bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Methanolic Leaf Extract of Clinacanthus nutans on Fatty Acid Composition and Gene Expression in Male Obese Mice
Authors: Abdulwahid Samiaa Jamil , Goh Meng Yong , Ebrahimi Mahdi , Mohtarrudin Norhafizah , Hashim Zailina Binti
Published: April 2018

Obesity is a universal health concern that can lead to serious diseases. The side effects of synthetic anti-obesity drugs necessitate the finding of suitable natural/herbal alternatives. Mother nature offers a wide range of plants with medicinal properties that include crude extracts and isolated compounds which are effective for controlling and reducing weight gain. Obesity was induced in 60, 3-week-old male ICR mice, using high-fat diet (60% dietary energy from fat) for 16-week. The mice were divided at random into six groups with 10 mice: mice fed with high-fat diet (HFD) only, mice fed normal diet only (NC), and orlistat at 15.9 mg/kg (HFD+Orlistat), and mice in three other high-fat diet groups treated with methanolic leaf extract of Clinacanthus nutans (MECN) at 500, 1000 and 1500 mg/kg. After 21-day of the treatment, MECN significantly reduced (P<0.05) the body weight, visceral fat and muscle saturated fatty acid compositions. There was also significant downregulation of HSL, PPAR α and PPAR γ and SCD genes expressions in the obese mice treated with 1500 mg/kg MECN compared to the HFD group. Therefore, MECN is a potentially useful natural supplement for alleviating obesity and obesity-mediated metabolic diseases.
MCP-1/CCL2 in a Bulgarian Cohort of Children with Bronchial Asthma and Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Velikova Tsvetelina , Krasimirova Ekaterina , Lazova Snezhina , Perenovska Penka , Valerieva Anna , Miteva Dimitrinka , Dimitrov Vasil , Staevska Maria , Kyurkchiev Dobroslav , Petrova Guergana
Published: April 2018

C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2), also called monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is a key β-chemokine involved in the migration of monocytes and macrophages, playing a significant role in the inflammatory responses in the airways. We aimed to assess the serum levels of MCP-1/CCL2 in a pilot cross-sectional study of Bulgarian children with bronchial asthma (BA) and cystic fibrosis (CF). Forty-two children were recruited to the study as follows: twenty with BA, twelve with CF and ten healthy children. Serum MCP-1/CCL2 levels were measured using ELISA. We found higher serum level of MCP-1/CCL2 in children with BA (191.09±64.96 pg/ml) and CF (258.51±76.45 pg/ml) compared to healthy children (70.30±64.30 pg/ml, p=0.022, and p=0.068, respectively). Younger patients with BA had higher levels of MCP-1/CCL2, as well as children with CF, with levels decreasing gradually with age. We observed also higher levels of MCP-1/CCL2 in children with moderate to severe BA compared to mild BA. We documented the significantly higher level of MCP-1/CCL2 in children with these chronic pulmonary diseases than in healthy controls, which suggesting that investigation of serum MCP-1/CCL2 levels could turn out to be beneficial for the severity of the disease.
Prediction of Metabolite Concentrations, Rate Constants and Post-Translational Regulation using Maximum Entropy-Based Simulations with Application to Central Metabolism of Neurospora crassa
Authors: Cannon William R. , Zucker Jeremy D. , Baxter Douglas J. , Kumar Neeraj , Baker Scott E. , Hurley Jennifer M. , Dunlap Jay C.
Published: April 2018

We report the application of a recently proposed approach for modeling biological systems using a maximum entropy production rate principle in lieu of having in vivo rate constants. The method is applied in four steps: (1) a new ODE-based optimization approach based on Marcelin’s 1910 mass action equation is used to obtain the maximum entropy distribution, (2) the predicted metabolite concentrations are compared to those generally expected from experiment using a loss function from which post-translational regulation of enzymes is inferred, (3) the system is re-optimized with the inferred regulation from which rate constants are determined from the metabolite concentrations and reaction fluxes, and finally (4) a full ODE-based, mass action simulation with rate parameters and allosteric regulation is obtained. From the last step, the power characteristics and resistance of each reaction can be determined. The method is applied to the central metabolism of Neurospora crassa and the flow of material through the three competing pathways of upper glycolysis, the non-oxidative pentose phosphate pathway, and the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway are evaluated as a function of the NADP/NADPH ratio. It is predicted that regulation of phosphofructokinase (PFK) and flow through the pentose phosphate pathway are essential for preventing an extreme level of fructose 1, 6-bisphophate accumulation. Such an extreme level of fructose 1,6-bisphophate would otherwise result in a glassy cytoplasm with limited diffusion, dramatically decreasing the entropy and energy production rate and, consequently, biological competitiveness.
Insight into the Self-Assembling Properties of a Peptergent: A Molecular Dynamics Study
Authors: Crowet Jean-Marc , Nasir Mehmet Nail , Deschamps Antoine , Stroobant Vincent , Morsomme Pierre , Deleu Magali , Soumillion Patrice , Lins Laurence
Published: April 2018

