bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Desafíos de la educación preescolar en tiempos de COVID-19
Authors: Oña-Simbaña Johana Maricela
Published: June 2020

A finales del 2019 China detecta en sus ciudadanos la aparición de un nuevo virus asociado al SARS-CoV-2, denominado como COVID-19. Pocas semanas después a inicios del 2020 la población a nivel mundial se ve alarmada por la rápida expansión, lo cual hace tomar medidas de seguridad en todos los aspectos de la vida social del ser humano. Siendo la medida radical el confinamiento y por consecuencia la educación se enfrenta a un nuevo modelo pedagógico de aprendizaje. Resultado de esto los preescolares abandonan su mundo mágico de diversión abordando un mundo tecnológico que antes no lo habían manejado. En este artículo se analiza y reflexiona la realidad educativa de los preescolares y como aporte se considera los siguientes aspectos: a) dotación de tecnología, b) área socioemocional, entre ellos se destaca la ruptura de relaciones sociales y el sentimiento de apego. Desafíos que debe considerar cada cartera de Estado para garantizar la educación de calidad que proliferan.
Handling cases requiring corrections
Authors: Balogh Lajos P
Published: June 2020

We aim to ensure the integrity of the academic record of all published or potential publications. Whenever it is recognized that a signiﬁcant inaccuracy, misleading statement, or distorted report has been published, it must be corrected promptly and with due prominence. If, after an appropriate investigation, an item proves to be fraudulent, it should be retracted. The retraction should be clearly identiﬁable to readers and indexing systems. The process for handling cases requiring corrections, retractions, and editorial expressions of concern is described in this document.
The process by which editors are selected
Authors: Balogh Lajos P
Published: June 2020

The Journal’s Editor-in-Chief (EiC) is nominated by the Andover House Inc., Advisory Board, and selected by the Board of Directors of the Publisher, respecting the recommendations of the Journal Editorial Board. Precision Nanomedicine has three bodies on its Editorial Boards: Associate Editors, the Honorary Board, and the Experts’ Editorial Board. The role of an Associate Editor is to support daily journal operations actively. The role of an Honorary Editorial Board member (HB) is to ensure the journal’s proper strategic direction, and The role of an Experts Editorial Board member is to ensure the journal’s scientific quality. New board members are recommended by active Board members then invited and confirmed by the Editor-in-Chief in writing. Participation on the Board is strictly voluntary and assumes that all members agree with our mission statement, policies, and actively support the journal.
RISK MANAGEMENT AND RISK COMMUNICATION IN MOZAMBIQUE: THE CASE OF ARMS AND AMMUNITION DEPOTS OF MALHAZINE
Authors: Bussotti Luca
Published: June 2020

Risk management and risk communication affect everybody’s daily life. Local authorities have the duty to manage public structures, to inform civilians of the risks coming from these structures, to implement prophylaxis procedures. Military storage sites are fully included in this category. This article presents – through a qualitative methodology based on risk analysis – how risk management and communication in weapons and ammunition warehouses is managed in a “partially free” country, using as a case-study, the Malhazine depot in Mozambique, which resulted in more than 100 deaths. In 2007, an extraordinary accident related to the management of obsolete conventional weapons occurred at the Malazhine warehouse. In this circumstance, the Mozambican Government adopted a policy of classifying the information “highly confidential”. This policy aimed at obscuring facts and responsibilities by hiding the causes of such a huge tragedy. This article concludes with the consideration that a high level of confidentiality in treating issues of public interest, such as the one kept in regard to Malhazine, does not help public authorities to effectively manage and prevent similar risks from occurring again, with resulting negative impacts on local populations. Keywords: military storage, Malhazine, local authorities, confidentiality.
A contrarreforma trabalhista no Brasil e o precariado
Authors: Trindade Hiago
Published: June 2020

Com o artigo que ora apresentamos ao público, realizamos uma revisão de literatura que priorizou o debate com importantes sociólogos do trabalho a fim de oferecer pistas para apontar alguns elementos que nos permitam entender o precariado, sobremaneira no contexto da contrarreforma trabalhista estabelecida no Brasil.
Morphometric and genetic characterization of medicinally important accessions of Physalis ixocarpa Brot.
Authors: Khan Wahid , Bakht Jehan , Khan Bilal Muhammad , Naeem Ijaz , Uddin Muhammad Nazir , Padder Bilal A
Published: June 2020

To support the crop improvement of Physalis ixopcarpa Brot., 16 accessions provided by National Plant Germ Plasm System USDA (USA) and one recently reported accession from Pakistan were characterized for morphometric and genetic diversity. These accessions were evaluated for morphometric and physiological traits. Among these traits, plant height, relative water content, total chlorophyll content, per cent germination and leaf area were found as best for the differentiation among these accessions. These accessions were also screened for genetic differentiation using RAPDs primers. The genetic similarity among accessions was in the range of 0.03 to 0.33. The RAPD data supported the ecological distribution of accessions. It is inferred from molecular typing that accessions PI512005 and PI360740 were the most diverse accessions among the accessions of P. ixocarpa. In this study the genetic data were deviated from morphometric data which might be due to the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of accessions influenced by environmental factors.
Impact of foliar nutrient sprays, crop and spatial manipulation on seed yield of Callistephus chinensis (L.) Nees
Authors: Wani Muneeb Ahmad , Din Ambreena , Khan FU , Lone Raiz Ahmed , Gani Gazanfer , Iqbal Shameen , Nazki Imtiyaz Tahir
Published: June 2020

