bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Magyar Képzőművészeti Egyetem Könyvtárának és Művészeti Gyűjteményének története
Authors: Blaskóné Majkó Katalin , Bojtos Anikó
Published: July 2016

The National Hungarian Fine Arts Association was established in 1861 and aimed to set up an art academy in Hungary in order to ensure the independent improvement of national art. One of the members – Gusztav Keleti – was entrusted with visiting all of the most important art academies in Europe and investigating their teaching methods. Based on his observations, the Hungarian Royal School of Model Drawing and Draughtsmanship Teacher Training, predecessor of what is the Hungarian University of Fine Arts today, was established on May 1871 in a rented flat, under 6 Rombach (today Rumbach Sebestyén) Street. Gusztáv Keleti got appointed as the director, who formed the collection of the library with the help of the teachers from the very beginning. Apart from books, model drawings (mostly lithographs, photomechanical prints, later photographs) and plaster copies of famous sculptures were acquired as well. The institution moved into its permanent home (Andrássy Street 71.) in 1876, and the library got a spacious hall on the first floor. The new building was planned by one of the teachers, Lajos Rauscher. In 1895 the collection found its current premise in the other part of the university building facing Izabella Street. The first director of the library was János Greguss (1878–1888), followed by Szilárd Várdai (1888–1923), Antal Horn (1923–1947), László Cs. Szabó (1947–1949) and János Faludi (1950–1956). The institutional reform, carried out by Károly Lyka from 1920, abolished the model drawing courses, so a huge part of the library collection lost its importance. The rediscovery of the treasures, hidden in the old furniture, happened only after 1989. 
The Art Collection of the Hungarian University of Fine Arts consists of more than 10.000 priceless drawings and prints, including Japanese woodcuts and an Art Nouveau placard collection. Apart from that more than 12.000 unique photographs, made by famous Hungarian and European artists, and a stunning set of optical instruments are preserved. Due to the works of our existing students, contemporary art is also represented in the collection. 
Fotó: Fortepan / Budapest Főváros Levéltára / Klösz György fényképei
A Semmelweis Orvostörténeti Könyvtár gyűjteményének története
Authors: Kapronczay Katalin , Magyar László András
Published: July 2016

Present article gives a short overview on the history of the collection of the Semmelweis Library for the History of Medicine, Budapest. This collection was established in 1837 as the library of the recently founded Budapest Royal Society of Physicians. Its aim was the promotion of the education and training of local doctors and students of medicine. The library was successfully managed and enlarged up to the WW I. In the period between the two wars however the Society had to face serious difficulties, due partly to the influence of politics, partly to constant financial problems. The library luckily survived the wartime bombings. In 1947 the Budapest Royal Society of Physicians was banned by the communist regime. Its library has been transformed into the so called National Library for History of Medicine, (later Semmelweis Library for the History of Medicine) founded in 1951 by the Ministry of Health. Since 1951 the library hasn’t functioned anymore as a medical, but „only” as a medical historical collection. The collection – containing now 140 000 volumes – still exists in the frame of the Semmelweis Museum, Library and Archives, having however rather loose connections with medical education.
Pharmaceutical Analysis of Eptifibatide via Simple, Rapid, Economical UV-Spectrophotometric Methods
Authors:   R.C. Patel Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Shirpur, Dist. Dhule, India, Patil Sushant S. , Ganorkar Saurabh B. ,   R.C. Patel Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Shirpur, Dist. Dhule, India, Shirkhedkar Atul A. ,   R.C. Patel Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Shirpur, Dist. Dhule, India
Published: July 2016

Eptifibatide is an antiplatelet drug of the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor class. Pharmaceutically it is applied to reduce the risk of acute cardiac ischemic events. The present work reveals two simple, rapid and economical UuV-Spectrophotometric methods for pharmaceutical analysis of Eeptifibatide bulk and in parenteral formulation. The ‘Method I’ is based on the Zero Order Spectrophotometric determination of drug at its wavelength maximum 218.20 nm and ‘Method II’ employed First Order Derivative – Aarea Uunder Curve (AUauC) technique in which the area has been integrated between two wavelengths 220.20 to 237.20 nm. The drug obeyed linearity in the concentration range of 3 – 18 μg/mLl with coefficient of correlation; greater than 0.999 in both methods. The amounts of drug determined by both methods are in conformity with label claim. These methods are validated for accuracy, precision and ruggedness with % RSD value less than 2.0.
Synthesis,Characterization and Biological studies on Mannich Bases of 2-Substituted Benzimidazole Derivatives
Authors:   Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Rajpura, Punjab-140401, Sethi Ritchu , Arora Sandeep ,   Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Rajpura, Punjab-140401, Jain Sandeep ,   Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Jambheshwar University, Hissar –125001, India, Jain Neelam ,   School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, BPS Women University,Khanpur, Kalan, Sonepat, Haryana, India
Published: July 2016

