bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
El abrigo de Barranco Gómez (Castellote, Teruel), un nuevo conjunto con arte levantino en el núcleo rupestre del Guadalope
Authors: Bea Martínez Manuel , Domingo Sanz Inés , Angás Pajas Jorge
Published: June 2021

Este artículo presenta un nuevo hallazgo de arte levantino en el curso medio del río Guadalope, el abrigo de Barranco Gómez, y revisa una temática particular en esta tradición artística: la recolección de la miel. Entre las novedades destaca la escena de recolección de miel mejor conservada y más compleja de este arte, con un desarrollo en dos planos diferenciados (pared y techo). En ella, un trepador, con rasgos faciales, asciende por una escala conformada por bucles de cuerda. La imagen evidencia un uso avanzado de las técnicas de fabricación y un buen conocimiento de los procedimientos de escalada. De la escena se deduce una instalación previa de la escala en lo alto de los riscos para permitir después ascender desde la base. Esta novedosa escala en estribo, va asociada a un palo que sirve de anclaje intermedio para fijarla firmemente a la roca. El conjunto incluye además arqueros en marcha, una caza de cérvidos y una cierva retrospiciente con una singular representación del hocico. El análisis estilístico y temático de las figuras humanas permite reconocer tres fases de ejecución y establecer vínculos territoriales con otros núcleos del área septentrional del arte levantino.
La nécessaire praxis de la pensée et du dialogue critiques en classe
Authors: Daniel Marie-France
Published: June 2021

Dans ce texte, je m’appuierai sur les thèses des philosophes pragmatistes de l’éducation, ainsi que sur des résultats de recherche empiriques pour présenter la notion de pensée critique et je soulèverai des questionnements issus de la littérature scientifique : la pensée critique est-elle un produit ou un processus ? Son développement suppose-t-il des apprentissages réversibles ou non ? Quels sont les obstacles au développement d’une telle pensée ? Etc. Finalement, je présenterai des distinctions entre des éléments associés aux compétences discursives, notamment la narration, la conversation, la discussion, le dialogue simple et critique.
Les opérations intellectuelles des élèves et la perception de l’enseignante dans trois discussions à visée philosophique en classe de CP
Authors: Lebas-Fraczak Lidia
Published: June 2021

Partant des postulats des psycholinguistes quant aux bienfaits de l’interaction verbale et de la discussion pour le développement intellectuel de l’enfant, nous avons entrepris une analyse de trois discussions à visée philosophique (DVP) en classe de cours préparatoire (CP) afin d’étudier les traces linguistiques des raisonnements mis en œuvre. Notre analyse a permis, tout d’abord, de confirmer un fort degré d’interactivité de ces discussions, se manifestant par le fait que les élèves reprennent systématiquement des éléments des contributions d’autres élèves. Cela montre que ces discussions ne consistent pas simplement dans un « échange » d’idées apportées individuellement par les élèves mais plutôt dans une « co-construction » d’idées ou d’arguments. Notre étude a en outre permis d’observer que cette construction collective passe par des opérations intellectuelles variées telles que l’analyse, la synthèse, la généralisation, l’intégration, ou, tout au moins, la consolidation d’une idée sélectionnée parmi celles formulées auparavant. Cependant, l’analyse des interventions de l’enseignante montre qu’elle ne perçoit pas toujours la nature interactive des énoncés des élèves et les raisonnements sous-jacents, certains propos lui paraissant comme plus ou moins incohérents par rapport à la discussion ou comme simplement répétitifs. Après une illustration des différentes opérations intellectuelles observées, nous nous penchons sur quelques cas de décalage entre l’activité discursive et intellectuelle des élèves et la perception de l’enseignante. Le but n’étant pas de postuler la nécessité de la reconnaissance par les enseignants de toutes les opérations intellectuelles pouvant apparaître dans une DVP, mais de les sensibiliser à la variété de ces opérations ainsi qu’à une possible valeur intellectuelle cachée des énoncés des élèves.
Culture et formation de l’esprit chez K. Popper et J.S. Bruner
Authors: Firode Alain
Published: June 2021

Bruner se réfère fréquemment à Popper et sa fameuse théorie du « monde 3 » pour établir le rôle déterminant que joue, selon lui, l’univers culturel et social dans le processus de formation de l’esprit. En dépit de cet accord affiché, les thèses brunériennes s’écartent toutefois sur plusieurs points importants des analyses poppériennes. Ces divergences proviennent, d’une part, de ce que Bruner rejette la conception réaliste et logiciste du monde symbolique que propose pour sa part Popper. Le psychologue, d’autre part, institue une dualité structurelle, inconciliable avec les principes de l’épistémologie poppérienne, entre la logique narrative du récit et la logique argumentative de l’hypothèse. De là découlent deux théories distinctes de la formation de l’esprit, présentant chacune des implications pédagogiques différentes.
Entrepreneurship in Industrial Biotechnology
Authors: Yadav Shaili , Mathur Jyoti
Published: June 2021

