bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Human-robot Interaction in Collaborative Robotic Systems
Authors: Galin R. R. , Serebrennyj V. V. , Tevyashov G. K. , Shiroky A. A.
Published: February 2021

Purpose or researchis to find solvable tasks for increasing the effectiveness of collaborative interaction betweenpeople and robots in ergatic robotic systems, or, in other words, in collaborative robotic systems.Methods.A comprehensive analysis of works published in highly rated peer-reviewed open-access scientificpublications was carried out to achieve this goal. Main terms and concepts of collaborative robotics are described in §1 and their current understanding in the research community is also described. The structure of workspaces ininteraction zone of a person and robot is described. The criteria for assigning robot to the class of collaborative onesare also described. The criteria for safe interaction of a person and robot in a single workspace is described in § 2.Various grounds for classifying human-robot interactions in collaborative RTAs are described in § 3.Results.A significant part of published works about collaborative robotics is devoted to the organization of safe manand robot interaction. Less attention is paid to the effectiveness improvement of such interaction. An up-to-date taskin the problem of efficiency improvement of collaborative robotic systems is the identification of tasks that havealready been solved in other areas - in particular, in the field of organizational systems management. The possibilityof using the term "team" for collaborative robots in a collaborative PTC is stated in § 4. A formal problem setting ofoptimal distribution in teamwork of collaborative robots, similar to the problem of heterogeneous team formation in thetheory of organizational systems management is proposed in § 5.Conclusions.Proposed task setting of optimal distribution of works in collaborative robots’ team shows possibility ofusing results obtained in group of mathematical models of commands formation and functioning for control ofcollaborative robotic systems in order to increase efficiency of people and robots interaction. It is prospectively tocontinue the search for adapting models and governance mechanisms to the theory of organizational systemmanagement and integrated activities methodology.
Structural-Parametric Model of the Design System
Authors: Meshkov V. G. , Iskra D. E.
Published: February 2021

Purpose of research. In the design process developers dealing with professional issues related to the development of new design methods and tools inevitably face problems associated with the modeling of automated and designed objects. The analysis of the problems of designing complex systems have shown that the disadvantages of the design process appear, in particular, due to the incomplete generation of possible project options, as well as their partial ordering. At the same time, there is a certain imbalance in the properties of design systems and the problem of the lack of adequate methods for describing design processes arises. Methods. In the process of partial ordering of acceptable project options, when determining the structure of the design system at the generation stage, the structure of some generative grammar is used, which should have, first of all, control properties that provide a partial ordering of options already in the generation process. In addition, to take into account changes in the composition and parameters of design solutions, the generative grammar must have adaptive properties, which determines the need to choose an appropriate method for adaptive control of the generation process, taking into account, for example, the frequent repetition of the design process. Results. A model of a formalized recognition system is determined when choosing a project variant presented in the class of recognizing grammars. Rules for the formation of elements of recognizing grammars are given, and the alphabet can be represented by a multi-alternative probabilistic network of design options. The choice of the design object type is considered, the elements of the design system structure are determined. Conclusion. The structure of the design system can be parametrically determined based on the rules for generating elements of recognizing grammars, and the possibilities for generating variants can be coordinated with its recognizing capabilities, while the choice of the structure and forecasting of project parameters is made taking into account the number and properties of design resources. It should be noted that providing only the properties of the design system that reduce the description of the process can lead to difficulties in recognizing variants. At the same time, the choice of an adaptive design system structure allows you to build a language system with variable properties that provide the required reduction or expansion of the project description.
Studying the Features of Method Choice of Heat Networks Laying Which Affect Their Energy Efficiency
Authors: Biryuzova E. A. , Glukhanov A. S.
Published: February 2021

Purpose of research. Most of the heating network pipelines in our country have a significant service life exceeding 25 years. Due to the use of obsolete thermal insulation materials, not a reasonable choice of heat networks installation methods which not meet modern requirements of standards and technical documentation, long-haul pipelines, during the coolant transportation around 60% of heat energy is lost. As a result, the implementation of energy saving measures and improving the energy efficiency of heating networks that do not require significant investment is currently most relevant. Methods. The paper considers one of the ways to save energy in the heat supply system by choosing the most effective method of pipelines laying. There have been performed thermal calculations, taking into account the availability of different equipment of the heat network, the same type of pipeline sections of the heat network using the same thermal insulation material for different laying methods. Results.The given paper presents the results of an analytical study of the requirements for choosing a method for laying heating network pipelines in order to systematize and summarize the data of reference and modern regulatory literature, as well as generalized results of design work and recommendations of expert organizations, which plays a significant role in choosing a construction site, as well as identifying factors that can improve the energy efficiency of heat networks. One of these factors is the choice of the most effective method of pipelines laying. Conclusion. A comprehensive review of the set of conditions (geological, climatic, structural and others) in which the projected heat network pipelines will be operating allows us to choose the most effective method of laying. Owing to that method, it is possible to reduce heat energy losses by 50-80%.
Identification of a Person by Gait in a Video Stream
Authors: Uzdiaev M. Yu. , Iakovlev R. N. , Dudarenko D. M. , Zhebrun A. D.
Published: February 2021

