bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Political Economy of Deep Decarbonization: Tradable Energy Quotas for Energy Descent Futures
Authors: Alexander Samuel , Floyd Joshua
Published: August 2020

This paper reviews and analyses a decarbonization policy called the Tradable Energy Quotas (TEQs) system developed by David Fleming. The TEQs system involves rationing fossil fuel energy use for a nation on the basis of either a contracting carbon emission budget or scarce fuel availability, or both simultaneously, distributing budgets equitably amongst energy-users. Entitlements can be traded to incentivize demand reduction and to maximize efficient use of the limited entitlements. We situate this analysis in the context of Joseph Tainter’s theory about the development and collapse of complex societies. Tainter argues that societies become more socio-politically and technologically ‘complex’ as they solve the problems they face and that such complexification drives increased energy use. For a society to sustain itself, therefore, it must secure the energy needed to solve the range of societal problems that emerge. However, what if, as a result of deep decarbonization, there is less energy available in the future not more? We argue that TEQs offers a practical means of managing energy descent futures. The policy can facilitate controlled reduction of socio-political complexity via processes of ‘voluntary simplification’ (the result being ‘degrowth’ or controlled contraction at the scale of the physical economy).
Influence of Insulating Material Properties on Partial Discharges at DC Voltage
Authors: Florkowski Marek
Published: August 2020

Understanding a partial discharge mechanism at direct current (DC) is an actual research topic that requires both modeling, simulations and measurements. This paper describes an influence of insulating material properties on partial discharges at DC voltage. Modifications of the traditional model reflecting the conditions of partial discharges (PD) inception and post discharge processes at DC voltage have been proposed. The aim was to show the partial discharge mechanisms and draw attention to the role of parameters of insulation materials adjacent to the cavity at DC voltage. The investigations were performed on two kinds of dielectric material used in power cables. Various combinations of specimens were designed to reveal the effect of the material resistivity on the PD activity. Key observations referred to the impact of the void adjacent material resistance on the partial discharge inception voltage threshold at DC voltage. The modified PD model was applied to analyze both inception and post discharge recovery stage. The role of dielectric properties of material adjacent to the void was investigated, highlighting its impact during static inception stage and in charging stage. Despite many simplifications introduced in the model, measurement results have confirmed the role of the dielectric material surrounding the void on partial discharge dynamics. The average time interval between PD pulses revealed a systematic relationship with respect to the applied voltage and specimen resistivity. This value can be considered in the future research for diagnostic indicator at DC voltage.
The Antarctic Astronomical Observations Intelligent Support Equipment “Dome A” Site-Testing Observatory: Electric Power Generation and Control Systems
Authors: Fang Shixiong , Chen Xinyi , Zhang Kanjian , Wei Haikun , Ge Jian
Published: August 2020

AAOISE, the Antarctic Astronomical Observations Intelligent Support Equipment, is an autonomous control equipment serving for energy support and environment thermal preservation, which is used for astronomical science observations in the Antarctic “Dome A”. It was deployed to “Dome A” and had an unattended run until now. The AAOISE stressed on the ways to adapt to adverse circumstances of “Dome A” and to have as little influence on the environment as possible. Its shape and structure are fully qualified for transportation and thermal insulation demands. The power generation and control systems are designed to provide continuous power and heat. Its communication system can support high-reliability data transmission and communications. It offers a possibility for developing “Dome A” scientific activities and remote monitoring of the running situation of the science instruments. This paper presents a detailed description of the power generation, power control, thermal management, instrument interface, and communications systems for AAOISE.
Biofouling Removal from Membranes Using Nonthermal Plasma
Authors: Maliszewska Irena , Czapka Tomasz
Published: August 2020

An essential aspect of wastewater treatment systems based on membranes is fouling, which leads to a decrease in their performance and durability. The membrane biofouling is directly related to the deposition of biological particles (e.g., microorganisms in the form of biofilm) on the membrane surface. The objective of the study was to investigate the possibility of using nonthermal plasma for membrane treatment to overcome the biofouling problem. The removal of biological cells from the membrane surface was performed in a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma. The biofoulant (i.e., activated sludge) on the surface of membranes was treated with plasma for 3–10 min, corresponding to a plasma dose of 13–42 J cm−2. Results of biofouling removal studies indicated that the process was very efficient (i.e., lethal effect was also observed) and dependent on the type of membrane and exposure time to the nonthermal plasma. Moreover, investigations of the influence of plasma treatment on extracellular polymeric substances of biofilms have confirmed the possibility of using plasma in the process of protein release from biological structures, which results in their destruction. It seems that plasma technologies can be part of the so-called hybrid methods of removing biological contamination of membranes used in wastewater treatment.
Research and Development of Natural Vegetable Insulating Oil Based on Jatropha curcas Seed Oil
Authors: Wu Jun , Zhang Junhui
Published: August 2020

