bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Morphological and molecular characterisation of Aporcelaimellus nigeriensis sp. n. (Dorylaimida: Aporcelaimidae), a remarkable dorylaim from Nigeria
Authors: Rashidifard Milad , Bello Tesleem T. , Fourie Hendrika , Coyne Danny L. , Peña-Santiago Reyes
Published: February 2020

A new species of Aporcelaimellus, collected in a watermelon field in Nigeria, is described, including its morphological and molecular (D2-D3 28S-rDNA, 18r-DNA) characterisation. Aporcelaimellus nigeriensis sp. n. is distinguishable by its 2.76-3.55 mm length, very coarse ventral body pores, lip region offset by deep constriction and 24-27 μm broad odontostyle 30-36 μm long at its dorsal and 28-31 μm at its ventral side, neck 648-779 μm long, pharyngeal expansion occupying 54-60% of total neck length, uterus 300-473 μm or 2.1-3.2 body diam. long and tripartite, V = 49-54, tail short and convex conoid (27-41 μm, c = 72-115, c′ = 0.5-0.7), spicules 108-137 μm long, and 9-10 spaced ventromedian supplements with hiatus. LSU analysis revealed a close relationship of A. nigeriensis sp. n. with other Aporcelaimellus species and questioned, once more, the monophyly of Aporcelaimidae. SSU phylogenetic tree was not able to resolve the relationship between the new species and other closely related species.
Introduction: Taiwan, Public Diplomacy, and the World Health Assembly
Authors: Rawnsley Gary D.
Published: February 2020

This is an introduction by the guest editor to the topical section on ‘Taiwan, Public Diplomacy, and the World Health Assembly’ of this issue of the International Journal of Taiwan Studies. The selected four papers, after a double-blind peer review process, were initially presented at a workshop entitled ‘Public Diplomacy and Taiwan's Campaign to Join the wha’, organised by the Global Communications Research Centre, Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University, 28 March 2018.
The Beijing Perspective: the Political and Diplomatic Context for Taiwan and the World Health Assembly
Authors: Brown Kerry
Published: February 2020

Xi Jinping’s People’s Republic of China is keen to express its grand strategic ambitions—the delivery of centennial goals by 2021 and 2049. This marks the end in which China seeks to keep a low profile. With notions like the ‘China Dream’, the Belt and Road Initiative, and a raft of other expressions and moves, Xi and his fellow leaders have shown that they want a more proactive foreign policy. In this ambitious, historically driven and more nationalistic strategic approach, the issue of Taiwan remains central. There has been more attempt to make some kind of framework for reunification on the part of Beijing accepted both internationally, and in Taipei. Taiwan’s space has been restricted, and a number of moves have placed pressure on the Tsai presidency, from trying to gain diplomatic allies currently linked to Taiwan, to refusing Taiwan space on the World Health Assembly and other bodies.
Indigenous Peoples as Non-State Diplomatic Actors in the Public/Cultural Diplomacy of Taiwan: a Case Study of Dispossessions: Performative Encounter(s) of Taiwanese Indigenous Contemporary Art
Authors: Figueira Carla
Published: February 2020

State-centred diplomacy is primed by foreign policy objectives. Yet when traditional diplomacy suffers from weaknesses—as in the case of Taiwan—their institutions are advised to revise approaches and to consider engaging non-state actors in their strategies. This article critically explores how Indigenous peoples can be considered non-state diplomatic actors in Taiwan’s public/cultural diplomacy. Considering various definitions of diplomacy and different understandings of the role of non-state actors, the article examines the legitimacy of Taiwanese Indigenous peoples to represent Taiwan internationally and their capacity to shape the perceptions of foreign publics about the country. Further, a contextualised analysis of Dispossessions: Performative Encounter(s) of Taiwanese Indigenous Contemporary Art—an exhibition and series of events that took place in May 2018 at Goldsmiths, University of London—is used to demonstrate how the engagement between Taiwanese Indigenous peoples and foreign publics can happen in practice by examining the event through a public/cultural diplomacy lens.
Destabilising Empires from the Margin: Report of the 25th North American Taiwan Studies Association Annual Conference, Seattle, 16–18 May 2019
Authors: Hsu Szu-Yun , Hsiao Agnes Ling-Yu
Published: February 2020

The 25th natsa post-conference report documents the initiation, organisation, and proceedings of the event, followed by some general reflections on what we can further investigate in the future. This year, we invited scholars worldwide to come together and rethink and offer critiques on the possibilities and challenges facing Taiwan studies by unpacking the idea of ‘empire’ and ‘marginality’. Given that agenda, we opened up discussions on some key topics around researching Taiwan and East Asia, such as political economy, democratisation, transitional justice, reconciliation, lgbtq, and culture studies. Attempting to reposition Taiwan studies in the broader intellectual terrain, a series of insightful dialogues thus emerged, pointing out alternatives of Taiwan studies in the face of empire(s) and marginality. In all, the natsa has formed one of the most widely known and vivid platforms for intellectual exchanges on Taiwan studies and further conversation shall continue alongside the growth of the scholarly community.
Lessons from the Taiwan Syllabus Project: Findings and New Directions
Authors: Hsieh Ta-Yang , Liu John Chung-En
Published: February 2020

