bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Isofebrifugine Analogues
Authors: Zhang Jinjin , Huang Baohua , Lu Yujing , Li Wenbin , Zhuang Zichong , Ke Donghua , Zhong Jingpeng , Zhou Jinlin , Chen Qian
Published: April 2019

:

Isofebrifugine, as a kind of natural quinazolinone alkaloid with important physiological activities
and good pharmacological effects, was isolated from a Chinese medicinal plant, Chang Shan
(Dichroa febrifuga). In this paper, the synthesis of a series of novel isofebrifugine analogues was accomplished
by employing the N-alkylation of 4(3H)-quinazolinones with benzyl (3aR,7aR)-rel-2-
(bromomethyl)hexahydrofuro[3,2-b]pyridine-4(2H)carboxylates and the subsequent N-deprotection.
These analogues were characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR and HRMS spectra. The MTT assay was
used to examine the inhibitory effects of these analogues on the growth of human hepatoma cells
(HepG2). The results indicated that some halogenated or hemiketal analogues showed interesting inhibition
activity.
A Cytotoxic Natural Product from Patrinia villosa Juss
Authors: Liu Yangcheng , Liu Wei , Chen Changlan , Xiang Zheng , Liu Hongwei
Published: April 2019

Background and Purpose::

Patrinia villosa Juss is an important Chinese herbal medicine widely used
for thousands of years, but few reports on the ingredients of the herb have been presented. In this study, we aim
to isolate the bioactive compound from the plant.

Material and Methods::

The air-dried leaves of P. villosa (15kg) were extracted three times with 70% EtOH
under reflux. The condensed extract was suspended in H2O and partitioned with light petroleum,
dichloromethane and n-BuOH. The dichloromethane portion was then subjected to normal-phase silica gel
column chromatography, ODS silica gel column chromatography and semi-preparative HPLC to yield
compound 1. Cytotoxicities of 1 were assayed on HepG2, A549 and A2780 cell lines. The mechanism of
apoptosis and cell cycle on A549 was confirmed subsequently.

Results:

A new impecylone (Impecylone A) was isolated from the leaves of Patrinia villosa Juss, and its
structures were established using 1D, 2D-NMR spectra and HR-ESI-MS. Impecylone A could selectivity inhibit
HepG2 and A549 cell lines. The compound could induce apoptosis of A549 and arrest the cell cycle at G2/M
phase in a dose-dependent manner.

Conclusion:

Impecylone A is a novel compound from Patrinia villosa Juss and could be a potential antitumor
agent especially in the cell lines of A549.
Contribution of Major Polyphenols to the Antioxidant Profile and Cytotoxic Activity of Olive Leaves
Authors: Bouallagui Zouhaier , Mahmoudi Asma , Maalej Amina , Hadrich Fatma , Isoda Hiroko , Sayadi Sami
Published: April 2019

Aim:

This study was designed to investigate the phytochemical profile and the cytotoxic activities of the eco-friendly extracts of olive leaves from Chemlali cultivar.

Materials and Methods:

The Phenolic composition of olive leaves extracts, the antioxidant activity and the cytotoxic effects against MCF-7 and HepG2 cells were determined.

Results:

Olive leaves extracts showed relevant total polyphenols contents. Oleuropein was the major detected phenolic compound reaching a concentration of 16.9 mg/ml. The antioxidant potential of the studied extracts varied from 23.7 to 46.5mM Trolox equivalents as revealed by DPPH and ABTS assays. Cytotoxicity experiments showed similar trends for both HepG2 and MCF-7 cells with the infusion extract being the most active.

Conclusion:

This study denotes that olive leaves may have great potential as endless bioresource of valuable bioactive compounds which may have a wide application.
Bevacizumab Allows Preservation of Liver Function and its Regenerative Capacity after Major Hepatectomy
Authors: Valverde Amparo , Ciria Rubén , Caballero-Villarraso Javier , Aguilar-Melero Patricia , Ferrín Gustavo , Ranchal Isidora , Linares Clara , Herencia Carmen , González-Rubio Sandra , de la Mata Manuel , Naranjo Álvaro , Briceño Javier
Published: April 2019

Background:

Parallel to the safety of liver resections, new chemotherapy drugs have emerged for the
control of liver metastases. However, there is unclear evidence about the combination of intensive BVZ-therapy
and extended resections. The main aim was to analyse the impact of Bevacizumab (BVZ) in terms of liver safety
and tolerability in two experimental models: a basal-toxicity situation and after major hepatectomy.

Methods:

Eighty male-Wistar rats were grouped as toxicity analysis (sham-operated rats-OS-) and regenerationafter-
surgery analysis (hepatectomy rats-H-). Eight further subgroups were created according to sacrifice (6-
hours-6h- or 24-hours-24h-) and dose (μg) of BVZ (none, 100, 200, 400). Several measurements were performed,
including biochemical serum samples, histopathological analysis, cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, TGF-β),
oxidative-stress (GSH/GSSG, ATP), lipid-peroxidation (TBARS) and epidermal and vascular endothelium
growth-factors (EGF and VEGF).

Results:

In the toxicity analysis, safe results with BVZ were observed, with no significant differences among the
groups. A trend towards a lower oxidative status was observed in the OS 6 h-100, -200 and -400 versus the OS 6
h-none group. Similar results were observed in the hepatectomy model, with stable oxidative-stress-index and
IL-6, TNF- α, and TGF- β levels. Despite higher lipid peroxidation status, overall regeneration was preserved.
As expected, VEGF was almost undetectable in BVZ-treated groups after resection, but not in the non-resection
group.

