bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimation of Clay and Soil Organic Carbon Using Visible and Near‐Infrared Spectroscopy and Unground Samples
Authors: Wang Changkun , Pan Xianzhang
Published: September 2016

Core Ideas

The spectra of unground samples can be used to predict soil organic C (SOC) and clay.

Vis‐NIR spectroscopy models for ground samples can predict SOC and clay of unground samples.

Using unground samples will save time and labor when estimating SOC and clay.

Visible and near‐infrared spectroscopy (Vis‐NIR) can accurately predict soil organic C (SOC) and clay from the spectra of air‐dried and ground (DG) samples. However, grinding generally requires a lot of time and labor. In this study, air‐dried and unground (DU) samples were used to exploit the time and accuracy advantages of Vis‐NIR. The reflectance of 117 samples using DG and DU pretreatments was measured in the laboratory. Five spectral pretreatments were used: no‐pretreatment (NP), Savitzky–Golay (SG) smoothing, first derivative (FD), standard normal variate transformation, and multiplicative scatter correction (MSC). When calibrations and validations used the same sample pretreatment (DG or DU), good predictions (R2 > 0.75; RPD > 2.0) could be obtained for both SOC and clay. There were no sample × spectral pretreatments interaction effects on the prediction accuracy, whereas the main effects of the pretreatments were significant for clay but not for SOC. However, when calibrations derived from the DG samples were applied to the DU samples, the prediction accuracy decreased compared with that of the DG samples regardless of the SOC and clay. In this case, good predictions could be acquired for clay using the FD spectra and satisfactory predictions for SOC (0.60 < R2 < 0.75; 1.4 < RPD < 2.0) were obtained from the NP, SG, and MSC spectra. These results indicate that it is viable to predict SOC and clay content using DU samples with acceptable accuracy while saving a lot of time and labor compared with that needed for DG samples.
Simultaneous multidimensionality in African music: musical cubism
Authors: Locke David
Published: September 2016

"Simultaneous multidimensionality" names a condition prevalent in many African traditions of performance art in which music is coherent from different aural and kinesthetic perspectives at the same time. This changeable, plural quality is preset in composed musical works and, in musical performance, affects on-the-spot decisions. Simultaneously multidimensional music can have charismatic force that is capable of generating a transformative affective experience in knowing listeners. The quality of simultaneous multidimensionality warrants consideration as a fundamental dimension in a general theory of structure and aesthetics of African works of performance art.
Making violence ordinary: radio, music and the Rwandan genocide
Authors: McCoy Jason
Published: September 2016

During the 1994 Rwandan genocide an estimated 800 000 people, or roughly 12 per cent of Rwanda's population, perished at the hands of both Hutu militias and ordinary citizens. The pro-genocide radio station, RTLM, or Radio-Television Libre des Milles Collines (Free Radio-Television of a Thousand Hills), played a critical role in cultivating anti-Tutsi ideology and spurring mobs of Hutu militants to commit acts of violence in the name of justice, solidarity, and self-preservation.
Call to the hunt: the one-note xylophone of the DRC
Authors: Volper Julien
Published: September 2016

With these enthusiastic words J. Maes accepted the news from Rev Fr. Roland about a curious musical instrument found in the Sanga territory: the mbila (Figure 1). The interest shown in this one-note instrument is easily explained, as in 1934 the Tervuren museum only possessed three examples of mbila, without any accompanying information. Maesâ€™ request as chief conservator of the ethnographic section was met, and Roland sent four well documented examples of mbila.
Predicted mbira found
Authors: Tracey Andrew
Published: September 2016

This article is written as a follow-up to my article â€œThe original African mbira?â€ (1972). I can report that an instrument which I predicted to have existed in that article actually did/does exist! In the original article I compared the tuning layouts of two related present-day members of the mbira family, hera, also called matepe, (found in northern Zimbabwe and northeast Zimbabwe into Mozambique) and nyonganyonga (found in central Mozambique, from Mutare, Zimbabwe to Beira, Mozambique and also into southern Malawi).
Intra-industry trade with pollution concerned cooperation
Authors: Özgür Kayalica M. , Kayakutlu Gülgün
Published: September 2016

The authors develop a two-country, two-firm intra-industry trade model. Each firm is operating at its home country and producing homogeneous goods to be consumed in both countries. Governments apply quantity restriction on pollution. Every individual country is affected from the pollution generated during the production process of its own firm. The model shows that efficiency in pollution abatement technology plays a crucial role on welfare maximizing effort of governments. A critical level of pollution abatement technology determines the preponderance of environmental misgivings in welfare maximizing behavior. The more efficient the firms in pollution abatement technology, the less stricter the governments will be in their policies to reduce negative environmental externalities
Creating an information technology and communication and knowledge-driven research in Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University
Authors: Alex Dandadzi Tichavasia , Matshonisa Seeletse Solly , Hungwe Taurai
Published: September 2016

