bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The lived experience of late midlife hemodialysis patients with diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Huang Hui-Man , Lin Ting-Ju , Wu Suen Lee-Jen
Published: February 2020

Background: Diabetic nephropathy is the primary reason that patients receive hemodialysis (HD), a frequent and lifelong treatment. However, HD is burdensome for middle–aged individuals, who still have personal and professional responsibilities, and can have a significant and disruptive impact on their lives.Aim: This study seeks to better understand the daily life experiences of middle-aged patients with diabetic nephropathy who are receiving HD.Methods: This qualitative study used purposive sampling to recruit participants from a teaching hospital in southern Taiwan from November 2014 to May 2015. The data was collected through in-depth interviews from 12 middle-aged diabetic nephropathy patients receiving HD. Data analysis was performed using Colaizzi’s phenomenological method.Results: The significant statements were categorized into four themes and 10 subthemes: (1) Mental and physical suffering: shock and refusing HD, loss of control in certain aspects of life, burdened with complications from diabetes and HD conditions. (2) Social isolation: barriers to normal life and leisure activities, financial hardship resulting in reduced self-esteem. (3) Moving toward a new adjusted lifestyle: acknowledging illness and accepting HD, changing their perspective towards HD, learning to improve their own health, and (4) End-of-life evaluation: appreciation of life and death, coming to terms with mortality, and increased time spent with their families.Conclusions: The findings of this study showed that middle-aged patients receiving HD typically underwent a process of mental and physical suffering to adaptation and end-of-life reflection. These findings can help health care providers and family members better understand the experiences and hardships of patients receiving HD, which allows for better support and improved nursing care.
The Pedagogical Problems of Making the Educational Aim More Specific
Authors: Kakuk Sara
Published: February 2020

When one discusses the dissemination of the educational aims and tasks on a theoretical, as well as a methodological, level, it is important to highlight that pedagogy, being the science of education that it is, finds solutions in differing directions. One is theoretical, and the other is the realization of the sum of the demands of working in the field of education. More often than not, educational aims come from the basic demands of society. They can also be taken from documents of state, laws, resolutions etc. Sometimes, they can be set too wide and can be too general. This is thought to be the reason of insufficient clarity of the educational aim when we discuss making the educational aim more specific and realizing it in the educational process itself. This is where we find the need to further develop the educational aim and make it more specific in order to make it possible to realize for a practical educational purpose and to realize the educational goals of the person we are trying to educate. This process of specification relates to two levels. One is the scientifically-theoretical, and the other is a practical one. This paper, therefore, deals with ways of making the educational aim more specific and realizing it in the educational process. The paper also highlights the importance of basing the educational aim in a scientific, as well as a theoretical, approach and making it more specific in order to achieve it as fully as possible in the educational process. The paper presents a curriculum approach to the realization of the educational aim and its specification. By doing so, it creates the basis for acting in a scientific-theoretical way, as well as in a practical one.
The Effect of Psychodrama Integrated Psycho-Education Program on Resilience and Divorce Adjustment of Children of Divorced Families
Authors: Gürgan Uğur
Published: February 2020

The aim of this study is to determine the effect of Psycho-drama Integrated Psycho-Education Program (PIPP) on divorce adaptation and resilience scores of children of divorced families. In this study, a 2x3 design with experimental and control groups and having pre-test, post-test and follow-up measurements was used. Nonparametric statistics were used in the analysis of the obtained data. Mann Whitney U test was adopted to determine the significance of the difference between the groups and Wilcoxon Signed-Ranks Test was utilized to find the significance of the difference between the measurements. The Child’s Divorce Adjustment Inventory, Child and Youth Resilience Measure and Personal Information Form were used as data collection tools. Based on the results, it was seen that the PIPP had a highly significant effect on the increase in adaptation and resilience scores of children of divorced families and this effect was long-lasting.
The Degree of Achieving ISTE Standards among Pre-Service Teachers at “the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training” (PAAET) in Kuwait from Their Point of Views
Authors: Almisad Budour
Published: February 2020

The aim of the study was twofold; first, to examine the degree of achieving International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) standards among pre-service teachers at the college of basic education at the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET) from their point of views and second, to examine differences in the pre-service teachers’ point of views of the degree of achieving ISTE standards based on their gender, age, major, academic year, their technological competence, their attitudes towards the use of technology, and their extent of technology use. A cross-sectional design was used; questionnaire instrument was designed and developed to collect data from the participants. The participants were student teachers enrolled in different classes in the summer semester in the academic year of 2018/2019 at the college of basic education at “the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training” (PAAET) in Kuwait. Two hundreds and eighty three pre-service teachers completed the questionnaire. The results showed that the participants expressed positive perceptions of achieving ISTE standards. The results showed insignificant variations in pre-service teachers’ perceptions of the achievement of ISTE standards based on their gender, age, major, and academic year. Furthermore, the results showed that pre-service teachers’ perceptions of the achievement of ISTE standards had significant relationships with pre-service teachers’ attitudes towards the use of technology, pre-service teachers’ perceptions of their technological competences, and pre-service teachers’ extent of using technology. Based on the findings, set of recommendations for practice and for future research were provided.
Perceptions of New Graduate Chiropractors in Their Management of Paediatric Patients in the eThekwini Municipality
Authors: Frederick Tarryn Miranda , Varatharajullu Desiree , Sibiya Maureen Nokuthula
Published: February 2020