By manipulating the various physico-chemical properties of amino acids, design of peptides with specific self-assembling properties has been emerging since more than a decade. In this context, short peptides possessing detergent properties (so-called “peptergents”) have been developed to self-assemble into well-ordered nanostructures that can stabilize membrane proteins for crystallization. In this study, the peptide with “peptergency” properties, called ADA8 extensively described by Zhang et al., is studied by molecular dynamics for its self-assembling properties in different conditions. In water, it spontaneously forms beta sheets with a β barrel-like structure. We next simulated the interaction of this peptide with a membrane protein, the bacteriorhodopsin, in the presence or absence of a micelle of dodecylphosphocholine. According to the literature, the peptergent ADA8 is thought to generate a belt of β structures around the hydrophobic helical domain that could help stabilize purified membrane proteins. Molecular dynamics is here used to challenge this view and to provide further molecular details for the replacement of detergent molecules around the protein. To our best knowledge, this is the first molecular mechanism proposed for ''peptergency''. In addition, our calculation approach should serve as a predicting tool for the design of beta peptergent with diverse amphipathic properties.
Varieties of Coarse Spaces
Authors: Protasov Igor
Published: April 2018

A class M of coarse spaces is called a variety if M is closed under formation of subspaces, coarse images and products. We classify the varieties of coarse spaces and, in particular, show that if a variety M contains an unbounded metric space then M is the variety of all coarse spaces.
On the Heat Transfer Enhancement of Plate Fin Heat Exchanger
Authors: Xue Yuan , Ge Zhihua , Du Xiaoze , Yang Lijun
Published: April 2018

The plate fin heat exchanger is the compact heat exchanger applied in many industries because of its high thermal performance. To enhance the heat transfer of plate fin heat exchanger in further, three new kinds of wavy plate fins, namely perforated wavy fin, staggered wavy fin and discontinuous wavy fin are proposed and investigated by CFD simulations. The effects of key design parameters, including that of waviness aspect ratios, perforation diameters, stagger ratios and breaking distance are investigated, respectively, with the Reynolds number changes from 500 to 4500. It is found that due to the swirl flow and efficient mixing of fluid, the perforation, serration and breaking techniques are beneficial for the enhancement of heat transfer compared to the traditional wavy fin. At the same time, serration is beneficial to reduce the friction factor, and the breaking technique can reduce heat transfer area as well as enhance heat transfer performance. Through the performance evaluation criteria, the staggered wavy fin has an advantage over the small waviness aspect ratio compared to the perforated wavy fin. The maximum performance evaluation criteria (PEC), as high as 1.24, can be obtained for the perforated wavy fin at the largest waviness aspect ratio.
Development of a Fabric Phase Sorptive Extraction-High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Ultraviolet Detection Method for the Analysis of Phenyltin Compounds in Environmental Water and Canned Food Samples
Authors: N/A Heena , Malik Ashok Kumar , Kabir Abuzar , Furton Kenneth G.
Published: April 2018

This paper reports a novel fabric phase sorptive extraction-high performance liquid chromatography-ultra violet detection (FPSE-HPLC-UV) method for the simultaneous extraction and analysis of four phenyltin derivatives that include triphenyltin hydroxide, triphenyltin acetate, triphenyltin chloride and tetraphenyltin in environmental water (agricultural waste water and municipal waste water) and canned food samples. The selected analytes were well resolved by Waters Nova pack C18 column (3.9 x 150 mm, 4 µm particle size) in isocratic elution mode within 15 minutes. The new microextraction media has been analytically evaluated using phenyltin derivatives as model compounds. The factors affecting the extraction efficiency of FPSE have been evaluated and the optimum extraction conditions were determined. Under these optimum conditions, the limits of detection (LODs) for sol-gel C18 coated fabric phase sorptive extraction (FPSE) media in combination with HPLC-UV for the analysis of the phenyltin derivatives were in the range of 10-100 ng/mL with high precision (low relative standard deviation) at 10 ng/mL concentration with good absolute recoveries. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first FPSE extraction procedure applied to environmental water and canned food samples for the simultaneous determination of phenyltin derivatives and could be readily adopted as a rapid and robust green analytical tool for routine environmental and food analytical laboratories.
Fatalities Caused by Hydrometeorological Disasters in Texas
Authors: Paul Srikanto H. , Sharif Hatim O. , Crawford Abigail M.
Published: April 2018

Texas ranks first in number of natural hazard fatalities in the United States (U.S.). Based on data culled from the National Climatic Data Center databases from 1959 to 2016, the number of hydrometeorological fatalities in Texas have increased over the 58-year study period, but the per capita fatalities have significantly decreased. Spatial review found that flooding is the predominant hydrometeorological disaster in a majority of the Texas counties located in “Flash Flood Alley” and accounts for 43% of all hydrometeorological fatalities in the state. Flooding fatalities are highest on “Transportation Routes” followed by heat fatalities in “Permanent Residences”. Seasonal and monthly stratification identifies Spring and Summer as the deadliest seasons, with the month of May registering the highest number of total fatalities dominated by flooding and tornado fatalities. Demographic trends of hydrometeorological disaster fatalities indicated that approximately twice as many male fatalities occurred during the study period than female fatalities, but with decreasing gender disparity over time. Adults are the highest fatality risk group overall, children most at risk to die in flooding, and the elderly at greatest risk of heat-related death.
Application of AHP and DEMATEL Methods in Choosing and Analysing the Measures for the Distribution of Goods in Szczecin Region
Authors: Kijewska Kinga , Torbacki Witold , Iwan Stanisław
Published: April 2018

