bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Positive inertia and proactive influencing towards sustainability: systems analysis of a frontrunner city
Authors: Irvine Sigourney , Bai Xuemei
Published: November 2019

With an increasingly urban population, cities have an important role to play in global environmental sustainability. Cities engaged in pioneering and ongoing sustainability experimentation—the frontrunners—can lead the way towards sustainability transition, and often become the beacon for others to follow. However, the nature and the internal dynamics that make a city a frontrunner, or the role of frontrunner cities in sustainability transition beyond their boundary, remain unclear. In addition, most studies on the influence of these frontrunners are limited to passive influencing, i.e. how the practice has been duplicated by others, or how the practice is adopted and mainstreamed into system level. Based on in-depth case studies on a frontrunner city and two other cities influenced by it, this paper examines how momentum for positive changes has been initiated, built, and sustained towards changing the status quo of practice through a succession of actors and a series of reinforcing feedback loops. We argue that creating apositive inertiathrough sustained momentum and embedding the frontrunner identity in a city is essential for it to continue the process of sustainability transition. Frontrunners can create flow-on benefits for other cities through aproactive influencing. Supported by multiple two-way benefits, suchproactive influencingis a new mechanism of mainstreaming and up-scaling urban sustainability experiments in system innovation and transition.
Transformation of urban brownfields through co-creation: the multi-functional Lene-Voigt Park in Leipzig as a case in point
Authors: Kabisch Nadja
Published: November 2019

With pressure from urbanisation and climate change, urban planning is challenged by pursuing the vision of a sustainable, resilient and healthy city while maintaining existing and developing new urban green spaces. Brownfield re-development may be one direction for sustainable and healthy urban development. Using the case of a former railway in the city of Leipzig, Germany, this perspective paper highlights that the involvement of a multitude of actors including the local population of different age groups, community groups, urban planners, designers and researchers as part of an intensive co-creation process is required for the transformation of a brownfield into a multifunctional park. In retrospect (15 years after its opening), the diversity of use opportunities of the Lene-Voigt Park has led to broad acceptance and a frequent use by the city’s residents. However, not all co-created ideas worked out the way they were originally intended. Therefore, it is recommended that potential barriers including path-dependencies, safety concerns and expected future developments in the demographic and urban development structure should be considered in the co-creation of a transformation project. Flexible strategies reflecting the development over time may help adapting the use opportunities and improving park quality further.
Exploring the potential for “urban air quality transition management” in the EU – lessons from the City of Aachen (Germany)
Authors: Szabo-Müller Paul
Published: November 2019

Air pollution is one of the most important global sustainability and health challenges. In response to this, the European Union (EU) initiated with its Directive 2008/50/EC a new era of (urban) air quality management (UAQM) and introduced air quality plans and short term action plans as major formal planning instruments. However, these efforts still fail to achieve their target. Independently, sustainability transitions research emerged as a major science field, suggesting urban transition management (UTM) as an effective governance and planning approach for steering transformative urban change. Hence, the overall query this paper puts forward is, whether UAQM could be enhanced by UTM? This leads to an empirical and a conceptual question: 1) How transformative is current UAQM, i.e. how does it contribute to a transition process? 2) How could UAQM and UTM be combined to create an ‘urban air quality transition management’? Drawing on a conceptual discussion of both frameworks, an explorative case study of UAQM in the EU and the City of Aachen (Germany) reveals that UAQM and UTM seem to have many similarities at a superficial level, but differ significantly in detail. They are mostly complementary because each approach has its own strengths and weaknesses, so that neither of them could achieve the targeted transition alone. Future research should therefore focus on comparative transformative research in ‘urban air quality transition management labs’ to develop integrated approaches. Policy should both legally facilitate such experiments and deliver sufficient funding for enhanced UAQM in general.
Handle with care: navigating the pluriformity of power to enable actionable knowledge for transitions in informal settlements in the global south
Authors: Schipper Karlijn , Silvestri Giorgia , Wittmayer Julia M. , Isoke Jenifer B. , Kulabako Robinah
Published: November 2019

This Perspective positions urban challenges in informal settlements in the Global South as a question of how to coproduce actionable knowledge for sustainability transitions, and how this relates to power issues. The aim is to inform those who are actively working on sustainability transitions in practice how to navigate the pluriform ways power matters in transitions. Also as a way to reflect on one’s doings and as a starting point to develop research and/or policy programs that enable alternative solutions. This Perspective is based on fieldwork in three informal settlements in Kampala and focusses specifically on sustainability issues related to gaining access to, maintenance and control of water services. We highlight the importance of challenging dominant frames of places and communities, coproducing dynamic maps of power relations and interdependencies related to a specific urban challenge and taking into account the contextualized understanding of power relations within a political system.
Aberrant p16 methylation as an early diagnostic marker in blood of hepatocellular carcinoma patients
Authors: Seif Arig Aly , Aly Heba Hassan , Elzoghby Doaa Mostafa , Elbreedy Ashraf Mohammed , Lotfy Mohamed
Published: December 2019

Background

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is currently used for serologic screening in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) but with low sensitivity ranging 41–65% with a high rate of false-negative and false-positive results. For the hypermethylation of the p16 inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (p16INK4A), a tumor suppressor gene results in the uncontrolled division of cells. This suggests that the loss of p16INK4A function due to promoter methylation may be an early event in HCC pathogenesis so the study aimed to assess aberrant p16INK4A gene methylation as an early diagnostic marker in HCC patients.

