calculate the apparent energy of activation(EA). The thermogravimetric analysis showed that the decomposition of RHP in a nitrogen atmosphere could be divided into three stages: drying stage (303-443 K), the rapid decomposition stage (443-703 K), and the slow decomposition stage (703-873 K). The weight loss percentages of each stage for both uncatalyzed and catalyzed pyrolysis of RHP were 2.4-5.7%, 35.5-59.4%, and 2.9-12.2%, respectively. Using the FR, FWO, and KAS methods, the values of  for the degrees of conversion (a) of 0.1 to 0.65 were in the range of 168-256 kJ/mol for the uncatalyzed pyrolysis and 97-204 kJ/mol for the catalyzed one. We found that the catalyzed pyrolysis led the  to have values lower than those got by the uncatalyzed one. This phenomenon might prove that RHA has a catalytic effect on RHP pyrolysis by lowering the energy of activation.
W świecie gatunków. Humanistyka środowiskowa wobec relacji ludzko-nieludzkich. Wstęp
Authors: Praczyk Małgorzata
Published: November 2021

W świecie gatunków. Humanistyka środowiskowa wobec relacji ludzko-nieludzkich. Wstęp
Akcentowanie pograniczy w środkowoeuropejskim programie edukacyjnym in spe
Authors: Taborska Katarzyna
Published: November 2021

Artykuł stanowi próbę włączenia do humanistycznej edukacji o pograniczach elementów kosmoekologii. Jego powstanie zainspirowała lektura zbioru Na pograniczu narodów i kultur. Polska – Europa – Ameryka (oprac. B. Wróblewski, Ł. Janicki,Warszawa–Lublin 2020 ). Celem jest przedstawienie wstępnych założeń możliwychedukacyjnych dyskursów o pograniczach w ujęciu holistycznym, które uwzględnia zależności oraz oddziaływania kultur w diachronii i synchronii ekosystemów. W tekście zaproponowano m.in. wprowadzenie terminologii z zakresu przyrodoznawstwa jako narzędzia opisu relacji na pograniczach. Przedstawiono w nimrównież refleksje dotyczące płynnych pograniczy wewnątrzśrodowiskowych oraz ekokrytyczne ujęcie kolonizacji.
Pomorze (prze)rysowane. Poetyki historyzmu i lokalności w świecie komiksu
Authors: Kalinowski Daniel
Published: November 2021

Tekst dotyczy opisu współczesnego komiksu tworzonego na Pomorzu i o Pomorzu. Za podstawę analizy posłużyło tutaj dwutomowe wydawnictwo Komiks szczeciński różnych autorów z kręgu stolicy województwa zachodniopomorskiego, Opowieści znad Bałtyku Wojciecha Stefańca, Szczęściarz z rocznika 1917 Agnieszki Kosko-Hołowczyc i Wandy Swajdy oraz dwa komiksy kaszubskojęzyczne Szczenię Swiãców i Arbata, w których autorem scenariusza jest Piotr Dziekanowski. Zestawienie komiksów pochodzących z różnych subregionów Pomorza i różnych gatunkowo twórców ukazuje, przy całym docenieniu tendencji do oryginalności,zastanawiające podobieństwo w kreowaniu obrazów ważnych kulturowo miejsc. Analogie owe można rozpatrywać poprzez wyznaczenie kilku kategorii poetyki komiksu: historyzmu oraz lokalności. Poza problematyką poetyki, pojawia się jeszcze kwestia społecznej potrzeby nowego wykreowania miejsc „magicznych” pejzażu regionalnego, na które odpowiada współczesny ruch komiksowy.
Romantyczne „kuźnie natury” w perspektywie ekokrytyki
Authors: Hamerski Wojciech
Published: November 2021

Artykuł prezentuje możliwości zastosowania narzędzi ekokrytyki do lektury dzieł polskiego romantyzmu. Zarówno brytyjskie, jaki amerykańskie „zielone studia” są głęboko zakorzenione w literaturze XIX wieku: Wordsworth, Clare, Shelley, Thoreau, Emerson czy Melvill stanowią ważny punkt odniesienia dla współczesnych badaczy. Artykuł uzasadnia, że „narodowa trauma” zaborów, traktowana za główną przeszkodę w czytaniu polskiej literatury romantycznej, stanowi okazję do wprowadzenia nowego idiomu do międzynarodowych „zielonych studiów”.
Przyczynek do historii środowiskowej arystokracji na przykładzie Zofii Chomętowskiejj
Authors: Praczyk Małgorzata
Published: November 2021

