bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interpenetrating polymer network hydrogels as bioactive scaffolds for tissue engineering
Authors: Crosby Cody O. , Stern Brett , Kalkunte Nikhith , Pedahzur Shahar , Ramesh Shreya , Zoldan Janet
Published: September 2020

Tissue engineering, after decades of exciting progress and monumental breakthroughs, has yet to make a significant impact on patient health. It has become apparent that a dearth of biomaterial scaffolds which possess the material properties of human tissue while remaining bioactive and cytocompatible, has been partly responsible for this lack of clinical translation. Herein, we propose the development of interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogels as materials that can provide cells with an adhesive extracellular matrix-like 3D microenvironment while possessing the mechanical integrity to withstand physiological forces. These hydrogels can be synthesized from biologically derived or synthetic polymers, the former polymer offering preservation of adhesion, degradability, and microstructure and the latter polymer offering tunability and superior mechanical properties. We review critical advances in the enhancement of mechanical strength, substrate-scale stiffness, electrical conductivity, and degradation in IPN hydrogels intended as bioactive scaffolds in the past 5 years. We also highlight the exciting incorporation of IPN hydrogels into state-of-the-art tissue engineering technologies, such as organ-on-a-chip and bioprinting platforms. These materials will be critical in the engineering of functional tissue for transplant, disease modeling and drug screening.
A stochastic operational matrix method for numerical solutions of multi-dimensional stochastic Itô–Volterra integral equations
Authors: Singh S. , Ray S. Saha
Published: September 2020

In this article, hybrid Legendre block-pulse functions are implemented in determining the approximate solutions for multi-dimensional stochastic Itô–Volterra integral equations. The block-pulse function and the proposed scheme are used for deriving a methodology to obtain the stochastic operational matrix. Error and convergence analysis of the scheme is discussed. A brief discussion including numerical examples has been provided to justify the efficiency of the mentioned method.
Fabrication and low-velocity impact response of pyramidal lattice stitched foam sandwich composites
Authors: Jia Jiale , Yan Shi
Published: September 2020

In this study, the foam sandwich panels were manufactured by integrating top facesheet and bottom facesheet with pyramidal lattice stitched core to overcome the weak interface between the core and skins of the sandwich structures. Low-velocity impact test and numerical simulation were conducted to reveal the failure mechanisms and energy absorption capacity at sandwich composite with foam core, different strut stitched foam core under different impact energy. The experimental results show showed that the strut core can improve the impact resistance of the specimen, and which is closely related to the diameter of the strut core. Compared with foam sandwich structure, pyramidal lattice stitched foam sandwich composites have comparable specific energy absorptions. The failure modes were also analyzed which is: fiber breakage, delamination, foam deformation and strut core breakage. The research presented here confirms that numerical simulation show good agreement with the experiment.
On a recently Found Moabite Inscription
Authors: Zadok Ran
Published: September 2020

It is argued that the appellative qn in a recently published Moabite inscription from Ataroth (modern Ḫirbet ‛Aṭarūz in Jordan) probably means »family, clan«. The combination qn + toponym probably denotes a kin-based conglomerate.
From quantum foundations to spontaneous quantum gravity – An overview of the new theory
Authors: Singh Tejinder P.
Published: September 2020

Spontaneous localisation is a falsifiable dynamical mechanism which modifies quantum mechanics and explains the absence of position superpositions in the macroscopic world. However, this is an ad hoc phenomenological proposal. Adler’s theory of trace dynamics, working on a flat Minkowski space-time, derives quantum (field) theory and spontaneous localisation, as a thermodynamic approximation to an underlying noncommutative matrix dynamics. We describe how to incorporate gravity into trace dynamics, by using ideas from Connes’ noncommutative geometry programme. This leads us to a new quantum theory of gravity, from which we can predict spontaneous localisation and give an estimate of the Bekenstein-Hawking entropy of a Schwarzschild black hole.
Wirt-Gast-Komplexe von [bfu.bfu.bfu]: Vorhersage von Ionenselektivitäten mittels quantenchemischer Rechnungen XIII
Authors: Palmer Ursula , Puchta Ralph
Published: September 2020

The CH2–O–C2H4–O–CH2 moieties in Lehn’s cryptand [2.2.2] have been substituted by 2,2′-bifurane groups to get the cryptand [bfu.bfu.bfu]. The ion selectivity of this new cryptand was investigated by DFT calculations (RB3LYP/LANL2DZp, RB3LYP/LACVP*, RBP86/LANL2DZp and RBP86/LACVP*) based on model equations and analysis of the [M ⊂ bfu.bfu.bfu]
n+ cryptate structures. The cryptand [bfu.bfu.bfu] is best suited for the alkali cations Na+ and K+, and the alkaline earth cation Sr2+ followed by Ca2+. The cavity of [bfu.bfu.bfu] is thus similar to that in [phen.phen.phen] or [bpy.bpy.bpy]. The selectivity of [bfu.bfu.bfu] is due to the flexibility of the OCCO und CN···NC dihedral angles. The results are independent of the selected DFT methods.
Atsushi Koyanagi: Liberal Protestantism and Christian Studies at Kyoto University: A Case Study of Seiichi Hatano
Authors: Koyanagi Atsushi
Published: September 2020

