bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relative roles of microsurgery and stereotactic radiosurgery for the treatment of patients with cranial meningiomas: a single-surgeon 4-year integrated experience with both modalities
Authors: Linskey Mark E. , Davis Stephen A. , Ratanatharathorn Vaneerat
Published: November 2018

Object. The authors sought to assess the respective roles of microsurgery and gamma knife surgery (GKS) in the treatment of patients with meningiomas.

Methods. The authors culled from a 4-year prospective database data on 74 cases of meningiomas. Thirty-eight were treated with GKS and 35 with microsurgery. Simpson Grade 1 or 2 resection was achieved in 86.1% of patients who underwent microsurgery. Patients who underwent GKS received a mean margin dose of 16.4 Gy (range 14–20 Gy). The mean tumor coverage was 94.7%, and the mean conformity index was 1.76. Significant differences between the two treatment groups (GKS compared with microsurgery) included age (mean 60 compared with 50.7 years), volume (mean 7.85 cm3 compared with 44.4 cm3), treatment history (55.3% compared with 14.3%), and tumor location (cavernous sinus/petroclival, 14 compared with three). The median follow up was 21.5 months (range 1.5–50 months). In patients with benign meningiomas GKS tumor control was 96.8% with one recurrence at the margin. The recurrence rate was zero of 27 for Simpson Grade 1 or 2 resection and three of four for higher grades in those patients who underwent microsurgery. There was no procedure-related mortality or permanent major neurological morbidity. The mean Karnofsky Performance Scale score was maintained for both forms of treatment. Symptoms improved in 48.4% of patients undergoing microsurgery and 16.7% of those who underwent GKS. Transient and permanent cranial nerve morbidity was 7.9 compared with 2.9%, and 5.3 compared with 8.5% for GKS and microsurgery, respectively. In a patient satisfaction survey 93.1% of microsurgery patients and 91.2% of GKS patients were highly satisfied.

Conclusions. Both GKS and microsurgery serve important roles in the overall management of patients with meningiomas. Both are safe and effective and provide high degrees of satisfaction when used for differentially selected patients.
Analyzing 3-tesla magnetic resonance imaging units for implementation in radiosurgery
Authors: Mack Andreas , Wolff Robert , Scheib Stefan , Rieker Marcus , Weltz Dirk , Mack G. , Kreiner Hans-Jürg , Pilatus Ulrich , Zanella Friedhelm E. , Böttcher Heinz D. , Seifert Volker
Published: November 2018

Object. The limiting factor affecting accuracy during gamma knife surgery is image quality. The new generation of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging units with field strength up to 3 teslas promise superior image quality for anatomical resolution and contrast. There are, however, questions about chemical shifts or susceptibility effects, which are the subject of this paper.

Methods. The 3-tesla MR imaging unit (Siemens Trio) was analyzed and compared with a 1-tesla unit (Siemens Magnetom Expert) and to a 1.5-tesla unit (Philips Gyroscan). Evaluation of the magnitude of error was performed within transverse slices in two orientations (axial/coronal) by using a cylindrical phantom with an embedded grid. Deviations were determined for 21 targets in a slab phantom with known geometrical positions within the stereotactic frame. Distortions caused by chemical shift and/or susceptibility effects were analyzed in a head phantom. Inhouse software was used for data analyses.

The mean deviation was less than 0.3 mm in axial and less than 0.4 mm in coronal orientations. For the known targets the maximum deviation was 1.16 mm. By optimizing these parameters in the protocol these inaccuracies could be reduced to less than 1.1 mm. Due to inhomogeneities a shift in the z direction of up to 1.5 mm was observed for a dataset, which was shown to be compressed by 1.2 mm.

Conclusions. The 3-tesla imaging unit showed superior anatomical contrast and resolution in comparison with the established 1-tesla and 1.5-tesla units; however, due to the high field strength the field within the head coil is very sensitive to inhomogeneities and therefore 3-tesla imaging data will have be handled with care.
Gamma knife surgery for trigeminal neuralgia: improved initial response with two isocenters and increasing dose
Authors: Alpert Tracy E. , Chung Chung T. , Mitchell Lisa T. , Hodge Charles J. , Montgomery Craig T. , Bogart Jeffrey A. , Kim Daniel Y-J. , Bassano Danel A. , Hahn Seung S.
Published: November 2018

Object. The authors sought to evaluate the initial response of trigeminal neuralgia (TN) to gamma knife surgery (GKS) based on the number of shots delivered and radiation dose.

Methods. Between September 1998 and September 2003, some 63 patients with TN refractory to medical or surgical management underwent GKS at Upstate Medical University. Ten patients had multiple sclerosis and 25 patients had undergone prior invasive treatment. Gamma knife surgery was delivered to the trigeminal nerve root entry zone in one shot in 27 patients or two shots in 36 patients. The radiation dose was escalated to less than or equal to 80 Gy in 20 patients, 85 Gy in 21 patients, and greater than or equal to 90 Gy in 22 patients. Pain before and after GKS was assessed using the Barrow Neurological Institute Pain Scale and the improvement score was analyzed as a function of dose grouping and number of shots.

Sixty patients were available for evaluation, with an initial overall and complete response rate of 90% and 27%, respectively. There was a greater improvement score for patients who were treated with two shots compared with one shot, mean 2.83 compared with 1.72 (p < 0.001). There was an increased improvement in score at each dose escalation level: less than or equal to 80 Gy (p = 0.017), 85 Gy (p < 0.001), and greater than or equal to 90 Gy (p < 0.001). Linear regression analysis also indicated that there was a greater response with an increased dose (p = 0.021). Patients treated with two shots were more likely to receive a higher dose (p < 0.001). There were no severe complications. Five patients developed mild facial numbness.

