bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CIRCADIAN DYNAMICS OF OPTIC DENSITY OF MELATONIN RECEPTORS IN THE NEURONS OF HYPOTHALAMIC SUPRAOPTIC NUCLEUS IN RATS UNDER ALTERED PHOTOPERIOD
Authors: Vlasova K.V. , Bulyk R.Ye.
Published: November 2019

Introduction. Melatonin production is considerably suppressed by light and affects the ability to transfer daily rhythm information from the hypothalamus to other neural target sites and thus alters the expression of some biological rhythms. The hormone controls the state of the hypothalamic-pituitary system and endocrine gland activity through melatonin receptors (membrane, cytosolic and nuclear ones). In addition, using a mechanism of the feedback, it interferes with the activity of supraoptic nucleus of the hypothalamus, which regulates water-salt metabolism and responses to stress. Objective: to provide quantitative circadian characteristics of melatonin receptors density in the neurons of the hypothalamic supraoptic nucleus of rats being under light stimulation as well as the correction of changes after injecting exogenous melatonin. Material and methods. The experiments were conducted on 60 white mongrel mature male rats weighing 150 – 180 g. The test animals were divided into 3 parts each with 2 groups, kept under the conditions of standard light regime, hyperilluminated and the injection of exogenous melatonin and day-round lighting within 7 days. To perform immunohistochemical methods, we used polyclonal antibodies to melatonin 1A receptors produced by Abcam and streptavidin biotin visualization system LSAB2 (peroxidase mark + diaminobenzidine) produced by Chemicon International Inc. We adhered to protocol standardization of methods for all sections. Additional staining of nuclei was performed with Mayer hematoxylin. Results. The indices of optical density of specific melatonin 1A receptors of supraoptic neurocytes staining obtained in the intact group (at 02.00 AM- 0,488 ± 0,0024, at 02.00 P.M. - 0,464 ± 0,0023, p = 0.002) and in animals subjected to light stress (at 02.00 AM-0,295 ± 0, 0019, at 02.00 P.M.- 0,286 ± 0,0018, p = 0,012) had a probable value and were characterized by a clear diurnal periodicity. In the group of animals with pineal gland hypofunction modulation (at 02.00 A.M.- 0,216 ± 0,0017, at 02.00 P.M. - 0,214 ± 0,0021, p> 0,05). Conclusions The density of 1A melatonin receptors in rat’s hypothalamic supraoptic neurons are normally characterized by an accurate circadian rhythm. The highest density of receptors is observed at 02.00 AM, and at 02.00 PM it is significantly lower (p = 0.002). Immunohistochemical studies revealed that under inhibition of pineal gland activity the circadian rhythm of melatonin receptors density in neurons of supraoptic nuclei of the hypothalamus gets disturbed, which is characterized by an incredible difference of indices in the tested periods of the day.
EFFECT OF LOW DOSES OF RADIATION ON MORPHO-FUNCTIONAL STATE OF SUBMANDIBULAR SALIVARY GLAND IN RATS
Authors: Gryschuk O. I. , Heraschenko S. B. , Deltsova O. I. , Anniuk T. I. , Mykhailiuk I.O.
Published: November 2019

The paper presents the study of the morpho-functional changes in the submandibular gland under the exposure to low doses of radiation in experiment.

Material and methods. The experiments were conducted on 80 sexually mature random-bred rats, which were kept in the zone of radiation contamination (zone of permanent radiological control). The external radiation at the moment of the experiment constituted 0.40 and 0.36 mSv due to Cesium-137; internal radiation from separate irradiation sources were 0.16 and 0.11 mSv that are considered to be low doses of radiation. The material for the study (submandibular salivary gland) was taken in terms defined by the experiment from animals euthanized with the overdose of ether anaesthesia. Pieces of the gland were fixed in 10% of the neutral formalin; the sections of the gland were stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin and were studied under the luminous microscope. Microscopic sections were examined for the presence of pathohistological changes in the gland and morphometric investigation of acini and ducts were performed.

Results and discussion. During 3-6 months, we observed the progressive morphometrically confirmed degenerative changes in the secretory cells of the acini, the reduction of the diameter of the intercalatated and striated ducts in the serous particles of the gland. We also noted the gradual expansion of the ducts of calibers in the mucous particles of the glands, as the epitheliocytes of their wall acquired more mucus. By the end of the 12th months of the study, the area and height of the cells of the serous terminal divisions and the excretory ducts shrinked (due to atrophy). At the same time, the glandular mucous components (acini and ducts) became predominant. Their terminal branches and excreting ducts develop cystic extensions of the lumen. At the same time transport processes such as releasing secretion from the protein and mucous cells of the terminal secretory sections, became impaired.

