bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Ultrametric Constraint and its Application to Phylogenetics
Authors: Moore N. C. A. , Prosser P.
Published: July 2018

A phylogenetic tree shows the evolutionary relationships among species. Internal nodes of the tree represent speciation events and leaf nodes correspond to species. A goal of phylogenetics is to combine such trees into larger trees, called supertrees, whilst respecting the relationships in the original trees. A rooted tree exhibits an ultrametric property; that is, for any three leaves of the tree it must be that one pair has a deeper most recent common ancestor than the other pairs, or that all three have the same most recent common ancestor. This inspires a constraint programming encoding for rooted trees. We present an efficient constraint that enforces the ultrametric property over a symmetric array of constrained integer variables, with the inevitable property that the lower bounds of any three variables are mutually supportive. We show that this allows an efficient constraint-based solution to the supertree construction problem. We demonstrate that the versatility of constraint programming can be exploited to allow solutions to variants of the supertree construction problem.
Interactive Policy Learning through Confidence-Based Autonomy
Authors: Chernova S. , Veloso M.
Published: July 2018

We present Confidence-Based Autonomy (CBA), an interactive algorithm for policy learning from demonstration. The CBA algorithm consists of two components which take advantage of the complimentary abilities of humans and computer agents. The first component, Confident Execution, enables the agent to identify states in which demonstration is required, to request a demonstration from the human teacher and to learn a policy based on the acquired data. The algorithm selects demonstrations based on a measure of action selection confidence, and our results show that using Confident Execution the agent requires fewer demonstrations to learn the policy than when demonstrations are selected by a human teacher. The second algorithmic component, Corrective Demonstration, enables the teacher to correct any mistakes made by the agent through additional demonstrations in order to improve the policy and future task performance. CBA and its individual components are compared and evaluated in a complex simulated driving domain. The complete CBA algorithm results in the best overall learning performance, successfully reproducing the behavior of the teacher while balancing the tradeoff between number of demonstrations and number of incorrect actions during learning.
Asynchronous Forward Bounding for Distributed COPs
Authors: Gershman A. , Meisels A. , Zivan R.
Published: July 2018

A new search algorithm for solving distributed constraint optimization problems (DisCOPs) is presented. Agents assign variables sequentially and compute bounds on partial assignments asynchronously. The asynchronous bounds computation is based on the propagation of partial assignments. The asynchronous forward-bounding algorithm (AFB) is a distributed optimization search algorithm that keeps one consistent partial assignment at all times. The algorithm is described in detail and its correctness proven. Experimental evaluation shows that AFB outperforms synchronous branch and bound by many orders of magnitude, and produces a phase transition as the tightness of the problem increases. This is an analogous effect to the phase transition that has been observed when local consistency maintenance is applied to MaxCSPs. The AFB algorithm is further enhanced by the addition of a backjumping mechanism, resulting in the AFB-BJ algorithm. Distributed backjumping is based on accumulated information on bounds of all values and on processing concurrently a queue of candidate goals for the next move back. The AFB-BJ algorithm is compared experimentally to other DisCOP algorithms (ADOPT, DPOP, OptAPO) and is shown to be a very efficient algorithm for DisCOPs.
Computational Logic Foundations of KGP Agents
Authors: Kakas A. , Mancarella P. , Sadri F. , Stathis K. , Toni F.
Published: July 2018

This paper presents the computational logic foundations of a model of agency called the KGP (Knowledge, Goals and Plan model. This model allows the specification of heterogeneous agents that can interact with each other, and can exhibit both proactive and reactive behaviour allowing them to function in dynamic environments by adjusting their goals and plans when changes happen in such environments. KGP provides a highly modular agent architecture that integrates a collection of reasoning and physical capabilities, synthesised within transitions that update the agent's state in response to reasoning, sensing and acting. Transitions are orchestrated by cycle theories that specify the order in which transitions are executed while taking into account the dynamic context and agent preferences, as well as selection operators for providing inputs to transitions.
The Computational Complexity of Dominance and Consistency in CP-Nets
Authors: Goldsmith J. , Lang J. , Truszczynski M. , Wilson N.
Published: July 2018

We investigate the computational complexity of testing dominance and consistency in CP-nets. Previously, the complexity of dominance has been determined for restricted classes in which the dependency graph of the CP-net is acyclic. However, there are preferences of interest that define cyclic dependency graphs; these are modeled with general CP-nets. In our main results, we show here that both dominance and consistency for general CP-nets are PSPACE-complete. We then consider the concept of strong dominance, dominance equivalence and dominance incomparability, and several notions of optimality, and identify the complexity of the corresponding decision problems. The reductions used in the proofs are from STRIPS planning, and thus reinforce the earlier established connections between both areas.
Generic Preferences over Subsets of Structured Objects
Authors: Binshtok M. , Brafman R. I. , Domshlak C. , Shiomony S. E.
Published: July 2018