In the 20th century, biotechnology has been growing quickly on industrial platforms with a vast scope for innovation and the entrepreneurial market. Entrepreneurship in biotechnology including its various sub-disciplines focuses on biotech commercial components and possible fundamental strategies combined with laboratory practical analysis and productive outcome of working biotech entrepreneurs, professionals, researchers, and scientists. Likewise, biotechnology in India has risen with the various pharma-biotechnology-based industries leading the charge. Across India, more than 350 well-capitalized companies are working in various related fields of biotechnology including biopharmaceuticals, nanotechnology, bio-services, agriculture computational biotechnology, and bioinformatics.
Christianity, COVID-19, and Marginal People of Bangladesh
Authors: Roy Parimal , Chowdhury Jahid Siraz , Wahab Haris Abd , Saad Mohd Rashid Bin , Parahakaran Suma
Published: June 2021

This chapter aims to discuss the correlation between Indigeneity and Christianity in the context of Bangladesh's Santal community during this pandemic C-19. Methodologically, this study informs the Indigenous research paradigm. As instruments, this study adopted interviews, observational fieldwork, and sharing circle for primary data collection. Authors scrutinized census reports and other governmental and NGO reports for secondary information. Findings show that the Christian commonwealth faith has been very predominant during this pandemic among the Santals. Collaboration among the churches, NGOs, and government is recommended for the new normal and further crisis management.
Don't Let Kellys Go to Hell
Authors: Lozano Rodriguez Manuel
Published: June 2021

This chapter aims to make the most of the lessons learned due to the Spanish cleaning ladies' crisis in order to bring useful recommendations abroad. Spain has been the cradle of Las Kellys, a cleaning women union turned into a social movement that has disclosed the outsourcing-driven precariousness that preys on thousands of women. This chapter uses those maids' struggle for dignity at work to expose how oppression hides even in very highly developed countries. Oppression may crouch behind a gender gap or sit in a manager's desk when a job applicant is discriminated against by her nationality or gender. And, of course, oppression may appear in the digital plane as it engulfs labor dignity everywhere. Apropos of global events, this chapter will focus on how the COVID-19 pandemic has hit the maids' lives and on their brave stand against rising discrimination, aggravated vulnerability, and belittled human rights. Finally, this chapter gathers the opinions of two vet Kellys about their situation in order to better illustrate its content.
Ubuntu Philosophy
Authors: Chowdhury Jahid Siraz , Wahab Haris Abd , Mohd Saad Mohd Rashid , Roy Parimal Kumar , Hamidi Mashitah , Ahmad Mokbul Morshed
Published: June 2021

This chapter is guided by, informed by, and deals with the Indigenous African faith Ubuntu, which is translated as “I am because we are.” When we are nearing the new normal, we feel that the sense of individualism, consumerism, Eurocentric “self,” and “making self” should be replaced by a common principle of solidarity. In the new value, “I” will be merged into “we”—and “ours.” The whole study evolved with three simple questions: What is Ubuntu is? And Why and how can Ubuntu be a vector and vantage for the new normal? Tracing back to 1846, this discussion concludes that Ubuntu is a more appropriate way of establishing a just, harmonized, and rights-based society.
Virtual Collaboration in Remote Project Management
Authors: Montaudon-Tomas Cynthia M. , Pinto-López Ingrid N. , Amsler Anna
Published: June 2021

This chapter presents virtual collaboration in remote project management as a way to develop sustainable business practices. As temporary organizations, virtual projects have grown substantially, mainly because of the confinement conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. A study was conducted to identify the main issues that employees working in virtual projects in the state of Tamaulipas in Mexico have faced. A survey based on the remote work and its effects scale was used. The most relevant tools and techniques that have been applied in virtual collaboration in remote project management are briefly described. The objective is to shed light on the importance of technology, time and task management, team collaboration and integration, communication, and trust to develop successful projects.
An Analysis of the Factors Influencing the Adoption of Online Shopping
Authors: Tarhini Ali , Alalwan Ali Abdallah , Al-Qirim Nabeel , Algharabat Raed , Masa'deh Ra'ed
Published: June 2021

This article aims to identify the main influencing factors that may influence the adoption of online shopping in the UK by integrating Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology2 (UTAUT2) and DeLone-McLean model of IS Success with trust (TR), product variety (PRDV) and product guarantee. Data was collected from 388 British online shopping consumers using a structured self-administrated questionnaire. Structural equation modeling (SEM) showed that behavioural intention (BI) was influenced by performance expectancy (PE), convenience (CON), service quality (SerQ), trust (TR), product guarantee (PG), product guarantee (PRDV) and compatibility (COMP), in their order of influencing strength and all together accounted for 70.4% of the variance in BI. Contrary to the authors' expectations, effort expectancy (EE) and social influence (SI) did not have an influence on BI. The implications of this article to both theory and practice is discussed at the end.
The Impact of Emergent Technologies in the Evolutionary Path for M-Commerce
Authors: Lourenço Justino , Almeida Fernando
Published: June 2021

