bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Consumo y manejo de plantas durante el primer y segundo milenio d.C. en tres sitios arqueológicos del valle de Santa María (Catamarca-Tucumán, Argentina)
Authors: Longo Agustina
Published: April 2021

This paper analyses the practices related to the consumption and management of plants in the central-western sector of the Santa María valley (Catamarca-Tucumán) during the first and second millennium AD. For this purpose, we worked with macroremains recovered in the occupation floors and with microremains present in ceramic vessels from the archaeological sites Morro del Fraile, El Carmen 1, and El Carmen 2. A total of 546 carpological macroremains corresponding to seven families, Amaranthaceae, Cactaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Fabaceae, Malvaceae, Poaceae and Solanaceae, and 10 microremains from the families Cucurbitaceae and Poaceae, were identified. The similarities between El Carmen 2 enclosure 2 and Morro del Fraile rock shelter suggest that sites occupied since the first millennium AD would have taken advantage of a greater diversity of plants, which in turn show a great diversity of management practices, in relation to sites occupied from the second millennium A.D., as observed in El Carmen 1 enclosures 1 and 13. The similarities between El Carmen 2 enclosure 2 and Morro del Fraile rock shelter would also indicate a diversity of contexts within the second millennium AD, with spaces that show a lower diversity of plants (El Carmen 1 enclosures 1 and 13) and spaces that, during the second millennium AD, exhibit practices that refer to those known for the villages of the first millennium AD (Morro del Fraile rock shelter), such as the consumption of a great diversity of wild, weedy and domesticated plants, with a predominance of Trichocereus and various Amaranthaceae.
Breaking dormancy, alternative substrates, and the production of Samanea tubulosa (Benth.) seedlings
Authors: Martins Costa Romário , Lima Leite Marcos Renan , Dos Santos Matos Sâmia , De Paulo Barbosa Larissa Macelle , Salustriano da Silva-Matos Raissa Rachel , Farias Machado Nítalo André
Published: April 2021

We investigated different dormancy breaking methods and substrates for Samanea tubulosa seedlings. Four substrate formulations were tested: SCO: commercial substrate; BBA: decomposed babassu biomass + soil (1:1); BBU: buriti biomass + soil (1:1); and BCA: carnauba bagana + soil (1:1), and three dormancy breaking methods: EM: mechanical scarification; IA: immersion in water; and EQ: chemical scarification. The highest seedling emergence was in BCA substrate with chemical scarification. BCA and SCO provided the highest average seedling height, root length, root volume, root density, diameter at neck height, number of leaves, aboveground dry mass, belowground dry mass, and Dickson quality index values. Therefore, BCA can be used as a substrate for the production of S. tubulosa seedlings, and the immersion in water method is optimal when combined with a BBU substrate.
Ice Cream in the Cathedral: The Literary Failures and Social Success of Chinese Robot Poet Xiao Bing
Authors: Krenz Joanna
Published: April 2021

In May 2017, Xiao Bing, a popular Chinese chatbot built by Microsoft Research Asia, made her debut as a poet with Sunlight Has Lost Its Glass Windows, a collection marketed as the entirely created by artificial intelligence. She learnt the art of poetry by “reading” the works of 519 modern Chinese poets, and her “inspiration” comes from pictures provided first by her programmers and later by netizens, who upload photographs through her website. Xiao Bing’s emergence made a splash in Chinese society and raised grave concerns among the poets, who polemicized with her engineers. This essay traces Xiao Bing’s literary and media career, which includes both notable literary failures and notable commercial success, exploring her complex connections to technologies of power/knowledge as well as cultural phenomena that range from traditional Chinese poetry and poetry education to postmodern camp aesthetics. From within the renegotiation of the nature of poetry at the threshold of the posthuman era, I propose the critical notion of reading-as-playing to help poetry take advantage of its various entanglements and strictures in order to survive and co-shape the brave new world.
Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) as a pan-cancer screening test: is it finally on the horizon?
Authors: Duffy Michael J. , Diamandis Eleftherios P. , Crown John
Published: April 2021

The detection of cancer at an early stage while it is curable by surgical resection is widely believed to be one of the most effective strategies for reducing cancer mortality. Hence, the intense interests in the development of a simple pan-cancer screening test. Lack of sensitivity and specificity when combined with the low prevalence of most types of cancer types in the general population limit the use of most of the existing protein biomarkers for this purpose. Like proteins, tumor DNA also can be released into the circulation. Such circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) can be differentiated from normal cell DNA by the presence of specific genetic alteration such as mutations, copy number changes, altered methylation patterns or being present in different sized fragments. Emerging results with test such as CancerSEEK or GRAIL suggest that the use of ctDNA can detect cancer with specificities >99%. Sensitivity however, is cancer type and stage-dependent, varying from approximately 40% in stage I disease to approximately 80% in stage III disease. It is important to stress however, that most of the studies published to date have used patients with an established diagnosis of cancer while the control population were healthy individuals. Although the emerging results are promising, evidence of clinical utility will require demonstration of reduced mortality following evaluation in a prospective randomized screening trial.
Circulating pro-gastrin releasing peptide (ProGRP) in patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Giovanella Luca , Fontana Martina , Keller Franco , Campenni’ Alfredo , Ceriani Luca , Paone Gaetano
Published: April 2021

Objectives

Serum calcitonin (CT) is pivotal in medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) management. Recently, progastrin releasing peptide (ProGRP) has been proposed as a candidate complementary tumor marker of MTC. As current data are sparse our study was undertaken to evaluate the distribution of ProGRP in patients with MTC and its relationship with the tumor burden. Additionally, serial measurement of CT, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and ProGRP was evaluated in three patients undergoing tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI).

