bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the Microstructure and Isothermal Oxidation of the Si-22Fe-12Cr-12Al-10Ti-5Nb (at.%) Alloy
Authors: Hernández-Negrete Ofelia , Tsakiropoulos Panos
Published: June 2019

Nb-silicide based alloys are new ultra-high temperature materials that could replace Ni-based superalloys. Environmentally resistant coating system (s) with αAl2O3 or SiO2 forming bond coat alloys that are chemically compatible with the Nb-silicide based alloy substrates are needed. This paper makes a contribution to the search for non-pesting bond coat alloys. The microstructure and isothermal oxidation at 800 °C of the silicide-based alloy Si-22Fe-12Cr-12Al-10Ti-5Nb (OHC2) were studied. The cast alloy exhibited macrosegregation of all elements. The microstructures in the cast alloy and after the heat treatment at 800 °C consisted of the same phases, namely TM6Si5, TM5Si3 (TM = transition metal), FeSi2Ti, Fe3Al2Si3, (Fe,Cr)(Si,Al), and an unknown phase of dark contrast. The latter two phases were not stable at 950 °C, where the TMSi2 was formed. There was evidence of endothermic reaction(s) below 1200 °C and liquation at 1200 °C. The alloy followed parabolic oxidation kinetics after the first hour of isothermal oxidation at 800 °C, did not pest, and formed a self-healing scale, in which the dominant oxide was Al2O3. The alloy was compared with other alumina or silica scale-forming intermetallic alloys and approaches to the design of bond coat alloys were suggested.
Effects of Liquid Parameters on Liquid-Filled Compartment Structure Defense Against Metal Jet
Authors: Zu Xudong , Dai Wei , Huang Zhengxiang , Yin Xiaochun
Published: June 2019

The effect of liquid parameters on the defense capability of the liquid-filled compartment structure (LFCS) of a shaped charge jet (SCJ) is quantified using dimension analysis of experiments on the reduced depth of SCJ penetration, which is disturbed via the LFCS with different liquids. The effects of three parameters, namely, liquid density, sound velocity and dynamic viscosity, on LFCS defense for SCJ are discussed quantitatively. Dynamic viscosity exerts the most important effect on LFCS disturbance of SCJ penetration, followed by liquid density. Meanwhile, sound velocity causes a negligible effect on LFCS disturbance of SCJ when the hole diameter in LFCSs are short. LFCSs offer excellent protection as they can significantly reduce the penetration capability of SCJ. Thus, LFCSs can be used as a new kind of armor for defense against SCJ.
Alumina Coated Silica Nanosprings (NS) Support Based Cobalt Catalysts for Liquid Hydrocarbon Fuel Production From Syngas
Authors: Alayat Abdulbaset , Echeverria Elena , Sotoudehniakarani Farid , Mcllroy David N. , McDonald Armando G.
Published: June 2019

The effects of Al2O3 coating on the performance of silica nanospring (NS) supported Co catalysts for Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) were evaluated in a quartz fixed-bed microreactor. The Co/NS-Al2O3 catalysts were synthesized by coating the Co/NS and NS with Al2O3 by an alkoxide-based sol-gel method (NS-Al-A and NS-Al-B, respectively) and then by decorating them with Co. Co deposition was via an impregnation method. Catalysts were characterized before the FTS reaction by the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, temperature programmed reduction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, differential thermal analysis and thermogravimetric analysis in order to find correlations between physico-chemical properties of catalysts and catalytic performance. The products of the FTS were trapped and analyzed by GC-TCD and GC-MS to determine the CO conversion and reaction selectivity. The Al2O3 coated NS catalyst had a significant affect in FTS activity and selectivity in both Co/NS-Al2O3 catalysts. A high CO conversion (82.4%) and Σ > C6 (86.3%) yield were obtained on the Co/NS-Al-B catalyst, whereas the CO conversion was 62.8% and Σ > C6 was 58.5% on the Co/NS-Al-A catalyst under the same FTS experimental condition. The Co/NS-Al-A catalyst yielded the aromatic selectivity of 10.2% and oxygenated compounds.
A Simple Index for Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis—HUFA—Based on Routinely Performed Blood Tests
Authors: Culafic Milica , Vezmar Kovacevic Sandra , Dopsaj Violeta , Stulic Milos , Vlaisavljevic Zeljko , Miljkovic Branislava , Culafic Djordje
Published: June 2019

Background and objectives: Data suggests that nearly 30% of the general population have steatosis and up to 5% of this population develops nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Liver biopsy is still considered to be the gold standard for the diagnosis of NASH. Great effort is being made toward the identification of sensitive diagnostic tests that do not involve invasive procedures to address a common concern in patients with the nonalcoholic fatty liver disease—whether they have NASH or simple steatosis. We aimed to investigate the independent predictors and develop a non-invasive, easy-to-perform, low-cost set of parameters that may be used in clinical practice to differentiate simple steatosis from NASH. Methods: А cross-sectional study of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients divided into two groups: group I—simple steatosis (SS) and group II—biopsy-proven NASH. Strict inclusion criteria and stepwise analysis allowed the evaluation of a vast number of measured/estimated parameters. Results: One hundred and eleven patients were included—82 with simple steatosis and 29 with biopsy-proven NASH. The probability of NASH was the highest when homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was above 2.5, uric acid above 380 µmol/L, ferritin above 100 µg/L and ALT above 45 U/L. An acronym of using first letters was created and named the HUFA index. This combined model resulted in an area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.94, provided sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and a negative predictive value for NASH of 70.3%, 95.1%, 83.1% and 90.0%, respectively. Conclusion: We suggest a simple non-invasive predictive index HUFA that encompasses four easily available parameters (HOMA-IR, uric acid, ferritin and ALT) to identify patients with NASH, which may reduce the need for a liver biopsy on a routine basis in patients with NAFLD.
Effect of Cold Ring Rolling on the Wear Resistance of GCr15 Bearing Steel after Quenching and Tempering
Authors: Lu Bohan , Wei Wenting , Mao Huajie , Lu Xiaohui
Published: June 2019