Purpose of research. The given paper considers the problem of identifying a person by gait through the use of neural network recognition models focused on working with RGB images. The main advantage of using neural network models over existing methods of motor activity analysis is obtaining images from the video stream without frames preprocessing, which increases the analysis time. Methods. The present paper presents an approach to identifying a person by gait. The approach is based upon the idea of multi-class classification on video sequences. The quality of the developed approach operation was evaluated on the basis of CASIA Gait Database data set, which includes more than 15,000 video sequences. As classifiers, 5 neural network architectures have been tested: the three-dimensional convolutional neural network I3D, as well as 4 architectures representing convolutional-recurrent networks, such as unidirectional and bidirectional LTSM, unidirectional and bidirectional GRU, combined with the convolutional neural network of ResNet architecture being used in these architectures as a visual feature extractor. Results. According to the results of the conducted testing, the developed approach makes it possible to identify a person in a video stream in real-time mode without the use of specialized equipment. According to the results of its testing and through the use of the neural network models under consideration, the accuracy of human identification was more than 80% for convolutional-recurrent models and 79% for the I3D model. Conclusion. The suggested models based on I3D architecture and convolutional-recurrent architectures have shown higher accuracy for solving the problem of identifying a person by gait than existing methods. Due to the possibility of frame-by-frame video processing, the most preferred classifier for the developed approach is the use of convolutional-recurrent architectures based on unidirectional LSTM or GRU models, respectively.
Designing an mHealth Intervention for People With Visible Differences Based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: Participatory Study Gaining Stakeholders’ Input
Authors: Zucchelli Fabio , Donnelly Olivia , Rush Emma , Smith Harriet , Williamson Heidi ,   The VTCT Foundation Research Team
Published: February 2021

Background

Given their growing popularity, mobile health (mHealth) apps may offer a viable method of delivering psychological interventions for people with an atypical appearance (ie, visible difference) who struggle with appearance-related distress. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a third-wave cognitive behavioral approach, has been used effectively in mHealth and is being increasingly applied clinically to common psychosocial difficulties associated with visible differences. We planned to design an ACT-based mHealth intervention (ACT It Out) for this population.

Objective

The aim of this study is to gain key stakeholder input from user representatives and psychological clinicians to optimize the intervention’s design for future development and uptake. To do so, we explored considerations relating to mHealth as a delivery platform for adults with visible differences and elicited stakeholders’ design preferences and ideas based on initial author-created content.

Methods

Within a participatory design framework, we used a mix of qualitative methods, including usability sessions and a focus group in a face-to-face workshop, and interviews and textual feedback collected remotely, all analyzed using template analysis. A total of 6 user representatives and 8 clinicians were recruited for this study.

Results

Our findings suggest that there are likely to be strengths and challenges of mHealth as an intervention platform for the study population, with key concerns being user safeguarding and program adherence. Participants expressed design preferences toward relatable human content, interactive and actionable features, flexibility of use, accessibility, and engaging content.

Conclusions

The findings offer valuable design directions for ACT It Out and related interventions, emphasizing the need to carefully guide users through the intervention while acknowledging the limited time and space that mHealth affords.
Web-Based Survival Analysis Tool Tailored for Medical Research (KMplot): Development and Implementation (Preprint)
Authors: Lánczky András , Győrffy Balázs
Published: February 2021

BACKGROUND

Survival analysis is a cornerstone of medical research, enabling the assessment of clinical outcomes for disease progression and treatment efficiency. Despite its central importance, no commonly used spreadsheet software can handle survival analysis and there is no web server available for its computation.

OBJECTIVE

Here, we introduce a web-based tool capable of performing univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards survival analysis using data generated by genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, or metabolomic studies.

METHODS

We implemented different methods to establish cut-off values for the trichotomization or dichotomization of continuous data. The false discovery rate is computed to correct for multiple hypothesis testing. A multivariate analysis option enables comparing omics data with clinical variables.

RESULTS

We established a registration-free web-based survival analysis tool capable of performing univariate and multivariate survival analysis using any custom-generated data.

CONCLUSIONS

This tool fills a gap and will be an invaluable contribution to basic medical and clinical research.
Thematic Analysis on User Reviews for Depression and Anxiety Chatbot Apps: Machine Learning Approach (Preprint)
Authors: Ahmed Arfan , Aziz Sarah , Khalifa Mohamed , Shah Uzair , Hassan Asma , Abd-Alrazaq Alaa , Househ Mowafa
Published: February 2021

BACKGROUND

Anxiety and depression are among the most commonly prevalent mental health disorders worldwide. Chatbot apps can play an important role in relieving anxiety and depression. Users’ reviews of chatbot apps are considered an important source of data for exploring users’ opinions and satisfaction.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to explore users’ opinions, satisfaction, and attitudes toward anxiety and depression chatbot apps by conducting a thematic analysis of users’ reviews of 11 anxiety and depression chatbot apps collected from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. In addition, we propose a workflow to provide a methodological approach for future analysis of app review comments.

METHODS

We analyzed 205,581 user review comments from chatbots designed for users with anxiety and depression symptoms. Using scraper tools and Google Play Scraper and App Store Scraper Python libraries, we extracted the text and metadata. The reviews were divided into positive and negative meta-themes based on users’ rating per review. We analyzed the reviews using word frequencies of bigrams and words in pairs. A topic modeling technique, latent Dirichlet allocation, was applied to identify topics in the reviews and analyzed to detect themes and subthemes.

