Archive of Journal
Volume 74, Issue 4, Apr. 2018

NEUTROPHIL-LYMPHOCYTE RATIO AND PLATELET-LYMPHOCYTE RATIO AS MORTALITY PREDICTORS IN CRITICALLY ILL COPD PATIENTS

Volume 74, Apr 2018
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2018.4.20

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Abstract: Introduction: Acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) significantly increases the hospitalization in intensive care unit and also to mortality among patients with COPD. Acute predictors of mortality and morbidity following AECOPD can manipulate the treatment modality. We investigated the predictive value of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in patients that are hospitalized due to AECOPD in intensive care unit (ICU). Material and methods: This study was performed between June 2011 to 2015 in an in ICU of a tertiary hospital by including the patients that are hospitalized in ICU and diagnosed as AECOPD. Results: The mortality rate was 34.8% (n=46). Apache-II score was higher and Glasgow coma scale (GCS) was lower in non-survivors. Lower FEV1% predicted is associated with mortality. Among co-morbidities, cardiac arrhythmia, renal failure and lung cancer were associated with increased mortality. Length of stay in the ICU stay time was longer in non-survivors. The mean values of NLR and PLR was greater in non-survivors but the differences were not statistically significant (p=0.655 and 0.261 respectively). The NLR was correlated with WBC and CRP (with WBC p<0.001 r=0.397 and with CRP p=0.028 r=0.190); but PLR has no correlation with WBC and CRP (with WBC p=0.164 r=0.122 and with CRP p=0.728 r=0.030). Discussion: NLR and PLR are the new biomarkers that are widely used prognostic markers in various diseases especially cardiovascular diseases but they are not good markers of mortality for patients that are hospitalized in intensive care unit due to AECOPD.

Author(s): Recai Ergun, Begum Ergan

PROGNOSTIC VALUE OF SERUM URIC ACID LEVEL FOR SHORT TERM SURVIVAL IN PATIENTS NEEDING \\r\\nMECHANICAL VENTILATION DUE TO CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE EXACERBATIONS\\r\\n

Volume 74, Apr 2018
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2018.4.22

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Abstract: Background: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum uric acid (UA) \\r\\nlevels and long term survival after hospitalization for a severe exacerbation in chronic \\r\\nobstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. \\r\\nMethods and Material: The study was designed as retrospective cohort study and performed \\r\\nintensive care unit (ICU). \\r\\nDatabase for COPD patients with an exacerbation with the diagnosis of acute respiratory \\r\\nfailure and required either noninvasive or invasive ventilation were reviewed and patients� \\r\\ndemographic and clinical characteristics and laboratory data were recorded. Patients were \\r\\ndivided into two groups according to their serum UA levels. \\r\\nStatistical analysis used: In the multivariable analysis, independent factors in predicting \\r\\nsurvival were investigated by Cox regression analysis with Backward selection using probable \\r\\nfactors determined in the previous analyses. \\r\\nResults: Among 103 COPD patients, the serum UA level was <6.9 mg/dL in 54 (52.4%) \\r\\npatients (low UA group) and ?6.9 mg/dL in 49 (47.6%) patients (high UA group). The groups \\r\\ndid not differ regarding 28-, 90-, 180-, and 365-day survival rates; the median duration of \\r\\nsurvival was 90 days in the low UA group and 51 days in the high UA group (p=0.584). The \\r\\nmultivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that high serum UA level (?6.9 mg/dL) was \\r\\nassociated with increased mortality risk in COPD patients hospitalized for acute exacerbation \\r\\n(hazard ratio=1.97, 95% confidence interval=1.10-3.51, p=0.022). \\r\\nConclusions: Serum UA level may be a beneficial biomarker in predicting mortality risk in \\r\\nCOPD patients with acute respiratory failure and required either noninvasive or invasive \\r\\nventilation.

Author(s): Recai Ergun, Dilek Ergün

DIALOGUE COMMUNICATIVE STRUCTURES IN TEACHING FOREIGN LANGUAGE

Volume 74, Apr 2018
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2018.4.23

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Abstract: This paper represents a study of the aspects of developing effective dialogic models with due consideration of their communicative structures in the process of teaching a foreign language. The main communicative strategies and approaches applied to different multinational groups and groups with mixed age at different stages of teaching are described here. A concept of a simulated dialogue is proposed in this study. The concept means controlled conversational interaction (dialogic interaction) between persons being taught, which is composed of different dialogue partners\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\' personal intentions implemented in coordination. Unsymmetrical contacts affect the dialogue development, where tactic forms choice limitations get involved, wider prospect of a dialogue is provided due to the equal social roles of participants interested in the perception of information communicated, and dialogue simulation ensures necessary volume of a speech interaction act. The results of a linguistic experiment conducted using the elements of conscious effect on the process of natural lingual interaction were used as material for study. The process was controlled by means of unexpected introduction of a new incentive (stimulus). The pseudo-communicativeness of such interaction was eliminated due to the availability of incentives aimed at expanding the elementary cycle through the introduction of new structural strategic components, a new aim, or a new script. Several students learning Russian as a foreign language took part in the experiment. As a result of studies undertaken a corpus of extracted dialogues was compiled. Applying the communicative tactics as a basis for teaching a foreign language the use of a simulated dialogue can promote the optimization of the teaching process and supplementary motivation in learning a foreign language as a communication tool, because the choice of an optimal way of expressing intentions is the communicative need of any person learning a language.

