bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
k-Robust Multi-Agent Path Finding
Authors: Atzmon Dor , Felner Ariel , Stern Roni , Wagner Glenn , Barták Roman , Zhou Neng-Fa
Published: November 2022

In the multi-agent path-finding (MAPF) problem a plan is needed to move a set of agents from their initial location to their goals without collisions. In this paper we introduce and study the k-robust MAPF problem, where we seek a plan that is robust to k unexpected delays per agent.
Non-Markovian Rewards Expressed in LTL: Guiding Search Via Reward Shaping
Authors: Camacho Alberto , Chen Oscar , Sanner Scott , McIlraith Sheila
Published: November 2022

We propose an approach to solving Markov Decision Processes with non-Markovian rewards specified in Linear Temporal Logic interpreted over finite traces (LTL-f). Our approach integrates automata representations of LTL-f formulae into compiled MDPs that can be solved by off-the-shelf MDP planners, exploiting reward shaping to help guide search. Experiments with state-of-the-art UCT-based MDP planner PROST show automata-based reward shaping to be an effective method to guide search, producing solutions of superior quality, while maintaining policy optimality guarantees.
Edge N-Level Sparse Visibility Graphs: Fast Optimal Any-Angle Pathfinding Using Hierarchical Taut Paths
Authors: Oh Shunhao , Leong Hon Wai
Published: November 2022

In the Any-Angle Pathfinding problem, the goal is to find the shortest path between a pair of vertices on a uniform square grid, that is not constrained to any fixed number of possible directions over the grid. Visibility Graphs are a known optimal algorithm for solving the problem with the use of pre-processing. However, Visibility Graphs are known to perform poorly in terms of running time, especially on large, complex maps. In this paper, we introduce two improvements over the Visibility Graph Algorithm to compute optimal paths. Sparse Visibility Graphs (SVGs) are constructed by pruning unnecessary edges from the original Visibility Graph. Edge N-Level Sparse Visibility Graphs (ENLSVGs) is a hierarchical SVG built by iteratively pruning non-taut paths. We also introduce Line-of-Sight Scans, a faster algorithm for building Visibility Graphs over a grid. SVGs run much faster than Visibility Graphs by reducing the average vertex degree. ENLSVGs, a hierarchical algorithm, improves this further, especially on larger maps, with millisecond runtimes even on 6000 x 6000 maps. On large maps, with the use of pre-processing, these algorithms are at least an order of magnitude faster than existing algorithms like Visibility Graphs, Anya and Theta*.
Ranking Conjunctions for Partial Delete Relaxation Heuristics in Planning
Authors: Fickert Maximilian , Hoffmann Jörg
Published: November 2022

Heuristic search is one of the most successful approaches to classical planning, finding solution paths in large state spaces. A major focus has been the development of domain-independent heuristic functions. One recent method are partial delete relaxation heuristics, improving over the standard delete relaxation heuristic through imposing a set C of conjunctions to be treated as atomic. Practical methods for selecting C are based on counter-example guided abstraction refinement, where iteratively a relaxed plan is checked for conflicts and new atomic conjunctions are introduced to address these. However, in each refinement step, the choice of possible new conjunctions is huge. The literature so far offers merely one simple strategy to make that choice. Here we fill that gap, considering a sizable space of basic ranking strategies as well as combinations thereof. We furthermore devise ranking strategies for conjunction-forgetting, where the ranking pertains to the current conjunctions and thus statistics over their usefulness can be maintained. Our experiments show that ranking strategies do make a large difference in performance, and that our new strategies can be useful.
Improving Plan Quality through Heuristics for Guiding and Pruning the Search: A Study Using LAMA
Authors: Percassi Francesco , Gerevini Alfonso Emilio , Geffner Hector
Published: November 2022

Admissible heuristics are essential for optimal planning in the context of search algorithms like A*, and they can also be used in the context of suboptimal planning in order to find quality-bounded solutions. In satisfacing planning, on the other hand, admissible heuristics are not exploited by the best-first search algorithms of existing planners even when a time window is available for improving the first solution found. For example, in the well-know planner LAMA, better solutions within such a time window are sought by restarting a Weighted-A* search guided by inadmissible heuristics, each time a better solution is found. In this paper, we investigate the use of admissible heuristics in the context of LAMA for pruning nodes that cannot lead to better solutions. The revised search of LAMA is experimentally evaluated using two alternative admissible heuristics for pruning and three types of problems: planning with soft goals, planning with action costs, and planning with both action costs and soft goals. Soft goals are compiled into hard goals following the approach of Keyder and Geffner. The empirical results show that the use of admissible heuristics in LAMA can be of great help to improve the planner performance.
Online Refinement of Cartesian Abstraction Heuristics
Authors: Eifler Rebecca , Fickert Maximilian
Published: November 2022

In classical planning as heuristic search, the guiding heuristic function is typically treated as a black box. While many heuristics support refinement operations, they are typically only used for its initialization before search, but further refinement during search could make use of additional information not available in the initial state. We explore online refinement for additive Cartesian abstraction heuristics. These abstractions are computed through counter-example guided abstraction refinement, which can be applied online as well to further improve the abstractions. We introduce three operations, refinement, merging, and reordering, which are combined to a converging online-refinement algorithm. We describe how online refinement can effectively be used in A* and evaluate our approach on the IPC benchmarks, where it outperforms offline-generated abstractions in many domains.
StaticHS: A Variant of Reiter’s Hitting Set Tree for Efﬁcient Sequential Diagnosis
Authors: Rodler Patrick , Herold Manuel
Published: November 2022