In this work, the effects on dry wear behavior of cold ring rolling (CRR) of GCr15 bearing steel, after quenching and tempering (QT) heat treatment are investigated. The effects on steel microstructures and wear mechanisms of CRR with different austenitizing times are also discussed. The results show that, with a short austenitizing time of 10 min, CRR can increase the retained austenite content, decrease the undissolved carbide content and improve the hardness of the specimen, thus reducing ploughing and fatigue flaking, and decreasing the wear loss of the CRR specimen. With the longer austenitizing time of 20 min, the retained austenite content increases, the undissolved carbide content decreases, and the hardness increases significantly, both in specimens with and without CRR, so that ploughing, fatigue flaking, and wear loss can all be decreased. However, with an austenitizing time of less than 20 min, the effects of CRR on retained austenite content, undissolved carbide content, and hardness are not significant. Thus, CRR of less than 20 min cannot further improve wear morphology or decrease wear loss.
Broadband Absorption Tailoring of SiO2/Cu/ITO Arrays Based on Hybrid Coupled Resonance Mode
Authors: Lian Jiqing , Zhang Dawei , Hong Ruijin , Yan Tingzhen , Lv Taiguo , Zhang Daohua
Published: June 2019

Sub-wavelength artificial photonic structures can be introduced to tailor and modulate the spectrum of materials, thus expanding the optical applications of these materials. On the basis of SiO2/Cu/ITO arrays, a hybrid coupled resonance (HCR) mechanism, including the epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) mode of ITO, local surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) mode and the microstructural gap resonance (GR) mode, was proposed and researched by systematically regulating the array period and layer thickness. The optical absorptions of the arrays were simulated under different conditions by the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. ITO films were prepared and characterized to verify the existence of ENZ mode and Mie theory was used to describe the LSPR mode. The cross-sectional electric field distribution was analyzed while SiO2/Cu/ITO multilayers were also fabricated, of which absorption was measured and calculated by Macleod simulation to prove the existence of GR and LSPR mode. Finally, the broad-band tailoring of optical absorption peaks from 673 nm to 1873 nm with the intensities from 1.8 to 0.41 was realized, which expands the applications of ITO-based plasmonic metamaterials in the near infrared (NIR) region.
The International Pharmacists-as-Immunizers Partnership (IPIP)—Advancing Research on Pharmacist-Administered Immunizations Worldwide
Authors: Violette Richard R. , Houle Sherilyn K. D. , Nissen Lisa M. , Waite Nancy M.
Published: June 2019

This article describes the formation of the International Pharmacists-as-Immunizers Partnership (IPIP), an international network of pharmacy practice researchers with an interest in pharmacist-administered immunizations. Using funds obtained from a university-sponsored grant, a two-day meeting was held at the University of Waterloo in Canada to discuss published and in-progress research on the topic, identify gaps and priorities for future research, and share implementation strategies used in different jurisdictions. Twelve researchers from five countries attended this initial meeting, identified from both personal networks and from authorship lists from published research. Small- and large-group discussions addressed a number of themes, including: clinical, economic and educational outcomes of the service; the perspectives of pharmacists, patients, and other health professionals; operational and policy factors influencing uptake; safety; and the immunizing pharmacist’s role in disaster preparedness. Feedback on our first meeting and outcomes achieved were evaluated on the basis of participant feedback. Key components of the meeting that were considered successful and important lessons learned are summarized, so that other like-minded researchers with a shared pharmacy practice research interest could consider leveraging funding opportunities to establish other international pharmacy practice research networks.
Preparation of Fluorescent Molecularly Imprinted Polymers via Pickering Emulsion Interfaces and the Application for Visual Sensing Analysis of Listeria Monocytogenes
Authors: Zhao Xiaolei , Cui Yan , Wang Junping , Wang Junying
Published: June 2019