Conclusions. Gamma knife surgery is an effective therapy for TN. Initial response rates appear to correlate with the number of shots and dose.
Gamma knife surgery of brain cavernous hemangiomas
Authors: Liscák Roman , Vladyka Vilibald , Simonová Gabriela , Vymazal Josef , Novotny Josef
Published: November 2018

Object. The authors conducted a study to record more detailed information about the natural course and factors predictive of outcome following gamma knife surgery (GKS) for cavernous hemangiomas.

Methods. One hundred twelve patients with brain cavernous hemangiomas underwent GKS between 1993 and 2000. The median prescription dose was 16 Gy. One hundred seven patients were followed for a median of 48 months (range 6–114 months). The rebleeding rate was 1.6%, which is not significantly different with that prior to radiosurgery (2%). An increase in volume was observed in 1.8% of cases and a decrease in 45%. Perilesional edema was detected in 27% of patients, which, together with the rebleeding, caused a transient morbidity rate of 20.5% and permanent morbidity rate of 4.5%. Before radiosurgery 39% of patients suffered from epilepsy and this improved in 45% of them. Two patients with brainstem cavernous hemangiomas died due to rebleeding. Rebleeding was more frequent in female middle-aged patients with a history of bleeding, a larger lesion volume, and a prescription dose below 13 Gy. Edema after GKS occurred more frequently in patients who had surgery, a larger lesion volume, and in those in whom the prescription dose was more than 13 Gy.

Conclusions. Gamma knife surgery of cavernous hemangiomas can produce an acceptable rate of morbidity, which can be reduced by using a lower margin dose. Lesion regression was observed in many patients. Radiosurgery seems to remain a suitable treatment modality in carefully selected patients.
Long-term results of Leksell gamma knife surgery for trigeminal schwannomas
Authors: Pan Li , Wang En-Min , Zhang Nan , Zhou Liang-Fu , Wang Bing-Jiang , Dong Ya-Fei , Dai Jia-Zhong , Cai Pei-Wu
Published: November 2018

Object. The authors evaluated the long-term efficacy of gamma knife surgery (GKS) in patients with trigeminal schwannomas.

Methods. Fifty-six patients, 31 women and 25 men (mean age 42 years), underwent GKS for trigeminal schwannomas. Fourteen had previously undergone surgery, and GKS was the primary treatment in the remaining 42 patients. The mean target volume was 8.7 cm3 (range 0.8–33 cm3); the mean maximum dose was 27 Gy (range 20–40 Gy); the mean tumor margin dose was 13.3 Gy (range 10–15 Gy); and the mean follow-up period was 68 months (range 27–114 months).

Disappearance of the tumor occurred in seven patients. An obvious decrease in tumor volume was observed in 41 patients, four tumors remained unchanged, and four tumors progressed at 5, 26, 30, and 60 months, respectively. One patient with disease progression died of tumor progression at 36 months after GKS. The tumor growth control rate in this group was 93% (52 of 56 cases).

Mild numbness or diplopia was relieved completely in 14 patients. Improvement of other neurological deficits was demonstrated in 25 patients. Trigeminal nerve dysfunction was either unchanged or slightly worse in 13 patients after GKS. Four patients experienced mild symptom deterioration related to tumor progression.

Conclusions. Radiosurgery proved to be an effective treatment for small- and medium-sized trigeminal schwannomas. Some larger tumors are also suitable for radiosurgery if there is no significant brainstem compression.
Ultrastructural changes in arteriovenous malformations after gamma knife surgery: an electron microscopic study
Authors: Szeifert György T. , Major Ottó , Kemeny Andras A.
Published: November 2018

Object. The authors analyzed morphological alterations at the subcellular level by undertaking transmission electron microscopy in arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) after gamma knife surgery (GKS).

Methods. Histological, immunohistochemical, and electron microscopic investigations were performed in a series of pathological specimens obtained in seven patients. The patients harbored cerebral AVMs that had been previously treated with GKS and had suffered subsequent bleeding 10 to 52 months after treatment.

Histological studies revealed spindle cell proliferation in the connective tissue stroma and in the subendothelial region of the irradiated AVM vessels. Electron microscopy demonstrated different ultrastructural characteristics of this spindle cell population. There were cells with a smooth-edged oval nuclei surrounded by massive bundles of collagen fibers in the extracellular matrix. Other cells with the same nuclear morphology contained abundant intracytoplasmic filaments. Nuclear deformation was connected to a fibrillary system developed within the cytoplasm, and peripheral attachment sites were related to an extracellular layer of basement membrane—like material arranged parallel to the cell border. Also present were cells containing well-developed cisterns of rough endoplasmic reticulum and dense bodies at the periphery of the cytoplasm with folded, irregular nuclei.

Conclusions. The ultrastructural and histological characteristics of the spindle cell population in the GKS-treated AVMs are similar to those designated as myofibroblasts in wound healing processes and pathological fibromatoses. Because similar cell modifications have not been demonstrated in control nonirradiated AVM specimens, these myofibroblasts may contribute to the shrinking process and final occlusion of AVMs after radiosurgery.
Temporary symptomatic swelling of meningiomas following gamma knife surgery
Authors: Shehaby Amr El , Ganz Jeremy C. , Reda Wael A. , Hafez Ayman
Published: November 2018

✓ In two patients in whom gamma knife surgery was performed for meningiomas clinically significant volume increases were observed in the first 3 months after treatment. Clinical examination and various imaging studies form the basis of the report in these patients. In each case, the volume increase was temporary.
Microsurgical outcomes after failed repeated Gamma Knife surgery for refractory trigeminal neuralgia
Authors: Huang Chuan-Fu , Chuang Jim-Chao , Tu Hsien-Tang , Chou Ming-Chih
Published: November 2018

Object

The results of microsurgery in patients with trigeminal neuralgia (TN) after failure of repeated Gamma Knife surgery (GKS) have not previously been examined. The effects of microvascular decompression (MVD) in patients in whom repeated GKS has failed are reported.

