bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PREPROCESSING AND REGISTRATION OF MINISCOPE-BASED CALCIUM IMAGING OF THE RODENT BRAIN
Authors: Sagindykov T. B. , Brazhe A. R. , Sorokin D. V.
Published: May 2019

Abstract. Microscopic imaging is central to the brain and cognition studies in animals and often requires advanced image processing. In vivo recordings on awake behaving animals require stabilization of the images as the tissue in the images undergoes non-rigid deformations due to animal movement, pulse beat and breathing of the animal. Here we propose an approach to compensation for the tissue motion in calcium imaging data acquired with miniaturized wearable microscopes (miniscopes) from live rodent brains. Our approach includes preprocessing of the images in which we compensate for non-uniform illumination, remove calcium transients and instrument-specific noise. For image registration we use the multiscale mutual information based non-rigid algorithm with B-spline transformation model. We present the preliminary results of such motion compensation approach applied to the real miniscope image stacks.
AN ADAPTIVE VARIATIONAL MODEL FOR MEDICAL IMAGES RESTORATION
Authors: Tran T. T. T. , Pham C. T. , Kopylov A. V. , Nguyen V. N.
Published: May 2019

Abstract. Image denoising is one of the important tasks required by medical imaging analysis. In this work, we investigate an adaptive variation model for medical images restoration. In the proposed model, we have used the first-order total variation combined with Laplacian regularizer to eliminate the staircase effect in the first-order TV model while preserve edges of object in the piecewise constant image. We also propose an instance of Split Bregman method to solve the proposed denoising model as an optimization problem. Experimental results from mixed Poisson-Gaussian noise are given to demonstrate that our proposed approach outperforms the related methods.
REAL-TIME TRACKING IN SATELLITE VIDEOS VIA JOINT DISCRIMINATION AND POSE ESTIMATION
Authors: Chen X. , Sui H.
Published: May 2019

Abstract. Object tracking has gained much attention in the field of computer vision and intelligent traffic analysis. Satellite videos are more suitable for long-distance tracking comparing to the road traffic videos. However, most of the state-of-the-art methods produce poor results when applied to satellite videos, due to low resolution of the small target and interference from similar background in satellite videos. In this paper, we present an improved Discriminative Correlation Filter based approach specifically tailored for small objects tracking in satellite videos through applying spatial weight in the filter and estimating the pose by Kalman filter. First, a spatial mask is introduced to encourage the final filter to give different contributions depending on the spatial distance. Furthermore, Kalman filter is incorporated into the approach with the aim of predicting the position when the target run into the large area similar background region. Finally, an efficient strategy for combining the improved DCF tracker and pose estimation is proposed. Experimental results on three satellite videos describing the traffic conditions of three cities demonstrate that the proposed approach can effectively track the targets even though the targets are similar to the background region in a period of time. Compare with other state-of-the-art methods, the final accuracies and speeds of our method achieve the best.
AUTOMATED EXTRACTION OF LIVER OUTLINES FROM COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY SCAN IMAGES USING A CUDA-BASED SEGMENTATION METHOD
Authors: Chen Y. , Li D. , Zhu Q. , Wang C. , Li J.
Published: May 2019

Abstract. The traditional fast marching algorithm for segmentation of the liver is suitable for processing on the central processing unit (CPU) platform, however, it is not suitable for implementation on Graphics Processing Unit (GPU). The fuzzy connection algorithm is used to extract the blood vessels in the liver, but there is a calculation error. The refinement algorithm is very time consuming when extracting the target skeleton line from the 3D image. In this paper, the fast-marching algorithm and the thinning algorithm are improved, which can be applied to the GPU computing, The fuzzy algorithm is also improved, and the calculation error of the algorithm is solved, making it more suitable for medical image processing. The computing speed of GPU is far faster than CPU. Medical image processing is one of the earliest applications where the computing performance is improved by GPU. These three segmentation methods, fast marching method, fuzzy connecting method and refinement algorithm are very common in medical image segmentation. Because the increment of medical image data results in the extension of computing time for medical image processing, it is necessary to apply the high parallelism of the GPU to speed up these algorithms. The experiment results demonstrate the feasibility of our accelerating algorithm.
THE STUDY OF ACTIVATION FUNCTIONS IN DEEP LEARNING FOR PEDESTRIAN DETECTION AND TRACKING
Authors: Favorskaya M. N. , Andreev V. V.
Published: May 2019

Abstract. Pedestrian detection and tracking remains a highlight research topic due to its paramount importance in the fields of video surveillance, human-machine interaction, and tracking analysis. At present time, pedestrian detection is still an open problem because of many challenges of image representation in the outdoor and indoor scenes. In recent years, deep learning, in particular Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) became the state-of-the-art in terms of accuracy in many computer vision tasks. The unsupervised learning of CNNs is still an open issue. In this paper, we study a matter of feature extraction using a special activation function. Most of CNNs share the same architecture, when each convolutional layer is followed by a nonlinear activation layer. The activation function Rectified Linear Unit (ReLU) is the most widely used as a fast alternative to sigmoid function. We propose a bounded randomized leaky ReLU working in such manner that the angle of linear part with the highest input values is tuned during learning stage, and this linear part can be directed not only upward but also downward using a variable bias for its starting point. The bounded randomized leaky ReLU was tested on Caltech Pedestrian Dataset with promising results.
AUTOMATED DIGITAL ODONTOMETRIC STUDY OF MANUAL AND COMPUTER-AIDED METHODS OF TOOTH CROWN MODELLING IN DENTISTRY
Authors: Gaboutchian A. V. , Knyaz V. A. , Apresyan S.
Published: May 2019

