bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design of a lightweight passive orthosis for tremor suppression
Authors: Fromme Nicolas Philip , Camenzind Martin , Riener Robert , Rossi René M.
Published: April 2020

Background

Tremor is the most common movement disorder with the highest prevalence in the upper limbs. The mechanical suppression of involuntary movements is an alternative and additional treatment to medication or surgery. Here we present a new, soft, lightweight, task asjustable and passive orthosis for tremor suppression.

Methods

A new concept of a manual, textile-based, passive orthosis was designed with an integrated, task adjustable, air-filled structure, which can easily be inflated or deflated on-demand for a certain daily activity. The air-filled structure is placed on the dorsal side of the wrist and gets bent and compressed by movements when inflated. In a constant volume air-filled structure, air pressure increases while it is inflating, creating a counterforce to the compression caused by bending. We characterised the air-filled structure stiffness by measuring the reaction torque as a function of the angle of deflection on a test bench. Furthermore, we evaluated the efficacy of the developed passive soft orthosis by analysing the suppression of involuntary movements in the wrist of a tremor-affected patient during different activities of daily living (i.e. by calculating the power spectral densities of acceleration).

Results

By putting special emphasis on the comfort and wearability of the orthosis, we achieved a lightweight design (33 g). The measurements of the angular deflection and resulting reaction torques show non-linear, hysteretic, behaviour, as well as linear behaviour with a coefficient of determination (R2) between 0.95 and 0.99. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the soft orthosis significantly reduces tremor power for daily living activities, such as drinking from a cup, pouring water and drawing a spiral, by 74 to 82% (p = 0.03); confirmed by subjective tremor-reducing perception by the patient.

Conclusion

The orthosis we developed is a lightweight and unobtrusive assistive technology, which suppresses involuntary movements and shows high wearability properties, with the potential to be comfortable. This air-structure technology could also be applied to other movement disorders, like spasticity, or even be integrated into future exoskeletons and exosuits for the implementation of variable stiffness in the systems.
Breast cancer bone metastases are attenuated in a Tgif1-deficient bone microenvironment
Authors: Haider Marie-Therese , Saito Hiroaki , Zarrer Jennifer , Uzhunnumpuram Kevin , Nagarajan Sankari , Kari Vijayalakshmi , Horn-Glander Michael , Werner Stefan , Hesse Eric , Taipaleenmäki Hanna
Published: April 2020

Background

Osteoclast activation is a hallmark of breast cancer-induced bone disease while little is known about the role of osteoblasts in this process. Recently, we identified the homeodomain protein TG-interacting factor-1 (Tgif1) as a crucial regulator of osteoblast function. In this study, we demonstrate that lack of Tgif1 also restricts the progression of breast cancer bone metastases.

Methods

Transwell migration assays were used to investigate the osteoblast-breast cancer cell interaction in vitro. Molecular analyses included RNA sequencing, immunoblotting, and qRT-PCR. To determine the role of Tgif1 in metastatic bone disease, 4T1 breast cancer cells were injected intracardially into mice with a germ line deletion of Tgif1 (Tgif1−/−) or control littermates (Tgif1+/+). Progression of bone metastases and alterations in the bone microenvironment were assessed using bioluminescence imaging, immunofluorescence staining, confocal microscopy, and histomorphometry.

Results

Medium conditioned by osteoblasts stimulated breast cancer cell migration, indicating a potential role of osteoblasts during bone metastasis progression. Tgif1 expression was strongly increased in osteoblasts upon stimulation by breast cancer cells, demonstrating the implication of Tgif1 in the osteoblast-breast cancer cell interaction. Indeed, conditioned medium from osteoblasts of Tgif1−/− mice failed to induce breast cancer cell migration compared to control, suggesting that Tgif1 in osteoblasts augments cancer cell motility. Semaphorin 3E (Sema3E), which is abundantly secreted by Tgif1−/− osteoblasts, dose-dependently reduced breast cancer cell migration while silencing of Sema3E expression in Tgif1−/− osteoblasts partially restored the impaired migration. In vivo, we observed a decreased number of breast cancer bone metastases in Tgif1−/− mice compared to control littermates. Consistently, the presence of single breast cancer cells or micro-metastases in the tibiae was reduced in Tgif1−/− mice. Breast cancer cells localized in close proximity to Endomucin-positive vascular cells as well as to osteoblasts. Although Tgif1 deficiency did not affect the bone marrow vasculature, the number and activity of osteoblasts were reduced compared to control. This suggests that the protective effect on bone metastases might be mediated by osteoblasts rather than by the bone marrow vasculature.

Conclusion

We propose that the lack of Tgif1 in osteoblasts increases Sema3E expression and attenuates breast cancer cell migration as well as metastases formation.
Plasma biomarkers of small intestine adaptations in obesity-related metabolic alterations
Authors: Lalande Catherine , Drouin-Chartier Jean-Philippe , Tremblay André J. , Couture Patrick , Veilleux Alain
Published: April 2020

Background

Evidence suggests that pathophysiological conditions such as obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are associated with morphologic and metabolic alterations in the small intestinal mucosa. Exploring these alterations generally requires invasive methods, limiting data acquisition to subjects with enteropathies or undergoing bariatric surgery. We aimed to evaluate small intestine epithelial cell homeostasis in a cohort of men covering a wide range of adiposity and glucose homoeostasis statuses.

