bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ColumnML
Authors: Kara Kaan , Eguro Ken , Zhang Ce , Alonso Gustavo
Published: February 2019

The ability to perform machine learning (ML) tasks in a database management system (DBMS) provides the data analyst with a powerful tool. Unfortunately, integration of ML into a DBMS is challenging for reasons varying from differences in execution model to data layout requirements. In this paper, we assume a column-store main-memory DBMS, optimized for online analytical processing, as our initial system. On this system, we explore the integration of coordinate-descent based methods working natively on columnar format to train generalized linear models. We use a cache-efficient, partitioned stochastic coordinate descent algorithm providing linear throughput scalability with the number of cores while preserving convergence quality, up to 14 cores in our experiments.

Existing column oriented DBMS rely on compression and even encryption to store data in memory. When those features are considered, the performance of a CPU based solution suffers. Thus, in the paper we also show how to exploit hardware acceleration as part of a hybrid CPU+FPGA system to provide on-the-fly data transformation combined with an FPGA-based coordinate-descent engine. The resulting system is a column-store DBMS with its important features preserved (e.g., data compression) that offers high performance machine learning capabilities.
Cost-efficient data acquisition on online data marketplaces for correlation analysis
Authors: Li Yanying , Sun Haipei , Dong Boxiang , Wang Hui (Wendy)
Published: February 2019

Incentivized by the enormous economic profits, the data marketplace platform has been proliferated recently. In this paper, we consider the data marketplace setting where a data shopper would like to buy data instances from the data marketplace for correlation analysis of certain attributes. We assume that the data in the marketplace is dirty and not free. The goal is to find the data instances from a large number of datasets in the marketplace whose join result not only is of high-quality and rich join informativeness, but also delivers the best correlation between the requested attributes. To achieve this goal, we design DANCE, a middleware that provides the desired data acquisition service. DANCE consists of two phases: (1) In the
off-line
phase, it constructs a two-layer join graph from samples. The join graph includes the information of the datasets in the marketplace at both schema and instance levels; (2) In the
online
phase, it searches for the data instances that satisfy the constraints of data quality, budget, and join informativeness, while maximizing the correlation of source and target attribute sets. We prove that the complexity of the search problem is NP-hard, and design a heuristic algorithm based on Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC). Experiment results on two benchmark and one real datasets demonstrate the efficiency and effectiveness of our heuristic data acquisition algorithm.
Performance-optimal filtering
Authors: Lang Harald , Neumann Thomas , Kemper Alfons , Boncz Peter
Published: February 2019

We define the concept of performance-optimal filtering to indicate the Bloom or Cuckoo filter configuration that best accelerates a particular task. While the space-precision tradeoff of these filters has been well studied, we show how to pick a filter that maximizes the performance for a given workload. This choice might be "suboptimal" relative to traditional space-precision metrics, but it will lead to better performance in practice. In this paper, we focus on high-throughput filter use cases, aimed at avoiding CPU work, e.g., a cache miss, a network message, or a local disk I/O - events that can happen at rates of millions to hundreds per second. Besides the false-positive rate and memory footprint of the filter, performance optimality has to take into account the absolute cost of the filter lookup as well as the saved work per lookup that filtering avoids; while the actual rate of negative lookups in the workload determines whether using a filter improves overall performance at all. In the course of the paper, we introduce new filter variants, namely the register-blocked and cache-sectorized Bloom filters. We present new implementation techniques and perform an extensive evaluation on modern hardware platforms, including the wide-SIMD Skylake-X and Knights Landing. This experimentation shows that in high-throughput situations, the lower lookup cost of blocked Bloom filters allows them to overtake Cuckoo filters.
Efficient data ingestion and query processing for LSM-based storage systems
Authors: Luo Chen , Carey Michael J.
Published: February 2019

In recent years, the Log Structured Merge (LSM) tree has been widely adopted by NoSQL and NewSQL systems for its superior write performance. Despite its popularity, however, most existing work has focused on LSM-based key-value stores with only a single LSM-tree; auxiliary structures, which are critical for supporting ad-hoc queries, have received much less attention. In this paper, we focus on efficient data ingestion and query processing for general-purpose LSM-based storage systems. We first propose and evaluate a series of optimizations for efficient batched point lookups, significantly improving the range of applicability of LSM-based secondary indexes. We then present several new and efficient maintenance strategies for LSM-based storage systems. Finally, we have implemented and experimentally evaluated the proposed techniques in the context of the Apache AsterixDB system, and we present the results here.
Unifying consensus and atomic commitment for effective cloud data management
Authors: Maiyya Sujaya , Nawab Faisal , Agrawal Divyakant , Abbadi Amr El
Published: February 2019