RESULTS

Thematic analysis was conducted on 5 topics for each sentimental set. Reviews were categorized as positive or negative. For positive reviews, the main themes were confidence and affirmation building, adequate analysis, and consultation, caring as a friend, and ease of use. For negative reviews, the results revealed the following themes: usability issues, update issues, privacy, and noncreative conversations.

CONCLUSIONS

Using a machine learning approach, we were able to analyze ≥200,000 comments and categorize them into themes, allowing us to observe users’ expectations effectively despite some negative factors. A methodological workflow is provided for the future analysis of review comments.
How Proponents and Opponents Influence Achievement Motivation: The Role of the Anticipated Emotions of Other People
Authors: Simamora Bilson
Published: February 2021

There are countless studies about the influence of other people’s emotions on individuals' behavior. However, the influence of proponents' and opponents' future emotions on achievement motivation remains unclear. This study aims to fill this gap. Therefore, departing from the emotional intelligence theory, the author materializes the anticipated emotions of other people concept and tests it using a static group experimental design with success and failure scenarios, involving 203 participants chosen judgmentally. When reminded of the proponents' joyfulness caused by their success, the Mann-Whitney U test with normal approximation, supported by the Monte Carlo estimation, shows that the mastery-avoidance, performance-approach, and performance-avoidance goals of the experimental group are enhanced. Whereas, when reminded that they would be envied and make the opponents feel distressed, the performance-approach goals are improved. In the failure scenario, when the participants were directed to the proponents' distress, as a response to their failure, the four components of the achievement goals are increased: mastery-approach, mastery-avoidance, performance-approach, and performance-avoidance. However, the opponents' joyfulness, anticipated as a malicious schadenfreude to the participants' failure, is only successful in stimulating the performance-avoidance goals.  A Bayesian estimate with 5,000 times bootstrapping reveals that self-efficacy mediates the influence of the proponents' anticipated joyfulness on the mastery-approach fully, and on the performance-approach goals in a complementary way. Complementary mediation is also apparent in the impact of the proponents' distress on the mastery-approach and mastery-avoidance goals. Above all, love for the proponents is more potent than hatred from social environments for increasing the achievement motivation. Further research is encouraged to replicate this study with different social behavior.
Antioxidant Activities and Identification of an Active Compound from Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.) Peel
Authors: Mistriyani Mistriyani , Riyanto Sugeng , Windarsih Anjar , Rohman Abdul
Published: February 2021

The consumption of rambutan fruit resulted in a vast amount of peels and seeds waste. Therefore, the exploration of active compounds having beneficial effects on human health, such as antioxidants, is very lucrative. This research was aimed to isolate and to identify the active compound as an antioxidant from rambutan peel. The powdered rambutan peel was extracted with a maceration technique using methanol then fractionated using petroleum ether, chloroform, and ethyl acetate to get the corresponding fractions. The extract and fractions were determined for its antioxidant activities in vitro using 2,2’-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and metal-chelating assay. The ethyl acetate fraction exhibited the highest antiradical activity with an IC50 value of 26.22 μg/mL and metal-chelating activity, accounting for 12.32%. The antioxidant activities of extract and fractions correlated with its phenolics and flavonoid contents. Identification of active compounds using FTIR, GC-MS, and NMR resulted in the chemical formula of C7H6O4, identified as 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid.
Hydrocracking of Coconut Oil on the NiO/Silica-Rich Zeolite Synthesized Using a Quaternary Ammonium Surfactant
Authors: Sriatun Sriatun , Susanto Heru , Widayat Widayat , Darmawan Adi
Published: February 2021

NiO/silica-rich zeolite catalysts were used for coconut oil hydrocracking. The catalyst was prepared with a mixture of Na2SiO3, Al(OH)3, NaOH, and quaternary ammonium surfactants. The surfactant was varied of types like as tetrapropylammonium bromide (TPAB) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). The acidity of the silica-rich sodalite zeolites enhances with the increase in nickel oxide added through a wet impregnation. The hydrocracking process was carried out by a semi-batch method. Liquid products were analyzed using GC-MS. The results showed that the addition of surfactants increased the catalyst surface area and acidity. Meanwhile, the presence of nickel oxide increases the acidity of the catalyst. The hydrocracking results showed an increase in gas products when the surface area was high, i.e., 23.781% in silica-rich sodalite zeolite without template (Z), 32.68% in silica-rich sodalite zeolite with tetrapropylammonium (ZTPA), and 39.673% in silica-rich sodalite zeolite with cetyltrimethylammonium (ZCTA). The presence of NiO increased the liquid product and the selectivity of the bioavtur fraction (C10-C15), where the highest percentage of liquid product was 60.07% at NiO/ZTPA.
Enhancement of Cobalt Concentration Supported on Mesoporous Silica towards the Characteristics and Activities of Catalysts for the Conversion of Waste Coconut Oil into Gasoline and Diesel Oil
Authors: Trisunaryanti Wega , Triyono Triyono , Santoso Nugroho Raka , Larasati Savitri , Paramesti Cahyarani , Fatmawati Dyah Ayu
Published: February 2021

