bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research of transport specialis competences in Lithuania and Slovénia
Authors: Ledauskaité Kristina , Kovač Janja
Published: May 2020

Competitiveness is closely related to business management, operational efficiency, and new approaches to the management of search. One of the most important and intractable problems of the transport companies remain effective management of the problem, covering a wide range of issues. This is a rational organizational structures, which are not always meeting the company's strategic objectives, set up; advanced management methods, which often are only the failed experience fitting of foreign countries without the necessary adaptation; management of democratization; the staff, especially top-level managers, the potential and environmental non-compliance, the lack of ability to understand the overall economic development trends, make informed decisions, to ensure the company's competitive capacity (Gal J. 2008). In order shape the competitive enterprises realistically, it is necessary to use consistently all opportunities to change the heads of management. This will help not only the traditional methods of enhancing their competence, but the new management philosophy and the installation of plants. The faster and clearer our transport business leaders understand that the company's competitiveness is not only the subject they are and all the staff, the greater the opportunity to become a fully fledged market economy. Recently, rapid changes during the period of not less important is the manager and the social competence, i.e., the effectiveness of social behavior, the ability to adapt to the dynamically changing environment and to take corresponding changes in the decisions. Social competence criteria - this consist of the whole social skills (which includes both verbal and non verbal communication skills) the ability to form interpersonal relationships, be well-liked in group, the ability to achieve the goals. Management has the competence to disclose not only the knowledge and experience, but personal qualities / characteristics as well. Personal competence - the self-assessment of skills and personal characteristics of the combination (of humor to work, motivation, development and the desire to work, and beyond), which is not the level of  knowledge, but the employee's personal characteristics (personal qualities, character and mental qualities, behavioral targeting). Therefore, a lot of career success depends on how the graduate is able to evaluate a particular enterprise or workplace evolving situation and adopt a self-optimal management decisions. Of course, professional, capable practical situations to make the right transportation management solutions, development inevitably must rely on general subjects; the learning is based on certain definitions and classification of knowledge systems. In this article will be submitted to the Lithuanian and Slovenian transport expertise in the study results.
A vezetői döntés értelmezése, a döntéshozatal szakaszai és támogatása
Authors: Hampel György
Published: May 2020

The decision plays an important role among manager activities. Sometimes it is mentioned independently besides other activities, sometimes it appears as part of other managerial functions. Decisions can be examined from several aspects: goodness, utility, expediency, rationality etc. Making a decision means choosing between at least two alternatives. The process is affected by several (logical and psychological) factors and it consists of some constantly recurring steps which cannot be easily separated in practice. It is vital for the modern enterprise leadership to make prompt and successful decisions and to do that, decision support (information) systems are needed. However, mangers should keep in mind that these systems are not to make decisions - hardware and software cannot take on responsibility - , their job is to help to make decisions.
Society-forming effects of the system of schools for children living on detached farms
Authors: Gálné Horváth Ildikó , Keczer Gabriella
Published: May 2020

During the last one and a half century schools in the outskirts played an important role in elimination of illiteracy, and in shaping the traditional life in detached farms. At the time of their construction they were regarded as revolutionary ones while by today they have been surpassed.
A spin-off cégek szerepe Szeged város gazdasági életében
Authors: Vincze-Lendvai Edina , Gulyás László
Published: May 2020

The spin-off enterprises are the connection between the university and the market. The one of them, the VOLVO, was founded in 1920. The number of spin-off enterprises has grown since the eighties, primarily in the USA. In our days there are about 3500 firms. We have not any information about the situation in Hungary, but we know that in Szeged there are 36 spin-off enterprises. In our work we presented the BIOPOLISZ Innovation Services Ltd., and its programme. After it we analysed the BIOPOLISZ's spin-off firms.
A mezőhegyesi ménesbirtok privatizációja és annak előzményei az éves beszámolók és üzleti tervek tükrében
Authors: Zsótér Brigitta , Czagány László , Szabóné Türkössy Anikó
Published: May 2020

A Mezőhegyesi Ménesbirtok the adverse meteorological one - two exceptionally drought years - , and into an other economic crisis situation avoided often in the examined period because of relations, indebted, his liquidity was deteriorating. They saw the definitive solution in the privatization, which they accomplished in an one-turn procedure, on the road of an open application. A Ménesbirtok Rt. shares in 85,5% are property of Határhaszon Rt., 13% employee's share and 1,5% ordinary share of Ménesbirtok Rt. The company may have known profitable financial years behind himself since the privatization.
A new insight into tumor immune-evasion: Crosstalk between cancer stem cells and T regulatory cells
Authors: Dutta Abhishek , Sengupta Debomita , Paul Swastika , Chakraborty Sourio , Das Tanya
Published: May 2020

