bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Image-guided laser ablation in the treatment of recurrence of renal tumours: technique and preliminary results
Authors: Ferrari Federica , Mauri Giovanni , Nicosia Luca , Varano Gianluca Maria , Bonomo Guido , Orsi Franco
Published: January 2020

Abdominal recurrences of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) after surgery might represent a challenge for treatment, often requiring difficult surgeries or anticipated systemic therapy. Our aim is to illustrate a novel application of laser ablation for the treatment of abdominal recurrences of RCC. Patients with abdominal recurrences of renal cancer were treated under ultrasound/computed tomography guidance with a diode laser inserted into the lesion through a thin 21-G needle. A fixed 3-W power protocol was used, changing the illumination time according to lesion dimension and shape. Also, technical success, technical efficacy, local tumour progression, and major and minor complications were retrospectively analysed. Three patients were treated with image-guided laser ablation for abdominal recurrences of RCC. In all cases, it was possible to perform ablation as preoperatively planned and all three nodules (size of 6, 8, and 12 mm) were completely ablated with no evidence of residual enhancement after 6 weeks at contrast-enhanced CT. No minor or major complications were observed. No local tumour progression was reported up to 12 months from ablation. Image-guided laser ablation holds the potential to offer a minimally invasive treatment to patients with abdominal recurrence of RCC. Further studies are needed to evaluate the clinical role of this technique.
Development of trigger sensitive hyaluronic acid/palm oil-based organogel for in vitro release of HIV/AIDS microbicides using artificial neural networks
Authors: Ilomuanya M. O. , Elesho R. F. , Amenaghawon A. N. , Adetuyi A. O. , Velusamy Vijayalakshimi , Akanmu A. S.
Published: January 2020

Background

Efficient and effective chemotherapeutic methods designed to prevent the continuous spread of HIV/AIDS is essential to break the cycle of new infections. The use of condoms has been seen to be effective in prevention of HIV and STIs but its lack of use especially in vulnerable population is a deterrent to its overall success as a control method. Utilization of topical microbicide to curb the spread of HIV follows the current paradigm for HIV prevention in at risk individuals. The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate hyaluronic acid/palm oil-based organogel loaded with maraviroc (MRV) which would be released using hyaluronidase as the trigger for pre-exposure prophylaxis of HIV.

Results

The organogels had average globules size 581.8 ± 3.9 nm, and were stable after three freeze thaw cycles; the thermosensitive and HA sensitivity was achieved via incorporation of hyaluronic acid and dicaprylate esters in the organogel with thermogelation occurring at 34.1 °C. Artificial neural network was used to model and optimize mucin absorption and flux. These responses were predicted using the multilayer full feed forward (MFFF) and the multilayer normal feed forward (MNFF) neural networks. Optimized organogel showed the mucin adsorption and flux was 70.84% and 4.962 μg/cm2/min1/2, hence MRV was adequately released via triggers of temperature and HA. The MRV organogel showed inhibition HIV − 1 via TZM-bl indicator cells. Compared to control HeLa cells without any treatment, MRV organogel was not cytotoxic for 14 days in vitro.

Conclusion

These data highlight the potential use of hyaluronic acid/palm oil-based organogel for vaginal delivery of anti-HIV microbicides. This can serve as a template for more studies on such formulations in the area of HIV prevention.
Executive Perspectives
Authors: Ford Linda
Published: January 2020

With this issue, we are launching a new feature in The Leading Edge — “Executive Perspectives,” a monthly column written by a member of SEG's senior management team, introducing you to the various product and program portfolios of the Society.
Odor coding of nestmate recognition in the eusocial ant Camponotus floridanus
Authors: Ferguson Stephen T. , Park Kyu Young , Ruff Alexandra A. , Bakis Isaac , Zwiebel Laurence J.
Published: January 2020

In eusocial ants, aggressive behaviors require the ability to discriminate between chemical signatures such as cuticular hydrocarbons that distinguish nestmate friends from non-nestmate foes. It has been suggested that a mismatch between a chemical signature (label) and the internal, neuronal representation of the colony odor (template) leads to aggression between non-nestmates. Moreover, a definitive demonstration that odorant receptors are responsible for the processing of the chemical signals that regulate nestmate recognition has thus far been lacking. To address these issues, we have developed an aggression-based bioassay incorporating highly selective modulators that target odorant receptor functionality to characterize their role in nestmate recognition in the formicine ant Camponotus floridanus. Electrophysiological studies were used to show that exposure to either a volatilized antagonist or an agonist eliminated or dramatically altered signaling, respectively. Administration of these compounds to adult workers significantly reduced aggression between non-nestmates without altering aggression levels between nestmates. These studies provide direct evidence that odorant receptors are indeed necessary and sufficient for mediating aggression towards non-nestmates. Furthermore, our observations support a hypothesis in which rejection of non-nestmates depends on the precise decoding of chemical signatures present on non-nestmates as opposed to the absence of any information or the active acceptance of familiar signatures.
Changes in DNA methylation and histone modification gene expression in response to daily food times in zebra finches: epigenetic implications
Authors: Mishra Ila , Sharma Aakansha , Prabhat Abhilash , Batra Twinkle , Malik Indu , Kumar Vinod
Published: January 2020

