bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fixed points of a new class of pseudononspreading mappings
Authors: Osilike M. O. , Isiogugu F. O. , Nwokoro P. U. , Chima E. E. , Oguguo O. U.
Published: April 2021

We extend the notion of k-strictly pseudononspreading mappings introduced in Nonlinear Analysis 74 (2011) 1814-1822 to the notion of the more general pseudononspreading mappings. It is shown with example that the class of pseudononspreading mappings is more general than the class of k-strictly pseudonon-spreading mappings. Furthermore, it is shown with explicit examples that the class of pseudononspreading mappings and the important class of pseudocontractive mappings are independent. Some fundamental properties of the class of pseudononspreading mappings are proved. In particular, it is proved that the fixed point set of certain class of pseudononspsreading selfmappings of a nonempty closed and convex subset of a real Hilbert space is closed and convex. Demiclosedness property of such class of pseudonon-spreading mappings is proved. Certain weak and strong convergence theorems are then proved for the iterative approximation of fixed points of the class of pseudononspreading mappings.
Multivalued self almost local contractions
Authors: Zakany Monica
Published: April 2021

We introduce a new class of contractive mappings: the almost local contractions, starting from the almost contractions presented by V. Berinde in [V. Berinde, Approximating fixed points of weak contractions using the Picard iteration Nonlinear Analysis Forum 9 (2004) No.1, 43-53], and also from the concept of local contraction presented by Filipe Martins da Rocha and Vailakis in [V. Filipe Martins-da-Rocha, Y. Vailakis, Existence and uniqueness of a fixed point for local contractions, Econometrica, vol.78, No.3 (May, 2010) 1127-1141]. First of all, we present the notion of multivalued self almost contractions with many examples. The main results of this paper are given by the extension to the case of multivalued self almost local contractions.
Stability by fixed point theory of impulsive differential equations with delay
Authors: Berrezoug Halimi , Losada Jorge , Nieto Juan J. , Ouahab Abdelghani
Published: April 2021

In this paper we ensure that for some class of impulsive differential equations with delay the zero solution is asymptotically stable by means of fixed point theory.
A note on the relationship between three classes of operators on Riesz spaces
Authors: Hong Liang
Published: April 2021

Following several papers in the prior literature, we study the relationship between order bounded operators, topologically bounded operators and topologically continuous operators. Our main contribution is two-folded: (i) we provide a set of counterexamples to illustrate several extant results in the literature; (ii) we give conditions for the space of order bounded operators to coincide with the space of topologically bounded operators as well as conditions for these two spaces to coincide with the space of topologically continuous operators.
Investigation of the relationship of TNFRSF11A gene polymorphisms with breast cancer development and metastasis risk in patients with BRCA1 or BRCA2 pathogenic variants living in the Trakya region of Turkey
Authors: Özdemir K , Gürkan H , Demir S , Atli E , Özen Y , Sezer A , Tunçbilek N , Çicin İ
Published: April 2021

Modifying genes play an exclusive role in the genetic regulation of the risk of breast cancer development in women with a pathogenic variation of BRCA1 or BRCA2. Therefore, it has been suggested that TNFRSF11A, which is among those modifying genes present in breast cancer development, may have a significant role in patients with positive BRCA1 or BRCA2 variations. In our study, we investigated the probable effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the TNFRSF11A gene, such as rs4485469, rs9646629, rs34739845, rs17069904, rs 884205, rs4941129 on the risk of breast cancer in patients with BRCA1 or BRCA2 variations. A total of 23 breast cancer patients with pathogenic variations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes, 28 patients with no pathogenic variations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes, and 55 healthy women as a control group, were included in this study. The SNPs were determined with allelic discrimination analysis through the real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method. There was no statistically significant difference between the SNPs of the TNFRSF11A gene rs4485469, rs9646629, rs34739845, rs17069904, rs884205, rs4941129 and metastasis, estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and CerB2 receptor positivity between patient and control group (p >0.05). However, the rs4485469 SNP was found to be borderline significant between the patient groups with and without BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations (p = 0.059). In patients with BRCA1 or BRCA2 pathogenic variations living in the Trakya region of Turkey, we could not determine the relationship between TNFRSF11 SNPs with breast cancer risk.
Bilateral renal angiomyolipomas and subependymal giant cell astrocytoma associated with tuberous sclerosis complex: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Rambabova Bushljetik I , Lazareska M , Barbov I , Stankov O , Filipce V , Spasovski G
Published: April 2021

