bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SGPL1 Deficiency: A Rare Cause of Primary Adrenal Insufficiency
Authors: Settas Nikolaos , Persky Rebecca , Faucz Fabio R , Sheanon Nicole , Voutetakis Antonis , Lodish Maya , Metherell Louise A , Stratakis Constantine A
Published: December 2018

Context

Multiple autosomal recessive genes have been etiologically linked to primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI). Recently, sphingosine-1-phosphate lyase 1 (SGPL1) gene mutations were recognized as a cause of steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome type 14 (NPHS14), a sphingolipidosis with multisystemic manifestations, including PAI.

Objective

To check if SGPL1 mutations are involved in the pathogenesis of PAI in patients who do not exhibit nephrotic syndrome.

Methods

Sequencing of the SGPL1 gene in 21 patients with familial glucocorticoid disease or triple A syndrome.

Results

We identified two missense SGPL1 variants in four patients, two of whom were first cousins. We describe in detail the proband, a boy born to Saudi Arabian consanguineous parents with a homozygous c.665G>A, p.R222Q SGPL1 variant. The patient presented with hypoglycemia and seizures at age 2 years and was ultimately diagnosed with PAI (isolated glucocorticoid deficiency). Brain MRI showed abnormalities in the basal ganglia consistent with a degenerative process albeit the patient had no neurologic symptoms.

Conclusions

New genetic causes of PAI continue to be identified. We suggest that screening for SGPL1 mutations should not be reserved only for patients with nephrotic syndrome but may also include patients with PAI who lack other clinical manifestations of NPHS14 because, in certain cases, kidney disease and accompanying features might develop. Timely diagnosis of this specific sphingolipidosis while the kidneys still function normally can lead to prompt initiation of therapy and improve outcome.
Auditory perception exhibits sexual dimorphism and left telencephalic dominance inXenopus laevis
Authors: Fan Yanzhu , Yue Xizi , Xue Fei , Cui Jianguo , Brauth Steven E. , Tang Yezhong , Fang Guangzhan
Published: December 2018

Sex differences in both vocalization and auditory processing have been commonly found in vocal animals, although the underlying neural mechanisms associated with sexual dimorphism of auditory processing are not well understood. In this study we investigated whether auditory perception exhibits sexual dimorphism in Xenopus laevis. To do this we measured event-related potentials (ERPs) evoked by white noise (WN) and conspecific calls in the telencephalon, diencephalon and mesencephalon respectively. Results showed that (1) the N1 amplitudes evoked in the right telencephalon and right diencephalon of males by WN are significantly different from those evoked in females; (2) in males the N1 amplitudes evoked by conspecific calls are significantly different from those evoked by WN; (3) in females the N1 amplitude for the left mesencephalon was significantly lower than for other brain areas, while the P2 and P3 amplitudes for the right mesencephalon were the smallest; in contrast these amplitudes for the left mesencephalon were the smallest in males. These results suggest auditory perception is sexually dimorphic. Moreover, the amplitude of each ERP component (N1, P2 and P3) for the left telencephalon was the largest in females and/or males, suggesting that left telencephalic dominance exists for auditory perception in Xenopus.
The locomotor kinematics and ground reaction forces of walking giraffes
Authors: Basu Christopher , Wilson Alan M. , Hutchinson John R.
Published: December 2018

Giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis Linnaeus 1758) possess specialised anatomy. Their disproportionately elongate limbs and neck confer recognised feeding advantages, but little is known about how their morphology affects locomotor function. In this study, we examined the stride parameters and ground reaction forces from three adult giraffes in a zoological park, across a range of walking speeds. The patterns of GRFs during walking indicate that giraffes, similar to other mammalian quadrupeds, maintain a forelimb-biased weight distribution. The angular excursion of the neck has functional links with locomotor dynamics in giraffes, and was exaggerated at faster speeds. The horizontal accelerations of the neck and trunk were out of phase, compared with the vertical accelerations which were intermediate between in and out of phase. Despite possessing specialised morphology, giraffes’ stride parameters were broadly predicted from dynamic similarity, facilitating the use of other quadrupedal locomotion models to generate testable hypotheses in giraffes.
Comparison of spatiotemporal gait characteristics between vertical climbing and horizontal walking in primates
Authors: Granatosky Michael C. , Schmitt Daniel , Hanna Jandy
Published: December 2018

During quadrupedal walking, most primates utilize diagonal sequence diagonal couplet gaits, large limb excursions, and hindlimb-biased limb-loading. These gait characteristics are thought to be basal to the Order, but the selective pressure underlying these gait changes remains unknown. Some researchers have examined these characteristics during vertical climbing and propose that primate quadrupedal gait characteristics may have arisen due to the mechanical challenges of moving on vertical supports. Unfortunately, these studies are usually limited in scope and do not account for varying strategies based on body size or phylogeny. Here, we test the hypothesis that the spatiotemporal gait characteristics that are used during horizontal walking in primates are also present during vertical climbing irrespective of body size and phylogeny. We examined footfall patterns, diagonality, speed, and stride length in eight species of primates across a range of body masses. We found that during vertical climbing primates slow down, keep more limbs in contact with the substrate at any one time, and increase the frequency of lateral sequence gaits compared to horizontal walking. Taken together these characteristics are assumed to increase stability during locomotion. Phylogenetic relatedness and body size differences have little influence on locomotor patterns observed across species. These data reject the idea that the suite of spatiotemporal gait features observed in primates during horizontal walking are in some way evolutionarily linked to selective pressures associated with mechanical requirements of vertical climbing. These results also highlight the importance of behavioral flexibility for negotiating the challenges of locomotion in an arboreal environment.
Interspecific variation in brain mitochondrial complex I and II capacity and ROS emission in marine sculpins
Authors: Lau Gigi Y. , Richards Jeffrey G.
Published: December 2018

