bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ТЕХНІКИ ВІДНОВЛЕННЯ НА ЕТАПІ ПСИХОЛОГІЧНОЇ РЕАБІЛІТАЦІЇ УЧАСНИКІВ БОЙОВИХ ДІЙ
Authors: Христук Оксана
Published: April 2020

Зроблено спробу теоретично обґрунтувати вивчення проблеми технік психологічного відновлення для осіб, які пережили психотравмуючі події. Зокрема, теоретично обґрунтовано використання технік відновлення в процесі психологічної реабілітації учасників бойових дій. Проаналізовано поняття психологічної реабілітації учасників бойових дій. Виокремлено етапи психологічної реабілітації учасників бойових дій. Обґрунтовано ефективність технік психологічного відновлення, що базуються на тоді когнітивно-поведінкової психотерапії. Охарактеризовано особливості проведення програми навичок психологічного відновлення (НПВ), що складається з п’яти окремих технік. Подано особливості проведення кожної техніки психологічного відновлення в процесі психологічної реабілітації учасників бойових дій. Проаналізовано техніку формування на вички вирішення проблем, техніку заохочення позитивної діяльності, техніку управління реакціями, техніку розвитку конструктивного мислення; техніку відновлення здорових соціальних зв’язків. Подано психоедукативне пояснення кожної техніки для роботи психолога з учасниками бойових дій в процесі їх психологічної реабілітації. Сформульовано чіткий алгоритм проведення технік психологічн ого відновлення у роботі психолога з учасниками бойових дій.Результати досліджень проблеми показують, що програма навичок психологічного відновлення (НПВ) – це тренінг технік психологічного відновлення, що можна застосовувати у роботі психолога з учасниками бойових дій в процесі психологічної реабілітації. Тренінг навичок (технік) сприяє більшій самоефективності, супроводжує стани після пережитої психотравми, відновлює почуття контролю та компетентності учасників бойових дій, має доказову наукову базу, є доступним у застосуванні в будь-яких місцях їх перебування, зокрема, у військових медичних клінічних центрах.
РЕЗУЛЬТАТИ ПСИХОЛОГІЧНОГО АНАЛІЗУ ПРОФЕСІЙНОЇ ДІЯЛЬНОСТІ ОФІЦЕРА-ПРИКОРДОННИКА
Authors: Чорний Артем
Published: April 2020

У статті висвітлено результати психологічного аналізу професійної діяльності офіцера-прикордонника на етапі професійного становлення, окреслено низку чинників, які сприяють швидкій адаптації молодого офіцера до особливостей професійної діяльності в умовах динамічної обстановки на державному кордоні. Характерним для професійної діяльності офіцера-прикордонника є виняткова важливість професійних завдань, необхідність постійно бути пильним, високийте мп несення служби в особливих та екстремальних умовах діяльності, підвищені вимоги щодо розпізнавання складних візуальних об’єктів і звукової інформації, безпосередній контакт із суб’єктом контролю під час службового спілкування. Досліджено основні позитивні чинники, які впливають на ефективність виконання поставлених завдань молодим офіцером-прикордонником; низку ктивних та об’єктивних труднощів, які впливають на швидкість адаптації до нового професійного середовища. Окреслено шляхи щодо підвищення ефективності вирішення проблемних ситуацій із метою недопущення психологічних розладів тощо, які можуть вплинути на якість несення служби з охорони державного кордону. Окреслено основні аспекти професійної підготовки курсантів Національної академії Державної прикордонної служби України імені Богдана  Хмельницького, основною метою якої є формування належного рівня професійної компетентності офіцера-прикордонника, розвиток високих моральних і професійних якостей, свідомого та безумовного виконання завдань з охорони державного кордону.професійна діяльність
ПРОЦЕС ПРОФЕСІЙНОЇ ІДЕНТИФІКАЦІЇ ПСИХОЛОГІВ У ПРОФЕСІЙНО-ОСВІТНЬОМУ ПРОСТОРІ
Authors: Щербан Тетяна , Ямчук Таїса
Published: April 2020

У межах формату статті окреслено основні аспекти процесу професійої ідентифікації в контексті професійного становлення особистості та багатомірність дефініцій “освітній простір” і “професійно-освітній простір”. Подано тлумачення професійної ідентифікації та професійної ідентичності як психологічних категорій. Наведено нові погляди на професійний супровід майбутніх психологів під час навчання, а саме: проаналізовано проблеми професійної ідентифікації як складової професійної підготовки майбутніх психологів з урахуванням різних галузей професійно-освітнього простору (професійного, середовища навчального закладу, ринку психологічної професії в Україні, психологічної сфери в світі). Проведене теоретичне дослідження дає підстави для певних висновків про те, що процес професійної ідентифікації майбутнього фахівця відбувається в професійно-освітньому просторі, котрий розглядається як феномен психосоціальної дійсності, який описує професійну й освітню сфери в їх взаємовідносинах і просторовому вимірі: як простір взаємозв’язків та взаємозалежностей, як простір намірів і цілей з їх практичною реалізацією й осмисленням.
PERUMUSAN STRATEGI BISNIS UNTUK PENINGKATAN MARKET SHARE PT TERMINAL TELUK LAMONG
Authors: Retmawan Bibin
Published: April 2020