Data storage in the Cloud needs to be scalable and fault-tolerant. Atomic commitment protocols such as Two Phase Commit (2PC) provide ACID guarantees for transactional access to sharded data and help in achieving scalability. Whereas consensus protocols such as Paxos consistently replicate data across different servers and provide fault tolerance. Cloud based datacenters today typically treat the problems of scalability and fault-tolerance disjointedly. In this work, we propose a unification of these two different paradigms into one framework called Consensus and Commitment (C&C) framework. The C&C framework can model existing and well known data management protocols as well as propose new ones. We demonstrate the advantages of the C&C framework by developing a new atomic commitment protocol, Paxos Atomic Commit (PAC), which integrates commitment with recovery in a Paxos-like manner. We also instantiate commit protocols from the C&C framework catered to different Cloud data management techniques. In particular, we propose a novel protocol, Generalized PAC (G-PAC) that integrates atomic commitment and fault tolerance in a cloud paradigm involving both sharding and replication of data. We compare the performance of G-PAC with a Spanner-like protocol, where 2PC is used at the logical data level and Paxos is used for consistent replication of logical data. The experimental results highlight the benefits of combining consensus along with commitment into a single integrated protocol.
The Comparison and Introduction of Plate Test and Electrical Resistance Methods of Determining the Setting Time and Thixotropy of Self-Consolidating Concrete
Authors: Shirzadi Javid Ali Akbar , Ghoddousi Parviz , Jaberizadeh Mohammad , Bozorgmehr Behnam
Published: February 2019

Setting time and rheology of mixtures are among the most important features in new generation concretes such as self-consolidating concrete (SCC) and can have a great impact on the behavior of fresh concrete. Therefore, introducing new methods for determining these parameters has always been one of the main concerns. In this research, we tried to determine a relationship between the measured setting time from the ASTM C403/C403M-08, Standard Test Method for Time of Setting of Concrete Mixtures by Penetration Resistance Method, and the electrical resistance (ER) method, as well as the rheological parameters, including dynamic and static yield stress. Also, a new method for determining the setting time and concrete thixotropy—called the plate test method—is introduced and validated. The results indicated that the ER method is an accurate one in determining the initial and final setting time of SCC mixtures. Concrete mixtures with higher yield stress (static and dynamic) have a shorter setting time. Investigating the results indicated that the higher the static yield stress mean of the mixture in the time period of thixotropic behavior, the shorter the initial setting time. Therefore, increasing static yield stress is associated with a reduction in the setting time. In the case of dynamic yield stress, similar events occurred with static yield stresses, and an increase in this stress and its growth rate was associated with a reduction in the initial setting time. Furthermore, the results obtained by the new method (plate method), along with the results of rheology parameters measured by the rheometer device, indicated that the difference between results was in the range of 4 to 11 %. Also, the difference in the setting time obtained from the plate method in comparison with the penetration resistance method was 9 % at maximum. These results indicated that the plate test method has an acceptable accuracy in measuring the setting time and thixotropy.
Thailand in 2018
Authors: Tamada Yoshifumi
Published: February 2019

While Thailand’s military government has attempted to postpone a general election, it is inevitable. In preparation for elections, the junta founded a pro-junta party and propped it up vigorously while continuing to impose restrictions on anti-junta parties.
Negara Brunei Darussalam in 2018
Authors: Dosch Jörn , Sidhu Jatswan S.
Published: February 2019

After four years of economic gloom, the Bruneian economy began showing signs of recovery, mainly thanks to improved global oil prices and the fruits of government policies introduced three years ago. In the meantime, the sultan’s seriousness in combating corruption has taken center stage, with young new faces introduced in the recent cabinet reshuffle. Implementation of sharia law remains slow. On the international front, Brunei appears to be moving closer to China, which is emerging as the country’s largest foreign investor.
Singapore in 2018
Authors: Ganesan Narayanan
Published: February 2019

In June, Singapore captured the global spotlight when it hosted the summit meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The regional political environment prompted anxiety, given the leadership transition in Malaysia. Domestically, political leadership transition and the opposition Workers’ Party’s lawsuit over allegations of mismanagement of town council funds were major issues.
Timor-Leste in 2018
Authors: Feijó Rui Graça
Published: February 2019

Timor-Leste entered 2018 with a political crisis that kept a minority government without the confidence of parliament. President Lú-Olo tried to resolve the situation by calling early elections, but the incumbency effect did not materialize, and the opposition won the polls. Timor-Leste celebrated an important treaty with Australia on their maritime borders in the Timor Sea.
Enhancement of cortisol-induced SAA1 transcription by SAA1 in the human amnion
Authors: Lu Yi , Wang Wang-sheng , Lin Yi-kai , Lu Jiang-wen , Li Wen-jiao , Zhang Chu-yue , Sun Kang
Published: February 2019