We report the findings from the North American Taiwan Studies Association’s Taiwan Syllabus Project. This project aims first to take stock of the Taiwan-related curriculum in the United States and Canada, and then build a database for instructors to access and share Taiwan-related syllabi and teaching resources. Overall, we found 121 courses about Taiwan taught by 106 faculty members. In this report, we present the basic features, instructors’ backgrounds, and key contents of these courses. We also offer some discussions on the results and new directions for future endeavours.
Forging an Anthropology of Neoliberal Fascism
Authors: Pine Adrienne
Published: February 2020

In the late teens, the rise of racist, xenophobic nationalism in the United States and around the world has been frequently labeled fascist in popular discourse, and is being increasingly discussed as fascism by scholars as well. In this article, drawing on case studies from Honduras and the United States, I argue that—despite Orwell’s warning that the term has lost its meaning—anthropologists can still productively engage fascism as an analytical category. An anthropological engagement of contemporary fascism must help to elucidate the strong links between neoliberal capitalism and today’s global militarized nationalism. It also requires that anthropologists reframe our work as strategy, from a position of somatic (not pragmatic) solidarity with structurally vulnerable people everywhere.
Bangladesh as the “Next Frontier”? Positioning the Nation in a Global Financial Hierarchy
Authors: Gilbert Paul Robert
Published: February 2020

In this article, I examine the relationship between the speculative projects embarked upon by young entrepreneurs and bankers in Dhaka during 2013, and the attempts made by analysts and nation-branding experts to present Bangladesh as a worthy “frontier” for speculative foreign investment. In order to induce others to speculate on their visions for Bangladesh, they variously positioned the nation via reference to the ratings imposed on it by credit rating agencies, the emergence of regional hegemons including members of the brics, and the apparent decline of “formerly” developed European nations. As purchasing power comes to mark a nation’s position within a hierarchical global market, nationhood comes to be recast as consumer-citizenship. The speculative imaginaries projected by these entrepreneurs, bankers and nation-branding experts have the capacity to both reinforce and rework the hierarchies into which “frontier” nations are routinely placed by analysts in global financial centres.
Felt Age Among Racial/Ethnic Minority Older Adults Attending a Senior Center
Authors: Choi Namkee G. , An Sok , DiNitto Diana M.
Published: February 2020

Research shows that felt age among older adults is a good proxy for their current and future physical and mental health. Using both quantitative and qualitative interview data, we examined correlates of and self-reported reasons for felt age among 102 low–socioeconomic status (SES), non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic older adults who were members of a senior activity center. Fewer activities of daily living (ADL)/instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) impairments, more positive affect, and higher self-efficacy were associated with higher odds of feeling younger, while financial stress was associated with lower odds. The most common self-reported reasons for younger felt age were staying active, followed by good health, positive attitudes, exercise/dancing, independence, interpersonal/intimate relationships, faith/spirituality, volunteering, family, driving/traveling, and being of sound mind. Poor health, lack of energy, and limited ability to engage in activities were self-reported reasons for older felt age. Senior center programs that enable older adults to stay active and socially integrated may contribute to their well-being.
Identity and Otherisation in Northeast India: Representations in Media Texts
Authors: Kharshiing Korsi Dorene
Published: February 2020

Asymmetrical power relations between ‘us’, or the in-group, and the ‘others’, or the out-group, are key to the construction and understanding of otherisation. Otherness in Meghalaya, Northeast India is made complex by historical, geopolitical, social, linguistic and cultural factors that are instrumental in creating boundaries between the tribal and non-tribal populace. The present article examines discourses of non-tribal people being ‘othered’ by their tribal counterparts, the majoritarian Khasis in Meghalaya. Employing Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), the article examines representations of the ‘othering’ of non-tribal ‘others’ in media texts drawn from English-medium newspapers, magazines and a blog. Evidently, issues of control, and dominance, are pivotal to the power struggles between the ethnic groups in the state, which are inherent in the process of othering. The othering of northeasterners in mainland India is evident in discourse that prods reverse otherisation of non-tribal Indians in the Northeast, including Meghalaya. Clearly, an analysis of such texts also reveals the role of identity politics and ethnonational groups as pivotal to othering. Finally, identity threat, race-based differentiation and loss of citizenship allude to outcomes of otherisation.
Theory and Praxis in Experiential Education: Some Insights From Gestalt Therapy
Authors: Bourgault du Coudray Chantal
Published: February 2020