Sequential Diagnosis methods aim at suggesting a minimal-cost sequence of measurements to identify the root cause of a system failure among the possible fault explanations, called diagnoses. Hitting set algorithms are often used by such methods to precompute a set of diagnoses serving as a decision basis for iterative measurement selection.We show that there are two natural interpretations of the sequential diagnosis problem and argue that (1) existing methods consider only the more general deﬁnition of the problem and that (2) tackling the more speciﬁc problem might sufﬁce under assumptions commonly met in practice. Thus, we present StaticHS, a novel variant of Reiter’s hitting set tree usable for solving both formulations of the sequential diagnosis problem. Like Reiter’s algorithm, StaticHS is logics- and reasoner-independent and thus generally applicable to various (diagnosis) domains. Theoretical and empirical analyses show the signiﬁcant superiority of StaticHS to an application of Reiter’s tree in terms of measurement costs when solving both types of sequential diagnosis problems.
Merge-and-Shrink Heuristics for Classical Planning: Efficient Implementation and Partial Abstractions
Authors: Sievers Silvan
Published: November 2022

Merge-and-shrink heuristics are a successful class of abstraction heuristics used for optimal classical planning. With the recent addition of generalized label reduction, merge-and-shrink can be understood as an algorithm framework that repeatedly applies transformations to a factored representation of a given planning task to compute an abstraction. In this paper, we describe an efficient implementation of the framework and its transformations, comparing it to its previous implementation in Fast Downward. We further discuss partial merge-and-shrink abstractions that do not consider all aspects of the concrete state space. To compute such partial abstractions, we stop the merge-and-shrink computation early by imposing simple limits on the resource consumption of the algorithm. Our evaluation shows that the efficient implementation indeed improves over the previous one, and that partial merge-and-shrink abstractions further push the efficiency of merge-and-shrink planners.
Minimizing Node Expansions in Bidirectional Search with Consistent Heuristics
Authors: Shaham Eshed , Felner Ariel , Sturtevant Nathan , Rosenschein Jeffrey
Published: November 2022

A* is optimally effective with regard to node expansions among unidirectional admissible algorithms—those that only assume that the heuristic used is admissible. Among bidirectional algorithms the Fractional MM algorithm is optimally effective (given the correct parameters) among admissible algorithms.This paper generalizes the bidirectional result to more complex settings where more information on the problem domain can be exploited: (1) When the cost of the minimal edge is known. (2) When the algorithm knows that the heuristics are consistent. This characterization uses a novel algorithm called MT. MT is similar to Fractional MM and is also optimally effective, but simpler to analyze.
GBFHS: A Generalized Breadth-First Heuristic Search Algorithm
Authors: Barley Michael , Riddle Patricia , Linares López Carlos , Dobson Sean , Pohl Ira
Published: November 2022

Recently there has been renewed interest in bidirectional heuristic search. New algorithms, e.g., MM, MMe, and NBS, have been introduced which seem much closer to refuting the accepted wisdom that "any front-to-end bidirectional heuristic search algorithm will likely be dominated by unidirectional heuristic search or bidirectional brute-force search". However, MM and MMe can still be dominated by their bidirectional brute-force versions, i.e., they can show a "hump-in-the-middle". We introduce a novel general breadth-first heuristic search algorithm, GBFHS, that unifies both unidirectional and bidirectional search into a single algorithm. It uses knowledge of the edge cost in unit cost domains to stop on first-collision in unidirectional search and in bidirectional search, unlike MM, MMe, and NBS. With no heuristic it expands fewer nodes bidirectionally than Nicholson's blind bidirectional search algorithm. GBFHS expands substantially fewer nodes than MM0, MM, MMe, and NBS. Additionally, GBFHS does not show a "hump-in-the-middle". GBFHS run bidirectionally is not dominated by bidirectional brute-force search, likewise, GBFHS run unidirectionally is not dominated by A*.
Message Passing Algorithms for Semiring-Based and Valued Constraint Satisfaction Problems
Authors: Xu Hong , Cheng Cheng , Koenig Sven , Kumar T. K.
Published: November 2022

Local consistency algorithms, like arc consistency (AC) algorithms, are polynomial-time algorithms that prune the search space of constraint satisfaction problems (CSPs). In this paper, we present connections between message passing algorithms and AC for semiring-based CSPs (SCSPs) and valued CSPs (VCSPs), two well-established frameworks that generalize CSPs. Message passing algorithms are well known distributed search algorithms for solving many combinatorial problems in artificial intelligence, probabilistic reasoning, and information theory. However, the relationship between message passing algorithms and SCSPs or VCSPs still remains understudied. Towards this end, we propose the best-O message passing (BOMP) algorithm for SCSPs and VCSPs. We prove that, unlike other standard message passing algorithms which are in general not guaranteed to converge, the BOMP algorithm guarantees convergence for SCSPs and specific subclasses of VCSPs. We also theoretically study the relationship between the BOMP algorithm and AC on SCSPs, and empirically study the quality of the solutions produced by the BOMP algorithm for VCSPs.
A Refined Understanding of Cost-Optimal Planning with Polytree Causal Graphs
Authors: Backstrom Christer , Jonsson Peter , Ordyniak Sebastian
Published: November 2022