Cancer development is initiated, sustained, and aggravated by a rare population of cells, termed cancer stem cells (CSCs). Although CSCs are considered as a promising source of cells to orchestrate the immune system to work in favour of tumor, the detailed mechanisms underlying their immunomodulatory effects remain elusive. Recent reports indicate the contribution of exosomes, secreted from various cells, as mediators of cell-to-cell communication especially within the tumor microenvironment. We aimed at exploring the role of CSC-derived exosomes (CDEs) in reprogramming the host immune system by generating functional T-regulatory (Treg) cells, and at delineating the underlying mechanisms. Our results showed that CDEs play a significant role in generating CD4
+CD25
+FoxP3
+ Treg cells from naive T-cells. A search for the underlying mechanism revealed the presence of FoxP3 protein in CDEs which was found to be transferred to the naïve T-cells. Exosomes from FoxP3-ablated CSCs failed to augment immuno-suppressive Treg cell generation confirming the significant role of the transported protein. In order to understand the contribution of CDE-FoxP3 in maintaining a heritably stable population of Treg cell we checked for the binding of CDE-FoxP3 on conserved non-coding sequence 2 (CNS2) region of FoxP3 promoter in T-naïve cells and found CDE-FoxP3 is indeed recruited to the CNS2 region generating stable and functionally suppressive Treg cells. These results raise the possibility that CSCs provide the initial trigger for immunosuppressive Treg cell generation and thus, breaching the deadly-liaison between them might be a promising strategy in breast cancer therapy.
Thermodynamic Study of Palm Kernel Shell Gasification for Aggregate Heating in an Asphalt Mixing Plant
Authors: Putro Firman Asto , Pranolo Sunu Herwi , Waluyo Joko , Setyawan Ary
Published: May 2020

This study evaluated thermodynamically the performance of conversion of palm kernel shells into combustible gas through gasification technology for aggregate heating in a hot-mixed asphalt production plant by developing a thermodynamic model using licensed Aspen Plus v.11 software. The effects of the equivalence ratio (ER) in the gasification process and the amount of combustion air to combustible gas to attain the required aggregate temperature were investigated. The thermodynamic model showed a good agreement with the experimental results based H2 and CO contain in producer gas which provided by maximum root mean square errors value of 8.82 and 6.42 respectively. Gasification of 30–35 kg of palm kernel shells in a fixed-bed gasifier reactor using air as a gasifying agent at an ER of 0.325–0.350 generated gaseous fuel for heating 1 ton of aggregate to a temperature of 180–200°C with combustion excess air 10%–20%.
Cuerpos de mora en sedimento urinario de una paciente con enfermedad renal crónica
Authors: Martínez-Figueroa Carlos , Cortés-Sarabia Karen , Catalán-Nájera Hilda Guadalupe , Martínez-Alarcón Micaela
Published: May 2020

Objetivos

La Enfermedad de Fabry es un trastorno hereditario ocasionado por una mutación en el gen que codifica para la α galactosidasa A, lo que ocasiona la acumulación de glicoesfingolípidos en distintos órganos. El diagnóstico oportuno de esta enfermedad es vital para comenzar el tratamiento y evitar la disfunción orgánica debido a la acumulación de lípidos. Por lo anterior, diversos investigadores han analizado la búsqueda de cuerpos y células de mora como una nueva alternativa del diagnóstico, de lo cual a continuación se describe un caso.

Caso clínico

Paciente femenino de la tercera edad, sin antecedentes de enfermedades crónicas, y con síntomas compatibles con infección del tracto urinario (disuria, dolor pélvico y polaquiuria). En base a los resultados de laboratorio, se le diagnostico anemia acompañada de una enfermedad renal crónica. En el examen químico del uroanálisis se presentó una microhematuria, acompañada de proteinuria, mismo que fue observado en el sedimento urinario, adicionalmente se observaron partículas lipídicas compatibles con cuerpos de mora.

Conclusiones

La identificación de los cuerpos y células de mora en el sedimento urinario es una herramienta sencilla que puede ayudar en el diagnóstico de la enfermedad de Fabry, lo que puede coadyuvar en el tratamiento oportuno de reemplazo enzimático para reducir las afecciones sistémicas.
Spanish society of laboratory medicine external quality assurance programmes: evolution of the analytical performance of clinical laboratories over 30 years and comparison with other programmes
Authors: Perich Carmen , Ricós Carmen , Marqués Fernando , Minchinela Joana , Salas Angel , Martínez-Bru Cecilia , Boned Beatriz , Gómez-Rioja Rubén , Cortés Marià , González-Lao Elisabet , García Lario Jose Vicente , Tejedor Xavier , Bullich Sandra , Ventura Montserrat , González-Tarancón Ricardo , Fernández-Fernández Pilar , Ramón Francisco , Corte Zoraida , Llopis Antonia Ma , Díaz-Garzón Jorge , Simón Margarita , Fernández-Calle Pilar
Published: May 2020

The purpose of this study is to understand the evolution of the analytical performance of the laboratories participating in the Spanish society of laboratory medicine (SEQCML) external quality assurance (EQA) programmes during its 30 years of operation and to compare it with the performance of other EQA programmes to establish whether the results are similar. The results obtained during this period are evaluated by applying the biological variability (BV) and state of the art-derived quality specifications. In addition, the results are compared with those obtained by other EQA programme organisations. It is noted that the laboratories participating in the EQA–SEQCML programmes have improved their performance over 30 years of experience and that the specifications derived from biological variation are achievable. It is difficult to compare EQA programmes, due to lack of accessibility and the differences in the design of these programmes (control materials, calculations used and analytical specifications established). The data from this study show that for some biological magnitudes the results obtained by the programmes are not yet harmonised, although efforts are being made to achieve this. Organisers of EQA programmes should also join the harmonisation effort by providing information on their results to enable comparison.
Multiplicity of concentrating solutions for a class of magnetic Schrödinger-Poisson type equation
Authors: Liu Yueli , Li Xu , Ji Chao
Published: May 2020

