bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Human RecQ helicases in transcription-associated stress management: bridging the gap between DNA and RNA metabolism
Authors: Das Tulika , Pal Surasree , Ganguly Agneyo
Published: February 2021

RecQ helicases are a highly conserved class of DNA helicases that play crucial role in almost all DNA metabolic processes including replication, repair and recombination. They are able to unwind a wide variety of complex intermediate DNA structures that may result from cellular DNA transactions and hence assist in maintaining genome integrity. Interestingly, a huge number of recent reports suggest that many of the RecQ family helicases are directly or indirectly involved in regulating transcription and gene expression. On one hand, they can remove complex structures like R-loops, G-quadruplexes or RNA:DNA hybrids formed at the intersection of transcription and replication. On the other hand, emerging evidence suggests that they can also regulate transcription by directly interacting with RNA polymerase or recruiting other protein factors that may regulate transcription. This review summarizes the up to date knowledge on the involvement of three human RecQ family proteins BLM, WRN and RECQL5 in transcription regulation and management of transcription associated stress.
Seemingly unrelated regression with measurement error: estimation via Markov Chain Monte Carlo and mean field variational Bayes approximation
Authors: Bresson Georges , Chaturvedi Anoop , Rahman Mohammad Arshad , Shalabh
Published: February 2021

Linear regression with measurement error in the covariates is a heavily studied topic, however, the statistics/econometrics literature is almost silent to estimating a multi-equation model with measurement error. This paper considers a seemingly unrelated regression model with measurement error in the covariates and introduces two novel estimation methods: a pure Bayesian algorithm (based on Markov chain Monte Carlo techniques) and its mean field variational Bayes (MFVB) approximation. The MFVB method has the added advantage of being computationally fast and can handle big data. An issue pertinent to measurement error models is parameter identification, and this is resolved by employing a prior distribution on the measurement error variance. The methods are shown to perform well in multiple simulation studies, where we analyze the impact on posterior estimates for different values of reliability ratio or variance of the true unobserved quantity used in the data generating process. The paper further implements the proposed algorithms in an application drawn from the health literature and shows that modeling measurement error in the data can improve model fitting.
Minimum time controller in a class of chemical reactors based on Lagrangian approach
Authors: Aguilar-López Ricardo , Mata-Machuca Juan L.
Published: February 2021

The main goal of this work is the construction of a class of controller, which employs directly a Lagrangian formulation to resolve the classical brachistochrone problem, this allows to obtain an optimal controller which reaches in a minimum time the stabilization of an isothermal continuous stirred tank reactor, whose chemical kinetic model is based on the power law. The proposed methodology is compared with an input/output linearizing which achieve asymptotic and exponential closed-loop convergence, sliding-mode controller with a finite time convergence and an exact gradient optimal control to compare the time convergence performance. Numerical experiments show the satisfactory performance of the proposed controller, despite sustained disturbances in the concentration input feed.
Propargyloligosilazane matrixed composite for high temperature material combining polymer and ceramic properties
Authors: Xuan Lixin , Li Diansen , Wang Mingcun
Published: February 2021

A new single-phased thermosetting resin (propargyloligosilazane, POSZ) was prepared through Hofmann alkylation of oligosilazane with propargylbromide; the propargyl content in POSZ was controlled by monitoring the amount of propargylbromide in synthesis. The characterizations showed that POSZ has ideal rheology during material processing, the thermal curing temperature could be lowered when isocyanate was used as crosslinking agent, and the thermally cured POSZ can be pyrolyzed into anti-oxidative ceramic at a high yield of >70%. For POSZ-matrixed carbon-fabric laminate composite, it possessed high mechanical properties and retained the original shape with the increase of temperature as high as 800 °C. The POSZ-matrixed laminate has the mechanical properties combining polymer character at room temperature and ceramic character at high temperature, and it will find many prospective high temperature applications in need of polymer and ceramic properties simultaneously.
Determination of thermal, molecular changes, and functional properties in stabilized rice bran
Authors: Meral Raciye
Published: February 2021

In this study, stabilization was performed using three different oven temperatures (110, (T1) 130 (T2) and 150 °C(T3)) in the oven set at 10% moisture. The effect of stabilization on lipase activity, functional, and thermal properties of rice bran. Lipase activity of control (27.92 U/g) was to be higher than stabilized rice bran samples. Starch gelatinization peak temperature ranged from 70.05 (T3) to 85.09 °C (control). DPPH scavenging effect of control was 12.99 mmol TE. The highest DPPH radical scavenging effect value (15.72 mmol TE) was determined in the T3 sample. ABTS radical scavenging effect of stabilized samples significantly increased (p < 0.05) and the increase for T1, T2, and T3 was found to be 73, 75, and 77%, respectively. The highest ferulic (4284 μg/g) and p-coumaric acid (1180 μg/g) contents were determined in T3 and T1 samples, respectively. The content of bound ferulic and p-coumaric acids of stabilized rice bran samples was 2.41 and 2.33 times higher than control samples. While prolamine content was 3.38–4.18 mg/mL; glutelin content ranged from 4.45 to 5.11 mg/mL. An obvious state change during stabilization was observed in all samples around 70–85.9 °C. The results of the study revealed that stabilization might change the functional and thermal properties of rice bran.
Quantitative detection of soluble solids content, pH, and total phenol in Cabernet Sauvignon grapes based on near infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Luo Yijia , Dong Juan , Shi Xuewei , Wang Wenxia , Li Zhuoman , Sun Jingtao
Published: February 2021

