bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Two Pandemics Coalition: COVID-19 and Obesity
Authors: Hâncu Anca , Mihălţan Florin
Published: April 2021

COVID-19 epidemic caused by an influenza-like virus strain (SARS-CoV-2) invaded the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) announced this infection outbreak as a global pandemic on 11 March 2020. From one day to another the number of new cases is growing and also the number of deaths. This infection emerged earlier in Wuhan City and rapidly spread throughout China and around the world since December 2019. Another silent pandemic disease spreading mainly in industrialized countries is obesity. The best example is US were about 34% of the Americans are obese.

In actual context, it can be said there is a coalition of 2 pandemics. In Romania, obesity and overweight prevalence assessed by Predatorr study is at a high level: 34,7% overweight and 31,9% obesity. Systemic inflammation in obesity is the central mechanism leading to lung function decline. There are two main questions a) is obese more sensible to viral infection or b) potentially more contagious? The answer is positive to both. Recent WOF official position stated that obesity is a risk factor for developing severe forms of COVID-19. Donna Ryan’s message, as president of World Obesity Federation WOF,US emphasized at the beginning of April the risk for severe complications for persons with obesity who contracted the infection with SARS-CoV-2. Nutritional support in COVID-19 should prefer oral feeding, whenever is possible. A special attention should be dedicated to a healthy microbiome and intestinal immunity. Energy intake should be 25-30 kcal/body weight, with 1.2-2g/kg proteins. Enteral nutrition will be recommended in severe cases. Evidence is supporting the recommendation that for people at risk of developing COVID-19 to consider for few weeks a dosage of 10000UI/day of vitD3, than a maintainance dose of 5000 UI/day. The target must be to stabilize a level of 40-60 ng/ml for 25(OH) D concentration.Pulmonary rehabilitation, smoking cessation, included in a healthy lifestyle will be further steps after patients recovery from this infection. Facing this pandemic coalition, our messages should be stronger in stimulating prevention of obesity. Since more than a half of Romanian population is already overweight or obese, healthy lifestyle should become a daily prescription, not just a luxury recommendation. Daily, right messages from doctors acting like role models, in a partnership between general practitioner and other specialties like diabetologists, pneumologists, cardiologists, nutritionists will be efficient weapons against this cruel coalition: Obesity and COVID 19.
Hardware Rough Set Processor Parallel Architecture in FPGA for Finding Core in Big Datasets
Authors: Kopczyński Maciej , Grześ Tomasz
Published: April 2021

This paper presents FPGA and softcore CPU based solution for large datasets parallel core calculation using rough set methods. Architectures shown in this paper have been tested on two real datasets running presented solutions inside FPGA unit. Tested datasets had 1 000 to 10 000 000 objects. The same operations were performed in software implementation. Obtained results show the big acceleration in computation time using hardware supporting core generation in comparison to pure software implementation.
Comparative Analysis of the Banking Sector Competitiveness in Serbia and Montenegro
Authors: Grubišić Zoran , Kamenković Sandra , Kaličanin Tijana
Published: April 2021

Central banks often use certain concentration indices in their official reports to determine the degree of intensity of competition, of which the most common are the concentration ratio and the Herfindahl-Hirschman index. It is important to emphasize that when calculating the value of these indices, the National Bank of Serbia most often uses the absolute value of assets. In addition to the mentioned indices, the values of the Gini coefficient, Entropy coefficient, Rosenblatt index and graphical representation of the Lorenz curve in the period 2015–2019 are presented in this paper, using the balance sheet position loans and receivables from customers, but not including loans and receivables from banks and other financial organizations. The results of the static and dynamic analysis of concentration indicate that, compared to Montenegro, the banking sector of Serbia is characterized by a larger number of banks, less concentration on the market, and stronger intensity of competition. Although market changes are reflected in a reduced number of banks while a change in the dispersion of market shares affected the change in the market structures of the banking sectors, instability and uncertainty of the analysed sector remained unchanged in the case of both countries.
Does Monetary Policy Credibility Help in Anchoring Inflation Expectations? Evidence from Six Inflation Targeting Emerging Economies
Authors: Güler Aslı
Published: April 2021

Most emerging market central banks have adopted inflation targeting as their monetary policy system. The heart of inflation targeting system is inflation expectations. The success of a central bank in achieving targets depends on to the extent to which inflation expectations are formed by the announced targets. As the credibility of the central bank increases, its ability to affect the public expectation also increases. The public adjusts its inflation expectations based on announced inflation target only in case of that they believe that the central bank has the sufficiency to reach the inflation target. Credibility enables expectation to be formed in a forward-looking way by weakening its connection with the past. This study aims to contribute to the literature concerning the effects of credibility on monetary policy. For this purpose, using data of six emerging inflation targeting economies (Turkey, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Chile, Poland, and South Africa), the empirical tests were carried out in order to understand the effect of the credibility on the behaviour of inflation expectation in emerging economies. The findings denote that credibility is quite relevant to reduce inflation expectations and contributes to the strength of inflation targets being an anchor for inflation expectations.
A novel planar, broadband, high gain lateral wave antenna array for body scanning applications
Authors: Tokan Fikret , Cavallo Daniele , Neto Andrea
Published: April 2021