Our previous studies have demonstrated that human fetal membranes are capable of de novo synthesis of serum amyloid A1 (SAA1), an acute phase protein of inflammation, wherein SAA1 may participate in parturition by inducing a number of inflammation mediators including interleukine-1β, interleukine-6 and prostaglandin E2. However, the regulation of SAA1 expression in the fetal membranes remains largely unknown. In the current study, we examined the regulation of SAA1 expression by cortisol, a crucial steroid produced locally in the fetal membranes at parturition, and the interaction between cortisol and SAA1 in the feed-forward induction of SAA1 expression in human amnion fibroblasts. Results showed that cortisol-induced SAA1 expression in a concentration-dependent manner, which was greatly enhanced by SAA1 despite modest induction of SAA1 expression by itself. Mechanism studies revealed that the induction of SAA1 expression by cortisol and SAA1 was blocked by either the transcription factor STAT3 antagonist AZD0530 or siRNA-mediated knockdown of STAT3. Furthermore, cortisol- and SAA1-induced STAT3 phosphorylation in a sequential order with the induction by SAA1 preceding the induction by cortisol. However, combination of cortisol and SAA1 failed to further intensify the phosphorylation of STAT3. Consistently, cortisol and SAA1 increased the enrichment of STAT3 at the SAA1 promoter. Taking together, this study has demonstrated that cortisol and SAA1 can reinforce each other in the induction of SAA1 expression through sequential phosphorylation of STAT3. The enhancement of cortisol-induced SAA1 expression by SAA1 may lead to excessive SAA1 accumulation resulting in parturition-associated inflammation in the fetal membranes.
Isolation by Distance, Source-Sink Population Dynamics and Dispersal Facilitation by Trade Routes: Impact on Population Genetic Structure of a Stored Grain Pest
Authors: Cordeiro Erick M G , Campbell James F , Phillips Thomas , Akhunov Eduard
Published: February 2019

Population genetic structure of agricultural pests can be impacted not only by geographic distance and the broader ecological and physical barriers but also by patterns related to where crops are produced and how they are moved after harvest. Stored-product pests, for instance, specialize in exploiting grains such as wheat and rice from on-farm storage through transportation to final processing at often geographically distant locations; therefore human-aided movement may impact their dispersal. Although stored product insects are associated with stored grain, they can also exploit resources in the surrounding environments so different ecological regions where the grain is grown and stored may also influence population structure. Here we used 1,156 SNP markers to investigate how geographic distance, ecological and agricultural variables can impact the genetic structure and gene flow of the stored food pest beetle Rhyzopertha dominica. We found a substantial degree of admixture between weakly structured populations in the US. Ecological regions were more important in explaining R. dominica population structure than crop type, suggesting insect movement between wheat and rice grain distribution channels. We have also found a significant correlation between the genetic and geographical distance (i.e., isolation by distance). However, our modeling approach combining the ecological and management variables has highlighted the importance of the volume of grain received by a location in the dispersal dynamics of the pest. The first-generation migrant analysis offered additional supported to movement over great distances that are likely associated with grain movement. Our data suggest that a multitude of factors play small but significant parts in the movement dynamics of the pest. The beetles can take advantage of the source-sink dynamic of grain movement in the US, but also engage in a high rate of movement at the local scale. Understanding population structure for R. dominica will provide insights into the potential for local processes of adaptation and broader patterns of movement that will impact management programs and the potential for spread of resistance genes.
Efficient Implementation of Penalized Regression for Genetic Risk Prediction
Authors: Privé Florian , Aschard Hugues , Blum Michael G B
Published: February 2019

Polygenic risk scores (PRS) combine many single-nucleotide polymorphisms into a score reflecting the genetic risk of developing a disease. Privé, Aschard, and Blum present an efficient implementation of penalized logistic regression...

Polygenic Risk Scores (PRS) combine genotype information across many single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to give a score reflecting the genetic risk of developing a disease. PRS might have a major impact on public health, possibly allowing for screening campaigns to identify high-genetic risk individuals for a given disease. The “Clumping+Thresholding” (C+T) approach is the most common method to derive PRS. C+T uses only univariate genome-wide association studies (GWAS) summary statistics, which makes it fast and easy to use. However, previous work showed that jointly estimating SNP effects for computing PRS has the potential to significantly improve the predictive performance of PRS as compared to C+T. In this paper, we present an efficient method for the joint estimation of SNP effects using individual-level data, allowing for practical application of penalized logistic regression (PLR) on modern datasets including hundreds of thousands of individuals. Moreover, our implementation of PLR directly includes automatic choices for hyper-parameters. We also provide an implementation of penalized linear regression for quantitative traits. We compare the performance of PLR, C+T and a derivation of random forests using both real and simulated data. Overall, we find that PLR achieves equal or higher predictive performance than C+T in most scenarios considered, while being scalable to biobank data. In particular, we find that improvement in predictive performance is more pronounced when there are few effects located in nearby genomic regions with correlated SNPs; for instance, in simulations, AUC values increase from 83% with the best prediction of C+T to 92.5% with PLR. We confirm these results in a data analysis of a case-control study for celiac disease where PLR and the standard C+T method achieve AUC values of 89% and of 82.5%. Applying penalized linear regression to 350,000 individuals of the UK Biobank, we predict height with a larger correlation than with the best prediction of C+T (∼65% instead of ∼55%), further demonstrating its scalability and strong predictive power, even for highly polygenic traits. Moreover, using 150,000 individuals of the UK Biobank, we are able to predict breast cancer better than C+T, fitting PLR in a few minutes only. In conclusion, this paper demonstrates the feasibility and relevance of using penalized regression for PRS computation when large individual-level datasets are available, thanks to the efficient implementation available in our R package bigstatsr.
The Healing Power of Art in Intergenerational Trauma
Authors: Swain Gloria
Published: February 2019