Determination of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes quality plays an important role in commercial processing. In this research, a rapid approach based on near infrared spectroscopy was proposed to the determination of soluble solids content (SSC), pH, and total phenol content (TPC) in entire bunches of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Standardized normal variate (SNV) and competitive adaptive weighted sampling (CARS), genetic algorithm (GA), and synergy interval partial least squares (si-PLS) were used to optimize the spectral data. With optimal combination input, the prediction accuracy of partial least squares regression (PLSR) and support vector regression (SVR) models was compared. The results showed that these models based on variable optimization method could predict well the SSC, pH, and TPC of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. The correlation coefficient of prediction for SSC, pH, and TPC had reached more than 0.85. This work provides an alternative to analyze the chemical parameters in whole bunch of Cabernet Sauvignon grape.
Drying characteristics and bioactivity evolution of Platycodon grandiflorum as affected by different microwave combined drying methods
Authors: Liu Yuan-Yuan , Lv Wei-Qiao , Lin Ruo-Hui , Li Dong , Wang Li-Jun
Published: February 2021

This study was to investigate the effect of different drying methods on the drying kinetics, physical properties, and bioactivity of Platycodon grandiflorum (PG). Four drying methods were employed to conduct the dehydrated process, namely, hot air drying (AD), vacuum drying (VD), microwave hot airflow rolling-bed drying (MHARD), and pulse-spouted microwave vacuum drying (PSMVD). PSMVD showed the highest drying rate among four drying methods based on the result of fitting first-order reaction model. And PSMVD-dried product showed higher rehydration ratio and better mechanical properties, suggesting a better rehydration characteristic. In addition, considering the content of Platycodin D, PSMVD is a promising drying technology for the dehydration of PG.
Diffusion-alloying sintering of Cr–Mo pre-alloyed iron powders with carbon: The effect of the carbon introduction method on the sinter’s properties
Authors: Anestiev Lubomir , Georgiev Jordan , Valkanov Seryozha , Selecká Marcela , Cherneva Sabine , Iankov Roumen
Published: February 2021

The influence of the carbon introduction method on the microstructure and the mechanical properties of sinters produced from iron-based powders by diffusion-alloying sintering has been studied. Two methods of carbon introduction were tested: (1) Premixing of the base powder with graphite, and (2) Coating of the base powder with a carbon-containing substance. The results obtained could be summarized as (1) The microstructure and the mechanical properties depend on the method of carbon introduction; (2) The sinters produced from coated powders possess finer micro-structure, improved homogeneity, and in two out of three of the studied compositions, better mechanical properties. Based on the results obtained, a reasonable assumption was made that the method of carbon introduction affects the dissolution rate of the carbon additive, thus affecting the micro-structure and the mechanical properties of the sinter.
Predicting doped Fe-based superconductor critical temperature from structural and topological parameters using machine learning
Authors: Zhang Yun , Xu Xiaojie
Published: February 2021

Recently, Fe-based superconductors have shown promising properties of high critical temperature and high upper critical fields, which are prerequisites for applications in high-field magnets. Critical temperature, T
c, is an important characteristic correlated with crystallographic and electronic structures. By doping with foreign ions in the crystal structure, T
c can be modified, which however requires significant manpower and resources for materials synthesis and characterizations. In this study, we develop the Gaussian process regression model to predict T
c of doped Fe-based superconductors based on structural and topological parameters, including the lattice constants, volume, and bonding parameter topological index H
31. The model is stable and accurate, contributing to fast T
c estimations.
Dynamics of a stochastic susceptible-infective-recovered (SIRS) epidemic model with vaccination and nonlinear incidence under regime switching and Lévy jumps
Authors: Hu Junna , Wen Buyu , Zeng Ting , Teng Zhidong
Published: February 2021

In this paper, a stochastic susceptible-infective-recovered (SIRS) epidemic model with vaccination, nonlinear incidence and white noises under regime switching and Lévy jumps is investigated. A new threshold value is determined. Some basic assumptions with regard to nonlinear incidence, white noises, Markov switching and Lévy jumps are introduced. The threshold conditions to guarantee the extinction and permanence in the mean of the disease with probability one and the existence of unique ergodic stationary distribution for the model are established. Some new techniques to deal with the Markov switching, Lévy jumps, nonlinear incidence and vaccination for the stochastic epidemic models are proposed. Lastly, the numerical simulations not only illustrate the main results given in this paper, but also suggest some interesting open problems.
Design of the state feedback-based feed-forward controller asymptotically stabilizing the double-pendulum-type overhead cranes with time-varying hoisting rope length
Authors: Vrabel Robert
Published: February 2021