Conclusion:

It was concluded that liver status was not impaired by BVZ even at the high-dose. Similarly, liver
regeneration after extended hepatectomy in BVZ-treated animals was well-preserved. Extended liver resections
may be encouraged in BVZ-treated patients due to its excellent tolerability and good liver regeneration status.
Characterization and Classification of Soils of a Toposequence in a Derived Savannah Agroecological Zone of Nigeria
Authors: Adegbite Kehinde A. , Okafor Millicent E. , Adekiya Aruna O. , Alori Elizabeth T. , Adebiyi Ojo T. V.
Published: April 2019

Background:

Soil properties are anisotropic in nature, hence the need to study soil associations and regional landscapes for sustainable nutrient management and soil profile is an important tool which can be utilized for this purpose.

Objective:

The objectives of the study are to describe the morphology of the soils of the toposequence, determine their physical and chemical properties, classify them and make an appraisal of their agricultural potentials.

Methods:

Three slope classes were considered and a total of three profile pits, one on each slope were studied and described in the field morphologically at Eleyin Farms Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria, which was a newly opened up plantation.Samples of soil were collected from the horizons of the profile pits. The soil samples were analyzed for their physical and chemical properties.

Results:

All the three pedons showed appreciable differences in physical, chemical, and morphological characteristics of the soils and their classifications were determined as guided by their characteristics. The textural classes were defined mainly by the sand compositions which decreased from the upper and middle slopes down to the bottom slope, and the clay compositions which increased progressively from the uppermost slope through the middle slope to the bottom slope. Silt compositions did not exhibit any particular pattern.

Conclusion:

Thus, sand and clay compositions were more significant and relevant to the textural classification of the soils of the area than silt. The low nutrient status of the soils can be ameliorated by incorporation of organic or farm residues to increase the organic matter content of the soil, and also improve management practices and guided chemical fertilizer use. The soils of the area were classified as Typic Haplustalf (USDA), and Ferric Luvisol (FAO).
Recent Advances in Curcumin Nanocarriers for the Treatment of Different Types of Cancer with Special Emphasis on In Vitro Cytotoxicity and Cellular Uptake Studies
Authors: Sharma Jai B. , Bhatt Shailendra , Sharma Asmita , Kumar Manish
Published: April 2019

Background:

The potential use of nanocarriers is being explored rapidly for the targeted
delivery of anticancer agents. Curcumin is a natural polyphenolic compound obtained from
rhizomes of turmeric, belongs to family Zingiberaceae. It possesses chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic
activity with low toxicity in almost all types of cancer. The low solubility and bioavailability
of curcumin make it unable to use for the clinical purpose. The necessity of an effective
strategy to overcome the limitations of curcumin is responsible for the development of its nanocarriers.

Objective:

This study is aimed to review the role of curcumin nanocarriers for the treatment of
cancer with special emphasis on cellular uptake and in vitro cytotoxicity studies. In addition to
this, the effect of various ligand conjugated curcumin nanoparticles on different types of cancer
was also studied.

Methods:

A systematic review was conducted by extensively surfing the PubMed, science direct
and other portals to get the latest update on recent development in nanocarriers of curcumin.

Results:

The current data from recent studies showed that nanocarriers of curcumin resulted in the
targeted delivery, higher efficacy, enhanced bioavailability and lower toxicity. The curcumin
nanoparticles showed significant inhibitory effects on cancer cells as compared to free curcumin.

Conclusion:

It can be concluded that bioavailability of curcumin and its cytotoxic effect to cancer
cells can be enhanced by the development of curcumin based nanocarriers and it was found to be a
potential drug delivery technique for the treatment of cancer.
A Systematic Review of Critical Thinking Instruments for Use in Dental Education
Authors: Anders Patrick L. , Stellrecht Elizabeth M. , Davis Elaine L. , McCall W.D.
Published: April 2019

Critical thinking is widely recognized as an essential competency in dental education, but there is little agreement on how it should be assessed. The aim of this systematic review was to determine the availability of instruments that could be used to measure critical thinking in dental students and to evaluate psychometric evidence to support their use. In January 2017, an electronic search of both the medical and education literature was performed on nine databases. The search included both keyword and Medical Subject Heading terms for critical thinking, higher education/health sciences education, measurement/assessment, and reproducibility of results. The grey literature was included in the search. The search produced 2,977 unique records. From the title and abstract review, 183 articles were selected for further review, which resulted in 36 articles for data extraction. Ten of these studies sought to evaluate psychometric properties of the instruments used and were subjected to quality assessment. Seven assessment instruments were identified. Of these, three instruments that have not been widely used nor tested in health professions students showed evidence of psychometric strength and appeared to have potential for use in dental education. Further research should focus on the three critical thinking instruments with strong psychometric evidence, with the aim of establishing validity and reliability in the context of dental education.
Online Case‐Sharing to Enhance Dental Students' Clinical Education: A Pilot Study
Authors: Oliveira Erica R. , Rose William F. , Hendricson William D.
Published: April 2019