Urban areas are centres of business and innovation. Freight transport is indispensable for the proper functioning of any modern urban society. Urban areas can’t function without an appropriate freight transport system, due to the need to replenish stocks of food and other goods in retail shops. The complexity of the decisions concerning implementation of measures to improve the movement of goods in the city requires tools designed to support this process. The purpose of this article is to introduce the possibility of applying the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) as well as the Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory Method (DEMATEL) in choosing a set of measures and in analysing in the field of distribution logistics, which will help to solve the delivery problems and streamline the cargo flows in Szczecin, in the context of sustainable development.
Land Suitability Evaluation for Rainfed Agriculture in Abu Hamra Area, South Darfur State, Sudan
Authors: A. A. Ibrahim, I. , M.M.M. Ibrahim, , H. A. Sulieman, , M.A. Elsheikh , M S Dafalla , I. S. Ibrahim
Published: April 2018

This study was carried out in Abu Hamra Area, south Darfur State (Latitude 12˚26ʹ to 13˚10ʹ E and longitude
24˚24ʹ to 25˚56ʹ N and), Sudan where the area falls in semi-arid climate. The study aimed to evaluate the
land suitability for rainfed agriculture and to scan crop suitability. Through the analysis of satellite image
and direct field observations, the study area was divided into non-cracking clay soil (unit A) classified as
Sodic Haplocambid, alluvial soil (unit B) classified as Ustic Torrifluvent and loamy sand soil (unit C)
classified as Typic Torripsamments. 46 soil samples were collected from 12 auger holes and 3 representative
profiles, then analyzed for some physical and chemical properties which were matched with climatic factors
and topographic features to define the requirements of rainfed crops, particularly Sorghum, Millet, Maize,
Sesame, Groundnuts, Watermelon and Tomato. Duncan Multiple Range Test was used to determine
significance of differences in soil properties within and among the three units. Results showed that the soils
were non-saline, non-sodic (except unit A), calcareous to slightly calcareous and low in fertility. Results also
indicated no significant differences among soil properties except for texture, salinity and sodicity. The soils
were found to be marginally suitable (S3) for rainfed agriculture because of presence of fertility, drainage,
organic matter, texture and sodicity limitations and unit B proved to be the best soils of the three units. For
crop suitability, the soils of the three units had same suitability for some crops and differ for others.
Paratextos em antologias de crônicas
Authors: Morais Caroline , Ramos Flávia Brocchetto
Published: April 2018

Este artigo analisa elementos paratextuais de três obras classificadas como antologias que fazem parte do acervo do PNBE, Ensino Médio. Os livros escolhidos são: Balé do pato, de Paulo Mendes Campos; Cala a boca e me beija, de Alcione Araújo e João do Rio – uma antologia, seleção de Luís Martins, contendo crônicas dos autores. Nos títulos, são analisados aspectos de prefácios, orelhas ou desdobros, capas, lombadas, quartas capas, seguindo orientações de Genette (2009). Discutiram-se os elementos paratextuais como instrumento para a leitura dos livros. Os dados analisados reiteram a importância do leitor evidenciada nos paratextos e destacam possíveis ligações entre autor e leitor, firmando uma fidelidade aos futuros textos.
A inferência lexical como recurso para a leitura de Guimarães Rosa
Authors: Gomes Júnior Saul
Published: April 2018

Este trabalho visa a demonstrar a importância da inferência lexical no processamento do texto de Guimarães Rosa. A fundamentação teórica tem como base as proposições de Kleiman (2004) e de Kato (2000) e, sempre que o material de estudo o exige, faz-se uso da noção de neologismo, analisada por Alves (1994). Comprova-se que dois contextos de inferência são fundamentais para a compreensão dos neologismos rosianos: um é o de contraste e comparação; outro é o de conotação. Conclui-se que, no texto de Guimarães Rosa, a língua alcança o estado metafórico, no qual as possibilidades linguísticas são multiplicadas pela inventividade do falante.
Phosphorus Sorption Characteristics in Aluminum‐based Water Treatment Residuals Reacted with Dairy Wastewater: 1. Isotherms, XRD, and SEM‐EDS Analysis
Authors: Zohar Iris , Massey Michael S. , Ippolito James A. , Litaor M. Iggy
Published: April 2018

We examined P sorption characteristics in Al‐based water treatment residuals (Al‐WTR) generated from slightly alkaline surface water and in an organic residual composite (WW‐Al/O‐WTR), produced by using the Al‐WTR to treat organic‐rich and high P concentration dairy wastewater. Solids from both residuals were examined using scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM‐EDS) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and exposed to P additions of 0 to 4000 mg L−1 in a sorption experiment. The Al‐WTR removed ∼97% of the added P, whereas WW‐Al/O‐WTR removed only 78% of the added P in the addition range of 0 to 100 mg P L−1. With P additions of ≥100 mg L−1, the removal rate declined to <38% by Al‐WTR and to 16% by WW‐Al/O‐WTR, possibly implying a change in sorption mechanisms. Analysis by XRD indicated that the major mineral was calcite, with some silica and poorly crystalline Al hydroxides. Analysis by SEM‐EDS, which used three‐element overlay maps of the residual surfaces, indicated that P was sparsely sorbed on both calcic and Al (hydr)oxide surfaces, along with a few clusters, even at low P concentrations of the treated waters. Ternary clusters of P, Al, and Ca were more abundant on the WW‐Al/O‐WTR. Carbon distribution suggested that organic substances covered Al surfaces. Sorption of P onto WW‐Al/O‐WTR may be reversible due to relatively weak Ca‐P and Al‐P bonds induced by the slight alkaline nature and in the presence of organic moieties, enhancing the WW‐Al/O‐WTR potential to act as a P source, rather than a P sink, in agricultural applications.