Author(s): Mikheeva Tatiana B., Shapovalova Elena Yu, Ereshchenko Margarita Vl., Antibas Irina Al.

ANTI-PCA/YO AND ANTI-GAD LEVELS IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER AND ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER

Volume 74, Apr 2018
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2018.4.4

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Abstract: Compelling evidences suggest that dysfunction in the cerebellar region of the brain plays has a significiant association with the etiology of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD). This study aims to investigate should there is the association between degeneration of the cerebellum and the etiologies of ASD and ADHD. The study recruited participants comprising of 40 children with ASD and 39 children with ADHD. 40 healthy children were recruited as the control group. The participants were analysed for an increase in anti-purkinje cell autoantibodies, called as Yo (anti-PCA/Yo) antibodies and anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) antibody levels during cerebellar damage. Each child with ASD was evaluated using the autism behavior checklist (ABC), aberrant behavior checklist (AbBC) and childhood autism rating scale (CARS). The Conners’ Parent and Teacher Rating Scales-Revised Long Form (CPRS and CTRS) screening questionnaires were completed by the parents and teachers of children with ADHD. The anti-PCA/Yo and anti-GAD levels were determined using 10 ml venous samples from the participants. No significant sociodemographical differences were observed between the groups. Significant differences were found in the anti-Yo levels between children with ADHD and healthy subjects (p=0.002). Additionally, a positive correlation was observed between GAD levels and children age. This was the first study that evaluated levels of anti-Yo and anti-GAD levels in ADHD and ASD, and compared it to a control group. It found association between anti-Yo levels and ADHD. Further studies with larger samples and follow-up periods are necessary in order to investigate possible etiological factors among subjects with neuropsychiatric disorders.

Author(s): Cagatay Ugur, Ozden Sukran Uneri, Esra Yurumez

EVALUATION OF THE PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS THE CHILDREN DIAGNOSED WITH PRECOCIOUS PUBERTY SUFFER FROM: A CASE CONTROL STUDY

Volume 74, Apr 2018
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2018.4.5

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Abstract: Background: One of the most common and difficult to diagnose condition is Precocious Puberty which is prevalent in pediatric patients with endocrinology disorders. The plethora of information available in open sources makes the families concern about their child’s pubertal development. These patients undergo a tremendous psychological turmoil. Hence, the current study was planned with the aims to evaluate children in terms of psychiatric illness who were diagnosed with pubertaprecocs. Methodology: The present study was undertaken in \\\"University of Health Sciences, Ankara Child Health and Diseases Hematology Oncology Training and Research Hospital\\\" Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department and Child Endocrinology Clinic. There were total 120 samples where in 56 were suffering from Precocious puberty and 64 were control. The patients included those who visited pediatric endocrine polyclinic with complaints of early adolescence and the control group included patients without the disorder with same age and gender. The children were interviewed using DSM-V tool and thereafter assessed on scales like SCARED, CPRS, CTRS, CDQ, Body Perception scale and Piers Harris self-concept scale measurement for children. Results: The two groups were similar in terms of CPRS, CTRS, CDS and Pier-Harris scales distributions (p> 0.05). Body Sensitivity Scale scores of the pubertas praecox group were significantly lower (median 175 vs. 185.5, z = -2.537, p = 0.011). At least one psychiatric disorder was found to be significantly higher in the puberty precox group (32.1% vs. 10.9%), x2 = 8.143, p = 0.004. CPRS-POSITIVE was significantly higher in the pubertas praecox group (67.9% vs. 48.4%), x2 = 4.609, p = 0.032. Similarly, internalization or externalization impairment was found to be higher in pubertal precox cases than control group cases. Conclusion: The psychiatric disorders are more prevalent in children pubertaprecocsthan their healthy counterparts. These patients thus, need to be treated keeping in mind their psychiatric condition. The patients with Precococious puberty thus are more prone to various psychiatric problems. Hence, apart from endocrinologic follow-up and treatment of these patients the psychiatric support must be given to these patients.