In this paper we focus our attention on the design of the feedback-based feed-forward controller asymptotically stabilizing the double-pendulum-type (D-P-T) crane system with the time-varying rope length in the desired end position of payload (the origin of the coordinate system). In principle, two cases are considered, in the first case, the sway angle of payload is uncontrolled and second case, when the sway angle of payload is controlled by an external force. Precise mathematical modeling in the framework of Lagrange formalism without the traditional neglect of the important structural parameters of the D-P-T crane system and numerical simulation in the Matlab environment indicate the substantial reduction of the transportation time to the desired end position.
Invariant solutions of fractional-order spatio-temporal partial differential equations
Authors: Mnguni Nkosingiphile , Jamal Sameerah
Published: February 2021

This paper considers two categories of fractional-order population growth models, where a time component is defined by Riemann–Liouville derivatives. These models are studied under the Lie symmetry approach, and we reduce the fractional partial differential equations to nonlinear ordinary differential equations. Subsequently, solutions of the latter are determined numerically or with the aid of Laplace transforms. Graphical representations for integral and trigonometric solutions are presented. A key feature of these models is the connection between spatial patterning of organisms versus competitive coexistence.
An exploratory study on pro-drop in a written description task in L2 Spanish
Authors: Vande Casteele An , Palomares Ortiz Alejandro
Published: February 2021

The present article aims at investigating the pro-drop phenomenon in L2 Spanish. The phenomenon of pro-drop or null subject is a typological feature of some languages, which are characterized by an implicit subject in cases of topic continuity. More specifically, behaviour regarding subject (dis)continuity in Spanish differs from French. This paper will offer a contrastive analysis on subject realisation by French learners of L2 Spanish compared to L1 Spanish speakers. So, the goal of this pilot study is to see if a different functioning in pro-drop in the mother tongue also influences the L2. The study is based upon a written description task presented to the two groups of participants: the experimental group of French mother tongue L2 Spanish language learners and the control group of Spanish native speakers.
L
1-solutions of the boundary value problem for implicit fractional order differential equations
Authors: Telli Benoumran , Souid Mohammed Said
Published: February 2021

The aim of this paper is to present new results
on the existence of solutions for a class of the boundary value problem for fractional
order implicit differential equations involving the Caputo fractional
derivative. Our results are based on Schauder’s fixed point theorem and
the Banach contraction principle fixed point theorem.
Integral solutions of nondense impulsive conformable-fractional differential equations with nonlocal condition
Authors: Bouaouid Mohamed , Hilal Khalid , Hannabou Mohamed
Published: February 2021

In this paper, a class of nondense impulsive differential equations with nonlocal condition in the frame of the conformable fractional derivative is studied. The abstract results concerning the existence, uniqueness and stability of the integral solution are obtained by using the extrapolation semigroup approach combined with some fixed point theorems.
Fixed point theorems for a new generalization of contractive maps in incomplete metric spaces and its application in boundary value problems
Authors: Ahmadi Zahra , Lashkaripour Rahmatollah , Baghani Hamid
Published: February 2021

In this paper, we obtain some fixed point theorems for multivalued mappings in incomplete metric spaces. Moreover, as motivated by the recent work of
Olgun, Minak and Altun
[M. Olgun, G. Minak and I. Altun,
A new approach to Mizoguchi–Takahashi type fixed point theorems,
J. Nonlinear Convex Anal. 17 2016, 3, 579–587], we improve these theorems with a new generalization contraction condition for multivalued mappings in incomplete metric spaces. This result is a significant generalization of some well-known results in the literature. Also, we provide some examples to show that our main theorems are a generalization of previous results. Finally, we give an application to a boundary value differential equation.
Green-SÖP: The Socio-ecological Panel Survey: 2012–2016
Authors: Klick Larissa , Kussel Gerhard , Sommer Stephan
Published: February 2021

Evaluating environmental questions is a crucial issue in today’s economic research and policy making. The Green-SÖP offers a comprehensive data base to enrich an empirically led scientific discourse as a survey data set on environmental and energy-related topics in Germany. The data set on more than 6000 households was collected by RWI – Leibniz Institute for Economic Research and partners between 2012 and 2016. The questions are very diverse and range from personal attitudes to environmental policy issues with a special focus on the consequences of climate change and individual behaviors as well as opinions on ecologically related matters.
Comparative effects of berberine and piperine on the neuroprotective potential of neostigmine
Authors: Adefegha Stephen Adeniyi , Oboh Ganiyu , Okeke Bathlomew Maduka
Published: February 2021

Objectives

This study examined effect of berberine and piperine on neuroprotective potential of neostigmine in the management of neurological disorders.

Methods

Berberine and neostigmine were weighed (30 g), dissolved in distilled water (30 mL) separately, while, 30 mg piperine was dissolved in ethanol (0.45 mL), made up to 30 mL with distilled water. Antioxidant activities in 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH), 2, 2-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) radical (ABTS), Fe-chelation, ferric reducing properties (FRAP), nitric oxide (NO) and hydroxyl (OH) radical scavenging abilities and Fe2+, cisplatin and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) induced lipid peroxidation (LPO), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and monoamine oxidase (MAO) activities were assessed in vitro.