Core Ideas

Water treatment residuals displayed two distinct regions in sorption isotherms.

Variable P associations and distribution were elucidated by advanced SEM‐EDS mapping.

Mixing with wastewater promoted Al‐P, Ca‐P, and Al‐Ca‐P associations closer together.

The presence of organic C and slight alkaline nature may enhance P release.

Evidence from P K‐edge XANES complemented these findings (see Part II).
Intensity Dependent Photoconductivity in ZnO Nanostructured Film
Authors: Bahishti Adam A , Majid Abdul
Published: April 2018

Many studies on the Photoconductivity of ZnO have been performed with an indication of reliable optical application due to fast photo response. This paper reports study of intensity dependent photoconductivity in ZnO nanostructured thin film with a thickness of 800 nm. ZnO nanostructured thin film on ultra clean glass substrate has been deposited using sol-gel spin coating technique. Conductivity at various illumination intensity has been measured using two probe method and found that photoconductivity increases by increasing illumination intensity. Photoconductivity can be utilized in the devices fabrication which are based on the decrease in the resistance of certain materials when they are exposed visible radiation. Photosensitivity and persistent photo conductivity also found to be increasing with illumination intensity. Photo sensitivity enhancement in Nanostructured ZnO is expected due to its large surface to volume ratio which is fundamentally more suitable for optical devices application. Persistent photoconductivity in the ZnO nanostructure thin film can be utilize in memory device applications.
Systematization of drivers of change in the higher education system of the Russian Federation
Authors: О. Suraeva Мaria , А. Plaksina Irina
Published: April 2018

In modern conditions, the higher education system of the Russian Federation is characterized by high degree of changeability. It is caused by need of quick and adequate response to changes of internal and external environment. The specified changes are determined by the nature of requirements and interests of stakeholders, which interact with higher education institutions: satisfaction of needs of stakeholders becomes an ultimate goal of development and the most important condition of existence of any organization, including the sector of higher education. Therefore, stakeholders become the main driving forces (drivers) of change in activity of higher education institutions. The research goal is to systematize drivers of change in the higher education system of the Russian Federation. The main research methods are analysis (for detection of the set of drivers of change), classification (for allocation of types of drivers), and the construction method of managerial models (for creation of matrices of changes). Following the research results, current changes in activity of Russian higher education institutions are divided into 4 types: changes in educational, research, innovation and entrepreneurial management activity. The main groups of stakeholders (drivers of change) are distinguished, and their influence on change in activity of higher education institutions is justified. Drivers of change are classified by 2 features: “by attitude to a higher education institution” – into external and internal, “by nature” – into obligatory and initiative. The matrices of necessary and initiative changes are designed. They create interrelation between types of changes and their influence on interests of key stakeholders of Russian higher education institutions (effects, which can be favorable, unfavorable and neutral). The possibility of using the matrices of changes as a tool of managerial decision-making in activity of Russian universities is justified.
COLOR NAMES "WHITE" AND "BLACK" IN DESCRIPTIONS OF PERSON IN THE KAZAKH LANGUAGE VS. ENGLISH AND RUSSIAN
Authors: Abzhaparova M. D.
Published: April 2018

This article is dedicated to the problem of color perception in the language worldview in describing a person according to the «black and white» color palette in Kazakh, English and Russian; it also examines phraseological units that feature these colors. Color is one of the principles of culture; many cultural phenomena cannot be understood without taking into account the importance of color. In particular, in descriptions of person one can distinguish a number of general associative color fields with similarities and differences. A study of phraseological dictionaries of the Kazakh, English and Russian languages, as well as works of fiction, has revealed that the color designation "ақ-белый-white" and "қара-черный-black" differ in their versatility in describing one’s appearance, character and social status. Subject: color perception in the language worldview of Russian, Kazakh and English speakers. The purpose of the work: to identify common and differential manifestations of white and black in different linguocultures using lexemes "ақ – белый – white" and "қара – черный – black" in phraseological units. Method of investigation: semantic and communicative analysis. In Kazakh, Russian, and English, white and black colors in description of person have a wide scope of application. Their frequency means that these color codes are part of a group of tokens with a high potential for phraseological activity. These colors are actively used both in everyday life and fiction when a person is described with the help of color contrasts. Material of the research: the paper features phraseological units with the elements of color identification "white", "black" and "red" from verbal folklore and Kazakh literature classics, as well as works by Russian and English writers.
AESTHETIC ASPECTS OF EKPHRASIS IN GUY DE MAUPASSANT’S SHORT STORY «UN PORTRAIT» («A PORTRAIT»)
Authors: Karpukhina T. P.
Published: April 2018

