Neutral Levels Research Articles

Utilizing complex oxide substrates to control carrier concentration in large-area monolayer MoS2 films

Bandgap engineering is central to the design of heterojunction devices. For heterojunctions involving monolayer-thick materials like MoS2, the carrier concentration of the atomically thin film can vary significantly depending on the amount of charge transfer between MoS2 and the substrate. This makes substrates with a range of charge neutrality levels—as is the case for complex oxide substrates—a powerful addition to electrostatic gating or chemical doping to control the doping of overlying MoS2 layers. We demonstrate this approach by growing monolayer MoS2 on perovskite (SrTiO3 and LaAlO3), spinel (MgAl2O4), and SiO2 substrates with multi-inch uniformity. The as-grown MoS2 films on these substrates exhibit a controlled, reproducible, and uniform carrier concentration ranging from (1–4) ×1013 cm−2, depending on the oxide substrate employed. The observed carrier concentrations are further confirmed by our density-functional theory calculations based on ab initio mismatched interface theory (MINT). This approach is relevant to large-scale heterostructures involving monolayer-thick materials in which it is desired to precisely control carrier concentrations for applications.

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study on effects of ultra-high-pressure annealing on surface of Mg-ion-implanted GaN

The effects of ultra-high-pressure annealing (UHPA) on the surface of Mg-ion-implanted GaN were investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). After Mg ion implantation or Mg–N co-implantation, GaN was annealed at 1400 °C for 5 min under a nitrogen pressure of 1 GPa. No deterioration of the surface stoichiometry occurred after UHPA despite the extremely high annealing temperature. The angle-resolved XPS with calibration showed that the surface Fermi level was pinned at 0.5 eV from the conduction band edge after dehydrogenation subsequent to UHPA. However, the absence of pinning at the charge neutrality level showed that surface disorder was absent after UHPA. The surface photovoltaic effect as evidence of the achievement of p-type conduction even in the near-surface region was more remarkable for Mg–N-ion-implanted samples after dehydrogenation subsequent to UHPA. There is the possibility that the density of N-vacancy-related defects was reduced more by Mg–N co-implantation.

Opportunities and challenges in assessing climate change vulnerability through genomics

By investigating how past selection has affected allele frequencies across space, genomic tools are providing new insights into adaptive evolutionary processes. Now researchers are considering how this genomic information can be used to predict the future vulnerability of species under climate change. Genomic vulnerability assessments show promise, but challenges remain.

Hydroquinone exposure accumulates neutral lipid by the activation of CDP-DAG pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Benzene metabolites (HQ and BQ) are toxic compounds and their presence in human cause alteration in cellular respiration and kidney damage. In the current study, Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been used as a model organism and acute exposure of hydroquinone (HQ) decreased cell growth and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS). The expression of apoptosis regulatory genes (YCA1, NUC1, YSP1 and AIF1) were increased with HQ exposure in the wild-type cells. HQ exposure in the wild-type cells altered both the phospholipid and neutral lipid levels. Phosphatidylcholine is a vital membrane lipid that has a vital role in membrane biogenesis and was increased significantly with HQ. The neutral lipid results were supported with lipid droplets data and mRNA expression study. The phospholipid knockouts (Kennedy pathway) accumulated neutral lipids via the CDP-DAG (cytidine-diphosphate-diacylglycerol) pathway genes both in the presence and absence of HQ.

Patterns of pain location in music students: a\xa0cluster analysis

BackgroundAccording to existing literature, musicians experience high rates of musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders involving different anatomical areas. The aim of the study was to identify patterns of pain location in a sample of music students enrolled in different pan-European music institutions. A further goal was to explore the association between the identified pain patterns and students’ characteristics.MethodsA total of 340 music students (mean age 23.3 years, 66.2% female) with current MSK pain completed a web-based questionnaire including both background information (i.e. lifestyle and physical activity, practice habits) and clinical features (i.e. pain characteristics, disability, pain self-efficacy, psychological distress, perfectionism and fatigue).ResultsFive patterns of pain location were identified by hierarchical cluster analysis: wrist pain (WP) representing 22.6% of the total sample, widespread pain (WSP) (16.9%), right shoulder pain (RSP) (18.5%), both shoulders pain – left concentrated (LSP) (23.2%), neck and back pain (NBP) (18.8%). Amongst the identified patterns of pain location, bivariate analysis identified the WSP cluster as containing the largest number of associated variables. Participants in this cluster reported a higher percentage of women (p < .05), a higher perceived exertion (p < .01) and psychological distress (p < .001), as well as a lower level of self-efficacy (p < .01). Similarly, a higher percentage of participants included in the WSP cluster perceived their musical activity as the main cause of their MSK pain (p < .01). Additionally, a higher level of disability in relation to playing-related activity was reported by participants included in the WP and WSP clusters (p < .001). The RSP cluster was characterised by a higher percentage of participants playing an instrument in a neutral position (p < .001) and lower levels of socially prescribed perfectionism (p < .01). A higher percentage of participants playing an instrument with both arms elevated in the left quadrant position were included in the LSP cluster and a higher percentage of singers were included in the NBP cluster (p < .001).ConclusionsFive distinct patterns of pain location were identified and their associations with the students’ characteristics were explored. These findings may be helpful in the exploration of different aetiologies of MSK pain among musicians and in the development of targeted preventive strategies and treatments.