Dental students' clinical learning is dictated by patients' needs. Thus, not all students have identical educational experiences. Even routine treatment can require different approaches depending on concurrent dental problems, patients' health status, or unexpected complications. No curriculum can expose students to all treatment alternatives when issues arise. Consequently, mechanisms to facilitate students' learning from the collective experiences of their classmates can augment their clinical acumen. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate a blended learning experience consisting of a website on which third‐ and fourth‐year students posted and discussed PowerPoint presentations depicting patient treatment and weekly seminars in which students and faculty discussed posted cases to retrospectively assess treatment decisions. All 49 students in two of the school's general practice groups (23 fourth‐year and 26 third‐year students) in academic year 2011‐12 participated, using a PowerPoint template to create cases to share with their peers. The students completed the Clinical Education Instructional Quality Inventory (Clin‐EdIQ) before and after the case‐sharing experience. The results showed statistically significant pre‐ to posttest increases on the four ClinEdIQ dimensions: overall clinical learning experience, specific learning opportunities, interaction among students and instructors, and collaborative learning. These students also reported that the online case‐sharing and follow‐up seminars were a valuable educational experience. However, students not involved in case‐sharing had similar pre to post ClinEdIQ score changes. The results suggest that online case‐sharing supported by case analysis seminars facilitated exchange of clinical insight among students and instructors, but may not have altered students' perceptions of the clinical learning environment.
Assessing Effectiveness of an Audiovisual Educational Tool for Improving Dental Students' Probing Depth Consistency
Authors: Prabhu Srividya , John Vanchit , Blanchard Steven , Eckert George J. , Hamada Yusuke
Published: April 2019

Dental students often underestimate their probing depth (PD) measurements, which emphasizes the need for effective and novel methods for teaching proper probing technique. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of audiovisual learning aids, recorded from the point of view of examiners, for improvement in PD agreement in dental students. In 2017‐18, 22 third‐year dental students were randomized into test and control groups. Each student and a single blinded faculty examiner performed PD measurements on a minimum of three patients. The test group viewed a video demonstrating proper probing technique, while the control group received only probing technique instruction from prior lectures. All measurements, the periodontal diagnoses, and the total time taken to complete PD measurements were recorded. A survey of student attitudes about the audiovisual tool was conducted after the intervention; all 22 students completed the survey. A total of 11,426 PD sites were measured. The test group had 10% greater accuracy in PD sites=4 mm. The control group had a minor but statistically significant increase in accuracy for 2 mm PD sites. For all incorrect measurements at sites PD≥4, the students tended to underestimate the PD. Tooth type, site location around tooth, and diagnosis had no significant effect on PD measurement agreement. No significant difference between groups was found for the proportions of gingivitis and periodontitis patients or for examination time. This study found that use of the audiovisual learning aid “Calibrated Periodontal Training Video” improved the students' probing depth accuracy for sites with PD of 4 mm.
Using Technology to Facilitate Fidelity Assessments: The Tele-STAR Caregiver Intervention
Authors: Lindauer Allison , McKenzie Glenise , LaFazia David , McNeill Loriann , Mincks Kate , Spoden Natasha , Myers Marcella , Mattek Nora , Teri Linda L
Published: April 2019

Background

Families living with Alzheimer disease and related dementias have more access to support thanks to the development of effective telehealth-based programs. However, as technological science grows, so does the risk that these technology-based interventions will diverge from foundational protocols, diluting their efficacy. Strategies that ensure programs are delivered as intended, with fidelity to guiding protocols, are needed across the intervention spectrum—from development to wide-scale implementation. Few papers address fidelity in their technology-based work. Here, we present our translated telehealth intervention, Tele-STAR, with our fidelity findings.

Objective

This study aimed to assess the preliminary efficacy of Tele-STAR on reducing family caregiver burden and depression. Across the implementation phases, we assessed the fidelity of a caregiver education intervention, STAR-C, as it was translated into a telehealth option (Tele-STAR).

Methods

A total of 13 family caregivers consented to participate in an 8-week, videoconference-based intervention (Tele-STAR). Tele-STAR efficacy in reducing the affective burden of caregiving was assessed using pre- and postintervention paired t tests. Content experts assessed program fidelity by reviewing and rating Tele-STAR materials for adherence to the original STAR-C protocol. These experts assessed treatment fidelity by viewing videos of the intervention and rating adherence on a checklist.

Results

Tele-STAR reduced caregiver burden and retained good program and treatment fidelity to STAR-C.

Conclusions

We found Tele-STAR reduced caregiver burden and had good fidelity to the original protocol. Assessing fidelity is a complex process that requires incorporation of these procedures early in the research process. The technology used in this study facilitated the accrual of informative data about the fidelity of our translated intervention, Tele-STAR.
Hepatorenal Syndrome
Authors: Francoz Claire , Durand François , Kahn Jeffrey A. , Genyk Yuri S. , Nadim Mitra K.
Published: April 2019