Methods

Seventy-eight, 125 and 62 sera from patients with MTC, non-medullary malignant and benign thyroid diseases were collected, respectively. ProGRP measurement was performed by Elecsys® assays on Cobas e601 platform (Roche Diagnostics).

Results

Significantly higher ProGRP levels were found in MTC compared to non-MTC patients. Among MTC patients ProGRP levels accurately discriminate patients with active from those with cured disease and, respectively, patients with loco-regional active disease from those with distant metastasis. Finally, ProGRP performed better than CT and CEA in monitoring the response to TKI therapy in three patients monitored serially.

Conclusions

Serum ProGRP is promising as a complementary tumor marker in MTC patients. Further studies will be required, mainly focused on monitoring ProGRP during TKI treatment for early detection of resistance and assessing its usefulness to avoid the observed false positive fluctuations that occur with CT and carcinoembryonic antigen.
Aroma components of tobacco powder from different producing areas based on gas chromatography ion mobility spectrometry
Authors: Qin Guangjiong , Zhao Guojie , Ouyang Canbin , Liu Jialei
Published: April 2021

Gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrum (GC-IMS) is used to analyze and compare the differences in aroma among different tobacco samples. The aroma substances in tobacco samples in Jilin Changchun are the richest, while those in Guangdong Nanxiong are the lowest. The concentrations of aroma substances such as decanal, 1-hydroxy-2-propanone, and 2-methylbutanol were the highest in Guangdong Nanxiong of the three. The concentration of 1-hexanol, cyclohexanone, pentanoic acid, and other aroma substances in Fujian Nanping was high. The concentration of 2-acetylfuran, 2-octanol, isopentanol, 3-methylvaleric acid, phenylacetic acid, and other aroma substances in Changchun area of Jilin Province was low. Through principal component analysis and similarity research, both tobaccos can be distinguished by their production areas and grades from the same.
Balancing information-structure and semantic constraints on construction choice: building a computational model of passive and passive-like constructions in Mandarin Chinese
Authors: Liu Li , Ambridge Ben
Published: April 2021

A central tenet of cognitive linguistics is that adults’ knowledge of language consists of a structured inventory of constructions, including various two-argument constructions such as the active (e.g.,Lizzy rescued John), the passive (e.g.,John was rescued by Lizzy) and “fronting” constructions (e.g.,John was the one Lizzy rescued). But how do speakers choose which construction to use for a particular utterance, given constraints such as discourse/information structure and the semantic fit between verb and construction? The goal of the present study was to build a computational model of this phenomenon for two-argument constructions in Mandarin. First, we conducted a grammaticality judgment study with 60 native speakers which demonstrated that, across 57 verbs, semantic affectedness – as determined by further 16 native speakers – predicted each verb’s relative acceptability in thebei-passive andba-active constructions, but not the Notional Passive and SVO Active constructions. Second, in order to simulate acquisition of these competing constraints, we built a computational model that learns to map from corpus-derived input (information structure + verb semantics + lexical verb identity) to an output representation corresponding to these four constructions (+“other”). The model was able to predict judgments of the relative acceptability of the test verbs in theba-active andbei-passive constructions obtained in Study 1, with model-human correlations in the region ofr = 0.5 andr = 0.3, respectively. Surprisingly, these correlations increased (tor = 0.75 andr = 0.5 respectively) when lexical verb identity was removed; perhaps because this information leads to over-fitting of the training set. These findings suggest the intriguing possibility that acquiring constructions involves forgetting as a mechanism for abstracting across certain fine-grained lexical details and idiosyncrasies.
Tribological characteristics of polymer materials used for slide bearings
Authors: Walczak Mariusz , Caban Jacek
Published: April 2021

The automotive industry uses a variety of technologies and construction materials in production process. Knowledge of the characteristics of tribological material pairs cooperating with each other is useful for their selection from the safety point of view sliding pairs, in means of transport, and other machines. The aim of the contribution is the analysis of the characteristics of tribological ball-on-disc wear of polymeric materials used as sliding bearings. Tribological tests were carried out under dry friction for a polymer–metal pair of three types of materials. Among all three groups of the tested materials statistically significant differences (p < 0.05 in Student’s t-test) in wear were observed. The wear rate and friction coefficient of the sample were tested, and the signs of wear were submitted to SEM observations.
Set-theoretic solutions to the Yang–Baxter equation and generalized semi-braces
Authors: Catino Francesco , Colazzo Ilaria , Stefanelli Paola
Published: April 2021

