bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Occurrence, antimicrobial susceptibility, and pathogenic factors of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in canine clinical samples
Authors: Hattab Jasmine , Mosca Francesco , Di Francesco Cristina Esmeralda , Aste Giovanni , Marruchella Giuseppe , Guardiani Pierluigi , Tiscar Pietro Giorgio
Published: April 2021

Background and Aim: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a relevant opportunistic and difficult to treat pathogen due to its widespread environmental diffusion, intrinsic resistance to many classes of antimicrobials, high ability to acquire additional resistance mechanisms, and wide range of pathogenic factors. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of P. aeruginosa in canine clinical samples, the antimicrobial susceptibility against antipseudomonal antibiotics, and the presence of extracellular pathogenic factors of the isolates, as well as their ability to produce biofilm. Materials and Methods: Overall, 300 clinical specimens from dogs with pyoderma or abscesses (n=58), otitis (n=59), and suspected bladder infection (n=183) were analyzed by standard bacteriological methods. P. aeruginosa isolates were tested for their antimicrobial susceptibility by disk and gradient diffusion methods to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations. The ability of the isolates to produce biofilm was investigated by a microtiter plate assay, while virulence genes coding for elastase (lasB), exotoxin A (toxA), alkaline protease (aprA), hemolytic phospholipase C (plcH), and exoenzyme S (ExoS) were detected by polymerase chain reaction method. Results: A total of 24 isolates of P. aeruginosa were found in clinical specimens (urine n=3, skin/soft tissue n=6, and ear canal n=15). No resistance was found to ceftazidime, gentamicin, aztreonam, and imipenem (IMI), while low levels of resistance were found to enrofloxacin (ENR) (4.2%) and piperacillin-tazobactam (8.3%). However, 41.7% and 29.2% of the isolates showed intermediate susceptibility to ENR and IMI, respectively. Disk and gradient diffusion methods showed high concordance. The majority of the isolates revealed a weak (33.3%) or intermediate (45.8%) ability to form biofilm, while the strong biofilm producers (20.8%) derived exclusively from the ear canal samples. All isolates (100%) were positive for lasB, aprA, and plcH genes, while exoS and toxA were amplified in 21 (87.5%) and 22 (91.7%) isolates, respectively. Conclusion: In the present study, P. aeruginosa isolates from canine clinical samples were characterized by low levels of antimicrobial resistance against antipseudomonal drugs. However, the high presence of isolates with intermediate susceptibility for some categories of antibiotics, including carbapenems which are not authorized for veterinary use, could represent an early warning signal. Moreover, the presence of isolates with strong ability to produce biofilm represents a challenge for the interpretation of the antimicrobial susceptibility profile. In addition, the high prevalence of the extracellular pathogenic factors was indicative of the potential virulence of the isolates.
A Relational Foundation of Knowledge Production: Advice-Seeking in Knowledge-Based Organizations
Authors: Baksa Máté
Published: April 2021

In the past decade, the revolutionary advancement of technology brought the attention of academics and management practitioners to the innovative capability of organizations. Companies in knowledgeintensive industries increasingly focus on their ability of self-renewal and adaptation. Concurrently, organizational processes that support the amassment, management, sharing, and employment of knowledge have grown in importance. Organizational social network analysis provides the apparatus to explore knowledge networks in organizations by identifying relationships through which knowledge and information flow. Advice-seeking relationships have an essential role in knowledge production as they enable actors to acquire information, professional support, and knowledge elements they can recombine to form new knowledge. Advice-seeking always assumes trust between actors: by asking for help, one necessarily exposes their weakness to the other. What other relational conditions might there be of advice-seeking in organizational knowledge networks? What are the prerequisites for asking for help? In this paper, I examine the case of two knowledge-based organizations, both located in Hungary: (1) a business services center (390 employees) that offers professional services to B2B partners and (2) a higher education institution (583 employees). I analyzed data collected by a Budapest-based management consultancy that specializes in organizational social network research. I found that most independent variables were significant in the regression models. However, there was a notable difference between each variable’s relative explanatory power in the two cases. While process- and decisionrelated relationships seemed essential in the business services center, informal communication and interpersonal trust were more critical for advice-seeking relationships to form in the higher education institution.
Business Model Innovation and the First Steps of Digitalization in the Case of Symphony Orchestras
Authors: Szedmák Borbála
Published: April 2021

The study highlights the importance of orchestras being able to respond to the changing needs of consumers and adapt to changes in the world. Such a change is, for example, the current coronavirus epidemic, which poses especially great difficulties for organizations of the cultural sector that deal with performing arts, as concerts and performances – providing the basis of their operation – have become impossible. In order to gain “immunity” to the virus, business model innovation and exploiting opportunities offered by digitalization are essential. Furthermore, similar cases can occur at any time for which orchestras have to be prepared. As a result, orchestras (and in a broader sense all kinds of organizations) need to fundamentally rethink their business models. After conducting secondary research and interviews with 10 symphony orchestra managers and 10 symphony orchestra musicians, I have identified some novel aspirations, attempts and projects selected from international and Hungarian symphonic orchestral life to provide excellent examples of how the business model can be redefined and how the expectations of the 21st-century audience can be met. These examples show that there are orchestras which have understood that responding to the changing demands of consumers and utilizing the opportunities given by technology is essential, although it is still a question of how many more “coronavirus waves” are needed to make it clear for all orchestras that fundamental changes are necessary to preserve a market-leading position or become a market leader.
Szellemi tőke, mint a jövő tudászáloga
Authors: Bencsik Andrea
Published: April 2021