Methods

Plasma levels of citrulline, a biomarker of enterocyte mass, and I-FABP, a biomarker of enterocyte death, were measured by UHPLC‑MS and ELISA in 154 nondiabetic men and 67 men with a T2D diagnosis.

Results

Plasma citrulline was significantly reduced in men with insulin resistance and T2D compared to insulin sensitive men. Decreased citrulline levels were, however, not observed in men with uncontrolled metabolic parameters during T2D. Plasma I-FABP was significantly higher in men with T2D, especially in presence of uncontrolled glycemic and lipid profile parameters. Integration of both parameters, which estimate enterocyte turnover, was associated with glucose homeostasis as well as with T2D diagnosis. Differences in biomarkers levels were independent of age and BMI and glucose filtration rates.

Conclusions

Our study supports a decreased functional enterocyte mass and an increased enterocyte death rate in presence of metabolic alterations but emphasizes that epithelial cell homeostasis is especially altered in presence of severe insulin resistance and T2D. The marked changes in small intestine cellularity observed in obesity and diabetes are thus suggested to be part of gut dysfunctions, mainly at an advanced stage of the disease.
MicroRNA profiling of mouse cortical progenitors and neurons reveals miR-486-5p as a regulator of neurogenesis
Authors: Dori Martina , Cavalli Daniel , Lesche Mathias , Massalini Simone , Alieh Leila Haj Abdullah , de Toledo Beatriz Cardoso , Khudayberdiev Sharof , Schratt Gerhard , Dahl Andreas , Calegari Federico
Published: April 2020

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short (∼22 nt) single-stranded non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. Over recent years, many studies have extensively characterized the involvement of miRNA-mediated regulation in neurogenesis and brain development. However, a comprehensive catalog of cortical miRNAs expressed in a cell-specific manner in progenitor types of the developing mammalian cortex is still missing. Overcoming this limitation, here we exploited a double reporter mouse line previously validated by our group to allow the identification of the transcriptional signature of neurogenic commitment and provide the field with the complete atlas of miRNA expression in proliferating neural stem cells, neurogenic progenitors and newborn neurons during corticogenesis. By extending the currently known list of miRNAs expressed in the mouse brain by over twofold, our study highlights the power of cell type-specific analyses for the detection of transcripts that would otherwise be diluted out when studying bulk tissues. We further exploited our data by predicting putative miRNAs and validated the power of our approach by providing evidence for the involvement of miR-486 in brain development.
Electronic data capture for large scale typhoid surveillance, household contact tracing, and health utilisation survey: Strategic Typhoid Alliance across Africa and Asia
Authors: Thindwa Deus , Farooq Yama G. , Shakya Mila , Saha Nirod , Tonks Susan , Anokwa Yaw , Gordon Melita A. , Hartung Carl , Meiring James E. , Pollard Andrew J. , Heyderman Robert S. ,   The Strategic Typhoid alliance across Africa and Asia consortium
Published: April 2020

Electronic data capture systems (EDCs) have the potential to achieve efficiency and quality in collection of multisite data. We quantify the volume, time, accuracy and costs of an EDC using large-scale census data from the STRATAA consortium, a comprehensive programme assessing population dynamics and epidemiology of typhoid fever in Malawi, Nepal and Bangladesh to inform vaccine and public health interventions.

A census form was developed through a structured iterative process and implemented using Open Data Kit Collect running on Android-based tablets. Data were uploaded to Open Data Kit Aggregate, then auto-synced to MySQL-defined database nightly. Data were backed-up daily from three sites centrally, and auto-reported weekly. Pre-census materials’ costs were estimated. Demographics of 308,348 individuals from 80,851 households were recorded within an average of 14.7 weeks range (13-16) using 65 fieldworkers. Overall, 21.7 errors (95% confidence interval: 21.4, 22.0) per 10,000 data points were found: 13.0 (95% confidence interval: 12.6, 13.5) and 24.5 (95% confidence interval: 24.1, 24.9) errors on numeric and text fields respectively. These values meet standard quality threshold of 50 errors per 10,000 data points. The EDC’s total variable cost was estimated at US$13,791.82 per site.

In conclusion, the EDC is robust, allowing for timely and high-volume accurate data collection, and could be adopted in similar epidemiological settings.
Cooperative Approaches to Managing Social Responsibility in a Market with Externalities
Authors: Fang Xin , Cho Soo-Haeng
Published: April 2020