The paper addresses the low research standing of Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU). SMU is a university established on 1st January 2015 in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. Its weaknesses were inherited through history. The former Medical University of Sothern Africa (MEDUNSA) and University of Limpopo (UL) are the SMU’s predecessor universities from which SMU emerged. One main weakness is that UL appointed managers on Medunsa campus to head divisions but disregarding merit. Hence, many current SMU managers do not necessarily possess the qualities required for a research campus that is technology dominated. In particular, some staff and managerial appointments made prior to the SMU formation, which SMU had to inherit are the causes of deficiencies in SMU’s research and information development. The paper develops an approach for SMU to enable existing resources of information technology and communication (ICT) and statistical sciences to improve research on SMU campus. The approach developed is robust. It also has a built-in monitoring evaluation and control element. Benchmarks are used in the method development
Municipalities, commercial composting and sustainable development, the case of Johannesburg , South Africa
Authors: Sehlabi Rethabile , Morton McKay Tracey
Published: September 2016

Typical of most developing world cities, the City of Johannesburg, South Africa, faces many waste management challenges. One of which is a lack of awareness of, and compliance with, waste management legislation, recycling and composting by the general public. Thus, the city has to deal with high levels of solid waste generation and subsequent pressure on its landfill sites. The city also has to adhere to various pieces of waste management legislation, with recycling and composting being two essential elements thereof. This study outlines a commercial composting initiative designed by the municipality of Johannesburg to redirect organic green waste from landfill sites to a compost production plant. The study found that although the Panorama Commercial Composting Plant is reducing the amount of solid organic waste disposed of in the city’s landfills, better planning could increase the amount of green organic waste thus diverted. Furthermore, the adoption of a centralized, mechanized system has significantly hampered the generation of employment opportunities, while simultaneously forcing operational costs up. Finally, the lack of a coherent marketing and branding strategy has restricted compost sales. Thus, the Panorama Commercial Composting Plant is currently not recouping its costs nor generating the number of work opportunities it could. Some recommendations to rectify this are then made
Operational challenges faced by smallholder farmers: a case of Ethekwini Metropolitan in South Africa
Authors: Mutero Joel , Munapo Elias , Seaketso Phemelo
Published: September 2016

The study is aimed at establishing the impact of access to capital, access to markets, access to information and access to technology on competitiveness of smallholder farmers on the market in Ethekwini Metropolitan in South Africa. A questionnaire is used as a research instrument. A total of 100 participants was sampled from a population of 485 smallholder farmers in Ethekwini Metropolitan. From the sample, 21% were male and 79% were female. All respondents were all from the African race. The study reveales that access to funding, access to markets, access to information and access to technology not only influenced viability of the smallholder farmers in Ethekwini Metropolitan, but also that the smallholder farmers were not getting enough access to all four stated variables. Of the 100 farmers, 66% of the smallholder farmers had plots with less than 0.5 acres under cultivation. Another finding was that even though the farmers had basic tools to work with, they required funding to acquire irrigation, water storage facilities, transport and tractors. As far as passing information to farmers is concerned, the farmers mostly preferred extension visits.The study recommends that well equipped agricultural resource centres be established in all the agricultural hubs. It is also recommended that the government employs an asset based community development approach when funding smallholder farmers and that the smallholder farmers and other stakeholders be conscientized on the concept of sustainable farming
Simple valuation of electric utilities – a comparison of the residual income model and a real options approach
Authors: Kjærland Frode
Published: September 2016

Since deregulation of the energy market in Norway, there has been a number of mergers and acquisitions of electric utilities. In all these transactions, the companies have been valued. Many of the transactions have sparked significant controversy (by politicians, consultants and others) who claim that the companies have been sold too cheaply, especially concerning hydropower generating companies. How can business valuation of these enterprises be explained? Real option theory is, in this study, applied in order to explain the value beyond a traditional approach. The residual income model proposed by Feltham and Ohlson (1995) is considered. The empirical analysis shows that an enhancement in explanatory power of 100% is brought about through the introduction of independent variables based on real option theory. This supports the use of real options in helping to explain values in this industry
The measurement of tracking errors of commodity ETFs in China
Authors: Pan Wei-Fong , Li Ting
Published: September 2016

This paper presents the first study on the measurement and determinants of tracking errors using the daily figures for gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in China. This study employs three methods to measure tracking errors – one that involves calculating the absolute error measure, one that involves calculating the differences between the standard deviation of the benchmark index and that of the ETF, and a regression analysis of empirical returns. In general, the results suggest that the tracking errors of these ETFs in China are lower than those of equity-based ETFs in Hong Kong, the United States, and Australia. We also observe that distinct ETFs have different determinants. Our results provide valuable insight for both institutional and retail investors, as well as opportunities for them to be exposed to a wide range of commodity ETFs in China
Factors influencing immigrants’ satisfaction in Danjiangkou Reservoir based on logistic regression model
Authors: Qiu Yuanfeng , Meng Ge , Wei Yongping
Published: September 2016