Results

The result revealed that tested compounds inhibited enzymes activities dose-dependently. However, berberine (IC50=0.17 mg/mL) had slight higher AChE inhibitory effect than piperine and neostigmine (p<0.05). Also, berberine had the highest BChE inhibitory effect (IC50=0.16 mg/mL) while piperine exhibited the highest MAO inhibitory effect (IC50=0.21 mg/mL). Berberine, piperine and neostigmine exhibited high antioxidant properties and inhibited Fe2+, cisplatin and SNP induced LPO.

Conclusions

Both alkaloids demonstrated antiradical scavenging ability comparable to neostigmine action against Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The modulatory and antioxidant berberine and piperine properties on these enzymes (AChE, BChE and MAO) could be possible underlying mechanisms in employing these compounds as a complementary therapy in neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) management.
Emergence of antimicrobial resistance and magnitude of Unani medicine – scope and challenges
Authors: Anwar Noman , Ahmed N. Zaheer , Fathima A. Farhath , Begum Shehnaz , Khan Asim Ali
Published: February 2021

Emergence of antimicrobial resistance, with practically all newly developed and even more potent antibiotics like carbapenem and colistin, has become a matter of great public health concern. A number of common diseases of public health importance are becoming harder and sometimes impossible to treat due to increased resistance of pathogens. These alarming threats seek prime attention of scientific community to develop newer antibiotics with long-lasting efficacy, least side effects, and low economic burden. Unani classical texts have enormous citations on different infectious diseases. Many single drugs and compound formulations are in vogue since ages for the treatment of infectious diseases. Use of Afaviya (spices), Mufarrehat (exhilarants), Tiryaqi Advia (drugs with antidote properties) and Sirka (vinegar) is highly advocated in treating various infectious diseases. Though, enormous research activities have been undertaken worldwide to explore and develop newer antibiotics from natural resources, indicating massive magnitude of natural products in treating various infectious diseases, however, the higher plants, still largely seems to be unexplored. Moreover, elaborated and well controlled clinical studies are still lacking to authenticate their clinical significance. Hence, a rigorous, well-designed & well-structured research is highly paramount to ascertain the provision of newer, relatively safe and cost effective natural antibiotics.
Vestibular stimulation: a noninvasive brain stimulation in Parkinson’s disease & its implications
Authors: Jagadeesan Thanalakshmi , Rajagopal Archana , Sivanesan Senthilkumar
Published: February 2021

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer’s disease, and it is characterized by both motor and neuropsychiatric problems. Effective treatment of PD requires a combination of pharmacotherapy and physiotherapy; however, existing treatment generally involves one medical discipline most probably interpretation by neurologist. This pharmacotherapy relay on dopaminergic medications which is not capable of bringing sufficient alleviation of all motor symptoms in PD. Implementing positive lifestyle activities can support patients to improve the quality of life, symptoms, and possibly slow down the disease progression. In far effective management of PD, clinics are trying to execute and promote the use of additional integrative approaches of care among PD patients. Notably, vestibular stimulation like noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation (nGVS) is being studied as a potential treatment for PD, and a number of studies have presented scientific evidence in support of this concept. In this review paper, we highlight the importance of vestibular stimulation in both human and animal studies as one of the promising interventional approaches for PD. All the existing studies are heterogeneous in study design, so further studies have to be conducted which meets the standards of randomized control trial with proper sample size to validate the findings of vestibular stimulation.
Medicinal importance of Papra (Podophyllum hexandrum Royle) in Unani System of Medicine
Authors: Kalam Mohd Afsahul , Malik Akhtar H. , Ganie Aijaz Hassan , Butt Tariq Ahmad
Published: February 2021

Podophyllum hexandrum Royle [=Sinopodophyllum hexandrum (Royle) T.S. Ying] is an important, endemic medicinal plant species of Himalaya. It is used in Unani System of Medicine under the name of ‘Papra’. The drug was not mentioned in previous literatures, but the first time it introduced in Unani Medicine by a great scholar Hakim Najmul Ghani. He has mentioned its uses and benefits in his classical book Khazainul Advia. In Unani Medicine the plant species has been used to treat various ailments like constipation, fever, jaundice, liver disorders, syphilis, diseases of lymph glands etc. In Kashmir Himalaya it is used to treat various diseases by local medicinemen, but now it is listed in rare drugs. Various pharmacological studies have been done such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, radio-protective etc., recently it has also been reported that podophyllotoxin or podophyllin can be used to treat some forms of cancers also.
Graphical splittings of Artin kernels
Authors: Barquinero Enrique Miguel , Ruffoni Lorenzo , Ye Kaidi
Published: February 2021

We study Artin kernels, i.e. kernels of discrete characters of right-angled Artin groups, and we show that they decompose as graphs of groups in a way that can be explicitly computed from the underlying graph.
When the underlying graph is chordal, we show that every such subgroup either surjects to an infinitely generated free group or is a generalized Baumslag–Solitar group of variable rank.
In particular, for block graphs (e.g. trees), we obtain an explicit rank formula and discuss some features of the space of fibrations of the associated right-angled Artin group.
Quasi-powerful 𝑝-groups
Authors: Williams James
Published: February 2021

In this paper, we introduce the notion of a quasi-powerful p-group for odd primes p.
These are the finite p-groups G such that

G
/
Z

⁢

(
G
)

