bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Briquettes from Tobacco Stems as the New Alternative Energy
Authors: Indahsari Okta Prima
Published: July 2018

Tobacco briquettes is the new alternative energy developed in PTPerkebunan Nusantara X (PTPN X). The tobacco briquettes research isimportant for PTPN X because of three reasons: high availability of theraw material, it can be used as substitution for coal briquettes, andexpected for industrial scale. Currently, many researches have beenconducted for biomass-briquettes but only few who used tobacco. PTPN Xhave been cultivated tobacco only for its leaves which latter used for cigarand the rests were thrown as waste. By conducting the tobacco briquettesresearch, many forms of utilization are expected. For short term, the aimof this research is generating a diversification of added value - producfrom tobacco. For middle term, PTPN X is expected to be the role modelfor the tobacco growers. For long term, PTPN Xl’s goal is to decreasecoal briquettes usage and break the negative stigma of tobacco.Briquetting process was conducted in Physical Laboratory of TobaccoResearch of Jember and the observation located in Tobacco ProcessingBarn of Ajong Gayasan PTPN X. Analysis of proximate test showed thatthe moisture content of tobacco briquettes with cassava starch as adhesivewas 8.00 to 8.97%, the volatile matter was 49.60 to 41.13%, the ashcontent was 9.93 to 7.89%, the fixed carbon was 32.47% to 42.01%, thesulphur content was 1.02 to 0.49%, the bulk density was from 0.35% to0.41%, the calorific value was from 4,285 to 4,586 cal/gr, and flammableduration was from 592 to 697 minutes. The briquetting process did notaffect the taste of leaves as cigar material.
A kontrasztív topik inverzhatóköri rejtélye – ami nincs is
Authors: Farkas Judit , Alberti Gábor
Published: July 2018

Kiindulópontunk a hatóköri elv, amely szerint a magyarban az ige előtti bővítmények hatóköri sorrendje megfelel a szórendnek. Ezen elv alól viszont mintha kivételt képezne a kontrasztív topik specifikálójában álló kvantor- vagy más ω operátorkifejezés, amelynek mintha inverz hatóköre lenne a kontrasztív topikot kötelezően követő fókuszhoz képest: Foc > ω, a szórend ellenében. Az inverzhatóköri rejtélyre kidolgozott Gyuris-féle megoldási javaslat egyik eleme a következő – megmagyarázatlan – megfigyelés: csak azok a kontrasztív topikot tartalmazó magyar mondatok jól formáltak, amelyeknek van egy olyan jól formált megfelelőjük, amelyben a kontrasztívan topikalizált ω kifejezés posztverbálisan helyezkedik el. Azt állítjuk, hogy ebből a „jól formált megfelelőből” egy számos magyar szintaktikai jelenségre sikerrel alkalmazott maradványmozgatásos technikával úgy hozhatjuk létre a „problematikus” szórendi változatot, hogy inverzhatóköri rejtélyről beszélni egyszerűen okafogyottá válik, mert az Foc > ω egyenes hatóköri sorrenden az elvégzett maradványmozgatás nem változtat.
Condors, Water, and Mining: Heeding Voices from Andean Communities
Authors: Sault Nicole
Published: July 2018

This paper addresses the relationship between scholarship and activism, considering the obligations that ethnobiologists have to the communities we work with. I begin by describing the cultural meaning of Andean condors (Vultur gryphus) in Peru through their connections to mountains and water in various forms, and the condor’s role as guardian and protector. My research on condors led me to Indigenous beliefs and practices regarding sacred mountains and water, and from this to the threats against the environment posed by international mining operations. This discussion highlights questions concerning the scholar’s role in situations of environmental destruction and political conflict in relation to structural violence, the mass media, and climate change. At a time when those who protect the land and water are endangered around the globe, the decisions we make while conducting research carry responsibilities for the consequences of our actions, even as these consequences ripple out beyond our specific locality and our original intentions.
An Interview with Verna Miller (Pepeyla)
Authors: Blazina Ashley
Published: July 2018

An Interview with Verna Miller (Pepeyla)
Investigation of an Ablation-dominated Arc in a Model Chamber by Optical Emission Spectroscopy
Authors: Methling R. , Khakpour A. , Wetzeler S. , Uhrlandt D.
Published: July 2018

A switching arc in a model chamber is investigated by means of optical emission spectroscopy. Ignition wire is applied to initiate an arc of several kiloampere between tungsten−copper electrodes. Radiation emitted by the arc plasma is absorbed by a surrounding PTFE nozzle, leading to an ablation–dominated discharge. Video spectroscopy is carried out using an imaging spectrometer combined with a high–speed video camera. Carbon ion and fluorine atom line emission from the heating channel as well as copper, oxygen and nitrogen from ignition wire and ambient air are analyzed with focus on the low–current phases at the beginning of discharge and near current zero. Additionally, electrical parameters and total pressure are recorded while the general behavior of the discharge is observed by another video camera. Considering rotational symmetry of the arc the corresponding radial emission coefficients are determined. Finally, radial temperature profiles are calculated.
Analysis of Electromagnetic Processes Inside the Arc Interrupting System of a High-current Circuit Breaker
Authors: Murashov I. , Frolov V. , Ivanov D. , Kvashnin A.
Published: July 2018

