bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HEALING POTENCY OF HAEMATOCOCCUS PLUVIALIS EXTRACT FOR TREATING TYPE 2 DIABETES IN RATS
Authors: El-baz Farouk K. , Aly Hanan F. , Abdo Sayeda M. , Saad Safaa A.
Published: February 2017

Objective: The present study aims to evaluate the antidiabetic effect of ethanolic extract of Haematococcus pluvialis (H. pluvialis) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.

Methods: The antidiabetic activity of H. pluvialis was investigated by the determination of glucose and insulin levels, aspartate (AST), alanine transaminases (ALT), lipid profile including total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density-lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C). Histopathological examination of pancreas and liver were also carried out.

Results: The results revealed that the levels of glucose, TC, TG, LDL-C as well as AST and ALT enzyme activities were increased significantly in diabetic rats. While, insulin and HDL-C levels decreased significantly in STZ-induced diabetic rats. The remediation of diabetic rats with H. pluvialis attenuated the elevated levels of glucose, TC, TG, LDL-C as well as AST and ALT activities in diabetic rats. Besides, it improved insulin, HDL-C levels, pancreas and hepatic architectures.

Conclusion: H. pluvialis extract has a promising antidiabetic potency through attenuation of several metabolic disorders associated diabetes.
PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING, ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY AND BRINE SHRIMP LETHALITY BIOASSAY OF DIFFERENT EXTRACTS OF ALYSICARPUS VAGINALIS VAR. NUMMULARIFOLIUS (DC.) MIQ. (FAMILY: FABACEAE)
Authors: Kurian Susan , Josekumar V. S.
Published: February 2017

Objective: To evaluate the antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity of hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of Alysicarpus vaginalis var. nummularifolius (DC) along with phytochemical analysis.

Methods: The crude extract of hexane (AVH), ethyl acetate (AVE) and methanol (AVM) of Alysicarpus vaginalis var. nummularifolius (DC) were prepared and analysed for phytochemical constituents using standard methods. The cytotoxicity activity of the plant extracts was predicted using brine shrimp lethality assay (BSLA). The antimicrobial activity and the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the plant extracts were examined against 5 bacterial and 2 fungal strains using agar well diffusion method, and two fold serial dilution method, respectively.

Results: The phytochemical screening studies showed a higher concentration of saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, quinones and terpenoids in AVM than the other two extracts. The LC50 value of AVH and AVE were found to be 900.05 µg/ml and 754.35 µg/ml respectively using BSLA while that of AVM was>1000 ug/ml. All the extracts of the plant showed antimicrobial activity against most of the test organisms. The MIC values of AVM were lower than AVE for all the microbial strains except for Pseudomonas aeroginosa where AVE (107.87µg/ml) exhibited higher value than AVM (51µg/ml).

Conclusion: The present study concluded AVM with a high presence of phytochemicals. The AVE and AVM were found to possess promising antimicrobial activity when compared with the standards. The AVM exhibited lesser toxicity when compared with AVH and AVE.

 
STUDY OF ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF FORMONONETIN BY IN VITRO METHOD
Authors: Vishnuvathan V. J. , Lakshmi K. S. , Srividya A. R.
Published: February 2017

Objective: Now the important field of research in phytomedicine is to search a new plant source as well as new phytoconstituents that have fewer side effects and low cost with the free radical scavenging activity.

Methods: Different in vitro models such as DPPH, hydroxyl radical, hydrogen peroxide radical, nitric oxide radical and superoxide radical scavenging activity were performed using different concentrations of formononetin ranging from 0.1-50 μg/ml.

Results: Formononetin showed only 84.39% inhibitory activity against DPPH radical and it was found to be 16 % less than the butylated hydroxytoluene with the IC 50 value of 4.65 μg/ml concentration. In scavenging hydroxyl radicals, formononetin inhibited only 67.63% with the IC50 value of 9.48 μg/ml concentration and it showed 12 % lesser inhibitory activity than standard alpha-tocopherol. Formononetin could able to scavenge maximum 73.53% of hydrogen peroxide radicals with the IC50 value of 4.75 μg/ml and its activity of scavenging hydrogen peroxide were found to be 10 % less than the standard ascorbic acid. Formononetin showed 94.33 % nitric oxide radical inhibitory activity with the IC50 value of 5.0 μg/ml and it showed 6% lesser activity when compared to standard quercetin. Formononetin showed 94.79 % activity against the scavenging of superoxide radical with the IC50 value of 4.27 μg/ml. Superoxide inhibitory activity of formononetin was 5.3 %less than the standard quercetin.

Conclusion: All these results suggested that, formononetin is a good natural antioxidant which is capable of scavenging almost all types of free radicals. So this could be used to treat various diseases like diabetes, atherosclerosis, cancers, the aging and cardiovascular disease which is being caused by free radicals.
STANDARDIZATION AND STABILITY EVALUATION OF DRY EXTRACTS OF MYRACRODRUON URUNDEUVA ALLEMÃO OBTAINED BY SPRAY DRIER
Authors: Leite Renata Da Silva , De Souza Valmir Gomes , Oliveira Agna HÉlia De , JÚnior JosÉ VenÂncio Chaves , Salvador Islaine De Souza , Andrade Fabricio Havy Dantas De , Macedo Rui Oliveira , De Souza FÁbio Santos
Published: February 2017

Objective: This study aimed to obtain standardised dry extracts of Miracrodruon urundeuva Allemão using spray-dryer and evaluate the stability of the extracts.