Results

Our study revealed a highly significant increase of p16INK4A methylation in patients versus controls (Fisher, 36.11; p < 0.01). P16INK4A methylation was detected in 86.6% (26/30) and none of the controls were methylated (100% specificity) compared to the low sensitivity of AFP 65.38% at a cutoff value of 28 ng/mL. Data revealed non-significant difference of p16INK4A methylation status between different HCC Barcelona stages (Fisher, 0.055; p > 0.05). While, AFP levels were statistically significantly higher in stages B and C (median = 243,400 ng/mL, respectively, when compared to stage A (median = 10 ng/mL) (H:16.667, p < 0.01)).

Conclusion

Early diagnosis of HCC can be achieved through the detection of p16INK4A gene methylation in chronic liver disease (CLD) patients with normal serum AFP especially in known cirrhotic patients that deteriorate clinically without apparent etiology.
Medical record abstraction in a hospital with paper-based records: experience of early career psychiatrists in northern Borneo
Authors: Ahmad Shahabuddin Farah , Wah Kheng Yee , Buji Ryna Imma , Zulkafli Nurul Syeema , Lee Shea Wah , Soon Hui Lee , Yap Siau Yun , Law Vuii , Loo Jiann Lin
Published: December 2019

We used medical record abstraction to conduct research in a psychiatric hospital with paper-based medical records. The challenges we encountered included: the difficulty in retrieving files; the extensive effort and time needed to extract clinical information; the lack of a standardised documentation system of medical records; and the need for advanced computer literacy. To promote future research using electronic medical records, potential solutions include creating a registry of all patients receiving treatment, as well as equipping busy clinicians with computer skills.
Applying Medical Device Informatics to Enable Safe and Secure Interoperable Systems: Medical Device Interface Data Sheets
Authors: Goldman Julian M. , Weininger Sandy , Jaffe Michael B.
Published: December 2019

This article describes the concept of Medical Device Interface Data Sheets (MDIDSs) to document and characterize medical device interface data requirements, the processes for creating MDIDSs, and its role in supporting patient safety and cybersecurity of current systems while enabling innovation in the area of next-generation medical Internet of Things (IoT) platforms for integrating sensors, actuators, and applications (apps).
NANOG and LIN28 dramatically improve human cell reprogramming by modulating LIN41 and canonical WNT activities
Authors: Wang Ling , Su Yue , Huang Chang , Yin Yexuan , Chu Alexander , Knupp Alec , Tang Young
Published: December 2019

Human cell reprogramming remains extremely inefficient and the underlying mechanisms by different reprogramming factors are elusive. We found that NANOG and LIN28 (NL) synergize to improve OCT4, SOX2, KLF4 and MYC (OSKM)-mediated reprogramming by ∼76-fold and shorten reprogramming latency by at least 1 week. This synergy is inhibited by GLIS1 but reinforced by an inhibitor of the histone methyltransferase DOT1L (iDOT1L) to a ∼127-fold increase in TRA-1-60-positive (+) iPSC colonies. Mechanistically, NL serve as the main drivers of reprogramming in cell epithelialization, the expression of Let-7 miRNA target LIN41, and the activation of canonical WNT/β-CATENIN signaling, which can be further enhanced by iDOT1L treatment. LIN41 overexpression in addition to OSKM similarly promoted cell epithelialization and WNT activation in reprogramming, and a dominant-negative LIN41 mutation significantly blocked NL- and iDOT1L-enhanced reprogramming. We also found that NL- and iDOT1L-induced canonical WNT activation facilitates the initial development kinetics of iPSCs. However, a substantial increase in more mature, homogeneous TRA-1-60+ colony formation was achieved by inhibiting WNT activity at the middle-to-late-reprogramming stage. We further found that LIN41 can replace LIN28 to synergize with NANOG, and that the coexpression of LIN41 with NL further enhanced the formation of mature iPSCs under WNT inhibition. Our study established LIN41 and canonical WNT signaling as the key downstream effectors of NL for the dramatic improvement in reprogramming efficiency and kinetics, and optimized a condition for the robust formation of mature human iPSC colonies from primary cells.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Usefulness of a deep learning system for diagnosing Sjögren’s syndrome using ultrasonography images
Authors: Kise Yoshitaka , Shimizu Mayumi , Ikeda Haruka , Fujii Takeshi , Kuwada Chiaki , Nishiyama Masako , Funakoshi Takuma , Ariji Yoshiko , Fujita Hiroshi , Katsumata Akitoshi , Yoshiura Kazunori , Ariji Eiichiro
Published: December 2019

Objectives:

We evaluated the diagnostic performance of a deep learning system for the detection of Sjögren’s syndrome (SjS) in ultrasonography (US) images, and compared it with the performance of inexperienced radiologists.