An attempt was made to study the effect of pinching, plant densities and foliar nutrient sprays on seed yield and quality parameters in China aster cv. Powder puff. The experiment comprised of two levels of pinching (P0 = No pinching, P1 = Pinching), three planting densities (D1 = 30 plants m-2, D2 = 36 plants m-2 and D3 = 42 plants m-2) and three levels of commercial nutrient sprays (S1= 3 sprays, S2= 4 sprays and S3 = 5 sprays), constituting a total of 18 treatment combinations replicated thrice in randomized complete block design (RCBD). Pinching at visible bud stage, significantly increased 1000 seed weight (2.18 g) and seed yield (490.85 kg/ha), Increasing the planting density resulted in increased seed yield (485.55 kg/ha) and 1000 seed weight (2.05 g). On the other hand, 4 and 5 nutrient sprays significantly improved seed yield (463.12 kg/ha-) and 1000 seed weight (1.95 g). The results from the study suggest that increased branching with apical bud removal, wider planting space and 4 to 5 foliar applications of multi-nutrient sprays, significantly improves seed yield and quality attributes of transplanted China aster. While suggesting the best combination of pinching, spacing and nutrient sprays, the economics of flower production was duly considered.
Genetic diversity in nine chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) varieties based on different molecular markers
Authors: Begum Kazi Nahida , Alam Sheikh Shamimul
Published: June 2020

Nine varieties (BARI Chola-1 to BC-9) of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) were studied with respect to isozymes, SDS-PAGE, amplified DNA produced by RAPD- and SSR-markers. The varieties could be characterized by SDS-PAGE bands on the basis of their location, size and intensity. Three isozyme systems, namely acid phosphatase, esterase and peroxidase were investigated of which esterase was found to be suitable for produced distinct polymorphic bands with 57.14% diversity. Ten RAPD primers were producing 74 bands with 93.24% polymorphisms which indicated highly diverse nature. In addition to polymorphism, 12 variety-specific RAPD fragments were identified. Ten SSR primer pairs were producing 20 distinct bands of which 11 were considered as polymorphic (55%). On the basis of RAPD and SSR analysis, BC-1 and BC- 6 were placed in cluster-1 and the remaining varieties were placed in cluster-2. On the other hand, the combined data of three isozymes systems and SDS-PAGE made BC-8 and BC-9 were different and thus placed in cluster-2 while the other seven varieties were placed in cluster-1.
Lipid profile in an urban healthy adult Bangladeshi population
Authors: Akter Taslima , Khandker Elisha , Polly Zinat Ara , Khanam Fatima
Published: June 2020

Background and objectives: The prevalence of ischemic heart disease (IHD) has increased in most of the developing countries, including Bangladesh. An important marker of IHD is dyslipidemia which includes high levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (T-cholesterol), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) and low level of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c). So it is very important to know the lipid levels of a particular population for early intervention and prevention of IHD. The present study investigated the lipid levels of healthy urban adult Bangladeshi population.

Methods: The cross sectional study was carried out over a period of one year at the Department of Physiology of Ibrahim Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh. A total number of 286 apparently healthy individuals were included in this study. Blood sample following overnight fast was collected for determination of serum TG, T-cholesterol, LDL-c and HDL-c. For all four lipid components, 95th percentile value was calculated and compared with values recommended by World Health Organization (WHO).

Results: A total number of 286 adult individuals were enrolled of which 130 (45.5%) and 156 (54.5%) were male and female respectively. The mean levels of TG (122±56 mg/dl) and T-cholesterol (178±25 mg/dl) of male participants were significantly (p=0.001, p=0.008) higher than that of females (79.3±35.6 and 170±26 mg/dl). The level of serum HDL-c was significantly (p=0.001) higher in females (46.1±7.8 mg/dl)) compared to the males (39.7±8.6 mg/dl). The 95th percentile values of TG, T-cholesterol and LDL-c were higher than that of values recommended by WHO. Of the total participants, 17.1% to 24.1% had TG, T-cholesterol and LDL-c levels higher than the WHO recommended range.

Conclusion: It is concluded that a proportion of our urban healthy young adult population had lipid profiles different from that recommended by WHO.

