bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Junior Republic of William Reuben George (1866–1936) as an example of work with socially maladjusted young people in the United States
Authors: Kułan Bartosz
Published: March 2021

This paper presents the assumptions put into practice by William Reuben George in the Junior Republic in the State of New York. The person of the founder of this pedagogical solution has not yet been widely known in Polish literature. The assumptions introduced in the Junior Republic were part of the so-called progressiveapproach in working with juvenile offenders in the United States. The paper presents the main assumptions used in working with young people, the idea of the Junior Republic and the daily activities of minors. The paper is concluded with a summary.
Preparation of socially maladjusted youth located in youth educational centres for self-sufficient living
Authors: Mielczarek Mirosław
Published: March 2021

The article is of a theoretical and research nature. The theoretical part outlines the specificity of a social rehabilitation centres for minors and refers to the definition of self-sufficiency. The subject of the research was the empowerment of juveniles staying in youth educational centres. Their aim was to find out the answer to the problem: what methods and forms of work are used by youth educational centres to prepare minors for a self-sufficient life after leaving them in the following spheres: family, professional, social and civic? The project was carried out in three selected youth educational centres. The data was obtained using the pedagogical monograph method, for which the document analysis technique was selected, supplemented with an original data sheet acting as a research tool. The research was conducted in the mainstream of the qualitative approach identified with the interpretative paradigm, which allowed for the abandonment of hypotheses.
CARING MASCULINITY OR HYBRID MASCULINITY? AN ANALYSIS OF RESEARCH RESULTS ON MALE NURSES IN POLAND
Authors: Urszula
Published: March 2021

In studies on men and masculinities, there is an increasing number of theories, which result from development, discussions and criticism in the area. However, in the context of this paper, two ways of describing masculinities are taken into account, i.e. caring masculinities and hybrid masculinities. The article analyses research results on male nurses in Poland, which were performed by means of in-depth interviews, according to theoretical assumptions on caring and hybrid masculinities. The interviews revealed varying ways of perceiving masculinities in the context of care. Out of the ways identified by the Author, the study focuses on the analysis of how to define masculinity as a belief that masculinity is accomplished by ensuring hegemonic masculinity. It also shows how this way of defining masculinity is related to the assumptions of hybrid masculinity. As a result, the analyses show that caring masculinities are not only diverse but also that the very term is disputable with regard to masculinities involved in various types of care.
AMERICAN PERSPECTIVES ON SUICIDALITY AMONG MEN IN POLAND
Authors: ROMANIUK JAROSŁAW R. , KOTLARSKA-MICHALSKA ANNA , FARKAS KATHLEEN J.
Published: March 2021

This article examines sociological, psychological, and suicidological research on the determinants of male suicide to explore the fact that Polish men complete suicide 7.4 times more than women, a frequency twice as high as in the US. This paper is based upon an examination of relevant literature and statistical databases. A keyword search was completed in both Polish and English language databases. Ideals of masculinity and negative social attitudes towards a non-binary view of gender may increase stressors and discourage men in Poland from revealing their problems while seeking support, explaining the high rates of suicide completion among Polish men. Suicide prevention programs must tackle gender conceptualizations and alcohol use patterns as well as increase avenues for male help-seeking behaviors. These changes will require political and religious organizations to confront the weakening of male hegemony as the organizing principle for family and society. This paper explores the increased rate of male suicide in Poland from the perspective of gender.
Chronic Bilateral Cochlear Implant Stimulation Partially Restores Neural Binaural Sensitivity in Neonatally-Deaf Rabbits
Authors: Sunwoo Woongsang , Delgutte Bertrand , Chung Yoojin
Published: March 2021

Cochlear implant (CI) users with a prelingual onset of hearing loss show poor sensitivity to interaural time differences (ITDs), an important cue for sound localization and speech reception in noise. Similarly, neural ITD sensitivity in the inferior colliculus (IC) of neonatally-deafened animals is degraded compared with animals deafened as adults. Here, we show that chronic bilateral CI stimulation during development can partly reverse the effect of early-onset deafness on ITD sensitivity. The prevalence of ITD sensitive neurons was restored to the level of adult-deaf (AD) rabbits in the early-deaf rabbits of both sexes that received chronic stimulation and behavioral training with wearable bilateral sound processors during development. We also found a partial improvement in neural ITD sensitivity in the early-deaf and stimulated rabbits compared with unstimulated rabbits. In contrast, chronic CI stimulation did not improve temporal coding in early-deaf rabbits. The present study is the first report showing functional restoration of ITD sensitivity with CI stimulation in single neurons and highlights the importance of auditory experience during development on the maturation of binaural circuitry.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTAlthough cochlear implants (CI) are highly successful in providing speech reception in quiet for many profoundly deaf people, CI users still face difficulty in noisy everyday environment. This is partly because of their poor sensitivity to differences in the timing of sounds arriving at the two ears [interaural time differences (ITDs)], which help to identify where the sound is coming from. This problem is especially acute in those who lost hearing early in life. Here, we present the first report that sensitivity of auditory neurons to ITDs is restored by CI stimulation during development in an animal model of neonatal deafness. These findings highlight the importance of providing early binaural auditory experience with CIs in deaf children.
The Sex-Specific VC Neurons Are Mechanically Activated Motor Neurons That Facilitate Serotonin-Induced Egg Laying inC. elegans
Authors: Kopchock Richard J. , Ravi Bhavya , Bode Addys , Collins Kevin M.
Published: March 2021