Various tasks in decision making and decision support systems require selecting a preferred subset of a given set of items. Here we focus on problems where the individual items are described using a set of characterizing attributes, and a generic preference specification is required, that is, a specification that can work with an arbitrary set of items. For example, preferences over the content of an online newspaper should have this form: At each viewing, the newspaper contains a subset of the set of articles currently available. Our preference specification over this subset should be provided offline, but we should be able to use it to select a subset of any currently available set of articles, e.g., based on their tags. We present a general approach for lifting formalisms for specifying preferences over objects with multiple attributes into ones that specify preferences over subsets of such objects. We also show how we can compute an optimal subset given such a specification in a relatively efficient manner. We provide an empirical evaluation of the approach as well as some worst-case complexity results.
Planning over Chain Causal Graphs for Variables with Domains of Size 5 Is NP-Hard
Authors: Giménez O. , Jonsson A.
Published: July 2018

Recently, considerable focus has been given to the problem of determining the boundary between tractable and intractable planning problems. In this paper, we study the complexity of planning in the class C_n of planning problems, characterized by unary operators and directed path causal graphs. Although this is one of the simplest forms of causal graphs a planning problem can have, we show that planning is intractable for C_n (unless P = NP), even if the domains of state variables have bounded size. In particular, we show that plan existence for C_n^k is NP-hard for k>=5 by reduction from CNFSAT. Here, k denotes the upper bound on the size of the state variable domains. Our result reduces the complexity gap for the class C_n^k to cases k=3 and k=4 only, since C_n^2 is known to be tractable.
Experiment on the freezing temperature of silty clay modified by fly ash and crumb rubber
Authors: Wei Haibin , Zhang Yangpeng , Hu Maoxu , Cui Jiuhui , He Qiuqi
Published: July 2018

Silty clay modified by fly ash and crumb rubber has been proven to have potential as a subgrade filling in frozen areas due to its steady strength after freeze–thaw cycles and outstanding thermal insulation. To understand the freezing characteristics of this novel modified soil, its freezing temperature was measured as an evaluation index. An improved method using a Beckman thermometer was adopted to obtain the freezing temperatures from freezing curves. The freezing curves of silty clay, fly ash soil (silty clay modified by fly ash) and the modified soil (silty clay modified by fly ash and crumb rubber) with different water contents were determined. The influence of fly ash and crumb rubber on the freezing temperature of silty clay was investigated. The results indicated that the characteristics of the freezing curves of the test soils differed slightly, particularly in terms of the freezing temperatures and freezing rates. Fly ash can be applied to decrease the freezing temperature of silty clay, whereas crumb rubber increases the freezing temperature slightly. Three empirical equations without considering the effect of fly ash and crumb rubber were developed to calculate the freezing temperatures of the test soils.
Limit void ratios and steady-state line of non-plastic soils
Authors: Torres-Cruz Luis Alberto
Published: July 2018

The significant amount of laboratory testing required to determine the steady-state line (SSL) of soils has led to an interest in understanding how the SSL correlates with simpler soil index properties. Correlations proposed so far for non-plastic soils are only applicable to sands with fines content (FC) up to about 35%, but many geotechnical applications involve higher FC values. This work explores FC-independent correlations between the SSL and the limit void ratios by adopting the familiar straight line idealisation of the SSL projection on e–log(p′) space. Two parameters, Γn and λ, are used to represent the vertical location and the slope of the SSL, respectively. Using a database of 149 non-plastic soils, it is shown that there is a functional correlation between Γn and the minimum void ratio (emin) that is independent of particle size distribution, including FC, and particle angularity. A weak λ–emin correlation is also observed which can provide some guidance with respect to compressibility. Although the accuracy of the correlations is insufficient to make reliable quantitative SSL estimations, they are useful in guiding the selection process of samples whose SSLs have to be formally determined in order to characterise the SSL variability of non-plastic soil deposits.
The 2005 Kashmir Earthquake – devastation of infrastructures
Authors: Kazmi Zaheer Abbas , Sodangi Mahmoud
Published: July 2018

The 2005 Kashmir earthquake (Mw 7·6) affected predominantly non-engineered dwellings that were poorly designed and constructed, and located in rugged, mountainous terrain. In response to this, many technical guidelines for seismically safe reconstruction of the affected residential buildings were proposed. However, these guidelines seem to have been prepared without adequately investigating the root causes of this tragic devastation. Thus, for the reconstruction exercise to be safe and sustainable, it became pertinent to consider all the contributing factors and incorporate them in the guidelines. This paper therefore presents a severity analysis of the factors that contributed to mass-scale devastation of social infrastructures during the earthquake. The findings reveal that ground/location-related factors (such as inappropriate selection of construction site, strong ground motion, co- and post-earthquake mass movements) have the highest level of contribution to the mass-scale devastation of non-engineered structures. The paper provides an original contribution to knowledge through a methodical investigation of the root causes of the mass-scale devastation of non-engineered structures during the 2005 Kashmir earthquake. The findings of this study could be extended to future earthquakes in the same region, owing to similarities in topographical conditions as well as the design and construction practices.
Key factors of development of the industrial enterprises in the conditions of the industry 4.0
Authors: Tolstykh T. O. , Gamidullayeva L. A. , Shkarupeta E. V.
Published: July 2018