A polymer - zeolite composite for mixed metal removal from aqueous solution.

Heavy metals become inevitable pollutants that are toxic to life. Lots of treatment methods are available; adsorption is a cheap option. Metals are mostly found as mixtures in wastewaters. Taking this into account, a natural composite adsorbent aims to remove multiple heavy metals (Pb2+, Cu2+, Cd2+). Alginate was combined with clinoptilolite to form alginate - clinoptilolite (A-C) beads. First, factors influencing the removal efficiency of metals were investigated. Then, continuous column experiments were performed to evaluate the real application potential of the adsorbent. A-C beads preferably adsorbed Pb2+. Batch experiments showed metal uptake reached equilibrium after 24 hours and kinetics were compatible with the first-order. Also, pH values near neutral levels were observed to increase heavy metal removal. On the other hand, adsorption equilibrium was well described by the Langmuir model for Cu2+ and Cd2+ and by the Freundlich model for Pb2+. The highest heavy metal uptake was calculated as 2,145 mg /g A-C beads for Pb2+. Continuous column operations were suggested to apply low flow rates (<2 mL/min) and heavy metal concentration (<10 mg/L) for effectiveness. A-C beads can be a good candidate for mixed heavy metal removal composed of environmentally friendly and low-cost materials.

Influence of volatile fatty acids in anaerobic bioleaching of potentially toxic metals

Potentially toxic metals are common contaminants associated with sewage sludge, and limited information is available on migration and transformation behavior of potentially toxic metals during anaerobic digestion (AD) process. The aim of this study was to reveal the influence of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) on the solubilization of metals through VFAs-metal complexation. Addition of readily biodegradable extra carbon source at organic loading rate (OLR) of 17.65 gVS/L.d resulted in accumulation of 67,255 mg chemical oxygen demand (COD)/L as VFAs. Low pH values due to VFAs accumulation enhanced the solubilization of Ni and more than 22% of its total concentration became soluble. Subsequent to consumption of VFAs and increase of pH to neutral levels (~7.5), solubility of Ni decreased below 10% of its total concentration. Contrarily, the solubility of Cr reached to 25% of its total concentration at neutral pH values. Presumably the complexation of Cr with dissolved organic matter (DOM) have increased its concentration in the liquid fraction at neutral pH values. Fractionation analysis of metals revealed that AD process altered Cu and Zn speciation between organically-bound and residual fractions, and hence solubility of Zn and Cu remained consistently low over the entire period of the AD process.

The Effect of Increasing Neutral Detergent Fiber Level through Different Fiber Feed Ingredients throughout the Gestation of Sows.

Simple SummaryTo reduce feed costs, the exploration of feed resources is currently the main research direction. In the past, fiber feed was generally regarded as anti-nutritional factors. Recently, fiber has received special attention due to its many beneficial effects. Therefore, this study selected five common household and production wastes as fiber sources and added them to the diet of pregnant sows to explore the impact on sows and piglets. The results of this study indicated that adding corn gluten feed (CG) significantly improved the digestibility of sows and body weight (BW) of piglets, which provide evidence and insight for the application of corn gluten feed in gestation sow diets.The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of increasing dietary neutral detergent fiber (NDF) levels on pregnant sows, and to select the best feed ingredients based on reproductive performance, plasma biochemistry parameters, colostrum and milk composition, and nutrient digestibility. Seventy-two multiparous sows were randomly allotted to six dietary treatment groups (n = 12). The feeding of chicory meal (CM), wheat bran (WB), corn gluten, and rice bran meal (RBM) increased the average weaning weight of piglets compared with the control (CON) group (p < 0.05). Supplementation with CG diet increased the sow BW, weight gain, and back fat thickness compared with WB and RBM on day 107 of gestation (p < 0.05). Furthermore, Supplementation with CG diet resulted in lower plasma urea nitrogen (PUN) and higher total protein (TP) concentrations in plasma (p < 0.05). Feeding CM diet and soybean curd residue (SCR) diet reduced the total protein and globulin, and supplementation with CM diet significantly increased the PUN (p < 0.05). The apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of crude protein (CP), crude fat (EE), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) were decreased following the addition of CM, WB, or SCR to the diets (p < 0.05). The ATTD of NDF and ADF were significantly increased in the CG group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the feeding of CG diet to sows have an excellent effect.