Three-dimensional body scanning systems are increasingly used in sensitive public areas such as airports. By providing a high resolution image of a person from all sides, it is possible to detect potential metallic, ceramic and explosive threats. For these systems, it is essential to design broadband antennas with a fan beam, highly directional radiation in one plane and wide in the other plane, and characterized by phase center stability as a function of frequency. In this paper, the planar lateral wave antenna (LWA) array is proposed to achieve these radiation requirements. The LWA has two critical shortcomings: the flaring part and the dielectric matching layers (MLs), to operate over very broad frequency bands. In this work, these shortcomings are overcomed by forming a connected array of planar LWAs to improve broadband performance and by applying necessary perforations on the dense dielectric lens antenna to create different effective relative permittivity regions. An eight element connected and perforated LWA array is designed to operate in the 8–24 GHz frequency band. The drilled holes are proved to play a similar critical role of MLs in internal reflection suppression. The results emphasize all crucial demands for body scanning systems.
Life satisfaction, dimensions of internalized cultural values and self-efficacy related to emigration intentions for a long-term stay abroad of university students in five European countries
Authors: Gajdošová Beata , Orosová Oľga , Benka Jozef , Van Hal Guido , Naydenova Vihra , Lukács Andrea , Petkevičienė Janina
Published: April 2021

Life satisfaction, dimensions of internalized cultural values and self-efficacy related to emigration intentions for a long-term stay abroad of university students in five European countries.

Aim: To explore the associations between emigration intentions of university students form five European countries in relation to several intrapersonal and emigration self-efficacy. The second aim is to explore the mediating role of self-efficacy in relation to internalized cultural values and emigration intentions.

Sample and procedure: The sample consisted of 1223 students (females N=812, 66.4%, males N=411, 33.6%. M=21.95, SD=3.62) from five European countries. The data collection was completed via an online questionnaire (University of Antwerp, Belgium, Sofia University, Bulgaria, University of Miskolc, Hungary, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Lithuania, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Slovak Republic). The local ethics committee in every country approved the study

Statistical analysis: Statistical analysis was performed in SPSS 21. Differences in intrapersonal were analysed by ANOVA with a Scheffe Post hoc test. Binary logistic regression with the method enter controlling for country and age was used as a method of analysis. Mediational analyses were explored by using Hayes PROCESS tool.

Findings: The regression model explained between 29-38 percent of the variance. Those students with higher self–efficacy also with higher horizontal individualism were more likely to have emigration intentions compared to those with lower self-efficacy and HI, and those with lower satisfaction and vertical collectivism were more likely to have long-term emigration intentions compared to those with higher satisfaction and VC. Self-efficacy was found to mediate the relationship between horizontal dimensions of internalized cultural values and emigration intentions.
The Impact of Spaced and Massed Instruction on Foreign Language Reading Motivation and Reading Attitude among Pre-intermediate EFL Learners
Authors: Namaziandost Ehsan , Dehkordi Maryam Khodaverdian , Alipour Poupak , Tilwani Shouket Ahmad
Published: April 2021

This study investigated the impact of spaced and massed instruction on foreign language reading motivation and reading attitude among Iranian pre-intermediate EFL learners. To fulfil this objective, 60 Iranian participants were chosen among 120 students based on the results of Oxford Quick Placement Test (OQPT). The selected pre-intermediate participants were then divided into two equal experimental groups: spaced group and massed group. Afterwards, the researcher measured the participants’ reading motivation and reading attitude by administering a reading motivation questionnaire and a reading attitude survey as a pre-test. Then, both groups received the treatment. During the treatment phase of the study, the massed group was taught the reading comprehension in an intensive 60-minute session, while the spaced group was taught in three short sessions (twenty-minute session). After the instruction, a reading motivation questionnaire and a reading attitude survey as a post-test were carried out to both groups and finally the data were analyzed by running paired and independent sample t-tests. The outcomes demonstrated that there was a significant difference between the post-tests of spaced and massed groups. The findings indicated that the spaced group significantly out performed the massed group (p < .05) on the reading motivation and reading attitude post-test. The implications of this study make teachers know that teaching through spaced periods can produce better outcomes than teaching through one massed session.
Phytoncides in the prevention and therapy of blackhead disease and their effect on the turkey immune system
Authors: Tykałowski Bartłomiej , Śmiałek Marcin , Kowalczyk Joanna , Dziewulska Daria , Stenzel Tomasz , Koncicki Andrzej
Published: April 2021

Introduction

Turkey histomonosis poses a serious threat to poultry production due to the ban on the use of effective drugs. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of a phytoncidal feed supplement on the course of histomonosis. The preparation was also analysed for immunomodulatory properties.