Celem niniejszego artykułu jest zaprezentowanie problematyki zależności ludzko-zwierzęcych, jakie zachodziły w kręgach arystokracji polskiej dwudziestolecia międzywojennego na przykładzie relacji Zofii Chomętowskiej z obecnymi w jej życiu zwierzętami. Przykład ten pokazuje złożoność i wielopoziomowość kształtujących się relacji, które wynikały zarówno z jej społecznego statusu, faktu bycia kobietą, jak i z indywidualnej skłonności do budowania bliskiej więzi z wybranymi gatunkami zwierząt. W społecznej sieci relacji, w jakich była ona zanurzona, zwierzęta służyły zarówno za przedmiot polowań, za pożywienie, za oznakę społecznego statusu, jak i za przyjaciół. Analiza tekstów oraz fotografii autorstwa arystokratki wskazuje tak na silny genderowy komponent, jak i na fakt, że zwierzęta stanowiły bardzo ważny element konstruowania arystokratycznej warstwy społecznej. Historia środowiskowa arystokracji polskiej doby międzywojnia w tym jej fragmencie, który reprezentuje Chomętowska, ma zatem charakter jednocześnie klasowy i wyjątkowy ze względu na intymne i empatyczne spojrzenie fotografki na wybrane antropomorfizowane nie-ludzkie podmioty.
The Essentialist Masturbation: Can the Global East Get any Satisfaction?
Authors: Sowa Jan
Published: November 2021

While agreeing with Martin Müller’s intent of filling the gap in contemporary social sciences that the lack of interest in the Global East constitutes, the article engages in polemics withsolution postulated by Müller. The Author argues for a conceptualization of the Global East that would not be based on its essence, but rather on its place in the global division of labor. The “strategic essentialism” postulated by Müller is refuted for three reasons: a reactionary character of identity politics as such, its capture by the Right and doubtful value of socio-cultural identity of most societies of Global East. Instead an alter-universalism is proposed that would be different from the colonial universalism of the West and focused on constructing a common front of progressive--emancipatory struggles.
Comments on Martin Müller’s “In Search of the Global East: Thinking Between North and South”
Authors: Zarycki Tomasz
Published: November 2021

The text starts with a supportive opinion on the concept of the Global East, evaluating it as a convincing and useful tool for the development of critical studies on the so-called post-communist or the second world in a wider global perspective. In the remaining comments, several reasons for possible problems with the broader implementation of the proposed concept are discussed. They include both the resistance which it could encounter in Central and Eastern Europe, and broader, structural reasons why introducing it as a frame parallel to the Global South paradigm may be problematic. Among the examples of similar issues with new theoretical projects, the experience of the complex and not always enthusiastic reception of the post-colonial theory in Poland is briefly discussed.
March minusivity: Strategies of immunising and counter-immunising in the atmosphere of the Polish 1968
Authors: Seiler Nina
Published: November 2021

The article discusses mechanisms of social immunisation in the context of the Polish ‘March 1968’. Whereas immunising strategies are a normal part of sociality, I argue that around 1968 a growing anxiety about the mechanisms of being-in-common led to an autoimmunitarian dissociation of the Polish society, which I conceptualise as an atmosphere of minusivity. Strategies to counter exclusions and discriminations were trapped in this immunitarian paradigm as well. A crisis of communication arose from the dissonance between the reality created by the official language surrounding March 1968, and the reality experienced by many people, as this latter reality was silenced and repressed. Mistrust in language resulted in an immunitarian retreat from affective communication, which was replaced by impersonal communicative scripts. This communicative crisis widely prevented the March experiences from being conveyed in the cultural production of the time; nonetheless, I will try to retrace some of the immunitarian and counter-immunitarian strategies in literature, film, and retrospective accounts.
Mourning and Grievability: Several Remarks on Judith Butler’s Politics of Living Together
Authors: Kopka Aleksander
Published: November 2021

In this article, I focus on the function of the notions of precariousness, vulnerability, and grievability of life in Judith Butler’s writings, and reflect upon their place in a broader context of the thought of what I call, following Jacques Derrida, “originary mourning.” On the one hand, therefore, I want to reconstruct Butler’s task of rethinking the possibi-lity of creating a community based on the equal allocation of precariousness and grievability. Such a reflection allows Butler to treat grievability as an insightful and unique passageway to the problematics of safeguarding of life and equality between living beings. On the other hand, by referring to the writings of Jacques Derrida, I want to inscribe Butler’s notions of precariousness and grievability in a broader framework of mourning, to show how every constitution of a social bond based on the principle of shared precariousness and vulnerability inevitably has to come up against the paradox of its genesis.
Ein Rückblick auf den 3. Ökumenischen Kirchentag vom 13. bis 16. Mai 2021
Authors: Hammes Verena
Published: November 2021