he digital economy actively develops in Russia: according to the report of World Economic Forum, on indicators of availability, use and influence of appropriate technologies on economy and the public relations our country treats 30% of the most advanced countries. The programs of digital economy adopted in the different countries put one of key indicators digitalization of traditional branches. If to speak about manufacturing sectors, then their digitalization is defined substantially by the industrial Internet and depth of his use. Many players – both the industrial companies, and telecommunication are interested in development and introduction of these technologies, and suppliers of the equipment, are created special associations and associations. The purpose of this article is the description of models and algorithms of processes of digitalization of key information (intra-corporate and external) activity of the industrial enterprise; development of methods, technologies and analysis algorithms of «big data» on the basis of technology of the industry 4.0 for management of the industrial enterprises for development of their business. As the frontier of organizational development of processes of digital transformation the organization of the laboratory allowing to carry out the analysis, assessment and engineering of the existing processes at the industrial enterprises from positions of digitalization, productivity, design orientation and efficiency is considered. The analysis of international and Russian experience of creation of similar laboratories within a national innovative digital ecosystem is carried out. The digital laboratory helps to accelerate process of creation of new innovative products and services for growth of business and the successful competition on Russian and the world markets: possibly not only to present, but also to simulate the future of business in 10–20 years: to create prototypes of digital products, to test them, to check as they will work in the future and if necessary to finish.
Tools for planning research and development projects
Authors: Mityakova O. I. , Chernenko A. V.
Published: July 2018

. Realization of R&D projects is one of the factors of the enterprise’s competitiveness. Under the policy of import substitution in the domestic market, enterprises should pay great attention to planning R&D projects, assessing possible risks and minimizing development costs. A detailed development plan for R&D allows you to achieve the main criteria for the effectiveness of the R&D project: cost, timing, quality. To increase the efficiency of planning R&D projects, it was proposed to introduce new aspects of planning. The first aspect is the formation of the project portfolio, and not the consideration of each project separately, regardless of other projects. The second aspect is the development and implementation of its own automated project management system for research and development projects for the implementation of projects within the established budget and timeframe, prompt receipt of reporting information on projects, transparency of each work performed and the workload of each department at the current time and in the future. The article considers the process of making a decision on the implementation of the project, proposed a project prioritization factor to avoid outages and overload of personnel, and consider the concept of «control points». Process of decision-making has a several stages. Stages include the assessing of project efficiency, determining the priority according to target of project realization, analysis of the current load on projects, determining the level of necessary resource, also assessing the usage of resources including new projects. For project planning to considered several scenarios also, to analyses and define the shortcomings of the planning systems. Should to make some additional aspects for each project in apart, also as a whole for project portfolio.
On the level of the tax burden in the Russian economy and the possibilities to reduce it without reducing tax revenues
Authors: Sokolov M. M.
Published: July 2018

In article on the basis of specific calculations the author shows the level of tax burden of the economy and some manufacturing industries in Russia in comparison with foreign countries. On average, this level is about 1.4–1.8 times higher in Russia compared to most developed countries. In order to reduce the tax burden on the business proposes to modernize tax policy in Russia on two fronts. The first direction involves redistribution of gravity of taxation from legal enties to physical with the introduction of their progressive income tax. The second direction to reduce the tax burden, the author relates an urgent need to modernize the depreciation policy in Russia, which should allow to accelerate the pace of economic growth. This direction in the process of reproduction, the author considers as a manifestation of the «new economy», the characteristic feature of which is the active use of «soft power» aimed at forcing the business to better use its profits on investment.
Practical method of risk assessment in the energy sector under uncertainty
Authors: Malkova T. B. , Malkov A. V.
Published: July 2018

The study presents a methodology for assessing financial risks using projects AMI implementation and ASCOTE in the face of uncertainty. An example of an evaluation of a real project for the implementation of ASUE and ASCUTE systems is presented. The main problems of implementation of this project are considered. In modern conditions of business operation, the decisionmaking process is based only on the experience and intuition of experts is currently not effective. We must use modern information technologies, which have already received the generic name «decision support systems for management decisions». Taking into account the weak formalization of such tasks, it is necessary to apply methods of system analysis with the involvement of expert assessment technology, both at the initial and final stages of obtaining and choosing the most rational alternatives to management decisions. The tasks of improving the accuracy and efficiency of measurement of electrical and thermal energy, power in electrical networks, the amount of thermal energy in thermal networks are due to the following main reasons: firstly, a significant increase in the cost of electrical and thermal energy, secondly, the reforms carried out in the energy sector of the Russian Federation, thirdly, the fair billing. The research is devoted to the analysis and assessment of the priority of ASUE and ASCUTE functions. The Association of risk subsystems and functions in a single multi-level system. Based on the analysis of binary relations, an integrated model of the risk-function system in the form of a hierarchical tree structure is obtained. Applied the method of paired comparisons in the assessment of risk hierarchies that affect the effectiveness of the projects. The paper presents approaches to solving problems related to organizational and technical reengineering of production, which is due to the weak structuring of these problems, from the formation of goals to the adoption of technical and managerial decisions.
Formation of a favorable innovation environment for the development of entrepreneurial-type universities
Authors: Alpeeva E. A. , Zheltovskih E. V.
Published: July 2018