Findings from a prospective study of project-induced migration along the middle route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project in China are reported. The study seeks to identify the key factors influencing differences in immigrants’ satisfaction, from their own characteristics, family income, production conditions, living conditions, social conditions, resource conditions, and environment, using Danjiangkou Reservoir as the case study area. A questionnaire survey data with a large sample (1,031 immigrant households in the Danjiangkou Reservoir) was used for the logistic model. Analysis indicated that variables such as immigrants’ family income, as in ‘per capita net income’; immigrants’ production conditions, such as ‘quality of cultivated land’; immigrants’ living conditions, such as ‘infrastructure’; and immigrants’ social conditions, such as ‘the implementation of immigration policy’ in the case reservoir model are the most important factors that affect the immigrants’ satisfaction. The degree of importance of ‘per capita net income’, ‘quality of cultivated land’, ‘infrastructure’, and ‘the implementation of immigration policy’ was 14.8%, 16.0%, 9.2%, and 8.1%, respectively. Considering the practical implications of this research, identifying factors affecting immigrants’ satisfaction with the reservoir resettlement relocation experience could be useful for policymakers designing immigration programs.
Performance of airlift MBR for on-site treatment of slaughterhouse wastewater in urban areas of Vietnam
Authors: Do Anh Tien , Bach Dung Quang , Do Uan Khac , Prieto Ana , Lan Huong Huynh Thi
Published: September 2016

In many cities in Vietnam, wastewater generated in slaughterhouses is normally discharged directly into surface waters without treatment. Management of slaughterhouse wastewater (SHWW) is difficult due to the lack of infrastructure for conveyance to centralized facilities. On-site treatment presents one cost-effective way of managing SHWW compared to mass improvement of infrastructure. This study evaluates the application of an airlift membrane bioreactor (AL-MBR) for on-site treatment of SHWW. The concentrations of chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), total nitrogen (TN) and NH4+-N in the simulated SHWW were 1,697 ± 317 mg/L, 891 ± 137 mg/L, 246 ± 65 mg/L and 171 ± 4.2 mg/L, respectively. The mixed-liquor volatile suspended solids in the aerobic and anoxic tanks were maintained at 5,000–6,000 mg/L. Air flow rate and cross flow velocity were maintained at 0.2 L/min and 0.8 m/s, respectively, to keep the trans-membrane pressure (TMP) stable at 0.8 bar and the membrane flux at 15–18 L/m2 h bar (LMH/bar). The removal efficiencies of COD and TN were 95 ± 1.9% and 70 ± 3.3%, respectively, at a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 2.5 days. This study shows that GL-MBR is a promising on-site solution for SHWW treatment.
Integration of Functional and Traditional Food in Emerging Markets: Regulatory and Substantive Aspects of Yerba Mate and Quinoa
Authors: Gafare Claudia Elena , Serafini Mauro , Lorenzoni Giulia , Gregori Dario
Published: September 2016

Given the rising cost of healthcare, the increase in life expectancy and the wish for a better quality of life, the request for foods and beverages producing a beneficial effect on health has increased worldwide. “Functional food” is a new concept and may play a key role in diseases’ prevention and management. Although its meaning is currently under definition, its role in global health improvement is growing constantly.

This article aims at giving a description of existing legislation on functional food in South America, identifying future directions for health and marketing policies. Furthermore, authors provide a literature revision on two products widely consumed in Latin American countries: Yerba Mate and Quinoa. Thanks to their beneficial health effects in terms of disease prevention and promotion of well-being, they may be considered as functional foods with a potential key role in health care.
Retroperitoneal paraganglioma presenting as hypertension and paraparesis in young
Authors: Sunita Kumbhalkar , Aher* Archana , Suprita Naik , Dinkar Kumbhalkar
Published: September 2016

Paragangliomas(PGL) are rare tumours that arise from extra-adrenal paraganglia. Extra-adrenal paragangliomas account for only 5 to 10% of all paragangliomas and may present incidentally as a mass. Typical triad of fluctuating hypertension, headache, and sweating is not always present which makes the diagnosis sometimes difficult. Extraadrenal retroperitoneal PGLs are functionally active more often than previously reported and that they are readily detected by soft tissue masses closely associated with the entire length of abdominal aorta. However, no CT feature was found that was unique for PGL.1 Herein we describe the clinical, radiological and pathological features in young patient presented for hypertension and paraparesis, and later on diagnosed as malignant abdominal paraganglioma with vertebral and lymph node metastasis.
High frequency induction of multiple shoots and plant regeneration from zygotic embryo axis explants of cotton cultivar L-604 (Gossypium hirsutum L.).
Authors: Juturu Vijaya Naresh , Mekala Gopala Krishna , Sekhar Akila Chandra , Reddy Puli Chandra Obul , Garladinne* Mallikarjuna
Published: September 2016

