bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Demystifying Mobile Banking App Security Through Gender, Education, Privacy, and Trust Intervention
Authors: Balogun Oluwafemi Samson , Sunday Adewale Olaleye
Published: January 2022

The escalating of mobile banking apps has decongested the banking hall, especially in developing countries, and the penetration of mobile banking apps is crucial for both financial institutions and customers. This study reviewed existing relevant literature from the Web of Science to position this study well and dwelled on a theoretical foundation for the exposition of the interrelation of trust and privacy as an antecedent of mobile banking app security. The quantitative method was employed and banking customers data using SmartPLS 3.0 version with different data analysis techniques such as structural equation modelling, multigroup data analysis, interaction effects, and importance-performance analysis. This study results show the intervention of gender and education. It also indicates that the orientation and persuasion of banking customers to the point of higher trust is a determinant of security assurance of using mobile banking apps. This study discusses the theoretical and managerial impacts with the limitation of the study and projects into the future.
The Effects of IT Addiction on Trust and Social Influence Perceptions
Authors: Al-Otaibi Yasser D.
Published: January 2022

Technology addiction has been the focus of many recent studies in the information systems (IS) literature. This paper examines how user perceptions and usage intentions toward social networking sites (SNS) are distorted by their level of addiction to the technology. To this end, a research model that incorporates the technology addiction construct and two system-referenced perceptions (trust and social influence) has been constructed and tested to explain the effects of addiction on augmenting one’s perceptions of SNS. Data were obtained from an online survey of 202 SNS users in Saudi Arabia. A Structural equation modelling technique was used to evaluate the proposed model. The findings confirmed that users’ level of SNS addiction influence their reasoned-based usage intentions by distorting users’ perceptions toward the technology. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.
To Be, or Not to Be
Authors: Karimov Farhod Pulatovich
Published: January 2022

This paper studies online shopping behavior in transitioning markets in a business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce setting. A framework was adopted in which the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) was extended with trust and instrumental factor (need for touch). The mediation effect of trust between the predictor variables perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness and need-for-touch, and intention to shop online was tested. The analysis of the quantitative data revealed that both independent variables perceived usefulness and usability strongly affect consumer trust, and trust partially mediates between the predictors and intention to shop online. This lack of touch-and-feel in the e-commerce setting is mentioned frequently by respondents as one of the main reasons which keep customers away from buying goods online. Thus, it was also presumed that the need-for-touch is negatively related to intention to shop online. There is an opportunity for future research to focus on testing the touch-and-feel effect using specific products in the online setting.
A Practical View of Gamifying Information Systems for the Future
Authors: Jedel Izabella , Palmquist Adam , Gillberg David
Published: January 2022

Gamification's role to support usability and innovation in the manufacturing industry is in its infancy. The present study displays a multi-cited ethnographical approach of a design science research project conducted between a start-up gamification firm and a manufacturing company. The case shows how different gamification design methods are used when gamifying a novel human modelling system. Furthermore, the interference from method to the design is presented and compared with conceptual views of gamification design. The findings show the need for early technical due diligence in collaborations between newer and older firms as well as the need for more comprehensive gamification frameworks to support industry design of gamification in different contexts.
Impact of Technology on University Leadership Effectiveness Among Academic Staff of Some Selected Private Universities in Ghana
Authors: Ghansah Benjamin , Benuwa Ben-Bright
Published: January 2022

Throughout history, leaders in many countries have leveraged on technology to achieve supremacy and power; from German engineering and Japanese electronics to Indian software and Israeli cybersecurity. Patterns in the rise and fall of technological leadership show that such dominance should be understood from traditional factors that signal industrial power, geography and national ambition, and the complexity of emerging technologies. The ubiquitous nature of contemporary technologies and the explosion of mobile and other network-attached devices have been the catalysts and tipping points for most successful countries and leaders. This paper examines how advances in technology impact on university leadership effectiveness among academic staff working in four selected private universities in Ghana. Stratified random sampling method was used to gather data from respondents, comprising administrators, deans and heads of departments from four universities used in the study. Data was analysed using the Pearson's Product Moment Correlation and the one sample t-test. The study revealed that, advances in technology has a positive relationship with leadership. The authors proceed to discuss the implications of the study by way of theory, practice and future study.
Improvement of Energy-Efficiency in High Performance Computing (HPC)
Authors: Makweba Damas A. , Simbeye Daudi Samson
Published: January 2022