Description of electromagnetic processes inside an arc interrupting system of high-current circuit breaker is presented in article. Non-stationary mathematical model of the circuit-breaker operation (short-circuit currents mode) is developed. The main regularities of the displacement of the electric arc inside an arc chute are established. The influence of the movable contact position on the conditions for the displacement of the electric arc is presented. Also, the influence of the arc chute material on the motion and interrupting of an electric arc (alternating and direct currents) is established.
Strawberry Fields for ever. Krótki szkic pokolenia Baby Boomers (urodzonych w latach 1946–1956) uprawiających dziedzinę językoznawstwa
Authors: Puppel Stanisław
Published: July 2018

Strawberry Fields for ever. Krótki szkic pokolenia Baby Boomers (urodzonych w latach 1946–1956) uprawiających dziedzinę językoznawstwa
Poznańska szkoła ekolingwistyki
Authors: Krawczak Marcin
Published: July 2018

Poznańska szkoła ekolingwistyki
A remark on the Old Norse conjunction ok
Authors: Nielsen Marit Aamodt
Published: July 2018

A remark on the Old Norse conjunction ok
Ekologiczno-językowe aspekty kłamstwa i manipulacji
Authors: Woźniewicz Władysław
Published: July 2018

Ekologiczno-językowe aspekty kłamstwa i manipulacji
Kreacja w ubiorze jako element twórczej ekspresji i komunikacji artefaktycznej w kontekście zachodzących zmian w estetyce wyglądu kobiety. Na podstawie autorskich doświadczeń i dokonań artystyczno-dydaktycznych
Authors: Kostrzewa Monika
Published: July 2018

Kreacja w ubiorze jako element twórczej ekspresji i komunikacji artefaktycznejw kontekście zachodzących zmian w estetyce wyglądu kobiety. Na podstawieautorskich doświadczeń i dokonań artystyczno-dydaktycznych
Strength Behavior of Sedimented Gypsum Slurry
Authors: Hasan Alsidqi , Sahdi Fauzan , Sutan Norsuzailina Mohamed , Mijan Nurul Asikin , Hamdan Sinin
Published: July 2018

Rapid increases in the production of gypsum waste from the Flue Gas Desulphurization process necessitates that proper impoundments be built with an adequate understanding of the strength behavior of the sedimented gypsum slurry. This article presents laboratory experimental results that describe its physical characteristics and strength behavior. The physical characterization includes a particle size analysis and specific gravity of solids, which conform to ASTM standards. The strength behavior is described from a series of consolidated isotropically undrained triaxial compression tests that is performed at six levels of effective confining stress with two tests for each effective confining stress. The results and parameters are presented via critical state analyses in q-p’ and e-p’ spaces as well as a Mohr-Coulomb model. The analysis reveals two distinguishable regimes during shearing, which are classified as structured and destructured regimes, at which the sediment undergoes a change in strength behavior from being an intact structure to becoming a broken structure. A unique critical state line is found to be unparalleled with the isotropic compression line.
Defective Synapse Maturation and Enhanced Synaptic Plasticity in Shank2 Δex7–/–Mice
Authors: Wegener Stephanie , Buschler Arne , Stempel A. Vanessa , Kang Sukjae J. , Lim Chae-Seok , Kaang Bong-Kiun , Shoichet Sarah A. , Manahan-Vaughan Denise , Schmitz Dietmar
Published: July 2018

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are neurodevelopmental disorders with a strong genetic etiology. Since mutations in humanSHANKgenes have been found in patients with autism, genetic mouse models are used for a mechanistic understanding of ASDs and the development of therapeutic strategies. SHANKs are scaffold proteins in the postsynaptic density of mammalian excitatory synapses with proposed functions in synaptogenesis, regulation of dendritic spine morphology, and instruction of structural synaptic plasticity. In contrast to all studies so far on the function of SHANK proteins, we have previously observed enhanced synaptic plasticity in Shank2 Δex7−/−mice. In a series of experiments, we now reproduce these results, further explore the synaptic phenotype, and directly compare our model to the independently generated Shank2 Δex6-7−/−mice. Minimal stimulation experiments reveal that Shank2 Δex7−/−mice possess an excessive fraction of silent (i.e., α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid, short, AMPA receptor lacking) synapses. The synaptic maturation deficit emerges during the third postnatal week and constitutes a plausible mechanistic explanation for the mutants’ increased capacity for long-term potentiation, bothin vivoandin vitro. A direct comparison with Shank2 Δex6-7−/−mice adds weight to the hypothesis that both mouse models show a different set of synaptic phenotypes, possibly due to differences in their genetic background. These findings add to the diversity of synaptic phenotypes in neurodevelopmental disorders and further support the supposed existence of “modifier genes” in the expression and inheritance of ASDs.
Climate Change and Adaptation Strategies on Cocoa Production in Ibarapa Central of Oyo State, Nigeria
Authors: S. Adebiyi, , E. O. Uwagboe, , A. E. Agbongiarhuoyi, , K. A, Oluyole, , I. F Abdulkarim, , A. O. Williams,
Published: July 2018