The aim of the study was to assess the perceptions of new graduate chiropractors in their management of paediatric patients in the eThekwini Municipality. A qualitative, explorative, descriptive research design was utilised for this study. A purposive sample of 10 new graduate chiropractors in the eThekwini Municipality were interviewed. Data was collected utilising semi-structured interviews. The collected data was then stored electronically and transcribed. The transcripts were then coded and analysed by the researcher to identify categories and subcategories. The coded data was thereafter interpreted, using the themes and sub-themes identified. Four main themes were identified in the study, namely self-perception of confidence, knowledge and skill in paediatric patient management; exposure and training received in the chiropractic course; challenges encountered in paediatric patient management; and further enhancement of paediatric patient management. New graduate chiropractors expressed a lack of confidence and competence with regards to their management of the paediatric population, which was found to correlate with their lack of exposure to paediatric patients during the chiropractic paediatric curriculum in the course. Participants stated that their lack of exposure to this patient group negatively impacted on their diagnostic ability, orthopaedic assessment and treatment of paediatric patients. Participants identified areas of improvement in the chiropractic paediatric curriculum. Methods to enhance paediatric assessment and management were then discussed further. The findings of this study indicate that lack of exposure to paediatric patients prior to private practice was a key factor that negatively impacted on a new graduate’s confidence to assess, treat and manage paediatrics.
Information Technology Capability and Performance of Selected Oil and Gas Marketing Companies in Lagos State, Nigeria: The Moderating Role of Organizational Culture
Authors: M. A. Arokodare , O. U. Asikhia , G. O. Makinde
Published: February 2020

Globally, oil and gas marketing companies are in a continuous competitive environment and dilemma of maintaining larger market share among competitors in the oil and gas industry. Most business managers in the oil and gas marketing industry in Nigeria find it difficult in constantly achieving increase in performance in terms of market share due to organisational culture rigidity and poor adoption of information technology capability among oil and gas marketing companies. Hence, this study investigated the relationship between information technology capability and market share as well as the moderating effect of organisational culture on the relationship between information technology capability and performance of oil and gas marketing companies in Lagos State, Nigeria. The study employed survey research design. The target population comprised 515 oil and gas marketing and retail outlets operating in Lagos State, Nigeria. A total enumeration technique was adopted. Findings revealed that there is a significant and positive relationship between information technology capability and market share and also organisational culture significantly moderate the relationship between information technology capability and market share of oil and gas marketing companies in Lagos State, Nigeria. The study concludes that there is relationship between information technology capability and market share. Also, organisational culture moderates the relationship between information technology capability and market share. It is recommended that oil and gas marketing companies should evolve dynamic business models that will enhance adoption of information technology capability and organisational culture flexibility in order to achieve the advantage of larger market share.
Non-Executive Chairman, Audit Quality and Earnings Management
Authors: Shams Aditi
Published: February 2020

The purpose of this paper is twofold, first, it examines the association of non-executive chairman and the quality of financial earnings and second, it examines the role of audit quality and non-executive chairman in earnings quality. This paper uses the modified jones model and the performance adjusted modified Jones model considering two cash flow methods of total accrual and perform regression analysis on the energy sector firms from the year 2010-2012. The study result does not find any significant association of earnings management and non-executive director and audit quality in the Australian context. This finding raises concerns regarding the effectiveness of such a corporate governance mechanism to maximize monitoring over the operation of the firm.
The Effect of Board Structure on Egyptian Mutual Fund Performance: A Structural Equation Model Analysis
Authors: Youssef Nancy , Zhou Peng
Published: February 2020

Purpose – This paper empirically explores the causality between board structure and the fund performance in the mutual fund industry of an emerging market.

Design – Using a panel of 82 Egyptian funds spanning 10 years before and after the global financial crisis, we develop a Structural Equation Model to deal with the endogeneity between measures of governance and performance in a systematic and identified way.

Findings – Experimental results show a significant negative relationship between the equity ownership by the directors and the fund performance. Evidence shows little support for a significant effect of board structure on the performance after controlling for the endogeneity. It implies the misconduct of governance rules in Egypt, especially the weakness in board composition.