Power continues to be a challenging problem facing institutions which are deploying high performance computing (HPC) facility in developing countries including Tanzania. These institutions like Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology (DIT) can face high operational costs due to the high energy consumption caused by computational operations of HPC systems. Because of the exceedingly high energy cost, diminishing energy consumption has become a major concern in deploying HPC systems. This manuscript per the authors used empirical modeling (EM) to predict the trends of power and cost operation for the year 2018 and 2019 on running HPC system. It was noticed that in addition to optimizing the system configuration, the proposed hybrid algorithm can both minimize completion time while increasing throughput as a result of decreasing energy consumption and maximize resource utilization. The experimental results showed that Infiniband switch can save energy up to 10.7%, and the proposed hybrid algorithm can reduce time up to 25% as a result of energy reduction.
The Antecedents to the Actual Use of Digital Currencies in Ghana
Authors: Akpaku Ernest
Published: January 2022

This study investigates the antecedents to the use of digital currencies in a developing country. In the digital currency literature, behavioral and technological antecedents that affect individuals' behavior towards the use of digital currencies remain scanty. Drawing on Bitcoin, mobile money, and perfect money as some types of digital currencies, this research adopts the technology organization environment (TOE) framework and the prospect theory. Based on 520 questionnaire responses, this research employs the partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) technique. Results from the analysis reveal that technology competence, service, and agent trust, perceived risk, and cost have positive influences on the intention to use digital currencies. Behavioral intention influences the actual use of the technology. However, a country's regulatory environment does not influence the intention to adopt digital currencies. The research provides important analytical advances and presents practical and economic consequences for the implementation of digital currencies.
Development of Innovation and Digital Fluency in the HEI Curriculum as an IR4.0 Enabler
Authors: Bashir Muhammad Nauman , Iqbal Sameera , Yusof Kamaludin Mohamad
Published: January 2022

The Industrial Revolution 4.0(IR4.0) has changed the world in various fields including education. The technological advancements and digital environment offer the power to transform the teaching and learning process in higher educational institutes (HEIs). This involves the state-of-the-art infrastructure developments using the technology as open education resources and innovative curriculum to enhance the student learning experiences. This involves the development of student and staff digital literacy skills and the development of collaborative communication tools through the curriculum too. This paper, argues the necessary knowledge, skills, and efforts that are needed to develop such a new teaching and learning environment in HEIs as an extension to conventional tools and analyzes their impact. The empirical research of this work discusses the development of abilities, skills, and curricula using information communication technologies (ICTs) in HEIs. Sharing innovative practices and enabling the curriculum to train students and staff on digital skills can realize IR4.0.
“Digital Natives” Redemption Intention of M-Coupons
Authors: Huang Wenyan , Gooi Leong-Mow
Published: January 2022

Mobile coupon technology is no longer new technology for a consumer to adopt. This article aims to explore key factors affecting the intention to redeem m-coupons for customers who are familiar with mobile phone technology during the COVID-19 situation. A sample of 581 consumers was collected using an online questionnaire from Jan to April 2021 in Hangzhou, the first internet and smart city of China. Data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) in Smart PLS 3.0 software. Results show m-coupon attitude and m-coupon proneness, are positively affected by past behavior while negatively affected by using distance, which has a positive relationship with m-coupon redemption intention. While perceived risk is no longer an influential factor. Marketers and merchants can provide more suitable strategies as small-scale, regional mobile coupons for precision marketing and coupons can be bundled with different brands for sale.
Mediating Role of Switch Leadership Between Dynamic Work Environment and Project Success
Authors: Ahmed Riaz , Khan Imran Qamar , Philbin Simon P.
Published: January 2022