Material and Methods

Clinical observations and production monitoring were conducted in a flock of turkeys with histomonosis from their 11th to 56th weeks of life which were treated with the adiCoxSOLPF soluble supplement in a dose of 2.5 mL/L water. Later the preparation was used in a preventive dose (1 mL/L). The influence on the immune system was evaluated in broiler turkeys having been given adiCoxSOLPF for 3 days in doses of 1 or 3 mL/L. The T and B lymphocyte percentages in turkey blood and spleen tissue were analysed with flow cytometry. ELISA was implemented to evaluate antibody titres after Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale vaccination, and biochemical analyses were performed to evaluate the supplement’s safety.

Results

AdiCoxSOLPF was found effective in therapy and prevention of histomonosis. Additionally, adiCoxSOLPF stimulated both humoral and cell-mediated immune mechanisms, without impairing the functions of internal organs. The treated turkeys also yielded better production results (eggs/hen, fertility, and hatchability).

Conclusion

AdiCoxSOLPF possesses immunomodulatory properties and it can be used successfully in the prevention and therapy of histomonosis in turkeys.
Prevalence of genetically modified soybean in animal feedingstuffs in Poland
Authors: Sieradzki Zbigniew , Mazur Małgorzata , Król Beata , Kwiatek Krzysztof
Published: April 2021

Introduction

Globally, genetically modified (GM) crops were grown on 191.7 million hectares in 2018, which were mostly sown with soybean, maize, cotton, oilseed rape, and rice. The most popular traits introduced through genetic modification include herbicide and pest insect resistance. The aim of this study was to identify and quantify genetically modified soybean used in animal feed in Poland.

Material and methods

This research was based on the real-time PCR technique. All methods for GM soybean events were adopted from the EURL GMFF database of methods and previously verified to meet the minimum criteria of acceptance. Over 15 years of research, 665 samples were examined in total.

Results

The most common GM soybean event was MON40-3-2, tested for from the beginning of the investigation. Next, in decreasing order of frequency, were MON89788, MON87701, and A2704-12. In the majority of samples (606; 91%) GM soybeans were identified at a content level above the 0.9% GM content threshold for mandatory labelling. Only 59 soybean samples (9%) were identified as GM negative. GM negative results were mainly identified during the analyses in the last three years of the study, from 2017 to 2019.

Conclusion

Our data clearly indicate that the majority of soybean used in Poland for animal feeding was genetically modified.
Evaluation of microstructure of the steels after exposure in supercritical CO2
Authors: Rozumová L. , Melichar T. , Berka J. , Velebil L.
Published: April 2021

The Brayton cycle with supercritical carbon dioxide is considered as an innovative technology with the potential to replace conventional steam cycles. The optimization of the supercritical CO2 cycle (sCO2) is necessary and important to achieve the required thermal cycle parameters. The above optimization focuses on the setting of the energy cycle as such, the design solution of the individual components and, the last but not least, on the selection of suitable construction materials. Due to the operating conditions, namely temperatures exceeding 550 °C and pressure up to 25 MPa, material research is one of the important areas of the research and development of sCO2 energy cycles. Construction materials for sCO2 power cycle equipment include HR6W, T92 and Haynes HR235 alloys. This work presents results of the corrosion test, in which samples of these materials were exposed to sCO2 at 550 °C and 25 MPa for 1000 hours. Corrosion after exposure was examined using a light optical microscope (LOM) and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The significant differences in corrosion attack between the investigated materials and the formation of a protective oxide layer on the surface were observed.
Creating a Multilingual and Multicultural Learning Environment: A Case Study of a Japanese Culture Course at a College Level in Japan
Authors: Koshiyama Yasuko , Aliponga Jonathan , Itou Hajime
Published: April 2021

More and more international students come to Japan to study. Data shows that they tend to face learning related difficulties. Our study’s goal was to determine whether or not the English and Japanese hybrid class has created a multilingual and multicultural learning environment. Pre-instructional and post-instructional surveys were taken by the students taking the class, and the data was compared between high achievers and non-high achievers, and between Japanese students and international students. The results show that high achievers and non-high achievers, and Japanese students and international students all had positive perceptions of the class contents and instruction in Japanese and English. These findings tell us that the English and Japanese hybrid class provided meaningful and purposeful opportunities for creating a multilingual and multicultural learning environment for all groups and students. This was achieved by contextualizing relevant and appropriate topics and themes, such as social and cultural characteristics and issues of Japan and utilizing the target languages of English and Japanese for hybrid instruction.
Dancing Towards Personal and Spiritual Growth
Authors: Schuff Hildegunn Marie T.
Published: April 2021

