bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multifunctional magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles: diverse synthetic approaches, surface modifications, cytotoxicity towards biomedical and industrial applications
Authors: Natarajan Subramanian , Harini Kannan , Gajula Gnana Prakash , Sarmento Bruno , Neves-Petersen Maria Teresa , Thiagarajan Viruthachalam
Published: November 2019

Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MIONPs) play a major role in the emerging fields of nanotechnology to facilitate rapid advancements in biomedical and industrial platforms. The superparamagnetic properties of MIONPs and their environment friendly synthetic methods with well-defined particle size have become indispensable to obtain their full potential in a variety of applications ranging from cellular to diverse areas of biomedical science. Thus, the broadened scope and need for MIONPs in their demanding fields of applications required to be highlighted for a comprehensive understanding of their state-of-the-art. Many synthetic methods, however, do not entirely abolish their undesired cytotoxic effects caused by free radical production and high iron dosage. In addition, the agglomeration of MIONPs has also been a major problem. To alleviate these issues, suitable surface modification strategies adaptive to MIONPs has been suggested not only for the effective cytotoxicity control but also to minimize their agglomeration. The surface modification using inorganic and organic polymeric materials would represent an efficient strategy to utilize the diagnostic and therapeutic potentials of MIONPs in various human diseases including cancer. This review article elaborates the structural and magnetic properties of MIONPs, specifically magnetite, maghemite and hematite, followed by the important synthetic methods that can be exploited for biomedical approaches. The in vivo cytotoxic effects and the possible surface modifications employed to eliminate the cytotoxicity thereby enhancing the nanoparticle efficacy are also critically discussed. The roles and applications of surface modified MIONPs in medical and industrial platforms have been described for the benefits of global well-being.
Alarm Settings of Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems and Associations to Glucose Outcomes in Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Lin Yu Kuei , Groat Danielle , Chan Owen , Hung Man , Sharma Anu , Varner Michael W , Gouripeddi Ramkiran , Facelli Julio C , Fisher Simon J
Published: November 2019

Context

Little evidence exists regarding the positive and negative impacts of continuous glucose monitor system (CGM) alarm settings for diabetes control in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Objective

Evaluate the associations between CGM alarm settings and glucose outcomes.

Design and Setting

A cross-sectional observational study in a single academic institution.

Patients and Main Outcome Measures

CGM alarm settings and 2-week CGM glucose information were collected from 95 T1D patients with > 3 months of CGM use and ≥ 86% active usage time. The associations between CGM alarm settings and glucose outcomes were analyzed.

Results

Higher glucose thresholds for hypoglycemia alarms (ie, ≥ 73 mg/dL vs < 73 mg/dL) were related to 51% and 65% less time with glucose < 70 and < 54 mg/dL, respectively (P = 0.005; P = 0.016), higher average glucose levels (P = 0.002) and less time-in-range (P = 0.005), but not more hypoglycemia alarms. The optimal alarm threshold for < 1% of time in hypoglycemia was 75 mg/dL.

Lower glucose thresholds for hyperglycemia alarms (ie, ≤ 205 mg/dL vs > 205 mg/dL) were related to lower average glucose levels and 42% and 61% less time with glucose > 250 and > 320 mg/dL (P = 0.020, P = 0.016, P = 0.007, respectively), without more hypoglycemia. Lower alarm thresholds were also associated with more alarms (P < 0.0001). The optimal alarm threshold for < 5% of time in hyperglycemia and hemoglobin A1c ≤ 7% was 170 mg/dL.

Conclusions

Different CGM glucose thresholds for hypo/hyperglycemia alarms are associated with various hypo/hyperglycemic outcomes. Configurations to the hypo/hyperglycemia alarm thresholds could be considered as an intervention to achieve therapeutic goals.
DESENVOLVIMENTO LOCAL: A GESTÃO SOB O OLHAR DA ADMINISTRAÇÃO
Authors: Carvalho Margarida Vieira Lima
Published: November 2019

Promover o desenvolvimento local envolve um amplo trabalho de articulação entre Órgãos Públicos, ONG, Universidades e Empresas, com o propósito de gerenciar o bem comum. O objetivo deste trabalho é apresentar as oportunidades e as estratégias do desenvolvimento econômico para a gestão local, levando em consideração a importância de se obter uma política sistêmica que atente para a gestão econômica, social e cultural, como um elo que possibilita desenvolver mudanças através da relação equilibrada entre conhecimento e experiência de vida, nas atividades desenvolvidas. Nesse contexto, a cidade de Valente, no interior da Bahia, apresenta um modelo de organização (APAEB) reconhecido mundialmente pelo trabalho desenvolvido, que gera renda e, através de suas ações gerenciais, tanto instruções financeiras quanto técnicas, os agricultores da região as utilizam como ferramenta para as suas atividades diárias. Defende-se que o desenvolvimento local é caracterizado como a construção de um ambiente produtivo inovador.
Palestine's History and Heritage Narrative: Alternative Prospects
Authors: Raʿad Basem L.
Published: November 2019