There is a limited research on the mediating role of the switch leadership style between the working environment and project success. Therefore, this study aims to examine the mediating role of switch leadership between the dynamic working environment and project success. This study adopted an online survey instrument to collect cross-sectional data from 160 project managers and team members of telecommunications companies in Pakistan. The path mediation analysis revealed partial mediation of switch leadership between the dynamic working environment and project success, Finding suggests that the Pakistani telecommunications sector is susceptible to changes in leadership styles, and the chances of project being successful could be greatly improved if the switch style of leadership is adopted by project managers. Moreover, researchers need to continue identifying different leadership styles and practitioners need to adopt different switch leadership styles not only to increase the chances of project success but also to counter the impacts of complexities found in IT projects.
FPN-Based Small Orange Fruit Detection From Farm Images With Occlusion
Authors: de Castro Francisco , Gladston Angelin
Published: January 2022

Fruit detection using deep learning is yielding very good performance, the goal of this work is to detect small fruits in images under these occlusion and overlapping conditions. The overlap among fruits and their occlusion can lead to false and missing detection, which decreases the accuracy and generalization ability of the model. Therefore, a small orange fruit recognition method based on improved Feature Pyramid Network was developed. To begin with, multi-scale feature fusion was used to fuse the detailed bottom features and high-level semantic features to detect small-sized orange to improve recognition rate. And then repulsion loss was used to take place of the original smooth L1 loss function. Besides, Soft non-maximum suppression was adopted to replace non-maximum suppression to screen the bounding boxes of orange to construct a recognition model of orange fruits. Finally, the network was trained and verified on the collected image data set. The results showed that compared with the traditional detection models, the mean average precision was improved from 79.7 to 82.8%.
Career Adaptability of Jubail University College Students
Authors: Talaue Gilbert Macalanda
Published: January 2022

This study aimed to profile the career adaptability of selected college students to be able to assess their employability potentials. Quantitative and qualitative methods and descriptive research design were utilized. 100 respondents from different specialization and year-levels participated in the study. The study provided insights on the career adaptability of selected Saudi students. Demographic variables contributed to adaptability level of respondents. Student taking-up technology-related specializations are adaptable than liberal arts-related. Results shows that career adaptability correlated to maturity and human capital factors, therefore it can be enhanced or developed through proper intervention. Career adaptability is the most sought-after skill of employers for job candidates who can cope with necessary diverse situations. Therefore, adaptability is as important as technical skills for job-seekers. It can be recommended that educational institutions should design programs that will enhance their students’ soft skills.
Fifty liver transplants: a single centre experience of haemodynamic management in liver transplantation for cirrhosis [part 1]
Authors: Gunetilleke B. , Ranamuni R. , Jayaweera D. , Welikala N. , Kerner V. , Munasinghe N. , Withanage R. , Wickremasinghe N. , Hewage S. , Wijesuriya N. , Rodrigo U. , Mudalige A. , Fernando M. , Hettiarachchi D. , Dissanayake J. , Niriella M. , Dassanayake A. , WIjesuriya R. , Liyanage C. , Thilakaratne S. , Siriwardana R. , De Silva J.
Published: January 2022

Cirrhosis with end stage liver disease (ESLD) is a leading cause of non-communicable disease related deaths in Sri Lanka. Liver transplantation is the only curative treatment for patients with ESLD. The complex multisystem involvement and unique cardiovascular profile characteristic of ESLD present formidable challenges during liver transplantation. Management of the rapid and varied hemodynamic changes during surgery requires an in depth understanding of the physiological effects of each intervention. Based on the current literature and the experience gained at our center during the management of 50 liver transplants, we present optimization strategies and perioperative hemodynamic interventions which we use to ‘Fast track’ recovery following liver transplantation.
A Novel Non–Mammalian-Specific HERC7 Negatively Regulates IFN Response through Degrading RLR Signaling Factors
Authors: Li Yi-Lin , Gong Xiu-Ying , Qu Zi-Ling , Zhao Xiang , Dan Cheng , Gui Jian-Fang , Zhang Yi-Bing
Published: January 2022