We hypothesized that daily food availability times served as an ‘epigenetic’ factor and affected the reproductive physiology in continuously reproducing species. This we tested by measurement of mRNA expression of genes coding for the enzymes involved in DNA methylation-demethylation (dnmts, tets) and histone modification (hat1, hdacs) in the hypothalamus, liver and gonads of male and female zebra finches that were paired held for a year under 12L:12D with access to the time-restricted food availability (TrF: 4-h in morning, TrF-M, or evening, TrF-E) with controls on food ad libitum (FAL). The overall hypothalamic and hepatic expression patterns of hat1 and hdac(s) were similar but those of dnmt(s) and tet(s) were different between males and females. Irrespective of TrF timings, both hat1 and hdac(s) mRNA levels were increased in the hypothalamus, but not in liver in which hat1 mRNA levels were increased in the TrF-M group. While hypothalamic tet(s) were higher in TrF-E males, the hepatic tet(s) were higher in TrF-M birds (tet1, only males). Gonadal expressions were further varied and showed sex differences. Histone modifying genes did not show TrF-effects, except the elevated testicular hdac3 levels. Similarly, testicular dnmt3b and tet2 mRNA levels were increased and decreased in TrF-M and TrF-E, respectively, whereas ovarian dnmt1 and tet2 levels were reduced in TrF-M and tet1 in the TrF-E. Present results suggest that an enforced daily feeding schedule in long term could serve as a conditioning environment that shapes at epigenetic levels, the overall hypothalamic regulation, liver and gonadal functions in diurnal vertebrates.
Histogram analysis from stretched exponential model on diffusion-weighted imaging: evaluation of clinically significant prostate cancer
Authors: Kim EunJu , Kim Chan Kyo , Kim Hyun Soo , Jang Dong Pyo , Kim In Young , Hwang Jinwoo
Published: January 2020

Objective:

To evaluate the usefulness of histogram analysis of stretched exponential model (SEM) on diffusion-weighted imaging in evaluating clinically significant prostate cancer (CSC).

Methods:

A total of 85 patients with prostate cancer underwent 3 T multiparametric MRI, followed by radical prostatectomy. Histogram parameters of the tumor from the SEM [distributed diffusion coefficient (DDC) and α] and the monoexponential model [MEM; apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC)] were evaluated. The associations between parameters and Gleason score or Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System v. 2 were evaluated. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve was calculated to evaluate diagnostic performance of parameters in predicting CSC.

Results:

The values of histogram parameters of DDC and ADC were significantly lower in patients with CSC than in patients without CSC (p < 0.05), except for skewness and kurtosis. The value of the 25th percentile of α was significantly lower in patients with CSC than in patients without CSC (p = 0.014). Histogram parameters of ADC and DDC had significant weak to moderate negative associations with Gleason score or Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System v. 2 (p < 0.001), except for skewness and kurtosis. For predicting CSC, the area under the curves of mean ADC (0.856), 50th percentile DDC (0.852), and 25th percentile α (0.707) yielded the highest values compared to other histogram parameters from each group.

Conclusion:

Histogram analysis of the SEM on diffusion-weighted imaging may be a useful quantitative tool for evaluating CSC. However, the SEM did not outperform the MEM.

Advances in knowledge:

Histogram parameters of SEM may be useful for evaluating CSC.
Resistance, Medicine, and Moral Courage: Lessons on Bioethics from Jewish Physicians during the Holocaust
Authors: Wasserman Jason Adam , Yoskowitz Herbert
Published: January 2020

There is a perpetrator historiography of the Holocaust and a Jewish historiography of the Holocaust. The former has received the lion’s share of attention in bioethics, particularly in the form of warnings about medicine’s potential for complicity in human atrocity. However, stories of Jewish physicians during the Holocaust are instructive for positive bioethics, one that moves beyond warnings about what not to do. In exercising both explicit and introspective forms of resistance, the heroic work of Jewish physicians in the ghettos and concentration camps tells us a great deal about the virtues and values of medicine. In this article, we frame the stories of four of these Jewish physicians in ways that are instructive for contemporary medicine. By far, the most widely recognized and discussed figure is Viktor Frankl, whose work on hope and the meaning of suffering remains essential insofar as medicine inherently confronts disease and death. Less discussed in bioethics and medical humanities are the cases of Mark Dworzecki, Karel Fleischmann, and Gisella Perl. Dworzecki’s efforts to encourage others in the Vilna Ghetto to document their experiences illustrates the power of narrative for the human experience and the notion of ethics as narrative in the face of suffering. Fleischmann’s art underscores not only the importance of reflective practices for professionals as a form of simultaneous introspection and testimonial, but illuminates hope amid sheer hopelessness. This hope, which was comparatively implicit in much of Fleishmann’s art, is explicated as a method by Frankl, becoming a form of therapy for both physicians wrestling with their professional work, and patients wrestling with their illnesses and diseases. Finally, Perl’s resistance to Mengele’s orders highlights the importance of moral action, not just reflective reaction. The experiences of each of these figures, while certainly located in the unique horrors of Holocaust Germany, portends lessons for today’s physicians faced with moral distress and ethical dilemma in the face of suffering, interpersonal relationships, and socio-political conflicts that increasingly test the professed ideals of medicine. In this article we briefly tell the story of each of these physicians and connect the lessons therein to contemporary medical practice.
The Medical Manipulation of Reproduction to Implement the Nazi Genocide of Jews
Authors: Chalmers Beverley
Published: January 2020