Author(s): Cagatay Ugur, Seyit Ahmet Ucakturk, Eda Mengen, Mehmet Sertcelik

EVALUATION OF PROFESSIONAL QUALITY TRAINING STUDENTS WITH LIMITED OPPORTUNITIES OF HEALTH IN THE CONDITIONS OF THE PEDAGOGICAL OLYMPIAD ORGANIZATION

Volume 74, Apr 2018
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2018.4.24

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Abstract: The article is devoted to the problem of assessing the quality of vocational training of the students with health-limited opportunities of mastering the higher education programs. The essential characteristics of the monitoring process and evaluating the quality of education in the higher education institution, the criteria, means and methods of assessment quality of education are analyzed in this article. As one of their effective ways for assessing the quality of vocational training, the authors propose to consider the pedagogical Olympiad. The article presents the experience of assessing the quality of education for students with health limited opportunities in the process of holding the student\'s Olympiad of the all-Russian stage of the All-Russian Student Olympiad in speech therapy (Saransk, 2017), the substantive and proce-dural aspects of the application of this means of estimation are considered, the qualitative and quantitative analysis of results of the similar assessment allowing to make the conclusion about quality of formation of professional competences and personal educations of students with limited opportunities of health is provided.

Author(s): Alexander Evgenevich Falileev, Svetlana Vladimirovna Arhipova,Antonina Nikolaevna Gamajunova,Eugene Vyacheslavovna Zolotkova,Marina Anatolievna Lavrenteva,Natalya Gennadyevna Minayeva,Natalya Vladimirovna Ryabob

MUSEOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF THE ARTISTIC AND AESTHETIC VALUE OF MONUMENTS OF HISTORY AND CULTURE

Volume 74, Apr 2018
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2018.4.25

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Abstract: In the proposed article, the author analyzes the artistic and aesthetic values in the value potential of historical and cultural monuments, introduces clarity into the etymology of the notion \"monument\". The author concludes that the buildings, statues, drawings, even songs and poems that our ancestors sought to preserve in memory, memories and pass on to future generations deserve the status of a \"monument\". Thus, the evaluation of the artistic and aesthetic value of art objects on the same criteria of uniform perfection, proportional correspondence, unity of content and form justifies our conclusion from the scientific and theoretical point of view. The author completes the study of the problem of the artistic and aesthetic value of historical and cultural monuments in the context of museology by appropriate scientific conclusions.

Author(s): Eyvazova Yegana Mohammed gizi

DETERMINISTIC COMMUNICATION AND CULTUROLOGICAL ESSENCE WOMANS PSYCHOLOGY

Volume 74, Apr 2018
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2018.4.21

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Abstract: In the article, some aspects of deterministic connections and the cultural essence of what is happening in womens psychology are examined. It is noted that in the history of social knowledge, nowadays identifying in itself a lot of such applied sciences as psychology, sociology, etc. the question of the soulful state of man has always been anatrical. Also, it is noted that the idea of the arrival of people from the experience of the material world to the thinking of the spiritual world (ideal, spiritual realm) according to its logic, based on the methodology of sensationalism, materialism, shows the truth unilaterally. There were many reasons for the idea of the existence of a soul in a person, that is, this idea was created not only from the impression of transparent and subtle materials. In sum, the author emphasizes that, in any case, the cause-and-effect line of materialists played a role in this process.

Author(s): Aliyeva Sadagat Agasafar gizi

THE IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL, MORPHOMETRIC AND BIOCHEMICAL EVALUATION OF SYSTEMICALLY ADMINISTERED BORIC ACID ON LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDE-INDUCED PERIODONTITIS IN DIABETIC RATS

Volume 74, Apr 2018
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2018.4.17

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Abstract: Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of systemically administred boric acid (BA) on lipopolysaccharide-induced periodontitis, histopathological changes and antioxidant status in diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: 48 Wistar rats were divided into six experimental groups: 1) Control (C, n=8) 2) Lipopolysaccharide only group (LPS, n=8) 3) Streptozotocin only group (STZ, n=8) 4) STZ+LPS group (n=8) 5) STZ+LPS+20 mg/kg/day BA group (BA20, n=8) 6) STZ+LPS+30 mg/kg/day BAgroup (BA30, n=8). Diabetes mellitus was induced by a single injection of 55 mg/kg STZ. Experimental periodontitis was established by applied Escherichia coli (E. Coli) LPS injection into the palatal gingiva between the right maxillary first and second molars for 3 times every 48 hours. BA was given for 10 days. Animals were sacrificed on the 20th day. Alveolar bone loss was evaluated by morphometric analysis. Interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were evaluated immunohistochemically and serum malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were evaluated by biochemical analysis. Results: The highest alveolar bone loss value was observed in the STZ+LPS group. BA groups showed significantly lower bone loss compared to STZ, and STZ+LPS groups (p<0,05). The inflammatory cell counts were found out to be significantly reduced in both BA groups, in comparison to the LPS, STZ, STZ+LPS groups (p<0,05). The osteoblast counts were found out to be significantly increased in both BA groups in comparison to LPS group (p<0,05). And it was found significantly higher in BA30 group compared to STZ group (p<0,05). The osteoclast counts of both BA groups were found out to be significantly decreased compared to STZ and STZ+LPS groups (p<0,05). IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α levels were found out to be decreased in both BA groups compared to LPS and STZ+LPS groups (p<0,05). MDA levels in BA30 group were lower compared to the STZ+LPS group. SOD and GSH levels in BA30 group were significantly higher in comparison to the C, LPS, and STZ groups (p<0.05). At the same time, GSH levels in BA30group were significantly higher in comparison to the BA20 group (p<0.05). Conclusions: Systemically administred BA reduced the STZ- and LPS -induced periodontal inflammation and the MDA level; and increased the SOD and GSH levels in diabetic rats.