Environmental hypoxia presents a metabolic challenge for animals because it inhibits mitochondrial respiration and can lead to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). We investigated the interplay between O2 use for aerobic respiration and ROS generation among sculpin fishes (Cottidae, Actinopterygii) that are known to vary in whole-animal hypoxia tolerance. We hypothesized that mitochondria from hypoxia tolerant sculpins would show more efficient O2 use with a higher phosphorylation efficiency and lower ROS emission. We showed that brain mitochondria from more hypoxia tolerant sculpins had lower complex I and higher complex II flux capacities compared with less hypoxia tolerant sculpins, but these differences were not related to variation in phosphorylation efficiency (ADP/O) or mitochondrial coupling (respiratory control ratio). The hypoxia tolerant sculpin had higher mitochondrial H2O2 emission per O2 consumed (H2O2/O2) under oligomycin-induced state 4 conditions compared to less hypoxia tolerant sculpin. An in vitro redox challenge experiment revealed species differences in how well mitochondria defend their glutathione redox status when challenged with high levels of reduced glutathione, but the redox challenge elicited the same H2O2/O2 in all species. Furthermore, in vitro anoxia-recovery lowered absolute H2O2 emission (H2O2/mg mitochondrial protein) in all species and negatively impacted state 3 respiration rates in some species, but the responses were not related to hypoxia tolerance. Overall, we clearly demonstrate a relationship between hypoxia tolerance and complex I and II flux capacities in sculpins, but the differences in complex flux capacity do not appear to be directly related to variation in ROS metabolism.
Ψηφιακά Σενάρια Φυσικής για την Πρωτοβάθμια Εκπαίδευση μέσα από την Πλατφόρμα ΑΙΣΩΠΟΣ. Παρατηρήσεις από την Εφαρμογή στην Τάξη
Authors: Πατρινόπουλος Ματθαίος
Published: December 2018

Η πλατφόρμα Αίσωπος (AESOP - Advanced Electronic Scenarios Operating Platform) δημιουργήθηκε με τη φιλοδοξία να αποτελέσει όχι μόνο ένα κόμβο διαμοίρασης ψηφιακού εκπαιδευτικού υλικού αλλά και ενός χρηστικού εργαλείου σχεδιασμού, ανάπτυξης, αξιολόγησης και παρουσίασης ψηφιακών διδακτικών σεναρίων με χρήση εργαλείων web. Η δημιουργία της πλατφόρμας συνοδεύτηκε με την εκπόνηση προδιαγραφών για τα ψηφιακά σενάρια ανά γνωστικό αντικείμενο. Οι προδιαγραφές εκτός από τα θέματα τεχνολογικής συμβατότητας, οριοθετούν και τις σύγχρονες παιδαγωγικές προσεγγίσεις και μεθοδολογικές διαδικασίες με βάση τις οποίες δομούνται τα σενάρια, ώστε να επιτρέπουν τη βέλτιστη ένταξη του ψηφιακού υλικού στην εκπαιδευτική διαδικασία. Για τη διασφάλιση της ποιότητας και της χρηστικότητας του υλικού, τα σενάρια που διατίθενται μέσα από τον Αίσωπο έχουν αξιολογηθεί σε πολλαπλούς τομείς. Ειδικότερα για τις Φυσικές Επιστήμες η προτεινόμενη προσέγγιση για την ανάπτυξη των σεναρίων είναι η διερεύνηση, μέσω συνεργατικών διαδικασιών. Στην εργασία αυτή, γίνεται παρουσίαση των μεθοδολογικών προτάσεων και των επιμέρους στοιχείων που δομούν ένα από τα δύο υποδειγματικά σενάρια φυσικής για την πρωτοβάθμια εκπαίδευση, ενώ καταγράφονται και σχολιάζονται οι διαφορετικές μεθοδολογικές προσεγγίσεις που εφαρμόστηκαν κατά την εφαρμογή του στην τάξη και οι παρατηρήσεις που προέκυψαν από αυτή την εφαρμογή.
Αξιοποίηση των φορητών τεχνολογιών και της ρομποτικής για την διδασκαλία του προγραμματισμού σε όλες τις εκπαιδευτικές βαθμίδες
Authors: Παπαδάκης Σταμάτιος
Published: December 2018