Holocaust literature gives exhaustive attention to direct means of exterminating Jews, by using gas chambers, torture, starvation, disease, and intolerable conditions in ghettos and camps, and by the Einsatzgruppen. In some circles, the term “Holocaust” has become the ultimate description of horror or horrific events. The Nazi medical experiments and practices are an example of these. Nazi medical science played a central and crucial role in creating and implementing practices designed to achieve a “Master Race.” Doctors interfered with the most intimate and previously sacrosanct aspects of life in these medical experiments – reproductive function and behavior – in addition to implementing eugenic sterilizations, euthanasia, and extermination programs. Manipulating reproductive life – as a less direct method of achieving the genocide of Jews – has been less acknowledged. The Nazis prevented those regarded as not meeting idealized Nazi racial standards – and particularly Jewish women – from having sex or bearing children through legal, social, psychological and biological means, as well as by murder. In contrast, they promoted reproductive life to achieve the antithesis of genocide – the mass promotion of life – among those deemed sufficiently “Aryan.” Implementing measures to prevent birth is a core feature of the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide. As with many other aspects of the Holocaust, science and scientists were inveigled into providing legitimacy for Nazi actions. The medical profession was no exception and was integrally involved in the manipulation of birth to implement the Holocaust.
An Analysis of Physician Behaviors During the Holocaust: Modern Day Relevances
Authors: Miller Susan Maria , Gallin Stacy
Published: January 2020

Even with the passage of time, the misguided motivations of highly educated, physician-participants in the genocide known as the Holocaust remain inexplicable and opaque. Typically, the physician-patient relationship inherent within the practice of medicine, has been rooted in the partnership between individuals. However, under the Third Reich, this covenant between a physician and patient was displaced by a public health agenda that was grounded in the scientific theory of eugenics and which served the needs of a polarized political system that relied on this hypothesis to justify society’s racial hygiene laws. As part of the National Socialist propaganda, Adolf Hitler ominously argued that the cultural decline of Germany after World War I could largely be based on interbreeding and a “resultant drop in the racial level.” This foundational premise defined those who could be ostracized, labeled and persecuted by society, including those who were assimilated. The indoctrination and implementation of this distorted social policy required the early and sustained cooperation and leadership of the medical profession. Because National Socialism promised it could restore Germany’s power, honor and dignity, physicians embraced their special role in the repair of the state. This article will explore the imperative role, moral risks and deliberate actions of physicians who participated in the amplification process from “euthanasia” to systemic murder to medically-sanctioned genocide. A goal of this analysis will be to explore what perils today’s physicians would face if they were to experience the transitional and collective behaviors of a corrupted medical profession, or if they would, instead, have the fortitude and courage necessary to protect themselves against this collaboration. Our premise is that an awareness of history can serve as a safeguard to the conceit of political ascendency and discrimination.
The Effect of Hierarchy on Moral Silence in Healthcare: What Can the Holocaust Teach Us?
Authors: Fernandes Ashley K , Ecret DiAnn
Published: January 2020

Physicians, nurses, and healthcare professional students openly (and in many cases, eagerly) participated in the medical atrocities of the Shoah. In this paper, a physician-bioethicist and nurse-bioethicist examine the role of hierarchical power imbalances in medical education, which often occur because trainees are instructed ‘to do so’ by their superiors during medical education and clinical care. We will first examine the nature of medical and nursing education under National Socialism: were there cultural, educational, moral and legal pressures which entrenched professional hierarchies and thereby commanded obedience in the face of an ever-diminishing individual and collective conscience? We will then outline relevant parallel features in modern medical education, including the effects of hierarchy in shaping ethical decision making and conscience formation. We then propose several solutions for the prevention of the negative effects of hierarchical power imbalances in medical education: (1) universal Holocaust education in medical and nursing schools; (2) formative and experiential ethics instruction, which teaches students to ‘speak up’ when ethical issues arise; (3) acceptance of, and adherence to, a personalistic philosophical anthropology in healthcare; (4) support for rigorous conscience protection laws for minority ethical views that respect the role of integrity without compromising patient care.
Anticipatory Consumptions
Authors: Guo Liang
Published: January 2020

Mental simulations such as anticipatory and/or retrospective emotions can yield higher weight for a delayed consequence than for current well-being (i.e., negative devaluing). In this research, we investigate the behavioral and welfare implications of negative devaluing for intertemporal consumptions in an intrapersonal game. Our general framework accounts for two distinctions: desired versus undesired consumptions, and naive versus sophisticated beliefs about future selves’ preferences. Naive people procrastinate desired consumptions and preproperate undesired ones. The behavior of sophisticated people generally exhibits a cyclical pattern. Sophistication may either mitigate or exacerbate the time-inconsistency problem, and hence may improve or undermine long-run welfare, depending on the valence and the units of consumptions and on whether consumptions are tied consecutively. In addition, our comparative statics analysis generates surprising results with respect to the impacts of decision parameters (e.g., deadline, consumption units). We also discuss implications for targeted pricing, product design, promotion strategies, and savings.