Ibrahim Med. Coll. J. 2020; 14(1): 13-17
Memory politics in transition: Nostalgia tours and gilded memories of Petsamo
Authors: Lähteenmäki Maria , Colpaert Alfred
Published: June 2020

The paper examines politics of memory related to the Arctic Finnish-Russian-Norwegian borderland, Petsamo-Pechenga. How it has been remembered, shared and interpreted after the Second World War by refugees from Finnish Petsamo and their offspring, on the one hand, and Finnish public writing, on the other hand? Which means have been used to revitalize their collective and personal narratives and construct the geohistorical space of Petsamo? During the Second World War, Petsamo was the focus of the Arctic conflict, and at the end of the war, Finland lost the region to the Soviet Union. Our source material comprises 521 articles, which we analyzed using qualitative and text mining methods. We conclude that compared with the other war refugee communities in Finland, Petsamo is peripheral to Finnish public post-war memory politics and nostalgia tourism. This is for several reasons: the fact that people from Petsamo constituted a minority among the Finnish evacuees (5200 of 420,000) and were subdivided into two groups (Finns and Skolt Sami people), the devastated and polluted environment, militarization and closeness of Russian Pechenga until the 1990s. The politics of memory about Petsamo – such as nostalgia tourism, written memories, monuments, intergenerational experiences of landscape and history books – can be seen as a manifestation of collective sorrow for a lost homeland, both as individual therapeutic surrender and creating a special emotional community of ex-Petsamo people.
STIFF PERSON SYNDROME (SPS) THE IMPORTANCE OF EXTENSIVE PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
Authors: Canepa-Raggio Carlo , Choudhury Mohammad
Published: June 2020

Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS) is a rare condition with a prevalence of one to two cases per million and an incidence of one case per year. Characterized by progressive muscle stiffening, rigidity and spasm, mainly involve the axial muscles, resulting in severely impaired ambulation. The pathogenesis is not that clear.
Classic SPS presents with extreme and persistent rigidity and stiffness of truncal and proximal limb muscles, significant lumber/cervical lordosis resulting from simultaneous actions of opposing paraspinous muscles are the hallmark. Wide and unsteady gait (Frankenstein’s gait) resulting from stiff muscles increases the risk of fall and fracture. Patient’s ADLs get severely restricted progressively. Startle reflex which is a superimposed episodic muscle spasm precipitated by sudden movement, noise, or emotional upset is a sensitive and specific feature of SPS and can be visible and palpable. Autonomic dysfunctions are common and are common cause of death in patients with SPS. In cases of partial SPS, we can find that truncal muscles are spared and limb muscles are affected, hence the term stiff-limb syndrome is used sometimes. Can involve a limb or focal part of a limb.
As for treatment, symptom control and improving mobility and overall functionality is the primary target. High dose benzodiazepine is the best initial treatment. Those who are refractory can be benefit from Baclofen, IVIG, Plasma exchange, biological agent, e.g. Rituximab. Treatment of primary malignancies in paraneoplastic SPS can achieve remission.
Keywords: Stiff Person Syndrome, clinical features, diagnosis and treatment.
Current perspectives on atypical pneumonia in children
Authors: Shim Jung Yeon
Published: June 2020

The major pathogens that cause atypical pneumonia are Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydophila pneumoniae, and Legionella pneumophila. Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) caused by M. pneumoniae or C. pneumoniae is common in children and presents as a relatively mild and self-limiting disease. CAP due to L. pneumophila is very rare in children and progresses rapidly, with fatal outcomes if not treated early. M. pneumoniae, C. pneumoniae, and L. pneumophila have no cell walls; therefore, they do not respond to β-lactam antibiotics. Accordingly, macrolides, tetracyclines, and fluoroquinolones are the treatments of choice for atypical pneumonia. Macrolides are the first-line antibiotics used in children because of their low minimum inhibitory concentrations and high safety. The incidence of pneumonia caused by macrolide-resistant M. pneumoniae that harbors point mutations has been increasing since 2000, particularly in Korea, Japan, and China. The marked increase in macrolide-resistant M. pneumoniae pneumonia (MRMP) is partly attributed to the excessive use of macrolides. MRMP does not always lead to clinical nonresponsiveness to macrolides. Furthermore, severe complicated MRMP responds to corticosteroids without requiring a change in antibiotic. This implies that the hyper-inflammatory status of the host can induce clinically refractory pneumonia regardless of mutation. Empirical macrolide therapy in children with mild to moderate CAP, particularly during periods without M. pneumoniae epidemics, may not provide additional benefits over β-lactam monotherapy and can increase the risk of MRMP.
Review of epidemiological studies on air pollution and health effects in children
Authors: Lee Jong-Tae
Published: June 2020

There is a growing body of literature on the adverse health effects of ambient air pollution. Children are more adversely affected by air pollution due to their biological susceptibility and exposure patterns. This review summarized the accumulated epidemiologic evidence with emphasis on studies conducted in Korea and heterogeneity in the literature. Based on systematic reviews and meta-analyses, there is consistent evidence on the association between exposure to ambient air pollution and children’s health, especially respiratory health and adverse birth outcomes, and growing evidence on neurodevelopmental outcomes. Despite these existing studies, the mechanism of the adverse health effects of air pollution and the critical window of susceptibility remain unclear. There is also a need to identify causes of heterogeneity between studies in terms of measurement of exposure/outcome, study design, and the differential characteristics of air pollutants and population.
Malaysian English language teachers’ satisfaction level of their professional development
Authors: Kabilan Muhammad Kamarul
Published: June 2020

