bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anticancer Potential of Hesperidin against HEp-2 Laryngeal Carcinoma Cell Line in Comparison to Doxorubicin
Authors: El Wahed Sara Abd , Hassabou Nadia Fathy , Hamouda Mai Abdelhalim
Published: September 2022

BACKGROUND: Doxorubicin (DOX) is a drug that is frequently used to treat a variety of cancers. Unfortunately, in many situations, it is ineffective, and raising the dosage is restricted due to systemic toxicity. An important strategy to minimize the toxic effects of the above cited drug is to use co-adjuvant. A citrus flavonoid hesperidin (Hesp) has emerged as promising anticancer natural product and proved to be potent antioxidant agent. It suppresses cancer cell replicating by triggering apoptosis and cell cycle arrest.

AIM: The study’s goal was to investigate anticarcinogenic effects of Hesp in comparison with DOX against HEp-2 laryngeal carcinoma cell line.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five groups of HEp-2 cell line were included, two groups were subjected to Hesp and the other two groups were subjected to DOX, which was used as a reference drug, in addition to a control untreated group. Expression of Bcl-2 and p53 genes was evaluated. Furthermore, the cell cycle arrest and apoptotic induction were assessed.

RESULTS: Hesp exerted anti-proliferative effects against HEp-2 cells which increase in time dependent manner. Gene profile analysis revealed highly statistically significant decrease of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 expression and highly statistically significant increase of tumor suppressor gene p53 expression (p ˂ 0.01 and p ˂ 0.0001, respectively) for both tested drugs.

CONCLUSIONS: Hesp proved potential anticancer effects with reducing cancer cell viability in HEp-2 cell line through cell cycle arrest and apoptotic mechanism. It could be used as a prodrug or coadjuvant in treatment of oral cancer.
Incivilités numériques
Authors: Stassin Bérengère
Published: September 2022

La cyberviolence est un phénomène social qui frappe partout, à tout âge et dans tous les milieux : à l’école, à l’université, dans le monde du travail, ou encore dans la sphère privée. Dans ce chapitre, nous nous intéressons tout particulièrement à la cyberviolence à l’école, qui peut s’exercer en dehors des temps et des lieux scolaires, par le biais des smartphones et des médias sociaux, mais qui rejaillit dans la plupart des cas dans l’enceinte des collèges et des lycées. En nous appuyant sur une enquête qualitative menée au sein de cinq lycées de la région Grand Est, nous interrogeons les expériences que les adolescents font de la cyberviolence, les représentations qu’ils en ont et la manière dont ils se positionnent par rapport à elle et aux discours sociaux qui l’entourent. Notre étude met en exergue la place importante qu’occupe la pornodivulgation dans leurs expériences directes et indirectes et un positionnement qui oscille entre fatalisme et révolte, résignation et envie de faire changer les choses.
Incivilités numériques
Authors: Lagabrielle Christine , Louis-Joseph Corinne , Félonneau Marie-Line
Published: September 2022

L’introduction du numérique dans la vie de travail a fait émerger de nouvelles normes de communication où les modalités traditionnelles de la civilité ordinaire apparaissent bousculées. Qu’en est-il des échanges numériques en l’absence de règles socioprofessionnelles formellement instituées ? À partir de quand ces nouvelles interactions deviennent-elles des incivilités ? Assiste-t-on à l’émergence de nouvelles normativités qui les excusent voire les favorisent ? Ou à de nouvelles toxicités aux conséquences délétères tant sur les individus que sur les organisations ? C’est à ces questions que ce chapitre entend répondre en développant une double approche psychosociale et du travail.
Incivilités numériques
Authors: Lerouge Loïc
Published: September 2022

Le terme d’« incivilités numériques » n’est pas présent dans les textes juridiques en droit du travail. Toutefois, le droit présente l’avantage de posséder des catégories juridiques permettant de mobiliser des dispositifs pour saisir juridiquement des phénomènes nouveaux. Telle est l’ambition de cet article en proposant une première approche en droit du travail des incivilités numériques. De nombreux obstacles devront être levés cependant au regard du caractère subjectif inhérent à la perception des incivilités numériques, des rapports sociaux différents entre vie réelle et usage des outils numériques, etc. Le droit pénal, le droit de la santé au travail, le droit du harcèlement et de la discrimination seront alors mobilisés pour dégager des pistes de solution.
Des clauses de durabilité dans un droit des contrats non durable ?
Authors: Ulfbeck Vibe , Hansen Ole
Published: September 2022

Résumé  : Les entreprises des chaînes de valeur mondiales répondent à l’agenda général de la « durabilité » (du développement durable) dans la société en insérant des clauses de durabilité dans leurs contrats et il a été soutenu qu’il est nécessaire de développer le droit général des contrats (règles de droit des contrats par défaut) afin qu’il puisse répondre à cet agenda de la durabilité. Cet article examine tout d’abord les fondements de ce point de vue et de trois domaines spécifiques d’intérêt à cet égard. Deuxièmement, il attire l’attention sur les tensions internes créées dans la chaîne par, d’une part, la poursuite d’objectifs de durabilité, extérieurs aux intérêts des parties contractantes, et, d’autre part, un besoin conséquent de protéger le fournisseur en tant que partie la plus faible de la chaîne.
Cartographie du déficit de responsabilité des sociétés transnationales de la Common Law pour les violations des droits de l’homme et des normes du travail à l’étranger
Authors: Cabrelli David
Published: September 2022