In spite of various efforts of improving cocoa yield and farm’s production embarked upon by cocoa farmers, the nation has recorded poor yield due to the unending activities of men which has led to global warming. In view of the relevance of cocoa in the country’s gross domestic product, there is need to sustain efforts for increase production and productivity of the sector.   This research work examined the climate change and adaptation strategies on cocoa production in Ibarapa central local government area of Oyo state with sample size of 120 respondents. Data were collected from selected cocoa farmers with the aid of structured interview schedule and data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results revealed that some respondents (60.6%) were still in their active age range with abundant family labour. The findings also revealed that majority (78.9%) of the respondents are small-scale farmers with less than 5 hectares of farm size while 94.5% of the respondents plant cover crops as regular adaptation strategy. Finance was a serious constraint faced by the respondents in the use of adaptation strategies in the study area. However, a significant relationship exists between respondent age education and farm size at P<0.05. It is recommended that farmers should be properly educated on current practices that will reduce the negative impact of climate change in cocoa farming environment.
Zaufanie ukryte w solidarności
Authors: Drożdż Michał
Published: July 2018

Osobowe doświadczenie zaufania i solidarności wskazuje na głębokie przenikanie się treści zawartych w tych określeniach. Głównym założeniem badawczym niniejszego artykułu (przede wszystkim aksjologicznym) jest twierdzenie, że nie można mówić o solidarności w oderwaniu od autentycznego zaufania między osobą a osobą. Zaufaniem obdarzamy tylko ludzi wiarygodnych. Zaufaniem obdarzamy ludzi z jasnymi czytelnymi zasadami moralnymi i ludzi, którzy uznają i wyznają prawdziwe wartości konieczne do zbudowania sensownego życia. Wiadomo jest bowiem, że bardzo trudno jest obdarzyć zaufaniem kogoś, kto jest chwiejny moralnie, zawodzi, nie jest wierny stałym i powszechnie obowiązującym normom moralnym. Autor artykułu próbuje uzasadnić tezę, że etyka solidarności opiera się na etyce zaufania, a zaufanie i solidarność są wartościami podstawowymi w życiu społecznym, stanowiąc podstawę do budowania autentycznej wspólnoty.
Dom rodzinny – między tradycją a współczesnością
Authors: Duda Małgorzata
Published: July 2018

Sondaże, przynajmniej z ostatniej dekady, wskazują niezmiennie, iż rodzina i zdrowie stanowią dla Polaków wartości najważniejsze. Nie mniej istotny staje się dom, rozumiany zarówno jako miejsce schronienia i bezpieczeństwa, ale także utożsamiany z pojęciem rodziny. W obu przypadkach zarówno rodzina, jak i dom stanowią warunek sine qua non poczucia bezpieczeństwa. Niniejszy artykuł stara się ukazać wzajemne relacje między powyższymi rzeczywistościami życia ludzkiego, w czasie prób redefinicji oraz dewaluacji tych rzeczywistości społecznych.
Dyskurs etyczny w kontekście mediów – „ukrywać, pokazując”, sepizacja, parafrazowanie i zamknięty obieg informacji
Authors: Kawka Maciej
Published: July 2018

W dyskusjach aksjologicznych zwraca się uwagę na całościowy i wewnętrzny związek języka naturalnego z wartościami i ich wszechobecność jako stałych składników wszelkiego mówienia. Próby zbudowania języka wolnego od wszelkich wartości kończyły się niepowodzeniem. Jednak nie wszystko w języku jest nacechowane aksjologicznie w jednakowy sposób, a ich odkrycie i właściwe odczytanie zależy od umiejętności komunikacyjnych uczestników dyskursu i wymaga zastosowania odpowiednich procedur interpretacyjnych. W mediach pojawiają się teksty definiujące ład i chaos, sprzymierzeńca i wroga, dobro i zło, ważność i nieważność poruszanych problemów, co organizuje cały dyskurs etyczny w obrębie danej kultury i to nie tylko medialnej, ale przede wszystkich rzeczywistej. Rzeczywistość ta i my razem z nią i naszymi wartościami zostajemy wtedy zmedializowani i zaczynamy żyć nie w kręgu rzeczywistych wartości, ale w kręgu wartości wytworzonych w wirtualnej przestrzeni Internetu przez krążące w nim teksty.
Medialne autorytety młodych
Authors: Zwoliński Andrzej
Published: July 2018

Świat ludzi młodych bardzo często myli pojęcie autorytetu z nowym, medialnie uwarunkowanym zjawiskiem idola. Istnieje zasadnicza różnica między idolem a autorytetem. Autorytet łączy się z szacunkiem i uznaniem dla talentów i zdolności danej osoby. Autorytet ma pewną pozycję, jest wypracowany i osiągnięty wysiłkiem, ma pozytywne znaczenie w rozwoju osobowości odbiorcy, zawsze prowadzi do dobra (nieraz pomimo ostrych prawd i surowych wymagań), a z jego zdaniem powinno się liczyć. Pozycja idola jest natomiast oparta na fascynacji, dotyczy nie tylko osoby, ale jej pozycji (chce się być na jej miejscu), nie bierze się pod uwagę wysiłku i poświęcenia dla osiągnięcia sukcesu porównywalnego z osiągnięciami idola, który cieszy się łatwym poklaskiem zdobytym przez uwiedzenie publiczności.
Poziom samooceny u osób korzystających z różnych form internetu
Authors: Śliwak Jacek , Zarosińska Dominika , Wysocka Mariola , Partyka Józef
Published: July 2018