Der 3. Ökumenische Kirchentag war anders als seine beiden Vorgänger. Pandemiebedingt fand er digital und dezentral statt. Dieser Artikel schaut zurück und nach vorn. Er bietet einen Rückblick auf das, was der 3. Ökumenische Kirchentag gewesen ist und was er nicht gewesen ist. Er stellt die kritischen Fragen nach seinen Auswirkungen auf die kommenden Kirchen- und Katholikentage und nach seiner Nachhaltigkeit für die multilaterale Ökumene.
»I sat alone«. The Language of Loneliness in the Hebrew Bible
Authors: Hildebrandt Samuel
Published: November 2021

The Hebrew Bible frequently portrays lonely characters and voices, yet a specific study of »loneliness« is not yet available. As a basic semantic and exegetical inquiry, this article surveys the usage of the lexeme בד/בדד and analyses four passages in which the expression »sitting alone« (בדד + ישׁב) appears, namely, Lev 13:46, Jer 15:17, Lam 1:1 and 3:28. Of key interest are the literary environment and discourse structures in which בדד + ישב stands. The characterisation and evaluation of loneliness likewise receive some attention. The study concludes with a synthesis that highlights connections between loneliness, society, God, and death.
Determinantes de las exportaciones chilenas con un modelo gravitacional 2002-2016
Authors: Fuenzalida - O’Shee Darcy , Valenzuela - Klagges Iván , Valenzuela - Klagges Bárbara , Urrutia - Mundaca Andrea
Published: November 2021

Este estudio pretende determinar las variables que pueden estar influyendo en las exportaciones chilenas subdivididas en cuatro grupos de bienes: manufacturas; alimentos, bebidas y tabaco; minería y metales y; materias primas de origen agrícola para el período 2002-2016. El estudio permite concluir que los acuerdos de Chile con MERCOSUR, CA y China no son significativos en ningún grupo de bienes; el acuerdo con miembros del NAFTA presenta efecto negativo en las manufacturas y alimentos, bebidas y tabaco y; con países de la UE, efecto positivo sólo en materias primas de origen agrícola.
The Significance of Teaching English for Specific Purposes in Costa Rica
Authors: Gamboa Agüero Keilyn G. , Rodríguez Rodríguez Scarleth P.
Published: November 2021

This essay aims at analyzing the significance of the English for Specific Purposes (ESP) approach in Costa Rica. In addition, the authors scrutinized and compared different sources, such as journals, digital books, web pages, and others in order to provide relevant information regarding ESP, for instance, the aim of ESP based on its definition, its types, its objectives, and the effects of the absence of this approach in the learning process and the curriculum of the students as future employees, considering that Costa Rica does not have enough specialists in the area yet. Some programs to teach the target language for different majors need to be redesigned in order to guarantee the students a learning process based on the professional profile that they want to achieve, their needs, and their professional field. Likewise, this paper also explains the effects of the lack of ESP in the country. Hence, contemplating the effectiveness of making use of ESP to learn the target language can allow the education system of the country to take advantage of the benefits and opportunities that ESP represents for the nation.
Aprendizaje con herramientas TIC: un nuevo desafío en tiempos de COVID-19, en estudiantes de la Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica, Sede Región Chorotega
Authors: Chanto Espinoza Carlos Luis , Loáiciga Gutiérrez Jorge Luis
Published: November 2021

In the field of educational research, the teaching process in times a pandemic has undergone a global transformation, establishing the support of virtual tools as an essential axis. The process of teaching supported by Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) has crossed in all contours and in multiple educational horizons, from informal to formal learning. The objective of this article was to know the learning with ICT tools and the level of perception around the realization of courses in virtual modality, during the COVID-19 pandemic. To achieve this, a quantitative study was carried out with a sample of 115 students from the National University of Costa Rica (UNA), Chorotega Branch Campus, using a sampling technique, not probabilistic, for convenience with a descriptive and explanatory study. The conclusions of this study show an acceptable level in learning with ICT tools and an adaptability to virtuality in terms of the study of student learning in balance with the traditional or face-to-face teaching model. Furthermore, its integration into a collaborative virtual environment is not easy.
Análisis de la enseñanza basada en indagación científica y de expectativas laborales de estudiantes peruanos en PISA 2015
Authors: Carpio Medina Carmen Maribel
Published: November 2021