M-commerce is a fast-growing opportunity and is acting as an innovative lever for achieving the purpose of increasing sales while better interacting with the clients. Simultaneously, several emerging technologies have appeared in the market and promise to change the current m-commerce paradigm. Therefore, this chapter plans to explore a set of new trend technologies that can plan to build a more efficient relation between the consumer and the m-commerce platform. This study conducted surveys with several market players like marketers and IT leaders to understand their point of view, perceive the relevance and impact of these emergent technologies in m-commerce, identify resistance and challenge points to the proposed change, and look how to allow cohabitation between this new e-commerce paradigm and the traditional physical trade. The main novelty of this study is the inclusion of multiple points of view on the evolution of m-commerce which will allow companies and citizens to perceive the impact of emerging technologies in the future of m-commerce.
Predictors of the Continued Adoption of WECHAT Mobile Payment
Authors: Mensah Isaac Kofi
Published: June 2021

This research article integrates the technology acceptance model and diffusion of innovation theory to explore the factors predicting the continuance intention to use WECHAT mobile payment services in China. The results showed that perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived service quality, social influence, internet self-efficacy, relative advantage, compatibility, and complexity of were all significant predictor of the continued intention to use WECHAT mobile payment services. However, trust in the internet was not significant determinants of the continued intention to use. The results also demonstrated that internet self-efficacy is a predictor of perceived ease of use, relative advantage, compatibility and complexity of mobile payment services. Again, perceived ease of use and social influence were found to have a significant impact on the perceived service quality of WECHAT mobile payment. The implications of these findings on the adoption of mobile payments are discussed.
Adoption of Online Subscription Beauty Boxes
Authors: Sivathanu Brijesh
Published: June 2021

This article examines the contextual ‘reasons for' and ‘reasons against' the adoption of beauty box subscription-based online services (BxSOS) in a developing country like India using the behavioral reasoning theory (BRT). This study surveys the female consumers in India to understand the adoption of BxSOS using the unique model of behavioral reasoning theory (BRT). After data collection, the analysis was done using the PLS-SEM technique. The ‘reasons for' BxSOS adoption are convenience, ubiquitous, hedonic shopping motivation, social influence and price consciousness and the ‘reasons against' are traditional barrier, relative advantage, choice/variety and perceived risk. It is also found that value of “openness to change” significantly influences the ‘reasons for' adoption and attitude towards BxSOS whereas it has no impact on the ‘reasons against' adoption of BxSOS. This cross-sectional study was conducted with target respondents as female consumers in the Indian context and future research can be conducted in other countries with different cultures and both the genders to generalize the results.
Impact of E-Commerce on Agricultural Business Success
Authors: Negrão Carla Sofia Vicente
Published: June 2021

In an increasingly digital and competitive environment, it is important to understand the agricultural business' success in a digital economy. E-commerce appears as a potential strategic tool. The purpose of this chapter is to analyze the impact of e-commerce on agricultural business success in Portugal. Through a quantitative approach, data were collected by survey and a sample of 372 agricultural enterprises is obtained. The empirical results suggest a negative and significant impact of e-commerce on productivity. However, there is a simultaneous relationship between the e-commerce adoption and performance, both individually and globally. This study contributes to the addition of theory on e-commerce adoption, the impact of e-commerce on performance, and other determinants of the agricultural business' success.
The Implications of Unethical and Illegal Behavior in the World of E-Commerce
Authors: Al-Alawi Adel Ismail , Mehrotra Arpita Anshu , Elias Hala , Safdar Hina S. M. , Al-Bassam Sara Abdulrahman
Published: June 2021

The main focus of this chapter is to identify the behaviors of the consumers and sellers of e-commerce in Bahrain. It also seeks to understand the ethical and legal issues faced by the users of e-commerce and the various reasons for such behavior. The perception of the consumers regarding online retailers discussed through appropriate measures and research data. The chapter clearly explains the historical development of e-commerce in Bahrain and the processes and procedures of setting up an online business in the country. The common legal and ethical issues faced by the consumers discussed in detail and supported by different models to understand user behavior. The research onion method used to gather quantitative and qualitative data. The primary data collected through questionnaires and interviews whereas the secondary data collected through literature. The data analysis shows the results of the mixed method supported by different graphs and models. The different recommendations provided to solve the most prevalent problems confronted by the buyers and the sellers of e-commerce.
Financial Flows and Environmental Degradation
Authors: Janjua Laeeq Razzak
Published: June 2021

Foreign financial inflow always acts as a sort of catalyst agent for economic growth; moreover, in the recent period, the effect of these financial flows on sustainable development is a debatable topic among researchers. The central idea of conducting this analysis is to empirically explore the effect of foreign financial inflows, which are foreign direct investment (FDI), remittances (REM), and development aid (ODA), on-air pollution of Algeria using the data covers from 1970 to 2018. Instead of the conventional co-integration approach, the ARDL (auto regressive distributed lagged) estimation method is adopted for analysis. The bound test is applied for investigating the co-integration analysis. Results indicate that foreign direct investment, development aid, and energy use assert long-run positive and significant effects on air pollution, whereas remittances indicate a long-run significant but adverse impact on air pollution. In short-run foreign direct investment, ODA and GDP per capita indicate a conclusive and significant impact on air pollution. Furthermore, in short-run, energy utilization indicates a significant adverse effect on air pollution.
Evolutionary Game Theory
Authors: Michel Arij
Published: June 2021