Originality– Given the important role of mutual fund industry in Egypt, this is the first study of its kind explores the causality between board structure and the fund performance in the mutual fund.
Protective films of stearic and octadecylphosphonic acid formed by spray coating
Authors: Kristan Mioč Ekatarina , Otmačić Ćurković Helena
Published: February 2020

Spray coating formation of stearic and octadecylphosphonic acid films for corrosion protection of cupronickel alloy was studied in this work as a more practical alternative to widely studied dip-coating method. Protective properties of organic films formed under various experimental conditions were examined by electrochemical studies in 3% NaCl solution as a corrosive medium. Polarization resistance measurements as well as electro­chemical impedance spectroscopy were employed to follow in time the corrosion behaviour of cupronickel alloy modified by studied organic acids. It was found that among examined experimental parameters, time elapsed between two sprays and number of sprays have the strongest influence on the film stability and its protective properties. This study confirmed that it is possible to form by spray coating the films of stearic and octadecyl­phosphonic acid with protective properties that resemble to those of the films prepared by dip-coating method. Differences in corrosion behaviour of samples protected with stearic and octadecyl­phosphonic acid were attributed to difference in the bond strength between substrate and each organic acid. Studied samples were also examined by the scanning electron microscopy. Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy studies showed that crystalline structure dominates in studied films, while contact angle measure­ments confirmed that modified cupronickel alloy surface exhibits hydrophobic properties.
Micro-politics of student participation in university leadership across the historically black universities
Authors: Omal Felix
Published: February 2020

In the post 1994 South African higher education system, there have been significant moves and achievements at the transformation of higher education institutions. The chief instrument of institutional transformation has been the university governing councils. The key assumption was
that transformation of the university council was key to the transformation of the universities. However, over the same period several former historically black universities have experienced periods of unrest and protest. As a result, several of these universities have remained in a state
of a risk of protest. This state of tension and uncertainty that characterizes these institutions has made the different stakeholder begin to question their faith and confidence in the institutional values that govern these institutions. This paper argues that participation in leadership is
key to effective governance. The paper makes use of the concept of culture within a micro-political framework to generate modes of good governance within such stakeholder institutional environments. To have been able to collect and analyze this kind, the study relied on data collected through
documents, interviews and surveys. The paper ends with implications for effective governance in stakeholder governed university environments.
Some multiplicity results of homoclinic solutions for second order Hamiltonian systems
Authors: Barile Sara , Salvatore Addolorata
Published: February 2020

We look for homoclinic solutions \(q:\mathbb{R} \rightarrow \mathbb{R}^N\) to the class of second order Hamiltonian systems \[-\ddot{q} + L(t)q = a(t) \nabla G_1(q) - b(t) \nabla G_2(q) + f(t) \quad t \in \mathbb{R}\] where \(L: \mathbb{R}\rightarrow \mathbb{R}^{N \times N}\) and \(a,b: \mathbb{R}\rightarrow \mathbb{R}\) are positive bounded functions, \(G_1, G_2: \mathbb{R}^N \rightarrow \mathbb{R}\) are positive homogeneous functions and \(f:\mathbb{R}\rightarrow\mathbb{R}^N\). Using variational techniques and the Pohozaev fibering method, we prove the existence of infinitely many solutions if \(f\equiv 0\) and the existence of at least three solutions if \(f\) is not trivial but small enough.
On solvability of elliptic boundary value problems via global invertibility
Authors: Bełdziński Michał , Galewski Marek
Published: February 2020

In this work we apply global invertibility result in order to examine the solvability of elliptic equations with both Neumann and Dirichlet boundary conditions.
On the regularity of solution to the time-dependent p-Stokes system
Authors: Berselli Luigi C. , Růžička Michael
Published: February 2020

In this paper we consider the time evolutionary \(p\)-Stokes problem in a smooth and bounded domain. This system models the unsteady motion or certain non-Newtonian incompressible fluids in the regime of slow motions, when the convective term is negligible. We prove results of space/time regularity, showing that first-order time-derivatives and second-order space-derivatives of the velocity and first-order space-derivatives of the pressure belong to rather natural Lebesgue spaces.
On some convergence results for fractional periodic Sobolev spaces
Authors: Ambrosio Vincenzo
Published: February 2020

In this note we extend the well-known limiting formulas due to Bourgain-Brezis-Mironescu and Maz'ya-Shaposhnikova, to the setting of fractional Sobolev spaces on the torus. We also give a \(\Gamma\)-convergence result in the spirit of Ponce. The main theorems are obtained by using the nice structure of Fourier series.
Nonhomogeneous equations with critical exponential growth and lack of compactness
Authors: Figueiredo Giovany M. , Rădulescu Vicenţiu D.
Published: February 2020