This paper aims to introduce a construction technique of set-theoretic solutions of the Yang–Baxter equation, calledstrong semilattice of solutions. This technique, inspired by the strong semilattice of semigroups, allows one to obtain new solutions. In particular, this method turns out to be useful to provide non-bijective solutions of finite order. It is well-known that braces, skew braces and semi-braces are closely linked with solutions. Hence, we introduce a generalization of the algebraic structure of semi-braces based on this new construction technique of solutions.
Challenges in management of transient hyperinsulinism – a retrospective analysis of 36 severely affected children
Authors: Hoermann Henrike , Roeper Marcia , Salimi Dafsari Roschan , Koestner Felix , Reinauer Christina , Mayatepek Ertan , Meissner Thomas , Kummer Sebastian
Published: April 2021

Objectives

Transient hyperinsulinism (THI) is a hypoglycemia disorder which resolves spontaneously within the first weeks or months of life. The pathomechanism of THI is not elucidated yet; however, it is known that perinatal stress predisposes for THI. We aimed to characterize the clinical phenotype and treatment of children with THI, and to identify options for improved management.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of 36 children with THI treated at the University Children’s Hospital Düsseldorf between 2007 and 2019 was performed.

Results

All children had risk factors for neonatal hypoglycemia or indicators of perinatal stress. Eighty three percent were diagnosed with hypoglycemia on day of life (DOL)1. None of the six diagnosed later had routine blood glucose screening and showed significantly lower blood glucose levels at the time of first blood glucose measurement compared to the children diagnosed on DOL1. Ninety seven percent of all children received intravenous glucose, 42% received continuous glucagon and 81% were started on diazoxide. Diazoxide withdrawal and subsequent fasting tests lacked standardization and were based on clinical experience. Three patients had a subsequent episode of hypoglycemia, after fasting studies only demonstrated “clinical” remission without proving the ability to ketogenesis.

Conclusions

Any kind of perinatal stress might pose a risk to develop THI, and postnatal monitoring for hypoglycemia still needs to be improved. Diazoxide is effective in children with THI; however, further studies are needed to guide the development of criteria and procedures for the initiation and discontinuation of treatment. Furthermore, establishing consensus diagnostic criteria/definitions for THI would improve comparability between studies.
Research on brightening modification of molecular sieves coated fly ash based on alkaline melting hydrothermal method
Authors: Gao Hangtian , Liu Jianan , Song Helong , Yang Jingkun , Mou Hongyan , Fan Huiming
Published: April 2021

Improving the utilization rate of fly ash (FA) and realizing its resource utilization has always been a popular research topic in the application field of solid waste recycling. This paper aims to improve the basic brightness of fly ash (FA) before calcium carbonate coating, and realize the filling application of fly ash in medium and high-end paper. Taking advantage of the high brightness of molecular sieves (MS) (brightness ≥ 90 %ISO), the alkali melting hydrothermal synthesis (AM-HS) method was used to generate high brightness MS on the surface of fly ash. The results showed that the optimum conditions of alkali melting hydrothermal synthesis (AM-HS) modification were as follows: the mass ratio of sodium hydroxide to fly ash was 1:1, the time of hydrothermal modification was 6 h, the temperature of hydrothermal modification was 80 °C, and the brightness reached to 64.54 %ISO; The results of SEM, particle size analysis and ultrasonic vibration showed that the surface of fly ash is covered by MS and has strong binding effect.
A Most Notable Dwelling: The Domus Romana and the Urban Topography of Roman Melite
Authors: Lowe Benedict
Published: April 2021

This paper offers an overview of Roman Melite: the paper examines the epigraphic evidence for the topography of the urban centres of Gaulos and Melite in particular, the activities of wealthy benefactors and the civic government of the municipia through benefactions to the Temples to Apollo and Proserpina and dedications to the Imperial Cult. There is only limited evidence for the buildings themselves apart from the Domus Romana that was discovered on the outskirts of Rabat in 1881. The urban area appears to have been in decline by the fourth century AD despite the presence of a Late Roman see and Byzantine officials. The paper concludes with the abandonment of the island as a consequence of the Aghlabid sack of 870.
Synthesis of magnetic ferrogels: a tool-box approach for finely tuned magnetic- and temperature-dependent properties
Authors: Lucht Niklas , Hinrichs Stephan , Großmann Larissa , Pelz Catharina , Felgenhauer Elena , Clasen Eike , Schwenk Max , Hankiewicz Birgit
Published: April 2021