Παρότι διεθνώς ο προγραμματισμός θεωρείται ως ο νέος γραμματισμός, η διδασκαλία του σε όλες τις εκπαιδευτικές βαθμίδες παρουσιάζει αρκετά προβλήματα τα οποία σχετίζονται τόσο με την φύση του μαθήματος όσο και με τον τρόπο διδασκαλίας του. Απόρροια τούτου είναι το γεγονός ότι αφενός οι μαθητές θεωρούν τον προγραμματισμό ως ένα δύσκολο και βαρετό μάθημα, αφετέρου όταν τους δίδεται η δυνατότητα είτε δεν επιλέγουν μαθήματα πληροφορικής είτε στην περίπτωση επιλογής τους παρουσιάζουν ιδιαίτερα υψηλά ποσοστά αποχωρήσεων. Στην παρούσα εργασία παρουσιάζεται ένα διδακτικό σενάριο το οποίο προσπαθεί να κεντρίσει το ενδιαφέρον των μαθητών για τον προγραμματισμό και τις συναφείς του έννοιες. Το συγκεκριμένο σενάριο είναι ελεύθερα διαθέσιμο τόσο στην Πλατφόρμα «Αίσωπος» στη διεύθυνση http://aesop.iep.edu.gr/node/11425/2723 όσο και στον εθνικό συσσωρευτή εκπαιδευτικού περιεχομένου με την ονομασία «Φωτόδεντρο» στην διεύθυνση http://photodentro.edu.gr/aggregator/lo/photodentro-aggregatedcontent8526-8403. Το σενάριο έχει χαρακτηριστεί ως «Βέλτιστο», ύστερα από αξιολόγηση που πραγματοποιήθηκε από δύο ανεξάρτητους αξιολογητές έπειτα από σχετική πρόσκληση του Ινστιτούτου Εκπαιδευτικής Πολιτικής (ΙΕΠ). Το διδακτικό σενάριο διδάσκει στους μαθητές τις βασικές προγραμματιστικές δομές συνδυάζοντας ένα εργαλείο καθημερινής χρήσης των μαθητών-μαθητριών όπως είναι το έξυπνο κινητό τους τηλέφωνο με δραστηριότητες οι οποίες έχει αποδειχτεί ότι προσελκύουν το ενδιαφέρον τους όπως είναι η αξιοποίηση ρομποτικών κατασκευών.
Η αξιολόγηση της δομής της Παράλληλης Στήριξης από τους γονείς παιδιών με Διαταραχή Αυτιστικού Φάσματος
Authors: Mantzikos Constantinos Ν. , Lappa Christina Σ. , Siamanta Vasiliki , Charoumenou Zoe
Published: December 2018

The aim of this quantitative research was to research the opinions of the structure and function of Parallel Support (P.S.) by parents with children on the autism spectrum. Through random sampling, the sample of the study consisted of 185 parents [148 (80.0%) female and 37 (20.0%) male]. The data of the questionnaire were analysed via descriptive and inferential statistics (SPSS version 21). Parents with children on the autism spectrum positively evaluated the attendance of their children in the general education classes, as well as the meetings with the teachers. They moderately evaluated teachers' support in home-related issues the children might deal with. On the other hand, the recruitment process of special education teachers and the inadequate information of the Diagnostic and Support Centres concerning the kind of school that their children should attend and the function of the P.S. were negatively evaluated. Finally, there were also some dependent variables that affected parents’ answers, such as education, professional level, financial situation, place of residence, student’s school (Public or Private P.S.), as well as elementary and secondary level. In conclusion, parents pointed out that the P.S. has significant benefits to the behavioural and educational level of their children. However, their evaluations have shown that the educational policy of inclusion is not thoroughly implemented.
Εθνο-πολιτισμική προέλευση και εκφοβισμός/θυματοποίηση σε έφηβους μαθητές
Authors: Alexopoulos Evaggelos , Kokkinos Konstantinos M
Published: December 2018

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between ethnic-cultural background and bullying/victimization among adolescent students. In particular, the study examined how gender, ethnic-cultural background and ethnic-cultural school composition were related to bullying/victimization, as well as to its forms and the role assumed by the participants. 163 students from five ethnic-cultural groups attending two junior high schools, one with high and the other with low ethnic diversity, completed a self-report questionnaire. Data analysis revealed that boys, members of the dominant ethnic-cultural group, scored higher in bullying/victimization than girls in the same group. Furthermore, Orthodox Greek students scored lower in victimization, while Muslim Turkish students scored higher. Between the two schools, students attending the school with higher ethnic-cultural diversity scored higher in bullying and victimization. Regarding the forms of bullying/victimization, all students scored higher in verbal and indirect/social bullying, whileboys scored higher in physical bullying as well. Also, students attending the school with higher ethnic-cultural diversity had high scores in all forms of bullying/victimization. Regarding participants' role distribution, boys were less likely to be victims than girls. Orthodox Greek students were more likely to be bullies, Muslim Turkish students were both bullies and victims, while Muslim Pomak, Romany and undefined ethnic-cultural background students were more likely to be victims. Findings are discussed in terms of their pedagogical implications
Variation in RAD51 details a hub of functions: opportunities to advance cancer diagnosis and therapy
Authors: van der Zon Nick LL , Kanaar Roland , Wyman Claire
Published: December 2018

Loss of genome stability is one of the hallmarks of the enabling characteristics of cancer development. Homologous recombination is a DNA repair process that often breaks down as a prelude to developing cancer. Conversely, homologous recombination can be the Achilles’ heel in common anti-cancer therapies, which are effective by inducing irreparable DNA damage. Here, we review recent structural and functional studies of RAD51, the protein that catalyzes the defining step of homologous recombination: homology recognition and DNA strand exchange. Specific mutations can be linked to structural changes and known essential functions. Additional RAD51 interactions and functions may be revealed. The identification of viable mutations in this essential protein may help define the range of activity and interactions needed. All of this information provides opportunities to fine-tune existing therapies based on homologous recombination status, guide diagnosis, and hopefully develop new clinical tools.
INCISION e-learning program as a useful teaching tool to enhance surgeons’ knowledge and skills: An Indonesian multi-center cross-sectional pilot study
Authors: Harzif Achmad Kemal , Rahman M Nurhadi , Mulawardhana Pungky , Shafira Nadia , Anggraeni Tricia Dewi , Sumapraja Kanadi , Ocviyanti Dwiana
Published: December 2018

Background: Media aids are one of the most important components in the teaching and learning process. This pilot study program was conducted in order to assess the effectiveness of the INCISION e-learning program as teaching media in the surgical teaching and learning process, and its ability to improve surgical skills and knowledge achievement.