This paper was accepted by Matthew Shum, marketing.
Integrating the PV-Diesel Hybrid System for Reliability Improvement in Distribution System
Authors: Myint Cho Cho , Lin Ohn Zin , Ei Aung Soe Soe
Published: January 2020

In Myanmar, as the main power generation is hydro power generation. the utility cannot supply sufficient power to customers during the dry season. Besides interruptions occur frequently due to aging system and lack of prospered protection. Therefore, reliability is an urgent issue in Myanmar. As a result of unbalance between generation and load, the distribution system is getting poor voltage profile, instability and high power losses in high load condition. According to network characteristics, the failure of a component always leads to consequence interruption in a radial distribution system.  Therefore, it is a must consideration to mitigate these challenges to enhance the system reliability. There are many techniques to solve the reliability problems such as reclosers, switching devices (manual and automated switches), system reconfiguration, feeder re-conducting and integration of distributed generation (DG). In this paper, system reliability assessment is evaluated in detail with the integration of the distributed generation such as PV-Diesel Hybrid System. The location of DG is chosen according to the expected energy not supply (EENS) and the voltage drop in proposed system. Next, the optimal sizing of DG is chosen depends on the penetration level of generator. Reliability indices can be evaluated depending on the failure rate(λ), repair time(r) and annual outage time(U) in Electrical Transient and Analysis Program (ETAP) software. The case study of this thesis is carried out in 33/11 kV network which is connected Kyatminton Substation, Kyaukse, Middle Myanmar.
Intraoperative neuromonitoring in spine deformity surgery: modalities, advantages, limitations, medicolegal issues – surgeons’ views
Authors: Biscevic Mirza , Sehic Aida , Krupic Ferid
Published: January 2020

In spine deformity surgery, iatrogenic neurologic injuries might occur due to the mechanical force applied to the spinal cord from implants, instruments, and bony structures, or due to ischemic changes from vessel ligation during exposure and cord distraction/compression during corrective manoeuvres. Prompt reaction within the reversible phase (reducing of compressive/distractive forces) usually restores functionality of the spinal cord, but if those forces continue to persist, a permanent neurological deficit might be expected. With monitoring of sensory pathways (dorsal column–medial lemniscus) by somatosensory-evoked potentials (SSEPs), such events are detected with a sensitivity of up to 92%, and a specificity of up to 100%. The monitoring of motor pathways by transcranial electric motor-evoked potentials (TceMEPs) has a sensitivity and a specificity of up to 100%, but it requires avoidance of halogenated anaesthetics and neuromuscular blockades. Different modalities of intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM: SSEP, TceMEP, or combined) can be performed by the neurophysiologist, the technician or the surgeon. Combined SSEP/TceMEP performed by the neurophysiologist in the operating room is the preferable method of IONM, but it might be impractical or unaffordable in many institutions. Still, many spine deformity surgeries worldwide are performed without any type of IONM. Medicolegal aspects of IONM are different worldwide and in many cases some vagueness remains. The type of IONM that a spinal surgeon employs should be reliable, affordable, practical, and recognized by the medicolegal guidelines.

Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2020;5:9-16. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.5.180032
Numerically stable formulation of Mie theory for an emitter close to a sphere
Authors: Majic Matt , Le Ru Eric C.
Published: January 2020

Numerical implementations of Mie theory make extensive use of spherical Bessel functions. These functions are, however, known to overflow/underflow (grow too large/small for floating point precision) for orders much larger than the argument. This is not a problem in applications such as plane wave excitation, as the Mie series converge before these numerical problems arise. However, for an emitter close to the surface of a sphere, the scattered field in the vicinity of the sphere is expressed as slowly converging series, with multipoles up to order 1000 required in some cases. These series may be used to calculate experimentally relevant quantities such as the decay rate of an emitter near a sphere. In these cases, overflow/underflow prevents any calculation in double precision using Mie theory, and alternatives are either computationally intensive (e.g., arbitrary precision calculations) or not accurate enough (e.g., the electrostatics approximation). We present here a formulation of Mie theory that overcomes these limitations. Using normalized Bessel functions where the large growth/decay is extracted as a prefactor, we re-express the Mie coefficients for scattering by spheres in a normalized form. These normalized expressions are used to accurately compute the series for the electric field and decay rate of a dipole emitter near a spherical surface, in cases where the Mie coefficients would normally overflow before any degree of accuracy can be obtained.
Algorithm based on the optimal block zonal strategy for fast wavefront reconstruction
Authors: Ji Zhongye , Zhang Xiaofang , Zheng Zhili , Li Yan , Chang Jun
Published: January 2020

Fast wavefront reconstruction is crucial for improving the temporal frequency of adaptive optics systems, in which a mass of subapertures is used. In this paper, we present a novel block zonal reconstruction algorithm based on Southwell geometry to speed up the wavefront reconstruction from Shack–Hartmann wavefront sensor measurements. Therein, we use the theory of computational complexity to install a novel optimal block zonal strategy to get the best size of the subwavefront and give the verification through simulations. Compared with the classical Southwell entire wavefront reconstruction algorithm, the algorithm based on the optimal block zonal strategy needs only a few milliseconds to finish the reconstruction process from

100

×

100

subapertures. Moreover, we analyze the superiority to use our algorithm to realize the phase reconstruction of the unconnected subwavefront, which cannot be reconstructed via traditional methods. Further, the simulation and experiments show that the precision of the algorithm based on the proposed optimal block zonal strategy is comparable with the commercial wavefront sensor HASO, the time consumption is much less than that of the traditional zonal reconstruction, and it is applicable to the square wavefront, circular wavefront, and local unconnected wavefront. Our proposed algorithm can be widely utilized in astronomical observation, laser transmission, and remote sensing.
Wavelength-switchable all-fiber laser-emitting radially polarized beams
Authors: Shi Fan , Yao Han , Huang Yiping , Li Wenlin , Wang Teng , Zeng Xianglong
Published: January 2020