We study the existence and multiplicity of positive solutions for the following class of quasilinear problems \[-\operatorname{div}(a(|\nabla u|^{p})| \nabla u|^{p-2}\nabla u)+V(\epsilon x)b(|u|^{p})|u|^{p-2}u=f(u) \qquad\text{ in } \mathbb{R}^N,\] where \(\epsilon\) is a positive parameter. We assume that \(V:\mathbb{R}^N \to \mathbb{R}\) is a continuous potential and \(f:\mathbb{R}\to\mathbb{R}\) is a smooth reaction term with critical exponential growth.
Fractional p&q-Laplacian problems with potentials vanishing at infinity
Authors: Isernia Teresa
Published: February 2020

In this paper we prove the existence of a positive and a negative ground state weak solution for the following class of fractional \(p&q\)-Laplacian problems \[\begin{aligned} (-\Delta)_{p}^{s} u + (-\Delta)_{q}^{s} u + V(x) (|u|^{p-2}u + |u|^{q-2}u)= K(x) f(u) \quad \text{ in } \mathbb{R}^{N},\end{aligned}\] where \(s\in (0, 1)\), \(1\lt p\lt q \lt\frac{N}{s}\), \(V: \mathbb{R}^{N}\to \mathbb{R}\) and \(K: \mathbb{R}^{N}\to \mathbb{R}\) are continuous, positive functions, allowed for vanishing behavior at infinity, \(f\) is a continuous function with quasicritical growth and the leading operator \((-\Delta)^{s}_{t}\), with \(t\in \{p,q\}\), is the fractional \(t\)-Laplacian operator.
Design Optimality Criteria of Reduced Models for Variations of Central Composite Design
Authors: C. Nwanya J. , I. Mbachu H. , C. N. Dozie K.
Published: February 2020

Choosing a response surface design to fit certain kinds of models is a difficult task. This work focuses on the reduced second order models having no quadratic and  no interaction terms for five variations of Central Composite Design (SCCD, RCCD, OCCD, Slope-R and FCC) using the D-, G- and A- optimality criteria. Results show that for models having no quadratic terms that G- and A-optimality criteria are equivalent and replication of the axial portion with increase in center points tends to decrease the D-, A- and G-optimality criteria values of the CCDs while for models having no interaction terms, replication of the axial portion with increase in center points increases the D-optimality criterion values of SCCD, RCCD and OCCD in all the factors considered. Finally, the work have shown that replication of the axial portion reduces the performance of the CCDs with models having no quadratic terms and Slope-R is a better design with respect to D- and A-optimality criteria.
Factors Affecting Maintenance of Buildings in Petroleum Training Institute, Uwvie and Delta State University Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria
Authors: S. Ibitayo M. , C. Okolie K. , O. Ezeokoli F. , E. Ogunoh P.
Published: February 2020

Aim: The aim of this study is to assess the factors hindering effective maintenance of public buildings in Delta state with a view to establishing common defects in public buildings and significant factors affecting effective maintenance in the study area.

Study Design: It was a survey research; the study was affected via literature review and a well-structured questionnaire. Likewise, physical observations were carried out to substantiate the findings of the questionnaire survey.

Place and Duration of the Study: The study was conducted in Petroleum Training Institute (P.T.I), Uwvie LGA and Delta State University (DELSU), Ethiope West LGA, in Delta state, Nigeria for a period of 2 years.

Methodology: Being survey research, the study employed the use of review of related literature, structured questionnaire, personal survey, and photographs for data collections. The study respondents were selected using purposive sampling technique. Relative Importance Index (RII), mean scores, frequency tables and descriptive statistics were employed for the data analysis. 

Results: The study found out that the four most significant deficiencies identified include; rising dampness problem (0.8656), cracks on walls (0.8469), unstable foundation (0.8094) and defective plastering and rendering (0.7875) while the three least defects are fungi and small plant attack (0.6313), insects (termite) attack (0.6656) and timber decay (0.7031). The most four significant factors affecting building maintenance is Poor supervision (0.8875) followed by defective construction material, incompetent workforce and non-conformance with the specification with RIIs of 0.8719, 0.8531 and 0.8375 respectively.

Conclusion: The study concludes that professionals should focus on teamwork rather than personal competitiveness in ensuring defects free design and construction. Professionals should pay more attention to the possibility of defects occurrence when planning construction projects, critical consideration of factors affecting design and construction defects when planning construction activities, engaging required professionals at every stage of the construction process, and strict monitory and supervision of construction works among others are recommended.
Spermatozoa Abnormality Test of Boer Goats Frozen Semen with the Addition of Sweet Orange Essential Oil and Streptomycin in Tris Yolk Extender
Authors: Aditya Sitepu Sukma
Published: February 2020

