bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does unified allergic airway disease impact on lung function and type 2 biomarkers?
Authors: Kuo Chris RuiWen , Chan Rory , Lipworth Brian
Published: November 2019

The concept of the unified allergic airway disease (UAD) recognises the association between allergic inflammation in the upper and lower airways. Patients with asthma and concomitant allergic rhinitis experience more asthma-related primary and secondary care visits. We therefore aimed to determine differences in asthma control (asthma control questionnaire ACQ-6), lung function (spirometry) and T2 biomarkers (FeNO and Eos) in relation to the presence of allergic rhinitis in patients with allergic asthma. Retrospectively, we evaluated a cohort of 60 consecutive patients with persistent asthma attending our research unit for screening into clinical trials. All included subjects were receiving inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and had a positive skin prick test (SPT) to at least one common aeroallergen to fulfil the criterion of allergic asthma. Patients with UAD had a diagnosis of allergic asthma in addition to established concomitant allergic rhinitis. T2 biomarkers were significantly higher in patients with allergic rhinitis in contrast to those without. FEV1 % predicted and FEF25-75 % predicted were also significantly lower in patients with concomitant allergic rhinitis. However, there was no difference in ACQ-6 observed between groups. In summary, patients with allergic asthma, the presence of concomitant allergic rhinitis is associated with worse lung function and higher type 2 biomarkers.
Type A insulin resistance syndrome misdiagnosed as polycystic ovary syndrome: a case report
Authors: Lin Lu , Chen Cunren , Fang Tuanyu , Chen Daoxiong , Chen Kaining , Quan Huibiao
Published: November 2019

Background

Type A insulin resistance syndrome, one type of the hereditary insulin resistance syndromes, is a rare disorder. Patients with type A insulin resistance syndrome are nonobese and demonstrate severe hyperinsulinemia, hyperandrogenism, and acanthosis nigricans. The clinical features are more severe in affected females than in males, and they mostly become apparent at the age of puberty. In many cases, when severe insulin resistance is covered up by other signs or symptoms of type A insulin resistance syndrome, patients are often easily misdiagnosed with other diseases, such as polycystic ovary syndrome.

Case presentation

Our patient was a 27-year-old Han Chinese woman who sought treatment because of a menstrual disorder and hirsutism. Tests showed that her levels of insulin and testosterone were elevated, and gynecological color Doppler ultrasound suggested multiple cystic changes in the bilateral ovaries. After a diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome was made, pulsatile gonadotropin-releasing hormone therapy and metformin were administered, but the patient’s symptoms did not improve in 1 year of follow-up. Considering that the previous diagnosis might have been incorrect, venous blood samples were collected from the patient and her relatives for genetic analysis. Subsequently, using Illumina sequencing, it was found that the proband, her father, and two brothers all had the c.3601C>T heterozygous missense mutation in exon 20 of the insulin receptor gene. The diagnosis was corrected to type A insulin resistance syndrome, and the patient’s treatment was modified.

Conclusion

We report a case of a young woman with type A insulin resistance syndrome that was misdiagnosed as polycystic ovary syndrome. We discuss the causes, clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of type A insulin resistance syndrome to improve the recognition of the disease and reduce its misdiagnosis. Female patients with high androgen levels and severe hyperinsulinemia should be considered for the possibility of hereditary insulin resistance syndromes (such as type A insulin resistance syndrome). Gene sequencing helps in making an early diagnosis and developing a targeted treatment strategy.
Comparison of uterine fibroids’ growth pattern during pregnancy according to fetal sex: an observational study
Authors: Delli Carpini Giovanni , Verdecchia Valeria , Papiccio Maria , Grelloni Camilla , Ciavattini Andrea
Published: November 2019

Background

To investigate the effect of fetal sex on fibroids’ growth during pregnancy according to the hCG serum levels

Methods

Observational study conducted from January 2007 to December 2016 on women with ultrasound identification of uterine fibroids who had a pregnancy within 1 year from diagnosis. The fibroids diameter was determined during the pre-pregnancy ultrasound, early first trimester (5–7 weeks), late first trimester (11–13 weeks), second trimester (19–21 weeks), and third trimester (31–33 weeks). The diameter growth was calculated in each interval between two ultrasounds. The hCG serum levels were determined both in early and late first trimester. The correlation between hCG levels and fibroid diameter was evaluated. Obstetric outcomes collected were gestational weeks at birth and the rate of cesarean section. Neonatal outcomes were birthweight and Apgar score at 1 min.

Results

Eighty-seven of the included women had a male fetus, and 70 had a female fetus. A progressive increase of fibroid diameter was observed from pre-pregnancy to second trimester for both fetal sexes. In third trimester, the mean ± SD fibroid diameter of female fetuses showed a slowdown, while the mean ± SD fibroid diameter of male fetuses continued to grow. Women carrying a female fetus presented a higher fibroid diameter in early first trimester (33.5 ± 13.3 mm vs 27.4 ± 11.0 mm, p < 0.01), late first trimester (40.2 ± 13.9 mm vs 34.6 ± 11.7 mm, p < 0.01), and second trimester (40.5 ± 14.9 mm vs 34.7 ± 10.3 mm, p < 0.01). The hCG serum levels resulted higher in women with a female fetus: 61406 (50554-71760) mU/ml vs 46016 (37160-56744) mU/ml (p < 0.01). A positive correlation between hCG levels and fibroid diameter was found both for male and female fetuses (male r = 0.77, 95% CI 0.71–0.82, p < 0.01 and female r = 0.82, 95% CI 0.76–0.86, p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Women with female fetus seem to have a higher growth of fibroids up to second trimester of pregnancy. This process may be mediated by the higher serum hCG levels found in women expecting a female fetus.
Reduced expression of miR-146a in human bronchial epithelial cells alters neutrophil migration
Authors: Kivihall Anet , Aab Alar , Soja Jerzy , Sładek Krzysztof , Sanak Marek , Altraja Alan , Jakiela Bogdan , Bochenek Grazyna , Rebane Ana
Published: November 2019