We present two kinds of mode-selective-coupler-based ultrafast radially polarized lasers delivering switchable wavelengths and pulsewidths. One is a linear-cavity fiber laser mode locked in the 1.5 µm region, which produces not only wavelength-agile radially polarized pulses in the spatial domain, but also switchable femtosecond and picosecond pulses in the temporal domain. The other one is a nonlinear-polarization-rotation-technique-assisted passively mode-locked fiber ring laser in the 1.0 µm region, presenting an ideal broadband spectral switching with picosecond radially polarized pulses output. The presented fiber lasers offer a type of compact laser source, enabling a flexible option for radially polarized beams in spectral and temporal domains.
Variability of relationship between the volume scattering function at 180° and the backscattering coefficient for aquatic particles
Authors: Hu Lianbo , Zhang Xiaodong , Xiong Yuanheng , Gray Deric J. , He Ming-Xia
Published: January 2020

Properly interpreting lidar (light detection and ranging) signal for
characterizing particle distribution relies on a key parameter,

χ
p

(
π
)

, which relates the particulate volume
scattering function (VSF) at 180° (

β
p

(
π
)

) that a lidar measures to the
particulate backscattering coefficient (

b

bp

). However,

χ
p

(
π
)

has been seldom studied due to
challenges in accurately measuring

β
p

(
π
)

and

b

bp

concurrently in the field. In this
study,

χ
p

(
π
)

, as well as its spectral dependence,
was re-examined using the VSFs measured in
situ at high angular resolution in a wide range of waters.

β
p

(
π
)

, while not measured directly, was
inferred using a physically sound, well-validated VSF-inversion
method. The effects of particle shape and internal structure on the
inversion were tested using three inversion kernels consisting of
phase functions computed for particles that are assumed as homogenous
sphere, homogenous asymmetric hexahedra, or coated sphere. The
reconstructed VSFs using any of the three kernels agreed well with the
measured VSFs with a mean percentage difference

<

5

%

at scattering angles

<

170

∘

. At angles immediately near or equal
to 180°, the reconstructed

β
p

(
π
)

depends strongly on the inversion
kernel.

χ
p

(
π
)

derived with the sphere kernels was
smaller than those derived with the hexahedra kernel but consistent
with

χ
p

(
π
)

estimated directly from
high-spectral-resolution lidar and in
situ backscattering sensor. The possible explanation was that
the sphere kernels are able to capture the backscattering enhancement
feature near 180° that has been observed for marine particles.

χ
p

(
π
)

derived using the coated sphere
kernel was generally lower than those derived with the homogenous
sphere kernel. Our result suggests that

χ
p

(
π
)

is sensitive to the shape and
internal structure of particles and significant error could be induced
if a fixed value of

χ
p

(
π
)

is to be used to interpret lidar
signal collected in different waters. On the other hand,

χ
p

(
π
)

showed little spectral
dependence.
Optical characteristics of oil spill based on polarization scattering rate
Authors: Xu Jiang , Wang Xiao , Qian Weixian
Published: January 2020

As a new analytical method for identifying marine oil slicks, the primary function of the polarization scattering model is to determine the intensity of polarized scattered light from different oil spill zones. In the polarized light path, the energy reduction is mainly due to the scattering characteristics of the surface of the sample to be tested. To quantify equivalence, we define the polarized scattering rate (PSR). The PSR describes the probability that linearly polarized incident photons scatter into the unit solid angle in the direction of scattering from the target surface. In order to verify the applicability of the model, we applied it to detect an actual oil spill at sea in the case of simulated sunlight. The research indicates that the PSR only characterizes the amplitude conversion between the polarized scattering wave and the incident wave and is not affected by the polarization characteristics of the incident wave, thus reflecting the true polarization characteristics of the target itself. The PSR of crude oil and seawater depends not only on the physical properties of the target itself, but also on the observation conditions, such as relative attitude orientation, spatial geometric position relationship, and the working frequency of equipment and instruments.
FOUR NEW SPECIES OF EPHOLCIS WATERHOUSE, 1875 (COLEOPTERA: SCARABAEIDAE: MELOLONTHINAE: MAECHIDIINI) FROM THE MOLUCCAS, INDONESIA
Authors: Narakusumo Raden Pramesa , Balke Michael
Published: January 2020

Here, we provide the first record of the chafer beetle genus Epholcis Waterhouse, 1875 from the Moluccan Islands, Indonesia. We describe four new species: E. acutus sp. nov., E. arcuatus sp. nov., E. cakalele sp. nov., and E. obiensis sp. nov. A lectotype is designated for Maechidius moluccanus Moser, 1920, which is redescribed and transferred to the genus Epholcis as E. moluccanus (Moser) comb. nov.
Role of Protein Phosphatase-2A (PP-2A) in the Control of Mitosis and Meiosis.
Authors: Tung H.Y. Lim
Published: January 2020