Résumé : Malgré l’expansion récente de la portée de la responsabilité dans le droit de la responsabilité civile dans la Common Law , il reste une lacune tangible de responsabilité dans le cas des sociétés transnationales (STN) incorporées en Angleterre et au Pays de Galles qui possèdent ou contrôlent des organisations qui ont commis des violations des normes de travail ou des droits de l’homme lorsqu’elles opèrent à l’étranger. Ce que cette lacune représente, c’est une impasse pratique pour les travailleurs ou les citoyens qui ont été lésés par la conduite de ces entités à l’étranger et qui ont cherché à récupérer les pertes qu’ils ont subies auprès de la STN devant les tribunaux anglais appliquant le droit anglais. Cet article soutient que les doctrines et principes de droit privé applicables en Common Law – dans le cas des contrats, du droit international privé, de la responsabilité délictuelle et du droit des sociétés – sont des éléments constitutifs, plutôt que de simples expressions, de ce déficit de responsabilité. Cela est surprenant si l’on considère les valeurs fondamentales qui animent les lois privées existantes et les règles de responsabilité du fait des produits, qui cherchent soit à empêcher les dommages de se produire en premier lieu, soit à offrir une certaine réparation lorsqu’ils se produisent effectivement. Dans cet article, l’auteur examine la possibilité de modifier les doctrines existantes du droit privé et du droit des sociétés anglais pour parvenir à un résultat où les STN seraient tenues pour responsables lorsque cela est justifié, par exemple en cas de catastrophes ou d’événements survenus à l’étranger qui causent des pertes humaines ou des blessures graves et pour lesquels une STN porte une partie ou la totalité de la responsabilité.
A study on injury prevalence and pattern of injuries among velodrome cycling players
Authors: Panihar U. , Multani N.K.
Published: September 2022

Velodrome cycling is a sport that requires cycling on an inclined surface, and this may increase chances of injury in players. The purpose of this study was to find out the injury pattern in form of injured part, injury time, severity, type and relation with gender, level of participation and training characteristics among velodrome cycling players. Injury pattern from the last 2 years was studied in 85 velodrome cycling players aging between 15-25 years from Punjab using a scheduled interview method. The study included players who were practicing cycling at least 3 times per week for more than 2 years. The mean age of the study participants was 19.39 years (range 15-25). According to the results of this study, 48 out of 85 cyclists had sustained 75 injuries in the last 2 years, in which 52% (39) injuries were due to fall, 66.67% were traumatic injuries and 84% occurred during training time. The most commonly injured parts were shoulder and knee. For the shoulder, the clavicle was the most frequently fractured bone (11 cases) among the 85 cyclists. The severity of injuries calculated according to Ekstrand’s 3-point scale based on absence from the sports activity depicted most injuries as severe (39.58%) followed by mild (33.33%) and moderate (27.08%). It can be concluded that females were injured more as compared to male velodrome cyclists. The most common injured parts were shoulder in upper limb and knee in lower limb.
Protective role of fermented whey and pumpkin extract against aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A toxicity in Jurkat T-cells
Authors: Cimbalo A. , Frangiamone M. , Lozano M. , Escrivá L. , Vila-Donat P. , Manyes L.
Published: September 2022

The beneficial effect of fermented whey and pumpkin extract rich in carotenoids was evaluated in Jurkat cells against aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and ochratoxin A (OTA) cytotoxicity through a proteomic approach. The functional ingredients were added into mycotoxin contaminated bread formulation, which were digestedin vitro in order to simulate human intestinal absorption. Cell cultures were exposed during 7 days to these mycotoxins dissolved in: (a) 0.1% organic solvent (DMSO), (b) an intestinal digest of bread with pumpkin individually (PID) and (c) an intestinal digest of bread with pumpkin mixed with fermented whey (PID+WF). Extracted proteins were subjected to reduction and alkylation and subsequently a tryptic digestion in order to be analysed by liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time of flight (LC/MS-Q-TOF). Results obtained highlighted the beneficial role of functional ingredients employed through the identification of proteins involved in several biological processes and metabolic pathways, mainly antioxidant activity, nucleosome assembly and secretory senescence phenotype. Among proteins involved in antioxidant activity, peroxiredoxin 1 and 2 stand out. Comparing the different conditions investigated, a remarkable change was observed in their expression, ranging from a repression using the standard (DMSO 0.1%), to an overexpression when treated with the functional ingredients. Similarly, after PID and PID+WF treatment, histones’ expression implicated in the metabolic pathway of nucleosome assembly, such as H2A, H2B, H2C, H3 and H4, was increased. Furthermore, the expression of protein cyclin A2, which downregulation is involved in limiting carcinogenic cells growth, was lower in presence of both functional ingredients. Based on these findings, functional ingredients can act as protectors against genomic stress caused by mycotoxins, preventing the loss of vital cell functions and paralysing the growth of carcinogenic cells.
Global well-posedness and large-time behavior of a hyperbolic-parabolic model in an exterior domain
Authors: Zhong Hua
Published: September 2022