Successful execution of behavior requires coordinated activity and communication between multiple cell types. Studies using the relatively simple neural circuits of invertebrates have helped to uncover how conserved molecular and cellular signaling events shape animal behavior. To understand the mechanisms underlying neural circuit activity and behavior, we have been studying a simple circuit that drives egg-laying behavior in the nematode wormCaenorhabditis elegans. Here we show that the sex-specific, ventral C (VC) motor neurons are important for vulval muscle contractility and egg laying in response to serotonin. Ca2+imaging experiments show the VCs are active during times of vulval muscle contraction and vulval opening, and optogenetic stimulation of the VCs promotes vulval muscle Ca2+activity. Blocking VC neurotransmission inhibits egg laying in response to serotonin and increases the failure rate of egg-laying attempts, indicating that VC signaling facilitates full vulval muscle contraction and opening of the vulva for efficient egg laying. We also find the VCs are mechanically activated in response to vulval opening. Optogenetic stimulation of the vulval muscles is sufficient to drive VC Ca2+activity and requires muscle contractility, showing the presynaptic VCs and the postsynaptic vulval muscles can mutually excite each other. Together, our results demonstrate that the VC neurons facilitate efficient execution of egg-laying behavior by coordinating postsynaptic muscle contractility in response to serotonin and mechanosensory feedback.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTMany animal motor behaviors are modulated by the neurotransmitters, serotonin and ACh. Such motor circuits also respond to mechanosensory feedback, but how neurotransmitters and mechanoreceptors work together to coordinate behavior is not well understood. We address these questions using the egg-laying circuit inCaenorhabditis eleganswhere we can manipulate presynaptic neuron and postsynaptic muscle activity in behaving animals while recording circuit responses through Ca2+imaging. We find that the cholinergic VC motoneurons are important for proper vulval muscle contractility and egg laying in response to serotonin. Muscle contraction also activates the VCs, forming a positive feedback loop that promotes full contraction for egg release. In all, mechanosensory feedback provides a parallel form of modulation that shapes circuit responses to neurotransmitters.
Modified Dynamic Model for Longitudinal Motion of Ground Vehicles
Authors: Sina N. , H. Yazdi M.R. , Esfahanian V.
Published: March 2021

The present study aims to provide a modified model for analysing the longitudinal dynamics of ground vehicles. Bearing in mind that an inevitable tire slip occurs under the transmission of driving torque to the drive wheels, the pure rolling assumption employed in many previous works is modified in this research. This paves the way through the development of a more realistic simulation framework with promising performance when used in vehicle and powertrain related topics. The modified equation of motion is an explicit function of tire slip ratio, and as a result, by rewriting the power balance equation, a dissipation term due to tire slip appears, which is consistent with the outcome of the recent contributions. Simulation results indicate a significant difference between the modified and simplified models in the case of a relatively high tractive force. Moreover, tire slip loss is obviously large in such a case, so that its neglect would lead to a noticeable inaccuracy in the response of the traditional model. An average of 35% improvement in the accuracy of prediction of tire consumed energy is observed in 0 to 100 km/h half-throttle acceleration manoeuvre using the modified model.
Monotonic and cyclic behavior of the nitrogen ion-implanted commercially pure-titanium
Authors: Ali N. , Mustapa M.S. , Sujitno T. , Putra T.E. , . Husaini
Published: March 2021

This research aims to study the behavior of monotonic and cyclic plastic deformation on commercially pure titanium which has undergone surface treatment using the nitrogen ion implantation method. The doses of 2.0×1017 ions/cm2 and the energy of 100 keV were used to implant the nitrogen ions into the CpTi. Monotonic properties tests were performed in a laboratory air and at room temperature using ASTM E8 standard specimens. Fatigue and corrosion fatigue tests were conducted in a laboratory  air and in artificial saline solutions, at room temperature using ASTM 1801-97 specimens. Tensile tests were carried out with constant displacement rate and fatigue tests were carried under fully-reversed with stress-controlled conditions with stress amplitudes 230, 240, 250, 260, 270 and 280 MPa. The results showed the material properties of monotonic behavior for CpTi and Nii-Ti; tensile strength (σu) of 497 and 539 MPa and for 0.2% offset yield strength (σy) of 385 and 440 MPa, respectively and of cyclic behavior; cyclic strength coefficient (k’) of 568.41 and 818.64 and cyclic strain hardening exponent (n’) of 0.176 and 0.215, respectively. This study has succeeded in producing useful new material properties that will contribute to the field of material science and engineering.
Mechanical properties evaluation for engineering materials utilizing instrumented indentation: Finite element modelling approach
Authors: Elmisteri Ahmed F. , Shuaeib Farag M. , Midawi Abdelbaset R. H.
Published: March 2021