This paper explores the place where dance and religious faith meet. It gives examples of learning experiences and processes of personal and spiritual growth that occur there. The paper is based on a study of dance in Christian contexts in contemporary Norway, that is part of the RESEP (Religion as Aestheticizing Practice) research project based at the University of Agder, Norway. The empirical material is based on participant observation of dance in churches and other Christian settings and on interviews with approximately 50 dancers in these settings. Dance provides the participating dancers with multidimensional meaning and perceived benefits. Through narratives and quotations, the paper sheds light on three ways in which the dancers in question experience processes that lead to growth through dance: 1) as a holistic and attractive way of learning and communicating, 2) as personal growth; by mastering dance through self-expression in a supportive environment, expressing and processing emotions, and moving towards better mental and physical health and wholeness, 3) as spiritual growth; by providing an interface with God that strengthens one’s listening to both God and oneself, and as a way of living their faith in interaction with others.
«Historia är något som konstrueras, det här är ett val» – om kritisk granskning i danshistorieundervisning
Authors: Samuelson Saga
Published: April 2021

This article examines and discusses how teachers at upper secondary school relate to teaching dance history within the course Dance Theory, focusing on the aim that students critically examine various dance history writings. The study uses interviews and open-ended questionnaires, and the material has been analysed qualitatively and discussed in relation to historiographical and norm-critical perspectives. The study shows that a historiographic perspective is important to teachers when they describe their teaching but less important when describing what they think students should gain from their studies. Instead, a general knowledge of dance history and an ability to connect one’s dancing to a historical context are central. The norm-critical perspective is manifested mainly in the teachers’ positioning of themselves, but as I understand it, the critical examination primarily lies within the norm rather than providing a means of looking outside the Western box. The next challenge is therefore to not only review the conditions in which history is created but also question and change the structures that create knowledge.
Daring in dance–Bachelor Students in Dance Developing Life Skills for the 21st Century
Authors: Rothmund Irene Velten
Published: April 2021

This article investigates how to find connections between dance education and the development of life skills for the 21st century by interpreting students’ experiences of daring in dance. The article draws on a section of my PhD thesis that focuses on BA students’ lived experiences in modern and contemporary dance. The project is informed by hermeneutic phenomenology, and the material consists of eleven students log books and interviews. One of the main themes in the material is daring in dance, which is connected to a transformative learning process. In this article I dig more deeply into the embodied dimension of such learning process and discuss how the result of this process can be interpreted as developing life skills for the 21st century. The analysis shows that becoming a professional dancer is a vulnerable process, encompassing both fear of failure and learning to trust one’s own competencies. Several of these competencies point toward skills recognised as important to learning in the 21st century, such as flexibility, problem solving, self-direction and social skills. By focusing on everyday embodied experiences of daring in dance, this research provides one example of the development of life skills in higher education based in empirical research.
Economic Factors of Vacuum Rail’s Competitiveness in Poland Compared to Alternative Solutions
Authors: Białas Małgorzata , Duda Joanna , Surowiec Anna
Published: April 2021

A comparative analysis of factors of vacuum rail’s competitiveness in Poland relative to other means of transport is presented. Only such determinants of competitiveness as price and time of travel are focussed on and compared with alternative solutions on selected routes. Impact of price changes on effectiveness of vacuum rail construction is additionally analysed. Investment effectiveness in the case of vacuum rail is considered in the long time-frame, given the time of infrastructure depreciation and of due return on sources of committed financing. The analysis helps to identify key factors which may decide competitive advantage of vacuum rail in Poland over other means of transport.
A study of project managers’ choice on key methods, tools and techniques in managing engineering projects
Authors: Radujković Mladen , Klepo Mariela Sjekavica
Published: April 2021

There is no doubt that each project manager uses different methodologies, methods, tools and techniques (MMTTs) while dealing with constant pressure to deliver results in a complex and changing environment, where complexity and stakeholders’ expectations are continually growing. This article presents results from the study about project managers’ choice on artefacts that they frequently use in their regular work. This study was conducted within the context of selected environment (one country and one sector of engineering projects), but designed methodology and results might also be significant for a wider audience. The results were based on the feedback that were received from 31 project management (PM) professionals gathered in the form of a structured questionnaire, followed by an interview with three PM experts for validation. The results confirmed a variety of PM artefacts in use and provided their ranking by perceived usefulness. The additional results indicated correlation between PM success and usage of MMTTs, as perceived by project managers. This study also resulted in several interesting findings, such as popularity and usefulness of artefacts, rigidity of PM processes, and maturity of PM organizations, about the topic. Despite of rather small sample taken from one country's environment, the results could serve as a solid information for moving ahead, while considering the significance of PM artefacts, as well as for their further development. The key findings are also messages to PM professionals to consider whether they use available and appropriate PM artefacts and is there a room for more efficient and effective usage.
L2 Motivational Self System, International Posture, and the Socioeconomic Factor in Efl at University Level: The Case of Chile
Authors: Véliz-Campos Mauricio , Polanco-Soto Mical , Biedroń Adriana
Published: April 2021