Methods:

100 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of SjS according to both the Japanese criteria and American-European Consensus Group criteria and 100 non-SjS patients that had a dry mouth and suspected SjS but were definitively diagnosed as non-SjS were enrolled in this study. All the patients underwent US scans of both the parotid glands (PG) and submandibular glands (SMG). The training group consisted of 80 SjS patients and 80 non-SjS patients, whereas the test group consisted of 20 SjS patients and 20 non-SjS patients for deep learning analysis. The performance of the deep learning system for diagnosing SjS from the US images was compared with the diagnoses made by three inexperienced radiologists.

Results:

The accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of the deep learning system for the PG were 89.5, 90.0 and 89.0%, respectively, and those for the inexperienced radiologists were 76.7, 67.0 and 86.3%, respectively. The deep learning system results for the SMG were 84.0, 81.0 and 87.0%, respectively, and those for the inexperienced radiologists were 72.0, 78.0 and 66.0%, respectively. The AUC for the inexperienced radiologists was significantly different from that of the deep learning system.

Conclusions:

The deep learning system had a high diagnostic ability for SjS. This suggests that deep learning could be used for diagnostic support when interpreting US images.
Interventions to improve linear growth during exclusive breastfeeding life-stage for children aged 0-6 months living in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review and network and pairwise meta-analyses
Authors: Park Jay J. H. , Siden Ellie , Harari Ofir , Dron Louis , Mazoub Reham , Jeziorska Virginia , Zannat Noor-E , Gadalla Heather , Thorlund Kristian , Mills Edward J.
Published: December 2019

Background:Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) during the first six months of life is critical for child’s linear growth. While there is strong evidence in favor of EBF, the evidence with regards to other interventions for linear growth is unclear. We evaluated intervention domains of micronutrients, food supplements, deworming, maternal education, water sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and kangaroo care, for their comparative effectiveness on linear growth.

Methods:For this review, we searched for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) of the interventions provided to infants aged 0-6 months and/or their breastfeeding mothers in low- and middle-income countries reporting on length-for-age z-score (LAZ), stunting, length, and head circumference. We searched for reports published until September 17th, 2019 and hand-searched bibliographies of existing reviews. For LAZ and stunting, we used network meta-analysis (NMA) to compare the effects of all interventions except for kangaroo care, where we used pairwise meta-analysis to compare its effects versus standard-of-care. For length and head circumference, we qualitatively summarized our findings.

Results:We found 29 RCTs (40 papers) involving 35,119 mother and infant pairs reporting on the effects of aforementioned interventions on linear growth outcomes. Our NMA on LAZ found that compared to standard-of-care, multiple micronutrients administered to infants (MMN-C) improved LAZ (mean difference: 0.20; 95% credible interval [CrI]: 0.03,0.35), whereas supplementing breastfeeding mothers with MMN did not (MMN-M, mean difference: -0.02, 95%CrI: -0.18,0.13). No interventions including MMN-C (relative risk: 0.74; 95%CrI: 0.36,1.44) reduced risk for stunting compared to standard-of-care. Kangaroo care, on the other hand, improved head circumference (mean difference: 0.20 cm/week; 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.09,0.31 cm/week) and length (mean difference: 0.23 cm/week; 95%CI: 0.10,0.35 cm/week) compared to standard-of-care.  

Conclusion:Our study found important improvements for kangaroo care, but we did not find sufficient evidence for other interventions.

Registration:PROSPEROCRD42018110450; registered on 17 October 2018.
Theory of discrete devices
Authors: Филиппов Виктор , Filippov Viktor , Чертков Иван , Chertkov Ivan
Published: December 2019

The textbook presents the basic concepts of integrated digital devices, codes, the basics of logic algebra, electronic component base of digital chips, circuit implementations of integrated circuits of combinational and sequential types, examples of synthesis of contactless and relay-contact circuits and finite state machines, the principles of functioning of pulse generators and generators, arithmetic logic and memory devices.
Is intended for students of internal and correspondence forms of education of specialty "power and electrical engineering" and the specialty "system of trains", it may be useful to students of other technical specialties and areas of training related to the study of circuit design, students of additional vocational programs, engineering staff range of power supply involved in the operation of systems of telemechanics, relay protection and automation.
Value of High-Quality Logistics: Evidence from a Clash Between SF Express and Alibaba
Authors: Cui Ruomeng , Li Meng , Li Qiang
Published: December 2019

Consumers regard product delivery as an important service component that influences their shopping decisions on online retail platforms. Delivering products to customers in a timely and reliable manner enhances customer experience and companies’ profitability. In this research, we explore the extent to which customers value a high-quality delivery experience when shopping online. Our identification strategy exploits a natural experiment: a clash between SF Express and Alibaba, the largest private logistics service provider with the highest reputation in delivery quality in China and the largest online retail platform in China, respectively. The clash resulted in Alibaba unexpectedly removing SF Express as a shipping option from Alibaba’s retail platform for 42 hours in June 2017. Using a difference-in-differences design, we analyze the market performance of 129,448 representative stock-keeping units on Alibaba to quantify the economic value of a high-quality delivery service to sales, product variety, and logistics rating. We find that the removal of the high-quality delivery option from Alibaba’s retail platform reduced sales by 14.56% during the clash, increased the contribution of long-tail to total sales—sales dispersion—by 3%, but did not impact the variety and logistics rating of sold products. Furthermore, we also identify product characteristics that attenuate the value of high-quality logistics and find that the removal of SF Express is more obstructive for (1) star products as compared with long-tail products because the same star products are likely to be supplied by competing retail platforms that customers can easily switch to, (2) expensive products because customers need a reliable delivery service to protect their valuable items from damage or loss, and (3) less-discounted products because customers are more willing to sacrifice the service quality over a price markdown.