Poziom samooceny u osób korzystających z różnych form internetu. Celem niniejszego opracowania jest zbadanie zależności między samooceną internautów a korzystaniem przez nich z internetu. Zagadnienie podjęto ze względu na jego aktualność. Internet i jego zasoby przyciągają uwagę większości ludzi z różnych grup wiekowych. Grupę badaną stanowiło 120 osób, spośród których 98 ma konto na portalach społecznościowych. W badaniach posłużono się Wielowymiarowym Kwestionariuszem Samooceny MSEI (służącym do badania samooceny) oraz skonstruowanym na potrzeby pracy kwestionariuszem dotyczącym korzystania z różnych form internetu. Analiza wyników nie wykazała istotnych statystycznie zależności między ogólnym poziomem samooceny a częstotliwością korzystania z internetu. Związki zauważono jednak między niektórymi wymiarami samooceny a czasem korzystania z sieci. Odkryto też korelacje istotne statystycznie między oceną własnych zdolności przywódczych a aktywnością na portalach społecznościowych.
Assessment of Clinical Symptomatology and Diagnostic Features of Intestinal Intussusception associated with Malignant Tumor in Children: Results of the Retrospective Non-randomized Controlled Study
Authors: Yanitskaya Maria Yu. , Turabov Ivan A. , Turobova Тatiana V.
Published: July 2018

Background.Treatment tactics for the intussusception (IS) in children is mainly defined the formation cause. Non operative IS treatment is most preferable. The surgery is often unreasonably performed in children over three years as the cause for IS occurrence can be a malignant tumor.Objective.Our aim was to define the features of clinical picture and diagnostics for IS associated with malignant tumors in children.Methods.We conducted the retrospective comparative assessment of reasons, registered clinical manifestations, and applied diagnostic methods in IS cases (n=373) at Arkhangelsk children's clinical hospital in 1981–2016. Two groups were analyzed: the first group (n=7) enrolled patients with IS caused by malignant tumor, the second one (n=366) — patients with IS caused by other reasons (idiopathic, mesenteric nodes hyperplasia, diverticulum, postoperative).Results.The typical combination was detected in the first group: symptoms of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) diseases and significant (8–12%) weight loss. In the first group, IS associated with tumor was observed in a few cases (1.9%), proceeded chronically (1–3 months), relapses did not occur, acute intestinal obstructions (р<0.001) were not registered; all the patients over five years were diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphomas if compare with the second group. The most informative diagnostic method was ultrasound imaging including hydrocolonic sonography which allowed IS diagnosing and tumor identification. In the second group, the clinical picture changed eventually: «triad» of symptoms typical for IS (abdominal colic pain, blood from rectum, abdominal mass) was registered in 1/3 of cases, significantly more often (p=0.001) the disease was demonstrated by «dyad» of symptoms (vomiting and abdominal colic pain) but always progressed to the acute form.Conclusion.The IS clinical course in children following its usual pattern significantly differs from the clinical picture associated with the tumor (though it occurs rarely, commonly in children over five years): the disease proceeds chronically with symptoms of GIT diseases and significant weight loss, relapses did not occur, no symptoms of acute intestinal obstruction are registered.
Immunotherapy and Immunoprofylaxis for Cancer Patients: Paradigm Shift
Authors: Dolgopolov Igor S. , Chkadua Georgy Z.
Published: July 2018

A concept of paradigm shift identified by Thomas Kuhn in 1962 implies a fundamental change in the basic concepts and experimental practices of a scientific discipline. A scientific revolution occurs, according to Kuhn, when scientists encounter anomalies that cannot be explained by the universally accepted paradigm within which scientific progress was made. In the beginning of the 21st century the oncologists faced with the crisis of chemotherapeutic approach to treating several neoplasms, especially in adults. The appearance of new chemotherapeutic drugs was not able to solve problem. At the same time new non-chemotherapeutic agents such anti CD20, anti GD2, protein kinase inhibitors proved their usefulness in some types of cancer. In the patients who underwent allogeneic stem cell transplants, the «graft-versus-tumor» effect was revealed to be beneficial for the recipient by eliminating residual malignant cells and to be used as a base for further immunotherapeutic modalities. There are two groups of cancer patients divided by effectiveness of chemotherapy and impact of used chemotherapeutic programs on patients’ survival. Obviously, the patients must go on to benefit from chemotherapeutic protocols, if the 5- and more years disease-free survival reaches >65–80%. But in the patients with long-term survival <5–20% with no plate on disease-free survival curve, it seems to be reasonable to hold on the conventional chemotherapy and maybe radiotherapy, and to put at the forefront a new immunotherapeutic concept for treating such types of neoplasms. In the article we propose to think over the chemotherapeutic paradigm shift and consider some immunological options for patients with cancer who failed conventional treatment.
Bronchiectases in Children: Overview of Current Clinical Guidelines
Authors: Baranov A. A. , Namazova-Baranova L. S. , Simonova O. I. , Vishneva E. A. , Selimzyanova L. R. , Sereda E. V. , Rozinova N. N. , Tzygina E. N. , Katosova L. K. , Lazareva A. V. , Gorinova Yu. V. , Kustova O. V.
Published: July 2018