Hepatorenal syndrome is a severe complication of end-stage cirrhosis characterized by increased splanchnic blood flow, hyperdynamic state, a state of decreased central volume, activation of vasoconstrictor systems, and extreme kidney vasoconstriction leading to decreased GFR. The contribution of systemic inflammation, a key feature of cirrhosis, in the development of hepatorenal syndrome has been highlighted in recent years. The mechanisms by which systemic inflammation precipitates kidney circulatory changes during hepatorenal syndrome need to be clarified. Early diagnosis is central in the management and recent changes in the definition of hepatorenal syndrome help identify patients at an earlier stage. Vasoconstrictive agents (terlipressin in particular) and albumin are the first-line treatment option. Several controlled studies proved that terlipressin is effective at reversing hepatorenal syndrome and may improve short-term survival. Not all patients are responders, and even in responders, early mortality rates are very high in the absence of liver transplantation. Liver transplantation is the only curative treatment of hepatorenal syndrome. In the long term, patients transplanted with hepatorenal syndrome tend to have lower GFR compared with patients without hepatorenal syndrome. Differentiating hepatorenal syndrome from acute tubular necrosis (ATN) is often a challenging yet important step because vasoconstrictors are not justified for the treatment of ATN. Hepatorenal syndrome and ATN may be considered as a continuum rather than distinct entities. Emerging biomarkers may help differentiate these two conditions and provide prognostic information on kidney recovery after liver transplantation, and potentially affect the decision for simultaneous liver–kidney transplantation.
Language, Gender and Power in Chinua Achebe’s—There Was a Country and Chimamanda Adiche’s—Half of a Yellow Sun
Authors: Olusola LAWAL M.
Published: April 2019

The interconectivity of language in the analysis of ideological schemas of gender and power is remarkable. In every piece of texts, language is employed as an expression of ideology. Hence, there is no linguistic expression that is ideologically empty. Language is inspirable from the gender and power preoccupations of Chinua Achebe’s There Was a Country and Chimamanda Adiche’s Half of a Yellow Sun. In this paper, it is made succinct that both Achebe and Adichie deploy their English linguistic prowess with their traditional Igbo language colorations as an expression of power and gender discourses. Indeed, while it is deduced that Achebe, through the use of rhetorical and proverbial expressions, pursued a somewhat patriarchal gender and power ideological inclination in his memoir; Adichie, in her use of sublime language, exhibited her feminine gender belief in a rather subtle manner. Evidently, the two authors’ use of the English language with a heavy Igbo language influence is an index to the fact that language, apart from being a powerful means of expression of a writer’s ideological idiosyncrasy, is a source of power on its own; an instrument which both Achebe and Adichie deployed to show their different gender inclinations and power discourses in the selected texts.
SUSTAINABILITY ANALYSIS OF WHITELEG SHRIMP POND AQUACULTURE AT JATIRENGGO VILLAGE, LAMONGAN REGENCY
Authors: Lusiana Evellin Dewi , Musa Muhammad , Mahmudi Mohammad , Arsad Sulastri , Buwono Nanik Retno
Published: April 2019

Whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) is a fisheries commodity which has high economic value because of its high demand and easier cultivation. Lamongan regency is one of the minapolitan region in East Java Province, especially at Glagah district, Jatirenggo village which becomes the minapolist, with one of the superior commodities is whiteleg shrimp. The development of a certain village can be determined by village developing index or IDM which consists of three categories, they are left behind, developing, and advance village. Jatirenggo village has a village developing index (IDM) of 0.6080 which classified as developing category or category 2. Thus, in order to increase its status, the welfare of its people need to be considered. Whiteleg shrimp pond aquaculture can be one of the effort to increase the income of Jatirenggo’s. This study aims to analyze the sustainability of whiteleg shrimp aquaculture activity in Jatirenggo village according to ecology, socio-economic, technology-infrastructure, and institutional dimension. The used method was MDS Rapfish. The results showed that the whiteleg shrimp aquaculture in Jatirenggo village is classified as sustainable, or it means the situation in Jatirenggo village is suitable for a successful aquaculture. Thus, it can be expected to increase the income of the farmers.
TERPENOIDS AND PHYTOSTEROLS ISOLATED FROM PLUMERIA RUBRA L., FORM ACUTIFOLIA (AIT) WOODSON AND ITS FUNGUS PARASITE COLESPORIUM PLUMERIAE
Authors: M Resende, C. , S Barreto A. , R. Pinto, P. , H. C Nascimento C. C. , De Vasconcelos, S. D. D. , A.C. Azevedo, L. , R. S. Stephens P. , I. Nogueira R. , P. Saranraj, , F. Diré G. , C Pinto, A.
Published: April 2019

The hexane and ethyl acetate extracts of the leaves from Plumeria rubra L., form acutifolia (Ait) Woodson and the methanolic extract from the fungus Coleosporium plumeriae Pat. were analized by high resolution gas chromatography (HRGC) and by high resolution gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometes (GC-MS). The identification of the chemical constituintes is these extracts has been made by the automatic comparison of the mass spectra obtained standards within the NBS, Wiley and Wiley 275T librarys supplied with the mass spectrometer and by analized of the principal fragmentations. Phytochemical studies of the hexane and ethyl acetate extracts of the leaves showed nine terpenoids (5-ergosten-3b-ol, 5,22-stigmastadien-3b-ol, 4-stigmasten-3-one, 5-stigmasten-3b-ol, 12-ursen-3b-ol, 12-oleanen-3b-ol, 12-oleanen-3-one-28-oic acid, ursolic acid and 3b-acetoxy-12-oleanen-28-oic acid). The compounds 5-ergosten-3b-ol, 4-stigmasten-3-one, 12-oleanen-3-one-28-oic acid, ursolic acid and 3b-acetoxy-12-oleanen-28-oic acid have been described for the first time from Plumeria rubra L., forma acutifolia (Ait) Woodson. From the methanolic extract of spores of the fungus Coleosporium plumeriae Pat were isolated 5-stigmasten-3b-ol, methyl esters of long chain fatty acids (C18:0, principally) and one aromatic compound, N-methyl toluenesulfonamide. No previous phytochemical studies of this fungus have been reported.
ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY AND PHYTOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF ACTINODAPHNE GLOMERATA LEAVES EXTRACT
Authors: Ine Suharyani , Kuspradini Harlinda , Manalu Julinda
Published: April 2019