Der Lehrstuhl für Christentumswissenschaft (Kirisutokyōgaku) an der Kaiserlichen Universität Kyoto wurde 1922 als Stiftungslehrstuhl gegründet. Die Gründung der Christentumswissenschaft in Kyoto erfolgte in einer spezifischen bildungspolitischen Konstellation: Es ging um die spannungsreichen Beziehung zwischen staatlichen Hochschulen und den Religionsgemeinschaften sowie um die Ansprüche einer dezidiert nationalen Politik. Der erste Inhaber des Lehrstuhls war einer der prominentesten japanischen Ideenhistoriker und Philosophen, Seiichi Hatano (1877–1950). Für Hatano gab es keinen Unterschied zwischen Theologie und Christentumswissenschaft. Er wandte die historische Methode auf die Forschung zum frühen Christentum an, die er von deutschen Theologen gelernt hatte. Besonders stark hatte ihn die Religionsgeschichtliche Schule beeinflusst. Als Philosoph entwickelte Hatano eine Religionsphilosophie, die auf der Idee der Persönlichkeit basierte. Das starke Interesse am Thema “Persönlichkeit” hatte er auch mit den deutschen Theologen gemeinsam. Andererseits kritisierte Hatano den liberalen Protestantismus in Deutschland scharf. Dennoch wurde seine Haltung, mit der er die Vorgänger und Zeitgenossen “voraussetzungslos” kritisiert hatte, von führenden Vertretern des liberalen Protestantismus in Deutschland angenommen.
Friedrich Wilhelm Graf: Ein unbekannter Systementwurf Paul Tillichs. Zur Entstehungsgeschichte von Tillichs Das System der Wissenschaften nach Gegenständen und Methoden
Authors: Graf Friedrich Wilhelm
Published: September 2020

By the end of April 1923, Paul Tillich’s Das System der Wissenschaften nach Gegenständen und Methoden (1981: The System of the Sciences according to Objects and Methods) was published by the German publishing house Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht in Göttingen. Based on numerous source documents from the publishers’ archives and particularly on the correspondence between the publishers Wilhelm and Gustav Ruprecht, hitherto unknown but now edited and commented on here, the present article explains that Tillich wrote his System of the Sciences primarily for the publisher. It was Emanuel Hirsch who established the connection between them as the publishing house was looking for a new editor for their popular series Wege zur Philosophie (Ways to Philosophy), published since 1911. After Hirsch having brought Tillich into play, Wilhelm Ruprecht could convince the Berlin “Privatdozenten” to become the new editor of the series. As to the series, Tillich unfolded the concept of a comprehensive system design which covered 65 topics, i. e. forthcoming volumes. When the publisher then demanded that Tillich prove his abilities to write comprehensively in common language by providing a sample of a first issue of the series, he began to work on his System der Wissenschaften. Although this text contained all sorts of ideas and concepts, it was certainly not very well suited as an introduction to a series of popular accounts of the central themes and matters of philosophy. In the end, the System was published, although not as a volume of the series as having been announced by the publishing house in 1922, but as a text in its own right.
Correspondence, “cultural pilgrimage”, and the transnational legitimation of philological and linguistic knowledge in Colombia, 1876–1911
Authors: Jiménez Ángel Andrés
Published: September 2020

During the last three decades of the nineteenth century and the first ten years of the twentieth, a small group of Colombian intellectuals became respected linguistic and philological authorities. Through their research on Spanish language, aboriginal languages and Latin classics – inspired by the historical and comparative paradigm for the study of language – they obtained recognition from the European scientific community, mainly in Germany and France. By focusing on Rufino José Cuervo, the most prominent Colombian philologist/linguist at the turn of the century, this article attempts to show that the successful integration of these intellectuals in transnational scientific networks, as well as their privileged position among the Spanish and Latin American letrados resulted mainly from two cultural practices: correspondence and “cultural pilgrimage”. These practices played a key role in Cuervo’s strategy of cultural communication and transmission that aimed to establish contact with prominent figures in linguistic and philological studies in Europe in order to validate and legitimate his work, particularly his opinion on the question of the unity of the Spanish language.
Die Hamburger Seeversicherung vom 17. bis zur Mitte des 19. Jahrhunderts
Authors: Denzel Markus A.
Published: September 2020

Hamburg’s marine insurance from the 17th to the middle of the 19th century

In the eighteenth century, Hamburg emerged as the third-most important marine insurance market in North-West Europe, after Amsterdam and London, with an impact in the entire Baltic Sea area, but partially in ports along the Atlantic coast and in the Mediterranean as well. On the basis of selected examples this contribution outlines the long-term development of marine insurance rates and explains how and why it gradually became less and less expensive to insure ships and goods in maritime transport. At the same time, the paper examines the factors of pricing of the marine insurance rates, i. e. analyses the significance of different various risk factors. Finally, the importance of (marine) insurance as a central transaction cost of trade and (maritime) transport in pre-industrial times is made clear. It is explained, that the long-term minimalisation of the risks involved in the maritime traffic did start only after the Napoleonic Wars and the subjugation of the last pirates in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, which, however, occurred long before the introduction of steam shipping and other innovations in maritime transport and international communication.
Categorical Perception of Control
Authors: Wen Wen , Shimazaki Naoto , Ohata Ryu , Yamashita Atsushi , Asama Hajime , Imamizu Hiroshi
Published: September 2020