Author(s): Canan Onder, Havva Muge Balseven, Gulcin Mete, Nazli Cil, M. Bulent Ozdemir, Ergun Mete, Yasar Enli, Barbaros Sahin, Hande Senol, Sivge Kurgan, Meral Gunhan

SMALL MEDIUM TECHNOLOGICAL ENTERPRISES AND LOCAL ECONOMIC RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT TO PROMOTE INDUSTRIAL AND TRADE ACTIVITIES IN SOLOK CITY, WEST SUMATRA, INDONESIA

Volume 74, Apr 2018
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2018.4.28

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Abstract: The objective of this research is to analyze the macro and microeconomic environments of SMTEs in Solok City. The SMTEs were considered as an engine of growth for local economic resources development. The research findings are (i) the contribution of the industrial sector to GRDP was relatively smaller during the period of 2010-2016. (ii)the LQs values showed that trade and service sector dominates the economic activities while the regions around Solok City were dominated by economic activity in the primary sector. Padang City dominated by secondary and tertiary economic activities. (iii) In relation with OTDA, the result of studies indicated that the policy created an advantages for creation and development of SMTEs. The conclusion was that a macroeconomic environment of Solok City was relatively not yet conducive; however, the opportunity the creation and development of SMTEs was open and quite prospective. The microeconomic environments analysis, by using the primary data, the research findings showed that there were six program supports required by candidate and new entrepreneurs. And eight program supports required by entrepreneurs (2-3 years) in business. Key Words: Entrepreneurs, SMTEs, City Functions, OTDA, Program Supports

Author(s): Firwan Tan, Dewi Sartika, Maidalena

GENDER-BASED MODEL IN PROSE APPRECIATION LEARNING FOR TEACHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS IN INDONESIA

Volume 74, Apr 2018
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2018.4.3

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Abstract: The present paper aims to explain the characteristics and design of gender-based reception-reproduction model in prose appreciation learning in teacher education institutions in Indonesia. This study employed Research and Development (R&D) design. In general, the study was divided into three stages, namely the introduction stage, the development stage of the learning model, and the dissemination stage. The subjects of this study were categorized based on research data sources at each stage. Data collection techniques employed interview techniques, observation, questionnaires, and documentation. The gender-based reception-reproduction model was developed from the stratta model created by Stratta (1973) and the reader response strategy. The results of the study revealed that the gender-based reception-reproduction model in prose-appreciation learning in teacher education institutions in Indonesia had the following principles: (1) motivation, (2) fun, (3) modeling, (4) mentoring, (5) guidance, (6) direct experience, (7) familiarization, and (8) exemplary. The design of the gender-based reception-reproduction model in prose appreciation learning in teacher education institutions in Indonesia included seven elements: (1) introduction, (2) assumptions and objectives, (3) syntax, (4) social system, (5) reaction principles, (6) supporting systems, and (7) instructional and following impacts.

Author(s): Nas Haryati Setyaningsih, Fathur Rokhman, Suminto A. Sayuti, Ida Zulaeha

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS’ USE OF LIBRARY INFORMATION RESOURCES IN THE EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA

Volume 74, Apr 2018
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2018.4.26

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Abstract: Library information resources and services are now easily accessible from remote locations without the users’ physical presence at the library building. Technological advancements and the development of scientific research equipment have made information resources better available to researchers and students. These new practices are shifting the landscape of research collaboration, data collection, analysis, dissemination and consequently, academic information seeking behaviour. The aim of this study was to establish the library information resources use pattern in relation to their preferred information media in order to render better academic information services to library users. 390 respondents were surveyed at the Nelson Mandela University and the University of Fort Hare using quantitative and qualitative methods. Most of the respondents, 82.3% were aged between 18-23 years; while the average library use time was two hours daily. Inferential statistical findings revealed that the unavailability/inability of the library to provide an information material does not significantly increase the amount of time undergraduate students spend using the Internet (B = -0.244, t = -2.034, p<0.05). Records from the E-librarians revealed that undergraduate students account for only 5% and 6% of total users of electronic databases at UFH and NMMU respectively with 62.3% of the respondents preferring print information resources. Better understanding of library users’ demographics and information media preference is essential in proving the right kind of information services to undergraduate students.