Conclusion. Studying the dynamic changes in the tissues of the submandibular gland in rats demonstrated the data about pathohistological changes causing the functional insufficiency of the gland in case of prolonged exposure to low doses of radiation. Quantitative and qualitative insufficiency of the mucus formation and salivation can result in the development of sialolithiasis with its all inherent manifestations. In conditions of the exposure to low-dose ionizing radiation, adaptive mechanisms in the epitheliocytes of the duct walls were noticed to start developing, with their transformation into mucous cells and the formation of stone structures in case of mucus thickening.
OXIDATIVE AND ANTIOXIDANT PROCESSES IN THE FOCUS OF THE SKIN EXPOSED TO LOCAL ULTRAVIOLET IRRADIATION
Authors: Myronchenko S. I.
Published: November 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of local ultraviolet radiation on the content of lipid peroxidation products, lipofuscin, and the functioning of antioxidant enzymes in the skin of guinea pigs. Materials and methods. The studies were performed on 24 albino guinea pigs exposed to a single local ultraviolet radiation. The control group was made up of intact animals. The content of primary (diene conjugates) and secondary (TAC-active products) lipid peroxidation products, the activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and catalase), and the content of lipofuscin were assessed in the skin in 2 hours, 4 hours, and on the 3rd and 8th day following the UV irradiation. Results. Under the influence of local ultraviolet radiation, all guinea pigs develop erythema (its peak is observed in 4 hours, and on the 3rd day), which disappears on the 8th day. There is a sharp enhancement of lipid peroxidation processes due to the accumulation of lipid peroxidation primary and secondary products in the skin of guinea pigs in all periods of the experiment. In parallel with the increase in lipid peroxidation products, there is a decrease in the activity of antioxidant enzymes (catalase and superoxide dismutase) in the focus of radiation. The content of lipofuscin in the skin progressively increases throughout the study period. Conclusions. The early erythema period following the local ultraviolet irradiation in the skin of guinea pigs, is characterized by increased content of diene conjugates and TBA-active products (in 2, 4 hours, on the 3rd day); decreased catalase activity and increased lipofuscin concentration (on the 3rd day after irradiation). The early post-erythema period (8th day) following the local ultraviolet irradiation is characterized by the accumulation of diene conjugates, TBA-active products and lipofuscin against the background of a decrease in the activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase in the skin of guinea pigs.
DYNAMICS OF WOUND HEALING AFTER INTRAORAL PIERCING WITH MEDICAL STEEL CLIPS IN EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS
Authors: Ryabokon E. , Shatov P. , Gorgol N. , Kamina T. , Stoyan E.
Published: November 2019

Introduction. In modern dentistry, medical steel, along with other materials used for dental implantation, is considered as biocompatible or bio-tolerant materials. Among the commonest complications caused by piercing, there are hypertrophic scarring, pain, swelling and infection. Therefore, the research on clinical and morphological changes in tongue and cheek tissues during experimental piercing with medical steel clips on animals and further evaluation of the consequences of this procedure seem to be quite relevant. The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of clips made of medical steel on the dynamics of the wound healing in tissues of the cheek and tongue following the implantation in test animals. Materials and methods. The experiment was conducted on the chinchilla line rabbits (n=8) in 2015. The animals were implanted with medical steel clips in soft tissue of the tongue and cheeks. Histological studies were performed on 7th, 14th, 28th and 60th days following the implantation to study the dynamics of the change in the pierced channel. Results and conclusions. The study has shown the purulent process in the tongue and cheeks tissues following the implantation of medical steel clips can be observed from the 7th to 60th days. Thus, we can suggest that the damaging effect of medical steel clips on tongue and cheek tissues in the test animal promotes purulent inflammation. The rabbits with implanted clips in the tongue and cheek had broad wound channels, containing purulent exudates, inflammatory infiltrates were found in the walls of the wound channel. During the experiment, the histological specimens of the cheeks and tongue showed a large amount of granulation tissue, signs of immaturity and secondary inflammation, slow transformation of granulation tissue into the connective tissue that causes a lack of complete epithelisation and promotes deep skin wounds. The impairment of nerve endings in the form of oedema of the endo- and perineuria as a consequence of the implantation of medical steel clips can be manifested by persistent pain syndrome, loss of local sensitivity and distortion of taste sensation. In future, we are planning to investigate the dynamics of the wound healing after intraoral implantation of clips made of other materials in the test animals.
PERORAL FERROCORRECTION OF IRON DEFICIENCY IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC HEART FAILURE WITH REDUCED LEFT VENTRICULAR EJECTION FRACTION
Authors: Ivanov V. P. , Kolesnyk M. O. , Kolesnуk O. M.
Published: November 2019