In this paper, we study the following nonlinear magnetic Schrödinger-Poisson type equation

(εi∇−A(x))2u+V(x)u+ϵ−2(|x|−1∗|u|2)u=f(|u|2)uin R3,u∈H1(R3,C),$$\begin{array}{} \displaystyle \left\{\!\begin{aligned}&\Big(\frac{\varepsilon}{i}\nabla-A(x)\Big)^{2}u+V(x)u+\epsilon^{-2}(\vert x\vert^{-1}\ast \vert u\vert^{2})u = f(|u|^{2})u\quad\hbox{in }\mathbb{R}^3,\\&u\in H^{1}(\mathbb{R}^{3}, \mathbb{C}),\end{aligned}\right. \end{array}$$

whereϵ> 0,V: ℝ3→ ℝ andA: ℝ3→ ℝ3are continuous potentials. Under a local assumption on the potentialV, by variational methods, penalization technique, and Ljusternick-Schnirelmann theory, we prove multiplicity and concentration properties of nontrivial solutions forε> 0 small. In this problem, the functionfis only continuous, which allow to consider larger classes of nonlinearities in the reaction.
Neurotrophin-3 accelerates reendothelialization through inducing EPC mobilization and homing
Authors: Chen Yan , Cao Jian , Peng Weixia , Chen Wen
Published: May 2020

Rapid endothelialization is an effective way to treat intimal hyperplasia after intravascular stent implantation. Blood vessels and nerves coordinate with each other in function, while neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) is an important class of nerve growth factors. Our study found that NT-3 promoted endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) mobilization, and the proportion of EPCs in peripheral blood was increased by 1.774 times compared with the control group. Besides, NT-3 promoted the expression of stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9), and chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 4 (CXCR4) in EPCs, which increased by 59.89%, 74.46%, and 107.7%, respectively, compared with the control group. Transwell experiments showed that NT-3 enhanced the migration of EPCs by 1.31 times. Flow chamber experiments demonstrated that NT-3 captured more circulating EPCs. As shown by ELISA results, NT-3 can promote the paracrine of vascular endothelial growth factor, interleukin-8, MMP-9, and SDF-1 from EPCs. Such increased angiogenic growth factors further accelerated the closure of endothelial cell scratches. Additionally, EPC-conditioned medium in the NT-3 group significantly inhibited the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells. Then animal experiments also illustrated that NT-3 prominently accelerated the endothelialization of injured carotid artery. In short, NT-3 accelerated rapid reendothelialization of injured carotid artery through promoting EPC mobilization and homing.
Coefficient inequalities for a subclass of Bazilevič functions
Authors: Fitri Sa’adatul ,   Marjono, Thomas Derek K. , Wibowo Ratno Bagus Edy
Published: May 2020

Let f be analytic in {\mathbb{D}}=\{z:|z\mathrm{|\hspace{0.17em}\lt \hspace{0.17em}1\}} with f(z)=z+{\sum }_{n\mathrm{=2}}^{\infty }{a}_{n}{z}^{n}, and for α ≥ 0 and 0 <
λ ≤ 1, let { {\mathcal B} }_{1}(\alpha ,\lambda ) denote the subclass of Bazilevič functions satisfying \left|f^{\prime} (z){\left(\frac{z}{f(z)}\right)}^{1-\alpha }-1\right|\lt \lambda for 0 < λ ≤ 1. We give sharp
bounds for various coefficient problems when f\in { {\mathcal B} }_{1}(\alpha ,\lambda ), thus extending recent work in the case λ =
1.
Gorgias en el Banquete de Platón. Ecos del Encomio de Helena en el discurso de Agatón
Authors: Bieda Esteban
Published: May 2020

After Agathon's speech in Plato's Symposium, Socrates takes a little time to make some comments about it. One of these comments is that the speech brought Gorgias to his memory (198 c 2-5). In this article we intend to track down in three complementary levels the diverse reasons why this recollection took place: (A) regarding the form of the speech, we will try to show that there is an equivalence in how both Gorgias in his Encomium to Helen and the character of Agathon in the Symposium construct their respective logoi; (B) regarding the style of writing, we will see the frequent use in the poet's speech of the rhetoric resource of "saying things alike'' (isa legein) usually ascribed to Gorgias; (C) finally, regarding the contents of both speeches we will try to show that many of the elements used by the sophist to praise the logos in his Encomium to Helen may be found, more or less, in Agathon's praise of Eros. The article will try to show, thus, which are the precise elements that may have made Socrates remember Gorgias after listening to the tragic poet.
Se per Platone 9/8 non e un rapporto epimore. Su una curiosa esegesi tecnica del Timeo (Theon. Smyrn. exp. 74, 15-75, 25)
Authors: Petrucci Federico M.
Published: May 2020

The classification of 9/8 as epimoric ratio is not only a basic arithmetical notion, but also an important technical ground for Pythagorean- Platonic musical theory. Why then does Theon of Smyrna avoid this point? The common explanation, which refers to Theon's inadequate technical knowledge, is unsatisfactory and aprioristic. A better solution can be found in the exegetical nature of the Expositio. Theon's technical perspective is inspired by a distinctive understanding of the "musical theory'' of the Timaeus.
Le temps et l'ȃme chez Plotin. À propos des Ennaédes vi 5 [23] 11; iv 4 [28] 15-16; iii 7 [45] 11
Authors: Karfík Filip
Published: May 2020