Jatropha curcas is a natural non-food resource with high oil-content seeds, that has attracted worldwide attention as it is an ideal renewable resource for the production of biofuels. With the increasing use of vegetable insulating oil in related industries, it is valuable to develop the vegetable insulating oils from Jatropha curcas seed oil. This study explores how to use Jatropha curcas seed oil to prepare high-quality natural vegetable insulating oil. A six-step process is first established according to the optimization results of alkali refining, activated clay treatment and alumina treatment of Jatropha curcas seed oil, combined with cold treatment, water washing and high temperature decompression treatment. Physicochemical and electrical performance tests show that most of the properties of the prepared vegetable insulating oil are significantly improved compared with the original seed oil, and meet the standard requirements for vegetable insulating oil, especially with no sulfur corrosion, a breakdown voltage of 72 kV and an acid value (KOH, potassium hydroxide) of 0.012 mg/g.
Comparative of Power Calculation Methods for Single-Phase Systems under Sinusoidal and Non-Sinusoidal Operation
Authors: Chica Leal Alonso de Jesús , Trujillo Rodríguez César Leonardo , Santamaria Francisco
Published: August 2020

This article presents a comparative experimental evaluation of some power calculation methods used for three-phase and single-phase systems. In order to make the comparison, methods based on three reference frames, the natural one, αβ and dq, are considered. This paper addresses the experimental comparison for single-phase systems facing sinusoidal and non-sinusoidal waveforms in both linear and non-linear loads. The results are obtained from an experimental platform consisting of a controlled voltage inverter and an acquisition system based on a TMS320F28335, where the power calculation algorithms are implemented. The experimental comparison of the different methods for active and reactive power calculation is made in terms of accuracy and processing time in digital implementation.
Pharmacogenomics of Antibiotics
Authors: Stocco Gabriele , Lucafò Marianna , Decorti Giuliana
Published: August 2020

Although the introduction of antibiotics in medicine has resulted in one of the most successful events and in a major breakthrough to reduce morbidity and mortality caused by infectious disease, response to these agents is not always predictable, leading to differences in their efficacy, and sometimes to the occurrence of adverse effects. Genetic variability, resulting in differences in the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of antibiotics, is often involved in the variable response, of particular importance are polymorphisms in genes encoding for drug metabolizing enzymes and membrane transporters. In addition, variations in the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I and class II genes have been associated with different immune mediated reactions induced by antibiotics. In recent years, the importance of pharmacogenetics in the personalization of therapies has been recognized in various clinical fields, although not clearly in the context of antibiotic therapy. In this review, we make an overview of antibiotic pharmacogenomics and of its potential role in optimizing drug therapy and reducing adverse reactions.
HP1γ Sensitizes Cervical Cancer Cells to Cisplatin through the Suppression of UBE2L3
Authors: Yi Sang Ah , Kim Go Woon , Yoo Jung , Han Jeung-Whan , Kwon So Hee
Published: August 2020

Cisplatin is the most frequently used agent for chemotherapy against cervical cancer. However, recurrent use of cisplatin induces resistance, representing a major hurdle in the treatment of cervical cancer. Our previous study revealed that HP1γ suppresses UBE2L3, an E2 ubiquitin conjugating enzyme, thereby enhancing the stability of tumor suppressor p53 specifically in cervical cancer cells. As a follow-up study of our previous findings, here we have identified that the pharmacological substances, leptomycin B and doxorubicin, can improve the sensitivity of cervical cancer cells to cisplatin inducing HP1γ-mediated elevation of p53. Leptomycin B, which inhibits the nuclear export of HP1γ, increased cisplatin-dependent apoptosis induction by promoting the activation of p53 signaling. We also found that doxorubicin, which induces the DNA damage response, promotes HP1γ-mediated silencing of UBE2L3 and increases p53 stability. These effects resulted from the nuclear translocation and binding of HP1γ on the UBE2L3 promoter. Doxorubicin sensitized the cisplatin-resistant cervical cancer cells, enhancing their p53 levels and rate of apoptosis when administered together with cisplatin. Our findings reveal a therapeutic strategy to target a specific molecular pathway that contributes to p53 degradation for the treatment of patients with cervical cancer, particularly with cisplatin resistance.
Modulation of the Paracrine Kynurenic System in Bone as a New Regulator of Osteoblastogenesis and Bone Mineral Status in an Animal Model of Chronic Kidney Disease Treated with LP533401
Authors: Mor Adrian , Pawlak Krystyna , Kalaska Bartlomiej , Domaniewski Tomasz , Sieklucka Beata , Zieminska Marta , Cylwik Bogdan , Pawlak Dariusz
Published: August 2020