This study aimed to determine the antimicrobial activity and chemical compounds by phytochemical analysis of Actinodaphne glomerata leaves. The extraction was performed by maceration method using n-hexane solvent. The antimicrobial activity was tested by agar diffusion method against Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus. The n-hexane crude extracts was tested for its antimicrobial activity using 125, 250 and 500 μg/well of concentrations. Based on phytochemical analysis, it showed that n-hexane extract of A. glomerata leaves contained alkaloids, triterpenoid and carbohydrates. The extract inhibited all tested microorganisms and the best inhibition zone was shown against S. sobrinus (19.56 mm) at concentration 500 μg/well.
Dynamics and structure of project performers of the «Federal target program for research and development in priority areas of development of the Russian scientific and technological complex for 2014–2020»
Authors: Chernova I. N. , Mikhailets V. B. , Shurtakov K. V.
Published: April 2019

The article considers socio-demographic issues of research and development of the «Federal Target Program for Research and Development in Priority Areas of Development of the Russian Scientific and Technological Complex for 2014–2020». Analysis based on project's documents in the Program from 2014 to 2016. We studied the dynamics in both quantitative and qualitative characteristics of project performers – applied research and experimental development, and defined trends of project R&D personnel changes, including sociodemographic characteristics: age, size and composition of performers, the proportion of researchers with academic degree, and the proportion of women-researchers. In the article it is shown that specialists under 40 years of age are the largest part of project performers. The renewal of project personnel in time of projects is 65 percent. In the article it is also shown a strong correlation between project academic personnel and academic personnel of Russia as a whole. We devised proposals for tracking quantitative and qualitative parameters of project performers and for securing growth the skill level of young specialists in projects.
Prospects and trends in the development of terahertz technologies: patent landscape
Authors: Usanov D. А. , Romanova N. V. , Saldina Е. А.
Published: April 2019

The article is dedicated to the analysis of areas where terahertz radiation is applicable with the hwlp of a patent papers review, as well as to obtaining knowledge about the invention activity changes in this area over the past 35 years.Orbit patent databases’ capabilities were used to complete this analysis. Data search was conducted by keywords “terahertz” or “THz.” The searches were neither limited by submission dates, by priorities, nor by the country. A comprehensive analysis will allow to determine a more than 7389 patent-analog families’ aplications submitted in the period between 1980 and 2017 years. Statistical processing of obtained documents has been completed with the assistance of program software, indicated in the database. It was revealed that terahertz technologies have significant prospects to be applied in various areas; a fact, that is confirmed by an identified range of fields, where electromagnetic radiation of terahertz spectrum is applicable and is constantly growing. The dynamics of patenting is characterized by annual stable positive growth in the number of applications for inventions in the researched area. The highest number of inventions was identified in the field of instrumentation technologies, optics, telecommunications, semiconductor technologies, and medicine. Additionally, there was analyzed the state of patenting over the course of last five years. Examples of inventions were given. There were identified leading countries and companies in the researched area.
Utilização da Morfologia Fuzzy para Quantificação de Esporos de Fungos Micorrizicos
Authors: Barros Alécio Santos , Andrade Alexsandra Oliveira , Trindade Roque Mendes Prado
Published: April 2019

Este trabalho apresenta um método de contagem de esporos de fungos micorrízicos a partir de imagens digitais usando morfologia fuzzy para separação de esporos e algoritmos desenvolvidos no Scilab para quantificação. O objetivo é mostrar a eficácia da morfologia fuzzy e as funções desenvolvidas na separação e contagem. A estratégia metodológica desenvolvida foi utilizar as definições de morfologia fuzzy desenvolvidas por Andrade et al e produzir um algoritmo capaz de separar e contar fungos. Espera-se obter um método capaz de realizar uma contagem eficiente.
On the search for the origin of the bulge effect in high power laser beam welding
Authors: Artinov Antoni , Bakir Nasim , Bachmann Marcel , Gumenyuk Andrey , Na Suck-Joo , Rethmeier Michael
Published: April 2019

The shape of the weld pool in laser beam welding plays a major role in understanding the dynamics of the melt and its solidification behavior. The aim of the present work was its experimental and numerical investigation. To visualize the geometry of the melt pool in the longitudinal section, a butt joint configuration of 15 mm thick structural steel and transparent quartz glass was used. The weld pool shape was recorded by means of a high-speed video camera and two thermal imaging cameras, a mid-wavelength infrared camera and a newly developed infrared camera working in the spectral range of 500 to 540 nm, making it perfectly suited for temperature measurements of molten materials. The observations show that the dimensions of the weld pool vary depending on the depth. The regions close to the surface form a teardrop-shaped weld pool. A bulge region and its temporal evolution were observed approximately in the middle of the depth of the weld pool. Additionally, a transient numerical simulation was performed until reaching a steady state to obtain the weld pool shape and to understand the formation mechanism of the observed bulging phenomena. A fixed keyhole with an experimentally obtained shape was used to represent the full-penetration laser beam welding process. The model considers the local temperature field, the effects of phase transition, thermocapillary convection, natural convection, and temperature-dependent material properties up to evaporation temperature. It was found that the Marangoni convection and the movement of the laser heat source are the dominant factors for the formation of the bulge region. A good correlation between the numerically calculated and the experimentally observed weld bead shapes and the time-temperature curves on the upper and bottom surface was found.
Takayasu's arteritis: the retrospective analysis of patients from the Ural population
Authors: Borodina IE , Popov AA , Salavatova GG , Shardina LA
Published: April 2019