In this work, a novel molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) with water-soluble CdTe quantum dots (QDs) was synthesized by oil-in-water Pickering emulsion polymerization using whole Listeria monocytogenes as the template. Listeria monocytogenes was first treated by acryloyl-functionalized chitosan with QDs to form a bacteria–chitosan network as the water phase. This was then stabilized in an oil-in-water emulsion comprising a cross-linker, monomer, and initiator, causing recognition sites on the surface of microspheres embedded with CdTe QDs. The resulting MIP microspheres enabled selective capture of the target bacteria via recognition cavities. The target bacteria Listeria monocytogenes was detected. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) characterization showed that the MIPs had a rough spherical shape. There was visual fluorescence detection via quenching in the presence of the target molecule, which offered qualitative detection of Listeria monocytogenes in milk and pork samples. The developed method simplified the analysis process and did not require any sample pretreatment. In addition, the fluorescence sensor provided an effective, fast, and convenient method for Listeria monocytogenes detection in food samples.
High Performance Attapulgite/Polypyrrole Nanocomposite Reinforced Polystyrene (PS) Foam Based on Supercritical CO2 Foaming
Authors: Liu Yidong , Jian Lingfeng , Xiao Tianhua , Liu Rongtao , Yi Shun , Zhang Shiyang , Wang Lingzhi , Wang Ruibin , Min Yonggang
Published: June 2019

CO2 has been regarded as one of the most promising blowing agents for polystyrene (PS) foam due to its non-flammability, low price, nontoxicity, and eco-friendliness. However, the low solubility and fast diffusivity of CO2 in PS hinder its potential applications. In this study, an attapulgite (ATP)/polypyrrole (PPy) nanocomposite was developed using the in situ polymerization method to generate the hierarchical cell texture for the PS foam based on the supercritical CO2 foaming. The results demonstrated that the nanocomposite could act as an efficient CO2 capturer enabling the random release of it during the foaming process. In contrast to the pure PS foam, the ATP/PPy nanocomposite reinforced PS foam is endowed with high cell density (up to 1.9 × 106) and similar thermal conductivity as the neat PS foam, as well as high compression modulus. Therefore, the in situ polymerized ATP/PPy nanocomposite makes supercritical CO2 foaming desired candidate to replace the widely used fluorocarbons and chlorofluorocarbons as PS blowing agents.
Fabrication of Silk Fibroin Fluorescent Nanofibers via Electrospinning
Authors: Pang Liaoliao , Ming Jinfa , Pan Fukui , Ning Xin
Published: June 2019

Fluorescent silk fibroin nanofibers were fabricated via electrospinning method with three kinds of fluorescent dyes. Electrospun fluorescent nanofibers showed smooth surfaces and average diameters of 873 ± 135 nm, 835 ± 195 nm, and 925 ± 205 nm, respectively, for silk fibroin-fluorescein sodium, silk fibroin-rhodamine B, and silk fibroin-acridine orange nanofibers containing 2.0 wt% fluorescent dyes. At the same time, the secondary structure of silk fibroin in fluorescent nanofibers was predominantly amorphous conformation without influence by adding different concentrations of fluorescent dyes, as characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Thermal degradation behavior of fluorescent silk fibroin nanofibers with a dramatic decrease in weight residue was observed at around 250 °C. The fluorescence effect of fluorescent silk fibroin nanofibers was changed by changing the concentration of different fluorescent dyes. These fluorescent nanofibers may make promising textile materials for large scale application.
A Noble Proposal for Internet of Garbage Bins (IoGB)
Authors: Jaid Jim Abdullah Al , Kadir Rafiul , Mamun Md. Abdullah Al , Nahid Abdullah-Al , Ali Md. Younus
Published: June 2019

Various technological devices have been developed to meet the ever-increasing demand of today’s cities. Cities, as we can see today, have become highly technology-oriented. However, technological advancement comes at a cost which in this case is the environment of our planet. Therefore, it is necessary to design green cities, which impose as less harm as it possibly can to the environment. One of the most important characteristics of these new cities is the way of managing their waste. Traditional waste management, which employs various sizes and shapes of trash cans at multiple places that are collected by hand after each use is space-consuming, manual, inefficient and often leads to environmental pollution. Therefore, we require a novel approach that is free from these constraints. This paper proposes a garbage management system integrating the fundamental ideas of smart waste management and ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT). The proposed system employs smart cyclic containers that rotate one by one after being filled with rubbish like ‘Merry Go Round’. This approach of waste management solves the problem of space-constraint in an innovative way. A central server monitors the whole system, which further dispatches an autonomous car to collect the waste when necessary. This IoT integrated waste management system is named ‘Internet of Garbage Bins’ (IoGB).
Exploring the Intersection between Engineering and Sustainability Education
Authors: Wilson Denise
Published: June 2019

Sustainability and sustainable development are cornerstones of many of the greatest challenges that engineering faces in the 21st century. Yet, most engineering programs do not explicitly prepare students to engineer within the bounds of sustainability. While engineering education must change in order to more fully integrate sustainability, such change should leverage intersections among what engineering students bring to the table, how engineering educators teach, and the sustainability challenges defined by experts in engineering. This study focuses specifically on what students are bringing to the table by first comparing what students intend to contribute to a more sustainable world to what they should contribute as defined by the grand challenges of engineering. Qualitative analyses of what students say about how they intend to contribute to sustainability show that these statements cover only a small subset of the grand challenges. Additional quantitative analyses show that more engineering students than students in non-STEM fields (business and education) have a strong sense of personal responsibility regarding critical sustainability issues in sustainable energy and waste management. These results suggest that, with proper intervention from engineering educators, engineering students are well positioned and motivated to pursue and expand their sense of responsibility for sustainability.
Management Accounting Change as a Sustainable Economic Development Strategy during Pre-Recession and Recession Periods: Evidence from Russia
Authors: Erokhin Vasilii , Endovitsky Dmitry , Bobryshev Alexey , Kulagina Natalia , Ivolga Anna
Published: June 2019