Motivation plays a critical role in L2 language learning and has proven to be a strong predictor of success in learning a foreign language (Biedroń & Pawlak, 2016). The Second Language Motivational Self System (L2MSS) is one of the most prominent theories developed by Dörnyei (2009), which has been studied in relation to different variables affecting language learning motivation. The aim of the present study is to examine the relationship between L2MSS components, international posture, and socioeconomic status among university students. The participants of this study were 134 non-English major university students. The results suggest that the ideal L2 self, and the L2 learning experience are related to international posture insert a comma after posture whereas the L2 learning experience is a stronger predictor of students’ motivated behavior. Future research should investigate the development of future selves in instructed language learning contexts conducive to enhancing and increasing motivation to learn English.
Privacy-Preserving & Incrementally-Deployable Support for Certificate Transparency in Tor
Authors: Dahlberg Rasmus , Pulls Tobias , Ritter Tom , Syverson Paul
Published: April 2021

The security of the web improved greatly throughout the last couple of years. A large majority of the web is now served encrypted as part of HTTPS, and web browsers accordingly moved from positive to negative security indicators that warn the user if a connection is insecure. A secure connection requires that the server presents a valid certificate that binds the domain name in question to a public key. A certificate used to be valid if signed by a trusted Certificate Authority (CA), but web browsers like Google Chrome and Apple’s Safari have additionally started to mandate Certificate Transparency (CT) logging to overcome the weakest-link security of the CA ecosystem. Tor and the Firefox-based Tor Browser have yet to enforce CT.

In this paper, we present privacy-preserving and incrementally-deployable designs that add support for CT in Tor. Our designs go beyond the currently deployed CT enforcements that are based on blind trust: if a user that uses Tor Browser is man-in-the-middled over HTTPS, we probabilistically detect and disclose cryptographic evidence of CA and/or CT log misbehavior. The first design increment allows Tor to play a vital role in the overall goal of CT: detect mis-issued certificates and hold CAs accountable. We achieve this by randomly cross-logging a subset of certificates into other CT logs. The final increments hold misbehaving CT logs accountable, initially assuming that some logs are benign and then without any such assumption. Given that the current CT deployment lacks strong mechanisms to verify if log operators play by the rules, exposing misbehavior is important for the web in general and not just Tor. The full design turns Tor into a system for maintaining a probabilistically-verified view of the CT log ecosystem available from Tor’s consensus. Each increment leading up to it preserves privacy due to and how we use Tor.
“Did you know this camera tracks your mood?”: Understanding Privacy Expectations and Preferences in the Age of Video Analytics
Authors: Zhang Shikun , Feng Yuanyuan , Bauer Lujo , Cranor Lorrie Faith , Das Anupam , Sadeh Norman
Published: April 2021

Cameras are everywhere, and are increasingly coupled with video analytics software that can identify our face, track our mood, recognize what we are doing, and more. We present the results of a 10-day in-situ study designed to understand how people feel about these capabilities, looking both at the extent to which they expect to encounter them as part of their everyday activities and at how comfortable they are with the presence of such technologies across a range of realistic scenarios. Results indicate that while some widespread deployments are expected by many (e.g., surveillance in public spaces), others are not, with some making people feel particularly uncomfortable. Our results further show that individuals’ privacy preferences and expectations are complicated and vary with a number of factors such as the purpose for which footage is captured and analyzed, the particular venue where it is captured, and whom it is shared with. Finally, we discuss the implications of people’s rich and diverse preferences on opt-in or opt-out rights for the collection and use (including sharing) of data associated with these video analytics scenarios as mandated by regulations. Because of the user burden associated with the large number of privacy decisions people could be faced with, we discuss how new types of privacy assistants could possibly be configured to help people manage these decisions.
Pure extra-thoracic sarcoidosis: about 24 cases
Authors: Chebbi Donia , Marzouk Sameh , Snoussi Mouna , Regaieg Nessrine , Gouiaa Nawrez , Ben Salah Raida , Damak Chifa , Frikha Faten , Boudawara Tahia , Bahloul Zouhir
Published: April 2021

Introduction. Pure extra-thoracic sarcoidosis is rare and poorly characterized in the literature. Herein we present features of pure extra-thoracic sarcoidosis, in comparison with sarcoidosis with intra-thoracic involvement, in a population from the south of Tunisia.

Methods. Retrospective, descriptive and comparative study of the patients presenting systemic sarcoidosis and attending the Department of Internal Medicine at the Hedi Chaker University Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia, for 21 years, from January 1996 to December 2016.

Results. Twenty-four patients presented pure extra-thoracic sarcoidosis (30% of the cases of systemic sarcoidosis). There was a female predominance (79%). The mean age was 50 years. The main features were polyadenopathies (10 patients: 41.7%), cutaneous involvement (10 patients: 41.6%), inflammatory polyarthralgia (8 cases: 33.3%), general symptoms (6 patients: 25%), uveitis (6 cases: 25%), cholestasis (3 cases) and kidney involvement (2 cases). Lymphopenia, hypercalcemia, and hypercalciuria were observed each one in 12.5% of the cases, and high angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) level in 38.5% of the cases. The histological proof was required in all the patients. Statistically significant associations identified were mainly hepatic involvement with general symptoms (p=0.035), peripheral lymphadenopathies (p=0.035) and kidney damage (p=0.022), and cutaneous involvement with articular manifestations (p=0.032). Systemic corticosteroids were used in half of the cases, with a good outcome in 21 cases, and recurrence in two cases. One patient was lost to follow up. The comparison to the form with mediastino-pulmonary involvement showed less lymphadenopathies (p=0.001), less lymphopenia (p=0.006), and less frequent use of corticosteroids (p=0.044).