Complexity analysis based on the causal graphs of planning instances has emerged as a highly important area of research. In particular, tractability results have led to new methods for the identification of domain-independent heuristics. Important early examples of such tractability results have been presented by, for instance, Brafman & Domshlak and Katz & Keyder. More general results based on polytrees and bounding certain parameters were subsequently derived by Aghighi et al. and Ståhlberg. We continue this line of research by analyzing cost-optimal planning restricted to instances with a polytree causal graph, bounded domain size and bounded depth (i.e. the length of the longest directed path in the causal graph). We show that no further restrictions are necessary for tractability, thus generalizing the previous results. Our approach is based on a novel method of closely analysing optimal plans: we recursively decompose the causal graph in a way that allows for bounding the number of variable changes as a function of the depth, using a reording argument and a comparison with prefix trees of known size. We can then transform the planning instances into constraint satisfaction instances; an idea that has previously been exploited by, for example, Brafman & Domshlak and Bäckström. This allows us to utilise efficient algorithms for constraint optimisation over tree-structured instances.
Platform Politics and a World Beyond Catastrophe
Authors: Rossiter Ned , Zehle Soenke
Published: November 2022

In this chapter the authors set out some of the stakes of platform politics at the current conjuncture. Data governance issues concerning the social production of value, data rights in automated markets, data surveillance motivated by pervasive paranoia and a general ideological intolerance against off-message articulations of disaffection. These are just some of the prevailing discursive and governmental tendencies that define the horizon of our platform present. Yet there is more, and the authors write their way through crisis to find some bearing and orientation in a world of real-time updates and automated injunctions. The machinic signalling of pervasive despair is wrought by contagion, climate and a future at once forestalled and bearing down upon us.
Algorithmic Management in Food Delivery Platforms: Between Digital Neo-Taylorism and Enhanced Subjectivity
Authors: Armano Emiliana , Leonardi Daniela , Murgia Annalisa
Published: November 2022

What do we mean when we speak of algorithmic management? Starting from the case of digital food delivery platforms, this chapter proposes some theoretical and interpretative hypotheses regarding the introduction of algorithmic management systems. In particular, the authors argue that this management model can be described as not completely new, since it includes both elements of the industrial capitalism, based on direct and disciplinary control, and of the managerial model typical of post-Fordism, centred instead on the subsumption of subjectivity, which – by leveraging workers’ request for greater autonomy – enhances the subjects’ very passions and desires. Drawing on a co-research carried out with food delivery riders who took part in the mobilizations organized in the city of Turin (Italy), this chapter investigates the processes giving shape to the forms of algorithmic management and analyse both the various control methods put into practice through the platforms and the answers the workers find to work in these complex environments while at the same time questioning this management model.
On Value and Labour in the Age of Platforms
Authors: Miconi Andrea
Published: November 2022

As often happens to arguments reaching a peak in interest, platform theory needs to be thoroughly discussed. With the same category indiscriminately applied to Apple and WhatsApp, and to Facebook and Uber, the discourse about platformization has eventually come up against the same problem as outlined in van Dijk’s critique of Castells’ theory on networks, in that it runs the risk of somehow reifying ‘platform’ as a similar universal keyword. In this context, this chapter analyses the most credited hypotheses on platform society from the perspective of critical internet theory, with a specific interest in the mechanisms of economic exploitation of data and user-generated content. To different extents, the three hypotheses show a common underestimation of the role played by human labour, which would require the retrieval of Marx’s labour/value theory.
Justicia en tiempos de transición: y después también
Authors: Gutiérrez-Salazar Martha Liliana
Published: November 2022

El presente artículo recoge una revisión bibliográfica acerca de la justicia transicional en aras de contribuir al debate informado sobre la materia. Para ello inicia con una breve exposición sobre los orígenes de la justicia transicional y lo que se entiende por esta; continuando con los dilemas que suscita frente a la democracia y los derechos humanos; al igual que el análisis de los tiempos de esta justicia y su prolongación por décadas después de las transiciones; para luego explorar un grupo de trabajos de índole explicativo sobre trayectorias de justicia y terminar reflexionando sobre los desafíos del campo.
Los contratos de estabilidad jurídica en una economía global, un análisis de derecho comparado para el caso de Colombia, Perú y Chile
Authors: García-Giraldo Juan Sebastian
Published: November 2022

La actividad económica no puede resolver todos los problemas sociales, ampliando sin más la lógica mercantil, por lo tanto en los últimos años los Estados han generado una serie de mecanismos de estabilización jurídica que promueven la inversión extranjera; inversión, considerada como la piedra angular para alcanzar el desarrollo. Colombia expidió la Ley 963 de 2005, por medio de la cual se le permite al Estado suscribir contratos de estabilidad jurídica con el objetivo primordial de incentivar la inversión extranjera. El presente artículo de investigación presenta un análisis de derecho comparado de los contratos de estabilidad jurídica en una economía globalizada y su implementación en otros países de América Latina como es el caso de Perú y Chile.
Discriminación y prejuicios culturales en sentencias penales a personas mapuche: un análisis formal, racional y lógico al discurso jurídicojudicial en Chile
Authors: Valle-Rojas Carlos Del , Davinson-Pacheco Guillermo , Maldonado-Rivera Claudio
Published: November 2022