The self is a distinct entity from the rest of the world, and actions and sensory feedback are our channels of interaction with the external world. This study examined how the sense of control influences people’s perception of sensorimotor input under the framework of categorical perception. Twenty human participants (18 males, two females) took part in both experiments. Experiment 1 showed that the sensitivity (d′) of detecting a 20% change in control from no change was higher when the changes occurred at the control-category boundary than within each category. Experiment 2 showed that the control categories greatly affected early attention allocation, even when the judgment of control was unnecessary to the task. Taken together, these results showed that our perceptual and cognitive systems are highly sensitive to small changes in control that build up to a determinant change in the control category within a relatively narrow boundary zone between categories, compared with a continuous, gradual physical change in control.
Variable Interhemispheric Asymmetry in Layer V of the Supplementary Motor Area following Cervical Hemisection in Adult Macaque Monkeys
Authors: Contestabile A. , Colangiulo R. , Lucchini M. , Rouiller E.M. , Schmidlin E.
Published: September 2020

Motor cortical areas from both hemispheres play a role during functional recovery after a unilateral spinal cord injury (SCI). However, little is known about the morphologic and phenotypical differences that a SCI could trigger in corticospinal (CS) neurons of the ipsilesional and contralesional hemisphere. Using an SMI-32 antibody which specifically labeled pyramidal neurons in cortical Layers V, we investigated the impact of a unilateral cervical cord lesion on the rostral part (F6) and caudal part (F3) of the supplementary motor area (SMA) in both hemispheres of eight adult macaque monkeys compared with four intact control monkeys. We observed in F3 (but not in F6) interindividual variable and adaptive interhemispheric asymmetries of SMI-32-positive Layer V neuronal density and dendritic arborization, which are strongly correlated with the extent of the SCI as well as the duration of functional recovery, but not with the extent (percentage) of functional recovery.
Mice Preferentially Use Increases in Cerebral Cortex Spiking to Detect Changes in Visual Stimuli
Authors: Cone Jackson J. , Bade Morgan L. , Masse Nicolas Y. , Page Elizabeth A. , Freedman David J. , Maunsell John H.R.
Published: September 2020

Whenever the retinal image changes, some neurons in visual cortex increase their rate of firing whereas others decrease their rate of firing. Linking specific sets of neuronal responses with perception and behavior is essential for understanding mechanisms of neural circuit computation. We trained mice of both sexes to perform visual detection tasks and used optogenetic perturbations to increase or decrease neuronal spiking primary visual cortex (V1). Perceptual reports were always enhanced by increments in V1 spike counts and impaired by decrements, even when increments and decrements in spiking were generated in the same neuronal populations. Moreover, detecting changes in cortical activity depended on spike count integration rather than instantaneous changes in spiking. Recurrent neural networks trained in the task similarly relied on increments in neuronal activity when activity has costs. This work clarifies neuronal decoding strategies used by cerebral cortex to translate cortical spiking into percepts that can be used to guide behavior.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTVisual responses in the primary visual cortex (V1) are diverse, in that neurons can be either excited or inhibited by the onset of a visual stimulus. We selectively potentiated or suppressed V1 spiking in mice while they performed contrast change detection tasks. In other experiments, excitation or inhibition was delivered to V1 independent of visual stimuli. Mice readily detected increases in V1 spiking while equivalent reductions in V1 spiking suppressed the probability of detection, even when increases and decreases in V1 spiking were generated in the same neuronal populations. Our data raise the striking possibility that only increments in spiking are used to render information to structures downstream of V1.
Extraction behavior of carrier-free and macro amounts of molybdenum and tungsten from HCl solution
Authors: Ooe K. , Yahagi W. , Komori Y. , Fujisawa H. , Takayama R. , Kikunaga H. , Yoshimura T. , Takahashi N. , Haba H. , Kudou Y. , Ezaki Y. , Shinohara A.
Published: September 2020

Solvent extraction behavior of carrier-free Mo and W from 0.1–11 M HCl into 0.05 M Aliquat 336-chloroform solution was investigated and compared with that of macro amounts of Mo and W. The distribution ratios of carrier-free Mo and W were in good agreement with those of macro amounts of Mo and W in 6–11 M HCl, while the extraction efficiencies of carrier-free Mo and W were different from those of macro amounts of Mo and W in <6 M HCl. Therefore, it appears that the carrier-free as well as macro amounts of Mo and W form mononuclear species in 6–11 M HCl. The disagreement in <6 M HCl is probably due to the formation of polynuclear species of the macro amounts of Mo and W.
Measurements of the neutron activation cross sections for Bi at 287 and 370 MeV
Authors: Yashima H. , Sekimoto S. , Utsunomiya T. , Ninomiya K. , Omoto T. , Nakagaki R. , Shima T. , Takahashi N. , Shinohara A. , Matsumura H. , Satoh D. , Iwamoto Y. , Hagiwara M. , Nishizumi K. , Shibata S.
Published: September 2020

