bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modeling of Brain Physics
Authors: Kholmanskiy Alexander
Published: June 2019

The physics of the human brain has two components – basic physics common to all mammals and the physics of thinking inherent only in man. The development of the mental component of the structural and functional organization of the brain in phylogeny was associated with the chiral factor of the external environment, and in ontogenesis - with the social factor. The sensitivity of the brain to these factors was based on the single-connected nature of its aqueous basis, the mechanism of electromagnetic induction, and the features of the thermodynamics of the brain in a state of night sleep. In order to unify the description of the mechanism of electromagnetic processes in the brain, the concept of a quasiphoton has been introduced, combining all forms of excitation of electronic and molecular-cellular structures of the brain. Equivalent schemes of vibrational contours of neural network elements and macrostructures of the brain are proposed. Estimates of the kinetic parameters (activation energy, velocity) of the physical processes underlying the energy-information exchange of the brain with the external environment are made. Mechanisms of operative (physical) and permanent (chemical) memory of the brain, including a model of nonlocal quantum correlations, are discussed.
PENGARUH PEMBERIAN EKSTRAK AIR ROSELLA (Hibiscus sabdariffa L) TERENKAPSULASI MALTODEXTRIN TERHADAP PEROKSIDASI LIPID HATI DAN GINJAL TIKUS WISTAR JANTAN YANG DIINDUKSI ISONIAZID-RIFAMPISIN
Authors: Adnan Jumasni , Djabir Yulia Yusrini , Mufidah Mufidah , Sartini Sartini
Published: June 2019

Isoniazid dan rifampisin merupakan obat lini pertama antituberkulosis, namun kombinasi dari keduanya dapat meningkatkan resiko toksisitas pada hati dan ginjal. Kelopak bunga Rosella memiliki kandungan senyawa antioksidan yang dapat bersifat sitoprotektif. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengevaluasi efek protektif ekstrak air bunga rosella terenkapsulasi maltodextrin terhadap peroksidasi lipid organ hati dan ginjal tikus jantan yang diinduksi isoniazid-rifampisin dosis toksik melalui pemeriksaan kadar malondialdehid (MDA). Sebanyak 25 ekor tikus wistar jantan dibagi ke dalam 5 kelompok. Kelompok I merupakan kontrol sehat, kelompok II diberi penginduksi isoniazid-rifampisin dosis toksik (50 mg/kg dan 100 mg/kg), kelompok III diberi isoniazid-rifampisin dan ekstrak rosella 62.5 mg/kgBB, kelompok IV diberi isoniazid-rifampisin dan ekstrak rosella 125 mg/kgBB, dan kelompok V diberi isoniaid-rifampisin dan ekstrak rosella 250 mg/kgBB. Tikus diberi ekstrak Rosella secara peroral 4 jam sebelum induksi isoniazid-rifampisin. Setelah 35 hari perlakuan, tikus dieutanasia dan dilakukan pemeriksaan MDA organ hati dan ginjal menggunakan spektrofotometer UV-Vis. Pemberian isoniazid-rifampisin dosis toksik selama 35 hari mampu meningkatkan MDA hati dan MDA ginjal lebih dari 3x lipat MDA hati tikus kontrol (p<0.01). Sedangkan, pemberian perlakuan ekstrak Rosella dosis 62.5 mg/kgBB, 125 mg/kgBB, 250 mg/kgBB mampu mempertahankan kadar MDA hati dan ginjal tikus setara dengan kontrol sehat. Dapat disimpulkan bahwa ekstrak rosella terenkapsulasi maltodextrin mampu mencegah peningkatan aktivitas peroksidasi lipid hati dan ginjal tikus yang diinduksi isoniazid-rifampisin pada dosis 62.5 mg/kgBB, 125 mg/kgBB, dan 250 mg/kgBB.
Studi Pengaruh Dosis Dan Lama Penggunaan Terapi Aminoglikosida Terhadap Fungsi Ginjal
Authors: Purnasari Cahyani , Manggau Marianti A , Kasim Hasyim
Published: June 2019

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisa pengaruh penggunaan aminoglikosida, yaitu streptomisin, gentamisin, dan kanamisin, terhadap fungsi ginjal pasien rawat inap di RSUP Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo Makassar dengan melihat parameter fungsi ginjal yaitu kadar kreatinin dan ureum serum pasien. Metode untuk penelitian ini adalah penelitian observasional  non eksperimen dengan rancangan deskriptif-analitik. Pengambilan sampel dilakukan secara retrospektif, dan didapatkan 32 orang sampel yang memenuhi kriteria inklusi.Berdasarkan uji statistik One Way ANOVA kadar kreatinin dan ureum dari ketiga kelompok obat tersebut tidak menunjukkan perbedaan yang signifikan nilai (Ur, p=0.133 > 0,05; Cr, p=0.246 > 0,05). Dalam penelitian ini terlihat bahwa pada dosis penggunaan sekali sehari pada streptomisin dan kanamisin tidak terjadi peningkatan kadar kreatinin pasien, sedangkan pada kelompok pasien gentamisin yang diterapi dengan dosis terbagi (tiap 12 jam) terjadi peningkatan kadar kreatinin. Untuk lama penggunaan terapi, pada streptomisin hanya kelompok streptomisin kategori D (penggunaan terapi >31 hari) dan semua kelompok terapi gentamisin yang menunjukkan peningkatan kreatinin. Hal ini tampaknya diakibatkan oleh sifat nefrotoksik dari aminoglikosida meningkat seiring dengan lama terapi dan penggunaan dosis terbagi. Selain itu gentamisin juga merupakan jenis aminoglikosida yang lebih toksik dibandingkan dengan streptomisin dan kanamisin karena memiliki sifat kationik yang lebih tinggi.Kata kunci :  Aminoglikosida, streptomisin, gentamisin, kanamisin, kadar kreatinin, kadar ureum, fungsi ginjal.
AKTIVITAS ANTIOKSIDAN EKSTRAK ETANOL DAUN BEROMA (Cajanus cajan (L.) Milps)
Authors: Salampe Mirnawati , Rahma Zulfaidah , Nur Syamsu , Mamada Sukamto S
Published: June 2019