Throughout this paper, I use a political and activist lens to think about disability arts and its potential role in opening up a necessary conversation around how madness is produced by experiences of racism, poverty, sexism, and inter-generational trauma within the Black community. I begin by explaining how the Black body has a history of being the site of medical experimentation. From the perspective of my own experience, I suggest that this history of medical abuse has caused Black people to be suspicious and wary of the healthcare system, including the mental healthcare system, which forecloses discussions around the intersection of Blackness and mental health. I go on to argue that this discussion is further silenced through the trope of the ‘strong Black woman,’ which, in my experience works to perpetuate the idea that Black women must bear the effects of systemic racism by being ‘strong,’ rather than society addressing this racism, and she must not admit the toll that this ‘resilience’ might have on her mental health. I close with a discussion of how my art practice seeks to open up a conversation about madness in the Black community by suggesting that madness is political.
Est-Ce Vraiment une Bande Dessinée? Langues des Signes, Déconstruction et Intermédialité
Authors: Leduc Véro
Published: February 2019

La bande dessinée est un medium pensé en 2D et souvent déployé sur papier (Falardeau, 2008). Comment en créer une en langue des signes québécoise (LSQ), cette langue tridimensionnelle (3D) dont la vidéo s’avère la meilleure forme d’écriture ? Une bande dessinée vidéo… est-ce encore une BD ?

C’est tombé dans l’oreille d’une Sourde est une bande dessignée, néologisme créé pour désigner cette bande dessinée bilingue vidéographiée en langue des signes québécoise (LSQ) et en français. Produite à partir d’extraits de rencontres avec des personnes sourdes et des membres de ma famille entendante réalisées dans le cadre de ma thèse de recherche-création, elle propose diverses réflexions sur la sourditude (Ladd, 2005), ce concept qui englobe les diverses manières de vivre comme personnes sourdes et de réfléchir aux enjeux que cela soulève.

Chassé-croisé entre écriture créative en français, citations thématiques en LSQ et extraits de ma thèse inédite, cette contribution propose une réflexion, dans une posture de déconstruction, sur la création signée (en langues des signes) et l’intermédialité, en prenant comme site particulier la production d’une BD en LSQ, une création aux confins de la bande dessinée, de la littérature et du cinéma. L’article aborde notamment un survol des systèmes d’écriture en langue des signes, une réflexion sur la déconstruction de la bande dessinée entendante et une exploration de l’intermédialité comme site d’agentivité. Si « l’écriture est la condition de l’epistémè » (Derrida, 1967), la recherche-création à travers les médias numériques favorise cette écriture signée nécessaire à la création de savoirs et de productions culturelles en langues des signes.
Multimedia Storytelling Methodology: Notes on Access and Inclusion in Neoliberal Times
Authors: Rice Carla , Mündel Ingrid
Published: February 2019

In this article, the authors examine the impact of using their evolving multimedia storytelling method (digital art and video) to challenge dominant representations of non-normative bodies and foster more inclusive spaces. Drawing on their collaborative work with disability and non-normatively embodied artists and communities, they investigate the challenges of negotiating what ‘access’ and ‘inclusion’ mean beyond the individualizing discourses of neoliberalism without erasing the specificities of differentially-lived experiences. Reflecting on their experiences in a variety of workshops and on a selection of videos made in those workshops, they identify and analyze three iterative ‘movements’ that mark their storytelling processes: from failure to vulnerability, from time to temporality, and from individual voice to collective concerns. The authors end by considering some of the ways they have experimented with developing an iterative workshop method that welcomes difference while simultaneously allowing for an examination of the terms of the shared space and of the mechanisms of inclusion and exclusion operating within that space.
About the "Own Your Cervix" Exhibit
Authors: Dion-Fletcher Vanessa
Published: February 2019

Artist Vanessa Dion Fletcher on her exhibition, Own Your Cervix.
Natural killer activity of the spleen cells of Ehrlich tumor-bearing mice treated with Copaifera multijuga extract
Authors: Rodrigues Paloma Filomena Gouveia , Albiero Lucinéia Reuse , Nery Eduardo Figueredo , Kelly Taiany Oliveira , Dalazen Jeniffer Charlene Silva , Pereira Débora Linsbinski , Sinhorin Adilson Paulo , Sinhorin Valéria Dornelles Gindri , Castoldi Lindsey
Published: February 2019