Abstract. One of the most widely used methods of prosthetic treatment in dentistry is restoration of damaged teeth by artificially fabricated crowns, which, regardless of technological variations, always pass through modelling stage. The main two methods of restoration modelling are traditionally used manual and becoming more advanced and widespread computer-aided, or digital. A similar situation is observed in odontometry – tooth measurements – where manual and digital approaches meet, fuse and new methods, as automated digital odontometry, appear. In this study the measurement method is applied to crowns modelled by different dental technicians on trial basis for teeth, prepared on stone cast model of complete dental arches. The same plaster models, before and after tooth preparations, as well as after modelling tooth crowns manually, were scanned for comparative and modelling (this time using computer-aided techniques) reasons. The obtained 3D images were used for measurements by digital automated odontometry to estimate differences of modelled crowns with initial shape of intact, subjected to experimental preparation and restoration, tooth. Comparisons were made within each, manual and digital, crown modelling groups as well; thus comparisons of proposed on default by professional dental software crown shapes were made, and in line with it the influence of different technicians adjustments on modelling precision was estimated. At the same time the measurement method was tested as well by determining the most characteristic differentiating odontometric parameters for the study, which is held largely due to and on the basis of photogrammetric techniques.
INVESTIGATION OF FILTERING AND OBJECTS DETECTION ALGORITHMS FOR A MULTIZONE IMAGE SEQUENCE
Authors: Andriyanov N. A. , Vasil'ev K. K. , Dement'ev V. E.
Published: May 2019

Abstract. The problem of detecting objects on a sequence of images with a complex structure is considered. Optimal and quasi-optimal algorithms for processing multidimensional images have been synthesized and investigated. Improved detection efficiency has been obtained by adequately describing real data using doubly stochastic random fields. The possibility of describing Earth remote sensing data using doubly stochastic models is investigated. The possibility of obtaining significant gains when filtering satellite material and detecting extended objects on it due to the adaptive structure of such models and processing time sequence of multizone images as a single multidimensional dataset is shown. The gains for filtering algorithms in the error variance are about 80% comparing single frame processing, and the gains for detecting algorithms in the signal/noise ratio are about 70% comparing single frame processing.
APPLICATION OF PHOTOGRAMMETRIC TECHNIQUES IN PALAEOODONTOLOGICAL STUDIES TROUGH AUTOMATED DIGITAL SHAPE ANALYSIS OF HUMAN TEETH
Authors: Gaboutchian A. V. , Knyaz V. A. , Leybova N. A. , Petrosyan G. , Simonyan H. , Vasilyev S. V.
Published: May 2019

Abstract. Odontological studies, which constitute a considerable part of anthropological research, have been predominantly based on visual, or odontoscopic, examination of teeth. The most studied parts are coronal parts of teeth in terms of their relief features, and, in reference to the current study, tooth cusp relief eminence, sharpness of cusp tips and degree of tooth outer slope inclination are of interest. Traditional odontological methods, in addition to visual, suggest measurement techniques for coronal parts in mesio-distal and vestibular-oral dimensions, which actually do not possess methodological potential for reasonable angular measurements. However, the suggested automated digital odontometric method, being largely based on photogrammetric techniques applied to 3D images of teeth, has showed its usability for such assessments. Tooth shape analysis is provided through software, being permanently elaborated in terms of automation degree for measurement objectivity and precision increase, as well as in expansions of parameters variety. Odontological samples from Upper Palaeolithic archaeological site of Sungir are picked for measurements in the current study due to their presumably archaic relief of molars, described for this unique finding by prominent odontologist A.A Zubov. This research includes comparisons with odontological material, which historically refers to significantly later periods (Early Bronze and Modern Era). The applied digital method has showed its effectiveness in estimation of parameters of demand in anthropological studies, and evaluations of visual studies and measurements are suggested in the article.
DEEP LEARNING BASED SKIN LESIONS DIAGNOSIS
Authors: Gavrilov D. A. , Shchelkunov N. N. , Melerzanov A. V.
Published: May 2019

Abstract. Melanoma is one of the most virulent lesions of human’s skin. The visual diagnosis accuracy of melanoma directly depends on the doctor’s qualification and specialization. State-of-the-art solutions in the field of image processing and machine learning allows to create intelligent systems based on artificial convolutional neural network exceeding human’s rates in the field of object classification, including the case of malignant skin lesions. This paper presents an algorithm for the early melanoma diagnosis based on artificial deep convolutional neural networks. The algorithm proposed allows to reach the classification accuracy of melanoma at least 91%.
TONE COMPRESSION ALGORITHM FOR HIGH DYNAMIC RANGE MEDICAL IMAGES
Authors: Gracheva I. A. , Kopylov A. V.
Published: May 2019

Abstract. We propose here an HDR compression method for medical images based on a windowing operator, an adaptive tone mapping operator, and the probabilistic normal-gamma model. First, we use the windowing operator based on a structural fidelity measure for optimal visualization of the input HDR medical image. Then, we transform the windowed image to the logarithm domain and split it into base and detail layers with the help of the probabilistic normal-gamma model. Base and detail layers are used to make the tone map with help the adaptive tone mapping operator. Finally, the tone mapping result is the LDR image. The proposed method has comparable quality and low computation time compared to other tone mapping operators.
El efecto Mariposa de los Medios de Comunicación Sociales en la Opinión Pública. La revocatoria de la alcaldesa de Lima, Perú
Authors: Bohórquez López Víctor Wilfredo
Published: May 2019