Methods

Between 1999 and 2004, eight patients (five women and three men) who underwent repeated GKS and experienced treatment failure subsequently underwent MVD. These patients underwent MVD for recurrent or residual intractable trigeminal pain. The duration of facial pain before MVD ranged from 0.8 to 13 years (mean 5.2 years). The total treatment dose administered ranged from 110 to 140 Gy (mean 129 Gy). The mean age was 59.5 years (range 44–68 years). Seven patients in whom the offending vessel (five arteries and two veins) was located at the nerve entry zone improved with variable pain relief after MVD. One patient in whom the vessel could not be identified did not improve. Intraoperatively, there were no signs in any patient of radiation-induced damage such as thickening of arachnoid membrane. In one patient a segment of atherosclerotic plaque was discovered at the nerve entry zone. Two patients experienced numbness at 1 and 3 months after MVD.

Conclusions

Microvascular decompression is an effective treatment for patients with TN in whom repeated GKS has failed. Previous radiation treatment did not negatively impact operative difficulty or risk to the patient in this small series. Radiosurgery may induce vascular injury and cause pain recurrence.
Gamma Knife surgery for intracranial aneurysms associated with arteriovenous malformations
Authors: Kim Mooseong , Pyo Seyoung , Jeong Younggyun> , Lee Sunil , Jung Yongtae , Jeong Haewoong
Published: November 2018

✓The incidence of aneurysms coexisting with arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) ranges between 2.7 and 16.7%. The anatomical relationship between the AVM and the aneurysm is critical in deciding the best management. As a broad guide, this relationship can be classified as follows: 1) aneurysms unrelated to the AVM; or 2) aneurysms located on the feeding vessels to the nidus, which may be far away from the nidus or close to it or even within the nidus itself. Although radiosurgery has been widely accepted as a method of choice for AVM treatment, the role of radiosurgery for arterial aneurysms has not been adequately discussed.
Shielding strategies for Gamma Knife surgery of pituitary adenomas
Authors: Schlesinger David , Snell John , Sheehan Jason
Published: November 2018

Object

The relative performances of two plugging strategies commonly used for pituitary adenoma dose plans were evaluated in terms of factors that influence dose plan quality.

Methods

Dose plans and clinical treatment data were obtained in 108 patients treated with the Model C Gamma Knife at the University of Virginia. These data were analyzed to determine factors (including plugging strategy) influencing the quality of the dose plans in terms of beam time, conformity, dose to the optic apparatus, and plugging burden.

For both secretory and nonsecreory adenomas, beam time (psecretory < 0.001, pnonsecretory = 0.015) and plugging burden (psecretory = 0.007, pnonsecretory = 0.038) were reduced when using the customized plugging strategy. The choice of plugging strategy was found to play no significant role in conformity or dose to the optic apparatus. Other factors found to play a significant role in adenoma dose plan quality included tumor volume, prescription dose, and distance from the target to the optic pathways.

Conclusions

While both plugging strategies were effective at providing the required protection to the optic pathways, the authors found that the customized plugging strategy provided more efficient performance in pituitary adenoma treatments.
Gamma Knife surgery after fractionated radiotherapy for acromegaly
Authors: Landolt Alex M. , Lomax Nicoletta , Scheib Stefan G. , Girard Jürg
Published: November 2018

Object

Acromegaly that has not been cured by microsurgery is usually treated with fractionated radiotherapy; however, it is not possible to repeat such a treatment with effective radiation doses if it should fail. The authors pose the question: Can stereotactic radiosurgery be used as an effective, alternative method for retreatment by irradiation?

Methods

A retrospective study of 12 patients was performed to compare patients treated with Gamma Knife surgery (GKS) after initial, failed radiotherapy and 37 patients treated with GKS only. The mean dose for the initial fractionated radiotherapy was 44.6 Gy (range 40–54 Gy). The mean maximum GKS dose was 45.1 Gy (range 27–50 Gy) in the pretreated group and 49.5 Gy (range 25–70 Gy) in the group undergoing GKS alone. The mean interval between the two treatments was 10.6 years (range 3–20.6 years). The age-related insulin-like growth factor–I (IGF-I), assessed at 3-month intervals, was the main follow-up parameter. An IGF-I normalization rate of more than 80% was achieved in both patient groups; however, the latency of endocrinological normalization was longer in the patients who had undergone failed fractionated radiotherapy (median time to cure 35.4 months compared with 13.5 months).

Conclusions

Treatment with GKS is successful in patients with acromegaly even after failed fractionated radiotherapy; GKS represents a therapeutic tool in patients with no therapeutic options life-long octreotide. It must be noted that the incidence of neurological complications is higher (p < 0.01, 2 × 2 crosstab). The remaining dose fraction after previous fractionated radiotherapy appears to be approximately 50%. Maintenance of other endocrinological functions may be better after GKS alone; however, the difference is not significant.
Clinical impact of magnetic resonance imaging on Gamma Knife surgery for brain metastases
Authors: Perks Julian R. , Liu Tianxiao , Hall William H. , Chen Allan Y.
Published: November 2018

Object

Stereotactic radiosurgery is beneficial for patients with a limited number of small brain metastases. Increased numbers of brain metastases, not infrequently at unreachable locations, are identified using thin-section magnetic resonance (MR) imaging on the day of Gamma Knife surgery (GKS). To improve patient selection and design better treatment strategies, a retrospective study was conducted to determine factors that may contribute to detecting additional brain metastases on the day of GKS.