AIMS: Copaifera multijuga Hayne oleoresin is commonly used in traditional medicine owing to its anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antitumor, and antibacterial properties. However, little is known about the effect of the compounds from the bark of this plant. In this study, the immunomodulatory effect of the ethanolic extract of C. multijuga bark via natural killer activity of non-adherent spleen cells of Ehrlich tumor-bearing mice was evaluated.METHODS: Male Swiss mice were inoculated subcutaneously with 1×106 Ehrlich tumor cells (Ehrlich and Ehrlich/C. multijuga group) or phosphate buffered saline solution (control group and C. multijuga group) and treated orally daily with C. multijuga extract (200 mg kg-1, 0.1 mL per mouse, for the Ehrlich/C. multijuga and C. multijuga groups) or phosphate buffered saline solution (control group and Ehrlich group). The four experimental groups consisted in eight mice each and were organized in two sets, one treated for seven days and another treated for 14 days, totalizing 64 mice throughout the experiment. Twenty-four hours after the last oral administration, the mice were euthanized and the spleen tissue was isolated to prepare a non-adherent spleen cell suspension and to evaluate natural killer activity. Data are presented as the cell lysis percentage of Yac.1 target cells by non-adherent spleen cells.RESULTS: Treatment for seven days increased natural killer activity in the Ehrlich/C. multijuga group (21.20±8.89, p<0.05) compared to the control group (3.14±2.71, p<0.05); however, this effect was not maintained in the groups treated for 14 days (Control: 6.02±6.98, Ehrlich: 4.82±7.72, C. multijuga: 2.07±2.10, Ehrlich/C. multijuga: 2.01±1.63, p>0.05).CONCLUSIONS: Treatment for seven days with an ethanolic extract of C. multijuga bark enhanced the natural killer activity of non-adherent spleen cells from Ehrlich tumor-bearing mice.
Aproximações etnográficas em territórios marginais: as cenas abertas de uso do crack em Cuiabá
Authors: Abal Yamila Soledad , Gugelmin Silvia Ángela
Published: February 2019

Com base no método etnográfico e lançando mão da perspectiva biopolítica e de aportes sobre o conceito de territorialidade da antropologia urbana, o presente artigo visa problematizar algumas dinâmicas da vida que perpassam as cenas abertas de uso de crack e outras drogas ilegalizadas no centro histórico da Cuiabá, MT, Brasil. Os resultados demonstram que esses territórios são alvo de mecanismos diversos de controle social, que se expressam por meio de violências múltiplas e permanentes, mas também se constituem enquanto espaços que reúnem pessoas estigmatizadas e expulsas da sociedade normalizada, ou seja, pessoas que constroem laços e interações sociais, se auto-organizam e resistem ante a pluralidade de violências perpetradas sobre elas.
Dependency, mood instability, and inconsequence traits for discriminating borderline personality disorder
Authors: Carvalho Lucas de Francisco , Pianowski Giselle
Published: February 2019

Abstract Introduction Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is one of the most widely studied personality disorders (PDs). It recurrently shows traits of emotional lability, anxiety, separation insecurity, depressiveness, impulsiveness, risk exposure, and hostility, mainly affecting the domains of negative affectivity and antagonism. Objectives To investigate the most discriminant dimensions of the Dimensional Clinical Personality Inventory (Inventário Dimensional Clínico da Personalidade 2 [IDCP-2]) to distinguish people diagnosed with BPD from people without this diagnosis. Methods A total of 305 participants were included in this study: psychiatric outpatients diagnosed with BPD (n = 30), psychiatric outpatients diagnosed with other PDs (n = 75), and a community sample (n = 200). BPD traits were assessed using the dependency, mood instability, and inconsequence dimensions of the IDCP-2. Results Analysis of variance (ANOVA) comparisons indicated highest mean measures in the BPD group, and mood instability factors were the most discriminant ones when considering all groups. Applying the multiple regression analysis, we found an adjusted r 2 = 0.50, and hopelessness was the most predictive measure (β = 0.32; t = 6.19; p < 0.001). Conclusions We found discriminatory capacity for factors of all dimensions, although at different levels, and more consistent results to discriminate the BPD group from the community sample.
Performance evaluation of flow duration curves regionalization methods
Authors: Piol Marcos Vinícius Alpoin , Reis José Antonio Tosta dos , Caiado Marco Aurélio Costa , Mendonça Antonio Sérgio Ferreira
Published: February 2019

ABSTRACT The main objective of the study was the evaluation of Characteristic Values and Exponential Curve methods as alternatives for flow permanence curves regionalization. Additionally, the use of regional flow indicators for the appropriation of reference flows associated with flow permanence curves was evaluated. The study area covered the Itapemirim and Itabapoana rivers watersheds, the most important located in the southern portion of the Espírito Santo state (Brazil). The Characteristic Values method presented best results in the flow permanence curves regionalization work. It was also concluded that the regional indicators represent a simple and consistent alternative for study area reference flows estimation.
Study of the displacement of floating diamagnetic bodies by a magnetic field
Authors: Gendelman Oleg , Frenkel Mark , Fliagin Viktor , Ivanova Natalia , Danchuk Viktor , Legchenkova Irina , Vilk Alla , Bormashenko Edward
Published: February 2019

The authors analyzed the motion of diamagnetic bodies that float on diamagnetic liquids. The motion was inspired by the deformation of the diamagnetic liquid surface by a magnetic field, called the ‘Moses effect’. The influence of the surface tension on the shape of the well pushed out by the steady magnetic field (B ≅ 0·35T) acting on the surface of the liquid was studied both experimentally and theoretically for water, silicone oil and aqueous surfactant solution. The suggested mathematical approach accurately predicted the shape of the well, depending on the surface tension of the liquid. Qualitative analysis is reported regarding the motion of floating diamagnetic polymers and metallic objects driven by the Moses effect. The impact of the bulk magnetic force on the motion is minor for all of the studied diamagnetic rafts. The influences of gravity and interfacial forces on the displacement of rafts may be of a comparable order of magnitude.
European historical studies: theoretical and conceptual aspects
Authors: Martynov Andriy
Published: February 2019