We present cross section measurements for neutron-induced activation of Bi, at 287 and 370 MeV. These values were derived from the activation method using a quasi-monoenergetic neutron field based on the 7Li(p,n) reaction. In separate experiments, samples were irradiated with neutrons derived from 7Li(p,n) reaction at either 0º or 30º for proton beam axis. This approach allows the subtraction of the low energy neutron components. The measured cross sections are compared with the findings of other studies, and evaluated in relation to nuclear data files.
Effects of oral contraceptives on metabolic parameters in adult premenopausal women: a meta-analysis
Authors: Silva-Bermudez Lina S , Toloza Freddy J K , Perez-Matos Maria C , de Souza Russell J , Banfield Laura , Vargas-Villanueva Andrea , Mendivil Carlos O
Published: September 2020

Objective

To estimate the effect of oral contraceptives (OC) containing different progestins on parameters of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Patients and methods

Premenopausal women aged 18 or older, who received oral contraceptives containing chlormadinone, cyproterone, drospirenone, levonorgestrel, desogestrel, dienogest, gestodene or norgestimate, for at least 3 months. Outcome variables were changes in plasma lipids, BMI, insulin resistance and plasma glucose. We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE for randomized trials and estimated the pooled within-group change in each outcome variable using a random-effects model. We performed subgroup analyses by study duration (<12 months vs ≥12 months) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) status.

Results

Eighty-two clinical trials fulfilled the inclusion criteria. All progestins (except dienogest) increased plasma TG, ranging from 12.1 mg/dL for levonorgestrel (P < 0.001) to 35.1 mg/dL for chlormadinone (P < 0.001). Most progestins also increased HDLc, with the largest effect observed for chlormadinone (+9.6 mg/dL, P < 0.001) and drospirenone (+7.4 mg/dL, P < 0.001). Meanwhile, levonorgestrel decreased HDLc by 4.4 mg/dL (P < 0.001). Levonorgestrel (+6.8 mg/dL, P < 0.001) and norgestimate (+11.5 mg/dL, P = 0.003) increased LDLc, while dienogest decreased it (–7.7 mg/dL, P = 0.04). Cyproterone slightly reduced plasma glucose. None of the progestins affected BMI or HOMA-IR. Similar results were observed in subgroups defined by PCOS or study duration.

Conclusion

Most progestins increase both TG and HDLc, their effect on LDLc varies widely. OC have minor or no effects on BMI, HOMA-IR and glycemia. The antiandrogen progestins dienogest and cyproterone displayed the most favorable metabolic profile, while levonorgestrel displayed the least favorable.
One day is better than four days of ejaculatory abstinence for sperm function
Authors: Okada Fatima Kazue , Andretta Rhayza Roberta , Spaine Deborah Montagnini
Published: September 2020

According to the World Health Organization guidelines, ejaculatory abstinence (EA) of 2–7 days is recommended for semen analysis. This study aimed to determine how seminal quality may be affected by two EA periods from the same man. Seminal samples from 65 men were evaluated by conventional semen analysis and qualitative characteristics after 1 and 4 days of EA (two samples/man). The semen was qualitatively analyzed by examining oxidative activity (intracellular and seminal plasma), sperm function (acrosome integrity, mitochondrial activity, and nuclear DNA integrity), and epididymal function. As expected, samples collected after 1 day of EA showed a decrease in volume and sperm total number compared to samples collected after 4 days of EA. The sperm motility of the samples collected after 1 day of EA was better compared to samples collected after 4 days of EA. Oxidative activity measured was lower after 1 day of EA compared with those measured after 4 days of EA. With regards to sperm function, samples collected after 1 day of EA showed an increase in acrosome integrity, mitochondrial activity, and nuclear DNA integrity compared with samples collected after 4 days of EA. Epididymal function showed no difference between the two-time points. Although samples collected after 4 days of EA showed better results for sperm quantity, samples collected after 1 day of EA showed better qualitative results, including motility, oxidative activity, and sperm function. Thus, it can be concluded that sperm storage at the epididymal tail may make spermatozoa more susceptible to oxidative damage.