Therapy of iron deficiency as a common comorbidity in chronic heart failure is being paid much attention. It plays contributory role in the morbidity and mortality of heart failure. However, there are some questions requiring future research to answer them. Nowadays, the parenteral administration of iron supplements has been considered as one of the effective approaches for the correction of the above-mentioned disorders, although per oral rout of ferrum administration is playing the leading role. Among the disputable questions there is duration of peroral ferrocorrection course for patients with latent iron deficiency. Taking into account some disadvantages of per oral ferrocorrection, e.g. slow absorption in the gastrointestinal tract or reduced absorption in conditions of even minimal inflammation or blood congestion, in order to improve the condition of the patients with chronic heart failure and concomitant latent iron deficiency, we decided to prolong the course of therapy in our study. The purpose of the study was to determine the effectiveness of 6-month per oral ferrotherapy in patients with heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction and concomitant latent iron deficiency. Material and methods. We examined 60 patients, 41 (68.3%) men and 19 (37.1%) women, aged 68.3 ± 0.63 years with chronic heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction functional class II-III according to NYHA, who were also diagnosed to have concomitant latent iron deficiency. Two study groups were formed: the patients of the 1st group (n=30) received only the standard therapy for chronic heart failure according to the European recommendations (2016); the patients of the 2nd group (n=30) were prescribed to take ferrous sulphate per orally in a dose of 320 mg, equivalent to 100 mg of bivalent iron and 60 mg of ascorbic acid 2 tablets per day for 6 months. Results and discussion. By the study’s end, anaemia was observed in 76.5% of patients. However, among these patients, 84.6% had latent iron deficiency and only 15.4% had complete cure of the iron deficiency. Thus, it was found out that without supportive therapy with iron medicines for 32.8±0.7 months after the end of iron deficiency, patients with chronic heart failure had negative laboratory dynamics. Analysis of the dynamics of haematological indices as markers of the ferrocorrection effectiveness in the patients who received the 6-month ferrotherapy demonstrated an increase of all parameters and normalization of iron metabolism indices. Moreover, 96.7% of the patients, who took standard therapy and ferrum medicines, demonstrated the elimination of iron deficiency signs. Conclusion. Thus, the study showed that per oral therapy with iron sulphate at the stage of latent iron deficiency in patients with heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction for a period of 6 months has been found out as effective.
ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFICIENCY OF TREATMENT ASCITES-PERITONITIS IN PATIENTS WITH SEVERE ACUTE PANCREATITIS
Authors: Kasian V.V.
Published: November 2019

The incidence of acute pancreatitis in Ukraine is 102 per 100,000 of the population, the total mortality rate ranges from 4% to 15%, and with necrotic form it is 24-60%, postoperative mortality reaches 70%. To date, randomized clinical trials and publications show conflicting data on the effectiveness of surgical interventions in acute pancreatitis complicated by ascites-peritonitis. The aim of the work was to analyze the effect of drainage interventions on the intensity of the pain syndrome and the dynamics of restoration of enteral nutrition in acute pancreatitis complicated by ascites-peritonitis. The study analyzed the results of a comprehensive examination and treatment of 166 patients with acute necrotic pancreatitis with enzymatic ascites-peritonitis. In patients with an initial severity of the condition rated on the APACHE II scale as 5 or more points, a positive effect of draining interventions at the start of treatment of acute pancreatitis was observed compared with non-drained patients of similar severity at the time of hospitalization, which was manifested by the disappearance of pain and restoration of self-enteral nutrition after 72 hours in most patients of these subgroups. Therefore, the elimination of enzymatic ascites can reliably reduce the intensity of the pain syndrome and contribute to the restoration of independent enteral nutrition and can be recommended for consideration as an element of the complex treatment of acute pancreatitis complicated by ascites-peritonitis in patients with the initial severity of the condition rated on the APACHE II scale as 5 or more points. Further studies are needed to study other possible positive effects of drainage interventions and determine clear indications for their conduct in the early period of the disease.
CLINICAL COURSE OF ISCHEMIC HEART DISEASE UNDER CONDITIONS OF COMORBIDITY WITH NON-ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE.
Authors: Manusha Yu.I. , Kazakov Yu.M. , Trybrat T.A. , Chekalina N.I , Vakulenko K.Ye.
Published: November 2019

The actual problem of modern medicine is the identification of common pathogenetic mechanisms of IHD and NAFLD in order to develop a complex, personalized approach in treatment and prevention of comorbid pathology. Aim of the study: to determine the clinical course peculiarities of ischemic heart disease under conditions of comorbidity with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The study involved 135 patients with ischemic heart disease: stable voltage angina, I-II FC, HF 0-1, combined with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and 30 healthy individuals. At the first stage of the study an assessment of ischemic heart disease tendencies under circumstances of concomitant NAFLD was conducted taking into consideration the peculiarities of clinical symptoms, and in comparison groups there was no significant difference discovered eventually in cardiovascular systems complaints, which were caused by IHD development. In patients with IHD combined with NAFLD the incidence of myocardial bioelectric activity disorders and the frequency of rhythm disorders prevailed comparing to patients with IHD. A significant increase in total cholesterol and a blood atherogenic index was found in patients with IHD combined with NAFLD compared to the patients with IHD (p <0.05) in the analysis of lipidogram indices. No significant difference among other lipidogram indicators (LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, TG) was observed (p> 0.05). Thus, the detected lipid metabolism disorders were noted in patients with IHD combined with NAFLD at statin therapy. Due to results of echocardiography a diastolic dysfunction and a moderate decrease of systolic function were found in both study groups comparing to the healthy group, regardless of the presence or absence of NAFLD. A higher incidence of LV hypertrophy was observed in patients with comorbid pathology.
LIFE QUALITY OF FIREFIGHTERS OF THE CHORNOBYL NUCLEAR POWER PLAND DISASTER WITH COMORBIDITY OF ESSENTIAL HYPERTENSION AND GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE
Authors: Synelnik V. P. , Tkachenko N. A. , Suprun A. S.
Published: November 2019