There is a remarkable difference between the accounts of time in Plotinus' Enneads vi 5 [23] 11, iv 4 [28] 15-16 and iii 7 [45] 11. In vi 5 [23] 11, Plotinus does not introduce time into soul, nor into a part or power of it because he holds that soul belongs to the sort of being which has no extension, spatial or temporal. In iv 4 [28] 15-16, he considers the thesis that time, in its very existence, is linked to the soul but he rejects the idea that there is time in the World Soul. In iii 7 [45] 11, however, he affirms that time exists only in soul, more precisely in a part or power of it, and suggests that it is first and foremost the World Soul that makes itself temporal. It seems that Plotinus' philosophy of time developed over the years. From the emphasis laid on the thesis that soul has no spatial extension, characteristic of his earlier writings, Plotinus interest shifted gradually to the question whether or not it has a temporal extension. He also seems to have changed his mind on the question of the temporality of the World Soul. Finally, while speaking, in iii 7 [45] 11, of the soul's making itself temporal, he apparently contends that just a specific part or power of soul ± be it the World Soul or the human soul - is doing so.
Le azioni compiute sotto costrizione, le azioni “misteˮ e la nozione di volontarieta
Authors: Aronadio Francesco
Published: May 2020

The interpretation of Eth. Nic. C 1, and particularly of the notion of ``voluntariness'' and ``involuntariness'' is often distorted by the inappropriate overlap of questions deriving from modern moral philosophy. Firstly, this paper presents the scholarly debate on the topics frequently connected with the Aristotelian concepts of ἑκούσιον/ἀκούσιον (determinism/indeterminism, mixed acts and dirty hands theory, mixed acts vs. instrumental acts, role of circumstances, etc.). The next step is the analysis of the relevant passages of Eth. Nic. through a close examination of the relationship between the notions of ``choice'' and ``voluntariness'': what is crucial for the voluntariness of an action is the individuation of the efficient cause. On this basis it is possible to clarify the role and the significance of mixed acts and of other kinds of actions described by Aristotle. Finally, the topics previously displayed are re-examined in order to shed some light on the distortions arising from the adoption of inadequate lens in interpreting ancient texts.
Elements and Knowledge in the Theaetetus
Authors: Tian Jie
Published: May 2020

Plato's Theaetetus develops an inquiry concerning the definition of knowledge. Famously, after Socrates and Theaetetus have discussed the three candidates for the definition of knowledge, the end of the dialogue seems to leave us in a situation of aporia. The present article focuses on the last hypothesis raised in the dialogue and tries to determine whether this hypothesis can be seen, under appropriate qualification, as acceptable within a Platonic framework. This hypothesis is connected with a dream theory that unfolds two crucial factors for understanding the definition of knowledge, i.e. elements and logos. So the aim of this paper is twofold: on the one hand, to make clear what elements properly are; on the other hand, to find an account of logos suitable to make it a necessary condition for the definition of knowledge. As will emerge from this paper, the first two candidates for the definition of knowledge are indeed not sufficient for gaining an adequate definition, but they nonetheless foreshadow the third hypothesis and are necessary conditions for understanding the third one.
Der politikos aner als pantos oneirokritikos bei Philon von Alexandria. Prolegomena zu einer interpretation der Schrift De Iosepho
Authors: De Brasi Diego
Published: May 2020

In his only treatise explicitly devoted to the life of the statesman, De Iosepho, Philo of Alexandria expresses ambivalent views about politics. A careful examination of the line of argument of this work shows, however, that Philo’s views can be essentially read as a development in negative terms of his statement that politics is only an “addition” to virtue and wisdom. Especially, he argues that the statesman is «by all means an interpreter of dreams», since his activity has its limits within the human condition, which - because of its uncertainty and confusion - resembles daydreaming.
Heraclitus, 22 B 14 DK
Authors: Vítek Tomáš
Published: May 2020

The article presents a reconstruction of Heraclitus’ saying in DK 22 B 14, which is generally thought to be two discontinuous statements (B 14a and B 14b), inorganically linked by a commentary by Clement of Alexandria. Although this sentence of Clement’s is almost unanimously rejected as a Christian misinterpretation of the pagan mysteries, the author of the article attempts to demonstrate that the core of the sentence does come almost certainly from Heraclitus. All that Clement did was to change the meaning of the sentence by changing the subjects for the objects. This new reading of the fragment makes it possible to link the two parts of the saying in a meaningful way, and at the same time to shed light on what were probably Heraclitus’ main criticisms of the initiates of the four different mysteries and the initiatory cults (B 14a). This is supported by a detailed historical and religious analysis of the probable meaning of the different designations for the initiates and the possible interconnections between them.
Empedocles on the Identity of the Elements
Authors: O’Brien Denis
Published: May 2020

Empedocles’ repeated description of his four “roots” or elements by the repetition of three seemingly simple words (αὐτά + ἐστίν + ταῦτα) has constantly defied explanation. If the verb is given a copulative function, the result appears to be a pointless tautology (“these things are themselves”). If it is given an existential value, the result is puzzlingly abstruse (“these things themselves are”). Translators therefore commonly opt for a loose paraphrase, where one word out of three is not translated at all (αὐτά) and an adverb (“only”) is added, seemingly from nowhere (“only these things are”). The solution to the puzzle is to be found in Empedocles’ reaction to his older contemporary, Anaxagoras. Empedocles’ repeated description is a covert criticism of Anaxagoras’ curious claim that “in everything there is a part of everything”.
Ανθρωπος περιπατεῖ. Los argumentos del tercer hombre megáricos
Authors: Gardella Mariana
Published: May 2020