We consider a hyperbolic-parabolic system derived from a limiting case of chemotaxis model in an exterior domain. By energy method we prove global existence for the initial-boundary value problem in an exterior domain when the initial data is a small perturbation around constant equilibrium states, and the solutions converge to the states at an algebraic decay rate as time goes to infinity.
Mental health and psychosocial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing measures among young adults in Bogotá, Colombia
Authors: Uribe-Restrepo José Miguel , Waich-Cohen Alan , Ospina-Pinillos Laura , Rivera Arturo Marroquín , Castro-Díaz Sergio , Patiño-Trejos Juan Agustín , Sepúlveda Martín Alonso Rondón , Ariza-Salazar Karen , Cardona-Porras Luisa Fernanda , Gómez-Restrepo Carlos , Diez-Canseco Francisco
Published: September 2022

We sought to explore mental health and psychosocial impact among young people (18 to 24 years old) in Bogotá during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

We carried a cross sectional study using a web-based survey to assess mental health and personal impact among 18 to 24 years old living in Bogotá during the first 4 months of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. The depressive symptoms were measured with PHQ-8 and anxiety symptoms with (GAD-7). We also designed a questionnaire exploring changes in personal, family and social life.

Results

Overall, 23% of the sample (n = 834) reported mild depressive symptoms (males 24% and females 23%); 29% reported moderate depressive symptoms (males 28%, females 30%); 22% moderate-severe symptoms (males 20%, females 23%) and 17% severe symptoms (males 15%, females 17%). Mild anxiety symptoms were reported by 29% of the sample (males 30%, females 29%); moderate anxiety symptoms by 29% (males 26%, females 30%); moderate-severe 18% (males 15%, females 20%) and severe anxiety by 6.0% (males 6.0% and females 6.0%). High symptoms of depression (PHQ-8 ≥ 10) were associated with being female, considering that the quarantine was stressful, having one member of the family losing their job, worsening of family relationships, decrease of physical activity and having a less nutritious diet. Having high anxiety symptoms (GAD-7 ≥ 10) were associated with sometimes not having enough money to buy food.

Conclusions

The first months of the pandemic lockdown were associated with high depressive and anxiety symptoms among young persons living in Bogotá, Colombia. Increasing public health measures to provide support for young people is needed during lockdowns and it is necessary to further explore the long-term mental health impact due to personal, family and social changes brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Taxonomic revision of an Antillean group of mistletoes (Dendrophthora, Viscaceae) present in Cuba
Authors: Martínez Quesada Eddy
Published: September 2022

A taxonomic review of Dendrophthora brachyclada, D. cupressoides, D. marmeladensis, D. moniliformis, D. picotensis and D. podocarpicola in Cuba was conducted through the direct comparison and measurement of vegetative and reproductive characters, and considering geographical, ecological and altitudinal distributions and host trees. The most important morphological characters found to separate species are discussed, and an identification key for all Cuban squamate species is provided. Besides the taxonomic review, nomenclatural changes are proposed, including the designation of a syntype for D. cupressoides and third-step lectotypes for D. brachyclada, D. picotensis and D. selleana. Results suggest that D. brachyclada, D. cupressoides, D. marmeladensis, D. picotensis and D. podocarpicola are distinct species, while D. moniliformis should be recognized as a synonym of D. marmeladensis.
Médecin républicain contre savant royaliste : controverse scientifique ou conflit idéologique en province
Authors: Vaultier Jean-Bernard
Published: September 2022

Sous la Monarchie de Juillet, dans le florissant port de guerre de Rochefort, une controverse violente oppose deux piliers de l’École de Santé, qu’une génération sépare. Jean Bobe-Moreau a fait l’essentiel de sa carrière pendant la Révolution et sous l’Empire. Médecin et enseignant respecté, membre actif de la société savante locale, il a contribué, entre autres, à l’introduction de la vaccine. Face à lui, René-Primevère Lesson s’est illustré par ses observations naturalistes lors du voyage de La Coquille. Son réseau légitimiste lui ouvre une carrière confortable mais ses ambitions insatisfaites le poussent à attaquer son prédécesseur qui ne tarde pas à répondre. Le souvenir de la Terreur resurgit et l’affrontement politique vire au règlement de compte scientifique.
Quand la préservation de la nature est devenue moderne en Suède : Sten Selander, poète et homme de science, à l’avant-garde de la politique environnementale
Authors: Kylhammar Martin
Published: September 2022