Multi responsive hydrogels have many potential applications in the field of medicine as well as technical fields and are of great interest in fundamental research. Here we present the synthesis and characterization of tailored magnetic hydrogels – micro- as well as macrogels – which consist of iron oxide and cobalt ferrite, varying in phase and morphology, embedded in a thermoresponsive polymer. We introduce new ways to synthesize magnetic particles and revisit some common strategies when dealing with particle synthesis. Subsequently we discuss the details of the thermoresponsive matrix and how we can influence and manipulate the thermoresponsive properties, i.e. the lower critical solution temperature. Ultimately, we present the particle-hydrogel composite and show two exemplary applications for particle matrix interactions, i.e. heat transfer and reorientation of the particles in a magnetic field.
Loss of KCNQ2 or KCNQ3 Leads to Multifocal Time-Varying Activity in the Neonatal ForebrainEx Vivo
Authors: Hou Bowen , Varghese Nissi , Soh Heun , Santaniello Sabato , Tzingounis Anastasios V.
Published: April 2021

Epileptic encephalopathies represent a group of disorders often characterized by refractory seizures, regression in cognitive development, and typically poor prognosis. Dysfunction of KCNQ2 and KCNQ3 channels has emerged as a major cause of neonatal epilepsy. However, our understanding of the cellular mechanisms that may both explain the origins of epilepsy and inform treatment strategies for KCNQ2 and KCNQ3 dysfunction is still lacking. Here, using mesoscale calcium imaging and pharmacology, we demonstrate that in mouse neonatal brain slices, conditional loss ofKcnq2from forebrain excitatory neurons (Pyr:Kcnq2mice) or constitutive deletion ofKcnq3leads to sprawling hyperactivity across the neocortex. Surprisingly, the generation of time-varying hypersynchrony in slices fromPyr:Kcnq2mice does not require fast synaptic transmission. This is in contrast to control littermates and constitutiveKcnq3knock-out mice where activity is primarily driven by fast synaptic transmission in the neocortex. Unlike in the neocortex, hypersynchronous activity in the hippocampal formation fromKcnq2conditional andKcnq3constitutive knock-out mice persists in the presence of synaptic transmission blockers. Thus, we propose that loss of KCNQ2 or KCNQ3 function differentially leads to network hyperactivity across the forebrain in a region-specific and macro-circuit-specific manner.
Trimetazidine Use in Parkinson’s Disease: Is It a Resolved Problem?
Authors: Pintér Dávid , Bereczki Dániel , Ajtay András , Oberfrank Ferenc , Janszky József , Kovács Norbert
Published: April 2021

Trimetazidine (TMZ), an antianginal drug, can worsen the symptoms of movement disorders, therefore, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommended avoiding the use of this drug in Parkinson’s disease (PD). We investigated the impact of this recommendation on the observed trend of TMZ use in PD in Hungary from 2010 to 2016 by conducting a nationwide, retrospective study of health administrative data of human subjects. Interrupted time series analyses were performed to explore changes in user trends after the EMA recommendations. We found that TMZ use in PD decreased by 6.56% in each six-month interval after the EMA intervention [a change in trend of −530.22, 95% confidence interval (CI) = −645.00 to −415.44,p< 0.001 and a decrease in level of −567.26, 95% CI = −910.99 to −223.53,p = 0.005 12 months postintervention]. TMZ discontinuation was the highest immediately after the intervention, however, its rate slowed down subsequently (a change in trend of −49.69, 95% CI = −85.14 to −14.24,p = 0.11 without significant level effects). The rate of new TMZ prescriptions did not reduce significantly, therefore, the decreased overall use was mainly attributable to the increased rate of discontinuation only. The main indications for TMZ use were circulatory system disorders, especially angina pectoris, however, off-label utilization was also considerable (40%). The EMA recommendations on TMZ use seem to be only moderately effective in Hungary. Although the number of patients with PD on the drug modestly decreased after the EMA restrictions, TMZ is still widely used in PD for both on-label and off-label indications.
Atypical progeroid syndrome (p.E262K LMNA mutation): a rare cause of short stature and osteoporosis
Authors: Yukina Marina , Nuralieva Nurana , Sorkina Ekaterina , Troshina Ekaterina , Tiulpakov Anatoly , Belaya Zhanna , Melnichenko Galina
Published: April 2021

Lamin A/C (LMNA) gene mutations cause a heterogeneous group of progeroid disorders, including Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome, mandibuloacral dysplasia, atypical progeroid syndrome (APS) and generalized lipodystrophy-associated progeroid syndrome (GLPS). All of those syndromes are associated with some progeroid features, lipodystrophy and metabolic complications but vary differently depending on a particular mutation and even patients carrying the same gene variant are known to have clinical heterogeneity. We report a new 30-year-old female patient from Russia with an APS and generalized lipodystrophy (GL) due to the heterozygous de novo LMNA p.E262K mutation and compare her clinical and metabolic features to those of other described patients with APS. Despite many health issues, short stature, skeletal problems, GL and late diagnosis of APS, our patient seems to be relatively metabolically healthy for her age when compared to previously described patients with APS.

Learning points

Atypical progeroid syndromes (APS) are rare and heterogenic with different age of onset and degree of metabolic disorders, which makes this diagnosis very challenging for clinicians and may be missed until the adulthood.

The clinical picture of the APS depends on a particular mutation in the LMNA gene, but may vary even between the patients with the same mutation.