A szerző dolgozatában először az elméleti kutatások alapján válaszolni próbál arra, hogyan körvonalazható az a néhány nagyon lényeges elem, melyek köré a mérhetetlen intellektuális vagyon elemei csoportosíthatók, lépéseket téve a számszerűsítés irányába. Majd áttekinti azokat a további lehetőségeket, melyek az EU-csatlakozás következtében egyúttal kötelezettségeket is rónak a vállalkozásokra, s felvillantja azt a jövőbeli utat is, melyet szem előtt kell tartani a fenntartható fejlődés biztosítása érdekében.
ESPECIALIZAÇÃO PRODUTIVA EM PEQUENAS CIDADES: O CASO DE SANTA CRUZ DO RIO PARDO - SP E A INDÚSTRIA DE BENEFICIAMENTO DE ARROZ
Authors: Ferreira Dias Franciele Miranda
Published: April 2021

O objetivo do trabalho foi discutir como ocorreu a especialização produtiva na pequena cidade de Santa Cruz do Rio Pardo e contribuir quanto à discussão relativa às pequenas cidades que desenvolveram especializações produtivas/funcionais. Para a realização do trabalho foram utilizadas fontes primárias e secundárias, constituídas de levantamento de campo, pesquisa bibliográfica e coleta de dados sobre o setor do beneficiamento do arroz. Observou-se que Santa Cruz do Rio Pardo tem sua economia fortemente atrelada ao setor da indústria de beneficiamento de arroz, ou arrozeiras, representando o maior polo de beneficiamento de arroz excetuando-se o estado do Rio Grande do Sul, líder nacional. As arrozeiras, têm a gênese relacionada à iniciativa de agentes sociais locais, cujo capital acumulado com atividades rurais foi investido em máquinas de beneficiamento de arroz oriundas da indústria Máquinas Suzuki, dando origem, em meados da década de 1960, à indústria analisada e a especialização produtiva nessa pequena cidade.
Modified control chart for monitoring the variance
Authors: Landim Tiago Ruckert , Jardim Felipe Schoemer , Oprime Pedro Carlos
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACT.

Goal: The main objective of this research paper is to propose a chart, named  Modified Control Chart, where the process variance () is allowed to be larger than the in-control variance value () until a maximum value (), as long as the process remains capable, in the sense that it produces a specified (tolerated) small fraction of non-conforming items.

Design / Methodology / Approach: The research methodology was quantitative approach with statistical analysis of simulated data, to assess the practical impact of variance increase in process control in terms of quality requirements.

Results: The analysis of the simulated data showed that by using the proposed  Modified Control Chart the number of unnecessary interventions in the process could be decreased, contributing to improve its efficiency.

Limitations of the investigation: The analysis assumed mean and variance known, which is unlikely to occur in real applications. Research considering unknown parameters is also in progress.

Practical implications: The S2 Modified Control Chart detects only genuinely increases in the process variance, which significantly increase the rate of non-conforming items being produced, preventing unnecessary process stop and assessment for assignable causes if only a small increase in the process variance occurs, contributing for higher process efficiency and reduce costs.

Originality / Value: This paper introduces a new control chart to monitor the variance of quality characteristics being produced by capable processes, preventing process overcontrol.
Wireless sensor network technologies
Authors: Likhttsinder Boris Y. , Bakai Yulia O.
Published: April 2021

The content of this paper is determined by the relevance of wireless sensor network standards. The paper discusses the diversity of wireless networks. Personal wireless network standards are presented. In particular, a detailed analysis of GPRS technology is presented. Various data transmission protocols are presented. Data transmission speeds are briefly reviewed. The evolution of Bluetooth standards is presented. Data transmission rates are described. Standards for Bluetooth technology are discussed in detail, an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of these standards is given, and the variety of applications for wireless sensor networks is presented.
Studying the Effect of Light Incidence Angle on Photoelectric Parameters of Solar Cells by Simulation
Authors: Gulomov Jasurbek , Aliev Rayimjon , Mirzaalimov Avazbek , Mirzaalimov Navruzbek , Kakhkhorov Jamshidbek , Rashidov Bobur , Temirov Sodikjon
Published: April 2021

It is crucial to examine the dependence of photoelectric parameters of solar cells on the light incidence angle. In the present study, two solar cell models have been developed using the Sentaurus Technology Computer-Aided Design software package. The light spectrum AM1.5 has been directed on the frontal surface of solar cells at different angles. It has been found that the angular coefficient of the photoelectric parameters of a solar cell with nanoparticles included, is two times more than that of a simple solar cell. Besides, it has been found that the efficiency of platinum nanoparticles induced solar cells is 2.15 times greater than simple solar cell efficiency. When the light incidence angle has been varied from 0 to 60 degrees, the short-circuit current has changed by 11% for simple solar cells and by 10% for solar cells with nanoparticles. Further, it has been observed that the variation of power for simple solar cells is 12.5%, while it is 10.5% for solar cells with nanoparticles. In addition, the short-circuit current of solar cells with nanoparticles has been found to be linear within a light incidence angle ranging from 0 to 60 degrees.
Revisiting the church of Saint Spyridon in Selymbria
Authors: Günay Görkem
Published: April 2021