Problem definition: This paper studies two cooperative approaches of firms in managing social responsibility violations of their supplier: auditing a common supplier jointly (joint auditing) and sharing independent audit results with other firms (audit sharing). We study this problem in a market with externalities and a large number of firms. Academic/practical relevance: With numerous firms procuring their materials and parts worldwide, there are many cases in which overseas suppliers violate safety, labor, or environmental standards. Those violations have externalities in the sense that one firm’s violation affects other firms in the same market. It is not clear how such externalities affect competing firms’ incentives to cooperate and the effectiveness of such cooperation. Methodology: We develop a model based on a cooperative game in partition function form, which enables us to analyze the competitive and cooperative interactions of a large number of firms in a market. Results: Although there has been concern about cooperation for fear of compromising a competitive advantage, firms have incentives to cooperate in managing their suppliers when one firm can be hurt by others’ violations, that is, the negative externality is high. However, neither cooperative approach necessarily improves social responsibility, especially when one firm can benefit from others’ violations, that is, the positive externality is high. Finally, even if agreement is not reached for cooperation before conducting individual audits, social responsibility can still be improved by incentivizing firms to share their private audit results with others under a properly designed mechanism. Managerial implications: The careful assessment of the externalities associated with social responsibility violations is a key to the success of joint auditing and audit sharing. Although firms cooperate voluntarily in some cases, a government agency or an industry association should intervene in other cases to motivate cooperation if it is beneficial. In addition, caution must be taken to monitor manufacturers’ audit efforts, especially when cooperative approaches are implemented in the market where competition is fierce and consumers switch brands easily.
ENSINO, APRENDIZAGEM E ARTE: RASTREAMENTOS DE UM ARQUIVO
Authors: Camargo Jeferson , Cavalheiro Bruno Mallmann , Munhoz Angelica Vier
Published: April 2020

O presente artigo resulta de uma investigação realizada por bolsistas de iniciação científica (PIBIC/CNPq), do Grupo de Pesquisa Currículo, Espaço, Movimento (CEM/Univates). O propósito foi mapear, arquivar e dar visibilidade à produção engendrada pela pesquisa, no período de 2013-2018, de modo a compreender os seus movimentos e articulações com o campo empírico.  Para tal feito, operou-se com a noção de arquivo, a partir de Foucault (2008) e Derrida (2001), entre outros. Tomaram-se como descritores as palavras ensino, aprendizagem e arte, tendo em vista que essas noções percorreram os estudos e investigações do Grupo. Os procedimentos de arquivamento e arquivização foram considerados a partir de Aquino & Val (2018), com o objetivo de organizar os achados, ao mesmo tempo em que se revitalizam os materiais encontrados. Por fim, analisar tal arquivo não implicou interpretação de resultados conclusivos, mas oscilações, modulações que remetem a novas visibilidades.
Desafios do cuidado para o advento da saúde sustentável [Care challenges for the advent of sustainable health] [Cuida los desafíos para el advenimiento de la salud sostenible]
Authors: Da Hora Kenia Oliveira Barbosa , Valadares Glaucia Valente , Martins Jussara Regina
Published: April 2020

Objetivo: analisar a saúde sustentável com o cuidado nas práticas de saúde na enfermagem. Conteúdo: um dos objetivos da Agenda 2030 para o desenvolvimento sustentável é a saúde, e o conceito desta vem se transformando a partir dos momentos históricos vivenciados, com reflexos no aparecimento de novas formulações e propostas de mudanças nos modelos assistenciais de saúde. Faz-se necessário reassumir os compromissos éticos na revalorização do cuidado holístico e na responsabilidade pela vida. Conclusão: não é possível mais admitir que a saúde seja vista somente na forma objetiva e o cuidado do outro possa ser situação estanque e não geradora de reflexões no tocante ao cuidar de si. Ainda que estudos possam garantir avanços inúmeros no combate eficaz a uma doença que acomete de forma implacável toda a sociedade, é preciso ampliar também as questões que possam reforçar os cuidados relacionados à subjetividade.ABSTRACTObjective: to analyze sustainable health with care in nursing health practices. Content: one of the objectives of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development is health, and the concept of this has been changing from the historical moments experienced, with reflexes in the appearance of new formulations and proposals for changes in health care models. It is necessary to resume ethical commitments in the revaluation of holistic care and responsibility for life. Conclusion: it is no longer possible to admit that health is seen only in an objective way and the care of the other can be a watertight situation and not generating reflections regarding self-care. Although studies can guarantee countless advances in the effective fight against a disease that relentlessly affects the whole of society, it is also necessary to expand the issues that can reinforce the care related to subjectivity.RESUMENObjetivo: analizar la salud sostenible con cuidado en las prácticas de salud de enfermería. Contenido: uno de los objetivos de la Agenda 2030 para el desarrollo sostenible es la salud, y el concepto de esto ha ido cambiando desde los momentos históricos experimentados, con reflejos en la aparición de nuevas formulaciones y propuestas para cambios en los modelos de atención médica. Es necesario retomar los compromisos éticos en la revaluación del cuidado holístico y la responsabilidad por la vida. Conclusión: ya no es posible admitir que la salud se ve solo de manera objetiva y que el cuidado del otro puede ser una situación estanca y no generar reflexiones sobre el autocuidado. Aunque los estudios pueden garantizar innumerables avances en la lucha efectiva contra una enfermedad que afecta implacablemente a toda la sociedad, también es necesario ampliar los problemas que pueden reforzar la atención relacionada con la subjetividad.
Non-visible haematuria: would discontinuing urgent investigation have a visible impact?
Authors: John Joseph B , Coscione Alberto , Acher Peter , Speakman Mark
Published: April 2020

National guidance in the UK continues to recommend urgent referral of selected patients with non-visible haematuria for urological assessment. The positive predictive value of non-visible haematuria for urological cancer is low, so it is uncertain whether this is an effective and equitable use of healthcare resources. This article considers rationales for and against continuing this practice, and outlines alternative investigative strategies for patients presenting with non-visible haematuria based on current knowledge and modern technology.
Introducing a multidisciplinary team in a specialist care home
Authors: Ashurst Adrian
Published: April 2020