Methods: It evaluated the drying parameters: Proportion of colloidal silicon dioxide (CSD) (10, 15 and 20%), inlet temperature (160, 170 and 180 °C) and feed rate (4, 6 and 8 ml/min). The study of the accelerated stability of dry extract occurred in temperature of 40 °C (±2 °C) and relative humidity of 75% (±5%) for 6 mo. The anti-inflammatory activity of the dry extract was evaluated in Swiss mice by the paw edema method.

Results: Variations in drying conditions did not represent significant variations in yields of the process. The drying temperature and feed rate significantly influenced the concentration of quercetin (p≤0.05). The increase in inlet temperature and feed flow promoted the increase of quercetin concentration in the extracts. The stability study showed that the concentration of quercetin in dry extract was stable over a period of 6 mo. The dry extract showed anti-inflammatory activity in mice orally.

Conclusion: A condition of 10% of colloidal silicon dioxide with an 180 °C inlet temperature and a feed rate of 8 ml/min was considered the most adequate for obtaining the extracts and the drying process resulted in stable dry extracts and the quercetin was a suitable biomarker for monitoring the process.
AZATHIOPRINE INDUCED PANCYTOPENIA-A CASE REPORT
Authors: Philip Jeslyn Mary , C. Parvathypriya , George Christeena , Vijayan Meenu
Published: February 2017

Azathioprine (AZA), a prodrug of 6 mercaptopurine, is an immunosuppressant that can be used as adjunctive therapy with corticosteroids in the treatment of arteritic form of ischemic optic neuropathy. Although myelotoxicity is known to occur while using azathioprine, severe pancytopenia is rarely seen. Patients with thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) deficiency are at high risk of developing severe myelosuppression. A 63 year* old female with ischemic optic neuropathy was initiated treatment with oral methylprednisone. As two courses of oral steroids showed no significant improvement, oral azathioprine 25 mg twice daily was added and gradually increased to 50 mg twice daily with relief of symptoms. 6 mo later, she was admitted with acute stroke and lab reports showed low levels of total blood counts or pancytopenia. The patient was put on broad spectrum antibiotics; given injection of granulocyte colony stimulating factor 300 mcg subcutaneously and blood transfusion as correction till counts normalised. She improved over 14 d and on next follow-up counts were in normal range. Causality was assessed by Naranjo causality assessment scale and a probable relationship was obtained between azathioprine and pancytopenia with a score of 6. Variations in TPMT activity occurs due to genetic polymorphism. Physicians should be aware of the possibility of myelosuppression while prescribing azathioprine. Frequent blood count monitoring is the most convenient way to avoid this problem where testing for TPMT deficiency is not possible.
QUALITY OF LIFE OF CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE PATIENTS WITH ROUTINE HEMODIALYSIS IN GENERAL HOSPITALS IN SLEMAN YOGYAKARTA
Authors: J. Sihombing , L. Hakim , M. Andayani T. , F. Irijanto
Published: February 2017

Objective: To elicit quality of life (QOL) of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients with routine hemodialysis receiving erythropoietin, to compare the QOL of CKD patients with routine hemodialysis receiving different erythropoietin, and to explore the change in QOL over six months for patients managed in the hospitals.

Methods: A multicenter prospective study was conducted among adult CKD patients in Yogyakarta. QOL was measured using kidney disease quality of life–short form (KDQOL–SFTM) questionnaire and a FACIT fatigue scale questionnaire. CKD patients were divided into 2 groups: those receiving erythropoietin alpha (n=74) and those receiving erythropoietin beta (n=39). Both groups were asked to complete the KDQOL–SFTM questionnaire and a FACIT fatigue scale questionnaire two times in six months range.

Results: In the first period, the average rate of the KDQOL-SF and FACIT for CKD patients receive erythropoietin alpha compared to CKD patients receive erythropoietin beta was 77.24: 80.21 and 3.35: 3.49 while in the second period, the average rate of the KDQOL-SF and FACIT for CKD patients receive erythropoietin alpha compared to CKD patients receive erythropoietin beta was 80.45: 83.95 and 3.45: 3.56.

Conclusion: Erythropoietin can improve QOL of CKD patients with routine hemodialysis, while erythropoietin beta gives more improvement, but statistically, it doesn’t different significantly.
EFFECTS OF SOLVENT POLARITY ON SOLVATION FREE ENERGY, DIPOLE MOMENT, POLARIZABILITY, HYPERPOLARIZABILITY AND MOLECULAR REACTIVITY OF ASPIRIN
Authors: Khan Mohammad Firoz , Rashid Ridwan Bin , Rahman Muhammed Mahfuzur , Faruk Md. Al , Rahman Md. Mustafezur , Rashid Mohammad A.
Published: February 2017

Objective: The aim of the study is to explore the effects of solvent polarity on solvation free energy, dipole moment, polarizability, first order hyperpolarizability and different molecular properties like chemical hardness and softness, chemical potential, electronegativity, electrophilicity index of aspirin which may lead to better understand the reactivity and stability of aspirin in different solvent systems.

Methods: Becke, 3-parameter, Lee-Yang-Parr (B3LYP) level of theory with 6-31G(d,p) basis set was employed to conduct all type of calculations for both in the gas phase and in solution. The solvation free energy, dipole moment and molecular properties were calculated by applying the Solvation Model on Density (SMD) in four solvent systems namely water, methanol, ethanol and n-octanol.

Results: The solvation energies steadily increased as the dielectric constant was decreased i.e. free energy increases with decreasing polarity of the solvent. The dipole moment of aspirin was found to be increased when going from non-polar to polar solvents. The dipole moment of aspirin was higher in different solvents than that of the gas phase. The polarizability and first order hyperpolarizability were also increased with the increasing dielectric constant of the solvent. Moreover, ongoing from non-polar to polar solvent the chemical potential, electronegativity and electrophilicity index were increased except in n-octanol. The chemical potential, electronegativity and electrophilicity index of aspirin in n-octanol was higher than that of ethanol. On the other hand, chemical hardness was increased with decreasing polarity of the solvent and the inverse relation was found in the case of softness.