Cet article se propose d’analyser comment Sten Selander, poète, littérateur et homme de science, s’est fait critique de la civilisation et comment ses points de vue ont marqué à leur tour les réformes de la politique environnementale suédoise au cours des années 1930, 1940 et 1950. Comme Linné en son temps, Selander fut à la fois un scientifique, un homme de lettres, un peintre de la nature et un politicien. Dans son ouvrage majeur intitulé Det levande landskapet i Sverige (Le paysage vivant en Suède, 1955), il parvint à concilier tous ces rôles. Ce livre bien écrit reçut un accueil enthousiaste. Il offre une synthèse féconde des recherches suédoises contemporaines en matière de sciences naturelles et constitue aussi un livre d’histoire original qui ne parle ni de roi ni de peuple mais dont le protagoniste n’est autre que la nature suédoise ; l’auteur retrace son évolution depuis la nuit des temps jusqu’à l’époque contemporaine et projette un scénario effrayant dans le futur.
Language change among the Jukkasjärvi Sami
Authors: Svonni Mikael
Published: September 2022

Le sami de Jukkasjärvi est parlé au nord ainsi qu’au sud du lac Duortnus (Torneträsk en suédois), au nord de la Suède. Ce dialecte partageant beaucoup de traits phonologiques et morphologiques avec le dialecte de Kautokeino (Guovdageaidnu), il a été considéré comme un dialecte du sami du Nord. Toutefois, les toponymes, surtout ceux au sud de Duortnos, ainsi que les combinaisons consonantales de ce dialecte indiquent qu’il était à l’époque plus proche du sami de Lule que du sami du Nord.
Afrophobic-Induced Violence on African Immigrants in South Africa
Authors: Tshishonga Ndwakhulu Stephen
Published: September 2022

This chapter interrogates the notion of violence within the context of Afrophobia that are prevalent in South Africa. Despite many factors contributing to Afrophobic-induced violence and hatred, the chapter argues that socio-economic deprivations among locals is at the center of perpetuating the scourge of violence and Afrophobic violent attacks on African immigrants. The chapter adopts the relative deprivation theory to understand the factors leading to Afrophobia and its induced violence against African immigrants in South Africa. The chapter also utilizes the Afrocentric approach based on Ubuntu philosophy to forge socio-economic development and prosperity in (South) Africa. The chapter argues that the escalation of Afrophobic violence does not only undermine the integration of the African economy, but also cripples its political quest for unity. The chapter made use of secondary data in the form of book chapters, books, and accredited papers or articles.
Exploring the Literature and Rationale for Global E-Cultural Learning
Authors: Falk Audrey Faye , Jordaan Martina , Saeed Sameerah T. , Chaoui Nour El Houda , Rao Madasu Bhaskara
Published: September 2022

This chapter is the work of scholars across five countries and three continents. This chapter will provide an extensive review of the relevant scholarly literature that grounds the early partnership work of these researchers. The literature will be used to identify gaps and to provide recommendations for future research, policy, and practice toward the advancement of digital engagement across geographical and cultural divides. The authors will draw from related subjects as needed and will delineate the gaps in the literature. The chapter will be of interest to scholars and practitioners in the fields of service-learning, virtual partnerships, and community engagement and others interested in the utilization of technology to build bridges across cultural and geographical divides in higher education and in communities.
Trauma-Informed and Inclusive Assessment of Productive Skills in Online Emergency ELT Classes
Authors: Nguyen Quang Nhat , Pham Linh Nhat
Published: September 2022

Using a netnography design, the current study attempts to discover in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, how teachers alter their assessment approach to account for students' vulnerability to traumas and how institutional regulations and administrative actions impact these assessment plans in online emergency ELT speaking and writing classes. Three teachers from beginner, intermediate, and advanced classes took part in the investigation throughout 12 asynchronous and synchronous sessions. The qualitative data were collected using observation notes and interviews with the three teachers. The findings reveal that although the teachers have been trained in trauma-informed assessment practices prior to their course, they could not always succeed in implementing these practices. However, it is worth noting that their classrooms often share the common characteristics of a trauma-informed approach, and institutional policies and administrative decisions could significantly affect the trauma-informed practices of the online emergency ELT classrooms.
Historical Thinking Skills and Cognitive Levels in Spanish High School History Textbooks
Authors: Moreno-Vera Juan Ramón , Sánchez-Ibáñez Raquel
Published: September 2022

The main purpose of this study is to check how history textbooks in Spain contribute to the teaching of historical thinking competencies. To reach this goal, there are two specific objectives. The first one is to investigate the existence of historical thinking skills in History textbooks in Spanish Baccalaureate. The second is to establish what level of cognitive difficulty there is in the textbook activities when developing historical thinking competencies. For this purpose, a sample of almost 4000 activities from five Spanish textbooks publishers has been selected. The methodology is quantitative and based on descriptive analysis. The results show that the textbooks include few activities working on historical thinking competencies and with a low-medium cognitive skill level. The most frequent historical competencies are the analysis of sources and the identification of causes and consequences of historical events. The study concludes that Spanish publishers need to increase the presence of activities that promote history learning through thinking competencies.
Historical Thinking as a Dynamic Vehicle for Teaching Through Key Competences
Authors: Solé Maria Glória Parra Santos , Trigueros Cano Francisco Javier , Rubio Leiva Ana María , Molina Saorín Jesús
Published: September 2022

