bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A secure framework for IoT-based smart climate agriculture system: Toward blockchain and edge computing
Authors: Ting Li , Khan Mudassir , Sharma Ashutosh , Ansari Mohd Dilshad
Published: February 2022

An intelligent climate and watering agriculture system is presented that is controlled with Android application for smart water consumption considering small and medium ruler agricultural fields. Data privacy and security as a big challenge in current Internet of Things (IoT) applications, as with the increase in number of connecting devices, these devices are now more vulnerable to security threats. An intelligent fuzzy logic and blockchain technology is implemented for timely analysis and securing the network. The proposed design consists of various sensors that collect real-time data from environment and field such as temperature, soil moisture, light intensity, and humidity. The sensed field information is stored in IoT cloud platform, and after the analysis of entries, watering is scheduled by implementing the intelligent fuzzy logic and blockchain. The intelligent fuzzy logic based on different set of rules for making smart decisions to meet the watering requirements of plant and blockchain technology provides necessary security to the IoT-enabled system. The implementation of blockchain technology allows access only to the trusted devices and manages the network. From the experimentation, it is observed that the proposed system is highly scalable and secure. Multiple users at the same time can monitor and interact with the system remotely by using the proposed intelligent agricultural system. The decisions are taken by applying intelligent fuzzy logic based on input variables, and an alert is transmitted about watering requirements of a field to the user. The proposed system is capable of notifying users for turning water motor on and off. The experimental outcomes of the proposed system also reveal that it is an efficient and highly secure application, which is capable of handling the process of watering the plants.
Effects of music on sleep quality and comfort levels of pregnant women
Authors: Sanlı Yasemin , Goke Arslan Gamze , Aypar Akbag Nuran Nur , Canbulat Sahiner Nejla , Yılmaz Diler , Yucel Sebnem Cınar
Published: February 2022

Objectives

This pilot randomized controlled experimental study was conducted to investigate effects of music on sleep quality and comfort levels of pregnant women.

Methods

The sample of the study consisted of 70 pregnant women who met the inclusion criteria and agreed to participate in the study. The pregnant women were assigned to the music (n=35) and control groups (n=35). In the study, the musical pieces composed in Uşşak mode were played for the participants in the music group. The pregnant women in the music group were first asked to empty their bladder and then listen to music for 30 min in a semi-Fowler’s position with their head and shoulders raised 30°, in a quiet and dim environment, every other day for two weeks before going to sleep. The Pregnant Information Form, Prenatal Comfort Scale (PCS) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index – 1 week (PSQI-1 week) were used to collect the study data.

Results

The analysis of the mean scores obtained from the overall PSQI-1 week by the pregnant women in the music and control groups by weeks demonstrated that there was a statistically significant difference between the music and control groups in the second week (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of the mean scores they obtained from the overall PCS (p>0.05).

Conclusions

Music increased the sleep quality of the pregnant women in the music group, but had no effect on their comfort levels.
Simulation of cobalt-60 production in research reactors using OpenMC Monte Carlo code
Authors: Judaibi Abdulrahim , Soliman Abdelfattah Y.
Published: February 2022

Cobalt-60 is an artificial radioisotope with a wide range of applications in many industries for its high intensity gamma-rays and longer half-life. It may be produced in research reactors from the stable isotope cobalt-59 by neutron activation when a fission neutron is absorbed in the Co-59 nucleus. The ETRR-2 research reactor is designed with an in-core neutron flux trap that accommodates space for placement of an irradiation box, which makes it suitable for the production of radioisotopes as an in-core fixed facility. This simulation study compares the production yield of Co-60 for different Co-59 pencil configurations within the irradiation box inside the in-core neutron flux trap. IAEA reference for Co-60 specifications was used to set the comparison criteria for generating different configurations. Reactor geometry and calculations were carried out using OpenMC Monte Carlo code to obtain the effective multiplication factor Keff, the flux distribution, and the production yield of Co-60 with respect to time. Results show that the ETTR-2 is capable of producing Co-60 with a specific activity of 83.89 Ci g−1 in 263 ± 14 days following the placement of eight Co-59 pencils with 0.77 cm diameter, 32 cm in height, and 74.506 g each. It was also shown that a higher production rate may be achieved by decreasing the diameter of the pencils and increasing their number while Co-59 mass is kept constant.
Extractive Constitutions: Constitutional Change and Development Paths in Latin America
Authors: Merino Roger
Published: February 2022