Daun beroma (Cajanus cajan (L.) Milps) berpotensi sebagai antioksidan dikaitkan dengan kandungan senyawa kimia yaitu flavanoid dan fenolik. Aktivitas antioksidan dari ekstrak etanol 70% daun Cajanus cajan (L.) Milps dilakukan menggunakan metode 1,1- diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) dan 2,2’-azino-bis- [3- ethylbenzothiazoline sulphonate] (ABTS). Nilai IC50 pada pengujian metode DPPH yaitu 86,34 mg/ml dan IC50 pada metode ABTS yaitu 20,53 mg/ml. Berdasarkan nilai IC50 tersebut, dapat disimpulkan bahwa ekstrak etanol daun Cajanus cajan (L.) Milps mempunyai aktivitas antioksidan yang sangat kuat.
PENGUJIAN EKSTRAK KELUWAK TERHADAP AKTIVITAS REPRODUKSI DENGAN MODEL Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Base Nurul Hidayah , Murdifin Mufidah , Nainu Firzan
Published: June 2019

Keluwak merupakan hasil fermentasi secara alami dari biji Pangi (Pangium edule Reinw) yang mengandung senyawa yang bersifat sebagai antioksidan. Senyawa antioksidan dapat mempengaruhi kondisi penuaan sel dalam tubuh dengan cara menangkal radikal bebas penyebab stress oksidatif. Penelitian bertujuan untuk mengetahui efek ekstrak keluwak terhadap aktivitas reproduksi Drosophila melanogaster. Dalam penelitian ini digunakan lalat jantan dan lalat betina yang diberi pakan normal (kontrol sehat), ekstrak keluwak 1,25% dan vitamin C selama 15 hari. Selanjutnya, jumlah total pupa dan jumlah lalat dewasa yang berhasil berkembang dari pupa dihitung setiap tiga hari. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa ekstrak keluwak 1,25 % dan vitamin C dapat meningkatkan jumlah pupa dan anak dibandingkan dengan kontrol sehat. Dengan demikian dapat disimpulkan bahwa ekstrak etanol keluwak dapat meningkatkan aktivitas reproduksi Drosophila melanogaster
The Laxity of the Native Knee
Authors: Ferle Manuel , Guo Ruipeng , Hurschler Christof
Published: June 2019

Background:

Although soft-tissue balancing plays an important role in knee arthroplasty, we are aware of no objective target parameters describing the soft-tissue tension of the native knee. In the present study, we aimed to meta-analyze data from studies investigating native knee laxity to create a guide for creating a naturally balanced knee joint.

Methods:

PubMed and Web of Science were searched for studies with laxity data published from 1996 through 2016. Graphs were digitally segmented in cases in which numerical data were not available in text or table form. Three-level random-effects meta-analyses were conducted.

Results:

Seventy-six studies evaluating knee laxity at various flexion angles (0° to 90°) were included. Knee laxity was significantly different between 0° and 90° of flexion (p < 0.001) in all 6 testing directions, with mean differences of 0.94 mm and −0.35 mm for anterior and posterior translation, 1.61° and 4.25° for varus and valgus rotation, and 1.62° and 6.42° for internal and external rotation, respectively.

Conclusions:

Knee laxity was dependent on the flexion angle of the knee joint in all degrees of freedom investigated. Furthermore, asymmetry between anterior-posterior, varus-valgus, and internal-external rotation was substantial and depended on the joint flexion angle.

Clinical Relevance:

If the goal of knee arthroplasty is to restore the kinematics of the knee as well as possible, pooled laxity data of the intact soft tissue envelope could be useful as a general guide for soft-tissue balancing in total knee arthroplasty.
Congenital Pseudarthrosis of the Tibia
Authors: Singer Dustin , Johnston Charles E.
Published: June 2019

Background:

This study assessed the outcomes, at skeletal maturity, for 34 patients in whom congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia (CPT) had been treated with intramedullary (IM) rod fixation.

Methods:

The results in skeletally mature patients in whom type-4 CPT had been treated with an IM rod at an average of 11.9 years earlier were reviewed. The rod procedures varied according to whether both the tibia and the fibula were resected and both bones (type A) or just the tibia (type B) were fixed with an IM rod or whether only the tibia was resected and the fibula received no surgery (type C). Outcome grading ranged from unequivocal union with brace-free function (grade 1) to a functional limb with residual angulation or cortical defects (grade 2) to a severely impaired extremity with insufficient union or refracture (grade 3).