This research aims to to determine the percentage value of spermatozoa abnormalities in Boer Goat frozen semen by adding a combination of streptomycin with sweet orange essential oil to tris yolk extender. The ingredients used in this study were fresh semen from Boer Goat, tris yolk extender, streptomycin, and sweet orange essential oil. Tris yolk extender is made using Tris (hydroxymethylaminomethane) (3.32 g), citric acid (1.86 g), fructose (1.37 g), glycerol (6 ml), egg yolk (20 ml), aquabides (100 ml). The study design was a non factorial completely treatments given were the addition of sweet orange essential oil at 0%, 0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75% and 1%. The results showed that the addition of a combination of streptomycin and sweet orange essential oil into the tris yolk extender had a highly significant effect (P <0.01) on the percentage value of spermatozoa abnormalities of Boer Goats before and after freezing. The best average value of spermatozoa abnormalities is the addition of sweet orange essential oil at 1% (P4) with the percentage of spermatozoa abnormalities before freezing at 3% and after freezing at 6%.
Livestock Sector in India: A Critical Analysis
Authors: Sonavale K. P. , R. Shaikh M. , M. Kadam M. , G. Pokharkar V.
Published: February 2020

India has the world’s largest livestock population accounting for over 37.28 per cent of cattle, 21.23 per cent of buffalo, 26.40 per cent of goats and 12.17 per cent of sheep. The study examined the growth and export dimension of livestock sector in India, the factors affecting livestock output and the trends, performance and determinants of the livestock sector in India. Secondary data for years (1951 to 2016-17) were collected. Besides, Regression analysis, the Markov Chain analysis and Coppock’s Index were computed to achieve the stipulated objectives. The results revealed that India’s total livestock population increased from 289.4 million in 1951 to 529.70 million in 2007 but plummeted to 512.06 million in 2012, while total poultry population increased consistently from 73.5 million in 1951 to 729.21 million in 2012.

In livestock composition, the ovine share was increased but the bovine share was decreased. Buffalo, goat and pig share in livestock population was increased but the cow, cattle and sheep share to total livestock population was decreased. The instability was observed to be highest in poultry, remaining livestock animals also shows instability in its population growth. India’s milk, meat, egg and wool production increased at the rate of 4.18, 2.74, 6.02 and 0.81 per cent per annum respectively during the study period. In India production of milk increased rapidly after the year 1970 while production of meat and egg increased rapidly after the year 1980. In past India’s trade balance for livestock and livestock products was deficient, now it has been shifted to a positive balance.
Data on the Draft Genome Sequence of Bacillus sp. Strain AN2 Isolated from Agricultural Soil in Brazil
Authors: Sbano Andressa , Succar Juliana B. , Ferreira João Victor R. , Berbert Lidiane C. , Flores Vinicius R. , Cavalcante Janaína J. V. , Albano Rodolpho M. , Direito Ida Carolina N. , Cardoso Alexander M.
Published: February 2020

Aims: This research aims to report the genome sequence of the Bacillus sp. strain AN2, isolated from agricultural soil from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Place and Duration of Study: Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology, Western Rio Janeiro State University in Brazil, between January 2019 and December 2019.

Methodology: High-quality genomic DNA was extracted using a GenElute Bacterial Genomic DNA kit. The Nextera XT DNA Library Prep Kit was used for genomic library construction. Paired-end sequence reads were generated by an Illumina MiSeq instrument with the 600 cycles MiSeq Reagent Kit v3. Sequence data were assembled with A5-MiSeq pipeline software and the contigs were annotated by Rapid Annotation using Subsystems Technology (RAST).

Results: The obtained genome sequence of Bacillus AN2 included 21 contigs with a calculated size of 3,681,081 bp in length. The G + C content for the draft genome is 41.4%. A total of 3824 coding sequences (CDS) were predicted and encoded at least 88 tRNAs.
Exploring Undergraduate Students’ Views on Factors Influencing Academic Performance in Construction Related Disciplines in Bells University of Technology, Ota, Nigeria
Authors: Osuizugbo Innocent Chigozie , Simon-Eigbe Bridget Oghomwen , Okunrinboye Ajibola Abiodun
Published: February 2020

Aims: There is usually dissimilarity in achievement as a result of several factors that influence the academic performance of students in universities. Therefore, this study aims to explore and investigate problem factors affecting the academic performance of undergraduate students in construction related disciplines in Bells University of Technology Ota, with a view to providing understanding on the major problem factors affecting their academic performance.

Study Design:  Survey research design.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Building Technology, Bells University of Technology Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria, between May 2019 and January 2020.

Methodology: The research employed a survey method with questionnaires distributed to undergraduate students in construction related disciplines in Bells University of Technology Ota. Data collected were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, rank and Kendall’s coefficient of concordance test.

Results: Out of 172 questionnaires administered, 105 were sufficiently filled and returned, representing 61% of response rate. The results show that maturity, study strategies, interest in course, fear and stress and training and teaching style are the top five factors affecting academic performance of undergraduate students in construction related disciplines in Bells University of Technology Ota, Nigeria. Secondly, using SPSS (23), Kendall’s (Wa) value was found to be 0.036 at 0.000 significance level, therefore the study concluded that, there is statistically significant degree of agreement between different departments of the participants concerning their responses to factors that affect academic performance in construction related disciplines in Bells University of Technology, Ota, Nigeria.