Conclusion. Our series was characterized by the frequency of the pure extra-thoracic form and the diversity of the systemic manifestations.
Rail Joint Model Based on the Euler-Bernoulli Beam Theory
Authors: Mazilu Traian , Răcănel Ionuţ Radu , Ghindea Cristian Lucian , Cruciat Radu Iuliu , Leu Mihai-Cornel
Published: April 2021

In this paper, a rail joint model consisting of three Euler-Bernoulli beams connected via a Winkler foundation is proposed in order to point out the influence of the joint gap length upon the stiffness of the rail joint. Starting from the experimental results aiming the stiffness of the rail joint, the Winkler foundation stiffness of the model has been calculated. Using the proposed model, it is shown that the stiffness of the rail joint of the 49 rail can decreases up to 10 % when the joint gap length increases from 0 to 20 mm.
Comparison of Foundry Industry in Slovakia and Czech Republic
Authors: Šuba Roland , Bajčičáková Ingrida , Bajčičák Martin , Podhorský Štefan , Kříž Antonín
Published: April 2021

Foundry industry is an important supplier of complex shape parts for other industrial branches. It depends on the development of customer demand in other industries. The current paper compares the structure and sales of foundry industry in Slovakia and Czech Republic.
Georg Wilhelm Pabst : blessure de la guerre, cicatrices de la pellicule
Authors: Dumas Louise
Published: April 2021

Von allen Filmemachern, die Deutschlands filmischen Ruhm in der Zwischenkriegszeit ausmachten, ist G. W. Pabst derjenige, der am wenigsten Anerkennung erhielt – oder am längsten dafür gebraucht hat. Er ist aber auch derjenige, der schon Ende der 1920er Jahre den Ersten Weltkrieg zu einem filmischen Ereignis machte, das in vier seiner Filme mehr oder weniger direkt thematisiert wird: Die Liebe der Jeanne Ney, Westfront 1918, Kameradschaft und Mademoiselle Docteur. Der Krieg wird als eine traumatische Erfahrung dargestellt, die Einzelpersonen, Seelen und Völker verwundet hat. Dabei bilden auch diese vier Filme ein Manifest der Filmkunst, die grundsätzlich eine Dialektik vom Trennen und Verbinden ist. In diesem Sinne hat das Kino durch seine medienästhetischen Mittel die Kraft, die Wunden des Krieges zu verarbeiten und zu heilen.
Clonal variation in phenological synchronization and cone production in aPinus patulaseed orchard
Authors: Muñoz-Gutiérrez Liliana , Vargas-Hernández J. Jesús , López-Upton Javier , Ramírez-Herrera Carlos , Jiménez-Casas Marcos
Published: April 2021

Synchronization between female receptiveness and pollen dispersal, and fecundity of clones influence effective population size and genetic diversity of germplasm produced in seed orchards. Our objective was to determine clonal variation in phenological synchronization and in cone production in aPinus patulaseed orchard. Two-year phenology data of female and male strobili from a sample of 31 clones, and of male strobili in trees from neighboring natural stands of the same species were used. Synchronization indices between female receptiveness and pollen release of the same clone (O̅iP̅i), of other clones (O̅i P̅j), and of natural stands (O̅iP̅NS) were calculated for each clone and averaged per precocity group (early, intermediate, and late). Genetic parameters for cone production of clones during three consecutive cone harvests were estimated, as was their relationship to precocity and synchronization index O̅iP̅NS. Cone production showed a broad variation among clones and between years, with strong genetic control (H2c ≥ 0.80) and stable (rB ≥ 0.79) between yeas. There was wide clonal variation in synchronization indices, but no significant variation was found in most cases among precocity groups, neither were they consistent between years. Negative correlations [rp= -0.37 and -0.40 (P< 0.05)] in cone production per clone in two years with the O̅iP̅NSindex in the first year, indicated that the most prolific clones had lower synchronization with pollen release in natural stands in the orchard’s vicinity, and thus less risk of genetic contamination.
Enhanced Eddy Current Techniques for Detection of Surface-Breaking Cracks in Aircraft Structures
Authors: Uchanin Valentyn
Published: April 2021

Well-timed detection of the defects (e.g., fatigue cracks and corrosive damages) in aircraft structures is the question of vital importance. Periodic in-service non-destructive inspection (NDI) is necessary to prevent expensive aircraft breakdowns during in-service life. Eddy current (EC) NDI method have many advantages for in-service aircraft inspection due to high mobility and the possibility to detect fatigue cracks without direct contact with the inspected surface (even through a protective coating without removal). Last decades some enhanced EC techniques were developed for aircraft in-service inspection in the Karpenko Physico-Mechanical Institute of National Academy of Sciences (Lviv) in collaboration with Ukrainian and foreign aircraft companies.