Background

The role of miRNAs in the pathogenesis and determining the phenotypes of asthma is not fully elucidated. miR-146a has been previously shown to suppress inflammatory responses in different cells. In this study, we investigated the functions of miR-146a in human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs) in association with neutrophilic, eosinophilic, and paucigranulocytic phenotypes of asthma.

Methods

Bronchial brushing specimens and brochial mucosal biopsy samples were collected from adult patients with asthma and from age- and gender-matched non-asthmatic individuals. The expression of miR-146a in bronchial brushing specimens, bronchial biopsy tissue sections or cultured primary bronchial epithelial cells was analyzed by RT-qPCR or by in situ hybridization. The expression of direct and indirect miR-146a target genes was determined by RT-qPCR or ELISA. The migration of neutrophils was studied by neutrophil chemotaxis assay and flow cytometry. For statistical analysis, unpaired two-way Student’sttest, one-way ANOVA or linear regression analysis were used.

Results

Reduced expression of miR-146a was found in bronchial brushing specimens from asthma patients as compared to non-asthmatics and irrespective of the phenotype of asthma. In the same samples, the neutrophil attracting chemokines IL-8 and CXCL1 showed increased expression in patients with neutrophilic asthma and increased IL-33 expression was found in patients with eosinophilic asthma. Linear regression analysis revealed a significant negative association between the expression of miR-146a in bronchial brushings and neutrophil cell counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of patients with asthma. In bronchial biopsy specimens, the level of miR-146a was highest in the epithelium as determined with in situ hybridization. In primary conventional HBEC culture, the expression of miR-146a was induced in response to the stimulation with IL-17A, TNF-α, and IL-4. The mRNA expression and secretion of IL-8 and CXCL1 was inhibited in both stimulated and unstimulated HBECs transfected with miR-146a mimics. Supernatants from HBECs transfected with miR-146a had reduced capability of supporting neutrophil migration in neutrophil chemotaxis assay.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that decreased level of miR-146a in HBECs from patients with asthma may contribute to the development of neutrophilic phenotype of asthma.
Outcome and prognostic factors of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in immunocompromised adults: a prospective observational study
Authors: Gaborit Benjamin Jean , Tessoulin Benoit , Lavergne Rose-Anne , Morio Florent , Sagan Christine , Canet Emmanuel , Lecomte Raphael , Leturnier Paul , Deschanvres Colin , Khatchatourian Lydie , Asseray Nathalie , Garret Charlotte , Vourch Michael , Marest Delphine , Raffi François , Boutoille David , Reignier Jean
Published: November 2019

Background

Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) remains a severe disease associated with high rates of invasive mechanical ventilation (MV) and mortality. The objectives of this study were to assess early risk factors for severe PJP and 90-day mortality, including the broncho-alveolar lavage fluid cytology profiles at diagnosis.

Methods

We prospectively enrolled all patients meeting pre-defined diagnostic criteria for PJP admitted at Nantes university hospital, France, from January 2012 to January 2017. Diagnostic criteria for PJP were typical clinical features with microbiological confirmation of P. jirovecii cysts by direct examination or a positive specific quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Severe PJP was defined as hypoxemic acute respiratory failure requiring high-flow nasal oxygen with at least 50% FiO2, non-invasive ventilation, or MV.

Results

Of 2446 respiratory samples investigated during the study period, 514 from 430 patients were positive for P. jirovecii. Of these 430 patients, 107 met criteria for PJP and were included in the study, 53 (49.5%) patients had severe PJP, including 30 who required MV. All patients were immunocompromised with haematological malignancy ranking first (n = 37, 35%), followed by solid organ transplantation (n = 27, 25%), HIV-infection (n = 21, 20%), systemic diseases (n = 13, 12%), solid tumors (n = 12, 11%) and primary immunodeficiency (n = 6, 8%). By multivariate analysis, factors independently associated with severity were older age (OR, 3.36; 95% CI 1.4–8.5; p < 0.05), a P. jirovecii microscopy-positive result from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) (OR, 1.3; 95% CI 1.54–9.3; p < 0.05); and absence of a BAL fluid alveolitis profile (OR, 3.2; 95% CI 1.27–8.8; p < 0.04). The 90-day mortality rate was 27%, increasing to 50% in the severe PJP group. Factors independently associated with 90-day mortality were worse SOFA score on day 1 (OR, 1.05; 95% CI 1.02–1.09; p < 0.001) whereas alveolitis at BAL was protective (OR, 0.79; 95% CI 0.65–0.96; p < 0.05). In the subgroup of HIV-negative patients, similar findings were obtained, then viral co-infection were independently associated with higher 90-day mortality (OR, 1.25; 95% CI 1.02–1.55; p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Older age and P. jirovecii oocysts at microscopic examination of BAL were independently associated with severe PJP. Both initial PJP severity as evaluated by the SOFA score and viral co-infection predicted 90-day mortality. Alveolitis at BAL examination was associated with less severe PJP. The pathophysiological mechanism underlying this observation deserves further investigation.
Survey of non-resuscitation fluids administered during septic shock: a multicenter prospective observational study
Authors: Lindén-Søndersø Anja , Jungner Mårten , Spångfors Martin , Jan Mohammed , Oscarson Adam , Choi Sally , Kander Thomas , Undén Johan , Griesdale Donald , Boyd John , Bentzer Peter
Published: November 2019

Background

The indication, composition and timing of administration of non-resuscitation fluid in septic shock have so far received little attention and accordingly the potential to reduce this source of fluid is unknown. The objective of the study was to quantify and characterize non-resuscitation fluid administered to patients with septic shock.