Background: Higher education policy increasingly conceptualizes industry-linked, service, and place-based forms of education in terms of experiential education. Although potentially promising, this turn toward experience risks instrumentalizing and marketizing experience, which is exacerbated by individualized theories of experiential learning. Purpose: Some scholars have therefore called for more sociological accounts of experiential learning, inviting deeper consideration of how individual experience is connected to social, cultural, or environmental factors. Methodology/Approach: This article responds to that call by explicating the praxis of Gestalt therapy, often associated with the individualistic human potential movement, but which nevertheless offers a framework for reconceptualizing theory and pedagogy of experiential education in more sociological terms. A brief history of Gestalt therapy foregrounding its sociological and experiential basis is followed by explanation of the three pillars of Gestalt therapy (commitment to dialogue, phenomenology, and field theory). Findings/Conclusions: This framework is shown to support a more sociologically oriented theory and praxis of experiential education that also integrates divergent understandings of experience. Implications: Given the turn toward experience in higher education and contemporary flourishing of cooperative social processes in general, defining experiential education more explicitly in terms of Gestalt praxis promises a timely enhancement of both, in the service of socially responsible objectives.
Ex Vivo Lung Perfusion: A Review of Research and Clinical Practices
Authors: Chan Patrick G. , Kumar Akshay , Subramaniam Kathirvel , Sanchez Pablo G.
Published: February 2020

End-stage lung disease is ultimately treated with lung transplantation. However, there is a paucity of organs with an increasing number of patients being diagnosed with end-stage lung disease. Ex vivo lung perfusion has emerged as a potential tool to assess the quality and to recondition marginal donor lungs prior to transplantation with the goal of increasing the donor pool. This technology has shown promise with similar results compared with the conventional technique of cold static preservation in terms of primary graft dysfunction and overall outcomes. This review provides an update on the results and uses of this technology. The review will also summarize clinical studies and techniques in reconditioning and assessing lungs on ex vivo lung perfusion. Last, we discuss how this technology can be applied to fields outside of transplantation such as thoracic oncology and bioengineering.
Is the vocation paradigm under threat?
Authors: Carroll John
Published: February 2020

A characteristic of modern Western societies is the need to find life-meaning in non-religious ways. Work and love have been posited by many as the royal avenues to combating secular disenchantment. In the case of work, the critical ideal has been that of ‘vocation’, as theorised by Weber. But the ideal has been seen, by a range of commentators including Bauman, Sennett, and Graeber, to be under increasing pressure from changes to the nature of work, such as increasing casualisation of the work force. This article looks for clues in popular culture as to whether the work ideal of vocation is under threat; it does not consider the reality of work experience. Three spheres of intense public interest are investigated: high-rating television drama, sport and media coverage of politics. The conclusion that follows is unequivocal: the ideal of vocation remains as strong and pronounced a presence as ever in popular culture.
WeChatting the Australian Election: Mandarin-Speaking Migrants and the Teaching of New Citizenship Practices
Authors: Sun Wanning , Yu Haiqing
Published: February 2020

With the number of Mandarin-speaking migrants on the rise in Australia and the centrality of Chinese social media platforms among a large majority of this cohort, it is time that we examined the role of WeChat in political communication and citizenship education among Chinese migrants. In the lead-up to the May 2019 federal election, WeChat became a political campaigning battlefield in which candidates held live WeChat sessions with Chinese Australian voters. Despite much discussion about WeChat’s impact on Australian politics, there is little understanding of its potential educational role in citizen-making: to what extent does WeChat educate new citizens about Australia’s political system, democratic values, and electoral processes? This article uses the 2019 federal election as a prism through which to explore civic education and citizen-making in the digital space of WeChat. Drawing on online surveys, sustained digital ethnographic observation, and in-depth one-on-one interviews, we ask whether and how the work of certain individuals in this digital space engenders a new form of community leadership and a more engaged form of civic behavior. We also assess WeChat’s potential in facilitating the process of political integration for new migrants from authoritarian societies.
LMA Gastro™ airway is feasible during upper gastrointestinal interventional endoscopic procedures in high risk patients: a single-center observational study
Authors: Schmutz Axel , Loeffler Thomas , Schmidt Arthur , Goebel Ulrich
Published: February 2020

Background

Nonoperating room anesthesia during gastroenterological procedures is a growing field in anesthetic practice. While the numbers of patients with severe comorbidities are rising constantly, gastrointestinal endoscopic interventions are moving closer to minimally invasive endoscopic surgery. The LMA Gastro™ is a new supraglottic airway device, developed specifically for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and interventions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of LMA Gastro™ in patients with ASA physical status ≥3 undergoing advanced endoscopic procedures.

Methods

We analyzed data from 214 patients retrospectively who received anesthesia for gastroenterological interventions. Inclusion criteria were upper gastrointestinal endoscopic interventions, airway management with LMA Gastro™ and ASA status ≥3. The primary outcome measure was successful use of LMA Gastro™ for airway management and endoscopic intervention.

Results

Thirtyone patients with ASA physical status ≥3, undergoing complex and prolonged upper gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures were included. There were 7 endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographies, 7 peroral endoscopic myotomies, 5 percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomies and 12 other complex procedures (e.g. endoscopic submucosal dissection, esophageal stent placement etc.). Of these, 27 patients were managed successfully using the LMA Gastro™. Placement of the LMA Gastro™ was reported as easy. Positive pressure ventilation was performed without difficulty. The feasibility of the LMA Gastro™ for endoscopic intervention was rated excellent by the endoscopists. In four patients, placement or ventilation with LMA Gastro™ was not possible.