This paper examines the possibility of constructing an alternative national narrative of Palestine's past and of regional heritage based on current scholarship and ongoing discoveries that would affirm the Palestinian people's continuous existence in their land and offer a more constructive approach to their identity. Palestinian self-understanding, as reflected in traditions, public assumptions, educational curricula and tourist information, needs to engage in what scholarly work has to offer, and must benefit from it to retrieve a more inclusive account of the past. The paper first examines how ancient Palestinian history has been lost and destroyed by old traditions as well as by appropriative Western and Zionist claim systems. The paper also suggests future approaches and recommends priorities for research that bear on this effort.
Rethinking Palestinian Exile: Inherent loss and the object of desire in Mourid Barghouti's I / Saw Ramallah
Authors: Abuawad-Shahin Shada
Published: November 2019

This article examines the alternative vision of Palestinian exile that Mourid Barghouti elaborates in I Saw Ramallah, his poignant account of return to Ramallah in 1996 after thirty years in exile. Barghouti's vision cannot be framed within either traditional (essentialist) concepts of diasporic Palestinian exile or postmodern (hybrid) diasporic aesthetics. In this paper, therefore, I argue that Barghouti's narrative provides an alternative vision of Palestinian exile that grounds the Palestinian experience within notions of ungroundedness of being, what Hugo of St. Victor calls elsewhere “perfect” belonging that empties the logic of identification out of its identitarian substance and reveals the loss at the core of every identity. Barghouti's narrative shows the need for examining the life of Palestinian exiles, refugees and non-refugees from the perspective of those who are reduced to the status of the surplus, of those who do not count, in the global system.
Effects of the walnut Plukenetia conophora shell in the diet on the growth performance and genotoxicity of the African catfish Clarias gariepinus
Authors: Ayoola Simeon O. , Omoile Loveth N.
Published: November 2019

Aquaculture industry is facing challenges of the high cost of fish feed, and therefore it is very crucial to explore the alternative raw materials for feed formulation at the lowest cost. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of Plukenetia conophora shells on the growth, haematological and biochemical parameters, and its genotoxicity on African catfish Clarias gariepinus juveniles. Five experimental diets were formulated having three replicates at 0% (0WS), 25% (25WS), 50% (50WS), 75% (75WS) and 100% (100WS) inclusion of walnut shell respectively. The fishes were fed on experimental diet two time a day for 12 weeks. The results showed that the fish in tank 25WS had the best weight gain with the mean of 33.5±5.8 g and the least was recorded in tank 100WS. The specific growth rate was highest in-tank 75WS with the mean value of 0.46±0.05 g was recorded. The highest feed intake was found in fish fed with 25% inclusion of P. conophora.  The fish fed with P. conophorashowed increased values of haemoglobin, (12.05±1.63g/dL), Red blood cell, (2.785±0.28µL) and White blood cell, (11.25±4.59µL) compared with control diet values of fish fed of  Red blood cell, (1.81±1.54µL) and White blood cell, (5.15±6.57µL). There was a reduction in the haematological value of the fish fed with control feed having Haemoglobin, (10.75±8.13g/dL). The genotoxicity test that was carried out showed that the highest counts of micronucleus were in tank 75WS. The Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) shows a significant difference (p0.05) in the growth performance of the fish. It is concluded that inclusion of 50% P. conophora shells in the feed of C. gariepinus gave no negative impact on the health status  and growth performance of the fish.  Keywords: Toxicity test, Growth indices, Plukenetia conophora, Clarias gariepinus
A case with a combination of Conn’s syndrome and diffuse toxic goiter
Authors: Yakovlev V. A. , Shustov S. B. , Khalimov Yu. Sh.
Published: November 2019

The combination of pathology of the adrenal glands and thyroid gland is very rare and, as a rule, is characterized by adrenal insufficiency and hypothyroidism / Schmidt syndrome), which develop in type II autoimmune polyglandular syndrome. There is a single description of low-krenin aldosteronism due to thyroid cancer. In the available literature, we have not found information about the combination of primary hyperaldosteronism and diffuse toxic goiter.
Incidence of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: An epidemiological study
Authors: Trofimenko Ye. V. , Lebedev N. B. , Gubanov N. V. , Zlobina Ye. N. , Dedov I. I.
Published: November 2019

Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is one of the most important problems of our time. This disease plays a significant role in the structure of chronic childhood pathology, leads to severe complications that invalidate a person, and significantly increases mortality at a young age. The study of the incidence of T1DM (the number of new cases of T1DM in a certain population within 1 year) allows you to get answers to a number of questions on its etiology and pathogenesis, to solve the problems of the need to allocate material resources for the organization of preventive and therapeutic measures.

Information on the incidence of T1DM in the world applies in most cases to people under the age of 15 years, data for the age group up to 1820 years of age are less common. Epidemiological studies in various countries show an increase in the incidence of T1DM in children. This is shown by the example of Norway, the USA, Finland, Denmark from the 20s of our century, England - from the 50s and other countries over the past 20 years. It is possible to reliably distinguish a true increase in the incidence from an improvement in the detection of diabetes only on the basis of standardized epidemiological studies for certain periods of time. Many countries have compiled national childhood diabetes registries. Thus, in a number of countries standardized information on sex and age was obtained on the incidence of children with T1DM for at least 10 years, divided into 5-year periods. According to these data, the incidence rate has increased in the vast majority of countries over the past 10-20 years. It is noteworthy that the change, namely, an increase in the incidence of type 1 diabetes mellitus in children, is uneven. In some regions of the world, this indicator remained virtually unchanged over fairly long periods of time.
Differential diagnosis of hyperthyroidism with highly sensitive assay of blood TTH: clinical review and practical recommendations for use in Russia and USA
Authors: Figge J. , Gerasimov G. A.
Published: November 2019