The existence of a port really determines progress in an area, this is related to its function in the supply chain management distribution or logistic distribution system as a link between sea and land transportation modes to meet the needs of the community and industry which will ultimately affect economic growth in an area. Meeting the needs of the community will be fulfilled optimally, efficiently and effectively if the port as a logistical support system for the distribution of goods and people can run smoothly and well integrated. The purpose of this study is to analyze the right strategy at PT Terminal Teluk Lamong in winning the competition seen from the analysis of the internal environment and the analysis of the external environment. This research uses a qualitative approach with a case study approach. The sample of this research is key informants using purposive sampling and conducting interviews. The results of this study are that the Terminal PT Teluk Lamong is in a "hold and maintain" position. This is based on consideration of internal factors, external factors, and analysis of company position using the Internal-External Evaluation Matrix (IE Matrix). The result of internal factor evaluation (IFE) of PT Terminal Teluk Lamong is an average value of 2,339 IFE, which is in the average area. Whereas the results of the external factor evaluation (EFE) of PT Terminal Teluk Lamong are an average value of EFE of 2,554, which is in the middle region. From the results of the IFE and IFE matrix, the PT Terminal Teluk Lamong position in the internal external matrix analysis is in quadrant V, namely in area II where the company is in a hold and maintain position.
ANALISIS FAKTOR PENYEBAB KETERLAMBATAN PADA PEMBANGUNAN PROYEK “SCE” MENGGUNAKAN METODE ANALYTICAL HIERARCHY PROCESS
Authors: Ramadhan Rizki Prayudi
Published: April 2020

This study aims to identify and find solutions to delay construction work happening on the SCE project. The SCE project is a school building construction project. The background of this study is due to indications of delay with a difference of 25% between the schedule plan and the reality in the ground. The factors that cause the delay must be well identified so that a larger delay can be avoided and can provide solutions to these problems. From the results of Fishbone analysis and AHP, 11 factors were found to influence the delay in SCE project.
The Readiness of Nahdlatul Ulama Surabaya University (UNUSA) to Be the Centre of Development of Rahmatan Lil Alamin Entrepreneur (EnPlus)
Authors: Anshori Mohamad Yusak
Published: April 2020

Brush (2014) states that to make the student having the spirit of entrepreneurship they have to develop start-ups in term of realizing a university venture and also to give benefit for the society, therefore, an ecosystem that is called  Entrepreneurship Education Ecosystem is needed. UNUSA is one of the universities in Indonesia that has a strong vision to prepare a generation having spirit of Rahmatan Lil Alamin entrepreneurship based on Islamic values. The objective of this paper is to describe the readiness of UNUSA to be a university with Islamic values under the Nahdlatul Ulama organization to be the Entrepreneurship Ecosystem from the aspect of Brush’s theory (2014). From the result of this discussion it is find out that in spite  of only six years old in age UNUSA has some breakthroughs to develop the entrepreneurship education ecosystem. However, it is urgent for Unusa to develop Business Incubator seeing that the number of UNUSA students are more and more from years to years. Such fact can not be separated from the mission of UNUSA to be the centre of entrepreneurs development and building in Indonesia. It can be concluded that UNUSA is ready to become the centre of Rahmatan Lil Alamin entrepreneur development and building and will support the government program of One Pesantren One Product (OPOP)
Funkcje narzędzi wykorzystywanych w polityce przestrzennej
Authors: Nowak Maciej J.
Published: April 2020

Celem artykułu jest określenie funkcji narzędzi polityki przestrzennej oraz płaszczyzn, na których mogą być one stosowane. Analizą objęto w szczególności kluczowe narzędzia polityki przestrzennej – miejscowe plany zagospodarowania przestrzennego. Jako istotną ich funkcję określono ochronę ładu przestrzennego. Niezależnie od powyższego, narzędziom polityki przestrzennej można również przyporządkować funkcje ważne z  innych perspektyw: ochrony środowiska, polityki socjalnej lub ochrony dziedzictwa kulturowego.
Особливості рефлексії майбутніх психологів
Authors: Кетлер-Митницька Тетяна , Сергєєв Сергій
Published: April 2020