The article uses evolutionary game theory analysis as the research object, which is the most commonly used research method of institutional change, and summarizes some methods in the research of institutional change, and points out the advantages and disadvantages of evolutionary game analysis in the research of institutional change and through the comparison of cutting-edge methods and evolutionary games to see the development direction of future research institutional changes.
COVID-19 and Biocybersecurity's Increasing Role on Defending Forward
Authors: Palmer Xavier , Potter Lucas N. , Karahan Saltuk
Published: June 2021

The evolving nature of warfare has been changing with cybersecurity and the use of advanced biotechnology in each aspect of the society is expanding and overlapping with the cyberworld. This intersection, which has been described as “biocybersecurity” (BCS), can become a major front of the 21st-century conflicts. There are three lines of BCS which make it a critical component of overall cybersecurity: (1) cyber operations within the area of BCS have life threatening consequences to a greater extent than other cyber operations, (2) the breach in health-related personal data is a significant tool for fatal attacks, and (3) health-related misinformation campaigns as a component of BCS can cause significant damage compared to other misinformation campaigns. Based on the observation that rather than initiating the necessary cooperation COVID-19 helped exacerbate the existing conflicts, the authors suggest that BCS needs to be considered as an essential component of the cyber doctrine, within the Defending Forward framework. The findings are expected to help future cyber policy developments.
Evaluation of Mobile-Based Digital Payments and Challenges
Authors: Singh Jitendra , Kumar Anil , Raghuvanshi Kamlesh Kumar
Published: June 2021

Owing to the higher usage of internet post and during COVID-19, attacks on IT infrastructure and digital payment have surged. This work undertakes the empirical study on mobile-based payment and determines the impact of post-demonetization, during COVID-19 and post COVID-19. Number of banks supporting digital payment, value in each transaction, monthly values are the factors that have been undertaken for this study. Data revealed higher usage of mobile-based payments. On the other hand, security challenges on payment have been explored by considering the world's leading regulations and standards prevailing on mobile-based payment. Major recommendations of financial regulators and CERT-IN have been included for the deeper understanding of employed security. This work will be immensely helpful to all the stakeholders aiming to understand the mobile payment trends on multi dimensions and strengthening the security in mobile-based payment to avoid any losses that may be incurred due to cyber-attacks.
Effectiveness of Type of Feedback and Frequency on Digital Game-Based L2 Vocabulary Acquisition
Authors: Calvo-Ferrer José Ramón
Published: June 2021

The frequency of word exposure in teaching materials, along with corrective feedback, has often been identified as a powerful variable in the learning of vocabulary in a foreign language. The effect of the number of times an action is presented as accurate in digital game-based language learning scenarios (i.e., knowledge of correct response [KCR] feedback) however remains under-investigated. This study aims to analyse the learning of L2 mobile operating system terminology by a group of students of English as a foreign language by using the data collected by the video game The Conference Interpreter in order to identify the predictive strength of term frequency (times a term is shown), KCR feedback (times a correct answer is provided), and corrective feedback (times a term is shown as incorrect) regarding short and long-term L2 vocabulary learning. The regression analysis performed showed that the factor ‘KCR feedback' may be a positive predictor of short-term vocabulary learning, whereas the other factors seemed to have no statistical effect at any significant level.
Effect of Teams-Games Tournament (TGT) Strategy on Mathematics Achievement and Class Motivation of Grade 8 Students
Authors: Capinding Andie Tangonan
Published: June 2021

The study focused on the effect of teams-games-tournament (TGT) on mathematics performance, behavioral engagement, cognitive engagement, and motivation to learn mathematics of Grade 8 students. Experimental and descriptive methods of research were utilized. Findings revealed that there was no significant difference in the pre-test results of the experimental and control group with the t-test p-value of 0.975086. After the intervention, data showed significant difference in the post-test results of the experimental and control group with the t-test p-value of 0.04609. It means that after the implementation of teams-games-tournament strategy, experimental group excelled. TGT strategy effectively enriched the performance of the students in mathematics. Furthermore, experimental group was more behaviourally and cognitively engaged and motivated to learn mathematics than the control group.
Exploring the Effect of Syntactic Alignment on Chinese-English Bilinguals' Code-switched Sentence Production
Authors: Xu Mengling
Published: June 2021

As one of the most common language phenomena in bilingual settings, code-switching has been studied widely to explore its nature and features. In the current study, the author set out to explore the effect of syntactic alignment on Chinese-English bilinguals' code-switched sentence production using a picture-describing task with a structural priming paradigm. The structural priming paradigm has been frequently used to explore the mechanisms of sentence production. The effect of syntactic alignment was observed, indicating Chinese-English bilinguals were inclined to produce code-switched sentences with the same syntactic structure between Chinese and English. The findings provide empirical evidence not only supporting structural priming during bilingual code-switched sentence production, but also extending the interactive alignment model (Pickering and Garrod, 2004) to interpret code-switching during bilingual sentence production. Implications for code-switching and bilingual sentence processing are discussed.
Isotopic carbon turnover in pig hoof and rib
Authors: Blaitt Regina Maria Nascimento Augusto , Tierzo Vivian Lo , Denadai Juliana Célia , Kruliski Cibele Regina de Souza , Ducatti Carlos , Berto Dirlei Antonio , Sartori Maria Márcia Pereira
Published: June 2021