In the present study novel derivatives of 2-substituted benzimidazoles were prepared via Mannich reaction and evaluated for their in vitro antimicrobial activity against two gram negative strains (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa), two gram positive strains (Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus) and fungal strains (Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger).The synthesized compounds were also screened for antioxidant activity.The newly synthesized compounds were characterized by spectral and analytical techniques.The results revealed that all the synthesized compounds have a significant antioxidant and biological activity against the tested microorganisms.
Cosmetics: Regulatory Scenario in USA, EU and India
Authors:   Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak India, K Dhull , Tripathy Swagat ,   IPCA Laboratories Limited, Kandivli (West) Mumbai, Maharashtra India, Dureja Harish ,   Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Rajpura, Punjab-140401
Published: July 2016

The efficacy, safety, regulatory framework, and marketing of cosmetic products are the most important factors for the growth of the cosmetic industry. The safety of cosmetic goods is regulated by diverse regulatory bodies around the globe who all have their own rules and regulations. The regulations of cosmetics like, nomenclature, labeling, and safety of colorants(s) alter in different countries. Much stringent legislation exists in the European Union (EU) and The United States of America (USA) has very much stringent legislation in order to regulate the use of cosmetic products. The safety assessments of cosmetic products are affected by the different regulations of different regulatory bodies. Nevertheless, there is a need for harmonized regulations throughout the world. An attempt has been made in the present manuscript to compare the current regulatory scenario of cosmetics in the USA, EU, and India.
Neuropharmacological Activities of Abies pindrow Aerial Parts in Mice
Authors:   Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research, Punjabi University, Punjab, India, Kumar Deepak , Kumar Suresh ,   Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research, Punjabi University, Punjab, India
Published: July 2016

The methanol extract (200 or 400 mg/kg, p.o.) and ethyl acetate fraction (25 or 50 mg/kg, p.o.) of A. pindrow aerial parts were screened for anticonvulsant, antidepressant, locomotor, hypnotic and antistress activities. The methanol extract (ME) and ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) could not reduce duration of MES-induced tonic extensor phase with respect to the standard drug, phenytoin (20 mg/kg, i.p.). Both ME and EAF showed significant reduction of time spent in immobile state in forced swim test and did not stimulate locomotion in an open field model, thereby confirming their specific antidepressant activity. In cold swim test, ME and EAF showed antistress activity comparable to diazepam (1 mg/kg, i.p.). None of the test doses of ME and EAF could significantly increase duration of sleep in mice as compared to the control group. Phytochemical screening of ME and EAF showed presence of flavonoids as major class of phytoconstituents.
Marketing Vegetables in Elementary School Cafeterias to Increase Uptake
Authors: Hanks Andrew S. , Just David R. , Brumberg Adam
Published: July 2016

OBJECTIVES:

Children do not eat enough servings of vegetables, underscoring the need for effective interventions encouraging this behavior. The purpose of this research was to measure the impact that daily exposure to branded vegetable characters has on vegetable selection among boys and girls in elementary schools.

METHODS:

In a large urban school district, 10 elementary schools agreed to participate in the study. They were randomly assigned to a control condition or 1 of 3 treatment conditions: (1) a vinyl banner displaying vegetable characters that was fastened around the base of the salad bar; (2) short television segments with health education delivered by vegetable characters; or (3) a combination of the vinyl banner and television segments. We collected 22 206 student-day observations over a 6-week period by tallying the number of boys and girls taking vegetables from the school’s salad bar.

RESULTS:

Results show that 90.5% (from 12.6% to 24.0%; P = .04) more students took vegetables from the salad bar when exposed to the vinyl banner only, and 239.2% (from 10.2% to 34.6%; P < .001) more students visited the salad bar when exposed to both the television segments and vinyl banners. Both boys and girls responded positively to the vinyl banners (P < .05 in both cases).

CONCLUSIONS:

Evidence from this study highlights the positive impact of branded media on children’s vegetable selection in the school cafeteria. Results from this study suggest potential opportunities for using branded media to encourage healthier choices for children.
Tamaño de muestra robusta para planes de demostración weibull
Authors: Piña-Monarrez Manuel Roman , Ramos-Lopez Miriam Lorena , Alvarado-Iniesta Alejandro , Molina-Arredondo Rey David
Published: July 2016

La eficiencia de un plan de demostración Weibull está completamente determinada por el tiempo total de experimentación (Ta) el cual depende del tamaño de muestra desconocido (n) y del parámetro de forma Weibull (β). De esa forma, una vez que β fue seleccionada, Ta depende sólo de n. Desafortunadamente, debido a que n es estimada a través del método binomial paramétrico, entonces si el nivel de confianza C es mayor de 0.63, n y como consecuencia Ta, son sobre-estimados (para C<0.63, estos son subestimados). Por otro lado, en este artículo, debido a que la intersección entre n y β, para la cual Ta es única, se encontró con n dependiendo sólo de R(t), entonces la estimación de Ta es óptima. Por otro lado, dado que una vez que β fue seleccionada, η está completamente determinada, entonces β y η fueron utilizadas para incorporar los tiempos de falla esperados del nivel operacional en un análisis de prueba de vida acelerada (ALT). Aplicaciones numéricas son dadas.
Una nueva regla endurecimiento para modelar el efecto de la densidad en el comportamiento de los suelos
Authors: Muniz de Farias Márcio , Giraldo-Zuluaga Robinson Andrés , Nakai Teruo
Published: July 2016