Highly sensitive methods for determining the level of TSH, carried out using test kits of the second and third generation, make it possible to differentiate with high accuracy the normal and subnormal levels of TSH in the blood and are currently widely used to examine patients with thyroid pathology. These methods have been used for a long time in clinical practice in the United States of America, and recently they are also increasingly used in Russia. The level of TSH below normal values ​​is determined in almost all cases of hyperthyroidism (with the exception of cases of TSH-secreting pituitary adenoma or resistance of the pituitary to thyroid hormones), which makes it possible to do without additional testing with tyroliberin (TRH). Methods for determining second generation TSH usually have a lower sensitivity limit of about 0.1 mU/L. When using the third generation methods, it is possible to accurately determine the level of TSH up to 0.01 mU/L. The fourth generation methods, which are still under development, will have a lower limit of determination of 0.001 mU/L, but they are unlikely to be used for routine clinical studies in the near future. At the Endocrinology Research Center of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences in Moscow, third-generation methods are currently being used for routine clinical research (the Amerlight system, produced in Russia by the Amerkard joint venture). In addition to this system, other test systems of both domestic and foreign production are also available in Russia. In the USA, methods for determining TTG of the second and third generation are used. Third-generation systems are noticeably more expensive than second-generation systems. Given that in most patients with hyperthyroidism, the TSH level is in the range of less than 0.1 mU/L, methods for determining the third generation are more preferable. In general, the normal level of TSH in the blood of individuals in a state of euthyroidism is from 0.5 to 5.0 mU/L, although there are some interlaboratory differences in the standards for the level of TSH.
Transcortin interaction with human syncytiotrophoblast
Authors: Kiselyova Ye. P. , Vashkevich I. I. , Strelchenok O. A.
Published: November 2019

Interactions of transcortin (corticosteroid-binding globulin, CBG) variants, nCBG and rCBG, present in the blood of pregnant women, and microvesicular fraction of the brush border membrane of human placental syncytiotrophoblast at 23 + 2 C were studied. Interaction of nCBG in complex with a steroid with each of the two types for specific binding was found associated with transmcmbranous transfer of glycoprotein. Interaction of rCBG with binding sites of both types did not involve subsequent glycoprotein transfer through the membrane. Possibility of penetration of only one CBG variant through syncytiotrophoblast membrane suggests the presence of different mechanisms of these glycoproteins' participation in the hormonal effects of steroids associated with them.
Combined ultrasonic examination in surgical diseases of the adrenals
Authors: Vetshev P. S. , Shkrob O. S. , Kuznetsov N. S. , Lotov A. N. , Kulezneva Yu. V.
Published: November 2019

Combined staged ultrasonic examination of 53 patients with surgical diseases of the adrenals (Icenko Cushings disease and hormonally active tumors) included preoperative transcutaneous ultrasonic examination, ultrasound-monitored spot fine needle aspiration biopsy, intraoperative and postoperative ultrasonic examinations. Transcutaneous ultrasonic examination was found to be little informative in Icenko Cushings disease, whereas in adrenal tumors it was virtually as sensitive as computer-aided tomography. Ultrasound-monitored spot fine needle aspiration biopsy proved to be a highly informative safe method, which helps morphologically diagnose the disease before surgery. Intraoperative ultrasonic examination helped reduce the surgical trauma in all the cases, and in patients with Icenko Cushings disease it gave an idea of the type of morphologic changes in the removed adrenal. Ultrasonic monitoring of tissue status at the site of intervention helped timely detect the postoperative complications.
TERRITORIALIZAÇÃO EM SAÚDE: CONCEITOS, ETAPAS E ESTRATÉGIAS DE IDENTIFICAÇÃO
Authors: Bissacotti Anelise Pigatto , Gules Ana Maria , Blümke Adriane Cervi
Published: November 2019

Conhecer o território em que a Unidade de Saúde atua constitui-se em um elemento importante para a criação de estratégias que visem à melhoria dos serviços de saúde e do ambiente em que vivem a população. Para que essa identificação seja eficiente torna-se necessário buscar, criar e explorar ferramentas que auxiliem nesse processo. O objetivo desse trabalho foi resgatar os conceitos e as etapas para a territorialização em saúde e as estratégias para a sua realização. Conduziu-se um levantamento nas bases de dados google acadêmico e Lilacs, bibliografias acadêmicas e sites institucionais. Constatou-se a existência de vários conceitos de território e vários instrumentos para a realização da territorialização em saúde com ou sem uso de tecnologias, tais como: questionários, mapas, maquetes e sistemas informatizados. Esses instrumentos auxiliam no processo de planejamento e execução de atividades em cada etapa do processo de conhecimento do território e da população que nele habita. Dessa forma, a territorialização permite reorganizar as práticas em saúde pautadas na humanização da atenção e nas necessidades da comunidade.
ANÁLISE DE SOFRIMENTO MENTAL DE TRABALHADORES QUE ATUAM NO SETOR DE SEGURANÇA PRIVADA
Authors: Fagundes Ana Cláudia , Aquino Rafael Lemes de , Mendes Paulo Cezar
Published: November 2019