An increase in the peripheral synthesis of serotonin and kynurenine, observed during the chronic kidney disease (CKD) course, is negatively associated with bone health. Serotonin and kynurenine are connected by the common precursor, tryptophan. LP533401 is an inhibitor of peripheral serotonin synthesis. This study aimed to establish if the inhibition of serotonin synthesis by LP533401 may affect the kynurenine pathway activity in bone tissue and its potential consequence with regard to osteogenesis and bone mineral status. Nephrectomized rats were treated with LP533401 at a dose of 30 and 100 mg/kg daily for eight weeks. Tryptophan and kynurenine concentrations were determined, and tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO) expression was assessed. We discovered the presence of a TDO-dependent, paracrine kynurenic system in the bone of rats with CKD. Its modulation during LP533401 treatment was associated with impaired bone mineral status. Changes in TDO expression affecting the kynurenine pathway activity were related to the imbalance between peripheral serotonin and 25-hydroxyvitamin D. There were also close associations between the expression of genes participating in osteoblastogenesis and activation of the kynurenine pathway in the bones of LP53301-treated rats. Our results represent the next step in studying the role of tryptophan metabolites in renal osteodystrophy.
Computational Model for Simulation of Lifeboat Free-Fall during Its Launching from Ship in Rough Seas
Authors: Qiu Shaoyang , Ren Hongxiang , Li Haijiang
Published: August 2020

In order to improve the accuracy of the freefall of lifeboat motion simulation in a ship life-saving simulation training system, a mathematical model using the strip theory and Kane’s method is established for the freefall of the lifeboat into the water from a ship. With the boat moving on a skid, the model of the ship’s maneuvering mathematical group (MMG) is used to model the motion of the ship in the waves. Based on the formula of elasticity and friction theory, the forces of the skid acting on the boat are calculated. When the boat enters the water, according to the analytical solution theory of slamming, the slamming force of water entry is solved. The simulation experiments are carried out by the established model. The results of the numerical simulation are compared with the calculation results of the hydrodynamics software Star CCM+ at water entry under initial condition A in the paper. The position and velocity of the center of gravity of the boat, the angle, and velocity and acceleration of pitch calculated by the two methods are in good agreement. There is a little difference between the values of translation acceleration calculated by the two methods, which is acceptable. This shows that our numerical algorithm has good accuracy. A qualitative analysis is performed to find the safe point of water entry under the condition of different wave heights and two situations of a ship encountering waves. Finally, the model is applied to the ship life-saving training system. The model can meet the system requirements and improve the accuracy of the simulation.
Investigation of a Magnetic-Type Waterproof Oil Spill Stop Device for Ships
Authors: Chae Chong-Ju
Published: August 2020

If a ship’s hull or tank breaks, the ship may sink, or oil spills can cause enormous damage to the environment. If the ship is equipped with a capable, cost-effective oil or liquid flow stop emergency device, casualties and marine pollution could be reduced. Many magnetic-type liquid spill stop emergency devices developed since 1904 have limitations, such as difficulties with installation and impossibility of use during sailing. This study demonstrated the applicability of a magnetic-type liquid spill stop emergency device through tests for water pressure and leakage, attachment, magnetic fields, and the generation of sparks. Results showed that the device can be applied to the ship’s side hull and bottom with a specified minimum diameter at a pressure depth of 1.0 kg/cm2 while sailing at a speed of 18 kts (9.26 m/s). If the distance from the device was at least approximately 750 mm, the magnetic field had no effect, and there was no risk of explosion due to sparks. A cost–benefit analysis based on the International Maritime Organization-approved guidelines for formal safety assessment confirmed the cost effectiveness of the device. This experimental study confirmed that the magnetic liquid stop emergency device is generally applicable to a ship’s hull.
Effect of Kerogen Thermal Maturity on Methane Adsorption Capacity: A Molecular Modeling Approach
Authors: Alafnan Saad , Solling Theis , Mahmoud Mohamed
Published: August 2020

The presence of kerogen in source rocks gives rise to a plethora of potential gas storage mechanisms. Proper estimation of the gas reserve requires knowledge of the quantities of free and adsorbed gas in rock pores and kerogen. Traditional methods of reserve estimation such as the volumetric and material balance approaches are insufficient because they do not consider both the free and adsorbed gas compartments present in kerogens. Modified versions of these equations are based on adding terms to account for hydrocarbons stored in kerogen. None of the existing models considered the effect of kerogen maturing on methane gas adsorption. In this work, a molecular modeling was employed to explore how thermal maturity impacts gas adsorption in kerogen. Four different macromolecules of kerogen were included to mimic kerogens of different maturity levels; these were folded to more closely resemble the nanoporous kerogen structures of source rocks. These structures form the basis of the modeling necessary to assess the adsorption capacity as a function of the structure. The number of double bonds plus the number and type of heteroatoms (O, S, and N) were found to influence the final configuration of the kerogen structures, and hence their capacity to host methane molecules. The degree of aromaticity increased with the maturity level within the same kerogen type. The fraction of aromaticity gives rise to the polarity. We present an empirical mathematical relationship that makes possible the estimation of the adsorption capacity of kerogen based on the degree of polarity. Variations in kerogen adsorption capacity have significant implications on the reservoir scale. The general trend obtained from the molecular modeling was found to be consistent with experimental measurements done on actual kerogen samples. Shale samples with different kerogen content and with different maturity showed that shales with immature kerogen have small methane adsorption capacity compared to shales with mature kerogen. In this study, it is shown for the first time that the key factor to control natural gas adsorption is the kerogen maturity not the kerogen content.
A Challenge-Response Assisted Authorisation Scheme for Data Access in Permissioned Blockchains
Authors: Zhang Xiaoshuai , Liu Chao , Chai Kok Keong , Poslad Stefan
Published: August 2020