Conclusion: The calculated solvation free energy, dipole moment, polarizability, first order hyperpolarizability and molecular properties found in this study may lead to the understanding of stability and reactivity of aspirin in different solvent systems.
A RAPID, SENSITIVE AND VALIDATED ULTRA PERFORMANCE LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY AND TANDEM MASS SPECTROMETRY METHOD FOR DETERMINATION OF RIFAMPICIN IN RAT PLASMA: APPLICATION TO PHARMACOKINETIC STUDY
Authors: Burhan Aslam , Vyas Bhavin
Published: February 2017

Objective: To develop and validate simple, sensitive and selective ultra-performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method for quantification of rifampicin (RIF) in rat plasma and its application to pharmacokinetics study.

Methods: Precipitation method was used for the extraction of plasma samples, an aliquot of 25 µl plasma samples was extracted using acetonitrile precipitation technique. Chromatographic separation was performed usingWaters AcquityTMUPLC columns, BEH C18 (50 mm× 2.1 mm, 1.7 µm) by a gradient mixture of acetonitrile and water (both containing 0.1 % formic acid) as a mobile phase at the flow rate of 0.7 ml/min.The analyte was protonated in the positive ESI (electrospray ionization interface) and detected in MRM (multiple reactions monitoring) modes using the transition m/z 308.60-455.30.

Results: The method had a short chromatography run time of 1.8 min with improved sensitivity over existing methods. Calibration curves been linear over the wide range of 1.97-5047.00 ng/ml. The between and within-batch precision and accuracy of the method was determined by using 4 quality control samples; the highest %CV observed was10.11. The mean recovery values are 74.26, 82.77 and 101.73 at low, medium and high-quality control levels; respectively.

Conclusion: It was concluded that the developed and validated UPLC-MS/MS method was sensitive,specific, precise, linear, and rapid. Therefore, the method can be used for quantification of RIFin rat plasma with various advantages over the reported methods. RIF is widely recommended by US-FDAguidance for industry on drug interaction studies and the developed method can be used to explore drug interaction studies in drug discovery and development.
A DESIGN OF EXPERIMENT APPROACH FOR OPTIMIZATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ETODOLAC TERNARY SYSTEM USING SPRAY DRYING
Authors: Shaikh Amir A. , Chaudhari Praveen D. , Holkar Sagar S.
Published: February 2017

Objective: The objective of the present investigation was to prepare and characterize Etodolac (ETO), Polyvinyl pyrrolidone K30 (PVP K30) and Hydroxypropyl β-cyclodextrin (HPB) ternary system in order to study the effect of complexation on solubility of ETO.

Methods: Physical mixtures of a drug and polymers in different weight ratios (1:1, 1:2, 1:4) were prepared to study the effect of individual polymers on solubility of ETO. Spray drying method was used to investigate the combined effect of PVP K30 and HPB on saturation solubility (SS), Dissolution efficiency (DE) and mean dissolution time (MDT) of ETO. Design of experiment (DoE) was used for preparation and optimization of ternary system. Drug polymer interactions were analyzed with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Xray diffraction (XRD) and particle size analysis.

Results: Results of solubility study suggested that there was significant increase in solubility of ETO with increase in the concentration of PVP K30, Polyvinyl pyrrolidone K 90 (PVP K90) and HPB (*p<0.05). This might be due to the solubilizing effect of PVP K30, PVPK90 and complex formation of ETO with HPB. Various combinations of PVP K30 and HPB prepared using DoE approach by spray drying method showed greater solubility of ETO than its physical mixtures (*p<0.05). Results of FTIR, DSC, SEM, XRD and particle size analysis revealed the interaction between ETO, PVP K30 and HPB. This suggested formation of amorphous ternary system with mean particle diameter in the range of 763±1.35 nm.

Conclusion: Combine use of PVP K30 and HPB with DoE approach was an effective tool for formulating ternary system of ETO.
EVALUATION OF SAFETY PROFILE AND CEREBROPROTECTIVE POTENTIAL OF DIMETHYL FUMARATE (DMF) AGAINST ISCHEMIA AND REPERFUSION INDUCED CEREBRAL INJURY IN WISTAR RATS
Authors: Hatware Ketan Vinayakrao , Akula Annapurna
Published: February 2017

Objective: Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) is the methyl ester of fumaric acid and used in the treatment of psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, etc. The present study was carried out to reveal safety as well as to find out the cerebro-protective potential of DMF against ischemia and reperfusion-induced cerebral injury in Wistar rats.

Methods: Acute and sub-acute toxicity tests were performed in mice at various increasing doses of DMF as per OECD guidelines 420 and 407 respectively. The cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury was induced by bilateral common carotid artery (BCCA) occlusion for 1 h and reperfusion for 5 h in Wistar rats. The DMF was administered orally at doses 10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg for the assessment of its cerebro-protective potential by evaluating % infarction and % protection of cerebral tissue using TTC staining method.

Results: The present study revealed that DMF is a safe drug as mortality was not observed in acute toxicity study up to 2000 mg/kg on oral administration, at the same time in sub-acute toxicity test DMF has showed no alteration in various parameters except a decrease in lymphocyte count. The DMF has shown a reduction in the % infarction. DMF at doses 10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg has imparted 27.96±1.55% and 58.98±2.3% protection against ischemia and reperfusion-induced cerebral injury in Wistar rats.