Instrumented indentation technique gives the possibility to determine the mechanical properties for small specimens and material in service. Several researchers have attempted to evaluate this approach experimentally and investigated the factors that affect it by using different indenter’s geometries for different engineering materials. In this work, the instrumented indentation technique was used to evaluate the mechanical properties experimentally and numerically using finite element simulation to understand the contact mechanics between the indenter surface and the substrate for two types of steel alloys namely ASTM516-G70 and AISI1010 steel. Two shapes of indenters, blunt (spherical) and sharp (Vickers) were used. The results were then compared with the experimental results extracted from the instrumented indentation test. The results have demonstrated a good agreement between the experimental and the finite element simulation results with error bound a ±5 % for young’s modulus and ±7.7 % for yield strength. Whereas excellent agreement is observed in the elastic region and the beginning of the plastic region for the true stress-strain curve. Finally, it is to be emphasized that the obtained results are more applicable for the tested materials and further research is recommended to accommodate other materials as well and to confirm the generality of this method.
Effect of friction stir welding parameters on the residual stress distribution of Al-2024-T6 alloy
Authors: Farhang Majid , Sam-Daliri Omid , Farahani Mohammadreza , Vatani Azadeh
Published: March 2021

The objective of this study was to investigate the influences of the main parameters of friction stir welding (FSW) on the residual stresses remained in the FSW of Al 2024-T6. The main parameters were tool rotational speed and tool transverse speed. The effect of these parameters on the residual stresses was studied in both finite element simulation and hole drilling strain gauge measurement. The results showed a good agreement between the numerical results and the experimental outcomes. The change in transverse speed from 25 to 31.5 mm/min resulted in increase of longitudinal residual stresses in welding centerline in which the longitudinal residual stress was increased at the tool rotational speed of 1120 rpm and 1600 rpm about 12.5% and 2.67%, respectively. The results showed that at the low rotational speed, the strain rate had the most effect on the residual stresses whereas at the high rotational speed, some residual stress was released due to the generated heat in the weld zone.
Effect of rice husk ash addition on the physical properties of soda-lime-silica glass for building glass and window panel
Authors: Alazemi M. F. F. S. , Abdullah M. N. , Mustapha F. , Ariffin M. K. A. , Supeni E. E.
Published: March 2021

Demand for eco-friendly materials are increasing each year due to their excellent properties, which has proved to contribute in developing sustainable environment. One of the promising raw materials in producing glass is rice husk, a waste product from paddy harvesting, which contains about 90% of silica. Rice husks are usually burnt in an open area and contributed to serious air pollution problems. In this research, Soda-Lime-Silica Rice Husk Ash (SLRHA) glass which is a new combination of soda lime silicate (SLS) glass and rice husk ash (RHA) was developed for building glass and window application. The physical properties of the developed SLS-RHA glass system is presented in this paper. Based on the ultrasonic velocities test, sample with 5% of RHA was found to possess high and medium elastic properties including easy to bend rather than elongate, less stiff, tough at a certain direction and has low rigidity. Sample with 0% and 10% of RHA showed medium and poor elastic properties, respectively. High hardness value of the RHA glass was achieved using combinations of 60 to 120 Rockwell hardness test scale with up to 2% RHA. By considering the results from both tests, sample with 0% to 5% of RHA was considered to be the optimum formulation in the production of building glass and window panel.
Антиутопические произведения Евгения Замятина и Василя Гигевича: к проблеме сходства и различий
Authors:   Uniwersytet w Białymstoku, Wydział Filologiczny, Katedra Badań Filologicznych „Wschód–Zachód”, Alsztyniuk Anna
Published: March 2021

The article analyses Zamyatin’s novel We (1921) and Hihiewicz’s story Martian Journey (1990). Zamyatin is considered to be the father of the anti-utopian genre, and We became a source of inspiration for many writers, including George Orwell and Aldous Huxley. Hihiewicz, in his works, repeatedly portrayed the society of the future, completely subordinated to the system of state power. Similar issues and kinds of narration are the main features that link both analysed works. However, the transformation of Zamyatin’s protagonist is only temporary, as a consequence of which he returns to the initial situation, to the life absolutely subordinated to the state power. On the other hand, Hihiewicz’s protagonists solve existential problems by choosing between life in captivity and death.
Размытость досуга и службы в рамках тоталитарного строя. О Дне опричника Владимира Сорокина
Authors:   Uniwersytet im. A. Mickiewicza w Poznaniu, Wydział Neofilologii, Instytut Filologii Rosyjskiej i Ukraińskiej, Jaworski Mateusz
Published: March 2021