Conclusions

We demonstrated the feasibility of the LMA Gastro™ during general anesthesia for advanced endoscopic procedures in high-risk patients.

Trial registration

German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00017396) Date of registration: 23rd May 2019, retrospectively registered.
Lower-limb muscle strength: normative data from an observational population-based study
Authors: Pasco Julie A. , Stuart Amanda L. , Holloway-Kew Kara L. , Tembo Monica C. , Sui Sophia X. , Anderson Kara B. , Hyde Natalie K. , Williams Lana J. , Kotowicz Mark A.
Published: February 2020

Background

The extent of muscle deterioration associated with ageing or disease can be quantified by comparison with appropriate reference data. The objective of this study is to present normative data for lower-limb muscle strength and quality for 573 males and 923 females aged 20-97 yr participating in the Geelong Osteoporosis Study in southeastern Australia.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, measures of muscle strength for hip flexors and hip abductors were obtained using a Nicholas manual muscle tester, a hand-held dynamometer (HHD; kg). Leg lean mass was measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA; kg), and muscle quality calculated as strength/mass (N/kg).

Results

For both sexes, muscle strength and quality decreased with advancing age. Age explained 12.9–25.3% of the variance in muscle strength in males, and 20.8–24.6% in females; age explained less of the variance in muscle quality. Means and standard deviations for muscle strength and quality for each muscle group are reported by age-decade for each sex, and cutpoints equivalent to T-scores of − 2.0 and − 1.0 were derived using data from young males (n = 89) and females (n = 148) aged 20–39 years.

Conclusions

These data will be useful for quantifying the extent of dynapenia and poor muscle quality among adults in the general population in the face of frailty, sarcopenia and other age-related muscle dysfunction.
Human fallopian tube epithelial cells exhibit stemness features, self-renewal capacity, and Wnt-related organoid formation
Authors: Chang Yu-Hsun , Chu Tang-Yuan , Ding Dah-Ching
Published: February 2020

Background

Fallopian tube epithelial cells (FTEC) were thought to be the origin of high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC). Knowledge of the stemness or initiating characteristics of FTEC is insufficient. Previously, we have characterized the stemness cell marker of FTEC, this study aims to further characterize the clonogenicity and spheroid features of FTEC.

Methods

We successfully derived FTECs from the epithelial layer of the human fallopian tubes. We examined the morphology, proliferation rate, doubling time, and clonal growth of them. At passage 3, the sphere formations on gelatin-coated culture, suspension culture, and matrigel culture were observed, and the expression of LGR5, SSEA3, SSEA4, and other stemness markers was examined. Furthermore, tissue-reconstituted organoids from coculture of FTEC, fallopian stromal cells (FTMSC) and endothelial cells (HUVEC) were examined.

Results

FTEC exhibited cuboidal cell morphology and maintained at a constant proliferation rate for up to nine passages (P9). FTEC could proliferate from a single cell with a clonogenic efficiency of 4%. Flow cytometry revealed expressions of normal stem cell markers (SSEA3, SSEA4, and LGR5) and cancer stem cell markers (CD24, CD44, CD117, ROR1, and CD133). FTEC formed spheres and colonies when cultured on low attach dish. In the presence of Matrigel, the stemness and colony formation activity were much enhanced. In co-culturing with FTMSC and HUVEC, FTEC could form organoids that could be blocked by Wnt inhibitor DKK1. Expressions of LGR5 and FOXJ1 expression were also decreased by adding DKK1.

Conclusion

We demonstrated abundantly presence of stem cells in human FTECs which are efficient in forming colonies, spheres and organoids, relying on Wnt signaling. We also reported for the first time the generation of organoid from reconstitutied cell lineages in the tissue. This may provide a new model for studying the regneration and malignant transformation of the tubal epithelium.
Mechanisms underlying direct actions of hyperlipidemia on myocardium: an updated review
Authors: Yao Yu Si , Li Tu Di , Zeng Zhi Huan
Published: February 2020

Hyperlipidemia is a common metabolic disorder and one of risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Clinical studies have shown that hyperlipidemia increases the risk of non-ischemic heart failure, while decreasing serum lipids can reverse heart dysfunction. Apart from indirectly affecting the function of the heart by promoting the development of atherosclerosis, hyperlipidemia also affects the systolic function and cardiac electrophysiological response of the heart directly, which may be related to gradual accumulation of cardiac lipids and consequent systemic oxidative stress, proinflammatory state and mitochondrial dysfunction. However, the mechanism underlying direct effects of hyperlipidemia on the heart are not fully understood. In this review, we provide an updated summary of recent experimental and clinical studies that focus on elucidating the mechanisms of the action of hyperlipidemia on cardiac function, the relationship between heart failure and serum lipids, and protective effects of lipid-lowering drugs on the heart. The exciting progress in this field supports the prospect of guiding early protection of the heart to benefit the patients with chronic hyperlipidemia and familial hyperlipidemia.
Cryopreserved fascia lata allograft use in surgical facial reanimation: a retrospective study of seven cases
Authors: Silan Francesco , Consiglio Fabio , Dell’Antonia Francesco , Montagner Giulia , Trojan Diletta , Berna Giorgio
Published: February 2020

Background

Facial palsy treatment comprises static and dynamic techniques. Among dynamic techniques, local temporalis transposition represents a reliable solution to achieve facial reanimation. The present study describes a modification of the temporalis tendon transfer using a cryopreserved fascia allograft.