Los autores proponen una nueva ley de endurecimiento para modelos constitutivos basados en el concepto subloading. Este concepto permite una transición suave entre la descarga y la recarga. Lo más importante es que caracteriza el suelo con un único grupo de parámetros, independientes de la densidad inicial. La nueva regla busca mejorar el modelo original propuesto por el último autor. La versión inicial incluía una regla de evolución lineal en aras de la simplicidad, sin incluir pruebas empíricas de dicha ley. Esta nueva versión propone una ley exponencial que se ajusta mejor los datos experimentales. Esta ley requiere sólo dos parámetros, con una interpretación física clara, obtenidos a partir de ensayos simples de compresión unidimensional. El modelo se basó en ensayos controlados con esferas de vidrio, sin embargo, fue aplicado a suelos granulares y arcillosos. Los resultados muestran que el modelo puede reproducir muy bien el comportamiento de suelos reales.
Desempeño estadístico de cartas de control con parámetros variables para procesos autocorrelacionados
Authors: Oviedo Trespalacios Oscar , Peñabaena Niebles Rita Patricia
Published: July 2016

Procesos químicos y automatización en la recolección de datos en procesos productivos son reconocidos por producir datos autocorrelacionados. La independencia de las observaciones es uno de los supuestos básicos de las herramientas tradicionales para el monitoreo estadístico de procesos, omitirlo hace que se incremente el número de falsas alarmas y los costos de calidad. Esta investigación considera a través de técnicas de simulación, la utilización de cartas de control con parámetros variables (VP) en presencia de datos autocorrelacionados con el objetivo de determinar el impacto en la velocidad de detección y falsas alarmas de diferentes grados de autocorrelación y su interacción con diferentes condiciones de proceso como la varianza y longitudes del corrimiento de la media, en búsqueda de realizar una selección efectiva de parámetros. La carta VP mostro mejoras en su desempeño en la detección de grandes corrimientos de media en la medida que incrementaba el coeficiente de auto correlación y sostenidamente mejores resultados en una mayor cantidad de condiciones de simulación, en contraste al sistema VSI y x tradicional. Esta investigación demuestra la superioridad de sistemas de calidad vasados en esquemas con parámetros variables comparado con las técnicas tradicionales de control estadístico de procesos.
Evaluación de los flujos de calor en una mina subterránea y enfoque para mejorar sus condiciones ambientales
Authors: Bascompta Massanés Marc , Castañón Ana María , Sanmiquel Lluís , Oliva Josep
Published: July 2016

La actividad minera en espacios subterráneos genera un aporte de calor al sistema de ventilación que tiene influencia en los niveles de producción y productividad. Este artículo analiza y cuantifica las fuentes de calor en una mina subterránea y propone una alternativa de mejora de las condiciones ambientales mediante un cambio de los equipos diésel por maquinaria eléctrica. Este análisis se apoya en varias expresiones teóricas y programas para modelizar la ventilación. Los resultados muestran una reducción del calor efectivo y aparente del 50% y 84%, respectivamente, una vez aplicados los cambios de equipos en el caso estudiado. La reducción del calor en el sistema de ventilación permitiría una mejora de las condiciones en el lugar de trabajo debido a una menor temperatura efectiva y del nivel de contaminantes, incrementado el nivel de eficiencia de los trabajadores y mejorando el nivel de seguridad.
Changes in EEG amplitude (Alpha and Beta waves) with Thermal environment
Authors: Tiago-Costa Emanuel , Quelhas-Costa Emília , Santos-Baptista João
Published: July 2016

Cuando se ejecuta una tarea, puede observarse actividad cerebral através de las ondas eléctricas en diversas bandas de frecuencia. Los principales son las ondas Alfa, Beta, Theta y Delta. Según algunos autores, las ondas Beta y Alfa están relacionados con la capacidad cognitiva y, su presencia y evolución, la aparición y evolución, con el estado de alerta de un individuo. En este estudio, la intención fue evaluar cómo actividad cerebral está directamente influenciada por la temperatura y humedad mientras realiza una tarea. Por lo tanto, se llevaron a cabo un conjunto de pruebas de laboratorio para simular trabajo sedentario en dos diferentes ambientes térmicos: 18 ºC - 40% RH (en frío) y 35 ºC - 80% RH (caliente). En el ambiente térmico caliente, la oscilación de amplitud de las ondas alfa sugiere una alternancia entre periodos de cansancio con los períodos en que aumenta la concentración. Con respecto a las ondas Beta en el ambiente térmico frío, la mayoría de la actividad Beta es típicamente mayor que el verificado en el ambiente térmico caliente.
Política de tierras y la cuestión indígena en el Territorio Nacional del Chaco (Argentina): aproximaciones en torno a la tenencia legal del suelo, 1903-1951
Authors: Almirón Adrian Alejandro
Published: July 2016