Takayasu's arteritis (TA) is a rare disease that can be overlooked during the first visit to a GP, rheumatologist, or any other medical specialist due to a variety of its symptoms. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical presentation and the course of patients with TA residing in the Middle Ural. A retrospective analysis was conducted using the medical records of 183 patients treated at the Sverdlovsk Regional Clinical Hospital 1 from 1979 through 2018. The male to female ratio was 1:3. The mean age was 33.5 years for women and 35.2 for men. The most frequently involved arteries were subclavian (101 cases; 55%), carotid (98 cases; 53%) and renal (77 cases; 42%). Type V was the most common angiographic type. Arterial stenosis was present in 94 (51%) patients. Sixty-six patients received surgical interventions. Of all patients included in the analysis, 31 died. The observed 5-year survival was 92%, 10-year survival, 90% and 15-year survival, 80%. Seventy-two patients (39%) developed major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), including myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and thrombosis of large arteries/veins. The clinical presentation of TA may vary in different geographical regions.
PROCEDURE OF ASSESSING CREDIBILITY TO THE EXPERT IN TERMS OF THE PROBLEM OF AGE CATEGORIZATION OF WEB CONTENT
Authors: Davidyuk Valery Vladimirovich , Baitumenov Askhat Zulpukharovich , Gostyunina Valeriya Andreevna , Daviduk Nadezhda Valerievna
Published: April 2019

Currently the solution of a set of tasks is impossible without using expert procedures. At the same time, some of them require the involvement of the great number of experts, increasing the probability of human factor errors, fabrication and falsification of expert assessments. There has been suggested the method of obtaining the quantitative assessment of the degree of trust to experts, which allows to improve the quality and accuracy of the expert procedures. The developed method helps to consider both the established reputation of the expert and his reaction in the course of the expertise. The description and examples of calculations of key indicators involved in the formation of the expert's feedback coefficient (in applying one of the most common expert methods - a survey), such as: duration of filling/answering a question, time difference between answers to the related questions, availability of incorrect answers to trap questions. The adequacy of the method has been confirmed by the results of the computational experiment conducted in a group of 20 experts solving the problem of web resource age categorization. The developed method is amenable to further algorithmization and can be applied in decision support systems for various purposes.
»Monitor Yourself!« The Controlled Emotions of Spanish Office Holders in the Early Modern Period
Authors: Brendecke Arndt
Published: April 2019

The essay is dedicated to the idealized emotionlessness of early modern Spanish office holders. It focuses on the so called corregidores, which represented the king and administered justice in major Spanish cities. Their instructions often idealized the total lack of pasiones or at least their complete invisibility. Such a discarding of all affects echoed the ideals of impartial judges, just kings and uninterested clerics and had specific functions, especially in cities with their high density of mutual observation. To live accordingly, that is, with one’s own emotions permanently held in check, required personal aptitude, appropriate age and a process of education and study which should convert certain habits into a ›second nature‹ and thus distinguish the corregidor significantly from the society over which he was to judge. Constantly checked by society however, this second nature would corrupt, if not protected by a rigid and permanent »vigilance over oneself«.
Bürgeremotionen versus Verwaltungsrationalität?
Authors: Mecking Sabine
Published: April 2019

Political discussions and negotiation processes are often used to classify rational or emotional behavior that enhances one’s own and the other’s devaluation. In the paper this is elaborated with a view to the clash of state planning euphoria and civic protest in the wake of the great administrative reforms of the 1960s and 1970s. Both supporting the reforms and criticizing them are highly complex emotional processes. But how is this reflected in the arguments and actions of the actors? To answer this question, the contemporary ideas and interpretations of a rational and emotional behavior come into focus. The emotions associated with the debate are analyzed at various levels: as a strategy of citizens’ initiatives, as a media strategy, as a factor of community involvement or the “emotional community” and as an attribution.
»The Long Line They Must Make in the Night«: Performative Realism in the Italian State’s Relations with Outsiders
Authors: Garot Robert
Published: April 2019

This article provides a first-hand account of waiting in line to deliver migration documents at an office of the police department known as the Questura in Italy, in 2006. The spectacle of migrants suffering in line day after day, subjected to threats from police and the jostling, complaints and aggression of others in line, provided a stage for the performative realism of the widescale exclusion, criminalization and scapegoating of migrants in Italy at the time. Moreover, migrants’ relations to the state and Italians’ relations to migrants were embodied and felt through the line, marked on bodies and in memories as visceral marginalization.
Numerical Solutions with Linearization Techniques of the Fractional Harry Dym Equation
Authors: Yokuş Asıf , Gülbahar Sema
Published: April 2019