Permissioned blockchains can be applied for sharing data among permitted users to authorise the data access requests in a permissioned blockchain. A consensus network constructed using pre-selected nodes should verify a data requester’s credentials to determine if he or she have the correct permissions to access the queried data. However, current studies do not consider how to protect users’ privacy for data authorisation if the pre-selected nodes become untrusted, e.g., the pre-selected nodes are manipulated by attackers. When a user’s credentials are exposed to pre-selected nodes in the consensus network during authorisation, the untrusted (or even malicious) pre-selected nodes may collect a user’s credentials and other private information without the user’s right to know. Therefore, the private data exposed to the consensus network should be tightly restricted. In this paper, we propose a challenge-response based authorisation scheme for permissioned blockchain networks named Challenge-Response Assisted Access Authorisation (CRA3) to protect users’ credentials during authorisation. In CRA3, the pre-selected nodes in the consensus network do not require users’ credentials to authorise data access requests to prevent privacy leakage when these nodes are compromised or manipulated by attackers. Furthermore, the computational burden on the consensus network for authorisation is reduced because the major computing work of the authorisation is executed by the data requester and provider in CRA3.
FY-3D MERSI On-Orbit Radiometric Calibration from the Lunar View
Authors: Wu Ronghua , Zhang Peng , Xu Na , Hu Xiuqing , Chen Lin , Zhang Lu , Yang Zhongdong
Published: August 2020

Limited by the on-orbital calibration capability, scaling the measured radiance in accuracy and stability is challenging for the Earth observation satellites in the reflective solar bands (RSBs). Although the lunar calibration is a well-developed technique in the RSBs, limited work has been done for Chinese Earth observation satellites. To improve the on-orbital calibration performance, the advanced MEdium Resolution Spectral Imager (MERSI II), which is the primary payload of the fourth satellite of the Fengyun 3 Series (FY-3D), expands the space view angle of the imager in order to capture better lunar images. In this study, we propose an absolute radiometric calibration method based on the FY-3D/MERSI lunar observation data. A lunar irradiance model named ROLO/GIRO has been used together with the necessary data procedures, including dark current count estimation, single pixel irradiance calculation, and full disk lunar irradiance calculation. The calibration coefficients obtained by the lunar calibration are compared with the pre-launch laboratory calibration. The results show that the deviations between the two calibration procedures are in a reasonable range in general. However, a relatively high non-linear response was found in the low energy incidence for some detectors, which leads to the large deviation in the corresponding bands. This study explored an ideal and independent method to validate MERSI on-orbit radiometric performance. The lunar calibration practiced for MERSI also gave a valuable example that can be recommended to the other Chinese Earth observation satellites.
An Ultra-Wide Band Antenna System for Pulsed Sources Direction Finding
Authors: Tamas Razvan D. , Bucuci Stefania
Published: August 2020

Electric discharges in high-voltage power distribution systems can be localized through their electromagnetic signature in the radio-frequency range. Since discharges produce series of short pulses, the corresponding spectrum usually covers wide frequency ranges, typically up to 1 GHz. In this paper, we propose an ultra-wide band (UWB) antenna system and a direction-finding (DF) approach based on using energy-based descriptors, instead of classical frequency-domain parameters. As an antenna system, we propose a dual-padlock configuration with a suitable pulse-matched response, featuring two unbalanced outputs. The proposed antenna system was successfully validated, both by simulations and measurements.
An Absorption Mitigation Technique for Received Signal Strength-Based Target Localization in Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Mei Xiaojun , Wu Huafeng , Saeed Nasir , Ma Teng , Xian Jiangfeng , Chen Yanzhen
Published: August 2020