Results:

Thirty-four patients were evaluated at a mean age of 16.9 years, a mean of 11.9 years after their initial surgical procedure. Seventeen patients had a grade-1 result; 11 patients, grade 2; and 6, grade 3. Thus, 82% (28) of the 34 patients had a functional extremity at maturity. All patients with a final grade-3 outcome eventually requested amputation. The final outcomes were not affected by the age at the initial fracture or surgery, the presence of neurofibromatosis-1, or cross-ankle fixation. A total of 58 IM rod procedures were performed in the 34 patients. Twenty-four (73%) of the 33 type-A procedures produced grade-1 or 2 outcomes, as did 14 (88%) of the 16 type-B procedures. Of the 9 type-C procedures, none produced a grade-1 result and 4 produced a grade-2 outcome. The results of types A and B combined were superior to those of type-C procedures (p = 0.03). Refracture occurred in 13 of 33 patients with initial stability/union after rod fixation, with 3 of those fractures remaining ununited at the latest follow-up. A dystrophic fibula had no effect on the eventual achievement of a grade-1 or 2 outcome.

Conclusions:

This review, in which all patients had reached skeletal maturity, documents functional (grade-1 or 2) outcomes in 82% of cases of IM rod fixation for CPT. This finding was almost identical to the result in our earlier report and confirms the long-term value of permanent IM rod fixation in maintaining union and function in patients with CPT. Procedures not addressing the fibula produced inferior results. Although 13 patients had a refracture following initial union, only 3 of these fractures failed to heal with additional treatment.

Level of Evidence:

Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Neonatal Cord Care Practices among Mothers and Caregivers in the Volta Region of Ghana
Authors: Opoku Asiedu Sybil S. , Ansah Apatu Nana Abena , Tetteh Rosemond , Hodgson Abraham
Published: June 2019

Background: The umbilical cord is a major route of infection among newborns. In Ghana, infections among neonates accounts for majority of under-five deaths. This study sought to investigate what mothers apply to the umbilical cord of their newborns and what motivates them to put such applications on the cord.

Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of neonatal cord care practices among mothers and caregivers in the Nkwanta South District of the Volta region of Ghana. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used.

Results: Majority of the mothers/caregivers used substances that have not been recommended for umbilical cord dressing (64.3%). Factors such as level of education [?2=8.2, p=0.02], place of delivery [?2 = 40.1, p<0.001], relationship with whoever has made a recommendation for a particular dressing to be used [?2=95.2, p<0.001] and number of days it takes the umbilical cord to fall off [?2=6.2, p=0.05] were found to influence the type of dressing used on the umbilical cord.

Conclusion and Global Health Implications: In order to reduce the number of neonates who die due to avoidable cord-related infections, the type of substances used on the umbilical cord should be approved substances. Health education particularly on neonatal cord care targeting community members and health care providers at the lower levels of the healthcare delivery system should be intensified.

Key words: • Umbilical cord • Neonates • Newborns • Rural • Dressing • Infections • Ghana

 

Copyright © 2019 Asiedu et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
A Comparative Analysis of the Zernike Moments for Single Object Retrieval
Authors: Et al. Abu Bakar
Published: June 2019

Zernike Moments has been popularly used in many shape-based image retrieval studies due to its powerful shape representation. However its strength and weaknesses have not been clearly highlighted in the previous studies. Thus, its powerful shape representation could not be fully utilized. In this paper, a method to fully capture the shape representation properties of Zernike Moments is implemented and tested on a single object for binary and grey level images. The proposed method works by determining the boundary of the shape object and then resizing the object shape to the boundary of the image. Three case studies were made. Case 1 is the Zernike Moments implementation on the original shape object image. In Case 2, the centroid of the shape object image in Case 1 is relocated to the center of the image. In Case 3, the proposed method first detect the outer boundary of the shape object and then resizing the object to the boundary of the image. Experimental investigations were made by using two benchmark shape image datasets showed that the proposed method in Case 3 had demonstrated to provide the most superior image retrieval performances as compared to both the Case 1 and Case 2. As a conlusion, to fully capture the powerful shape representation properties of the Zernike moment, a shape object should be resized to the boundary of the image.
Immunohistochemical Expression of WT1 in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Among Filipino Patients in a Tertiary Hospital
Authors: Manasan Criston Van , Atun Jenny Maureen , Carnate Jr. Jose
Published: June 2019