The volatility of both global and national markets has emerged in recent years. In response to the changes in the operating environment, organizations have been adopting various practices to ensure sustainable development by anticipating threats and managing risks. While many studies are focusing on the investigation of strategic adaptation to the volatile economic environment, there has been little research examining management accounting (MA) as a sustainable development strategy in times of economic turbulence. This study investigates the degree of variation in the use of MA practices induced by economic recession. Investigating the variations in management accounting practices in Russian organizations in 2000–2013 (pre-recession period) and 2014–2018 (economic recession), the authors explore the change across 54 MA tools split into operation, management, and strategy pillars. The contribution of this study to the literature involves the understanding of the use of particular MA tools across various types of organizations and industries before and during the economic recession, as well as discovering the intention to change the instruments in case the economic situation deteriorates. The survey of four types of organizations (micro, small, medium, and large) in five sectors (service, industry, trade, agriculture, and tourism) was conducted in seven territories of Russia differentiated on the level of their economic performance (well-performing, average, and declining). The survey revealed that, during the crisis, the respondents tend to drop using many of proactive sustainability-oriented MA tools and instead focused on achieving immediate and direct effects on sales, profits, and other performance parameters by employing less-sophisticated short-term MA instruments. The forecast of future application of MA tools in a falling economy revealed that, in an attempt to achieve durable and sustainable performance, the organizations of all types and sectors intended to focus on practices such as risk management variance analysis, rolling forecasts, payback, breakeven analysis, and activity-based management.
Kernel-Based Robust Bias-Correction Fuzzy Weighted C-Ordered-Means Clustering Algorithm
Authors: Zhang Wenyuan , Guo Xijuan , Huang Tianyu , Liu Jiale , Chen Jun
Published: June 2019

The spatial constrained Fuzzy C-means clustering (FCM) is an effective algorithm for image segmentation. Its background information improves the insensitivity to noise to some extent. In addition, the membership degree of Euclidean distance is not suitable for revealing the non-Euclidean structure of input data, since it still lacks enough robustness to noise and outliers. In order to overcome the problem above, this paper proposes a new kernel-based algorithm based on the Kernel-induced Distance Measure, which we call it Kernel-based Robust Bias-correction Fuzzy Weighted C-ordered-means Clustering Algorithm (KBFWCM). In the construction of the objective function, KBFWCM algorithm comprehensively takes into account that the spatial constrained FCM clustering algorithm is insensitive to image noise and involves a highly intensive computation. Aiming at the insensitivity of spatial constrained FCM clustering algorithm to noise and its image detail processing, the KBFWCM algorithm proposes a comprehensive algorithm combining fuzzy local similarity measures (space and grayscale) and the typicality of data attributes. Aiming at the poor robustness of the original algorithm to noise and outliers and its highly intensive computation, a Kernel-based clustering method that includes a class of robust non-Euclidean distance measures is proposed in this paper. The experimental results show that the KBFWCM algorithm has a stronger denoising and robust effect on noise image.
Biological Function and Application of Picornaviral 2B Protein: A New Target for Antiviral Drug Development
Authors: Li Zengbin , Zou Zixiao , Jiang Zeju , Huang Xiaotian , Liu Qiong
Published: June 2019

Picornaviruses are associated with acute and chronic diseases. The clinical manifestations of infections are often mild, but infections may also lead to respiratory symptoms, gastroenteritis, myocarditis, meningitis, hepatitis, and poliomyelitis, with serious impacts on human health and economic losses in animal husbandry. Thus far, research on picornaviruses has mainly focused on structural proteins such as VP1, whereas the non-structural protein 2B, which plays vital roles in the life cycle of the viruses and exhibits a viroporin or viroporin-like activity, has been overlooked. Viroporins are viral proteins containing at least one amphipathic α-helical structure, which oligomerizes to form transmembrane hydrophilic pores. In this review, we mainly summarize recent research data on the viroporin or viroporin-like activity of 2B proteins, which affects the biological function of the membrane, regulates cell death, and affects the host immune response. Considering these mechanisms, the potential application of the 2B protein as a candidate target for antiviral drug development is discussed, along with research challenges and prospects toward realizing a novel treatment strategy for picornavirus infections.
EVOLUTIONAL TRANSFORMATIONS OF PRAGMATISM IDEAS
Authors: Tsybulko Olga , Osiptsov Andrey
Published: June 2019

The article deals with the question of the transformation of pragmatism key ideas. Particular attention is paid to the fundamental concepts of the founders of pragmatism as a philosophical direction. However, pragmatic philosophy is the doctrine of the rational substantiation methods of knowledge, and, above all, the substantiation of empirical knowledge. The article reveals features of relativistic and objectivist pragmatism.
Skill-mix change in general practice: a qualitative comparison of three ‘new’ non-medical roles in English primary care
Authors: Nelson Pauline A , Bradley Fay , Martindale Anne-Marie , McBride Anne , Hodgson Damian
Published: June 2019

Background

General practice is currently facing a significant workforce challenge. Changing the general practice skill mix by introducing new non-medical roles is recommended as one solution; the literature highlights that organisational and/or operational difficulties are associated with skill-mix changes.