Case presentation

Between March 2015 and September 2018, seven patients with facial palsy underwent facial reanimation with temporalis tendon transfer and fascia lata allograft. Patients with long-term palsy were considered, and both physical and social functions were evaluated. The mean follow-up time was 21.5 months. No immediate complications were observed. Patients reported improvement in facial symmetry both in static and dynamic. Improvement was noticed also in articulation, eating, drinking, and saliva control. The Facial Disability Index revealed an improvement both in physical function subscale and in the social/well-being function subscale.

Conclusions

This modified orthodromic technique allows to reduce the operative time and the risk of complications connected to the use of autologous tissues. The use of the cryopreserved fascia allografts from cadaveric donors seems to provide promising and long-standing results in the treatment of facial palsy.
Tinnitus With Unexpected Spanish Roots: Head and Neck Paragangliomas Caused by SDHAF2 Mutation
Authors: Roose Laura Maria , Rupp Niels J , Röösli Christof , Valcheva Nadejda , Weber Achim , Beuschlein Felix , Tschopp Oliver
Published: February 2020

It is estimated that up to 40% of all head and neck paragangliomas (HNPGL) have a hereditary background with the most common mutations being found in the succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) genes. SDHAF2 mutation leads to the rare paraganglioma syndrome 2. The authors present the case of a 15-year-old male patient with 2, non-secretory HNPGLs, presenting with left-sided, pulsatile tinnitus, and hearing loss. Imaging led to the suspicion of a jugulotympanic paraganglioma on the left, as well as a carotid body tumor on the right. After resection of the jugulotympanic tumor, histology confirmed the presence of a paraganglioma; immunohistochemistry furthermore suggested a loss of SDHB expression. Genetic testing revealed a rare germline, loss-of-function mutation in the SDHAF2 gene, previously described to cause hereditary paraganglioma syndrome 2. Twenty months after the first operation, the patient underwent a resection of the right carotid body paraganglioma. Plasma-free metanephrines/catecholamines always remained within the reference range; the patient is under regular follow-up, and his relatives will be screened. Our findings emphasize the relevance of genetic testing in patients with HNPGL, also with negative family history, especially when the patients present at a young age and with multiple lesions.
Characterisation and feasibility study for superradiant lasing in 40Ca atoms
Authors: Gogyan A. , Kazakov G. , Bober M. , Zawada M.
Published: February 2020

Superradiant active clocks operating on narrow linewidth clock transitions are predicted to achieve precision orders of magnitude higher than any currently existing optical atomic clocks. We introduce a theory of superradiant lasing and implement it for the example of 40Ca atoms. The presented model, however, is valid for any two- or three-level system in an optical lattice. We perform a feasibility analysis and suggest a set of parameters for the experimental fulfillment of superradiant lasing in Ca. Moreover, we present an overview of different magic wavelengths for the 4s2 1S0 ↔ 4s4p 3P1 (m
J
 = 0) transition in Ca for different polarizations and a robustness analysis of these magic conditions. We also report the magic-zero wavelengths for the 4s4p 3P1, m
J
 = 0 state.
Metallic nanomesh for high-performance transparent electromagnetic shielding
Authors: Liang Zhuocheng , Zhao Zeyu , Pu Mingbo , Luo Jun , Xie Xin , Wang Yanqing , Guo Yinghui , Ma Xiaoliang , Luo Xiangang
Published: February 2020

This paper reports a high-performance transparent electromagnetic shielding material based on an ultrathin and large-area metallic nanomesh, which was fabricated by a facile and rational process utilizing ultraviolet lithography and the ion beam etching technique. Measurements reveal that a single-layer metallic nanomesh can harvest excellent shielding effectiveness exceeding 40 dB in the wide frequency range from 500 MHz to 40 GHz. Besides, efficient light transmittance (85% at 550 nm) is achieved in both visible and near-infrared regions. Furthermore, the proposed structure remains excellent performance at wide incident angles even up to 50°. Hence, it is believed that this metallic nanomesh with easy fabrication can be a potential alternative in the transparent electromagnetic shielding domain.
Protective effects of prebiotic (resistant maltodextrin) and silymarin against toxicity of carbon tetrachloride in liver rat and kidney
Authors: G. A. EL. SAYED M. , A. H. FARAG ENAS. , M. Nasr HEBA.
Published: February 2020