Conclusion: The DMF is the relatively safe drug with significant cerebro-protective potential.
ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTICANCER ACTIVITY OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT FROM STEPHANIA ELEGANS
Authors: Sharma Ravin , Chandan Gourav , Chahal Anterpreet , Saini Reena V.
Published: February 2017

Objective: The present work was aimed to investigate the in vitro antioxidant and anti-cancer activities of methanolic extract of Stephania elegans, an unexplored species from Menispermaceae family.

Methods: The methanolic extract of S. elegans tubers was prepared and phytochemical screening and total phenolic content were analyzed by using standard methods. In vitro, antioxidant potential of methanolic extract was determined by 2-2’-azinobis (3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. Cytotoxicity against human breast cancer cell line, Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 type (MCF-7) was evaluated by 3-(4, 5 dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) (MTT) assay.

Results: Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, carbohydrates, tannins, terpenoids, steroids, and saponins in the methanolic extract of S. elegans tubers. The total phenolic content in the methanolic extract was 23.0±0.06 mg GAE/g (dry mass). As revealed by ABTS assay, the methanolic extract of plant tubers showed significant radical scavenging activity (IC50 41.66±0.015 μg/ml). The reducing power activity of the extract increased with the concentration of the extract. MTT assay indicated that S. elegans has potent cytotoxic activity towards MCF-7 cells (IC50 158.7±0.13 μg/ml).

Conclusion: This is the first study demonstrating the antioxidant and anticancer capabilities of the methanolic extract of S. elegans. This study also provides a significant basis for further isolation and characterization of bioactive compounds from S. elegans.
Investigating the impact of maximum residue limit standards on the vegetable trade in Japan
Authors: Choi Jong Woo , Yue Chengyan
Published: February 2017

Countries have become increasingly concerned about the safety of their food. Many countries have imposed standards on both domestically produced and imported food. In particular, countries have implemented regulations to control the quantity and quality of vegetable imports. Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) standards are one of the main restrictions adopted by numerous countries. Japan has one of the strictest MRL standards in the world. This study builds on previous studies to explore the impact of MRL standards on Japanese vegetable imports. Gravity models are used to analyze how MRL standards influence the Japanese imports of different types of vegetables (fruit vegetables, leafy vegetables, bulb vegetable, and root vegetables). The results reveal that the trade impacts of MRL standards are different for different types of vegetables, with the most significant impact on imports of leafy and fruit vegetables and the least significant impact on imports of bulb vegetables.
Food safety and food imports in Europe: the risk of aflatoxins in pistachios
Authors: Xiong Bo
Published: February 2017

The United States has surpassed Iran as the largest pistachio exporter to the European Union. Both lower prices and a less frequency of aflatoxin contamination have contributed to the success of the US pistachio industry. Using EU monthly imports and food safety alerts data, we estimate EU demand for US and Iranian pistachios. We find that EU demand for US pistachios is price-inelastic but the demand for Iranian pistachios is price-elastic. We also find that the income effect is positive for US nuts but negative for Iranian nuts. Most importantly, we find that EU imports of US pistachios decrease with aflatoxin alerts traced back to the US but increase with contamination incidents originated from Iran.
Marketable profit-and-loss sharing contracts: Broadening the global non-equity capital markets.
Authors: Wolf Franziska , Nabin Munirul H. , Bhattacharya Sukanto
Published: February 2017

In this paper we have provided the theoretical foundation for a “profit-and-loss sharing contract” as a practicable alternative to corporate bonds. We mathematically demonstrate that the standard pricing model for a straight coupon bond is obtainable as a special case of a profit-and-loss sharing contract valuation model. We also show that the returns to the holder of a profit-and-loss contract, even in the presence of market friction, can be potentially greater than those from a straight corporate bond if there is a substantial default risk premium. Our analysis provides a means of broadening the global market for non-equity capital by offering an alternative to interest-bearing debt which is not socio-religiously acceptable in some cultures and can be of special relevance, for example, to many emerging markets in Asia and Middle East
An analysis of strategic alignment tools
Authors: Hough Johan , Liebig Konrad
Published: February 2017

This article analyses strategic alignment and the tools that companies can utilise to create business or organizational alignment. We follow a theoretical approach to identify the alignment processes, establish various levels and tools of strategic alignment and point out the reasons for misalignment. The results show that strategic alignment is a process and that different levels of business alignment exist in organizations. Recommendations for businesses include awareness of misalignment and the interaction between the strategy process, tools that can be used and the benefits of using Balanced Scorecards on Corporate, Business Unit and Staff levels to create a more aligned organization. This will ensure line-of-sight or alignment on all levels of the business
A test of audit committee characteristics and free cash flows
Authors: Benjamin Samuel Jebaraj , Karrahemi Kiarash Ehtiat
Published: February 2017

The study concentrates on audit committee characteristics and their influences on free cash flow. A panel of 120 firms from the trading and services industry from the year 2005 to 2008 is examined. The results show a significant and positive relationship between Audit Committee characteristics (size, independence, frequency of meetings) and free cash flows. These findings suggest that effective audit committee governance leads to availability of higher free cash flows. Our study draws upon the lack of understanding on the impact of audit committee characteristics on free cash flow along the two views; agency theory and pecking order/transaction cost theory and finds support for the later.
Further Evidence on the Negativity Bias in Performance Evaluation: When Does the Evaluator's Perspective Matter?
Authors: Kaplan Steven E. , Petersen Michael J. , Samuels Janet A.
Published: February 2017