Under the label “New Latin American Constitutionalism”, scholars have explained the emergence of new constitutions or organic constitutional reforms in the eighties and nineties and, since the 2000s, the constitutions associated with the “Left turn” in the region. Radical constitutional changes, however, have not stopped the expansion of social conflicts associated with internationally-backed extractive and infrastructure projects deemed as crucial for national development. As new processes of constitution building are gaining momentum in the region, it is crucial to investigate the reasons why societies under progressive and neoliberal constitutions suffer from similar conflicts. Drawing on decolonial theory and critically dialoguing with the literature on constitutions and development, the article proposes an analytical scheme to understand the relationship between constitutional arrangements and development in neoliberal and multicultural Peru and Colombia, and post-neoliberal and plurinational Bolivia and Ecuador. The article argues that even though these constitutions possess deep differences at the level of development discourses, strategies, and tools, they share the same development paradigm.
On Ramseyer’s Response to the Critics of “Contracting for Sex in the Pacific War”
Authors: Lee Yong-Shik
Published: February 2022

A controversial paper by Ramseyer, “Contracting for Sex in the Pacific War,” which argued that the victims of sexual slavery (“the comfort women”) perpetrated by the Japanese military during World War II were voluntary prostitutes under contract, has raised substantial controversy around the world. This argument has provoked a public outcry, and thousands of scholars, including Nobel laureates, have criticized this paper and denounced it. Ramseyer has subsequently published a response to these critics in a non peer-reviewed, publicly accessible paper series disseminated by the John M. Olin Center for Law, Economics, and Business at Harvard University. His response does not remedy fundamental flaws and inaccuracies in his original paper. This essay discusses these flaws and inaccuracies and also points out the problematic manner in which the author mischaracterizes and omits key materials, misleading readers. The war may have ended several decades ago, but its trauma continues today, exacerbated by the troubling denials of the atrocities.
Far-field optical imaging of topological edge states in zigzag plasmonic chains
Authors: Moritake Yuto , Ono Masaaki , Notomi Masaya
Published: February 2022

Topological photonics mimicking topological insulators has recently attracted considerable attention. The Su–Schrieffer–Heeger (SSH) model, which is a fundamental topological system, has been experimentally demonstrated in many photonic systems owing to its simplicity. In particular, a zigzag chain, which is described by the SSH model, shows intriguing functionality such as polarization-dependent switching of topological edge states. To date, the far-field imaging of topological edge states in plasmonic chains has not been reported because of the constraint imposed by the diffraction limit. In this study, we experimentally observed the photonic topological edge states of zigzag plasmonic chains composed of metal nanodiscs in the optical region through far-field imaging. Using a chain longer than the diffraction limit, light scattering from the two edges of the zigzag chains was resolved. In the case of such a long chain, it was revealed that tiny gaps of several nanometers between the discs, which are difficult to fabricate, are necessary. Therefore, we propose connected chains and investigate the effect of the shape of the connected part, which reveals that similar topological edge states can be obtained even in the connected chains. The polarization dependence of edge-state imaging showed switching of the systems in trivial and topological phases in the same zigzag chain. Far-field observations serve as an easy and effective tool for the investigation and application of photonic topological edge states.
Complex circuit simulation and nonlinear characteristics analysis of GaN power switching device
Authors: Gu Ji , Wang Wei , Yin Rong , Truong Chinh V , Ganthia Bibhu Prasad
Published: February 2022

To overcome the problem of energy losses in the electrical circuits and to improve the energy conversion efficiency, it is necessary to increase the power switch frequency and reduce the open resistance of the power switch. Moreover, based on energy saving, failure protection, circuit design and other aspects of the research of enhanced devices are also essential, a new static and dynamic model of GaN power transistor is proposed, and the steady-state and dynamic characteristics of GaN power transistors are simulated and tested. The GaN power transistor used in the test has a constant voltage of 450 V and a current of 4 A. By changing the driving power U, G (take 2, 3, 4V) and the stray inductance Ls
(take 2 μH, 5 μH), the switching characteristics of the simulation model were studied, and the simulation was carried out by changing the absorption capacitance Cc
(select 1.5 μF and 3.0 μF). This proposed simulation model can be used to analyze the protection effect of the buffer circuit under various stray inductors and help to guide the design of the buffer circuit. The simulation results of the static and dynamic models of the new GaN power transistor agree well with the experimental results. With the increase of Ug
, the opening speed is faster, but the turn-off delay is longer. With the increase of Ls
, the peak of the turn-off voltage increases. After increasing the absorption capacitance, the peak voltage during the turnoff is limited to the rated voltage, and the buffer circuit plays a protective role and the greater the Cc
, the better the protection. The simulation results are consistent with the theoretical analysis, which verifies the effectiveness of the model.
Seismic nonlinear vibration control algorithm for high-rise buildings
Authors: Liu Qian , Zhang Weikang , Bhatt Mohammed Wasim , Kumar Ajit
Published: February 2022