In this article, problems of forming an innovation environment for the development of universities and forecasting the needs of the labor market with the use of the logistics system of an educational institution are considered. It is shown that the question of studying the innovative approach of the logistics system in the field of education during the digitalization period is very relevant. The reason for numerous studies in the field of logistics systems has become the fact that the development of an innovative educational sphere is impossible without the availability of effective logistical interaction. Therefore, on the one hand, the education area has all the characteristics and elements characteristic of the traditional logistical system. On the other hand, in the context of the properties of the logistic system of education, one can distinguish its distinctive innovative features, which are manifested in the presence of flows whose effectiveness should be directed at meeting the needs of the labor market and consumers. The article reveals that one of the tasks of the logistics system in the field of education can be the innovative implementation of forecasts of future labor market needs, within the framework of close interaction with the state and employers. Thus, the main task of the logistics system of an educational institution is to determine the forecast of the labor market needs for subsequent technological structures. Another important task is the ability to give a «post-guarantee service» to graduates, i.e. Forming services to improve the qualifications of graduates in the maturity phase of the next technological order. It is shown that the dynamics of demand for specialists in the relevant sectors varies in proportion to the growth phase of each technological order. Therefore, there is a need for an innovative and timely approach to forecasting in the educational sphere as part of the implementation of the competence aspect in education. Therefore, it is necessary to train future specialists with an orientation to innovation and demand in the current technological order, as well as with demand orientation in specialists in the future technological order.
Cuca, the “Bogeywoman” of Brasil
Authors: Mortoza Marina Pelluci Duarte
Published: July 2018

A figura do “bicho-papão” atemoriza as crianças e serve como recurso educativo desde a Antiguidade na história da Humanidade. Mitologias criadas em torno de uma criatura que vaga pela noite à procura de crianças desobedientes estão espalhadas globo afora. Este estudo vai investigar a figura do papão brasileiro. Portanto, a Cuca foi escolhida como eixo central, pois é a “papona” brasileira mais popular. Ela foi elevada ao status de estrela literária pelo romance infantil O saci, de Monteiro Lobato, e de estrela de televisão pela série chamada O sítio do pica-pau amarelo, baseada na obra do mesmo autor. O objetivo principal deste estudo é fazer um histórico evolutivo simplificado da figura da Cuca. Outros “papões”, gregos, ibéricos e brasileiros, serão mencionados de uma maneira geral, apenas para complementar a evolução históricofilológica da figura da Cuca no Brasil. Esse estudo é composto de uma análise históricado desenvolvimento dessa figura na Península Ibérica e em terras tupiniquins, pontuada de pequenas comparações entre a Cuca e a Lâmia somente a título de curiosidade investigativa. Contudo, a maior parte deste estudo é composta de uma análise filológica mais aprofundada das palavras coco, coca e cuca, exame que é fundamental para a compreensão da evolução histórica e social da Cuca no Brasil.Palavras-chave: Coco, Coca, Cuca,
Autobiografias literárias na poesia de exílio: a recepção de Ovídio em Camões
Authors: Avellar Júlia Batista Castilho de
Published: July 2018

Os Tristia (“Tristezas”), de Ovídio, são considerados a obra fundadora da lírica de exílio na tradição ocidental. Nessa coletânea de elegias, Ovídio realiza sua última metamorfose e assume uma persona de exilado, que lamenta os sofrimentos em Tomos, cidade às margens do Mar Negro, nos limites do Império Romano. Este artigo investiga a (auto)representação do poeta como exilado, a permanência dessa imagem na tradição literária e sua importância para a poesia de exílio posterior. Será analisada a recriação empreendida por Camões na Elegia III, destacando-se os pontos de diálogo com a obra ovidiana e as inovações instauradas pelo poeta português. Camões adota uma persona ovidiana ao cantar seus males de ausência e efetua uma releitura da poesia dos Tristia. Assim, a presente abordagem centra-se na recepção do “mito” da vida e do exílio de Ovídio na poesia camoniana e, sobretudo, nas construções que circundam a figura do poeta exilado.
CHEMOTHERAPY IN ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH STOMACH CANCER
Authors: Koroleva O. A. , Kogoniya L. M. , Byakhova M. M. , Titov A. G.
Published: July 2018

Stomach cancer (SC) (in the structure of morbidity) is one of the most frequent malignant diseases that occurs in the elderly. Systemic chemotherapy showed improved quality of life and survival rate compared with palliative therapy in patients with advanced SC. It has also been shown that elderly patients with SC are able to tolerate and receive effective systemic chemotherapy, as are the younger patients with the same stage of cancer. The only one age limit should not be the only criterion for excluding effective chemotherapy. However, proper patient selection is extremely important to ensure effective safe treatment. The article analyzes the optimal regimens of chemotherapy, taking into account the general condition and geriatric functional status of elderly patients with SC.
YABANCI ÜRÜN DÜŞMANLIĞI VE SATIN ALMA İSTEKSİZLİĞİ ÜZERİNDE ETKİLİ OLAN FAKTÖRLERİ BELİRLEMEYE YÖNELİK BİR ARAŞTIRMA
Authors: ERCİŞ Aysel , DEVECİ F. Görgün , KORKMAZ Gülşah
Published: July 2018

Günümüzde
globalleşmenin etkisiyle, dünya artık tek bir pazar haline gelmiştir. Bu yapı
sebebiyle tüketiciler birçok ülkenin ürün/markalarına aşinadırlar. Ancak
tüketicilerin yabancı ürünlere yönelik tutumları pozitif ya da negatif
olmaktadır. Tutumlarının sebebi, kişisel olabileceği gibi, ülkeler arasında
olumsuzluklardan da kaynaklanmaktadır. Dolayısıyla bireylerin ülkelere yönelik
tutumları, satın alım karar sürecinde etkin bir rol oynamaktadır.