El artículo desarrolla, a partir del análisis formal, racional y lógico del discurso aplicado a sentencias penales a personas mapuche, la constatación de prejuicios culturales configurados por los tribunales de justicia en el Sur de Chile. Estos indígenas han desarrollado acciones reivindicatorias del territorio en los últimos veinte años, protagonizando la agenda política y comunicacional, situación que provoca un desafío analítico permanente a las ciencias sociales. Mediante la aplicación del método analítico se logró establecer la manipulación de las expresiones discursivas, la asimilación de estereotipos y prejuicios preconcebidos, el empleo recurrente de razonamientos discriminatorios como parte de prácticas constantemente empleadas por los tribunales de justicia. Se logra observar, a través del lenguaje jurídico-judicial, que no solo se construye y representa la realidad sino que también se expresan formas específicas de ejercicio del poder y de control hacia grupos minoritarios de la sociedad chilena como es el caso del pueblo mapuche.
Contribuciones de la universidad de caldas a la formación ciudadana
Authors: Rojas-Rojas Carlos Eduardo , Vargas-Sánchez Julio Ernesto
Published: November 2022

La Universidad de Caldas contempla en su misión institucional su contribución para formar ciudadanos; no obstante, hasta la investigación cuyos resultados aquí presentamos, no contaba con un estudio sistemático que se ocupara de dichos aportes. Realizamos el estudio durante los años 2011-2012, buscamos establecer el estado de dicha contribución en ese mismo período, nos apoyamos en los criterios básicos de la investigación-acción; convocamos la participación de estudiantes, docentes y directivos de la institución; constituimos un grupo de investigación con catorce estudiantes de sociología próximos a graduarse, con quienes acordamos las determinaciones de los conceptos que empleamos y realizamos el proceso investigativo. A continuación presentamos la comprensión del problema de investigación, los criterios metodológicos y conceptuales que orientaron el trabajo, los hallazgos y las sugerencias fundadas en un proceso investigativo que a su vez fue de formación ciudadana.
Sobre la integración positiva del riesgo como fundamento de la responsabilidad civil y algunas de sus consecuencias desde la experiencia jurídica chilena y francesa.
Authors: Munita Marambio Renzo Esteban
Published: November 2022

Este trabajo tiene por objeto abordar la integración del riesgo en esquemas de responsabilidad civil vigentes en algunas latitudes. En el ejercicio se han revisado con especial interés fuentes normativas y de doctrina propias del derecho chileno como francés de la responsabilidad civil. Se concluye en que la consecuencia inmediata del riesgo, en cuanto fundamento del instituto resarcitorio, obedece a la formación de modelos de responsabilidad sin culpa, llegando en Francia a sentar las bases de un principio general de responsabilidad estricta por el hecho de las cosas. Nos manifestamos por suscribir el planteamiento en el que subyace el indicado principio; lo entendemos como una alternativa efectiva en aras de armonizar las alteraciones que provoca la multiplicación de esquemas sectoriales. Si bien en Chile el fenómeno aún no se presenta con fuerza, consideramos pertinente postular prospectivamente la herramienta, adoptando como parámetro la experiencia francesa.
El levantamiento del velo corporativo de las sociedades mercantiles en México, una acción procesal.
Authors: Pérez Cázares Martín Eduardo
Published: November 2022

La separación de la personalidad de las sociedades mercantiles es usada en muchas ocasiones para provecho de los socios y en perjuicio de terceros realizando actos contrarios a la buena fe y en perjuicio de la sociedad. El objeto de esta investigación es hallar soluciones a la problemática proteccionista que esta figura jurídica otorga. Como resultado se encontró que el levantamiento del velo corporativo no ha sido legislado en México, pues aún persiste su abrigo y ha sido la doctrina con base en dos criterios: el abuso del derecho y el fraude de la Ley quienes han alzado la voz para evitar el abuso frecuente de este privilegio. Como conclusión se tiene la necesidad de dar seguridad a los acreedores de estas sociedades mediante acciones procesales debidamente legisladas al vincular el patrimonio persona física – persona jurídica.
Estado del arte del marco jurídico de protección de los humedales frente el cambio climático
Authors: Vidal Sierra Christian Alejandra , Serna Mendoza Ciro Alfonso , Pacheco Figueroa Coral Jazvel , Flórez Yepes Gloria Yaneth , Valdez Leal Juan de Dios
Published: November 2022