It is necessary to study the seismic problem of buildings and structures for various safety reasons. Such as prevent and to reduce the damage caused by earthquakes to the greatest extent possible, research feasible analysis methods, and simulate the performance of the structure under earthquake action by computer, to keep its design performance in future earthquake action, and to ensure the safety of people's lives and property. The seismic design based on nonlinear vibration control is proposed. SAP2000 structure analysis software is used to establish the seismic structure model, foundation isolation model, and floor isolation model of a 15-story large chassis frame structure, the nonlinear time-history analysis of the three models under the action of multiple and rare earthquakes is carried out, and the period, displacement and acceleration of the isolated structure and the aseismatic structure are compared. The results show that, under the action of multiple earthquakes, the base shear of foundation isolation is 1208.06 kN, and the floor isolation is 926.43 kN, which are 0.37 and 0.3 of the base shears of the aseismatic structure, respectively. Under the action of rare earthquakes, the base-isolation shear is 4039.59 kN, and the story isolation shear is 3119.99 kN, which are, respectively, 0.4 and 0.31 of the base-isolation shears of the aseismatic structure. This method provides a reliable evaluation for nonlinear seismic response analysis of large complex high-rise buildings and provides an effective reference.
Parameter simulation of multidimensional urban landscape design based on nonlinear theory
Authors: Liu Congru , Lin Mingsen , Rauf Hozan Latif , Shareef Sardar S.
Published: February 2022

To solve the problem of large difference degree in multi-dimensional urban landscape design, a multidimensional urban landscape design method based on nonlinear theory is proposed. Research on multidimensional nonlinear landscape design methods in improving the rationality of architectural landscape design and improving the living environment is important for optimizing the structure of multidimensional nonlinear landscape design and improving the effect of urban landscape design. Firstly, according to the input and output data of the system, the multidimensional nonlinear landscape image is sampled, the virtual scene space visual planning method is used to simulate the parameters of the multidimensional nonlinear landscape design, and the block detection method is used to reconstruct the region of the multidimensional nonlinear landscape image. Combined with RGB feature decomposition method, the parameter vectorized feature extraction of multidimensional nonlinear landscape design was carried out, and the parameterized model of multidimensional nonlinear landscape view was extracted. Based on the parameterized model method, the multidimensional nonlinear landscape design is realized, and the quantitative analysis ability of multidimensional nonlinear landscape design is improved. The simulation results show that the mean of regression standard deviation is 0.567, the standard value is 0.753, and the F-test value is 0.655. Therefore, the visual feature expression ability of multidimensional nonlinear landscape design using the proposed method is better and the effect of landscape design is improved.
Research on frequency parameter detection of frequency shifted track circuit based on nonlinear algorithm
Authors: Xie Hui , Wang Yatao , Gao Zhiliang , Ganthia Bibhu Prasad , Truong Chinh V
Published: February 2022

The basic task of railway signal work is to ensure safe and smooth transportation, improve transportation capacity, and improve transportation conditions and quality. Since it carries important information and control technology; it must be characterized by high security and high reliability. To address the aforementioned issues, this study uses a nonlinear technique to provide high-precision real-time detection of frequency shift signal parameters, based on an investigation of the sources of spectrum leakage in the FFT transformation. It not only reduces the sampling time but also the computation time when compared to the nonlinear method. This paper presents a frequency shift track circuit parameter based on nonlinear algorithm, studies the application of frequency shift signal parameter detection based on nonlinear algorithm, and simulates it with MATLAB. The experimental results show that the errors of center frequency, low frequency, and frequency offset are distributed in the range of ±0.05 Hz, ±0.005 Hz and ±0.15 Hz, respectively, which meet the parameters of frequency shift signal. The algorithm can meet the requirement of technical indexes and shorten the sampling time, which provides a theoretical basis for the design of the real-time frequency shift signal parameter tester.
Comparative routes to 7-carboxymethyl-pterin: A useful medicinal chemistry building block
Authors: Bennett Zachary , Grumbles Kassidy , Pruet Jeffrey
Published: February 2022

Pterins, such as folate and biopterin, and their derivatives hold significant importance given their biological relevance, as well as the numerous pterin-based inhibitors developed for targeting various biological targets. For this reason, pterins can be viewed as a privileged scaffold, as the discovery of new pterin analogs gives rise to a vast array of potential drug candidates. 7-carboxymethyl-pterin (7-CMP) represents a useful scaffold for the rapid generation of structurally diverse pterin amides and has been a key building block in medicinal chemistry. In an effort to facilitate rapid generation of this pterin scaffold, we have explored multiple routes towards 7-CMP to assess the most efficient method of generation. Methods were evaluated based on yield, regioselectivity, reaction time, and hazardous reaction conditions. This work can aide in the synthesis and discovery of new pterin-based drug candidates.
Potentials of bio-butanol conversion to valuable products
Authors: Pinaeva Larisa , Noskov Alexandr
Published: February 2022