A specific form of Protein Phosphatase-2A (PP-2A), namely PP2A-B55δ was proposed to occupy a central role in the control of mitosis entry and exit, and meiosis in Xenopus oocytes [1,3]. It was held that PP2A-B55δ is responsible for dephosphorylating substrates of cdc2/Cdk1 and that inhibition of PP2A-B55δ by Arpp-19 phosphorylated at serine 67 by Greatwall kinase triggers entry of both mitosis and meiosis in Xenopus oocytes. It was further declared that the phosphorylation of Arpp19 at serine 109 by PKA underlies the blockade of meiotic division and that dephosphorylation of serine 109 of Arpp19 triggers resumption of meiotic division in Xenopus oocytes [4]. Recently two groups have stated that PP2A-B55δ is the protein phosphatase that is responsible for dephosphorylating both serine 67 and serine 109 of Arpp19 [4,5] However, unfortunately for the authors concerned [1-5], no verifiable scientific evidence exists that shows that Arpp19 is a specific inhibitor of PP-2AB55ɗ when Arpp19 is phosphorylated at serine 67 by Greatwall kinase and that Arpp-19 phosphorylated at serine 67 and Arpp19 phosphorylated at 109 are both specifically dephosphorylated by PP-2AB55ɗ Arpp19. The idea that Arpp-19 phosphorylated at serine 67 is both an inhibitor and a substrate of PP-2AB55ɗ has more to do with science fiction than science. The role of other Protein Phosphatases, including, PP-2A-B'56ɗ and Protein Phosphatase-1
I (PP-1
I) cannot be ignored. Evidenceis presented and discussed here...
Movimento Aprendizes de Sabedoria (MASA)
Authors: Andrade Adriane , Gómez Jorge Ramón Montenegro
Published: January 2020

O objetivo desse artigo é analisar como a cartografia social tem contribuido na luta dos Povos e Comunidades Tradicionais no Paraná, mais especificamente o Movimento Aprendizes de Sabedoria (MASA) e como essa ferramenta tem auxiliado nas estratégias de territorialização do movimento no Estado, contruindo/acionando uma identidade coletiva do grupo. A análise é baseada na pesquisa-participante realizada junto ao movimento nos últimos quatro anos. Observa-se através dessa análise que o MASA aciona a cartografia social como ferramenta no auxílio de sua r-existência nos territórios em que está inserido. Ela é utilizada para a identificação dos sujeitos e dos conflitos e como principal fonte da articulação política da base, resultando em conquistas como a institucionalização do ofício de benzedeira nos três municípios que o movimento está territorializado.
Is Durability Sustainable?
Authors: Carp Belinda
Published: January 2020

Interestingly, the French word for sustainability is durabilité. And, of course, durability is at the heart of sustainability—isn't it? If a product is durable, it will last for a long time and this means that it won't be discarded quickly, which keeps it out
of the land-fill longer. If it doesn't need to be replaced often, the product's total environmental impact is reduced across its lifecycle. On the other hand, if something is designed to last for a long time, does that mean that it won't break down for a long time after it has been discarded—and
if so, how can that be viewed as sustainable? Take plastic bags, for example. In the case of a product that is designed to be thrown away after relatively few uses, biodegradability is better than durability. So maybe it all depends on context.
Analisis Webometrics terhadap Repositori Institusi Perguruan Tinggi Keagamaan Islam Negeri (PTKIN): Kajian terhadap 5 PTKIN di Indonesia
Authors: Santoso Budhi
Published: January 2020

Repositori institusi merupakan media untuk preservasi digital karya akademis yang ada disebuah institusi. Repositori institusi merupakan salah satu alat untuk pemeringkatan institusi di dunia. Peneliti menggunakan analisis webometrics untuk pemeringkatan website repositori institusi di 5 PTKAIN di Indonesia kemudian ditetapkan 4 indikator yang digunakan untuk menilai repositori institusi yaitu; indikator size (S), indikator visibilitas (V), indikator rich file (R), indikator scholar kemudian keempat indikator tersebut dianalisis untuk menentukan peringkat webometricss. Dari hasil penelitian UIN Syarif Hidayatullah menempati peringkat pertama dengan nilai 0,9932, kemudian peringkat kedua adalah UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta dengan nilai 0,5486, kemudian peringkat ketiga adalah UIN Sultan Syarif Kasim Riau dengan nilai 0.3916, peringkat keempat adalah UIN Walisongo Semarang dengan nilai 0.2978 kemudian peringkat terakhir adalah UIN Raden Fatah Palembang dengan nilai  0,2171.  Upaya yang perlu dilakukan untuk mengingkatkan webometrik institusi yaitu; Perlunya dibuat sebuah tim teknologi informasi di perpustakaan yang mengkaji tentang search engine optimizer (SEO), perlunya komitment dari semua pihak sivitas akademika dalam mendukung repositori institusi untuk dapat berkembang dan perlunya upaya pelestarian karya akademis yang ada di institusi dengan mengunggah semua konten lokal ke repositori institusi dalam format dokumen pdf, word dan ppt.
Implementasi Makerspace dalam Layanan Perpustakaan
Authors: Nihayati Nihayati , Wijayanti Luki
Published: January 2020