The current article features the phenomenon of ekphrasis, i.e. a verbal representation of a work of fine arts in fiction, as presented in Guy de Maupassant’s short story "Un portrait". Aesthetic aspects of ekphrasis alongside the linguistic means of its expression are subjected to analysis. The leitmotif of the short story is the thematic motive of an enigmatic, inexplicable mystery that is unraveled at the end of the story. The firstperson narration begins with the description of a gentleman whose indescribable charm fascinates everyone he meets. Being invited to his house, the narrator notices a portrait of an extremely charming lady that happens to be the host’s mother, who died very young. That is how the mystery of the irresistible and captivating charm of the gentleman is solved. The portrait turns out to be a doppelganger of the host, and thus the archetypal ekphrastic motif of an image coming to life is realized. Both the main character of the story as a human being in the flesh and the image in the picture as a still, non-living work of art, manifest themselves as equally significant aesthetic objects, united by one common inherent quality, i.e. the magic and charm of beauty. The beauty does not ensue from the well-bred manners of the son or from a spell-binding expression of the mother’s eyes; the beauty lies in their capability of being absolutely natural, in harmony with their own selves. Aesthetic aspects of the ekphrastic description find their expression in a variety of linguistic means (epithets, metaphor, personification, simile, syntactic parallelism, etc.). Particular significance belongs to a big number of lexical units pertaining to visual perception, which is a specific feature of the archetypal scheme of ekphrasis. Equally important are the words and phrases characterizing the vitality of the image portrayed.
CONDITIONS OF BILINGUAL PERSONALITY FORMATION AND ENGLISH SPEECH INTONING SKILLS (SURVEY RESULTS)
Authors: Makarova E. N.
Published: April 2018

The article deals with the results of research of sociolinguistic factors’ effect on English phrasal accentuation in the reading authentic English material by Mexican subjects. It features a survey data analysis of the characteristics of the Mexican testees with different levels of English language proficiency. The survey has supplied information about their age at the beginning period of English learning process and its conditions, intensity of its usage at present and subjects’ attitude to the necessity of English phonetics acquisition. The current paper introduces some results of phonetic experiment aimed at revealing Mexican subjects’ ability to intone English speech, namely to choose nucleus in the English utterance. Mexican students’ linguistic competence is proved to be the crucial factor responsible for the correctness in identifying nucleus location. The results presented can be used to contribute to the effectiveness of the English and Spanish as a foreign language teaching as well as for improvement of survey construction in sociolinguistic studies.
THE MEANING OF JURIDICAL RITUALS IN LANGOBARDIC LAW
Authors: Shumyagina O. S.
Published: April 2018

The article deals with the main juridical rituals in the Langobardic society: purification oath, duel, hostility and public donation. The purpose of the study is to determine the meaning of the rituals, their function and place in the proceedings. The article is based on the analysis of law codes compiled by such royal lawmakers as Rothari, Grimoald and Liutprand. Legislative sources of other Germanic tribes such as the Salian Franks, the Alemanni and the Bavarians are used for comparison. Every procedure is characterised in the context of symbolism. The article features the influence of traditional beliefs of Germans and social realia of the Langobards on the sacral procedures formation and principles. It also introduces the problem of the specifics of royal power and its activity in relation to the ordinary law mechanisms and the institutes of control on the compliance to the legal norms. The study reveals the main sacral procedures that existed in Lombard society such as cleansing vow, duel, enmity or blood feud, public donation. According to the results, a conclusion was made about the deep symbolism of the juridical rituals in the Langobardic legislation. Sacral procedures formed under the influence of ordinary legal ideas of the tribe were one of the main mechanisms of control of people’s behaviour in their society. Institutions of state power, with varying success, tried to influence the ordinary legal side of society.
Alternative water sources in New Zealand's commercial buildings
Authors: Bint L. , Garnett A. , Siggins A. , Jaques R.
Published: April 2018

Rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling are two potential measures to make significant reductions in commercial building water use in New Zealand. Rainwater harvesting involves the collection of water from roofs during rainfall events, while greywater recycling is the reuse of water from hand basins and showers for use in toilets and urinals. The feasibility of these systems was investigated via three areas of focus: drivers and barriers; system operation; savings to the water network. Initial results show volumetric wastewater tariffs are primary drivers for water efficiency and conservation. However, a lack of consistent regulation, perceived risks of water quality issues and loss of space for storage are perceived as barriers. Case-study buildings showed that, in locations where both water and wastewater are charged volumetrically, the relative benefit–cost comparisons were judged as acceptable by building management. Where only water is charged volumetrically (with wastewater based on annual rating valuations), this was less favourable. Water quality tests showed only minimal imperfections. Concerns appear to be largely an issue of perceived risk rather than actual risk. Together with site visits, the water quality testing has contextualised valuable feasibility, design and operational opportunities. The savings to the water networks, however, appear to be minimal.
Biofeedback and correction of cardiac rhythm variability in athletes training for endurance
Authors: Sergeeva Elena Gennadevna , Ibragimova Tatiana Vladimirovna , Didur Mihail Dmitrievich
Published: April 2018