Methods

This prospective observational study was performed in eight intensive care units in Sweden and Canada during 4 months in 2018. Adult patients with septic shock within 24 h of admission to the intensive care unit were eligible for inclusion. Non-resuscitation fluids were defined as fluids other than colloids, blood products and crystalloids at a rate ≥ 5 ml/kg/h. Indication, volume and type of fluid were recorded during the first 5 days after admission. A maximum of 30 patients could be included per centre. To estimate the potential to reduce administration of non-resuscitation fluid, a pragmatic “restrictive” protocol for administration of non-resuscitation fluids was devised based on the most restrictive practice already in place for non-resuscitation fluids at any of the participating centres. Data are presented as median (interquartile range [IQR]).

Results

A total of 200 patients were included in the study and the 30-day mortality was 35%. Patients received a total of 7870 (4060–12,340) ml of non-resuscitation fluids and 2820 (1430–4580) of resuscitation fluids during the observation period. Median volumes of non-resuscitation and resuscitation fluids were similar at day 1 (1620 [710–2320] and 1590 [520–3000]) ml, respectively) and non-resuscitation fluids represented the largest source of fluid from day 2 and onwards after admission to the ICU. Vehicles for drugs such as vasoactive drugs and antibiotics constituted the largest fraction of non-resuscitation fluids (2400 [1270–4030] ml) during the 5-day observation period. Modelling suggested that volume of non-resuscitation fluids could be reduced by 2840 (1270–4900) ml during the first 5 days of admission to the ICU, mainly through reducing maintenance fluids.

Conclusions

Non-resuscitation fluids constitute the major fraction of fluids administered in the ICU to patients suffering from septic shock and may represent the largest modifiable target to reduce fluid overload.
Selfish node detection based on hierarchical game theory in IoT
Authors: Nobahary Solmaz , Garakani Hossein Gharaee , Khademzadeh Ahmad , Rahmani Amir Masoud
Published: November 2019

Cooperation between nodes is an effective technology for network throughput in the Internet of Things. The nodes that do not cooperate with other nodes in the network are called selfish and malicious nodes. Selfish nodes use the facilities of other nodes of the network for raising their interests. But malicious nodes tend to damage the facilities of the network and abuse it. According to reviews of the previous studies, in this paper, a mechanism is proposed for detecting the selfish and malicious nodes based on reputation and game theory. The proposed method includes three phases of setup and clustering, sending data and playing the multi-person game, and update and detecting the selfish and malicious nodes. The process of setup and clustering algorithm are run in the first phase. In the second phase, the nodes of each cluster cooperate with each other in order to execute an infinite repeated game while forwarding their own or neighbor nodes’ data packets. In the third phase, each node monitors the operation of its neighbor nodes for sending the data packets, and the process of cooperation is analyzed for determining the selfish or malicious nodes which forwarded the data packets with delay or even not sent them. The other nodes reduce the reputation of the nodes which does not cooperate with them, and they do not cooperate with the selfish and malicious nodes, as punishment. So, selfish and malicious nodes are stimulated to cooperate. The results of simulation suggest that the detection accuracy of the selfish and malicious nodes has been increased by an average of 12% compared with the existing methods, and the false-positive rate has been decreased by 8%.
Sustainability governance of the Danish bioeconomy — the case of bioenergy and biomaterials from agriculture
Authors: Bentsen Niclas Scott , Larsen Søren , Stupak Inge
Published: November 2019

Background

The EU bioeconomy strategy aims to accelerate the European bioeconomy and its contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement. National policies and strategies in many countries promote their bioeconomies. The importance of agricultural crops and residues as raw materials for the bioeconomy is increasingly recognised, but agricultural production also contributes to large impacts on nature and environment. With the aim of assessing the governance measures and their effectiveness in addressing the sustainability of bioenergy and biofuel production, the purpose of this study was to map the governance complex relevant to agricultural crop production in Denmark, and to identify the achievements, challenges and lessons learned.

Methods

The analysis is based on a review and assessment of publicly available databases, inventory reports and scientific literature on governance measures and their effectiveness. Governance here includes a variety of legislation, agreements, conventions and standardisation. Environmental sustainability is represented by greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural sector, soil carbon, water quality and biodiversity.

Results

The agricultural sector has a significant impact on Danish climate performance and on landscapes in the form of soil carbon losses, leaching of nutrients to water bodies and pressures on biodiversity. The governance complex addressing these issues is made up of a variety of state regulation and co-regulation between state and firms, state and NGOs, or NGOs and firms. Much regulation is adopted from EU directives and implemented nationally.