The analysis of the effect of cobalt concentration supported on mesoporous silica (MS) has been evaluated. This study was aimed to observe the physical and chemical characteristics of the catalysts, and also to study the catalytic activity and its selectivity towards gasoline and diesel oil products in the hydrocracking process of waste coconut oil. The MS was produced using Lapindo mud, where the CTAB was used as the mesopore templating agent. The Co/MS catalyst was prepared by the wet impregnation method with various concentrations of Co. The characterization of the catalyst includes silica purity test by XRF, determination of Co content by AAS, the crystallinity by XRD, the catalyst porosity by SAA, physical pore structure by SEM and TEM, and total acidity by the gravimetric method using NH3 base vapor adsorption. The hydrocracking was carried out in a hydrocracking reactor using various concentrations of Co/MS catalysts with the ratio of catalyst/feed = 1/50. The products of the hydrocracking process were liquid, coke, and gas. The composition of the hydrocracking liquid products was analyzed by GC-MS. Based on the results of the catalytic activity test, it was concluded that the Co(1)/MS catalyst, which had the highest acidity, showed the best catalyst selectivity towards gasoline and diesel fractions.
Hydrochloric Acid and/or Sodium Hydroxide-modified Zeolite Y for Catalytic Hydrotreating of α-Cellulose Bio-Oil
Authors: Mandela Jason , Trisunaryanti Wega , Triyono Triyono , Koketsu Mamoru , Fatmawati Dyah Ayu
Published: February 2021

The zeolite Y had been successfully modified by HCl and/or NaOH treatment. The modification of zeolite Y was performed by leaching the protonated zeolite Y (HY) in HCl solution (0.1 and 0.5 M) at 70 °C for 3 h resulting in DY0.1 and DY0.5. Subsequently, HY, DY0.1, and DY0.5 zeolites were immersed in 0.1 M NaOH for 15 min at room temperature resulting in AHY, ADY0.1, and ADY0.5. All samples were analyzed for acidity, crystallinity, Si/Al ratio, morphology, and textural properties. The catalytic performance of all samples was investigated in hydrotreating of α-cellulose bio-oil with a catalyst/feed weight ratio of 1/30. The HCl and NaOH treatment led to the decrease of the zeolite Y crystallinity and the increase of the zeolite Y average pore diameter (i.e., the mesopore distribution). The ADY0.5 gave the highest mesopore distribution, which was 43.7%, with an average pore diameter of 4.59 nm. Moreover, both of the treatments were found to increase the Si/Al ratio that caused the decrease of zeolites Y acidity. All the zeolite Y samples gave better catalytic activity to produce liquid products after being treated by NaOH. The sample ADY0.5 managed to produce 6.12% of 1-isopropyl-2,4-dimethylbenzene that has good potential to be processed into fuel.
Transdermal Transport In Vitro of Domperidone by Compartmental Modeling Approach
Authors: Sekar Ayu Pawestri  , Kharis Nugroho Akhmad , Endang Lukitaningsih
Published: February 2021

Transdermal delivery can be alternatively chosen for domperidone to improve its low oral bioavailability. Development drugs into transdermal formulation need information about the transport mechanism of the drug. The purpose of this study was to develop models of domperidone transdermal transport in vitro based on compartmental modeling for understanding the domperidone transport mechanism. Domperidone solution (0,5 g/L in a citric buffer, pH 5) was filled into the donor compartment. The comparative study also conducted to examine the effect of different pH on domperidone transdermal transport in pH 1 (4g/L in 0,1 M HCl). The shed snake-skin and cellophane membrane were pretreated for 1 hour with chemical enhancers (oleic acid in propylene glycol) and assembled between the donor and the receptor compartment of the vertical diffusion cell. The receptor compartment was filled in with phosphate-buffered saline at a pH of 6.8. The permeation study was performed for 8 hours.

Samples concentration was assayed by the UV-Spectrophotometry method. The cumulative permeation profiles of domperidone were analyzed using WinSAAM. Three and four-compartmental models were proposed with the one lag compartment. The evaluation of the appropriate number of compartments in the transport model was examined based on the visual goodness of fit (GOF) and the Corrected Akaike’s Information Criterion (AICc) values. Four-compartmental models with one lag compartment were the best model describing percutaneous domperidone transport either in pH donor of 5 or pH 1. The model indicates domperidone transport follows into two parallel routes, including a lag compartment.
LUEM PUA RICE EXTRACT ATTENUATES THE SEVERITY OF DEXTRAN SULFATE SODIUMINDUCED ULCERATIVE COLITIS IN RATS THROUGH CHOLINOMIMETIC EFFECTS
Authors: THIPART KORNSUDA , PHUNIKHOM KUTCHARIN , NOENPLAB ACHARAPORN NA LAMPANG , SATTAYASAI JINTANA
Published: February 2021