Lay summary

According to the World Health Organization guidelines, stopping ejaculation for 2 to 7 days is recommended before sperm collection for semen analysis. However, the evidence that supports these recommendations is limited. Our study aimed to compare how sperm quality was affected in samples collected after stopping ejaculation for 1 day and 4 days (two samples per man) in a total of 65 men. Although sample collection after stopping ejaculation for 4 days showed better semen quantity (volume and sperm concentration), sample collection after stopping ejaculation for 1 day showed better sperm motility and function. If not ejaculated, sperm are stored in the epididymis tail located in the scrotum beside the testicles and our study suggests that longer sperm storage may damage sperm quality. The results from this study may be used to inform guidance for sperm collection for use in assisted reproduction techniques, and lead to an improvement in both fertilization and implantation rates.
Is Postoperative Pain a Mediator of Cancerous Mortality?
Authors: Wang Fuzhou
Published: September 2020

Postoperative pain is considered as a risk factor for the mortality of cancerous patients. Are there convincing evidence demonstrating the causality between them? It is hard to draw a conclusion from the currently available data. Pain itself is an immune suppressor and functions as a tumor-promoting mediator, but it is strongly associated with the pain intensity. The mild-to-moderate pain is a favorable factor to the recovery for patients from surgeries. Everything possesses dual facets: yin and yang balance system. What we need to do is how to take advantage of the favorable from both sides rather than debate which is superior to the other. Yes, even overbalance there, the key necessary for it is to taking measures to keep them on balance.
Mobile Phone Short Messages for Health Professionals
Authors: Shen Xiaofeng
Published: September 2020

Information communication technology has made great progress in past decades, whereas how much could the health professionals benefit from these techniques? Some reports concerned that mobile phone short messages can help health caregivers more focused on their work through reminding them what need do next, and positive results were presented showing that such “beep message” improves patients overall outcomes and satisfaction. Regarding this usage, several drawbacks need mentioned before it was recommended as routine reminder. Detraction from normal work, over-weighed dependence on this kind of remind, and uniform and non-individualized messages all will make the healthcare system lose flexibility and true efficacy.
Granulocyte Therapy for Cancer
Authors: Wang Dong
Published: September 2020

GRANULOCYTE THERAPY FOR CANCER is the first book ever published dealing with the origin and development of the Granulocyte Therapy for Cancer. Dr. Zheng Cui has been regarded as “the father of cancer resistance super-mice”, made great contribution to the progress of Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy. This book, based on his ten years’ research, intends to present a comprehensive overview from the serendipity discovery of the cancer complete resistant/ spontaneous regression (CR/SR) mice to the relevant cancer target killing mechanism mediated by leukocytes, as well as how the innovative therapeutic approach, Leukocyte Infusion Therapy (LIFT) applicable to human cancer.
Critical Review of Street Connectivity Between Tejgaon Industrial Area and Adjacent Hatirjheel Development
Authors: Sharif Tousif Hossain
Published: September 2020

Tejgaon’s development process was initiated in the 1950s by the Department of Public Works (PWD) as an industrial zone and it was also indicate in the first master plan of Dhaka (1959). In1968, Tejgaon was designed as light industrial area by the Dhaka Improvement Trust (DIT). After Liberation war in 1971 Tejgaon become the most sought after place for industrial activity for not only its being on the outskirts of the than city center but also for the rising demand for the growing population of Dhaka. Several residential areas were developed beyond Tejgaon industrial areas (TIA) resulting in the rapid transformation of land use at this point into a mixed use development changing the physical characteristics of TIA. Responding to this transformation, the Government of Bangladesh has decided to develop Tejgaon industrial area as commercial cum residential hub. At the same time low lying areas i.e. Hatirjheel area on the south of TIA was developed to connect the northern residential areas (beyond TIA) with the older urban core. TIA thus came in between Hatirjheel development and Northern residential areas as such requiring rethinking of the street connectivity in the area. Transformation of TIA and the development of Hatirjheel provides an opportunity to rethink about the  connectivity of road network. This study critically reviews the street connectivity between TIA and the adjacent new Hatirjheel development. It is identified that the new Hatirjheel development did not take note of the older TIA road network thus creating problem of urban mobility and integration. This study aims at identifying the street connectivity by quantitative and qualitative method using tools like Depthmapx10 to understand the new dynamics and suggest measures for better urban mobility.
Digital transformation of interaction between government and business: result orientation
Authors: Bardakh Oleksandr
Published: September 2020

The purpose of the report is to draw attention to the possibility and necessity of using digital technologies to ensure the orientation of public administration on the result of interaction with business. The definition of digital transformation is given. The connection between digital transformation and quality parameters of public administration is considered. The experience of digitalization in the advanced countries of the world is analyzed. proposals for the formation of a new strategic document on digital development of Ukraine.
Digitization of local governments: experience of Berdyansk (Berdyansk united territorial community)
Authors: Kuzmenko Viktor
Published: September 2020

This article is devoted to the study of the process of digitalization of local governments of Berdyansk (Berdyansk United Territorial Community) for the period 1994-2020 by analyzing the relevant regulations from the official website of Berdyansk City Council.Based on the results of the analysis, the key tasks and functions of the structural subdivisions of the executive committee of the Berdyansk City Council aimed at digitalization of local self-government bodies were identified. The main historical directions of informatization and digital transformation of local self-government bodies of Berdyansk are revealed. The basic preconditions for digitalization of a local self-government body are outlined.
Digitization of public services: the experience of Dnipropetrovsk region
Authors: Mamatova Tetiana , Chykarenko Olexii , Chykarenko Iryna
Published: September 2020