Perpustakaan saat ini masuk di era disrupsi, dimana banyak tugas perpustakaan sudah bisa dikerjakan oleh mesin atau teknologi. Pengguna potensial dan perilaku pengguna perpustakaan pun juga berubah menjadi generasi millennial berbasis digital dan sangat dinamis. Oleh karena itu, perpustakaan dituntut mengembangkan inovasi layanan baru yang mengakomodir kebutuhan pengguna dan perkembangan teknologi. Salah satu perkembangan teknologi yang diadopsi menjadi layanan perpustakaan adalah makerspace. Penelitian ini membahas desain dan implementasi makerspace dalam layanan perpustakaan. Manfaat penelitian ini untuk menjelaskan apa saja yang perlu diperhatikan dalam mengembangkan makerspace dan menggambarkan jenis layanan makerspace perpustakaan. Jenis penelitian merupakan penelitian deskriptif kualitatif dengan metode pengumpulan data melalui studi literatur dan observasi elektronik. Analisis data terdiri dari reduksi data, representasi data dan penarikan kesimpulan. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa dalam mendesain layanan makerspace perlu memperhatikan kebutuhan potensial pengguna, prasyarat hukum, struktur organisasi, konten koleksi,infrastruktur, interaksi dan kolaborasi, kompetensi pustakawan dan staff ahli IT serta kerjasama dengan pihak ketiga. Implementasi makerspace di Amerika sangat bervareasi, mulai dari 3D printing, I-Space, platform virtual space dan virtual reality (VR).  Di UK, sebagian besar layanan makerspace masih diimplementasikan dalam bentuk FabLab. Makerspace perpustakaan Curtin Australia juga sudah mengembangkan  pencetakan 3D dan virtual reality. Makerspace di beberapa perpustakaan di Afrika berupa 3D Printing, sementara di beberapa perpustakaan Indonesia sudah berkembang menjadi layanan dalam bentuk space tetapi belum mencapai virtual makerspace.
SOMEONE BETWEEN: ETHICAL AND MEDICAL PROBLEMS OF HUMAN AND (NON)HUMAN ANIMAL ENHANCEMENT
Authors: ŻOK AGNIESZKA , BAUM EWA
Published: January 2020

Human dreams of a long and healthy life are becoming increasingly real. The advancement of medical technology allows to modify the genome or personalised therapy in order to avoid troublesome side effects. This process also leads to the blurring of boundaries between humans and animals. Rats with induced human diseases are used for testing drugs for incurable illness; humanised pigs can donate organs that are compatible with the genome and immune system of the recipient. A brave new human is approaching, and new “human” animals are making this possible. The main objective of the article is to show the differences between the refinement of people and other animals and to analyse this phenomenon from an ethical point of view.
Effect of rhamnolipids on microbial biomass content and biochemical parameters in soil contaminated with coal tar creosote
Authors: Telesiński Arkadiusz , Zambrana Ariel Brito , Jarnuszewski Grzegorz , Curyło Kornel , Krzyśko-Łupicka Teresa , Pawłowska Barbara , Cybulska Krystyna , Wróbel Jacek , Rynkiewicz Marek
Published: January 2020

The objective of the present study was to compare the effect of rhamnolipids on the microbial biomass content and the activity of dehydrogenases (DHA), acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and urease (URE) in soil contaminated with two types of coal tar creosote: type C and type GX-Plus. The experiment was carried out on samples of sandy clay loam under laboratory conditions. Coal tar creosote was added to soil samples at a dose of 0 and 10 g·kg−1 DM, along with rhamnolipids at a dose of 0, 10, 100, and 1000 mg·kg−1 DM. The humidity of the samples was brought to 60% maximum water holding capacity, and the samples were incubated at 20°C. Microbial and biochemical parameters were determined on days 1, 7, 21, and 63. The obtained results demonstrated that the addition of rhamnolipids did not result in any significant changes in the activity of the determined parameters in the uncontaminated soil. However, it was observed that the application of these biosurfactants, particularly at the dose of 1000 mg·kg−1 DM, largely decreased the effect of coal tar creosote on the determined parameters. Moreover, the microbial biomass and the activity of ALP and URE were found to be the best indicator of bioremediation of soil contaminated with coal tar creosote.
Effects of foliar trichomes on the accumulation of atmospheric particulates in Tillandsia brachycaulos
Authors: Zhang Ruiwen , Zheng Guiling , Li Peng
Published: January 2020

Foliar trichomes are specialized structures that have first contact with atmospheric particulate matter (PM), while their effects on PM accumulation are rarely investigated. In this study, epiphytic Tillandsia brachycaulos with foliar trichomes was investigated. Trichomes were removed artificially to investigate PM adsorption and resuspension. The results showed that the maximum PM (13.94±0.20 g•m-2) and natural PM content (10.65±1.10 g•m-2) on T. brachycaulos samples with foliar trichomes was significantly higher than those without foliar trichomes. After PM deposition on the leaf surface, more than 85% of PM was dispersed by wind in plants without trichomes, significantly higher than those with trichomes (30.2%). Therefore, the effects of foliar trichomes on PM were reflected not only on PM adsorption, but on PM resuspension. Foliar trichomes can decrease PM resuspension falling on the leaf surface and promote the accumulation of these particles.
On the singular value decomposition of (skew-)involutory and (skew-)coninvolutory matrices
Authors: Faßbender Heike , Halwaß Martin
Published: January 2020

The singular values σ > 1 of an n × n involutory matrix A appear in pairs (σ, {1 \over \sigma }). Their left and right singular vectors are closely connected. The case of singular values σ = 1 is discussed in detail. These singular values may appear in pairs (1,1) with closely connected left and right singular vectors or by themselves. The link between the left and right singular vectors is used to reformulate the singular value decomposition (SVD) of an involutory matrix as an eigendecomposition. This displays an interesting relation between the singular values of an involutory matrix and its eigenvalues. Similar observations hold for the SVD, the singular values and the coneigenvalues of (skew-)coninvolutory matrices.
The classification of inequalities: Tests, exams and classes of refugees
Authors: Federlein Katharina , Hondros Konstantin
Published: January 2020