Methods

A total of 100 patients with brain metastases who underwent GKS between October 2003 and May 2006 at the University of California Davis Medical Center were included in the present study. Patients were categorized by age, sex, Karnofsky Performance Scale score, status of systemic disease, histological characteristics of the primary tumor, and whether they received previous whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT). The number of lesions identified by diagnostic MR imaging at referral, by thin-section double-contrast MR imaging on the day of GKS, and the actual lesions treated by GKS were recorded. The diagnostic MR images were categorized in terms of section thickness and time interval before GKS.

Conclusions

The characteristics of this patient population match well with the general GKS practice. Fifty-six had been treated with WBRT. On average, patients presented with 2.2 ± 1.7 lesions, a number based on their original diagnostic MR imaging, had 3.6 ± 3.4 lesions identified on the thin-section treatment MR imaging (p < 0.05), and underwent treatment of 3.1 ± 2.6 lesions on the day of GKS. Significantly, treatment was compromised in 21 patients, in whom not all additional lesions could be treated with the initial headframe placement. Analysis shows that a significantly greater number of lesions were detected using thin-section MR imaging on the day of GKS in patients who had undergone thick-section diagnostic MR imaging, did not receive WBRT, and had progressive systemic disease. To optimize treatment planning and minimize additional treatment, the number of metastases needs to be determined accurately before frame placement, ideally by performing thin-section MR imaging, as used on the day of GKS.
Le « silence bruyant » de Corbière
Authors: Glatigny Sandra
Published: November 2018

In "Les Amours jaunes", Corbière carries out a paradoxical promotion of silence. In fact, the writing features cacophonous poetics. However, the promotion of noise makes it possible to denounce the dysfunction of language. The deceptive experience of communication reveals a wish to implement another mode of emotional transmission. The poet distorts and mocks the romantic tradition to denounce the tricks of a language which is musical and full of imagery. On a quest to find authenticity, he deploys competing and conflicting semiotic layouts which break the textual unity. Renewing the lyrical pact, that fragmentation opens a vacant space that the reader can take over. A reception which is strengthened by the empathic relation between the subject and its recipient is replaced by a formulation based on the evocative power found outside the text. That is definitely a speech ‘addressed’ to the reader but the emotions go through the perception of silence. The formulation of these emotions is suspended, thus letting us read implicitly the mark of its absence. Often considered “unlyrical”, Corbière finds, in the fragile balance between hubbub and silence, an interval filled with the transmission of personal affects.
Intimité de Jean-Victor Pellerin, ou à la recherche du « théâtre du silence »
Authors: Kaczmarek Tomasz
Published: November 2018

Jean-Victor Pellerin was a representative author of the „school of silence” or, as some called it, „art of unexpressed”, in which emotions are implied in gestures, fragments of speach, and silence. In his first drama Intimacy (1922) the French playwrighter presents a bourgeois marriage living a monotonous life. The characters discuss trivial things of everyday life, they talk to each other, but there is no communication between them, because each of them is closed in their own world. Nobody is listening one another and words are spoken only in order to fill their existential emptiness. The writer is focused on the dialogue between the characters in the context of what they hide and what they do not want to tell themselves. People who appear to them are not flesh and blood human beings but they are the reflection of their own disturbed personality only. In this manner the writer focuses on the inner life of his solitary, their nostalgia for youth or even their hidden sexual motives. This is why the silence grows into the main element of the drama. Intimacy is one of the finest examples of „intimist aesthectic” developed by the avant-garde theater creator Gaston Baty who rejected the predominance of the word for discovering the mysterious world of the spiritual man.
Les silences dans la dramaturgie giralducienne
Authors: Bombard Françoise
Published: November 2018

Technical and rhetorical devices used by Giraudoux to indicate silence vary during its dramatic production. Silences have to do with relationships of the characters, both emotionally and dialogal, and are sometimes loaded the unspoken or unspeakable. By their relationship to the word and to the game, they are at the heart of a dramaturgy that oscillates between mimesis and rupture. And certain silences are like the limit assigned to the power of words in a theater yet claimed as literary.
Statistical Assessment of the Ecological Situation: The Case of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Authors: Tamrazov T. H.
Published: November 2018

The economic development in a country depends on the continuous development of its regions. This issue can be effectively addressed by statistical assessment of the real situation in economic regions of a country by use of key sustainable development indicators. Development factors at regional level (ecological, economic, and social) are not studied as a complex, which raises the need for and importance of comprehensive statistical analyses of the data on environmental performance at region and country level. The article contains a statistical analysis of these indicators for the Republic of Azerbaijan. The period from early 2000s till 2017 is covered. The analysis is made on the official statistics of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The indicators under study include: distribution of land by purpose, specially protected areas, state nature reserves, air temperature, air temperature in Baku city, average annual precipitation, average annual precipitation in Baku city, amount of pollutants emitted in the air, domestic wastes generation etc. The analysis also demonstrates the need to improve the quality of the primary statistical data. Conclusions and recommendations provided in the article are formulated from the results of the statistical analysis.
The Concept of Sustainable Development: the Basis for the Emergence of Integrated Reporting of the Enterprise
Authors: Bezverkhiy K. V.
Published: November 2018