Although nothing from the Byzantine church of St. Spyridon is preserved in situ today, the primary sources and surviving photographs of the structure indicate that it was built in the simple domed octagon design. In this article, some new architectural fragments which possibly belonged to the church are presented and evaluated, and new interpretations of the earlier restitution hypotheses are suggested. The presence of a domed octagon in Selymbria provides indirect evidence for the existence of the plan scheme in Constantinople in the Middle Byzantine period and implies a reciprocal relationship between regional and Constantinopolitan architectural styles.
On earth as it is in heaven? Reinterpreting the Heavenly Liturgy in Byzantine art
Authors: Marinis Vasileios
Published: April 2021

Compositions representing the Heavenly Liturgy - the liturgy that is presided over by Christ in heaven, of which the earthly liturgy is a reflection - first appear around the beginning of the fourteenth century in the decoration of Byzantine domes. Most scholars argue that such scenes depict an ancient concept, almost as old as liturgical exegesis itself. I contend that this view is based on a flawed reading of liturgical commentaries, of the biblical texts from which the commentaries draw inspiration, and of the Divine Liturgy itself. I argue that the scene of the Heavenly Liturgy represents both an exegetical stream independent of texts and an understanding of the eucharistic liturgy during the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries that existed in visual form in tandem with traditional textual interpretations of the rite. The scene, devised by painters and their patrons, therefore constitutes a concurrent exegetical tradition that both derived from the commentaries and deviated from them.
Hemoglobin Yamagata [β132(H10)Lys→Asn; (HBB: c.399A>T)]: a mosaic to be put together
Authors: Iacomelli Iacopo , Barberio Giuseppina , Pucci Piero , Monaco Vittoria , Maffei Massimo , Mogni Massimo , Curcio Cristina , Maoggi Sauro , Giulietti Chiara , Harteveld Cornelis L. , Ivaldi Giovanni
Published: April 2021

Objectives

Artifactually altered glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) concentrations are frequently linked to hemoglobin (Hb) variants. Their expression and detection require in-depth analysis.

Methods

Cation exchange high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) (Bio-Rad Variant™ II; Trinity Biotech Premier Hb9210 Resolution), capillary electrophoresis (CE) (Sebia Capillarys 2 Flex Piercing) and mass spectrometry (MS) (Waters) were used for variant detection; Sanger sequencing, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) and next generation sequencing (NGS) were used for DNA analysis; HbA1c was measured with cation exchange HPLC (Bio-Rad Variant™ II; Arkray Adams HA-8180V; Tosoh HLC-723 G7), CE (Sebia Capillarys 2 Flex Piercing), boronate affinity HPLC (Trinity Biotech Hb9210 Premier), immunoassay (Cobas c501 Tina-quant HbA1c Gen. 3; Nihon Kohden CHM-4100 Celltac chemi HbA1c HA-411V) and enzymatic assay (Abbott Architect c 8000 HbA1c).

Results

Hb Yamagata [β132(H10)Lys→Asn; (HBB: c.399A>T)] was identified in the proband by MS after the observation of an abnormal peak in HPLC and CE. A mosaic expression of this variant was detected by NGS (mutant: 8%; wild type: 92%), after negative results in Sanger sequencing. Hb Yamagata interfered with HbA1c measurements by cation exchange HPLC and CE whereas immuno and enzymatic assay values showed good agreement with boronate affinity HPLC measurement.

Conclusions

A mosaicism of Hb Yamagata was found in a patient with altered HbA1c values. This rare gene variant was detected only by advanced technologies as MS and NGS. The variant interfered with common HbA1c determination methods.
Lexical Tone Perception in Mandarin Chinese Speakers With Aphasia
Authors: Li Qiang , Wang Shuang , Du Yunling , Müller Nicole
Published: April 2021

The brain localization debate of lexical tone processing concerns functional hypothesis that lexical tone, owing to its strong linguistic features, is dominant in the left hemisphere, and acoustic hypothesis that all pitch patterns, including lexical tone, are dominant in the right hemisphere due to their acoustic features. Lexical tone as a complex signal contains acoustic components that carry linguistic, paralinguistic, and nonlinguistic information. To examine these two hypotheses, the current study adopted triplet stimuli including Chinese characters, their corresponding pinyin with a diacritic, and the four diacritics representing Chinese lexical tones. The stimuli represent the variation of lexical tone for its linguistic and acoustic features. The results of a listening task by Mandarin Chinese speakers with and without aphasia support the functional hypothesis that pitch patterns are lateralized to different hemispheres of the brain depending on their functions, with lexical tone to the left hemisphere as a function of linguistic features.
Using structural priming to test links between constructions: English caused-motion and resultative sentences inhibit each other
Authors: Ungerer Tobias
Published: April 2021