In a setting involving a firm using multiple performance measures, we experimentally examine the effect of an evaluator's perspective on the relative performance evaluations of two managers. The performance outcomes of the two managers are linearly equivalent, but one manager's performance includes an equivalent number of above target and below target outcomes (e.g., the mixed manager), while the other manager's performance only includes above target outcomes (e.g., the positive manager). In this setting, we provide new evidence on the negativity bias and whether the bias is moderated based on evaluators' role and the importance of the measures with negative outcomes. Participants are assigned to the role of the supervisor, the mixed manager, or the positive manager and asked to evaluate each manager's performance. We predict and find that participants in all three roles exhibit the negativity bias. In addition, we predict that the strength of the negativity bias exhibited by mixed or positive managers relative to the supervisor's negativity bias depends on whether the measures with negative outcomes are more or less important. As expected, we find that when negative outcomes involve less important measures, the relative performance evaluations of mixed (positive) managers are similar to (differ from) those of supervisors. In contrast, when negative outcomes involve more important measures, the relative performance evaluations of positive (mixed) managers are similar to (differ from) supervisors. Understanding whether and when managers' relative performance evaluations differ from their supervisors is important, in part, because conflicts and potentially dysfunctional behavior are likely to arise when their relative performance evaluations differ.
NYEPI SEGARA SEBAGAI KEARIFAN LOKAL MASYARAKAT NUSA PENIDA DALAM PELESTARIAN LINGKUNGAN LAUT
Authors: Sari Adnyani Ni Ketut
Published: February 2017

Nyepi Segara merupakan kearifan lokal yang dimiliki masyarakat Nusa Penida dalam sebuah visi mulia pengelolaan wilayah pesisir dan laut. Pelaksanaan Nyepi Segara yang jatuh pada Purnama sasih kapat atau purnama keempat berdasarkan penanggalan Bali oleh masyarakat Kepulauan Nusa Penida yang terdiri atas Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan dan Nusa Ceningan sejak 1600 atau saat masa pemerintahan Raja Dalem Waturenggong. Kegiatan Nyepi Segara sebagai sebuah nilai kearifan lokal sudah seharusnya dapat dikaji secara ilmiah dari berbagai bidang keilmuan. Penelitian dilaksanakan dengan metode: wawancara, kuisioner, dan vocal grup discusion. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan pengembangan potensi laut dan pembangunan sektor pariwisata di kawasan Pulau Nusa Penida memiliki konsep Tri Hita Kirana dalam pembangunan berwawasan lingkungan. Nyepi Segara di Pulau Nusa Penida menjadi landasan filosofis, yuridis dan sosiologis dalam pelestarian lingkungan laut di Kawasan Pulau Nusa Penida.  Nyepi Segara di Nusa Penida sebagai kearifan lokal menjadi landasan pembentukan Zonasi Kawasan Konservasi Perairan Nusa Penida
Harmonisasi, Integrasi Desa Pakraman dengan Desa Dinas yang Multietnik dan Multiagama Menghadapi Pergeseran, Pelestarian, dan Konflik di Bali
Authors: Ketut Arya Sunu I Gusti
Published: February 2017

Penelitian penelitin ini bertujuan untuk (1) Menganalisis keberadaan tugas dan kewenangan desa pakraman multietnik dan multiagama di daerah pariwisata Provinsi Bali, (2) Menganalisis pergeseran dan pelestarian tugas dan kewenangan desa pakraman yang multietnik dan multiagama,  (3) Menganalisis intervensi oleh desa dinas terhadap desa pakraman multietnik dan multiagama, (4) Menganalisis harmonisasi sosial sebagai dampak dari pergeseran, pelestarian pelaksanaan tugas dan kewenanngan desa pakraman yang multietnik dan multiagama, (5) Menganalisis konflik intern dan ekstern warga desa pakraman yang multietnik dan multiagama. Penelitian ini menggunakan rancangan penelitian kualitatif yang bersifat naturalistik dan etnografis, sehingga penekanannya bukan pada pengukuran, melainkan pada upaya mendeskripsikan dan menjelaskan secara aktual, faktual, alamiah, holistik, dan emik tentang eksistensi desa pakraman dalam menghadapi dinamika, harmonisasi sosial, dan konflik warga di Bali. Penentuan subjek penelitian ini adalah dengan menggunakan teknik purposif. Data dikumpulkan dengan wawancara, observasi, dan pencatatan dokumen. Data dianalisis secara kualitatif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa desa pakraman telah mengakomodasi warga yang beragama Hindu dan warga non-Hindu dengan memposisikan warga sebagai warga muwed dan warga tamiu. Khusus bagi warga non-Hindu diposisikan sebagai warga desa dinas, sehingga secara administratif tidak menimbulkan masalah. Dari perspektif kelembagaan, desa pakraman dan desa dinas berada dalam kondisi harmonis, sehingga memunculkan ungkapan “satu badan dua kepala”. Keharmonisan hubungan antara desa dinas dan desa pakraman karena ada beberapa kemungkinan antara lain: satu desa dinas mempunyai luas wilayah dan penduduk yang sama dengan satu desa pakraman, satu desa dinas meliputi beberapa desa pakraman, satu desa pakraman terdiri atas beberapa desa dinas.  Tugas dan kewenangan desa pakraman masih lestari, sehingga sering dipergunakan sebagai pusat orientasi bagi orang Bali. Namun, dari segi pengelolaan harta kekayaan desa mengalami pergeseran, terutama terkait dengan pengelolaan harta kekayaan desa. Sehubungan dengan harmonisasi sosial, umat Hindu maupun umat lain yang ada dalam wilayah desa pakraman bersama-sama menciptakan integrasi atas dasar toleransi dan kerukunan serta saling menghormati dalam rangka membina rasa persatuan dan kesatuan masyarakat Bali.
STUDI ANALISIS FAKTOR PENYEBAB DISFUNGSIONAL AUDITOR DAN UPAYA PENANGGULANGAN DISFUNSIONAL AUDITOR TERHADAP KUALITAS AUDIT PADA KANTOR AKUNTAN PUBLIK DI PROVINSI BALI (Studi Kasus pada Kantor Akuntan Publik “X” di Wilayah Denpasar, Bali)
Authors: Surya Dharmawan Nyoman Ari
Published: February 2017