Метою статті є теоретичне обґрунтування та емпіричне виявлення особливостей рефлексії майбутніх психологів у контексті професійного мислення та саморегуляції. Надано опис методики емпіричного дослідження особливостей рефлексії майбутніх психологів. Наведено дані щодо закладу вищої освіти та кількості магістрантів-психологів, які взяли участь у дослідженні. Охарактеризовано психодіагностичні методики, використані для вивчення особливостей рефлексії, професійного мислення та саморегуляції майбутніх психологів. У статті обґрунтовано значущість рефлексії як професійно важливої властивості майбутніх психологів, необхідної для ефективного здійснення фахової діяльності. Стисло розкриті наукові підходи до визначення характеристик рефлексії, зокрема її поняття та сутності як механізму, стану, процесу та властивості. Зазначено основні напрямки сучасних досліджень рефлексії. Розведено та охарактеризовано особистісну рефлексію та рефлексію професійної діяльності, розкрито їх специфіку у контексті видів та проблематики діяльності психолога. Проаналізовано значення рефлексії як чинника професійного мислення та здатності до саморегуляції майбутніх психологів. В результаті діагностичної роботи встановлено, що у групі опитаних майбутніх психологів найкраще розвинена здатність до регуляції, на середньому рівні – рефлексивність, недостатньо розвинене професійне мислення, зокрема – здатність до прогнозування. Виявлено характер взаємозв’язку зазначених показників шляхом застосування критерію лінійної кореляції К. Пірсона. Встановлено існування статистично достовірних взаємозв’язків між загальним рівнем рефлективності, здатністю до прогнозування та програмуванням, що підтвердило значущість рефлексії для становлення професійного мислення та здатності до саморегуляції майбутніх психологів. На підставі отриманих даних зроблено висновок про необхідність цілеспрямованого формування рефлексії майбутніх психологів з метою стимулювання їх професійного мислення.
Особливості ціннісних орієнтацій студентів різних фахів
Authors: Макарова Ірина
Published: April 2020

Метою дослідження є визначити відмінностей в ціннісних орієнтаціях у групі респондентів раннього дорослого віку. У статті розглянуті підходи сучасних вивчень у розгляданні проблематики морально-психологічних проблем в різних напрямках вивчення особистості. Основна увага приділяється процесу становлення особистості, яка розуміється як духовно-моральний розвиток. Відзначено, що змістоутворююча активність може бути вектором ціннісної спрямованості особистості, що характеризує основоположні орієнтації груп людей на ті чи інші цінності, а розгортання змістоутворюючої активності, пов'язане з побудовою внутрішньої ієрархії особистісних цінностей (смислів), також вказали про відмінності соціальної моралі й особистісної моральності (та відповідних норм). В результаті емпіричного дослідження ми виявили, що досліджувані в групах відрізняються один від одного ціннісними детермінантами особистості і поведінковими особливостями.
The correlation between nurses' workload and the implementation of health education in preventing the risk of fall in the Inpatient Room of Batu Baptist Hospital.
Authors: Yuliatin Eva
Published: April 2020

Introduction : Nurse educators have a responsibility to improve patient knowledge, especially in preventing the risk of falls, however this is often constrained by the severity of the nurse's workload. This study aims to know the correlation  between nurses' workload and the implementation of health education in preventing the risk of fall in the Inpatient Room of Batu Baptist Hospital. Method:This study uses a correlational method with a cross sectional approach. The sampling used is purposive sampling containing 32 nurse respondents. The data were collected by using questionnaires and observation sheets. Based on the results of research from 18 respondents with heavy workload categories, 14 respondents (43.7%) did poor health education and 4 respondents (12.5%) carried out good health education . Results and Analysis: The data were processed by using the Spearman Rank test with the results of probability (sig.) 0,000 and the value of r count of 0.845 including the strength of coefficient. It can be concluded that there is a significant correlation  between the workload of nurses and the implementation of health education. Discussion:The heavier the workload of nurses, the worse  implementation of health education is . Hospital Management needs to analyze nurses' workload objectively so that the constraints in the implementation of health education can be minimized.
Růst turistické atraktivity obcí v Beskydech: Případová studie horské obce Bílá, Česko
Authors: Havrlant Jan
Published: April 2020

The article assesses the changes in the tourist attractiveness of a mountain village in the border area of the Beskydy Mountains in relation to the development of tourism. The objective is to identify the impacts of tourism in the region of interest based on analyses of tourist infrastructure, innovations of the holiday resort portfolios, and development of new services in the municipality of Bílá, where a series of development projectsfocusing on tourism has been implemented in the past few years. The methods of questionnaire surveys and interviews with municipality representatives and other key local stakeholders were used to assess the social and economic contributions of tourism and other effects of the increased number of resort visitors for the municipality. The substantial investments into tourism infrastructure innovations have brought a lot of positive effects to the municipality. Some of the key effects include significant increase in job opportunities, positive demographic changes etc. The character of the municipality, which used to be peripheral with migration loss of population, has changed in the last decade as a result of the triple increase in the number of visitors and tourism intensity. The number of jobs in Bílá has increased, particularly in various fields of services related to tourism, which led to increase in commuting to Bílá. Tourism has increased revenues to the municipal budget by eighty times in the last two decades, coming from the fees for recreational stays and accommodation fees, as well as from the lease of real estate. The municipality has substantially changed its image in relation to the dynamic development of tourism and investments into sports and leisure infrastructure, as well as to the development of various events and other activities. Also, Bílá is becoming attractive in relation to business opportunities and is one of the unique mountain villages with a significant potential for development within the peripheral border regions of the Czech Republic.
Nanotherapeutics Shielded With a pH Responsive Polymeric Layer
Authors: KOSTKA L. , ŠUBR V. , LAGA R. , CHYTIL P. , ULBRICH K. , SEYMOUR L. W. , ETRYCH T.
Published: April 2020