The main purpose of this article is to translate some statistical evidence from the 2015 Pisa science test in order to foster pedagogical reflections guiding the educational work in science classes due to the fact that there is a significant gap between the information obtained from large scales assessments and the acquired knowledge by the educational actors directly involved. The PISA test outcomes usually consist of extensive volumes of information, mostly written in English, which means the access to such knowledge is restricted in its scope. In addition, the technical nature and, very often, the statistical approach of the reports made by PISA might be overwhelming for the majority of teachers who are not accustomed to this type of writing. Consequently, this is a bibliographic review work focused on providing a pedagogical approach to the PISA 2015 data, concerning the negative association between Enquiry-Based Science Teaching (hereafter referred to as EBST) and science-related cognitive outcomes, and expectations of a career in science expressed by Peruvian students. The results of the analysis showed the absence of a common definition of EBST. They showed that a larger number of EBST are not related to better learning outcomes; besides, the main factor for achieving successful learning in students is based on teachers. Results also revealed, with regard to activities by students in science classes, that the less frequent ones refer to designing and conducting practical experiments on their own, making decisions and discussing investigations. Regarding job expectations, the percentage of Peruvian students with attempting to pursue a major in STEM-related fields exceeds the average across OECD countries. However, motivations were mainly utilitarian.
Evaluation of pin penetration probing technique for the assessment of basic density in air-dried wood
Authors: Khosravi Ebrahim , Roohnia Mehran , Lashgari Amir , Jahanlatibari Ahmad , Tajdini Ajang
Published: November 2021

Fast and accurate evaluation of the physical and mechanical properties of engineering ‎materials is of particular importance. The in situ semi-destructive and non-destructive tests versus the ‎static tests for determining the time-consuming physical properties have replaced many traditional ‎methods with reasonable accuracies. Determining the density as one of ‎the most important qualitative and quantitative parameters in the inspection of wood and wood-based ‎products is of great importance. For this purpose, 33 wood specimens from 11 species with varying densities were tested by pin penetration probing. Results were compared with those from ‎the basic density values from traditional methods. The results showed an exponential relationship between the pin penetration depths ‎and the basic density considering the moisture conditions but without any problems. The coefficients of ‎determination while estimating the equality of the basic density via pin penetration probing with the actual ‎basic density for both the testing specimens and the control samples were always over ‎‎0.8. Henceforth, this methodology suggested that the density evaluation could inspire higher precision than what has been achieved in previous efforts.
Preparation and performance study of modified silica sol/phenolic resin
Authors: Zhang Yinliang , Liu Yu , Liu Mingli , Li Chunfeng
Published: November 2021

This study used silica sol, phenol, formaldehyde, etc. as raw materials to prepare silica sol/phenolic resin based on in-situ polymerization. The influence of silica sol content on the viscosity, solid content, and other properties of the composite resin were discussed. The structure and performance of the product were characterized and tested via laser particle size analyzer, infrared spectrum analyzer, thermogravimetric (TG) analyzer, and rheometer. The results show that the viscosity of the composite resin increased with increased silica sol content, and the solid content and the free formaldehyde content exhibited the opposite trend. The laser particle size analysis revealed that when the amount of silica sol was 40%, the particle size distribution of the composite resin was relatively uniform. Fourier transform infrared analysis illustrated a new chemical bond of Si-O-C formed between silica sol and phenolic resin. TG analysis showed that when the amount of modified silica sol was added at a 40% level, the decomposition temperature of composite resin (10% weight loss) increased from 294.8 to 324.4 °C, and the residual amount increased from 55.2% to 60.2%; rheological analysis revealed that when the content of silica sol was 40%, it had better flow properties, creating conditions for the composite resin to penetrate the wood.
Cellulase production by co-culture of Bacillus licheniformis and B. paralicheniformis over monocultures on microcrystalline cellulose and chicken manure-supplemented rice bran media
Authors: Kazeem Muinat Olanike , Ajijolakewu Kamoldeen A. , Rahman Nor’ Aini Abdul
Published: November 2021

Single cultures and co-cultures of Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus paralicheniformis isolated from compost were evaluated for their carboxymethyl cellulase (CMCase) and filter paperase (FPase) production potential. Using a medium supplemented with microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), in the co-culture, CMCase and FPase activities increased 8.87- and 2.28-fold and 10.15- and 3.20-fold over B. licheniformis and B. paralicheniformis monocultures, respectively. The synergistic behavior of the two isolates might be due to the consumption of hydrolysis product (glucose, cellobiose) by one or both of the isolates, which improved their metabolic performance for cellulase secretion. Optimal conditions for cellulase production by this co-culture were a temperature of 45 °C, and pH 7 at 180 rpm in a medium containing rice bran at 1% (w/v) and chicken manure as nitrogen supplement at 2% (w/v). The maximum CMCase and FPase produced under the above conditions were 79.8 U/mL and 12.5 U/mL, respectively. This corresponds to 257.4- and 59.5-fold enhancement in CMCase and FPase activity, respectively, over B. licheniformis monoculture, and 306.9- and 83.3-fold increase with respect to the B. paralicheniformis monoculture. These results indicate that improved cellulase production can be achieved through co-culture and chicken manure nitrogen-supplement.
Effects of dowels on the mechanical properties of wooden composite beams in ancient timber structures
Authors: Han Xiaoli , Dai Jian , Qian Wei , Zhu Zhaoyang , Li Baolong
Published: November 2021