El artículo analiza la política nacional en torno a la cuestión indígena y la tierra pública en el Territorio Nacional del Chaco (Argentina) entre 1903 y 1951, un periodo clave, caracterizado por el poblamiento y el crecimiento económico del Chaco, en especial a partir del ciclo algodonero. Para ello examinamos la legislación de la época referida a la política de tierra y a la política integracionista del Estado Nacional con las comunidades indígenas. Nos focalizamos en describir e interpretar, los reclamos de los colonos aborígenes en la Reducción Napalpí y en la colonia Cabo Ñaro para obtener concesiones o títulos de propiedad de la tierra, que ocupaban y trabajaban, demostrando con ello las relaciones y negociaciones entre funcionarios públicos (Presidente Nacional, Gobernador Territorial, agrimensores e inspectores de tierras) y los caciques quienes reclamaban por sus derechos sobre el suelo. La investigación se basa en documentación oficial de la Dirección General de Tierras, el Ministerio de Agricultura, informes del ministerio del Interior y el Consejo Agrario Nacional, como así también periódicos de la época.
El traslado de familias de indios tlaxcaltecas hacia la región norte de la Nueva Galicia (Virreinato de Nueva España). Una política de colonización y pacificación del Imperio español de finales del siglo XVI
Authors: Rojas Galván José
Published: July 2016

A finales del siglo XVI el Imperio español se vio en la urgente necesidad de generar una serie de estrategias que le permitieran acceder a los ricos yacimientos de metales preciosos localizados en el inestable septentrión novohispano, pues de ello dependía el buen funcionamiento de la economía colonial. El objetivo es analizar la política de colonización y pacificación que el gobierno español implementó en el norte de la Nueva Galicia durante ese periodo, donde un grupo de familias de indios tlaxcaltecas fue protagonista. El método utilizado en este trabajo es la síntesis histórica, el cual aporta elementos para reconstruir los sucesos del pasado sobre la base de las fuentes —vestigios y testimonios— ya criticados. Todo ello permite concluir que dicha política fue exitosa, pues contribuyó a la estrategia del gobierno español de extracción de plata. Pero además, coadyuvó a legitimar la expansión tlaxcalteca en el septentrión novohispano. Asimismo, se concluye que favoreció la generación de dos tipos de aculturación: la macroestructural y la microestructural, que afectaron de manera considerable a los distintos grupos sociales que coincidieron en dicho espacio.
Depreciación del capital humano en la Alianza del Pacífico durante 2007-2014
Authors: Castillo Aroca Alberto
Published: July 2016

En el presente trabajo se estimó la tasa de depreciación del capital humano según género, edad, región urbano-rural y sector económico, a través del método propuesto por Neuman & Weiss (1995). Para ello, se emplearon las encuestas de hogares de los países miembros de la Alianza del Pacífico durante 2007-2014. Los resultados muestran que la variación interanual de las tasas de depreciación fueron prácticamente nulas durante el período observado. Al mismo tiempo, las mujeres, los mayores de cincuenta años, el sector industrial, el de servicios y las zonas urbanas presentan una mayor vulnerabilidad a la obsolescencia.
Anatomy "Peer Teaching" in Medical School: A literature review
Authors: Iqbal Halima
Published: July 2016

This article was migrated. The article was not marked as recommended. Medical schools in the twenty first century, have undergone drastic changes in their teaching methodologies worldwide, more specifically in the teaching of anatomy. The main goal of any educational institution is the transfer of knowledge from educator to student in an effective manner. This review attempts to bring together the different teaching methodologies used in medical schools in this new era.Medical institutions have a wide variety of different approaches in teaching anatomy. Tradition dictates that cadaveric dissection and prosected specimens are the gold standard in providing medical students a solid foundation upon which they can build their knowledge and understanding. However, some medical schools use other educational tools, such as anatomical models, computer programs and medical imaging. Moreover, the recent introduction of non-conventional teaching techniques such as problem based learning, encourage cognitive thinking, teamwork and professionalism.Peer teaching is an innovative way of education, and it's success is thought to lie in cognitive congruence; having shared learning experiences and capabilities, cognitive congruence allows students to ask questions in confidence and make any clarifications, without fear of being judged. Other advantages include, enhanced teamwork and communication skills, for both the peer teacher and the students being taught.When viewing the whole spectrum of teaching tools and learning techniques, there are none that appear to be more superior to others, but rather that they should be used in conjunction with one another, in order to enhance learning.
THE ROLE OF mutR GENE IN METABOLISM AND VIRULENCE OF emm12 GENOTYPE STREPTOCOCCUS PYOGENES STRAINS
Authors: Zutkis A. A. , Milman B. L. , Dmitriev A. V.
Published: July 2016

In the present study the functional role of the mutR regulatory protein gene of Streptococcus pyogenes (emm12) was studied. The mutR gene was inactivated in the strains no. 97 and no. 152 by insertional mutagenesis. Inactivation of the mutR gene was found to affect the dynamic and characteristics of bacterial growth in liquid medium. Expression of secreted nucleases was significantly lower in the mutant strains compared to the wild-type strains. Two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass-spectrometry revealed differences in expression of number of the proteins in mutant strainscompared to the wild-type strains. Inactivation of the mutR gene negatively affected capacity of S. pyogenes to adhere to human epithelial cells. Finally, the virulence properties of the no. 152[mutR] mutant strains were found to be 4,7-fold less compared to the strain no. 152, while the no. 97[mutR] mutant strain became avirulent compared to the strain no. 97 due to insertional inactivation of the mutR gene.
ACTIVATION OF T. GONDII INFECTION AFTER ALLOGENEIC TRANSPLANTATION OF HEMATOPOIETIC STEM CELLS: DEPENDENCE ON TIME OF TRANSPLANTATION AND SEROLOGICAL STATUS OF THE PATIENTS
Authors: Chukhlovin A. B. , Zubarovskaya L. S. , Bondarenko S. N. , Eismont Yu. A. , Semenov A. V. , Vladovskaya M. D. , Totolian Areg A. , Afanasyev B. V.
Published: July 2016