Efficient intravenous delivery is the greatest single hurdle, with most nanotherapeutics frequently found to be unstable in the harsh conditions of the bloodstream. In the case of nanotherapeutics for gene delivery, viral vectors are often avidly recognized by both the innate and the adaptive immune systems. So, most modern delivery systems have benefited from being coated with hydrophilic polymers. Self-assembling delivery systems can achieve both steric and lateral stabilization following surface coating, endowing them with much improved systemic circulation properties and better access to disseminated targets; similarly, gene delivery viral vectors can be ‘stealthed’ and their physical properties modulated by surface coating. Polymers that start degrading under acidic conditions are increasingly investigated as a pathway to trigger the release of drugs or genes once the carrier reaches a slightly acidic tumor environment or after the carrier has been taken up by cells, resulting in the localization of the polymer in acidic endosomes and lysosomes. Advances in the design of acid-degradable drug and gene delivery systems have been focused and discussed in this article with stress placed on HPMA-based copolymers. We designed a system that is able to “throw away” the polymer coat after successful transport of the vector into a target cell. Initial biological studies were performed and it was demonstrated that this principle is applicable for real adenoviral vectors. It was shown that the transfection ability of coated virus at pH 7.4 is 75 times lower then transfection at pH 5.4.
Samuel Beckett's Reponses to Pedagogy
Authors: Overbeck Lois More
Published: April 2020

Beckett had many pedagogies. The academic pedagogy of set texts and examinations bred and fed insecurity, fostering the need to read before feeling ready to write. The pedagogy of music began, too, as rote learning. Enjoyment of music moved quickly beyond what Beckett himself could hope to achieve as a musician, to appreciation of what the forms of music could express. Likewise, with observation of the methods and techniques of cinematography, mime, music, radio, and television, and in the ‘hot-house’ of working with other artists, music opened words to rhythm and vocal timbre. Always, the listening ear was keen. When Beckett wrote, he listened to the voices in his head. By becoming himself a director of his work, the act of transforming words into three dimensions on stage or in other media tempered his expectations with great besoin of creativity: the need to find a way. Partnerships with composers and translators helped him toward both greater flexibility and greater precision. Collaboration with the technicians working with film and television brought creative experiment to bear on light, movement, and sound. And with that exposure came a willingness to risk, a capacity to adjust the preconceived to the pleasure of new discovery. Beckett's pedagogies may suggest to teachers of his work that there are many ways to engage students, so that the discoveries in sound, movement, image, and words can be theirs, and, that learning by doing can be transformative.
Democracy, State Capacity, and COVID-19 Related School Closures
Authors: Cronert Axel
Published: April 2020

This paper investigates the institutional determinants of the timing of COVID-19 related school closures around the world, focusing on the role of democracy and administrative state capacity. Relying foremost on Cox proportional hazard models of up to 166 countries observed daily between February and April of 2020, the paper finds that other things being equal, democratic countries tended to implement school closures quicker than those with a more authoritarian regime, while countries with higher government effectiveness tended to take longer than those with less effective state apparatuses. A supplementary analysis that distinguishes between the two democratic dimensions of contestation and participation indicates that it is the existence of fair and competitive elections that prompts democratic leaders to respond more rapidly. Lastly, auxiliary evidence indicates that demography and family systems may also help determine countries' pandemic responses.
EXPLORING THE USE OF COLLABORATIVE STRATEGIC IN READING CLASSROOM
Authors: Arizah Mila , Claudia Lora
Published: April 2020

The study was concerned to investigate the students’ reading comprehension students of SMA Negeri 3 OKU which was taught by using Collaborative Strategic Reading. The objectives of this study was to find out the students’ reading comprehension to the eleventh grade students of SMA Negeri 3 OKU which was taught by using Collaborative Strategic Reading. The population of this study was the whole of the eleventh grade students of SMA Negeri 3 OKU. The total number of the population was 258 students; and 30 students were taken as the sample through purposive sampling. The pre-test and post-test and observation were used as the techniques for collecting the data. The researcher concluded Based on the data analysis in chapter IV, the researcher found the students’ pre test score and post-test cycle I was improved from 60,89  to 72.94. Then the students’ post-test cycle I score and post-test cycle II was improved from 72,94 to 79.74. The researcher can be concluded that Collaborative Strategic Reading worked effectively and efficiently in helping the student’s reading comprehension at the eleventh grade students of SMA Negeri 3 OKU 2018/2019 and this learning has applied successfully and able to increased students’ ability in reading comprehension. The students were more active and participated in the teaching-learning process of reading comprehension. Therefore, Collaborative Strategic Reading can be alternative strategy for teacher in teaching reading which can improve their reading comprehension ability.
Green Synthesis Method and Application of NaP Zeolite Prepared by Coal Gasification Coarse Slag from Ningdong, China
Authors: Ji Wenxin , Zhang Shiyue , Zhao Pengde , Zhang Shasha , Feng Ning , Lan Liping , Zhang Xiaoguang , Sun Yonggang , Li Yuanyuan , Ma Yulong
Published: April 2020