Professional development is an integral aspect of a teacher’s professional life. Effective professional development activities enable teachers, among others, to update and enhance their pedagogical knowledge and skills, and allow teachers to be creative and critical in their teaching approach. But the question is, to what extent the professional development activities and programmes satisfy the teachers’ needs? This nationwide study aims to determine and identify the level of the Malaysian English language teachers’ level of satisfaction of their professional development – whether English language teachers are satisfied with the professional development experiences and opportunities that are provided by the Ministry of Education and the respective State Education Departments. Schools were randomly chosen and the questionnaires were mailed to the headmasters and principals of the schools to be distributed to all English teachers. A total of 2586 (1038 secondary teachers and 1548 primary teachers) questionnaires were received from teachers all over Malaysia. This paper will highlight and discuss the main findings, and provide some critical implications and suggestions in terms of teacher education and planning and implementation of future professional development activities.
Exploring a language learning history: The journey of self-discovery from the perspectives of individual differences
Authors: Shibata Naoya
Published: June 2020

Exploring a language learning history can help researchers, teachers, and students to reveal and understand various individual difference factors which positively or negatively influence language learning activities and strategy use. In this paper, I examined my English language learning history and delved into challenges and factors to overcome them and activate my autonomy. Based on the analysis of my learning history, three main themes were indicated: a) motivational shifts and goal-setting theory, b) learning beliefs and goal setting, and c) the relationship between learning strategy use and teachers’ influence. Furthermore, my learning history also illustrated that I tended to change all these features through both successful and unsuccessful experiences. Among them, goal-setting seems to be the most significant factor for me to study the target language. With clear learning objectives, I overcame many challenges and sustained high motivation by utilising various types of learning strategies and having positive learner beliefs. Accordingly, noticeable relationships among motivation, learner belief, and learning strategy use were revealed through my learning history log.
Venezuela in times of social, economic and political strife within TESOL affiliate grassroots advocacy initiatives: Implications for other contexts
Authors: Donald Kara Mac , Franco Jose , Abreu Orangel
Published: June 2020

Settling in a new region may imply a plethora of challenges for Students with Interrupted Formal Education (SIFE) and for any migrant or immigrant, no matter their background. Such challenges are as diverse as the individuals and their nationalities. Some SIFE have common experiences as immigrants relocating to a new country of residence, regardless of the status of migration. The range of constraints and situations that impact students’ access to formal education and/or its continuity in host countries is broad and deserves our attention as teachers and researchers. In this sense, the analysis of interviews conducted with SIFE from different universities and host countries has led to the consideration of particular difficult situations such as the reasons that pushed them to interrupt their studies and how it has impacted them personally, their access to employment, language, and home country return expectations. Taking into account the value of SIFE ́s own testimony obtained by means of interviews, this article addresses some of the diverse challenges they face in their host countries to raise awareness of the similarities and differences of their experiences, to promote socio-political advocacy for their needs, and to offer ELT educators ways in which they can respond to these special learners’ needs. It also in part can inform socio-political advocacy for SIFE who remain in their home countries of origin, as they often confront similar challenges as the local, regional or national context has been altered so much that they may also be in a context without adequate support.
Combined effects of temperature and hypoxia shape female brooding behaviors and the early ontogeny of the Chilean kelp crab Taliepus dentatus
Authors: Baldanzi S , Storch D , Fusi M , Weidberg N , Tissot A , Navarrete SA , Fernández M
Published: June 2020

The ecophysiology of marine ectotherms is regulated by the interaction of temperature with environmental drivers, such as dissolved oxygen (DO). The combination of low levels of DO and temperature in the ocean affects physiological and behavioral responses, especially in early life history traits of marine species. Here, we aimed to investigate the combined effect of ecologically relevant values of temperature and DO on female brooding behavior as well as on the early ontogeny of the Chilean kelp crabTaliepus dentatus. In a laboratory experiment, after acclimation and mating of females and males in constant temperatures (11 or 14°C), we exposed brooding females to 1 of 2 temperatures (11 or 14°C) and 1 of 2 DO levels (normoxia or cycling hypoxia). We tested the effects of these 4 treatments on embryo and larval sizes, embryo developmental time, female brooding behavior (i.e. embryo ventilation), larval hatching (i.e. number of hatched larvae), Zoea 1 survival to starvation, and swimming speed. We found a negative effect of temperature on the size of early embryos, but no interactions were detected in embryo size during development. High temperature and low DO increased female brooding behavior and larval size, reduced the number of hatched larvae, and affected larval swimming speed. Embryo development time and larval survival were negatively affected by temperature. These results suggest that an increasing frequency of hypoxic events, combined with ocean warming, might have important consequences on marine invertebrate brooders, affecting female fecundity, larval performance and, potentially, their dispersal ability even well within their optimal thermal range.
Estimating circumpolar distributions of lanternfish using 2D and 3D ecological niche models
Authors: Freer JJ , Tarling GA , Collins MA , Partridge JC , Genner MJ
Published: June 2020