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal-dominant multi system disorder. The genetic basis of the disorder is mutations in the TSC1 or TSC2 gene, which leads to over activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) protein complex and results in development of benign tumors in different body systems such as brain, skin, lungs and kidney. The mTOR inhibitors are presently the main treatment option for patients with TSC. We here report a 21-year female patient with large bilateral angiomyolipoma (AML) in both kidneys with longest diameter more than 12.3 cm and subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA). Treatment with everolimus (EVE) was initiated at a dose of 10.0 mg/day and continued during the following 3 years. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed before treatment with everolimus was initiated, and consequently at 12 and 36 months for follow-up of the efficacy of the treatment. After 3 years, the total size of largest AML decreased by ~24.0% in the longest diameter. A reduction of the total size of SEGA was also observed. The most common adverse effect of treatment was stomatitis grades 3 to 4 and one febrile episode associated with skin rash that required a reduced dose of EVE. In conclusion, the everolimus treatment improved even such a large renal AML and the effect persisted during the long-term administration with a small number of adverse effects. A positive effect was observed on the brain tumor as well.
Experimental Study on the Durability Characteristics of Several Vegetable Fiber Reinforced Concretes Exposed to Sodium Sulfate
Authors: Ziane Sami , Khelifa Mohammed-Rissel , Mezhoud Samy , Beroual Ahmed , Medaoud Saber
Published: April 2021

Recently, numerous plant fibers have been investigated as a means to reinforce concrete and replace synthetic fibers, thereby producing more eco-friendly concretes. The primary concern for these studies is the durability of the fibers in the external environment. For this purpose, the current paper presents a comparison study on the physical-mechanical behavior and durability against external sulfatic attack on Alfa and Hemp fiber-reinforced concrete. To assess the effects of sulfatic attack, different types of concrete underwent two aging protocols: 1) a complete immersion in 12.5 % Sodium Sulfate (Na2SO4) solution and, 2) an accelerated aging protocol which consisted of immersion/drying in the same sulfate solution at a temperature of 60°C. The results show that the optimal amount of plant fiber is variable, depending on several parameters such as the chemical composition, mechanical characteristics, and morphology of the fiber. In addition, the results show that the use of Alfa and hemp fibers could facilitate the production of green and durable structural concretes.
Numerical Study of the Behaviour of a Circular Footing on a Layered Granular Soil Under Vertical and Inclined Loading
Authors: Singh Surya Pratap , Roy Amrit Kumar
Published: April 2021

This paper aims to study the behaviour of a circular footing resting on two granular layers, i.e., a dense sand layer resting on loose sand strata, subjected to a vertical and an inclined loading (α=0°, 10°, 20°, 30°) using the finite element (FE) software PLAXIS-3D. The Mohr-Coulomb criterion is employed for the analysis of the model, in which two parameters are considered to vary significantly; (1) thickness of the top layer (dense layer) and (2) friction angle (ф) of both the layers. In the circular footing, the bearing capacity on the layered soil profile is assessed using the mechanism of punching shear failure following the desired area approach. The punching shear failure mechanism formed in dense sand has a parabolic shape at the ultimate load when the maximum mobilization of shear force through the failure surface is taken into account, otherwise, the punching failure is the actual failure while punching in the lower layer continues to a greater extent, depending on the interface load. Bearing pressure decreases as the inclination increases with respect to the vertical, along with bearing pressure increasing as the thickness of the dense sand layer increases. The software results compare well with data available from the literature.
Characteristic Features of Hybrid Bridge Structure Models
Authors: Machelski Czesław
Published: April 2021

This work discusses the classification of bridge structures and their models. Examples of hybrid models are also indicated in the case of homogeneous and mixed structures. Where hybrid design and model cases are presented, an algorithm for the analysis of contact interactions between subsystems is provided. The soil and shell structure is adopted as an example of analyses, where in its characteristic feature, differentiating it from classic bridges, is the large influence of both the soil backfill and the road surface as load-bearing elements of the structure. There are two structural subsystems present in the model of the soil-shell structure: a corrugated sheet coating and a soil backfill with a surface. The interaction between them is modeled as a contact interaction, i.e. forces with a direction normal and tangent to the line of the circumferential band of the shell. The paper presents an algorithm of their analysis, resulting from the outcomes of tests with the use of strain gauges, with the load being a vehicle changing its position. The advantage of the algorithm is that it takes into account the actual physical properties of the soil in the backfill layers and the contact layer of the coating with the soil. Direct contact force measurements along the entire length of the circumferential strip are very difficult. In practice, pressure gauges are used to determine normal interactions.
The Relationship Between the Biokinetic Parameters of an Aerobic Granular Sludge System and the Applied Operating Conditions
Authors: Hamiruddin Nur Ain , Awang Nik Azimatolakma
Published: April 2021