In the last decade, there was observed a growing demand for both n-butanol as a potential fuel or fuel additive, and propylene as the only raw material for production of alcohol and other more bulky propylene chemical derivatives with faster growing outputs (polymers, propylene oxide, and acrylic acid). The predictable oilfield depletion and the European Green Deal adoption stimulated interest in alternative processes for n-butanol production, especially those involving bio-based materials. Their commercialization will promote additional market penetration of n-butanol for its application as a basic chemical. We analyze briefly the current status of two most advanced bio-based processes, i.e. ethanol–to-n-butanol and acetone–butanol–ethanol (ABE) fermentation. In the second part of the review, studies of n-butanol and ABE conversion to valuable products are considered with an emphasis on the most perspective catalytic systems and variants of the future processes realization.
Expected, unexpected, good and bad aggregate uncertainty
Authors: Uribe Jorge M. , Chuliá Helena
Published: February 2022

We study aggregate uncertainty and its linear and nonlinear impact on real and financial markets. By distinguishing between four general notions of aggregate uncertainty (good-expected, bad-expected, good-unexpected, bad-unexpected) within a simple, common framework, we show that it is bad-unexpected uncertainty shocks that generate a negative reaction of economic variables (such as investment and consumption) and asset prices. Our results help to elucidate the real, complex nature of uncertainty, which can be both a backward- or forward-looking expected or unexpected event, with markedly different consequences for the economy. We also document nonlinearities in the propagation of uncertainty to both real and financial markets, which calls for the close monitoring of the evolution of uncertainty so as to help mitigate the adverse effects of its occurrence.
Environmental issues in the Victorian era: an ecostylistic examination of metaphor and framing in Ruskin’sThe Storm-Cloud of the Nineteenth Century
Authors: Virdis Daniela Francesca
Published: February 2022

This article presents an ecostylistic analysis of the use of metaphor and framing inThe Storm-Cloud of the Nineteenth Century, two lectures by the Victorian polymath John Ruskin. The metaphors and frames identified and examined here are those triggered by the two title words ‘storm’ and ‘cloud’. The overall purpose of this study is to demonstrate that the ‘storm-and-cloud’ metaphors and frames are beneficial discursive strategies urging us humans to preserve the ecological structures all living beings rely on. Since they are key practices in the text, the entire discourse conveyed by the lectures can also be defined as beneficial. Furthermore, a comparison of the metaphors and frames catalogued in the three databases, Master Metaphor List, Metalude and MetaNet Metaphor Wiki, reveals that these are deployed in an innovative and distinctive way in the lectures. Finally, while ecolinguistic metaphor and framing investigation mostly discusses destructive and ambivalent metaphors and frames about nature, this article, which instead considers beneficial discursive strategies, strives to make an analytical contribution to an undeveloped ecolinguistic and ecostylistic research area.
Narratives of industrial damage and natural recovery: an ecolinguistic perspective
Authors: Ponton Douglas Mark
Published: February 2022

In this paper, websites promoting a nature reserve on the South Eastern coast of Sicily, Priolo Saltpans, are analysed from an ecolinguistic and narrative perspective. The heuristic device of proximisation is used, connecting it to more traditional concepts of temporal-spatial deixis. More specifically, the paper investigates narratives of contact between the modernist discourse of industrial development and emergent, eco-friendly discourses. In the descriptions and narratives of these sites, the area is represented as caught between a semi-mythical past and industrial/post-industrial futures, between the complexities of human social organisation and the apparent simplicity of the natural world. From a multimodal angle, and a perspective that gives a rich account of context, the paper deals with contemporary themes familiar to the Anthropocenic discourse such as loss of bio-diversity, pollution and industrial damage, as well as possible pathways to ecological recovery and environmental protection.
Communicating climate change: how (not) to touch a cord with people and promote action
Authors: Penz Hermine
Published: February 2022

Climate science has established human activity as the major cause of climate change. The successive reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) have also provided future scenarios of the detrimental effect of rising temperatures. Despite the overwhelming scientific consensus, the voices of climate deniers are still given ample space in the media. Moreover, the urgency of the problem and the importance of taking action are difficult to communicate to the public. This paper analyses the communication strategies employed by climate scientists, climate deniers and climate activists to identify similarities and differences, in particular with regard to expressing (un)certainty. The data are media reports from major British and US newspapers, IPCC reports and the speeches of climate activists, in particular Greta Thunberg. The data are analysed by means of qualitative (eco)critical discourse analysis. The aim is to draw conclusions about how climate change could be communicated more effectively to the general public to promote action.
Differential subject marking through SE
Authors: Hill Virginia , Irimia Monica Alexandrina
Published: February 2022

An outstanding question in current studies concerns the status of Romance SE that does not obviously mark reflexivity or anticausativity. This paper signals the presence of such constructions in Old and Modern Romanian, where SE occurs with unergative verbs and qualifies as pleonastic according to traditional grammars (i.e., it makes no difference for the truth conditions or for the argument structure). The main argument is that such constructions are actually instances of differential subject marking (DSM) in Romanian, and that the semantic triggers and the underlying configuration resemble those that occur with differential object marking (DOM) in this language. In terms of theoretical contribution, this analysis (i) widens the cross-linguistic inventory of DSM patterns, by adding Clitic Doubling; (ii) confirms the predictions of recent studies that there could be similarity rather than opposition between DOM and DSM contexts; (iii) shows the possibility of re-allocating the reflexive pronoun SE to other configurations besides (an instance of) verb reflexivization.
Synthesis and characterization of Zn doped AlSb thin films for photovoltaic and energy applications
Authors: Sattar Farhan , Shahid Wajeehah , Anwar Abdul Waheed , Iqbal Muhammad Aamir , Malik Maria , Anwar Nadia , Idrees Faryal , Zaheer Ud Din Syed , Kanwal Qudsia
Published: February 2022