An efficient, robust regeneration protocol has been developed using zygotic embryo axis explants of an elite cultivar L-604 (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Explants regenerated on MSB5 medium supplemented with 0.5 mg-l Thidiazuron, 0.1 mg-l Naphthalene acetic acid, 5.0 mg-l Silver nitrate and 1.0 g-l activated charcoal, was identified as the best combination for producing the maximum number (12.67) of multiple shoots per explant. In addition, the highest shoot elongation (5.30 cm) and maximum regeneration frequency (89.0%) was also recorded in the same hormonal combinations. In vitro shoots were successfully rooted on ½ MSB5 medium containing 1.5 mg-l IBA. Well rooted plants were subsequently transferred to polyhouse and greenhouse conditions for primary and secondary hardenings respectively and about 95% of the plants were established successfully. The conditions optimized in this study for inducing multiple shoots could be best suitable for development of transgenic L-604 variety for agronomically important traits.
Assessment of biological properties of two south Indian medicinal plants of Bacopa monnieri and Anacardium occidentale
Authors: Madda* Daveedu Raju , M. Lavanya , Pola Sudhakar , Sandeep B. V.
Published: September 2016

The concern for the anti-microbial activity is increasing day by day due to the speedy growth of resistance towards various antibiotics by microbes, which is due to the improper consumption of drugs. India has got plenty of floras (medicinal plants) which helps widely in the anti-microbial and anti-oxidant research activities. The study of anti-microbial and anti-oxidant activity in the present case is done on Bacopa monnieri and Anacardium occidentalis. Which is resulted in overcoming various bacterial strains due to high phenolic contents, as well as it consists of anti-oxidant properties which help in enhancing nerve impulse and also prevents the risk of cancer effects.
Changes in seed germination, and some physiological and ultra structural aspects of Calotropis procera seedlings under heat stress
Authors: Ibrahim* Ali , Al-Zahrani Ateeq , Baka Zakria , Almalki Hussain
Published: September 2016

Global warming is a problematic for many plants and understanding how the plants cope with temperature stress is an important objective. In this study, two experiments were conducted; the first one explored the effect of different temperatures on Calotropis procera seed germination, and the second disclosed the physiological and ultrastructural aspects of plant seedling. A temperature rise from 25°C to 30°C increased seed germination enormously, whereas seed incubation at 35°C significantly decreased its germination. The treatment of 40°C drastically inhibited seed germination. During the experimental periods, the seeds did not germinate at all at 45°C. Seed incubation at 30°C for 5 days notably enhanced seedling growth. This effect was accompanied by accelerated reserve mobilization and enzymes activity. A mild increase in lipid peroxidation (30% increase) and electrolyte leakage (45% increase) was also observed in response to these temperatures. Additionally, the plasma membrane moved away from the cell wall and became thicker in response to this temperature. Seeds exposure to 35°C for 5 days significantly reduced seedling growth. This adverse effect was accompanied with an increase in lipid peroxidation and electrolyte leakage by 100 and 170%, respectively over the values of 25°C treatment. Furthermore, the plasma membrane was damaged and double stranded with the 35°C application. Cytoplasmic vesiculation appeared in response to 30°C and 35°C treatments. Except for total soluble sugars which was decreased, all other biochemical changes in response to 35°C were comparable with those observed at 30°C treatment.
Distinct blue print to restraint neglected tropical diseases
Authors: Mehariya* Bhagwati K. Gauni , Mehariya Krunal R.
Published: September 2016

Since few decades many developing countries are bearing the strain of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and they are the most common infections of the World’s poorest people living in Africa, Asia and Americas. Till date, neglected tropical diseases imitate a group of conditions whose cluster level is obtained from deficiency of efforts directed to their declination. Global efforts have been done to control thirteen parasitic and bacterial infections that affect more than 1.4 billion people. The global usage of drug therapies for reducing the severity of NTDs was introduced few years ago. This singular approach should be elaborate to more extensive set of tools like coordinated community-based programs, vector control, local training, education and environmental change. In more, accelerated schedule is crucially needed to establish adequate diagnostic, preventive and therapeutic interventions to stay one step ahead of the evolutionary adaptation system of disease-causing microorganisms and parasites [1] [2].
The chemopreventive role of aged garlic extract against chemically induced tongue carcinogenesis
Authors: Abdel-Alim* Hala M. , Abdel-Dayem Hassan , Aboms Basem T. Jamal , Zuelhemma Gamal , Osman Abdelmonein M.
Published: September 2016

Tongue tumors were induced in rats using Diethylnitrosamine (DEN). Aged Garlic extract (AGE) exhibits anticarcinogenic effects. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect (AGE) against DEN induced tongue cancer in rats. Twenty-four Wister rats were divided into 4 groups. In lateral surface of the tongue; Control Groups I and II, received normal saline, while Groups III and IV were injected with 60 mg/kg DENA in a dose of 0.25ml (15mg/rat of 200g). Groups II and IV received pre-treatment with aged garlic extract 250 mg/kg orally daily for 2 weeks. Specimens for clinical and histopathological examinations were retrieved after 3 and 6 weeks. Although clinical and dysplastic histopathological changes were observed in Group 3 and 4, yet, less aggressive features of malignancy were associated with AGE. Better designed study with different doses “DEN and larger samples of animals, are needed to expand the understanding of the chemopreventive effect of AGE as dietary factor to cancer.
Multidetector Computed Tomography Criteria of Operative Treatment of Diastasis Recti Abdominis
Authors: Petrenko G. , Syplyviy V. , Petrenko D.
Published: September 2016