Objective: The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of aqueous extract of unpolished dark purple glutinous Thai rice variety Luem Pua(LP) in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) in rat and the possible cholinomimetic effects of the extract.Methods: The effect of LP extract (0.5, 1, or 1.5 mg/ml final concentration) on ileum contraction was tested using isolated guinea pig ileum. Certainagonists (acetylcholine, tetramethylammonium, and clonidine) and antagonists (hexamethonium chloride and atropine) were studied to determinethe cholinomimetic effect of the extract. The effects of LP extract (5 g/kg/day) in DSS-induced UC model (drinking water was replaced with 3%DSS in water for 7 days) in rat were evaluated. On each day of treatment, the change of disease activity index (DAI) was recorded. At the end of theexperiments, rats were terminated and disease severity expressed as DAI, colon length, and spleen weight were determined.Results: LP extract at the concentration of 0.5, 1, and 1.5 mg/ml (final concentration) could contract the ileum in a dose-dependent manner and beblocked completely by atropine. Oral administration of LP extract could significantly attenuate the severity of DSS-induced UC as seen by the reductionof DAI, colon length, and spleen weight.Conclusion: Results in isolated guinea pig ileum suggest that LP might contain active substance that could activate muscarinic receptors. In additionto antioxidant activity, through activation of muscarinic receptor, might explain the protective effects of LP extract against DSS-induced UC in rats.
ANTI-COAGULANT PROPERTIES OF FLAVONOID COMPOUNDS: POTENTIAL STRUCTURE-FUNCTIONAL RELATIONSHIP
Authors: POUYFUNG PHISIT , SUKATI SURIYAN
Published: February 2021

Objective: Flavonoids, naturally-occurring compounds in fruits and vegetables, possess anti-coagulant property. However, a very few studies wereattempted to understand how flavonoid structure influences its anti-coagulation property, such as clotting time. In this study, we investigatedstructurally similar flavonoid compounds which differ in the number of hydroxyl groups and compared their anti-coagulation properties.Methods: We selected and evaluated five flavonoid compounds, that is, chrysin, apigenin, luteolin, kaempferol, and quercetin, for their anti-coagulantproperties using in vitro prothrombin time (PT) assays and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) assay.Results: Our findings suggested that quercetin, kaempferol, and luteolin showed a significant anti-coagulant effect on APTT (p<0.05) in a dosedependentmanner. The dose of 500 μM quercetin showed potent prolong APTT with 37.43±1.60 s, followed by 500 μM of kaempferol and luteolin(34.63±1.29 s and 4.83±1.56 s, respectively). Furthermore, a combination of 500 μM of quercetin with 0.25 U/ml of heparin demonstrated prolongAPTT (52.16±5.18 s) when compared with individual effects of either 0.25 U/ml heparin (33.4±0.50 s) or 500 μM quercetin (37.43±1.62 s) alone.Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that numbers of the hydroxyl group on flavonoid compounds influence anti-coagulation properties. Inaddition, the prolonged APTT assay results suggested that quercetin, kaempferol, and luteolin could affect factors VIII, IX, XI, and XII of intrinsicpathway. Moreover, the synergistic effect of quercetin further enhances the heparin anti-coagulation effect. Based on our findings, we recommendthat the consumption of vegetables and fruits rich in quercetin, luteolin, and kaempferol could help prevent thrombotic stroke in high-risk patients.
OPTIMIZATION AND IN VITRO EVALUATION OF CREAMS FORMULATION CONTAINING SPIRULINA (ARTHROSPIRA PLATENSIS) EXTRACT AND ZINC OXIDE NANOPARTICLES
Authors: WIKANTYASNING ERINDYAH RETNO , ASTUTI KARTIKA FIDI , NURHAKIMAH ULIL FIKRI , SULA RAMADHANI DWI
Published: February 2021

Objective: The aims of this study are to formulate creams containing combination of spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) extract and zinc oxidenanoparticles using glycerol and propylene glycol as humectants and to evaluate their physical characteristics and in vitro antioxidant activity.Methods: Spirulina was extracted by maceration method using methanol as solvent. The high energy ball milling technique was used to obtain zincoxide nanoparticles. Creams were prepared in five formulas with the variations in the concentration of glycerol and propylene glycol. The physicalcharacteristics of creams were evaluated including pH, spreadability, adhesiveness, and viscosity. The optimization was conducted by Simplex LatticeDesign (SLD) method using Design-Expert software. In vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH method.Results: The extraction resulted spirulina extract with a yield of 13.57%. The particle size of the ZnO nanoparticles obtained was 143.4±0.364 nm,with the polydispersity index of 0.177. Optimum formula of cream was obtained with the concentration of glycerol and propylene glycol was 12.9and 17.1%, respectively. The spreadability, adhesiveness, viscosity, and pH of the optimized cream were 12.73±0.16 cm2, 1.47±0.12 s, 126.67±5.77dPas, and 7.11±0.04, respectively. Cream containing spirulina extract and ZnO nanoparticles showed in vitro antioxidant activity with the IC50 valueof 59.47±6.34 ppm.Conclusion: Cream, containing spirulina and ZnO nanoparticles, was successfully prepared using glycerol and propylene glycol as humectant andshowed very strong antioxidant activity in vitro.
IMPROVEMENT OF ORGANIC RED PIGMENT PRODCUTION BY MONASCUS PURPUREUS TISTR3651 USING PATHUMTHANI-1 RICE-BASED MEDIUM IN SUBMERGED AND SOLID-STATE FERMENTATION
Authors: TECHAOEI SURACHAI , JARMKOM KHEMJIRA , DUMRONGPHUTTIDACHA THISAKORN , KHOBJAI WARACHATE
Published: February 2021