Çalışmada
yabancı ürünlere yönelik düşmanlık kavramı ele alınmıştır. Bu amaçla
etnosentrizm, normatif etki ve ekonomik zorluk değişkenlerinin yabancı ürünlere
yönelik düşmanlık üzerindeki etkileri belirlenmeye çalışılmıştır. Bunun yanı
sıra yabancı ürünlere yönelik düşmanlığın ürün ilgilenimi, ürün ilgileniminin ise
satın alma isteksizliği üzerindeki etkisi incelenmiştir. Verilerin analizinde
faktör analizi ve regresyon analizi kullanılmıştır. Araştırma sonuçlarına göre,
yabancı ürünlere yönelik düşmanlık üzerinde etnosentrizm, normatif etki ve
ekonomik zorluk değişkenleri etkilidir. Ayrıca yabancı ürünlere yönelik
düşmanlık, ürün ilgilenimi üzerinde etkilidir. Son olarak ise yabancı ürünlere
yönelik düşmanlık ve ürün ilgileniminin satın alma isteksizliği üzerinde etkili
oldukları belirlenmiştir.
A prospective study of antimicrobial drug utilization in infective diseases in pediatrics at Navodaya Medical College Hospital of Raichur, Karnataka, India
Authors: Ahmed Md Mohsin , Mujeeb Momin Mohd Abdul
Published: July 2018

Background: There is increased concern regarding the inappropriate use of antimicrobials resulting in emergence of resistant strains, unnecessary adverse effects and poor therapeutic outcome. This present study has been taken up with a view to analyze the use of various antimicrobial agents alone and/or in combination to combat diseases of infective origin in a proposed manner.Methods: This was a prospective study carried out for a period of 1 year from January 2011 to December 2011. The prescriptions of all eligible patients were reviewed on daily basis and all the relevant data were retrieved to assess the utilization pattern of antimicrobials and also their safety and potential interactions.Results: A total of 500 patients were selected randomly who satisfied the inclusion criteria. Of the total selected patients with infectious diseases, 493 patients (98.6%) received one or more antimicrobials. Use of antimicrobials was high in the age group of ‘6 months to 3 years’, ‘rural patients’ constituted 62% and were mostly from ‘Lower Socio-economic status’ (46%). Respiratory diseases constituted 38% of the patients. Fever was the notable symptom in 68.4%. Cephalosporins (48.6%) were the most frequently prescribed class of antimicrobials. Combination of ‘Parenteral therapy followed by oral therapy’ was the preferred route in 92%, and a combination of two antimicrobials was seen in 34.4%. Majority of the patients (81%) were discharged on advice and most of the patients (37.6%) had duration of stay of 7-9 days. 25.8% reported ‘Adverse Drug Reactions’ including predictable and unpredictable reactions.Conclusions: Antimicrobial prescribing is common in pediatric infectious diseases. As inappropriate usage of systemic antimicrobials was observed, it is essential that appropriate guidelines on the use of systemic antimicrobials are implanted to ensure rational prescribing of antimicrobials.
Cost analysis and price variation of commonly used drugs in obstetrics and gynecology in Jhalawar district of Rajasthan, India
Authors: Jhanwar Anshul , Sharma Neelam
Published: July 2018

Background: Drugs used in obstetrics and gynecology are strong selling drugs in pharmaceutical market but they are the least studied drugs in terms of cost analysis and price variation.Methods: Cost of most commonly used Obstetrics and Gynecology drugs in Jhalwar district manufactured by different pharmaceutical companies, in the same strength and dosage forms was obtained from Drug Today (January-March 2018). The difference in the maximum and minimum price of the same drug manufactured by different pharmaceutical companies and percentage variation in cost per 10 tablets/10 capsule/1 injection/1 protein packet/1 sachet were analysed.Results: In Obstetrics drugs, the highest cost ratio (1:9.5) and percentage price variation (848) was found for Ferrous Salt + Folic acid combination followed by Cefixime (1:4.3, 330), Nifedipine (1:3.7, 270), Folic acid (1:3.67, 266), Paracetamol. Amoxicillin was having least cost ratio (1:1.4) and percentage price variation (37). Maximum number of brand available for Ferrous Salt + Folic acid combination (41) followed by Paracetamol, Calcium Salt + Vitamin D3 combination. In Gynecological drugs, the highest cost ratio (1:35) and percentage price variation (3433) was found for Ethinylestradiol + Levonorgetral combination followed by Doxycycline (1:8.9, 793), Fluconazole. Metronidazole was having least cost ratio (1:1.3) and percentage price variation (27). Maximum number of brand available for Omeperazole (27) followed by Ethamsylate (22).Conclusions: This study shows that the average percentage price variation of different brands of the same drugs were very wide. Improved adherence to the drug treatment can be ensured by decreasing the cost of therapy, which can be done by changes in the government policies and regulations, integrating pharmacoeconomics as part of medical education curriculum, and creating awareness among treating physicians for switching to cost effective therapy.
Corneal curvature in young high myopic undergraduates in southern Nigeria
Authors: Okukpon Juno Ohiremere , Ojo Oluwashola Michael
Published: July 2018