Conclusion: The study recommends that skipping of classes by students during early education should be discouraged so as to allow students attain maturity level for higher education. Secondly, universities should organize fear and stress management seminars and workshops for undergraduate students in addition to guidance and counseling sessions with a view to addressing psychological issues that may hinder their academic performance.
Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of First Aid and Emergency Care among the Classes Educated in Aurangabad, Maharashtra
Authors: Jacob Rohit , Naik Manjiri
Published: February 2020

Aims: To find an association between educational qualification of the participant and knowledge of first aid and emergency care. To understand the common misconceptions of First Aid practices among the educated class of Aurangabad. To conduct a seminar cum workshop session for the educated class of Aurangabad.

Study Design: Cross sectional study with a sample size of 700 participants. The candidates were provided with a questionnaire and a seminar demonstrating First aid and Emergency care was conducted post-questionnaire.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted among the educated class in the city of Aurangabad between October 2018 to February 2019.

Methodology: The candidates were selected from different schools, colleges, small firms, church gatherings and hotel staff. Data was collected using a self-administered pre – tested questionnaire. Based on the scores obtained in each condition, the overall knowledge was graded as good, moderate and poor. A seminar was conducted post questionnaire and the improvement in their knowledge was tested.

Results: Out of 700 candidates included in the study, 110(15.7%) were school going children, 60 (8.6%) were high school students, 50(7.1%) were college students, 280(40%) were graduates and 200(28.6%) were post graduates. 410(58.7%) had poor knowledge about First Aid and Emergency Care and only a mere 39(5.6%) had good knowledge about First Aid and Emergency Care. 105 candidates (15%) of the candidates believed that applying hot compresses relieves an ankle sprain. 77 candidates (11%) of the candidates believed that inducing vomiting is initial modality of management in a patient who accidentally ingested acid.

Conclusion: Initiation of First aid and Emergency care training programs among all age groups still remains an enigma. Conducting such workshops on First aid and Emergency Care among communities can make the citizens competitive enough to provide first aid independently and spontaneously in real life situations.
A Systematic Review of Health Care Ontology
Authors: Okikiola F. M. , Ikotun A. M. , Adelokun A. P. , Ishola P. E.
Published: February 2020

Objective: The study sought to extracts information about the steps, methods, techniques, initiatives and strategies that is use in establishing ontology in the medical sector.

Methods: The guideline that was employed for conducting the systematic review in this research work is that which was proposed by Kitchenham. The Google Scholar, Scopus and Web of science were searched for proceedings from conferences and journal papers between 2009 and 2018. Articles focusing on health care and ontology, health ontology and diagnosis system were selected. The AND operator was used in the Boolean language construction for the article search to limit articles presented to those that actually apply Ontology in the Health care. Selected articles were considered eligible based on their studies appropriately fitting into providing answers for the research questions that were presented in this research work within the last 10 years.

Results: Twenty (20) research articles were included in the review; of the initiatives of the research works considered, Seven (7) were of Methodology, Two (2) were Technique based, Three (3) were Framework based, Two (2) were Process based while Six (6) were extensions of those in existence.

Conclusions: The approaches considered were ontology based in terms of the use of Protégé-owl editor tool, SPARQL, Protégé 4, OWL 2, OWL, RDF, SNOMED CT. The main contributions include but not limited to Modelling of knowledge representation using Protégé for relating data and concepts with references to diabetes diseases, mobile based health care ontology, classification of diseases based on phenotypes, improvement in service delivery and availability of reliable health data. This Ontology heath care review which was carried out shows the need for Ontology based models to improve health service delivery for both the users (patients) and the care providers.
Erythrocyte Membrane and Plasma Fatty Acids Composition in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease Requiring Percutaneous Angioplasty
Authors: Arita Takeshi , Yokoyama Taku , Fukata Mitsuhiro , Maruyama Toru , Hazeyama Seira , Mawatari Shiro , Fujino Takehiko , Akashi Koichi
Published: February 2020

Aims: Atherosclerosis is associated with oxidative stress and fatty acid composition plays a critical role in vascular endothelial dysfunction and injury leading to the coronary atherosclerotic progression. However, the correlation between the fatty acid profile and coronary atherosclerosis is debatable. The goal of this study is to assess the erythrocyte membrane and plasma fatty acid composition in patients with coronary heart disease.

Methods: The erythrocyte membrane and plasma distributions of fatty acids were quantified in patients with coronary heart disease (n = 30, group A) which needs both intensive medication and elective percutaneous coronary intervention and age-matched controls (n = 38, group B) using high-performance liquid chromatography combined with evaporative light scattering detection method. Baseline data were extracted from medical records.