The article deals with the problems of conceptualizing the European historical studies. The special role of a stage by stage solution in a so-called «social approach» on the way to all-rounded humanization of state-forming strategies of European nations and of the system of European international relations in general is being underlined. The emphasis is laid on the historical role of the common European values. It is also accentuated that decisive factor to achieve success in joining the space of European unity is in integrity of understanding the ideals of Freedom and Justice. Since internal and external components of European freedom and justice are so closely intertwined, their separate interpretation, in author’s opinion, has no epistemological perspective whatsoever. The stable economic prosperity and social progress are becoming more dependent on the global economic situation. At the same time, social protection of citizens in a number of countries, as well as the authority thereof in the contemporary world fully depends on the moral and ethic maturity of the elites, the level of confidence in society, the general level of culture and the rate of individual responsibility of citizens for their future. The issues abovementioned acquire special meaning under the modern-day circumstances of sharpening the geopolitical competition concerning Ukraine. The contemporary financial and migration crisis of the EU only enhances the influence of the social factor on the collective consciousness of «old» and «new» Europeans, frequently engendering rather dangerous tendencies in European life.
DETERMINANTS OF INNOVATIVE DEVELOPMENT OF NATIONAL ECONOMIES IN GLOBALIZATION CONDITIONS
Authors: Bilyk R.
Published: February 2019

The article deals with theoretical approaches to the essence of innovation development, its role in the formation and enhancement of international competitive advantages of the national economy in world markets. The problems of innovative development in the countries with a transformational economy, in particular Ukraine, are analyzed, the role of globalization in modern world processes is emphasized.
The main factors of formation of innovation competitiveness of the national economy are investigated. Their influence on the development of innovation environment in Ukraine is considered. On the basis of the analysis, the ways of improving the innovation and investment climate in Ukraine and the possibilities of its integration into the world economic, scientific and technological space are outlined. The necessity of forming a long-term competitive strategy for Ukraine and carrying out radical reforms as the basis for the implementation of sustainable innovation development is substantiated.
Modern tendencies in the development of production of innovative and high-tech products in Ukraine are researched. The results of using innovative potential in the development of high-tech branches of economy are analyzed. The recommendations for solving the main problems of increasing its export potential connected with insufficiency of investment support, imperfect innovation development and mechanisms of technology transfer are substantiated.
INFLUENCE OF TRANSNATIONALIZATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMPETITIVE RELATIONS
Authors: Tsyganov S. , Syzonenko V. , Tsyganova N.
Published: February 2019

The essence of transnationalization as a special stage of globalization of economy is investigated. The essence of transnational corporations (TNCs) is revealed, their place in the system of international economic relations is determined. The role of TNCs in the context of their particular impact on the integration of national enterprises into the world economy and the main causes of the transnational capital movement at the present stage are analyzed. The new forms of the influence of transnationalization on the development of a competitive environment in the world economy are considered. The peculiarities of national base of transnational corporations and their branch specialization are analyzed.
The problems and contradictions of the functioning of the TNC as the basis of the development of the world economy at the present stage and the changes in their activities as a result of the evolution of global processes and the intensification of the use of information and communication technologies are considered. The prospects of innovation and investment cooperation of Ukraine with TNCs as a powerful mechanism for the emergence of a long-term financial and economic crisis are proposed. Attention is drawn to the problems of attracting small and medium enterprises in the network of TNCs.
Verba Iuris
Authors: Torregrosa Jiménez Norhy Esther
Published: February 2019

Un paso más, un logro más, nuevamente reunimos en esta Revista, Verba Iuris 41, los trabajos de autores que han dedicado tiempo a la investigación y que nos comparten los resul-tados de sus trabajos. Por ello es importante reconocer lo que dejamos a la rutina; pero, que en nuestro equipó editorial destacamos y reconocemos, la construcción de otro muro, uno mas en la construcción de conocimiento, un aporte ciertamente modesto y al mismo tiempo grandioso, por ser trabajo de nuestros colaboradores, investigadores y docentes que dedican tiempo y esfuerzo para sus artículos, que publicamos, para que sean fuente de actua-lización, consulta e investigación y así sean parte del dinámico universo del estudio y el conocimiento.
Repensando La Educación
Authors: Sánchez Cabrera Samuel Alberto
Published: February 2019