The sustainable development of societies, countries, economic sectors or business enterprises is based on the assumption that economic growth, production and consumption has the limitations imposed by the possibility for rehabilitating ecological systems. Issues of the rational use of resources form the conceptual framework for the sustainable development. But the emergence of information support in form of integrated reporting of the enterprise causes much debate in the theoretical and practical field. The purpose of the study is to analyze the evolution of the provisions of the sustainable development concept and identify the preconditions for the emergence of integrated reporting of the enterprise.
The components of the sustainable development and its purpose are highlighted; the sustainable development goals of UN and their respective indictors are illustrated. The relation of the categories of capital (financial, industrial, intellectual, human, social and nature capital), reflected in the integrated reporting of the enterprise, with the sustainable development goals is substantiated. The analysis shows that the top category of capital contributing in all the sustainable development goals (the total of 17) is social capital; financial capital (contributing in 14 goals) ranks second, human capital (12 goals) ranks third, production capital (10 goals) comes fourth, intellectual capital (9 goals) is the fifth, and nature capital (8 goals) ranks sixth. These results are indicative of high relevance of integrated reporting of the enterprise to the sustainable development goals.
Analysis of the Methodology of Fixed Assets in Accordance with IAS 16 “Fixed Assets” AND P(S)BU 7 “Fixed Assets”: Theory and Practice
Authors: Shkulipa L. V.
Published: November 2018

The importance of transparent, complete, authentic and timely information comprehensible for all the users of financial reporting has grown in the context of Ukraine’s integration in the international economy. The issue of harmonizing the national accounting system with the international standards is, therefore, on the agenda of the national statistics system. Apart from this, introduction of the international accounting standards in the Ukrainian statistics practice is expected to make Ukraine more attractive for foreign investors and lenders. As theoretical and practical problems related with harmonizing the national accounting standards with international ones are not fully elaborated, the article’s purpose is to analyze the methodology of fixed assets recording by international and national standards, with providing, in table form, comparative characteristics of the underlying sections of International Accounting Standards (IAS) 16 and Rules (Standards) of Accounting (R(S)A) enforced in Ukraine, and to illustrate their practical use. The comparison covers recognition, valuation, recording and reporting of fixed assets, elements of the original cost (estimates at the date of recognition), formation of the original value of fixed assets as a result of various events, revaluation of fixed assets, frequency of revaluation of the liquidation value of fixed assets etc. Practical issues related with fixed assets overvaluation (undervaluation), depreciating, disposal and exchange are highlighted.   

The comparative analysis shows quite significant differences between the two documents in valuation, revaluation, liquidation, disposal of fixed assets. They can be explained by national specifics of record keeping in Ukraine, fully considered in the national standards, and, consequently, by adaptation of accounting in Ukraine to the national economy needs.
The State Budget in the Digital Age: Opportunities and Threats
Authors: Artemyeva I. O. , Yakovenko M. A.
Published: November 2018

The article is devoted to the changes in national budgets under the influence of digitization.

The aim of the study is to determine the opportunities and threats posed by the development of the digital economy in the field of formation and implementation of national budgets, and to outline possible ways to effectively balance the potential benefits against the risks and limitations.

This article argues that digitalization reshapes public finance. The main benefits of digital transformations such as increase of the tax base, optimization and transparency of government revenues and spending, fiscal savings, better tax administration, delivery of public services, administration of social programs, cutting of bureaucratic inefficiencies are considered. The most important risks and challenges, including privacy concerns, new avenues for fraud and evasion and institutional constraints are outlined.

The article describes what governments should do to make benefits outweigh the risks. Taking full advantage of the opportunities of digitalization can require government to develop new skills. The article also stresses that each country needs to chart its own path to national budget digitalization that must depend on its own circumstances. It is concluded that developing countries may be able to leapfrog directly to the latest digital technologies and more sophisticated policies bypassing the intermediate stages.
Sistem Pelayanan Dan Monitoring Pengisian LPG Berbasis Mobile Pada PT. XYZ
Authors: Arta Yudhi , Siswanto Apri , Setiawan Adiguna
Published: November 2018

Agen menjadi mata rantai pendistribusian Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) ke toko, warung atau pengecer. Mereka harus mengikuti prosedur sebelum akhirnya diterima menjadi agen. Calon agen harus datang langsung ke Stasiun Pengisian dan Pengangkutan Bulk Elpiji (SPPBE) untuk melengkapi administratif. Setelah verifikasi data, maka petugas akan melakukan survey ke lokasi usaha untuk menilai kelayakan tempat, sarana dan prasarana calon agen baru. Proses monitoring pemesanan gas oleh petugas SPPBE juga dilakukan dengan cara manual.. Sehingga masyarakat bisa mendaftar menjadi agen melalui perangkat mobile yang dimiliki.  Proses pemesanan gas di SPPBE juga menjadi lebih mudah karena bisa dilakukan melalui sistem. Sementara itu bagi petugas SPPBE, sistem ini mempermudah proses pencarian lokasi usaha calon agen pada saat akan melakukan survey. Pasalnya sistem dilengkapi dengan fitur Location Based Service (LBS) untuk penandaan titik lokasi calon agen. Selain itu, sistem juga mempermudah petugas dalam proses monitoring pemesanan gas serta mempermudah petugas SPPBE dalam proses validasi pengambilan gas oleh agen.