Penelian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui faktor yang mempengaruhi disfungsional auditor dan bagaimana cara penanggulangannya. Perilaku audit disfungsional merupakan  tindakan auditor dalam pelaksanaan program audit yang dapat mereduksi kualitas audit secara langsung maupun tidak langsung. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif, penelitian kualitatif adalah penelitian yang menggunakan pendekatan naturalistik untuk mencari dan menemukan pengertian atau pemahaman tren tentang fenomena dalam suatu latar yang berkonteks khusus. Dalam rangka menemukan pemahaman mengenai fenomena dalam penelitian ini digunakan paradigma interpretif dengan berusaha untuk menggali dunia apa adanya, dengan pendekatanpengalaman subyektif sendiri. Paradigma ini memasukkan pemikiran filosofis dan sosiologis yang berusaha memahami dan menjelaskan dunia sosial dari titikpandang para aktor yang secara langsung terlibat di dalam proses sosial, sehingga hubungan antara peneliti dengan yang diteliti aktif bersama tidak dapat dipisahkan, bersifat ideografik dan terikat dengan nilai-nilai. Hasil penelitian ini menjelaskan bahwa perilaku disfungsional auditor (1) disebabkan karena adanya konflik kepentingan antar pihak yang terkait dalam penugasan audit. (2) tekanan anggaran waktu dalam penyelesaian laporan keuangan,kopensasi finansial yang diberikan kepada auditor dan (3) keinginan perpindahan auditor sangat mempengaruhi prilaku disfungsional auditor. Utuk bentuk penanggulangannya sangat diperlukan peranan pemerintah dalam hal ini IAI yang menentukan regulasi dan sangat ampuh dalam menekan prilaku disfungsional auditor.
PENTINGNYA PENILAIAN POTENSI DIRI WIRAUSAHA SEBAGAI PONDASI UNTUK MENSUKSESKAN PROGRAM MAHASISWA WIRAUSAHA (PMW)
Authors: Suwena Kadek Rai
Published: February 2017

Sebagai usaha dalam menumbuhkembangkan jiwa kewirausahaan dan meningkatkan aktivitas kewirausahaan agar para lulusan perguruan tinggi lebih menjadi pencipta lapangan kerja dikembangkan Program Mahasiswa Wirausaha (PMW), sebagai bagian dari strategi pendidikan kewirausahaan di Perguruan Tinggi. Hanya saja, jarang ditemukan seorang sarjana yang ingin mengawali kehidupannya setelah lulus dari perguruan tinggi dengan berwirausaha. Kegagalan dari usaha tersebut diduga dikarenakan sikap yang kurang sungguh-sungguh dalam berusaha dan mengenali potensi diri yang ada dalam diri mahasiswa. Mengenali potensi diri wirausaha mahasiswa dapat dinilai dari enam aspek, yaitu: kepribadian, disiplin diri, kreativitas, dorongan/keinginan, keberanian menghadapi risiko, dan kepercayaan diri. Sedikit tidaknya dengan mengenali potensi diri yang ada dalam diri mahasiswa dapat memberikan gambaran tentang seberapa jauh seseorang tersebut merasa dirinya perlu memperbaiki diri dan belajar agar lebih baik lagi. Mengenal diri sendiri berarti memperoleh pengetahuan tentang totalitas diri yang tepat, yaitu menyadari kelebihan/keunggulan yang dimiliki maupun kekurangan/ kelemahan yang ada pada diri sendiri yang nantinya menjadi sumber kesuksesan dalam berwirausaha.
PROFIL DESA PAKRAMAN BULIAN
Authors: Rai I Wayan
Published: February 2017

Program IPTEKSS bagi Masyrakat (IbM) di Kecamatan Kubutambahan, Kabupaten Buleleng tahun 2011 yang mengambil lokasi pelaksanaan kegiatan di Desa Bulian bertujuan untuk membuat sebuah buku profil tentang Desa Pakraman Bulian. Desa Pakraman Bulian merupakan wadah sosio-religius umat Hindu yang terangkum dalam aktivitas tata palemahan, pawongan, dan parahyangan. Ketiga aktivitas ini telah berlangsung dengan baik sehingga perlu dilestarikan keberadaannya. Dalam tata palemahan misalnya, geliat pertumbuhan penduduk dapat memberikan ekses negatif bagi terjadinya alih fungsi lahan pertanian menyebabkan hilangnya sekaa subak akan berakibat  pada  hilangnya Dugul atau  Pura  Ulun  Carik.  Tata  Pawongan di  Desa Pakraman Bulian menunjukkan bahwa Desa Pakraman Bulian hanya didukung oleh lima banjar adat. Dengan jumlah krama  yang relatif banyak, hal ini  merupakan tantangan sekaligus peluang bagi eksistensi desa pakraman. Sementara itu, tata parahyangan di Desa Pakraman Bulian telah tertata dengan baik. Hal ini ditunjukkan dengan adanya pemetaan yang jelas mengenai kahyangan yang diempon serta tata cara upacara dan upakara yang mesti dilaksanakan.
PELATIHAN PEMBUATAN PERANGKAT PEMBELAJARAN BERBASIS BUDAYA BALI BAGI GURU-GURU SAINS SMP DI KECAMATAN BULELENG
Authors: Suardana I Nyoman , Retug Nyoman
Published: February 2017