{G/Z(G)}

is powerful in the sense of Lubotzky and Mann.
We show that this large family of groups shares many of the same properties as powerful p-groups.
For example, we show that they have a regular power structure, and we generalise a result of Fernández-Alcober on the order of commutators in powerful p-groups to this larger family of groups.
We also obtain a bound on the number of generators of a subgroup of a quasi-powerful p-group, expressed in terms of the number of generators of the group, and we give an example which demonstrates this bound is close to best possible.
Investigations with all optical sequential circuit at higher data rate
Authors: Tripathi Devendra Kumar
Published: February 2021

All optical signal processing is one of the growing area, finds relevance where fast computing speed is one of the vital concern. Optical sequential logic system is the backbone of the ultrafast processing network. Accordingly, this article explores proposed optical sequential schemes for the JK and T-type optical flip flop’s investigation at higher data rate. The outputs have been verified for the JK and T-type flip flops. Numerical simulations showed ER of 11.6 and 10 dB for the executed designs. Design have been investigated for variation in pump current, data rate (10–100 Gbps), peak power, bias voltage yielded the optimal performance with ER of over 12 dB. This schematic is simple excludes expensive optoelectronic translation and outcomes are well helpful for the design of complex sequential logic operations.
A parallel cross-connection recovery scheme for dual link failure in elastic optical networks
Authors: Kumar Dinesh , Kumar Rajiv , Sharma Neeru
Published: February 2021

In this paper, we proposed a fast recovery strategy for a dual link failure (DLF) in elastic optical network (EON). The EON is a promising solution to meet the next generation higher bandwidth demand. The survivability of high speed network is very crucial. As the network size increases the probability of the DLF and node failure also increases. Here, we proposed a parallel cross connection backup recovery strategy for DLF in the network. The average bandwidth blocking probability (BBP), bandwidth provisioning ratio (BPR), and recovery time (RT) for our proposed Intermediate node cross-connect backup for shared path protection (INCB-SPP) for ARPANET are 0.38, 2.71, 4.68 ms, and for DPP 0.70, 6.02, 8.71 ms and for SPP 0.40, 2.87, and 16.33 ms respectively. The average BBP, BPR, and RT of INCB-SPP for COST239 are 0.01, 1.71, 3.79 ms and for DPP are 0.39, 3.50, 8.20 ms and SPP are 0.04, 1.75, and 12.47 ms respectively. Hence, the proposed strategy shows lower BBP, fast connection recovery, and BPR when compared with the existing shared path protection (SPP) and dedicated path protection (DPP) approaches. Simulation is performed on ARPANET and COST239 topology networks.
Devices, communication techniques and networks for all optical communication: research issues
Authors: Kaushik Vikas , Saini Himanshi
Published: February 2021

The characteristics of all optical networks such as high speed, data carrying capacity and transparency make them suitable for emerged networks domain. This paper presents an overview of research challenges in the field of all optical communication networks. Various subdomains of an all optical system, for example device-level designs, communication technique-level designs and network-level designs have been extensively investigated and presented in this paper. Further, the related research issues under each category of these domains have been discussed. These issues constitute the basic criterion for further development in all optical domain.
The spelling and phonology of the dental stops in Hieroglyphic Luwian
Authors: Vertegaal Alexander
Published: February 2021

This paper investigates the distribution and use of the Hieroglyphic Luwian signs □  (L 100) and □  (L 29), expanding on and reacting to Rieken 2010. It appears  and  are used contrastively not only in a select subset of texts from the Karkamiš region, but in large parts of the Hieroglyphic Luwian corpus in general. Word-internally,  appears to be used wherever we expect to find a short stop (either voiced or voiceless), while  is used for long (fortis) stops. This suggests that consonantal length was at least a phonetic feature in Hieroglyphic Luwian.
The origin of the phonetic value of the Anatolian hieroglyphic sign *41 (CAPERE/tà)
Authors: Kloekhorst Alwin
Published: February 2021

Following Rieken’s 2008 establishment that the Anatolian hieroglyphic sign *41 (CAPERE/ta) denoted the syllable /da/, with lenis /d/, Yakubovich (2008) argued that the sign’s phonetic value was acrophonically derived from the Hittite verb dā-i/d- ‘to take’. In the present article it is argued that this view can no longer be upheld in view of new proposals regarding the phonetic value of sign *41 (rather [da]) and the interpretation of Hitt. dā-i/d- (rather [tʔā-]). It is proposed that the value of sign *41 has instead been derived from the Luwian verb ‘to take’, lā-i/l-, which from a historical linguistic perspective must go back to earlier *.ā-i/ *.-. This acrophonic assignment of the value [da] to sign *41 must then be dated to the beginning of the 18th century BCE at the latest, which implies that already by that time the Anatolian hieroglyphs were in use as a real script that made use of phonetic signs.
Drawing lines: The palaeography of Linear A and Linear B
Authors: Salgarella Ester
Published: February 2021