Localization is an indispensable technology for underwater wireless sensor networks (UWSNs). In what concerns UWSNs, the accurate location information is not only the requirement of the marine field applications but also the basis of the other corresponding research, for instance, network routing and topology control. Recently, an astonishing surge of interest has been drawn in the received signal strength (RSS)-based scheme due to cost-effectiveness and synchronization-free compared with others. However, unlike the terrestrial wireless sensor networks (WSNs), the acoustic signal may suffer the absorption loss in the underwater environment besides the path loss, which degrades the localization accuracy and limits the capability of the RSS-based technology in UWSNs. In this context, a robust localization method with an absorption mitigation technique (AMT) is developed. First, an RSS-based analytically tractable measurement model is conducted, where the maximum likelihood estimator (MLE) is derived. Nevertheless, it is quite challenging to solve the problem using MLE under a non-convex expression. Therefore, by exploiting certain approximations, the considered localization problem is converted into an optimization expression with a maximum absorption loss involved. A min–max strategy is then presented, with which the problem is turned to minimize the worst situation of the absorption loss. After a simple manipulation, the problem is further investigated as a generalized trust region sub-problem (GTRS) framework. Although the GTRS is a non-convex scheme, the solution can be obtained through an iteration method by introducing a multiplier. In addition, the closed-form expression of the Cramer–Rao lower bound (CRLB) of the analytically tractable measurement model is derived. Numerical simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method compared with the state-of-the-art approaches in different scenarios.
Organic Heterojunction Devices Based on Phthalocyanines: A New Approach to Gas Chemosensing
Authors: Kumar Abhishek , Meunier-Prest Rita , Bouvet Marcel
Published: August 2020

Organic heterostructures have emerged as highly promising transducers to realize high performance gas sensors. The key reason for such a huge interest in these devices is the associated organic heterojunction effect in which opposite free charges are accumulated at the interface making it highly conducting, which can be exploited in producing highly sensitive and faster response kinetics gas sensors. Metal phthalocyanines (MPc) have been extensively studied to fabricate organic heterostructures because of the large possibilities of structural engineering which are correlated with their bulk thin film properties. Accordingly, in this review, we have performed a comprehensive literature survey of the recent researches reported about MPc based organic heterostructures and their application in gas sensors. These heterostructures were used in Organic Field-Effect Transistor and Molecular Semiconductor—Doped Insulator sensing device configurations, in which change in their electrical properties such as field-effect mobility and saturation current in the former and current at a fixed bias in the latter under redox gases exposure were assessed to determine the chemosensing performances. These sensing devices have shown very high sensitivity to redox gases like nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone and ammonia (NH3), which monitoring is indispensable for implementing environmental guidelines. Some of these sensors exhibited ultrahigh sensitivity to NH3 demonstrated by a detection limit of 140 ppb and excellent signal stability under variable humidity, making them among the best NH3 sensors.
Underwater Localization System Combining iUSBL with Dynamic SBL in ¡VAMOS! Trials
Authors: Almeida José , Matias Bruno , Ferreira António , Almeida Carlos , Martins Alfredo , Silva Eduardo
Published: August 2020

Emerging opportunities in the exploration of inland water bodies, such as underwater mining of flooded open pit mines, require accurate real-time positioning of multiple underwater assets. In the mining operation scenarios, operational requirements deny the application of standard acoustic positioning techniques, posing additional challenges to the localization problem. This paper presents a novel underwater localization solution, implemented for the ¡VAMOS! project, based on the combination of raw measurements from a short baseline (SBL) array and an inverted ultrashort baseline (iUSBL). An extended Kalman filter (EKF), fusing IMU raw measurements, pressure observations, SBL ranges, and USBL directional angles, estimates the localization of an underwater mining vehicle in 6DOF. Sensor bias and the speed of sound in the water are estimated indirectly by the filter. Moreover, in order to discard acoustic outliers, due to multipath reflections in such a confined and cluttered space, a data association layer and a dynamic SBL master selection heuristic were implemented. To demonstrate the advantage of this new technique, results obtained in the field, during the ¡VAMOS! underwater mining field trials, are presented and discussed.
Alcaloids as Part of Russian Festive Culture
Authors: Georgieva Irina
Published: August 2020

The text analyses extensively the role of alcohol in Russian culture in terms of anthropology and literary history – from the traditional folklore, through 17th century texts, diary entries by Nicholas II of Russia about having champagne with the cavalry, drinking in the times of Stalin, Khrushchev, Gorbachov, in the youth subculture circles and the alcohol in some key literary texts of those periods.
Carol Rama and the Pleasure of Image
Authors: Ivanova Eva-Maria
Published: August 2020

Carol Rama is one of the most provocative artists of the XX and XXI centuries. Although in different periods her work has been associated with some of the significant artistic movements of the XX century, such as surrealism, art brut, arte povera, she does not join any of the leading trends and artistic groups. This makes her work a challenge to the history of contemporary art.
Crowdsourcing in Support of BNT Public Function
Authors: Cholakova Maria
Published: August 2020

The text is driven by the concept of crowdsourcing and seeks its application in support of the public function of the Bulgarian National Television. The author develops concrete suggestions how to implement user-generated content for the benefit of the public media content.
The Inheritance (Nominated play, excerpt)
Authors: Yordanova (Rein) Tania
Published: August 2020

A drama that began in 1990 when Annie was born. Already on the first night after her birth, dreams that took on the images of three men visit her. They predict that she is the one who will reveal the family secrets and their souls will be comforted because the dead are said „either good or nothing but the truth”. Time is an ally with the dreams. Events follow, but the time changes the years impartially. Ten years later, Annie’s grandmother and father die in a disaster. She, her mother and her brother also end up in the hospital.
Sense and Nonsense. Cézanne’s Doubt
Authors: Merleau-Ponty Maurice
Published: August 2020