The results of research work performed with the participation of the authors in 2019 by the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Institute of Public Administration of the National Academy of Public Administration under the President of Ukraine are highlighted.Modern processes of public administration reform in Ukraine are taking place against the background of global digitalization and deep transformation of business processes of organizations in all spheres of activity. According to the experience of developed countries, digitalization in public administration leads to the transformation of government on the model of "service" state, which is based on changing the role of citizens and civil society in public administration, and the basic function of the state is to provide services.Today, the issue of digitalization of public services is one of the priorities of the Government and the President of Ukraine, who have set ambitious plans - in the next 5 years Ukraine should become one of the world leaders in the development of e-government and e-democracy. In the context of further development of the decentralization reform, the implementation of these tasks requires the introduction of advanced digitalization of public services at the local level, and the main role in this process is given to the Centers for Administrative Services (CNAP). The results of the study show that improving the quality and digitalization of services provided by CNAPs, as well as bringing the CNAP network closer to each consumer are now priority areas for reforming the system of administrative services in Ukraine.
The "coming day" of digital government in the United States: a strategy for artificial intelligence
Authors: Onufriienko Oleksii
Published: September 2020

The US Department of Defense Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2018) as a pilot project of promising e-modernization of the public sector of this country is analyzed, its place among other initiatives on digitalization of public administration of the current US Presidential Administration is determined, its specific public-administrative logic is clarified. the specifics of this project through the prism of the tasks of modernization of public governance in transforming societies.
Gender aspects of social policy formation in Ukraine
Authors: Brus Tetiana , Kovalov Viktor
Published: September 2020

The article considers gender aspects of social policy formation in Ukraine. It is determined that the European integration vector of development chosen by Ukraine requires observance of the principles of sustainable development and achievement of equality of women and men in all spheres of society. It was found that the perception of gender in society is not a stable category, but depends on cultural and social traditions, and may change with changing environments. Ukraine's steps over the past 5 years to implement the principle of gender equality are analyzed and it is established that Ukraine has a sufficiently developed regulatory framework, however, its practical implementation is still imperfect. The creation of gender profiles of regions has been studied and it has been found that they are a useful tool for developing strategies for the development of the region, in determining the priorities of social policy, monitoring and evaluation of activities, etc. It was found that gender mainstreaming in social policy-making will emphasize the special needs of women and men in need of state assistance, which will ensure more accurate policy formulation, efficient allocation of resources, targeted use of budget funds and gender-sensitive decision-making. Innovative approaches to gender mainstreaming in social policy-making at both national and regional levels are analyzed. It is established that gender audit will ensure gender parity of participants in the decision-making process, and gender analysis of decisions or policies in general is aimed at identifying problems and differentiating needs and interests, taking into account gender distribution. Their using in the process of formation and implementation of social policy will make it possible to prevent gender inequality and ensure the formation of gender-sensitive social policy.
Modern models of internation migration research
Authors: Novosad Kristina
Published: September 2020

Current global trends (collapse of bipolar and the formation of a new world system of interstate relations; intensification of international economic, social, cultural interactions; formation of the global labor market; mitigation of migration regimes in most countries; search for optimal models of migration and ethnonational policy in donor and recipient societies migration flows, etc.) create the preconditions for in-depth scientific understanding of international migration.Theoretical and methodological foundations of the study of migration are successfully developing within the interdisciplinary approach, which, however, today is still less common than economic, demographic and sociological approaches. The subject fields of these disciplines are correlated through the clarification of what "exactly" are migration processes and what are their consequences. The main "bridges between disciplines" are common ideas about a set of dependent and independent variables. At the same time, different disciplines prioritize the influence of certain variables, and interdisciplinary integration, obviously, should be based on the rejection of such prioritization.It was found that the basis for interdisciplinary integration can be the construction of a systematic view of the factors of migratory behavior. Ensuring interdisciplinary integration is facilitated by the development of cross-cutting concepts and categories of migration theory. An analysis of the discourse formed in the discussion between proponents of different disciplinary approaches shows that concepts such as "repulsion and attraction factors", "migratory attitudes", "choice", "risk", "losses and benefits" are pervasive for integrative migration theory. migration "," intercultural interaction "," adaptation ", etc. Migration decisions are a crucial stage in the structure of the migration process.It is established that sociological approaches to the study of international labor migration have come a long way from understanding the labor migrant as a foreigner and a victim of social exclusion to his vision as a "source of capitalist spirit." Negative attitudes towards migrants and migration were gradually replaced by the introduction into scientific circulation of the assumption of a significant impact of migrants on the course of economic life in the recipient countries. This allowed to solve another important methodological problem of individual and social in mass migration from one country to another, and the study of labor migration has reached a new scientific level.
Ayala, Ana María. “Virtud y felicidad: análisis desde la antropología cartesiana y el pensamiento comunitario de Spinoza.” Praxis filosófica 44 (2017): 169-191.
Authors: Díaz Jorge Aurelio
Published: September 2020