The present paper aims at presenting the ambiguity of spare time and service in Vladimir Sorokin’s Day of the Oprichnik in the context of the fictional totalitarian system of the New Middle Ages and the historical atrocity of the Nazi and Soviet history. The proposed interpretation has been based on Giorgio Agamben’s reflections on the individual’s status under the exceptional circumstances of an extremely oppressive regime. The analysis has led the author to conclude the imminent and omnipresent blurring and overlapping of the intimate and the public in Sorokin’s book. Moreover, Day of the Oprichnik may be seen as a rich universe of intertextual references interweaving into a complex picture of a human being disappearing in the uniform crowd of state officers.
Мянушкi як сродак рэпрэзентацыi язычнiцкiх i хрысцiянскiх вераванняў беларусаў
Authors:   Гродзенскi дзяржаўны ўнiверсiтэт iмя Янкi Купалы, Фiлалагiчны факультэт, Кафедра рускай фiлалогii, Бубновiч Iна , Сiплiвеня Жанна ,   Гродзенскi дзяржаўны ўнiверсiтэт iмя Янкi Купалы, Фiлалагiчны факультэт, Кафедра беларускай фiлалогii
Published: March 2021

The article is devoted to analysis of the informal nicknames of Belarusians. The subject of investigation are nicknames, in the semantic structure which reflects the traces of pagan beliefs and Christian world perception of our ancestors structural and semantic organization of similar onyms. Special attention is paid to studies the types of lexical stems that were been derivative base have been defined. In some cases the authors have tried to find out the reasons of occurrence of informal nicknames, to analyse influence linguistic and extralinguistic factors on character of a nomination of the person. The material of the article will be usefull to linguists, and anyone interested in the history of the Belarusian language and culture.
Przekształcenia w obrębie systemu imiesłowów czynnych w języku starobiałoruskim na przykładzie wybranych latopisów białorusko-litewskich
Authors:   Uniwersytet w Białymstoku, Wydział Filologiczny, Kolegium Językoznawstwa, Grabowska Katarzyna
Published: March 2021

This article focuses on 16th-century written monuments of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, representing the first and second Belarusian-Lithuanian redactions. Their common part – the Chronicle of Grand Dukes of Lithuania – was created in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The article analyses the changes occurring in the system of Old Belarusian active participles and compares them with all-Ruthenian state. The analysis has shown that in the participle system, on the one hand, some forms, such as inflectional forms of complex declension of active participles, tended to decline. On the other hand, a new morphological category was emerging, namely, undeclinable adverbial present and past participle.
Werbalizacja konceptu „władza” we współczesnym rosyjskim dyskursie politycznym
Authors:   Uniwersytet w Białymstoku, Wydział Filologiczny, Kolegium Językoznawstwa, Szymula Robert
Published: March 2021

The article is devoted to the analysis of the concept of “power” characteristic for Russian political discourse, verbalized in electoral programs of the largest political parties and inaugural speeches of Russian presidents. The realization of this concept of “power” is served by various lexical units (neutral and related to emotional connotations). Various characteristics of the concept are updated in the awareness of voters. The attention is drawn to the fact that terms causing negative connotations are very rare. The characteristic feature of the verbalization of the analyzed concept in inaugural speeches is the lack of emphasis on the president’s power, and only his duties.
The Effect of Consumer versus Industry Effectiveness on Willingness to Reduce Waste and Reuse Products
Authors: Habitzreuter Anna Mei , Soellner Michaela , Koenigstorfer Joerg
Published: March 2021

The goal of the study is to assess the influence of consumer versus industry effectiveness states, generated by message frames when providing information to consumers, on their behavioural intentions to reduce waste and reuse products. A pre-study identifies appraisal-based emotions depending on whether either industries or consumers were framed as more effective in reducing waste. Three experimental studies were conducted in the USA and Brazil to test the downstream effects of such communication. The studies showed that informed states of industry (versus consumer) effectiveness increased anger which in turn had a positive effect on behavioural intentions to reduce waste and reuse products (Studies 1-3). The relationship was stronger for individuals with low (versus high) concern for immediate consequences (Study 3). Policymakers may concentrate on informing consumers that their actions may not be sufficient as of today and that higher determination is needed to protect the environment.
Effect of softening treatment on cutting force during slicing the veneers of common fast-growing wood
Authors: Xu Yuzhi , Wang Baojin , Shen Yi , Wu Jin , Feng Lei , Yu Hao
Published: March 2021