Sense and Nonsense (Sens et non-sens) is the first major collection published by Maurice Merleau-Ponty at Editions Nagel in 1948. The triple division of topics dedicated to art, philosophy, and politics will be kept up to his last posthumously published book, Visible and Invisible (1964). Similarly, his specific theory of art is fostered through the years by his interest in Cézanne’s life and work. Cézanne’s Doubt is a key text for any philosophy due to the challenging questions it poses ranging from psychoanalysis and depth psychology to ontology of art, awareness of meaning, predetermination, and freedom borne by the contact of one’s interior and exterior world. With the Doubt we continue to ask ourselves: What is that all-encompassing which is expressed by the small word ‘see’? How to grasp the positive sense of creativity? What is that ‘more enigmatic intertwined inthe very roots of being’? (The text appears for the first time in Bulgarian translated from the French by prof. Lidia Denkova.)
Saliency Cuts: Salient Region Extraction based on Local Adaptive Thresholding for Image Information Recognition of the Visually Impaired
Authors: Mukhiddinov Mukhriddin , Jeong Rag-Gyo , Cho Jinsoo
Published: August 2020

In recent years, there has been an increased scope for assistive software and technologies, which help the visually impaired to perceive and recognize natural scene images. In this article, we propose a novel saliency cuts approach using local adaptive thresholding to obtain four regions from a given saliency map. The saliency cuts approach is an effective tool for salient object detection. First, we produce four regions for image segmentation using a saliency map as an input image and applying an automatic threshold operation. Second, the four regions are used to initialize an iterative version of the Grab Cut algorithm and to produce a robust and high-quality binary mask with a full resolution. Lastly, based on the binary mask and extracted salient object, outer boundaries and internal edges are detected by Canny edge detection method. Extensive experiments demonstrate that the proposed method correctly detects and extracts the main contents of the image sequences for delivering visually salient information to the visually impaired people compared to the results of existing salient object segmentation algorithms
The Nephrology Immersion Classroom for Internal Medicine Residents
Authors: Roberts John K. , Seay Norman W. , Mohottige Dinushika , Zaas Aimee , Wolf Myles
Published: August 2020

Background

In graduate medical education (GME), there are many barriers to achieving a personalized learning process with standardized learning outcomes. One way to support this is through mobile-friendly digital blackboard videos. We sought to measure the effect of a mobile-friendly video curriculum on resident satisfaction, knowledge, and clinical skills during a nephrology rotation.

Methods

This was a prospective, controlled, nonrandomized trial. The control group consisted of internal medicine residents who completed our inpatient nephrology consult rotation as usual. The classroom group had the same clinical experience, but also had access to a library (Nephrology Immersion Classroom) of mobile-friendly, nephrology-themed, digital blackboard videos. In a postrotation assessment, we measured resident satisfaction, clinical knowledge using 15 multiple-choice questions, and nephrology-specific clinical skills.

Results

Of the residents in the classroom group, 77% enrolled in the online classroom, and the majority reported using the classroom occasionally or frequently. A majority found it very easy to use (86%) and strongly recommended having similar videos for other rotations (77%). We observed improved report of rotation-specific clinical skills, but no difference in short-term knowledge between the two study groups.

Conclusions

A mobile-friendly, digital video curriculum for internal medicine residents on an inpatient consult rotation was well utilized, highly rated, and associated with improved nephrology-specific clinical skills. Continued evaluation and incremental improvement of such resources could enhance implementation of GME core curricula.
The challenges of mentorship system at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences and providing solutions from the perspective of mentors, students and collaborators
Authors: Ghaffari Reza , Hassanzadeh Susan , Salek Ranjbarzadeh Fariba , Golanbar Parisa , Sarbazvatan Hoorie , Motarebsun Nazila , Baghban Rezvan Flora , Heydarian Saleh , Shafaei Hajar
Published: August 2020