The small HERC family currently comprises four members (HERC3–6) involved in the regulation of various physiological activities. Little is known about the role of HERCs in IFN response. In this study, we identify a novel fish HERC member, named crucian carp HERC7, as a negative regulator of fish IFN response. Genome-wide search of homologs and comprehensive phylogenetic analyses reveal that the small HERC family, apart from HERC3–6 that have been well-characterized in mammals, contains a novel HERC7 subfamily exclusively in nonmammalian vertebrates. Lineage-specific and even species-specific expansion of HERC7 subfamily in fish indicates that crucian carp HERC7 might be species-specific. In virally infected fish cells, HERC7 is induced by IFN and selectively targets three retinoic acid–inducible gene-I–like receptor signaling factors for degradation to attenuate IFN response by two distinct strategies. Mechanistically, HERC7 delivers mediator of IFN regulatory factor 3 activator and mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein for proteasome-dependent degradation at the protein level and facilitates IFN regulatory factor 7 transcript decay at the mRNA level, thus abrogating cellular IFN induction to promote virus replication. Whereas HERC7 is a putative E3 ligase, the E3 ligase activity is not required for its negative regulatory function. These results demonstrate that the ongoing expansion of the small HERC family generates a novel HERC7 to fine-tune fish IFN antiviral response.
Boosting of the SARS-CoV-2–Specific Immune Response after Vaccination with Single-Dose Sputnik Light Vaccine
Authors: Komissarov Alexey A , Dolzhikova Inna V , Efimov Grigory A , Logunov Denis Y , Mityaeva Olga , Molodtsov Ivan A , Naigovzina Nelli B , Peshkova Iuliia O , Shcheblyakov Dmitry V , Volchkov Pavel , Gintsburg Alexander L , Vasilieva Elena
Published: January 2022

Despite measures taken world-wide, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues. Because efficient antiviral drugs are not yet widely available, vaccination is the best option to control the infection rate. Although this option is obvious in the case of COVID-19–naive individuals, it is still unclear when individuals who have recovered from a previous SARS-CoV-2 infection should be vaccinated and whether the vaccination raises immune responses against the coronavirus and its novel variants. In this study, we collected peripheral blood from 84 healthy human donors of different COVID-19 status who were vaccinated with the Sputnik Light vaccine and measured the dynamics of the Ab and T cell responses, as well as the virus-neutralizing activity (VNA) in serum, against two SARS-CoV-2 variants, B.1.1.1 and B.1.617.2. We showed that vaccination of individuals previously exposed to the virus considerably boosts the existing immune response. In these individuals, receptor-binding domain (RBD)–specific IgG titers and VNA in serum were already elevated on the 7th day after vaccination, whereas COVID-19–naive individuals developed the Ab response and VNA mainly 21 d postvaccination. Additionally, we found a strong correlation between RBD-specific IgG titers and VNA in serum, and according to these data vaccination may be recommended when the RBD-specific IgG titers drop to 142.7 binding Ab units/ml or below. In summary, the results of the study demonstrate that vaccination is beneficial for both COVID-19–naive and recovered individuals, especially since it raises serum VNA against the B.1.617.2 variant, one of the five SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern.
L'etica del procedimento clinico
Authors: Federspil G. , Macor C.
Published: January 2022

L'articolo affronta il problema del rapporto tra sapere scientifico e pratica clinica. La medicina è una disciplina che persegue sia la conoscenza di numerosi fenomeni biologici che la possibilità di modificarli. Essa possiede, quindi, sia aspetti teorici che operativi. E questi, in realtà, sono solo apparentemente diversi, poiché il "fare" della tecnica non è un "fare" qualsiasi, ma un "fare efficace", che nasce dalla conoscenza di una serie di procedure operative progettate al fine di raggiungere determinati obiettivi. Dopo avere sottolineato che il "sapere razionale", nato durante la civiltà ellenica, trova un suo culmine nel XVII secolo con la nascita della scienza sperimentale, gli Autori iiiustrano la nascita della medicina moderna, quale scienza applicata, che è in grado - superando l'empirismo - di fornire le ragioni per le quali si agisce in un certo modo. Dopo avere argomentato sulla necessità dell'etica nella scienza, viene affrontata la medicina come scienza applicata, il cui fine è la salute dell'uomo. Pertanto il medico deve attenersi correttamente alle regole consolidate del procedimento clinico, metodologicamente e nei contenuti; inoltre è chiamato ad esercitare la scienza medica in modo da raggiungere gli scopi che costituiscono tale disciplina, adeguandosi alle conoscenze scientifiche più aggiornate e consolidate.
Principio de legitima defensa y anticoncepcion quirurgica
Authors: Fernandez Sanchez Francisco Cristobal
Published: January 2022