Ecological niche models (ENMs) can be a practical approach for investigating distributions and habitat characteristics of pelagic species. In principle, to reflect the ecological niche of a species well, ENMs should incorporate environmental predictors that consider its full vertical habitat, yet examples of such models are rare. Here we present the first application of ‘3D’ ENMs to 10 Southern Ocean lanternfish species. This 3D approach incorporates depth-specific environmental predictor data to identify the distribution of suitable habitat across multiple depth levels. Results were compared to those from the more common ‘2D’ approach, which uses only environmental data from the sea surface. Measures of model discriminatory ability and overfitting indicated that 2D models often outperform 3D methods, even when accounting for reduced available sample size in the 3D models. Nevertheless, models for species with a known affinity for deeper habitat benefitted from the 3D approach, and our results suggest that species can track their ecological niche in latitude and depth leading to equatorward or poleward range extensions beyond that expected from incorporating only surface data. However, since 3D models require comprehensive depth-specific data, both data availability and the need for depth-specific model outputs must be considered when choosing the appropriate modelling approach. We advocate increased effort to include depth-resolved environmental parameters within marine ENMs. This will require collection of mesopelagic species occurrence data using appropriate temporal and depth-stratified methods, and inclusion of accurate depth information when occurrence records are submitted to global biodiversity databases.
Controlling H*- and J-aggregation of an indotricarbocyanine dye in aqueous solutions of inorganic salts
Authors: Belko Nikita V. , Samtsov Michael P. , Lugovski Anatoly P.
Published: June 2020

Aggregation process of a symmetrical cationic indotricarbocyanine dye in aqueous medium was studied. It was shown that self-assembled H*-aggregates with an absorption peak at 514 nm as well as J-aggregates with an absorption peak at 777 nm can be obtained. Both of the aggregate types are non-fluorescent. High concentration of a desired aggregate type can be obtained and stabilized by changing ionic strength and pH of the solution. At ionic strength of 170 mmol/L and pH 7.4 J-aggregates are stable. Decreasing pH as well as ionic strength leads to demise of J-aggregates and concomitant formation of H*-aggregates. Increasing temperature leads to a faster H*-aggregate formation. The type of aggregates can be changed by heating and subsequent cooling of the solution. An organic compound forming both H*- and J-aggregates has never been observed before. The fact that the H*- and J-bands are narrow, the shift between them is significant, the J-band is located in the far-red spectral region, and the type of aggregates can be controlled makes these objects promising for future applications.
Modification of diazoquinone-novolac photoresist films by boron ion implantation
Authors: Brinkevich Dmitrii I. , Prasalovich Uladislau S. , Yankouski Yury N.
Published: June 2020

Diazoquinone-novolac photoresist films implanted with B+ ions were studied by the method of attenuated total reflection (ATR). Films of positive photoresist FP9120 with a thickness h of 1.0 and 2.5 mm were deposited by centrifuging on p-type silicon plates with (111) orientation. Implantation with 60 keV B+ions in the dose range of 1015–1016 cm–2 in the constant ion current mode (current density 4 mA/cm2 ) was carried out at room temperature in a residual vacuum not worse than 10–5 Pa using the «Vesuvius-6» ion beam accelerator. The attenuated total reflection spectra were recorded in the range 400 – 4000 cm–1 by ALPHA spectrophotometer (Bruker Optik GmbH, Germany) at room temperature. It was shown that ion implantation leads to intensive transformation of the photoresist beyond the range of ions, which is characterized by the appearance in the spectrum of intense bands with peaks at 2151 and 2115 cm–1, due to stretching vibrations of double cumulative bonds, in particular С——С——О. In the implanted samples, a shift to the low-energy region of the maxima of the stretching vibrations of C—H bonds, plane deformation vibrations of O—H bonds and pulsating vibrations of the carbon skeleton of aromatic rings as well as the redistribution of intensities between closely spaced maxima, were observed.
Effect of melt cooling rate on the microstructure and thermal properties of Al – Ge alloy
Authors: Gusakova Olga V. , Shulya Yuliya M. , Skibinskaya Hanna M. , Ankudinov Vladimir E.
Published: June 2020

The paper presents the results of comparing the microstructure of alloys of the Al – Ge system of eutectic and near- eutectic compositions synthesized at melt cooling rates of 102 and 105 K/s. It was shown by scanning electron microscopy that at a cooling rate of 102 K/s, crystallization starts with grain growth of the excess component and ends with a eutectic reaction. The microstructure of bulk samples is characterized by large inclusions of aluminum and germanium and heterogeneity of composition at sample cross section. The size reduction of phase particles of alloys of the Al – Ge system of eutectic and near-eutectic compositions is achieved using high-speed solidification. It is shown that the cooling rate of the melt increase causes size reduction of phase particles by 2–3 orders. The layering of the microstructure of the cross section of rapidly solidified foils was also revealed, and a mechanism for its formation was proposed taking into account changes in the solidification conditions over the thickness of the foil. Using differential scanning calorimetry, it was shown that an increase in the cooling rate provides a narrowing of the melting temperature range and an increase in the melting rate.
The modular equipment for training based on the semiconductor lasers
Authors: Burov Leonid I. , Gorbatsevich Alexander S. , Labatsevich Pavel M.
Published: June 2020

The description is given of the study and research a modular-type training complex for studying the radiation of semiconductor lasers generated in the region of 400 – 950 nm. Structurally, the complex consists of emitter modules (there are 8 of them in the presented set, but in principle their number is not limited by anything), power and control modules, registration modules, and some additional measuring equipment to provide research on the energy, spectral, spatial, polarization and dynamic characteristics of the output radiation. The modular structure provides high variability of the complex and allows you to implement (in the presented version) more than 40 laboratory works, and also allows students to get skills in working with modern equipment and different data processing methods. This complex is focused on educational activities, but on its basis it is possible to carry out research work up to the second stage of higher education. A number of laboratory works based on the use of the complex have been tested at the department of laser physics and spectroscopy of the physics faculty of the Belarusian State University.
The current climate changes in Belarusian Polesje region: factors, consequences, projections
Authors: Данилович Ирина Сергеевна , Мельник Виктор Иванович , Гейер Беате
Published: June 2020