Background. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is endemic in Southeast Asia and the Philippines. Novel treatments are desirable due to the high disease burden and adverse effects of existing modalities. Detection of WT1 expression via immunohistochemistry has been reported in many tumors. Moreover, immunotherapy via WT1 peptide vaccination has shown promising results in a wide range of malignancies. No studies on WT1 expression in NPC have been published in any population.Objective. Documenting WT1 expression in NPC via immunohistochemistry may provide insight into the possibility of using WT1 vaccination for this disease. Methodology. This was a retrospective descriptive study. All newly-diagnosed cases of NPC from 2016 to 2017 with samples stored in the Department of Laboratories of the Philippine General Hospital were considered. Cases were included based on specific criteria. The tumor classification of each case was reviewed and WT1 immunohistochemistry staining was performed. Assessment of the strength of WT1 immunostaining was conducted. The results were analyzed using Chi-square test for association with fisher exact correction. Results. A total of 57 cases were included, all of which were non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinomas (NK-SCCs). Forty-nine were undifferentiated type while eight were differentiated type. The mean age was 48 years. Two thirds were male, one third were female. Seventeen of the 57 cases (29.8%) were positive for WT1 immunostaining, and all were undifferentiated type. The majority (82.32%) of the positive cases showed cytoplasmic expression. There was a significant association between tumor classification and WT1 staining.Conclusion. Similar to studies conducted in other carcinomas, a considerable subset of NPCs express WT1. This finding opens other avenues for exploration, including the feasibility of WT1 peptide vaccination as a treatment option. Further studies on the associations between WT1 and NPC are recommended.
Effectiveness of message framing to improve oral health behaviors and dental plaque among pregnant women
Authors: Divdar Masoumeh , Araban Marzieh , Heidarabadi Akbar Babaei , Cheraghian Bahman
Published: June 2019

Background

Oral health is taken into account as an important factor in determining individuals’ quality of life. In this respect, pregnancy can have its own significant effects on oral health. Therefore, health messages can play an important role in motivating people to improve their health-related behaviors. Accordingly, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the impact of message framing on oral health-related behaviors as well as dental plaque among pregnant women.

Methods

This quasi-experimental study was conducted on a total number of 108 pregnant women in the city of Izeh, Iran in 2017. To this end, the participants were randomly divided into three groups; gain-framed, loss-framed and control group. The research instrument included a demographic characteristics questionnaire along with the constructs of knowledge, attitude, behavioral intention, self-efficacy, performance, and dental plaque index derived from previous studies. Moreover, gain- and loss-framed messages were sent to the intervention groups via cell phones but the control group did not receive any messages in this regard. The participants’ dental plaque was also examined within two steps by a dentist. The significance level of the tests was considered by p<0.05.

Results

The results revealed that the mean scores of knowledge, attitude, behavioral intention, and self-efficacy had significantly increased in the gain- and loss-framed intervention groups (p<0.001) as compared to control group; but no significant difference was observed in the control group (knowledge, p=0.135; attitude, p= 0.166; behavioral intention, p=0.2; self-efficacy, p=0.37). The rising trend in the mean score of the behaviors in the intervention groups was significantly higher than that in the control group (p<0.001). The percentage of dental plaque in the gain- and loss-framed intervention groups also showed a significant decrease compared with that in the control group (p<0.001).

Conclusion

The results revealed message framing could improve knowledge, attitude, behavioral intention, self-efficacy, and dental plaque among pregnant women. Also, the gain-framed oral health messages could more improve the study variables, although such a difference was not significant.
Immunological relationship between autoimmune liver disease and autoimmune thyroid disease:a cross-sectional study
Authors: Zeng Qingmin , Gao Min , Wang Chunyan , Han Xu , Chen Chen , Zhao Lili , Tu Chunhua , Han Ping , Li Jia
Published: June 2019

Background: High prevalence of autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) in patients with autoimmune liver disease (AILD) has been observed. Data on the clinical relationship between AILD and AILD remain scanty. We aimed to evaluate the immunological relationship between AILD and AITD.
Results: 324 patients with AILD were enrolled, 113 out of 324 patients were concurrent AITD (34.9%). Patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) were more likely to develop AITD (45.8%), followed by autoimmune hepatitis-primary biliary cholangitis overlap syndrome (AIH-PBC OS) (39.5%) and PBC (22.6%). AILD patients with concurrent AITD showed higher levels of IgG (21.5 g/L vs 16.3 g/L, P<0.0001) and gamma globulin (γ-globulin)(27.1% vs 21.9%, P<0.0001), and IgG were positively correlated with thyroid antibodies [thymoglobulinantibody (TGAb), thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb)] (r=0.396, 0.322; P<0.0001, P=0.002, respectively). The frequency of TPOAb positivity was highest in PBC patients with concurrent AITD (83.9%). The AIH concomitant with AITD had a higher nuclear homogenizing antinuclear antibody (ANA) positivity compared with the AIH alone (P=0.019). PBC patients with concurrent AITD were significantly older than the PBC patients without AITD (P=0.0004). Thyroid dysfunction in AILD patients with concurrent AITD was principally characterized by Hashimoto's thyroiditis (65.5%) and diffuse lesions were mainly indicated in thyroid ultrasound (53.1%).
Conclusions: The high incidence of AILD concomitant with AITD, as well as the higher levels of serum IgG and γ-globulin, and the strong correlation between thyroid antibody and IgG, suggesting that we should strengthen the screening of autoimmune thyroid disease when diagnosing and treating autoimmune liver disease.
Surgical treatment and operation time in HIV-negative cryptococcal meningitis
Authors: Zhao Xiang , Zhao Jie , Yang Shaobo , Li Wenyang , Liu Ying , Miao Shuying
Published: June 2019