To verify the effect of softening treatment on the cutting force during slicing of veneers, an experiment was performed using a veneer slicer with steam injection heating function. Several conditions were set to soften the experimental materials of poplar (Populus L.), eucalyptus (Eucalyptus robusta Smith), pine (Pinus massoniana Lamb.), and Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook.). The cutting force was detected by the YE7600 signal analysis system. The results showed that the cutting force increased with increased slicing thickness. The cutting force was observed to follow the order, from high to low for the conditions of being soaked in cold water, then steam heated, water-poached, and steam heated again. Compared to the case of non-steam heating, the effect of steam heating on reducing the cutting force was satisfactory, and the maximum decrease percentage reached 83.1%. The cutting force was positively related to the wood density and hardness, and the cutting stroke had a great influence on the cutting force. After being softened, the four kinds of fast-growing wood were sliced into veneers with ≤ 6 mm thickness, and the cutting force was generally no more than 6850 N.
Performance of urea-formaldehyde adhesive with oxidized cassava starch
Authors: Wang Hui , Liang Jiankun , Zhang Jun , Zhou Xiaojian , Du Guanben
Published: March 2021

Urea-formaldehyde (UF) resins based on different formaldehyde/urea (F/U) mole ratio were synthesized with oxidized cassava starch added at the final stage of the resin synthesis process. The basic characteristics of resins including solid content, viscosity, and curing time were studied, and the dry and wet bond strengths were evaluated by producing a three layer plywood. Additionally, the curing characteristics of different resins were investigated via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Structural distributions between UF and oxidized cassava starch were examined via FT-IR and 13C NMR analysis. The results indicated that the addition of oxidized starch not only improved resin bond strength but also notably reduced the curing start temperature of modified resins. Furthermore, a negative relationship between F/U mole ratio and the extent of reduction was identified. The structural distribution of UF resins changed dramatically because of oxidation cassava starch addition, but the changes varied due to different F/U mole ratios.
Tyrosinase activity and melanogenic effects of Lespedeza bicolor extract in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Ha Si Young , Jung Ji Young , Kang Hee Young , Kim Tae-Heung , Yang Jae-Kyung
Published: March 2021

Lespedeza bicolor (L. bicolor) is used for medicinal purposes because of its various biological and pharmacological activities. In this study, the effects of L. bicolor ethanol extract on the treatment of vitiligo were investigated. The determination of melanin content in melanocytes was measured using B16 melanoma cells and C57BL/6J Ler-vit/vit mice. Finally, the quercetin content in L. bicolor were qualitatively analyzed using HPLC. The results obviously indicated that the L. bicolor extract enhanced melanogenesis and increased tyrosinase activity in cultured melanoma cells and C57BL/6J Ler-vit/vit mice. Treatment with L. bicolor extract led to a higher content of melanin and eumelanin in C57BL/6J Ler-vit/vit mice hair than in control (untreated) mice, which demonstrated the therapeutic effect of hair-graying associated with vitiligo. There was a notable increase in melanocytes in the skin of C57BL/6J Ler-vit/vit mice treated with L. bicolor extract compared with the control. L. bicolor extract was a potent tyrosinase and melanin synthesis activator in B16 melanoma cells. C57BL/6J Ler-vit/vit mice treated with L. bicolor extract had significantly higher melanin content in hair than the untreated control. The results suggest that L. bicolor extract is a potential alternative treatment for improvement of vitiligo.
Incidental Detection of Preputial Calculus in a Patient with Partial Phimosis: Is it as Rare as We Believed?
Authors: Symeonidis Evangelos N. , Toutziaris Chrysovalantis , Katsimantas Antonios , Dimitriadis Georgios
Published: March 2021

Background: Preputial stone disease is the rarest type of urolithiasis. Adult males with severe phimosis and poor hygiene are mainly affected.Case Presentation: A 90-year-old male sought treatment for steadily worsening urinary frequency, intermittency, incontinence, and pain at the tip of his penis of 3-days duration. Clinical examination revealed a palpable distended urinary bladder, a partial phimosis and a round, hard on palpation, and partly ulcerative lesion at the tip of the foreskin. A single, 1 cm in maximum diameter stone, was incidentally discovered beneath the prepuce and subsequently removed from the preputial sac. The patient refused further treatment with circumcision, and opted for conservative therapy of benign prostate hyperplasia.Conclusion: Personal hygiene remains the cornerstone in the prevention of the preputial calculi formation, while circumcision represents the mainstay of treatment for definite stone removal and elimination of the precipitating causes.
Polyurethaneacrylate/montmorillonite nanocomposites
Authors:   Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry NAS of Ukraine, 48, Kharkivske shose, Kyiv, 02160, Ukraine, Gonchar Oleksii , SAVELYEV YURI ,   Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry NAS of Ukraine, 48, Kharkivske shose, Kyiv, 02160, Ukraine, TRAVINSKAYA ТAMARA ,   Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry NAS of Ukraine, 48, Kharkivske shose, Kyiv, 02160, Ukraine
Published: March 2021