It is evident that the integration of key competences in the educational panorama and in the curriculum is not perceptible in the practical development of the classroom. Given the lack of clear and practical proposals in the legislation that facilitate this implementation, this chapter aims to analyse—through an updated bibliography—the role of the school and the teacher in making key competences effective in the teaching of social sciences. In the same way, it sets out what is considered to be the most effective way of working on key competences in social sciences: through the development of historical thinking and the concepts that define it, as well as the critical spirit, providing students with skills for their personal development, the ability to transfer concepts to everyday situations, as well as empathy and commitment to their social environment.
A Proposal for the Design of a Gamified Experience for the Teaching of Historical Thinking in Primary Education
Authors: Martínez-Hita María , Gómez Carrasco Cosme Jesús , Miralles-Martínez Pedro
Published: September 2022

The need for a transformation of the teaching and learning process of history has long been called for from the field of history education research. A change is advocated which affects both the methodology and the epistemology of the field and promotes the development of historical thinking. This chapter presents an intervention programme aimed at primary education students in Spain and validated via expert judgement with the aim of contributing to the aforementioned change in the teaching of history by including work on the historical thinking skills along with the use of active methodologies such as gamification. The objective of this chapter is to present this gamified project for the development of historical thinking in such a way that it can serve as a point of reference and to propose a series of steps to facilitate the design of gamified learning experiments.
Historical Thinking Development Through Gamification
Authors: Aso Borja , Rubio-Navarro Alodia , García-Ceballos Silvia
Published: September 2022

In recent years, the literature has identified the need to influence teacher training so that teachers promote historical thinking metaconcepts and innovative methodological strategies that actually encourage learning of these history skills in the classroom. To that end, n=36 students of the Master's Degree in Teaching in Secondary Education at the University of Zaragoza (Geography and History specialty) were presented with two gamified experiences for secondary education, developed during the pandemic, so they could reflect on their usefulness, benefits, and possible challenges or limitations. Based on the preservice teachers' evaluation, their prior conceptions of the usefulness of gamification in encouraging historical thinking skills and the educational scope of introducing good practices in teacher training were analyzed using mixed methods research.
Gamified Teaching Strategies to Work on Historical Thinking
Authors: Rubio Juan Carlos Colomer
Published: September 2022

The reality is that students show a lack of interest in certain school subjects. In Social Sciences, teaching has predominantly been based on transmission, which has only amplified the problem. It has also prevented new work and intervention techniques that boost students' interest in historical and geographical concepts from being developed. Including gamified didactic sequences to develop competences associated with historical thinking is one way in which this could change. In this chapter, the authors present a potential application of gamification, based on existing models such as the BIG 6 developed by Eisenberg and Berkowitz in 1990, which the authors link to the skills to be developed, the way in which information is presented, and the characteristics of the game or activity to be gamified. This model will help to promote didactic proposals that apply this work methodology in the future.
Linking Human Resource Management Practices and Firms' Performance Using Neural Networks
Authors: Mutua Shedrack Mbithi
Published: September 2022

This paper investigates relationship between human resource management practices (HRM) and performance. This paper demonstrates how analysis to reveal relationship among dependent and independent variables in HRM-performance link can be done using artificial neural networks (ANN). Statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) was used to produce ANN. It argues that HRM research should utilize the breadth of statistics available including data science statistics. This study utilizes positivist paradigmatic stance, descripto-explanatory research design, and survey methodology. Questionnaires were used in data collection. The study found that HRM practices are important in predicting financial and non-financial performance. Synergetic relationship among HRM practices was also found to predict financial and non-financial performance of financial cooperatives in Kenya. Apart from exploring HRM independent variables, their interrelationships must be explored and reported in literature.
An Investment and Loan Financing Decision Equilibrium in Supply Chain
Authors: Zhou Ya
Published: September 2022

A financing model for bank loan financing, equity financing, and portfolio financing under the manufacturer's capital constraints is constructed, and the manufacturer's capital level and consumers are discussed in green preference on pricing, green input level, market demand for products, and selection strategies of financing methods. Finally, it is verified by numerical analysis. Consumers' green preference is positively correlated with retail prices, wholesale prices and the level of green investment efforts, market demand for products, and equity transfer ratios acceptable to both parties in equity financing; when the manufacturer's capital constraints are not financing, the manufacturer's initial capital level is positively correlated with manufacturer's wholesale price, and retailer's retail price are negatively correlated, but it is positively correlated with the level of green investment efforts; the greater the bank loan interest rate, the larger the manufacturer's acceptable share transfer ratio.
A Review on the Management of Country Bean (Lablab purpureus L.) Diseases in Bangladesh
Authors: Ema Israt Jahan , Monika Marjia Akhter , Khan Ahasan Ullah , Tipu Mohammad Monirul Hasan , Faruk Md. Ruman , Tarapder Shofiul Azam , Adnan Muhammad
Published: September 2022