Thin films of zinc doped aluminum antimonide (Zn:AlSb) have been dumped on glass substrate using chemical bath deposition method. The morphological, structural, as well as optical properties of deposited thin films are investigated using XRD, optical microscopy, and UV-V is spectroscopy along with four-point probe technique. The XRD results exhibit that Zn is doped in AlSb and maximum grain size has been obtained at 4% Zn-concentration. Optical micrographs of pure and zinc doped aluminum antimonide (AlSb) at different concentrations of Zn have been shown to confirm the doping by observing changes in morphology and it has been observed that optimized films of AlSb are obtained at 4% of Zn-content. The optical bandgap of Zn doped AlSb films at varying concentrations of 0%, 1%, 2%, 3% and 4% has been found to decrease with enhancement in Zn-concentration and values are measured as 1.8, 1.7, 1.6, 1.4, and 1.3 eV respectively. The sheet resistivity also depends on Zn-content and has been observed to decrease as AlSb is doped with Zn, indicating an increase in electrical conductivity. The explored results indicate a significant potential of these deposited thin films to be used in photonics, photocatalysis, and energy industry.
Relato de experiência de uma imersão no campo da Psicologia Jurídica
Authors: SANTOS A. O. S. , RODRIGUES L. , CASTELAR Marilda
Published: February 2022

Psychology as a science and profession studies human phenomena and has several branches composing its fields of practice. In specific terms, the focus of this work falls on Legal Psychology, which integrates the fields of Psychology and of Law. The present study seeks to analyze the performance of a team of psychologists in its interaction with legal professionals and in its relationships in a legal institution. This is developed by means of an experience report prepared from participant observation during the period of July 2019 to March 2020, recorded in a field diary in a Court of Domestic and Family Violence Against Women. Data analysis was also supported by work reports describing situations in the experience and summarizing trajectories in the institution. The results demonstrate that this research contributed to a better understanding of the relationships among teams at the Psychology-Law interface, as well as highlighting the importance of an approach by gender studies and its transversalizations to issues of race, class, and generation, towards a training in Psychology anchored in a commitment to defending women’s rights. As the work’s return to the field, efforts will be made to improve the analyses on the subjective and social issues involved in the demands related to legal processes in Courts of Domestic and Family Violence against Women shared by both sectors.
Simulation of Medical Data Cloud Information Storage Encryption Based on Fuzzy Particle Swarm Optimization
Authors: Zhang Jiaying , Jia Ning
Published: February 2022

In order to reduce the information storage load of network library and improve the security of medical data cloud information storage, information encryption design is needed. Therefore, a cloud information storage encryption simulation based on fuzzy particle swarm optimization algorithm is proposed. Firstly, a complex database access model based on fuzzy particle swarm optimization algorithm is constructed, the encrypted statistical features of cloud storage information are extracted, and the random scrambling matching method is used for coding correction. Fuzzy particle swarm clustering realizes the fusion of cloud information output results and realizes the optimization of cloud information storage encryption.
A Hybrid Particle Size Algorithm for Classification of Hygienic Fruit and Vegetable Images Based on Convolution Neural Network from Health Perspective
Authors: Mao Yingying , Yuan Hao
Published: February 2022

In order to improve the clarity of selection of hygienic fruit and vegetable images, a hybrid granularity classification algorithm for fruit and vegetable images based on convolutional neural network is proposed. The edges of fruit and vegetable images are detected, and the fruit and vegetable images are preprocessed under the convolutional neural network. The fruit and vegetable images are sampled in the form of equal intervals, the mixed noise in the fruit and vegetable images is judged, and the window pixels are marked. Finally, the wavelet threshold algorithm is used to filter the noise of the fruit and vegetable image, and the wavelet of the effective low-frequency signal is reconstructed combined with the convolution neural network the mixed noise filtered fruit and vegetable image is obtained by using the threshold high frequency signal coefficient and the threshold high frequency signal coefficient. Experimental results show that the algorithm has high definition, good denoising effect, and high measurement accuracy.
Fatigue and quality of life among thyroid cancer survivors without persistent or recurrent disease
Authors: Maki Yukari , Horiuchi Kiyomi , Okamoto Takahiro
Published: February 2022

Background

Cancer-related fatigue is one of the most important issues for patients, but research on this topic is sparse. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of fatigue in postoperative patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and to identify the clinical features associated with fatigue.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study on 292 thyroid cancer survivors. Fatigue and quality of life were the study outcomes, measured using the Cancer Fatigue Scale (CFS) and the SF-36 version 2.0. Furthermore, correlations of demographic characteristics and hormonal data with the CFS scores were assessed by univariable and multivariable analyses.