Biokinetic parameters help to describe the rate of substrate utilization and biomass production or growth by microbial action, which is important to the design process and performance optimization of wastewater treatment. Although studies of the biokinetic parameters of aerobic granular sludge (AGS) systems have been increasing lately, the significance for each value in terms of maximum specific growth rate (μmax), substrate concentration at one-half of the maximum specific growth rate (KS), and cell yield (Y) in relation to the applied operating conditions are rarely discussed. Therefore, this study investigates the relationship and significance between the above-stated biokinetic parameters with organic loading rate (OLR) and reactor height/diameter (H/D) ratio from five different batches of AGS treated sewage, using the independent t-test. The biokinetic parameters are summarized as biomass production (Y and μmax) and relied upon the relative increase in the OLR and reactor H/D ratios. Additionally, aerobic granules developed in reactors with a high H/D ratio have a shorter setup time and are more active in contrast with low H/D ratio reactors.
Pragmatic Implementation of the Front-End of an N-bit/V ADC based on FPGA and FPAA
Authors: Zayer Salam , Al-bayati Marwah Muneer , Györök György , Bouzid Ahmed
Published: April 2021

Reconfigurability has made it possible, among other benefits, to replace traditional discrete components with chips, whose internal components can be programmed in this case FPAAs (Field Programmable Analog Arrays). This paper presents a design and implementation of FPAA of the analog front end dedicated to a new ADC architecture called “N-bit/V”. After validation of the algorithm in simulation, the experimentation results show that the obtained reconfigurable circuit can replace the traditional discrete components-based circuits.
Pilgrims’ Motivation for Travelling to the Iasi Feast
Authors: Tatarusanu Maria , Niță Valentin , Corneliu Iațu , Butnaru Gina-Ionela , Ciortescu Elena
Published: April 2021

Either due to religious and spiritual motivations or to personal ones, religious pilgrimages have become increasingly popular during the last decades. The article proposes a study concerning the motivations of pilgrims who travel to Iasi every year in October to attend a religious event organized in the city. The main goal of this paper is to present the results of the research concerning the main travel motivations of pilgrims. The issue is whether their socio-demographic profile influences their travel motivations and the extent to which pilgrims’ satisfaction is determined by the travel motivations they declare. This is quantitative research which uses a questionnaire survey, based on the data provided by 441 respondents. The results are important for the scholars in religious tourism and for destination managers who use this kind of data to improve their planning and organisational activities of such events.
Multiplicative Lie triple derivations on standard operator algebras
Authors: Wani Bilal Ahmad
Published: April 2021

Let χ be a Banach space of dimension n > 1 and 𝔘 ⊂ 𝔅(χ) be a standard operator algebra. In the present paper it is shown that if a mapping d : 𝔘 → 𝔘 (not necessarily linear) satisfies

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d\left( {\left[ {\left[ {U,V} \right],W} \right]} \right) = \left[ {\left[ {d\left( U \right),V} \right],W} \right] + \left[ {\left[ {U,d\left( V \right),W} \right]} \right] + \left[ {\left[ {U,V} \right],d\left( W \right)} \right]

for all U, V, W ∈ 𝔘, then d =ψ + τ, where ψ is an additive derivation of 𝔘 and τ : 𝔘 → 𝔽I vanishes at second commutator [[U, V ], W ] for all U, V, W ∈ 𝔘. Moreover, if d is linear and satisfies the above relation, then there exists an operator S ∈ 𝔘 and a linear mapping τ from 𝔘 into 𝔽I satisfying τ ([[U, V ], W ]) = 0 for all U, V, W ∈ 𝔘, such that d(U) = SU − US + τ (U) for all U ∈ 𝔘.
New and interesting records of Diptera on glacial sand deposits in Silesia (NE Czech Republic). Part 1 - Acalyptratae
Authors: Roháček Jindřich , Černý Miloš , Ebejer Martin J. , Kubík Štěpán
Published: April 2021

Records of 18 species of the families Micropezidae (1 species), Lonchaeidae (1 species), Lauxaniidae (1 species), Chamaemyiidae (6 species), Agromyzidae (6 species) and Chloropidae (3 species) from glacial sand deposits in the Czech Silesia (NE Czech Republic) are presented and their association with sandy habitats is discussed. All of them are recorded from the Czech Silesia for the first time, 4 are new additions to the fauna of Moravia and 9 for the whole Czech Republic. None of the recorded species is psammobiont but five of them are classified as psammophilous, viz. Micropeza lateralis Meigen, 1826 (Micropezidae), Calliopum geniculatum (Fabricius, 1805) (Lauxaniidae), Cerodontha (Xenophytomyza) leptophallus L. Papp, 2016, Ophiomyia disordens Pakalniškis, 1998 (both Agromyzidae), Aphanotrigonum parahastatum Dely-Draskovits, 1981 (Chloropidae), and Leucopis celsa Tanasijtshuk, 1979 as probably psammophilous. A new easternmost record of M. lateralis (from S. Poland: Godów) is presented and the association of this species and C. geniculatum with growths of Cytisus scoparius is confirmed. Leucopis monticola Tanasijtshuk, 1961, L. celsa and A. parahastatum are recorded from northernmost known localities. These species, and also C. (X.) leptophallus seem to be thermophilous and/or xerophilous and can be considered southern elements in the Silesian fauna of Diptera.
Inter-Laboratory Reproducibility and Interchangeability of 3R4F and 1R6F Reference Cigarettes in Mainstream Smoke Chemical Analysis and In Vitro Toxicity Assays
Authors: Sakai Yuka , Mori Sakura , Yanagimachi Miyuki , Takahashi Tomohiro , Shibuya Kaori , Kumagai Asami , Ishikawa Shinkichi , Ito Shigeaki , Fukushima Toshiro
Published: April 2021