Objetivo: Investigar a prevalência de adoecimentos mentais dos trabalhadores que atuam no seguimento de segurança privada. Método: Pesquisa de estudo quantitativo, descritivo e bibliográfico. Estudo realizado em uma empresa situada em Uberlândia, Minas Gerais. Fizeram parte do estudo 281 trabalhadores do gênero masculino e feminino, que trabalham nos turnos diurno e noturno, com escala de trabalho 12/36h, cujos cargos de vigilante, porteiro, recepcionista, segurança pessoal, atendente de monitoramento eletrônico e demais administrativos, que tenham apresentado ASO (Atestado de Saúde Ocupacional) e suas respectivas classificações no CID-10 (Classificação Internacional de Doenças) categoria F (letra que identifica os transtornos), no período de janeiro/2012 à dezembro/2015. Resultados: Mediante tais evidências, concluiu-se que este seguimento de trabalho é carente de investigações e com os achados do estudo é considerada uma área geradora de patologias relacionadas ao adoecimento mental e agravantes de cunho físico.
PREVALÊNCIA E FATORES RELACIONADOS A TRANSTORNOS MENTAIS COMUNS ENTRE PROFESSORES UNIVERSITÁRIOS DE UMA UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL BRASILEIRA
Authors: Guimarães de Souza Neme Glaúcia , Limongi Jean Ezequiel
Published: November 2019

Objetivo: descrever as características sociodemográficas, condições e organização do trabalho, carreira docente, hábitos de vida e antecedentes patológicos entre professores de uma Universidade Federal Brasileira, além de pesquisar a prevalência de transtornos mentais comuns e sua relação com as variáveis em estudo. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo transversal, mediante aplicação de um questionário estruturado, autoaplicável e um instrumento padronizado e validado no Brasil, o Questionário de Saúde Geral de Goldberg (GHQ-28). Resultados: Foram entrevistados 351 docentes. A prevalência de transtornos mentais comuns foi de 29,6%. Como fatores de risco foram detectados o ritmo acelerado de trabalho e relacionamento ruim com os colegas de trabalho e, como fator de proteção, a prática de exercícios físicos. Conclusão: As altas demandas de trabalho podem influenciar relacionamentos interpessoais prejudiciais e vice-versa. É fundamental a adoção de práticas para promoção da saúde, incentivando a realização de atividade física, assim como a busca de equilíbrio no trabalho com manutenção da cordialidade entre os profissionais envolvidos.
CONCEPÇÕES E EXPERIÊNCIAS EM CUIDADOS PALIATIVOS NO NORTE DE MINAS GERAIS
Authors: Magalhães Sandra Célia Muniz , Oliveira Dardielle Cardoso de , Souza Priscila Bernardina Miranda , Santos Flávia de Oliveira
Published: November 2019

O termo paliativo tem origem no latim, pallium, que teoricamente expressa manto e capote. Os cuidados paliativos são os auxílios disponibilizados por um quadro de profissionais multidisciplinar, que atuam na assistência terminal, em que almeja aumentar a qualidade de vida do doente terminal e de seus familiares diante de um adoecimento que ameace a sua vida. Esse auxílio acontece através da prevenção e atenuação do suplício, mediante a constatação precoce, avaliação cuidadosa, tratamento da dor e de outras adversidades físicas, psicossociais e espirituais. Neste contexto, esse trabalho tem o objetivo de discutir algumas concepções acerca dos cuidados paliativos, além de apontar experiências nesse cuidado realizadas pela Associação Presente, na região Norte de Minas Gerais. Para tanto, a metodologia utilizada consistiu em pesquisa bibliográfica e documental, as bases de informação foram LILACS e SciELO, sendo escolhidos  36 artigos, publicados entre 2000 a 2006, e entrevistas com pacientes e equipe multiprofissional da Associação Presente. Foram desenvolvidas definições sobre a terminalidade da vida, a adequação da comunicação frente às barreiras, sendo classificada como essencial a aceitação da morte, como um fenômeno normal e o respeito ao paciente. Considera-se que estas concepções assumem grande importância nos cuidados paliativos, onde na fase final da vida são indispensáveis e se estendem até o estágio de luto, de maneira diferenciada. Assim, a Associação Presente presta serviço fundamental para o acolhimento das pessoas nessa condição.
A study of participation motives in sports, loneliness and depression levels of children with specific learning disabilities in terms of some variables
Authors: Yılmaz Atike , Aydın Menşure , Bahadır Tolga Kaan , Soyer Fikret
Published: November 2019