In order to create polymer nanocomposites with high performance on the basis of polyurethaneacrylates (PUA) with montmorillonite (MMT), three methods of chemical modification of the layered silicate surface have been developed. The first modification method is based on using of two different functional modifiers (organophilic and reactive), the second method is based on modification with synthesized by us compound which contains urethane groups, and the third one in based on using synthesized by us modifier containing urethane and other reactive groups. Exchange capacity of the MMT surface was determined by adsorption of indicator “methylene blue”. Intercalation of modifier into the interlayer space of MMT was confirmed by X-ray analysis; the content of organic component in the modified MMT (MMT/M) was determined by thermogravimetric analysis. The resulting organoclay is purposed for the formation of nanostructured composites based on cross-linked polyurethane acrylates with improved physical and mechanical properties. The obtained polyurethaneacrylate nanocomposites with different type MMT/M exhibit the increased in 1,6–2,6 times tensile strength as compared to original polymer matrix. WAXS method has proved an intercalation of modifier into MMT interlayer space (increased distance between layers after modification), as well as the total exfoliation of MMT in PUA matrix, characterized by the disappearance of the absorption peak which is responsible for layered structure.
Miscibility of poly(urethane-urea) elastomers with chlorinated poly(vinyl chloride)
Authors:   Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of the NAS of Ukraine, 48, Kharkivske shose, Kyiv, 02160, Ukraine, Malysheva T.L. , Tolstov A.L. ,   Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of the NAS of Ukraine, 48, Kharkivske shose, Kyiv, 02160, Ukraine
Published: March 2021

Effect of a chemical structure of poly(ether-urethane-urea) (PUU) elastomers on a miscibility of their blends with chlorinated poly(vinyl chloride) (cPVC) has been studied by FTIR and DSC. The segmented PUU were synthesized by prepolymer approach in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) solution. PUU-1 was synthesized using poly(propylene glycol) (PPG) of Mn = 1000, mixture of 2,4- and 2,6-isomers of tolylenediisocyanate (TDI) in a ratio of 65:35 (by weight) and 4,4´-methylenedianiline as a chain extender at a molar ratio of 1:2:1. PUU-2 was prepared based on poly(tetramethylene glycol) (PTMG) of Mn = 1000, TDI and cyanoethylated ethylene diamine at a molar ratio of 2:3:1. The polymer-polymer blends were obtained via solution casting technique using DMF as a solvent. It was found a miscibility of the polymers enhances due to a formation of hydrogen or donor-acceptor bonding between polar NH urethane-urea or nitrile groups of hard PUU segments and chlorine of cPVC. According to DSC results the polymer-polymer systems stabilized by stronger donor-acceptor bonding are characterized by single glass transition temperature, Tg, a position of which is higher than that of the theoretical one, TFg, calculated in full composition range via Fox’s equation. When stabilization of polymer-polymer blend with 30 % (by weight) of cPVC performs by weaker hydrogen bonding we observed a formation of mixed phase and the composite is characterized by appearance of three relaxation transitions. Increasing cPVC content reduces a miscibility of the components and biphasic structure of the composites forms. Comparative analysis of experimental and theoretical (additive) tensile strength vs composition dependencies demonstrates an impact of donor-acceptor interface interactions on strength of the polymer composites obtained.
Investigation of the influence of double modification of starch as of natural polymer, on rheological characteristics of compositions and their film-producting properties
Authors:   Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry NAS of Ukraine, 48, Kharkivske shose, Kyiv, 02160, Ukraine, Dmitrieva T.V. , Krymovska S.K. ,   Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry NAS of Ukraine, 48, Kharkivske shose, Kyiv, 02160, Ukraine, Bortnytsky V.I. ,   Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry NAS of Ukraine, 48, Kharkivske shose, Kyiv, 02160, Ukraine, Glieva G.E. ,   Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry NAS of Ukraine, 48, Kharkivske shose, Kyiv, 02160, Ukraine, Riabov S.V. ,   Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry NAS of Ukraine, 48, Kharkivske shose, Kyiv, 02160, Ukraine
Published: March 2021

Starch is a natural polymer that has unique properties, which consist of the annual renewal of raw materials and the ability to create biodegradable materials based on starch. Modification of starch leads to changes in its chemical structure, which is associated with both the method of modification and the introduction of active chemicals into its structure. Double modification occurs due to the simultaneous use of physical or mechanical method with the addition of the necessary chemicals. Physical methods of starch modification include microwave and ultrasonic irradiation. The aim of the work was to study the physicochemical properties of corn starch after double modification and its use in the creation of film-forming samples. The urgency of this work is due to the need that in order to protect the environment the basis of technological compositions used in industry should be natural polymers, this will minimize the negative impact on the environment and develop environmentally friendly compositions and functional systems for various purposes. The structure of two types of corn starch was studied by pyrolytic mass spectrometry and their characteristic mass spectra were determined. The influence of physical modification by ultrasonic and microwave irradiation of corn starch using plasticizing additives based on modified soybean and rapeseed oils on the rheological properties of the compositions, solubility and swelling was studied. It was found that the modification of starch using ultrasonic irradiation leads to a significant decrease in dynamic viscosity, while after microwave irradiation the viscosity increases. Double-modified corn starch was investigated for the formation of film-forming materials with the addition of NaКMC and polyvinyl alcohol. The strength characteristics of the films of the compositions are determined.
Editorial. La condición humana y los estudios organizacionales: ¿un camino por transitar?
Authors: Rojas Rojas William , Gonzales-Miranda Diego René
Published: March 2021