A new reference cigarette, 1R6F, produced by the Kentucky Tobacco Research and Development Center, has been manufactured as a substitute for the 3R4F reference cigarette because of a depletion of 3R4F stock. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the interchangeability of 1R6F and 3R4F by comparing the chemical and biological characteristics of the mainstream smoke and to assess the inter-laboratory reproducibility by comparing the results obtained in the current study with a previous report. We analyzed 45 priority chemicals required by Health Canada for regulatory reporting and assessed the toxicological effects of cigarette smoke using in vitro standard toxicological assays recommended by the Cooperation Centre for Scientific Research Relative to Tobacco (CORESTA) under the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard and intense smoking regimens. The results of the chemical analysis and standard toxicological assays showed a good inter-laboratory reproducibility for 1R6F as a reference cigarette, while there were some slight reproducible differences between 1R6F and 3R4F. In addition, we investigated the interchangeability of 1R6F with 3R4F in some additional toxicological assays that detect oxidative stress because oxidative stress is a principle endpoint used in tobacco research with next generation tobacco and nicotine delivery products (NGPs). Both 1R6F and 3R4F elicited comparable responses in the oxidative stress assays. Overall, our results showed inter-laboratory reproducibility in chemical and standard toxicological assessments of 1R6F; thus, suggesting the suitability of 1R6F as a reference cigarette. In addition, the results obtained in the oxidative stress assays provide insight into the interchangeability of 1R6F with 3R4F when used as a comparator for NGPs.
Education and Economic Growth in Developing Countries: Empirical Evidence from GMM Estimators for Dynamic Panel Data
Authors: Sebki Wafa
Published: April 2021

The paper aims at studying the effect of education measured by enrolment ratios in secondary and higher education on economic growth measured by the rate of GDP growth in a sample of 40 developing countries during the period from 2002 to 2016 using the dynamic panel data estimators. The results of estimating the model of this study using the difference GMM estimator or what is known as the Arellano and Bond estimator showed that the proportions of those enrolled in tertiary education had a significant positive effect on economic growth, while the proportions of those enrolled in secondary education had a significant negative effect.
Essentials of the Relevant Issue Gravity (RIG) Strength: A Theoretical Framework for Understanding the Comparison Question Test (CQT)
Authors: Ginton Avital
Published: April 2021

The essentials of the Relevant Issue Gravity (RIG) theoretical framework for explaining the Comparison Question Test (CQT) (Ginton, 2009), is presented here in a detailed outline format. It is based on the notion that examinees who lie on the test in the relevant questions are attached psychologically to the relevant issue in a different way than the truth-tellers. An essential difference is the strength by which the suspect’s attention is directed, focused, and bound to the relevant issue. These aspects of attention in the context of polygraph examinations are coined, Relevant Issue Gravity (RIG) Strength. The RIG strength is assumed to distribute differently between the liars and the truth-tellers. There is reason to believe that liars hold a stronger RIG compared to the truthful subjects, and eventually, that affects the differential reactivity to the relevant vs. comparison questions. The following describes the rationale behind the RIG concept, some supporting data, and the theoretical as well as practical implications.
Ali Smith’s There But For The: Identity, Hospitality and Transcendence in the Age of Surveillance
Authors: Popa Andrei-Bogdan
Published: April 2021

The aim of this essay is to prove that, throughout Ali Smith’s There But For The (2011), the “narrative” subjective identity (Alphen 83) accessed via the face-to-face relation (Levinas and Hand 42), as well as through storytelling itself, is liable to be turned into archivable information under the pressures of a surveillance state in which its citizens are complicit. I will use this archival/narrative identity dyad as articulated by theorist Ernst van Alphen in order to investigate at length the novel’s staging of hospitality as corrupted by surveillance. I will oppose the notion of identity as information against Emmanuel Levinas’s conception of the face-to-face relation (Levinas and Hand 42), whereby true hospitality depends upon the mutual respect one person has for the absolute singularity of the other, which involves personal information and the right to privacy. As it will become apparent, these identities lose or gain agency according to the engagement of the self with a newly arrived foreign alterity. Thus, the arrival of strangers throughout Smith’s novel thematizes the scenario of hospitality in tension with the stranger as surveyor or as surveyed. The doubling of language, the self-editing of one’s discourse and the risky openness towards the Other are modes of resistance that eschew the artificial categorizations upon which the archival identity is contingent. However, the bridge from interiority to exteriority is mediation. Smith therefore develops a conception of secularized Grace that works by exploring the revolutionary potential of this very mediation and can disrupt the logic of tyrannical surveillance. Part of this approach to history and language is informed by the witnessing of the traces left on the bodies of martyrized dissidents by unjust systems at their apex.