This paper was accepted by Victor Martínez-de-Albéniz, operations management.
Why does radial head arthroplasty fail today? A systematic review of recent literature
Authors: Viveen Jetske , Kodde Izaak F. , Heijink Andras , Koenraadt Koen L. M. , van den Bekerom Michel P. J. , Eygendaal Denise
Published: December 2019

Since the introduction of the radial head prosthesis (RHP) in 1941, many designs have been introduced. It is not clear whether prosthesis design parameters are related to early failure. The aim of this systematic review is to report on failure modes and to explore the association between implant design and early failure. A search was conducted to identify studies reporting on failed primary RHP. The results are clustered per type of RHP based on: material, fixation technique, modularity, and polarity. Chi-square tests are used to compare reasons for failure between the groups. Thirty-four articles are included involving 152 failed radial head arthroplasties (RHAs) in 152 patients. Eighteen different types of RHPs have been used. The most frequent reasons for revision surgery after RHA are (aseptic) loosening (30%), elbow stiffness (20%) and/or persisting pain (17%). Failure occurs after an average of 34 months (range, 0–348 months; median, 14 months). Press-fit prostheses fail at a higher ratio because of symptomatic loosening than intentionally loose-fit prostheses and prostheses that are fixed with an expandable stem (p < 0.01). Because of the many different types of RHP used to date and the limited numbers and evidence on early failure of RHA, the current data provide no evidence for a specific RHP design.

Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2019;4:659-667. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.4.180099
SWIR nightglow radiation detection around room temperature with depletion-engineered HgCdTe on alternative substrates
Authors: Livanelioglu Can , Ozer Yıgıt , Kocaman Serdar
Published: December 2019

Night vision applications utilize the reflected nightglow radiation in the short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) atmospheric window. Nevertheless, the low light intensity values require dark current densities on the order of

n
A

/

c
m

2

for detection around room temperature. Currently, with new device architectures and developments in growth and surface passivation, very low dark current density values are achievable for 1.7 µm cutoff InGaAs detectors near room temperature, and such detectors seem to be the leading choice for the nightglow detection applications. On the other hand, HgCdTe has not been thoroughly investigated for low-cost nightglow detection with 1.7 µm cutoff, primarily due to its manufacture expenses for lattice-matched CdZnTe growth. In this study, we analyze the nightglow radiation detecting performance of the alternative substrate HgCdTe detectors near room temperature (

T

=

270

K

) using computer simulations. It is assessed that alternative substrate HgCdTe cannot attain the required dark current density values due to Shockley–Read–Hall (SRH) recombination in the depletion region, if the heterojunction photodiode structure is adopted. To overcome the problem, depletion-engineered devices are designed where the depletion region is embedded within a larger bandgap HgCdTe, which suppresses the depletion region SRH

∼

1300

times. This reduces the dark current density to the desired order, for SRH lifetimes achievable with alternative substrate growth. Dark current densities as low as

0.26

n
A

/

c
m

2

are shown to be possible for an SRH lifetime of

τ
=

3

µ

s

while maintaining the quantum efficiency

∼

85

%

. With this approach benefiting from alternative substrates and depletion engineering, HgCdTe can achieve InGaAs nightglow imaging performances near room temperature, and can benefit from less costly manufacture and broader application capability for nightglow radiation detection.
Optimizing optical trap stiffness for Rayleigh particles with an Airy array beam
Authors: Suarez Rafael A. B. , Neves Antonio A. R. , Gesualdi Marcos R. R.
Published: December 2019

Airy array beams are attractive for optical manipulation of particles owing to their non-diffraction and auto-focusing properties. An Airy array beam is composed of

N

Airy beams that accelerate mutually and symmetrically in opposite directions, for different ballistics trajectories, i.e., with different initial launch angles. Based on this, we investigate the optical force distribution acting on Rayleigh particles. Results show that it is possible to obtain greater stability for optical trapping by increasing the number of beams in the array. Also, the intensity focal point and gradient and scattering force of the array on Rayleigh particles can be controlled through a launch angle parameter.
Experimental observation of engineering photonic jet array by core–shell phase diffraction grating
Authors: Liu Cheng-Yang , Cheng Yu-Lun
Published: December 2019

In this Letter, we investigated the experimental observation of the specific spatially localized photonic jet array formed by core–shell phase diffraction gratings (PDGs). The core–shell PDG consists of a metallic shell (copper, silver, and gold) and a dielectric core (polydimethylsiloxane) with the hemispherical and triangular grooves. The finite-difference time-domain technique is employed to simulate the near-field scattering of optical radiation at different core–shell PDGs. The direct imaging of a photonic jet array is performed by a scanning optical microscope for experimental verification. Our numerical and experimental results showed that each type of core–shell PDGs generate the photonic jet array with unique properties. The optical intensity of the photonic jet array is greatly enhanced by gold-coating PDG due to surface plasmon resonance. The presented core–shell PDGs can be manipulated to design high-efficiency optical elements for steering the photonic jet array in a wide range of applications.
Multipurpose thermoresponsive hydrogel: a platform for dynamic holographic display
Authors: Khalid Ata Ur Rahman , Liu Juan , Han Yu , Ullah Naeem , Jia ShiQi , Wang Yongtian
Published: December 2019