Exposure to carbon tetrachloride induces acute and chronic hepatic injuries as well as renal injuries in rats. Therefore, the current study aimed to evaluate the protective role of prebiotic (digestion resistant maltodextrin) and silymarin against carbon tetrachloride -induced heptorenal toxicity in albino rats. Six groups with ten rats each were used for this purpose; these groups included the control vehicle group that received saline daily for 30 days, prebiotic group (1g/kg, orally) daily for 30 days; silymarin group (200 mg/kg orally) daily for 30 days; carbon tetrachloride group (2.5ml/kg intraperitoneally twice per week for three week; the prebiotic â€“ carbon tetrachloride group; the silymarin â€“ carbon tetrachloride group. The results revealed that carbon tetrachloride significantly increased serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin cholesterol, triglyceride, urea and creatinine. In addition, there were substantial increase in lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde) and level of glucose with significant decreases in albumin, total protein, creatinine kinase, hemoglobin and red blood cells. Carbon tetrachloride also caused histological changes in liver and kidney tissues. However, administration of prebiotic and silymarin alone ameliorated the carbon tetrachloride induced liver and kidney damage with improved hematological, lipid profile and glucose level.Â Â
Ethnobotanical and pharmacological importance of Taxus wallichiana Zucc.
Authors: Sinha Dwaipayan
Published: February 2020

Taxus wallichiana Zucc. or the Himalayan Yew is a gymnosperm growing along the Himalayan region of Indian and adjoining countries. The plant is extensively used by local people for treatment of various diseases such as fever, headache, diarrhea, fractures, problems of nervous system etc. It also finds usage in Unani system of medicine. The plant is rich in various bioorganic compounds natural products such as hydrocarbons, terpene alcohols, terpenoids (including taxoids), organic acids etc. The plant has been explored for anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, anticonvulsant, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective and anticancer activity with satisfactory outcome. The pharmacological activity of the plant is largely due to the presence of large number of terpenoids. The bioactive constituents present in the plant interacts with a large number of biochemical pathways involved in inflammatory processes, cell division cycles and inhibits a number of enzymes to bring about its protective action against various diseases. In this review, an attempt have been made to highlight the beneficial properties of Taxus wallichiana in various levels of usage starting from its fundamental ethnobotanical use to pharmacological use involving both in-vitro and in-vivo studies. Insights into the molecular mechanisms of action of the active constituents in bringing about the beneficial activity have also been illustrated. The plant can very well become a source of medicine for better management of a large number of diseases including cancer.
Financial Soundness Indicators in Nigeria: Does Economic Condition Matters?
Authors: Nmadu Yaaba Baba , Yakubu A. Bello , Audu Salihu , Ibrahim Hamman , Idrisa Ali Gambo , Usman B. Farida
Published: February 2020

The growing concern amongst analysts, economists, and policy makers on the interrelationship between the soundness of the financial system and the macro-economy is gradually being confirmed by both theoretical and empirical studies. This study is an attempt to join the strand of literature that investigates the link between the soundness of the banking sector and macroeconomic performance using Nigeria’s quarterly data from 2007Q1 to 2018Q4. The study applied autoregressive distributed lag approach and found among others that FSIs are strongly related to macroeconomic variables, hence capable of pre-empting financial crisis in Nigeria. The study, therefore, recommends that movements in macroeconomic variables should be used by the Central Bank of Nigeria to take proactive supervisory policy measures to avert a systemic crisis in the banking sector.
The Impact of Logic of Marketing Research on Marketing ROI: Theoretical Analysis and Empirical Investigation
Authors: Kortam Wael , Gad Ghada
Published: February 2020

Not Available
The wealth of nations and economic governance, international evidence
Authors: Naciri Ahmed
Published: February 2020

The paper suggests that wealth maximization and sustainability model (WMS) conforms to the basic maximization rule advocated by finance theory and they can therefore be dealt with within the same theoretical framework. A nation can develop and create wealth to the maximum of its potential only when it efficiently manages its development, i.e. when it observes the rule of national wealth maximization. Wealth is increasing unevenly around the world, as is the quality of living conditions. This prompts the following questions: What drives wealth maximization and sustainability (WMS), and how can it be made to last? To answer these two questions thepaper suspects economic governance to impact tremendously wealth creation and accumulation, and tests its effect using a sample of 40 rich countries for the year 2019. It reveals important findings that make it possible to sketch a model of wealth maximization and sustainability.
The Electric Supply Chain 4.0
Authors: Zomkowksi Salvi Vinícius
Published: February 2020

Supply Chain Management is not a Discipline, but it is becoming one. Supply Chain as Network is a modern definition of a field with more than 37 years of reliable scientific publications. And it has great complexity even greater when world is experiencing the Forth Industrial Revolution.

 

Electricity Supply Chains were delimitated as those compounded by first tier of oil, gas or coal (energy production majority), the generators, the transmitters, the distributor retailer until end-consumer. It has a great complex network constituted by external organisms responsible for coordinating and giving the strategy to the whole system.