El principal objetivo de este trabajo es ayudar a entender como los medios de comunicación social influyeron en el proceso de revocatoria contra la alcaldesa de Lima, Susana Villarán, y colaboraron con la difusión de la magnífica estrategia de comunicación política que realizó su equipo, logrando influir en la opinión pública. La metodología utilizada aplica un enfoque cualitativo con alcance descriptivo, y se considera un diseño no experimental y longitudinal, ya que la información fue recolectada de fuentes secundarias comprendiendo la duración de todo el proceso de revocatoria. Los resultados muestran que los medios de comunicación social fueron fundamentales para que la alcaldesa se logre mantener en el gobierno hasta el final de su mandato. Si bien los resultados obtenidos no se pueden generalizar, se propone un modelo conceptual basado en la abstracción del caso analizado que puede ser usado como punto de partida en futuros estudios sobre este tema.
El uso de YouTube en el Procés Catalán. Comunicación Política a través de los Social Media: ¿Prosumidores Mediatizados?
Authors: Gil Ramírez Marta
Published: May 2019

Esta investigación se centra en el análisis del prosumidor en Comunicación Política en el entorno de los Social Media, una línea de reciente estudio que carece aún de recorrido y de trabajos empíricos que la aborden de manera científica. El examen realizado evidencia la creciente tendencia a la mediatización del prosumidor en la plataforma YouTube. Los medios de comunicación se hacen con el dominio de los mensajes políticos en las redes sociales, ocupando un ámbito originalmente destinado al uso de la esfera pública. De manera concreta, se plantea un análisis de contenido de los videos que cuentan con mayor número de visualizaciones sobre el Procés Catalán, esto es, sobre los acontecimientos llevados a cabo, durante el mes de octubre, por el bloque independentista del Govern de Catalunya y que suponen un punto de inflexión en la política española.
La presencia del presente en los documentales históricos españoles sobre la Guerra Civil realizados en el siglo XXI
Authors: Gómez Segarra Manuel , Gil Gascón Fátima
Published: May 2019

Esta investigación analiza las producciones documentales españolas de carácter histórico sobre la Guerra Civil. Muestra en qué medida la historia en un formato audiovisual reconocido como realista y objetivo está sujeta a las inquietudes de la sociedad que lo crea y lo consume. La presencia del presente se acentúa en el caso del documental histórico por las exigencias propias de la producción (concreción de imágenes, necesidad de ser comprendido fácilmente y conectar con las inquietudes del momento, etc.) y más aún en un tema como la Guerra Civil Española que aún centra muchas controversias en España.
Diversidad geográfica y de género en los comités editoriales de las revistas en comunicación
Authors: Goyanes Manuel
Published: May 2019

La presente investigación explora la diversidad geográfica y de género en los comités editoriales de 40 revistas indexadas en el ranking JCR (Journal Citation Report) entre el cuartil uno (Q1) y cuartil (Q2) en la categoría de comunicación en el año 2015. Se diseña un análisis de conglomerados con el objetivo de agrupar las revistas en función de tres factores: la nacionalidad y género de los miembros editoriales y el factor de impacto de la revista. A través de una regresión logística, se explora la probabilidad de inclusión de los investigadores no estadounidenses y de las mujeres en los comités editoriales en función de siete variables: el género y nacionalidad del editor/a, el número total de miembros editoriales de la revista, el factor de impacto, la afiliación de la revista a una asociación académica, la casa editora y la temática de la revista. El estudio demuestra una asociación entre la probabilidad de inclusión de los investigadores no estadounidenses y todas las variables predictoras. Asimismo, el artículo revela una asociación entre la probabilidad de inclusión de las mujeres y variables predictoras como la nacionalidad del editor, la casa editora y la temática. Se concluye que la estandarización geográfica y de género desafía la adquisición de un conocimiento plural y cuestiona la heterodoxia como valor constitutivo del progreso científico.
Re-presentar el Periodismo. El sinuoso camino hacia la ciencia normal
Authors: Haber Guerra Yamile
Published: May 2019

El tránsito del paleoperiodismo al postperiodismo se ha caracterizado por: el sesgo en los análisis, la parcialidad epistemológica, el acomodamiento de las viejas herramientas a las nuevas dimensiones de los viejos objetos y a los nuevos objetos; fallas e inconsistencias de teorías no siempre consecuentes con la investigación empírica; una profusión de etiquetas y taxonomías en contraste con la ausencia de nuevos conceptos y teorías. El largo recorrido de metadiscurso y concomitancias, de constantes préstamos y fracturas, apunta hacia una nueva etapa del periodismo: la del redescubrimiento de su esencia, enigma metodológico que implica modificar las coordenadas epistémicas ya establecidas mediante la discreta inserción en el campo epistémico de otros saberes, y la reflexión transparadigmática sustentada en los hontanares mismos del periodismo. Eso supone la necesidad de recuperar críticamente algunas perspectivas tradicionales, recontextualizarlas según corresponda y proponer un nuevo marco conceptual.
El fenómeno mediático de “la chica del tranvía”: ¿romanticismo o acoso?
Authors: Jiménez Sánchez Álvaro , Carolina Vayas Eliza
Published: May 2019