Biofeedback is a technology of diagnosing physiological processes in real time, during which the patient receives information about the state of his own physiological parameters and conducts its self-regulation in the feedback mode organized with the help of microprocessor technology. In sports cardiology, biofeedback mostly stays in demand, aimed at cardiorespiratory synchronization of heart rate variability. The aim of the study – to create an original correcting method of heart rate variability with the use of biofeedback in athletes training for endurance. The study included 61 people (men aged 20-34 years without diseases of the cardiovascular system). The main group (n = 36) was made up of athletes who predominantly train for endurance. Initially for 30 minutes after training all athletes conducted a study of heart rate variability (HRV) according to a standard procedure. Next, by the method of random numbers athletes were divided into three equal groups (12 people each). Group 1 (main) received cardiothoracic sessions. Cardiorespiratory training was conducted daily. The course consisted of 5 sessions, each of which included 8-12 samples of 120 s each. Statistical processing of the obtained data using a single-factor dispersion analysis did not reveal significant differences in the parameters of the athletes of the study groups. It was found that the total heart rate variability after cardiorespiratory training sessions increased by an average of 33.5 ms (or 69.5% of the baseline, p = 0.002). When analyzing the HRV indices in athletes after watching motivational videos and in the athletes of the comparison group, statistically significant differences were not revealed. Thus, it was the original method of biological feedback that had a significant corrective effect on the indices of heart rate variability in athletes training for endurance.
Approaches to the efficiency evaluation of actions in the sphere of patriotic education
Authors: Efanova Olga Alekseevna , Bazarkulova Azaliia Maratovna
Published: April 2018

Article is devoted to the analysis of approaches to an efficiency evaluation of actions in the sphere of patriotic education, the possible structure of factors (indicators) of quantitative and high-quality nature of a separate action is offered, classification of types of actions and further steps of general system development of quality standard is planned.
The San Remo conference and the Armenian question (April of 1920)
Authors: Nazaryan Gevork Pargev
Published: April 2018

Present article presents the Armenian Question during the Conference of San Remo (April of 1920). The Allied Supreme Council discussed the question of a mandate for Armenia and the delimitation of its boundary. The Supreme Council pledged to support Armenia politically, military and financially. The Allied leaders agreed that the Armenian provinces of Erzerum, Van, Bitlis, as well as Trebizond (which would ensure access to the Black Sea) were integral parts of Armenia. The Supreme Council requested, after the consent of Armenian and Turkish sides, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, as a neutral party, to delimit the boundary between Armenia and Turkey. President Wilson agreed and in accordance with international law made the Arbitrary Award (November 22, 1920), which established the legal state boundary between Armenia and Turkey.
Does Russia need a digital economy?
Authors: Volokhov Aleksandr Vladimirovich , Miloserdov Ivan Andreevich
Published: April 2018

The article is devoted to the digital economy and its place in the Russian Federation. The main directions of digital economy development are defined. Possible positive effects are highlighted. The results of the analysis can be useful in assessing the importance of the digital economy for the country.
Pharmakon Bağlamında Dil Felsefesi
Authors: Bingöl Mustafa
Published: April 2018

İnsanın olduğu yerde “dil”
de vardır çünkü o diliyle beraberdir. Dilin insanla bağlantılı hali onu
vazgeçilmez kılmıştır. Bu vazgeçilmezlik ise onun kullanılmasına neden
olmuştur.             Giriş kısmında dilin kavramsal analizi yapılarak,
Platon’un felsefesine etki eden, Herakleitos ve Parmenides’in görüşleri irdelendi.
Birinci başlıkta diyalog ve diyalektik arasındaki ilişkinin önemi üzerinde
durularak retorik kavramına geçiş yapıldı. İkinci başlıkta ise Platon’un
yazının ve çarenin tanrısı olarak gördüğü 
pharmakon kavramının dil felsefesindeki yeri ve önemi üzerinde duruldu.

            Sonuç kısmında ise pharmakon gibi güçlü bir kuvvetin
Sofistlerin eline bırakılmaması ifade edilir ve bu kuvvetin uzmanların elinde
soylu bir yalana dönüşmesine izin verilebilir.
Türkiye ve Kazakistan Öğretmen Adaylarının Dijital Okuryazarlık Düzeylerinin Değerlendirilmesi
Authors: ÖZERBAŞ Mehmet Arif , KURALBAYEVA Aliya
Published: April 2018

Bu çalışmanın amacı, Türkiye ve Kazakistan’daki öğretmen adaylarının
dijital okuryazarlık düzeylerini ortaya koymak ve belirli değişkenlere göre karşılaştırmalı
olarak incelemektir. Araştırma, ilişkisel tarama modeline
uygun olarak gerçekleştirilmiştir. Araştırmanın evrenini 2015-2016 öğretim
yılında Türkiye ve Kazakistan’da öğrenimlerine devam eden ilkokul ve ortaokul
öğretmen adayları oluşturmaktadır. Örneklemini ise, 2015-2016 öğretim yılında
Türkiye’de Gazi Üniversitesi, Kazakistan’da ise Ahmet Yesevi Üniversitelerinin
Eğitim Fakültelerinde üç ve dördüncü sınıfa devam eden toplam 601 ilkokul ve
ortaokul öğretmen adayları oluşturmaktadır. Araştırmada
veri toplama aracı olarak Acar, 2014 tarafından geliştirilen
Dijital Okuryazarlık Değerlendirme Ölçeği kullanılmıştır. Yapılan analizler sonucunda şu sonuçlara
ulaşılmıştır; Cinsiyet
değişkenine göre her iki ülkede de kadın öğretmen adayların erkek öğretmen
adaylarından daha kalabalık olduğu saptanmıştır. Sınıf değişkenine göre
araştırmaya katılan öğretmen adaylarının Türkiye’de 3 ve 4. sınıf sayıları
benzerken Kazakistan’da dördüncü sınıfların daha kalabalık oldukları
görülmüştür.
Technological Solutions for Older People with Alzheimer’s Disease: Review
Authors: Maresova Petra , Tomsone Signe , Lameski Petre , Madureira Joana , Mendes Ana , Zdravevski Eftim , Chorbev Ivan , Trajkovik Vladimir , Ellen Moriah , Rodile Kasper
Published: April 2018