Objective: This research is to study the production of natural red pigment by Monascus purpureus TISTR3615 in the submerged and solid-statefermentation system using Pathumthani-1 rice as a carbon source.Methods: The antioxidant activity of the red pigment was evaluated in vitro 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ABTS radical scavenging assay,and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay, including total phenolic compound.Results and Discussion: The maximum of red pigment production was 0.55±0.02/ml (OD 680 nm) after incubation at 30°C for 24 days. Theantioxidant activity based on inhibition DPPH (%), ABTS radical scavenging activity (%), and FRAP activity (mM Fe2+/g) was 97.80±1.51,68.64±0.46, and 0.32±0.021, respectively. The total phenolic content was 164.78±2.82 μg GAE/mg.Conclusion: It was estimated that Monascus pigments, leading to nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications, cosmetic industry, and foodindustry.
SYNTHESIS OF CARBOXYMETHYL CELLULOSE FROM RICE HUSK
Authors: JARMKOM KHEMJIRA , KHOBJAI WARACHATE , TEACHAOEI SURACHAI , SHUWISITKUL DUANGRATANA
Published: February 2021

Objective: The purpose of this research was to produce carboxymethyl cellulose from rice husk (CMCRH) and used it as a raw material in food orhealth products.Methods: Cellulose was extracted from husk rice and converted to CMC (CMCRH) using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and monochloroacetic acid inisopropanol (C3H8O).Results: CMCRH was characterized for chemical composition and morphology by scanning electron microscopy. Microscopy analysis showed thatchemical composition changes with increasing sodium content (Na-). Likewise, morphology has changed. Physicochemical and viscosity tests showedthat were similar properties compare with commercial CMC.Conclusion: CMC is derived cellulose that is used in products for various applications. RH is an agricultural waste that is carried out to synthesize CMC(CMCRH). Finally, CMCRH has the potential to be used in raw materials in food or health products which biodegradable material.
IN VITRO AND IN VIVO TOXICITY EVALUATION OF TRAPA BISPINOSA ROXB. STARCH
Authors: THUNGMUNGMEE SURADWADEE , WISIDSRI NAKUNTWALAI
Published: February 2021

Objective: This study aimed to assess the toxicity of Trapa bispinosa Roxb. starch (TBS) through in vitro and in vivo studies.Methods: The cytotoxicity of TBS extract (TBSE) was evaluated on RAW 264.7 macrophage and NIH 3T3 fibroblast cell lines and the acute dermal andoral toxicities of TBS were analyzed in rats. To access acute dermal toxicity, the rats received a single application of 200, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg BW ofTBS, while for acute oral toxicity, the rats received a single administration of 300 and 2000 mg/kg BW of TBS. All animals were observed for changesin body weight, mortality, and clinical signs of abnormality after application and administration of the TBS.Results: The in vitro results showed that TBSE at concentrations of 6.25–200 μg/ml was non-cytotoxic to macrophages and fibroblasts. From acutetoxicity studies, the lethal dose of TBS was considered to be over 2000 mg/kg BW. No mortality, clinical signs of abnormality, or gross pathology weredetected at necropsy.Conclusion: TBS is non-toxic in in vitro and in vivo studies. Therefore, TBS can be used as pharmaceuticals excipients or cosmetic ingredients.
HEALTH SEEKING BEHAVIOR TOWARDS MINOR AILMENTS AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN MALAYSIA
Authors: TAN LI-YING , CHUA SIEW SIANG
Published: February 2021

Objective: This study was conducted to identify the types of minor ailments encountered by university students in Malaysia and the action taken in response to these ailments.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on undergraduate students from the various faculties in a major private and a public university in Malaysia. A researcher stationed at different areas of the universities to recruit respondents. If the student agreed to participate, he/she would sign a consent form and then self-filled a structured questionnaire.

Results: Of the 856 respondents included in this study, 68.6% were female and 60.6% rated their health status as ‘good’ or ‘very good’. During the one month period prior to the study, 87.4% of the respondents encountered at least one minor ailment. The five most common minor ailments encountered were headache (58.1%), common cold (42.8%), sore throat (42.6%), cough (40.3%) and back pain (27.6%). The main actions taken were rest at home and self-medication. The most common drug used for the treatment of minor ailments was paracetamol (49% of the respondents). Other drugs were used by less than 10% of the respondents. The main source of information was from parents (63.7%), followed by doctors (59.9%), internet (57.9%), pharmacists (33.9%) and friends (33.5%).

Conclusion: Headache is more common among university students compared to the general population. Further studies are required to understand the cause of headache among this population.
ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF THE METABOLITES OF ASPERGILLUS CHEVALIERI AND TRICHODERMA HARZIANUM
Authors: BEKOE EMELIA OPPONG , WIAFE-KWAGYAN MICHAEL , GAYSI JOYCELYN
Published: February 2021

Objective: This study sought to preliminarily investigate the inhibitory effect of metabolites of Aspergillus chevalieri and Trichoderma harzianum on a number of pathogenic bacteria.