Methods: One intervention group and one control group were involved in this study. The intervention group used the hysterectomy INCISION e-learning module, while the control group used conventional teaching approaches. The study was conducted with 14 resident surgeons in three universities in Indonesia: Universitas Indonesia, Universitas Airlangga, and Universitas Gajah Mada. The testing components used were a pre-test, post-test questionnaire (a modified Ritzman questionnaire) and direct observation of procedural skills in the operating room (OR). Data were analyzed descriptively using Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon tests.

Results: Using a Mann-Whitney test, we found the differences between the average scores of the intervention group and the control group to be statistically significant (p=0.046). A Wilcoxon test also revealed significant differences  (p=0.028). The modified Ritzman questionnaire also revealed that the residents in the intervention group felt more confident in their surgical knowledge (82%), and made more efficient use of their time in the OR (81%).

Conclusions: These findings reveal a significant improvement in knowledge and skill achievement in residents that underwent training via the INCISION e-learning module, compared to residents taught via conventional teaching strategies.
Recent advances in understanding inhibitor of apoptosis proteins
Authors: Lalaoui Najoua , Vaux David Lawrence
Published: December 2018

The inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) are a family of proteins that were chiefly known for their ability to inhibit apoptosis by blocking caspase activation or activity. Recent research has shown that cellular IAP1 (cIAP1), cIAP2, and X-linked IAP (XIAP) also regulate signaling by receptors of the innate immune system by ubiquitylating their substrates. These IAPs thereby act at the intersection of pathways leading to cell death and inflammation. Mutation of IAP genes can impair tissue homeostasis and is linked to several human diseases. Small-molecule IAP antagonists have been developed to treat certain malignant, infectious, and inflammatory diseases. Here, we will discuss recent advances in our understanding of the functions of cIAP1, cIAP2, and XIAP; the consequences of their mutation or dysregulation; and the therapeutic potential of IAP antagonist drugs.
Variation in the effectiveness of insecticide treated nets against malaria and outdoor biting by vectors in Kilifi, Kenya
Authors: Kamau Alice , Mwangangi Joseph M. , Rono Martin K. , Mogeni Polycarp , Omedo Irene , Midega Janet , Scott J. Anthony G. , Bejon Philip
Published: December 2018

Background: Insecticide treated nets (ITNs) protect humans against bites from the Anopheles mosquito vectors that transmit malaria, thereby reducing malaria morbidity and mortality. It has been noted that ITN use leads to a switch from indoor to outdoor feeding among these vectors. It might be expected that outdoor feeding would undermine the effectiveness of ITNs that target indoors vectors, but data are limited.

Methods: We linked homestead level geospatial data to clinical surveillance data at a primary healthcare facility in Kilifi County in order to map geographical heterogeneity in ITN effectiveness and observed vector feeding behaviour using landing catches and CDC light traps in six selected areas of varying ITN effectiveness. We quantified the interaction between mosquitoes and humans to evaluate whether outdoor vector biting is a potential explanation for the variation in ITN effectiveness.

Results: We observed 37% and 46% visits associated with positive malaria slides among ITN users and non-ITN-users, respectively; ITN use was associated with 32% protection from malaria (crude OR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.64, 0.73). We obtained modification of ITN effectiveness by geographical area (p=0.016), and identified 6 hotspots using the spatial scan statistic. Majority of mosquitoes were caught outdoor (60%) and were of the An. funestus group (75%). The overall propensity to feed at times when most people were asleep was high; the vast majority of the Anopheles mosquitoes were caught at times when most people are indoors asleep. Estimates for the proportion of human-mosquito contact between the first and last hour when most humans were asleep was consistently high across all locations, ranging from 0.83 to 1.00.

Conclusion: Our data do not provide evidence of an epidemiological association between microgeographical variations in ITN effectiveness and variations in the microgeographical distribution of outdoor biting.
Know Your Heart: Rationale, design and conduct of a cross-sectional study of cardiovascular structure, function and risk factors in 4500 men and women aged 35-69 years from two Russian cities, 2015-18
Authors: Cook Sarah , Malyutina Sofia , Kudryavtsev Alexander V , Averina Maria , Bobrova Natalia , Boytsov Sergey , Brage Soren , Clark Taane G. , Diez Benavente Ernest , Eggen Anne Elise , Hopstock Laila A , Hughes Alun , Johansen Heidi , Kholmatova Kamila , Kichigina Anastasiya , Kontsevaya Anna , Kornev Michael , Leong Darryl , Magnus Per , Mathiesen Ellisiv , McKee Martin , Morgan Katy , Nilssen Odd , Plakhov Ilya , Quint Jennifer K , Rapala Alicja , Ryabikov Andrey , Saburova Lyudmila , Schirmer Henrik , Shapkina Marina , Shiekh Suhail , Shkolnikov Vladimir M , Stylidis Michael , Voevoda Michael , Westgate Kate , Leon David A
Published: December 2018

Russia has one of the highest rates of cardiovascular disease in the world. The International Project on Cardiovascular Disease in Russia (IPCDR) was set up to understand the reasons for this. A substantial component of this study was the Know Your Heart Study devoted to characterising the nature and causes of cardiovascular disease in Russia by conducting large cross-sectional surveys in two Russian cities Novosibirsk and Arkhangelsk. The study population was 4542 men and women aged 35-69 years recruited from the general population. Fieldwork took place between 2015-18. There were two study components: 1) a baseline interview to collect information on socio-demographic characteristics and cardiovascular risk factors, usually conducted at home, and 2) a comprehensive health check at a primary care clinic which included detailed examination of the cardiovascular system. In this paper we describe in detail the rationale for, design and conduct of these studies.
Charity neutering overseas
Authors: Gorman Carl
Published: December 2018