The Platonic Theory of Forms has received many critiques from many critics, among which stands out the well-known “Third man argument”. Although traditionally the studies about this subject only have considered the versions of the argument introduced by Plato and Aristotle, the Megarian philosophers also developed other versions of the same reasoning. In this paper I would like to analyze the argument which is attributed by Alexander of Aphrodisias to “the sophists” and to Polyxenus in his commentary on Aristotle’s Metaphysics. I will try to show that the main point of these objections is to criticize the homonymy of the universal terms, a problem that Plato evokes in his Parmenides, where he also points out some difficulties in relation to the semantics of his own theory.
The Tragic Condition of Philosophy: Plato’s Apology as Tragedy
Authors: Racket Andrés Federico
Published: May 2020

This paper argues that Plato’s Apology can be read as a tragedy analogous to Oedipus Tyrannus. Jacob Howland has argued that the elements of tragedy laid out Aristotle’s Poetics are present, but the relation of the Apology to Oedipus Tyrannus and other aspects of Sophocles’ tragedy have not been noted. With this procedure, Plato means to argue that a philosopher should hide his refutations more than Socrates did.
Effect of montmorillonite on PEBAX® 1074-based mixed
matrix membranes to be used in humidifiers in proton exchange membrane fuel
cells
Authors: Li Weiye , Chang Zhihong , Lin Liming , Xu Xiaoyan
Published: May 2020

To meet the increasing requirements of membrane humidification in proton exchange
membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), a series of montmorillonite
(MMT)/PEBAX® 1074 mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) were fabricated
using the solvent casting method. Pristine MMT and poly(oxyalkylene)amine
(APOP)-modified MMT were added as the filler. Using the XRD, FT-IR, SEM, and TEM, the
morphology and chemical structure of MMT during modification were investigated. Using
the tests of water vapor permeability, air permeability, water contact angle, and
crystallinity, the effects of montmorillonite on membrane properties were
investigated. The results showed that surface hydrophilicity and crystallinity of
MMMs increased as the MMT content increases, which leads to higher vapor permeability
and selectivity than the pure PEBAX® 1074 membrane. After
modification, APOP-MMT/PEBAX® 1074 MMMs showed better performance
in vapor permeability and vapor/air selectivity. The best selectivity was 1.7
× 105, which is three times higher than that of pure
PEBAX® 1074 membrane.
Modification ofCeiba pentandracellulose for drug release applications
Authors: Peraza-Ku Silvia Argelia , Cervantes-Uc José Manuel , Escobar-Morales Beatriz , Uribe-Calderon Jorge Alonso
Published: May 2020

Tubular fibers (raw and wax-free) fromCeiba pentandra(CP) were cross-linked with butane-1,2,3,4-tetracarboxylic acid (BTCA) at different concentrations to obtain a porous biodegradable medium for drug release applications. Chlorhexidine diacetate (CHX) was added to the cross-linked fibers for drug release studies. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy results indicated that the cross-linked fibers with a 5:1 fiber:BTCA ratio presented the higher cross-linking density. CHX was added at different concentrations (8% and 16% wt/wt); the elemental analysis indicated that CHX was loaded up to 7.99 wt%.In vitrostudies showed a burst release of CHX within the first 3 h. CHX release kinetics was described using several models, with the Korsmeyer–Peppas equation, which adjusted better to the experimental data. The results indicated that the CP fibers are a feasible material for drug release applications.
Preparation of novel amphoteric polyacrylamide and its synergistic
retention with cationic polymers
Authors: Yang Kaiji , Chen Jinghuan , Fu Qingjin , Dun Xuji , Yao Chunli
Published: May 2020

A novel amphoteric polyacrylamide (PDAA) was prepared by inverse emulsion
polymerization. The influence of its cationic degree and molecular weight on
retention property was discussed. Then, the chemical structure and micromorphology of
the obtained PDAA were characterized by Fourier infrared spectrum (FTIR), NMR
hydrogen spectrum (1H NMR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and
scanning electron microscope (SEM). Finally, the synergistic retention effects of
polydimethyldiallylammonium chloride (PDADMAC), cationic starch (CS), cationic guar
gum (CHPG), cationic chitosan (CTS), and polyamine (PA) on the novel PDAA were
investigated. The results showed that the optimum cationic degree and molecular
weight of PDAA were 25% and 4 million, respectively. The chemical structure of PDAA
was confirmed by FTIR, 1H NMR, and GPC. SEM showed that the particle size
of PDAA was between 150 and 600 nm, and the particles were very stable because
no broken particles were found. In addition, most of the five cationic polymers have
good synergistic retention effect on PDAA, and the order of synergistic effect was
PDAA/PDADMAC > PDAA/CTS > PDAA/CS > PDAA/CHPG >
PDAA/PA.
Contracting Out Public Services to the Private Sector in the UK: Issues and Considerations
Authors: Al-Shibli Dr.Farouq
Published: May 2020