Aim

To compare how three non-medical roles were being established in general practice, understand common implementation barriers, and identify measurable impacts or unintended consequences.

Design and setting

In-depth qualitative comparison of three role initiatives in general practices in one area of Greater Manchester, England; that is, advanced practitioner and physician associate training schemes, and a locally commissioned practice pharmacist service.

Method

Semi-structured interviews and focus groups with a purposive sample of stakeholders involved in the implementation of each role initiative were conducted. Template analysis enabled the production of pre-determined and researcher-generated codes, categories, and themes.

Results

The final sample contained 38 stakeholders comprising training/service leads, role holders, and host practice staff. Three key themes captured participants’ perspectives: purpose and place of new roles in general practice, involving unclear role definition and tension at professional boundaries; transition of new roles into general practice, involving risk management, closing training–practice gaps and managing expectations; and future of new roles in general practice, involving demonstrating impact and questions about sustainability.

Conclusion

This in-depth, in-context comparative study highlights that introducing new roles to general practice is not a simple process. Recognition of factors affecting the assimilation of roles may help to better align them with the goals of general practice and harness the commitment of individual practices to enable role sustainability.
Setting goals with patients living with multimorbidity: qualitative analysis of general practice consultations
Authors: Salter Charlotte , Shiner Alice , Lenaghan Elizabeth , Murdoch Jamie , Ford John A , Winterburn Sandra , Steel Nick
Published: June 2019

Background

Establishing patient goals is widely recommended as a way to deliver care that matters to the individual patient with multimorbidity, who may not be well served by single-disease guidelines. Though multimorbidity is now normal in general practice, little is known about how doctors and patients should set goals together.

Aim

To determine the key components of the goal-setting process in general practice.

Design and setting

In-depth qualitative analysis of goal-setting consultations in three UK general practices, as part of a larger feasibility trial. Focus groups with participating GPs and patients. The study took place between November 2016 and July 2018.

Method

Activity analysis was applied to 10 hours of video-recorded doctor–patient interactions to explore key themes relating to how goal setting was attempted and achieved. Core challenges were identified and focus groups were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

A total of 22 patients and five GPs participated. Four main themes emerged around the goal-setting process: patient preparedness and engagement; eliciting and legitimising goals; collaborative action planning; and GP engagement. GPs were unanimously positive about their experience of goal setting and viewed it as a collaborative process. Patients liked having time to talk about what was most important to them. Challenges included eliciting goals from unprepared patients, and GPs taking control of the goal rather than working through it with the patient.

Conclusion

Goal setting required time and energy from both parties. GPs had an important role in listening and bearing witness to their patients’ goals. Goal setting worked best when both GP and patient were prepared in advance.
Cluster, a potential tool for rural development
Authors: Péter Micskei
Published: June 2019

There was a heavy change in the characteristics of the agriculture in the last 20 years. It become a multifunctional, sustainable, organic system, which needs strategic approach. On the problem map of the hungarian agriculture the most importatnt questions are the following: dual charachter of the land structure, to occidentalize the farm structure. To develop the rural areas we need to real markets needs adapted, competitive, local agricultural production. From the ’90s into Europe’s economic development policies integrated the clusters, this research tries to certify, that this system is viable in classic agriculture and able to dissolve the defecinces, to support the aims of rural development.
Metformin and left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with comorbidity
Authors: Demydenko Ganna
Published: June 2019

Essential hypertension (EH) stays the important public challenge, because of leading positions in morbidity and mortality in not only Ukraine, but also worldwide. Recent studies have suggested that metformin could inhibit cardiomyocyte apoptosis and improve cardiac function.Aim of the study was to investigate metformin’s influence on left ventricular structure and function in patients with essential hypertension with concomitant type 2 diabetes (T2D).Materials and methods: 120 patients with essential hypertension (EH) were recruited in the study and were divided into three groups according to comorbid state: 60  - EH and T2D; 30 – EH with prediabetes; 30 – EH without dysglicemia. Carbohydrate parameters, left ventricle structure and function were analyzed before and after 12 weeks of metformin treatment.Results. Metformin treatment results in fasting glycaemia and insulin resistance diminishing on 21,79 % and 26,84 %.  Echocardiography in 12 weeks metformin treatment showed significant decreasing of left ventricle myocardium mass for 6,1 %, left ventricle posterior wall thickness - 2,3 %. More pronounced changes in patients with EH and T2D are connected with glucotoxicity, lipotoxicity, insulin resistance diminishing and also with pleiotropic metformin’s effects.Conclusion. Metformin has positive influence to the structure and function of left ventricle with increasing of EDV and LV hypertrophy regress. These findings may provide a potential effectiveness for patients with T2D at risk of developing pathological cardiac hypertrophy.Key words: essential hypertension, type 2 diabetes, left ventricle hypertrophy, metformin.
Coping with the “Nimby Syndrome”: Political issues related to the building of big infrastructures in liberal democracy countries
Authors: Massa Agostino
Published: June 2019

The location and building of big hazardous infrastructures is a typical feature of the
modernization process, in all countries and epochs. Since they are usually useful for a large
region but their impact is very localized, the people living around the places where these
facilities are active, or where their building is planned, very often organize and perform
protest activities against them.