The objective of this study was to evaluate the behavior of carbon incorporation and turnover in hoof and ribs of pigs at different periods of development in the search for tissues that reflect longer the former diet. We used 132 commercial hybrids (barrows and females), weaned at an average age of 21 days, distributed in a completely randomized design with four treatments on different days of substitution of corn (C4 cycle plant grain) diets with broken rice (C3 cycle plant grain) at 21, 42, 63 and 110 days of age to change the carbon-13 isotope signal. By means of isotopic dilution curves, we observed that animals whose C4 diet was replaced with C3 diet at 21, 42, 63 and 110 days of age, for hoof and rib, reached a new level of isotope equilibrium. Bone samples are better choices to reflect the former diet, due to conservation of the isotopic signal for longer.
Inclusion of vegetable oils in diets of broiler chicken raised in hot weather and effects on antioxidant capacity, lipid components in the blood and immune responses
Authors: Rafei-Tari Ali , Sadeghi Ali Asghar , Mousavi Seyed Naser
Published: June 2021

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of vegetable oils on the antioxidant capacity, blood lipid components and immune responses in chickens raised in hot climate. In a completely randomized design, 300 chicks were assigned to four treatments and five replicates with 15 chicks per each. The highest concentration of malondialdehyde was found in broilers fed palm oil (p < 0.05). Chickens fed corn oil had the lowest and those fed flaxseed oil had the highest antioxidant enzymes activities (p < 0.05). The highest hepatic Alanine-transferase and Aspartate-transferase was found in chickens fed corn oil and the lowest levels in those received flaxseed and olive oils (p < 0.05). The highest hypersensitivity was in chickens fed palm oil and the lowest was for olive oil. The highest antibody titer against sheep red blood cells was found in chickens fed flaxseed oil and the lowest titer was for those received palm oil (p < 0.05). The highest triglyceride, cholesterol and very low density lipoprotein and the lowest high density lipoprotein was found in chickens fed palm oil and vice versa for flaxseed and olive oils. Olive and flaxseed oils had beneficial effects on antioxidant activity and lipid attributes and palm oil had detrimental effects on these parameters that related to the poultry health.
Egg characteristics of Japanese quail fed diets containing guava extract (Psidium guajava L.)
Authors: Oliveira Helder Freitas de , Leandro Nadja Susana Mogyca , Mascarenhas Alessandra Gimenez , Carvalho Deborah Pereira , Mendonça Raiana Almeida Noleto , Oliveira Natiele Ferraz de , Pereira Ligia Sarneiro , Mello Heloisa Helena de Carvalho
Published: June 2021

The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of eggs produced by Japanese quails fed with guava extract. A total of 400 eggs collected from the quails fed with experimental diets, were distributed in a completely randomized design in factorial arrangement 4 x 4 with main effects including four dietary levels of guava extract (0, 3, 6 and 9 g kg-1) and four storage periods (0, 9, 18 and 27 days) totalizing 16 treatments with five replicates of five eggs. The eggs were produced by Japanese quails, fed with experimental diets. The diets were isonutritive formulated by corn-soybean basis. The eggs were stored for different periods, at the same conditions, to constitute the treatments. The parameters evaluated were egg weight loss (g and %), yolk color, Haugh unit, specific gravity, eggshell thickness and pH of the yolk and albumen. Data were submitted to ANOVA, and means were compared using Scott-Knott test, using α = 0.05. The specific gravity of fresh eggs was better with the use of 6 g kg-1 of guava extract in the diet. The use of 3 g kg-1 of guava extract resulted in smaller eggshell thickness of fresh eggs. The Haugh unit was affected just by the storage periods. The dietary guava extract (3, 6 or 9 g kg-1) increased the pH of albumen in eggs stored for 27 days. The use of 6 g kg-1 of guava extract in quails diet increase the specific gravity in fresh eggs and increase the yolk color when the eggs are stored.
Production and marginal analysis of lactating cows subjected to dietary cation-anion balances
Authors: Figueiredo Cibelle Borges , Santana Junior Hermógenes Almeida de , Mendes Fabrício Barcelar Lima , Cardoso-Santana Elizângela Oliveira , Viana Pablo Teixeira , Motta Thiago Pereira , Abreu Filho George
Published: June 2021