Author(s): Oghenere Gabriel Salubi, Ezra Ondari-Okemwa, Fhulu Nekwhevha

PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP BASED CLUSTERING IN THE SPHERE OF INNOVATIONS

Volume 74, Apr 2018
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2018.4.14

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Abstract: Now that the world economy is becoming increasingly globalized, innovation is the name of the game if a sustained economic growth is to be achieved both in medium and long term perspective. As in the case of many countries, it is innovation that becomes the key factor ensuring stability in global competition. Nowadays it is commonly believed that the role of innovation and the importance of innovative development are high. According to one of the leading experts in the area of studying the nature of competition, Mr. Porter M., “companies achieve competitive advantage through innovation” and “innovation and entrepreneurship are cornerstones of the national competitive advantage”. Mr. Sergei Glazyev (a Russian economic guru) opines that “the implementation of innovations has become a key factor behind market competitiveness, allowing innovative firms to make super profit through appropriation of the intellectual rent created when more efficient products and technologies are used on an exclusive basis” [5, p. 1]. Innovation is one of the key factors producing a significant effect on long-term growth of Russia’s economic well-being under limited access to other resources. Although, main elements of the national innovation framework have been created in recent years, the potential for innovation in the country remains huge.

Author(s): Litvinenko I.L., Zernova L.E., Kiyanova L.D., Korolkov V.E., Buevich A.P., Protas V.F.

AN INTUITIVE 3D INTERFACE FOR DEFINING SEISMIC PROFILES BY PLINIUS

Volume 74, Apr 2018
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2018.4.9

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Abstract: Costa Rica is a country with a huge tectonic riches to the seismologists, but also is a hight risk zone. Defining those zones is important to warn the population. Until now, most of the data analysis is carried out using two-dimensional systems. For these reasons, we developed Plinius, with this tool we reduce the cognitive burden involved in this type of visualization, helping visualize earthquake hypocenters for earthquakes occurred during 1984-2016, thereby, a total of 1012,413 earthquakes. One of the most important problems to resolve is: how it be defined seismic profiles to determine hight risk areas? In this paper, we present the interface that is proposed in Plinius like an answer to the seismic profile problem. The objective of the seismic profiles is to display a cross-section cut showing tectonic plate subduction trends. This paper presents an overview of an intuitive human interface that allows users to access multiples seismic profiles within a few seconds. This interface is part of Plinius, a 3D tool that visualizes all earthquakes occurred in Costa Rica since 1984. Plinius was developed explicitly for this purpose. Through Plinius, the location of 112,413 earthquakes occurring from 1984-2016 can now be observed in three dimensions. Additionally, the user can save images and data in several formats for comparison and analysis at a later time.

Author(s): Jorge Monge Fallas, Franklin Hernandez Castro

CHARACTERIZATION OF PARTIALLY PURIFIED EXTRACELLULAR Α-AMYLASE FROM CANDIDA GLABRATA GROWN IN WHEY BASED MEDIUM

Volume 74, Apr 2018
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2018.4.15

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Abstract: The present study was concerned with the characterization of partially purified extracellular α-amylase from Candida glabrata isolated from soil and using whey as substrate. The production is carried out under optimum conditions, after 4 days of incubation; the enzyme was partially purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation. A trial for the purification of α-amylase resulted in an enzyme with specific activity of (78.88 units/mg protein) with (2.73 folds) purification. The partially purified α-amylase showed highest activity at pH 6.0. The α-amylase activity increased as the increase of enzyme concentration. The optimum substrate concentration (starch) was 0.4 % while the optimum incubation temperature was 55 ºC. The Michealis constant (Km) and the maximum velocity (Vmax) determined from Lineweaver-Burk plots of initial velocity data at different concentrations of the substrate were, respectively 0.27 mg/ml and 1016.26 μg/ml. This study indicated that this yeast can be exploited for production of α-amylase for biotechnological and industrial applications.

Author(s): Ammar Touhami LAICHE, Oumelkheir SIBOUKEUR

THE NEW TENDENCIES IN CAUCASIAN AND CENTRAL ASIAN GEOPOLITICS

Volume 74, Apr 2018
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2018.4.1

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Abstract: Demonstrating the alliance is considerably important in both construction activities of Caucasian and Central Asian states and in their efforts to solve the conflict issues keeping them under continuous pressure. This alliance is essential in neutralizing the attempts of hegemonic forces, which try to use confrontation existing in the region for their own interests. The Caucasian and Central Asia should understand this reality: not the external influence, but internally combined driving force should be the main transformative factor in this region of Eurasia. At the moment, geopolitical processes happening in the Caucasus and Central Asia lead to the strengthening of independent states of Eurasia and there is no doubt that these states will take the responsibility to develop this region without any external impact. Positive tendencies observed in the geopolitics of Caucasus and Central Asia create golden opportunities to the realization of the politico-economical potential of these states.