The article focuses on aspects of T. gondii reactivation/reinfection in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT). We have observed 297 patients who received conditioning therapy and allogeneic grafts due to different oncohematological or lymphoproliferative diseases (1 to 60 years old, at a mediane of 19 years). Conditioning regimens were either myeloablative (35%), or non-myeloablative (65%). DNA diagnostics of T. gondii was performed on a regular basis at 0 to 6 months post-HSCT. IgG and IgM antibodies against T. gondii were determined in 78 patients before HSCT, as well as in their donors. T. gondii DNA post-transplant proved to be positive in 13% of blood specimens, 9% of cerebrospinal liquor samples, 11% of bronchoalveolar cell lavages, and in 5% of urine sediments. In adolescent patients (10 to 14 years old), an increased prevalence of T. gondii was found in patients who received myeloablative treatment (p = 0.01). When assessing posttransplant dynamics of T. gondii, we have revealed distinct increase in the pathogen excretion within 1st month after HSCT (p = 0.03). Finally, initial presence of IgG antibodies against T. gondii in the patients was associated with lower incidence of the pathogen reactivation post-transplant.
СAPSULAR ANTIGEN OF YERSINIA PESTIS
Authors: Kadnikova L. A. , Kopylov P. K. , Dentovskaya S. V. , Anisimov A. P.
Published: July 2016

Plague is a zoonosis caused by gram-negative bacteria Yersinia pestis, which, as a rule, is transmitted to humans from septicemic rodents by the bites of infected fleas. This microbe killed more people than all of the wars in the human history. Y. pestis circulation in the natural plague foci is ensured by the whole number of pathogenicity factors with differing functional orientation. This review is devoted to one of them, Y. pestis capsular antigen (F1 or Caf1). The history of its discovery and studying of its genetic control, biosynthesis, isolation and purification, and physicochemical properties are reviewed. Its roles in plague pathogenesis and its application as a main component of plague vaccines are also discussed. Y. pestis capsule under light microscopy is visually amorphous, while high-resolution electron microscopy displays the structure formed from separate fimbria-like cords up to 200 nm long, diverging from the bacterial surface in different directions. At 37°C Y. pestis produce 800–1000 times more capsular antigen than at 28°C. Genes coding for 17.6-kD Caf1 protein, which contains 170 amino acids, are located in caf1 operon of pFra plasmid. Analysis of caf1 operon nucleotide sequence testified its close phylogenetic relationship with the gene clusters coding for pilus adhesins that were secreted with the help of chaperone/usher systems in enterobacteria including six additional adhesins in Y. pestis. Y. pestis multiplication within macrophages is the obligatory stage of plague pathogenesis, and the plague pathogen virulence correlates not with resistance to phagocyte ingesting but with bacterial ability to survive and multiply within phagolysosomes of phagocytes due to neutralization of antibacterial functions of eukaryotic cells. The capsule formed out of the Caf1 aggregates protects Y. pestis from ingestion by naïve host’s phagocytes and prevents from initiation of the alternative pathway of the complement system. Molecular usher Caf1A responsible for capsular antigen anchoring on the surface of bacterial cell has a high affinity to human interleukin 1β. Caf1 can compete with interleukins 1α, 1β, and 1ra in binding to receptors on lymphoid cells preventing development of adequate immune response. Immunodiagnosis of plague is based on detection of Caf1 or anti-Caf1 antibodies since this Y. pestis antigen is species specific. Covering bacterial surfaces capsular antigen is also the paramount component of all modern plague vaccines. Its leading role in induction of intense immunity in mice, rats, monkeys, and men was shown clearly. However, non-capsulated (Caf1–) variants of Y. pestis keeping their virulence at the level of the wild-type strains might be selected and accumulated in immune animals. This indicates inadmissibility of application of monoantigen plague vaccines and necessity for design of immunoprophylactic preparations aimed at two or three molecular targets.
PRODUCTION OF MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS TB10.4 RECOMBINANT PROTEIN IN ESCHERICHIA COLI
Authors: Dukhovlinov I. V. , Fedorova E. A. , Dobrovolskaya O. A. , Bogomolova E. G. , Chernyaeva E. N. , Al-Shekhadat R. I. , Simbirtsev A. S.
Published: July 2016