Starting from the presentation of recent data about these issues in Italy, considered as
a good example of a liberal democracy country, the article is set to discuss their social
and political consequences, focusing in particular on the so-called “NIMBY syndrome”, its
development and the strategies elaborated by public and private actors to cope with it.
FEATURES OF STEM SHOOT DEVELOPMENT AND THE EVALUATION OF AGRONOMIC TRAITS OF HYBRID TOMATO (SOLANUM LYCOPERSICUM L.), CONTAINING GENES OF LIMITED DEVELOPMENT OF LATERAL MERISTEMS IN THE FILM GREENHOURSES
Authors: Lyaschyna Natalya Yu. , Puhachova Iryna G. , Dabrodzkin Michail M. , Kilchevsky Aleksandr V.
Published: June 2019

When growing a greenhouse tomato, labor inputs for handling and tying of plants are high. In this regard, it is important to investigate the features of plant growth and create varieties and hybrids for intensive technologies, requiring a minimum of labor inputs for plant care and having a complex of valuable agronomic features.
The purpose of the research presented in this article was the selection of tomato hybrid combinations, characterized by high values of productivity signs, low intensity of stem shoot growth and indeterminate type of growth. To achieve the main goal, we studied the growth characteristics of stem shoots and the manifestation of agronomic traits of F1 hybrids Toroza x Line 7, Line 7 x Toroza, Line 7 x Mo 516, C 9464 x Mo 516, C 9464 s Toroza, Line 19/3 x Mo 516, Line 19/3 x Toroza, Line 19/0 x Toroza, Line 19/0 x Mo 516, together with the parent samples.
The peculiarities of lateral shoot development and yield signs were investigated in two variants: without breaking-out laterals and with removal of stem shoots on a weekly basis. The dynamics of laterals growth was estimated on plants of the studied samples, which were planted separately, in the course of 30 days after removing previously formed lateral shoots.
The hybrids with Line 7 and indeterminate hybrid C 9464 x Mo 516 are characterized by high values of productivity traits. The superiority of indeterminate hybrids was noted in both variants of the experiment on grounds of commercial and total yield. The advantage of the variant "without removing laterals" has been established in yield background. Hybrids F1 Line 19/0 x Mo 516 and Line 19/3 x Thoroza can be recommended as valuable breeding samples, because of high productivity level, low intensity of lateral shoot growth and indeterminate type of growth.
Archangelolide: Sesquiterpene lactone with immunobiological potential from Laserpitium archangelica
Authors: Rimpelová Silvie , Jurášek Michal , Peterková Lucie , Bejček Jiří , Spiwok Vojtěch , Majdl Miloš , Jirásko Michal , Buděšínský Miloš , Harmatha Juraj , Kmoníčková Eva , Drašar Pavel , Ruml Tomáš
Published: June 2019

Sesquiterpene lactones are secondary plant metabolites with sundry biological effects. In plants, they are synthesized mainly for their pesticidal, antimicrobial and other effects. Two such compounds, archangelolide and trilobolide of the guaianolide type, are structurally similar to the well-known and clinically tested lactone thapsigargin. Here we present the development of a facile method for isolation of these two sesquiterpene lactones from the seeds of Laserpitium archangelica Wulfen using supercritical CO2 extraction. Furthermore, not much has been reported on biological activity of archangelolide. We prepared its fluorescent derivative based on a dansyl moiety using azide-alkyne Huisgen cycloaddition. We showed that dansyl-archangelolide localized in endoplasmic reticulum of living cells similarly to trilobolide; nevertheless, localization in mitochondria was also detected. This led us to study the anticancer potential of archangelolide. Interestingly, we found that neither archangelolide nor its dansyl conjugate did exhibit cytotoxic effect in contrast to its structurally closely related counterparts trilobolide and thapsigargin. We explain this observation by a molecular dynamics simulation, in which, in contrast to trilobolide, archangelolide did not bind into the sarco/endoplasmic reticular calcium ATPase cavity utilized by thapsigargin. Last, but not least, archangelolide exhibited anti-inflammatory activity, which makes it promising compound for medicinal purposes.
Discourses of the Rural Rust Belt:
Authors: Panos Alexandra , Seelig Jennifer
Published: June 2019

This article addresses the ways in which elementary teachers in the rural rust belt both reproduce and contest dominant discourses of schooling, rurality, and poverty in their particular local context. Situated within a 4-year postcritical ethnographic study, this analysis of teacher discourse took part during an embedded, 4-month-long teacher study group. Within this context, the authors examine how the groupâ€™s discourse on poverty claimed that inequity was the fault of those experiencing it, as well as that a neoliberal discourse of education emphasized a flattened accountability and growth-only perspective within teacherâ€™s professional interactions. However, through the addition of a spatial lens, they also situate these discourses within a particular rural and rust-belt context. This article teases apart the discursive threads within two teacher study groups, revealing the construction by teachers of their own rural, high-poverty communities as deficient, as well as exploring the complexities of the intersections of these discourses for teachers working in such settings. Their analysis contributes to a more robust understanding of the particular intersecting discourses currently circulating and producing a White-majority, high-poverty rural rust belt where children go to school and are taught by educators with their own complex orientations to schooling, rurality, and poverty.
How Can They Know What They Don’t Know? The Beliefs and Experiences of Rural School Counselors about STEM Career Advising
Authors: Grimes Lee Edmondson , Arrastía-Chisholm Meagan Arrastia , Bright Serey B.
Published: June 2019