Author(s): Javanshir Feyziyev Eyyub oglu

ARTIFICIAL VISION ALGORITHMS AND APPLICATIONS: CASE OF PEOPLE`S IDENTIFICATION AND TRACKING

Volume 74, Apr 2018
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2018.4.6

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Abstract: Artificial vision is used in several areas, one of them is the fight against terrorism, the insecurity due to crime through efficient systems capable of recognizing strange or different situations of a routine, as well as vehicular traffic scenarios. The study shows how video surveillance in the detection of objects that are find moving is important for the detection of complex situations, aspects that should be considered such as the variation in lighting, shadow, background and disorder that show the video sequences. The detection and consequently the tracking of people and body parts of them is of high importance in the understanding of human tasks, the most used mechanism is the video surveillance different from the traditional in this case it is an automated and intelligent surveillance that allows it to become an active research area to the great demand of systems in large areas of massive concurrence of people such as airports, educational institutions at all levels, train stations, buses and at the same time massive events. In conclusion, the artificial vision is a great support within the surveillance networks, because they are monitored by specific personnel, who oversee large amounts of monitoring that are fed by the cameras, therefore, the use of artificial vision optimizes and at the same time makes the process of detecting daily routines effective.

Author(s): Cristina Paez Quinde, Victor Hernandez del Salto, Javier Sanchez Guerrero, Veronica E. Chicaiza R., Mocha-Bonilla Julio A.

THE IMPACT OF OIL PRICE ON SECTORIAL OUTPUT IN SOUTH AFRICA

Volume 74, Apr 2018
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2018.4.7

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Abstract: The paper utilised panel data analysis technique to assess the impact of oil prices on sectoral output in South Africa from 1994 to 2016. The paper, considered among other variables, sectoral output, oil prices, sector specific variables (such as intermediate input prices, real gross fixed capital formation, remuneration, unit labor cost and labor productivity) and macroeconomic variables (which include expenditure on health, interest rate and exchange rate). The fixed effect is the appropriate basic estimator as recommended by the Hausman test results. To cater for violation of the assumption of the linear panel regression assumptions (heteroscedasticity, serial and cross sectional correlation), the study employed the FGLG as the precise robust estimator following a large time (23) dimension and small cross sectional (3) units. The least square dummy variable was also used for sectoral analysis. The empirical findings of this paper demonstrates that the oil prices impact significantly on the South African economic sector output. More so, the results of the study illustrate that the impact of oil prices vary across economic sector outputs in South Africa. Thus, out of three selected economic sectors, only two sectors (the primary and tertiary) output respond negatively to oil prices. However, the paper postulates that the oil price is not a major obstruction of output growth in the secondary sector in South Africa.

Author(s): Peter Mukarumbwa, Kin Sibanda, Dorcas Gonese, Progress Hove-Sibanda

MARKETING AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP: THE APPLICATIONS OF RELATIONSHIP QUALITY CONSTRUCT

Volume 74, Apr 2018
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2018.4.29

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Abstract: The underlying interface between Marketing and Entrepreneurship has been a subject of academic debate for years now. There abound many marketing concepts and principles that are yet to find its way into this cross disciplinary debate. Scholars argued that the understanding of marketing theories and concepts has the potential to inform entrepreneurs with respect to addressing many issues faced in their business survival and sustainability. So, bearing in mind that the interface between both disciplines is still far from theoretical maturity, we set out to argue the need to integrate the relationship quality construct into entrepreneurship activities. Using theoretical and empirical evidences from SMEs and big corporate enterprises we found relationship quality to be a potent tool for developing a competitive edge and accumulating value benefits. Specifically, we found relationship quality to be a precursor for customer retention, increase in profit, generating word-of-mouth and other positive marketing outcomes that would have been unavailable in short term exchanges. The study justified the need for entrepreneurs and intra-preneurs to deploy organization resources in building quality relationship network since without customers� patronage entrepreneurship venture can hardly survive. The implication of this study is the urgent need for entrepreneurs to incorporate relationship building strategies in their entrepreneurship activities. Finally, the study recommends that constant periodic review of customers� relationship quality perception be undertaken to give up-to-date information on developments and changes that occur in customer behaviour across times.