Pembelajaran berbasis budaya Bali merupakan salah satu pembelajaran inovatif yang terbukti  efektif  meningkatkan hasil  belajar  siswa.  Budaya  Bali  banyak  yang  dapat diintegrasikan dalam pembelajaran sains kimia SMP. Integrasi budaya Bali ke dalam pembelajaran menjadikan pembelajaran lebih bermakna bagi siswa. Namun demikian, guru-guru sains  SMP  di  Kecamatan  Buleleng  belum  memiliki  pemahaman  tentang budaya Bali yang relevan dengan sains kimia SMP, pembelajaran berbasis budaya lokal, dan pembuatan perangkat pembelajarannya. Untuk mengatasi permasalahan tersebut maka dilakukan seminar dan pelatihan pembuatan perangkat pembelajaran sains kimia berbasis budaya Bali bagi guru-guru sains SMP di Kecamatan Buleleng. Seminar  dan pelatihan dilaksanakan pada hari Sabtu, 27 Oktober 2012 di Ruang Lab Media Kimia FMIPA Undiksha. Guru-guru sains SMP yang hadir dalam kegiatan tersebut sebanyak14 orang dari jumlah keseluruhan undangan 26 guru. Hasil dari kegiatan tersebut adalah sebagai berikut. 1) Guru-guru sangat tekun mengikuti seminar dan pelatihan, mereka aktif mengajukan pertanyaan, dan melakukan kerja sama yang baik dalam membuat perangkat pembelajaran. 2) Meningkatnya pemahaman guru-guru sains SMP tentang budaya Bali yang relevan dengan sains kimia SMP. 3) Meningkatnya pemahaman guru- guru sains SMP tentang pembelajaran berbasis budaya lokal. 4) Meningkatnya pemahaman dan keterampilan guru-guru sains SMP dalam penyusunan perangkat pembelajaran sains kimia berbasis budaya Bali.
PELATIHAN MICROSOFT POWER POINT 2007 UNTUK ANAK- ANAK PANTI ASUHAN SE-KECAMATAN BULELENG
Authors: Kesiman Made Windu Antara
Published: February 2017

Tujuan   dari   pelaksanaan   program   pengabdian   masyarakat   ini   adalah   untuk meningkatkan keterampilan anak asuh dari panti asuhan se-Kecamatan Buleleng yang sedang mengenyam bangku pendidikan SMP, SMA maupun Perguruan Tinggi, dalam penggunaan aplikasi Microsoft Power Point, dan untuk mengenalkan versi terbaru Microsoft  Power  Point  2007  kepada  anak  asuh  dari  panti  asuhan  se-Kecamatan Buleleng yang sedang mengenyam bangku pendidikan SMP, SMA maupun Perguruan Tinggi, sehingga dapat memperkecil jurang kesenjangan antara tingkat keterampilan anak asuh tersebut dengan kebutuhan dunia kerja yang nyata. Metode penerapan ipteks yang dilakukan adalah berbentuk pelatihan pengenalan dan eksplorasi Microsoft Power Point versi 2007. Kegiatan pelatihan keterampilan ditunjang dengan ceramah, tanya jawab  dan  tentu  saja  praktek  secara langsung  di  laboratorium  komputer.  Modul pelatihan akan diberikan kepada peserta sebagai alat bantu dalam kegiatan praktek di laboratorium. Dari hasil evaluasi serta temuan-temuan yang diperoleh selama pelaksanaan kegiatan P2M ini, dapat disimpulkan bahwa program P2M ini telah mampu memberikan manfaat yang sangat besar dan tepat sasaran bagi khalayak anak-anak panti asuhan yang menjadi khalayak sasaran dalam kegiatan ini. Bentuk pelatihan seperti ini merupakan bentuk yang sangat efektif untuk memberikan penyegaran dan tambahan wawasan serta pengetahuan baru di bidang teknologi informasi di luar proses pembelajaran yang diterima di sekolah masing-masing.
Architecture, Medicalization, and the Aesthetics of Hygiene at the Écoles maternelles
Authors: Greene Gina
Published: February 2017

This article examines the focus on hygiene, medical surveillance, and physical regeneration in late 19th and early 20th century French nursery schools (écoles maternelles) and its impact on their architecture. Administrators had originally charged maternelles with providing education and motherly care to young children. But bureaucratic anxieties about physical degeneration and disease among French schoolchildren led to new practices focused on the body, which ultimately led to changes in the schools' architectural program and aesthetics. Supposedly at stake was nothing less than the biological, political, and economic future of France.
Living with Disasters: Perspectives on the (Re-)Production of Knowledge
Authors: Swee Hannah , Hrdličková Zuzana
Published: February 2017

Although communities around the world have been experiencing destructive events leading to loss of life and material destruction for centuries, the past hundred years have been marked by an especially heightened global interest in disasters. This development can be attributed to the rising impact of disasters on communities throughout the twentieth century and the consequent increase in awareness among the general public. Today, international and local agencies, scientists, politicians, and other actors including nongovernmental organizations across the world are working toward untangling and tackling the various chains of causality surrounding disasters. Numerous research and practitioners’ initiatives are taking place to inform and improve preparedness and response mechanisms. Recently, it has been acknowledged that more needs to be learned about the social and cultural aspects of disasters in order for these efforts to be successful (IFRC 2014).
Modeling and optimization of the maglev device for a vertical hydro-turbine
Authors: Ma Hongzhong , Liu Jing , Ju Ping
Published: February 2017