Esta investigación analiza la polémica historia de “la chica del tranvía”, la cual dividió a los medios de comunicación y a la audiencia en su manera de enfocarla y percibirla. La cruzada de un joven español en busca de una chica acaparó los medios más importantes y suscitó las reacciones más dispares en la sociedad. Parte de ella lo entendió como algo tremendamente romántico mientras que otra lo vio como un claro caso de acoso. Para comprender el fenómeno mediático generado, es preciso analizar los componentes de la historia, el enfoque otorgado por los mass-media, y el debate en las redes sociales.
Fototerapia como narrativa visual: Aplicación en violencia de género
Authors: López-Ruiz David , López-Martínez María Dolores
Published: May 2019

La presente investigación pone de manifiesto la importancia de la fototerapia como metodología de intervención en un estudio de caso concreto de una persona víctima de violencia de género. El trabajo participativo a través de la fotografía y las distintas variaciones que ésta permite, conjuntamente con el seguimiento y encuadre arteterapéutico, constituyen un vínculo entre la persona implicada y el arteterapeuta. Este vínculo ofrece la posibilidad de generar un diálogo reparador por medio de las imágenes surgidas en las distintas sesiones de trabajo. En este estudio se tuvo presente la evolución de la persona con la que se trabajó y la superación a través de la fotografía de los aspectos más vulnerables a los que se enfrentaba en el momento en el que se desarrolló el estudio permitiendo la reparación de los aspectos emocionales y personales más significativos de la misma con un resultado evolutivo muy positivo.
Indalecio Prieto y el lento despertar de la opinión pública española (1924-25)
Authors: Sala González Luis , Galindo Arranz Fermín
Published: May 2019

Entre noviembre de 1924 y junio de 1925 Indalecio Prieto publicó una serie de artículos de fondo en El Imparcial. En esta investigación se estudia esta colaboración como un todo. Frente a la dictadura del general Primo de Rivera, Indalecio Prieto, imbuido del mandato unamuniano “hay que hacer opinión pública”, se las ingenió para sortear la censura y trasladar la demanda de libertades a los lectores del periódico. Su experiencia como político y periodista, director de El Liberal de Bilbao, desprende una interpretación intuitiva, instructiva y modernizadora de la opinión pública. Con casi un siglo de distancia, esta colección de textos merece una segunda lectura a partir de algunas aportaciones teóricas posteriores relativas a la conformación de la opinión pública. También, permite asomarse al mar de fondo de un fuerte espíritu crítico frente a la dictadura que culminará con en el Delenda est Monarchia de Ortega y Gasset y la posterior llegada de la Segunda República.
El periodista frente a los nuevos retos y escenarios de la convergencia mediática colombiana
Authors: Zambrano Ayala William Ricardo , García Ramírez Diego , Barrios Rubio Andrés
Published: May 2019

En los últimos 20 años, la comunicación y el periodismo han vivido más transformaciones que en sus más de 400 años de historia. Las tecnologías han obligado a los medios masivos a reinventarse para responder a nuevos retos de las industrias culturales. Por tal motivo, se identifican las competencias profesionales y laborales del periodista que requieren los medios de comunicación en su convergencia digital. Se realizó una investigación mediante una metodología cualitativa, a través de encuestas y entrevistas en profundidad a agentes de seis medios de comunicación en Colombia de prensa, radio y televisión, de mayor consulta en el país. La muestra se complementó con estudiantes, egresados, docentes y directores de programas de Comunicación y Periodismo. El estudio muestra que el nuevo periodista necesita de competencias específicas, generales, transversales, académicas y profesionales para afrontar los nuevos retos y escenarios de la convergencia mediática.
SILICA-REINFORCED NATURAL RUBBER TIRE TREAD COMPOUNDS CONTAINING BIO-BASED PROCESS OILS. I: ASPECTS OF MIXING SEQUENCE AND EPOXIDE CONTENT
Authors: Hayichelaeh C. , Reuvekamp L. A. E. M. , Dierkes W. K. , Blume A. , Noordermeer J. W. M. , Sahakaro K.
Published: May 2019

A bio-based process oil for rubber compounds is one of the compounding ingredients to be used toward an eco-friendly and more sustainable rubber technology. This work investigates epoxidized palm oil (EPO) as an alternative for petroleum-based process oil in silica-reinforced natural rubber (NR) tire tread compounds. The effect of different incorporating steps of EPO on the properties of the rubber compounds is first studied, taking into account that the polar functional groups in the oil molecules may interact with the silanol groups on the silica surface. The properties of silica-reinforced NR compounds with EPO oil are compared with that of reference mixes with treated distillate aromatic extract (TDAE) and without oil. The compounds with EPO show a lower viscosity, filler–filler interaction, and flocculation rate constant but higher cure reaction rate constants compared with the compound with TDAE. The results indicate that the epoxide groups in EPO interact with the silanol groups on the silica surface, promoting a greater shielding effect on the polar surface and thus better silica dispersion and less interference with the vulcanization reaction. The different incorporating steps of EPO show no significant effect on the viscosity, filler–filler interaction, or flocculation rate constant but clearly affect the extent of crosslinking, as indicated by the cure torque difference. The presence of EPO in an early stage of the mixing together with the first half addition of silica and silane results in the lowest cure torque difference, modulus, and tensile strength (i.e., the highest tan δ at 60 °C), which indicates a possible obstruction for the interaction between the silanol groups and silane coupling agent by the EPO molecules. Comparing EPO with different epoxide contents in the range of 1–3 mol%, the increase in epoxide content gives similar Payne effects but enhances the cure reaction, resulting in improved tensile properties and tan δ at 60 °C. The results clearly prove that EPO can be used as a TDAE alternative.
Predicting Stock Return of UAE Listed Companies Using Financial Ratios
Authors: Banerjee Arindam
Published: May 2019