Cognitive-linguistic theories commonly model speakers’ grammatical knowledge as a network of constructions related by a variety of associative links. The present study proposes that structural priming can provide psycholinguistic evidence of such links, and crucially, that the method can be extended to non-alternating constructions (i.e., constructions that differ in both form and meaning). In a comprehension priming experiment using the “maze” variant of self-paced reading, English caused-motion sentences were found to have an inhibitory effect by slowing down participants’ subsequent processing of resultatives, and vice versa, providing evidence that speakers store distinct but related representations for the constructions. Priming effects of a similar magnitude emerged in both directions, suggesting that the constructions are bidirectionally related, while not supporting previous claims about a metaphorical asymmetry between the patterns. Moreover, priming was only marginally affected when prime and target contained the same rather than different verbs, demonstrating that cross-constructional priming in comprehension can be observed in the absence of a “lexical boost”. The results raise questions for follow-up research on the role of inhibition in the grammatical network and the extension of structural priming to other types of constructional links.
On new stability results for composite functional equations in quasi-β-normed spaces
Authors: Thanyacharoen Anurak , Sintunavarat Wutiphol
Published: April 2021

In this article, we prove the generalized Hyers-Ulam-Rassias stability for the following composite functional equation:f(f(x)−f(y))=f(x+y)+f(x−y)−f(x)−f(y),f(f\left(x)-f(y))=f\left(x+y)+f\left(x-y)-f\left(x)-f(y),whereffmaps from a(β,p)\left(\beta ,p)-Banach space into itself, by using the fixed point method and the direct method. Also, the generalized Hyers-Ulam-Rassias stability for the compositess-functional inequality is discussed via our results.
Heat Treatment and Properties of High-Temperature Steels for Rolling Bearings
Authors: Beer O.
Published: April 2021

It is demonstrated that high speed steels are suitable for manufacturing of heat resistant rolling element bearings especially for applications in aero engines. A detailed analysis of heat treating processes and metallurgical evaluation shows how the properties of these steels grades can be adjusted to meet the specific requirements for engine bearings. Based on results from rig testing it is shown how variations in heat treating parameters can influence the rolling contact fatigue performance. The role of carbides, a typical constituent of high speed steels, on bearing applications is discussed in detail. The high level of heat resistance of high speed steels allows a nitriding in addition to the conventional heat treatment. By nitriding an increase in hardness close to the surface can be achieved which can make bearings more robust against indentation of hard particles. ◼
Effect of TiO2 content in slag on Ti content in molten steel
Authors: Gao Gang , Shi Xiaofang , Zhu Zhenghai , Chang Lizhong
Published: April 2021

A calculation model of activity for CaO–SiO2–MgO–Al2O3–TiO2 slag is established according to molecular-ion coexistence theory of slag structure to calculate the activities of Al2O3, SiO2, and TiO2 in the slag. The possibility of TiO2 reduction in the slag during refining is analyzed by thermodynamics and verified by laboratory and industrial experiments. Both theoretical analysis and laboratory experimental results show that the content of TiO2 in the ladle slag significantly influences the Ti content in molten steel. When the content of the dissolved aluminum in molten steel is 0.030–0.050%, the TiO2 content in the ladle slag should be controlled below 0.3% to prevent TiO2 reduction. The critical content of TiO2 decreases with an increasing amount of the dissolved aluminum in molten steel. In addition, silicon should be used as a deoxidizer during diffused deoxidization because aluminum as a deoxidizer would lead to the reduction of TiO2. The industrial experiments confirm the results of the laboratory experiments and thermodynamics analysis.
Effect of pulsed magneto oscillation and phosphorus on microstructure and tensile properties of as-cast Al-25% Si alloy
Authors: Dang Bo , Jian Zengyun , Xu Junfeng
Published: April 2021

The effect of pulsed magneto oscillation (PMO) on the microstructure and tensile properties of Al-25% Si alloys with and without phosphorus addition was investigated. When PMO was applied to the melt during solidification, the results show that the PMO treatment is an effective method for refining the primary Si of Al-25% Si alloy with and without phosphorus addition. The morphology of primary Si was considerably refined via coarse dendritic and polygon shape to fine and regular block under the PMO treatment, and the average size of primary Si was refined to 30.8 μm and 45.3 μm under the optimal processing conditions for the alloy with and without phosphorus addition, respectively. The tensile strength and elongation of the alloys first increased and then decreased with rise of current. Analysis shows that application of PMO decreases Gibbs free energy and critical nucleus radius of the Al-25% Si alloy during solidification. The nucleation rate first increased and then decreased with increasing PMO intensity. The variation tendency of average number of primary Si per unit area is consistent with the theory analysis.
Collision-induced amplitude dynamics of pulses in linear waveguides with the generic nonlinear loss
Authors: Nguyen Quan M.
Published: April 2021

We study the effects of the generic weak nonlinear loss on fast two-pulse interactions in linear waveguides. The colliding pulses are described by a system of coupled Schrödinger equations with a purely nonlinear coupling in the presence of the weak (2m + 1)-order of nonlinear loss, for any m ≥ 1. We derive the analytic expression for the collision-induced amplitude shift in a fast two-pulse interaction. The analytic calculations are based on a generalization of the perturbation technique for calculating the effects of weak perturbations on fast collisions between solitons of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation. The theoretical predictions are confirmed by the numerical simulations with the full propagation model of coupled Schrödinger equations.
Modeling and Performance Optimization of Double-Resonance Electronic Cooling Device with Three Electron Reservoirs
Authors: Ding Zemin , Qiu Susu , Chen Lingen , Wang Wenhua
Published: April 2021