This study aims to examine the sport participation motivation, loneliness and depression levels of students with specific learning disabilities in terms of some variables. Screening model used in the study. The research group is constituted by 85 students who had been diagnosed with Specific Learning disabilities in Special Education and Rehabilitation Centers in Kocaeli province. Personal information form prepared by the researchers and developed by Gill, Gross and Huddleston (1983), and the Turkish validity and reliability study was made by Oyar, Aşçı, Çelebi and Mülazımoğlu (2001)."Sport Participation Motivation Scale", developed by Kovacs (1980) and the validity and reliability of the Turkish version was made by Öy (1991). "Depression Scale for Children" and developed Ashler ve Wheller (1985) and the validity and reliability of the Turkish version was made by Kaya (2005) "Loneliness Scale for Children” were used as the data collection tools.  The sports participation motives, depression and loneliness levels of the participants have been evaluated in terms of age, gender, natural / adoptive parents, family's economic status, father's occupational status, number of people in the family, number of siblings, family attitude and the state of doing sport. In the evaluation of the research data, descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA test and correlation analysis were used. In the findings, sports participation motives of participants were significantly differ according to the gender, family attitudes and the status of doing sports. Also according to the age, in loneliness level, and according to the number of siblings in the levels of loneliness and depression, significant differences were found. As a result of the correlation, a positive relationship between depression and loneliness status of the participants was found. Thus, in children at the 9-14 age range with specific learning disability it was concluded that the family attitude, number of siblings and to do sports have an impact in a positive way on the loneliness, depression and sports participation.
Quickstep
Authors: Patel Jignesh M. , Deshmukh Harshad , Zhu Jianqiao , Potti Navneet , Zhang Zuyu , Spehlmann Marc , Memisoglu Hakan , Saurabh Saket
Published: November 2019

Modern servers pack enough storage and computing power that just a decade ago was spread across a modest-sized cluster. This paper presents a prototype system, called Quickstep, to exploit the large amount of parallelism that is packed inside modern servers. Quickstep builds on a vast body of previous methods for organizing data, optimizing, scheduling and executing queries, and brings them together in a single system. Quickstep also includes new query processing methods that go beyond previous approaches. To keep the project focused, the project's initial target is read-mostly in-memory data warehousing workloads in single-node settings. In this paper, we describe the design and implementation of Quickstep for this target application space. We also present experimental results comparing the performance of Quickstep to a number of other systems, demonstrating that Quickstep is often faster than many other contemporary systems, and in some cases faster by orders-of-magnitude. Quickstep is an Apache (incubating) project.
Interactive summarization and exploration of top aggregate query answers
Authors: Wen Yuhao , Zhu Xiaodan , Roy Sudeepa , Yang Jun
Published: November 2019

We present a system for summarization and interactive exploration of high-valued aggregate query answers to make a large set of possible answers more informative to the user. Our system outputs a set of clusters on the high-valued query answers showing their common properties such that the clusters are diverse as much as possible to avoid repeating information, and cover a certain number of top original answers as indicated by the user. Further, the system facilitates interactive exploration of the query answers by helping the user (i) choose combinations of parameters for clustering, (ii) inspect the clusters as well as the elements they contain, and (iii) visualize how changes in parameters affect clustering. We define optimization problems, study their complexity, explore properties of the solutions investigating the semi-lattice structure on the clusters, and propose efficient algorithms and optimizations to achieve these goals. We evaluate our techniques experimentally and discuss our prototype with a graphical user interface that facilitates this interactive exploration. A user study is conducted to evaluate the usability of our approach.
Scalable, variable-length similarity search in data series
Authors: Linardi Michele , Palpanas Themis
Published: November 2019

Data series similarity search is an important operation and at the core of several analysis tasks and applications related to data series collections. Despite the fact that data series indexes enable fast similarity search, all existing indexes can only answer queries of a single length (fixed at index construction time), which is a severe limitation. In this work, we propose
ULISSE
, the first data series index structure designed for answering similarity search queries of
variable length.
Our contribution is two-fold. First, we introduce a novel representation technique, which effectively and succinctly summarizes multiple sequences of different length (irrespective of Z-normalization). Based on the proposed index, we describe efficient algorithms for approximate and exact similarity search, combining disk based index visits and in-memory sequential scans. We experimentally evaluate our approach using several synthetic and real datasets. The results show that
ULISSE
is several times (and up to orders of magnitude) more efficient in terms of both space and time cost, when compared to competing approaches.
ICARUS
Authors: Rahman Protiva , Hebert Courtney , Nandi Arnab
Published: November 2019

An important step in data preparation involves dealing with incomplete datasets. In some cases, the missing values are unreported because they are characteristics of the domain and are known by practitioners. Due to this nature of the missing values, imputation and inference methods do not work and input from domain experts is required. A common method for experts to fill missing values is through rules. However, for large datasets with thousands of missing data points, it is laborious and time consuming for a user to make sense of the data and formulate effective completion rules. Thus, users need to be shown subsets of the data that will have the most impact in completing missing fields. Further, these subsets should provide the user with enough information to make an update. Choosing subsets that maximize the probability of filling in missing data from a large dataset is computationally expensive. To address these challenges, we present I
carus
, which uses a heuristic algorithm to show the user small subsets of the database in the form of a matrix. This allows the user to iteratively fill in data by applying suggested rules based on their direct edits to the matrix. The suggested rules amplify the users' input to multiple missing fields by using the database schema to infer hierarchies. Simulations show I
carus
has an average improvement of 50% across three datasets over the baseline system. Further, in-person user studies demonstrate that naive users can fill in 68% of missing data within an hour, while manual rule specification spans weeks.
Revenue maximization for query pricing
Authors: Chawla Shuchi , Deep Shaleen , Koutrisw Paraschos , Teng Yifeng
Published: November 2019