The study presents the pattern of climatic changes in the region of the Belarusian Polesje in current period and shows peculiarities of agricultural conditions on drained peat bogs during last decades. Also the climatic projections in the study region are presented with emphasize on agricultural indices. The climate changes in the region are synchronized with a global climate warming, and expressed more significant on the natural than drained areas. But at the same time a severe and extreme conditions for vegetation growth are more evident on the drained peat bogs. The precipitation sums exceeding have been noticed in the eastern part of the Belarusian Polesje in comparison with western part. The amelioration, deforestation and decrease of underlying surface roughness have led to wind speed growth and decrease of precipitation. The observed climate change tendencies will be kept in the current century. The growth of air temperature will continue, the largest deviations of the air temperature will be noticed in winter season. The deviations of minimal temperature will exceed deviations of maximal and mean temperature. The precipitation wills growth, but deviations will be heterogeneous during the current century. The largest growth of precipitation will be observed in winter season due to the rainfall of moderate intensity increase. But in the same time the duration of the drought periods will increase in summer.
Heat Shock Proteins. Properties. Role in Adaptation. Methodological Approaches to Definition
Authors: Maksimovich N. Ye. , Bon E. I.
Published: June 2020

The aim of this review article is to generalize and systematize literature data on the properties of heat shock proteins, as well as their role in adaptation processes and experimental methods of their investigation. The synthesis of heat shock proteins is a universal response to stress, which plays an important role in protecting cells from negative external impacts. Heat shock proteins participate in fundamental cellular processes. Altered expression of heat shock proteins can serve as an important diagnostic marker of cellular responses to damage.
France's Autism Controversy and the Historical Role of Psychoanalysis in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Autistic Children
Authors: Bates Richard
Published: June 2020

Autism is a contested and controversial subject in many countries, but France has experienced more controversy around the issue than most. This article draws attention to the circumstances in which the formerly prominent role of psychoanalysis in the diagnosis and treatment of autism in children in France has led to much animated debate and eventually to changes in public policy, following internal and international pressure. After outlining these recent events, it will consider the reasons why France found itself out of line with other countries for many years, by examining the historical role of certain influential individuals in the psychoanalytical circle close to Jacques Lacan (1901–81), in particular the child specialists Françoise Dolto (1908–88) and Maud Mannoni (1923–98).
A prática da Wicca em Fortaleza: um estudo de caso
Authors: Câmara Yls Rabelo
Published: June 2020

Avançando em nossa pesquisa pós-doutoral sobre as rezadeiras da periferia da cidade de Fortaleza, deparamo-nos com diversas manifestações da Espiritualidade e que envolvem a mulher como um elemento importante para o seu panteão. Umas dessas manifestações é a Wicca, que tem no feminino seu exponente sagrado máximo. Para amparar nosso percurso teórico nesse estudo de caso, amparamonos em investigadores basilares da área como Cordovil (2017), Langer e Campos (2007), Osório (2011, 2005, 2004) e Terzetti Filho (2016, 2014). Assim, analisamos um coven que reúne treze wiccanos desde 2016. Concluímos que esses iniciados refletem os preceitos da Arte sistematizada por Gerald Gardner nos anos 1950, baseando-se no legado de Margareth Murray e de outros estudiosos anteriores a ele, desenvolvida a posteriori pelos seguidores mais próximos desses e daqueles.
Robótica pedagógica na produção científica brasileira: um estudo bibliométrico
Authors: Oliveira Ortenio de , Mill Daniel
Published: June 2020

O presente estudo é um recorte de pesquisa bibliográfica realizada com base de dados catalogada pelo Grupo de Estudos e Pesquisas sobre Inovação em Educação, Tecnologias e Linguagens (Grupo Horizonte) e por teses recuperadas junto à Biblioteca Digital Brasileira de Teses e Dissertações (BDTD), que tratam da robótica em contextos educacionais. Com o objetivo de compreender como a temática é tratada em produções científicas, utilizou-se, por metodologia, uma breve revisão da literatura e a bibliometria para quantificar os dados selecionados. Os resultados apontam para uma diversidade de formas de se trabalhar a robótica pedagógica, materiais mais utilizados, os conteúdos e as perspectivas teóricas predominantes. Indicam, ainda, a necessidade da realização de novos estudos à medida que inovações tecnológicas são incorporadas à educação.
Internacionalização do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Educação (UFSCar): percursos e desafios
Authors: Nascente Renata Maria Moschen , Vilela Denise Silva , Rothen José Carlos
Published: June 2020