There But For The is narrated by four characters in the mediatic aftermath of a bourgeois dinner party in an affluent suburb of London that witnessed the sudden and unexplainable reclusion of Miles Garth into the spare room of his stunned hosts. The event, as well as those leading up to and following it, is recounted by a grieving nature photographer in his sixties named Mark; May, a rebellious old woman suffering from dementia; an unemployed, middle-aged Anna; and Brooke, a ten-year old girl and voracious reader. The essay will approach these characters’ meditations upon the nature of identity as split between its narrative and archival forms.
Geocaching in education – a review of international experiences Part 3.Organisation of classes
Authors: Referowska-Chodak Ewa
Published: April 2021

This article discusses the organization and conduct of educational activities using geocaching. In the scientific literature, the organization of geocaching classes is divided into three main stages: preparation, field work and evaluation. The preparation stage includes issues such as the role of the educator, the scenario itself, the duration of the classes, the length and course of the route, the number and location of caches, the coordinates and type of caches, potential descriptions of caches or the preparation of hints as well as the content of caches, necessary aids and preparing the students. In terms of the implementation of the fieldwork, the following issues need to be addressed: the role of the educator, introduction to classes, division of participants into teams, locating and working with caches as well as a summary of the activities. The evaluation stage should include an evaluation of the participants’ performance, the activities/thematic trails by the participants and the educational effect by the organizers. Additionally, other educational possibilities for using geocaching, such as tasks based on internet geocaching services, the use of existing caches and the establishment of caches by students are also briefly discussed.

Due to the universality of the recommendations presented in the literature, educational geocaching can be implemented in every country, including Poland, both in formal and informal education, e.g. in the State Forests, national parks and landscape parks. Although this innovative teaching method involves a lot of initial work, its positive educational and social effects more than compensate for the invested time.
Branded Apps – Worth the Effort?
Authors: MIR Editors
Published: April 2021

Being online whenever and wherever is quite natural for an increasing number of consumers. Companies are trying to tap this trend with different offers. Branded apps are one of the newer tools used to communicate with consumers on the go. But what exactly can these apps offer to consumers? And are they really worth the effort? We asked three marketing experts about their experiences.
Coordination of Axial Trunk Rotations During Gait in Low Back Pain. A Narrative Review
Authors: Dieën Jaap , Prins Maarten , Bruijn Sjoerd , Wu Wen , Liang Bowei , Lamoth Claudine , Meijer Onno
Published: April 2021

Chronic low back pain patients have been observed to show a reduced shift of thorax-pelvis relative phase towards out-of-phase movement with increasing speed compared to healthy controls. Here, we review the literature on this phase shift in patients with low back pain and we analyze the results presented in literature in view of the theoretical motivations to assess this phenomenon. Initially, based on the dynamical systems approach to movement coordination, the shift in thorax-pelvis relative phase with speed was studied as a self-organizing transition. However, the phase shift is gradual, which does not match a self-organizing transition. Subsequent emphasis in the literature therefore shifted to a motivation based on biomechanics. The change in relative phase with low back pain was specifically linked to expected changes in trunk stiffness due to ‘guarded behavior’. We found that thorax-pelvis relative phase is affected by several interacting factors, including active drive of thorax rotation through trunk muscle activity, stride frequency and the magnitude of pelvis rotations. Large pelvis rotations and high stride frequency observed in low back pain patients may contribute to the difference between patients and controls. This makes thorax-pelvis relative phase a poor proxy of trunk stiffness. In conclusion, thorax-pelvis relative phase cannot be considered as a collective variable reflecting the orderly behaviour of a complex underlying system, nor is it a marker of specific changes in trunk biomechanics. The fact that it is affected by multiple factors may explain the considerable between-subject variance of this measure in low back pain patients and healthy controls alike.
Effect of Acute Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback on H-reflex Modulation: A Pilot Study
Authors: Pagaduan Jeffrey , Wu Sam , Fell James , Chen Yung-Sheng
Published: April 2021

Heart rate variability biofeedback (HRV BFB) is paced breathing scheme that stimulates resonance in the cardiovascular system. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a single-session HRV BFB on Hoffman reflex (H-reflex) of the soleus muscle. Twelve healthy males (height: 173.7 ± 7.18 cm; weight: 72.7 ± 17.7 kg; age: 24.0 ± 5.02 yrs) completed a randomized-crossover intervention involving a 10-minute HRV BFB and normal breathing (CON) separated by 48 hours. Results revealed significantly lower 1a afferent activation after HRV BFB. Similarly, the HRV BFB also demonstrated lower proportion of activated motor neurons from 1a afferents. In conclusion, an acute HRV BFB influenced the reduction in motoneuron excitability at resting condition.
Number of Trials Necessary to Apply Analysis within the Framework of the Uncontrolled Manifold Hypothesis at Different Levels of Hierarchical Synergy Control
Authors: Pawłowski Michał , Furmanek Mariusz , Sobota Grzegorz , Marszałek Wojciech , Słomka Kajetan , Bacik Bogdan , Juras Grzegorz
Published: April 2021