Over the past few decades, numerous research across the globe has been conducted to examine the impact of firm performance on its stock return. The findings of these studies have been varied. In spite of the long standing research in this area, several attempt towards exploring this relationship has led to limited success owing largely to the existence of volatility across different stock markets. The variance in the volatility in these markets make it extremely difficult to obtain a uniform measure. A volatile stock market makes it difficult for the accounting and financial variables to accurately predict the stock returns (Feris & Erin, 2018).  The primary aim of this paper is aimed to investigate whether financial ratios can be used as a predictor of stock returns in the context of United Arab Emirates (UAE). The sample of the study includes thirty companies from the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) and Abu Dhabi stock exchange (ADX). Data is collected for the period of 2017. This research comprises of five independent variables namely, Earning Per Share ratio (EPS), Price Earning ratio (PE), Return on Equity ratio (ROE), Dividend Yield ratio (DY) and Debt Equity ratio (DE) and stock return is taken as the dependent variable. The study examines which among the given ratios can better predict stock returns both in the short run and the long run. The analysis is based on the regression analysis and correlation matrix. The results of correlation test revealed less multicollinearity between the variables and the regression results showed that Dividend Yield and the Return on Equity are statistically significant to predict the stock returns. However, Earning Per Share, Price Earning and Debt Equity could not predict the stock returns and thus can be safely considered as statistically insignificant. The t-stats test and p-value analysis were key indicators for arriving at the conclusion. The study can significantly benefit investors who can examine closely the dividend yield and return on equity while selecting an optimal portfolio.
Use of Discourse Analysis in Various Disciplines
Authors: Manzoor Hina , Saeed Sumera , Panhwar Abdul Hameed
Published: May 2019

The language plays an important role in the exchange of information and communication of knowledge of society, history, culture, traditions, and customs. Linguists analyse various uses of language to determine its impact and role in various domains of society such as media, politics, journalism, reporting, advertisement, war, criticism, and other such areas. Discourse analysis is associated with the use of language in various forms of communication such as written, spoken or signs of language. It helps in analysing how people say things, its impact on the audience, and how it affects the society, or the way society influences language/communication. This study aims to provide a systemic review of literature from various domains to determine how previous researchers explored discourse and language use in the society. The result reveals a strong connection between discourse analysis and language that reflect social practices and issues.
The Speculation on the Quantum Mechanics Proceeding From a Principle of the Conservation of Entropy at an Atomic Scale
Authors: Y. E. Khoroshavtsev
Published: May 2019

The entropy approach to a description of quantum processes, represented like the Markov chain, is elaborated. It is supposed that at an atomic scale the law of the conservation of entropy holds. From this principle issues the simple explanation of the different behavior of bosons and fermions in experiments with scattering particles, proved by Pauli. Introducing in consideration Markov’ chain, applied to a motion of particles, made possible to write an equation, determining the change of their states. This pure logical result, completed by physical laws, brought to a new equation, generalizing Schrödinger one. It includes electric and magnetic fields as well as the spin of particles. Analysis of its solution for a case of only electric field, led to the formula of tunnel effect. Consideration of the motion of a particle in magnetic field gave the fundamental expression of Lorentz force without any mention of electrodynamics. Addition of an angular momentum in the reasoning by including Hamiltonian, allowed deducing the result, which coincides with the spherically symmetric Schrödinger equation for hydrogen atom. In general case there is the system of equations. If the atom is put in a weak magnetic field, without a possibility of flipping, the classical formulas of Bohr radius orbits and Rydberg energy obtained. The property of intrinsic quantization of electron spin ħ/2 is explained easily as a solution of the proposed system. These equations do not repeat the known arguments only, but can predict the new phenomena. They describe the effect of spin depolarization of electrons in a strong magnetic field, earlier considered been related to vacuum polarization. The obtained solution gives its magnetic induction equal about 1012 Gs, that corresponds well with experimental data.
Permeation characteristics of tetracyclines in parallel artificial membrane permeation assay
Authors: Yamauchi Sachika , Sugano Kiyohiko
Published: May 2019

The purpose of the present study was to characterize the passive permeation of tetracyclines in the parallel artificial membrane permeation assay (PAMPA). Tetracyclines exist as zwitterion at physiological pH. The PAMPA membrane was prepared by impregnating a phospholipid/decane solution to a filter support. The permeation coefficient (Pe) of tetracycline (TC) was markedly affected by the lipid composition of the PAMPA membrane. No permeation was observed when phospholipid was not added (pure decane membrane, Pe < 0.05 × 10-6 cm/sec). With the addition of 2 % PC, little or no increase in Pe was observed. The addition of 1 % PE increased the Pe value more than tenfold. The addition of 2 % soybean lecithin containing phosphatidylinositol (PI) and phosphatidic acid (PA) increased the Pe value to above 4 × 10-6 cm/sec. The Pe value was further increased to 15 × 10-6 cm/sec by increasing the concentration of soybean lecithin from 2 to 10 %. The Pe value showed pH and temperature dependence, whereas it was not affected by the ionic strength, TC concentration, and ion-pair transport inhibitors. A weak correlation was observed between the Pe values and octanol-buffer distribution coefficients of tetracyclines. These results suggest that inter-molecular interactions between TC and PE, PI and/or PA facilitate the passive diffusion of TC across the PAMPA membrane.
The “Rule of Law” and the “Rechtsstaat”: A Historical and Theoretical Approach from a German Perspective
Authors: Mecke Christoph-Eric
Published: May 2019