O objetivo é analisar o percurso e os desafios encontrados no processo internacionalização do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Educação (PPGE) da Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCar), entendendo-o como intrínseco à globalização. Tratou-se de uma análise documental, realizada pela Comissão de Internacionalização do próprio Programa, com base nas propostas do Plano Estratégico de Internacionalização desta Universidade e em documentos produzidos pela Comissão no biênio 2018-2019. Os principais desafios encontrados referem-se à necessidade de fortalecimento de políticas de ensino de línguas estrangeiras e à escassez de recursos financeiros e de pessoal, além da necessidade de se conciliar internacionalização e inclusão social.
A morte de Dona Marisa Letícia na Revista Veja: reflexões sobre a capa e imagem da reportagem de capa da edição 2350
Authors: Negrini Michele , Dias Bibiana de Moraes
Published: June 2020

A capa e a imagem principal da reportagem de capa da revista Veja, edição 2530, de 17 de maio de 2017, são o foco deste estudo, que busca compreender, através de uma análise semiótica, o modo de a revista narrar a vida da ex-primeira dama, Marisa Letícia Lula da Silva, a partir de sua morte, e a forma como há remissão da morte com envolvimentos políticos do seu marido, o ex-presidente Luis Inácio Lula da Silva. Tomamos como suporte teórico-metodológico olhares da semiótica.
Dual-Targeting Nanoparticle-Mediated Gene Therapy Strategy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Delivering Small Interfering RNA
Authors: Zheng Qi Chang , Jiang Shuai , Wu Yu Zhe , Shang Dan , Zhang Yong , Hu Shao Bo , Cheng Xiang , Zhang Chen , Sun Ping , Gao Yang , Song Zi Fang , Li Min
Published: June 2020

As a gene therapy strategy, RNA interference (RNAi) offers tremendous tumor therapy potential. However, its therapeutic efficacy is restricted by its inferior ability for targeted delivery and cellular uptake of small interfering RNA (siRNA). This study sought to develop a dual-ligand nanoparticle (NP) system loaded with siRNA to promote targeted delivery and therapeutic efficacy. We synthesized a dual receptor-targeted chitosan nanosystem (GCGA), whose target function was controlled by the ligands of galactose of lactobionic acid (LA) and glycyrrhetinic acid (GA). By loading siPAK1, an siRNA targeting P21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1), a molecular-targeted therapeutic dual-ligand NP (GCGA–siPAK1) was established. We investigated the synergistic effect of these two targeting units in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In particular, GCGA–siPAK1 enhanced the NP targeting ability and promoted siPAK1 cell uptake. Subsequently, dramatic decreases in cell proliferation, invasion, and migration, with an apparent increase in cell apoptosis, were observed in treated cells. Furthermore, this dual-ligand NP gene delivery system demonstrated significant anti-tumor effects in tumor-bearing mice. Finally, we illuminated the molecular mechanism, whereby GCGA–siPAK1 promotes endogenous cell apoptosis through the PAK1/MEK/ERK pathway. Thus, the dual-target property effectively promotes the HCC therapeutic effect and provides a promising gene therapy strategy for clinical applications.
Low-Temperature Adaptation of the Snow Alga Chlamydomonas nivalis Is Associated With the Photosynthetic System Regulatory Process
Authors: Zheng Yanli , Xue Chunling , Chen Hui , He Chenliu , Wang Qiang
Published: June 2020

The alga Chlamydomonas nivalis thrives in polar snow fields and on high-altitude mountain tops, and contributes significantly on primary production in the polar regions, however, the mechanisms underlying this adaptation to low temperatures are unknown. Here, we compared the growth, photosynthetic activity, membrane lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant activity of C. nivalis with those of the model alga C. reinhardtii, under grow temperature and low temperatures. C. nivalis maintained its photosynthetic activity in these conditions by reducing the light-harvesting ability of photosystem II and enhancing the cyclic electron transfer around photosystem I, both of which limited damage to the photosystem from excess light energy and resulted in ATP production, supporting cellular growth and other physiological processes. Furthermore, the increased cyclic electron transfer rate, carotenoid content, and antioxidant enzyme activities jointly regulated the reactive oxygen species levels in C. nivalis, enabling recovery from excess excitation energy and reduced photooxidative damage to the cell. Therefore, we propose a model in which adaptive mechanisms related to photosynthetic regulation promote the survival and even blooming of C. nivalis under polar environment, suggesting that C. nivalis can provide organic carbon sources as an important primary producer for other surrounding life in the polar regions for maintaining ecosystem.
Erratum: Abidar, S.; et al. The Aqueous Extract from Ceratonia siliqua Leaves Protects against 6-Hydroxydopamine in Zebrafish: Understanding the Underlying Mechanism. Antioxidants 2020, 9, 304
Authors: Abidar Sara , Boiangiu Razvan Stefan , Dumitru Gabriela , Todirascu-Ciornea Elena , Amakran Amina , Cioanca Oana , Hritcu Lucian , Nhiri Mohamed
Published: June 2020

The authors wish to make the following correction to their paper [...]
Deep Neural Network for Automatic Image Recognition of Engineering Diagrams
Authors: Yun Dong-Yeol , Seo Seung-Kwon , Zahid Umer , Lee Chul-Jin
Published: June 2020