Se construyó el estado del arte del marco jurídico de protección de los humedales frente al cambio climático, con base en un análisis bibliométrico y de redes, utilizando como instrumento la búsqueda de documentos científicos en la base de datos Scopus®. Las áreas temáticas más importantes proceden de las ciencias ambientales. Las tendencias investigativas más relevantes de esta revisión frente al cambio climático fueron: a) la importancia de los humedales y sus impactos; b) la protección y conservación ambiental de los humedales, y sus efectos en la biodiversidad; c) las políticas ambientales de gestión (restauración, conservación, protección de humedales) y el desarrollo sostenible. Se identificaron otros aspectos de importancia como son las tendencias regionales y planificación territorial, la gestión del carbono, la producción de metano, indicadores paisajísticos y participación efectiva como elementos para las políticas ambientales de manejo, restauración, protección y conservación de estos ecosistemas.
PECULIARITIES OF DISTRIBUTION OF CARIDEAN SHRIMP LARVAE (DECAPODA, CARIDEA) IN EASTERN PART OF THE SEA OF OKHOTSK
Authors:   Kamchatka State Technical University, Sedova N.A. , Grigorev S.S. ,   Kamchatka Division of Pacific Institute of Geography, Far East Branch
Published: November 2022

Species composition and long-term distribution of shrimp meroplankton in eastern part of Okhotsk Sea are described. Interannual and seasonal variability of qualitative and quantitative composition of shrimp meroplankton is discussed. Average abundance of larvae per station in different areas in spring varied within 1–77.5 ind./m2, in first half of summer – 13.1–133 ind./m2, in September – 1–27 ind./m2. Larvae of genera Pandalus and Eualus were most abundant in April. In summer larvae of family Crangonidae dominated above shallow waters, and Pandalidae dominated above bottom deeper than 100 m. Maximum abundance (1410 ind./m2) was observed in July. Most of larvae develop in upper layer of pelagic zone. In spring larvae were found above bottom depths more than 300 m. In first half of summer main concentrations were above outer and middle shelf, in second half of summer – above inner shelf. Late stages inhabit above bottom depths no more than 40 m.
The determinants of bushmeat consumption in urban areas in Laos
Authors: Phoyduangsy Saysamone , Bounmy Inthakesone , Phonekeo Viraxay , Syphoxay Pakaiphone , CHANSAMONE Luanglath , Vannisa Thammachack
Published: November 2022

This study aims to examine the determinants of bushmeat consumption in urban areas in Laos. Men consume more bushmeat than women. Job, the government official was the major bushmeat consumer, but there was no proven by statistical approaches from this study we have done. The education of people who consume bushmeat has finished high school level. Ethnic, Lao Loum people have a negative impact on bushmeat consumption, but for Hmong or Lao Theung people, bushmeat is a long tradition of eating and being a major food source. In addition, believing in eating bushmeat can make people healthy is also valid.
Literary and Linguistic Symbols of the Fatal Signs of Death in the Literature of Dino Buzzati
Authors: Rusi Eris , Zaçellari Manjola
Published: November 2022

In this paper we will try to identify the literary and linguistic symbols of the fatal signs of death, focusing on the concept of "happy death" as a key concept in the literature of Dino Buzzati. The literature of this author passes from the traditional writing to the narrative forms of magical realism, and unfolds an imagination which shows how the reality of this world cannot be separated from the mystery of our daily existence. Also, we will analyse if there is a connection between Buzzati’s literary vision and the metaphysical debate on the existence of God. These research questions, aim to highlight the fact that the most obvious novelty of Dino Buzzati's literature should be summarized in the assessment that all the echoes of Death in his works are described with humor and self-irony, ranging from jokes to punitive and apocalyptic sarcasm. Death is shrouded in the allegory of the "receiving the call"; sooner or later it knocks on the door of every human being. Buzzati's literature is precisely the attainment of such a dimension, where art becomes sublime, and it is very hard to define clear lines, between the human existence and what happens after it.
Consolidation Through Rebellion in Kate Chopin's The Awakening
Authors: Khan Farhadiba H.
Published: November 2022

This paper examines Kate Chopin’s heroine Edna’s journey for self-actualization in The Awakening which was published in (1899). The period represents the first wave of feminism and New Woman era. Kate Chopin's The Awakening portrays the patriarchy, oppression and marriage as compelling forces that assume women to fulfill the expectations of a devoted true woman. Chopin presents Edna’s rebels against the moral and social restraints set on women by the patriarchal society in order to become an individual as she refuses to be casted as a typical traditional Victorian mother and a wife. To understand Edna's rebelliousness, Chopin uses a variety of pictures and encounters with people as instruments. It's clear that she has a rebellious streak. Chopin’s deliberation, in this sense, is to not condemn Edna's rebellion in proclaiming her sexuality and seeking independence through the consolidation of her mind, body, and spirit, but rather to paint her as the ‘new woman’ who gains control and awareness of her sexual and artistic potentials. Therefore, this research work attempts to study Edna's trials and tribulations in achieving self-understanding by resisting patriarchal subordination and finding autonomy by pursuing her own goals.
A Corpus-Based Study on the Semantic Use of Reporting Verbs in English Majors’ Undergraduate Thesis Writing
Authors: Huang Yueyue
Published: November 2022

This study aims to add further pedagogical knowledge on students’ academic writing by investigating the semantic patterns of reporting verbs (RVs) in L1 Chinese undergraduate English majors’ theses in a southern Chinese university based on the semantic categories by Hunston et al. (1996) and Charles (2006a). A comparative analysis was conducted across L2 and L1 students’ academic writing in the discipline of applied linguistics. The study yielded two major findings: 1) there was a significantly insufficient employment of RVs in general, particularly among three categories (Argue, Show, Find) by L2 students, who also presented a strong reliance on argumentation by intuition; 2) L2 students illustrated a restricted vocabulary repertoire of colloquial RVs and their usage of RVs was misrepresented in context, diverging from the intended rhetorical functions. These findings indicate that evidence-based argumentative writing practice and targeted lexical and rhetorical instructions on vocabulary knowledge require further promotion in L2 English learners’ academic writing training.
The Indonesian Di- Passive and Discourse Contexts
Authors: Udayana I Nyoman
Published: November 2022