In view of the current and urgent environmental protection needs, the use of industrial solid waste in China’s Ningdong is becoming more and more important. In this paper, NaP zeolite with good physical properties is synthesized by using coal gasification coarse slag (CGCS) as the raw material, without the addition of a silicon and aluminum source, without the addition of a template agent, and without high-temperature calcination. Add a small amount of NaOH and deionized water to the CGCS to adjust the molar ratio to SiO2:Al2O3:Na2O:H2O = 5.2:1.0:5.0:100. The effects of aging time, crystallization temperature, and crystallization time parameters on synthetic zeolite were studied. The raw materials and the obtained zeolite were tested by XRF, XRD, SEM, FT-IR, TG-DSC, BET, and other technologies. The results show that the specific surface area of the synthesized NaP zeolite can reach 161.06 m2/g, which has the characteristics of large specific surface area, regular morphology, and high crystallinity. We obtained NaP zeolite through a simple and low-cost synthesis method. The synthesized NaP zeolite was used to simulate the removal of ammonia nitrogen in wastewater, and the optimal removal rate was 92.67%. Among them, Na+ plays an important role in the synthesis of NaP zeolite and ion exchange with NH4+. Our research provides new ideas for solving the large-scale accumulation of CGCS and treating ammonia nitrogen in industrial wastewater. Thus, it is a promising green environmental protection and “treating waste by waste” route.
Theoretical Investigation of the Temperature Limits of an Actively Cooled High Concentration Photovoltaic System
Authors: Ahmed Asmaa , Shanks Katie , Sundaram Senthilarasu , Mallick Tapas Kumar
Published: April 2020

Concentrator photovoltaics have several advantages over flat plate systems. However, the increase in solar concentration usually leads to an increase in the solar cell temperature, which decreases the performance of the system. Therefore, in this paper, we investigate the performance and temperature limits of a high concentration photovoltaic Thermal system (HCPVT) based on a 1 cm2 multi-junction solar cell subjected to a concentration ratio from 500× to 2000× by using three different types of cooling fluids (water, ethylene glycol and water mixture (60:40), and syltherm oil 800). The results show that, for this configuration, the maximum volumetric temperature of the solar cell did not exceed the manufacturer’s recommended limit for the tested fluids. At 2000× the lowest solar cell temperature obtained by using water was 93.5 °C, while it reached as high as 109 °C by using syltherm oil 800, which is almost equal to the maximum operating limit provided by the manufacturer (110 °C). Overall, the best performance in terms of temperature distribution, thermal, and electrical efficiency was achieved by using water, while the highest outlet temperature was obtained by using syltherm oil 800.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Neurological Deficiencies: Is There A Relationship? The Possible Relevance of the Oxidative Stress Status
Authors: Balmus Ioana-Miruna , Ciobica Alin , Cojocariu Roxana , Luca Alina-Costina , Gorgan Lucian
Published: April 2020

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common functional gastrointestinal disorders, exhibiting complex and controversial pathological features. Both oxidative stress and inflammation-related reactive oxygen species production may be involved in IBS pathological development. Thus, we focused on several aspects regarding the causes of oxidative stress occurrence in IBS. Additionally, in the molecular context of oxidative changes, we tried to discuss these possible neurological implications in IBS. Methods: The literature search included the main available databases (e.g., ScienceDirect, Pubmed/Medline, Embase, and Google Scholar). Articles in the English language were taken into consideration. Our screening was conducted based on several words such as “irritable bowel syndrome”, “gut brain axis”, “oxidative stress”, “neuroendocrine”, and combinations. Results: While no consistent evidence suggests clear pathway mechanisms, it seems that the inflammatory response may also be relevant in IBS. The mild implication of oxidative stress in IBS has been described through clinical studies and some animal models, revealing changes in the main markers such as antioxidant status and peroxidation markers. Moreover, it seems that the neurological structures involved in the brain-gut axis may be affected in IBS rather than the local gut tissue and functionality. Due to a gut-brain axis bidirectional communication error, a correlation between neurological impairment, emotional over-responsiveness, mild inflammatory patterns, and oxidative stress can be suggested. Conclusions: Therefore, there is a possible correlation between neurological impairment, emotional over-responsiveness, mild inflammatory patterns, and oxidative stress that are not followed by tissue destruction in IBS patients. Moreover, it is not yet clear whether oxidative stress, inflammation, or neurological impairments are key determinants or in which way these three interact in IBS pathology. However, the conditions in which oxidative imbalances occur may be an interesting research lead in order to find possible explanations for IBS development.
Low Temperature Nanoindentation: Development and Applications
Authors: Wang Shunbo , Zhao Hongwei
Published: April 2020

Nanoindentation technique at low temperatures have developed from initial micro-hardness driving method at a single temperature to modern depth-sensing indentation (DSI) method with variable temperatures over the last three decades. The technique and implementation of representative cooling systems adopted on the indentation apparatuses are discussed in detail here, with particular emphasis on pros and cons of combination with indentation technique. To obtain accurate nanoindentation curves and calculated results of material properties, several influence factors have been carefully considered and eliminated, including thermal drift and temperature induced influence on indenter and specimen. Finally, we further show some applications on typical materials and discuss the perspectives related to low temperature nanoindentation technique.
Nanoparticles Based on Novel Carbohydrate-Functionalized Polymers
Authors: Raposo Cláudia D. , Conceição Cristiano A. , Barros M. Teresa
Published: April 2020