Metamaterials have shown great promise for manipulating electromagnetic (EM) waves, thus opening new routes for the progression of flat optics. However, postfabrication fixed structures hinder the dynamic manipulation of light. Dynamic control of EM light has been realized through different mechanisms including electrical gating, optical pumping, mechanical actuation, and temperature stimulation. Here, we are first proposing the plasmonic-resonators-mounted thermoresponsive free-standing hydrogel for holographic display that swells and collapses laterally by temperature. By taking leverage of reversible switching of the hydrogel, we numerically examine the polarization-insensitive dynamic holographic switch by a plasmonic-rings/discs-loaded hydrogel in reflection as a primary application. Second, we observe the transmissive functionality of a plasmonic-sector-resonators-mounted hydrogel, which displays a persistent holographic image under swelling and collapsing conditions. This work demonstrates the potential of a resonators-loaded thermoresponsive hydrogel for EM wave manipulation including dynamic holography, active lensing, switching, and so on.
Case Studies on Coastal Wetlands and Water Resources in Nigeria
Authors: Nwankwoala H.O
Published: December 2019

Wetlands play a very important role in the sustenance of both the surface andgroundwater resources of the country. It is sad to observe that the country is fast losingher wetlands, as the rich wetlands are being seriously threatened by a number ofanthropogenic and biophysical factors. Some of the notable human actions includepopulation pressure, rapid urbanization, mining, oil and industrial waste pollution,overgrazing, logging, dam construction, transportation routes and other physicalinfrastructure. Others factors are uncontrolled tilling for crop production andunprecedented/unregulated land reclamation. Subsidence, saltwater intrusion, sandstorm, desertification and droughts, invasion by alien floral and faunal species as well asmarine and coastal erosion are natural threats to wetlands in Nigeria. Wetlandsdestruction affects negatively water supply and water resources management. This studyexamines in great detail the fate of wetlands in the face of climate change andrecommends that efforts should be made to accurately document the country’s wetland.The paper therefore suggested sustainable options for wetlands and water resourcesmanagement in Nigeria. This, the paper opined, can be done through the strengtheningof wetlands preservation and conservation regulation, mitigating the effects of climatechange as well as the development of deliberate restoration programmes and policiesaimed at sustaining degraded wetlands in Nigeria.
Poverty-Conflict Nexus: The Contentious Issue Revisited
Authors: Ikejiaku Brian Vincent
Published: December 2019

Most scholars, who have contributed to the Poverty-Conflict debate, took the positionthat poverty on its own cannot cause conflict, though a few others think otherwise.Focusing on Africa, this paper in contributing to this debate, briefly looks at the large-works of scholars including their theoretical and empirical positions. It then considerssome of the primary variables: economic, political, and ethnicity that can help in theexplanation of poverty-conflict issue. Employing the human-needs perspective, the paperargues on politics that is the role of government and how its level of corruptioninfluences the way in which poverty affects conflict that hinders development in Africa.
Water Woes in Zimbabwe’s Urban Areas in the Middist Of Plenty: 2000 -Present
Authors: Makwara Enock C.
Published: December 2019

Zimbabwe’s urban areas are choking under the weight of over-crowdedness amidstdilapidated infrastructure that is characterised by constant service failure. The water andsewer systems of the country’s major urban centres are on the verge of collapse, thusputting millions of people in danger of consuming contaminated water, including thatfrom underground sources. Waste management and water supply problems manifestthemselves as challenges bedevilling many an urban area in the country. The quality andquantity of water supplied in Zimbabwe’s urban centres has plummeted in recent yearsand has assumed crisis proportions owing to the difficult economic situation and otherchallenges faced by the country. The situation is desperate and dire, as is evidenced by thepoor quality of delivered water, severe water rationing and the outbreak of water-bornediseases in the urban areas dotted across the country. The situation demands and dictatesthat solutions be proffered as a matter of urgency.The recent outbreak of epidemics hasbeen blamed on lack of access to safe water and poor sanitation, two crucial factors incontrolling the spread of diseases. An overly bureaucratic environment, where decisionsand processes take longer, makes life complicated for poor urban residents. Such ascenario motivated the researchers to examine the problem with a view to suggest waysand means of intervening to mitigate and resolve the problem. It emerged from thefindings that the problem is multifaceted in nature, hence a whole range of measures needto be adopted if a long-term solution is to be provided.
CORRUPTION AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION IN NIGERIA: A DISCOURSE OF CORE ISSUES
Authors: Adeyemi O. Oluwatobi
Published: December 2019