Dye removal from textile wastewater using solar-powered electrocoagulation reactor

A wide range of methods is currently used to remove various pollutants from wastewater. The current focus of research and industries is the use of electrocoagulation for wastewater treatment as this technique can be run using solar energy which produces in-site coagulant able remove dissolved and suspended pollutants at a short time and low cost. Dyes are currently categorised as a universal surface water pollution problem since many industries produce dyes polluted wastewater such as the textile industry. The current investigation focus on the use of electrocoagulation to treat acid orange 2 dye polluted synthetic wastewater and study the impact of the experimental parameters. An electrocoagulation reactor was developed using Iron electrodes and the energy was provided to the reactor using a solar panel. It was found that 100% of the pollutant was removed using electrocoagulation reactor runs on solar power. The Neutral pH level is favourable to remove the dye from textile wastewater. Higher current density and smaller distance between electrodes provide higher removal efficiency of the dye. Generally, it could be said that the best removal of the dye was achieved at pH level at 7, the current density at 2 mA/cm2, the spacing at 5 mm, and the treatment time at 40 minutes.

Zeolite as a natural adsorbent for nitrogenous compounds being removed from water

Water is vital to the survival of humans and all other life forms, yet many sources of freshwater are being contaminated due to pollution, significantly limiting freshwater availability, and threatening human existence. Nitrates and ammonium are common water contaminants whose concentrations in water have increased significantly due to the excessive use of fertilisers. High concentrations of such contaminants in water can lead to multiple health issues, and thus controlling the concentration levels of these pollutants in water grows into the main task for environmental scientists. A natural zeolite filter was employed in this study to minimise traces of contaminants in water. Samples of synthetic polluted water were prepared that contained 50 mg/L of each contaminant for the laboratory tests. Testing natural zeolite doses ranging from 1 to 5 g/L at various pH levels (between 3 and 10) showed that a zeolite filter significantly improved the water quality from the initial concentrations of each pollutant by between 10 and 50 mg/l. In particular, more than 93% of both contaminants (nitrate and ammonium) were removed by using a 5 g/L dose of zeolite in a neutral pH level range for 120 minutes.

Zeolite as a natural adsorbent for nitrogenous compounds removal from water

Water is a vital element to the survival of humans and other life forms. Yet, this source is being contaminated due to pollution leading to significantly limited freshwater, which threatens humans’ existence. Nitrates and ammonium are water contaminants and their concentration has vividly increased owing to their applications as farm nourishments. High concentrations of such contaminants in water can lead to health issues. Thus, controlling the concentration levels of these pollutants in water grows into the main task for environmentalist. Thus, a natural zeolite filter was employed in this study to minimize the traces of contaminants from water. Samples of synthetic water have been prepared and used in the laboratory tests that contain 50 mg/l of each contaminant. Using natural zeolite dose ranged from 1-5 g/l at various pH level (between 3-10) showed that the zeolite filter significantly improved the water quality for initial concentrations of each pollutant ranged from 10 to 50 mg/l. The outcomes showed that more than 93 % of both contaminates (nitrate and ammonium) were separated after using 5 g/l dose of zeolite in neutral pH level range for 120 minutes.