Como lo señala su título, el artículo de Ana María Ayala ofrece una excelente exposición de la forma en la que Spinoza entiende la virtud y la felicidad en confrontación con la doctrina cartesiana, de modo que no me voy a detener en ello. Serán los lectores quienes podrán aprovechar de su lectura. Lo que llamó mi atención, desde que tuve ocasión de conocer el título, fue la calificación de “comunitario” que se le otorga al pensa- miento del judío holandés; porque mis lecturas me habían llevado a entenderlo como una propuesta muy personal para alcanzar la verdadera felicidad y libertad mediante el uso adecuado del pensamiento.
Admirável Mundo Novo, de Aldous Huxley
Authors: Almeida Marcia Geralda , Silva Marisa Corrêa
Published: September 2020

Este artigo objetiva uma (re)leitura do romance distópico de Aldous Huxley, intitulado Admirável Mundo Novo, a fim de discutir o conceito de mito da formação do par amoroso. Esse conceito é proposto pelo filósofo esloveno Slavoj Žižek, um dos disseminadores do Materialismo Lacaniano, que parte dos pensamentos do psicanalista Jacques Lacan atrelados ao Materialismo Dialético para discutir diversas questões como política, cinema e etc. Portanto, trata-se de um trabalho qualitativo, de cunho bibliográfico, baseado nas teorias de Slavoj Žižek e no materialismo lacaniano. Žižek apresenta o mito da formação do par amoroso como uma ramificação do mito familiar da ideologia, que funciona como um poderoso mecanismo de disseminação ideológica, muito utilizado no universo cinematográfico, principalmente hollywoodiano. A partir das discussões de Žižek, verificou-se que Admirável Mundo Novo nega a formação do par amoroso, pois cria a expectativa de formação do casal, para negá-la em seguida.
A condição judaica no processo de criação literária de Cíntia Moscovich e Michel Laub
Authors: Linardi Frederico Dollo , De Assis Brasil Luiz Antonio , Pessah Mariana , Simonatto Bibiana Barrios , Grubber Daniel Fernando , Atencio Maria Elena Morán , Medeiros Stéfanie Garcia
Published: September 2020

Neste artigo são investigadas as características da condição judaica na obra de dois escritores judeus brasileiros contemporâneos: Cíntia Moscovich e Michel Laub. Por meio da leitura das obras Por que sou gorda, mamãe? (2006) e Diário da queda (2011), as características da identidade judaica encontradas nas narrativas são comparadas com a posição dos próprios autores, conhecida através de entrevistas realizadas em setembro de 2018. Tanto as respostas da entrevista quanto a observação dos textos literários são interpretadas à luz de A condição judaica (1985), de Moacyr Scliar. Conclui-se que a identidade judaica não é um dado biológico/hereditário nem religioso, compondo-se a partir de marcos culturais, como costumes, rituais, fala, humor e alimentação, e que a presença desses elementos ou o pertencimento de autores ao judaísmo não condiciona uma obra, por si, como literatura judaica.
A história de Eduardo Perié
Authors: Moreira Maria Eunice
Published: September 2020

Em 1885, Eduardo Perié publicou, pela Casa Editora Eduardo Perié, de Buenos Aires, a obra A literatura brasileira nos tempos coloniais - do século XVI ao começo do XIX, subintitulada “Esboço histórico seguido de uma bibliografia e trechos dos poetas e prosadores daquele período que fundaram no Brasil a cultura da língua portuguesa”, como o primeiro volume da Coleção “Biblioteca Luso-Brasileira”. Segundo o historiador, três fatores são constitutivos da literatura no País: a literatura portuguesa, rica em perfeição, estilo e harmonia; as legendas e a poesia indiana; o elemento africano. Com essa perspectiva, aborda a literatura produzida no Brasil, desde os tempos coloniais até a sua contemporaneidade, ampliando o compromisso de analisar apenas literatura colonial. Obra pouco conhecida no Brasil e raramente citada entre os historiadores da literatura brasileira, o seu autor também é nome desconhecido na historiografia, merecendo, portanto, maiores indagações sobre seu estudo original e peculiar a respeito da literatura brasileira, especialmente do momento por que passa o País: quando Perié publica o seu alentado estudo de mais de quatrocentas páginas, o Brasil vive os tempos anteriores à República, que seria instaurada quatro anos mais tarde. Questões de ordem literária e política parecem se associar e precisam ser mais investigadas para definir o lugar que ocupa essa história da literatura brasileira em tempos coloniais (e nem tão coloniais).
THE SOCIAL ASPECT OF THE USAGE OF PUPILS' SELF-EXPRESSION SKILLS ACQUIRED WITHIN MUSIC EDUCATION
Authors: Kepule Iveta , STRODE AINA
Published: September 2020

Aim. The aim of the research is to study the usage of primary school pupils’ self-expression skills acquired within music education in various social contexts.

Methods. Theoretical research method – the analysis of literature, empirical data acquisition method – questionnaire. Statistical data processing has been carried out in IBM SPSS 23 programme, using the following data processing methods: frequency analysis; Mann-Whitney U test for the comparison of two independent groups; Kruskal-Wallis test for the comparison of three or more independent groups; Kendall rank correlation coefficient for the assessment of associations between two variables.