If a resident's care needs change dramatically, specialists will need to be introduced to the home to provide the appropriate support. Adrian Ashurst discusses the roles of these professionals and how to develop a successful multidisciplinary team
Investigation of N Terminal Domain of SARS CoV 2 Nucleocapsid Protein with Antiviral Compounds Based on Molecular Modeling Approach
Authors: Tatar Gizem , Turhan Kemal
Published: April 2020

The recent outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in China caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus continually lead to worldwide human infections and deaths. It is currently no specific viral protein targeted therapeutics yet. The nucleocapsid (N) protein of coronaviruses (CoVs) is a multifunctional RNA-binding protein necessary for viral RNA replication and transcription. Therefore, it is a potential antiviral drug target, serving multiple critical functions during the viral life cycle. Herein, we focus here on the potential to repurpose antiviral compounds approved or in development for treating infections caused by human CoVs. For this purpose, we used the docking methodology to better understand the inhibition mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 N protein with this existing 34 antiviral compounds. The results of this analysis were showed that Nafamostat, Rapamycin, Saracatinib, Imatinib and Camostat are the top hit compounds with binding energy (-10.24 kcal/mol, -9.88 kcal/mol, -9.66 kcal/mol, -9.23 kcal/mol, -9.07 kcal/mol) and K
i (0.0313 mM, 0.05736 mM, 0.08304 mM, 0.17224 mM, 0.22413 mM). In addition, this analysis also showed that the most common residues that interact with the compounds are
Lys65, Phe66, Arg 68, Glu69, Tyr123, Gly124, Lys127, Ile 130, Val133 and
Ala134. These results suggest that these residues are potential drug targeting sites for the SARS-CoV-2 N protein. Subsequently, protein-ligand complex stability was examined with Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations for the
Nafamostat compound, which showed the best binding affinity. According to the results of this study, the interaction between the compound and the crucial residues of the target were maintained. Based on this information, we propose guidelines to develop novel N protein-based antiviral agents that target CoVs.
K-means-SMOTE for handling class imbalance in the classification of diabetes with C4.5, SVM, and naive Bayes
Authors: Hairani Hairani , Saputro Khurniawan Eko , Fadli Sofiansyah
Published: April 2020

The occurrence of imbalanced class in a dataset causes the classification results to tend to the class with the largest amount of data (majority class). A sampling method is needed to balance the minority class (positive class) so that the class distribution becomes balanced and leading to better classification results. This study was conducted to overcome imbalanced class problems on the Indian Pima diabetes illness dataset using k-means-SMOTE. The dataset has 268 instances of the positive class (minority class) and 500 instances of the negative class (majority class). The classification was done by comparing C4.5, SVM, and naïve Bayes while implementing k-means-SMOTE in data sampling. Using k-means-SMOTE, the SVM classification method has the highest accuracy and sensitivity of 82 % and 77 % respectively, while the naive Bayes method produces the highest specificity of 89 %.
Meta-analysis of risk factors for CCLNM in patients with unilateral cN0 PTC
Authors: Sun Wei , Zheng Boyuan , Wang Zhihong , Dong Wenwu , Qin Yuan , Zhang Hao
Published: April 2020

Background

In patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) with clinical negative central lymph nodes (cN0), the use of prophylactic central lymph node dissection remains controversial. Contralateral central lymph node metastasis (CCLNM) occurs in 3.88–30.63% of patients with cN0 PTC. Therefore, the present meta-analysis aimed to obtain evidence for CCLNM risk factors in unilateral cN0 PTC.

Materials and methods

Relevant studies were identified in the PubMed, SCIE, and Wanfang databases up to Oct 31, 2019. The included patients had undergone lobectomy or total thyroidectomy with bilateral central lymph node dissection and were diagnosed pathologically with PTC. Revman 5.3 software was applied for statistical analysis.

Results

Thirteen studies comprising 2449 patients were included. The factors associated with increased CCLNM risk in patients with cN0 disease were: age <45 years (odds ratio (OR) = 1.89, 95% CI = 1.43–2.49, P < 0.00001), male sex (OR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.24–2.24, P = 0.0007), extrathyroidal extension (OR = 1.63; 95% CI = 1.17–2.28; P = 0.004), tumor size ≥1 cm (OR = 2.63, 95% CI 1.85–3.74, P < 0.00001), lymphovascular invasion (OR = 4.27, 95% CI = 2.47–7.37, P < 0.00001), and ipsilateral central lymph node metastasis (OR = 11.42, 95% CI = 5.25–24.86, P < 0.00001). However, no association was found for capsular invasion, multifocality, or Hashimoto thyroiditis.