The syntactic analysis of the formation of an Indonesian active clause into a passive one has been much done in the literature. However, the research of the Indonesian passive into its discourse contexts has been understudied. The present study seeks to fill the lacuna. The findings show that an active clause and its passive clause counterpart change in the topic-comment relation, characterized by a change of definiteness status in the NP subject of the passive clause (NP patient) which serves to maintain the semantic interdependence between the NP object of the active clause and the NP subject (of the passive clause). The prohibition of passive clauses with the first and second person agent by-phrases is dependent upon the type of verbs that the di-passive co-occur with. NP agent by-phrases is also affected by discourse contexts tied to (im)politeness. It is also shown that the definiteness status of NP patients in agentless di-passive is affected by that of the NP agent. In addition to this, the omission of the NP agent by-phrase is made to avoid attributing direct responsibility for the action to the agent itself.
Current approaches to assessing the biological activity of immunocytokines in vitro
Authors: Konoplina K. M. , Kosobokova E. N. , Kosorukov V. S.
Published: November 2022

The use of cytokines as anticancer drugs is limited due to their toxicity. It is possible to reduce toxicity and to increase the therapeutic index by using cytokines in the form of conjugates with antibodies – immunocytokines. The results of preclinical studies have shown increased efficacy and reduced toxicity of various immunocytokines compared to the original, unconjugated cytokines. The potential of immunocytokines as anticancer agents is currently being studied in clinical trials. The therapeutic efficacy of immunocytokines depends on their physicochemical parameters, which determine the in vivo biodistribution, and biological activity as a result of the mechanisms of the antibody action and cytokine sites incorporated in the design. There is a need for methods that allow to assess the biological activity of both individual sites and the entire immunocytokine molecule when characterizing immunocytokines at an early stage of research.This review considers the existing approaches for assessing the biological activity of immunocytokines in vitro in the course of preclinical studies, such as monolayer cultures, reporter cell lines, co-cultures, three-dimensional (3D) tumor models. Monolayer cultures are sufficient to confirm the mechanism of action of separate sites of immunocytokines used in the design, and the “gold standard” test systems for determining the specific biological activity of the cytokine and the effector functions of the antibody site remain in demand. Commercial reporter cell lines remain an alternative option for assessing the biological activity of cytokine and antibody sites at the level of activation of signaling pathways. Co-cultures of tumor and effector cells make it possible to evaluate the cytotoxic and immunomodulatory effects of antibody and cytokine sites without using 3D cultivation methods. The use of 3D tumor models makes it possible to replace several tests for the biological activity of separate sites of immunocytokines conducted on monolayer cultures and co-cultures with one comprehensive study, however, such models require significant time and material costs.
CBA strain mice as a model of spontaneous carcinogenesis
Authors: Bocharova O. A. , Karpova R. V. , Bocharov E. V. , Aksyonov A. A. , Kucheryanu V. G. , Revishchin A. V. , Pavlova G. V. , Kushlinsky N. E.
Published: November 2022

The review analyzes some parameters of CBA mice-males as model of spontaneous carcinogenesis characterizing adhesive and adaptive disorders. A weakening of the hepatocytes mutual adhesiveness force was noted already in early ontogenesis (5–10 days of postnatal development). This violation persisted and enhanced during hepatocarcinogenesis. A decrease of the β2 leukocyte integrins LFA-1 and Mac-1 expression on peripheral blood cells as well as an increase of the interleukins 6 and 10 in blood serum were determined during ontogenesis. It is significant for weakening the liver cells contact interactions (mutual adhesiveness) as well as immunity effectors and tumor cells interactions. A disbalance of the adaptive reactions and life quality important components was revealed in the CBA mice-males ontogenesis. Number of dopaminergic neurons and the neurogenesislevel in CBA micemales were decreasing. This does not contradict the dynamics of chronic stress and the aging process: an increase in the catabolic stress hormone corticosterone, a decrease in the anabolic hormone testosterone in the blood serum, a decrease in motor activity, signs of cachexia and alopecia, as well as a violation of immunological parameters.CBA mice-males with an assessment of parameters characterizing adhesive and adaptive disorders during spontaneous carcinogenesis (the hepatocytes mutual adhesiveness forсe, the expression of β2 leukocyte integrins LFA-1 and Mac-1 on peripheral blood cells, the content of interleukins 6, 10, corticosterone and testosterone in blood serum, the number of dopaminergic neurons in the midbrain during ontogenesis) as well as the frequency and size of tumours, lifespan and somatic status of animals can be used as a scientifically- and evidence-based test system to study cytostatic drugs as well as non-toxic geroprotective medications for prevention and treatment of cancer in individuals with an increased risk of malignant neoplasms developing especially hepatocellular carcinoma.
CD437 increases the iron uptake by metastatic melanoma cells
Authors: Vartanian A. A. , Khochenkova Yu. A. , Kosorukov V. S.
Published: November 2022