Nigeria is rich in natural and human resources, with a population of over 150million people; the most populous country in Africa. At the time of her politicalindependence, on 1st October 1960, Nigeria excelled in production of agriculturalproduce such as groundnut, palm oil, cocoa, cotton, beans, timber and hides andskinsThen, during the oil boom period of the seventies Nigeria made headlines withher oil wealth, as a country richly endowed with oil and natural gas resourcescapable of financing a number of important projects to meet basic consumptionand development needs (Salisu, 200:2). With per capital income of around $1,100during the late 1970’s Nigeria was regarded as the fastest growing country in Sub-Sahara Africa (Salisu, Ibid). Yet it remains predominantly underdeveloped due tothe scourge of corruption that has corroded it.Corruption denies the ordinary citizen the basic means of livelihood, it worsenunemployment and erodes our image as a nation and as individual (Danjuma Goje2010:1). It has undermined Nigeria’s economic growth and developmentpotential, with a per capital income of $340, Nigeria now ranks amongst the leastdeveloped countries in the World Bank League table (Salusi, op.cit). Nigeria’shigher education system once regarded as the best in Sub-Sahara Africa is in deep
FOOD SECURITY IN NIGERIA: AN OVERVIEW
Authors: Adebayo Peter F. , Ojo Emmanuel O.
Published: December 2019

No doubt, food is life; hence, food has become an instrument of national power. It iswithin that imperatival need for food that this paper takes a cursory look at the issue inall its ramifications. The paper with a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s agriculturalpolicy noted that much still needs to be done if the crisis in the sector will not escalatemore so, in a supposedly democratic dispensation which expectedly should promote thevalue of welfarism. The paper infers that Nigeria needs to come up with food policywhich for now it lacks. What public policy makers pursue is merely an agricultural policythat still suffers enormously from a wide gap between intent and actual practices.
EXERGAMES E DIDATTICA DELLE ATTIVITÀ MOTORIE E SPORTIVE
Authors: Raiola G. , Di Tore A.
Published: December 2019

The term "exergames" refers to a category of video games in which theinteraction is not based only on hand-eye coordination, but on the whole body, throughthe use of non-standard controllers, like Nintendo Wiimote or Balance Board andMicrosoft Kinect sensor. The exergames were immediately hailed as a welcomedevelopment, for the contribution they offer as a weapon against a sedentary lifestyle andthe level of user involvement, which adds to the traditional value of video games theattractiveness of natural interfaces. The current trend is to consider how the exergamespresent many potential advantages in the context of physical education and wellnesspromotion of. However, the current generation of exergames is not designed specificallyto support teaching of motor activities or rehabilitation. There are no products that cancount on the basis of a robust theoretical framework and that are oriented to theacquisition of specific motor skills, for use in physical education teaching andrehabilitation.Knowledge of basic mechanisms of motor control and of dynamics connected tomotor skills learning may be the theoretical support to the design and development ofexergames.
GROWTH AND YIELD OF OKRA AS INFLUENCED BY LIVE MULCH IN SAMARU, ZARIA
Authors: HAMMA I. L , IBRAHIM U. , YUSUF S. M.
Published: December 2019

Two field experiments were conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of theInstitute for Agricultural Research; Ahmadu Bello University Zaria located on latitude11011’N, longitude 7038’E and 686m above sea level in the Northern Guinea SavannahEcological Zone of Nigeria in 2010 and 2011 cropping seasons. The objective of thestudy was to compare the yield of okra grown under different weed managementstrategies. The experiment consisted of four treatments namely: control, cucumber,watermelon and pumpkin. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomised blockdesign (RCBD) with three replications. From the results so far obtained, pumpkinsignificantly gave higher mean values in both growth and yield characters measured,whereas the control treatment, significantly gave lower mean values of both growth andyield parameters throughout the period of assessment.
THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF RESOURCE CURSE AND THE NIGER DELTA CRISIS IN NIGERIA: MATTERS ARISING
Authors: Dode Robert O.
Published: December 2019

Political economy literature is awash with analyses that attempt to identify the corereasons behind the development and or underdevelopment of different states and zonesof the world. Two major questions that such studies attempt to answer are, “how does astate’s natural resource wealth influence its economic development?” and “How doesnatural resource endowment contribute to political conflict in countries that are soendowed?” For some decades now, the exploitation of natural resources has been adetermining factor in the stability or otherwise of natural resource rich states. Studieshave shown that the exploitation of natural resources like crude oil, columbite anddiamond have contributed to a number of civil wars and internal crises in Africa. InNigeria, it has been a case of armed struggle in the Niger Delta creeks; between militantsand federal forces posted to secure the area. The result is that instead of yielding foreignexchange and prosperity to the citizens of the countries so endowed, the presence of suchresource, constitute a major source of political conflict within nations, resulting in suchcountries being referred to as the poorest of the poor in the world. Some studies indicatethe fact that these problems evolve from politics surrounding ownership, management,and control of natural resources in Africa. It is in the face of this reality that we attemptto situate Nigeria’s Niger Delta crisis in this resource curse matrix and propose thehypothesis that, there is a relationship between the resource curse theory and the NigerDelta crisis in Nigeria. Our findings agree with the core assumption of this paradigm thatinstead of ushering in development, poor management of resources, greed and badgovernance in the third world contribute greatly to her underdevelopment, strife andpoverty, in the midst of abundant natural resources.
Double Burden, Non-Communicable Diseases And Risk Factors Evaluation In Sub-Saharan Africa: The Nigerian Experience
Authors: Ekpenyong C. E , Udokang N.E, , Akpan E.E. , Samson T.K.
Published: December 2019