Author(s): Chukwunonso Oraedu, Ubaka Johnson Ozo, Donatus Izuogu Eke, Ama Aka Udu

ETHNIC CONFLICTS: RESPONSE OF THE CIVIL SOCIETY

Volume 74, Apr 2018
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2018.4.27

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Abstract: The article aims to study into the phenomenon of ethnic conflicts in multiethnic regions as well as analyze the impact of non-governmental organisations' (NGO) activities in the sphere of conflict resolution, conflict prevention and mediation. Ethnic and religious conflicts are one of global issues of the contemporary world. We can find the premises of such conflicts in nearly any region with multiethnic population, where due to different reasons cross-cultural relations (relations between either ethnic or religious groups) are characterized by a rather high level of tensions. The ubiquitous phenomenon of ethnic conflicts is a constantly increasing global problem. Nowadays nationalist upheavals and ethnic violence �pose challenges to the cohesion of states� and are an obvious obstacle to the democratic peace project. Unfortunately, in most of the cases states have failed to resolve the conflicts. Frequently interference of state even exacerbated the problem. Under the circumstances, the rescue may come from the increasing sector of global civil society. The given research will apply constructivist approach (network theory) to argue that the activities by global civil society actors (particularly NGOs) can provide effective mechanisms in the process of ethnic conflict resolution. The authors intend to examine a case (North Caucasus regional part of The Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC)) of successful conflict resolution experience - in Daghestan Republic (Russian Federation) where Government failed to resolve the conflict, whereas active involvement (interference) of NGOs and other civil society organisations positively facilitated the peace-building process.

Author(s): Kazimurza S. Sultanov, Zarema S. Guseykhanova

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN TURKISH PREGNANT WOMEN

Volume 74, Apr 2018
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2018.4.19

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Abstract: ABSTRACT Violence is a widespread serious public health problem throughout the world. One of the major public health issues faced by pregnant women is domestic violence which threatens the health of mothers and fetuses. This descriptive study was conducted in Sivas University Hospital’s pregnancy clinics. The study population consisted of pregnant women admitted to Sivas University Hospital pregnancy clinics between April 2016 and July 2016. No sample selection method was used; the entire population was intended to reach; thus, the study included 203 pregnant women who met the inclusion criteria for the research and agreed to participate. Of the participating pregnant women, 99% felt confident when they were with their spouses, 8.4% were exposed to emotional abuse, 8.4% were exposed to economic abuse, 5.9% were exposed to verbal abuse, 2.5% were exposed to physical abuse, and 0.5 % were exposed to sexual abuse. The fact that women were exposed to violence before pregnancy and during pregnancy. That is a striking finding. The current study has some limitations. Health-care providers, particularly midwives, should raise their awareness of risk factors, if they are to protect women against domestic violence. Keywords: Pregnancy, Domestic violence, Turkish pregnant women

Author(s): Z. Burcu YURTSAL, Busra CESUR

OVERBOOKING MODEL FOR CAR RENTAL REVENUE MANAGEMENT WITH STOCHASTIC CANCELLATION

Volume 74, Apr 2018
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2018.4.16

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Abstract: Overbooking is one type of revenue management techniques that could help reduce costs caused by either undersales or oversales. In this paper, we propose overbooking models for one class of cars and two classes of cars to minimize the total cost for car rentals. In the two classes of cars situation, there is an upgrade possibility for lower class to upper class. This makes the model more complex than one class of cars scenario. We have found that convexity can be proved in both cases. Sensitivity analysis of the parameters is conducted to observe the effects of relevant parameters on the optimal solution. Model simplification is proposed using multiple linear regression analysis, which can help estimate the optimal overbooking level using appropriate independent variables. The results show that the overbooking level from multiple linear regression model is relatively close to the optimal solution (with the adjusted R-squared value of at least 83.40% for model of one class of cars, and 72.8% to 90.10% for model of two classes of car). To evaluate the performance of the proposed model, the total cost was compared with the case where the decision maker uses a na�ve method for the overbooking level. It was found that the total cost from optimal solution only 0.5 to 1 percent (on average) lower than the cost from regression model, while it is approximately 67% lower than the cost obtained by the na�ve method. It indicates that our proposed simplification method using regression analysis can perform very well in estimating the overbooking level.

Author(s): Naragain Phumchusri, Kittitach Pongpairoj

EVOLUTION OF THE CONTAMINATION FLORA OF CAMEL MILK COLLECTED LOCALLY DURING SPONTANEOUS FERMENTATION

Volume 74, Apr 2018
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2018.4.13

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Abstract: Camel milk is consumed locally in the fresh or fermented state. During fermentation, it was found that the lactic acid bacteria (native flora) increased and that of the bacteria of contamination decreased. It would be a natural self-purification that exists in milks of other dairy species, but whose duration is limited to a few hours after milking. In this study, we tried to compare the effect of this natural system with that of pasteurization. The milk samples were collected from camels belonging to the "Sahraoui population" located in the south-eastern region of Algeria. Four batches of samples of this product were made. One batch of raw milk and three others each subjected to pasteurization, low (63 ° C / 20min.), High (85 ° C / 2min.) and HTST (72 ° C / 15 sec). The products were stored at room temperature (about 25 ° C). Control batches having undergone the same treatments were stored at 4 ° C. A follow-up of the evolution of three groups of bacteria likely to contaminate camel milk due to non-compliant milking conditions and its pronounced salinity is achieved. The reductase test revealed a poor quality of the raw milk collected (fading time of the order of 2.5 hours). The results show a trend towards a gradual decrease of the contaminating bacterial load in raw milk batches stored at the ambient temperature (about 25 ° C) while in thermally treated samples, this flora of contamination is eliminated from the beginning of the experiment without any rebound during the entire period of the experiment. Thus, the level of coliforms increased from 9.13 × 102 cfu / ml at day 0 to 1.09 × 102 cfu / ml at day 0 in samples stored at room temperature. Enterobacteria followed the same trend, but more markedly, increasing from 5.02 × 102 cfu / ml at D0 to 4.7 × 10 cfu / ml at D0 + 10. Beyond this period, they disappear completely. As for the halotolerant bacteria, the rate goes from 7.76 × 103 cfu / ml at day 0 to 2.74 × 103 cfu / ml at day 15. At the same time, similar but more pronounced behaviors are noted with chilled lots.