L'Autore affronta nell'articolo la questione della sterilizzazione contraccettiva del minorato mentale a fini di prevenzione dello stupro e delle sue conseguenze. L'articolo distingue anzitutto tra sterilizzazione contraccettiva (SC) e sterilizzazione terapeutica (ST). Benché simili dal punto di vista procedurale, le due tecniche chirurgiche differiscono essenzialmente dal punto di vista etico, secondo la visione personalista della persona. La SC, infatti, prevede come fine primario la distruzione o l'ostacolo (permanente o temporaneo che sia) della funzione riproduttiva, essendo perciò sempre eticamente illecita. La ST, invece, ha la precipua finalità della preservazione/restaurazione della salute dell'individuo e, come tale, si può giustificare moralmente. L'Autore ascrive alla generalizzata caduta di attenzione nei confronti della struttura antologica della scelta dell'individuo lo scivolamento verso una concezione biologista dell'atto contraccettivo, il che impedisce di ben comprendere la motivazione dell'intrinseca illiceità morale della SC. Così, la mancanza del consenso informato da parte del minorato mentale per dare il via alla procedura di SC non può certamente essere supplita da una normativa di legge. Né il principio di totalità conclude l'Autore né quello di legittima difesa, quindi, possono giustificare in alcun modo la sterilizzazione chirurgica sull'handicappato mentale.
Diritti del minore e solidarietà fra le famiglie nell'affidamento eterofamiliare
Authors: Bompiani Adriano
Published: January 2022

L'Autore, dopo aver brevemente richiamato i contenuti della Convenzione lntemazionale dei diritti dell'Infanzia (New York 1989, ratificata dall'Italia con la legge 27 maggio 1991 n. 176) riguardanti la promozione dell'affidamento temporaneo minorile a famiglia diversa da quella originaria allorché quest'ultima si trovi in condizione di difficoltà altrimenti non superabile e tale da compromettere l'allevamento e l'educazione del minore, si sofferma a considerare le varie condizioni di inadeguatezza, o anche di patologia, della famiglia che determinano la condizione di rischio sopra indicata a danno del minore. Rileva altresì come sempre più frequenti nella società moderna siano anche i fenomeni di devianza e di trasgressione giovanili. In questo contesto, valuta l'apporto che ha dato l'istituto dell'affidamento eterofamiliare nell'esperienza italiana di questi ultimi anni, a partire dall'entrata in vigore della legge "Disciplina dell'adozione e dell'affidamento dei minori" (4 maggio l 983, n.184). Descrive gli aspetti positivi e le difficoltà della corretta applicazione dell'istituto dell'affidamento eterofamiliare, le distorsioni cui ha dato luogo considerando sia le caratteristiche degli affidanti e degli affidatari che la durata dell'affidamento, le caratteristiche dell'attuale mentalità del giudice minorile e dell'operatore sociale (spesso conflittuali nella formazione e nella prassi), le competenze del servizio sociale e del Tribunale dei minori. Auspicando la chiarificazione volenterosa dei problemi sollevati ed una migliore conoscenza generalizzata, nella società, delle potenzialità che offre tale istituto, si sofferrna sugli aspetti etici dell'affidamento eterofamiliare, cui va riconosciuta ispirazione solidaristica ed alto contenuto morale se correttamente impiegato.
La corporeità disponibile
Authors: Mordacci Roberto
Published: January 2022