Delivery high-quality services to people in a wide range of social fields and improve the most living standards are considered the main objectives for any government. Many countries, including the UK, felt the need for managerial reforms in the public sector after the global economic crisis, and several steps were taken to introduce new managerial public administration including the private sector involvement which was the only practical solution to encourage national economic growth. However, it was witnessed that the UK government could not successfully complete some of its projects carried out with private sectors, resulting in the waste of financial resources and effect negatively on the quality services delivered to people. This paper therefore aims to highlight the pros/cons of UK government contracts in order to propose various suggestions for the promotion of public private partnership (PPP), and for effective management of these contracts that will prevent the wasting of public money.
Synthesis and antiproliferative activities of polymethoxyflavones aminoalkyl and amino acid derivatives
Authors: Ran Li-qiong , Li Xue-li , Liu Man-hui , Wang Qiu-an
Published: May 2020

Twelve novel aminoalkyl derivatives 3a-3f, 4a-4f and four novel amino acid derivatives 5a, 5b, 6a and 6b of polymethoxyflavones 1 and 2 were synthesized through regioselective demethylation, etherification, amination, EDCl-mediated amide condensation and alkaline hydrolysis, using tangeretin and nobiletin as starting materials. Their antiproliferative activities against four different human cancer cell lines (Aspc-1, SUN5, HepG-2 and HCT116) were evaluated by in vitro CCK-8 assay. The results show that the majority of the synthetic compounds exhibited moderate to good antiproliferative activity. In particular, the antiproliferative activity of compound 5b against HepG-2 cells (IC50 0.057 μM) was equal to the positive control drug Staurosporine (IC50 0.0575 μM).
The Fascination with Crisis and the Crisis of Perception in Contemporary British Drama
Authors: Baumbach Sibylle
Published: May 2020

Based on considerations of the connection between fascination, crisis, and the “Medusa effect,” this paper argues that contemporary drama tends to challenge the audience’s sense of safe spectatorship by stimulating perceptual crises, returning the spectators’ gaze, and exposing their tendencies of (in)attentional blindness. Besides plays by Martin Crimp, Carol Ann Duffy, and Rufus Norris, the analysis focuses on James Graham’s Quiz (2017), which dramatizes one of the most popular scandals in the history of British game shows and challenges the audience’s capacity of moral attention. As I argue, Quiz engages the audience in multi-levelled crises (a crisis of knowledge, a crisis of perception, and a crisis of judgement), which stimulates conceptual blending, tests spectators’ response-ability on an ethical, aesthetic, and political level, and eventually allows them to overcome the perceptual crisis created in the course of the play.
Transition readiness measures for adolescents and young adults with chronic health conditions: a systematic review
Authors: Parfeniuk Sarah , Petrovic Kristin , MacIsaac Peggy Lynn , Cook Karen A. , Rempel Gwen R.
Published: May 2020

Background

Transition from pediatric to adult healthcare for adolescents with chronic health conditions has emerged as a critical period influencing health outcomes. Suitable transition readiness measures are necessary to facilitate effective planning. Currently, there is little consensus about well-validated transition readiness measures. The purpose of this systematic review was to identify best practices in transition readiness measurement for adolescents and young adults with chronic health conditions.

Data sources

Academic databases searched included PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Google Scholar and Athabasca University Library’s Discover.

Study selection

Articles were included that discussed the development and psychometric properties of transition readiness measures for adolescents and young adults (11–25 years) with chronic health conditions and/or that utilized a previously developed measure.

Data extraction

The primary and secondary reviewers extracted data from the selected articles as per the data extraction tool developed for this review.

Results

Forty-eight articles, representing 19 tools, were included in the review. Ten of the tools were disease-specific; nine were disease-neutral. According to the Cohen criteria, eight measures were “well-established assessments”. The Transition Readiness Assessment Questionnaire was deemed the best measure of transition readiness available. The literature search included only articles published in peer-reviewed journals; measures nearing completion or awaiting publication were not included. In addition, only English manuscripts were included, many from North America.

Conclusions

Despite national practice guidelines and ongoing policy development, there is slow movement towards achieving a gold standard or best-practice measure of transition readiness.
Temporal probing of excitons in organic semiconductors
Authors: Roy Palas , Dasgupta Jyotishman
Published: May 2020

Photoinduced charge generation forms the physical basis for energy conversion in organic photovoltaic (OPV) technology. The fundamental initial steps involved are absorption of light by organic semiconductors (generally π-conjugated polymers) to generate photoexcited states (Frenkel excitons) followed by charge transfer and charge separation processes in presence of suitable acceptor. The absorbed photon energy must be utilized completely for achieving maximum device efficiency. However progressive relaxation losses of instantaneously generated high-energy or hot-excited states form major bottleneck for maximum derivable voltage. This efficiency limiting factor has been challenged recently by the role of hot-carriers in efficient generation of charges. Therefore tailoring the dissociation of hot-exciton to be temporally faster than all relaxation processes could minimize the energy loss pathways. Implementation of this concept of hot-carrier photovoltaics demands critical understanding of molecular parameters that circumvent all energy relaxation processes and favor hot-carrier generation. In my dissertation work, I have examined the fate of photo-generated excitons in the context of polymer backbone and morphology, and therefore obtain a fundamental structure-function correlation in organic semiconductors.
Maximizing the external radiative efficiency of hybrid perovskite solar cells
Authors: deQuilettes Dane W. , Laitz Madeleine , Brenes Roberto , Dou Benjia , Motes Brandon T. , Stranks Samuel D. , Snaith Henry J. , Bulović Vladimir , Ginger David S.
Published: May 2020