The APS due to a heterozygous LMNA p.E262K mutation, which we report in this patient, seems to have association with the generalized lipodystrophy, short stature and osteoporosis, but otherwise, it seems to cause relatively mild metabolic complications by the age of 30.

The patients with APS and lipodystrophy syndromes require a personalized and multidisciplinary approach, and so they should be referred to highly specialized reference-centres for diagnostics and treatment as early as possible.

Because of the high heterogeneity of such a rare disease as APS, every patient’s description is noteworthy for a better understanding of this challenging syndrome, including the analysis of genotype-phenotype correlations.
Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in a patient with a metastatic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour and ectopic Cushing’s syndrome
Authors: Palmer Kieran , Weerasuriya Scott , Whitelaw Benjamin , Srirajaskanthan Rajaventhan
Published: April 2021

We report a rare case of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES), precipitated by ectopic Cushing’s syndrome, in a patient with a metastatic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour. A 55-year-old female presented as a hypertensive emergency with seizures and severe biochemical disturbance, including alkalosis, hypokalaemia and hyperglycaemia. MRI showed vasogenic oedema in the parieto-occipital region, consistent with a diagnosis of PRES. She had a significantly raised serum cortisol (>6000 nmol/L) which did not suppress with dexamethasone. Plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) concentrations were neither suppressed nor raised but were consistently within the normal reference range. The unexpected finding of a normal ACTH may be explained by either tumour secretion of unmeasured ACTH-related peptides, immunoassay antibody interference or episodic ACTH secretion. PRES is usually reversible with prompt and appropriate treatment. Hypercortisolism associated PRES is rare and may be associated with a worse outcome.

Learning points

PRES secondary to ectopic Cushing’s syndrome is very rare.

PRES in this context may indicate a worse prognosis.

In ectopic Cushing’s syndrome, if the serum ACTH level is normal, consider testing for ACTH-related peptides or interfering antibodies.

Further research is required to establish the best treatment approach and to improve patients’ outcomes.
Too opaque to trust or next time everything is different? A case study on the impact of Wirecard’s crash on German TecDAX companies and other payment service providers
Authors: Dinger Valeriya , Grundke Peter , Rohde Kai
Published: April 2021

We explore whether Wirecard’s presumed balance sheet manipulations have generated negative contagion effects. On the one hand, we focus on contagion to other tech companies, included in the German TecDAX index, and on the other hand, on contagion to other payment service providers. For the first group of companies, negative contagion effects could result from the opaqueness of innovative technologies, and for the second group of firms, this could result from decreasing market confidence in a business model that is potentially similar to the one of Wirecard. However, based on a descriptive analysis of equity share prices and a rolling window correlation analysis of stock returns, we do not find any evidence for negative contagion effects originating from Wirecard, neither to other TecDAX companies nor to payment service providers. Zooming into the effects on those TecDAX companies or payment service providers that were audited, as Wirecard, by EY we do not find any negative contagion effects, either.
Publikumsfinanzierung kleiner und mittelgroßer Unternehmen durch sog. Mittelstandsanleihen
Authors: Florstedt Tim
Published: April 2021

Nach dem Zusammenbruch des Marktes für sog. Mittelstandsanleihen im Jahr 2014 überwog eine marktgläubige Beurteilung des Geschehenen und trat an die Stelle einer profunden Ursachenanalyse. Man ging von einem leidvollen, aber letztlich erfolgreichen Lernprozess unerfahrener Privatanleger aus. Aus diesem Grund schienen der Bundesregierung und vielen anderen punktuelle Korrekturen des Rechtsrahmens genügend. Der Beitrag geht der Frage nach, ob es zutrifft, dass Marktteilnehmer und Gesetzgeber die richtigen Lehren aus dem Zusammenbruch gezogen haben.
Severe Degloving Injury with Covid-19 Infection – Successful Outcome and Hard Lessons Learnt
Authors: Nair Vipin V. , Sharma Pawan , Katiyar Anand , Sharma Abhishek
Published: April 2021

Here we share an interesting case of severe trauma with tissue loss to nearly half of the back and a lacerated perineum in a Covid-19 positive patient in septic shock. This article highlights our experiences and hard lessons learnt in successful management of this complicated injury. Managing severe trauma is a challenge especially with respiratory failure resulting from Covid-19 infection. The patient reported to the hospital during a very difficult period, when proper medical care was difficult as hospitals and wards were filled with Covid positive patients. Managing patients was difficult especially wearing personal protective equipment round the clock. It’s a challenge when an entire team of surgeon, anesthesiologist, nursing staff and paramedics, rose above their daily call of duty to save the patient for her children. It was a fight against time and an many unknown enemy over three months for the entire team. The challenge to save a middle-aged patient from the claws of death against all odds was really miraculous. It was highly rewarding to see the patient going back to the family with a smile.
Student and family factors that are associated with Grade 4 reading achievement in Azerbaijan
Authors: Ganiyeva Lala
Published: April 2021

Aims of the study

Compared to other developing countries, the reading achievement of Azerbaijani students remains low. Using the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) 2016 data, this study examines potential predictors of Grade 4 student reading achievement in Azerbaijan.