Nowadays tuberculosis is considered one of the most dangerous infectious diseases occurring everywhere, and it remains a cause of death of millions of people around the world. According to the World Health Organization data, in 2013 tuberculosis caused more than 9 million cases worldwide and about 1.5 million of infected people died. The causative agent of tuberculosis in most cases is Mycobacterium tuberculosis. But sometimes it can be Mycobacterium bovis or Mycobacterium africanum. Mainly as a result of infection, a bacterial infection affects the lungs, but the disease may develop in other organs and tissues. Now for the prevention of tuberculosis vaccination of newborns with attenuated vaccine BCG is widely used. The production of this vaccine is cheap and it is safe to use. Thus today, vaccination is the primary means of prevention of tuberculosis. However dubious efficacy and a number of side effects observed after vaccination, makes the scientific community to develop new effective methods for the treatment of tuberculosis. One of the ways to develop new vaccines against tuberculosis is to provide a subunit vaccine based on recombinant proteins. Advantages of subunit vaccines are that the preparation containing the purified protein is stable and secure, its chemical properties are known, it does not contain additional proteins and nucleic acids, which could cause undesirable effects in the human body. One of the most promising antigens for use as components in new vaccines is considered a low molecular weight secreted protein TB10.4. TB10.4 protein is recognized at an early stage of tuberculous infection and contributes to the proliferation of lymphocytes responsible for the production of IFNγ. TB10.4 protein also possesses an adjuvant effect when administered in combination with mycobacterial proteins. Given these properties, the recombinant protein TB10.4 can be used to generate new candidate vaccines against tuberculosis. During the study was created high-yield E. coli strain, which produces the recombinant protein TB10.4, selected the optimal protocol of induction of the gene encoding the protein. The protein was purified using metal affinity chromatography. The purity of the final preparation reached 98%.
THE INVARIANT PATTERNS OF THE INTERNAL PROTEINS OF PANDEMIC INFLUENZA VIRUSES
Authors: Kharchenko E. P.
Published: July 2016

The purpose of the study was to find molecular recognition characteristics of pandemic strains of influenza A viruses and to find out whether avian strains are the probable cause of a new influenza pandemic. Computer analysis of the internal proteins (nucleoprotein, matrix protein M1 and M2 proteins polymerase complex PB1, PB2 and PA, non-structural protein NS2; because of the variability of the length the non-structural NS1 protein was excluded from the analysis) of influenza A virus pandemics in 1918 (H1N1), 1957 (H2N2), 1968 (H3N2), 1977 (H1N1) and 2009 (H1N1) strains was used for search of the invariant pattern primary structure. It was revealed that internal proteins of pandemic strains are characterized by the constancy of the number and positions of certain amino acids and the presence of extended invariant fragments. On the basis of these identified patterns of invariances in internal proteins it was possible to accurately identify pandemic strains in the control sample. Pandemic strains, divided by decades in their emergence and different composition of subtypes of hemagglutinin and neuraminidase (H1, H2, H3 and N1, N2), have strong relationship for their internal proteins, forming a special subset. This suggests that emergence of influenza A virus pandemic strains is related to convergence of their internal proteins to the detected pandemic invariants. To identify pandemic invariant patterns is enough to have the training set including strains of four pandemics (1918, 1957, 1968, 1977). Therefore the 2009–2010 pandemic influenza strain could be predicted at the earliest stage according to its genome and proteome sequencing. According to a comparative analysis, the internal proteins of avian strains H5N1 and H7N9, particularly their nucleoproteins, are not close to those of pandemic strains. This suggests that the threat of a new influenza pandemic, provoked by current circulating avian strains, is unlikely. Invariant patterns of pandemic strains can potentially be used to track pre-pandemic strains among circulating influenza A viruses and detect the formation of a possible trajectory of pandemic alert.
MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY FEATURES OF HEPATITIS C VIRUS ISOLATES FROM DIFFERENT REGIONS OF THE REPUBLIC SAKHA (YAKUTIA)
Authors: Semenov A. V. , Ostankova Ju. V. , Gerasimova V. V. , Bichurina M. A. , Kozlov A. V. , Mukomolov S. L. , Totolian Areg A.
Published: July 2016

According to WHO data about 3% of population are infected by hepatitic C virus (HCV) worldwide. Chronic hepatitis C is the leading cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, thus it becoming one of the global public health problems. Clinical manifestations are varied and depend mainly of the virus biological properties and its interaction with the host immune system. Determination of virus genotype and subtype is important for a better understanding of the epidemiological and virological features of the disease. The prevalence genotypes hepatitis C virus is varies in different geographical regions of the world. The data about HCV genotypes distribution in some Russian Federation regions are very limited, especially about HCV genotypes prevalence in Siberia, Far East and some rural regions. One of such regions is Yakutia. In our study we identified genetic variants of HCV in chronic hepatitis C patients with moderate and high viral load from Yakutia by direct sequencing of HCV RNA NS5B region. Based on phylogenetic analysis we found the prevalent genotype 1 (88.3%), than genotype 2 (6.7%) and 3 (3.2%) among HCV patients with moderate and high viral load. Our results on the prevalence of subtype 1b are consistent with the data on the connection between this subtype with high levels of viremia, greater duration and severity of liver disease, as well as the development of chronic hepatits C in patients infected by HCV subtype 1b, compared with those infected with other subtypes of hepatitis virus C. The similarity of some Yakutian isolates with isolates from the United States, Brazil and Ireland was found. We discuss HCV subtype 2a isolates identified origin from isolates found in China. First in the territory of the Russian Federation HCV subtype 3g was identified, presumably imported from South Asia. Interconnected use of molecular, virological, demographic and epidemiological methods and information to monitor the infections will contribute to the understanding of the current HCV epidemiology in Russia.
SELECTION OF PHYLOGENETICALLY CLOSELY-RELATED YERSINIA PESTIS STRAINS DIFFERING IN THEIR VIRULENCE FOR GUINEA PIGS
Authors: Anisimov N. V. , Kombarova T. I. , Platonov M. E. , Ivanov S. A. , Sukhova M. A. , Dentovskaya S. V. , Anisimov A. P.
Published: July 2016