Results

The prevalence of fatigue was 41.8% (95% CI: 36.1, 47.5). The CFS score was significantly correlated with the free T3 level (Pearson’s r = −0.123, 95% CI: −0.234, −0.008). Multiple regression analysis revealed that the free T3 level and having a job were significant predictors of the CFS score, with unstandardized regression coefficients of −2.52 (95% CI: −4.94, −0.09) and 2.85 (95% CI: 0.49, 5.20), respectively. The median Z-scores were negative for General Health (−0.28) and Vitality (−0.15) subscales of the SF-36. The CFS score was a significant predictor of summary scores of the SF-36. The free T3 level was significantly associated with the physical component summary score with an unstandardized coefficient of 3.20 (95% CI: 0.77, 5.63).

Conclusions

Fatigue was prevalent and associated with poor quality of life among PTC survivors. Thyroid functional status, particularly the level of free T3, may be worth to be considered in alleviating the burden.
Thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer in women with positive thyroid screening in pregnancy: a double-centric, retrospective, cohort study
Authors: Jiskra Jan , Horáček Jiří , Špitálníková Sylvie , Paleček Jan , Límanová Zdeňka , Krátký Jan , Springer Drahomíra , Žabková Kristýna , Vítková Hana
Published: February 2022

Objective

Thyroid nodules are a common finding in the general population. The primary aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of thyroid nodules and cancer found by ultrasound (US) in women who underwent screening for thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy.

Design

A double-centric, retrospective, cohort study.

Patients and methods

We searched through medical records, including thyroid ultrasonography, of pregnant women who were positively screened for thyroid disorders (using thyroid-stimulating hormone and thyroid antibodies) from an unselected population (‘universal screening group’, n  = 690) and of women who underwent the testing based on the presence of clinical risk factors defined by American Thyroid Association (’case-finding group’, n  = 249).

Results

Prevalence of benign and malignant thyroid nodules was lower in the ‘universal screening group’ than in the ‘case-finding group’ (9.9% vs 17.7%, P= 0.002, and 0.9% vs 7.2%, P< 0.001, respectively). Consistently, the thyroid cancer rate was lower among the nodules in the ‘universal screening group’ than in the ‘case-finding group’ (8.1% vs 29.0%, P= 0.003). Ultrasound EU-TIRADS (European Thyroid Imaging and Reporting Data System) category ≥4 had a 95.8% sensitivity for thyroid cancer. In palpable nodules, the prevalence of cancer was significantly higher than in the non-palpable ones (44.0% vs 2.2%, P < 0.001). In a multivariate regression analysis, thyroid nodules were associated with a history of infertility and parity.

Conclusions

Compared to the data from cancer registries, universal screening allowed detecting thyroid cancer in pregnancy three to five times more frequently, but the cancer rate among nodules (8.1%) did not differ from the common population. US had very good sensitivity for thyroid cancer in pregnancy.
All Bleeding Stops, Eventually (But: The Sooner The Better!)
Authors: Tribble Curt , Pham Lam , Teman Nicholas
Published: February 2022

It’s your first day as the surgery resident working in the cardiac surgery intensive care unit (ICU) and you are accepting the hand-off of a cardiac surgery patient that your senior resident has brought up from the operating room for admission to the ICU. During the handoff, your resident colleague tells you that the patient is ‘oozing a lot and that the operating team, after a diligent search for bleeding sites, does not believe that the oozing is ‘surgical.’ She announces that your job will, therefore, be to stop the ongoing oozing, while, of course, being alert to the possible development of tamponade physiology.
Deductive Analogy Defended
Authors: Botting David
Published: February 2022

In (2015) André Juthe proposed a novel sui generis model of analogical reasoning and argued that where deductivist accounts failed, his account succeeded. In (2018) I argued that most of Juthe’s arguments against deductivism failed; identifying five criteria, I argued that Juthe’s account did no better than deductivist accounts with regard to four of them. Replying in (2019), Juthe argues that my objections miss their mark, that his own account does meet the criteria and that deductivist accounts fail to meet them, and that this does provide his own account with strong, albeit inconclusive, evidence in its favour. In this paper I will defend my case against these new arguments.
Blue Pill, Red Pill: The Incommensurable Worlds of Racism and Antiblackness
Authors: Vargas João Costa
Published: February 2022