This paper proposes a maglev device for a vertical hydro-turbine to replace the thrust-bearing. The structure of the device is given. For the given mechanical structure, a design and optimization method is put forward and the process is provided. The dimension parameters are optimized to make the best use of material for bigger force density and better control performance. The ideal common linear model is built and the nonlinear programming method is used to decide the primary size parameters. The results are inaccurate tested by finite element analysis (FEA) because the model is rough. A more accurate reluctance network (RN) model is set up and the PSO method is applied to get the optimal point. The results from the two models are compared. The feasibility and validity of the latter method is verified.
Decolonising the Rainbow Flag
Authors: Laskar Pia , Johansson Anna , Mulinari Diana
Published: February 2017

The aim of the article is to explore the location and the meaning given to the rainbow flag in places outside the hegemonic center. Through three case studies in the global North and South, held together by a multi-ethnographic approach, as well as a certain theoretical tension between the rainbow flag as a boundary object and/or a floating signifier, we seek to study where the flag belongs, to whom it belongs, with particular focus on how. The three case studies, which are situated in a city in the Global South (Buenos Aires), in a conflict war zone in the Middle East (the West Bank) and in a racialised neighbourhood in the Global North (Sweden), share despite their diversity a peripheral location to hegemonic forms of knowledge production regimes. Central to our analysis is how the rainbow flag is given a multitude of original and radical different meanings that may challenge the colonial/Eurocentric notions which up to a certain extent are embedded in the rainbow flag.
The rainbow flag as friction: transnational imagined communities of belonging among Pakistani LGBTQ activists
Authors: Alm Erika , Martinsson Lena
Published: February 2017

This article analyzes the frictions the rainbow flag creates between transnational, national and translocal discourses and materialities. It focuses on the ambivalent role that the transnational ‘rainbow’ space plays for community building for LGBTQ activists in in Pakistan. The rainbow flag can function as a way to mobilize an imagined transnational community of belonging, enabling people to politicize their experiences of discrimination as a demand of recognition directed at the state. But it can also enable homonationalism and transnational middle class formations that exclude groups of people, for example illiterates and people perceived of as traditional, such as Khwaja Siras. The article is based on auto-ethnographic reflections on encounters with activists in Pakistan, and critically discusses the problem of feeling ‘too comfortable’, as white, Western, middle-class researchers, exploring ‘imperial narratives’ dominating the feminist and LGBTQ activist transnational imagined community of belonging. It argues for the importance of recognizing the transnational space as a space in its own right, with different positions, communities and conflicts stretching around the globe.
Erratum: Wu, Z., et al. The Impact of Greenspace on Thermal Comfort in a Residential Quarter of Beijing, China. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13, 1217
Authors:   International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Editorial Office
Published: February 2017

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Male Psyllids Differentially Learn in the Context of Copulation
Authors: Stockton Dara , Martini Xavier , Stelinski Lukasz
Published: February 2017

In the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, stimulatory cuticular hydrocarbons act as sex pheromone attractants. Male psyllids locate aggregations of females using those olfactory cues, as well as vibrational communication on the plant surface. Although previous research has indicated that learning plays a role in modulating female reproductive behaviors in psyllids, it is unknown whether males similarly use learning to increase the likelihood of copulatory success. We used an olfactometer-based bio-assay to study the effects of experience on male response to female odor. First, we compared male attraction to female odor in virgin and previously mated males. Second, we tested the effect of several modes of experience with a novel odor, vanillin, to determine whether mating, feeding, or general environmental exposure elicited a learned response. We found that male attraction to female odor significantly increased after mating experience. In addition, we found that males learn about odor specifically in the context of mating, rather than feeding or general exposure. Electrophysiological measurements of antennal response to odorants confirmed that mating status did not affect the sensitivity of the peripheral nervous system to volatile stimuli implicating learning at the level of the central nervous system. These results suggest that male response to female odor is not an entirely innate behavior. Males may require mating experience with female conspecifics to develop attraction to those olfactory cues produced by the female and in association with the female’s habitat. This adaptive plasticity may allow males to detect females in an ever-changing environment and promote diversification and further specialization on different host genotypes.
Altholactone Inhibits NF-κB and STAT3 Activation and Induces Reactive Oxygen Species-Mediated Apoptosis in Prostate Cancer DU145 Cells
Authors: Jiang Chunwa , Masood Muqaddas , Rasul Azhar , Wei Wei , Wang Ya , Ali Muhammad , Mustaqeem Muhammad , Li Jiang , Li Xiaomeng
Published: February 2017

Altholactone, a natural compound isolated from Goniothalamus spp., has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities, but its molecular mechanisms are still not fully defined. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) play pivotal roles in the cell survival of many human tumors. The objective of this study was to elucidate the mechanism of action of altholactone against prostate cancer DU145 cells and to evaluate whether its effects are mediated by inhibition of NF-κB and STAT3 activity. Altholactone inhibited proliferation of DU145 cells and induced cell cycle arrest in S phase and triggered apoptosis. Reporter assays revealed that altholactone repressed p65- and TNF-α-enhanced NF-κB transcriptional activity and also inhibited both constitutive and IL-6-induced transcriptional activity of STAT3. Consistent with this, altholactone down-regulated phosphorylation of STAT3 and moreover, decreased constitutively active mutant of STAT3 (STAT3C)-induced transcriptional activity. Altholactone treatment also results in down-regulation of STAT3 target genes such as survivin, and Bcl-2 followed by up regulation of pro-apoptotic Bax protein. However, pre-treatment with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) significantly inhibited the activation of Bax and prevented down-regulation of STAT3 target genes. Collectively, our findings suggest that altholactone induces DU145 cells death through inhibition of NF-κB and STAT3 activity.