This study was aimed at assessing the quality of life of 52 former fire-fighters of the Chornobyl nuclear power plant disaster with comorbidity of essential hypertension and gastroesophageal reflux disease. The subjects were divided into two groups similar by the sex and age (I group included 26 individuals with essential hypertension and II group included 26 individuals with comorbidity of essential hypertension and gastroesophageal reflux disease), their average age was 58,5±0,8 years. All patients received standard therapy (in accordance with the nosological form) added by the preparation Actovegin "Takeda Austria GmbH" in a dose of 200 mg once a day. The model, which underlies the designing of scales and total measurements of the SF-36 questionnaire, has three levels: 36 questions, 8 scales, formed by 2-10 questions; 2 total measurements, which are combined into scales. After calculating each indicator for separate scale, it was necessary to calculate the value of general indicators for the physical component and the psychological component of health taking into account the Z-value. In addition, when assessing the quality of life, three levels of assessment were conditionally identified: the minimum level ranged from 0 to 40 scores, satisfactory level – from 41 to 70 scores and the optimal ranged from 61 to 100 scores. The patients of the first group when having completed the therapy demonstrated statistically significantly improved indicators from 61.1 (0-100) scores to 71, 3 (0-100) (p ≤ 0.05) that consequently means the restrictions in role functioning due to physical condition (PF) decreased, overall health (OH) improved (scores increased from 42.7 (35-47) to 52.1 (47-60)) as well as the role functioning due to emotional state (ER) from 67.9 (0-100) to 76.5 (0-100) points. The second group when having completed the standard therapy added with Actovegin demonstrated statistically significantly improved indicators for most of the scales, and as a result, the subjective assessment of their quality of life was improved (p ≤ 0.05).

Thus, the study has shown including Actovegin into standard therapy significantly improves most of the life quality parameters in both groups of the former fire-fighters of the Chornobyl nuclear power plant disaster. But, it should be noted that the indicators of pain scales and the state of overall health as parameters of life quality for the patients with comorbidy of hypertension and gastroesophageal reflux disease were fount at a minimum level compared with the patients having essential hypertension that indicates more significant restrictions in some fields of daily life activity for patients with comorbid pathology.
APPLICATION OF BIOGLASS IN THE TREATMENT OF FRACTURES AND DEFECTS OF LONG BONES
Authors: Shуmon V.M. , Alfeldii S.P. , Shуmon M.V. , Stoіka V.V.
Published: November 2019

One of the most promising trends in contemporary traumatology and orthopaedics towards the treatment of fractures and bone defects is the use of synthetic calcium-phosphate biomaterials. The purpose of this study is to identify the features of bone defect healing in rats during the implantation of calcium phosphate glass crystalline materials, and to substantiate the feasibility of the use of bioglass in the clinical treatment of fractures and defects of long bones. Materials and methods. In this study we used bioactive calcium-phosphate glass crystal material BS-11. The experimental part was performed on 36 white rats. The animals were subjected to defect modelling in the femur with following bioglass filling. Results. We observed the formation of osteogenic fibroreticular tissue and bone tissue of varying degrees of maturity around the implanted filling samples through all the healing periods. The relative content of bone tissue in the surrounding regenerated tissue around the studied samples BS-11 increased in parallel with the increase of the observation period and reached 100% in 30 days after the surgical operation and at the end of the study we registered the formation of bone tissue of the lamellar structure around the samples inserted. We observed no signs of inflammation or any cellular reaction in any of the cases studies that points out the biocompatibility of the material. Conclusions. Morphological study has demonstrated that the insertion of cylindrical blocks made of glass-crystalline calcium phosphate materials BC-11 in the distal metaphysis of the femur of rats and healing is accompanied with osteoregeneration around them in accordance with the conventional stages of the bone tissue formation. This material can be recommended for treating long bone defects of different aetiology.
Impact of volcanic and post volcanic activity on fluvial relief
Authors: Lebedeva E. V.
Published: November 2019