In this paper, a new model of the three-electron reservoir energy selective electronic cooling device applying double-resonance energy filters is proposed by using finite time thermodynamics. The analytical formulas of the main performance parameters for the double-resonance three-electron reservoir cooling device are derived. The optimal cooling load and coefficient of performance of the cooling device varying with major structure design parameters are explored and the optimal operation regions are further determined. Moreover, detailed analyses are conducted to reveal the influences of center energy level difference, chemical potential difference, energy level width, energy spacing and the phonon transmission induced heat leakage on the optimal performance characteristics of the cooling device. Finally, a performance comparison is made between the double-resonance and single-resonance three-electron reservoir electronic cooling devices. It is shown that through reasonable structure design, the optimal performance characteristics of the double-resonance device can be controlled to be much higher than those of the single-resonance cooling device.
Evaluation of the pathophysiological role of Fetuin A levels in adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Bayramoğlu Elvan , Çetinkaya Semra , Özalkak Servan , Kurnaz Erdal , Demirci Gülşah , Öztürk Hasan Serdar , Savaş-Erdeve Şenay , Aycan Zehra
Published: April 2021

Objectives

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrinopathy, in which hyperandrogenism and hyperinsulinism have both occurred. Fetuin-A, a natural inhibitor of tyrosine kinase, leads to insulin resistance. The aim was to evaluate the relationship between fetuin-A and hyperandrogenism and hyperinsulinism and the role of fetuin-A in the pathophysiology of PCOS.

Methods

Thirty-eight cases with PCOS and 40 healthy adolescents were included in the study. PCOS and controls were divided into obese/non-obese subgroups. LH, FSH, total and free testosterone (TT, FT), SHBG, androstenedione, DHEAS were measured in patients with PCOS. Fasting glucose, insulin, lipid profile, AST, ALT, HsCRP, and fetuin levels of PCOS patients and healthy controls were also measured.

Results

Fetuin-A levels were higher in PCOS patients than in controls. In the obese-PCOS group, when compared to non-obese PCOS patients; the levels of SHBG and HDL were low while cholesterol, LDL, triglyceride, HOMA-IR, FT, FAI, and HSCRP levels were high, but Fetuin-A levels were similar. In the obese-PCOS group, fetuin-A levels were higher than in obese-controls. HOMA-IR and fetuin-A levels were higher in non-obese PCOS patients than in non-obese controls. In the PCOS group, fetuin-A was positively correlated with TT, FT, FAI and androstenedione and negatively correlated with SHBG. Regression analysis demonstrated that FT, SHBG, and androstenedione significantly predicted fetuin-A levels (R2=54%). In non-obese PCOS patients and controls, fetuin-A was positively correlated with insulin and HOMA-IR.

Conclusions

These results suggest a relationship between androgen levels and fetuin-A in PCOS cases, independent of insulin resistance, and may shed light on further studies.
Clinical characteristics and outcome of hospitalized children and adolescent patients with type 1 diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic: data from a single center surveillance study in Egypt
Authors: Sherif Eman Monir , Elhenawy Yasmine Ibrahim , Matter Randa Mahmoud , Aly Hanan Hassan , Thabet Rasha Adel , Fereig Yasmeen Abdelaziz
Published: April 2021

Objectives

COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes and its acute complications. Thus, the study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes hospitalized during the first wave of the pandemic and the prevalence of new onset diabetes among patients with evidence of COVID-19 infection.

Methods

A single-center surveillance study included all patients with diabetes admitted to Children’s Hospital, Ain Shams University, in Egypt between May to August 2020. Data were collected to evaluate patients’ clinical and laboratory characteristics as well as their outcomes.

Results

Thirty-six patients were admitted during the study period. The mean age was 8.4 ± 3.8 years. Patients presented late to the emergency department with a mean delay of 3.05 ± 1.19 days from onset of symptoms. 34/36 patients presented in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), 50% presenting in severe DKA. Almost 81% of the patients were newly diagnosed. During the study period, SARS-CoV-2 PCR was found positive in four patients, COVID Ig M antibodies were positive in another two patients; all were symptomatic requiring ICU admission. Four patients showed a picture suggestive of the multi-inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C); cardiac affection was a constant feature.

Conclusions

The pandemic affected both the prevalence and severity of DKA among pediatric patients. The increased prevalence of severe DKA could be partly related to delayed hospital admission or the effect of COVID-19 in triggering DKA. Efforts should be done to continuously raise awareness about diabetes in children as well as the importance of seeking timely medical guidance.
The Hindu Kush–Karakorum and linguistic areality
Authors: Liljegren Henrik
Published: April 2021