Despite rapid advancements in power conversion efficiency in the last decade, perovskite solar cells still perform below their thermodynamic efficiency limits. Non-radiative recombination, in particular, has limited the external radiative efficiency and open circuit voltage in the highest performing devices. We review the historical progress in enhancing perovskite external radiative efficiency and determine key strategies for reaching high optoelectronic quality. Specifically, we focus on non-radiative recombination within the perovskite layer and highlight novel approaches to reduce energy losses at interfaces and through parasitic absorption. By strategically targeting defects, it is likely that the next set of record-performing devices with ultra-low voltage losses will be achieved.
Novel selective anticancer agents based on Sn and Au complexes. Mini-review
Authors: Milaeva Elena R. , Shpakovsky Dmitry B. , Gracheva Yulia A. , Antonenko Taisiya A. , Ksenofontova Tatyana D. , Nikitin Evgeny A. , Berseneva Daria A.
Published: May 2020

Cancer is one of the most common causes of death in modern medicine. Molecular design of novel substances with pharmacological activity is one of the goals of medicinal inorganic chemistry. Platinum complexes are widely used in the treatment of cancer, despite high efficacy their use is limited by side effects, as well as primary or acquired resistance. In this regard, the search for novel metal-containing antitumor compounds is underway. Organotins and gold compounds are promising pharmacological agents with anti-cancer properties. The introduction of protective antioxidant fragments into inorganic compounds molecules is a way to reduce the side effects of anti-cancer drugs on healthy cells. 2,6-dialkylphenols belonging to vitamin E (α-tocopherol) mimetics are widely used as antioxidants and stabilizers. The properties of Ph3SnCl (Sn-I), Ph3PAuCl (Au-I) and complexes Ph3SnSR (Sn-II) and Ph3PAuSR (Au-II) based on 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-mercaptophenol (RSH) as radical scavengers and reducing agents were studied in model reactions. For Sn-II and Au-II the comparative study of cytotoxic action was made and the IC50 values on different cancer cell lines were found to be depended on the nature of metal. In general, Sn(IV) complexes possessed higher cytotoxicity than Au(I) complexes. In order to clarify the mechanism of cytotoxic mode of action the effect of compounds on Fe3+-induced lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial potential and mitochondrial permeability, cell cycle and induction of apoptosis was studied. Organotin compounds can bind tubulin SH-groups and inhibit its polymerization by a dose-dependent mechanism, whereas gold compounds inhibit Thioredoxin reductase (TrxR). In vivo experiments on acute toxicity of Sn-II and Au-II proved their moderate toxic action that opens prospects for the further study as antitumor agents.
Using computational chemistry to explore experimental solvent parameters – solvent basicity, acidity and polarity/polarizability
Authors: Waghorne W. Earle
Published: May 2020

Solvent basicity and polarity/polarizability parameters are analysed using molecular properties of solvents derived from computational chemistry. The results show that Kamlet and Taft’s measure of hydrogen bond basicity, β, is essentially identical to Gutmann’s donor number, a measure of Lewis basicity, both being determined by the charge on the most negative atom of the solvent molecule and the energy of the electron donor orbital. It is also found that, for both parameters, the calculated values for alcohols and N–H containing bases deviate systematically from those for aprotic solvents. This mirrors Kamlet and Taft’s earlier observation that different solvatochromic probes yield different β values in amphiprotic solvents. Reichardt’s E
T (30) and Kamlet, Abboud and Taft’s π
* both show direct dependences on the dipole moments and quadrupolar amplitudes of the solvent molecules and, surprisingly, an inverse dependence on the molecular polarizability. Additionally, E
T (30) has a strong dependence on the charge on the most positive hydrogen atom of the solvent molecule, reflecting its sensitivity to hydrogen bonding. Unexpectedly, π
* shows a dependence on the energy of the electron donor orbital. Kammet and Taaft’s hydrogen bond acidity parameter, α, is discussed in light of the results for π
* and E
T (30).
Free energy profile of permeation of Entecavir through Hepatitis B virus capsid studied by molecular dynamics calculation
Authors: Fujimoto Kazushi , Fukai Motohiro , Urano Ryo , Shinoda Wataru , Ishikawa Tetsuya , Omagari Katsumi , Tanaka Yasuhito , Nakagawa Atsushi , Okazaki Susumu
Published: May 2020

Entecavir, triphosphorylated in liver cells, is an antiviral reagent against Hepatitis B virus (HBV). The reagent inhibits reverse transcription of RNA inside the virus capsid. In the present study, free energy profile of an Entecavir triphosphate (ETVTP) molecule has been calculated when it passes through pores of the capsid along two- and three-fold rotational symmetry axes in order to investigate permeation pathway of the reagent to the inside of the capsid. The calculations have been done based on thermodynamic integration (TI) method combined with all-atomistic molecular dynamic (MD) calculations. A free energy minimum of −19 kJ/mol was found at the entrance of the pore from the outside along the three-fold symmetry axis. This stabilization is from the interaction of negatively charged ETVTP with positively charged capsid methionine residues. This excess free energy concentrates of the reagent at the entrance of the pore by a factor of about 2000. A free energy barrier of approximately 13 kJ/mol was also found near the exit of the pore to the inside of the capsid due to narrow space of the pore surrounded by hydrophobic wall made by proline residues and negatively charged wall by aspartic acid residues. There, ETVTP is partially dehydrated in order to pass through the narrow space, which causes the great free energy loss. Further, the negatively charged residues produce repulsive forces on the ETVTP molecule. In contrast, in the case of the pore along the two-fold symmetry axis, the calculated free energy profile showed shallower free energy minimum, −4 kJ/mol at the entrance in spite of the similarly high barrier, 7 kJ/mol, near the exit of the pore.
PENGEMBANGAN AUTENTIC ASSESMENT BERBASIS PROYEK DENGAN PENDEKATAN SAINTIFIK UNTUK MENINGKATKAN KETERAMPILAN BERPIKIR ILMIAH MAHASISWA
Authors: Wijayanti A.
Published: May 2020