Buying and selling of data online has increased substantially over the last few years. Several frameworks have already been proposed that study query pricing in theory and practice. The key guiding principle in these works is the notion of
arbitrage-freeness
where the broker can set different prices for different queries made to the dataset, but must ensure that the pricing function does not provide the buyers with opportunities for arbitrage. However, little is known about revenue maximization aspect of query pricing. In this paper, we study the problem faced by a broker selling access to data with the goal of maximizing her revenue. We show that this problem can be formulated as a revenue maximization problem with single-minded buyers and unlimited supply, for which several approximation algorithms are known. We perform an extensive empirical evaluation of the performance of several pricing algorithms for the query pricing problem on real-world instances. In addition to previously known approximation algorithms, we propose several new heuristics and analyze them both theoretically and experimentally. Our experiments show that algorithms with the best theoretical bounds are not necessarily the best empirically. We identify algorithms and heuristics that are both fast and also provide consistently good performance when valuations are drawn from a wide variety of distributions.
The Tyszkiewicz Amulet, a Chalcedony Pendant Inscribed with an Incantation on Thorn Bush
Authors: Bácskay András , Niederreiter Zoltán
Published: November 2019

The chalcedony amulet MFA 98.697, which originates from the famous Tyszkiewicz Collection, has been kept in Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts since 1898. The object bears a Sumerian Kultmittelbeschwörung on a thorn bush (Sum. ĝeškiši16, Akk. ašāgum), a shorter version of which was published by A.R. George in 2016. The present paper provides editions of both incantations, including some new readings. In addition to the philological analysis, it explores the magical-medical application of the thorn bush, which might have had an apotropaic use. The object presented here is of great importance, since it provides the first occurrence of an incantation on a particular plant written on a pendant that was used as an amulet during magical-medical activities in ancient Mesopotamia.
Of Sumerian Songs and Spells
Authors: Worthington Martin
Published: November 2019

The paper explores the uses of the Sumerian expression ser3-ku3, with a view to clarifying its sense.

The paper arises from my study of Babylonian šerkugû, which I argue to have the meaning ‘incantation’ (see fn. 16). This is a loan from Sumerian *ser3-ku3-ga. The form with -ga (arising from the addition of the ‘adjectival a’ to ku3.g ‘holy, pure’) is not currently attested in Sumerian. (I thank Pascal Attinger, pers. comm., for the observation that apparent attestations of ser3-ku3-ga, e.g. in Martu A 58, are in fact locatives in -a). It does however occur in spellings of Babylonian šerkugû (CAD Š/2, 316b).

It argues that there are two main uses, ‘incantation’ and ‘hymn’, probably correlating respectively with one-word (‘univerbated’) and two-word incarnations of the expression. This hypothesis finds support in the phrase’s loan and translation into Babylonian.
Native-speaker Intuitions about Genitive Constructions in Sumerian
Authors: Zólyomi Gábor
Published: November 2019

This paper examines a remarkable variation in the new manuscript of En-metena 1 (RIME 1.9.5.1) kept in the Sulaymaniyah Museum in Iraq: a left-dislocated genitive construction is replaced by a simple genitive construction. Also, the manuscript shortens the text in a number of places. The paper reviews other known examples of text abridgements in royal inscriptions of the 3rd millennium BC and suggests that the composers of these inscriptions used similar techniques to manipulate the texts according to their function and use as the scribes who wrote the Assyrian royal inscriptions of the 1st millennium. The new manuscript provides a rare opportunity to observe a scribe who adapts an already existing text using his linguistic competence.
Application of Energetic BEM to 2D Elastodynamic Soft Scattering Problems
Authors: Aimi A. , Desiderio L. , Diligenti M. , Guardasoni C.
Published: November 2019

Starting from a recently developed energetic space-time weak formulation of the Boundary Integral Equations related to scalar wave propagation problems, in this paper we focus for the first time on the 2D elastodynamic extension of the above wave propagation analysis. In particular, we consider elastodynamic scattering problems by open arcs, with vanishing initial and Dirichlet boundary conditions and we assess the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed method, on the basis of numerical results obtained for benchmark problems having available analytical solution.
Numerical Approximations for the Variable Coefficient Fractional Diffusion Equations with Non-smooth Data
Authors: Zheng Xiangcheng , Ervin Vincent J. , Wang Hong
Published: November 2019

In this article, we study the numerical approximation of a variable coefficient fractional diffusion equation.
Using a change of variable, the variable coefficient fractional diffusion equation is transformed into a constant coefficient fractional diffusion equation of the same order.
The transformed equation retains the desirable stability property of being an elliptic equation.
A spectral approximation scheme is proposed and analyzed for the transformed equation, with error estimates for the approximated solution derived.
An approximation to the unknown of the variable coefficient fractional diffusion equation is then obtained by post-processing the computed approximation to the transformed equation.
Error estimates are also presented for the approximation to the unknown of the variable coefficient equation with both smooth and non-smooth diffusivity coefficient and right-hand side.
Numerical experiments are presented to test the performance of the proposed method.
On far-outlying constant mean curvature spheres in asymptotically flat Riemannian 3-manifolds
Authors: Chodosh Otis , Eichmair Michael
Published: November 2019