Many factors contribute to the educational challenges students face in rural areas, including a lack of funding compared to urban and suburban schools and a lack of role models pursuing postsecondary education. School counselors in all settings are trained to provide education to students about the postsecondary options in demand. College and career counseling with students and families in rural areas requires unique understanding of the rural characteristics that shape community life and family dynamics. National attention on rural education has highlighted a particular need for advising into STEM career fields. Using a phenomenological approach, the researchers examine the beliefs and experiences of eight school counselors working in rural schools regarding their lived experiences of advising students in their rural areas about careers in STEM. Three themes about STEM-focused career development emerged from the interviews with the school counselors, a lack of opportunities and resources, challenging local influences, and ideas for much needed place-based innovations. Implications are discussed for several key players with the ability to improve and increase STEM advising for rural students. Examples include the following: for practicing school counselors, intentional career counseling efforts that include rural families; for counselor educators, the addition of rural field placements and assignments focused on rural student career needs; and for rural communities, combining the school counselor’s efforts with local business and industry to highlight and increase STEM career awareness for students and their families.
GENDER EQUALITY INDEX OF THE AUTONOMOUS COMMUNITIES OF SPAIN: A MULTIDIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS
Authors: Gil-Lafuente Anna María , Torres-Martinez Agustín , Amiguet-Molina Luis , Boria-Reverter Sefa
Published: June 2019

The main aim of this document is to establish a diagnosis of inequality between men and women in the autonomous communities of Spain. This study proposes a multidimensional methodology composed of 25 variables and classifies them in four dimensions: education, labor market, social conditions, and empowerment, using the subjective preference model to determine the weight of each variable. Then the four dimensions are added with equal weight to obtain a general indicator for each of the autonomous communities. Therefore, this study presents an adequate diagnosis that allows comparing the gender gap for each of the autonomous communities in any of the different issues raised: both in every dimension and at a general level. The final goal is to establish a methodological reference framework to estimate how gender equality benefits the regional economy. This estimation will be done in our next research.
Mapeamento da mudança do uso e cobertura das terras do município de Britânia do ano de 1985 até 2015 e sua relação com o avanço do setor agropecuário
Authors: Nicolau Ricardo De Faria , Da Silva Elaine Barbosa , Schlapbach Luisina Belén
Published: June 2019

O bioma Cerrado vem sendo desmatado, de maneira intensa desde a década de 1970 até os dias atuais, principalmente para a expansão da agricultura e pecuária. Neste intuito foi escolhido o município de Britânia - GO, que faz parte deste bioma, com o objetivo de fazer um mapeamento do uso e cobertura das terras deste município do ano de 1985, 1995, 2005 e 2015, com a perspectiva de analisar a correlação entre o uso das terras e o efetivo bovino no município. Para mapeamento do uso e cobertura das terras foi utilizado as imagens do Landsat 5, sensor (TM) de 1985, 1995 e 2005 e a imagem do Landsat 8 de 2015 sensor (OLI), onde foi usado o software ENVI 5 para segmentação das imagens e o software ArcGis 10 para a fotointerpretação das imagens. Por meio do mapeamento de uso e cobertura das terras, identificou-se que houve o desmatamento de aproximadamente 18% da área total de Britânia para plantio de pastagem, do ano de 1985 até 2015, e que o processo de desmatamento está intimamente ligado a produção agropecuária, com um aumento de 67.716 cabeças de gado no intervalo destes anos.
Determinação das propriedades físicas e físico-químicas de pêssegos cultivar Rubimel
Authors: De França Sousa Sonara , Batista da Silva Francilânia , Calou de Araújo Auryclennedy , Palmeira Gomes Josivanda
Published: June 2019

Objetivou-se no presente trabalho determinar as características físicas e físico-químicas do pêssego variedade Rubimel adquiridos no comércio local da cidade de Campina Grande (PB). Para a determinação das propriedades físicas foram identificados os seguintes parâmetros: massa, diâmetro longitudinal, diâmetro transversal, diâmetro menor, volume, densidade e porcentagem dos frutos. As características físico-químicas foram feitas em triplicata na polpa e na casca dos pêssegos, obtendo-se os valores de teor de água, acidez total titulável, pH, sólidos solúveis totais (polpa), ratio, açucares totais, redutores e não redutores, vitamina C, cor e antocianinas. Com relação às propriedades físicas, o pêssego Rubimel apresentou 123,2 g, 4,7 cm, 4,7 cm, 4,3 cm, 129,8 mL, 1,0 g.mL-1 e 75,2 % para as médias referentes à massa, diâmetro longitudinal, diâmetro transversal, diâmetro menor, volume, densidade e rendimento de polpa, respectivamente. As características físico-químicas mostraram que a polpa e a casca apresentam um alto teor de água, o que torna a fruta perecível, baixa acidez, pH neutro, alto teor de sólidos solúveis totais, ratio 38,4 (°Brix/SST) e a sacarose como o açúcar predominante na polpa do pêssego. A vitamina C está presente tanto na polpa quanto na casca em quantidades consideráveis. A polpa apresenta uma coloração clara amarelo-avermelhada, enquanto a casca apresenta uma coloração clara, vermelho-amarelada devido a presença de antocianinas, a importância desse composto deve-se, em parte, à ação antioxidante que ele confere à fruta.
Identificação da enzima peroxidase e de microrganismos patogênicos em açaí (Euterpe oleracea M) após o processo de branqueamento
Authors: Dantas Thalita Bandeira , Da Silva Suely Maria Ribeiro
Published: June 2019