The high-altitude Hindu Kush–Karakoram region is home to more than 50 language communities, belonging to six phylogenies. The significance of this region as a linguistic area has been discussed in the past, but the tendency has been to focus on individual features and phenomena, and more seldom have there been attempts at applying a higher degree of feature aggregation with tight sampling. In the present study, comparable first-hand data from as many as 59 Hindu Kush–Karakoram language varieties, was collected and analyzed. The data allowed for setting up a basic word list as well as for classifying each variety according to 80 binary structural features (phonology, lexico-semantics, grammatical categories, clause structure and word order properties). While a comparison of the basic lexicon across the varieties lines up very closely with the established phylogenetic classification, structural similarity clustering gives results clearly related to geographical proximity within the region and often cuts across phylogenetic boundaries. The strongest evidence of areality tied to the region itself (vis-à-vis South Asia in general on the one hand and Central/West Asia on the other) relates to phonology and lexical structure, whereas morphosyntactic properties mostly place the region’s languages within a larger areal or macro-areal distribution. The overall structural analysis also lends itself to recognizing six distinct micro-areas within the region, lining up with geo-cultural regions identified in previous ethno-historical studies. The present study interprets the domain-specific distributions as layers of areality that are each linked to a distinct historical period, and that taken together paint a picture of a region developing from high phylogenetic diversity, through massive Indo-Aryan penetration and language shifts, to today’s dramatically shrinking diversity and structural stream-lining propelled by the dominance of a few lingua francas.
„Geh ruhig“: Die Rolle der Prosodie bei der Auflösung von Ambiguitäten
Authors: Pavlova Anna
Published: April 2021

Vocal pitch (also known as F0), pause and positioning of the sentence accent are closely related to the meaning of a statement. Although other elements of prosody can also be related to the meaning of the statement (e. g. timbre, speaking rate), in this paper only the three mentioned elements of prosody are considered in connection with the semantic interpretation. These three parameters are analyzed here individually or in connection with the meaning of potentially ambiguous statements in writing. In this way, the role of prosody in resolving ambiguities in written formulations is demonstrated, ambiguities that may lead to incorrect translations. The approach used for this research is „Analysis-by-introspection.” For better illustration of the differences in the meaning depending on the prosody, the translation method is used. Some translations come from the author of this paper; other translations are taken from some published books. For one or the other prosodic contour, semantic explanations are formulated. It is shown that prosodic topics play a major role in courses for foreign language learning, translation lessons and post-editing.
La pluralidad denominativa de la Traducción e Interpretación en los Servicios Públicos a través de Twitter y YouTube
Authors: Cedillo Corrochano Carmen Mª
Published: April 2021

Public Service Interpreting and Translation –PSIT– is a specialty of the studies of Translation and Interpreting that generates controversy in the specialized literature in its most basic defining aspects. For this reason, a reading of the literature will reveal a lack of consensus in its own conceptualisation; something essential for its social and professional knowledge/acknowledgment. Thus, this article will focus on the denominational plurality of the PSIT in Spain and will offer a quali-quantitative analysis of the names under which it is known in Spain and the use of these names in two of the most popular social media in Spanish society today: Twitter and YouTube.
High-efficiency and water-quenching-resistant Tb3+-based nanoparticles for single-particle imaging
Authors: Cai Zhiwang , Qin Yiru , Guo Xin , Tang Huan , Wang Meifeng , Zhao Xiaoyu , Xia Daoyu , Hu Yongjun , Zhan Qiuqiang , Wei Wei
Published: April 2021

The structure of the host lattice has a substantial influence on the optical properties of lanthanide-doped luminescent materials. Hexagonal-phase (β-phase) NaREF4 (RE = rare earth) is the most commonly used crystal structure for lanthanide-doped upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) owing to its high upconversion (UC) efficiency. In this work, we report, for the first time, that more efficient cooperative sensitization upconversion (CSU) can be achieved in cubic-phase (α-phase) NaREF4 UCNPs instead of their β-phase counterparts. With the passivation of an inert shell, the UC emission intensity of α-NaYbF4:Tb40%@CaF2 is 10.5 times higher than that of β-NaYbF4:Tb40%@NaYF4. We propose that the high-symmetry crystal structure of the α phase facilitates the formations of [Yb–Yb] dimers and [Yb–Yb–Tb] clusters, which are particularly beneficial for CSU. Moreover, we prove that such Tb3+-based UCNPs are almost impervious to water quenching because of the large energy gap (∼15,000 cm−1) that existed in Tb3+ between its lowest emit-ting level (5D4) and next low-lying level (7F0). Finally, their potential application for single-nanoparticle imaging has also been demonstrated. As expected, the α-core-shell UCNPs measured at the single-nanoparticle level are estimated to be 9-fold brighter than their β-core-shell counterparts. Importantly, the α-NaYbF4:Tb40%@CaF2 UCNPs offer exciting opportunities for realizing single-nanoparticle imaging at ultralow irradiance (30 W/cm2).
A novel approach on micropolar fluid flow in a porous channel with high mass transfer via wavelet frames
Authors: Kumbinarasaiah S. , Raghunatha K.R.
Published: April 2021

In this article, we present the Laguerre wavelet exact Parseval frame method (LWPM) for the two-dimensional flow of a rotating micropolar fluid in a porous channel with huge mass transfer. This flow is governed by highly nonlinear coupled partial differential equations (PDEs) are reduced to the nonlinear coupled ordinary differential equations (ODEs) using Berman's similarity transformation before being solved numerically by a Laguerre wavelet exact Parseval frame method. We also compared this work with the other methods in the literature available. Moreover, in the graphs of the velocity distribution and microrotation, we shown that the proposed scheme's solutions are more accurate and applicable than other existing methods in the literature. Numerical results explaining the effects of various physical parameters connected with the flow are discussed.
On free vibration of laminated skew sandwich plates: A finite element analysis
Authors: Dhotre Pavan Kumar , Srinivasa C. V.
Published: April 2021