In order to provide more accurate suggestions for the restoration of ancient timber buildings, five types of specimens were designed for static loading tests. The tree species used for the specimens was larch. The wooden composite beams were composed of purlins, tie plates, and fangs. The study analyzed the effects of the number and position of dowels on the mechanical behaviors of wooden composite beams in ancient timber buildings. The bending moment, slippage, strain of the wooden composite beams under the deflection of the beam allowed according to code, and the ultimate bearing capacity of the wooden column composite beams under failure conditions were examined. The test results showed that the dowels could improve the bending capacity of the wooden composite beams. The even distribution of the dowels was beneficial in reducing the sliding effect of the wooden composite beams. Under the amount of deflection allowed by the code, the mid-span section strain along the height of the wooden composite beam approximately conformed to the plane section assumption. The wooden composite beam still had bending capacity after each member failed. The results of this study illustrated that dowels improved the overall mechanical properties of the wooden composite beams.
The influence of thermal treatment on the compressive strength and density of bamboo (Guadua angustifolia Kunth)
Authors: Acosta Ricardo , Montoya Jorge A. , Londoño Carlos A.
Published: November 2021

Lignocellulosic materials that are thermally treated via hydrolysis react chemically, modifying their internal structure, which in turn modifies their physical and mechanical properties, as well as their dimensional stability. Bamboo (Guadua angustifolia Kunth) samples 3 years old, without nodes and without skin, obtained from their basal area were subjected to thermal treatment with temperatures between 160 and 200 °C and duration times between 1 h and 4 h. The severity of the thermal treatment affects the modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity in compression. The modulus of rupture increased at temperatures up to 180 °C with treatment times of 2 h, i.e., the severity, defined as the product of the temperature and the time varied between 320 (°C*h) and 360 (°C*h). An inflection point was obtained at a temperature of 180 °C after 2 h with a maximum value of 115.1 MPa. The modulus of elasticity increased as the temperature and time increased. The modulus of rupture and the modulus of elasticity of the treated samples increased up to 14.7% and 36.1%, respectively, compared to the not thermal treated samples. Additionally, when the density increased, the resistance and the compression stiffness also increased.
Furfural-based resin for modifying birch wood properties
Authors: Sharifat Marzieh , Efhamisisi Davood , Thevenon Marie-France , Tarmian Asghar , Jonoobi Mehdi
Published: November 2021

Furfural (F) cannot be easily polymerized like furfuryl alcohol, but it is an aldehyde that can react with urea (U) to make a polymeric network. The possibility of preparing F/U polymer along with an acidic catalyzer (maleic anhydride; M) was evaluated as a means to improve some selected properties of birch (Betula pendula) wood. The F+U/M resin was introduced into the wood with a double treatment technology. The first step involved dilution of F in water and methanol, and the second step was immersion in a U/M aqueous solution. The color of treated wood was darkened after resin curing from brown to a spectrum of black depending on the amount of loaded resin. The 60 to 80% of materials were converted to a non-leachable polymer based on the different formulations. The water absorption and volumetric swelling of the treated samples decreased with an increase in weight percent gain (WPG). The analysis of mechanical strength showed that treatment with F + U/M reduced to some extent the hardness and the impact bending of wood, while modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, and compression parallel to the grain with WPG were increased. The exposure of the samples to the accelerated weathering showed noticeable changes in color and roughness.
Effect of thermal modification on the surface quality of a coating applied to wood via the electrostatic spray deposition technique
Authors: Ayrilmis Nadir , Akkuş Memiş , Yılmaz Sena Nur
Published: November 2021