 

Lean and Agile is something less usual in Electricity Supply Chain. This researcher was unable of finding scientific articles reporting directly about that combination. However, Electricity Supply Chain is considered a functional product with long life cycle. The coal, the gas and the oil are also functional products and they are controlled with efficient perspective. It is concluded that Electricity supply chain is more designed for a lean environment to an agile positioning.

 

The industry 4.0 is transformed the whole Electricity Supply Chain, especially the electric utility. It is using Big Data for generating extra businesses, and for improving operational conditions. The smart meter and the smart grid, using sensors and the Big Data, coordinate a more precise cycle of production and consumption, transforming Electricity Supply Chain into a responsiveness one with real date and virtual networks.
Research on the prediction of financial expenditure for the assistance and support of the extremely poor in China
Authors: Zhang Jin
Published: February 2020

Extremely poor people are the most difficult part of the poor in China, and they are also an important part of China's fight against poverty. The policy of assisting and supporting the extremely poor people has played an important role in ensuring the survival and living needs of the extremely poor people in urban and rural areas, and realizing the goal of sharing the development results for the whole people. Since 2015, the assistance and support system for the extremely poor has been disbursed separately, the financial expenditure has increased year by year, from 18.297 billion yuan to 25.930 billion yuan, and the annual financial account expenditure exceeds the budgeted expenditure every year. Therefore, it is urgent to make accurate and reasonable expectation on the financial expenditure of the relief of the extremely poor. Based on the analysis of financial support for the assistance and support of the poorest people from 2008 to 2018, this paper uses the Holt index forecast method to predict the social assistance expenditure for the next five years, and concludes that future financial needs will improve the support and assistance of the special hardship.
Effects Of Information Education And Communication (IEC) -Based Intervention On Knowledge And Attitude Towards Cervical Cancer Preventionamong Teachers In Taraba State
Authors: Rimande-Joel Rosethe , Obiechina Georgy O.
Published: February 2020

The Study Examined the Effect of Information Education and Communication (IEC)-Based Intervention on Knowledge and Attitude toward Cervical Cancer Prevention among Primary School Teachers in Jalingo, Taraba State. Pre-test and post-test quasi experimental design was adopted for the study. The study was guided by two specific objectives, two research questions and two null hypotheses tested at 0.05 alpha level. Population for the study consisted of (998) primary school female teachers in Jalingo. Multistage sampling procedure was used for recruiting (224) respondents; (111) for experimental group and (113) for the control group. Self-structured questionnaire titled knowledge and Attitude towards Cervical Cancer Prevention (KACCP) was used for data collection. Descriptive statistic of percentage and mean was used to analyze the demographic data and research questions, respectively; while inferential statistics of Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was used to test the hypotheses at 0. 05 alpha level. The compared result from the pretest and posttest showed that Information Education and Communication -Based intervention significantly increased knowledge, (F1, 213=65.626, p<.05) and positive attitude (F1, 213=368.367, p<.05) toward cervical cancer prevention. Based on the findings of the study it was recommended that periodic IEC-based programmes on cervical cancer should be organized for teachers and they be encouraged to step down the knowledge to pupils in order to spread knowledge and influence attitude and practice. Nigerian Ministry of health should develop and implement policy for IEC-based health education on cervical cancer prevention to be given in all maternal and child health clinics on each visit. And cervical cancer screening should be part of the routine examination.
Challenges for universities lectures in Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Chau huu
Published: February 2020

Vietnamese universities are under the process of changing training model to credit-based system from academic year system. It was acknowledged that the new model would increase workload and also diversify activities of lecturers in teaching activity. This paper firstly reviews teaching activities in the credit-based training approach. To explore the existing situation of the transition to credit-based system, the author uses a mixed method of survey research and interviews with lectures and students of a University in Vietnam. The study’s result shows that there were already an increase in workload and diversity in activities of lecturers. However, only a small number of teaching staff meets the demands of credit-based. Main reasons are resulted from the awareness of lecturers and students as well as the effects of the current outdated policies. This paper suggests several solutions to amend those policies that they are more practical and suitable for the teaching activities under the credit system.
YEREL YÖNETİMLERİN YENİDEN YAPILANDIRILMASI İHTİYACI VE İLKELERİ ÜZERİNE BİR TARTIŞMA
Authors: DİNÇER Ömer
Published: February 2020

In this article, it is argued that whether local authorities need really to be reformed or not, and if tlıey need, the priciples and the directions of the need for reform will be tried to be introduced. This matter will be researched from the point of view of globalizational efforts affecting Turkey as well as the whole world, and of the developments in local authority sphere on the one hand, and from the point of view of the reasons specifıc to our country such as the existing administrative structure of the State and the local problems on the other hand.
BİRLEŞMİŞ MİLLETLER İNSAN YERLEŞİMLERİ KONFERANSI (HABİTAT II) DÜNYA KENTLER VE YEREL YÖNETİMLER KURULTAYI BİLDİRGESİ
Authors: TIKIZ Cenk
Published: February 2020