Background of the research

The study is guided by an exploratory model and considers various student and family factors which could be influenced by the policies to improve student reading achievement in Azerbaijan. The study differs from previous research in that it simultaneously examines multiple predictors of student reading achievement in a previously under-researched country.

Method

This study conducts a secondary analysis of the PIRLS 2016 data. Regression model is utilized to examine the effects of student and family factors on reading achievement.

Results

The study finds that student characteristics (gender, liking reading, and confidence in reading) and family factors (home resources for learning, preschool attendance) are significantly associated with reading achievement of Grade 4 students in Azerbaijan. The model explains 17% of the variance in student reading achievement.

Conclusion

This study discusses recommendations related to the effects of various factors on reading literacy scores.
Synthesis and characterisation of HIP Ca0.80Ce0.20ZrTi1.60Cr0.40O7 zirconolite and observations of the ceramic–canister interface
Authors: Blackburn Lewis R. , Cole Max R. , Gardner Laura J. , Bailey Daniel J. , Kuman Merve , Mason Amber R. , Sun Shi-Kuan , Maddrell Ewan R. , Stennett Martin C. , Corkhill Claire L. , Hyatt Neil C.
Published: April 2021

A sample of zirconolite with nominal composition Ca0.80Ce0.20ZrTi1.60Cr0.40O7was processed via Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP), with a dwell temperature and pressure of 1320 °C/100 MPa maintained for 4 h. The produced wasteform was characterised by powder XRD, SEM–EDS, Ce L3and Cr K-edge XANES. A significant portion of the Ce inventory did not fully partition within the zirconolite phase, instead remaining as CeO2within the microstructure. Inspection of the stainless steel–ceramic interface detailed the presence of an interaction region dominated by a Cr-rich oxide layer. No significant Cr or Fe migration was observed, although a greater concentration of perovskite was observed at the periphery, relative to the bulk ceramic matrix. The X-ray absorption features of Cr remained analogous with Cr3+accommodation within TiO6octahedra in the zirconolite matrix. The absorption edge of Ce was comprised of contributions from zirconolite-2M and unincorporated CeO2, with an average oxidation state of Ce3.9+. As zirconolite-2M accounted for > 92 wt% of the overall phase assemblage, it is clear that the dominant oxidation state of Ce in this phase was Ce4+.

Graphic abstract
Method of coordinating air starter and auxiliary power unit joint operation
Authors:   Samara National Research University, Popov Grigory , Zubanov Vasily , Matveev Valeriy , Baturin Oleg , Korneeva Anastasia
Published: April 2021

The presented work provides a detailed description of the method developed by the authors for coordinating the working process of the main elements of the starting system for a modern gas turbine engine for a civil aviation aircraft: an auxiliary power unit (APU) and an air turbine – starter. This technique was developed in the course of solving the practical problem of selecting the existing APU and air turbine for a newly created engine. The need to develop this method is due to the lack of recommendations on the coordination of the elements of the starting system in the available literature. The method is based on combining the characteristics of the APU and the turbine, reduced to a single coordinate system. The intersection of the characteristic’s lines corresponding to the same conditions indicates the possibility of joint operation of the specified elements. The lack of intersection indicates the impossibility of joint functioning. The calculation also takes into account losses in the air supply lines to the turbine. The use of the developed method makes it possible to assess the possibility of joint operation of the APU and the air turbine in any operating mode. In addition to checking the possibility of functioning, as a result of the calculation, specific parameters of the working process at the operating point are determined, which are then used as initial data in calculating the elements of the starting system, for example, determining the parameters of the turbine, which in turn allow providing initial information for calculating the starting time or the possibility of functioning of the starting system GTE according to strength and other criteria. The algorithm for calculating the start-up time of the gas turbine engine was also developed by the authors and implemented in the form of an original computer program. Keywords: gas turbine engine start-up, GTE starting system, air turbine, methodology, joint work, auxiliary power unit, power, start-up time, characteristics matching, coordination, operational characteristics, computer program.
MODEL OF ANALYSIS OF THE RESULTS OF GEOMETRY SCANNING OF TURBINE NOZZLES
Authors:   Samara University, Pechenina Ekaterina , Pechenin Vadim ,   Samara University, Bolotov Mikhail ,   Samara University
Published: April 2021

Traditionally, the blades of gas turbine engines are assembled manually using special techniques (sorting by mass or by several geometric parameters). The use of manual assembly leads to the need to perform reassembly of units and is characterized by non-optimal operating parameters achieved. The data obtained from the scanners when monitor-ing the geometry of the blades can be used to improve the quality of the assembly processes of compressors and engine turbines. In particular, parts can be picked based on key parameters. The results of the work will automate the receipt of such parameters. The paper presents a mathematical model for performing a computer calculation of the flow area of turbine nozzles. The model is used to work with objects of *.stl format when processing data after scanning. With the use of the developed model, the calculations will not depend on the qualifications of the controller, and the proposed approach will not require a unique adjustment and expensive repair and storage of standards for all standard sizes of nozzles. The calculation was carried out in three sections, which increases the accuracy of the calculations while reducing the complexity and cost of measurement. An increase in the number of sections practically does not increase the complexity of calculations, so there are no significant restrictions on the performance of virtual measurements in four or more sections. The model is implemented in the mathematical package MATLAB. The model was tested by the example of processing the STL model of the sector of the turbine nozzle blades.
Study of Gas Wells Operation Regimes in Complicated Conditions
Authors:   Saint Petersburg Mining University, Popov Maksim A. , Petrakov Dmitriy G. ,   Saint Petersburg Mining University
Published: April 2021