Background: There are still no unified guidelines of surgical treatment and timing for HIV-negative patients with cryptococcal meningitis (CM). Methods: The clinical data and follow-up data were collected from HIV-negative CM patients in Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from January 2009 to November 2018, and 42 patients who were treated with surgical intervention were enrolled in the present study. These 42 patients were divided into ventriculoatrial (VA) group, ventriculoperitoneal (VP) group, external ventricle drainage (EVD) group, hydrocephalus (HYC) group, non-HYC group, EVD group and non-EVD group (VA/VP) according to different surgical procedures. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS (version 19.0, Chicago, IL, USA). Results: Signs of headache, fever and loss of consciousness in the VA group were significantly improved compared with the EVD group at 1 week after operation (P<0.05). The mortality rate of the VA group was significantly lower than that of the EVD group (P<0.05). Moreover, male patients were more prone to have HYC (P<0.05). Younger patients tended to develop HYC (P<0.05). Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sugar in the non-HYC group was significantly lower compared with the HYC group (P<0.05). Time of CM-to-operation in the non-HYC group was markedly shorter compared with the HYC group (P<0.01). Conclusions: VA procedure could be one of the first choices for the treatment of uncontrollable intracranial hypertension caused by CM. Severe uncontrollable headache, loss of consciousness and cerebral hernia were indications of emergency surgery. Repeated headache, hearing impairment, and especially progressive loss of vision were indications of early surgery to avoid permanent damage to nerve functions of HIV-negative CM patients.
The Influence of Johannes Fabian on Claude Lévi-Strauss
Authors: Milenković Miloš
Published: June 2019

In his explicitly theoretical works, Johannes Fabian, one of the key intradisciplinary "affinities" of the author-founder of postmodern anthropology, constructed a specific view of Claude Lévi-Strauss's structuralism, which, as reinterpreted by critical anthropologists, was to fundamentally shape the history of anthropological post-structuralism. In order to explain that the constitution of the subject of research through research itself – i.e. "the invention of the subject of anthropology" – should be accorded the status of the crucial problem of anthropological methodology, Fabian imputed to Lévi-Strauss a rigid and amateurish preconception of research in the natural sciences as inherently positivist. The opposition structuralism/poststructuralism = positivism/postpositivism thus implied was to permanently reshape discussions on realism in critical anthropology, with absurd consequences. The most important of these was the supposedly "antirealist" character of postmodern anthropology, as a direct derivative of critical anthroplogy, which, being aware that reality is created by research, was now seen to play a somehow more ethical and less repressive part in knowledge/power games. The delight at the discovery of this methodological commonplace – that the subject of research is constituted by research itself – might have been but a matter of passing interest, being itself a common enough phenomenon, had not this particular intradisciplinary exchange led to the discrediting of the entire methodological package associated with structuralism. Paradoxically, the retaining of a realistic, radically antipositivist structural method would have made possible the achievement of the cultural-critical ambitions of postmodern anthropology's research program, had not the method been ineptly contaminated by this chain of activist reinterpretation which eventually frustrated the aims it had set out to accomplish.
Heteroscedastic and symmetric efficiency for hydrological model evaluation criteria
Authors: Zhan Chesheng , Han Jian , Zou Lei , Sun Fubao , Wang Tiejun
Published: June 2019

Evaluation criteria play a key role in assessing the performances of hydrological models. Most previous criteria are based on the standard least square method, which assumes model residuals to be homoscedastic and is, therefore, not suitable for assessing cases with heteroscedastic residuals. Here, we compared a heteroscedastic and symmetric efficiency (HSE) criterion with the Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) and the heteroscedastic maximum-likelihood estimator (HMLE) by running a monthly water balance model with four parameters (i.e., the abcd model) in 138 basins located in the continental United States derived from the Model Parameter Estimation Experiment dataset. The results show that compared to the NSE, the HSE and HMLE are both more effective for stabilizing variance and producing more uniform performances with flow magnitude, and the latter is slightly more effective than the former on stabilizing the residual heteroscedasticity, with the aid of an additional parameter.
Synthesis of magnetic biochar derived from cotton stalks for the removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution
Authors: Ma Fengfeng , Zhao Baowei , Diao Jingru
Published: June 2019

A magnetic cotton stalk biochar (MCSBC) was synthesized through chemical co-precipitation, based on cotton stalk biochar (CSBC). The MCSBC and CSBC were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and vibrating sample magnetometry. The characterization analyses showed that the magnetization process endowed the CSBC with excellent magnetic properties with a superparamagnetic magnetization of 27.59 emu/g. Batch adsorption experiment results indicated that the Cr(VI) maximum adsorption capacity of MCSBC was 20.05 mg/g, which was higher than that of CSBC (18.77 mg/g). The adsorption kinetic data were well fitted by the pseudo-second-order model and the adsorption isotherms were well represented by the Sips isotherm model. The thermodynamic studies indicated that the adsorption process was spontaneous and endothermic, and the entropy increased. The potential adsorption mechanism was the electrostatic adsorption of anionic Cr(VI) to the positively charged MCSBC surface, the reduction of Cr(VI) into Cr(III) and the complexation of Cr(III) by oxygen-containing functional groups of MCSBC. The regeneration studies showed that MCSBC kept 80% of its initial Cr(VI) adsorption capacity in the cycle. All the findings suggest that this novel magnetic biochar could be used in the field of Cr(VI)-containing wastewater treatment.
Performance of a newly enriched bacterial consortium for degrading and detoxifying azo dyes
Authors: Guo Guang , Tian Fang , Zhang Can , Liu Tingfeng , Yang Feng , Hu Zhixin , Liu Chong , Wang Shiwei , Ding Keqiang
Published: June 2019