Conclusion

The meta-analysis identified that age <45 years, tumor ≥1 cm, male sex, lymphovascular invasion, extrathyroidal extension, and ipsilateral central lymph node metastasis are related to CCLNM in patients with unilateral CN0 PTC. These factors should influence the use of prophylactic central lymph node dissection in this group of patients.
Meiotic epigenetic factor PRDM9 impacts sperm quality of hybrid mice
Authors: Kusari Fitore , Mihola Ondrej , Schimenti John C , Trachtulec Zdenek
Published: April 2020

Reduced fertility of male mouse hybrids relative to their parents, or hybrid sterility, is governed by the hybrid sterility 1 (Hst1) locus. Rescue experiments with transgenes carrying sequences within or near Hst1 manifested that Hst1 contains the gene encoding meiosis-specific histone methyltransferase PRDM9. The Prdm9 gene is responsible for partial meiotic arrest, testicular atrophy, and low sperm count in (C57BL/6J x PWD)F1 mouse hybrids. Here we report that these male hybrids suffer an additional reproductive disadvantage, decreased sperm quality, which is (i) further exacerbated by the introduction of long transgenes carrying sequences from Hst1 with incomplete Prdm9 into their genome and (ii) controlled by the Prdm9 dosage. These transgenic male hybrids displayed the features of severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT), a human infertility syndrome characterized by a low number of spermatozoa with poor motility and morphological abnormalities. Analysis of spermiogenesis in these mice revealed acrosome detachment, aberrant elongation and condensation of the nucleus. As a result, the transgenic sperm had acrosome malformations, abnormal chromatin packaging, and fragmented DNA with elevated base oxidation, revealed by using multiple methods. Heterozygosity for one null Prdm9 allele improved meiotic progression and sperm quality of both non- and transgenic hybrids. Our results indicate that genomic analysis of OAT patients should include consideration of allelic variants in PRDM9, and our transgenic models can serve as tools to understand the diverse molecular processes that, when perturbed, can cause this disease.
Вплив конкурентної взаємодії підприємців на організаційну культуру
Authors: Федоришин Галина , Фучко Роман
Published: April 2020

Сьогодні організаційна культура є визначальним чинником стратегії поведінки підприємця на ринку, вектору його підприємницької діяльності. Організаційна культура проявляється в організаційній структурі, статусних відмінностях, цінностях, міфах і символах, ритуалах і церемоніях, традиціях, у діловому спілкуванні та способах вирішення суперечливих ситуацій, у психологічному кліматі. Вимоги до професійних знань, навичок і якостей підприємців, як й інших працівників, формуються саме на основі прийнятої на підприємстві філософії організаційної культури. У статті проаналізовано результати емпіричного дослідження впливу конкурентної взаємодії між суб’єктами підприємницької діяльності на організаційну культуру їхніх підприємств, зокрема на стратегії поведінки працівників у конфліктній взаємодії, на психологічний клімат та цінності в колективі. Висвітлено рекомендації щодо оптимізації організаційної культури в умовах конкурентного середовища.
Досвід проекції досліджень емоційного інтелекту на проблему формування професійної компетентності управлінців
Authors: Федорук Олександра
Published: April 2020

У статті визначено та проаналізовано основні теоретичні підходи у дослідженнях онтологічного змісту емоційного інтелекту. Розглянуто моделі емоційного інтелекту Меєра-Селовея-Карузо, Р. Бар-Она та Д. Ґоулмана, які базуться на інформаційному та регулятивному підходах. Також взято до уваги модель Петрідеса-Фернхема та розглянуто поняття самоефективності у рамках теорії А. Бандури. Виділено маніфестальний та комунікативний кейси лідерства. Зроблено висновок про те, що методологічною основою для визначення психологічних механізмів формування емоційного інтелекту у менеджерів може виступити модель, основана на критеріях та епістемних засадах, найглибше розроблених у теоріях перелічених вище.
Стратегія життя особистості та можливості її побудови як предмет теоретико-методологічного аналізу
Authors: Іванцев Людмила , Іванцев Наталія
Published: April 2020

Стаття присвячена надзвичайно актуальній і важливій проблемі – стратегії життя особистості, яка визначається як модель побудови особистістю свого життя згідно зі власними цілями, зумовленими суспільними цілями і вимогами, а також можливостями реального здійснення цих цілей. Аналізуються основні наукові підходи до вивчення проблеми життєвих стратегій особистості у світлі сучасних досліджень. Розглядається процес формування і трансформації життєвої стратегії особистості, її основні характеристики та типологія. Означуються можливості побудови особистістю власної життєвої стратегії.
Reception of Heidegger’s Notion of the Essence of Technology in the “Empirical Turn” Philosophy of Technology
Authors: Mickevičius Tomas Nemunas
Published: April 2020

In this article some important aspects of Heidegger’s philosophy of technology is addressed. It is argued against Don Ihde’s observation that Heidegger’s philosophy of technology mostly concerns the large scale technological phenomena of industrial revolution – actually in Heidegger’s oeuvre we can find reflection on such micro-scale post-industrial technologies as cybernetics, biotechnologies etc. The critique of the essentialism of Heideggerian philosophy of technology by such authors as Andrew Feenberg, Don Ihde and Peter-Paul Verbeek is presented. It is suggested that earlier Heidegger’s concept of the essence of technology as “machination” (Machenschaft) is less susceptible to such criticism: whether technologies are exploitative and turning nature into “standing reserve”, or whether they are ecological and nature-friendly, whether they are understood as autonomous force, or democratically controlled process – it could be said that through contemporary technologies reality is increasingly turned into artifice and entities are revealed as makeable and producible.
Application experience of composite external reinforcement systems and optical monitoring of building structures
Authors: Fedotov Mikhail , Koshman Nikolay , Gusev Boris , Speransky Anatoly , Loskutov Maxim , Ovchinnikov Igor , Bokarev Sergey , Shelemba Ivan , Budadin Oleg , Kozel’skaya Sofiya
Published: April 2020