In this study, numerical solutions of the fractional Harry Dym equation are investigated. Linearization techniques are utilized for non-linear terms existing in the fractional Harry Dym equation. The error norms L
2 and L
∞ are computed. Stability of the finite difference method is studied with the aid of Von Neumann stabity analysis.
التحليل المكاني لظاهرتي الزواج والطلاق في محافظة دهوك (2008 – 2016)
Authors: Hesen Mizgeen M. , Hasan Zahida S.
Published: April 2019

يدرس البحث التباين المكاني والزماني لظاهرتي الزواج والطلاق على مستوى محافظة دهوك ومدنها بالاضافة الى الوقوف على واقع حالات الزواج والطلاق ودراسة هذا الواقع وفق التركيب العمري والنوعي، وتأتي أهمية البحث من كون الظاهرتين لم تحظيا، في دهوك، بدراسات علمية جادة رغم أهميتها في البناء الاجتماعي ومحاولة إيجاد الحلول للتقليل من ظاهرة الطلاق. ويفترض البحث إرتفاع حالات الطلاق خلال فترة الدراسة ولعدة أسباب منها اجتماعية واقتصادية وغيرها. وإتبع البحث المنهج الوصفي والتحليل الكمي للبيانات الخاصة بالظاهرتين، ومن اجل الوصول الى أهداف البحث فقد تم تقسيمه الى ثلاثة مباحث، تناول الاول منها تطور حالات الزواج والطلاق في محافظة دهوك للفترة ( 2008- 2016)، أما المبحث الثاني فإهتم بدراسة واقع حالات الزواج والطلاق في المحافظة لسنة 2016 ويدرس أولا واقع حالات الزواج والطلاق وفق التركيب العمري، وثانيا وفق واقع الزواج والطلاق وفق التركيب النوعي، أما المبحث الثالث فيدرس أهم الأسباب المؤدية الى الطلاق.
From Oral Traditions to Written Records: The Loss of African Entitlement to Self-Rule and Wealth
Authors: Khumalo Njabulo Bruce
Published: April 2019

The establishment of written records and archives in Africa has somehow eclipsed and even replaced oral traditions which were the norm on the continent. Prior to colonisation, entitlements to wealth, land and succession, among other things, were all transmitted orally. Thus the establishment of written records and/or archives, which deliberately excluded African peopleâ€™s entitlements and rights, established the settlers and their governments as the rightful and legitimate owners and custodians of wealth, land and rule in Africa. This article postulates that archives and records were used by settlers to dismantle traditional African governance systems and also establish and legitimise settler rule. In conducting the relevant study, which was an opinion piece, the author reviewed literature to buttress the arguments put forward.
Z dziejów polityki dynastycznej króla Węgier Béli IV
Authors: Stefaniak Piotr
Published: April 2019

Żyjąc w okresie niebywałego zagrożenia Węgier od strony Tatarów, którzy upatrzyli sobie nizinę węgierską na swoją potencjalną siedzibę, król Béla IV postanowił nie tylko bronić swej ojczyzny, ale po najeździe z lat 1241–1242 ją odbudować i stać się tym samym drugim założycielem państwa. Pragnąc je ugruntować także na arenie międzynarodowej, postanowił prowadzić dość skuteczną politykę dynastyczną. Dzięki ożenkowi zwłaszcza córek udało się królowi węgierskiemu zmontować blok polityczny obejmujący omal wszystkich sąsiadów, mianowicie: dwóch książąt polskich, dwóch ruskich i,po jednym, bawarskiego, brandenburskiego oraz chana kumańskiego. Pierwszy mariaż,córki Kingi (Kunegundy), został zaaranżowany z księciem sandomierskim Bolesławem Wstydliwym, bratem małżonki młodszego brata króla, księcia Kolomana, w 1239 r. To małżeństwo, podobnie, jak drugie, Anny, zawarte w 1243 r. z księciem czernihowskim Rościsławem Rurykowiczem, miało na celu pomoc w walce z Tatarami. Król Béla IV oczekiwał przede wszystkim informacji o ruchach wojsk mongolskich i posiłków wojskowych od książąt-zięciów. Kolejne decyzje dynastyczne spowodowane były montowaniem bloku politycznego obejmującego Europę Środkową, od Bałtyku po Bawarię, Ruś i Serbię. W 1250 r. królewna Elżbieta poślubiła księcia Bawarii i Palatynatu, Henryka XIII Wittelsbacha, w rok później Konstancja została wysłana do Chełma, aby zostać żoną młodszego księcia halickiego Lwa. W 1256 r. najmłodsza córka królewska, Jolenta, poślubiła Bolesława Pobożnego pana Wielkopolski i Pomorza. W 1264 r. syn Béli IV, noszący jego imię, ożenił się z margrabiankąbrandenburską Kunegundą. Przy okazji warto podkreślić, że związki małżeńskie Béli oraz Elżbiety szachowały dodatkowo rosnącą potęgę Austrii, która przeszła w ręce Habsburgów. Także antyczeskie oblicze miały śluby Kingi, Konstancji i Jolenty. Aby zaś mieć wpływ na integrację z Węgrami przybyłego na ich tereny ludu koczowników Kumanów (Polowców), król Béla IV postanowił ożenić swego następcę na tronie, Stefana V, z córką chana Kutena. Należy podkreślić trafność decyzji królewskich, gdyż polityka dynastyczna Béli IV przyniosła swe owoce, które były absorbowane przez kolejne trzy pokolenia zasiadające na tronie Węgier aż do początku XIV w.
Impact of Leverage and Risk Exposure on Financial Performance in SMEs of Northern Punjab
Authors: Iqbal Javed , Sandhu Moeed Ahmad , Ahmad Zubair , Javed Muhammad Hamza , Ali Waris
Published: April 2019