The uncontrolled manifold hypothesis is a method used to quantify motor synergies, defined as a specific central nervous system organization that maintains the task-specific stability of motor actions. The UCM allows for inter-trial variance analysis between consecutive trials. However, despite the large body of literature within this framework, there is no report on the number of movement repetitions required for reliable results. Based on the hypothetical hierarchical control of motor synergies, this study aims to determine the minimum number of trials necessary to achieve a good to excellent level of reliability. Thirteen young, healthy participants performed fifteen bilateral isometric contractions of elbow flexion when visual feedback was provided. The force and electromyography data were recorded to investigate synergies at different levels of hierarchical control. The intraclass correlation coefficient was used to determine the reliability of the variance indices. Based on the obtained results, at least twelve trials are required to analyze the inter-trial variance in both force and muscle synergies within the UCM framework.
The Effect of Crank Resistance on Arm Configuration and Muscle Activation Variances in Arm Cycling Movements
Authors: Mravcsik Mariann , Botzheim Lilla , Zentai Norbert , Piovesan Davide , Laczko Jozsef
Published: April 2021

Arm cycling on an ergometer is common in sports training and rehabilitation protocols. The hand movement is constrained along a circular path, and the user is working against a resistance, maintaining a cadence. Even if the desired hand trajectory is given, there is the flexibility to choose patterns of joint coordination and muscle activation, given the kinematic redundancy of the upper limb. With changing external load, motor noise and changing joint stiffness may affect the pose of the arm even though the endpoint trajectory is unchanged. The objective of this study was to examine how the crank resistance influences the variances of joint configuration and muscle activation. Fifteen healthy participants performed arm cranking on an arm-cycle ergometer both unimanually and bimanually with a cadence of 60 rpm against three crank resistances. Joint configuration was represented in a 3-dimensional joint space defined by inter-segmental joint angles, while muscle activation in a 4-dimensional "muscle activation space" defined by EMGs of 4 arm muscles. Joint configuration variance in the course of arm cranking was not affected by crank resistance, whereas muscle activation variance was proportional to the square of muscle activation. The shape of the variance time profiles for both joint configuration and muscle activation was not affected by crank resistance. Contrary to the prevailing assumption that an increased motor noise would affect the variance of auxiliary movements, the influence of noise doesn’t appear at the joint configuration level even when the system is redundant. Our results suggest the separation of kinematic- and force-control, via mechanisms that are compensating for dynamic nonlinearities. Arm cranking may be suitable when the aim is to perform training under different load conditions, preserving stable and secure control of joint movements and muscle activations.
Influence of forced child marriage and domestic violence on mental health and well-being. Conflict of traditions and rights of Roma children
Authors: Joamets Kristi , Sogomonjan Melita
Published: April 2021

Domestic violence in forced child marriage can have impact on mental health and well-being of an adolescent. However, mental health problems are discussed less often than other negative consequences forced child marriage can cause. Although there are several international conventions, appropriate domestic law and active administrative bodies and NGOs embodying the strategies for protecting children, women and human rights, all these tools seem to be inefficient to protect children in a community practicing traditions which violate children’s rights. Article maps the available legal tools and analyses their application in European practice discussing whether these tools are effective enough to protect Roma children from domestic violence in forced child marriage and ensure their mental well-being.
Does the Slovak Republic Fulfil European Requirements on Recognition of Foreign Decisions on Custodial Sentences?
Authors: Klimek Libor
Published: April 2021

Mutual recognition of judicial decisions in criminal matters permits decisions to move from one European State to another. It is a key element for the development of judicial co-operation in criminal matters in the European Union. Its implementation, including recognition of judgments on custodial sentences, was one of the main areas of European Union activity regarding criminal justice. The Slovak Republic has implemented European requirements. The question which begs consideration is whether Slovak national law fulfils such requirements and if they are applicable in Slovak legal practice. The assessment of national implementation of European requirements on recognition of judgments on custodial sentences and its applicability in Slovak legal practice is therefore needed. The paper analyses relevant literature, legislation, case-law and related official documents of the European Union. Moreover, it compares Slovak national law with European requirements. At the outset it briefly assets historical background of the mechanism. In principle, the system works, but there is the possibility for its enhancement..
Acceptance of mobile loyalty cards in the German B2C consumer goods market
Authors: Schneider Sandra
Published: April 2021