Results. In the development of self-expression skills, an important aspect is the social performance criterion that is based on pupils’ need for self-expression in a social environment of practising music. Age and gender-based correlations in the assessment of a self-expression skill criterion "Social performance" indicate that with age pupils become more independent and engaged in music-related social activities. Girls are socially more active and emotional and engage in artistic activities more often. The research confirms the role of teachers in the development of pupils’ self-expression skills, promoting integration of formal and informal learning process and transformation in formal and informal learning environment.

Conclusions. The dynamics and interactions of self-expression skills’ development factors (social, emotional and intellectual) defines pupils’ individual self-expression skills and development tendencies. Self-expression is important for pupils in social aspect, as it is related to socialisation in microenvironment (family) and macroenvironment (friends) and affects cooperation and communication.
Smart learning environments in a contemporary museum: a case study
Authors: Kasperiuniene Judita , Tandzegolskiene Ilona
Published: September 2020

Aim. The modern museum becomes an attractive learning place and space where the visitor, depending on age and competence, develops personal experience, and constructs the learning process based on personalized goals. The article aims to reveal how spaces in museums are exploited, in what ways visitors are involved in a narrative that connects the present and the past.

Concept. The research uses a case-study method to investigate the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews (Poland), Ruhr Museum (Germany), and Vienna Technical Museum (Austria). Within the smart learning environment context, this study explains how to encourage museum visitors to learn and seek answers.

Results and conclusion. Four main directions are emphasized: the construction of a narrative through the creation of spaces and places, the creation of a historical narrative through simulacra, the educational effect of smart solutions, and the edutainment. The findings show that change in the museum by combining design solutions, historical narrative, time experience, and smart technologies leads to cognitive, engaging learning, touching, feeling, and experiencing different emotions, encouraging a return to the museum, inviting to learn, and shaping one's personal experience.

Cognitive value. Contemporary museums invite visitors to a new experience combining artistic space design, storytelling, individual time management, and the use of smart learning environments. These challenges are shifting museum narratives and influencing non-formal learning programs. Authors raise a discussion of how, by exploiting museum spaces, the visitors are involved in the stories, and how the smart learning environment is created in a modern museum.
THE CONFRONTATION OF EDUCATION AND CUSTOMARY LAW AT SCHOOL: THE CASE OF ROMA GIRLS
Authors: ŽEMAITĖLYTĖ-IVANAVIČĖ INGRIDA
Published: September 2020

Aim. The main goal of the article is to generalise and describe the aspects revealed during the ethnographic research conducted in 2018 that are related to the gender of Roma girls, as representatives of ethnic group, which have influence on the process of education in the context of school community.

Concept. During the ethnographic research conducted in one of the schools in Lithuania in 2018, the fragments of Romani customary law were revealed, which are directly related to the female gender and show how belonging to a certain gender can have impact on the process of education at school. The Roma students were observed in their daily learning and communication environment, i.e. at school. The ethnographic research helped to reveal the ways a Roma school student thinks (interview method) and behaves (observation method) in a basic school. The present research was based on anthropological methodology (Okely, 2002; Bhopal & Myers, 2008; Durst, 2010) and mainly focused on one case-study.

Conclusion. The Roma girls in the research acknowledged that life of Roma men is easier and that a heavy burden is placed on the shoulders of girls, what often hinders their successful learning. The burden mentioned by the Roma girls is related to responsibilities in housework and family. She is accompanied by the pressure of community to start a family early: to get married and to give birth to children and, thus, to emphasise and confirm own belonging to this ethnic group and continuation of traditions. The situation is exacerbated by the stereotypes in society and the Roma community, which in most cases are ruthless towards Roma girls and women.

Cognitive value. The patriarchate, as the basis of Romani culture, and the unwritten customary law accompanying it frequently become a source of ambiguity. The Roma people, as an ethic group, draw a very distinct boundary between the understanding of "we" and "they", i.e. "the Roma people" and "gadje". Being a non-Roma researcher, i.e. gadje, one faces a difficult challenge - not to make mistakes interpreting various aspects of Romani culture, especially such sensitive ones as gender, gender roles and inequality. However, it becomes easier evaluating indisputable facts: the Romani customary law has influence on the process of their children's education. Roma children (girls in particular) still abandon the system of education too early (from our, gadje, perspective). EU documents (European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights [FRA], 2014) indicate that more Roma girls than boys indicate the fact of marriage or pregnancy to be the reason for early school leaving. The academic discourse, feminist anthropology allows for particularly critical evaluation of processes.
Coronavirus Disease in Pakistan: Response and Challenges from Prevention to Care
Authors: Naqvi Syeda Ghadeer Zehra , Fatima Kainat , Jamal Kanwal , Sheroze Muhammad Waqaruddin
Published: September 2020

Immensely contagious Coronavirus disease was imported in Pakistan and became health emergency concern in no time. Pakistan, being a resource limited nation has encountered worst transmission dynamics and received public, social, economic challenges. Pakistani officials responded sufficiently to outbreak. However, community transmission became an emergent threat and proportion of mortalities became exponential.  Hence, Pakistan was scantily prepared to respond to an overhanging hazardous outbreak. This study comment on response of Pakistani government to Coronavirus disease, sheds light on challenges faced during the Covid-19 pandemic and concluded by highlighting concept of preparedness and providing some recommendations.