The surface properties of thermally modified ash wood with a powder coating were investigated, and the results were compared to the unmodified wood. The wood specimens were sanded with 80 grit sandpaper and then pre-heated at 80 °C for 5 min in an infrared oven. The surface of the unmodified and the modified wood specimens were coated with an epoxy/polyester (1 to 1 ratio) hybrid coating using an electrostatic corona spray gun at the pilot plant established in the laboratory. The coatings on the wood specimens were cured at different curing conditions in an infrared oven, i.e., 120 °C/15 min, 140 °C/10 min, and 160 °C/10 min. The results showed that the thermal modification (TM) of the wood caused a slight decrease in the mechanical performance of the surface system (wood substrate and coating film). For example, the scratch and abrasion resistance of the unmodified specimens at the curing temperature of 120 °C were 3.33 N and 135 revolutions but were 3.12 N and 120 revolutions after the TM. However, the average surface roughness (1.26 mu) and contact angle (60.8°) of the distilled water on the cured coatings on the modified wood were lower than those on the unmodified wood (1.86 mu and 80.8°, respectively).
Optimization protocol and bioactivity assessment for the microwave-assisted extraction of flavonoids from Eucommia ulmoides Oliver seed meal using response surface methodology
Authors: Ouyang Hui , Li Songlin , Peng Wanxi , Xiao Zhuping , Zhang Yongkang
Published: November 2021

Response surface methodology was utilized to optimize the microwave-assisted extraction of flavonoids from Eucommia ulmoides Oliver seed meal. In addition, the optimal processing conditions for the extraction of E. ulmoides seed meal flavonoids were as follows: a processing time of 30 min, a liquid to solid ratio of 54 to 1 (mL/g), an ethanol concentration of 77%, and a temperature of 69 °C. The total flavonoids extraction percentage was 0.6611%. Moreover, the total flavonoids extracted from E. ulmoides seed meal were good for scavenging diphenyl picryl hydrazinyl. The E. ulmoides seed meal total flavonoids exhibited an obvious dose-dependent inhibitory effect on α-glucosidase in the concentration range of 0.05 to 1.0 mg·mL−1. The IC50 value of the E. ulmoides seed meal flavonoids was slightly lower than the IC50 value of acarbose. According to the results of the xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity test, the IC50 value of the E. ulmoides seed meal flavonoids was higher than the IC50 value of allopurinol.
Use of Crop Rotations, Cover Crops and Green Manures for Disease Suppression in Potato Cropping Systems
Authors: Larkin Robert P.
Published: November 2021

Crop rotations and the inclusion of cover crops and green manures are primary tools in the sustainable management of soil-borne diseases in crop production systems. Crop rotations can reduce soil-borne disease through three general mechanisms: (1) serving as a break in the host-pathogen cycle; (2) by altering the soil physical, chemical, or biological characteristics to stimulate microbial activity and diversity; or (3) directly inhibiting pathogens through the release of suppressive or toxic compounds or the enhancement of specific antagonists. Brassicas, sudangrass, and related plant types are disease-suppressive crops well-known for their biofumigation potential but also have other effects on soil microbiology that are important in disease suppression. The efficacy of rotations for reducing soil-borne diseases is dependent on several factors, including crop type, rotation length, rotation sequence, and use of the crop (as full-season rotation, cover crop, or green manure). Years of field research with Brassica and non-Brassica rotation crops in potato cropping systems in Maine have documented the efficacy of Brassica green manures for the reduction of multiple soil-borne diseases. However, they have also indicated that these crops can provide disease control even when not incorporated as green manures and that other non-biofumigant crops (such as barley, ryegrass, and buckwheat) can also be effective in disease suppression. In general, all crops provided better disease control when used as green manure vs. as a cover crop, but the addition of a cover crop can improve control provided by most rotation crops. In long-term cropping system trials, rotations incorporating multiple soil health management practices, such as longer rotations, disease-suppressive rotation crops, cover crops, and green manures, and/or organic amendments have resulted in greater yield and microbial activity and fewer disease problems than standard rotations. These results indicate that improved cropping systems may enhance productivity, sustainability, and economic viability.
Music in the Protagonist’s World, the Protagonist in the World of Music: Liudmila Ulitskaya: The Big Green Tent
Authors: Szabó Tünde
Published: November 2021

The article examines the musical component in L. Ulitskaya’s novel The Big Green Tent. The first part provides an overview of those musical elements – realities, prototypes of individual characters and pretexts with musical themes, with the help of which an autonomous world and the image of one of the main characters of the work are created. The second part analyzes a fragment of the novel, which mixes musical and literary principles of text organization and creates a multidimensional connection with S. Rakhmaninoff's Symphonic Dances. The analysis shows that the musical component in Ulitskaya's novel performs a double function – constructing one of the plot lines and musicalizing certain fragments of the text.
The Image of the Trickster in the Novel by Vladimir Makanin The Underground, or the Hero of Our Time
Authors: Kovtun Natalia
Published: November 2021