Praworządność, rozumiana w swoim najbardziej ogólnym i oryginalnym znaczeniu jako brak arbitralności władzy państwowej, nie jest tylko jedną z wielu zasad prawnych, ale od czasów starożytnych stanowi rdzeń prawa w filozofii politycznej. Chociaż w czasach nowożytnych praworządności nadawano różne definicje, to państwa członkowskie Unii Europejskiej (UE) uzgodniły w art. 2 zdaniu pierwszym Traktatu o Unii Europejskiej (TUE), że praworządność jest wyrazem wspólnoty wartości w Unii Europejskiej. To uzgodnienie ma nie tylko znaczenie politycznie, ale także jest prawnie wiążące dla wszystkich państw członkowskich UE, niezależnie od zmieniających się większości politycznych, czy krajowych aktów ustawodawczych w samych państwach członkowskich. Jednak wraz z niedawnym wszczęciem postępowań przeciwko Polsce i Węgrom w celu zbadania potencjalnego „ryzyka poważnego naruszenia” wartości UE zgodnie z art. 7 ust. 1 TUE, stało się jasne, że nie ma już politycznego konsensusu między rządami państw członkowskich UE w odniesieniu do tego, w jaki sposób zasada państwa prawa powinna być rozumiana i stosowana w praktyce. Zadaniem orzecznictwa, a nie polityków, będzie zatem ustalenie, jak daleko idący jest obowiązek prawny w odniesieniu do praworządności na podstawie art. 2 TUE i gdzie – poza zakresem prawa europejskiego – zaczyna się prerogatywa polityczna państw członkowskich do działania zgodnie ze specyficznymi okolicznościami, które w nich zachodzą.
The System of Justice: European Safeguards
Authors: Machińska Hanna
Published: May 2019

Rządy prawa, prawa człowieka i demokracja to trzy filary, na których opiera się funkcjonowanie państw europejskich. Idea rządów prawa jest głęboko zakorzeniona w filozofii integracji europejskiej od czasu ustanowienia Rady Europy, a więc od 1949 roku. Rządy prawa są rozumiane jako poszanowanie dla podziału władz, obowiązek władzy wykonawczej respektowania prawa, zachowanie zasady działania zgodnego z prawem, poszanowania pewności prawa i zasady res iudicata, zachowanie sądowej kontroli egzekutywy, realizowanie prawa do sądu, gwarancja rzetelnego procesu oraz istnienie skutecznego środka odwoławczego. W wielu państwach rządy prawa są zagrożone. Dlatego europejskie zabezpieczenia spełniają ważną rolę. Należy je rozumieć jako różne instrumenty w postaci raportów monitoringowych instytucji Rady Europy, opinii Komisji Weneckiej, misji mającej na celu ocenę sytuacji w danym państwie. Tworzą one pewien krytyczny obraz pozwalający na obiektywną ocenę funkcjonowania państwa, jego instytucji i prawa. Prawo UE stworzyło procedury na podstawie art. 7 Traktatu o Unii Europejskiej, art. 258 Traktatu o Funkcjonowaniu Unii Europejskiej, które mogą efektywnie powstrzymać naruszenia zasady rządów prawa w państwach członkowskich. Istnieje również instytucja pytań prejudycjalnych, które także mogą taką rolę spełnić. Europejskie zabezpieczenia to także raporty ONZ dotyczące rządów prawa, praw człowieka i demokracji, które przyczyniają się do właściwego stosowania tych zasad. Aby jednak proces hamowania naruszeń rządów prawa, demokracji i praw człowieka był bardziej skuteczny niezbędna jest bliższa współpraca i koordynacja podejmowanych działań. Dotychczasowe doświadczenia dotyczące ograniczania naruszeń tych zasad w Polsce wskazują na wagę i skuteczność oddziaływania europejskich zabezpieczeń.
Is There a Room for Local and Regional Self-Government in the Illiberal Democracy? Struggle over Recentralization Attempts in Poland
Authors: Sześciło Dawid
Published: May 2019