This paper focuses on the palaeography of two Bronze Age Aegean writing systems, Linear A and Linear B. Linear A, used to render the Minoan language (ca. 1800-1450 BC), is understood to have acted as template upon adaptation of the system to write Greek, giving rise to the script traditionally called Linear B (ca. 1400-1190 BC). The adaptation process is likely to have operated on different levels: palaeographical, structural, phonological, logographical, metrological. In this paper, the palaeographical level will be examined. In order to throw light on the transmission process on graphic grounds, that is to say from a palaeographical perspective, the study of sign variants comes to play a key role. For a script (i.e. the graphic manifestation of a writing system) to be analysed, it is in fact necessary to ‘single out’ its constitutive components, namely signs, as well as their different graphic representations, namely variants. The aim of this paper is to see how these sign variants, in both Linear A and Linear B, were treated and transmitted.
Two new Linear B tablets and an enigmatic find from Bronze Age Pylos (Palace of Nestor)
Authors: Judson Anna P. , Bennet John , Davis Jack L. , Stocker Sharon R.
Published: February 2021

This article presents two newly-discovered fragments of Linear B tablets from recent excavations at the site of Ano Englianos, Bronze Age Pylos, along with a third possibly inscribed object.
Did Lycian adopt a new clause structure in place of inherited -r-passives?
Authors: Durnford Stephen P. B.
Published: February 2021

The corpora of the IE Anatolian languages vary widely in script, legibility, size, date, subject matter, and in the extent to which we understand them. Four syntactic features which they appear to have inherited are: a S(ubject)- O(bject)-V(erb) clause structure; declined anaphoric pronouns attached enclitically to a clause’s first accented element; the ability to move the object or verb to the start of a clause for emphasis (“fronting”); the option not to enforce case and number agreement among more than two coordinated elements. The discovery of the Lycian languages and our current understanding of them is summarised. It is proposed, although the evidence comes primarily from Lycian A: that languages of the southwest Luwic area, namely, the alphabetically written Carian and the two from Lycia, had changed to a basic SVO clause; that Lycian A, and probably B too, abandoned the inherited medio-passive conjugations in -r-, which are absent from their corpora; that the passive preterite was expressed by a periphrastic OVS construction with fronted direct object, then me and a particle chain starting with the n- found clause-initially in Hittite but absent from other Luwic dialects, then innovatively appending *-an to the verb, and with the subject last.
Bare classifier phrases in Thai and other mainland Asian languages: implications for classifier theory and typology
Authors: Pichetpan Nitipong , Post Mark W.
Published: February 2021

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the little-known “bare classifier phrase” construction in Modern Standard Thai. It describes the syntax, semantics and discourse functions of Thai bare classifier phrases, and further proposes a diachronic account of their origin in reduction of post-posed numeral ‘one’. Following this synchronic and diachronic description, this article attempts to locate Thai within a working typology of bare classifier constructions in mainland Asian languages, and further argues for the importance of bare classifier constructions to the theory of classifiers more generally. Following Bisang (1999) and others, it argues that bare classifier constructions reveal the core function of classifiers in Asian languages to beindividuation– a referential function. It therefore cautions against some recent proposals to merge classifiers and gender markers within a single categorical space defined on the semantic basis of nominal classification, and in favour of continuing to treat classifiers as a discrete linguistic category – in mainland Asian languages, at least.
Spatial ecology of lions in a small, semi-fenced park surrounded by dense human populations: the case study of Nairobi National Park, Kenya
Authors: Lesilau Francis , Verschueren Stijn , van’t Zelfde Maarten , Musters Kees C. J. M. , de Snoo Geert R. , de Iongh Hans H.
Published: February 2021

Human population growth near protected areas often results in detrimental edge effects for apex carnivores, such as the African lion. Urbanization leads to new scenarios of the human–lion conflict, thus understanding ranging patterns close to urban environments is crucial to inform future management strategies. We collected GPS data from 12 collared lions between 2014 and 2018 in Nairobi National Park, which borders the capital city of Kenya, Nairobi city. We estimated home ranges, calculated daily distance traveled and tested for differences between sex, season and pride. Additionally, we investigated how disturbance from Nairobi and surrounding human settlements affected space-use of lions, and tested for differences between sex, season and time of day. Lions showed restricted movements (4.5 km/day) and had small home ranges (49 km2). Male lions had larger ranges than females, but avoidance behavior of disturbed areas was similar. Lions took advantage during times of low human activity, i.e., during the night, to extend ranging behavior in search for resources. Risk for livestock depredation also increased during the wet season when lions roamed longer, more frequently, and deeper into the community lands. We recommend the establishment of buffer zones to maintain a viable lion population and reduced risk for conflict.
Promoting positive teacher-student relationships through creating a plan for Classroom Management On-boarding
Authors: Hunter William C. , Jasper Andrea D. , Barnes Keishana , Davis Luann Ley , Davis Kimberley , Singleton Jacques , Barton-Arwood Sally , Scott Terry
Published: February 2021