The objective of this study was to evaluate productive, nutritional, and economic traits in lactating cows on pasture fed diets with different cation-anion balances (DCAB). Ten lactating ¾ Holstein × ¼ Dairy Gyr cows in the middle third of lactation, at an average age of 70 ± 4.6 months and an average body weight of 400 ± 55.2 kg, were distributed into five treatments in a 5 × 5 Latin square experimental design with two simultaneous squares. Treatments consisted of diets with DCAB of +237, +258, +294, +347, or +419 mEq dry matter (DM). No effects of intake were observed. There was no significant effect of DCAB on milk yield. The milk protein content was not influenced by the DCAB. Body condition score was not significantly affected by the DCAB. The apparent digestibilities of dry matter and nutrients (crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, ether extract, non-fibrous carbohydrates, and total digestible nutrients) were not affected by the DCAB. Marginal rate of return did not show significant differences. Under good conditions of pasture, forage availability, and quality associated with the lactation phases of the cows, all diets were efficient in milk production, dry matter intake, and digestibility. However, in economic terms, the most attractive DCAB was +237 mEq kg-1 DM.
Functional Magnetite Nanoparticle: A Review on the Particles Lysis and Nucleic Acid Separation
Authors: Nurlilasari Puspita , Panatarani Camellia , Miranti Mia , Ekawardhani Savira , Faizal Ferry , Joni I Made
Published: June 2021

The functional magnetite nanoparticles are one of the most important functional materials for nucleic acid separation. Cell lysis and magnetic separation are two essential steps involve in optimizing nucleic acid extraction using the magnetic beads method. Many coating materials, coupling agents, chemical cell lysis, and several methods have been proposed to produce the specific desired properties for nucleic acid extraction. The important properties, such as biocompatibility, stability, linking ability, hydrophobicity, and biodegradable, were considered. The appropriate coating material of magnetite core and coupling agent are necessary to give biomolecules a possibility to link with each other through chemical conjugation. In this review, progress in functional magnetite nanoparticles to optimize the high binding performance in nucleic acid extraction is discussed.
Mechanical and Rheology Properties of PLA/ABS/TCS Polymer Blends
Authors: Ramanjaneyulu B. , Venkatachalapathi N. , Prasanthi G.
Published: June 2021

Binary and ternary blends of poly lactic acid (PLA), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) and tapioca cassava starch (TCS) were prepared by the help of melt blend method. Rheological and mechanical properties of the prepared blends were studied. Rheological properties were studied using capillary Rheometer, shear rate, shear stress, the non-Newtonian index, were determined .Mechanical properties were studied in terms of tensile properties, stress at break, strain at break and Young's modulus have been determined by help of Universal Test Machine (UTM-3969).The results shows the ternary blends reveals shear-thinning behavior, over the range of the studied shear rates where the true shear rate of the blend decreases while increasing the shear rate. It also found that the true viscosity of the blend decreases with increased ABS content.
Two-Dimensional AC Magnetic Properties of Electrical Steel Sheet with Two-Dimensional DC-Biased Magnetization
Authors: Miyahara Hideaki , Yun Kyyoul
Published: June 2021

To estimate the magnetic properties with two-dimensional AC-magnetization with two-dimensional DC-biased magnetization, three different grades of non-oriented electrical steel sheets with two-dimensional DC-biased magnetization were prepared. As a result, in the high grade specimen, the difference in the magnetic properties depending on the excitation direction (AC excitation direction is parallel to DC excitation direction) was larger than in the low grade specimen, and the magnetic properties were the best when the excitation direction was the rolling direction. Non-oriented electrical steel sheets have small magnetic anisotropy. High grade non-oriented electrical steel sheets have a large magnetic anisotropy to compare with low grade non-oriented electrical steel sheets. It is thought that magnetic anisotropy increased in the high grade non-oriented electrical steel sheets because the B-H loops under DC-biased magnetization were minor loops. In addition, the increase rate of the H widths and the increase rate of the iron losses depending on the excitation direction were relatively consistent. Since the iron loss is proportional to the area of the B-H loop, it is considered that the iron loss increased at the same rate as the H width of the B-H loop.
The Effectiveness of Basalt Fiber in Lightweight Expanded Clay to Improve the Strength of Concrete Helicoidal Staircase
Authors: Chiadighikaobi Paschal Chimeremeze , Jean Paul Vladimir , Brown Christopher Kneel Stewart
Published: June 2021

Staircase is a very important structural element found in mostly buildings of more than a floor. The properties of materials and designs used in constructing this structural element are very important. This study addresses the development of ultra-lightweight concrete. How ultra-lightweight concrete can effectively work in helicoidal structure. The flexural strength of this staircase was analysed on a finite element software SCAD. The designed lightweight aggregates concrete is targeted to be used in staircase of a structure having the shape of helicoid. In the concrete, chopped basalt fiber portion was added to each concrete mixture specimen reinforced as reinforcement. The basalt fiber percentages used are 0, 0.45, 0.9, 1.2 and 1.6. The developed lightweight expanded clay basalt fiber concrete showed significant increase in the flexural strength. The loads applied on this helicoidal concrete staircase in SCAD were derived from the laboratory experiments conducted on the concrete specimens on the 28 days curing period. This combination of values exceeds, to the researchers' knowledge, the performance of all other lightweight building materials. Furthermore, the developed lightweight concrete possesses excellent durability properties.
Chemical Kinetics Modeling on Bio-Oil Production from Pyrolysis of Sugarcane Bagasse
Authors: Fardhyanti Dewi Selvia , Megawati Megawati , Prasetiawan Haniif , Nabuasa Noniek , Ardianta Mohammad Arik
Published: June 2021