Conclusions

The analysis found that greenhouse gas emission is a virtually unregulated field and additional regulation is required to live up to Denmark’s 2030 emission reduction targets. The regulatory framework for soil carbon is criticised for its complexity, its competing instruments and its recognition procedures of voluntary co-regulation. For water quality governance measures in place have improved water quality, but it is still difficult to achieve the goals of the Water Framework Directive. It remains a challenge to protect biodiversity in agriculture. Biodiversity is mainly governed by national and supranational regulation, but co-regulating between state and firms and NGOs and firms have been initiated in the framework of the Agricultural Agreement.
Risk factors of acute malnutrition among children aged 6–59 months enrolled in a community-based programme in Kurigram, Bangladesh: a mixed-method matched case-control study
Authors: Hoq Monsurul , Ali Masum , Islam Ashraful , Banerjee Charulatha
Published: November 2019

Background

Risk factors of acute malnutrition in Bangladesh are well documented. However, due to regional variations in prevalence of acute malnutrition, it is important to explore the risk factors specific to the region, for designing and implementing public health interventions.

Methods

A mixed-method matched case-control study was conducted in the Kurigram district of Bangladesh. Community perspectives on causes of acute malnutrition were collected from 75 purposively selected caregivers through interviews, focus group discussions and informal group discussions. The data was analysed manually by coding and sub-coding according to different themes. Caregivers of 52 malnourished and 95 well-nourished children matched in age group and sex with the malnourished children, were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The conditional logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the risk factors of acute malnutrition.

Results

Caregivers perceived inappropriate feeding practice as a major cause of acute malnutrition whereas birth order (first child OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.09, 0.96), number of family members (OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.02, 1.65), illness in the last 2 weeks (OR 3.08, 95% CI 1.13, 8.42) and access to hygienic latrine (OR 0.25, 95% CI 0.07, 0.82) were also associated with acute malnutrition among children under five in Kurigram.

Conclusions

Community awareness on infant feeding practices and family planning, management of childhood illness and access to hygienic latrine facilities should be prioritised to prevent acute malnutrition in the northern districts.
Development of milk powder containing Lactobacillus plantarum NCIMB 8826 immobilized with prebiotic hi-maize starch and survival under simulated gastric and intestinal conditions
Authors: Bradford Ronamae , Reyes Vondel , Bonilla Franklin , Bueno Federico , Dzandu Bennett , Liu Chen , Chouljenko Alexander , Sathivel Subramaniam
Published: November 2019

The objectives of this study were to develop a probiotic milk powder containingLactobacillus plantarumNCIMB 8826 immobilized with prebiotic Hi-maize starch and to analyze cell viability after spray drying and exposure to simulated gastric and intestinal conditions. Milk powders containing freeL. plantarumand cells immobilized with Hi-maize starch were assessed. Powders were evaluated during storage at 4 °C for 15 days. After spray drying, at 0 and 15 days of storage both treatments had over 8 log CFU/g of viable cells and there were higher viable counts found for immobilized cells compared to free cells after 120 min in simulated gastric fluid. At 15 days of storage, immobilized cells had higher viable counts than free cells after exposure to simulated intestinal fluid for 120 min. The combined probiotic and prebiotic milk powder had stable viable cell counts at refrigerated storage conditions and under simulated gastric and intestinal transit.

Graphical abstract
Off-the-grid vertical seismic profile data regularization by a compressive sensing method
Authors: Yu Siwei , Ma Jianwei , Zhao Bangliu
Published: November 2019

Different from the surface survey, the vertical seismic profile (VSP) survey deploys sources on the surface and geophones in a well. VSP provides higher resolution information of subsurface structures. The faults that cannot be imaged with surface seismic data may be detected with VSP data, and detailed analysis of fracture zones can be achieved with multicomponent VSP. However, one of the main problems is that the sources seldom are acquired on a regular grid in realistic VSP surveys. The irregular samplings cause serious artifacts in migration or imaging, such that data regularization must be implemented first. We have developed a compressive sensing (CS)-based method to regularize nonstationary VSP data. Our method directly operates on irregularly gridded data sets, which is a key contribution compared to the existing CS-based reconstruction methods that work on regular grids. The CS framework consists of a sparsity constraint and a penalty term. We have used the curvelet transform for sparsity constraint of nonstationary events in the regularization term and the nonequispaced Fourier transform to regularize the VSP data in a penalty term. An alternative directional method of multipliers is used for solving the optimization problem. Our method is tested on synthetic, field 2D and 3D VSP data sets. Our method obtains improved reconstructions on continuities of the events and produces fewer artifacts compared to the well-known antileaking Fourier transform method.
Parathyroid Hormone and Plasma Phosphate Are Predictors of Soluble α-Klotho Levels in Adults of European Descent
Authors: Dhayat Nasser A , Pruijm Menno , Ponte Belen , Ackermann Daniel , Leichtle Alexander Benedikt , Devuyst Olivier , Ehret Georg , Guessous Idris , Pechère-Bertschi Antoinette , Pastor Johanne , Martin Pierre-Yves , Burnier Michel , Fiedler Georg-Martin , Vogt Bruno , Moe Orson W , Bochud Murielle , Fuster Daniel G
Published: November 2019

Context

α-klotho is an integral membrane protein that serves as a coreceptor for fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) in conjunction with cognate fibroblast growth factor receptors. Proteolytic cleavage sheds the ectodomain of α-klotho (soluble α-klotho) as an endocrine substance into blood, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid.