En el editorial de la primera edición especial sobre los es­tudios organizacionales (EO) —el número 78, volumen 30—, abordamos la crítica resaltando su dimensión laboriosa e íntegra para analizar los fenómenos organiza­cionales (Gonzales-Miranda & Rojas Rojas, 2020). Para esta segunda edición, queremos proponer una reflexión sobre otro aspecto relevante para los EO y para todas las otras perspectivas que enriquecen el pensamiento y la investiga­ción en administración: las ideas sobre las que estudiamos y proyectamos la condición humana. Tal vez las ideas des­de las cuales vemos y pensamos la organización requieran considerar los límites con los que muchas veces conceptua­lizamos la erosión de la humanidad y la “filosofía” que ali­menta muchas de las tesis que soportan la literatura de la organización y la administración contemporánea.
El trabajo en tiempos de Lean Management: Una revisión crítica de sus efectos adversos sobre las experiencias de los trabajadores
Authors: Garcés Magdalena , Stecher Antonio
Published: March 2021

Este artículo presenta los resultados de un estudio de alcance (scoping), cuyo objetivo fue describir y analizar la evidencia empírica internacional encontrada en artículos científicos sobre los efectos adversos de lean management a nivel de las experiencias y condiciones de trabajo. El proceso de revisión y búsqueda de la literatura se centró en recuperar artículos publicados en los últimos diez años, disponibles en tres bases de datos: Scopus, WoS y Psycinfo. De un total de 466 artículos recuperados, se seleccionaron 58 para el proceso de revisión final que consideró la lectura y revisión del texto completo. Los resultados dan cuenta de efectos adversos de lean management en cinco dimensiones de la experiencia de trabajo: la salud y el bienestar, las relaciones entre trabajadores/as y colectivos de trabajo, la organización del proceso de trabajo, las vivencias subjetivas y las relaciones laborales. Se destaca la importancia de promover espacios de discusión pública y debate académico sobre los nuevos modelos de gestión flexible, incorporando distintos actores del mundo sindical, empresarial y del gobierno; asimismo, se consideran criterios tanto económicos y de productividad como aquellos referidos al bienestar, la autonomía y los derechos de los/as trabajadores/as y sus organizaciones.
Metamorfosis organizacionales del cambio tecnológico: Integración de Sistemas Informáticos en una organización de salud colombiana
Authors: Tabares Quiroz Juliana , Correa Vélez Santiago , Herrera Caballero Juan Manuel
Published: March 2021

El propósito de este artículo es caracterizar las metamorfosis organizacionales que emergen en un cambio tecnológico, específicamente cuando una organización de salud crea un nuevo sistema informático. La investigación toma como guía el concepto de metamorfosis para analizar las transformaciones en la integración de un sistema informático para historias clínicas en una institución prestadora de servicios de salud (IPS) ubicada en Medellín, Colombia. Para ello, se realizó un estudio de caso interpretativo con entrevistas semiestructuradas a profesionales asistenciales de distintas áreas de la organización, personal de apoyo en tecnologías de información y personal directivo y administrativo. Se identificaron tres metamorfosis organizacionales derivadas de la integración del sistema informático: 1) las competencias y conocimientos del personal, 2) los roles y flujos de comunicación, y 3) los controles de trabajo y la gestión de la información. Como conclusión, se plantea que los cambios organizacionales tecnológicos están situados, reconfiguran el contenido del trabajo, dan forma a interacciones sociales y marcos estructurales y, en las organizaciones de salud, posicionan nuevas formas de entender el rol del cuidado y de la atención médica.
Del empresario fundador al directivo asalariado: la emergencia del administrador en Occidente
Authors: Jurado Jurado Juan Carlos , García Estrada Rodrigo de J.
Published: March 2021

En este artículo se revisa bibliografía  de la teoría administrativa (TA), de historia económica,  ciencias sociales y estudios  organizacionales  (EO).  La TA, por su enfoque pragmático/  funcionalista, naturaliza la función directiva de la organización empresarial y no conceptualiza las relaciones jerárquicas de subordinación capital-trabajo en que se funda.  Desde la historia, cuyo enfoque compresivo confluye con la orientación interdisciplinaria de los eo, se propone  un examen crítico-hermenéutico  de tal bibliografía, con el fin de exponer la conformación histórica de la función administrativa y del administrador, entre 1780 y 1920, en Occidente. Se concluye  que la función administrativa tomó forma como elemento constitutivo de la organización empresarial, asumida inicialmente por el propietario/fundador  y, posteriormente (1880-1920), por un complejo  de directivos asalariados. También se halla que la organización jerárquica del trabajo entre planeación y ejecución estaba orientada a destituir a los trabajadores del conocimiento  y control del proceso productivo por parte de la dirección, y que la concepción racional/funcionalista de la organización estaba determinada por condicionantes históricos como los requerimientos del sistema capitalista para reproducirse y las concepciones positivistas de las ciencias.
Well-being in Europe: decompositions by country and gender for the population aged 50+
Authors: Reiter Claudia , Spitzer Sonja
Published: March 2021