Examining two foundational texts of Black liberation, Kwame Ture and Charles Hamilton’s Black Power (1967) and the Black feminist socialist manifesto “The Combahee River Collective Statement” (1977), through an allegory borrowed from the 1999 film The Matrix, this article argues that both engage two distinct worlds: the “red pill” world of antiblackness, defined by Black people’s specific, exceptional, and incommensurable ontological and social conditions, including Black strategies of survival and political transfiguration; and the “blue pill” world of racism, that affects nonblacks and Blacks in distinct but related manners. To explore the fundamental difference between racism and antiblackness, the article analyzes the ways in which each world (1) manifests its foundational racial divisions; (2) engenders modalities of progressive political struggle and alliances focused on eliminating, or ameliorating, exclusion based on race and its interlocking forms of oppression; and (3) gestures toward, or demands, horizons of social transformation. It concludes by raising questions, against the backdrop of antiblackness, about the socialist horizons both paradigmatic texts embrace.
Bans, Walls, Raids, Sanctuary: Understanding U.S. Immigration for the Twenty-First Century, by A. Naomi Paik
Authors: Gutiérrez Laura D.
Published: February 2022

None
Developing a Unified Model for Indicators for the Financial Analysis of Public Sector Entities
Authors: Kamarauskienė Irma
Published: February 2022

Financial analysis is an analysis of an entity’s financial performance and position to assess its achievements and prospects, as well as, to provide the financial managers with quality up-to-date information that will help them make the right decisions in the future. The financial analysis concerns the forecasting, accounting, planning and control of certain economic activities. However, financial analysis is mainly linked to private sector entities. The issues of financial analysis of public sector entities in scientific work are addressed in a fragmented way. There is still a lack of not only scientific but also practical work to analyse the issues of financial analysis in the public sector.
The article presents a modified model for the financial analysis system, the analysis indicators to be applied and their combinations. In addition to traditional indicators, the presented system includes indicators of public interest and development. The system may be used for analysing the state of public sector entities. Its results may be useful for different users of information in making appropriate decisions.
Research object: the financial analysis of public sector entities. The purpose of the research is to establish a unified and modified model of the system for conducting the financial analysis of the public sector entities. Tasks: to describe the logical sequence of financial analysis after analysing and summarising the theoretical and practical aspects of the analysis of the financial position of public sector entities; to identify and group indicators for analysing the financial position of the public sector. Research methods: analysis of scientific works, methods of information grouping, comparing, detailing, generalizing.
Modelling and parameter identification for a two-stage fractional dynamical system in microbial batch process
Authors: Liu Chongyang , Yi Xiaopeng , Feng Yanli
Published: February 2022

In this paper, we consider mathematical modelling and parameter identification problem in bioconversion of glycerol to 1,3-propanediol by Klebsiella pneumoniae. In view of the dynamic behavior with memory and heredity and experimental results in batch culture, a two-stage fractional dynamical system with unknown fractional orders and unknown kinetic parameters is proposed to describe the fermentation process. For this system, some important properties of the solution are discussed. Then, taking the weighted least-squares error between the computational values and the experimental data as the performance index, a parameter identification model subject to continuous state inequality constraints is presented. An exact penalty method is introduced to transform the parameter identification problem into the one only with box constraints. On this basis, we develop a parallel Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm to find the optimal fractional orders and kinetic parameters. Finally, numerical results show that the model can reasonably describe the batch fermentation process, as well as the effectiveness of the developed algorithm. Keywords: fractional dynamical system, parameter identification, parallel optimization,
Heat Exchange and Charging of a Metallic Particles Surrounded by Condensed Dispersed Phase of its Oxide
Authors: Chernenko O.S. , Semenov K.I. , Lyalin L.A. , Kalinchak V.V. , Mandel O.V.
Published: February 2022

The time of setting of a stationary charge of particles of copper and tantalum, heated up to the melting temperature due to the electric exchange with a condensed dispersion phase of its own oxide, is determined. It is also shown that, for every time moment, the falling metallic particle can be considered as the one having aquasistationary electric charge, due to the non-stationary heat exchange with the surrounding. Experimental data on the charge of copper particles and its cooling characteristics are presented.
Properties of Different Size Particle Structures Formed in a Magnetic Field
Authors: Karasev V.Yu. , Dzlieva E.S. , Ermolenko M.A. , Ivanov A.Yu. , Golubev M.S.
Published: February 2022

We present the results of experimental researches of the behavior of dust structures formed by particles with different properties (material densities, sizes, forms) under the external influences (applied magnetic field). Only monolayers in structures of a complex geometrical form are used in the experiments. The parameters that can affect the structure and the properties of a glow discharge are selected. The strength of a magnetic field, at which the rotation direction changes the sign, depends linearly on the gas pressure and is independent of the discharge current.
Formation of Dusty Structures in Spherical Glow Discharge
Authors: Scherbina A.I. , Burdyukh S.V.
Published: February 2022

We study, for the first time, plasma-dust structures in the spherical geometry of a discharge, which are formed either spontaneously or specially. High molecular gases, such as acetone and ethyl alcohol, are used for the generation of strata. Strata are required for the formation of structures of injected grains. The generation of grains in air plasma occurs spontaneously, and a structure is formed around the anode, when strata are not observed. Experiments were carried out in the range of pressures 30–100 Pa at a discharge current of 20–30 mA. To control the chemical composition of the gas environment, mass-spectrometry is used.
Немецкие паремии в современных российских и украинских интернет‑сми
Authors: Tomášková Elena
Published: February 2022