Biomass is a source of alternative energy that is environmentally friendly and very promising as one of the sources of renewable energy at present. The best candidate for the biomass waste for pyrolysis raw material is sugarcane bagasse. The sugarcane bagasse is a fibrous residue that is produced after crushing sugarcane for its extraction. Sugarcane bagasse is very potential to produce bio-oil through a pyrolysis process. The advantage of utilizing sugarcane bagasse is to reduce the amount of waste volume. Pyrolysis is a simple thermochemical conversion that transforms biomass with the near absence of absence of oxygen to produce fuel. Experiments were carried out on the fixed bed reactor. The analysis was carried out over a temperature range of 300-500 °C under atmospheric conditions. Products that are usually obtained from the pyrolysis process are bio-oil, char, and gas. Product analysis was performed using Gas Chromatography (GC) and Mass Spectrometry (MS) analysis. This research is aimed to study the kinetics of the sugarcane bagasse pyrolysis process to produce bio-oil. Three different models were proposed for the kinetic study and it was found that model III gave the best prediction on the calculation of pyrolysis process. From the calculation results, kinetic parameters which include activation energy (Ea) and the k factor (A) at a temperature of 300 °C is 2.4730 kJ/mol and 0.000335 s-1, at a temperature of 400 °C is 3, 2718 kJ/mol and 0.000563 s-1, and at a temperature of 500 °C is 4.8942 kJ/mol and 0.0009 s-1.
Optimization of Normal and Submerged FSP Parameters for Dissimilar Aluminium Joints Using Taguchi Technique
Authors: Msomi Velaphi , Mabuwa Sipokazi
Published: June 2021

The quality of the friction stir processed (FSPed) depends on the proper combination of processing parameters. The proper combination can only be found when a series of experiments have been conducted. However, the Taguchi technique was developed as a way of reducing numerous experiments that are time-consuming and costly. This paper reports on the optimization of parameters for the FSP that is conducted underwater (SFSP) and room temperature (NFSP). The Taguchi L18 method was employed in the design of experiments. The four factors used for the analysis had three factors with three-levels and one with two levels. The parameter combinations for SFSP were different from the combination found for NFSP. The level of parameter sensitivity was found to be influenced by the processing condition.
Mechanical Characterization of Areca Fiber and Coconut Shell Powder Reinforced Hybrid Composites
Authors: Chowdari G. Kishore , Prasad D.V.V. Krishna
Published: June 2021

The use of natural fibers in polymer matrix composites are increases because of their advantages like good stiffness, strength, environmental friendly, low cost and biodegradable. In the present investigation, hybrid fiber reinforced composites are fabricated using areca fiber and coconut shell powder (CSP) as reinforcement in epoxy resin. Unidirectional areca fiber and CSP reinforced epoxy composites were fabricated by varying the overall fiber loading (10, 20, 30, and 40 wt.%) and different weight ratios of areca fiber and CSP (1:1, 1:3, and 3:1). Effect of fiber loading and weight ratio on mechanical properties like tensile strength, tensile modulus, flexural strength, flexural modulus, interlaminar shear strength (ILSS), impact energy and surface hardness of hybrid composites were evaluate experimentally. All the hybrid composite samples fabrication and mechanical testing was done as per ASTM standards. The experimental investigation reveals that the tensile, flexural and ILSS properties show their maximum values at 30 wt.% of fiber loading with areca fiber and CSP weight ratio as 1:1. From the impact and hardness results it has been found that composites with areca fiber and CSP weight ratio as 3:1 and 1:1 respectively shows their maximum values at 40 wt.% of fiber loading. Interfacial analysis of the hybrid composites were also observed by using scanning electron microscope (SEM).
Physical, Corrosion and Microstructural Analysis of A356/SiC Nanocomposites Fabricated through Stir Casting Process
Authors: Tanwir Alam Md
Published: June 2021

Porosity is one of the main difficulty to fabricate the superior quality of aluminium matrix composites (AMCs) because it effects the surface finish of the casting, mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. Therefore, porosity must be minimum as possible so that better casting can be produced with optimal properties of the composites. In this study, aluminium matrix nanocomposites (A356/SiC or AMNCs) were fabricated through two-step stir casting via mechanical alloying using ball mill. The matrix alloy (A356) was reinforced with SiC nanoparticles of 40-55 nm avarage particle size (APS). The corrosion was performed by simple immersion corrosion test method for a predefined environment (3.5% NaCl solution) and for the specified duration. The results showed that density and porosity increase with the addition of reinforcement. The corrosion resistance get reduced with the incorporation of SiC due to the increase in porosity and number of nucleation sites. The substantial correlation between the corrosion rate and the amount of SiC are depicted. Moreover, the corrosion rate decreased with the increase in exposure time which is due to the formation of passive layer. The EDS spectrum shows the presence of different constituents in the composites. The formation of the cracks, oxides, pitting corrosion, and localized corrosion are found by the SEM results. Further, SEM of the corroded surface verifies the presence and good distribution of the SiC nanoparticles in the fabricated nanocomposites.
Workload and Noncontact Musculoskeletal Injury in Collegiate Swimmers: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Pollen Travis R. , Ebaugh David , Warren Meghan , Milner Clare E. , Taylor Jennifer A. , Silfies Sheri P.
Published: June 2021

Context

Swimmers are known for experiencing high training loads and a high incidence of overuse injuries, but few researchers have investigated the relationship between the two at the collegiate level.