The influence of reservoir rock properties on sand production in wells is considered. It was concluded that the rock should be considered rather not from the point of view of its strength, but from the point of view of the type of cementitious substance and its distribution. When predicting sand production, it is necessary to take into account the internal stresses of the rocks, as well as the change in these stresses during drilling, perforation and operation of the formation due to the violation of their initial state. Within the framework of this work, an analysis of the main causes of sand production during the operation of gas wells and the negative consequences of sand production for gas production equipment is presented. It has been established that water breakthrough, formation depletion, pressure drop at the bottom of the wells due to their frequent shutdown are the main prerequisites for the removal of sand from the bottomhole formation zone. Sand production is associated with such negative consequences as plugging in wells, erosion of underground and surface equipment, collapse of the top of the bottomhole formation zone and production strings. The main technologies for the prevention and elimination of accidents associated with the removal of mechanical particles from the reservoir are considered. Based on the research results, an algorithm was proposed for selecting technological modes of well operation in conditions of water and sand. The parameters for choosing the optimal operating mode of a gas well are substantiated, in which sand is not extracted with the subsequent disabling of downhole and wellhead equipment, the integrity of the bottomhole zone is not violated, and the well is not selfcontained. The results obtained can be applied to improve the efficiency of gas wells operation and predict their trouble-free operation.
Analysis of the Dependence between Acoustic and Physico-Mechanical Properties of Terrigenic Rocks
Authors:   Saint Petersburg Mining University, Petrakov Dmitriy G. , Penkov Grigorii M. ,   Saint Petersburg Mining University, Solomoychenko Dmitry A. ,   Saint Petersburg Mining University
Published: April 2021

During the entire development of an oil and gas field, it is necessary to carry out a complex of various studies aimed at identifying the parameters of the productive layer. One of such studies is the analysis of core material, as a result of which the following parameters of the rock are determined: porosity, permeability, Young's modulus and others. The listed characteristics must be taken into account when building a geological and hydrodynamic model of a field. In addition to these parameters, the strength properties of the rock should be determined, since they are necessary in the design of the wellbore. Such characteristics can be obtained by conducting research in specialized laboratories. This is not always possible due to various reasons. A number of studies confirm the fact of the relationship between the acoustic properties of a rock (the velocity of the longitudinal and transverse waves) and the strength characteristics. The acoustic properties of the rock must be taken into account when interpreting the acoustic logs of the wells, which allows to reveal the distribution of rocks along the wellbore. Based on the velocities of ultrasonic waves propagation, it is possible to calculate the elasticity dynamic modulus, which let assess the tendency of the rock skeleton to compaction as a result of the effective stress action. Therefore, the determination of the rock acoustic properties is necessary when planning the development of a field and its implementation. The results of laboratory studies aimed at establishing the relationship between the strength and acoustic properties of rocks are presented. During the experiment, the dynamic Young's modulus was also determined and its relationship with the speed of ultrasonic waves propagation was revealed. As a result of laboratory studies, empirical dependences of the ultimate strength in volumetric compression (σс), elasticity dynamic modulus (E ) and the velocity of transmission of longitudinal (vp) and transverse waves (vp) were obtained. An assessment of the obtained values was given over the entire measurement range.
Clinical and pathogenetic significance of angiogenesis factors (VEGF-A, HGF, IGF-1) in the development of cardiometabolic disorders in gout patients having different obesity phenotypes
Authors: Medvedeva T. A. , Kushnarenko N. N. , Mishko M. Yu. , Karavaeva T. M. , Volgina E. V.
Published: April 2021

Aim. To study such circulating angiogenesis factors as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), as well as the cytokine profile (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, IL-23) and their soluble receptors (SRp55 TNF-α, SR IL-6) in the blood serum of gout patients having various obesity phenotypes.

Material and methods. The study included 112 male patients with intercritical gout. The patients were divided into 2 study groups: the 1st group consisted of 39 patients with a metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) phenotype and body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m2; the 2nd group included 73 people having metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO) with impaired immune status, hypertension (HTN) and class 1 abdominal obesity. The control group consisted of 25 metabolically healthy subjects with normal body weight. Serum concentration of uric acid, CRP, insulin, leptin, insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), cytokine status, plasma levels of VEGF-A, HGF, IGF-1 were studied. To assess the left ventricular (LV) diastolic function, tissue Doppler imaging of the mitral annulus was used.