To obtain a bacterial consortium that can degrade azo dyes effectively, a bacterial consortium was enriched that can degrade Metanil yellow effectively. After 6 h, 96.25% Metanil yellow was degraded under static conditions by the bacterial consortium, which was mainly composed of Pseudomonas, Lysinibacillus, Lactococcus, and Dysgonomonas. In particular, Pseudomonas played a main role in the decolorization process. Co-substrate increased the decolorization rate, and yeast powder, peptone, and urea demonstrated excellent effects. The optimal pH value and salinity for the decolorization of azo dyes is 4–7 and 1% salinity respectively. The bacterial consortium can directly degrade many azo dyes, such as direct fast black G and acid brilliant scarlet GR. Azo reductase activity, laccase activity, and lignin peroxidase activity were estimated as the key reductase for decolorization, and Metanil yellow can be degraded into less toxic degradation products through synergistic effects. The degradation pathway of Metanil yellow was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, which demonstrated that Metanil yellow was cleaved at the azo bond, producing p-aminodiphenylamine and diphenylamine. These findings improved our knowledge of azo-dye-decolorizing microbial resources and provided efficient candidates for the treatment of dye-polluted wastewaters.
New Strategy on Antimicrobial-resistance: Inhibitors of DNA Replication Enzymes
Authors: Yi Lanhua , Lü Xin
Published: June 2019

Background:

Antimicrobial resistance is found in all microorganisms and has become one of the biggest threats to global health. New antimicrobials with different action mechanisms are effective weapons to fight against antibiotic-resistance.

Objective:

This review aims to find potential drugs which can be further developed into clinic practice and provide clues for developing more effective antimicrobials.

Methods:

DNA replication universally exists in all living organisms and is a complicated process in which multiple enzymes are involved in. Enzymes in bacterial DNA replication of initiation and elongation phases bring abundant targets for antimicrobial development as they are conserved and indispensable. In this review, enzyme inhibitors of DNA helicase, DNA primase, topoisomerases, DNA polymerase and DNA ligase were discussed. Special attentions were paid to structures, activities and action modes of these enzyme inhibitors.

Results:

Among these enzymes, type II topoisomerase is the most validated target with abundant inhibitors. For type II topoisomerase inhibitors (excluding quinolones), NBTIs and benzimidazole urea derivatives are the most promising inhibitors because of their good antimicrobial activity and physicochemical properties. Simultaneously, DNA gyrase targeted drugs are particularly attractive in the treatment of tuberculosis as DNA gyrase is the sole type II topoisomerase in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Relatively, exploitation of antimicrobial inhibitors of the other DNA replication enzymes are primeval, in which inhibitors of topo III are even blank so far.

Conclusion:

This review demonstrates that inhibitors of DNA replication enzymes are abundant, diverse and promising, many of which can be developed into antimicrobials to deal with antibioticresistance.
Model Kepemimpinan Berkarakter dalam Konteks Manajemen Hubungan Masyarakat di Lembaga Pendidikan
Authors: Istikaroh Astuti
Published: June 2019

Character leadership in educational institutions is instrumental values to move the enthusiasm of others to be willing and have a responsibility to achieve the vision of educational institutions. Characteristic leadership values that need to be inspired by leaders of educational institutions are honest, visionary, capable of being trendsetter and smart. This value becomes a terminal value or becomes an instrument value in realizing the excellence and image of educational institutions. In the context of public relations management in educational institutions, the role of character leaders is to be the main inspiration in delivering information about educational institutions to stakeholders. The importance of the role of character leaders in planning and implementing it so as to produce useful information for stakeholders.
Android Device to Device Messaging using Google Cloud Messaging (GCM)
Authors: Dubey Varsha
Published: June 2019

Android is an operating system for smartphones, tablets and now will be used for Personal Computers also. It includes a touch screen user interface, widgets, camera, network data monitoring and all the other features that enable a cell phone to be called a smartphone. Basically, Multi-Purpose chat application allows users to send asynchronous messages, and enable sharing image files with other peers on the JXTA world using JXME. Instant messaging has become so ubiquitous, an entire generation of internet users is probably unaware there was ever life without it. The use of instant messaging nowadays is more than the calling function itself. The main objective of this paper is to introduce a methodology to provide instant Messaging Service over the Google Cloud Messaging  which is addressed to android based smartphone and tablet users connected over intranet via Wi-Fi. The proposed method is based on sending/receiving messages in intranet through intranet server via Wi-Fi connection without the need of taking any service from mobile service provider .
The Concept of Theurgic Creativity by Vladimir Solovyov and Vyacheslav Ivanov
Authors: Buzhor Evgeniya Sergeevna ,   Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation
Published: June 2019