Volunteering with overseas charities to neuter cats and/or dogs is hard work, but can be highly rewarding.
Flexible working: A case study
Authors: Rowley Imogen
Published: December 2018

Flexible working isn't possible in schools – or is it? Imogen Rowley looks at one school that's made flexible working a success, and offers advice for how you can too
Working with teaching assistants
Authors: Bromley Matt
Published: December 2018

What is the secret to fostering a successful working relationship with the teaching assistants who you will undoubtedly be working with in your classroom? Matt Bromley offers his 4Cs
What is a balanced knee replacement?
Authors: Walker Lucy C. , Clement Nick D. , Ghosh Kanishka M. , Deehan David J.
Published: December 2018

For multifactorial reasons an estimated 20% of patients remain unsatisfied after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Appropriate tension of the soft tissue envelope encompassing the knee is important in total knee arthroplasty and soft tissue imbalance contributes to several of the foremost reasons for revision TKA, including instability, stiffness and aseptic loosening. There is debate in the literature surrounding the optimum way to achieve balancing of a total knee arthroplasty and there is also a lack of an accepted definition of what a balanced knee replacement is. It may be intuitive to use the native knee as a model for balancing; however, there are many difficulties with translating this into a successful prosthesis. One of the foundations of TKA, as described by Insall, was that although the native knee has more weight transmitted through the medial compartment this was to be avoided in a TKA as it would lead to uneven wear and early failure. There is a focus on achieving symmetrical tension and pressure and subsequent ‘balance’ in TKA, but the evidence from cadaveric studies is that the native knee is not symmetrically balanced. As we are currently trying to design an implant that is not based on its anatomical counterpart, is it possible to create a truly balanced prosthesis or to even to define what that balance is? The authors have reviewed the current evidence surrounding TKA balancing and its relationship with the native knee.

Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2018;3:614-619. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.3.180008.
The Enigma of China's Growth
Authors: Long Zhiming , Herrera Rémy
Published: December 2018

China's economic development and success has been widely misunderstood and treated with perplexity. This overview of the Chinese economy provides an analysis of the drivers of the country's growth and crises, including industrialization and the agrarian question.
Lean Office and digital transformation: a case study in a services company
Authors: Besser Freitag Alberto Eduardo , Santos Juliana Das Chagas , Reis Augusto Da Cunha
Published: December 2018

- Highlights: a high percentage of the Western world workforce works in offices; Value Stream Map, a lean tool, allows waste identification in services companies; Lean Management helps companies to prepare for digital transformation; there is scarce scientific literature ondigital transformation and Lean Office.

-Goal: thepurpose of this article is to report the implementation of Lean Office and digital transformation in a services company.

- Design / Methodology / Approach: the research method was a qualitative approach, with literature review followed by a case study, and data collected until September 19, 2018.

- Results: the comparative results between current and future Value Stream Maps showed consistent improvements in terms of performance indicators. The lead time is expected to fall from 101 hours to 64,65 hours under normal conditions, and from 221 hours to 114,65 hours if there is a need to bypass through process # 6.

- Limitations of the investigation: there are limitations in this study.Basically, the time frame until the digitalization of the processes # 1, 2, 3 and 6 have been completed, in order to allow the comparison with the original expectations described in the VSM of the future state.

- Practical implications: it was possible to demonstrate how the implementation of Lean principles, techniques, and tools can bring benefits to an IoT solutions provider.

- Originality / Value: no records were found on Scopus and Web of Science databases for the search sentence "digital transformation" AND "lean Office", representing a gap to be filled with this study.
How connectivity and search for producers impact production in Industry 4.0 networks
Authors: Pereira Adriano , Simonetto Eugênio De Oliveira , Putnik Goran , Castro Helio Cristiano Gomes Alves de
Published: December 2018

Technological evolutions lead to changes in production processes; the Fourth Industrial Revolution has been called Industry 4.0, as it integrates Cyber-Physical Systems and the Internet of Things into supply chains. Large complex networks are the core structure of Industry 4.0: any node in a network can demand a task, which can be answered by one node or a set of them, collaboratively, when they are connected. In this paper, the aim is to verify how (i) network's connectivity (average degree) and (ii) the number of levels covered in nodes search impacts the total of production tasks completely performed in the network. To achieve the goal of this paper, two hypotheses were formulated and tested in a computer simulation environment developed based on a modeling and simulation study. Results showed that the higher the network's average degree is (their nodes are more connected), the greater are the number of tasks performed; in addition, generally, the greater are the levels defined in the search for nodes, the more tasks are completely executed. This paper's main limitations are related to the simulation process, which led to a simplification of production process. The results found can be applied in several Industry 4.0 networks, such as additive manufacturing and collaborative networks, and this paper is original due to the use of simulation to test this kind of hypotheses in an Industry 4.0 production network.
Strategy for the development of agricultural machinery: importance of patent analysis
Authors: Silveira Franco da , Machado Filipe Molinar , Romano Leonardo Nabaes , Amaral Fernando Gonçalves , Ruppenthal Janis Elisa
Published: December 2018