La globalización ha generado cambios drásticos en las dinámicas comerciales entre los países y regiones, afectando los criterios para definir proyectos productivos y sociales, con incidencia directa en los derroteros bajo las cuales se desarrolla la educación; a partir de la redefinición de las formas de producir, consumir, gestionar, informar y hasta de pensar, manifiesta en las crisis de los países de la región, no obstante que el análisis de la educación en Colombia, no se puede desligar de lo que ha sido la educación universitaria en el país, donde se viven tensiones originadas en afectaciones culturales y de legitimidad, a partir de políticas incoherentes y desarticuladas, que satisfacen demandas de los mercados, asumiendo tendencias y modelos desestabilizadores con impactos adversos en el bienestar de la población y la calidad de vida. La internacionalización en la educación adscribe a la universidad en la función de capacitar al talento humano en competencias, habilidades y destrezas, dejando de lado la formación en conocimientos y valores, articulados a temas sociales, económicos y culturales, de tal manera que responde al mundo estructurar de las certificaciones nacionales e internacionales de calidad, estar certificado garantiza pertenecer a la elite de los certificados, que no siempre, significa calidad.
Gestión y política pública del deporte
Authors: Vargas Olarte Carlos Eduardo
Published: February 2019

En el siglo XXI el estudio del deporte ha empezado a asimilar los enfoques conceptualespropios y externos- para comprender e interpretar la relación entre los nuevos ideales de personalidad, corporalidad, la diferenciación de los motivos, modelos y formas de práctica, los niveles de rendimiento y las formas de organización frente los procesos de cambio de: las estructuras sociales, las realidades sociopolíticas y socioeconómicas, las interacciones sociales, la influencia e impactos de nuevos campos del conocimiento y de fenómenos como la globalización, la interconexión mundial, cambio climático y el envejecimiento de la población. La asimilación de estos conocimientos, cambios, problemas y avances han permitido generar conocimientos y conciencia acerca del potencial de la contribución social del deporte más allá del entretenimiento y la diversión. Un imperativo es indagar sobre los problemas, necesidades, expectativas e intereses de los individuos y los diferentes grupos de población para ofrecer respuestas que ofrezcan posibilidades de atención –junto con otros sectores y actores sociales. Tesis, Hipótesis y planteamientos sobre estos temas son abordados en el marco de un proyecto de investigacion básica -de orden longitudinal- bajo la óptica del método hermeneútico interpretativo- descriptivo que tiene al deporte como objeto de estudio.
Percepción de los funcionarios de las instituciones de educación superior del departamento del Quindío, en relación a la responsabilidad social universitaria*
Authors: Torres Castaño Ana Gladys , Sánchez Vásquez Lina Marcela Marcela
Published: February 2019

Las recientes tendencias en el campo de la responsabilidad social, conllevan a las instituciones de educación superior en el departamento del Quindío a desempeñar un papel más activo y comprometido con los aspectos sociales, medioambientales y económicos que conforman los factores de interés de las mismas, y que involucran a las partes relacionadas, tanto internas como externas, con el propósito de lograr el cumplimiento de sus objetivos misionales en el campo del desarrollo social y comunitario. A través de la caracterización de la responsabilidad social universitaria en las instituciones de educación superior del departamento del Quindío, se manifiestan diferentes formas para aplicarla, lo que permite dar algunos elementos cómo punto de partida para futuras investigaciones en el tema y establecer como es la relación de lasmismas con los diferentes estamentos que las conforman, en términos de compromiso social. De la misma manera, se obtuvo información (aplicación de cuestionario) de los funcionarios encargados de la responsabilidad social, para conocer la actitud de las instituciones frente a la misma, así como para identificar el nivel de información que tienen sobre el tema, y cómo es la articulación de ésta con sus políticas institucionales, programas y proyectos que desarrollan.
Effect of Selected Organic Residues and Inorganic Fertilizers on the Performance of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)
Authors: Amodu Temitayo O. , Dayo-Olagbende G. Olufemi , Akingbola Oluwawemimo O.
Published: February 2019

In a bid to evaluate the effect of selected organic residues and inorganic on the performance of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus), a concurrent experiment was conducted using Gliricidia sepium and Aspilla africana as the source of organic residue while N: P: K and Urea were used as the sources of inorganic fertilizers. The materials were applied solely and in combinations to give a total of nine (9) treatments. The land area used was 28m by 11m partition into 9 plots and replicated three times to give a total of 27 experimental units. The experiment was laid out in a randomized Complete Black Design (RCBD). Okra variety lady finger was planted at a spacing of 60cm by 45cm at a rate of three seeds per hole which was later thinned to one plant per stand. The treatments were applied two weeks after planting. Ten plants were tagged to determine the growth and yield parameters. Data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) using SPSS 16.00 version and mean separation was done using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). It was discovered that treatments containing a combination of N:P:K, urea and gliricidia sepium(T9), gave the best in terms of growth parameter and yield on site 1 while on site 2 a combination of NPK, urea and Aspilia africana (T8) gave the best. This shows the okra responds well to applications of organic residues together with inorganic fertilizers.
Epidemiological study of neural tube defects in Jammu division, India
Authors: Singh Virender , Raina Sachi , Dewan Deepika , Raina Sunil , Dogra Vikram
Published: February 2019