Background
: The mentorship system faces many challenges in implementation for various reasons. This study examines challenges of the mentorship system and provides solutions. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in three stages at the Tabriz University of Medical Sciences in 2016. First, in order to determine the current status of the mentorship system, the existing documents in the faculties and the collection of information from the mentor, educational deputies and group managers and experts, as well as students were used. Sampling of mentors, deputies and department managers and experts of the counseling system was conducted by census and randomly for students. In order to determine the challenges in the mentorship system, a focused group discussion session was held with the presence of faculty mentors who had at least two years of experience as mentors and educational deputies. Finally, in order to provide corrective measures to improve the quality of the system, a meeting was held with the participants who attended the group discussion session of the second stage of the study. To analyze the information in the quantitative part of the study, descriptive statistics were used through SPSS 17 software and to analyze the information related to the group discussion sessions, content analysis was used. Results: The current situation of the mentorship system in all faculties at the Tabriz University of Medical Sciences was considered in terms of students and identified indicators with an average of 47.9 in the average range. The highest score obtained for the item "the formation of a file for each student with the confidentiality of personal, educational, social and economic information" had an average of 59.3 and the lowest score was seen for the item "holding regular counseling sessions" with an average of 36.4. Analysis of data from a focused group discussion led to the identification of three main themes: organizational challenges, challenges related to professors active in the mentorship system, and challenges related to students. In addition, 18 solutions to the challenges were presented. Conclusion: Despite the success and relative satisfaction with the mentorship system, there are challenges in several dimensions. Fortunately, the challenges in this area were such that it was possible to resolve them within the organization, and appropriate solutions were provided to solve each of the challenges, which are discussed in the text of the article.
Association between academic motivation and burnout in dental students at the Tabriz University of Medical Sciences: A longitudinal study
Authors: Pournaghi Azar Fatemeh , Alizadeh Oskoee Parnian , Ghaffarifar Saeedeh , Vahed Nafiseh , Shamekhi Saba
Published: August 2020

Background: Health professions students often experience stress and potential burnout while completing their entry-to-practice education; therefore, detecting and monitoring burn out among these students is paramount. This study compared motivation domains and determined the relationship between motivation and academic burnout among students of the Dental Faculty at the Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. Methods: This analytical study was conducted longitudinally with dental students at the Tabriz University of Medical Sciences beginning from 2012, the first semester of the participating first-year students and then in the final semester when the same students graduated in 2017.All students (N = 110) were invited to participate. Academic motivation was assessed using the Valler and Academic Motivation Scale. Comparison between first and last semester motivation scores and the relationship between academic motivation level and burnout subscales was determined using independent t-tests and Pearson’s correlation coefficient tests. SPSS was used for the statistical analysis; P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Gender had a statistically significant effect on extrinsic motivation and a motivation: in both the first and last semesters, male students were less extrinsically motivated (P < 0.05).Pearson’s correlation coefficient test found a significant inverse correlation between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation of students in their final semester and the academic efficacy (EF)subscale (r = -0.25, P = 0.015; r = -0.21, P = 0.03, respectively). Conclusion: Results showed that although there was a decrease in motivation level, students had high motivation and low burnout level in their final semester compared to their first semester. Extrinsic motivation was higher than intrinsic at both stages
Compatibility of Diborane and Borane with FOX-7 - A DFT Treatment
Authors: Türker Lemi
Published: August 2020

FOX-7 as an energetic material is getting more and more popular as the constituents of various ammunitions. On the other hand, boronic species attract attention as fuels in rocket engineering. The present study, within the constraints of density functional theory, considers some composites of them, that is FOX-7+B2H6, FOX-7+2BH3 and FOX-7+BH3. The calculations at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level indicate that all the components are structurally stable in the composites although they interact with each other electronically. Various quantum chemical and QSAR data are obtained and discussed.
¿Quién fue Marie Langer?
Authors: Garcia de la Cruz Sergio
Published: August 2020

Entrevista pública a Nancy Caro Hollander y a Juan Carlos Volnovich Sergio
Relatos perdidos. Dictadura cívico militar, Guerra de Malvinas y transmisión intergeneracional
Authors: Briguet Lucia
Published: August 2020

Este texto se propone explorar los efectos de la dictadura cívico militar ocurrida en Argentina entre 1976 y 1983 desde la perspectiva de la transmisión intergeneracional de la memoria a través de la focalización en un acontecimiento en particular: la Guerra de Malvinas. A partir de los postulados de Hassoun (1994) sobre los efectos de las conmociones sociales en diferentes generaciones y las aproximaciones de Feierstein (2012) sobre la dictadura cívico militar entendida como un genocidio, nuestro objetivo será ahondar y ampliar el debate, tanto clínico como sociológico, sobre las consecuencias en grupos afectados directa e indirectamente por la Guerra de Malvinas. En la primera parte desplegamos la indagación del tema y los conceptos desde los cuales lo abordamos y sobre el final consideramos relatos de hijos de ex combatientes de la guerra de Malvinas planteando algunas conclusiones que se desprenden de cotejar nuestra posición teórica con la información recogida. El objetivo es aproximarnos a algunas hipótesis que nos permitan pensar en posibles vías de elaboración para ese tipo de sucesos.
Habitar instituciones:
Authors: Branner Iván
Published: August 2020