The characteristic features of the river network, the structure and functioning of the valleys affected by effusive and explosive volcanism, volcano-tectonic phenomena, gas hydrothermal activity and mud volcanism are revealed. It has been established that within flows and covers of effusives, the formation of new streams channels can occur not only due to backward erosion, but also as a result of the collapse of the roof of the near-surface lava tubes, which are actively used by underground runoff. A high erosion rate, a large volume of solid runoff, and a significant role of deflation in the transformation of the fluvial relief are characteristic for regions of domination of explosive activity. There valleys become zones of accumulation of volcanic material, which is gradually processed by mudflow, alluvial, aeolian and other processes. Volcanic-tectonic activity changes the rivers position, direction of streams and morphology of the valleys, leading to numerous reorganizations of the river network, as a result of which the valleys of modern watercourses often consist of uneven-age fragments. Valleys of hydrothermal zones are characterized by the active development of slope processes, which leads to the formation in them not only of sinter terraces, but also numerous landslide ones. Mud volcanic processes periodically lead to the filling and blocking of the valleys with mud breccia flows, which affects both the composition of the alluvium of watercourses and the morphology of the valleys.
The potential effect of pandan wangi leaf “pandanus amaryllifolius roxb.’’ extract from Indonesia as time sleep inductor
Authors: Sulistiyati Nita Tri , Aisyah Riandini , Sutrisna EM
Published: November 2019

Sleep plays a role in restoring the body's biochemical and physiological processes which decrease when awake. People is not familiar yet with sleep disturbances, so they rarely seek help. Sleep disturbances can cause family problems and are at risk of fatal traffic accidents. Fragant Pandan leaves (Pandanus amaryllifolius Roxb.) contains alkaloids, saponins and flavonoids which can provide a hypnotic sedative effect. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of fragant Pandan leaf extract (Pandanus amaryllifolius Roxb.) administration in shortening the sleep induction time of male Swiss Webster strain mice. A post-test only design experimental laboratory study was conducted with control group design. The test animals used were 25 Swiss Webster male mice divided into five groups randomly : G1 group was given distilled water, G2 was given diazepam dose 1 mg / KgBB, the G3, G4 and G5 groups were given fragant Pandan leaf extract with a dose of 4 mg/25g BB, 6 mg/25g BB and 8mg/25g BB, respectively. One Way ANOVA statistical test showed significant differences in mice sleep onset (p=0.000) between groups. The results of the Post Hoc test using LSD analysis showed that there were significant differences between positive controls with groups G3, G4 and G5. Fragrant Pandan leaf extract dose of 8 mg/g BB can shorten the time of mice sleep induction male Swiss Webster strain mice. While the dose of 4 mg/g BB cannot shorten the time of induction of sleeping mice.

Keywords: Fragant Pandan leaf extract; Hypnotic-sedative; Sleep disturbances.
Public Health concern for a Nipah Virus disease
Authors: Surana Ajaykumar Rikhabchand , Kumbhare Manoj Ramesh , Abhale Apurva Uttamrao , Bhoir Ankita Ankush , Agrawal Shivam Puranmalgi
Published: November 2019

Nipah virus (NiV) is a pathogenic paramyxovirus that has been responsible for sporadic outbreaks of respiratory and encephalitic disease in tropical countries. Elevated case mortality rate has also been connected with recent outbreaks in India (Kerala), Malaysia and Bangladesh. The virus generally infects animals like pigs and bats, but they do not show any symptoms of NiV.  The mortality rate in NiV infected humans is more as compared to other mammals. The patient usually shows no symptoms to headache fever, cough, dyspnea, confusion and more consequences lead to a coma. Although there are no drugs or vaccines available against this severe disease, precaution and awareness reduce the risk of NiV-infection. This review will be helpful to save the life of people and decrease death by the NiV-infection outbreak.

Keywords:   Diagnosis, Henipavirus, Nipah virus, Prevention and treatment
Working on the argument pipeline: Through flow issues between natural language argument, instantiated arguments, and argumentation frameworks
Authors: Wyner Adam , van Engers Tom , Hunter Anthony
Published: November 2019

In many domains of public discourse such as arguments about public policy, there is an abundance of knowledge to store, query, and reason with. To use this knowledge, we must address two key general problems: first, the problem of the knowledge acquisition bottleneck between forms in which the knowledge is usually expressed, e.g., natural language, and forms which can be automatically processed; second, reasoning with the uncertainties and inconsistencies of the knowledge. Given such complexities, it is labour and knowledge intensive to conduct policy consultations, where participants contribute statements to the policy discourse. Yet, from such a consultation, we want to derive policy positions, where each position is a set of consistent statements, but where positions may be mutually inconsistent. To address these problems and support policy-making consultations, we consider recent automated techniques in natural language processing, instantiating arguments, and reasoning with the arguments in argumentation frameworks. We discuss application and “bridge” issues between these techniques, outlining a pipeline of technologies whereby: expressions in a controlled natural language are parsed and translated into a logic (a literals and rules knowledge base), from which we generate instantiated arguments and their relationships using a logic-based formalism (an argument knowledge base), which is then input to an implemented argumentation framework that calculates extensions of arguments (an argument extensions knowledge base), and finally, we extract consistent sets of expressions (policy positions). The paper reports progress towards reasoning with web-based, distributed, collaborative, incomplete, and inconsistent knowledge bases expressed in natural language.
An analysis of critical-link semantics with variable degrees of justification
Authors: Wei Bin , Prakken Henry
Published: November 2019