In the nineties, numerous studies began to highlight the problem of the increasing number of
people with Alzheimer’s disease in developed countries, especially in the context of demographic progress.
At the same time, the 21st century is typical of the development of advanced technologies that
penetrate all areas of human life. Digital devices, sensors, and intelligent applications are tools that can
help seniors and allow better communication and control of their caregivers. The aim of the paper is to
provide an up-to-date summary of the use of technological solutions for improving health and safety for
people with Alzheimer’s disease. Firstly, the problems and needs of senior citizens with Alzheimer’s
disease (AD) and their caregivers are specified. Secondly, a scoping review is performed regarding the
technological solutions suggested to assist this specific group of patients. Works obtained from the following
libraries are used in this scoping review: Web of Science, PubMed, Springer, ACM and IEEE
Xplore. Four independent reviewers screened the identified records and selected relevant articles which
were published in the period from 2007 to 2018. A total of 6,705 publications were selected. In all, 128
full papers were screened. Results obtained from the relevant studies were furthermore divided into the
following categories according to the type and use of technologies: devices, processing, and activity recognition.
The leading technological solution in the category of devices are wearables and ambient noninvasive
sensors. The introduction and utilization of these technologies, however, bring about challenges
in acceptability, durability, ease of use, communication, and power requirements. Furthermore, it needs
to be pointed out that these technological solutions should be based on open standards.
Structure-Based Virtual Screening and Biochemical Evaluation for the Identification of Novel Trypanosoma brucei Aldolase Inhibitors
Authors: Ferreira Leonardo L.G. , Ferreira Rafaela S. , Palomino David L. , Andricopulo Adriano D.
Published: April 2018

Introduction: The glycolytic enzyme fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase is a validated molecular
target in human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) drug discovery, a neglected tropical disease
(NTD) caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma brucei. Herein, a structure-based virtual screening
(SBVS) approach to the identification of novel T. brucei aldolase inhibitors is described. Distinct molecular
docking algorithms were used to screen more than 500,000 compounds against the X-ray structure
of the enzyme. This SBVS strategy led to the selection of a series of molecules which were evaluated
for their activity on recombinant T. brucei aldolase. The effort led to the discovery of structurally
new ligands able to inhibit the catalytic activity of the enzyme.

Results:

The predicted binding conformations were additionally investigated in molecular dynamics
simulations, which provided useful insights into the enzyme-inhibitor intermolecular interactions.

Conclusion:

The molecular modeling results along with the enzyme inhibition data generated practical
knowledge to be explored in further structure-based drug design efforts in HAT drug discovery.
Polyamines and Related Nitrogen Compounds in the Chemotherapy of Neglected Diseases Caused by Kinetoplastids
Authors: Bisceglia Juan A. , Mollo Maria C. , Gruber Nadia , Orelli Liliana R.
Published: April 2018

Neglected diseases due to the parasitic protozoa Leishmania and Trypanosoma (kinetoplastids)
affect millions of people worldwide, and the lack of suitable treatments has promoted an ongoing
drug discovery effort to identify novel nontoxic and cost-effective chemotherapies. Polyamines are
ubiquitous small organic molecules that play key roles in kinetoplastid parasites metabolism, redox homeostasis
and in the normal progression of cell cycles, which differ from those found in the mammalian
host. These features make polyamines attractive in terms of antiparasitic drug development. The present
work provides a comprehensive insight on the use of polyamine derivatives and related nitrogen compounds
in the chemotherapy of kinetoplastid diseases. The amount of literature on this subject is considerable,
and a classification considering drug targets and chemical structures were made. Polyamines,
aminoalcohols and basic heterocycles designed to target the relevant parasitic enzyme trypanothione
reductase are discussed in the first section, followed by compounds directed to less common targets, like
parasite SOD and the aminopurine P2 transporter. Finally, the third section comprises nitrogen compounds
structurally derived from antimalaric agents. References on the chemical synthesis of the selected
compounds are reported together with their in vivo and/or in vitro IC50 values, and structureactivity
relationships within each group are analyzed. Some favourable structural features were identified
from the SAR analyses comprising protonable sites, hydrophobic groups and optimum distances
between them. The importance of certain pharmacophoric groups or amino acid residues in the bioactivity
of polyamine derived compounds is also discussed.
A Novel Fluorescence-Based Screen for Inhibitors of the Initiation of DNA Replication in Bacteria
Authors: Klitgaard Rasmus N. , Løbner-Olesen Anders
Published: April 2018

Background:

One of many strategies to overcome antibiotic resistance is the discovery of compounds targeting cellular processes, which have not yet been exploited.

Materials and Methods:

Using various genetic tools, we constructed a novel high throughput, cellbased, fluorescence screen for inhibitors of chromosome replication initiation in bacteria.

Results:

The screen was validated by expression of an intra-cellular cyclic peptide interfering with the initiator protein DnaA and by over-expression of the negative initiation regulator SeqA. We also demonstrated that neither tetracycline nor ciprofloxacin triggers a false positive result. Finally, 400 extracts isolated mainly from filamentous actinomycetes were subjected to the screen.