During the product development, patents help identify new project opportunities and, if well analyzed, can reveal technical strategies in terms of how countries, companies, and universities link patents and product development. In the context of the agricultural machinery sector there is a complexity in the integration of data from patents with the stages of development conceptions. In this context, the article aims to present how the information obtained from a patent bank can be used for the development of agricultural machinery. As a methodology, the Systematic Bibliographic Review was selected to identify and relate strategies that add value throughout the agricultural machinery project. As a result, research has shown that the use of patent information can assist in the development of agricultural machinery from technical data. In addition, patents are characterized as a valuable source of technological information, as it is inexpensive and capable of feeding a company in its own research activity and in the development of new products. It is concluded that the information from patents, suggested as strategies in the model of agricultural machinery development, allows for managerial and technical decisions aimed at improving products. Finally, the research contributed to fill the information gap between patents and the development of agricultural machinery, a diffusion of data that, if well connected, can promote a competitive differential in companies.
Построение полнопараметрических аналитических решений в основной смешанной задаче эластостатики односвязного тела
Authors: Пеньков Виктор Борисович , Pen'kov Viktor Borisovich , Новикова Ольга Сергеевна , Novikova Olga Sergeevna , Левина Любовь Владимировна , Levina Lyubov
Published: December 2018

Использование аналитических решений для анализа состояния тел при исследовательских и инженерных расчетах обеспечивает вычислительное ресурсосбережение. Цель работы - обеспечение методологии построения полнопараметрических решений задач математической физики, в том числе основной смешанной задачи эластостатики. Средством является относительно новый энергетический метод граничных состояний, опирающийся на компьютерные алгебры, который исходит из понятия состояния среды, изоморфизма гильбертовых пространств внутренних и граничных состояний тела и является самодостаточным в том смысле, что принципиально не требует сопоставления решения тестовых задач с таковыми, построенными иными методами. Для включения в решение в явном виде констант среды в работе рекомендуется экономящий вычислительные ресурсы метод граничных состояний с возмущениями, в котором прямой метод «обвязывается» подходом А. Пуанкаре. Для явного включения в решение параметров граничных условий предложена технология эталонных решений. Ее эффективность продемонстрирована на конкретном примере основной смешанной задачи эластостатики.
В качестве объекта исследования назначено односвязное ограниченное тело, граница которого разбита на три участка.
На каждом участке удерживается индивидуальный способ параметризации точек границы: полярная, цилиндрическая, сферическая системы координат. Расчеты выполняются с применением компьютерной алгебры вычислительной системы {\tt Mathematica}. Продемонстрирована эффективность разработанной методологии для достижения поставленной цели.
Описана последовательность шагов метода, ведущая к гарантированному достижению цели.
Выполнено решение конкретной задачи. Результаты представлены в явной аналитической форме, содержащей все параметры краевой задачи теории упругости, и проиллюстрированы графически после расчета по аналитическому решению при конкретном наборе значений параметров.
О трактовке модуля упругости горных пород
Authors: Комарцов Никита Михайлович , Komartsov Nikita Mikhailovich , Кулагина Маргарита Алексеевна , Kulagina Margarita Alekseevna , Рычков Борис Александрович , Rychkov Boris Aleksandrovich
Published: December 2018

Рассмотрены экспериментальные данные для горных пород, представленные в монографии K. Mogi “Experimental rock mechanics”, изданной в 2007 году.
Цилиндрические образцы пород были испытаны по схеме Т. Кармана: вначале создавалось гидростатическое давление до разного уровня напряжений, после чего увеличивалась осевая нагрузка при постоянном достигнутом боковом давлении.
При таком сложном нагружении измерялось (на втором этапе нагружения) только приращение осевой деформации в зависимости от приращения осевого напряжения. Эта зависимость (в оригинале) представлена в виде графиков в реальном масштабе, что дало возможность (в настоящей работе) перевести данные графики в цифровой формат в виде табличных значений.
Рассмотрены две горные породы: диорит (Orikabe Diorite) и перидотит (Nabe-ishi Peridotite).
По полученным таблицам проанализировано напряженно-деформированное состояние указанных пород на втором этапе сложного нагружения для шести осуществленных в опыте программ испытания. На каждой (из шести) реализованных траекторий нагружения выделена такая точка, которая соответствует осевому напряжению при одном и том же виде напряженного состояния. Последний, как это принято в геомеханике, характеризуется отношением среднего главного напряжения к максимальному главному напряжению. Таким образом выделяется (расчетная) траектория пропорционального нагружения для всех уровней напряжений в пределах упругости. Продемонстрировано, что для таких расчетных траекторий нагружения экспериментальное значение приращения осевой деформации (в пределах упругости) является линейной функцией от приращения осевого напряжения. Этим доказывается применимость обобщенного закона Гука.
В итоге определены модуль Юнга и коэффициент Пуассона и показано, что они (применительно и к горным породам) действительно являются упругими константами, а не переменными величинами, как это иногда трактуется.
Численное и экспериментальное исследование чистого изгиба балок из титанового сплава АБВТ-20
в условиях ползучести с учетом различных свойств на растяжение и сжатие
Authors: Иявойнен Светлана Владимировна , Iyavoynen Svetlana Vladimirovna , Ларичкин Алексей Юрьевич , Larichkin Aleksey Urievich , Колодезев Вадим Евгеньевич , Kolodezev Vadim Evgenievich
Published: December 2018