Od czasu wyborów parlamentarnych w 2015 r. Polska przesunęła się w stronę nieliberalnego modelu demokracji, w dużej mierze inspirowanego doświadczeniami węgierskimi. Jednym z pierwszych i najważniejszych przejawów zmiany w kierunku demokracji nieliberalnej na Węgrzech w epoce FIDESZ było osłabienie autonomii samorządów lokalnych. Biorąc pod uwagę ideologiczną bliskość węgierskich i polskich partii rządzących, można było się spodziewać podobnych działań w Polsce. W niniejszym artykule dokonano przeglądu prawodawstwa przyjętego od 2015 r. w celu zbadania, czy miał miejsce domniemany zwrot centralistyczny. Artykuł dowodzi, że podczas gdy „pełzająca centralizacja” jest faktem, fundamenty samorządu lokalnego i regionalnego nie zostały zdemontowane. Charakter tej „pełzającej centralizacji” jest sektorowy, a nie horyzontalny, tzn. koncentruje się na ograniczaniu zdolności i uprawnień władz lokalnych i regionalnych w wybranych obszarach (w szczególności edukacji i ochrony środowiska), zamiast demontować podstawowe instytucjonalne gwarancje autonomii lokalnej i regionalnej. Może to prowadzić do wniosku, że fundamenty samorządu lokalnego i regionalnego w Polsce nie są zagrożone. Artykuł ten pokazuje również potencjalne wyjaśnienia braku radykalnych zmian w kierunku recentralizacji. Główna hipoteza analizowana w tym kontekście odnosi się do masowego poparcia społecznego dla samorządów lokalnych i decentralizacji, przejawiającego się w badaniach opinii publicznej pokazujących najwyższy poziom zaufania do samorządów w całej jego historii.
Liver fibrosis mechanisms – the role of stellate cells, oxidative and nitrosative stress
Authors: Czechowska Grażyna , Celiński Krzysztof , Wójcicka Grażyna
Published: May 2019

Liver fibrosis is a chronic and complex pathological process, occuring in patients with chronic liver diseases. The most common cause of liver fibrosis is the alcoholic liver disease, viral hepatitis type B, C and D, as well as autoimmune diseases. Other causes include metabolic dysfunctions like hemachromatosis and Wilson’s disease, biliary duct disorders, damaging effects of medicine and parasite infections. Fibrosis’ dynamics and progres speed depend on the nature of underlying mechanisms and are characterized by accumulation of ECM elements. They vary from patient to patient and are directly correlated to aberrations of homeostasis degradation and production of liver connective tissue.
In liver fibrosis the main source of ECM are hepatic stellate cells (HSCS), although other cells are also able to produce ECM such as: portal fibroblasts, narrow-derived cells, biliary duct epithelial cells and epithelial mesenchymal transition hepatocytes. The HSCS activity is stimulated by proinflammatory cytokines, oxidative and nitrosative stress which lead to different pathologies such as: inflammation, steatosis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, liver-cell cancer. Alcohol, the main fibrotic agents is metabolized almost entirely in the liver, so the organ is extremely sensitive to its negative intermediate and mediate influence. Factors influencing alcoholic liver failure are not only oxidative and nitrosative stress and proinflammatory cytokines activity, but also reductive stress, hepatocytes; hypoxia, mucous membranę dysfunction and intestine flora influence, as well as genetic and immunological factors. Though in last several yers there has been a great advancement in our knowledge of liver fibrosis mechanisms, it remains tough to diagnose the proces in its early stages and consequently apply an efficient therapy. The challenge for the futur is finding useful biomarkers and new therapeutic goals.
From Glory to Glory
Authors: Robertson Sean P. ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: May 2019

This article argues that, in De Trinitate, Augustine’s ascent to God via a search for the Trinity is successful precisely because of the emphasis he places on the role of Christ in such an ascent. Unlike scholarship which reads this ascent as an exercise in Neoplatonism—whether as a success or as an intentional failure—this article asserts that Augustine successfully discovers an imago trinitatis in human beings by identifying the essential mediation of the temporal and eternal in the person of the Incarnate Word. Of the work’s fifteen books, Books 4 and 13 focus extensively on the soteriological and epistemological role of Christ, who, in his humility, conquered the pride of the devil and reopened humanity’s way to eternity. The Christology in these books plays an important role in Augustine’s argument by allowing his ascent to move from self-knowledge to contemplation of God. Indeed, it is his understanding of the Christological perfection of the imago dei which allows Augustine to discover a genuine imago trinitatis in human beings. For Augustine, the imago is observable in humanity to the extent that an individual is conformed to Christ, the perfect image of the invisible God. Thus, it is only through Christ that a human being can successfully contemplate the Trinity in this imago.
Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Patients: The Moderator Role of Family Stress
Authors: Pereira M.Graça , Paredes Ana Cristina , Nabiço Rui , Ribeiro Catarina , Ferreira Gabriela
Published: May 2019

In breast cancer patients, quality of life has been associated with treatment response and overall survival. One hundred women undergoing chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer completed questionnaires including demographic and clinical information, the EORTC-Quality of Life Questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scales, Body Image Scale, Index of Family Relations and the Life Orientation Test. The results showed that higher optimism and better body image were associated with improved quality of life. Distress significantly predicted physical and emotional quality of life, but recurrence only predicted physical quality of life. Family stress was a moderator in the relationship between psychological distress and emotional quality of life, showing the need  to screen and intervene on family stress in patients with breast cancer. The results may help in designing interventions for women with breast cancer in order to promote quality of life.
Prevention of Depressive Symptoms and Promotion of Well-being in Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Smile Program
Authors: Sánchez-Hernández Óscar , Méndez Francisco X. , Ato Manuel , Garber Judy
Published: May 2019