Genomic, transcriptome or (and) proteomic comparison of closely related virulent and avirulent microbial strains underlies the search for new pathogenicity factors, potential molecular targets for etiotropic therapy, vaccine prevention and immunotherapy of infectious diseases. This investigation was aimed in testing the ability of method of testicular animalization to select phylogenetically close pairs of Y. pestis strains, which dramatically differ in their pathogenicity for guinea pigs, from the populations of as a rule subcutaneously avirulent for guinea pigs “vole” strains of the plague pathogen. Animalization of Y. pestis cultures were performed on guinea pig males by fourfold testicular passage with reducing infective dose. There was no correlation between the ability to cause generalized infectious process (death) after testicular and subcutaneous infection of guinea pigs, but testicular passages made it possible to enrich bacterial culture with a portion of microbes displaying high virulence after subcutaneous infection of this animal species. The methodical approach under study can be successfully applied for selection of pairs of phylogenetically closely related bacterial strains, dramatically differing in their degrees of selective virulence.
Shortcomings in the estimation of clay fraction by hydrometer
Authors: Stott P , Theron E
Published: July 2016

The estimation of clay fraction is important for predicting the engineering properties of a soil. SANS 3001 GR3 (SANS 2011) specifies a procedure for clay fraction determination using a hydrometer. It has long been suspected that there may be flaws in this approach. Some of the possible sources of error have been suggested, but little or no change has been made in the standard procedures for assessment of clay fraction in well over half a century. This paper deals with a microscopic examination of some typical South African clayey soils to assess the adequacy of dispersion and possible consequences for clay fraction determination in currently specified hydrometer procedures. Clays are examined both with and without dispersant, and with and without labelling of clay minerals using an exchangeable cation dye.
The effects of under-sleeper pads on sleeper-ballast interaction
Authors: Gräbe P , Mtshotana B , Sebati M , Thünemann E
Published: July 2016

Under-sleeper pads (USPs), typically made from polyurethane, are used by railways in certain parts of the world to reduce ballast settlement and consequently lengthen the ballast tamping cycle. The rationale behind this relatively new addition to the conventional ballasted track structure is that the pad increases the contact area between the angular ballast particles and the underside of the concrete sleeper, with the effect that ballast breakdown and total track settlement are reduced. This paper describes two experiments on the effects of USPs on four aspects of sleeper-ballast interaction, namely contact area, contact pressure, ballast settlement and ballast breakdown. Static and dynamic tests up to 1 million loading cycles were performed under controlled laboratory conditions on concrete sleepers with and without USPs. Sophisticated pressure sensors revealed an increase in contact area from 12% to 35% for static loading tests, and from 8% to 20% for dynamic tests, with a resulting 70% reduction in contact pressure. In addition, a 44% reduction in ballast settlement and a 23% reduction in ballast breakdown were achieved by the introduction of USPs. In conclusion it is argued that the introduction of USPs specifically on heavy-haul lines would offer significant advantages with respect to ballast settlement and breakdown. These advantages are most likely to lengthen general ballast tamping and screening cycles, resulting in significant life cycle cost savings.
Stormwater pond efficiency determinations with the effluent probability method: The use of mass versus concentration parameters
Authors: Brink I , Kamish W
Published: July 2016

Use of the concentration parameter has in the past generally been favoured in stormwater structure efficiency determinations, and specifically with use of the Effluent Probability Method. However, efficiency is by definition related to the amount of substance removed within a stormwater structure, and concentration, being a mathematical construct, cannot be "removed". The purpose of this study was to investigate whether there is substantive proof for the use of substance concentration as a proxy for mass in the Effluent Probability Method to ascertain the amount of substance removed by a structure, i.e. its efficiency. Theoretical considerations and results of data analyses did not support this, and it is therefore recommended that mass, and not concentration, be used in efficiency determinations with the Effluent Probability Method.
Teachers’ Plight and Trainees’ Flight: Perceived, Lived, and Conceived Spaces of Schools
Authors: Aydarova Elena
Published: July 2016