Purpose: Country bean (Lablab purpureus L.) is an important pulse crop consumed as a vegetable in the central and south-western regions of Bangladesh after eggplant and taro. It promises to ameliorate nutritional demand from vegetables and has an excellent possibility for the world market. But the production is hampered due to infection of several diseases in field conditions.
Research method: This study was undertaken based on secondary data of existing literature from Bangladesh and other parts of the world. So far, many research works were done on this issue but those were not available to the policy makers, extension workers, and public in a systematic manner to date.
Findings: In this paper, we tried to bring forth different aspects of phytopathological problems of country bean. It usually undergoes stresses from different soilborne to seed-borne pathogens and expresses symptoms from the seedling stage to maturity. Crop protection largely depends on the integration of host plants, seeds, agronomic practices, environmental footprints, and the use of appropriate agrochemicals based on the epidemiology of target pathogens. Here, we also described effective management strategies against respective pathogens of the diverse category. These microorganisms attack at different stages of crop growth and can affect the host plants enormously to cause maximum yield loss.
Research limitations: The study focused on the management of country bean diseases based on biological and chemical approaches. It presents limited information on specific technologies in different agroecological zones.
Originality/Value: This study identified research gaps among Bangladesh and other countries. It also provides information to combat country bean diseases to the economic threshold level for ensuring sustainable crop yield.
Cytotoxicity and Nematicidal Potential of Leaf Extracts of Adansonia digitata and Khaya senegalensis on Root Knot Nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) Associated with Cabbage
Authors: Fabiyi Oluwatoyin Adenike
Published: September 2022

Purpose: Cabbage, an indispensable vegetable is often plagued by Meloidogyne incognita, a circumstance which lessens yield. Extracts of Khaya senegalensis and Adansonia digitata were appraised for possible nematicidal activity to check the menace of M. incognita sequel to the undesirable effect of synthetic nematicides in the environment.
Research Method: Leaf materials were extracted in organic and aqueous extracts. The extracts were used as soil admix at 0, 150, 200 and 250 g/Kg soil, in a randomized complete block design experiment. Carbofuran a synthetic nematicide served as positive check for the extracts. Data was taken on vegetative growth, yield and nematode population. Lethality of the various extracts to brine shrimp larvae was also assessed.
Findings: The aqueous extract was not as productive as the ethanol and methanol extracts. A. digitata extracts demonstrated weak nematicidal activity as against what was observed in cabbage plants treated with K. senegalensis extracts. Cytotoxicity evaluation of the organic and aqueous extracts of A. digitata indicated that the methanol extract expressed weak cytotoxicity (500 µg/ml - 1000 µg/ml), while the aqueous and ethanol extracts were not toxic to the brine shrimps (LC50 >1000µg/mL). K. senegalensis extracts were active against brine shrimp larvae with LC50 values <1000µg/mL The methanol and ethanol extracts demonstrated strong cytotoxicity with LC50 values <100µg/ml. Extracts from K. senegalensis significantly (p=0.05) increased the vegetative growth of cabbage plants.
Originality/ Value: These results signify that the species have a probable use in the bio-pesticide industry, without any toxicity as the synthetics.
Factors inhibiting the maturity and praxis of Made in Africa Evaluation
Authors: Chirau Takunda J. , Ramasobana Mokgophana
Published: September 2022

Background: Monitoring and evaluation in Africa as a practice and discipline has been dominated by Global North perspectives. There have been efforts within the monitoring and evaluation space to build a practice and profession that is informed by epistemes and axiologies which are Afro-centric. The main stream approaches currently being used in African evaluations marginalize the African knowledge systems as well as African evaluators. Reconstructing and repositioning the value of Made in Africa Evaluation is a must, rather than a necessity.Objectives: This article documents critical factors inhibiting the deepening of the ‘Made in Africa Evaluation’ (MAE), both conceptually and practically.Method: Based on reviewed literature, hands-on experiences and conference attendances, researchers explored critical factors that inhibit MAE from gaining enough traction in Africa.Results: It is noted that MAE faces challenges in the region. African countries are struggling with common issues of how MAE can gain enough traction. Key factors observed are (1) the over-reliance on Western world views or paradigms, (2) the dominance of Global North donors as commissioners of African evaluations, (3) the supply chain practices of African evaluators and (4) the perceived infancy of the evaluation profession in Africa.Conclusion: Commissioners of evaluations should consider revising procurement regulations developed to facilitate equivalent shared responsibilities between African and Western evaluation experts. More work needs to be conducted in order to develop a body of knowledge with Afrocentric paradigms, ways of knowing and methodologies that are African. Developing an African methods database is essential. This will contribute towards the ability for Africans to drink from their own wells, thereby elevating the indigenisation of evaluation practice. This article advocates for the expedience of the MAE approach and fills an important empirical gap on the approach, which feeds into contemporary literature on the institutionalisation of African approaches in evaluation practice.
Effect of sputum quality and role of Xpert® MTB/RIF assay for detection of smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis in same-day diagnosis strategy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: Sinshaw Waganeh , Kebede Abebaw , Bitew Adane , Tadesse Mengistu , Mehamed Zemedu , Alemu Ayinalem , Yenew Bazezew , Amare Misikir , Dagne Biniyam , Diriba Getu , Tesfaye Ephrem , Gamtesa Dinka F. , Abebaw Yeshiwork , Mollalign Helina , Seid Getachew , Getahun Muluwork
Published: September 2022