O açaí constitui-se como uma das bases da alimentação no Pará, porém cada vez mais tem se discutido a contaminação microbiológica e eficácia dos tratamentos térmicos empregados. A inativação da enzima peroxidase após o branqueamento do fruto pode ser considerada um bom marcador de emprego adequado desta técnica. Assim, o presente estudo objetivou identificar a enzima peroxidase e microrganismos patogênicos em açaí após o processo de tratamento térmico. Foram coletadas 30 amostras do produto, sendo efetuada pesquisa de Coliformes á 45°C e Salmonela spp., além de obtenção do extrato enzimático para determinação da atividade da peroxidase de acordo com a técnica da espectofotometria. Os resultados apontam que 60% das amostras de polpa de açaí branqueada comercializada mantiveram-se inadequadas para o consumo humano, apesar de 100% das amostras apresentarem ausência de Salmonella spp. Em relação à atividade de peroxidase, identificou-se 793,07 UPOD/g  e de 38.537 unidades em 100g de polpa branqueada. Ressalta-se, porém a necessidade de perpetuação desta linha de estudo com estabelecimento da temperatura ótima para inativação da peroxidase e possibilidade de regeneração enzimática, evitando as indesejáveis alterações organolépticas do produto comercializado e aumentando seu tempo e vida útil.
Big in Japan: The importance of riparian corridors for Orthoptera
Authors: Gardiner Tim , Kuramoto Noburo , Matsuba Misako
Published: June 2019

There are few studies on the Orthoptera of the floodplains, paddy fields, and levee embankments of Japan’s riparian corridors. The research which has been undertaken indicates a relatively rich fauna (33% of Japan’s grasshopper species recorded) with endangered species (e.g. Eusphingonotusjaponicus) found on gravel floodplains, although diversity is restricted by forest cover and unfavorable land uses (e.g. agriculture). Management should focus on the alteration of levee mowing regimes to benefit orthopterans, and the control of invasive plant species and successional processes along river corridors, which appears to be important for grasshoppers of gravel substrates. Integrated Green Grey Infrastructure (IGGI) measures (levee terraces of Asteraceae plants) may enhance populations of Orthoptera and conserve declining plants such as Astertripolium in Tokyo. More research is required throughout Japan to accurately determine the orthopteran fauna and appropriate conservation measures, particularly along super levees and in paddy fields.
On the genus Pseudocneorhinus (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Entiminae), with descriptions of five new species from China
Authors: Ren Li , Borovec Roman , Zhang Runzhi
Published: June 2019

Species of the genusPseudocneorhinusoccurring in or near China are reviewed, with description of five new species,Pseudocneorhinusangustussp. nov.,P.glabersp. nov.,P.hlavacisp. nov.,P.obliquehumeralissp. nov., andP.setosicallussp. nov.from the provinces of Beijing, Gansu, Shaanxi, Sichuan, and Zhejiang. They are illustrated and compared with similar species, and a key is provided to all presently known species of the genus. Lectotypes of the following species are designated:CallirhopalussubcallosusVoss, 1956 [current namePseudocneorhinussubcallosus(Voss, 1956)] andP.squamosusMarshall, 1934.PseudocneorhinussquameusMorimoto, 2015 is confirmed for the fauna of China.
Pour construire la résilience des écosystèmes entrepreneuriaux
Authors: Dubard Barbosa Saulo
Published: June 2019

Cet article traite de la résilience des écosystèmes entrepreneuriaux et plus généralement de celle des régions économiques ou des économies locales. Notre raisonnement s’applique en effet à tout un ensemble d’agents économiques et entrepreneuriaux situés sur un territoire. Nous partons d’une vision de l’incertitude extrême représentée par les « Cygnes Noirs » de Nassim Taleb. Nous explorons ensuite deux sources d’inspiration et de connaissances sur la résilience : les individus et la nature. Spécifiquement, nous revisitons quelques études sur les processus de résilience individuelle et sur celle des écosystèmes naturels afin d’en retirer des leçons potentiellement applicables dans le cadre des politiques de développement local, régional et national et des écosystèmes entrepreneuriaux.
Écueils et paradoxes de l’innovation pour les petites entreprises : le cas du secteur de l’ outdoor
Authors: Soulé Bastien , Vignal Bénédicte , Boutroy Eric , Hallé Julie
Published: June 2019

Nécessaire pour exister et survivre dans le secteur concurrentiel des équipements pour le sport et les activités de plein air, l’innovation peut aussi malmener la structure qui la porte et devenir source de vulnérabilité organisationnelle. Cet article s’intéresse à l’ambivalence des processus d’innovation au sein de cinq TPE/PME du secteur. En privilégiant une approche qualitative, nous avons fait émerger un certain nombre de points de vigilance destinés à l’entrepreneur, puis identifié plusieurs formes d’ambidextrie organisationnelle permettant d’absorber les tensions en contexte d’innovation.