ATP-binding cassette transporters mediate differential biosynthesis of glycosphingolipid species

The cytosolic-oriented glucosylceramide (GlcCer) synthase is enigmatic, requiring nascent GlcCer translocation to the luminal Golgi membrane to access glycosphingolipid (GSL) anabolic glycosyltransferases. The mechanism by which GlcCer is flipped remains unclear. To investigate the role of GlcCer-binding partners in this process, we previously made cleavable, biotinylated, photoreactive GlcCer analogs in which the reactive nitrene was closely apposed to the GlcCer head group, while maintaining a C16-acyl chain. GlcCer-binding protein specificity was validated for both photoprobes. Using one probe, XLB, here we identified ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters ABCA3, ABCB4, and ABCB10 as unfractionated microsomal GlcCer-binding proteins in DU-145 prostate tumor cells. siRNA knockdown (KD) of these transporters differentially blocked GSL synthesis assessed in toto and via metabolic labeling. KD of ABCA3 reduced acid/neutral GSL levels, but increased those of LacCer, while KD of ABCB4 preferentially reduced neutral GSL levels, and KD of ABCB10 reduced levels of both neutral and acidic GSLs. Depletion of ABCA12, implicated in GlcCer transport, preferentially decreased neutral GSL levels, while ABCB1 KD preferentially reduced gangliosides, but increased neutral GSL Gb3. These results imply that multiple ABC transporters may provide distinct but overlapping GlcCer and LacCer pools within the Golgi lumen for anabolism of different GSL series by metabolic channeling. Differential ABC family member usage may fine-tune GSL biosynthesis depending on cell/tissue type. We conclude that ABC transporters provide a new tool for the regulation of GSL biosynthesis and serve as potential targets to reduce selected GSL species/subsets in diseases in which GSLs are dysregulated.

Social distance and speech behavior: A case of Pakistani English speakers’ apology responses

This study investigates the production and perception of apology responses (ARs) of English-using Pakistanis (L2), British English speakers (Native speakers of the target language), and Pakistani Urdu speaker (L1) under the influence of social distance variables. For data collection, two instruments are used; a discourse completion test (DCT in English and Urdu) and a scale response questionnaire (SRQ in English and Urdu). Findings signal that three groups tend to use more Acceptance strategies with the interlocutors of social distance than the close and neutral level respondents, moreover, close and distant level participants tend to favor the use of Acknowledgement ARs than neutral social distance participants, besides, the Evasion category demonstrates that BritE speakers of close social distance prefer the use of Evasion (EV) ARs more often than EuP and PakU. Further, at neutral and distant levels, three groups tend to use a similar proportion of EV strategies. The least number of ARs interacting with social distance factor is used in Rejection category. The close social distance level participants of three groups (EuP, BritE, and PakU) tend to prefer the use of more Rejection strategies than the participants of neutral and distant social distance levels. The SRQ results indicate the operation of negative pragmatic transfer where English-using Pakistanis have assigned the similar values in Situation1 and Situation4 as the PakU group participants have allocated. Generally, both EuP and PakU group approximated the target culture’s sociopragmatic knowledge, both groups assessed the speaker’s close and distant social relation quite significantly equal a pattern that indicates development towards the target culture’s sociopragmatic norms while still under the influence of the L1

Nutrient Therapy on Cataract and Other Health Issues

Four case studies on people with health disorders treated with different supplements at Miljo Naringsbalans Vatten (MNV), Environment Nutrient Balance Water, are mirrored in this article. One female with diabetes was successfully treated with especially Mg, Mn, vitamin C and vitamin B complex. By that treatment also her diagnosed cataract later was unintentionally healed. Attempts to balance the body in accordance with recommendations after hair nutrient analysis, as well as to eat asparagus, maintaining body pH at neutral level, and taking especially additional anti-oxidants and enzymes, most probably helped her to recover quickly from her cancer after surgery and radiation, which was performed in hospital. The importance of maintaining pH 7 in body, as measured in the urine, was found essential in healing processes. Powder of green vegetables and herbs, as well as dolomitic limestone were effective in increasing pH from acid to neutral 7. Diarrhoea caused by elevated Fe (>1 mg/L) in the drinking water had troubled case study 3 for more than a year. Powder containing different nutrients aimed for stomach, intestines and detox, and probiotics, aloe vera and Lactobacilli and Bifido bacteria were successfully used to eliminate his severe diarrhoea. Powder containing a number of nutrients intended to decrease inflammation, significantly decreased sensitivity to sunlight and Electro-Magnetic Fields. Vitamin B complex, Se and vitamin E, and retaining pH at 7 were also important. Iris diagnosed that showed disturbed kidneys was needed to find the underlying cause of mucus in the throat of a young male. By supporting the kidneys symptoms disappeared. The need of long-term treatment was obvious, and many different organs needed treatment when non-specific multiple organ symptoms were reported.