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengembangkan sistem asesmen autentik pada mata kuliah Pengembangan Konsep Dasar IPA SD untuk meningkatkan keterampilan berpikir ilmiah mahasiswa calon guru SD. Desain penelitian yang digunakan adalah R&D yang diarahkan untuk mengembangkan perangkat asesmen autentik berbasis proyek dengan pendekatan saitifik. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa autentic asessment berbasis proyek dengan pendekatan saintifik yang dikembangkan dapat meningkatkan keterampilan berpikir ilmiah dengan efektif. Setiap aspek keterampilan berpikir ilmiah mahasiswa mengalami peningkatan. Secara keseluruhan peningkatan (gain) keterampilan berpikir ilmiah sebesar 0,86 yang artinya peningkatannya dengan kriteria tinggi.Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengembangkan sistem asesmen autentik pada mata kuliah Pengembangan Konsep Dasar IPA SD untuk meningkatkan keterampilan berpikir ilmiah mahasiswa calon guru SD. Desain penelitian yang digunakan adalah R&D yang diarahkan untuk mengembangkan perangkat asesmen autentik berbasis proyek dengan pendekatan saitifik. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa autentic asessment berbasis proyek dengan pendekatan saintifik yang dikembangkan dapat meningkatkan keterampilan berpikir ilmiah dengan efektif. Setiap aspek keterampilan berpikir ilmiah mahasiswa mengalami peningkatan. Secara keseluruhan peningkatan (gain) keterampilan berpikir ilmiah sebesar 0,86 yang artinya peningkatannya dengan kriteria tinggi.
PENGEMBANGAN SCIENCE COMIC BERBASIS PROBLEM BASED LEARNING SEBAGAI MEDIA PEMBELAJARAN PADA TEMA BUNYI DAN PENDENGARAN UNTUK SISWA SMP
Authors: Fatimah F. , Widiyatmoko A.
Published: May 2020

Tujuan penelitian ini untuk mengetahui bagaimana kelayakan dan keefektifan media science comic berbasis PBL pada tema bunyi dan pendengaran. Jenis penelitian ini merupakan R and D (Research and Development). Hasil penilaian pakar terhadap science comic berbasis PBL memperoleh kriteria sangat layak dengan persentase penilaian pakar media sebesar 95,83%, pakar materi sebesar 95,37%, dan pakar bahasa sebesar 99,07%. Hasil belajar siswa meningkat dengan kategori sedang dengan nilai N-gain sebesar 0,62. Selain itu, kemampuan berpikir siswa juga mengalami peningkatan yang signifikan berdasarkan perhitungan t test dengan nilai thitung> ttabel (22,4>1,68).This research gives countenance to curriculum 2013 with development science comic based PBL on sound and hearing. This research type is R and D (Research and Development). The validation result shows that science comic has very feasible as a learning media by score percentage from medium expert at 95.83%, material expert at 95.37%, and language expert at 99.07Students learning outcome increases in average category which showed from N-gain score at 0.62. In addition, students critical thinking skill increases significanly by score of tscore > ttabel (22.4>1.68).
MODEL PEMBELAJARAN BERBASIS PROYEK BERBANTUAN MEDIA KULTUR JARINGAN UNTUK MENINGKATKAN AKTIVITAS DAN KREATIVITAS SISWA KELAS XII IPA2 SMA NEGERI 1 BANGSRI
Authors: Yahya N.
Published: May 2020

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk meningkatkan aktivitas dan kreativitas dalam pembelajaran berbasis proyek berbantuan media kultur jaringan. Data dianalisis dengan teknik analisis deskriptif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa aktivitas belajar siswa meningkat secara signifikan dari 31,50% prasiklus, 79,79% siklus I dan 90,14% pada siklus II. Kreativitas belajar siswa meningkat secara signifikan dari 58,70% prasiklus, 77,29% siklus I dan 85,10% pada siklus II. Dan kreativitas produk kultur jaringan juga meningkat secara signifikan dari 0% prasiklus, 72,42% siklus I dan 83,33% pada siklus II.This study aims to improve the activity and creativity in project-based learning-assisted tissue culture media. Data were analyzed with descriptive analysis techniques. The results showed that students learning activities increased significantly from prasiklus 31.50%, 79.79% and 90.14% first cycle in the second cycle. Creativity of students increased significantly from prasiklus 58.70%, 77.29% and 85.10% first cycle, the second cycle. Tissue culture and creativity products also increased significantly from 0% prasiklus, 72.42% and 83.33% first cycle in the second cycle.