Results. In the group of patients with MUO, an increase of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-23, TNF-α, SRp55 TNF-α) was revealed, while the level of TNF-α and IL-1β exceeds the control values in 4,7 and 6,8 times, respectively (p <0,05), and in the group of patients with MHO, 1,4 and 1,6 times, respectively (p<0,05). Correlations between VEGF-A and TNF-α (r=0,59, p<0,0001), IL-6 (r=0,68, p<0,001), CRP (r=0,59, p<0,0001), serum uric acid level (r=0,47, p<0,0001), decrease in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (r=-0,28, p<0,05) and diastolic blood pressure (r=0,51, p<0,0001) were determined. The concentration of HGF and VEGF-A correlated with BMI (p<0,001). Associations of IGF-1 and HGF with hyperuricemia, carbohydrate metabolism and diastolic remodeling were established.

Conclusion. The relationship between circulating levels of VEGF-A, HGF and IGF-1 with indicators of cytokine status, carbohydrate metabolism and Doppler imaging criteria for LV diastolic dysfunction allows to consider them as additional predictors of unfavorable cardiovascular risk.
Chrysostomos Papadopoulos and the Russian theological academic landscape of 19th century
Authors: Baltas Dimitrios
Published: April 2021

In this report I will focus on Archbishop of Athens, Chrisostomos Papadopoulos’ studies in 19th century Russia. More precisely, the Russian theological academic landscape will be specified. This landscape had on one hand certainly been influenced by the western philosophy and the protestant theology, but on the other hand it is nevertheless characterized by an evolution in the theological studies to which a systematic character of translation, study and pinpointing of the works of the Fathers is gradually attributed. Concerning Church History, about which Chrisostomos Papadopoulos is mostly interested in, it will followingly be supported that it particularly flourishes in the Theological Academies of Russia as well, especially in Saint Petersburg, with the presence and the work of the significant historian, B. Bolotov.
Editorial evaluation of articles on Church History or its sub-branches: brief recommendations
Authors: Simonov V. V. , Rodionova Yu. V.
Published: April 2021

Editorial evaluation (expertise) is one of the most important tools for working with academic articles. The formulation of standards (criteria) for the expert review of publications on the specialty of Church History and its sub-branches is an important step towards the formation of a collection of high-quality printed materials that reflect the contemporary academic research carried out by specialists in the Russian Federation.
Association between workaholism and quality of life in stricto sensu graduate professors in nursing
Authors: Vedoato Taísa , Pedro Danielli Rafaeli Candido , Galdino Maria José Quina , Aroni Patrícia , Radovanovic Cremilde Aparecida Trindade , Martins Júlia Trevisan , Haddad Maria do Carmo Fernandez Lourenço
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACT Objectives: to investigate the association between workaholism and quality of life in stricto sensu graduate professors in Nursing. Methods: a cross-sectional study developed with a total of 333 professors working in the Graduate Programs of Brazilian public universities. Data collection took place in the second semester of 2018, using an electronic form containing a characterization questionnaire, the Dutch Work Addiction Scale and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument-BREF. The data were analyzed by univariate and multiple logistic regression. Results: it was observed that 82.3% of the professors reported low general quality of life and 19.5%, high level of excessive work and 20.1% of compulsive work. Professors who worked compulsively and excessively were less likely to have a high quality of life in the overall, physical, psychological, social relations and environment domains (p<0.05). Conclusions: the high work demands that are characteristic of the stricto sensu professors’ work process are directly associated with low quality of life.
OS REGULAMENTOS PARA A CONSTRUÇÃO DOS EDIFÍCIOS ESCOLARES PÚBLICOS NO BRASIL: O EXEMPLO DO ESTADO DO PARANÁ NA PRIMEIRA METADE DO SÉCULO XX
Authors: BENCOSTTA MARCUS LEVY
Published: April 2021

RESUMO: O objetivo deste artigo é analisar os regulamentos que orientaram a construção de edifícios para o público infantil das escolas primárias graduadas no Brasil, especificamente as localizadas no Estado do Paraná, entre os anos de 1901-1938. A problematização que proponho coloca a criança como o principal usuário dessa arquitetura que, no plano discursivo das regulamentações governamentais, foi organizada para abrigar, proteger e treinar futuros cidadãos e trabalhadores da jovem república brasileira. Os componentes analíticos adotados nesta pesquisa reforçam a importância de estudos sobre a arquitetura voltados para o universo escolar, os quais, por um lado, destacam que a gramática normativa adotada nos diversos regulamentos e demais documentos de construção de edifícios escolares, eram leituras específicas originárias do contexto adulto das autoridades políticas, educadores, médicos e higienistas na elaboração de medidas sobre a melhor forma de moldar a criança no espaço escolar. A escolha da primeira década do século XX para montar o cenário para esta pesquisa justifica-se por ter sido um período de franca expansão da arquitetura escolar brasileira. Em todo o país, houve um aumento na demanda por escolaridade e, consequentemente, a construção de novas escolas, o que causou a necessidade de revisar e preparar versões mais recentes dos regulamentos normativos voltados para a construção de edifícios escolares.