Рассматривается решение задачи чистого изгиба балки прямоугольного сечения в режиме ползучести с учетом различных свойств ползучести на растяжение и сжатие. Построен алгоритм и разработано программное обеспечение для математического моделирования процесса перераспределения напряжений по высоте балки с учетом накопления повреждений. Моделирование процессов ползучести разупрочняющегося материала происходит на основе уравнений кинетической теории ползучести и повреждаемости. Численное решение задачи проводится на основе метода Рунге - Кутты - Мерсона. Проведено сравнение результатов моделирования с экспериментальными данными чистого изгиба балок прямоугольного сечения из титанового сплава АБВТ-20 при действии знакопеременного изгибающего момента в условиях продолжительного воздействия температуры ($750^\circ$C), которое показало удовлетворительное соответствие результатов расчета экспериментальным данным.
Моделирование фазовых превращений и сверхупругого упрочнения нестабильных материалов
Authors: Ильина Елена Алексеевна , Ilyina Elena Aleksandrovna , Сараев Леонид Александрович , Saraev Leonid Alexandrovich
Published: December 2018

Представлены модели сверхупругого упрочнения материалов с нестабильной фазовой структурой при постоянной температуре. Сформулировано кинетическое уравнение процесса образования и роста сферических зародышей новой фазы в зависимости от уровня развития неупругих структурных деформаций, согласно которому новая фаза сначала представляет собой отдельные включения из зародышей, развиваясь, она образует структуры матричной смеси в виде взаимопроникающих каркасов, и, наконец, новая фаза превращается в матрицу с отдельными включениями из материала остатков старой фазы. Исследовано влияние структурных деформаций на особенности фазовых превращений и нелинейного упрочнения неоднородных нестабильных материалов с различной степенью связности составляющих фаз.
Рассмотрены различные варианты образуемой в условиях фазового перехода микроструктуры материала в виде отдельных включений и в виде взаимопроникающих компонентов. Установлены новые макроскопические определяющие соотношения для нестабильных микронеоднородных материалов и вычислены их эффективные модули упругости.
Получены макроскопические условия прямого и обратного фазовых переходов, вычислены их эффективные пределы и коэффициенты упрочнения.
Показано, что значения макроскопических модулей упругости полученных моделей лежат внутри вилки нижней и верхней границы Хашина--Штрикмана. Численный анализ разработанных моделей показал хорошее соответствие известным экспериментальным данным.
Stochastic models of simple controlled systems just-in-time
Authors: Butov Aleksander Aleksandrovich , Kovalenko Anatoly A.
Published: December 2018

Мы предлагаем новый и простой подход для математического описания стохастической системы, которая реализует известный принцип точно-в-срок. Этот принцип (сокращенно JIT) также известен как точно-в-срок мануфактура или Производственная система Toyota. Модели простых JIT-систем изучаются в этой статье в терминах точечных процессов в обратном времени. Такой подход позволяет допустить некоторые предположения о процессах, наблюдаемых в реальных системах. Так, в настоящей работе мы формулируем и решаем некоторые очень простые задачи оптимального управления для многостадийной системы точно-в-срок и задачи для системы с ограниченной интенсивностью обслуживания. Результаты получены для целевых функций, представляющих собой математические ожидания линейных или квадратичных форм отклонений значений траекторий от запланированных величин. Доказательства утверждений основаны на использовании мартингальных методов. Часто системы точно-в-срок рассматриваются в логистических задачах, и для их описания при этом используются только (или преимущественно) детерминистические методы. Однако очевидно, что случайные события в таких системах и соответствующих процессах наблюдаются довольно часто. И именно в таких стохастических случаях очень важно найти методы для оптимального управления процессами точно-в-срок. Для такого описания мы предлагаем в этой статье использовать мартингальные методы. Здесь показаны простые подходы к оптимальному управлению стохастическими JIT-процессами. В качестве примеров мы рассматриваем чрезвычайно простую модель перепланирования и метод управления интенсивностью производственного процесса, когда вероятность реализации плана необязательно равна единице (с соответствующим квадратичным функционалом потерь).
Исследование прогиба композита «УНТ-графен» с использованием молекулярно-динамического моделирования
Authors: Колесникова Анна Сергеевна , Kolesnikova Anna Sergeevna , Кириллова Ирина Васильевна , Kirillova Irina Vasil'evna , Барегамян Гайк Артурович , Bareghamyan Gaik Arturovich , Коссович Леонид Юрьевич , Kossovich Leonid Yur'evich
Published: December 2018

В последнее время графен и наноматериалы на его основе используются в области биомедицины в качестве материала для биосенсорики. Основными компонентами в биосенсорах являются датчики, которые должны быть гибкими, масштабируемыми, чувствительными и надежными. Деформация материала изменяет его электрическое сопротивление, поэтому исследование механических свойств композитов, состоящих из нанотрубок и графена, является важной задачей.
В настоящее время осуществляется активная разработка методик синтеза композитов, состоящих из графена и параллельно ему ориентированных нанотрубок. В связи с этим в данной работе проведено теоретическое исследование зависимости изгибающей силы от поперечного смещения атомов в центре композитного материала, состоящего из графена и параллельно ему ориентированных $(8,0)$ zigzag-нанотрубок. Выбор нанотрубки с хиральностью $(8,0)$ для исследования в данной работе обусловлен минимальным диаметром нанотрубок, входящих в состав композита данного типа.
Устойчивость композита оценивалась путем расчета по величине энтальпии и связывалась с отрицательными ее значениями. Установлено, что энтальпия не изменяется в зависимости от расстояния между осями, вдоль которых ориентированы нанотрубки, входящие в состав композитов.
Композитный материал удерживается с двух краев опорами при отсутствии подложки. Поиск равновесного состояния структуры определялся методом молекулярной механики с использованием энергетического потенциала Бреннера в рамках метода молекулярной динамики.
Математическое моделирование действия иглы атомно-силового микроскопа осуществлялось при помощи однослойной углеродной нанотрубки типа armchair. Взаимодействие между armchair-нанотрубкой и композитом осуществляется за счет сил Ван - дер - Ваальса.
Нанотрубки типа armchair удобны для их использования в качестве иглы атомно-силового микроскопа, потому что их край не имеет острых углов (в отличие от трубок типа zigzag), т. е. при контакте будут наноситься минимальные повреждения системе.
Приводятся результаты расчетов для зависимости энтальпии от диаметра нанотрубок, стрелы прогиба в центре пластины из композитного материала «УНТ-графен» от приложенной силы при изгибе. Показано, что исследуемые в данной работе нанокомпозиции энергетически устойчивы.
Памяти Олега Александровича Репина
Authors: Радченко Владимир Павлович , Radchenko Vladimir Pavlovich , Саушкин Михаил Николаевич , Saushkin Mikhail Nikolaevich
Published: December 2018