Methods: The agar well diffusion method was employed to determine the antimicrobial activity of the fungal metabolites. The test microorganisms were Enterococcus faecalis, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Results: Both metabolites had broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. All the test organisms were susceptible to the A. chevalieri metabolites except for S. typhi. Both S. typhi and E. faecalis were however not susceptible to T. harzianum metabolites. P. aeruginosa was highly susceptible to both metabolites with the highest zone of inhibition of 26 mm for the stock metabolite. This activity was comparable to the standard, 10 µg/ml of ciprofloxacin.

Conclusion: Metabolites of A. chevalieri and T. harzianum exhibited broad-spectrum activity, and this can be exploited as a source for novel antibiotics.
EFFICIENCY OF CURCUMIN AND CHITOSAN NANOPARTICLES AGAINST TOXICITY OF POTASSIUM DICHROMATE IN MALE MICE
Authors: MOHAMED NOURA RADY , BADR THANAA MOSTAFA , ELNAGAR MOHAMED R.
Published: February 2021

Objective: The purpose of this work is to examine the protective effect of nanocurcumin and nanochitosan supplementation against potassium dichromate toxicity in male mice.

Methods: Male albino mice weighing 25-30 gm were divided into six groups; the first group received saline. Second and third groups were given oral dose of nanocurcumin and nanochitosan respectively for 5 d. Fourth group was injected subcutaneously with a single dose of potassium dichromate for 24 h. Group five and six were administrated nanocurcumin and nanochitosan, respectively prior to potassium dichromate. Animals were anesthetized by ether anesthesia then bone marrow was harvested for chromosomal examination and epididymal sperms were collected for sperm morphology, while Kidneys and testes were collected for western blot and biochemical analysis.

Results: Potassium dichromate induced significant (P≤0.05) increase in chromosome and sperm abnormalities as well as testicular and renal MDA, renal MPO, renal contents of IL-18 and IGF-1, testicular contents of caspase 3 and cytosolic cytochrome c, a reduction in testosterone level, and GPx of renal and testicular tissues compared to control group. Pretreatment with both types of nanoparticles showed significant (P≤0.05) mitigation against most alterations induced by potassium dichromate; moreover, nanochitosan gave more significant (P≤0.05) improvement against chromosome and sperm abnormalities than nanocurcumin.

Conclusion: The present study revealed that the selected nanoparticles have antioxidant as well as antigenotoxic properties against toxicity of potassium dichromate.
Рукопись Т. А. Бурдуковой «Программа занятий по монгольскому и ойратскому языкам»
Authors:   Kalmyk Scientific Center of the RAS, Mandzhikova Larisa B.
Published: February 2021

Introduction. The A.V. Burdukov and T.A. Burdukova family archive (Form 21) kept at the Scientific Archive of the Kalmyk Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences contains unpublished and unanalyzed materials containing data on the scientific and social activities of the two outstanding scholars Alexei Vasilyevich Burdukov and his daughter Taisiya Alekseevna Burdukova. These materials include lecture notes and study programs. The materials from archive file No. 158 are of particular interest, they include two manuscripts of the above mentioned authors. The texts of the documents are written in a notebook, on the front side of the notebook the text was written by Alexey Vasilyevich, whereas on the back the text was written by Taisia Alexeyevna. The manuscript by A. V. Burdukov is a summary of the report for a meeting of the Political Circle of the Leningrad Oriental Institute on the topic “The Party during the period of factions (1907–1910)”, which was scheduled on April 1, 1936. The purpose of this article is to introduce into scientific circulation the text of the manuscript written by T. A. Burdukova — “Mongolian and Oirat Language Study Program” for the 1945–1946 academic year. The text of the manuscript is written in blue ink, it has faded in places which makes it difficult to read the manuscript. The text contains the author’s corrections and insertions. The text of the Program shows the topics Taisiya Alekseevna intended to convey to the students and how she planned to develop their skills in the Mongolian and Oirat language proficiency (in the old-written and modern aspects), the study of written sources, the ability to work with scientific literature and publications. Also, the teacher planned to instill in the audience a habit of reading non-fiction and fiction literature, to teach them analyze the material they have read. The study program includes approaches to teaching students, developing their skills of working with sources and literature in the Mongolian and Oirat languages, all these determine the value and significance of the manuscript by T.A. Burdukova.
THE IMPACT OF BRAND VALUE ON MARKET PERFORMANCE INDICATORS OF HIGH-TECHNOLOGY ENTERPRISES
Authors: Jovanović Milica , Krstić Bojan , Milanović Sandra
Published: February 2021

Brand valuation gained in importance in the 1980s, when a difference between the price at which some enterprises are bought and their value, according to the balance sheet, was noticed. Brand value can be considered an intangible asset of an enterprise, whose impact on the market performance indicators must be taken into account. This paper examines the relationship between brand value and selected market performance indicators using correlation and regression analysis. The analysis is based on Interbrand data on brand value and annual reports of selected enterprises from high-technology sector. The sample included top 5 enterprises from high - technology sector, whose corporate brands are on the list of the 100 most valuable brands, in all years of the analysed eight-year period (from 2012 to 2019). This paper discovered a statistically significant positive relationship between brand value and market performance indicators and that brand value positively influences those performances of high - technology enterprises. The focus of this study is on the following market performance indicators: market capitalization, Tobin's Q, market to book ratio and earnings per share. The research contributes to the field of brand value management and emphasizes the importance of investments in corporate branding process.
THE CONSERVATISM PRINCIPLE IN MODERN FINANCIAL REPORTING
Authors: Arsenijević Aleksandra
Published: February 2021