Background. CD437, an analog of vitamin A, is an agonist of the retinoic acid γ-receptor (RARγ). CD437 is also known to cause p53-independent DNA damage by a mechanism independent of the RAR-mediated pathway. In cancer patients, iron deficiency is constantly detect, the delivery of iron to tissues is also destroyed.Aim. To study the effect of CD437 on iron metabolism in metastatic melanoma cells, Mel Z.Materials and methods. In this study 2D cultivation of metastatic Mel Z melanoma cells, phase-contrast and fluorescence microscopy, flow cytofluorimetry were used.Results. In control cells without the addition of CD437 CD71, transferrin receptor, expressed 40 ± 4 % (p <0.05) of Mel Z cells, in the presence of CD437 CD71 expression increased to 80 ± 6 %. Next, we have studied the expression of ferritin. Iron, which is not involved in cell metabolism, is bound by ferritin. In control experiments, ferritin was expressed by 84 ± 6 % (p <0.05) of cells. When the cells grew in the presence of CD437, ferritin was expressed by all the cells (100 %, p <0.05). Such a scenario indicates that CD437 may contribute to the accumulation of free, unbound iron in the cell, which can induce ferroptosis. In control experiments without the addition of CD437, the level of membranes lipid peroxidation, an indicator of ferroptosis, was insignificant. Lipid peroxidation induced by CD437 was 55 ± 5 % (p <0.05) of the fluorescence intensity induced by erastin, positive control.Conclusion. CD437 increases the iron uptake by metastatic melanoma cells. The low level of membranes lipid peroxidation induced by CD437 does not allow it to be considered as an inducer of ferroptosis. Additional investigations are needed to find iron-binding targets alternative to ferritin.
Quantitative determination of the N-glycoside derivative of substituted indolo[2,3a]carbazole in innovative dosage forms
Authors: Ignatieva E. V. , Yartseva I. V. , Shprakh Z. S. , Kolpaksidi A. P. , Dmitrieva M. V. , Lantsova A. V. , Nikolaeva L. L. , Prosalkova I. R.
Published: November 2022

Background. A glycoside derivative of indolocarbazole LHS-1269, one of the new drugs selectively affecting tumors, which was first synthesized at the N.N. Blokhin National Medical-Research Center of Oncology of the Ministry of Health of Russia, is of particular scientific interest. Experimental studies demonstrated a multi-target mechanism of action of this compound. LHS-1269 interacts with several intracellular targets and induces various pathways of cell death. Several innovative models of the dosage forms were designed to achieve the highest antitumor activity of the compound and to perform further preclinical studies.Aim. To develop the methods for the quantitative determination of LHS-1269 in pharmaceutical compositions proposed as a result of the search for the optimal dosage form.Materials and methods. The study analyzed the spectrophotometric characteristics of LHS-1269 solutions in dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and in the mixture of solvents DMSO–ethyl alcohol, as well as electronic absorption spectra of the excipients in the mixture of solvents DMSO–ethyl alcohol. Spectrophotometric measurements were performed on a Cary 100 spectrophotometer (Varian, Inc., Australia) in the wavelength range from 200 to 500 nm. The standard sample is the substance LHS-1269 (N.N.  Blokhin Oncology Research Center of the Ministry of Health of Russia).Results. The carried out studies showed that LHS-1269 solutions in dimethylformamide, DMSO and mixture of DMSO– ethyl alcohol are suitable for spectrophotometric measurements. Several variants of the methodology for the assay of LHS-1269 in various dosage form models that differ in the content of the active substance and the excipients composition have been developed: LHS-1269 concentrate for solution for injection and infusion; lyophilisate for solution for injection; liposomal lyophilisate for dispersion for injection.Conclusion. Techniques for the assay of LHS-1269 in dosage form models have been developed. It has been shown that the developed techniques are applicable for LHS-1269 quantitative determination in innovative dosage forms containing polymeric low molecular weightsolubilizers, lipids, cholesterol, mono- or oligosaccharides as excipients.
Efficiency of accelerated electron beam sterilization of a hydrogel for 3D cultivation of mesenchymal multipotent cells
Authors: Bystrov P. A. , Novruzov K. M. , Potapnev M. P. , Kosmacheva S. M. , Anisimova N. Yu. , Kiselevskiy M. V. , Myshelova P. S. , Bulygina I. N. , Senatov F. S.
Published: November 2022