Proposed earlier EC efficiency coefficient was applied for the selection of the ferrite-core EC probe parameters. Investigations concerned with the crack detectability for single-coil EC probes of different sizes were carried out to improve the inspection procedures. The sensitivity of the developed single-coil EC probe was experimentally investigated. The possibility to distinguish the signals associated with detected defect and lift-off was shown. The new inspection procedure was proposed for full suppression of the noise concerned with the rivet edge influence.

The high-frequency EC flaw detector of Leotest VD 3.03 type based on self-generator mode and miniature single-coil EC probes application was developed for detection of the surface-breaking fatigue cracks. The original scheme of double-circuit self-generator with intermittent oscillations was invented and investigated. The pulse-repetition frequency of high-frequency oscillations was used as an informative parameter. The important feature of the developed self-generating scheme is the effective suppression of the lift-off influence (the changes of the clearance between the EC probe and the inspected object surface during the scanning).

Developed EC flaw detectors of Leotest VD 3.03 type and inspection procedures were successfully implemented into the maintenance practice for detection of the fatigue cracks initiated in the wing and the fuselage structures and aviation engines in many companies such as ANTONOV AIRCRAFT, Lviv State Aircraft Repair Plant, Konotop aircraft repair plant «AVIAKON», Ukrainian International Airlines, MOTOR-SICH, State Enterprise “IVCHENKO-PROGRESS”, etc.
Incomplete Transition – Is there a “Mid-Transition Trap”?
Authors: Vujačić Ivan , Petrović-Vujačić Jelica
Published: April 2021

The subject of this paper is the analysis of the classification of economic systems. The traditional classifications of capitalist, socialist centrally planned, and socialist market systems, and the newer classification of variants of capitalism into the Anglo-Saxon, European continental, and Asian models, are inadequate to explain new phenomena in a globalized economy. After the collapse of central planning, countries in transition became a category describing processes of deep socio-economic transformation. These transition countries aspired to meet the standards of developed European market economies, as well as governance standards regarding democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. A new classification of economic systems by Balcerowicz (2014) combines the traditional classification of economic systems with the characteristics of well-governed democratic societies in order to come up with a matrix that shows the interaction of economic system characteristics and governance outcomes.This paper builds on Balcerowicz’s classification by introducing and delineating the categories of state capitalism, crony capitalism, and state capture in order to provide a new classification of economic systems. It uses these concepts to empirically analyze the transition countries, with special reference to states aspiring to EU membership and the new EU member states. The methodology used is analytical and empirical. The results find that the transition is incomplete, especially in terms of governance, leading to the hypothesis of a ‘mid-transition trap’, similar to the much discussed ‘middle-income trap’. The results should lead to further, more refined research.
Second Skvortsov Readings 2020
Authors: Dianina S. Y.
Published: April 2021

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Penerapan Good Corporate Governance, Komitmen Organisasi, Gaya Kepemimpinan Transformasional dan Kinerja Karyawan Lembaga Perkreditan Desa
Authors: Diah Cantika Wibawa Ni Luh Putu , Ratnadi Ni Made Dwi
Published: April 2021

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of Good Corporate Governance, organizational commitment, leadership style on the performance of rural credit employee institutions. The population in this study were 122 LPDs in Badung Regency. The analysis technique used was multiple linear regression. Based on the established criteria, 55 LPD samples were taken in Badung Regency. The results of this study indicate that good corporate governance, organizational commitment and transformational leadership style have a positive effect on the performance of LPD employees in Badung Regency. 

Keywords: Good Corporate Governance; Organizational Commitment; Leadership Style; Employee Performance.
A STUDY OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF DIFFERENT METHODS OF ANESTHESIA IN VICTIMS OF ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS WITH THORACOABDOMINAL TRAUMA IN PRE-HOSPITAL AND HOSPITAL PERIODS
Authors: Miroshnichenko A. G. , Rakhmanov R. M. , Bolshakova М. A. , Popov A. A. , Popova E. A. , Lyubchenko А. A. , Rakhmanova E. A. , Shamov D. S. , Habarova О. I. , Mamedov R A.
Published: April 2021

A study was conducted in 149 patients with diagnoses of thoracoabdominal trauma. In order to objectify the severity of the patients’ condition, a visual analog scale was used. To assess the state of the function of the autonomic nervous system in patients of the comparison group and the main group after the therapy, an analysis of heart rate variability was performed during the day. The combined use of dalargin, a narcotic analgesic and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, provided good analgesia, neurovegetative protection, when examined in the emergency room, the victims of the main group were in contact, which contributed to a more thorough collection of complaints, anamnesis and examination of the patient.
THERAPEUTIC HYPOTERMIA IN THE COMPLEX TREATMENT OF POST-RESUSCITATION DISEASE
Authors: Niković V. , Bulajić R. , Kojić D. , Vujaćić S. , Zogović D. , Abdurahmanov А. , Minnullin I. , Teplov V. М. , Afanasjev A. A. , Laggner A. , Minnullin R. I.
Published: April 2021