The present work emphasizes the determination of the fundamental frequency of skew sandwich plates with orthotropic core and laminated facings using different design parameters. Finite elements CQUAD4 and CQUAD8 of MSC/NASTRAN are used for obtaining fundamental frequencies, which are validated against available literature results. The influence of the skew angle, the ratio of the length-to total thickness (a/h) of the sandwich plate, and the ratio of the thickness of the core to face sheet (t
c
/t
h
) on the fundamental frequency of skew sandwich plates are studied. Also, the influence of parameters such as the number of layers in the face sheet, laminate sequence, and fiber orientation angle on the fundamental frequency of laminated skew sandwich plates have been studied. It is found that the CQUAD8 element yields better results than the CQUAD4 element in the present study. The fundamental frequencies are found to increase with the increasing skew angle. The variation in fundamental frequency is negligible when the number of layers is large in the face sheet.
Effect of Heat Treatment on the Microstructure of Cast Martensitic Stainless Steel
Authors: van gen Hassend F. , Weber S.
Published: April 2021

The resistance of martensitic stainless steels to wear and corrosion is greatly influenced by the martensitic matrix and the presence of carbides. The precipitation of carbides along the grain boundaries will lead to a significant decrease in fracture toughness and furthermore, will increase the risk of intergranular corrosion. With tools made of corrosion-resistant steel castings, this fact is of particular relevance as coarse eutectic carbide precipitates are normally not sufficiently dissolved during conventional austenitization. In this context, the dissolution of carbides will be studied on the basis of systematic heat treatment experiments and observed using light optical microscopy and the resulting microstructure and its impact on the mechanical properties (hardness) will be discussed in the following sections.
Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles from Catunaregam tomentosa extract
Authors: Ittibenjapong Chanyapat , Kanjanahitanon Prit , Chaichamni Punnita , Panich Sirirat , Thamsumet Nuchutha
Published: April 2021

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been widely used in many fields (e.g., sensors, medical supplies, food, cosmetics, medicines, etc.) due to their unique properties such as optical property, antibacterial property, and high conductivity. AgNPs are normally synthesized by chemical, physical, or biological methods. Among these methods, biological synthesis or green synthesis of AgNPs has drawn much attention since it is an easy and environmental-friendly method. Herein, AgNPs synthesized using Catunaregam tomentosa extracts were studied. The extracts obtained from different C. tomentosa fruit were found to be blue, green, and brown. It was found from the foam test and IR spectra that all extracts (blue, green, and brown extracts) contained saponins. According to the DPPH assay, the blue and the green extracts had the antioxidant activities of 84.47 ± 12.13 and 47.66 ± 2.86 mg ascorbic acid equivalent/g of C. tomentosa powder, respectively. This showed that the blue and the green extracts could act as reducing agents in AgNPs synthesis. The successfully synthesized AgNPs using C. tomentosa extracts showed the surface plasmon resonance peak at 400 nm corresponding to literatures. The particle sizes and zeta potential values measured by dynamic light scattering also indicated the size stability of the synthesized AgNPs during seven-day period with no significant difference (P > 0.05).
Educational components in the supervision of chemistry postgraduate students: experiences and reflections
Authors: Mammino Liliana
Published: April 2021

This article focuses on the educational aspects of mentoring chemistry postgraduate students, analysing the challenges encountered by students in the transition from undergraduate to postgraduate learning, and throughout the postgraduate projects up to completion of PhD level, and discussing the design of suitable addressing options by the mentor. The mentoring activity is thus viewed within a typical chemistry education paradigm. Some challenges basically continue those encountered at undergraduate level and others are specific to the postgraduate one, thus requiring new approaches. The information presented in the article is mostly based on the author’s long experience at the University of Venda (South Africa). The approach utilised in the study is a suitable adaptation of action research. The analysis aims at being comprehensive, considering the major features influencing students’ performance, and the strategies that can be adopted to counteract negative impacts and to foster the development of scientific modes of thinking and of research independence. It outlines how known major difficulties, such as diffuse poor language mastery (aggravated by second language instruction), complicate both the undergraduate-postgraduate transition—by affecting the speed and extent to which students learn new approaches—and the further stages, including thesis writing. Writing-related difficulties are given particular attention because they have great impact even for students who have acquired good abilities with the design and practical components of research projects, and because the acquisition of adequate skills in scientific writing is an inherent objective of postgraduate training. Most of the reported observations refer to postgraduate studies in computational chemistry; this enables a broad perspective, by including the common challenges of obtaining, organising and analysing data, as well as the challenges related to learning a new area of chemistry, not encountered in undergraduate studies, and those related to specific demands such as adequate mathematics knowledge, visualization abilities and the ability to abstract thinking.
The influence of rs53576 polymorphism in the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene on empathy in healthy adults by subtype and ethnicity: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Chander Russell J. , Mather Karen A. , Cleary Rhiagh , Grainger Sarah A. , Thalamuthu Anbupalam , Numbers Katya , Kochan Nicole A. , Armstrong Nicola J. , Brodaty Henry , Henry Julie D. , Sachdev Perminder S.
Published: April 2021