Academic Activities of Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students during the COVID-19 Lockdown in Edo State

This survey investigates the activities of students during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown in Edo State. Google form was drafted and distributed randomly to students and the responses were analysed using descriptive method. It was observed, majority of the students are fully aware of free online learning platforms they could utilise during the lockdown. Among the listed online learning platforms, zoom had the highest usage during the lockdown followed by Google classroom. It was also observed, the leaning performance of the majority of the students who did not partake in any online learning platforms was generally low. In addition, the level of acceptance of online platform is abysmal giving the percentage of neutral and low level of participation. On challenges, majority of the respondents considered poor internet connection, high cost of subscription and distractions at home as major challenges to online learning. Also, majority of the students were not extremely apprehensive out of fear of contracting the coronal virus. In conclusion, if online platforms are to be of significant benefit, the stakeholders in the educational sector must consider resolving the challenges highlighted by this report.

Short-term whole body cigarette smoke exposure induces regional differences in cellular response in the mouse larynx.

The larynx is an essential organ in the respiratory tract and necessary for airway protection, respiration, and phonation. Cigarette smoking is a significant risk factor associated with benign and malignant laryngeal diseases. Despite this association, the underlying mechanisms by which cigarette smoke (CS) drives disease development are not well elucidated. In the current study, we developed a short-term murine whole body inhalation model to evaluate the first CS-induced cellular responses in the glottic [i.e. vocal fold (VF)] and subglottic regions of the larynx. Specifically, we investigated epithelial cell proliferation, cell death, surface topography, and mucus production, at various time points (1 day, 5 days, 10 days) after ∼ 2 h exposure to 3R4F cigarettes (Delivered dose: 5.6968 mg/kg per cigarette) and following cessation for 5 days after a 5 day CS exposure (CSE). CSE elevated levels of BrdU labeled proliferative cells and p63 labeled epithelial basal cells on day 1 in the VF. CSE increased proliferative cells in the subglottis at days 5, 10 and following cessation in the subglottis. Cleaved caspase-3 apoptotic activity was absent in VF at all time points and increased at day 1 in the subglottis. Evaluation of the VF surface by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed significant epithelial microprojection damage at day 10 and early signs of necrosis at days 5 and 10 post-CSE. SEM visualizations additionally indicated the presence of deformed cilia at days 5 and 10 after CSE and post-cessation in the respiratory epithelium lined subglottis. In terms of mucin content, the impact of short-term CSE was observed only at day 10, with decreasing acidic mucin levels and increasing neutral mucin levels. Overall, these findings reveal regional differences in murine laryngeal cellular responses following short-term CSE and provide insight into potential mechanisms underlying CS-induced laryngeal disease development.

Vote Simulation Scripts and Test Deck Generators: Patents and User's Manuals May Play A Role in the 2020 Election Litigation

Introduction As judges seek to separate the fantastical from the plausible in election suits and related defamation cases, patents and user’s manuals may be a strong tool. When characterized as public records, business records, or opposing party statements, these documents may avoid many of the admissibility challenges that have plagued election cases. The documents also provide a level of neutrality and reliability that affidavits and expert witnesses do not—as it is what the voting equipment company claims about its own software, these documents serve as a mutually agreeable baseline for the equipment capability. The especially partisan nature of election contests makes this a unique virtue of the documents. As such, parties in ongoing and future cases should not overlook them in preparing for litigation. Background and Summary The question whether election machines can plausibly be electronically manipulated was once a less exceptional view in academia and the mainstream media. After widespread concern of Russian interference in the 2016 Election and bipartisan interest in securing future contests, significant private and governmental resources were aimed at investigating our country’s voting infrastructure. In 2018, the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine commissioned a study on how our election infrastructure can be strengthened. At DEF CON in 2019, the conference attendees famously hacked every single machine present “in ways that could alter stored vote tallies, change ballots displayed to voters, or alter the internal software that controls the machines.” As recent as January 2020, Congress called in the three largest providers of equipment for testimony. In an article on the hearing, NBC wrote “The three companies . . . are almost entirely unregulated. But in recent years, policymakers and election advocates have begun to question who owns the companies, how they make their machines and whether they could be susceptible to remote hacking.” Many in academia predicted that these claims and concerns would continue beyond the 2020 Election. They were correct. This has led to a slew of lawsuits and some high-profile defamation cases. Central to most of them is the question whether vote manipulation using an algorithm or vote simulation script is sufficiently plausible to adjudicate. Patents and user’s manuals often describe these functions and may be useful tools to judges seeking to answer this question. Two documents, a patent and a user’s manual, in particular will be used as a case study. Beginning with the patent, these documents’ usefulness and admissibility are each described in turn.