We introduce an experience of surgical treatment of 92 patients with diastasis recti abdominis (DRA). A high efficiency of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in this category of patients is shown. There were 3 degrees of DRA distinguished depending on the maximal inter-rectal distance (MID): I degree – MID < 30 mm, II degree – MID = 30-50 mm, III degree – MID > 50 mm. We offer to use interrupted sutures for 1/3 of linea alba length over the umbilicus in case of I degree of DRA. In case of II grade of DRA U-shaped sutures for 2/3 of linea alba length over the umbilicus should be applied with the use of mesh implants. Plasty is performed only with mesh implant in case of III degree of DRA. For abdominal compartment syndrome prophylaxis, diastasis line was dissected above the herniation, hernioplasty and DRA plasty was performed with use of mesh implants. There were no lethal cases. Long-term results were monitored from 1 to 10 years. DRA recurrences were not observed.
Modernidad, colonialidad y discriminación en torno al aprendizaje del inglés en Puebla, México.
Authors: Despagne Broxner Colette
Published: September 2016

Este estudio etnográfico crítico analiza el aprendizaje del inglés de estudiantes que se encuentran geográfica, política y socialmente fuera de las estructuras de poder hegemónicas en el estado de Puebla, México. Su objetivo es identificar los factores que dificultan este aprendizaje mediante una investigación participativa donde los métodos utilizados buscan una colaboración activa de los participantes. La investigación se enmarca en teorías poscoloniales que cuestionan las relaciones de poder desiguales entre lenguas y culturas. Los resultados muestran que las percepciones de los participantes hacia el inglés están arraigadas en los legados coloniales de México, por lo que se sienten discriminados en las clases de inglés. El estudio concluye que es necesario enseñar el idioma desde una visión crítica.
Structural and Regional Characteristics and Cost Efficiencies in the Local Public Health Insurance System: Empirical Evidence from the Japanese National Health Insurance System
Authors: Yuda Michio
Published: September 2016

In this study, I use panel data from municipal Japanese National Health Insurance (JNHI) insurers to estimate their financial efficiency scores using nonparametric methods and to estimate the causal effects of structural and regional characteristics on the efficiency scores consistently using econometric methods. The major findings of this study are as follows. First, the estimated efficiency scores imply that many JNHI insurers have serious financial inefficiencies, and that total cost efficiency (economic efficiency) is strongly and positively correlated with allocative efficiency. Second, the empirical results of the effects of various factors on efficiency scores indicate that the two major policy reforms for health care systems for the elderly in 2008 contribute strongly to the improvement of JNHI insurers’ finances. Third, the subsidy from a prefectural government positively affects efficiencies, but subsidies from central and municipal governments have an adverse effect. Fourth, contributions to health care systems for the elderly still have an adverse effect on JNHI finances.
Publicly funded practice-oriented clinical trials: of importance for healthcare payers
Authors: Neyt Mattias , Christiaens Thierry , Demotes Jacques , Walley Tom , Hulstaert Frank
Published: September 2016

Aim:
Many questions of relevance to patients/society are not answered by industry-sponsored clinical trials. We consider whether there are benefits to governments in funding practice-oriented clinical trials.
Methodology:
A literature search including publications on institutions’ websites was performed and supplemented with information gathered from (inter)national stakeholders.
Results:
Areas were identified where public funding of clinical trials is of importance for society, such as head-to-head comparisons or medical areas where companies have no motivation to invest. The available literature suggests publicly funded research programs could provide a positive return on investment. The main hurdles (e.g., sufficient funding and absence of equipoise) and success factors (e.g., selection of research questions and research infrastructure) for the successful conduct of publicly funded trials were identified.
Conclusion:
Governments should see public funding of pragmatic practice-oriented clinical trials as a good opportunity to improve the selection and quality of treatments and stimulate efficient use of limited resources.
The difference of anti-inflammatory effect of brown algae extract Padina sp. and sargassum sp that is derived from punaga beach, South Sulawesi
Authors: Asmawati Asmawati , Hasyim Rafikah , Lianingsih Andi Isti Ayu , Ariani Dwi Fitrah
Published: September 2016

Seaweed is one of resourceful plants in Indonesia. Some researchers suggested that brown seaweed has a potential to be an anti-inflammatory agent because it contains polysaccharide sulfate, PUFA, and fuchosantin. Punaga Village that is located in South Sulawesi is an area where most people work as seaweed farmer and cultivation of seaweed. This is why researcher found it interest to use natural sources as an alternative of herbal medicine especially as an anti-inflammatory. The objective of this study was to evaluate the difference of anti-inflammatory effect of brown algae extract Padina sp. and Sargassum sp. that is derived from Punaga Beach, South Sulawesi toward mice. Twenty male mice were used as sample in this study weighing 14-35 g and divided into four groups. Thirty minutes after injection of test material, 0.5 ml pepton 1% is injected into mice leg. The assessment of mice leg use plethysmometer that is taken on the first hour until fourth hour after injection of pepton 1%. Data analysis use T-test to find out the difference of anti-inflamatory effect of brown algae extract Padina sp. and Sargassum sp. The result of this study showed that brown algae extract Padina sp has p<0.05 and brown algae extract Sargassum sp. has p< 0.05 which means that there are anti-inflammatory effect found in both test materials. It is found that brown algae extract Padina sp. has longer anti inflammatory effect half time than in brown algae extract Sargassum sp.
Measuring sodium alginate content of brown algae species Padina sp. As the basic matter for making dental impression material (Irreversible hydrocolloid impression material)
Authors: Hamrun Nurlindah , Rachman Suci Amalia
Published: September 2016