Classroom management is cited as a frequent concern by many teachers. These concerns with classroom management are commonly rooted in a struggle to effectively engage students and a failure to form authentic relationships with students. Centering Culturally Relevant Pedagogy is crucial when effectively engaging and building authentic relationships with students – especially for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse students identified with Emotional Behavior Disorder (EBD). Mainly, teachers should hold a high self-efficacy of themselves and high expectations for their students, build and maintain authentic classroom communities, and demonstrate a passion for their work. Unfortunately, many teachers do not prioritize the need to be culturally responsive to their students’ families or the need to investigate their own cultural self-awareness. Additionally, these teachers often feel uninformed and ill-prepared to prioritize the aforementioned elements to successfully engage students in the classroom, as educator preparation programs often provide too little information, training, and reinforcement regarding the basics, as well as more specific strategies, of effective classroom management. Schools persistently fall short in providing an educational experience for students with EBD that leads to appropriate and desired educational outcomes due to a lack of teacher training in understanding the foundation and function of behavior, as well as how to appropriately address problematic behaviors. These shortcomings become particularly complex in classrooms with students with EBD, given the students’ multifaceted academic and social behavioral needs. Moreover, given the overrepresentation of African American males in the EBD disability category, the importance of specific cultural components cannot be ignored. Thus, when teachers do not structure their classroom culture in a manner that is Culturally Relevant, many students, especially African American male students with EBD, experience challenges meeting their goals to function properly in various environments—both in and out of the classroom. One strategy that teachers can use to improve their teaching of students with EBD is Classroom Management On-boarding (CMO-b). This paper identifies specific techniques that could guide the development of a plan for CMO-b that emphasizes the importance of the teacher-student relationship as the foundation for building a positive and effective classroom for teachers of students identified with EBD, and especially for African American male students.
Enhanced broadband nonlinear optical response of TiO2/CuO nanosheets via oxygen vacancy engineering
Authors: Dong Li , Chu Hongwei , Wang Xiao , Li Ying , Zhao Shengzhi , Li Dechun
Published: February 2021

Cupric oxide (CuO), as a transition metal oxide (TMO) semiconductor, has attracted tremendous attention for various applications. In the present work, we synthesize the CuO nanosheets modified by TiO2 nanoparticles via a facile, non-toxic two-step method. Subsequently, the morphology and the structures of CuO and TiO2/CuO nanocomposites are investigated. By utilizing the common Z-scan technology, broadband nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of the as-prepared CuO nanosheets and TiO2/CuO nanocomposites are demonstrated, elucidating the enhancement on the NLO response via the TiO2 dopant, which is attributed to the more oxygen vacancies and the formed p-n junctions. Furthermore, CuO nanosheets and TiO2/CuO nanocomposites are implemented to the passively Q-switched bulk lasers operating in the near-infrared (NIR) region, generating broadband ultrastable pulses. Ultimately, TiO2/CuO nanocomposites were intergrated in a passive mode-locking bulk laser for the first time, achieving stable mode-locked pulses and verifying its ultrafast optical response potential. Our results illustrate the tremendous prospects of the CuO nanosheets modified by oxygen vacancy engineering as a broadband NLO material in ultrafast photonics field.
Crystal structure of (E)-2-((2-methoxy-3-pyridyl)methylene)-7-fluoro-3,4-dihydronaphthalen-1(2H)-one, C17H14FNO2
Authors: Zhang Xiao-Fan , Meng Qing-Guo
Published: February 2021

C17H14FNO2, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 14.0279(13) Å, b = 7.0527(5) Å, c = 14.4150(16) Å, β = 113.165(12)°, V = 1311.2(2) Å3, Z = 4, Rgt
(F) = 0.0524, wRref
(F
2) = 0.1358, T = 100 K.
Synthesis and crystal structure of catena-poly[aqua-bis(nitrato-κ
2
O:O′)- (μ
2-((1 H-imidazol-1-yl)methyl)benzene-κ
2 N,N′)-H2O-κ
2O]cadmium(II), C14H16N6O7Cd
Authors: Meng Cong-Cong , He Jing-Xian , Gou Hao
Published: February 2021

C14H16N6O7Cd, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 12.7095(3) Å, b = 17.4705(4) Å, c = 8.5763(3) Å, β = 93.292(10)°, Z = 4, V = 1901.15(9) Å3, R
gt
(F) = 0.0263, wR
ref
(F
2) = 0.1047, T = 296(2) K.
Crystal structure of 2,2′-[ethane-1,2-diylbis(azanylylidenemethylylidene)]bis(6-chlorophenol), C16H14Cl2N2O2
Authors: Li Weili , Yang Bo
Published: February 2021

C16H14Cl2N2O2, monoclinic, P21/n (no. 14), a = 6.8492(14) Å, b = 11.515(2) Å, c = 10.018(2) Å, β = 107.11(3)°, V = 755.2(3) Å3, Z = 2, R

gt
(F) = 0.0592, wR

ref
(F
2) = 0.1369, T = 293(2) K.
The crystal structure of 2-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)-3-bromo-5-chlorophenol, C13H8BrClN2O
Authors: Li Weili , Yang Bo
Published: February 2021

C13H8BrClN2O, (M = 323.57 g/mol), monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 11.7584(5) Å, b = 7.4336(3) Å, c = 14.1134(6) Å, β = 104.861(2)°, V = 1192.35(9) Å3, Z = 4, R

gt
(F) = 0.0301, wR

ref
(F
2) = 0.0794, T = 150.0 K.
The Government and Civil Society Collaboration against COVID-19 in South Korea: A Single or Multiple Actor Play?
Authors: Jeong Bok Gyo , Kim Sung-Ju
Published: February 2021