 

Kata Kunci: Agen, LPG, Monitoring, Pelayanan, Mobile

 

Abstract

The agent becomes the chain of distribution of Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) to shops, stalls or retailers. They must follow procedures before being accepted as agents. Prospective agents must come directly to the LPG Bulk Filling and Transporting Station (SPPBE) to complete the administration. After verification of the data, the officer will conduct a survey to the business location to assess the feasibility of the place, facilities and infrastructure of the prospective new agent. The process of monitoring gas orders by SPPBE officers is also done manually. . The process of ordering gas in SPPBE also becomes easier because it can be done through the system. Meanwhile for SPPBE officers, this system facilitates the process of searching for business locations of prospective agents when going to survey. The reason is the system is equipped with a Location Based Service (LBS) feature for marking the location points of prospective agents. In addition, the system also facilitates officers in the process of monitoring gas orders and facilitates SPPBE officers in the process of validating the gas collection by agents.

Keywords: Agent, LPG, Monitoring, Service, Mobile
Encapsulation of the elderberry fruit anthocyanins by spray drying
Authors: Kostenko M. O. , Deineka V. I. , Deineka L. A.
Published: November 2018

Spray-dried forms of anthocyanins were prepared in a maltodextrin matrix. The anthocyanins were extracted by maceration of elderberry fruits in 0.1 M HCl followed by extract filtration through a paper filter. The extract was partially purified by solid phase extraction in a column filled with styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer beads (Sepabeads SP859/L) or in syringe cartridges with C18 silica (BioChemMack ST, Moscow, RF) followed by re-extraction with aqueous HCl and alcohol mixtures. The procedure of reversed-phase HPLC determination of the extracted anthocyanin type is discussed in comparison to HILIC method in DIOL silica columns. The latter method was shown to be preferable to avoid systematic errors in the anthocyanin type determination. Solidphase extraction in syringe cartridges gave samples with very high anthocyanins concentration (up to 70 g of cyanidin-3-glucoside chloride equivalent). When using the copolymer sorbent, the concentration was somewhat lower: up to 27 g/l. After spray drying red powder samples with anthocyanins content more than 2% were prepared, although freeze drying gave only dark resin. The red color of the samples indicates the space separation of flavylium ions in the solid state by radicals of the maltodextrin background.
DISTILLATION OF BINARY TWO-PHASE MIXTURES WITH VARIOUS PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PROPERTIES: NORMAL MODE AND DEVIATIONS FROM IT
Authors: Serafimov L. A. , Morozov K. A.
Published: November 2018

In this article, the normal continuous mode of distillation is considered using an example of binary two-phase mixture distillation. In practice, there are often deviations from the normal mode. It has been proved that the deviation leads to an increase in energy consumption for the ongoing process. In the industry, columns separating binary mixtures are normally the finishing apparatuses in the flow-sheet separation of multicomponent mixtures, which are obtained in the reactor as a result of main reactions as well as by-reactions. The distillation of binary mixtures is relatively simpler than that of multicomponent mixtures. In this regard, the fundamental parts of monographs especially in the thirties-forties of the last century started with the study of binary mixtures, although multicomponent mixtures were the main focus. The aim of analyzing this complex and the highly energy-intensive process is to facilitate the choice of a mathematical model for the process and the determination on its basis variance. Variance is a set of independent variables that allow calculation of a process only after taking into account the number of independent equations related to these variables. A case of deviation from the normal distillation regime where an under-heated liquid enters the column feed has been revised. This leads to an increase in energy consumption during distillation. Key indicators of the normal regime relative to the level of feed and the temperature of the liquid are shown in the text.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE STRUCTURE OF PHASE EQUILIBRIUM DIAGRAM AND THE STRUCTURE OF FLOWSHEET DIAGRAMS OF MULTIPHASE QUATERNARY MIXTURES SEPARATION
Authors: Sebyakin A. Yu. , Frolkova A. K.
Published: November 2018

In this work the structures of phase equilibrium diagrams of multiphase four-component systems n-hexane (n-heptane, n-octane) - cyclohexane - furfural - water were investigated. The systems are characterized by the existence of areas of three-phase separation. On the basis of the obtained data the synthesis of feasible variants of separation schemes was carried out, rational modes of functioning of each column were found, the energetically favorable variant was chosen. It was found that the use of preliminary phase separation in systems with n-hexane and n-octane is power-efficient, and the profit in case of the octane system (equimolar mixture) in comparison with the application of the first predetermined separation at the first stage is more than 25%. Certain difficulties (the high values of columns effectiveness: 60 and 40 theoretical plates) upon the separation of the hexane and heptane systems are due to the similar volatilities of n-hexane (n-heptane) and cyclohexane in the vicinity of the point of pure alkane.
ACETAMIDE COMPLEXES FOR CHLORIDES AND BROMIDES OF SOME LANTHANIDES: SYNTHESIS AND PROPERTIES
Authors: Alikberova L. Yu. , Albov D. V. , Kibalnikov P. S. , Vergeles M. I. , Fedorova G. A. , Volchkova E. V.
Published: November 2018

The aim of the this work is the synthesis and study (IR, single crystal XRD, DTG) of complex compounds of chlorides and bromides of lanthanum, neodymium, holmium, and erbium with acetamide [Ln(AA)4(H2O)4]Cl3·H2O (Ln = La, Nd, Ho, Er ) and [La(AA)4(H2O)4]Br3·H2O. Ligands (Ln) coordination occurs through the oxygen atoms, and the coordination polyhedra of the Ln atoms are distorted tetragonal antiprisms or two-capped trigonal prisms (CN = 8). All the studied complexes are characterized by a developed system of hydrogen bonds with the bromide or chloride ions (and outer-sphere water molecules) in the cavities of the structure formed by the complex cations. The features of the complexes thermal decomposition are discussed.
Der rationale Schmarotzer
Authors: Zilian Hans Georg , Moser Johannes
Published: November 2018