The article is devoted to bronchiectases issue in children and reflects the most actual approaches to the diagnosis and management of patients with this pathology. Information on the true prevalence of bronchiectases both abroad and in Russia varies. Wherein, bronchiectases can be either an independent disease or a manifestation of another pathology, which necessitates an integrated multidisciplinary approach not only for diagnosis but also for patient management with this pathology. The material presented by the authors is based on clinical guidelines developed and approved by the profile association of the Union of Pediatricians of Russia and aimed at raising awareness of specialists providing medical care to children.
Review of Clinical Recommendations for Kawasaki Disease/Syndrome
Authors: Baranov Alexander A. , Namazova-Baranova Leyla S. , Tatochenko Vladimir K. , Basargina Elena N. , Bakradze Maya D. , Vishneva Elena A. , Selimzianova Liliia R. , Kulichenko Tatiana V. , Vashakmadze Nato D. , Revunenkov Grigoriy V. , Polyakova Anastasiya S. , Fyodorova Nataliya V.
Published: July 2018

The article presents the detailed key provisions of the clinical recommendations on providing medical care to children with Kawasaki syndrome/illness, developed by the professional association of pediatric specialists — the Union of Pediatricians of Russia. The current data on the prevalence of pathology is presented, the characteristic diagnostic signs of the disease are given that allow to make a diagnosis as soon as possible and immediately appoint a specific treatment. Therapeutic measures carried out in the required volume determine the further prognosis. The comprehensive approach to the management of pediatric patients with this nosology presented in the article will ensure a high level of medical care quality provided to children with Kawasaki syndrome.
Pharmacological Safety in Pregnancy: A Systematic Review On the Use of Potentially Teratogenic Drugs
Authors: Reshetko Olga V. , Lutsevich Konstantin A. , Sanina Irina I.
Published: July 2018

Objective: To assess the prevalence of potentially teratogenic drug utilization by pregnant women: overall and in the periconceptional period. Methods: The electronic database PubMed/Medline was searched for the following keywords: «pharmacoepidemiology», «pregnancy», «drug use», «safety», «pregnancy risk category», «fetal risk», «teratogen». The systematic analysis included 28 studies published in English from January 2006 to 23 December 2015. Results. The review shows that the study designs and the choices for data analysis and presentation of results differ largely across published studies. In the USA and Canada, measured rates of maternal use of contraindicated drugs (FDA category X) during pregnancy ranged from 2.4% to 5.3% (1.1–5.0% in the first trimester).The use of drugs with positive evidence of risk (FDA category D) ranged from 5.8% to 39.6% (2.7–6.0%). In European countries, proportions of women using drugs of risk categories X and D ranged from 1.0% to 4.9% (0.31–3.2%) and from 2.0% to 5.9% (1.6–3.7%), respectively. In developing countries, respective proportions of women ranged within 0.2–2.1% and 1.9–11.4%. In early pregnancy (the first trimester), the proportion of women taking potentially teratogenic drugs was high if compared with the second and third trimesters. The use of contraindicated drugs during pregnancy fastly decreases compared with the period before conception. Although the reduction of use of drugs with positive evidence of risk is less marked, possibly, with relation of their efficacy for the treatment of chronic conditions. On the base of analyzed studies, the reference list of potentially teratogenic drugs was formed. Conclusion. The results of published literature confirm differences in study methods that make it difficult to compare the application of potentially teratogenic drugs in pregnancy. The fundamental challenge remains an insufficiency or lack of available information on the evidence of risk to fetus cuased by the drugs that are most widely used in pregnancy.
SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS: CLINICAL RECOMMENDATIONS. PART 2
Authors: Alexeeva Ekaterina I. , Dvoryakovskaya Tatiana M. , Nikishina Irina P. , Denisova Rina V. , Podchernyaeva Nadezhda S. , Sukhorukikh Ol’ga A. , Shubina Lyubov’ S. , Chasnyk Vyacheslav G. , Kostik Mikhail M.
Published: July 2018

The article presents modern ideas about the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The details of the management of patients with SLE during immunosuppressive and genetically engineered therapy is given. The article also reflects the aspects of rehabilitation, prevention of exacerbations, and follow-up care of children with SLE. The criteria for assessing the quality of medical care for children with SLE are presented. The detailed information on systemic lupus erythematosus for patients with SLE and their parents is outlined specifically.
CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS AND OUTCOMES OF RETINAL HEMORRHAGES IN INFANTS: A CASE SERIES
Authors: Kogoleva Ludmila V. , Demchenko Elena N.
Published: July 2018

Background. Retinal hemorrhages in infants are frequent pathologies, but their causes, clinical forms and functional outcomes are poorly studied. The study of hemorrhage localization in the eye structure, time frames of their resolution, and the long-term effects that may affect the development of vision is of particular interest.

Objective. Our aim was to analyze clinical forms, time frames of resolution and long-term clinical and functional outcomes of retinal hemorrhages in infants.

Methods. All children with retinal hemorrhages, who applied to a premature baby room in the MRI of ED n. a. Helmholtz at the age from 3 weeks to 3 months for 5 years (2011–2015), were examined using indirect ophthalmoscopy. In case of extensive lesions, the process dynamics was controlled by a pediatric digital retinal imaging system. Long-term clinical and functional outcomes of retinal hemorrhages were studied using ultrasound examination and spectral optical coherence tomography.

Results. Fundus hemorrhages were revealed in 108 (5.9%) of 1,825 infants on 142 eyes (34 children had bilateral hemorrhages). Hemorrhages were more frequent in children delivered vaginally (79 children, 73.2%), were unilateral (74 children, 63.5%), pre-retinal (108 eyes, 76.1%), of central localization (119 eyes, 83.8%). The time frames of hemorrhage resolution in 53 children (49.1%) were more than one month. Long-term outcomes of retinal hemorrhages were studied in 22 children (33 eyes) at the age of 2–5 years. Residual changes in the structure of the neuroepithelium and vitreoretinal interface with a decrement in visual acuity were noted in 7 children (9 eyes).