Objective

To study the relationship of soluble α-klotho to mineral metabolism in the general population with mainly preserved kidney function.

Design

Cross-sectional analysis of the associations between soluble α-klotho with laboratory markers of markers of mineral metabolism in a population-based cohort.

Setting

Three centers in Switzerland including 1128 participants.

Measures

Soluble full-length α-klotho levels by a specific immunoassay and markers of mineral metabolism.

Results

The median serum level of soluble α-klotho was 15.0 pmol/L. Multivariable analyses using α-klotho as the outcome variable revealed a sex-by-PTH interaction: In men, PTH was positively associated with α-klotho levels, whereas this association was negative in women. Plasma phosphate associated with soluble α-klotho levels in an age-dependent manner, changing from a positive association in young adults gradually to a negative association in the elderly. The decline of 1,25 (OH)2 vitamin D3 levels in parallel to the gradual impairment of kidney function was greatly attenuated in the setting of high circulating soluble α-klotho levels.

Conclusions

Soluble α-klotho level is associated with plasma phosphate in an age-dependent manner and with PTH in a sex-dependent manner. Furthermore, our data reveal soluble α-klotho as a modulator of 1,25 (OH)2 vitamin D3 levels in individuals with preserved renal function.
In Search of National Decoration
Authors: Ho Christine I.
Published: November 2019

In the late 1930s, design studies in China underwent a paradigmatic shift when the cosmopolitan idioms fashioned within treaty-port cities were rejected in favor of populist ethnonationalism, developed along the border regions of wartime China. This essay examines design compendia by Pang Xunqin and Lei Guiyuan, founding figures in modern design studies, as proposals that advocate for a reevaluation of folk and ethnic-minority traditions. Shaped by a signal moment in wartime modernism, the design proposals are located at the conjunction of two fields of knowledge that were discursively reframed by the heightened cultural nationalism of the Sino-Japanese War: the expansion of modern archaeology, and ethnographic study of minority cultures. In reclaiming folk-minority craft as a generative source of decoration, Pang Xunqin and Lei Guiyuan were also critically engaged with delimiting the design profession as a specialized realm of knowledge production.
RCy3: Network biology using Cytoscape from within R
Authors: Gustavsen Julia A. , Pai Shraddha , Isserlin Ruth , Demchak Barry , Pico Alexander R.
Published: November 2019

RCy3 is an R package in Bioconductor that communicates with Cytoscape via its REST API, providing access to the full feature set of Cytoscape from within the R programming environment. RCy3 has been redesigned to streamline its usage and future development as part of a broader Cytoscape Automation effort. Over 100 new functions have been added, including dozens of helper functions specifically for intuitive data overlay operations. Over 40 Cytoscape apps have implemented automation support so far, making hundreds of additional operations accessible via RCy3. Two-way conversion with networks from \textit{igraph} and \textit{graph} ensures interoperability with existing network biology workflows and dozens of other Bioconductor packages. These capabilities are demonstrated in a series of use cases involving public databases, enrichment analysis pipelines, shortest path algorithms and more. With RCy3, bioinformaticians will be able to quickly deliver reproducible network biology workflows as integrations of Cytoscape functions, complex custom analyses and other R packages.
Analysis of the External Debt of the Russian Federation: Problems and Contradictions
Authors: Bunevich K. , Ivanova O.
Published: November 2019

The overwhelming majority of countries lack their own resources to carry out socio-economic transformations, cover the budget deficit and make domestic investments, which is why many countries resort to external sources of financing, hence the national debt. It will probably be quite difficult to find a country that does not resort to raising funds from external or internal sources of financing. In general, credit cannot be considered as some kind of “absolute evil”, since rationally used loans and borrowings can significantly accelerate economic development, make the process of expanded reproduction more efficient and dynamic, solve many social and economic problems, etc. at the same time, significant public debt is a heavy burden that can complicate the normal functioning of the economic system. The growth of government debt reduces the stock of capital in the economic system (since, for example, the holder of savings, instead of investing in the economy through the purchase of shares of various companies or lending extended reproduction, buys government bonds, thereby financing the state and its needs). External debt — the total debt of the state, expressed in monetary units and interest on their payments. The creation of a civilized financial space is a very important moment for each state that has embarked on the path of market relations in their full implementation. And if most countries capitalized relations long ago, then the independent countries that emerged after the collapse of the socialist empire needed to gain new experience in the shortest possible time.
Jan Gwalbert Pawlikowski jako przykład wzorcowego charakteru środowiskowego
Authors: Dzwonkowska Dominika
Published: November 2019

Etyka cnót środowiskowych uchodzi za tradycję nienormatywną, w której w miejsce tradycyjnych norm oferuje się wzorzec do naśladowania, tzw. wzorcowy charakter środowiskowy (zwany też bohaterem ekologicznym). Ponieważ większość dyskusji na temat bohatera ekologicznego toczy się w kręgu kultury amerykańskiej, w niniejszej pracy przedstawiono osobę zasłużoną dla początków ochrony środowiska w Polsce, jako przykład potencjalnego bohatera ekologicznego. Artykuł przedstawia postać Jana Gwalberta Pawlikowskiego jako wzorcowy charakter środowiskowy. W niniejszym artykule przedstawiono: (1) koncepcję bohatera ekologicznego i zarys dotychczasowej dyskusji na ten temat w ramach etyki cnót środowiskowych; (2) istotne znaczenie kontekstu historycznego i kulturowego w odniesieniu do kwestii ekologicznych; (3) myśl Jana Gwalberta Pawlikowskiego, jako przykład wzorcowego charakteru środowiskowego.
Ewolucja polityki środowiskowej w XX i XXI-wiecznej Japonii
Authors: Orzechowski Rafał
Published: November 2019