This article describes results of the widespread use of external reinforcement systems for reinforced concrete and metal man-made structures based on domestic and foreign polymer composite materials (PCM), as well as fiber-optic monitoring systems, including a network of fiber-optic sensors (FOS) and a hardware-software complex that track the actual state of the control object throughout the entire life cycle. It is shown that for reinforced concrete structures it is advisable to use composite systems of external reinforcement installed directly on the reinforcement object by contact molding using special cold curing binders. In relation to metal structures, this technology is unacceptable due to a significant difference in the coefficients of linear thermal expansion of the metal and the carbon composite. To solve this problem, reinforcement technology has been proposed, which consists in installing discrete mechanical fasteners of finished composite spigots (similar to metal ones) made by autoclave and autoclave-free molding methods. In the event that deviations from the normative indicators for this type of structures are detected, the necessary set of measures is taken to strengthen, after which the monitoring system carries out a similar control, the results of which characterize the quality of the work performed. Thus, the monitoring system can act both as an effective tool for structural control and carry out local time monitoring before or after the relevant works on strengthening and reconstruction, and in real time work throughout the entire period of operation.
On the operational state of the wave-quenching structure of the pier-mole made of hollow concrete massifs
Authors: Kolesnikov Yury
Published: April 2020

Currently, the search for constructive solutions of berthing and enclosure structures of vertical type, providing a reduction in the reflection coefficient of waves, wave loads on the structures and their bases. To create normal conditions in the part of the wave regime in the Far Eastern port during the reconstruction of the pier-mole, it was proposed to use perforated concrete massifs with a quenching chamber. The use of such structure of a wall in the form of pillar masonry of hollow massifs (without ligation the seams) in the absence of an internal cavity filler as a protective structure has no analogues in our country. The results of operational author’s supervision during the construction of the pier-mole showed that on the commissioned section of the structure there are a significant number of defects – rolls, offsets, turns of individual blocks, etc. This situation has led to the need to establish the actual state of the structure and its elements to identify the causes of defects and damage. For this purpose, design, executive documentation, technical supervision materials, etc. were studied and two cycles (initial and main – control) of engineering surveys of the surface and underwater parts of the operated wall section with a length of about 250 m were implemented. Their results served as the basis for the analysis of the technical condition of the structure and the development of measures to improve its operational qualities. The analysis also used data from experimental model studies of the vertical wall structure under consideration.
Creep study of carcass composites reinforced with steel fiber of the Dramix type
Authors: Lesnov Vitaliy
Published: April 2020

The results of a creep study of disperse-reinforced building composites made by carcass technology are presented. In the experiment, steel fiber «Dramix» type fiber was used as dispersed reinforcement, the content of which was 1…3 % by volume of the composite. The impregnation matrix was made on the basis of portlandcement and a superplasticizing additive of the brand Melflux 1641 F. In the creep test, the samples-beams were loaded according to a 4-point scheme. The level of load applied to the samples was 30, 50 and 70 % of the maximum values. An unreinforced carcass composite was taken as a control composition. The tests continued until the moment when the value of the deflection became constant. Based on the data obtained, graphical dependencies «relative deflection – exposure time» were constructed.

On the obtained creep curves of carcass composites in the general case, four sections of the kinetics of deflection change can be distinguished: the initial section, in which an intense, almost linear, increase in deflections occurs; the curved section where the attenuation of the process of growth of deflections is observed; a linear section in which the increase in deflections is insignificant and has a quasi-permanent character; the final section, when the stabilization of the deflections occurs, and their values become constant.

The minimum deflection values were obtained for an unreinforced carcass composite, and the maximum for composite reinforced with 1 % «Dramix» fiber. When the composition of the carcass composites contains 2–3 % fiber, a significant decrease in the deflections was observed, but their values were higher than that of the control composition. This is explained by the different load applied to the reinforced and unreinforced samples of carcass composites, as well as the positive effect of increasing the content fiber to 2–3 % on their bending strength and stiffness.

The studied dispersion-reinforced carcass composites can be used for the manufacture of monolithic industrial floors, foundations and pavements, working under the influence of increased mechanical influences.
Improving the efficiency of dispersed preparatory and excavation works in road construction using bulldozers with universal worker equipment
Authors: Tokar Nikolai , Mevlidinov Zelgedin , Levkovich Tatiana , Foevtsov Alexandr
Published: April 2020

The work is devoted to ways to improve the efficiency of preparatory and excavation works in road construction using bulldozers equipped with universal working equipment. Studying the state of the bulldozer Park of road construction organizations of the city of Bryansk and the Bryansk region, it was revealed that the Park contains obsolete bulldozers.