Conclusion. Retinal hemorrhages of newborns are characterized by clinical polymorphism, different time frames of resolution and outcomes, which requires a case follow-up.
SMOKING STATUS AND NUTRITION TYPE OF ADULT POPULATION: VARIETY OF MEALS. RESULTS FROM THE ESSE-RF STUDY
Authors: Karamnova N. S. , Shalnova S. A. , Deev A. D. , Tarasov V. I. , Balanova Yu. A. , Imaeva A. E. , Kontsevaya А. V. , Muromtseva G. A. , Kapustina A. V. , Evstifeeva S. E. , Drapkina O. M.
Published: July 2018

Smoking influences nutrition type and food-related behavior of the smokers.

Aim. To evaluate the specifics of adult population of Russian Federation nutrition type according to smoking status.

Material and methods. Analysis was done on the representative selection of nonorganized male and female population, age 25-64 y. o. (n=22258, of those males 8519, females 13698) from 13 regions of Russia. Response about 80%. Nutrition character was assessed by the rates of food items consumption with quantitative assessment in several units. Smoking status was assessed with questionnaire with selection to the groups: non-smokers, past smokers, current smokers.

Results. Most prominent differences were found on the intake of fresh vegetables and fruits, of curd, cheese, red meat, sausages, pastry and behavior of adding salt to cooked meals. In comparison with the smokers, non-smokers do more often take curd — by 38%, vegetables and fruits — by 30%, and rarer — red meat, by 25%, and sausages, by 21%; they add salt rarer — by 26%. However, pastry and sweets they eat more commonly, by 19%. With the quittance from smoking, there is increase of curd in the meals by 20%, fresh fruits and vegetables by 19%, and decrease of adding salt behavior by 26%, as by 17% — consumption of sausages and by 11% — high fat dairy (sour cream and cream). Sweets and pastry are consumed only 8% more, that distinguishes the model as healthier and more protective against NCD.

Conclusion. Smoking influences negatively food related behavior, shaping the character  of nutrition with higher intake of meat and sausages, saltings and adding salt behavior, lower consumption of vegetables and fruits, that should be considered in prevention events.
INFLUENCE OF PULMONARY HYPERTENSION ON CLINICAL COURSE AND PROGNOSIS OF PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE
Authors: Avdeev S. N. , Gajnitdinova V. V. , Tsareva N. A. , Merzhoeva Z. М.
Published: July 2018

Aim. Evaluation of clinical specifics, predictors of repeat hospitalizations and mortality in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients according to pulmonary hypertension (PH) severity grade.

Material and methods. To the study, 288 COPD patients included (II-IV severity grade, GOLD 2016; males 276, females 12; mean age 59,5±9,27 y. o., smoking 23,1±11,42 pack/years; 2,4±0,89 exacerbations annually, body mass index (BMI) 27,2±12,06 kg/m2). According to the presence and grade of systolic pressure increase in pulmonary artery (SPPA) the patients were selected to three groups: 1st — with no PH (SPPA <40 mmHg, n=168), 2nd — with moderate PH (SPPA 40-55 mmHg, n=101), 3rd — with severe PH (SPPA >55 mmHg, n=19).

Results. Increase of SPPA was found in 120 (41,7%) patients: moderate PA — in 101 (35,1%), severe PH — 19 (6,6%). It was shown that the presence and severity of PH do increase the severity of clinical signs of COPD, hemodynamic disorders, increase the rate of repeat hospitalizations and mortality rate. The predictors of repeat hospitalizations in COPD patients are increased SPPA and C-reactive protein concentration (CRP); mortality predictors are severity of symptoms by CAT, Borg dyspnea, number of exacerbations during one year, size of the right atrium, grade of SPPA increase, CRP concentration, fibrinogen, N-terminal precursors of C-natriuretic peptide (NT-proCNP) and brain peptide (NT-proBNP) in the blood.

Conclusion. PH in COPD patients in most cases is moderate, and it worsens the clinical picture, hemodynamic disorders, shows only moderate correlation with breathing disorders, increases the rate of rehospitalizations and mortality risk. The survival rate of COPD and PH patients depends on the severity.
Cost-Sensitive Classification: Empirical Evaluation of a Hybrid Genetic Decision Tree Induction Algorithm
Authors: Turney P. D.
Published: July 2018

This paper introduces ICET, a new algorithm for cost-sensitive classification. ICET uses a genetic algorithm to evolve a population of biases for a decision tree induction algorithm. The fitness function of the genetic algorithm is the average cost of classification when using the decision tree, including both the costs of tests (features, measurements) and the costs of classification errors. ICET is compared here with three other algorithms for cost-sensitive classification - EG2, CS-ID3, and IDX - and also with C4.5, which classifies without regard to cost. The five algorithms are evaluated empirically on five real-world medical datasets. Three sets of experiments are performed. The first set examines the baseline performance of the five algorithms on the five datasets and establishes that ICET performs significantly better than its competitors. The second set tests the robustness of ICET under a variety of conditions and shows that ICET maintains its advantage. The third set looks at ICET's search in bias space and discovers a way to improve the search.
Adaptive Load Balancing: A Study in Multi-Agent Learning
Authors: Schaerf A. , Shoham Y. , Tennenholtz M.
Published: July 2018