Birleşmiş Milletler İnsan Yerleşimleri Konferansı (Habitat II) Dünya Kentler ve Yerel Yönetimler Kurultayı Bildirgesi aynen aktarılmıştır.
HABİTAT II KONFERANS BELGELERİ İNSAN YERLEŞİMLERİ ÜZERİNE İSTANBUL DEKLARASYONU
Authors: - -
Published: February 2020

Habitat II Üçüncü Hazırlık Komitesi Toplantısında alınan bir kararla, Konferans’ın resmi belgesi niteliğindeki Habitat Gündemi’nin yanı sıra, Habitat II Konferansında siyasi deklarasyonun da kabul edilmesi gündeme gelmiştir. Buradaki amaç, oldukça kapsamlı bir metin olan Habitat Gündemi’nin siyasi mesajlarını açık ve sade bir dille özetleyen ve siyasi liderlerin dünya kamuoyuna bu mesajları duyurmaları için bir araç elde edilmesidir.
OLUŞUM SÜRECİNDE ANAYASALARIMIZIN MEŞRUİYET SINAVI
Authors: ARIKBOĞA Erbay
Published: February 2020

Two important problems in last 150 years of Ottoman- Turkish political history are the constitution making and the debate on centralization and decentralization. This research aims to explain the preparation processes of constitutions and the discussions on decentralization principle in early Republican period.
Ancestral Reconstruction of Karyotypes Reveals an Exceptional Rate of Nonrandom Chromosomal Evolution in Sunflower
Authors: Ostevik Kate L , Samuk Kieran , Rieseberg Loren H
Published: February 2020

Mapping the chromosomal rearrangements between species can inform our understanding of genome evolution, reproductive isolation, and speciation. Here, we present a novel algorithm for identifying regions of synteny in pairs of genetic maps, which is implemented in the accompanying R package syntR. The syntR algorithm performs as well as previous ad hoc methods while being systematic, repeatable, and applicable to mapping chromosomal rearrangements in any group of species. In addition, we present a systematic survey of chromosomal rearrangements in the annual sunflowers, which is a group known for extreme karyotypic diversity. We build high-density genetic maps for two subspecies of the prairie sunflower, Helianthus petiolaris ssp. petiolaris and H. petiolaris ssp. fallax. Using syntR, we identify blocks of synteny between these two subspecies and previously published high-density genetic maps. We reconstruct ancestral karyotypes for annual sunflowers using those synteny blocks and conservatively estimate that there have been 7.9 chromosomal rearrangements per million years, a high rate of chromosomal evolution. Although the rate of inversion is even higher than the rate of translocation in this group, we further find that every extant karyotype is distinguished by between one and three translocations involving only 8 of the 17 chromosomes. This nonrandom exchange suggests that specific chromosomes are prone to translocation and may thus contribute disproportionately to widespread hybrid sterility in sunflowers. These data deepen our understanding of chromosome evolution and confirm that Helianthus has an exceptional rate of chromosomal rearrangement that may facilitate similarly rapid diversification.
Unusual Presentation of a Rare Tumor of the Chest Wall : Giant Cell Tumor of Bone
Authors: Baiz Yassine , Afandi Oussama Abdessalam , Fenane Hicham , Msougar Yassine
Published: February 2020

Introduction: Giant cell tumors account for 5% of all bone tumors. However, the anterior chest wall is rarely involved.Clinical case: This is a 68-year-old housewife who has been thyroidectomized, for 11 years and is under hormone replacement therapy, and hysterectomies for 6 years after a uterine tumor. She is present for the onset of a 5-month-old hard submammary mass on the left associated with left anterior chest pain under mammals. The clinical examination had found an irregular hard mass under the left mammary which is fixed to the anterior arch of the 4th left rib. A thoracic x-ray showed a limited left Hilo-axillary with a homogeneously dense opacity. The thoracic CT scan showed the presence of a thoracic parietal mass of osteolytic tissue density centered on the anterior arch of the 4th left rib; without a contrast agent, the surgical exploration through thoracotomy revealed a thoracic parietal tumoral process at the expense of the anterior arch of the 4th limb pushing the corresponding lung inwards. Surgical excision allowed ablation of the whole tumor in monobloc towards a healthy zone. The anatomopathological study of the operative specimen showed a morphological and histopathological aspect compatible with a costal tumor with giant cells. The postoperative recovery was marked by a good clinical and radiological improvement. The last check-up after the surgery revealed that the patient was still asymptomatic. Good clinical, biological and radiological improvement was noted with a decline of 8 months.Conclusion: Giant cell tumors are aggressive bone tumors, yet histologically benign. The chosen examination is a thoracic CT scan with surgical treatment. Clinical and radiological monitoring is necessary. The recurrence is rare, but it usually necessitates a second surgery. The objective of this clinical observation is to highlight the possibility, although rare, of a giant cell tumor in case of the swelling of the soft parts, and a lytic lesion of the anterior part of a rib. Therefore, this tumor must be added to the list of diagnoses to be mentioned in this situation.