Polymeric nanoparticles can be used for drug delivery systems in healthcare. For this purpose poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) offer an excellent polymeric matrix. In this work, PLGA and PEG polymers were functionalized with coumarin and carbohydrate moieties such as thymidine, glucose, galactose, and mannose that have high biological specificities. Using a single oil in water emulsion methodology, functionalized PLGA nanoparticles were prepared having a smooth surface and sizes ranging between 114–289 nm, a low polydispersity index and a zeta potential from −28.2 to −56.0 mV. However, for the corresponding PEG derivatives the polymers obtained were produced in the form of films due to the small size of the hydrophobic core.
Chemical Constituents with GNMT-Promoter-Enhancing and NRF2-Reduction Activities from Taiwan Agarwood Excoecaria formosana
Authors: Wu Ho-Cheng , Cheng Ming-Jen , Yen Chia-Hung , Chen Yi-Ming Arthur , Chen Yi-Siao , Chen Ih-Sheng , Chang Hsun-Shuo
Published: April 2020

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is considered to be a silent killer, and was the fourth leading global cause of cancer deaths in 2018. For now, sorafenib is the only approved drug for advanced HCC treatment. The introduction of additional chemopreventive agents and/or adjuvant therapies may be helpful for the treatment of HCC. After screening 3000 methanolic extracts from the Formosan plant extract bank, Excoecaria formosana showed glycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT)-promoter-enhancing and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2)-suppressing activities. Further, the investigation of the whole plant of E. formosana led to the isolation of a new steroid, 7α-hydroperoxysitosterol-3-O-β-d-(6-O-palmitoyl)glucopyranoside (1); two new coumarinolignans, excoecoumarin A (2) and excoecoumarin B (3); a new diterpene, excoeterpenol A (4); and 40 known compounds (5–44). Among them, Compounds 38 and 40–44 at a 100 μM concentration showed a 2.97 ± 0.27-, 3.17 ± 1.03-, 2.73 ± 0.23-, 2.63 ± 0.14-, 6.57 ± 0.13-, and 2.62 ± 0.05-fold increase in GNMT promoter activity, respectively. In addition, Compounds 40 and 43 could reduce NRF2 activity, a transcription factor associated with drug resistance, in Huh7 cells with relative activity of 33.1 ± 0.2% and 45.2 ± 2.5%. These results provided the basis for the utilization of Taiwan agarwood for the development of anti-HCC agents.
Phenolic Composition of the Leaves of Pyrola rotundifolia L. and Their Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Activity
Authors: Szewczyk Katarzyna , Bogucka-Kocka Anna , Vorobets Natalia , Grzywa-Celińska Anna , Granica Sebastian
Published: April 2020

The leaves of Pyrola rotundifolia L. were extracted in the mixed solvent of methanol/acetone/water (2:2:1, v/v/v) and investigated for their phytochemical analysis and biological activity. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined spectrophotometrically. A high content of phenols (208.35 mg GAE/g of dry extract), flavonoids (38.90 mg QE/g of dry extract) and gallotannins (722.91 GAE/g of dry extract) was obtained. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography diode array detector tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC–DAD–MS) allowed for the detection of 23 major peaks at 254 nm. The extract was analyzed for its antioxidant capacity using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH•) and 2,2′-azinobis[3-ethylbenzthiazoline]-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS•+) radical scavenging, metal chelating power and β-carotene-linoleic acid bleaching assays. The examined extract showed moderate radical scavenging and chelating activity, and good inhibiting ability of linoleic acid oxidation (EC50 = 0.05 mg/mL) in comparison to standards. The cytotoxic effect in increasing concentration on five types of leukemic cell lines was also investigated using trypan blue vital staining. It was found that the analyzed extract induced the apoptosis of all the tested cell lines. Our findings suggest that the leaves of P. rotundifolia are a source of valuable compounds providing protection against oxidative damage, hence their use in traditional medicine is justified.
Recent Advances in the Application of Antibacterial Complexes Using Essential Oils
Authors: Cho Tae Jin , Park Sun Min , Yu Hary , Seo Go Hun , Kim Hye Won , Kim Sun Ae , Rhee Min Suk
Published: April 2020

Although antibacterial spectrum of essential oils (EOs) has been analyzed along with consumers’ needs on natural biocides, singular treatments generally require high concentration of EOs and long-term exposures to eliminate target bacteria. To overcome these limitations, antibacterial complex has been developed and this review analyzed previous reports regarding the combined antibacterial effects of EOs. Since unexpectable combined effects (synergism or antagonism) can be derived from the treatment of antibacterial complex, synergistic and antagonistic combinations have been identified to improve the treatment efficiency and to avoid the overestimation of bactericidal efficacy, respectively. Although antibacterial mechanism of EOs is not yet clearly revealed, mode of action regarding synergistic effects especially for the elimination of pathogens by using low quantity of EOs with short-term exposure was reported. Whereas comprehensive analysis on previous literatures for EO-based disinfectant products implies that the composition of constituents in antibacterial complexes is variable and thus analyzing the impact of constituting substances (e.g., surfactant, emulsifier) on antibacterial effects is further needed. This review provides practical information regarding advances in the EO-based combined treatment technologies and highlights the importance of following researches on the interaction of constituents in antibacterial complex to clarify the mechanisms of antibacterial synergism and/or antagonism.
In vitro Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Oxidative Stress Activities of Kushenol C Isolated from the Roots of Sophora flavescens
Authors: Cho Byoung Ok , Che Denis Nchang , Kim Ji-Su , Kim Jang Hoon , Shin Jae Young , Kang Hyun Ju , Jang Seon Il
Published: April 2020