The article is devoted to the study of the image of the trickster – one of the key ones in modern Russian culture and literature. The article analyzes the specifics of the functioning and attribution of the trickster figure in V. Makanin‘s novel The Underground, or the Hero of Our Time (1998). This is a soliloquium novel. It is shown how the appearance of the trickster hero, who is aware of his connection with the myth, helps to solve the tragic issues facing the consciousness of the turn of the XX-XXI centuries. The life – affirming, vital potential of the image of the main character of the novel – Petrovich is considered, the inherent possibilities, means of awareness and representation of the tragic are revealed. The paper examines the intertextual field of the character’s image, including the archetypes of “naked man”, “little man”, “extra man” and “underground man”, who made up the canon of Russian classics. The reinterpretation of archetypes is the realization of the author’s attempt, his hero, to “push” Russia into the next century, free from the dictates of the literary canon, opening up the prospect of finding one’s own Word as a self-determination of an individual in the new century.
Meanings of Culture and Books. From “Marriage of Convenience” to Signs of “First Love”
Authors: Markov Alexander
Published: November 2021

The article examines the polygraphic prerequisites for social reflection of the late Soviet and post-Soviet intellectuals and the connection between the autonomy of intellectual work and the autonomy of the publishing cycle. Based on a comparison of changes in publishing technologies and procedures for preparing manuscripts for printing, the change of large paradigms in the perestroika era is reconstructed as derivatives of the cult of reading and the system of institutions that support it. It is argued that although intellectuals upheld the classical canon, the very ways of canonizing works of the past were deformed by changing publishing procedures. The crisis in publishing planning coincided with a new understanding of the intellectual's mission, which meant the establishment of new types of reading as dominant. Thus, the thought of autonomous culture and the simultaneous reconceptualization of world literature contributed to the understanding of publishing procedures as autonomously significant. The disintegration of the disciplinary order of the Soviet publishing sphere and independent scientific book publishing made it possible to complete the project of describing literature as a place of production of norms for the reception of culture that cast doubt on the previous state of literature, thereby approving the program of post-Soviet cultural studies.
Interpretation of History in the Contemporary Lithuanian Essayistics
Authors: Meržvinskaitė Birutė
Published: November 2021

The article discusses the peculiarities of the representation of history in Sigitas Parulskis’s essay collection Eternity does not move me (2018). The essay as genre in this book unites subjectivity, critical and ironic mode of narration and the conventional categories of historiographical analysis (the state, religion, society, collective identity, culture). Explanation on the ambivalent sense and relationship between literary imagination and historical facticity is done to prove the New Historicism slogan “the historicity of texts and the textuality of history”.
Alexander Blok in the Russian Environment of Interwar Wilno
Authors: Lavrinec Pavel
Published: November 2021

The study of the significance of Alexander Blok and his work in the perceptions of the Russian environment in the interwar Wilno reveals its literary orientations. Blok’s literary reputation was supported and strengthened by the main sources and processes of the formation of literary reputation – Blok’s text themselves (in particular, books in the library of the Vilna Russian society and reprints from Soviet publications), evaluations of his work in the Wilno press, literary evenings and discussions dedicated to his poetry. The research materials were collected from the Wilno press in Russian language published in 1921–1939. The study shows the exceptional importance of Blok, as the greatest poet of the era, in the perceptions of the Russian community.
Article Comments: Is This Truly Feedback for Editorial Boards? Views and Experiences of Journalists
Authors: Mažylė Jolanta
Published: November 2021

In the modern society, online comments, especially comments on news websites, create a new problem: in theory, they should guarantee the freedom of speech and improve the work of editorial boards of daily newspapers (news websites). Feedback helps the media to better understand readers and their needs. The essence of feedback for the journalist is to obtain additional information in order to expand the topic of the article, to explore new aspects of the researched subject and to react promptly to relevant information received from the audience. Exploratory research was carried out in May 2021 striving to analyse how much actual feedback works when a media outlet publishes reader comments, as well as to examine how media staff evaluate the necessity of commends under articles and their value for direct work. Fifteen professional journalists – who have more than four years of journalistic experience in national, regional and local media – participated in the research.

Research participants were asked 9 questions, of which only several were closed-ended, while the rest were open-ended. The survey was thus carried out in person, seeking to ascertain the questions discussed and clarify situations or circumstances. The duration of each interview was 45-80 minutes. Meetings took place with interviewees or they were contacted via Skype and ZOOM platforms.