In this paper, the authors proposed options for improving the university of the working equipment of the bulldozer with the addition of a controlled knife system or controlled lower sections. At the equipment-driven knife system, the working equipment of the bulldozer is characterized in that the edges of the bottom of the blade of the inserted knife system imposed on the surface of the blade, consisting of metal sheets with cutting edges, stiffeners and connected to gidrol linkami their management by means of brackets , and with a blade – with the help of duosonics, hydraulic cylinders control the cutter systems, BAP-pyatsya the edges on the back side of the blade with eyes limited to residing their turn to increase the rigidity of the structure. If necessary, the cutting knives can be replaced with a cargo fork to effectively pick up the goods.

When the equipment controlled the lower sections of the working equipment is characterized in that the push bars have cutouts for the installation of cross beam and pivotally connected via axles to the main building-som of the blade, which has a pivotally mounted visor with snarling face and eyes with hydraulic cylinder control. The lower sections are connected to the lever by means of hinge rods. The expansion of technological capabilities is achieved through the installation of an additional module-a loosening tooth with a tip or a cargo fork.
Bionic approach to design of bridge structures. Part 2: Finite-element modeling of an arch pedestrian bridge designed using the bionic approach
Authors: Karahanyan Artur , Ovchinnikov Ilya , Ovchinnikov Igor
Published: April 2020

It is noted that today in Russia the problem of applying the bionic approach in the design of bridges, despite the appearance of a number of works, is little studied and needs to be further developed. Briefly discusses the main loads on bridge structures and features of the calculation of bridges. It is indicated that practically no attention is paid to the problem of correctly determining loads and impacts.

The features of the calculation method for limiting states are discussed and attention is paid to the fact that the method does not take into account that structures in most cases reach the limiting state not because of an increase in load, but because of improperly designed section sizes, due to changes in the mechanical characteristics of materials under the influence of the environment, due to the appearance and development of defects and damage, both distributed and local in nature.

It is also indicated that in the method the deformation calculation is practically separated from the strength calculation and there is a discrepancy in the hypotheses used in this case.

The rest of the article gives examples of applying the bionic approach to the design of arch pedestrian bridges and discusses the idea of sustainable design.

In the final part, we consider the problem of finite element modeling of a pedestrian arch bridge with inclined arches (butterfly bridge), designed using the bionic approach. For the calculation, the Midas Civil software package was used. Plots of stresses, displacements from various combinations of loads are given.

It is indicated that the use of the bionic approach in the design of bridge structures has great potential in terms of creating interesting inventions, especially since this branch of engineering design is a very little studied, innovative area of scientific interest for a large number of engineers, researchers, scientists today. Bionic design is an effective tool for finding new solutions for bridge structures.
Effective methods of elimination of water occurrences in the operation of underground facilities
Authors: Pestryakova Ekaterina , Kharchenko Igor , Piskunov Aleksandr , Kharchenko Alexey , Beterbiev Adam , Sonin Aleksandr
Published: April 2020

For the execution of the works on the tunnel structures under water-saturated unstable soils of the nature plavannya, provided for their stabilization and strengthening with the use of chemical methods and technological equipment for 2-component jet grouting.

An important factor determining the effectiveness of mineral-based injection systems is their material homogeneity with concrete enclosing structures of tunnel structures, high strength and durability, low filtration coefficient, manifestation of the effect of self-healing cracks in concrete with a width of up to 1 mm. The main criterion of manufacturability of injection mixtures designed to eliminate water seepage in the tunnel and peritonealny structures, is a low viscosity and a high sedimentation stability, stored for up to 90 min controlled structure and kinetics of curing after injecting works, durability, thermo frost, frost-salt resistance the.Based on these conditions, as well as taking into account the variety of tasks associated with the elimination of water in underground structures, experts, our UNIVERSITY developed and mastered the injection of a mixture of mineral-based «SFC+», «Aqualiner-U», «United Aqualiner-MD», «Intracom». It should be noted that particularly finely dispersed binders «Intracom» was developed in the framework of the program of import substitution, as an alternative mineral binder «microdur the» widely used for making various injection systems mineral Foundation.
Nonresearch Pharmaceutical Industry Payments to Oncology Physician Editors
Authors: Haque Waqas , Alvarenga Maria , Hsiehchen David
Published: April 2020

Journal editors are gatekeepers of knowledge, and pharmaceutical industry payments to oncology editors have not been previously characterized. We performed a cross-sectional study of nonresearch industry payments to editors of 26 oncology research journals. A total of 433 editors were eligible for inclusion in the CMS Open Payments database from 2013 to 2018. A total of 80% of eligible editors had nonresearch payments, and the mean value of payments per editor was $106,778, which has increased over time. Only 5 out of 26 journals disclosed editor conflicts of interest and 3 of these journals reported at least one editor with no nonresearch industry payments but were found to have nonresearch payments. There was a positive correlation between journal impact factor and the average payment per editor for each journal. Our study shows the high prevalence and lack of transparency of nonresearch industry payments to oncology editors. Higher impact journals appear to be associated with greater nonresearch industry payments.
Literary Education: What Key Stakeholders Think
Authors: Asonova Ekaterina , Borusyak Liubov , Romanicheva Elena
Published: April 2020