One of the most important procedures in denture fabrication and orthodontic treatment is molding the patient’s detail oral cavity to determine the treatment planning. This procedure was done by using alginate impression material or irreversible hydrocolloid in which the basic material is sodium alginate imported from abroad because it is extracted from brown algae which its habitat is not in Indonesia so that it is causes the impression material is relatively expensive roomates is impact to high cost of dental treatment. Indonesia as the archipelago country has availability of abundant brown algae Padina sp. Especially in Puntondo-Punaga seashore, South Sulawesi, but it has not Cultivate yet by the local society because it is never discovered by alginate industry so it is just grow wild and its potency is useless. This experiment identified the purposes of how much sodium alginate is produced from Padina Sp. Extraction as the basic matter of irreversible hydrocolloid. The design of this study is experimental design with one shot case study method. In early stage research, extraction of alginate in the form of sodium alginate. After that, they are weighted by using analytical weight in milligrams (mg) unit. Then, it is compare with the standard sodium alginate to observe the similarity of molecules by using FTIR (Fourier Transform Infra Red) device. Data were Analyzed using mean differences. Based on Padina extracted, produced 12.86 g of sodium alginate content or 28.4% from the cleaning algae was used roomates total weight is 45 g. Based on FTIR test, showed that sodium alginate is extracted similar to the standard sodium alginate with the found of hydroxyl, carboxylic acid, ether group and the which is the composer of sodium alginate. In conclusion, from both of infra red spectrum pattern, it was observed unsignificant difference. Extracted sodium alginate Padina is same with the standard sodium alginate and it has 12.86 g content. 
Globalization, economic freedom, and wage inequality: A panel data analysis
Authors: Yay Gülsün , Taştan Hüseyin , Oktayer Asuman
Published: September 2016

This paper examines the impact of globalization and liberalization on wage
inequality using the KOF globalization index, the Economic Freedom Index
(EFI) of the Fraser Institute and the Theil industrial pay inequality
statistic compiled by the University of Texas Inequality Project (UTIP).
Both static and dynamic fixedeffects models are estimated using a 5-year
panel data set consisting of about 90 developed and developing countries for
the 1970-2005 period. Estimation results from the dynamic panel data
specification suggest that wage inequality has a significant and slowly
changing component. The overall KOF and EFI indexes are found to be
statistically insignificant in the full sample, but the results show that
economic freedom is associated with more wage inequality, especially in
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. The
estimation results from country groups indicate that more deregulation is
associated with more earnings inequality in OECD countries. The results from
the models with subcomponents of the EFI imply that access to sound money
has a negative effect on wage inequality. A more stable price system in an
economy implies a more equal wage distribution in emerging markets (EM),
non-OECD countries, and European Union (EU).
Coal consumption and economic growth nexus: Evidence from bootstrap panel Granger causality test
Authors: Anoruo Emmanuel
Published: September 2016

This paper explores the causal relationship between coal consumption and economic growth for a panel of 15 African countries using bootstrap panel Granger causality test. Specifically, this paper uses the Phillips-Perron unit root test to ascertain the order of integration for the coal consumption and economic growth series. A bootstrap panel Granger causality test is employed to determine the direction of causality between coal consumption and economic growth. The results provide evidence of unidirectional causality from economic growth to coal consumption. This finding implies that coal conservation measures may be implemented with little or no adverse impact on economic growth for the sample countries as a group.
Government debt-interest rate nexus in G7 countries over a long horizon
Authors: Malesevic-Perovic Lena
Published: September 2016

The goal of this paper is to investigate the influence of government fiscal
positions on long-term interest rates in G7 countries during the period
1948-2012. Our results suggest that a one percentage point increase in the
stock of government debt in GDP is associated with an increase in government
bond yields of 2.27-6.28 basis points, while an increase in government
deficit in GDP of one percentage point is associated with an increase in
government bond yields of 3.15-14.3 basis points. In addition, our results
indicate that under reasonable assumptions and in the presence of widening
output gaps, the neoclassical growth model predicts a rather low degree of
crowding-out (around 36 percent), while the narrowing of the output gap
leads to a complete crowding-out.
Effect of ractopamine hydrochloride and zilpaterol hydrochloride on cardiac electrophysiologic and hematologic variables in finishing steers
Authors: Frese Daniel A. , Reinhardt Christopher D. , Bartle Steven J. , Rethorst David N. , Bawa Bhupinder , Thomason Justin D. , Loneragan Guy H. , Thomson Daniel U.
Published: September 2016

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with the β-adrenoceptor agonists ractopamine hydrochloride and zilpaterol hydrochloride on ECG and clinicopathologic variables of finishing beef steers.