Głównym celem niniejszego tekstu jest analiza postrzegania współczesnej polityki środowiskowej w Japonii. Niezbędne było tu wskazanie czynników pozwalających określić, w jakim stopniu zmiana, która dokonała się w latach 90., wynikała z troski o samo środowisko, a w jakim stanowiła element rozgrywki, mający na celu uzyskanie odpowiedniej pozycji i wpływów wśród innych państw. Jest to o tyle interesujące, że podobne postępowanie stałoby w jawnej sprzeczności ze stereotypowym wyobrażeniem Japończyków, zgodnie z którym społeczność ta żyje w harmonii ze światem przyrody. Z tego względu niezbędne było przeanalizowanie historycznych wydarzeń, które doprowadziły do głębokich zmian społecznych w Japonii na przełomie XIX i XX wieku. Doszło wtedy do otwarcia się Japończyków na świat zewnętrzny, które zaowocowało zmianami postrzegania przyrody, przy jednoczesnym zachowaniu pewnych elementów dawnej tradycji (stojącej u podstaw wykształcenia się unikalnych trendów w zakresie badań nad środowiskiem).
Metal and Stone: An Analogy between the Story of David and Goliath (1 Sam 17) and the Story of Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream (Dan 2)
Authors: Golan Naama
Published: November 2019

The image that appears to Nebuchadnezzar in a dream, in which a colossal statue made from different metals is struck to the ground by a stone (Dan 2), creates an affinity between this story and that of David and Goliath (1 Sam 17). These two stories convey an identical message through the same symbols. While the stone signifies the divine, the man-made metal symbolizes human might. Though this is a broad analogy, which includes both thematic and linguistic parallels, it has not yet received sufficient scholarly attention. This paper unravels the analogy, shedding new light on Daniel 2, its meaning and its purpose.
Walking Borders, Risk and Belonging
Authors: O’Neill Maggie , Einashe Ismail
Published: November 2019

Walking borders, risk & belonging makes a case for using walking as a biographical interviewmethod (WIBM) in order to do critical public pedagogy—using conjunctural analysis—that engagesin unsettling and troubling the white, male privilege and basis of walking, and indeed the‘turn’ to walking rooted in Eurocentric practices. The authors build upon a long history of: i) usingwalking, participatory and arts-based methods (ethno-mimesis) to do social research on migrationwith migrants, and; ii) the importance of creating space for stories of asylum, migration andmarginalisation to be shared and heard through critical pedagogy, critical journalism, and walkingas an arts-based research method.
The Pedagogy of Pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago Written into Performance
Authors: Peters Sarah
Published: November 2019

Blister is a verbatim play that tells the story of Rosie, an Australian woman, who is walking the Camino de Santiago. The Camino is an 800km pilgrimage across Northern Spain that begins in the French Pyrenees and traverses mountains, vineyard covered hills, mesetas (plateaus) and urban centres before concluding at Santiago de Compostela. 200,000 people from across the world walk the Camino every year, often carrying their minimal belongings in a backpack, staying in dormitory-style accommodation with fellow pilgrims in local albergues, and walking between 20-35kms most days. This short essay describes how walking methods merged with the situated, relational and material verbatim theatre practice of community immersion in order to experience and represent the public pedagogy of the Camino in performance. Informed by a feminist position and engaging with theatrical conventions inspired by queer theory, excerpts of Blister are incorporated across the essay to demonstrate how theatre as a live and embodied medium provides a multi-dimensional platform to depict the motion, emotion and learning experienced by pilgrims walking the Camino.
Habitat Suitability for Hoya spp. (Apocynaceae) in The Bodogol Conservation Area, West Java
Authors: Sulaeman Masrayani , Sulistijorini Sulistijorini , Rahayu Sri
Published: November 2019

Hoya is a tropical flowering plant that has great potential as an export commodity. It needs to be cultivated to ensure its sustainability in nature. Information about the suitable habitat of Hoya was not widely known yet. This study aimed to compare the habitat characteristics of several species of Hoya. The research was conducted by exploring the sample plots determined by purposive sampling based on the differences of habitat characteristics. The biotic components observed were phorophyte species type and the number of individual of each Hoya species. The abiotic components measured in each plot were altitude and geographical position, air temperature, humidity, light intensity, wind speed, and canopy cover. Hoya ‘s diversity was analyzed using the Shannon Winner Index. Environmental factor data and biotic factors were analyzed with Canoco for Windows 4.5 software. There were 6 species of Hoya namely Hoya multiflora, Hoya imperialis, Hoya vitellinoides, Hoya hasseltii, Hoya campanulata and Hoya lacunosa found in this study. The highest biodiversity index was obtained in an altitude of 700-800 m.a.s.l (H’=1.41) and in hillsides area (H’=1.3). Hoya ‘s most frequent phorophyte was Schima wallichii. Factors affecting the presence of Hoya in the phorophytes were the position of attachment to the main stem and the rough surface characteristics of the tree. Hoya ‘s preference place was on the bark fracture. Abiotic factors that most influencing the existence of Hoya were air humidity and canopy cover. The data of this research can be used as basic information for carried out the conservation efforts and cultivation strategy in the future.
LE LE DEVELOPPEMENT DU MÉDIA DE LA BANDE DESSINÉE NUMÉRIQUE POUR LA COMPÉTENCE DE LA COMPRÉHENSION ÉCRITE DU FRANÇAIS SUR LES HOBBIES OU LES GOÛTS UTILISANT MACROMEDIA FLASH
Authors: Ranuta Juniaga , Handayani Sri , Agustiningrum Tri Eko
Published: November 2019