Mit zunehmender Arbeitslosigkeit entwickelte sich auch eine Diskussion über den Mißbrauch des Sozialversicherungssystems. Die Autoren untersuchen die dabei gängigen Argumentationsmuster und zeigen, daß in die entsprechenden Vorwürfe empirisch und theoretisch nicht zu rechtfertigende Annahmen eingehen. Abschließend setzen sie sich mit der gesellschaftlichen Funktion dieser Mißbrauchsdebatte auseinander.
Revolution in Indien
Authors: Desai Meghnad
Published: November 2018

Die ökonomische und soziale Krise Indiens schleppt sich mittlerweile 20 Jahre seit der Unabhängigkeit hin. Die Industrie ist bescheiden entwickelt worden, während die Landwirtschaft im Verhältnis zum BevöIkerungswachstum stagnierte. Eine kapitalistische Lösung der Dauerkrise ist nicht näher gerückt. Währenddessen ist das klassische politische System der indischen Bourgeoisie - das Machtmonopol der Kongresspartei im Zentrum und in den Bundesstaaten - zusammengebrochen und hat vorderhand ein Vakuum hinterlassen. Wenn also die Hauptpartei der Rechten einschneidend an Stärke verloren hat, so haben die Parteien der Linken in keiner Weise im gleichen Maß an Stärke gewinnen können. Diese Lage mag Indien schIießIich in die Reihe der überwältigenden Mehrheit der heut i - gen unterentwickelten kapitalistischen Länder zwingen, einschließt ich des Auftauchens einer militärischen Diktatur. Denn die Armee bleibt offenbar die Lösung für die indische herrschende Klasse

wenn sich der Niedergang des Kongresses weiter beschleunigt, ohne daß die unterdrückten Klassen imstande wären, entschlossen nach der Machtzugreden. Sie stellt heute einen ausgedehnten militärischen Apparat dar. 1947 zählte sie gegen 280.000 Mann, wuchs im Jahrzehnt nach der Unabhängigkeit auf 550.000 und dann stellte der neue Verteidigungsplan als Reaktion auf den Grenzkrieg mit China eine neuausgerüstete Streitmacht von 825.000 Mann auf die Beine - zusammen mit Marine und Luftwaffe verfügt das indische Militär heute über ca. eine Million Aktive. Wie je seit der britischen Herrschaft rekrutieren sich di~ Streitkräfte aus allen Teilen Indiens, obwohl die Kampfeinheiten in der Armee regional oder stammesmäßig organisiert sind: die überwiegenden Gruppen sind Sikhs, Gurkhas, Carhnahs, Jats, Rajputs und Dogras. (Marine und Luftwaffe sind aus naheliegenden Gründen nicht regional organisiert). Das Offizierskorps hat Klassencharakter und einen nationalen Gesichtskreis. Der al I indische Charakter der Armee würde so im Fa! le der regionalen Zersetzung der Kongresspartei einen enormen Vorteil darstellen. In jüngster Zeit ist die Armee zur Unterdrückung von Bauernbewegungen auf dem Lande und der Industriearbeiter in den Städten eingesetzt worden - Vorbedeutung ihrer möglichen politischen Rolle. Aber dennoch existiert keine Unausweichlichkeit in der gegenwärtigen Situation. Aufgrund der Auflockerung durch den schleichenden Zusammenbruch der alten Ordnung gibt es für den revolutionären Sozialismus in Indien jetzt neue Möglichkeiten. Wonach ein vitales Bedürfnis besteht, ist eine politische Führung, die die ausgebeuteten Massen in ihrem Existenzkampf anfeuern und mobilisieren kann. Denn in Indien bedeutet Existenzkampf notwendigerweise letzten Endes einen Kampf um die Macht.
"Warum hungern Kinder, obwohl wir alle ernähren könnten?"
Authors: Przeworski Adam
Published: November 2018

Das Scheitern des sozialistischen Projektes in den osteuropäischen Länder wird von vielen Beobachtern zum Anlaß genommen, die von der sozialistisch- marxistischen Theorie inspirierte Kritik an der Irrationalität des Kapitalismus als verfehlt zurückweisen. Indem gezeigt wird, daß ein solcher Schluß unzulässig ist, wird zugleich das Problem der politischen Unmöglichkeit einer sozialistischen Organisationsweise der Ökonomie aufgeworfen. Die These lautet, daß der Kapitalismus - als Real- wie als Idealtypus - einen höheren Grad an Reformierbarkeit aufweist als die beiden entsprechenden Typen vom Sozialismus.
Überlegungen zum Klassenbewußtsein ungarischer Stahlarbeiter
Authors: Burawoy Michael
Published: November 2018

Dem Aufsatz liegt die These zugrunde, daß das Klassenbewußtsein von Arbeitern in staatssozialistischen Gesellschaften durch den Widerspruch zwischen der rituellen Bekräftigung sozialistischer !deale und der im betrieblichen Alltag erfahrenen Wirklichkeit geprägt wird. Unter bestimmten Umständen kann dieses Bewußtsein zur Revolte führen. Dieses spezifische Klassenbewußtsein wird am Beispiel von Arbeitern eines ungarischen Stahlwerks, in dem der Autor einige Zeit gearbeitet hat, dargestellt.
Marx, der Marxismus-Leninismus und sozialistische Erfahrungen im modernen Weltsystem
Authors: Wallerstein Immanuel
Published: November 2018