The philosophy of Vladimir Solovyov is considered from the perspective of its existential value. He understood his philosophy as a philosophy of life intended to give a man the highest meaning of his existence rather than as a philosophy of the school of thought. For Solovyov, the highest meaning of human existence consists in pursuing the matter of nature that is to overcome the disunified empirical state and ascend to the world of positive all-unity. The paper introduces and explains the concept of individual theurgy by Solovyov manifested in two fundamental varieties, i.e. the path of love and the path of art both available to everyone. Solovyov’s theory of art is analyzed as the basic theurgic principle that implies the creation of beauty as the spiritualization and idealization of the empirical world. Then Solovyov’s theurgic art is revised in the theory of artistic creativity developed by the Russian poet Vyacheslav Ivanov. This theory is closely related to the anthropological teaching of Ivanov where the theurgic artist is an anthropological ideal. The study notes that the basic aspects of Ivanov’s theory of art are semantically interconnected and divide art into two types: violent and transformative or non-violent and transfigurative. Genuinely theurgic art is characterized by a non-violent transfiguration of reality. The study also examines the distinction between symbolic and theurgic arts by Ivanov. The research shows that the achievement of the stage of theurgic art requires the spiritual transformation of the artist that raises him to the level of the spiritual beings of the noumenal world. A person who has reached the stage of theurgic art is defined by Ivanov as a superhuman being in the specific spiritual sense that is a part of this concept from the standpoint of the Russian philosophy of all-unity.
The Opening of the Irkutsk Branch of the State Bank and Its Main Activities in the 1860s-1880s
Authors:   Irkutsk National Research Technical University, Gavrilova Natalya Igorevna
Published: June 2019

The paper discussed the establishment of the Irkutsk branch of the State Bank and its main activities in its first decades (the 1860s-1880s). The State Bank had the task of creating a branch network. The opening of the Irkutsk branch in 1865 was considered from this perspective, and its activities were reviewed as the main tool of state regulation of the region’s economy. Based on the materials of the Russian State Historical Archives and the State Archives of Irkutsk region, the author identified that the acceptance of deposits was the first priority for Irkutsk regional bank, but it failed to record promissory notes and issue loans. Lending to the gold industry, the leading sector of the region’s economy, was insufficient. Such a lending practice led to a decrease in the number of the Bank clients (only the largest traders and industrialists of the territory were able to get credits and loans) and hindered the development of regional entrepreneurship.
The Role of Bilingualism in the Development of Consciousness: a Theoretical Aspect
Authors: Betilmerzaeva Maret Muslamovna ,   Chechen State University,   Chechen State University
Published: June 2019

Language performs instrumental functions since it serves as a means of communication, preservation of knowledge, and mutual exchange of information. It fulfills symbolic functions as well. The nature of symbolism in this case is based on the fact that language as a system combines a thing (or being) – a name (or word) – a meaning (or thought). In this sense, language is a cultural code; decoding it means revealing the peculiar thinking and social behavior of language speakers. While studying a new language, the individuals start from the logic of their native language. When they are involved in good and long communication in the second language, master language speaking and writing skills, start to think in a foreign language, these things help structure a new form of thinking and consciousness with a unique nature of speakers’ mental representation.
Cultural Environment Features of a Higher Educational Institution
Authors:   Siberian Federal University, Smetanina Maria Dmitrievna
Published: June 2019

The purpose of the study is to identify the cultural environment features of a higher educational institution and substantiate the need for the purposeful use of its potential to solve tasks faced by Russian higher education nowadays. The research describes the basic elements of cultural environment such as values, activities, communication, and objects of culture particularly reflected in a Russian higher school. The paper deals with the values of today’s higher education declared in international and national documents, modern widespread university models, the components of the educational process related to e-learning and distance learning technology. The author draws attention to the aspects and means of communication, the importance of social and cultural information for the development of scientific, spiritual and moral, other potential of the university community. The study discusses the objects of culture (libraries, centers of excellence, in-house publications, museums) available at every university and aimed at raising the cultural level of actors in education.
Modern Approaches to Building Recommender Systems for Online Stores
Authors: Onokoy Lyudmila , Lavendels Jurijs
Published: June 2019

The article presents current approaches to solving the problem of building recommender systems designed to intellectualize the user interface of online stores. Much attention is paid to modern methods of building recommender systems, analysing their strengths and weaknesses. Of greatest interest are the criteria for selecting effective methods for specific online stores and the authors’ concept of a typical recommender system of electronic commerce.
Placement of Data Array Replicas in a Distributed System With Unreliable Communication Channels
Authors: Kulba Vladimir , Somov Sergey , Merkuryev Yuri
Published: June 2019

The paper proposes an approach to solving the problem of optimal placement of data array replicas in a distributed system. It presents a formal model of a distributed system with unreliable communication channels. A system is represented as a graph with coloured arcs. The formulation of the problem of finding the optimal placement of replicas is given. As a criterion for optimization, the minimum response time to a data request is considered. The task solution heuristic algorithm is also proposed in the paper.
Definition of the Criteria for Layout of the UML Use Case Diagrams
Authors: Filipova Olga , Nikiforova Oksana
Published: June 2019

Nowadays, the topicality and applicability of model-driven development in the object-oriented development approach has increased, so it is important that created models and diagrams display not only the content, but also visually reflect information. Transparent diagram placement that influences work productivity is important for displaying information. Manual layout of diagrams is a time-consuming activity, which can also be ineffective, so in this paper the application of UML use case automatic layout is reviewed. The paper also examines the requirements of use case diagrams and placement criteria, which will serve as a basis for the creation of an automatic use case diagram layout algorithm.
Is digit ratio (2D:4D) associated with the choice for the uniformed versus a civil study course by the Polish youth?
Authors: Kociuba Marek , Chakraborty Raja , Ignasiak Zofia , Kozieł Sławomir
Published: June 2019