The consumer goods market is characterized by strong competition. Thus, to bind customers to the company, a higher priority needs to be attributed to customer retention measures. Such measures include the loyalty card, but the use of the physical card is declining. To counteract this decline, mobile loyalty cards were developed. The basis for the use of mobile loyalty cards is sufficient consumer acceptance. This work is expected to contribute to the explanation of acceptance in the form of usage behavior. Based on the Technology-Acceptance-Model-2 (TAM2) and the literature, hypotheses were derived and a research model was developed. For model testing, a dataset of 255 participants was generated through an online survey and analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The results show that in addition to financial benefits, convenience benefits and psychological factors also have an influence on acceptance. Furthermore, the usage behavior is not negatively influenced by the expected loss of control over personal data. Based on the findings, indications for marketing implementation are given for the confirmed factors.
Sepsis in the Emergency Room: Which are the Poor Prognostic Factors?
Authors: Dogaru Sebastian , Teușdea Caius Bogdan , Purcaru Florea
Published: April 2021

Background. Understanding the underlying cause of mortality in sepsis has broad implications for both trials design and clinical care. A one-size-fits-it-all treatment without considering underlying comorbidities and particularities of a specific patient may have a huge impact on prognosis.

Materials and methods. We performed a retrospective, single center observational study of patients admitted in Emergency Department taking into account the suspicion of an infection, serious enough to produce a systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Of this population, we selected the septic patient (Sepsis-3 definition) and studied the impact of comorbidities on prognosis.

Results. 125 patients were included. We found that institutionalized patient and respiratory insufficiency were the factors with the biggest impact on prognosis. Close to that, the age was a factor to be taken into account when discussing about prognosis. Other factors as malignancy, diabetes mellitus, cardiac and renal failure were not associated with ominous prognosis, although may have an impact. Two scores (MEDS and NEWS2) and a biomarker were also found to be useful when making a prognosis in such patients.

Conclusions. In this retrospective cohort, the institutionalized patient and patients with with respiratory have poor prognosis, while in other diseases, MEDS, NEWS2 and presepsin were reliable prognostic factors.
Type-2 Fuzzy Logic Systems in Applications: Managing Data in Selective Catalytic Reduction for Air Pollution Prevention
Authors: Niewiadomski Adam , Kacprowicz Marcin
Published: April 2021

The article presents our research on applications of fuzzy logic to reduce air pollution by DeNOx filters. The research aim is to manage data on Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) process responsible for reducing the emission of nitrogen oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Dedicated traditional Fuzzy Logic Systems (FLS) and Type-2 Fuzzy Logic Systems (T2FLS) are proposed with the use of new methods for learning fuzzy rules and with new types of fuzzy implications (the so-called ”engineering implications”). The obtained results are consistent with the results provided by experts. The main advantage of this paper is that type-2 fuzzy logic systems with ”engineering implications” and new methods of learning fuzzy rules give results closer to expert expectations than those based on traditional fuzzy logic systems. According to the literature review, no T2FLS were applied to manage DeNOx filter prior to the research presented here.
An Approach to Generalization of the Intuitionistic Fuzzy Topsis Method in the Framework of Evidence Theory
Authors: Dymova Ludmila , Kaczmarek Krzysztof , Sevastjanov Pavel , Sułkowski Łukasz , Przybyszewski Krzysztof
Published: April 2021

A generalization of technique for establishing order preference by similarity to the ideal solution (TOPSIS) in the intuitionistic fuzzy setting based on the redefinition of intuitionistic fuzzy sets theory (A IFS) in the framework of Dempster-Shafer theory (DST) of evidence is proposed. The use of DST mathematical tools makes it possible to avoid a set of limitations and drawbacks revealed recently in the conventional Atanassov’s operational laws defined on intuitionistic fuzzy values, which may produce unacceptable results in the solution of multiple criteria decision-making problems. This boosts considerably the quality of aggregating operators used in the intuitionistic fuzzy TOPSIS method. It is pointed out that the conventional TOPSIS method may be naturally treated as a weighted sum of some modified local criteria. Because this aggregating approach does not always reflects well intentions of decision makers, two additional aggregating methods that cannot be defined in the framework of conventional A IFS based on local criteria weights being intuitionistic fuzzy values, are introduced. Having in mind that different aggregating methods generally produce different alternative rankings to obtain the compromise ranking, the method for aggregating of aggregation modes has been applied. Some examples are used to illustrate the validity and features of the proposed approach.
Reciprocity in Czech Light Verb Constructions: The Dependency Perspective
Authors: Kettnerová Václava , Lopatková Markéta
Published: April 2021

In this paper, we draw attention to reciprocity in Czech light verb constructions – a language phenomenon, which has not been discussed yet. Reciprocity is contributed to light verb constructions by predictive nouns, as they are the nouns that represent the semantic core of these constructions. Here we focus on reciprocal light verb constructions derived by the syntactic operation of reciprocalization. We show that the complex mapping of semantic participants onto valency complementations, characteristic of reciprocalization, is reflected in reciprocal light verb constructions in the same way as in reciprocal nominal constructions. The main difference between reciprocal nominal constructions and reciprocal light verb constructions lies in the morphosyntactic expression of reciprocalized participants. We demonstrate that surface syntactic changes in reciprocal light verb constructions are regular enough to be described on the rule basis: the rule based generation of reciprocal light verb constructions requires a cooperation of two sets of rules – rules for deep and surface syntactic structure formation of light verb constructions and rules for capturing reciprocity.
Are risk weights of banks in the Czech Republic procyclical? Evidence from wavelet analysis
Authors: Brož Václav , Pfeifer Lukáš
Published: April 2021