Piping and instrument diagrams (P&IDs) are a key component of the process industry; they contain information about the plant, including the instruments, lines, valves, and control logic. However, the complexity of these diagrams makes it difficult to extract the information automatically. In this study, we implement an object-detection method to recognize graphical symbols in P&IDs. The framework consists of three parts—region proposal, data annotation, and classification. Sequential image processing is applied as the region proposal step for P&IDs. After getting the proposed regions, the unsupervised learning methods, k-means, and deep adaptive clustering are implemented to decompose the detected dummy symbols and assign negative classes for them. By training a convolutional network, it becomes possible to classify the proposed regions and extract the symbolic information. The results indicate that the proposed framework delivers a superior symbol-recognition performance through dummy detection.
Exploring Mediterranean and Arctic Environments as a Novel Source of Bacteria Producing Antibacterial Compounds to be Applied in Aquaculture
Authors: Rizzo Carmen , Gugliandolo Concetta , Lo Giudice Angelina
Published: June 2020

The need to discover new natural compounds has become urgent as a possible alternative solution to contrast the spread of antibiotic resistance, also in the aquaculture field. Bacterium–bacterium inhibitory activity against bacterial pathogens relevant in aquaculture was evaluated on agar plates for bacteria isolated from cold Arctic (Kongsfjorden, Svalbard Islands; i.e., seawater and sediment samples) and temperate Mediterranean (Lake Faro in Messina and the Straits of Messina, Italy; i.e., brackish water and benthic filter-feeding organisms) environments. Cell-free supernatants (both pure and concentrated 10-fold) were further assayed and, in the case of a positive response, crude extracts were obtained and tested. After the pre-screening procedures, about 30% of the bacterial isolates inhibited the growth of at least one pathogen used as a target. The 10-fold concentrated supernatants of two Arctic Salinibacterium spp. strains and the Mediterranean Bacillus sp. PS62 (associated with the pennatulacean Pteroeides spinosum Ellis, 1764) resulted in being active against P. damselae subsp. piscicida. The crude extracts obtained from Bacillus sp. PS62 also showed inhibitory activity against the same pathogen. Our findings suggest that tested bacteria could represent a novel source of compounds to be applied to overcome pathogenesis in the aquaculture field.
Application of Deep Reinforcement Learning in Traffic Signal Control: An Overview and Impact of Open Traffic Data
Authors: Gregurić Martin , Vujić Miroslav , Alexopoulos Charalampos , Miletić Mladen
Published: June 2020

Persistent congestions which are varying in strength and duration in the dense traffic networks are the most prominent obstacle towards sustainable mobility. Those types of congestions cannot be adequately resolved by the traditional Adaptive Traffic Signal Control (ATSC). The introduction of Reinforcement Learning (RL) in ATSC as tackled those types of congestions by using on-line learning, which is based on the trial and error approach. Furthermore, RL is prone to the dimensionality curse related to the state–action space size based on which a non-linear quality function is derived. The Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) framework uses Deep Neural Networks (DNN) to digest raw traffic data to approximate the quality function of RL. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the most recent DRL approaches used for the ATSC algorithm design. Special emphasis is set to overview of the traffic state representation and multi-agent DRL frameworks applied for the large traffic networks. Best practices are provided for choosing the adequate DRL model, hyper-parameters tuning, and model architecture design. Finally, this paper provides a discussion about the importance of the open traffic data concept for the extensive application of DRL in the real world ATSC.
Normalized Pulmonary Artery Diameter Predicts Occurrence of Postpneumonectomy Respiratory Failure, ARDS, and Mortality
Authors: Daffrè Elisa , Prieto Mathilde , Huang Haihua , Janet-Vendroux Aurélie , Blanc Kim , N’Guyen Yen-Lan , Fournel Ludovic , Alifano Marco
Published: June 2020

Hypothesizing that pulmonary artery diameter is a marker of subclinical pulmonary hypertension, we assessed its impact on postoperative outcome in patients requiring pneumonectomy. Morphometric, clinical, and laboratory data were retrospectively retrieved from files of 294 consecutive patients treated by pneumonectomy for malignancy (289 NSCLC). Pulmonary artery was measured at bifurcation level on CT scan and normalized by body surface area. Median normalized pulmonary artery diameter (cut-off for analyses) was 14 mm/m2. Postoperatively, 46 patients required re-do intubation and 30 had acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Multivariate analysis showed that Charlson Comorbidity Index >5 (p = 0.0009, OR 3.8 [1.76–8.22]), right side of pneumonectomy (p = 0.013, OR 2.37 [1.20–4.71]), and higher normalized pulmonary artery diameter (p = 0.029, OR 2.16 [1.08–4.33]) were independent predictors of re-do intubation, while Charlson Comorbidity Index >5 (p = 0.018, OR 2.55 [1.17–5.59]) and higher normalized pulmonary artery diameter (p = 0.028, OR = 2.52 [1.10–5.77]) were independently associated with occurrence of ARDS. Post-operative mortality was 8.5%. Higher normalized pulmonary artery diameter, (p = 0.026, OR 3.39 [1.15–9.95]), right side of pneumonectomy (p = 0.0074, OR 4.11 [1.46–11.56]), and Charlson Comorbidity Index >5 (p = 0.0011, OR 5.56 [1.99–15.54]) were independent predictors of postoperative death. We conclude that pre-operative normalized pulmonary artery diameter predicts the risk of re-do intubation, ARDS and mortality in patients undergoing pneumonectomy for cancer.