Background: Corneal curvature is important for contact lens fitting and management, ocular aberration analysis, corneal refractive surgery as well as diagnoses and management of corneal pathological conditions such as keratoconus and it is also an important biometric factor affecting refractive errors, myopia inclusive.Methods: This was an observational cross-sectional study conducted at the Optometry Teaching Clinic, Department of Optometry, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Two hundred and twenty myopic eyes of 113 (54 males, 59 females) undergraduates students, between 16 and 25 years with myopia of -5.00 to -20.50 participated in this study. Non-cycloplegic refraction was done by retinoscopic measurement and spherical equivalent refraction (SER) of the eyes was calculated. The corneal curvature was determined with a Bausch and Lomb one position Keratometer (Bausch and Lomb Corp., USA).Results: The mean age, spherical equivalent, corneal curvature and corneal power were 20.44±2.24 years, ̶7.12±3.14DS, 7.72±0.26mm and 43.77±1.48D respectively. Most of the students had a myopia of -5.75 to -10.50DS (46.8%) and a corneal curvature of 7.61-7.90mm (46.82%). There was a difference between the corneal curvature of males and females (P=0.0001). A relationship was also found with gender and corneal curvature (P=0.001).Conclusions: This study found that high myopic females had shorter corneal curvature, with greater corneal powers than their males counterparts (P<0.01). We also found that gender had a significant relationship with the corneal curvature unlike age and the spherical equivalent which showed no relationship (P>0.01).
Specklegramas de fibra óptica analizados mediante procesamiento digital de imágenes
Authors: Gutiérrez Luis C. , Castaño Luis F. , Gómez Jorge A. , Quijano Jairo C. , Herrera-Ramírez Jorge A. , Hoyos Alejandro , Da Silva Nunez Luiz C. , Vélez Francisco J. , Aristizabal Victor H.
Published: July 2018

Los sensores basados en el análisis de la distribución de intensidades del patrón de interferencia modal a la salida de una fibra óptica son conocidos como sensores ópticos basados en specklegramas de fibra óptica (Fiber Specklegram Sensors, FSSs). En este trabajo se muestran los specklegramas, simulados numéricamente mediante el método de los elementos finitos, de una fibra óptica Thorlabs 1550BHP perturbada mecánicamente, y se hace uso de la información global o de regiones del specklegrama mediante el procesamiento digital de imágenes a través de un análisis de correlación. Los resultados muestran como la correlación entre imágenes se puede usar como valor de cuantificación para la medición de fuerzas, y cómo la división del patrón por zonas de interés puede mejorar las características metrológicas del sensor. © 2018. Acad. Colomb. Cienc. Ex. Fis. Nat.
Effect of Progressive Resistance Training along with Aerobic Training on Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Nambi Gopal S , S Shanmugananth E
Published: July 2018

Background and Objective: Diabetes is a disease characterized by high blood glucose. About 220 million people have Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) in the world today.Objective: To find out the effect of progressive resistance training along with aerobic exercise on glycemic control in type 2 diabetes.Methods: 30 participants, who fulfilled selection criteria, were included in the study and they were randomly divided in two groups. Group A (n=15) performed the aerobic training and Group B (n=15) performed progressive resisted training along with aerobic training. Both groups were trained eight weeks of treatment consisting of five sessions weekly. HbA1c, BMI and SF 36 score were measured at baseline and posttest. Wilcoxon signed ranks test was used for the comparison between the pre and posttest values within the group and Mann Whitney U test was used for comparison between the pre and posttest values of the two groups.Results: There is significant reduction in the HbA1c and improvement in BMI and SF 36 score (p< 0.05) in both the groups but group B shows more significant difference than group A.Conclusion: The result of present study indicates that progressive resisted training along with aerobic training is effective on glycemic control in type 2 diabetes.
Homocysteine Levels Otherwise Display Cardiovascular Disease in Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Cacciapuoti Federico
Published: July 2018

Patients suffering for Diabetes Mellitus (DM) have 2 to 6-fold increase of cardiovascular complications. On the other hand, serum increase of total plasma homocysteine (HHcy) is an emerging risk factor for Cardio-Vascular Disease (CVD). A stronger association between DM and HHcy exists, even through the underlying pathogenetic mechanism remains unexplained. Thus, patients contemporary having DM and HHcy have a prevalence of CVD, whereas in those without HHcy, metabolic symptoms often prevail on cardiovascular complications. The possible causes of higher incidence of CVD in DM and HHcy in comparison to DM without HHcy were examined. The different Resistin expression from adipocytes between DM with and without HHcy seems to unlikely influence the incidence of CVD. Concerning that, two different variants of DM may be identify: one, characterized by prevalent metabolic symptoms (dysmetabolic form) and another, characterized by early and massive atherosclerotic symptoms (cardiovascular form).
Cultivo de alface-americana e feijão- de-corda sob diferentes adubos orgânicos para o Centro-Oeste Brasileiro
Authors: Da Costa Júnior Sérgio , Beserra da Silva Filipe , Carvalho Santos Marchi Edilene , Carvalho de Oliveira Machado Regina , Neves Delgado Marina
Published: July 2018