The well-being of older Europeans is of increasing importance given the substantialageing of the population. This paper comprehensively analyses well-being forthe population aged 50+ in 26 European countries, using the newly proposedindicator “Years of Good Life” (YoGL), which measures the remaining yearsof life that an individual can expect to live in a “good” state. The indicatorenables the decomposition of well-being into various dimensions, thereby revealingimportant heterogeneities between regions and genders. Results show that numbersof YoGL at age 50 vary considerably between European countries. They are highestin Northern and Western European countries and lowest in Central and EasternEuropean countries, where many “good” years are lost due to low life satisfaction.Interestingly, the high life expectancy levels in Southern Europe do not translate intohigher numbers of YoGL, mainly due to the low levels of physical and cognitivehealth in this region. While women and men can expect to have similar numbersof YoGL, women are likely to spend a smaller proportion of their longer remaininglifetime in a good state. These results demonstrate the importance of using wellbeingindicators that consider population heterogeneity when measuring humanwell-being, especially for older populations.
A theoretical analysis of social entrepreneurship: The case of Poland and South Africa
Authors: Meyer Natanya , Sroka Włodzimierz
Published: March 2021

As global trends are moving more towards social inclusion and green entrepreneurship many countries are changing the way they do business. This has sparked an interest in social entrepreneurship. Although much research has been conducted on this issue, fewer country comparisons are available and these could lead to an improved understanding of the topic. Therefore, the aim of this study was to provide a theoretical analysis of social entrepreneurship comparing Poland and South Africa specifically focusing on the history, challenges, policy, and government support initiatives. The study followed a qualitative approach using document analysis by way of an intensive literature study. Findings indicated that social entrepreneurship is a global phenomenon and although it is of imperative importance as a means to improved social conditions, several barriers and challenges are prevalent. As with traditional for-profit businesses, social enterprises’ main barrier is access to finance.
Risk management and profitability of commercial banks of Western Balkans countries of Kosovo, Albania, North Macedonia, and Serbia
Authors: Alshiqi Sevdie , Sahiti Arbana
Published: March 2021

Due to their importance, commercial banks currently play a very important role in national financial systems. The profitability of commercial banks depends on how they manage their loans, and credit risk management is thus crucial in the banking system, risk management is significant activity of commercial bank. The main purpose of this study is to observe the extent to which bank profitability is dependent on credit risk management, with a focus on commercial banks in the Western Balkans (Kosovo, Albania, North Macedonia and Serbia). The results reveal a certain assured correlation among credit risk as well as the profitability of banks, where the ratio of non-performing loans (NLPR) has a positive effect on return on equity (ROE) and return on assets (ROA). Capital Insufficiency (CAR) shows that positive dependence is without any statistical significance on return on equity (ROE) and return on assets (ROA).
The impact of Economics and Finance research published in Central and Eastern Europe
Authors: Krueger Thomas M. , Megits Nikolay
Published: March 2021

Research quality dictates the reputation of faculty, colleges, and universities, regardless of their location. In order to shed some light on the quality construct, this research reports on the scholarly impact of economics and finance journals published in countries of Central and Eastern Europe.  A comparison of coverage by Web of Science (WoS), Scopus, and Cabell’s, three scholarly databases, reveals the lesser coverage of CEE journals within WoS and Scopus.  Examination of E&F journals published in Poland, Romania, and the remainder of CEE, as defined by the Journal of Eastern European and Central Asian Research, discloses that the level of quality varies by nation.  There are variations across the popular CiteScore, SJR, SNIP, and percentage of articles cited bibliometric measures.  Furthermore, this research documents the existence of impact variation between journals focused on Eastern Europe published in Eastern Europe and published elsewhere in the world.
Modeling the assessment of the connection of migration and economic development: Case of Azerbaijan
Authors: Shahin Bayramov V. , Rashad Muradov S. , Rufat Efendiyev J. , Leyla Hajiyeva A. , Elnur Aliyev S.
Published: March 2021

The article's purpose was to model the assessment of the associated impact of migration and economic of Azerbaijan. The indicators of the correlation between the intensity of migration and economic growth have been substantiated. Using the Granger test, the cause-and-effect relationships of migration and the country's economic development were determined. Based on the identified relationships, a polymodal complex has been built, consisting of regression models, which reflect the nature of the mutual influence between socio-economic development indicators and the intensity of migration in Azerbaijan. The hands' number of immigrants and emigrants in Azerbaijan for 2024 has been predicted considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The optimal ratio between the number of immigrants and emigrants was determined by linear optimization, ensuring GDP per capita in Azerbaijan at the level of modern economic development. The results obtained can serve as a basis for the development of a compelling state migration policy.