Objective

To determine the association between workload and noncontact musculoskeletal injury in collegiate swimmers.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

College natatorium.

Patients or Other Participants

A total of 37 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III swimmers, 26 uninjured (age = 19 years [interquartile range = 3 years], height = 175 ± 11 cm, mass = 70.2 ± 10 kg) and 11 injured (age = 19 years [interquartile range = 3 years], height = 173 ± 9 cm, mass = 69.4 ± 13.5 kg) individuals.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Logistic regression using generalized estimating equations was conducted to calculate odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CIs for injury relative to high workloads and high acute:chronic workload ratio (ACWRs). Injury rates for several ranges of workloads and ACWRs were also calculated.

Results

A total of 11 participants (29.7%) sustained 12 injuries, with 7 injuries occurring during the participants' winter training trip. Injury was associated with high acute workloads (OR = 27.1; 95% CI = 8.2, 89.8) and high ACWRs (OR = 25.1; 95% CI = 7.7, 81.4) but not high chronic (OR = 2.6; 95% CI = 0.3, 20.0) or overall (OR = 1.00; 95% CI = 0.99, 1.01) workloads. High acute workloads (>37.2 km/wk) and ACWRs (>1.56) increased the injury rate from ≤1% to 15% and 14%, respectively, compared with all lower acute workloads and ACWRs.

Conclusions

Collegiate swimmers tolerated high workloads spread out during the season. However, caution should be used when prescribing high acute workloads and high ACWRs (eg, winter training trip) because of the increased odds of injury.
Pathological Evaluation of Osteolytic Bone Lesions
Authors: Jain Parul , Dasgupta Senjuti , Bhattacharyya Nirmal Kumar
Published: June 2021

Background:

The purpose of our study was to evaluate the osteolytic lesions of bone reported at the department of pathology in a tertiary care hospital in West Bengal.

Materials and Methods:

We performed a retrospective study over a period of 7 years from February 2013 to January 2020. Entirely osteosclerotic lesions were excluded from our study. The lesions were classified as nonneoplastic lesions, benign lesions, tumor like lesions and malignant lesions.

Results:

Over 7 years, 147 cases of osteolytic lesions of bone were reported. Of these, 36.1% were malignant lesions. The most common sites of osteolytic lesions were the femur (n = 46), tibia (n = 24), and humerus (n = 20). The most frequent histological diagnosis was of giant cell tumor (GCT) (n = 31), followed by chronic osteomyelitis (n = 19) and osteosarcoma (n = 17). The most frequent benign neoplasm was GCT and osteosarcoma was the predominant malignant lesion. Relatively uncommon lesions like adamantinoma were also reported.

Conclusions:

Malignant neoplasms are the most common osteolytic lesions. Bones of the extremities are the most frequent sites of involvement by both benign and malignant tumors. In addition to radiological correlation, a thorough knowledge of the age, sex, site of the common bone lesions is required for a correct histopathological diagnosis so that proper treatment can be instituted. Most of these lesions do not require immunohistochemistry for diagnosis. The possibility of rare tumors presenting at a given age and at a particular site is to be considered.
The Effects of Topical Application of Melatonin on Periodontal Disease in Diabetic Patients
Authors: Franco Rocco , Basili Manuele , Miranda Michele , Basilicata Michele , Bollero Patrizio
Published: June 2021

Periodontal disease is a chronic disease, affects the supporting tissues of the tooth. The clinical manifestation varies from gingivitis to periodontitis. Periodontal disease is caused by bacterial infection that release toxins. The imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants determines the progression of periodontal disease. Melatonin (MEL), (N-acetyl-5-methoxytrittamine) is a hormone in the human body. Its production takes place in various organs including the retina, gastrointestinal tract, bone marrow, leukocytes, lymphocytes, skin, and principally pineal gland. Its main function is the regulation of the circadian and seasonal rhythm, body weight, reproduction, bone metabolism, and tumor growth. An important function of melatonin is the ability to reduce oxidative stress. The aim of this review is to evaluate the necessary effects on melatonin on the progression of periodontal disease and diabetes. The purpose of this review is to answer to the following questions using a PICO method (P: patient problem/population; I: intervention; C: comparison; O: outcome): (1) Can adding melatonin in diabetic and periodontal patients lead to improved periodontal health? (2) Does melatonin also affect the control of blood sugar levels in the diabetic patient? The study was conducted utilizing the main scientific databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, and WEB of SCIENCE). The time window considered for the electronic search was from March 1, 2007, to March 1, 2020. The following inclusion criterion was used: articles in English, human studies and clinical trials. Two independent people search with the same keywords all article and select the article founding. The risk of bias in this phase is solved by an independent author that conduct the same search. We can hypothesize that melatonin may indirectly help control blood sugar levels. Further studies will be needed to evaluate a direct healing effect of melatonin on diabetes.