Results: Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that hypoalbuminemia (p = 0.010) and HbA1c (p = 0.005) are associated with required percutaneous coronary intervention. Although appropriate logistic regression model for percutaneous coronary intervention could not be obtained by incorporating fatty acid components, percutaneous coronary intervention was correlated mostly to the increased oleic acid and decreased stearic acid in both erythrocyte membrane and plasma in receiver-operating characteristic analysis.

Conclusion: This single-center, cross-sectional study indicated that erythrocyte membrane and plasma fatty acids have a potential impact on the coronary atherosclerotic progression which requires coronary intervention. Longitudinal studies are necessary to clarify the clinical role of fatty acids distribution as a novel atherogenic marker.
Stability Analysis of Maize (Zea mays L.) Hybrids for Grain Yield and Its Attributing Traits Using Eberhart and Russel Model
Authors: Arunkumar B. , Gangapp E. , Ramesh S. , L. Savithramma D. , Nagaraju N. , Lokesha R.
Published: February 2020

A genotype is considered to be most adaptive / stable, when it registers high mean yield but show a minimum interaction with the environment. Knowledge of genotype × environment interaction and yield stability are important parameters in breeding new cultivars with improved adaptation to environmental constraints prevailing in the target environments. Therefore, an effort was made to know the genotype - environment interaction and to identify stable single cross hybrids across the environments. Eight newly synthesized single cross maize hybrids and 7 checks were evaluated in a Randomized Block Design with three replications during Rabi-2016 across three locations spread over different agro-climatic zones of Karnataka state, India. Different stability parameters as suggested by Eberhart and Russell [1] were estimated. Joint analysis of variance revealed significant differences among environments, hybrids and environments × hybrids interactions advocating the adequacy of stability analysis. Hybrids, viz., MAI 349×MAI 283, KDMI 16×BGUDI 118 were stable for days to anthesis and silking, respectively. Whereas, hybrids viz., KDMI 16×BGUDI 118, BGUDI 120×VL 109252 and MAI 283× KDMI 16 registered mean values lower than the overall mean with bi value nearer to unity and non significant S2di for anthesis silking interval. Hybrid, MAI 349×MAI 283 for plant height and cob length, KDMI 16×MAI 283 for cob length, number of kernel rows-1 and 100 grain weight, BGUDI 88×MAI 349 for cob diameter, MAI 394×BGUDI 88  for shelling % and KDMI 16×BGUDI 118 for grain yield plant-1 registered stable performance across the environments. Based on the positive and negative environmental indices, production environment at location 1 (K Block UAS, GKVK, Bengaluru), was most favorable for expression of majority of characters studied. Hybrid KDMI 16×MAI 283 was found stable across the environments for most of the characters studied.
Identification of Wheat Cultivars by CART Analysis
Authors: Shapla Ummey , Hasanuzzaman M. , Kayess Md. Omar
Published: February 2020

This experiment was conducted at the Research Farm of the Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding of Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, Bangladesh to develop biometrical methods based on some morphological traits for characterization of the selected wheat varieties. Among the selected wheat varieties BARI Gom 26 requires comparatively fewer days and BARI Gom 27 requires more days for 50% heading than other varieties. The BARI Gom 28, BARI Gom 29 and BARI Gom 30 are comparatively short (< 90 cm) whereas others are medium-sized (> 90 cm) plants. BARI Gom 27 has narrow flag leaf than others. BARI Gom 28 show short spike length while BARI Gom 22, BARI Gom 26 and BARI Gom 30 show nearly a similar length of the spike. The BARI Gom 25 is large-sized in length and breadth but the grain of BARI GOM 27 is comparatively small sized. BARI Gom 22, BARI Gom 23, BARI Gom 24, BARI Gom 25 and BARI Gom 26 are classified which have <7.5 mm length of the grain. The 1000 grain weight of BARI Gom 24 is more than other wheat varieties and comparatively less in BARI Gom 22 and BARI Gom 27. BARI Gom 24 can be identified with the height of >90 cm, breath of flag leaf is >1.2 cm, spike length is >10 cm and yield per plant is >20.196 g. Based on these variations, a classification and regression tree (CART) has been developed to identify the wheat variety easily and quickly.
Agroeconomic Aspects of Project Implementation of Intensive Fruit Farming
Authors: Salkić Besim , Ramić Edin , Salkić Ensar , Mešinović Emina , Mujić Adela
Published: February 2020

Aim: The aim of this paper is to determine agroeconomic effects of intensifying the cultivation of fruits and the introduction of new technologies in fruit production.

Methods: The project involved 150 farmers. The implementation of the projects took three years. Throughout the project, continuous theoretical training was provided in the form of lectures and presentations, as well as practical training of individuals and groups of 15-20 farmers.