4 августа 2018 г. на 71 году жизни после тяжелой болезни скончался наш коллега, член редколлегии нашего журнала доктор физико-математических наук, профессор Олег Александрович Репин.
Олег Александрович был крупным ученым в области теории дифференциальных уравнений с частными производными.
Он вел активную научную деятельность, поддерживал интенсивные научные контакты с ведущими научными центрами России
и был хорошо известен за рубежом.
В настоящей биографической заметке описывается его научно-педагогическая деятельность, приводятся сведения о его достижениях и наградах, а также список основных публикаций за последние пять лет.
Reconsidering dragon carpet origins
Authors: Pollio Gerald
Published: December 2018

Armenians have increasingly been eliminated from the weaving history of the Caucasus. Given that Armenians have lived there for millennia and are its only inhabitants attested in both ancient and medieval sources as having been weavers and dyers, it is surely curious they would have abandoned a craft for which they were renowned. Many regional rugs were originally attributed to Armenian weavers, but from the second quarter of the 20th century onwards were reclassified as being either of Turkish (Azeri) or Persian origin. This article reconsiders the available evidence and the way it has been interpreted to arrive at a balanced assessment of Armenians’ contribution to the production of Dragon carpets, the region’s earliest surviving design. Its findings challenge many of the assumptions upon which these conclusions were based, and thus revives the possibility the attributions of earlier authors were more accurate than those of their successors.
Praktik Jual Beli Naskah Kuno di Masyarakat
Authors: Ahmad Nur Fauzan
Published: December 2018

This paper will discuss the practice of trade in ancient manuscripts. This paper aims to uncover how the practice of ancient manuscript trade in society and try to provide solutions. The research was conducted by interviewing the script seller and collector and the owner of the manuscript plus a literature review related to the problem. The results of the study show that many texts are stored in communities that have not been touched by philologists. Most people do not know the importance of the text while there are many requests for ancient texts. This situation was used by collectors who came from script traders and collectors to practice buying and selling texts.
An empirical wavelet transform based approach for multivariate data processing application to cardiovascular physiological signals
Authors: Singh Omkar , Sunkaria Ramesh Kumar
Published: December 2018

Background

This article proposes an extension of empirical wavelet transform (EWT) algorithm for multivariate signals specifically applied to cardiovascular physiological signals.

Materials and methods

EWT is a newly proposed algorithm for extracting the modes in a signal and is based on the design of an adaptive wavelet filter bank. The proposed algorithm finds an optimum signal in the multivariate data set based on mode estimation strategy and then its corresponding spectra is segmented and utilized for extracting the modes across all the channels of the data set.

Results

The proposed algorithm is able to find the common oscillatory modes within the multivariate data and can be applied for multichannel heterogeneous data analysis having unequal number of samples in different channels. The proposed algorithm was tested on different synthetic multivariate data and a real physiological trivariate data series of electrocardiogram, respiration, and blood pressure to justify its validation.

Conclusions

In this article, the EWT is extended for multivariate signals and it was demonstrated that the component-wise processing of multivariate data leads to the alignment of common oscillating modes across the components.
Ovarian Cycle Stages Modulate Alzheimer-Related Cognitive and Brain Network Alterations in Female Mice
Authors: Broestl Lauren , Worden Kurtresha , Moreno Arturo J. , Davis Emily J. , Wang Dan , Garay Bayardo , Singh Tanya , Verret Laure , Palop Jorge J. , Dubal Dena B.
Published: December 2018

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) begins several decades before the onset of clinical symptoms, at a time when women may still undergo reproductive cycling. Whether ovarian functions alter substrates of AD pathogenesis is unknown. Here we show that ovarian cycle stages significantly modulate AD-related alterations in neural network patterns, cognitive impairments, and pathogenic protein production in the hAPP-J20 mouse model of AD. Female hAPP mice spent more time in estrogen-dominant cycle stages and these ovarian stages worsened AD-related network dysfunction and cognitive impairments. In contrast, progesterone-dominant stages and gonadectomy attenuated these AD-related deficits. Further studies revealed a direct role for estradiol in stimulating neural network excitability and susceptibility to seizures in hAPP mice and increasing amyloid beta levels. Understanding dynamic effects of the ovarian cycle on the female nervous system in disease, including AD, is of critical importance and may differ from effects on a healthy brain. The pattern of ovarian cycle effects on disease-related networks, cognition, and pathogenic protein expression may be relevant to young women at risk for AD.