Basic objective of this research was to discover the impact of Leverage on Risk and Profitability. For this purpose main focus of research was SMEs and Commercial sector of Pakistan. Leverage has three types DOL, DFL and DTL. And these three types of leverage are independent variables for this research while dependent variables of this research are ROE, ROA, ROS, GM and Risk. Further sales growth is also used as control variable in this research. Time frame for data analysis was 3 years from 2012 to 2014. Sample size for this research is 61 SMEs and Commercial sector organizations.

Secondary data was used in this research and data was collected by using different data collection methods. SPSS version 20 was used to analyze data. Linear regression analyses were used to check the significant relationship between independent variables and dependent variables.

This research is limited to just SMEs and Commercial sector organization so we cannot use these results for overall industry or sectors. This research is entirely new research for SMEs and Commercial sector organizations.
A study on small-world characteristics of Chinaäó»s high-speed railway networks
Authors: Yuan Xin , Liu Guo , Ye Kun Hui
Published: April 2019

The small-world model provides a useful perspective and method to study the topological structure and intrinsic characteristics of high-speed rail networks (HRNs). In this paper, the P-space method is used to examine global and local HRNs in China, meanwhile the adjacency matrix is developed, then the social network analysis and visualization tool UCINET is used to calculate the spatial and attribute data of HRNs at national and local levels in China. The small-world characteristics of whole HRNs are discussed, three networks which have different properties are determined, and a comparative analysis of the small-world effect is detected. Then, the relationship between the construction of high-speed rail and regional development of China is analysed. The results show that: 1) China's HRNs have small average path length ( L ) and large clustering coefficient (C ), representing a typical small-world network; 2) Local HRNs have a certain correlation with economic development. The reasons for the difference of HRNs with respect to characteristics among regions are eventually discussed.
Outcomes of the State-of-the-art Symposium: status, challenges and future directions of offsite construction
Authors: Fenner Andriel , Razkenari Mohamad , Shojaei Alireza , Hakim Hamed , Kibert Charles
Published: April 2019

Offsite construction is facing slow adoption despite the fact it can be a suitable solution for addressing historical problems faced by the construction industry, such as labor shortages, construction safety, time and costs overrun, and waste. The controlled factory environment creates room for innovation similar to the techniques used in the manufacturing industry. Yet, as always, the progress and adaptation of innovative ideas are challenging in the construction sector. A growing role for off-site construction requires further research and development. More collaborative efforts, industry meetings, and academic symposia are needed to bring together different disciplines and bridge the current information gap. This paper aims to present the outcomes of the äóěSymposium on the State-of-the-Art of Modular Constructionäóť held in Gainesville, Florida from May 4th to 5th, 2017 that aimed to bring together major stakeholders in modular construction. It includes an analysis of the lectures and the survey that was distributed to industry and academic experts during the symposium. Also, it investigates the state-of-the-art of modular construction and focuses on the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats that come with this building technique.
Modelling and analysis of two production solutions for precast concrete elements: a petri-nets approach
Authors: Pan Mi , Yang Yi , Pan Wei
Published: April 2019

The adoption of precast concrete construction has been increasingly emphasised globally, due to its advancements in productivity, waste management, cost control, quality and safety. Meanwhile, the production solutions differ greatly in the off-site plants in terms of traditional stationary production and modern circulation production with different levels of automation. Practical cases show that improper selection or upgrade of production solution could lead to resource slack or even business failure, and there is limited knowledge to quantitively support the decision making. Furthermore, existing works seldom dig deep into the fundamental setup of the production plant, and reckon without the stochasticity and variability of production operation. Therefore, this paper aims to develop an analytical model to facilitate the understanding of the production solutions of precast concrete elements, which should further support the decision making in factory planning or upgrade towards increased level of automation. Stochastic Petri-nets approach has been applied, with stochastic features embraced, to graphically modelled stationary and circulation solutions. Simulation and comparative performance analysis was conducted with a numerical case study. Results demonstrate that stationary solution can achieve even higher outputs during production period provided that enough resources are given, whilst circulation solution has a more flexible and stable production.
Experimental investigation on torsional behavior of composite beams reinforced with two-piece enclosed stirrups
Authors: Zhang Zhi , Wang Qing , Lin Feng
Published: April 2019

This paper presents an investigation of the torsional behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) beams which were cast twice and reinforced with two-piece enclosed stirrups. Their torsional behavior was compared with those of monolithically cast RC beams with conventional stirrups using a customized test setup. The test program was divided into two groups to distinguish different influencing factors. Results from the first test group indicated that the maximum torques of monolithically cast beams reinforced with two-piece enclosed stirrups decreased by an average of 3.7% compared to those reinforced with conventional stirrups. The second test group revealed that the maximum torques of composite beams increased by 6.7% compared to those of monolithically cast beams. As a whole, minor differences in the maximum torques and deformation capacities were found between composite beams reinforced with two-piece enclosed stirrups and monolithically cast beams reinforced with conventional stirrups.