Empathy is essential for navigating complex social environments. Prior work has shown associations between rs53576, a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) located in the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR), and generalized empathy. We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effects of rs53576 on subdomains of empathy, specifically cognitive empathy (CE) and affective empathy (AE), in healthy adults. Twenty cohorts of 8933 participants aged 18–98 were identified, including data from the Sydney Memory and Ageing Study, a cohort of older community adults. Meta-analyses found G homozygotes had greater generalized empathic abilities only in young to middle-aged adults. While meta-analyses of empathy subdomains yielded no significant overall effects, there were differential effects based on ethnicity. G homozygotes were associated with greater CE abilities in Asian cohorts (standardized mean difference; SMD: 0.09 [2.8·10−3–0.18]), and greater AE performance in European cohorts [SMD: 0.12 (0.04–0.21)]. The current literature highlights a need for further work that distinguishes between genetic and ethnocultural effects and explores effects of advanced age on this relationship.
Disrupting institutional reproduction? How Olympic athletes challenge the stability of the Olympic Movement
Authors: Seltmann Maximilian
Published: April 2021

The recent years have seen a surge in elite athlete activism. This article examines how Olympic athletes are currently challenging the stability of central institutions of the Olympic Movement as collective political actors. The study builds on explanations of stability and change stemming from punctuated equilibrium theory and path dependency. Applying a multiple mini case study design, it is first illustrated how these mechanisms have been in play in the reproduction and disruption of historic Olympic institutions. The main analysis then shows how Olympic athletes, through their different organizational forms, challenge institutions that are detrimental to their interest. The findings illustrate that Olympic athletes have increased their power resources and apply strategies to defy institutions, which are reproduced on the basis of path-dependent explanations. In doing so, athletes have the potential to severely destabilize the system if their interests remain unaccounted for by those governing the Olympic Movement.
Der Staat als Adressat städtischer sozialer Bewegungen. Wohnungspolitische Kämpfe und postneoliberale Konstellationen
Authors: Schipper Sebastian
Published: April 2021

In Anbetracht der ambivalenten Rolle von städtischen sozialen Bewegungen in Hinblick auf ihr Potenzial, einen grundlegenden gesellschaftlichen Wandel anzustoßen, diskutiert der Beitrag das Verhältnis von wohnungspolitischen Protesten zu staatlichen Institutionen. Angesichts der Rückkehr der Wohnungsfrage ist es städtischen sozialen Bewegungen in den letzten Jahren vielerorts gelungen, Einfluss auf (lokal-)staatliche Wohnungspolitiken zu gewinnen. Allerdings konnten die dominanten Staatsapparate zugleich die Kernprinzipien neoliberalen Regierens, wie etwa die Privilegierung der profitorientierten Wohnungswirtschaft, Austerität in Bezug auf öffentliche Ressourcen und Liegenschaften sowie der Vorrang von Marktmechanismen, erfolgreich institutionell absichern. Dadurch werden die Forderungen wohnungspolitischer Proteste, die auf einen Bruch mit marktorientierten Ansätzen abzielen, häufig entweder entschärft oder in marktkonforme Maßnahmen kanalisiert. Aus Sicht materialistischer Staatstheorie wird diese Konstellation als postneoliberal charakterisiert, da zwar hegemoniale Konsense bröckeln, jedoch die strategische Selektivität der Staatsapparate, in die sich seit Jahrzehnten neoliberale Rationalitäten und ein Regime der Austerität in materiell verdichteter Form eingeschrieben haben, bislang grundlegende wohnungspolitische Veränderungen blockieren.
Manuelle Fehleraufnahme bei Mass Customization
Authors: Beckschulte Sebastian , Kiesel Raphael , Schmitt Robert H.
Published: April 2021

In der Nutzfahrzeugindustrie sorgt Mass Customization für eine Variantenvielfalt, die der Losgröße 1 entspricht. Das hat zur Folge, dass der Automatisierungsgrad von Montageprozessen gering ist und die Fehleranfälligkeit steigt. Die Befähigung der Mitarbeitenden zur strukturierten und schnellen Fehlererfassung ist deshalb umso wichtiger. Infolgedessen wurde ein Prozessmodell entwickelt, das diese Anforderungen adressiert und als Grundlage für spätere Datenanalysen genutzt werden kann.**
Vorgehensmodell für risikobasierte Resilienzstrategien
Authors: Öhlinger Florian , Friedmann Andreas , Adolf Thomas , Ryll Frank , Toth Daniel , Glawar Robert
Published: April 2021

Ziel des in diesem Beitrag vorgestellten Vorgehensmodells ist es, Unternehmen ein Werkzeug in die Hand zu geben, um die eigene Resilienz zu bewerten und mittels eines Methodenbaukastens Handlungsempfehlungen für risikobasierte Resilienzstrategien abzuleiten. Diese Strategien zielen darauf ab, Herausforderungen aus internen und externen Schock- und Stressfaktoren zu beherrschen. Ergebnis ist eine Vorgehensweise zur Erfassung, Evaluierung und Erhöhung der Resilienz mit dem Ziel einer weitgehenden Vermeidung von ungeplanten Produktionsstillständen.**