DESIGN Randomized controlled trial.

ANIMALS 30 Angus steers.

PROCEDURES Steers were grouped by body weight and randomly assigned to receive 1 of 3 diets for 23 days: a diet containing no additive (control diet) or a diet containing ractopamine hydrochloride (300 mg/steer/d) or zilpaterol hydrochloride (8.3 mg/kg [3.8 mg/lb] of feed on a dry-matter basis), beginning on day 0. Steers were instrumented with an ambulatory ECG monitor on days −2, 6, 13, and 23, and continuous recordings were obtained for 72, 24, 24, and 96 hours, respectively. At the time of instrumentation, blood samples were obtained for CBC and serum biochemical and blood lactate analysis. Electrocardiographic recordings were evaluated for mean heart rate and arrhythmia rates.

RESULTS Steers fed zilpaterol or ractopamine had greater mean heart rates than those fed the control diet. Mean heart rates were within reference limits for all steers, with the exception of those in the ractopamine group on day 14, in which mean heart rate was high. No differences in arrhythmia rates were identified among the groups, nor were any differences identified when arrhythmias were classified as single, paired, or multiple (> 2) beats.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that dietary supplementation of cattle with ractopamine or zilpaterol at FDA-approved doses had no effect on arrhythmia rates but caused an increase in heart rate that remained within reference limits.
Assessment of Lumbar Spine Instability Using C-Arm Fluoroscopy
Authors: Temes Bill , Karas Steve , Manwill James
Published: September 2016

A 47-year-old woman was referred to physical therapy with a diagnosis of lumbar radiculopathy. Weight-bearing flexion/extension radiographs showed no change in a 13-mm (at L5-S1) spondylolisthesis measured with a neutral posture. Physical therapy with a focus on flexion-biased stabilization exercises was initiated. After failing to improve after 6 weeks, her referring physician ordered magnetic resonance imaging, which revealed a 6-mm spondylolisthesis in a supine position. Additionally, the physical therapist performed an anterior stability test of L5 on S1 under C-arm fluoroscopy, which demonstrated a palpable shift of S1 posteriorly that was measured on imaging as a change from a 13-mm to a 17-mm spondylolisthesis.

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2016;46(9):810. doi:10.2519/jospt.2016.0415
Introduction: Interpretive Conflations — Exegesis and the Arts in the Middle Ages
Authors: Wieland Gernot R.
Published: September 2016

The six papers in this cluster arose from the international 41st Medieval Workshop at the University of British Columbia, held in November 2013 on the topic “Interpretive Conflations — Exegesis and the Arts in the Middle Ages.” The papers are concerned with diverse aspects of exegesis, including early forms of allegoresis in classical interpretations of Homer, the typological and other aspects touched on in the annotations in early medieval manuscripts of Josephus’s Jewish Antiquities (possibly suggesting Cassiodorian origins), quotation as exegesis in Felix’s Life of St. Guthlac, the multiple allegory of the text and images of Hrabanus Maurus’s In honorem sanctae crucis, Hugh of St. Victor’s view of history as the basis for all interpretation, and the vernacular exegesis presented in the Middle English Pearl.
Registration of H192 and H782, White Winter Wheat Lines Resistant to Cereal Cyst Nematode and Powdery Mildew
Authors: Qiu Dan , Cui Lei , Sun Yanling , Zou Jingwei , Zheng Chaoxing , Wang Xiaoming , Zhou Yang , Li Hongjie
Published: September 2016

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production in China is vulnerable to cereal cyst nematode (CCN, Heterodera avenae) and powdery mildew (caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici). Pyramiding resistance to CCN and powdery mildew was performed by crossing and topcrossing the CCN‐resistant, powdery mildew–susceptible cultivar Madsen from the United States with the CCN‐susceptible, powdery mildew–resistant cultivars Liangxing 99 and Jimai 22 from China. Two sister lines, H192 (Reg. No. GP‐1001, PI 678374) and H782 (Reg. No. GP‐1002, PI 678375), were selected from F6 progenies. These lines resemble their parents Liangxing 99 and Jimai 22 for heading dates and other important agronomic traits. Results of a 2‐yr field test and the inoculation test indicate that they are moderately resistant to the H. avenae pathotype Ha43, similar to their parent Madsen. Among 25 B. graminis f. sp. tritici isolates examined, H192 and H782 are resistant to 19 and 17 isolates, respectively, better than the parental cultivar Madsen, which has resistance to none of these isolates. Due to their adaptation to local production conditions and resistance to both CCN and powdery mildew, lines H192 and H782 can serve as sources of resistance in developing disease resistant wheat cultivars.
Characterization of Axillary Lymph Nodes as Normal, Reactive and Benign Using Conventional Ultrasonography
Authors: Alam Farzana , Islam Md. Menhazul , Shirin Mahbuba , Shawkat Sayeeda , Al Azad Salahuddin , Karim Enayet
Published: September 2016