Kushenol C (KC) is a prenylated flavonoid isolated from the roots of Sophora flavescens aiton. Little is known about its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative stress activities. Here, we investigated the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative stress effects of KC in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages, and tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBHP)-induced oxidative stress in HaCaT cells. The results demonstrated that KC dose-dependently suppressed the production of inflammatory mediators, including NO, PGE2, IL-6, IL1β, MCP-1, and IFN-β in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. The study demonstrated that the inhibition of STAT1, STAT6, and NF-κB activations by KC might have been responsible for the inhibition of NO, PGE2, IL-6, IL1β, MCP-1, and IFN-β in the LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. KC also upregulated the expression of HO-1 and its activities in the LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. The upregulation of Nrf2 transcription activities by KC in the LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages was demonstrated to be responsible for the upregulation of HO-1 expression and its activity in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. In HaCaT cells, KC prevented DNA damage and cell death by upregulating the endogenous antioxidant defense system involving glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase, which prevented reactive oxygen species production from tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBHP)-induced oxidative stress in HaCaT cells. The upregulated activation of Nrf2 and Akt in the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway by KC was demonstrated to be responsible for the anti-oxidative stress activity of KC in HaCaT cells. Collectively, the study suggests that KC can be further investigated as a potential anti-inflammatory candidate for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.
Equilibrium Bond Lengths from Orbital-Free Density Functional Theory
Authors: Finzel Kati
Published: April 2020

This work presents an investigation to model chemical bonding in various dimers based on the atomic fragment approach. The atomic fragment approach is an ab-initio, parameter-free implementation of orbital-free density functional theory which is based on the bifunctional formalism, i.e., it uses both the density and the Pauli potential as two separate variables. While providing the exact Kohn-Sham Pauli kinetic energy when the orbital-based Kohn-Sham data are used, the bifunctional formalism allows for approximations of the functional derivative which are orbital-free. In its first implementation, the atomic fragment approach uses atoms in their ground state to model the Pauli potential. Here, it is tested how artificial closed-shell fragments with non-integer electron occupation perform regarding the prediction of bond lengths of diatomics. Such fragments can sometimes mimic the electronic structure of a molecule better than groundstate fragments. It is found that bond lengths may indeed be considerably improved in some of the tested diatomics, in accord with predictions based on the electronic structure.
Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics of SP-8356, a Novel (1S)-(−)-Verbenone Derivative, in Rats and Dogs and Its Implications in Humans
Authors: Zhou Yuanyuan , Oh Mun Hwan , Kim Yeon Joon , Kim Eun-yeong , Kang Jinhong , Chung Sung , Ju Chung , Kim Won-Ki , Lee Kiho
Published: April 2020

(1S,5R)-4-((E)-3,4-dihydroxy-5-methoxystryryl)-6,6-dimethylbicylco[3.1.1]hept-3-en-2-one (SP-8356) is a novel (1S)-(−)-verbenone derivative that is currently in preclinical development for the treatment of ischemic stroke and atherosclerosis. This report aimed at characterization of the metabolism and pharmacokinetic properties of SP-8356. Following intravenous dose in rats and dogs, plasma concentrations of SP-8356 declined rapidly with high clearance (CL) and short half-life; after oral administration in both species, its plasma levels were below the quantitation limit. Fourteen circulating metabolites, formed by mono-oxygenation, demethylation, glucuronidation, catechol O-methylation, sulfation and oxidation (bioactivation) followed by glutathione (GSH) conjugation, were tentatively identified in both species. Urinary excretion of SP-8356 appeared to be minimal in rats, compared to its metabolites. GSH conjugate of SP-8356 was also formed during incubation with rat liver S9 fraction consistent with oxidative bioactivation; this bioactivation was almost completely inhibited by the cofactors for glucuronidation, sulfation and methylation, indicating that it may be abolished by competing metabolic reactions in the body. The human pharmacokinetics of SP-8356 was predicted to be similar to that of the animals based on the current in vitro metabolic stability results. In summary, rapid phase II metabolism appears to be mainly responsible for its suboptimal pharmacokinetics, such as high CL and low oral absorption. Because of competing metabolic reactions, potential safety risks related to SP-8356 bioactivation may be low.
Effects of Length and Loop Composition on Structural Diversity and Similarity of (G3TG3NmG3TG3) G-Quadruplexes
Authors: Li Jie , Chu I-Te , Yeh Ting-An , Chen De-Yu , Wang Chiung-Lin , Chang Ta-Chau
Published: April 2020