We extend the Lyapunov–Schmidt analysis of outlying stable constant mean curvature spheres in the work of S. Brendle and the second-named author [S. Brendle and M. Eichmair,
Isoperimetric and Weingarten surfaces in the Schwarzschild manifold,
J. Differential Geom. 94 2013, 3, 387–407] to the “far-off-center” regime and to include general Schwarzschild asymptotics. We obtain sharp existence and non-existence results for large stable constant mean curvature spheres that depend delicately on the behavior of scalar curvature at infinity.
Numerical analysis of moisture-induced strains and stresses in glued-laminated timber
Authors: Huč Sabina , Svensson Staffan , Hozjan Tomaž
Published: November 2019

Changes in relative humidity of the ambient air, RH (%), cause wetting and drying of wood material, which results in non-uniform moisture contents or moisture gradients, and consequently in moisture-induced stresses and strains in the glued-laminated timber (glulam) members. The aim of the present paper is to perform a hygro-mechanical analysis to predict the mechanical behavior of glulam specimens exposed to two RH regimes, causing wetting from 50% to 90% RH and drying from 90% to 50% RH, and compare the numerical to the experimental results. The aims are also to quantitatively analyze the influence of characteristic material parameters required in the multi-Fickian moisture transport model and the mechanical model on moisture-induced strains and stresses in glulam specimens and to determine the possibility of cracking of the material by analyzing the maximum tensile stresses perpendicular to the grain. Accurate numerical predictions of moisture contents and moisture-induced strains are obtained in the glulam specimens during wetting and drying as compared to the experimental results. The influence of a particular characteristic material parameter on moisture-induced strains and stresses is characterized as significant, but not crucial when a rough numerical estimation of the mechanical behavior of the glulam beam exposed to RH changes is required.
Feasibility Analysis of Optical Wireless Communication for Indian Tropical and Subtropical Climates
Authors: Soni Gireesh , Mandloi Abhilash , Gupta Shilpi
Published: November 2019

This work investigates the feasibility of terrestrial Optical wireless communication links under tropical and subtropical regions which are characterized by high precipitation. The impact of rain on propagating optical radiation is observed under controlled rainfall conditions using a laboratory testbed. Link degradation in terms of rain specific attenuation (RSA) is calculated experimentally and using known empirical models. A worst case analysis in terms of fade margin is carried out using measured and recorded data from Indian Meteorological Center to estimate the free space link feasibility for Indian tropical/subtropical climates.
Irreducible modules with highest weight vectors over modular Witt and special Lie superalgebras
Authors: Zheng Keli , Zhang Yongzheng
Published: November 2019

Let 𝔽 be an arbitrary field of characteristic p > 2. In this paper we study irreducible modules with highest weight vectors over Witt and special Lie superalgebras of 𝔽. The same irreducible modules of general and special linear Lie superalgebras, which are the 0-th part of Witt and special Lie superalgebras in certain ℤ-grading, are also considered. Then we establish a certain connection called a P-expansion between these modules.
Path-induced closure operators on graphs for defining digital Jordan surfaces
Authors: Šlapal Josef
Published: November 2019

Given a simple graph with the vertex set X, we discuss a closure operator on X induced by a set of paths with identical lengths in the graph. We introduce a certain set of paths of the same length in the 2-adjacency graph on the digital line ℤ and consider the closure operators on ℤm (m a positive integer) that are induced by a special product of m copies of the introduced set of paths. We focus on the case m = 3 and show that the closure operator considered provides the digital space ℤ3 with a connectedness that may be used for defining digital surfaces satisfying a Jordan surface theorem.
Geometry entrapment in Walk-on-Subdomains
Authors: Hamlin Preston , Thrasher W. John , Keyrouz Walid , Mascagni Michael
Published: November 2019

One method of computing the electrostatic energy of a
biomolecule in a solution uses a continuum representation of the
solution via the Poisson–Boltzmann equation.
This can be solved in many ways, and we consider a Monte Carlo method of our design that combines the Walk-on-Spheres and Walk-on-Subdomains algorithms.
In the course of
examining the Monte Carlo implementation of this method, an issue was
discovered in the Walk-on-Subdomains portion of the algorithm which caused the algorithm to sometimes take an abnormally long time to complete. As the
problem occurs when a walker repeatedly oscillates between two
subdomains, it is something that could cause a large increase in runtime for any method that used a similar algorithm. This issue is described in detail and a
potential solution is examined.
Another Name for Liberty: Revelation, ‘Objectivity,’ and Intellectual Freedom in Barth and Marion
Authors: Oltvai Kristóf
Published: November 2019