Background: Prevalence and spectrum of neural tube defects has undergone seasonal and secular variations in different regions of the world since the turn of last century. However precise etiology inspite of lot of research has not been clearly elucidated.Methods: The study was conducted in Government Medical College Hospital and SMGS Hospital Jammu in patients diagnosed to have a neural tube defect from birth to 19 years. History regarding sociodemographic profile, antenatal history and significant birth history was elicited. Complete general physical examination, Local examination of the lesion was carried out and neural tube defects were classified. All the cases were subjected to ultrasound head to determine ventricular size and rule out hydrocephalus. The data was entered in Microsoft Excel and results were presented in form of percentages and proportions.Results: Maximum children admitted were in the age group of <1 month and belonged to Jammu district. Commonest anomaly seen was lumbosacral meningomyelocele with associated hydrocephalus and neural deficit. Mothers who gave birth to an NTD affected child were commonly in the age group of 20-30 years, with commonest NTD affected sib being 1stborn and most of parents being from very low socio-economic strata of society. Only 7 mothers had received antenatal advice with ultrasound and almost none had received folic acid either before or after conception.Conclusions: Neural tube defects appear to be fairly common anomaly among females of lower socioeconomic strata, living in far flung mountainous regions of the state, devoid of proper health care facilities and education.
Selfie addiction: the prodigious self-portraits
Authors: Nagalingam Saranya , Arumugam Balaji , Thenniz Preethy S. P.
Published: February 2019

Background: Selfie’s are self-portrait taken to admire the excessive pride in one’s own appearance. When these selfies are taken persistently in increased numbers with futile efforts to stop taking them is called as “SELFIE ADDICTION”. There is an uncontrollable craving for taking selfie’s which has a great impact on the life style modifications substantially in the adolescent age group. This problem has just commenced but it has disseminated rapidly to a greater magnitude.Methods: This study was done as a community based cross sectional study at Pondicherry, Chennai and Kadaloor district during November 2015 and February 2016 with the objectives of assessing the prevalence and its risk factors of the Selfie addiction among adolescents. Individuals of adolescent age group were randomly selected and the data were collected using direct questionnaire method with proper informed consent. The data was entered in MS excel sheet and analysis was done using SPSS software.Results: A total of 766 college students were interviewed of which 53% were males with the mean age of 19 years. The purposes of taking selfies were time pass (46%), to admire themselves (14.5%), to post in social network sites (23.7%). Among the study participants 87% of them had the habit of taking selfies regularly using mobile phones and the number of selfies per minute varied from 2 to 10 per minute. The prevalence of selfie addiction was present among 111 (14.5%) and it was significantly associated with gender, higher version mobile phone users, early morning selfie takers, chronic mobile users.Conclusions: The prevalence of selfie addiction among adolescent population in our study was moderately high and hence interventions should be made to create cognizance among the general population about the risk factors and its consequences.
Chronic cholecystitis with follicular lymphoid hyperplasia: nomenclature and diagnostic dilemmas
Authors: Vats Alka Dixit , Gupta Vertika , Mehendiratta Monica , Anand Nitika
Published: February 2019

Background: To revisit the nomenclature, prevalence, histogenesis and the diagnostic dilemmas in cases of cholecystitis with lymphoid hyperplasia received in a private laboratory in one-year duration.Methods: A total of 51 cases of cholecystectomy were examined histopathologically to identify and review all the cases with emphasis on cholecystitis with marked lymphoid infiltration.Results: Out of 51 cholecystectomy specimens, some rare entities were observed such as 4 cases (8%) of xanthomatous change, 2 cases (4%) of cholecystitis with follicular lymphoid hyperplasia and a case of hyalinizing cholecystitis.Conclusions: The literature on cholecystitis with marked lymphoid infiltrate (with or without follicle formation) was overlapping and thus confusing. The same has been simplified with review of literature.
A cross sectional study on the prevalence of diabetes mellitus among adult population in a peri-urban area of West Tripura, India
Authors: Tripura Kaushik , Nag Kaushik , Karmakar Nabarun , Datta Anjan , Bhattacharjee Partha
Published: February 2019

Background: Diabetes mellitus, a major lifestyle disease is undoubtedly the most challenging public health problem of 21st century with a worldwide prevalence of 387 million (8.3%).  The objective of this study was to get an estimate of the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and associated factors in a sample of adult population in a peri-urban area of West Tripura.Methods: In a cross-sectional study, prevalence of diabetes mellitus was found among adult population of a peri-urban area (Dukli) of west Tripura from April 2016 to May 2016. Multistage random sampling was followed to include 76 participants. Taking house as a sampling unit, every 5th house was chosen for this study. From every selected house, one adult participant was chosen by simple random sampling until desired sample size was attained. Collected data was compiled and analyzed with the help of statistical package for social sciences (SPSS 16.0.). Chi-square, Fischer exact test was applied to find out association.Results: The mean age of the study participants was 42.21±17.65 years, comprised of 23.7% male and 76.3% female. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus was 17.1% among study participants. Diabetes was found highest in 39-58-year age group (37.5%). Males were more affected with diabetes mellitus (22.2%) compared to females (15.5%). The study also revealed a significant association of diabetes mellitus with family history of diabetes mellitus (p value 0.00).Conclusions: Present study showed very high prevalence of diabetes mellitus among adult population. Healthy lifestyle measures might reduce burden of diabetes mellitus which could be evaluated in future research.