Background: Detection of abnormalities of axillary lymph nodes is important for the diagnosis of different pathologies. Objective: The purpose of this present study was to see the accuracy of conventional USG for the differential diagnosis of axillary lymph nodes. Methodology: This cross sectional study was carried out in the Department of Radiology & Imaging at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka from July 2012 to June 2013 for a period of one year. Normal healthy woman who came for screening of breast disease without any symptoms and did not have any abnormality on USG was included as normal patient. Axillary lymph nodes from these normal patients were categorized as benign lymph nodes. Patients, who came with the complaints of mastalgia with normal breast findings, were included as patients with mastalgia. The lymph nodes from the patients of mastalgia were considered as reactive lymph nodes and patients with known breast cancer and lymph node metastasis were included as malignant patients. Metastatic lymph nodes from breast cancer patients were included. Result: In benign vs reactive the area under curve for long axis diameter was 0.534 (p=0.307), short axis diameter was 0.589 (p=0.007), sinus length 0.492 (p=0.798), cortical thickness was 0.684 (p=0.0001) short long ratio was 0.570 (p=0.033), sinus long ratio 0.445 (p=0.095) cortex short axis ratio 0.641 (p=0.0001). Conclusion: The accuracy of conventional USG is good diagnostic modalities for the differential diagnosis of axillary lymph nodes.Journal of Science Foundation, January 2016;14(1):8-16
Antibody Aggregation: Insights from Sequence and Structure
Authors: Li Wei , Prabakaran Ponraj , Chen Weizao , Zhu Zhongyu , Feng Yang , Dimitrov Dimiter
Published: September 2016

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are the fastest-growing biological therapeutics with important applications ranging from cancers, autoimmunity diseases and metabolic disorders to emerging infectious diseases. Aggregation of mAbs continues to be a major problem in their developability. Antibody aggregation could be triggered by partial unfolding of its domains, leading to monomer-monomer association followed by nucleation and growth. Although the aggregation propensities of antibodies and antibody-based proteins can be affected by the external experimental conditions, they are strongly dependent on the intrinsic antibody properties as determined by their sequences and structures. In this review, we describe how the unfolding and aggregation susceptibilities of IgG could be related to their cognate sequences and structures. The impact of antibody domain structures on thermostability and aggregation propensities, and effective strategies to reduce aggregation are discussed. Finally, the aggregation of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) as related to their sequence/structure, linker payload, conjugation chemistry and drug-antibody ratio (DAR) is reviewed.
Evolvable Smartphone-Based Platforms for Point-of-Care In-Vitro Diagnostics Applications
Authors: Patou François , AlZahra’a Alatraktchi Fatima , Kjægaard Claus , Dimaki Maria , Madsen Jan , Svendsen Winnie
Published: September 2016

The association of smart mobile devices and lab-on-chip technologies offers unprecedented opportunities for the emergence of direct-to-consumer in vitro medical diagnostics applications. Despite their clear transformative potential, obstacles remain to the large-scale disruption and long-lasting success of these systems in the consumer market. For instance, the increasing level of complexity of instrumented lab-on-chip devices, coupled to the sporadic nature of point-of-care testing, threatens the viability of a business model mainly relying on disposable/consumable lab-on-chips. We argued recently that system evolvability, defined as the design characteristic that facilitates more manageable transitions between system generations via the modification of an inherited design, can help remedy these limitations. In this paper, we discuss how platform-based design can constitute a formal entry point to the design and implementation of evolvable smart device/lab-on-chip systems. We present both a hardware/software design framework and the implementation details of a platform prototype enabling at this stage the interfacing of several lab-on-chip variants relying on current- or impedance-based biosensors. Our findings suggest that several change-enabling mechanisms implemented in the higher abstraction software layers of the system can promote evolvability, together with the design of change-absorbing hardware/software interfaces. Our platform architecture is based on a mobile software application programming interface coupled to a modular hardware accessory. It allows the specification of lab-on-chip operation and post-analytic functions at the mobile software layer. We demonstrate its potential by operating a simple lab-on-chip to carry out the detection of dopamine using various electroanalytical methods.
Nonparametric Regression with Common Shocks
Authors: Souza-Rodrigues Eduardo
Published: September 2016

This paper considers a nonparametric regression model for cross-sectional data in the presence of common shocks. Common shocks are allowed to be very general in nature; they do not need to be finite dimensional with a known (small) number of factors. I investigate the properties of the Nadaraya-Watson kernel estimator and determine how general the common shocks can be while still obtaining meaningful kernel estimates. Restrictions on the common shocks are necessary because kernel estimators typically manipulate conditional densities, and conditional densities do not necessarily exist in the present case. By appealing to disintegration theory, I provide sufficient conditions for the existence of such conditional densities and show that the estimator converges in probability to the Kolmogorov conditional expectation given the sigma-field generated by the common shocks. I also establish the rate of convergence and the asymptotic distribution of the kernel estimator.