El presente artículo comunica los resultados del Trabajo Final Integrador (TFI) en la Carrera de Especialización en Psicología Clínica, Institucional y Comunitaria: “Acompañamiento Institucional: caja de herramientas para el trabajo de los equipos en la construcción, crisis y/o refundación de las instituciones”, dirigido por la Dra. Rosana Onocko Campos. El TFI apuntó a construir una caja de herramientas con la cual promover el trabajo de los colectivos organizados para una tarea, en situaciones más o menos institucionales. La metodología utilizada fue la elucidación crítica: pensar lo que hicimos para saber lo que pensamos. El recorrido conceptual propuesto puede resumirse en las siguientes hipótesis: Los analizadores, principal herramienta del Análisis Institucional (Lourau, 1975, 1980, 2001), operan en pos de la disolución de las formas sociales coaguladas como la burocracia; esto significa que su uso promueve parcialmente procesos de desinstitucionalización. En cambio, los procesos de institucionalización de situaciones colectivas emergentes nos llevaron a discernir los momentos grupales de serie, fusión, fraternidad–terror y organización (Sartre, 1963).Para cada una de estas situaciones discernimos intervensiones específicas de Acompañamiento Institucional: (a) Intervenciones de integración: construcción o relevamiento de un punto–en–común que catalice el pasaje desde la serie hacia la fusión. (b) Intervenciones de excedencia: la problemática histórico–social y la tarea primaria de la institución rebasan el cierre identitario de la fraternidad–terror. (c) Intervenciones de transversalidad especificación y puesta en relación de funciones horizontales y verticales para la organización de los equipos de trabajo.
La función de filiación en instituciones de alojamiento. Un análisis mediante ceremonias mínimas
Authors: Telleria Rosario
Published: August 2020

El presente artículo está basado en la práctica del Acompañante Convivencial de una Institución de Alojamiento para Niñas y Adolescentes en la ciudad de Rosario, dependiente de organismo del Poder Ejecutivo del estado provincial en co–gestión con una asociación civil de la mencionada ciudad. Para analizar las posiciones en el lazo de los adultos y de las niñas y adolescentes de la institución y concluir en la producción de lazos filiatorios entre ellos se caracterizan enlaces discursivos de la función institucional de la filiación; entendiendo el lazo filiatorio como un lazo paradojal que liga y desliga a la vez. Los enlaces discursivos de la función institucionales de filiación son: la relación asimétrica entre los adultos y las niñas y adolescentes, la empatía y el miramiento, y la transmisión de límites. Estos enlaces se despliegan en el devenir cotidiano–convivencial de la institución y son analizados mediante ceremonias mínimas.
Respuesta a una encuesta para la Gaceta de la F.A.P. (Federación Argentina de Psiquiatría) Año 1970
Authors: De García Reinoso Gilberte Royer
Published: August 2020

Escritos inéditos de Gilou García Reinoso
Infancia e Instituciones:
Authors: Lampugnani Silvia
Published: August 2020

Extracto de texto: "Infancia e instituciones es un campo epistémico y de intervención que convoca al diálogo interdisciplinar en la búsqueda de articulaciones y lecturas que echen luz sobre los procesos que afectan a niños, niñas y jóvenes en este momento y sus posibilidades de tratamiento..."
La Ludoteca tiene aguante. Una experiencia de Trabajo en Dispositivo Lúdico Grupal con niños y niñas. *
Authors: Silbermann Denise
Published: August 2020

Este artículo analiza un dispositivo lúdico grupal con niños y niñas de 5 a 13 años, que se desarrolló entre los años 2012 y 2013, en la Ciudad de Rosario. El análisis de esta práctica se realizó a partir de la población de niños y niñas que demandaron ingreso y atención en el dispositivo. La metodología elegida se enmarca en una estrategia mixta, a través de un Estudio de Casos. El objetivo fue dejar un registro escrito y una sistematización de la experiencia a fin de enriquecer las intervenciones y compartir el resultado con la comunidad, equipos locales, y otros interesados en la temática.
 
--------------------------
*Artículo escrito sobre la base del Trabajo Integrador Final para la Carrera de Especialización en Psicología Clínica, Institucional y Comunitaria de la Universidad Nacional de Rosario. El TIF, dirigido por Lic. Miriam Giani, fue presentado en 2014 y aprobado en 2015
Hábitos de estudio: factor crucial para el buen rendimiento académico
Authors: Soto Wendy , Rocha Nelly
Published: August 2020

It is important that university students recognize different methods and study techniques; and moreover, analyze and incorporate them into their habits. Currently, one of the limitations for the future academic development, is the lack of knowledge of learning and understanding modalities, whose impact affects the academic performance. The objective of the study was to determine the level of association between study habits and academic performance of students from the second and third cycle of the Faculty of Nursing at the National University of the Altiplano in Puno, Peru. The sample of the study was based on 77 students, selected under inclusion and exclusion criteria. The research has a non-experimental, transversal and correlational approach. The study technique was the survey with its instruments of qualitative note taking and the Inventory of Study Habits, whose validity and reliability has a value of 0.82 through the equation K-R 20. The results show that study habits are associated with a good level of academic performance, proven by 66.2% of students; on the other hand, the use of inadequate study habits are predominantly associated with an average academic performance represented by 9.1% of students. Also, 74% of students have good academic performance, 83.1% have adequate study habits and 45.5% have a negative trend during test preparation. The hypothesis test concludes that, there is a statistically significant association between study habits and academic performance in nursing students with the value of p-0.009 < p-0.05.