Im Gegensatz zum Marxismus hat die historische Rolle des Marxismus- Leninismus ausgespielt. Wallerstein betrachtet letzteren als vorübergehendes Phänomen in der historischen Entwicklung des modernen Weltsystems. Der Marxismus- Leninismus, der einer Ideologie nationaler Entwicklung stets näher stand als einer Ideologie sozialistischen Aufbaus, hat deshalb ausgedient, weil alle nationalen Entwicklungstheorien heute an ein Ende geraten sind.
Editorial: Die Macht des Wissens
Authors: Redaktion Prokla
Published: November 2018

Editorial: Die Macht des Wissens
Zur soziologischen Produktion des Nichtwissens
Authors: Pfütze Hermann
Published: November 2018

Zum Glück leidet auch die Soziologie an dem Bewußtsein, schwächer zu sein als ihr Gegenstand. Die Unerforschlichkeit der Gesellschaft, ihre weder plan- noch steuerbaren Wege und Umwege der Vergesellschaftung, zwingen die Soziologie zu stetiger Selbstreflexion.Je mehr Wissen indes über die Gefahren und Zerstörungen der globalen Risikogesellschaft produziert wird, desto schwieriger wird nicht nur eine Theorie davon, sondern um so größer auch der Wunsch, wissensmäßig stärker zu sein als der Gegenstand - sozusagen für alle Fälle alles im Datenspeicher zu haben. Je mehr Wissen die Soziologie produziert, desto weniger weiß sie freilich die Rettung: Wie die Gesellschaft sich nicht zerstört, ist nicht zu sagen. D.h., die Gesellschaft selbst ist theoretisch und nicht nur Gegenstand von Theorien. Das für die Soziologie konstitutive Verhältnis zwischen Wissensproduktion und der Fähigkeit, Gewißheitenfahren zu lassen, wird im folgenden ein wenig erörtert.
Computerisierung der Sozialwissenschaften
Authors: Rojas Raul
Published: November 2018

Die zunehmende Computerisierung der wissenschaftlichen Arbeit hat die Art und Weise, wie Forschung betrieben wird, in den letzten Jahren stark verändert. Aber nicht nur die Natur-, sondern auch die Sozialwissenschaften werden durch den Einsatz von Computern verwandelt. In diesem Artikel versuchen wir einige Felder zu benennen, wo dieser Prozeß am besten nachvollziehbar ist. Gleichzeitig stellen wir uns die Frage, ob die Sozialwissenschaften auf diese Weise sich in ihrer Substanz verändern und welche neuen Anforderungen an die Sozialwissenschaftler ( aktive oder in spe) gestellt werden, sowie welche Gefahren sich dahinter verbergen.
Krieg der Generationen?
Authors: Wolf Jürgen
Published: November 2018

Die demographische Entwicklung führt zu sozialstaatlichen Verteilungsproblemen, die in popularisierter Farm als »Generationenkrieg« oder »Altersklassenkampf« dargestellt werden. Die hinter dieser Interpretation stehende wissenschaftliche Debatte über »intergenerationelle Gerechtigkeit« wird vor dem Hintergrund der demographischen Veränderungen diskutiert. Diese Debatte weist empirische und theoretische Verkürzungen hinsichtlich der sozialen Ungleichheit unter den Älteren, des Arbeitsmarktbezugs und der politischen Handlungsoptionen auf Allerdings lassen sich doch generationsspezifische Muster der Verteilung von sozialstaatlichen Belastungen und Begünstigungen feststellen. Die Neuaushandlung der zukünftigen Lastenverteilung wird auch von den politischen Handlungspotentialen der Älteren selbst abhängen. Viele Hinweise sprechen dafür, daß zukünftige Rentnergenerationen neuartige politische Handlungsorientierungen und -möglichkeiten haben werden.
Editorial: Macht und Ökonomie
Authors: Redaktion Prokla
Published: November 2018

Editorial: Macht und Ökonomie
Umkämpfter Tausch
Authors: Bowles Samuel , Gintis Herbert
Published: November 2018

In der marxistischen Theorietradition wird ökonomische Macht meist unter der Prämisse unvollständiger Konkurrenz der kapitalistischen Märkte diskutiert. Es wird gezeigt, daß eine solche Annahme nicht nur unnötig, sondern sogar analytisch kontraproduktiv ist. Vorgeschlagen wird alternativ eine neue Mikrofundierung der politischen Ökonomie des Kapitalismus in Gestalt eines Modells des umkämpften Tauschs. Die zentrale Behauptung lautet, daß in der kapitalistischen Ökonomie die wichtigsten Tauschakte umkämpft sind und daß es durch den Prozeß endogener Anspruchsdurchsetzung zum Aufbau von Machtbeziehungen kommt, und zwar auch dann, wenn keine Koalitionsbildungen oder andere Hindernisse für vollständige Konkurrenz vorliegen.
Kapitalakkumulation, Staatseingriffe und Lohnbewegung
Authors: Semmler Willi , Hoffmann Jürgen
Published: November 2018

Kapitalakkumulation, Staatseingriffe und Lohnbewegung
Thesen zu Gewerkschaftsanalyse
Authors: Gewerkschaften Redaktionskollektiv
Published: November 2018

Thesen zu Gewerkschaftsanalyse
Some problems arising from the reality of industrialization and modernization of agriculture and of rural areas in today’s Mekong delta
Authors: Pham Hoa Ngoc
Published: November 2018

The paper outlines the achievements and constraints in implementing the industrialization and modernization of agriculture and of rural areas in the Mekong River delta in the past years, from which the author suggests some basic solutions to promote industrialization and modernization of agriculture and of rural areas in the Mekong Delta.