Various studies point out that the principle of conservatism (prudence) has been too long in the field of accounting, which makes it almost irreplaceable. However, the development of accounting is in line with constant expansion of the circle of stakeholders who impose new requirements regarding information on sources of income, destination of expenditures and calculation of periodic results. This inevitably leads to changes in financial reporting, aimed primarily at applying the fair value concept.
MACROECONOMIC FACTORS AND STOCK MARKET BEHAVIOUR: AN ANALYSIS OF THE 2008 CRISIS
Authors: Osamwonyi Ifuero Osad , Audu Godfrey Ayegbeni
Published: February 2021

This study investigates the long term relationship between the behaviour of stock markets during the 2008 crisis and some selected international macroeconomic variables using information from January 2005 to December 2015. The procedures of the Autoregressive Distributed Lag modeling techniques (ARDL) are employed for the analysis. The bounds testing procedure in the ARDL framework is used to test for the existence of long term relationships between stock market behaviour and global economic factors (interest rate, exchange rate, index of industrial production and oil price) as well as the direction of effects, while estimated coefficients are used to test the pattern of long term relationships among the variables. The study revealed that a significant long term relationship exists between stock price movements and these global economic trends while the stock market crash significantly impacted the efficiency of the markets under review. Thus, it is recommended that market fundamentals should remain the capstone of stock market analysis, and policies should encourage the delinking of stock markets from the international commodity market factors.
Efectos de las medidas de prevención y mitigación de la pandemia de COVID-19 sobre los índices de confianza en países de la OCDE
Authors: Gómez Rodríguez Tomás , Pérez Reveles María de la Luz , Ríos Bolívar Humberto
Published: February 2021

Analizar el impacto de la pandemia de COVID-19 sobre la incertidumbre económica es esencial. Sobre todo, cuando se considera que las medidas de incertidumbre económica pueden proporcionar información prospectiva acerca de la actividad económica en tiempo real. Con este fin, se utilizan el índice de confianza del consumidor y el índice de confianza empresarial como variables dependientes. Por otro parte, para analizar las consecuencias de la pandemia se utiliza: el número de decesos confirmados por COVID-19 como variable independiente. De igual manera, para evaluar las medidas de contención y mitigación de la pandemia se emplearon el índice de apoyo económico y el índice de respuesta gubernamental. Se consideraron dos muestras de diferente composición, una para cada índice de confianza. Ambas muestras se componen de 28 países miembros o socios de la OCDE. Se utilizó el Método Generalizado de Momentos con efectos fijos de dos vías para realizar el análisis estadístico. Los resultados muestran que existe una relación positiva entre la incertidumbre económica y el número de decesos confirmados por COVID-19. Por otro lado, se detectó una relación negativa entre el índice de respuesta gubernamental y la incertidumbre económica.
Impacto económico del cierre de las actividades no esenciales a causa del Covid-19 en México. Una evaluación por el método de extracción hipotética
Authors: Murillo VIllanueva Brenda , De Jesús Almonte Leobardo , Carbajal Suárez Yolanda
Published: February 2021

Ante la pandemia por Covid-19 el gobierno mexicano ordenó la suspensión de las actividades económicas no esenciales por un periodo aproximado de 60 días para contener la transmisión del virus. Este trabajo evalúa el impacto económico de esta medida utilizando el método de extracción hipotética para analizar una serie de escenarios que permitan conocer la magnitud de la caída en la producción bruta y el valor agregado de México en 2020. Los resultados muestran que cuando la demanda intermedia y final caen entre 40 y 50% por un periodo de 60 días, la producción y el valor agregado se contraen entre 3.94 y 4.84%, y 2.86 y 3.52%, respectivamente. Además, se identificaron los sectores cuya extracción ocasionaría una caída significativa en el valor agregado.
Noticias del COVID-19 y contagio de volatilidad en la Bolsa Mexicana de Valores
Authors: De la Torre Torres Óscar V.
Published: February 2021

En el presente trabajo se utilizan el índice de volatilidad VIX e índices de sentimiento de mercado de noticias de política económica, comercial y de propagación de enfermedades como el COVID-19. Esto para medir el efecto que estos tienen en la probabilidad de ocurrencia de episodios de alta volatilidad en la Bolsa Mexicana de Valores (BMV). Con información mensual de enero de 1996 a agosto del 2020, se utilizaron modelos Markov-Switching para calcular las probabilidades suavizadas de un régimen de alta volatilidad. Con estas y los índices de sentimiento de mercado, se corrieron modelos logit que demostraron que la incertidumbre relativa a noticias del COVID-19 no genera episodios de alta volatilidad en la BMV. La presencia de estos episodios se debe más a una situación de contagio de volatilidad desde los mercados financieros estadounidenses.