This study addressed the development and evaluation of the Smile Program whose main objective was the prevention of depression and the promotion of well-being in adolescents. The program is based on interventions that have been shown to be efficacious (a cognitive-behavioral approach). Participants were 89 adolescents (mean age = 13.88 years; SD = 0.95) recruited from a sample of 1212 students from seven schools. Results showed a significant reduction in self-reported depressive symptoms in the intervention group (n= 51) as compared to youth in the control group (n= 38). Based on parents’ report (n=56), youth in the intervention group had significantly better self-esteem at post-test as compared to youth in the control group. At four months post intervention, youth in the intervention group had higher psychological well-being than those in the control group; at the 8-month follow-up, youth in the intervention condition reported better family self-concept.
Perfiles de pacientes con patología dual: ¿qué diferencias existen entre los que acuden a las unidades de salud mental comunitaria y a los centros de tratamiento de drogodependencias?
Authors: Mancheño-Barba Juan José , Navas-León Sergio , Gutiérrez-Lopez María-Luisa , De la Rosa-Cáceres Ana , Cáceres-Pachón Pilar , Lozano Oscar Martin
Published: May 2019

La atención médica y psicológica de pacientes con patología dual es realizada por servicios de salud mental, adicciones, o coordinada. No obstante, es elección de los pacientes acudir a uno u otro servicio. Este trabajo tiene como objetivo analizar las semejanzas y diferencias de pacientes con patología dual que acuden a estos centros. El estudio se ha realizado con170 pacientes diagnosticados de patología dual atendidos en el Servicio Provincial de Drogodependencias de Huelva (SPDH) y Unidades de Salud Mental Comunitaria (USMC) de la provincia de Huelva. En el SPDH la prevalencia de pacientes con dependencia a heroína y cocaína es mayor (35.9% vs 2% en USMC y 16.4% en coordinado). En las USMC se observa una mayor prevalencia de pacientes con dependencia a cannabis (41.2% vs 9.4% en el CTA y 16.4% en coordinado). La odds ratio para pacientes con episodios hipomaníacos fue de 2.879 (p<0.05) en el SPDH, y de 0.483 (p<0.05) para episodios maníacos. Hay una mayor prevalencia de pacientes con trastornos psicóticos en las USMC en comparación con el SPDH (66% vs 37.5%). Las diferencias detectadas en los perfiles deben ser consideradas en la planificación asistencial de los centros que atienden a estos pacientes.

Dual patients are usually treated in drug users services, mental health units, or both. However, each patient can choose the service to receive the health care. The aim of this study is to analyze the similarities and differences of the patient profiles that are treated in each one of these centers. The sample consists of 170 patients diagnosed with dual pathology treated at Servicio Provincial de Drogodependencias de Huelva (SPDH) and Unidades de Salud Mental Comunitaria (USMC) in the province of Huelva. In SPDH, higher prevalence of patients with cocaine and heroin dependence profile was observed (35.9% vs 2% in MH and 16.4% in coordinated). In USMC there is higher prevalence of patients with cannabis dependence profile (41.2% vs 9.4% in the DU and 16.4% in the coordinated service). The odds ratio for patients with hypomanic episodes was 2,879 (p <0.05) in SPDH compared to other services. Odds ratio observed for manic episodes was 0.483 (p <0.05) in SPDH. Patients with comorbid psychotic disorders are more prevalent in USMC compared to SPDH services (66% vs 37.5%). The differences observed in the profiles should be considered in the care planning of these centers.
Adaptación de la Escala de Personalidad Creativa en estudiantes universitarios de Argentina
Authors: Freiberg Hoffmann Agustín , Vigh Carlos , Fernández-Liporace Mercedes
Published: May 2019

La creatividad y las prácticas ligadas a fomentarla en el ámbito universitario constituyen en la actualidad un tema de interés. La creatividad en tanto fenómeno multidimensional requiere ser evaluada en sus distintas facetas, siendo la personalidad una de las que mayor relevancia reviste. Se propone así, adaptar localmente la Escala de Personalidad Creativa (EPC) de Gough para ser aplicada en el ámbito universitario. El instrumento se compone de 30 adjetivos a ser respondidos por los evaluados según se identifiquen o no con cada uno de ellos. Se realizó un análisis factorial exploratorio y de consistencia interna (n = 150) y otro confirmatorio y de validez convergente (n = 150) a partir de dos muestras independientes. El procedimiento exploratorio conservó ocho ítems y una estructura factorial unidimensional con una óptima consistencia interna (alfa ordinal = .853). Este modelo se verificó empíricamente mediante el análisis confirmatorio que arrojó óptimos índices de ajuste y un apropiado índice de consistencia interna. Adicionalmente se obtuvieron adecuadas evidencias de validez convergente del instrumento en relación a otros constructos teóricamente afines. Los resultados se discuten a la luz de la teoría y las limitaciones del diseño, destacando los alcances del estudio y las futuras líneas de investigación.      

Creativity and actions aimed at fostering it became a matter of interest in higher education. Since creativity is a multidimensional phenomenon, its diverse dimensions must be assessed. Among them, personality arises as the most relevant one. Therefore, the local adaptation of Gough’s Creative Personality Scale to be used in college students is proposed. This scale is composed of adjectives to be responded according to the examinees’ identification with each one of them. Two independent samples (n= 150 each) were employed to develop an exploratory factor analysis and an internal consistency analysis, on the one hand, and a confirmatory factor analysis and a convergent validity study.

The exploratory procedure retained eight items and a 1-dimension structure with a good internal consistency (ordinal alpha= .853). This model was empirically verified by the confirmatory analysis which showed good fit indices, as well as an adequate internal consistency coefficient. Moreover, adequate convergent validity evidences were obtained. Findings are discussed taking into account the theoretical model and the study weaknesses along with practical and theoretical outcomes. Further research lines are proposed.