Media as teacher’s support is very helpful to reach the purpose of learning. One of media thatcan be used in french language learning is digital comic. Digital comic or e-comic is a transformation of media technologies that began in the form of print out into digital with the eletronicformat. This research used a Research and Development (R&D) method. According to Sugiyono (2010: 409-427), there are ten steps of the research, but this research is only use five steps,that are formulating potential and problems, collecting the data, making the product design,validating design and design revision.The result of this research is a digital comic media basedof macromedia flash application for reading skill with the theme les hobbies ou les goûts. Thismedia includes two based subjects which in the syllabus curriculum 2006, namely dire ce quel’on aime and dire ce que l’on n’aime pas. Then, in the last step, that media is consulted toFrench expert to revise. After revision from expert’s advice, the media is being validated by theexperts and can be used by teachers in their experiences in the classroom.
THE KINETICS BOTH OF GROWTH AND METABOLITE PRODUCTION OF X.CAMPESTRIS USING OF 4% LIQUID SUGAR SUBSTRATE FROM CASSAVA HYDROLISATE
Authors: Djenar Nancy Siti , Mulyono Edi Wahyu Sri
Published: November 2019

X. campestris is aerobic bacteria producing extracellular biopolymers (EPS, extracellular polysaccharide) known as xanthan gum. To determine the technology and the process conditions appropriate to the formation of this product, therefore the understanding of both the kinetics of growth and metabolite production of bacteria is needed. In this research, to assess the growth of X. campestris using the method of calculation of dry cell weight. For determining the kinetics of production of metabolite used substrates of 4% liquid sugar from cassava starch hydrolysate. From this research was showed that X. campestris maximum growth in NB medium obtained in about 58thhour, at the growth rate of about 0.04 g / hour, stationary phase obtained at the 60th hour with a maximum dry cell weight of 2.7688 g/L and specific growth rate (?) of X. campestris amounted to 0.043 hour-1. Based on the kinetic curves both on growth and its metabolite production, X.campestris has non-growth associated product pattern. In this case the production of xanthan gum occured after cell growth stopped then its product is a secondary metabolite with highest amount of 3.73 g / L at 102nd hour, ie the 4th day of fermentation. Overall of this research indicated that Nutrient Broth (NB) may be used for the growth of X. campestris. But based on the value of ? above, the rate of cell reproduction was still low. Liquid sugar can be used as a substrate to produce xanthan gum. However to increase its productivity, there should be an addition of other carbon or energy and nitrogen sources.
Biodiesel Synthesis From Waste Cooking Oil Using CaO.SrO Catalyst By Transesterification Reaction In Batch Reactor
Authors: Widiarti Nuni , Haq Ismi Arinal , Mahatmanti F. Widhi , Harjito Harjito , Kurniawan Cepi , Suprapto Surapto , Prasetyoko Didik
Published: November 2019

CaO is a very good catalyst for oil transesterification reactions into biodiesel, but requires a reaction time of 2 hours to obtain equilibrium. The time of CaO catalysis reaction can be accelerated by modifying the CaO catalyst with SrO. Synthesis biodiesel of waste cooking oil has been successfully conducted by transesterification reaction that used batch reactor assisted by CaO.SrO catalyst. The aim of this study is to determine the characteristics and catalytic activity of catalyst in the transesterification reaction. Catalysts have been successfully synthesized by coprecipitation method with oil to methanol molar ratio of 1:1, and its calcined at 800oC for 3 hours. Catalyst was characterized by XRD to determine the crystallinity. The smaller catalyst crystallinity obtained as the decline in intensity and shifts diffraction angles of CaO modified SrO catalyst. Surface area of catalyst characterized by SAA, that allow surface area between CaO modified SrO by 10.217 m2/g. Transesterification reaction performed on variation time (30, 60, 90, 120, 150 minutes), and the catalysts amount (1, 2, 4, 6, 8% w/v). The optimum condition of catalytic activity in reaction for 2 hours and the catalyst amount is 1% w/v of reactants that produce yield of biodiesel is 96.4%.
Condiciones dignas de la labor docente del siglo XXI, un derecho inalienable, no una opción
Authors: Garbanzo Vargas Guiselle María
Published: November 2019

Recibido 14 de abril de 2011 • Aceptado 26 de agosto de 2011 • Corregido 29 de agosto de 2011

 

 