In order to determine the structure of literary education, i. e. the school literature demands of the key stakeholders in education as well as the institutions and resources used to satisfy those demands, we analyze the term “ literary education”, describing the long-established approach to interpreting the underlying concept, and use findings of qualitative sociological studies, such as focus groups and in-depth interviews with teachers, librarians, parents, college and high-school students. For all the interpretation differences, what the stakeholders have in common is the extremely low perceived role of school literature courses and libraries, along with searching for ways to satisfy the existing demands in other forms of acquiring literary knowledge and gaining reader experience.
DNA clean-up and size selection for long-read sequencing v3
Authors: Jones Ashley , Purushotham Neeraj , Nasim Jamila , Schwessinger Benjamin
Published: April 2020

DNA extractions often contain impurities which limit the output of long-read sequencing technologies. Here a protocol is provided which removes impurities and size selects for longer fragments. To remove residual RNA and protein, an additional RNAse A and Proteinase K treatment is performed. A clean-up with chloroform: isoamyl alcohol (24:1) removes these proteins and other hydrophobic organics such as lipids. A low volume ethanol precipitation and wash is used to concentrate the DNA, hopefully also reducing polysaccharides. An optional needle shearing is described which can help create a more uniform DNA length to maximise sequencing output. Finally, a Short-Read Eliminator (SRE) kit by Circulomics is utilised for size selection, which also appears to clean the DNA. This was trialled for the sorghum rot fungus Macrophomina phaseolina, providing highly promising results with an Oxford Nanopore MinION. One strain yielded 13.71 Gbases with an N50 of 21.75 kb, another strain yielded 9.72 Gbases with an N50 of 43.50 kb. Similar results have been obtained with other fungi, plants, reptiles and insects.
PERAN E- QUALITY SERVICE TERHADAP CITRA MEREK (STUDI PADA RUMAH SAKIT DI KOTA BANDUNG)
Authors: Tirto Sakti Anggono Raras , Napitupulu Haripah Saulina
Published: April 2020

Tujuan studi adalah untuk menganalisis peran kualitas layanan elektronik pada citra merek Rumah Sakit Immanuel di Bandung. Kualitas layanan elektronik diukur melalui efisiensi, daya tanggap, kompensasi, dan kontak. citra merek diukur melalui kepribadian, reputasi, nilai, dan identitas perusahaan. Metode penelitian menggunakan metode eksplanatori dengan teknik pengumpulan data melalui kuesioner dan wawancara. Populasi adalah pelanggan Rumah Sakit Immanuel di Bandung. Pengukuran jumlah pelanggan adalah 1.500 dengan teknik pengambilan sampel proporsional acak yang diperoleh dengan sampel 100 pelanggan. Data yang telah dikumpulkan dianalisis menggunakan sistem skala likert, dan Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) Smart Partial Least Square (SmartPLS 3). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa kualitas layanan elektronik dan citra merek oleh semua indikator dapat diandalkan dan valid. Kualitas layanan elektronik berpengaruh signifikan terhadap citra merek.
CAPABILITY APPROACH AS A BASIC EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY IN INDONESIA
Authors: Rachmadani Fadhila , Murtiningsih Siti , Maharani Septiana Dwiputri
Published: April 2020

AbstrakLatar belakang kajian ini bermula dari minat dalam melihat masalah dalam pendidikan untuk anak-anak Cerebral Palsy di tengah situasi sosial, budaya, dan ekonomi di negara membangun seperti Indonesia. Anak-anak Cerebral Palsy yang mempunyai masalah pada otak, memberikan tantangan untuk guru sekolah untuk menyampaikan pendidikan untuk anak-anak Cerebral Palsy. Walau bagaimanapun, peranan kerajaan sebagai pembuat kebijakan adalah penting untuk membuat peraturan yang baik dalam pendidikan untuk kanak-kanak dengan Cerebral Palsy. Tujuan kajian ini adalah untuk memperluaskan pendidikan untuk anak-anak Cerebral Palsy yang diperlukan untuk mendapatkan perhatian lebih lanjut mengenai pelaksanaan pendidikan di Indonesia. Penelitian ini menggunakan Filsafat Pendidikan sebagai kerangka teori dengan unsur-unsur metodis yakni deskripsi, interpretasi, refleksi, dan hermeneutika. Metode dalam kajian ini ialah kualitatif dengan berdasar pada sumber data kepustakaan. Hasil penelitian ini yaitu pendekatan kemampuan dapat menjadi dasar dalam penerapan pendidikan bagi anak berkebutuhan khusus Cerebral Palsy, mengingat persoalan dilematis ketidaksesuaian antara teori dan praktik dalam pendidikan anak-anak Cerebral Palsy di IndonesiaAbstractThe background of this study started from the interest in exploring the case of education for children with Cerebral Palsy in the middle of social, culture, and economy situations in developing country such as Indonesia. Children with Cerebral Palsy which has a problem on brain, gives a challenge for a school teacher to deliver the education for children with Cerebral Palsy. However, the role of goverment as a policy maker are important to make a good regulation in education for children with Cerebral Palsy. The aim of this study is to extending that education for children with Cerebral Palsy is necessary to get more attention regarding to the implementation of education in Indonesia. The methohodology in this study is qualitative research based on literature data. This study using Philosophy of Education as a theoretical framework with the element of methodology: description, interpretation, reflection, and hermeneutics. The result of this study is capability approach could be a basic education for children with special needs Cerebral Palsy in Indonesia regarding to the dilema incoherence between theory and practice in apllication of special education for children with Cerebral Palsy.