This study was aimed to assess the age and sex specific burden and associated risk factors ofNCDs in adult population of South-South Nigeria. It was a cross-sectional study conducted inUyo Metropolis, in 2009/2010; with 2780 participants (1447 males and 1333 females) aged 18-60years. Instruments of survey were: a semi-structured questionnaire, anthropometric and nonanthropometric measures using standard procedures. The overall prevalence of NCDs was 32.8%.Disease specific prevalence was as follows: 25%, 14.4%, 12.7%, 20.1% and 10% for obesity,hypertension, diabetes mellitus, musculoskeletal disorders and respiratory disorders respectively.Males’ vs females’ prevalence were: 20.7% vs 29.5%; 12.6% vs 12.2%; 9.7% vs 16.0%; 14.0% vs26.5% and 8.6% vs 7.6% for obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, musculoskeletal disordersand respiratory disorders respectively. Risk factors with increase odds for NCDs were: age, area ofresidence, work stress, triglyceride levels and positive family history. Physical inactivity, high totalcholesterol level, high general adiposity, high central adiposity and poor dietary habits were equallysignificantly associated. The high prevalence of NCDs in Nigeria was precipitated by modifiableand un-modifiable life style factors. Intervention programmes should focus on these factors toreverse the trend.
NUTRITIONAL AND MICROBIOLOGICAL COMPONENTS OF HONEY SAMPLES OBTAINED FROM OGUN STATE, SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA
Authors: ADENEKAN M. O. , AMUSA N. A. , OKPEZE V. E. , OWOSIBO A. O.
Published: December 2019

There are no detailed studies on the nutritional and microbiological characteristics of honeyproduced in Ogun State in the Southwestern part of Nigeria. This paper investigated thesecomponents in honeys produced from different parts of this state. A total of 10 honey samples peryear were collected for the years 2008 – 2010. These were separately analyzed for their physicalproperties, nutritional and microbiological components in the laboratory. The results of thephysical properties showed that honey samples obtained from Ago-Iwoye has the lowest pH of3.48, which was significantly different from the pH values of 5.06, 5.21 and 4.06 obtained fromhoney samples from Abeokuta, Ibefun and Ilisan honey samples respectively. There wassignificant difference in moisture contents of honey samples obtained from Ogere (16.19 %), Otta(19.14 %) and Ijebu-Ode (18.21 %), while the percentage ash contents of 0.78 % obtained fromhoney samples collected from Abeokuta was not significantly different from the value of 0.75 %obtained from Ago-Iwoye honey (P ≤ 0.05). However, the value of 1.11 mg 100 g-1 forhydroxymethylfurfural obtained from Ago-Iwoye honey samples was not significantly differentfrom the value of 0.32 mg 100 g-1 in honey samples obtained from Sagamu.The value for glucose ranged from 18.42 – 30.16 g 100 g-1, while fructose sugar varied between25.42 – 38.21 g 100 g-1. Minimum protein value of 0.02 % was obtained from Ijebu-Ode honey,while the maximum of 0.51 % was obtained from honey samples from Ilisan. Results of theelemental nutrient showed that potassium was the most abundant element in honey samples withthe range value of 14.78 – 17.42 mg 100 g-1 followed by calcium, which varied from 2.13 – 11.25mg 100 g-1. However, result of microbiological properties showed that the total plate count variedfrom 0.2 – 3.4 cfu g-1, whereas total coliforms were not detected in honey samples collected fromAgo-Iwoye, Otta, Ibefun, Ife and Sagamu. Clostridium spp, Bacillus spp and yeast were also detectedat low count in all honey samples investigated.Moreover, honey samples obtained from different parts of Ogun State were found to becontaminated with Pseudomonas spp., Xanthomonas spp., Bacillus spp., E. coli and Clostridium spp,while fungi spores intercepted were Pennicillium oxalicum, Aspergilus niger, A. Flavus and Fusariumoxysporum at different levels and counts.
Organizational Honestly Guidance by Ability Superintendents
Authors: Farahmand Nasser Fegh-hi
Published: December 2019

The role of organizational is to implement organizational tactic. Effective organizationalhonestly guidance is one of the important factors in organizations success. There areability superintendents who argue that formal written planning may be inappropriate forthe organizations but this seems a minority view. The tactics importance of organizationalcustomers is discussed as an asset. Also this paper describes the approach toorganizational honestly guidance at organizations. This paper proposes a relation oforganizational honestly guidance by ability superintendents and reviews the organizationaltactics and performance measurement literature to develop a conceptual model andresearch propositions. It is concluded that ability manager's characteristics can beimportant in explaining and compilation the organizational honestly guidance within theorganizations for implementation. This paper is to explore the ways in which certaincharacteristics of ability superintendents of organizations generate a tendency to prepareformal written organizational tactics. The ability manager's characteristics showing asignificant association with a commitment to organizational honestly guidance and alsoorganizational honestly guidance showed a positive association with those abilitysuperintendents with a growth orientation. In fact, organizations influence whether or notthose organizations engage in organizational tactics. In this field, the focus is on thespecial characteristics of ability superintendents such as education type and level.
Evaluation of eight varieties of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) in Asaba agro-ecological environment, Delta State, Nigeria
Authors: Agbogidi O. M, , Egho E.O.
Published: December 2019