Conclusion:

We concluded that the presented screen is applicable for identifying putative inhibitors of DNA replication initiation in a high throughput setup.
Design, Synthesis and In vitro Cytotoxicity of New 1,2,3-triazol- and Nitrostyrene Hybrids as Potent Anticancer Agents
Authors: Tashrifi Zahra , Mohammadi-khanaposhtani Maryam , Shafiee Ardestani Mehdi , Safavi Maliheh , Rad-Moghadam Kurosh , Mehrdad Morteza , Larijani Bagher , Mahdavi Mohammad
Published: April 2018

Background:

A new series of 1,2,3-triazol-nitrostyrene derivatives was designed,
synthesized, and evaluated for cytotoxic activity against Hep-2 and L929 cell lines.

Methods: The synthetic procedure started from the functionalization of 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde
with propargyl bromide and a subsequent click reaction to give 1,2,3-triazole derivatives. Then, the
reaction of the mentioned derivatives with nitromethane led to the formation of the title compounds
in excellent yields.

Results:

Most of the compounds exhibited better cytotoxic activity with respect to the standard drug
5-fluorouracil. Among them, (E)-1-(3,4-dichlorobenzyl)-4-((4-(2-nitrovinyl)phenoxy)methyl)-1H-
1,2,3-triazole 6i (IC50 = 4.66 ± 1.3 µM) against the Hep-2 cell line and (E)-1-(2,3-dichlorobenzoyl)-
4-((4-(2-nitrovinyl)phenoxy)methyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazole 6g (IC50 = 5.18 ± 0.8 µM) against the L929
cell line exhibited the best cytotoxic effects.

Conclusion:

Moreover, the acridine orange/ethidium bromide double staining technique showed
that the most potent compounds 6i and 6g could induce apoptosis in studied cancer cell lines.
Polymeric Micelles of Modified Chitosan Block Copolymer as Nanocarrier for Delivery of Paclitaxel
Authors: Lather V. , Saini V. , Pandita D.
Published: April 2018

Background:

Polymeric micelles are being used as successful nanocarriers for
the delivery of diverse drug molecules due to properties like solubilization, selective targeting,
P-glycoprotein inhibition, altered drug internalization route and subcellular localization
etc.

Objective:

The present investigation was planned to prepare and characterize novel polymeric
micelles derived from self assembly of amphiphilic chitosan-bile salt derivative
(CS-mPEG-DA) as nanocarrier and evaluate their potential in delivery of an anticancer
drug, paclitaxel.

Method:

Paclitaxel, a diterpenoid compound, useful in clinical treatment of several solid
tumors such as ovarian cancer, breast cancer and lung cancer suffers from limitations like
low aqueous solubility and bioavailability and subsequently was used as the model drug.

Results:

Paclitaxel was successfully incorporated into polymeric micelles using dialysis
and emulsion method with encapsulation efficiency up to 95% having particle size in
nanometer range (<200 nm). Paclitaxel loaded micelles were found to release the drug in
a sustained manner up to 96 h in PBS containing 0.1% (w/v) tween 80 at 37°C. The micelles
powders subjected to stability studies for a period of 90 days were found to be stable
at 4 ± 2°C with respect to particle size and drug content. In vivo cytotoxicity assay
confirmed that paclitaxel encapsulated in polymeric micelles showed higher cytotoxicity
against cultured MCF-7 breast cancer cells than paclitaxel alone.

Conclusion:

Polymeric micellar systems derived from copolymerization of chitosan exhibit
a great potential in successful delivery of poorly water soluble or low bioavailable
drugs like paclitaxel.
A Comparasion Of The Leading Sectors Contibuting To Economic Growth Before And After The Economic Crisis in East Kalimantan: An Econometrical Approach
Authors: Sudarlan S.E. , Rudzali Achmad , Akbar Khairil
Published: April 2018

East Kalimantan province is not only rich in the natural resources of mining, but also in agriculture. The objective of this research is to know the extent of the contribution of the main sector's like agriculture, mining, industry and trade sectors before and after the occurrence of the economic crisis in East Kalimantan.  The results of this study indicate that (a). Almost all of the independent variables used, namely agriculture, mining, industry and trade sectors have insignificant impact on the growth of per capita income before and after the economic crisis, except for an agriculture  sector, (b). The agriculture sector has a positive influence and significantly to the growth of per capita income before the economic crisis, but after the economic crisis it was not significant impact on the growth of income per capita.
Fiebre recurrente transmitida por garrapatas: ¿otra etiología subdiagnosticada en Latinoamérica tropical?
Authors: Faccini M Álvaro , González Tous Marco , Mattar Velilla Salim
Published: April 2018

La fiebre recurrente transmitida por garrapatas (FRTG) es una enfermedad infecciosa de carácter zoonótico causada por espiroquetas del género Borrelia, transmitidas al hombre y animales a través de la picadura de garrapatas “blandas” (familia Argasidae) del género Ornithodoros (1,2). En la naturaleza, las borrelias se mantienen en un ciclo enzoótico que involucra mamíferos silvestres (principalmente roedores), donde las garrapatas adquieren las espiroquetas después de cortos periodos de hematofagia (15-90 minutos), permaneciendo infectadas crónicamente con la posibilidad de transmitir los microorganismos a nuevos individuos vertebrados, incluyendo al hombre, quien actúa como un hospedero accidental (2).