Karl Barth’s and Jean-Luc Marion’s theories of revelation, though prominent and popular, are often criticized by both theologians and philosophers for effacing the human subject’s epistemic integrity. I argue here that, in fact, both Barth and Marion appeal to revelation in an attempt to respond to a tendency within philosophy to coerce thought. Philosophy, when it claims to be able to access a universal, absolute truth within history, degenerates into ideology. By making conceptually possible some ‚evental’ phenomena that always evade a priori epistemic conditions, Barth’s and Marion’s theories of revelation relativize all philosophical knowledge, rendering any ideological claim to absolute truth impossible. The difference between their two theories, then, lies in how they understand the relationship between philosophy and theology. For Barth, philosophy’s attempts to make itself absolute is a produce of sinful human vanity; its corrective is thus an authentic revealed theology, which Barth articulates in Christian, dogmatic terms. Marion, on the other hand, equipped with Heidegger’s critique of ontotheology, highlights one specific kind of philosophizing—metaphysics—as generative of ideology. To counter metaphysics, Marion draws heavily on Barth’s account of revelation but secularizes it, reinterpreting the ‚event’ as the saturated phenomenon. Revelation’s unpredictability is thus preserved within Marion’s philosophy, but is no longer restricted to the appearing of God. Both understandings of revelation achieve the same epistemological result, however. Reality can never be rendered transparent to thought; within history, all truth is provisional. A concept of revelation drawn originally from Christian theology thus, counterintuitively, is what secures philosophy’s right to challenge and critique the pre-given, a hermeneutic freedom I suggest is the meaning of sola scriptura.
Ni, Zn and Fe hydrotalcite-like catalysts for catalytic biomass compound into green biofuel
Authors: Zdainal Abidin Shajaratun Nur , Lee Hwei Voon , Asikin-Mijan Nurul , Juan Joon Ching , Rahman Noorsaadah Abd , Mastuli Mohd Sufri , Taufiq-Yap Yun Hin , Kong Pei San
Published: November 2019

In this study, the deoxygenation pathway was proposed to eliminate oxygen species from biomass-derived oil, thereby producing a high quality of hydrocarbon chains (green fuel). The catalytic deoxygenation reaction of bio-oil model compound (oleic acid) successfully produced green gasoline (C8–C12) and diesel (C13–C20) via activated hydrotalcite-derived catalysts (i.e. CMgAl, CFeAl, CZnAl and CNiAl). The reaction was performed under inert N2 condition at 300 °C for 3 h, and the liquid products were analysed by GC–MS and GC–FID analyses to determine the hydrocarbon yield and product selectivity. The activity of the catalysts towards the deoxygenation reaction presented the following increasing order: CNiAl > CMgAl > CZnAl > CFeAl. CNiAl produced a hydrocarbon yield of up to 89 %. CNiAl demonstrated the highest selectivity with 83 % diesel production, whereas CMgAl showed the highest gasoline selectivity with 30 %. These results indicated that catalysts with a high acidic profile facilitate C–O cleavage via deoxygenation, producing hydrocarbons (mainly diesel-range hydrocarbons). Meanwhile, highly basic catalysts exhibit significant selectivity towards gasoline-range hydrocarbons via cracking and lead to the occurrence of C–C cleavage. The large surface area of CNiAl (117 m2 g−1) offered high approachability of the reactant with the catalyst’s active sites, thereby promoting high hydrocarbon yield. Consequently, the hydrocarbon yield and selectivity of the deoxygenation products were predominantly influenced by the acid–base properties and structural behaviour (porosity and surface area) of the catalyst.
Ethics for Artificial Intelligence, Ethics for All
Authors: Thomsen Knud
Published: November 2019

For human ethics, it can convincingly be argued that justice is a central cornerstone and basis. Here, it is suggested that this can, to some extent, similarly be applied to robots. The article makes the argument that Rawls’ veil of ignorance in his conception of justice as fairness can effectively be replaced by a much more natural condition of prudent egoism in a finite world. Observing ones’ own important interests in an encompassing context paves the way for a guideline for the conduct, which is binding for humans, robots and each and every pragmatic agent with a minimum level of rationality. These arguments do not see humans (forever) in any privileged position: any agent, single human, state, alien or artificial with a certain minimum of general cognitive (and effective) capabilities is bound by a universal negative imperative. This entails that precautious procedures are preferable, and some general prudently constrained flexibility is required for self-consistency and survival.
Sol-Gel Sonochemical Triton X-100 Templated Synthesis of Fe2O3/ZnO Nanocomposites Toward Developing Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Pollutants
Authors: Ali Doaa A. , El-Katori Emad E. , Kasim Ensaf Aboul
Published: November 2019

The existing work emphasizes mainly to advance the low surface features of zinc oxide (ZnO) by dispersion of Fe2O3 nanoparticles on the ZnO surface fabricated via a sol-gel route with Triton X-100 as a structure and capping agent to synthesis a novel series of Fe2O3/ZnO nanocomposites (NCs) with novel features assembling between the two nanoparticle materials. Fe2O3/ZnO is an effective semiconductor which has higher efficiency in the removal of numerous organic dyes and other pollutants. The NCs was characterized via HRTEM, XRD, FTIR, BET, RS and UV–Vis DRS. A photocatalytic performance of the fabricated Fe2O3/ZnO nanocomposites was estimated by continual degradation of the methylene blue dye (MB) as an organic pollutant in aqueous solution. The comparison between pure ZnO (NPs) and Fe2O3/ZnO (NCs) show advanced photocatalytic performance under both UV and sunlight irradiation. The impact of several parameters, for example, dopant contents, photocatalytic dosage, pH, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and point of zero charge (PZC) were evaluated and discussed. In addition, the protective species’ role was estimated via a radical scavenger route. The photo-degradation data shown that the Fe2O3/ZnO (10 wt%) semiconductor is the fit photocatalyst between the fabricated semiconductors for the methylene blue dye (MB) degradation. The intensity reduction peak of UV emission and the intensity increment of visible emission were led to the lessening in recombination between electrons and holes which are finally responsible for the maximum photocatalytic performance of Fe2O3/ZnO nanocomposites. The gained results confirmed that the dopant content is the major factor in photocatalytic degradation activity.