The 2nd to 4th digit ratio (2D:4D) is a sexually dimorphic trait determined by the relative balance of prenatal testosterone (T) and oestrogen during the intrauterine development of foetus. Males on average have relatively lower 2D:4D than women in population. Lower 2D:4D is very often linked with greater physical ability, strength, superior sporting performance and many personality traits and behaviours which are seen more among the males. Recently, lower 2D:4D were associated with military and police services among the Polish women. The objectives of this study were to examine whether 2D:4D differed between the students of a study course for future military service and a civil study course and whether sex difference in this ratio is present in both these groups. The cross sectional study included 50 boys and 42 girls enrolled in the uniformed course and other 56 boys and 50 girls of a general course in an upper-secondary School. The lengths of the second (2D) and fourth fingers (4D) of each hand were measured to have the 2D:4D ratio. Height and weight were also recorded. Overall, as well as among the civil course students, males showed significantly lower mean 2D:4D compared to the females. But there was no significant sex difference in digit ratio among the uniformed course students. Besides, the females under uniformed course showed lower 2D:4D than the females in civil course, whereas, the male uniformed students had similar or almost same 2D:4D values with the male civil course students. Increased prenatal testosterone exposure might have a role in determining the choice towards a challenging future occupation and such effect is perhaps more pronounced in women than in males.
Disputatio Symposium on Sally Haslanger’s Work
Authors: Marques Teresa
Published: June 2019

The articles collected in this symposium are result of the workshop Doing Justice to the Social, which was dedicated to the work of Sally Haslanger. The workshop took place at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona between the 6 and 8 June 2016. The workshop was also the 10th Meeting of the NOMOS Network for Practical Philosophy. The network meetings focus on philosophical issues connected with practical concerns, examined in an open-minded manner. This sympo- sium collects articles by Rachel Sterken, Esa Díaz-León, and Jennifer Saul, and also Sally Haslanger’s reply to authors.
John Searle’s Naturalism as a Hybrid (Property-Substance) Version of Naturalistic Psychophysical Dualism
Authors: Sepetyi Dmytro
Published: June 2019

The article discusses the relationship between John Searle’s doctrine of naturalism and various forms of materialism and dualism. It is argued that despite Searle’s protestations, his doctrine is not substantially differ- ent from the epiphenomenalistic property dualism, except for the admis- sion, in his later works, of the existence of an irreducible non-Humean self. In particular, his recognition that consciousness is unique in having an irreducible first-person ontology makes his disavowal of property du- alism purely verbalistic. As for epiphenomenalism, Searle’s explanation of how consciousness can be efficacious without violating the causal clo- sure of the physical, by analogy with the causal efficacy of the higher level properties of physical objects that are supervenient on the microphysical, confuses causality and constitution (causal and constitutive superve- nience). It is also argued that Searle’s recognition of the existence of an irreducible non-Humean self that is responsible for decision-making sits badly both with his (property dualistic) view that conscious mental states are irreducibly first-personal states of the brain (rather than of the self) and with his (epiphenomenalistic) view that consciousness has no causal power in addition to that of the underlying neurobiology.
Influencing for Results: Bees, Beekeepers and Norwegian Pesticide Legislation
Authors: Frøyen Anne Jorunn
Published: June 2019

Many who are worried about the disappearance of pollinating insects, question the role of pesticides and point to the need for stricter legislation regulating the use of these chemicals. This article studies the years between 1933 and 1953, when legislation regulating the use of pesticides against insects and weeds was established in Norway. It analyses how knowledge about effects of pesticides circulated from Norwegian honeybees, to their beekeepers and their network. It suggests that the actors’ position and standing influenced what knowledge they put into circulation and what knowledge they suppressed. A knowledge hierarchy meant that some actors were powerful enough to influence the discourse on toxicity, established in those years.
Following Hydrogen Cyanide in the Valencian Country (1907-1933): Risk, Accidents and Standards in Fumigation
Authors: Guillem-Llobat Ximo
Published: June 2019

Pests had represented a major problem in agriculture for centuries, but the huge changes in the food chain around the late nineteenth century intensified their effects in a totally unprecedented way and many new chemical substances were introduced in the attempt to control them. In this paper I will focus on the implementation of hydrogen cyanide, a highly toxic pesticide which has not received particular consideration from researchers to date.

I shall analyse the introduction of this pesticide in the Valencian Country and focus on the attention given to the safety of workers and consumers. I aim to examine the role of the poison in its different uses and analyse the impact of each of them on safety regulations. Risks, accidents, and standards will be the main analytical categories I will use in my exploration of hydrogen cyanide and the safety regulations implemented in each context.
Reliability and Operating Analysis of Transmission of Alarm Signals of Distributed Fire Signaling System
Authors: Klimczak Tomasz , Paś Jacek
Published: June 2019

The article presents basic issues regarding the operation process and analysis of the reliability of the fire alarm and transmission system in the distributed fire alarm system. Signals of fire and fault alarms generated from the fire alarm system (SSP) send fire monitoring. Fire monitoring consists of sending, with the confirmation, an automatic fire alarm and a fault signal to the appropriate alarm receiving centers (ACO). The reliability structure of the fire and fault alarm transmission system is presented. An analysis of reliability of independent SSP system information transmission paths was performed.