The article discusses research results, provides examples from editorial experience, as well as reveals views of editorial boards and journalists concerning the phenomenon in question and its problematic aspects.
The Attitude of the Regional Editors of Lithuanian Periodicals to the Principles of Distribution of State Support for the Media
Authors: Kėvišas Magnus Tomas , Brazauskas Arūnas , Nedzveckienė Violeta , Myštautaitė Milda
Published: November 2021

It is often maintained that there is no one consistent mass media policy in Lithuania. There are, indeed, many mechanisms of state financial aid and support, and the allocation of funds itself is rather inconsistent and accidental. There is no data or information available as to how the strengths and weaknesses of the particular mechanisms created and aid/funding opportunities available are perceived by the target audience of such efforts – the staff of the editorial boards of the news outlets and the particular business owners. Having conducted a questionaire-based study and a series of in-depth structured interviews with selected typical representatives from the industry, here we delineate the perception: the editorial staff maintain that the most impactful mechanism of allocating state support for the press are direct payments, especially those distributed by the Lithuanian Media Support Foundation, though the principles regulating its decision-making should be amended so as to allow for more transparency. One should also ensure that whatever is being funded has a case for continuity, sustainability and long-term future in regard to its activities. Additionally, especially inasmuch as any allocation of funds is related to an attempt to ensure the long-term success of democratic governance, the funding is to be targeted at local news rather than national or international news. These findings are shown to be comparable to tendencies observed abroad.
The New Baby Blueprint
Authors: Casares Whitney
Published: November 2021

Available ONLY to the lucky winners from NCE 2021!
High Five Discipline: Positive Parenting for Happy, Healthy, Well-Behaved Kids: NCE Giveaway Version
Authors: Jones Candice W.
Published: November 2021

Available ONLY to the lucky winners from NCE 2021!
Improving Compliance With Revised Newborn Hepatitis B Vaccination Policy
Authors: Pulsifer Allene , Puopolo Karen M. , Skerritt Lauren , Dhudasia Miren B. , Pyle Beth Ann , Schumacher Aida , Mukhopadhyay Sagori
Published: November 2021

BACKGROUND

In September 2017, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued guidance recommending hepatitis B vaccine be administered to well newborns with birth weight ≥2000 g within 24 hours after birth. At that time, ∼85% of well newborns were vaccinated before discharge at our center; however, only 35% were vaccinated within 24 hours after birth. Our aim was to vaccinate 70% of eligible newborns within 24 hours after birth by June 2018 while maintaining the overall rate of vaccination.

METHODS

A multidisciplinary improvement team analyzed existing vaccine administration processes in the well-newborn nursery. From October 2017 to January 2018, changes were made to activation of vaccine orders and to obtaining and documenting the consent processes. Vaccine administration was bundled with routine care given ≤24 hours after birth, and parent scripting was changed from offering vaccine as an option to stating it as a recommendation. From November 2016 to June 2019, we determined the overall rate and timing of vaccination using statistical process control methods.

RESULTS

Among 10 887 eligible infants, the proportion administered hepatitis B vaccine ≤24 hours after birth increased from 35.5% to 78.8% after process changes with special-cause variation on process control charts. Proportion of infants receiving vaccine any time before discharge also increased from 86.5% to 92.3%.

CONCLUSIONS

Specific process changes allowed our birth center to comply with the recommended timing for hepatitis B vaccination of ≤24 hours after birth among eligible newborns.
Changes in Pediatric Faculty Burnout During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Uong Audrey M. , Cabana Michael D. , Serwint Janet R. , Bernstein Carol A. , Schulte Elaine E.
Published: November 2021

OBJECTIVES

To examine the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and associated workflow changes, such as deployment on pediatric faculty burnout in an early epicenter of the pandemic. We hypothesized burnout would increase during the COVID-19 surge.

METHODS

We conducted serial cross-sectional surveys of pediatric faculty at an academic, tertiary-care children’s hospital that experienced a COVID-19 surge in the Northeastern United States. Surveys were administered pre-surge (February 2020), during the surge (April 2020), and postsurge (September 2020). The primary outcome was burnout prevalence. We also measured areas of worklife scores. We compared responses between all 3 survey periods. Continuous variables were analyzed by using Student’s t or Mann–Whitney tests, and categorical variables were analyzed by using χ2 or Fisher’s exact test, as appropriate.

RESULTS

Our response rate was 89 of 223 (40%) presurge, 100 of 267 (37%) during the surge, and 113 of 275 (41%) postsurge. There were no differences in demographics, including sex, race, and academic rank between survey periods. Frequency of burnout was similar in all 3 periods (20% to 26%). The mean scores of emotional exhaustion improved during the surge (2.25 to 1.9; P = .04).

CONCLUSIONS

Contrary to our hypothesis, we found no changes in pediatric faculty burnout after a COVID-19 surge. Emotional exhaustion improved during the COVID-19 surge. However, these findings represent short-term responses to the COVID-19 surge. Longer-term monitoring of the impact of the COVID-19 surge on pediatric faculty burnout may be necessary for health care organizations to mitigate burnout.