This paper is to critically examines Pollock’s critical-link semantics with variable degrees of justification. Some possibly counterintuitive consequences of Pollock’s definition of degrees of justification are identified and a modified definition is proposed which avoids these consequences. Then the new solution is applied to the case of so-called presumptive defeat. A second contribution of the paper is to show how the modified semantics can be applied to the ASPIC+ framework: first the ASPIC+ framework is modified to allow for variable degrees of justification and then the modified way to compute these degrees is applied in a new notion of an argument graph.
An activity-centric argumentation framework for assistive technology aimed at improving health
Authors: Guerrero Esteban , Nieves Juan Carlos , Lindgren Helena
Published: November 2019

Tailoring assistive systems for guiding and monitoring an individual in daily living activities is a complex task. This paper presents ALI, an assistive system combining a formal possibilistic argumentation system and an informal model of human activity: the Cultural-Historic Activity Theory, facilitating the delivery of tailored advices to a human actor. We follow an activity-centric approach, taking into consideration the human’s motives, goals and prioritized actions. ALI tracks a person in order to I) determine what activities were performed over a period of time (activity recognition tracking), and II) send personalized notifications suggesting the most suitable activities to perform (decision-making monitoring). The ALI system was evaluated in a formative pilot study related to promote social activities and physical exercise.
Theoretical foundations for illocutionary structure parsing
Authors: Budzynska Katarzyna , Janier Mathilde , Reed Chris , Saint-Dizier Patrick
Published: November 2019

Illocutionary structure in real language use is intricate and complex, and nowhere more so than in argument and debate. Identifying this structure without any theoretical scaffolding is extremely challenging even for humans. New work in Inference Anchoring Theory has provided significant advances in such scaffolding which are helping to allow the analytical challenges of argumentation structure to be tackled. This paper demonstrates how these advances can also pave the way to automated and semi-automated research in understanding the structure of natural debate.
Cluster formation and evolution in networks of financial market indices
Authors: Sandoval Junior Leonidas
Published: November 2019

Using data from world stock exchange indices prior to and during periods of global financial crises, clusters and networks of indices are built for asset graphs based on distance thresholds and diverse periods of time, so that it is then possible to analyze how clusters are formed according to correlations among indices and how they evolve in time, particularly during times of financial crises. Further analysis is made on the eigenvectors corresponding to the second highest eigenvalues of the correlation matrices, revealing a structure peculiar to markets that operate in different time zones. We also study the survivability of connections and of clusters through time and the influence of noise in centrality measures applied to the networks of financial indices. The results show how the world's main stock market indices evolved in the last few decades with respect to their clustering structure, how their connections survive in time, and which indices are more central, according to different criteria. In particular, we witness the early formation and evolution of two main clusters, an American and an European one, the formation of a Pacific Asian cluster, and later on, of an Arab cluster. This analysis complements previous studies of the interdependencies of stock markets worldwide.
The strategy approval decision: A Sharpe ratio indifference curve approach
Authors: Bailey David H. , López de Prado Marcos , del Pozo Eva
Published: November 2019

The problem of capital allocation to a set of strategies could be partially avoided or at least greatly simplified with an appropriate strategy approval decision process. This paper proposes such a procedure. We begin by splitting the capital allocation problem into two sequential stages: strategy approval and portfolio optimization. Then we argue that the goal of the second stage is to beat a naïve benchmark, and the goal of the first stage is to identify which strategies improve the performance of such a naïve benchmark. We believe that this is a sensible approach, as it does not leave all the work to the optimizer, thus adding robustness to the final outcome. We introduce the concept of the Sharpe ratio indifference curve, which represents the space of pairs (candidate strategy's Sharpe ratio, candidate strategy's correlation to the approved set) for which the Sharpe ratio of the expanded approved set remains constant. We show that selecting strategies (or portfolio managers) solely based on past Sharpe ratio will lead to suboptimal outcomes, particularly when we ignore the impact that these decisions will have on the average correlation of the portfolio. Our strategy approval theorem proves that, under certain circumstances, it is entirely possible for firms to improve their overall Sharpe ratio by hiring portfolio managers with negative expected performance. Finally, we show that these results have important practical business implications with respect to the way investment firms hire, layoff and structure payouts.
Modeling market impact and timing risk in volume time
Authors: Mazur Slava
Published: November 2019