We analyze the cyclicality of risk weights of banks in the Czech Republic from 2008 to 2016. We differentiate between risk weights under the internal ratings-based and those under the standardized approach, consider the financial cycle, and employ wavelet coherence as a means of dynamic correlation analysis. Our results indicate that the risk weights of exposures under the internal ratings-based approach, including risk weights related to exposures secured by real estate collateral, are procyclical with respect to the financial cycle. We also show that the effect of changing asset quality on risk weights is present for the internal ratings-based approach, in line with our expectations based on regulatory standards. Our results can be employed for the purposes of decision-making on the activation of supervisory and macroprudential instruments, including the countercyclical capital buffer.
The Impact of Fiscal Deficit on Inflation in Namibia
Authors: Eita Joel Hinaunye , Manuel Victoria , Naimhwaka Erwin , Nakusera Florette
Published: April 2021

This paper examined the impact of fiscal deficit on inflation in Namibia. The paper employed Autoregressive Distributed Lag Model (ARDL) and Granger causality approach using quarterly data for the period 2002 - 2017. Empirical results showed evidence of a long run positive effect of fiscal deficit on inflation in Namibia. This suggests that fiscal deficit has a direct effect on inflation in Namibia. The study also found a unidirectional causality running from fiscal deficit to inflation in Namibia. The study confirmed that South Africa’s prices have positive effect on inflation in Namibia. The key policy implication drawn for the result is that if not contained, high negative fiscal balances could impair the monetary policy objective of price stability. It is therefore advised that fiscal and monetary policies need to be well coordinated to bring fiscal deficit within acceptable level. Given that the main monetary policy goal in Namibia is to achieve and maintain price stability, the results in this study suggest that monitoring budget deficits and price developments in South Africa to develop informed policies is one way to achieve this objective.
Dynamic Impact of Banking Performance on Financial Stability: Fresh Evidence from Southeastern Europe
Authors: Zeqiraj Veton , Mrasori Flamur , Iskenderoglu Omer , Sohag Kazi
Published: April 2021

This study addresses the issue of whether banking performance impacts financial stability in Southeastern European countries. To answer this question, the GMM approach has been applied in the analyses of the panel data over the period 2000–2015 for Southeastern Europe. The findings reveal the presence of significant positive long-run relationship between ROA, ROE, trade openness, and human capital, while government expenditures have negative impact on financial stability. Trade openness, human capital and government expenditures can keep the financial system stable as a whole. The Granger causality analysis discloses the main hypothesis where the banking system in this part of Europe accounts for more than 80% of the financial system. The study sheds light to the policymakers and research about the role of banking performance on financial stability for this region of Europe.
Monetary Policy Interdependency in Fisher Effect: A Comparative Evidence
Authors: Shobande Olatunji Abdul , Shodipe Oladimeji Tomiwa
Published: April 2021

In this paper, we examine the ability of Fisher effect to describe the subjective behaviour of monetary policy responses for nations constrained by global factors. We developed and estimated a simple DSGE model for appraising the consequence of an integrated financial market predictor on national monetary policy response in Africa’s largest economies – Nigeria and South Africa. The paper integrated the theoretical intuition of the famous Fisher effect on the New Keynesian DSGE model with global predictors to describe national monetary policy response as it influence domestic financial variables and macroeconomic fundamentals. Simulations show that the existence of global factors threatens the abilities of national monetary policy to predict financial variables and macroeconomic fundamentals in their economies.
Implementation of plurilingual approach into the foreign language teaching
Authors: Straková Zuzana
Published: April 2021

Teaching foreign languages has adopted various approaches over the history. The last decades of dominance of the Communicative language teaching brought the tendency to insist on the target language use in the classroom in order to allow the immersion into the language. The European Union, however, started to support linguistic diversity more than two decades ago and it has left an imprint on the way foreign language teaching is approached today. Inclusion of plurilingualism in traditional school context requires the readiness of language teachers to use other languages as well as encourage learners to use their prior language experience. The present study presents the results of a questionnaire survey among student teachers measuring their attitudes and readiness to implement more than one additional language in their practice. The participants of the study (n = 118) are all future teachers of English language at both undergraduate and graduate level. The results of the survey indicate a generally positive attitude towards plurilingualism and at the same time ability of the students to rely on more than one language while teaching. The results, however, raise quite a few questions and imperatives for the content of teacher training programmes as well as for the organisation of language education in general.