Results: Gradacac area (Bosnia and Herzegovina) has favorable conditions for intensive cultivation of canopy fruit. In addition to the favorable agro-environmental conditions and many unemployed people as well as the tradition of fruit cultivation, they encouraged the Lutheran World Federation -LWF to implement project of intensive fruit farming. The economy of canopy fruit production is conditioned by many factors: the choice of variety, rootstock, training system and location, moreover the intensity of application of agro and pomotechnical treatments, production costs and market price. Intensive fruit production has its specific features and large investments, but as a result it can be said that it is economically viable. The project organized for the first time in this area continuous education and long-term monitoring, introduced new grounds, a new training system and maintaining orchards.

Conclusion: It is very important to note that for the Municipality of Gradacac the inflow of funds of over BAM 2 million is enabled every year during the period of full fruiting.
Impact of Climatic Factors on Dengue Incidences in Eastern Province, Sri Lanka
Authors: N. K. Karunarathna K. A. , Sriranganesan J.
Published: February 2020

Introduction: Health sector is one of the most important sectors of any country. Many aspects such as diseases, health practices, and institutions are associated with health. Among different infectious diseases, dengue has become a major health issue for human in most tropical and subtropical regions. It is a viral disease originated and spread from mosquito and it is in several forms. Since, this seriously affects human life, taking necessary measures, including policies, rules, regulation and best practices to bring this menace into a minimum level, is essential. Such actions require proper background about the disease including factors that this disease depends on. Several factors may be associated with dengue fever and climatic variables take a greater place. Effect of these variables may vary from area to area.

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the impact of climatic variables for progression of dengue disease in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka, which is consisted of three districts: Batticaloa; Trincomalee and Ampara.

Study Design: Number of dengue incidences and climatic variables such as rainfall, temperature, number of rainy days, day time humidity, night-time humidity, number of sunny days, and UV Index were obtained for each month in the period from 2009 to 2017 from Meteorology Department and statistical abstracts of Sri Lanka. Analysis was carried out by using the statistical techniques: correlation analysis; regression analysis; principle component analysis and a graphical technique, contour maps.

Results: Only a few climatic factors affect dengue incidences in these three districts. However, no any regular pattern could be observed. Impact of each climatic factor varies from district to district. In Batticaloa district, a number of rainy days and day time humidity affect dengue incidences negatively and positively respectively meanwhile wind speed positively affects dengue incidences in Ampara district. No any climatic variables in Trincomalee district show a relationship with dengue incidences in the district. In general, moderate humidity creates a favourable situation for the spread of dengue disease irrespective of districts. Heavy rainfall does not show a relation with dengue incidences as people believe.

Conclusion: It is difficult to investigate the impact of each climatic factor alone on dengue incidences because there are inter correlated. Number of dengue incidences may depend on many other variables such as population density, geographical location, health practices, personal health status, knowledge, policies of different institutes and organizations. It is essential to incorporate these sorts of variables also to have a proper understanding of the dengue disease and its spread.
Identification and Characterization of Natural Habitats of Electrochemically Active Bacteria
Authors: Mersinkova Yana , Yemendzhiev Hyusein
Published: February 2020

Aims: This study aims to define criteria for the main physical and chemical characteristics of the environmental niches populated with electrochemically active microorganisms, capable to perform anaerobic respiration and potentially used in Bio-electrochemical systems such as Microbial Fuel Cells.  

Study Design: In this study, specific parameters of the environment in water bodies (such as lakes, streams etc.) and their bottom layers are analyzed. The main parameters of interest include the concentration of dissolved oxygen in the water column, the organic matter content in the sediments and the presence of alternative electron acceptors (such as iron and manganese ions) to support anaerobic respiration. Sediment microorganisms are characterized for their electrochemical and biodegradation activity.

Place and Duration of Study: The tested sediment and water samples were collected from "Poda" Protected Site located on the outfall of Lake “Uzungeren”, south of City of Burgas, Bulgaria.

Methodology: The samples were analyzed employing TGA, ICP and microbiological methods focusing on chemical, physical and biological conditions available for anaerobic respiration in this ecological niche.

Results: The results show very low concentrations of dissolved oxygen (from 1.4 to 2.2 mg/dm3 in the various locations). The conductivity and the pH values ​​measured were relatively high and the mean values obtained are 5230 μS/cm and 8.2 respectively. The sediment samples demonstrated very high organic matter content (22.5% of the dry mass) and relatively high levels of iron and manganese.

Microbial fuel cell powered by mixed bacterial culture isolated from the tested sediment samples demonstrated stable performance reaching power density of 3.5 W/m2 and the COD removal rate of 42 mgO2/dm3 per day.

Conclusion: The result confirms the initial hypothesis that electrochemically active microorganisms are available in environments with high concentration of organic matter, iron and manganese in combination with low availability of dissolved oxygen. Mixed culture of anaerobic bacteria isolated from the tested sediment sample was successfully implemented to power Microbial Fuel Cell.