Se desarrolla el tema de las condiciones dignas de la labor docente en el desafiante siglo XXI. El objetivo recae en realizar una contextualización de la sociedad emergente en el siglo XXI, en general; así como plantear una revisión, en América Latina, del contexto educativo y de las mismas condiciones laborales del profesional de la educación. Otro objetivo es revisar las condiciones laborales en que se encuentran los educadores en distintos sistemas educativos, incluyendo realidades de Europa y América Latina, entre otras. En las principales ideas que se abordan, se define el perfil del educador de siglo XXI en comparación con el educador de la sociedad tradicional y se desarrollan algunos indicadores de consenso en distintas realidades educativas, así como su integración en tres grandes dimensiones: cognitivas, operativas e institucionales. Sobresale, entre las principales conclusiones, la determinación de políticas públicas que respalden las condiciones laborales en las que se desempeñe el docente de manera digna, lo cual se considera fundamental para una educación inclusiva de calidad, en armonía con las exigencias de la desafiante sociedad emergente. Concluye la autora que este tema es inacabado y debe ser una constante en las agendas educativas de las distintas sociedades.
Rasgos del semblante docente y su impacto en el aprendizaje: Una mirada desde la subjetividad del alumno
Authors: Hernández Jacobo Verónica , Varela Nájera Carlos
Published: November 2019

Recibido 13 de octubre de 2011 • Aceptado 23 de febrero 2012 • Corregido 23 de marzo de 2012

 

 

Este trabajo forma parte de una investigación más amplia que analiza aquellos rasgos del semblante docente que promueven o inhiben el deseo de aprendizaje de estudiante. Tiene como referente teórico el psicoanálisis y los datos empíricos de estudiantes del grupo 602, de la Facultad de Psicología de la Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa (UAS), en México, del ciclo escolar 2009-2010. Se analizan solo las características o rasgos del semblante que promueven el deseo de aprender de los estudiantes. El objetivo es conocer si el deseo de los estudiantes y las estudiantes de Psicología por aprender los contenidos de una asignatura es despertado cuando estos se identifican con el semblante de su docente, desde la premisa de que este posee rasgos o cualidades que permiten al estudiante identificarse con el llamado semblante docente. Se utiliza el enfoque cualitativo y el método fenomenológico. Las técnicas de recolección de datos fueron el cuestionario y la entrevista en profundidad. La principal conclusión fue que un mismo docente no impacta de la misma manera a sus estudiantes.
Educando con medios alternativos
Authors: Rubí Barquero José Alberto
Published: November 2019

Recibido 10 de noviembre de 2010 • Aceptado 09 de marzo de 2011 • Corregido 04 de mayo de 2011   Este artículo nace de mi interés por explorar caminos que hagan de la experiencia educativa que se vive diariamente en las aulas, una actividad más interesante y placentera; es por ello que exalto las posibilidades que como medio pedagógico tienen el cine y, en general, los medios audiovisuales, junto con la conveniencia de que los educadores recurran a ellos como alternativas enriquecedora de su desempeño profesional.
Diagnóstico sobre las actitudes hacia las Matemáticas del estudiantado que inicia sus estudios en tres posgrados en Administración de Empresas
Authors: Cardoso Espinosa Edgar Oliver , Vanegas López Eduardo Antonio , Cerecedo Mercado María Trinidad
Published: November 2019

Recibido 05 de enero de 2012 •  Corregido 19 de junio de 2012 • Aceptado 28 de junio de 2012

 

El objetivo de esta investigación fue diagnosticar las actitudes del estudiantado hacia la asignatura de Matemáticas, al comenzar sus estudios de posgrado en Administración de Empresas. El estudio fue exploratorio y no experimental, con un diseño transversal. Como instrumento para recopilar la información se utilizó un cuestionario organizado con las dimensiones de agrado, confianza, utilidad, motivación y ansiedad, el cual se diseñó con preguntas de tipo Likert. Las principales conclusiones de la investigación fueron que el estudiantado de posgrado presenta una actitud negativa hacia las Matemáticas,  la cual percibe como una disciplina útil: pero difícil, por lo que manifiesta todavía desconfianza y ansiedad en las situaciones que involucran el empleo de los procedimientos matemáticos.
Integrating lattice materials science into the traditional processing-structure-properties paradigm
Authors: Zok Frank W.
Published: November 2019

Periodic lattice materials have been studied extensively in numerous science and engineering fields. Despite the vast knowledge that has emerged, the activities have been stove-piped within individual research communities, often in isolation from those in related fields. To bring this work into a holistic framework, the present article considers the elements needed to integrate the study of lattice materials into the processing–structure–properties paradigm that underpins materials science as an academic discipline. The emphasis is on concepts of structure involving topology, morphology, and defects of lattice materials, with illustrations of structure–property relations in the context of lattice strength.
Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) pada Modul Internet of Things (IoT)
Authors: Endrayanto Royyannuur Kurniawan , Muttaqin Adharul , Setyawan Raden Arief
Published: November 2019

Pada modul IoT yang memerlukan enkripsi data tetapi tidak dilengkapi dengan hardware accelerator khusus untuk enkripsi, perlu menggantikan hardware tersebut dalam bentuk program. Akan tetapi penambahan program enkripsi diketahui dapat menimbulkan permasalahan pada modul IoT berbasis embedded system yang memiliki sumber daya terbatas. Dalam kajian ini dibahas algoritma enkripsi AES-128 yang diimplementasikan pada modul IoT Particle Photon yang belum memiliki hardware accelarator. Tujuan yang hendak dicapai adalah untuk mengetahui pengaruh dari penerapan AES-128 pada modul IoT. Hasil pengujian menunjukkan AES-128 yang diterapkan dapat berjalan baik dengan waktu enkripsi paling lama 398 mikrodetik dan throughput terkecil 301507,538 bit/detik. Hasil pengukuran beban terhadap penerapan enkripsi berupa penggunaan memori flash oleh program sebesar 16.024 Byte dengan penggunaan RAM sebesar 3.020 Byte.