Background: There is limited information on the performance of the Xpert® MTB/RIF test for diagnosis of smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis (SNPT) and rifampicin resistance (RR) in the same-day diagnosis approach. The effects of sputum quality and other factors affecting the Xpert performance are also under-investigated.Objective: This study aimed to determine the performance of the Xpert® MTB/RIF test for detection of SNPT and RR in the same-day diagnosis strategy and the effect of sputum quality and other factors on its performance.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2017 to January 2018 across 16 health facilities in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Two spot sputum samples were collected from 418 presumptive SNPT patients, tested with Xpert® MTB/RIF, then compared to tuberculosis culture. Additionally, culture isolates were tested for RR by BACTEC MGIT™ 960 drug susceptibility testing (DST) and MTBDRplus version 2.Results: The Xpert® MTB/RIF test detected 24 (5.7%) SNPT cases, with a sensitivity of 92.3% (75.9% – 97.9%) and specificity of 99.2% (97.8% – 99.7%) compared with tuberculosis culture. Xpert® MTB/RIF also detected three (11.58%) RR strains with 100.0% concordance with BACTEC MGIT™ 960 DST and MTBDRplus results. Three blood-stained SNPT samples were positive by Xpert (30.0%), which was 6.9 times higher compared to salivary sputum (odds ratio: 6.9, 95% confidence interval: 1.36–34.96, p = 0.020).Conclusion: The performance of the Xpert® MTB/RIF to detect SNPT and RR in same-day diagnosis is high. However, SNPT positivity varies among sputum qualities, and good sample collection is necessary for better test performance.
An update on the management of diabetic tractional retinal detachment
Authors: Hajee Aamina , Makgotloe Mokokomadi A.
Published: September 2022

Background: Tractional retinal detachment (TRD) occurs when contractile forces in the vitreous and neovascular tissue lead to the detachment of the neurosensory retina. The pre-operative use of antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) and advances in microsurgical instrumentation, such as a small gauge vitrectomy (SGV), have improved surgical outcomes.Aim: The purpose of this review is to highlight recent trends in the management of diabetic TRD, supporting earlier surgical intervention and the expanded surgical indications.Methods: PubMed was searched for the following terms: ‘diabetes’ OR ‘diabetic retinopathy’ AND ‘TRD’ AND ‘pars plana vitrectomy (PPV)’ AND ‘anti-VEGF’ AND ‘endophotocoagulation’. Reference lists were reviewed for additional articles. The review was focused on all articles later than 2010 for recent updates on the ever-changing management of this disease entity. No case reports were included in this review article.Results: Management of TRD continues to remain challenging, despite the recent advancements in techniques and instrumentation. Each case needs to be individualised, with careful pre-operative planning, understanding of patient expectations and counselling, coupled with meticulous surgical skills and diligent postoperative management.Conclusion: Management of TRD continues to remain challenging despite recent advances in techniques and instrumentation. Vitrectomy for TRD can improve vision-related quality of life, and the continued evolution and improvement in surgical techniques and adjunctive pharmacotherapy will most likely continue to improve postoperative outcomes.Contribution: The paper presents an overview of current management of tractional retinal detachment in patients with advanced proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
Perspectives on music and evolution
Authors: Lüdemann Winfried A.
Published: September 2022

Many scholars of philosophy, aesthetics, religion, history or social science have ventured to offer a comprehensive explanation of music, one of the most intangible and elusive phenomena in the world. A palaeoanthropological approach, which places music into an evolutionary paradigm, can add important perspectives to our understanding of this phenomenon. To begin with, the question whether music is an adaptation that has survival value in the classical Darwinian sense is contemplated. Views on the origin of music in conjunction with the emergence of language and as a domain for the expression of emotion, linked to music’s benefits for social coherence, are discussed. More recent views on the emergence of consciousness, on semiosis and on music as a manifestation of biocultural co-evolution, especially in conjunction with ritual, are then presented. Finally, the merit of exploiting the concept of play to help account for the systematicity of music’s semiosis is examined.Contribution: In line with the intent of this special collection of articles, the above considerations are placed into the context of materialist versus nonmaterialist perspectives on the emergence of the human mind. The overarching argument is that music contributes crucially to what it means to be human.
Saving the rainbow nation: Education as challenge to the churches in South Africa
Authors: Van der Merwe Johan M.
Published: September 2022