We study the process of multi-agent reinforcement learning in the context ofload balancing in a distributed system, without use of either centralcoordination or explicit communication. We first define a precise frameworkin which to study adaptive load balancing, important features of which are itsstochastic nature and the purely local information available to individualagents. Given this framework, we show illuminating results on the interplaybetween basic adaptive behavior parameters and their effect on systemefficiency. We then investigate the properties of adaptive load balancing inheterogeneous populations, and address the issue of exploration vs.exploitation in that context. Finally, we show that naive use ofcommunication may not improve, and might even harm system efficiency.
Adaptive Problem-solving for Large-scale Scheduling Problems: A Case Study
Authors: Gratch J. , Chien S.
Published: July 2018

Although most scheduling problems are NP-hard, domain specific techniques perform well in practice but are quite expensive to construct. In adaptive problem-solving solving, domain specific knowledge is acquired automatically for a general problem solver with a flexible control architecture. In this approach, a learning system explores a space of possible heuristic methods for one well-suited to the eccentricities of the given domain and problem distribution. In this article, we discuss an application of the approach to scheduling satellite communications. Using problem distributions based on actual mission requirements, our approach identifies strategies that not only decrease the amount of CPU time required to produce schedules, but also increase the percentage of problems that are solvable within computational resource limitations.
Software Agents: Completing Patterns and Constructing User Interfaces
Authors: Schlimmer J. C. , Hermens L. A.
Published: July 2018

To support the goal of allowing users to record and retrieve information, this paper describes an interactive note-taking system for pen-based computers with two distinctive features. First, it actively predicts what the user is going to write. Second, it automatically constructs a custom, button-box user interface on request. The system is an example of a learning-apprentice software- agent. A machine learning component characterizes the syntax and semantics of the user's information. A performance system uses this learned information to generate completion strings and construct a user interface. Description of Online Appendix: People like to record information. Doing this on paper is initially efficient, but lacks flexibility. Recording information on a computer is less efficient but more powerful. In our new note taking softwre, the user records information directly on a computer. Behind the interface, an agent acts for the user. To help, it provides defaults and constructs a custom user interface. The demonstration is a QuickTime movie of the note taking agent in action. The file is a binhexed self-extracting archive. Macintosh utilities for binhex are available from mac.archive.umich.edu. QuickTime is available from ftp.apple.com in the dts/mac/sys.soft/quicktime.
Planning for Contingencies: A Decision-based Approach
Authors: Pryor L. , Collins G.
Published: July 2018

A fundamental assumption made by classical AI planners is that there is no uncertainty in the world: the planner has full knowledge of the conditions under which the plan will be executed and the outcome of every action is fully predictable. These planners cannot therefore construct contingency plans, i.e., plans in which different actions are performed in different circumstances. In this paper we discuss some issues that arise in the representation and construction of contingency plans and describe Cassandra, a partial-order contingency planner. Cassandra uses explicit decision-steps that enable the agent executing the plan to decide which plan branch to follow. The decision-steps in a plan result in subgoals to acquire knowledge, which are planned for in the same way as any other subgoals. Cassandra thus distinguishes the process of gathering information from the process of making decisions. The explicit representation of decisions in Cassandra allows a coherent approach to the problems of contingent planning, and provides a solid base for extensions such as the use of different decision-making procedures.
Spatial Aggregation: Theory and Applications
Authors: Yip K. , Zhao F.
Published: July 2018

Visual thinking plays an important role in scientific reasoning. Based on the research in automating diverse reasoning tasks about dynamical systems, nonlinear controllers, kinematic mechanisms, and fluid motion, we have identified a style of visual thinking, imagistic reasoning. Imagistic reasoning organizes computations around image-like, analogue representations so that perceptual and symbolic operations can be brought to bear to infer structure and behavior. Programs incorporating imagistic reasoning have been shown to perform at an expert level in domains that defy current analytic or numerical methods. We have developed a computational paradigm, spatial aggregation, to unify the description of a class of imagistic problem solvers. A program written in this paradigm has the following properties. It takes a continuous field and optional objective functions as input, and produces high-level descriptions of structure, behavior, or control actions. It computes a multi-layer of intermediate representations, called spatial aggregates, by forming equivalence classes and adjacency relations. It employs a small set of generic operators such as aggregation, classification, and localization to perform bidirectional mapping between the information-rich field and successively more abstract spatial aggregates. It uses a data structure, the neighborhood graph, as a common interface to modularize computations. To illustrate our theory, we describe the computational structure of three implemented problem solvers -- KAM, MAPS, and HIPAIR --- in terms of the spatial aggregation generic operators by mixing and matching a library of commonly used routines.
Eight Maximal Tractable Subclasses of Allen's Algebra with Metric Time
Authors: Drakengren T. , Jonsson P.
Published: July 2018

This paper combines two important directions of research in temporal resoning: that of finding maximal tractable subclasses of Allen's interval algebra, and that of reasoning with metric temporal information. Eight new maximal tractable subclasses of Allen's interval algebra are presented, some of them subsuming previously reported tractable algebras. The algebras allow for metric temporal constraints on interval starting or ending points, using the recent framework of Horn DLRs. Two of the algebras can express the notion of sequentiality between intervals, being the first such algebras admitting both qualitative and metric time.
Lifeworld Analysis
Authors: Agre P. , Horswill I.
Published: July 2018