The paper explores features of the functioning of German paremias in the texts of modern Russian and Ukrainian online media. The study is based on the broad interpretation of paremia proposed by modern paremiologists, according to which it includes not only proverbs and sayings, but also many other similar linguistic units, for example, aphorisms, maxims, slogans, perverbs (anti-proverbs), winged phrases from movies, etc.
Is This Book To Be Believed?
Authors: Gombrich Richard
Published: February 2022

I have tried in the pages above to show that the Buddha's main ideas are powerful and coherent. If I had a more thorough knowledge of the Pali Canon than, alas, I can claim, I would have made a better job of it; but surely I have done enough to show that this coherence is not imposed by my fantasy, but exists in the texts. Yet, according to the fashionable view represented by my critic, Buddhism, which at least in numerical terms must be the greatest movement in the entire history of human ideas, is a ball which was set rolling by someone whose ideas are not known and - one may presume from what he writes - can never be known. So the intellectual edifice which I have described came together by a process of accumulation, rather like an avalanche. I am reminded of the blindfolded monkeys whose random efforts somehow produce a typescript of the complete works of Shakespeare.
How the Unborn was Born: The Riddle of Mahāyāna Origins
Authors: Skilling Peter
Published: February 2022

As it developed in South Asia, ‘the Mahāyāna’ is a complex package made up of systems of thought, practice and training. In terms of practice and orientation, it encourages the individual to aim for Buddhahood by setting out on the bodhisatva path. Its signature product was a copious and exuberant literature, an outpouring of sūtras that is unparalleled in Indian or world literature. The production of sūtras began in the second to first centuries BCE, and soon enough was supplemented by cognate śāstras and treatises. In this chapter, the author ruminates on two distinctive and recurrent themes of Mahāyāna literature and ideology as possible clues to the riddle, ‘How was the unborn born?’
Further Texts of the Meteoric Iron Razor Vajrakīlaya
Authors: Cantwell Cathy
Published: February 2022

Summaries are given in Chapter 9 of the many other texts of the Meteoric Iron Razor, with brief consideration of their content and where it seems clear, the sources used by Dudjom Rinpoche in compiling and composing these works.
Same Chan Master, Different Images: The Story of Huineng and its Translations
Authors: Yu Hailing
Published: February 2022

2.1 Huineng’s story in the Platform Sutra 2.2 Experiential meaning: what does Huineng do? 2.2.1 Transitivity 2.2.2 Participant roles of Huineng: his image through actions 2.3 Interpersonal meaning: how does Huineng interact with others? 2.4 Textual meaning: how does the story of Huineng unfold? 2.4.1 Theme 2.4.2 Huineng’s thematic status and ways of storytelling 2.5 Conclusion
Images of Huineng on Book Covers and in Verbal Texts
Authors: Yu Hailing
Published: February 2022

6.1 Introduction 6.2 Two translations of the Platform Sutra: similarity and difference 6.3 SFL and visual social semiotics: with an interpersonal focus 6.3.1 Interpersonal meaning in SFL 6.3.2 Interactive meaning in visual social semiotics 6.4 Images of Huineng on the book covers and in the translated texts 6.4.1 Images of Huineng on the book covers 6.4.2 Images of Huineng in the translated texts 6.4.3 Summary: picture-text congruence and reader attraction 6.5 Conclusion
A Nineteenth-Century Science
Authors: Dubuisson Daniel
Published: February 2022

The Discovery of the Indo-Europeans Charles Darwin and Herbert Spencer The Founding Fathers The Classification of Religions Rupture or Merely Evolution?
Yoga in Britain: Stretching Spirituality and Educating Yogis
Authors: Newcombe Suzanne
Published: February 2022

Yoga in Britain reveals how yoga came to be an accepted, mainstream activity in the twentieth century. During this period, yoga transformed from an esoteric concept into a something that would be taught to thousands of middle-class women in adult education classes. For the post-war welfare state, yoga was understood as having potential public bene­fit in promoting physical health and wellbeing. The structure of yoga classes which developed in this context established certification structures and secular, replicable class forms. This setting is crucial for understanding the methods and expectations found in globally popular forms of yoga. Moreover, yoga has not developed in a linear manner. Old and new forms co-exist, adapting to suit the specific needs of particular populations. In twentieth-first century Britain, yoga cannot be collapsed into a form of neoliberal commercialism or cultural appropriation, although these influences on yoga in Britain are also evident. Using extensive archival evidence and oral history interviews, the book reveals the diversity of individuals involved with the popularisation of yoga. In Britain, as throughout the globe, yoga continues to be understood and practiced in very distinctive ways by different people.