Intraday volatility and market impact models in volume time are proposed. We build an intraday volatility profile to capture non-stationarity of intraday price returns and utilize a fractional Brownian motion process to measure deviations from square root scaling rule of volatility. We propose a generalized, scalable market impact model that encompasses two mainstream approaches: an aggregated impact of a series of trades on a sufficiently long trading horizon and a transient impact of individual trades. We give an intuitive interpretation of the model parameters and provide a generalized formulation of the optimal trading horizon and efficient trading frontier. The self-similarity feature of an aggregated model allows for its application to smaller trading horizons and modeling of transient impact of sliced orders. We formulate conditions when the impact of sliced orders can be consistently aggregated to the total impact of the original order and deduce relationships between parameters of macro and micro level models to enforce such consistency. We demonstrate that the parameters of aggregated and transient impact models are intimately related to the auto-covariance function of trade signs. We give an explicit formulation of such a relationship when the stated auto-covariance function has a power law form.
Sparse, mean reverting portfolio selection using simulated annealing
Authors: Fogarasi Norbert , Levendovszky Janos
Published: November 2019

We study the problem of finding sparse, mean reverting portfolios based on multivariate historical time series. After mapping the optimal portfolio selection problem into a generalized eigenvalue problem, we propose a new optimization approach based on the use of simulated annealing. This new method ensures that the cardinality constraint is automatically satisfied in each step of the optimization by embedding the constraint into the iterative neighbor selection function. We empirically demonstrate that the method produces better mean reversion coefficients than other heuristic methods, but also show that this does not necessarily result in higher profits during convergence trading. This implies that more complex objective functions should be developed for the problem, which can also be optimized under cardinality constraints using the proposed approach.
The extent of price misalignment in prediction markets
Authors: Rothschild David , Pennock David M.
Published: November 2019

We study misaligned prices for logically related contracts in prediction markets. First, we uncover persistent arbitrage opportunities for risk-neutral investors between identical contracts on different exchanges. Examining the impact of several thousand dollars of transactions on the exchanges themselves in a randomized field trial, we document that price support extends well beyond what is seen in the published order book and that arbitrage opportunities are significantly larger than purely observational measurements indicate. Second, we demonstrate misalignment among identical and logically related contracts listed on the same exchange that cluster around moments of high information flow, when related contracts systemically shut down or fail to respond efficiently. Third, we document bounded rationality in prediction markets; examples include: consistent asymmetry between buying and selling, leaving the average return for selling higher than for buying; and persistent price lags between exchanges. Despite these signs of departure from theoretical optimality, the markets studied function well on balance, considering the sometimes complex and subtle relationships among contracts. Yet, we detail how to improve prediction markets by moving the burden of finding and fixing logical contradictions into the exchange and providing flexible trading interfaces, both of which free traders to focus on providing meaningful information in the form they find most natural.
Stochastic flow diagrams
Authors: Calkin Neil J. , López de Prado Marcos
Published: November 2019

We introduce Stochastic Flow Diagrams (SFDs), a new mathematical approach to represent complex dynamic systems into a single weighted digraph. This topological representation provides a way to visualize what otherwise would be a morass of equations in differences. SFDs model the propagation and reverberation that follows a shock. For example, reverberation explains how a shock to a financial system can initiate a sequence of events that lead to a crash long after the occurrence of the shock. SFDs can simulate systems in stable, steady or explosive state. SFDs add Topology to the Statistical and Econometric toolkit. We believe that SFDs will help policy makers, investors and researchers communicate and discuss better the complexity of dynamic systems.
An efficient algorithm for the calculation of reserves for non-unit linked life policies
Authors: Tucker Mark , Bull J. Mark
Published: November 2019

The underlying stochastic nature of the requirements for the Solvency II regulations has introduced significant challenges if the required calculations are to be performed correctly, without resorting to excessive approximations, within practical timescales. It is generally acknowledged by practising actuaries within UK life offices that it is currently impossible to correctly fulfil the requirements imposed by Solvency II using existing computational techniques based on commercially available valuation packages. Our work has already shown that it is possible to perform profitability calculations at a far higher rate than is achievable using commercial packages. One of the key factors in achieving these gains is to calculate reserves using recurrence relations that scale linearly with the number of time steps. Here, we present a general vector recurrence relation which can be used for a wide range of non-unit linked policies that are covered by Solvency II; such contracts include annuities, term assurances, and endowments. Our results suggest that by using an optimised parallel implementation of this algorithm, on an affordable hardware platform, it is possible to perform the ‘brute force’ approach to demonstrating solvency in a realistic timescale (of the order of a few hours).
The relationship between return fractality and bipower variation
Authors: Rhee Thomas A.
Published: November 2019

This paper presents an intuitively simple asset pricing model designed to predict stock returns and volatilities, when stock prices may follow a fractal walk rather than a random walk. The model utilizes similarity ratio of the return fractals as the basis for forecasting. We argue that a collection of past returns such as moving average statistics can be “expanded” to generate future returns through the similarity ratios by trading time multiples. We also argue that stock returns with fractal dimensions in excess of 1.5, the norm for market efficiency, may be prone to frequent jumps and discontinuity. The paper builds an econometrically testable model to estimate fractal dimensions to offer an alternative way to forecast return volatilities without having to estimate separately the bipower variation and the jumps in existing studies. We argue that fractional Brownian motion may be a more suitable description than the standard Wiener process when describing stock return behaviors. The paper also demonstrates the application aspect of our asset pricing model to high frequency algorithmic trading.
Fast recursive portfolio optimization
Authors: Irlicht Laurence
Published: November 2019