As culturas de alface americana (Lactuca sativa L.) e feijão-de-corda (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) são de grande importância para os agricultores familiares. Entretanto, a adubação dessas culturas apresenta altos custos para o produtor. Por isso, torna-se necessária a utilização de fontes alternativas de nutrientes, mais econômicas e mais acessíveis à agricultura familiar. Assim sendo, objetivou-se avaliar a influência de diferentes adubos orgânicos (cama de frango, estercos bovino e ovino) no desempenho das culturas alface americana e feijão-de-corda. Na alface americana, os dados avaliados foram diâmetro de cabeça, número de folhas, biomassa fresca e altura das plantas. No feijão-de-corda, os dados avaliados aos 23 dias foram números de folhas expandidas e tamanhodas plantas. Aos 120 dias de cultivo, nós avaliamos número de vagens produzidas, comprimento de vagens, peso fresco total das vagens, número de grãos produzido por vagem e peso total de 100 grãos. No cultivo de alface, o tratamento com esterco ovino apresentou maior diâmetro de cabeça, número de folhas e peso fresco em relação à testemunha. No cultivo de feijão-de-corda aos 23 dias, o tratamento cama de frango foi o melhor para número de folhas expandidas e tamanho das plantas em relação à testemunha. Aos 120 dias não foram encontradas diferenças estatísticas na produção dos feijoeiros entre os tratamentos. O presente estudo demonstra a importância do uso de adubos orgânicos na produção familiar, uma vez que maiores rendimentos de alface foram obtidos com o uso de esterco ovino em relação ao controle. Fato não observado na cultura de feijão-de-corda.
Capa e Ficha Catalográfica
Authors: Agrogeoambiental Revista
Published: July 2018

Capa e Ficha Catalográfica
Habilidades metacognitivas envolvidas na resolução de problemas em Física: investigando estudantes com expertise
Authors: Rosa Cleci Teresinha Werner da , Ribeiro Cassia De Andrade Gomes , Rosa Alvaro Becker da
Published: July 2018

O presente estudo tem por objetivo identificar a forma como estudantes de Física experts em resolução de problemas estruturam seus pensamentos e recorrem as suas habilidades metacognitivas. Para isso, foram selecionados estudantes de um curso de Física apontado por seus professores como bons resolvedores de problemas. A partir dessa identificação eles foram submetidos a sessões de entrevistas clínicas, nas quais resolveram três problemas de Física e por meio do protocolo de pensamento em voz alta, foi possível obter dados e analisar a forma como organizam o seu pensamento no momento em que resolvem os desafios. Como recorte do estudo, limitou-se a análise em termos das habilidades metacognitivas, especificamente em termos dos elementos: planificação, monitoramento e avaliação. Os resultados apontam para a presença destes elementos e são promissores em termos de fornecer subsídios para a prática docente do professor de Física.
Estratégias de aprendizagem: caminhos para o sucesso escolar
Authors: Darroz Luiz Marcelo , Trevisan Thais Lourençato , Rosa Cleci Teresinha Werner da
Published: July 2018

Apresentam-se os resultados de uma investigação que buscou identificar a relação entre as estratégias de aprendizagem dos estudantes e o rendimento acadêmico em Física. Participaram da pesquisa 100 estudantes da terceira série do ensino médio de uma escola da rede privada de ensino em um município do Norte do Rio Grande do Sul. Os participantes da pesquisa foram divididos em dois grupos: os que apresentam facilidade em compreender os conceitos físicos ministrados em aula e os que apresentam dificuldades nesse campo. Como instrumento de coleta de dados, utilizou-se um questionário estruturado na escala de Likert com 35 assertivas relacionadas a cinco categorias de estratégias de aprendizagem. Os dados foram analisados pelas médias obtidas nas respostas dos participantes a cada assertiva do instrumento de coleta de dados e, também, pela média geral de cada categoria de estratégias de aprendizagem. Como resultados, evidenciou-se que os estudantes participantes da pesquisa fazem uso de diferentes estratégias de aprendizagem durante o processo de aprendizagem, com destaque para a utilização de estratégias metacognitivas pelo grupo que apresenta melhor rendimento escolar.
O que se mostra quando pedagogas em formação escrevem sobre suas experiências com a matemática?
Authors: Maffei Letícia Queiroz , Da Silva João Alberto
Published: July 2018

Neste artigo apresentamos o viés metacognitivo de uma pesquisa de doutorado que buscou verificar como se mostram os afetos em relação à Matemática na escrita de acadêmicas de um curso de Pedagogia de uma universidade do sul do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul. A pesquisa, conduzida sob um viés fenomenológico, teve como instrumento de coleta de dados cadernetas de metacognição que foram escritas pelas acadêmicas durante a disciplina de Metodologia do Ensino da Matemática, momento no qual a Matemática é formalmente estudada no âmbito da formação em Pedagogia. A escrita nas cadernetas foi utilizada no sentido de elaboração dos dados da pesquisa, mas, principalmente, em uma perspectiva formativa. Percebeu-se a importância de que para lidar com o ensinar e o aprender o professor reflita sobre como esses processos acontecem na sua própria relação com a disciplina de Matemática. Nesta perspectiva de voltar-se a si pode-se ser capaz de identificar e ressignificar memórias, crenças, percepções e autoconceitos que muitas vezes estão atrelados às questões cognitivas.
Regenerative effect of platelet-rich fibrin on articular cartilage defects in an experimental rat model
Authors: Metineren Hasan , Dülgeroğlu Turan Cihan
Published: July 2018