Modification of the junction parameters via Al doping in Ag/CdS:Al thin-film Schottky diodes for microwave sensors

In this article, it is investigated the effect of Al doping in the junction parameters of Ag/CdS:Al thin-film Schottky diodes and their electrical response to microwave irradiation. Nanocrystalline CdS:Al thin-films with thicknesses between 109 and 173 nm were prepared by chemical bath deposition and, subsequently, Ag thin-films with an average thickness of 102 nm were grown on the CdS:Al using dc sputtering. The structural, chemical, morphological and optical properties of CdS:Al and Ag films were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope, atomic force microscope, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy and UV-Vis spectrophotometer, respectively. Current-voltage (I − V) characteristics of Ag/CdS:Al diodes, with different Al content, were obtained at room temperature in dark conditions. XRD studies shows that CdS:Al and Ag thin-films have an hexagonal and cubic structure, respectively. Crystallite sizes decreases with Al content for CdS:Al films and were found to be in the 15–40 nm range. A decrease in the intensity of the XRD main peak of CdS:Al films is observed, caused by the inclusion of amorphous Al2O3 on the CdS film. It was found that band gap of CdS:Al films increases with increasing Al content, from 2.28 eV to 2.40 eV. Based on the I − V characteristics of the diodes, their barrier height ϕ 0, ideality factor n, and series resistance R s were calculated, and it was found that these values are modified by increasing Al content in CdS films, in the ranges: ϕ 0: 0.7037–0.8426 eV; n: 3.485–4.213; R s : 0.54–9.86 MΩ. Besides, it was stated that Al doping changes the average surface roughness and the energies of the charge neutrality levels of CdS:Al films. The effects of physical properties of the films on the junction parameters of the diodes were also discussed. Finally, I − V characteristics of the Ag/CdS:Al diodes were studied under X-band microwave irradiation at room temperature in dark conditions. For a specific Al doping value, the current density across the diode during irradiation was found to be lower (0.87–11.6 mA cm−2) than unirradiated diode (1.14–15.6 mA cm−2), when the bias voltage was higher than certain value (3 V), due to an increasing temperature of the diode and the presence of Al2O3 on the CdS:Al film. This last result could be useful in a potential X-band thin-film microwave sensor.

Психологическая безопасность студентов-психологов в образовательной среде вуза в условиях дистанционного обучения

The article presents the findings of the comparative study of the indices of psychological security of educational environment in the context of face-to-face and distance learning formats. The study has revealed the decrease in the level of resistance to psychological violence from teachers, and that of satisfaction with significant attributes of education environment during a distance learning period. It has been proved that psychology students demonstrate weakening of the learning activity significance and lack of face-to-face trustful communication with a teacher. Most differences have been revealed on the behavior component of the attitude towards university education environment: a positive attitude lessened, while a neutral one rose. The indices of the attitude towards education environment on the cognitive component were also high: a neutral level increased

Przestrzeń ducha w muzyce: koncepcja podmiotu Eero Tarastiego jako narzędzie interpretacji zjawiska

Duchowy wymiar muzyki zawsze stanowił zagadkę. W XIX wieku próbowano rozpaczliwie uchwycić ducha muzyki, uciekając w sferę metafor i eseistyki z jednej strony, a sięgając po filozoficzne narzędzia z drugiej. Estetyka uczucia stała się jednak w pewnym momencie niewygodna. „Niewyrażalne” muzyki, stanowiące z początku jej najwyższą cnotę, prowadziło nie dalej niż w sferę poetyki, nie wyjaśniając fenomenu muzycznej transcendencji. Lata 60. i 70. XX wieku przyniosły narzędzia strukturalnej semiotyki muzycznej. Ta ostatnia mimo neopozytywistycznej, laboratoryjnej dokładności stroniła od problemu znaczenia treści pozamuzycznych, ograniczając swoje badania do poziomu neutralnego i wyrażając wiarę w istnienie obiektywnego tekstu dzieła. „Zwrot semantyczny” przyniósł nowy odłam semiotyki eksponującej sam proces znaczenia rozumiany jako akt dynamiczny i nierozerwalnie związany z kontekstem kulturowym. W tej właśnie perspektywie semiotycznej proponuje się interpretację fenomenu duchowej treści muzyki, wykorzystując elementy koncepcji podmiotu Eero Tarastiego. Egzystencjalne Me i społeczne Self wyjaśnia wiele idei związanych z treścią pozamuzyczną dzieła (zwłaszcza natury teologicznej i metafizycznej) i przyczynia się do zrozumienia mechanizmu wiązania „tekstów kulturowych” w wiązki znaczeniowe.