Institutional equity portfolios are typically constructed via taking expected stock returns and then applying the computationally expensive processes of covariance matrix estimation and mean-variance optimization. Unfortunately, these computational costs make it prohibitive to comprehensively backtest and tune higher frequency strategies over long histories. In this paper, we introduce a recursive algorithm which significantly lowers the computational cost of calculating the covariance matrix and its inverse as well as an iterative heuristic which provides a very fast approximation to mean-variance optimization. Together, these techniques cut backtesting time to a fraction of that of standard techniques. Where possible, the additional step of caching pre-calculated covariance matrices, can result in overall backtesting speeds up to orders of magnitude faster than the standard methods. We demonstrate the efficacy of our approach by selecting a prediction strategy in a fraction of the time taken by standard methods.
Binomial options pricing has no closed-form solution
Authors: Georgiadis Evangelos
Published: November 2019

We set a lower bound on the complexity of options pricing formulae in the lattice metric by proving that no general explicit or closed form (hypergeometric) expression for pricing vanilla European call and put options exists when employing the binomial lattice approach. Our proof follows from Gosper's algorithm.
Training of future specialists in economics with the help of online service LearningApps
Authors: Gorbatuc Roman , Dudka Uliana
Published: November 2019

Increasing the motivation of students, involving them in interaction within the educational process allows educators to improve the quality of learning, to form the necessary competences. It is proved that interactive learning technologies have a great potential of learning and development, provide maximum activity of participants of the educational process, optimal learning time and its effectiveness. The article introduces the use of interactive exercises developed through the LearningApps online service. LearningApps is a Web 2.0 application for supporting learning and teaching processes with small interactive modules. Those modules can be used directly in learning materials, but also for self-studying. LearningApps is a constructor for creating interactive tasks using a variety of templates that can be used in student learning. The LearningApps interactive environment has the ability to receive and embed an HTML code to place interactive tasks on website pages, teachers'and students' blogs. Using LearningApps allows a teacher to prepare a variety of didactic materials on the Internet that can be used on smartphones, multimedia boards, computers and other devices. The article presents interactive exercises in economic disciplines that encourage students to study, gain knowledge, skills and experience actively. A brief description of the use of LearningApps online tasks such as Find Words, First Million, Find Pairs, Puzzles, Fill in the Gaps, Crossword, and Race for Future Economics Professionals is given. The main benefits of using interactive exercises developed with LearningApps are outlined.
ANALISA KESADAHAN TOTAL DAN KADAR KLORIDA AIR DI KECAMATAN TANGGULANGIN SIDOARJO
Authors: Wulandari Devyana Dyah
Published: November 2019

Subdistrict Tanggulangin was relatively close to the source of the Lapindo mud flow, the release of mud content into the water will cause the death of aquatic organisms and lead to serious consequences for humans who depend their life on these waters. Therefore, researchers seek to determine the total water hardness and chloride content in Tanggulangin district. Water make up the population and sample, taken from 15 points in Tanggulangin, Sidoarjo. Total hardness determination was conducted using complexometric titration method, whereas chloride content wasperformed using argentometry Mohr titration method. Water sample from 3 of 10 regions in Tanggulangin is drinkable, namely the sample A (320 mg / L), sample C (170 mg / L), sample E (304 mg / L), sample F (298 mg / L), sample I (372 mg / L), samples J (340 mg / L). While the in the othersamples, the content of total hardness exceeds the maximum threshold (> 500 mg / L) which means unfit for consumption, and 5 of the 10 areas in the district is drinkable, namely the sample A (123.2 mg / L), sample C (49.7 mg / L), sample E (245.7 mg / L), sample I (182.4 mg / L), and samples J (64mg / L).
DETEKSI DELESI GEN DAZ (Deleted in AZoospermia) PADA PRIA AZOOSPERMIA DENGAN METODE PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)
Authors: Ferandra V.A. , Sukarjati Sukarjati
Published: November 2019

At this time the case of azoospermia is quite common in infertile men. Azoospermia is a condition where the semen does not contain sperm. Many causes azoospermia, including the deletion of a gene at the locus that is located on the Y chromosome long arm (YQ) known as AZF gene (Azoospermia Factor). One of the genes in the AZF region are genes that AZFc DAZ (Deleted in Azoospermia). The purpose of this study was to detect the presence of the DAZ gene deletions in men with azoospermia cases using PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction). The study design was descriptive. Venous blood samples with EDTA anticoagulant taken from 10 men azoospeermia then extracted to obtain DNA. DNA samples were then carried out PCR with primers DAZ. The PCR products were separated by electrophoresis in 2% agarose gel and visualized using UVtranslluminator. Of the 10 samples, four patients including DAZ gene deletion was detected experience while the other six do not experience DAZ gene deletions. It concluded that found their DAZ gene deletions in men with azoospermia using the PCR method