We argue that the analysis of agent/environment interactions should be extended to include the conventions and invariants maintained by agents throughout their activity. We refer to this thicker notion of environment as a lifeworld and present a partial set of formal tools for describing structures of lifeworlds and the ways in which they computationally simplify activity. As one specific example, we apply the tools to the analysis of the Toast system and show how versions of the system with very different control structures in fact implement a common control structure together with different conventions for encoding task state in the positions or states of objects in the environment.
Storing and Indexing Plan Derivations through Explanation-based Analysis of Retrieval Failures
Authors: Ihrig L. H. , Kambhampati S.
Published: July 2018

Case-Based Planning (CBP) provides a way of scaling up domain-independent planning to solve large problems in complex domains. It replaces the detailed and lengthy search for a solution with the retrieval and adaptation of previous planning experiences. In general, CBP has been demonstrated to improve performance over generative (from-scratch) planning. However, the performance improvements it provides are dependent on adequate judgements as to problem similarity. In particular, although CBP may substantially reduce planning effort overall, it is subject to a mis-retrieval problem. The success of CBP depends on these retrieval errors being relatively rare. This paper describes the design and implementation of a replay framework for the case-based planner DERSNLP+EBL. DERSNLP+EBL extends current CBP methodology by incorporating explanation-based learning techniques that allow it to explain and learn from the retrieval failures it encounters. These techniques are used to refine judgements about case similarity in response to feedback when a wrong decision has been made. The same failure analysis is used in building the case library, through the addition of repairing cases. Large problems are split and stored as single goal subproblems. Multi-goal problems are stored only when these smaller cases fail to be merged into a full solution. An empirical evaluation of this approach demonstrates the advantage of learning from experienced retrieval failure.
Model-Based Diagnosis using Structured System Descriptions
Authors: Darwiche A.
Published: July 2018

This paper presents a comprehensive approach for model-based diagnosis which includes proposals for characterizing and computing preferred diagnoses, assuming that the system description is augmented with a system structure (a directed graph explicating the interconnections between system components). Specifically, we first introduce the notion of a consequence, which is a syntactically unconstrained propositional sentence that characterizes all consistency-based diagnoses and show that standard characterizations of diagnoses, such as minimal conflicts, correspond to syntactic variations on a consequence. Second, we propose a new syntactic variation on the consequence known as negation normal form (NNF) and discuss its merits compared to standard variations. Third, we introduce a basic algorithm for computing consequences in NNF given a structured system description. We show that if the system structure does not contain cycles, then there is always a linear-size consequence in NNF which can be computed in linear time. For arbitrary system structures, we show a precise connection between the complexity of computing consequences and the topology of the underlying system structure. Finally, we present an algorithm that enumerates the preferred diagnoses characterized by a consequence. The algorithm is shown to take linear time in the size of the consequence if the preference criterion satisfies some general conditions.
A Selective Macro-learning Algorithm and its Application to the NxN Sliding-Tile Puzzle
Authors: Finkelstein L. , Markovitch S.
Published: July 2018

One of the most common mechanisms used for speeding up problem solvers is macro-learning. Macros are sequences of basic operators acquired during problem solving. Macros are used by the problem solver as if they were basic operators. The major problem that macro-learning presents is the vast number of macros that are available for acquisition. Macros increase the branching factor of the search space and can severely degrade problem-solving efficiency. To make macro learning useful, a program must be selective in acquiring and utilizing macros. This paper describes a general method for selective acquisition of macros. Solvable training problems are generated in increasing order of difficulty. The only macros acquired are those that take the problem solver out of a local minimum to a better state. The utility of the method is demonstrated in several domains, including the domain of NxN sliding-tile puzzles. After learning on small puzzles, the system is able to efficiently solve puzzles of any size.
Total-Order and Partial-Order Planning: A Comparative Analysis
Authors: Minton S. , Bresina J. , Drummond M.
Published: July 2018

For many years, the intuitions underlying partial-order planning were largely taken for granted. Only in the past few years has there been renewed interest in the fundamental principles underlying this paradigm. In this paper, we present a rigorous comparative analysis of partial-order and total-order planning by focusing on two specific planners that can be directly compared. We show that there are some subtle assumptions that underly the wide-spread intuitions regarding the supposed efficiency of partial-order planning. For instance, the superiority ofpartial-order planning can depend critically upon the search strategy and the structure of the search space. Understanding the underlying assumptions is crucial for constructing efficient planners.
A Domain-Independent Algorithm for Plan Adaptation
Authors: Hanks S. , Weld D. S.
Published: July 2018

The paradigms of transformational planning, case-based planning, and plan debugging all involve a process known as plan adaptation - modifying or repairing an old plan so it solves a new problem. In this paper we provide a domain-independent algorithm for plan adaptation, demonstrate that it is sound, complete, and systematic, and compare it to other adaptation algorithms in the literature. Our approach is based on a view of planning as searching a graph of partial plans. Generative planning starts at the graph's root and moves from node to node using plan-refinement operators. In planning by adaptation, a library plan - an arbitrary node in the plan graph - is the starting point for the search, and the plan-adaptation algorithm can apply both the same refinement operators available to a generative planner and can also retract constraints and steps from the plan. Our algorithm's completeness ensures that the adaptation algorithm will eventually search the entire graph and its systematicity ensures that it will do so without redundantly searching any parts of the graph.