Objectives:
Different materials are currently being used experimentally to accelerate
cartilage healing and to obtain hyaline cartilage. We aimed to investigate the
effect of platelet-rich fibrin on joint cartilage healing. Methods:
Twenty rats were used in this study. platelet-rich fibrin was obtained from
4 rats, and the remaining 16 rats were randomly divided into two groups (4 and
8 weeks). Both knee joints were prepared, and an osteochondral
defect was created at the femoral condyle in all rats.
platelet-rich fibrin was placed into the osteochondral defect of the right
knee, while the left knee joint was used as a control. Groups were sacrificed
after 4 and 8 weeks, respectively. Results:
According to the O'Driscoll score, there were no significant differences
between the right and left knee scores in group 4 weeks (p = 0.820). However, the right knee scores were
significantly different than the left knee scores in group 8 weeks (p < 0.001). Defects were completely filled with cartilage tissue
after 8 weeks in the platelet-rich fibrin group.

Conclusions:
Similar to its role in various tissues, platelet-rich
fibrin is an effective biomaterial that enhances the healing of osteochondral
defects.
Similitudes y diferencias de los Tribunales Ad-Hoc para Ruanda y la ex -Yugoslavia desde una perspectiva feminista = Similarities and differences of the Ad-Hoc tribunals for Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia from a feminist perspective
Authors: Rodríguez-Saavedra Ángela María
Published: July 2018

RESUMEN: El presente artículo tiene por objetivo analizar desde una perspectiva feminista las similitudes y diferencias existentes entre los Tribunales Ad-hoc para Ruanda y la Antigua Yugoslavia relacionados con los crímenes relativos a violencia sexual y violación.  Analizando los componentes que afectan la determinación de dichos crímenes como son el consentimiento y el contexto y su tipificación internacional: Genocidio y lesa humanidad. ABSTRACT: The present article aims to analyze from a feminist point of view the similarities and differences between the Ad-hoc Tribunals for Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia related sexual violence and rape crimes. PALABRAS CLAVE: Ruanda, Ex-Yugoslavia, violencia sexual, lesa humanidad, genocidio, violación, consentimiento, contexto. KEYWORDS: Rwanda, Ex- Yugoslavia, sexual violence, crimes against humanity, genocide, rape, contentment, coercion, context.
Mortalidad entre los pacientes en tratamiento con metadona e infectados con el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana y/o hepatitis C
Authors: Lozano Roberto , Domeque Nieves , Perálvarez Concepción , Torrellas Mª Dolores , Gonzalo Cielos
Published: July 2018

Carta al editor.
¿Es el final del alfa de Cronbach?
Authors: Ventura-León José Luis
Published: July 2018

Carta al editor.
Cognitive profile of long-term abstinent alcoholics in comparison with non-alcoholics
Authors: Romero-Martínez Ángel , Vitoria-Estruch Sara , Moya-Albiol Luis
Published: July 2018

Scarce studies have focused on the cognitive profile of chronic alcoholic men after long-term abstinence. Thus, we examined neuropsychological differences between long-term abstinent alcoholics for an average of 3.2 years (n = 40, LTAA; age = 45.55 ± 8.99) and matched for socio-demographic variables with non-alcoholic controls (n = 39; age = 42.05 ± 11.33). To this aim, we employed a neuropsychological assessment battery covered relevant cognitive domains: IQ, memory, attention, executive functions and empathy. LTAA presented deficits in abstract reasoning, speed processing, sustained attention, working and long-term memory (verbal and visuospatial), cognitive flexibility, inhibition and planning. Although our results must be interpreted with caution because of the cross-sectional nature of our study, it may offer a broader knowledge and understanding of alcohol-related socio-cognitive deficits after long-term abstinence. These deficits might entail risk factors for relapse in alcohol consumption, as they may interfere with recording therapeutic advice and internalizing the verbal material presented in rehabilitation programs. In turn, these impair the global efficacy of alcohol-relapse prevention programs. Hence, this knowledge could be applicable in guiding the development of early coadjutant treatments.
Posverdad del consumo de cannabis: de regreso a la medicina basada en la evidencia
Authors: López Pelayo Hugo , Miquel De Montagut Laia , Casajuana Kögel Cristina , Balcells Oliveró Mercè
Published: July 2018

La opinión pública y científica sobre los efectos beneficios y perjudiciales del consumo regular de cannabis no está exenta del fenómeno de la posverdad. En esta editorial revisamos la evidencia científica de los efectos perjudiciales del consumo regular de cannabis (salud física, mental, consecuencias sociale, etc.), del uso medicinal del mismo (dolor, epilepsia, VIH, etc.) y de los vacíos en la investigación en este campo. Por último, desarrollamos una recomendación de abordaje de la situación desde un punto de vista de la salud pública y la investigación clínica y preventiva.