Background. Hydrogels are promising for use in tissue engineering for the restoration and regeneration of various tissues, since they are able to perform the functions of bulk scaffolds, providing the formation of 3D cell structures. Population of such scaffolds with autologous or heterogeneous mesenchymal multipotent stromal cells in vitro makes it possible to localize these cells in the area of target tissues after implantation in a patient. One of the difficult tasks is the choice of the method and mode of sterilization of the hydrogel, which does not change its properties.Aim. Study of the effectiveness of hydrogel sterilization by an accelerated electron beam in various modes, changes in the structure and biocompatibility of the scaffold, to assess the prospects for its use for medical purposes, including as a platform for mesenchymal stromal cells.Materials and methods. We used a hydrogel based on 4 % solutions of sodium alginate and sodium salt of carboxymethyl cellulose, cross-linked with calcium chloride, which was developed, obtained and provided for our research by the team of the Research and Educational Center for Biomedical Engineering of the National University of Science and Technology “MISIS”. Hydrogel samples loaded with Escherichia coli, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Saccharomyces cerevisiae were subjected to electron beam treatment in the range of 5–100 kGy. After electron beam treatment of hydrogel, the presence of living microorganisms and its structure were evaluated by IR-Fourier spectroscopy, as well as the phenotype and formation of 3D structures by mesenchymal multipotent cells.Results. It was found that the treatment of hydrogels with an electron beam at a mode of 25 kGy ensures the death of microorganisms, but does not destroy the structure of the hydrogel and does not inhibit the ability to form capillary-like structures by mesenchymal multipotent cells.Conclusion. Treatment with an accelerated electron beam at a 25 kGy can be used to sterilize hydrogels to obtain bulk scaffolds for cell engineering implants.
Comparison of Ridostin Pro and Poly(I:C) as adjuvant for a cancer neoantigen peptide vaccine
Authors: Baryshnikova M. A. , Ponomarev A. V. , Rudakova A. A. , Sokolova Z. A. , Golubtsova N. V. , Tsarapaev P. V. , Levagina G. M. , Danilenko E. D. , Kosorukov V. S.
Published: November 2022

Background. The effectiveness of cancer neoantigen peptide vaccines depends on the presence of an adjuvant in their composition. Poly(I:C), a TRL-3 agonist, is used as an adjuvant in mouse models of cancer vaccines, but has limitations for use in humans. Therefore, the search for new effective adjuvants for inclusion in the composition of cancer neoantigen peptide vaccine is relevant. Ridostin Pro is a domestic drug that contains a natural complex of sodium salts of double-chiral and single-chiral ribonucleic acids, is an agonist of TLR-3, an inducer of interferon, its antiviral activity is shown. In this regard, the study of Ridostin Pro as an adjuvant in the composition of neoantigen peptide vaccines is of interest.Aim. To evaluate the ability of Ridostin Pro and Poly(I:C) adjuvants enhance the specific T-cell response to neoantigen synthetic peptides; to study the antitumor efficacy of a neoantigen peptide vaccine with Ridostin Pro or Poly(I:C) adjuvants.Materials and methods. Immunogenicity of peptides after vaccination with Ridostin Pro or Poly(I:C) adjuvants evaluated with ELISpot. Antitumor effect of Ridostin Pro or Poly(I:C) adjuvants were evaluated on a mouse model of the B16-F10 tumor by the effect on the tumor growth rate and survival of mice.Results. Vaccination of mice with Ridostin Pro or Poly(I:C) with neoantigen peptides contributed to the appearance of a specific immune response to peptides that were part of the vaccine. Ridostin Pro, both as part of a vaccine model and when administered without a peptide, inhibits tumor growth and increases the life expectancy of mice with melanoma B16-F10.Conclusion. Ridostin Pro promotes the formation of a specific immune response to the peptide vaccine, enhances the antitumor effect of the vaccine. These results confirm that Ridostin Pro may prove to be an effective adjuvant for personalized neoantigen peptide vaccines.
International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infection Consortium (ISARIC). A new collaborative global platform for global clinical trials targeting post-COVID19 patients.
Authors: Siqueira Maria Isabel Cavalcante , Oliveira Miriã Cândida , Moreira Lino Maria Eduarda , Souza Shayra Kellen Arantes , Augusto Moreira Silva Guilherme , Silva Rosa Tomaz Renata , De Morais Carrijo Marilúcia , Lisboa Guedes Thays , Nascimento Souza Beatriz , Rosa Pereira Póvoa Elisângela , Rodrigues Bernardes Rubens , De Souza Galvão Letícia , Mendonça Reis Bianca , Hélvetico Carvalho de Oliveira Diniz Raphael , Marques Paulino Diogo , Cândido Oliveira Aline , De Paula Vieira Rodolfo , Zacarias Maldaner da Silva Vinicius , Socorro Faria Sara , Franco de Oliveira Luís Vicente
Published: November 2022

Background: In response to the pandemic caused by COVID-19, World Health Organization (WHO), together with International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infection Consortium (ISARIC), developed research protocols facilitating global collaboration and accelerating the understanding of the disease, to identify the potential symptoms and persistent sequelae in infected individuals, which can be used in different areas of health, that is, in primary care, at a hospital or outpatient level, both public and private. Objective: To describe the International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infection Consortium (ISARIC) protocol as a new global collaborative platform for global clinical trials targeting post-COVID-19 patients. Methods: The standardized forms were developed from the COVID-19 Clinical Characterization Protocol (PCC) by the ISARIC/WHO working group composed of specialist researchers with experience in clinical research in different areas of medicine and public health, especially outbreaks and infectious diseases. Conclusion: It is expected that the creation of a database composed of different populations from all over the world will help in the characterization of risk factors, in the best form of clinical intervention and in the best prevention strategies for physical, neurological and psychosocial sequelae in the medium and long term in post-COVID-19 patients.
To the 50th Anniversary of Maksim P. Razin
Authors: Zheleznov Lev M. , Skobelev Valentin A.
Published: November 2022

The paper describes the professional activities and merits of the pediatric surgeon Maksim P. Razin in celebration of his anniversary.