A G-rich sequence containing three loops to connect four G-tracts with each ≥2 guanines can possibly form G-quadruplex structures. Given that all G-quadruplex structures comprise the stacking of G-quartets, the loop sequence plays a major role on their folding topology and thermal stability. Here circular dichroism, NMR, and PAGE are used to study the effect of loop length and base composition in the middle loop, and a single base difference in loop 1 and 3 on G-quadruplex formation of (G3HG3NmG3HG3) sequences with and without flanking nucleotides, where H is T, A, or C and N is T, A, C, or G. In addition, melting curve for G-quadruplex unfolding was used to provide relatively thermal stability of G-quadruplex structure after the addition of K+ overnight. We further studied the effects of K+ concentration on their stability and found structural changes in several sequences. Such (G3HG3NmG3HG3) configuration can be found in a number of native DNA sequences. The study of structural diversity and similarity from these sequences may allow us to establish the correlation between model sequences and native sequences. Moreover, several sequences upon interaction with a G-quadruplex ligand, BMVC, show similar spectral change, implying that structural similarity is crucial for drug development.
Quantifying Physical Thrombus Characteristics on Cardiovascular Biomaterials Using MicroCT
Authors: Gupta Avi , Johnston Claire M. , Hinds Monica T. , Anderson Deirdre E. J.
Published: April 2020

Hemocompatibility is a critical consideration when designing cardiovascular devices. Methods of assessing hemocompatibility range from in vitro protein adsorption and static platelet attachment to in vivo implantation. A standard preclinical assessment of biomaterial hemocompatibility is ex vivo quantification of thrombosis in a chronic arteriovenous shunt. This technique utilizes flowing blood and quantifies platelet accumulation and fibrin deposition. However, the physical parameters of the thrombus have remained unknown. This study presents the development of a novel method to quantify the 3D physical properties of the thrombus on different biomaterials: expanded polytetrafluoroethylene and a preclinical hydrogel, poly(vinyl alcohol). Tubes of 4–5 mm inner diameter were exposed to non-anticoagulated blood flow for 1 hour and fixed. Due to differences in biomaterial water absorption properties, unique methods, requiring either the thrombus or the lumen to be radiopaque, were developed to quantify average thrombus volume within a graft. The samples were imaged using X-ray microcomputed tomography (microCT). The methodologies were strongly and significantly correlated to caliper-measured graft dimensions (R2 = 0.994, p < 0.0001). The physical characteristics of the thrombi were well correlated to platelet and fibrin deposition. MicroCT scanning and advanced image analyses were successfully applied to quantitatively measure 3D physical parameters of thrombi on cardiovascular biomaterials under flow.
Process Optimization of Microwave Assisted Simultaneous Distillation and Extraction from Siam cardamom using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Suttiarporn Panawan , Wongkattiya Nalin , Buaban Kittisak , Poolprasert Pisit , Tanruean Keerati
Published: April 2020

The main goal of the research was to optimize microwave-assisted simultaneous distillation and extraction (MA-SDE) using response surface methodology (RSM), based on Box–Behnken design (BBD). A process was designed to extract the essential oil from the leaf sheath of Siam cardamom. The experimental data were fitted to quadratic equations, and the experiment conditions for optimal extraction of 1,8-cineole were extraction time 87.68 min, material-to-water ratio 1:13.18 g/mL and microwave power 217.77 W. Under such conditions, the content of 1,8-cineole was 157.23 ± 4.23 µg/g, which matched with the predicted value. GC–MS results indicated the presence of predominant oxygenated monoterpenes including 1,8-cineole (20.63%), iso-carveol (14.30%), cis-p-mentha-1(7),8-dien-2-ol (12.27%) and trans-p-2,8-menthadien-1-ol (9.66%), and oxygenated contents were slightly higher in the MA-SDE and extraction compared to usual SDE. In addition, the essential oil extracted by MA-SDE exhibited strong antibacterial effects against the tested Gram-positive bacteria. Scanning electron micrographs provided more evidence of destruction of the leaf sheath treated by MA-SDE. Conclusively, microwave-assisted simultaneous distillation and solvent extraction appear to be an effective technique for the separation of essential oils enriched 1,8-cineole from Siam cardamom leaf sheath in a shorter time.
Managing Open Innovation Project Risks Based on a Social Network Analysis Perspective
Authors: Nunes Marco , Abreu António
Published: April 2020

In today’s business environment, it is often argued, that if organizations want to achieve a sustainable competitive advantage, they must be able to innovate, so that they can meet complex market demands as they deliver products, solutions, or services. However, organizations alone do not always have the necessary resources (brilliant minds, technologies, know-how, and so on) to match those market demands. To overcome this constraint, organizations usually engage in collaborative network models—such as the open innovation model—with other business partners, public institutions, universities, and development centers. Nonetheless, it is frequently argued that the lack of models that support such collaborative models is still perceived as a major constraint for organizations to more frequently engage in it. In this work, a heuristic model is proposed, to provide support in managing open innovation projects, by, first, identifying project collaborative critical success factors (CSFs) analyzing four interactive collaborative dimensions (4-ICD) that usually occur in such projects—(1) key project organization communication and insight degree, (2) organizational control degree, (3) project information dependency degree, (3) and (4) feedback readiness degree—and, second, using those identified CSFs to estimate the outcome likelihood (success, or failure) of ongoing open innovation projects.