Teacher recruitment and retention are often examined as technical problems that can be solved by providing teachers with incentives, evaluations, or more practical initial preparation. This paper proposes a reconceptualization of pre-service teachers’ flight from the profession. By applying Lefebvre’s (1991) theory of space to the analysis of ethnographic data collected in the Russian Federation between 2011 and 2014, this paper highlights how teachers’ plight in schools and in the society at large shapes teacher education students’ career aspirations. Based on classroom observations, focus group data, as well as media artifacts, I show that the perceived, lived, and conceived spaces of schooling hold little promise for students in teacher education programs. Teachers’ pay, the structure of teachers’ work, as well as school students’ attitudes towards teachers reveal that schools have come to occupy a peripheral position in the Russian society. Teachers’ experiences in schools as managed professionals burdened with bureaucratic responsibilities and undergoing significant amounts of stress make teaching a precarious occupation. Representations of schools and teachers’ work in the media and public service announcements portray schools as irrelevant and immoral spaces where only “losers” go to work. In this situation, meaningful educational change would require both a reimagining of the spaces of schooling and a collective dialogue on the role education should play in the Russian society.
Cross-University Mobility of University Teaching Staff in Russia
Authors: Gorelova Olga
Published: July 2016

We investigate into cross-university academic mobility, which implies working for more than one university over a teaching career. Judging by available research results, mobility affects positively the academic system as a whole, although its correlation with personal teacher characteristics differs from country to country. According to the Changing Academic Profession survey conducted using the same methodology in 19 countries of the world in 2007–2009 and in Russia in 2012, we analyze the correlation of cross-university academic mobility with publication activity, working time distribution and professional communication of the academic staff. We demonstrate that the level of cross-university staff mobility was extremely low in the early 2010s, which was considered normal by the academic community though. Under such conditions, almost no significant correlations were found between mobility and professional activity characteristics of instructors (productivity, time distribution and collaboration with colleagues), the latter being more or less the same for both mobile and non-mobile staff members.
African-Brazilians and Natives in an Elite University: The Impact of Affirmative Action on Students in Brazil
Authors: Oliven Arabela , Bello Luciane
Published: July 2016

The best Brazilian universities are public, free of charge, and highly selective. At the beginning of the twenty-first century, many public universities began to earmark spots in all courses for underrepresented groups. The targets of these affirmative action policies were usually  students coming from public schools, African-Brazilians, and Natives. This article introduces data on Brazil’s higher education system since its early beginnings: its expansion, segmentation between public and private sectors, and the elitist character of public universities. It points out specificities of race relations in the country since the arrival of the Portuguese, and the historical context that favored the introduction of inclusion policies in public universities. It then deploys qualitative data in order to present the experience of African-Brazilians and Natives who entered an elite university — the Federal University do Rio Grande do Sul — through affirmative action policies. This university is located in the South of the country, the region that has the highest percentage of white population. The analysis focuses on the educational trajectory, family support and expectations, race relations in the university, resilience processes, and plans for the future of a group of racial quota students. By reporting on a pioneering experience, it discusses the importance of diversity in the student body and the challenges the university has to tackle for facing this new reality.
Why Incentives Don’t Pay: Introducing Bonus Pay in the Kyrgyz Republic and the Undoing of Reforms
Authors: Belyavina Raisa
Published: July 2016

In 2011, the Kyrgyz Republic implemented a teacher salary reform aimed to attract new teachers to the profession and to motivate teachers to improve the quality of their work. A key component of the reform was the introduction of the Stimulus Fund, an incentive pay structure. Although the Stimulus Fund comprised only 10 percent of the budget allocated to schools for staff compensation, this paper shows that it nevertheless played a significant role in the reform implementation process. This article examines whether the Stimulus Fund was successful in motivating teachers and the extent to which it was employed as intended to incentivize and reward high-performing teachers. The theoretical framework for this research builds on the scholarship of Larry Cuban (1998), who posits that schools and not policy makers are the key influencers of whether reforms are adopted or rejected. What this study suggests is that contrary to policy goals, the introduction of incentive pay had a deleterious impact on teacher motivation and resulted in a number of unintended consequences, including intergenerational rifts among teachers, a rejection of other components of the 2011 teacher salary reform, and a failure to make progress in overcoming the persisting challenge of attracting and retaining qualified teachers. As early as six months after the reform was announced, it began to be dismantled by schools and teachers. I argue that the Stimulus Fund was a catalyst for undermining the entire new teacher salary reform.
Are Principals of Russian Schools Ready for Transformational Leadership
Authors: Lenskaya Elena , Brun Irina
Published: July 2016

Based on results of TALIS‑2013, of which Russia was a participant for the first time, we analyze demographic characteristics, length of service and working load of school principals, their competencies and opportunities for professional development, as well as working conditions, duties and working priorities. We also discuss how principals participate in teacher performance assessment and delegate their school management responsibilities, which resources they need, and how they assess the ethos of their schools. Research was conducted in 14 regions of Russia and revealed different levels of leadership potential in educational institutions. The recent changes to the education system (new Federal Law “On Education”, new Federal State Educational Standards) require principals to work in a transformational leadership style, but only few of the respondents succeed. Principals prefer micromanagement” and interacting with individual teachers, not staff groups. Authoritarianism and unwillingness to delegate power are the major handicaps to transformational leadership of schools principals. There has been no established  ystem for school principal training in Russia so far. Only some of the regions reported to have trained over 20 percent of candidates prior to employment; meanwhile, there were regions with no training available to principals before the start of their career. It is imperative that the school principal training system involve teaching teambuilding, power delegation and distributed leadership skills.