Education in Africa is in a crisis. Some scholars go as far as to say that it is broken. This was also noted when the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, linked to the Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want, were developed. One of the goals was defined as to ‘Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all’. This article explores the important role of education in transforming societies. To achieve this objective, the research in this article is based on a qualitative literature search. It focuses on relevant literature that included books, scholarly articles, online articles and scientific data provided by Statistics South Africa. It starts off by describing the brokenness of education in South Africa through the latest statistics that provide a very dark picture of education in the country. In the second place, the article revisits the Reformation to indicate that the church can and is called to play an important role in the improvement of education. The article concludes with two examples of how church organisations and specific churches in South Africa take up the challenge to transform societies through specific educational programmes.Contribution: Specific mention is made of the programme of the South African Council of Churches called The South Africa We Pray For and Little Seeds, which is a combined programme in Early Childhood Development. As such, what happens in South Africa can be an example to the rest of Africa.
Determining and explaining the components of the justice-oriented Islamic community based on the teachings of Nahj al-Balaghah
Authors: Ibraheem Shelash Al-Hawary Sulieman , Mukhlis Hamid , Abdallah Mahdi Ola , Surahman Susilo , Adnan Samar , Abdulkreem Salim Mohammed , Iswanto A. Heri
Published: September 2022

As emphasised in Islamic sources, justice is one of the most important issues covered in the religion of Islam. In fact, justice is a central theme in Islam and has a special value in this regard. Conversation about justice and its nature, as well as its realisation in human communities, has been thus far a necessity in human life. Actually, the establishment and implementation of justice in all areas are crucial for the utopia. Given the importance of this subject, the present study aims to determine and explain the components of the justice-oriented Islamic community based on the teachings of Nahj al-Balaghah. Therefore, the components that introduce justice orientation in the Islamic community are extracted from the sermons, letters and wise sayings (viz. narrations) of Nahj al-Balaghah. Afterward, the extracted components are classified based on the similarity of the themes and concepts. In the end, five classifications are introduced, including distributive justice, procedural justice, interactional justice, social justice and fairness.Contribution: Based on the determined indices, the model of justice-oriented Islamic community is developed. It is thus recommended to pay more attention to the realisation of a justice-oriented Islamic community by researchers and leaders. This is mainly because of the fact that the opposite of a justice-oriented community is one with injustice, where oppression and disrespect for the rights of others occur, divine blessings change, divine wrath and anger are provoked and destruction approaches.
Rural vulnerability and institutional dynamics in the context of COVID-19: A scoping review
Authors: John Sokfa F. , Okem Andrew E. , Mubangizi Betty C. , Adekanla Niyi , Ngubane Londeka P. , Barry Ibrahima
Published: September 2022

This study reviewed the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on pre-existing vulnerabilities in rural communities using the scoping review strategy. It focused on manuscripts published on the topic in 2020. Based on 39 studies that met our inclusion criteria (out of 507 studies), we note that COVID-19 is exacerbating pre-existing rural vulnerabilities, including poverty, remoteness, socio-economic marginalisation and high unemployment. There is limited evidence that rural communities are resilient to the pandemic. Reduction in household expenditures and the community food system are the only reported forms of resilience. Although local institutions are supporting rural communities in responding to the impacts of the pandemic, several institutional dynamics undermine the effectiveness of the response. The increased risk of the pandemic is likely to reduce incomes and standards of living amongst poor communities. Thus, coping strategies were identified such as starting small gardens in communities, diet changes, targeting community markets with produce rather than retailers and food swap using social media, with food swap being the most adopted coping strategy. Although this study does not offer a comprehensive picture of the levels and nature of vulnerability, resilience and institutional dynamics of rural communities in different parts of the world reveal the limitations of existing knowledge of the vulnerability of rural communities in the context of COVID-19. This underscores the importance of further studies on rural vulnerability in the context of COVID-19 that will enable evidence-based responses to the pandemic in rural contexts.
South African medicinal plants screened against Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Vambe McMaster , Coopoosamy Roger M. , Naidoo Kuben , Arthur Georgina D.
Published: September 2022

Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is amongst the three high-ranking pathogens on the World Health Organization’s global priority list of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The list highlights research priorities in drug discovery and development.Aim: This study aimed to provide a detailed account of efforts by researchers to find anti-P. aeruginosa compounds from South African medicinal plant species during the period 2000–2020.Method: Various online research and journal databases were used to obtain information relating to South African medicinal plants and P. aeruginosa.Results: During the study period (2000–2020), only 31 studies reported on the antibacterial properties of South African medicinal plants against the pathogen. Given that P. aeruginosa is a serious cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, it was interesting to note that none of the published reports were dedicated solely to the pathogen. Furthermore, only one study included the antibiotic-resistant mutants of the pathogen as a test organism. Over 150 plant species belonging to 78 families were screened against the bacterium. Barringtonia racemosa, Croton megalobotrys, Erythrina caffra, Leucosidea sericea, Maesa lanceolata, Morella serrata and Trichilia emetica exhibited potent anti-P. aeruginosa properties (minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] ˂ 0.1 mg/mL). Plumbagin, a compound isolated from the leaves of Aristea ecklonii demonstrated promising activities (MIC = 0.008 mg/mL) against the bacterium. Essential oils extracted from some plants demonstrated noteworthy antibacterial synergistic effects (fractional inhibitory concentration index [FICI] ˂ 0.5) when used in pairwise combinations with conventional antibiotics.Conclusion: Overall, empirical evidence presented in the scantly available literature suggests that novel anti-P. aeruginosa agents could be developed from South African herbal extracts.