A study was conducted during the early planting season of 2011 at Asaba,Delta State, Nigeria to evaluate eight varieties of cowpea (IT80D-699, IT82 (e-18),Ife Brown, IT870-9411 and TVX3236, IT90K-277-2, IT870-9411 and IT828-146)for adaptation in the altisol of Asaba agro ecological zone with a view torecommending the suitable varieties to farmers in the area for planting. The resultsshowed that significant differences (P<0.05) existed among the varieties tested in allthe growth characters measured. Ife Brown, IT8482246-4 and TVX3236 varietiesperformed significantly better both in the growth and yield as well as yield relatedparameters when compared to IT800D-699, IT82(e-18), IT870-9411 and IT828-146varieties. This study hereby recommends Ife Brown, IT848-2246-4 and TVX3236varieties which performed appreciably better to farmers in Asaba agro ecologicalzone for planting.
New Innovation of low cost solar still
Authors: Sengar S H , Khandetod Y P , Mohod A G
Published: December 2019

Different solar stills were developed and evaluated for comparison withother solar stills available in market. Comparatively more distilled water was obtainedfrom the solar still having an area of 1m2 fabricated in fiber or metal body with glassglazing like single slope ,double slope and wick type solar still. Average maximumtemperature and humidity was more in double slope, single slope and wick type solarstill and hence the average quantity of distilled water obtained as 1350 ml/day, 1550ml/day and 2450 ml/day respectively. The plastic made up of W-shape solar stillprovided with 3 channels produce maximum distilled water as 2104 ml/day where as W-shape solar still with two channels erected on concrete and ground produced only1012ml/day and 1443 ml/day respectively. L shape solar still produce average distilledwater was 925 ml/day which was very low among the all type of solar still. Comparativecost of compact nature of solar stills like single slope, double slope and wick type solarstill was more than Rs.7000/- which is four times more than newly developed W-shape3 channel solar still. Comparative output from newly developed solar still was low but ithas several advantages that it is cheapest, cost efficient and easy to clean. Concentrationof pH, EC, TDS and ions in solar distilled water was found to be similar as conventionaldistilled water. The cost of W shape three channel solar still is recovered within 4months 6 days only.
A Simple Portable Cable Way for Agricultural Resource Collection
Authors: Krishnapillai Shankar
Published: December 2019

A signficant problem faced by the Indian farmer today is thedifficulty of obtaining labor for farm operations. The most labor intensiveoperation is the post-harvest resource collection. A simple, economical,compact cable way system has been designed, developed and fabricatedto haul sugarcane loads from the field. The cable way is made up ofsimple collapsible steel 'A' posts, which can be assembled on-site fromready-made frames. The sugarcane loads are slung on trolleys whichmove on a steel cable passing over the top of the frames, the cable beingtightened with a chain pulley block. The trolleys are pulled along by arecirculating rope operated by a winch. The empty trolley is pulled alongby the same rope along a cable way running near the bottom of the 'A'post,. Several trolleys can move simultaneously along the cable way.With a 2 HP motor the trolley speed was noticed to be about 0.3m/s andthe overall performance of the prototype was satisfactory. The entiresetup is fabricated from easy available and low cost components.
Innovative Financial Instruments and mechanisms for financing forest restoration and mitigating climate change: select cases from India
Authors: Surayya Teki
Published: December 2019

Climate Change (CC) is universal concern. One of the causes for CC is degradation offorest. World over every minute 22 hectares forest is degraded. Reckonings suggests thatUS$ 11880, funds must be invested every minute to restore the forest.In India Atmospheric pollution has severed in 90’s because of increasedautomobiles and electronic goods. Green car congress reported level of NO2concentration in Delhi ranged 70 - 102 microgram per cm, in 2005. It is argued that theconsumers are capable of meeting part of cost of CC mitigation. Recent survey (Teki,2008) in National Capital Region revealed that 40% of sample preferred to compensatethrough tax on petroleum products, 22 % in investing in forestry bonds, 57% favouredcompulsory investment in bonds. Awareness rate about climate change was 92%, and 88%favoured both technology transitions and economic sanctions for mitigating CC. Evolvinginnovative financing instruments and mechanisms to finance forest restoration andmitigating CC is important.Timber was considered important contribution of forests, as 2% GDP comes toexchequer. NTFPs now considered equally important for forest restoration as 25 – 55% offorest living people survival comes from NTFPs. Forests have innovative financialinstruments like Eco-tourism, to finance forest restoration. Self reliance apart from thegovernment funding and the private funding. Mobilisation of savings, bank finance,creating/strengthening global carbon fund effectively and financing the substitute sectorsare important for restoration of ecological integration and productivity and economic valueof deforested or degraded land. Objectives of paper are: a) to assess level and impact offorest degradation and forest restoration in India, b) to translate carbon pollution level intomitigating CC, b) awareness level of CC in NCR c) measure willingness of consumers tocompensate for CC, and d) evolve innovative financial instruments and mechanisms tofinance sustainable forest restoration in India.