This study examines, from a collaborative governance perspective, the public policy process of South Korea in responding to the global health pandemic. In many countries, attention has been focused primarily on governmental capacity and political leadership in containing the COVID-19 pandemic. In South Korea, however, the role of civil society as a collaborative partner to government is especially important. To analyze the comprehensive and substantive nature of government-civil society collaboration, this study assesses the response to COVID-19 along two dimensions: the level of civil society involvement in governance, and the stage in public policy development. The study reveals that the South Korean government was a coordinator of multiple actors and multiple sectors of society, including civil society, and that all three facets of civil society as described by Edwards (2004), were involved: associational life, civility, and engagement in the public sphere.
Natural clay nanotube supported Mo and W catalysts for exhaustive oxidative desulfurization of model fuels
Authors: Akopyan Argam , Polikarpova Polina , Vutolkina Anna , Cherednichenko Kirill , Stytsenko Valentine , Glotov Aleksandr
Published: February 2021

Oxidative desulfurization is a promising way to produce, under mild conditions, clean ecological fuels with ultra-low sulfur content. Herein, we present for the first time heterogeneous catalysts based on natural aluminosilicate nanotubes (halloysite) loaded with transition metal oxides for oxidative sulfur removal using hydrogen peroxide as environmentally safe oxidant. The halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) provide acid sites for C–S bond scission, while the Mo and W oxides act as hydrogen peroxide activators. The structure and acidity of both the clay support and catalysts were investigated by low-temperature nitrogen adsorption/desorption, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence analysis, and transmission electron microscopy techniques. These clay-based catalysts revealed the high activity in the oxidation of various classes of sulfur-containing compounds (sulfides, heteroatomic sulfur compounds) under mild reaction conditions. The conversion of various substrates decreases in the following trend: MeSPh > Bn2S > DBT > 4-MeDBT > BT, which deals with substrate electron density and steric hindrance. The influence of the temperature, oxidant to sulfur molar ratio, and reaction time on catalytic behavior was evaluated for Mo- and W-containing systems with various metal content. The complete oxidation of the most intractable dibenzothiophene to the corresponding sulfone was achieved at 80 °C and H2O2:S = 6:1 (molar) for 2 h both for Mo- and W-containing systems. These transition metal oxides HNTs supported catalysts are stable for 10 cycles of dibenzothiophene oxidation, which makes them promising systems for clean fuel production.
Determination of trace uranium in thorium matrix by laser induced fluorimetry after separation of thorium by its fluoride precipitation using NH4HF2
Authors: Pradhan Susanta Kumar , Ambade Balram
Published: February 2021

Thorium, a major element in thorium matrix, quenches uranium fluorescence when it is present above the ratio (Th/U) of 2000 in conventional pellet fluorimetry determination of uranium. A single step ‘sample digestion cum thorium fluoride precipitation’ with NH4HF2 has been developed for separation of bulk thorium as hydrated thorium fluoride precipitates. Uranium in aqueous solution is extracted into ethyl acetate and stripped into pyrophosphate medium (pH ∼ 7), prior to its laser induced fluorimetry determination. Optimizations of certain parameters such as the effects of fluoride flux, mineral acid, temperature and time, stripping solution, diverse ions etc. are discussed in detail. The method has been validated by analyzing a set of synthetic mixtures and certified reference materials of rock samples such as SY-2, SY-3, GSP-2, NKT-1 and CG-2 doped with a large excess of thorium. This method has been applied for the determination of microgram to nanogram uranium in thorium rich rocks and synthetic nuclear grade ThO2 with high degree of accuracy and precision. This is the improvement of the existing method which involves two liquid-liquid solvent extraction separation of thorium and uranium using the chelating agent 2,3-dihydroxynaphthalene at the different pH, compared to one solvent extraction separation of uranium in the present method, because separation of thorium by precipitation as its fluoride has already been carried out during sample digestion step itself. The proposed method involving ammonium hydrogen fluoride in combination with laser induced fluorimetry is simple, rapid, cost effective and more eco-friendly.
Chemical effect on muonic atom formation through muon transfer reaction in benzene and cyclohexane samples
Authors: Inagaki Makoto , Ninomiya Kazuhiko , Nambu Akihiro , Kudo Takuto , Terada Kentaro , Sato Akira , Kawashima Yoshitaka , Tomono Dai , Shinohara Atsushi
Published: February 2021

To investigate the chemical effect on the muon capture process through a muon transfer reaction from a muonic hydrogen atom, the formation rate of muonic carbon atoms is measured for benzene and cyclohexane molecules in liquid samples. The muon transfer rate to carbon atoms of the benzene molecule is higher than that to the carbon atoms of the cyclohexane molecule. Such a deviation has never been observed among those molecules for gas samples. This may be because the transfers occur from the excited states of muonic hydrogen atoms in the liquid system, whereas in the gas system, all the transfers occur from the 1s (ground) state of muon hydrogen atoms. The muonic hydrogen atoms in the excited states have a larger radius than those in the 1s state and are therefore considered to be affected by the steric hindrance of the molecular structure. This indicates that the excited states of muonic hydrogen atoms contribute significantly to the chemical effects on the muon transfer reaction.