Author(s): CHETHOUNA FATMA, SIBOUKEUR OUMELKEIR, Boudjenah Saliha

THE ROLE OF THE ISLAMIC AND EASTERN CULTURES IN THE FORMATION OF THE TURKISH DIVAN POETRY

Volume 74, Apr 2018
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2018.4.2

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Abstract: Turkish Divan poetry contains some common turkish and muslim traditions, comprehensively reflects the literary and aesthetic logic, socio-cultural life, religion and language view, world of thoughts and feelings of Ottoman Empire, which the building and the stage of its nationalization coincides with the period (XIII-XV centuries) of initial formation of Turkish Divan poetry. This poetry has its specific understanding of art and aesthetics. Under the influence of the historic events, socio-economic conditions and political powers, turkish divan poetry benefited from the Islamic culture and arabic literature, specially nourished from the classical persian literature, formed and developed on the basis of Near East and Middle East syncretic literature. In this article emphasized that the genres and types, as well as the literary system of turkish divan poetry which are formed in the XIII-XV centuries and declined in the XVI-XVII centuries, at the same time rised to the top in the regard of both the idea- content and literary- aesthetic beauty were formed on the basis of the theoretically and practically molded Eastern poetic traditions. But here the nuances arising from the ancient literary traditions, literary-aesthetic pleasure and laguage-style features occupy an important place and provides the richening teh divan poetry in aesthetical direction.

Author(s): Gadimova Shukufe Ibrahim gizi

THE THEOLOGY OF MODERN MAN: SAYED HOSSEIN NASRs PERSPECTIVE ON CONTEMPORARY REALITY

Volume 74, Apr 2018
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2018.4.11

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Abstract: This research aims at identifying the theology of modern man in the perspective of Sayed Hossein Nasr on Contemporary Reality. Science and technology have progressed in the 20th century beyond human imagination. One of its greatly-concerned impacts has been men’s high dependency on technology rather than reliance to God. Religion, as it is widely believed, is currently undergoing marginalization as a product of technology answering every human’s needs. God and religion have been much relegated as irrelevant. Such an attitude in modern men has raised a fundamental issue in theology as how to see and respond to the reality. Sayed Hossein Nasr sees that over-reliance on technology has degraded human values and eligion with all its spiritual dimensions replaced by the supremacy of rationalism, empiricism, positivism, and pragmatism. Human and divine values have lost their significance to rational measures which dominate and bring about imbalance and selfalienation in modern men. This study argues that despite its phenomenal achievements in science and technology rationalism which negates spiritual aspects in human life which leads to a lopsided modernity. Man will only grow partially in intellectual capacity and will not reach to his true existential self. He may rise to great material accomplishments but will fail to understand his being and existence. A solution to this reality in Nasr’s view is a return to spirituality in which modern man consciously brings his ratio back under the guidance of Divinity. Theologically, Nasr’s view is not compatible with Mu’tazila’s rational theology which goes on the same lane with Western Rationalism that excessively deifies ratio and negates God’s active involvement in human life. It is more compatible with the Ahlussunah’s theology of Proportional which gives right proportion to both ratio and spirituality.

Author(s): Eka Putra Wirman

TOLERANCE AMONG RELIGIOUS ADHERENTS IN INDONESIA

Volume 74, Apr 2018
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2018.4.12

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Abstract: The problem of Islam and pluralism in Indonesia is the dialectic of Islam and nationality but especially when entering the reform era marked by the process of democratization. Plurality continues to be energy in building to create the world climate characterized by the ability to recognize and understand other societies, respect for cultural, religious and ethnic diversity. It refers to implement common interests and build a peaceful and tolerant life in a dialogical atmosphere. This paper aims to elaborate the tolerance among religious adherents in Indonesia. Literature review was conducted using the keyword tolerance, and religious adherent. The findings reveal that attempts to promote tolerance among religious adherents in Indonesia have been a pivotal role to prevent the radicalization and this will lead to the harmony.

Author(s): Mifedwil Jandra, Dr. Mutawali