Der Beitrag untersucht aus hermeneutisch-wissenssoziologischer Perspektive, inwiefern Klasse und Klassifizierung im Umgang mit und unter Geflüchteten selbst eine Rolle spielen. Uns interessiert, ob und wie Ungleichheiten in diesem sensiblen Bereich wirksam werden und wir nutzen dafür einen an Bourdieus Konzeption angelehnten breiten Klassenbegriff. Klassifizierung verstehen wir als Vorgang, der zur Bildung von Klassen führt. Durch den Vergleich von bürokratisch-wissenschaftlichen Dokumenten, die Hinweise auf einen politischen Diskurs geben, mit teilnehmenden Beobachtungen aus Integrationskursen verknüpfen wir in der Literatur distanzierte Blickwinkel. Die im foucaultschen Konzept der Gouvernementalität angelegte Unterscheidung zwischen Selbst- und Fremdführung erlaubt uns Ungleichheiten sowohl im Umgang mit als auch unter Geflüchteten selbst theoretisch einzufangen. Wir beobachten, dass Tests und Prüfungen, die den bürokratischen und wissenschaftlichen Diskurs bestimmen, auch in Selbstführung bestimmend sind, und entdecken die Möglichkeit subversiver Selbstführung durch Praktiken wie ‚Feste feiern‘ oder ‚schummeln‘.
ТЕОРЕТИЧНІ АСПЕКТИ ПРОГНОЗУВАННЯ РОЗВИТКУ ЕНЕРГОКЛАСТЕРУ З УРАХУВАННЯМ СУЧАСНИХ ІННОВАЦІЙНО-ІНВЕСТИЦІЙНИХ ТРЕНДІВ
Authors: Bondar O.A. , Klymchuk M.M. , Shovkivska V.V. , Klochko A.A. , Malik R.Yu.
Published: January 2020

У статті досліджено теоретичні аспекти прогнозування розвитку енергокластеру, оскільки саме енергокластер має створювати умови для базового, комплексного розвитку в рамках цільової функції, спрямованої на активізацію його технологічного, науково-технічного, виробничо-комерційного та кадрового потенціалу, а також упередження, мінімізацію активних і пасивних економічних загроз, пов'язаних, наприклад, з фрагментарною державною політикою в сфері підтримки функціонування інтеграційних утворень.Актуалізовано проблематику формування нових моделей організації спільної діяльності підприємств, а саме енергокластеру як одного з інструментарію створення інноваційно-високотехнологічної економіки та залучення інвестицій. Проведено групування підходів щодо економіко-математичного розвитку енергокластеру, де виокремлено переваги та недоліки груп моделей інноваційного розвитку економіки в вигляді векторної задачі лінійного програмування, моделей, заснованих на одному або групі критеріальних показників чи на концепції балансу, а також в основі яких покладено аналіз структури економічного об'єкта. Запропоновано організаційно-економічнe системe елементів енергокластеру при якому забезпечується стабільність його функціонування, досягнення фінансово-комерційного успіху, прогресивний науково-технічний та соціальний розвиток з урахуванням діючих тенденцій світових економічних, виробничих і наукових трансформацій. Представлено комплекс факторів розвитку енергокластеру та принців адаптації, впровалдення яких сприятиме ефективному вирішенню проблем раціонального використання енергоресурсів в рамках інтеграційного утворення.
ІНСТИТУЦІЙНІ ЧИННИКИ ФОРМУВАННЯ КАДРОВОГО ПОТЕНЦІАЛУ РОЗВИТКУ КОНКУРЕНТОСПРОМОЖНОСТІ РЕГІОНУ
Authors: Kropelnytska S.O. , Mayorova T.V. , Kondur O.S.
Published: January 2020

У статті досліджуються питання інституційної складової конкурентоспроможності регіону в частині формування кадрового (людського) потенціалу для її розвитку.Метою є дослідити інституційні чинники формування кадрового потенціалу на регіональному рівні та запропонувати шляхи його розвитку на базі проекту “Створення проектно-освітнього центру розвитку інновацій та інвестицій в регіоні” задля підвищення рівня конкурентоспроможності та інноваційності розвитку Прикарпатського регіону України.Для отримання якісних та кількісних результатів дослідження у статті використано методологію соціологічного опитування, зокрема при розрахунку показників, що характеризують кадрові потреби громад Прикарпаття; застосовано методи статистичної обробки інформації, логіко-аналітичний – для окреслення тенденцій формування, для визначення та систематизації даних щодо кадрового потенціалу, що формується у Прикарпатському національному університеті ім. В. Стефаника (ПНУ), в розрізі об’єднаних територіальних громад (ОТГ) Івано-Франківської області, в розрізі інститутів та факультетів університету тощо.Проблема, що досліджується у статті і яка потребує вирішення, обумовлена відсутністю балансу між пропозицією та попитом на відповідні кадри, яких готують заклади вищої освіти (ЗВО) для громад регіону. Розв’язати зазначену проблему пропонується шляхом створення проектно-освітніх інституцій у ЗВО. Вони відіграватимуть роль управлінських центрів взаємодії ЗВО-ОТГ зі зведення інформації та прийняття рішень щодо формування кадрового потенціалу розвитку конкурентоспроможності регіону.Практичне значення даного наукового дослідження полягає в тому, що воно проводиться в рамках діючого проекту регіонального розвитку і базується на первинних результатах діяльності Проектно-освітнього центру розвитку інновацій та інвестицій в регіоні – “Агенти змін” ПНУ.Науковою новизною і цінністю є розробка методичних підходів до створення та впровадження мережевої моделі взаємодії ЗВО-ОТГ задля формування затребуваного громадами регіону кадрового потенціалу, а також рекомендацій щодо формалізації побудови коротко- та середньострокових прогнозів щодо нього.