This article is about of two cases of successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and using therapeutic hypothermia as a important part of treatment of post-resuscitation disease. Current evidence supports that induction of therapeutic hypothermia in selected patients after cardiac arrest can improve neurological outcome. It is hoped that by summarizing the current state of knowledge on the subject and highlighting issues on clinical management will enable more patients to benefit from the therapy.
You cannot always warfawin: a case of significant INR fluctuation with brand to generic conversion of warfarin
Authors: Nixon Christopher G. , Steuber Taylor D.
Published: April 2021

Background:

Warfarin is affected by many variables such as diet, alcohol, and medications; however, it is unclear if brand to generic conversion may also play a role. This case reports a patient with fluctuating international normalized ratio (INR) while being switched from brand to generic temporarily.

Case Presentation:

A 60-yearold obese white male taking brand name Jantoven© (warfarin) at home for 9 years at a consistent dose for atrial fibrillation was in hospital for treatment of cellulitis. He was switched to generic warfarin at his home dose on admission. While in hospital, he required dose escalation to three times his home dose to achieve a therapeutic INR.

Conclusion:

Generic warfarin may have different effects on INR when compared to brand name Jantoven©. More research is warranted to determine if differences may truly exist and potential ways to address the issue. Until then, providers should be cognizant of interchanging the two products to monitor for INR variation.
The synthesis of 4-amino-5-(quinolin-2-yl)-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol and its interaction with aldehydes
Authors: Zozulynets D. М. , Kaplaushenko A. G. , Korzhova A. S.
Published: April 2021

Aim. To synthesize 4-amino-5-(quinolin-2-yl)-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol and study its reactivity in the reactionwith aldehydes.Results and discussion. 4-Amino-5-(quinolin-2-yl)-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol was synthesized, and a number of 4-(ethyl, aryl)idenamino derivatives were obtained on its basis.Experimental part. Using a series of four successive reactions based on quinoline-2-carboxylic acid, 4-amino-5-(quinolin-2-yl)-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol was synthesized; its interaction with aldehydes allowed to obtain a number of 4-(ethyl, aryl)idenamino derivatives. The structure of all compounds synthesized was confrmed by IR and 1H NMR spectroscopy, as well as by elemental analysis, and their purity by thin layer chromatography.Conclusions. 4-Amino-5-(quinolin-2-yl)-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol has been synthesized. It has been found that its interaction with aldehydes leads to the formation of new 4-((ethyl, aryl)idenamino)-5-(quinolin-2-yl)-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiols.Key words: 5-(quinolin-2-yl)-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol; 4-arylidenamino derivatives; quinaldic acid; biologicalactivity
A novel luminol-based chemiluminescence method for detecting acetylcholine
Authors: Blazheyevskіy M. Ye. , Koval’ska O. V. , Dynnyk K. V.
Published: April 2021

Aim. To develop а new simple non-enzymatic method for the determination of acetylcholine (ACh) by the chemiluminescent reaction of luminol under conditions of the enzymatic hydrolysis of acetylcholine (pH 8.5).Experimental part. The method proposed is based on the perhydrolysis reaction of ACh by the excess ofhydrogen peroxide with the formation of peracetic acid. The latter was further determined by the activation eﬀect of the luminol chemiluminescent oxidation reaction in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. The analytical signal was the summary luminescence (Σ) registered within certain time.Results and discussion. The pH range of the analytically applicable system was from 8.2 to 8.5. The eﬀect of ACh + H2O2 incubation period on the reaction progress was also studied. The increase of the incubation period enhanced the sensitivity of the method (the limit of detection (LOD)), but because of practical reasons (especially the detection speed) and practical experience the incubation period was set to 30 min. The linear dependence was observed in the acetylcholine chloride concentration range of (0.8 – 2.8) × 10-4 mol/L. While determining acetylcholine chloride in the concentration range of (1.1 – 2.2) × 10-4 mol/L the relative standard deviation (RSD) did notexceed 3 % ((X – μ) × 100 %/μ = –0.5…+0.5 %). The Limit of Quantitation (LOQ, 10S) was 7.7 × 10-5 mol/L.Conclusions. A new non-enzymatic kinetic method for the chemiluminescent determination of ACh in aqueous solutions and the pharmaceutical formulation Acetylcholinchlorid Injeel® has been proposed. This method is simple, fast, inexpensive, and thus appropriate for the routine ACh quality control in the laboratories of hospitals, pharmaceutical industries and research institutions.Key words: acetylcholine; chemiluminescence method