Proseguendo l'analisi circa il significato morale della ricerca biomedica iniziato nella prima parte dell'articolo (cfr. Medicina e Morale 1994, 3: 491-509), vengono presentate qui le linee principali del dibattito sulla giustificazione morale della sperimentazione, a proposito della quale i questionari analizzati in precedenza hanno evidenziato un certo disorientamento. La tradizione etico-deontologica ha interpretato l'etica della sperimentazione prevalentemente nei termini della ricerca dei limiti morali di quest'ultima. Tali limiti sono stati indicati soprattutto nel rispetto dei diritti fondamentali dei soggetti alla loro integrità psico-fisica e al rispetto della loro autonomia. A tale impostazione sono state mosse alcune critiche in un'ottica "contrattualista" in cui ricercatore e soggetti sono considerati come partners di un'attività che ciascuno persegue per scopi propri. L'analisi di questa impostazione consente di rilevame l'aderenza ad alcune dinamiche effettive della relazione e la limitatezza, in relazione al giudizio sui fini effettivi della ricerca proposta. Se la prospettiva dei diritti rispecchia talvolta un approccio " legalistico", quella contrattualistica dimentica troppo facilmente di esprimere un giudizio sui contenuti stessi del contratto, cioè su ciò che si intende fare. Perciò si suggerisce che una prospettiva solidaristica sembra in grado di fornire basi più equilibrate. Il problema della retribuzione dei volontari sani come incentivo alla solidarietà preso ad esempio delle rispettive posizioni, in cui un'etica della solidarietà rifiuta incentivi indebitamente alti che snaturano il significato etico della ricerca.
Editorial
Authors: Bareiss Warren
Published: January 2022

As we put the finishing touches on Volume 5, Issue 3 of QRMH, I have much to be thankful for as Editor. First, I will be the first to say that I couldn’t put this journal together without Teresa Carrara, Managing Editor at PAGEPress Journals. Teresa fields initial correspondence with authors, does a lot of the editing, solves problems as they occur with the website, and works with Claudia Castellano on page layout and proofs. Most important, Teresa keeps on my case and doesn’t let me slide on anything. She has a knack for reminding of tasks that need to be done and for saving me from making mistakes. She is also determined to keep QRMH on track and on time. Oh, and she tells me when my perfectionist tendency goes too far. I can’t imagine how I would do my job without Teresa’s formidable contributions in the editorial and production process. [...]
Некорректность базисной логики предикатов относительно
сильного варианта строгой примитивно-рекурсивной реализуемости
Authors: Konovalov Aleksander Yur'evich
Published: January 2022

Доказывается, что исчисление базисной логики предикатов
BQC некорректно относительно сильного варианта
строгой примитивно-рекурсивной реализуемости.
Библиография: 10 названий.
Об автоморфизмах прямого произведения CR-многообразий
Authors: Stepanova Mariya Aleksandrovna
Published: January 2022

Дан критерий того, что алгебра Ли
инфинитезимальных голоморфных автоморфизмов прямого произведения
двух ростков вещественно аналитических порождающих CR-многообразий
равна прямой сумме алгебр сомножителей. В частности,
равенство имеет место в случае, когда алгебра прямого произведения
конечномерна (например, для произведения
голоморфно невырожденных ростков конечного типа по Блуму-Грэму).
Введено понятие суммы типов по Блуму-Грэму и показано,
что тип прямого произведения равен сумме типов ростков сомножителей.
Библиография: 7 названий.
О совпадении чисто жадных и наилучших $m$-членных приближений
Authors: Vishnevetskiy Kirill Sergeevich
Published: January 2022

Получены условия на словарь в гильбертовом пространстве,
необходимые или достаточные для совпадения
чисто жадных приближений с наилучшими $m$-членными.
Библиография: 6 названий.
Mineral contents of barley grains and its processed foods (kolo, porridge, bread and injera) consumed in Ethiopia
Authors: Tilahun Z. , S. Chandravanshi B. , R. Abshiro M.
Published: January 2022

ABSTRACT. Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is one of the most widely cultivated stable food crops in the world. Barley grain samples were collected from four selected areas (Bahir Dar, Bure, Finote Selam and Debre Markos) of Ethiopia and four types of processed food (kolo, porridge, bread and injera) were prepared from it. The levels of essential and non-essential metals in barley grains and its processed food were determined by microwave plasma-atomic emission spectrometry after wet digestion with a mixture of HNO3 and HClO4 (5:1, v/v). The concentration (mg/kg dry weight) in the barley grains were in the ranges K (5482-6516), Mg (546-643), Ca (445-684), Mn (7.31-9.80), Fe (127-439), Cu (0.88-1.86), Zn (42.8-56.8), Pb (0.39-2.73), Cd (3.01-4.66). The concentrations of all the metals in the four types of processed barley foods showed variation among each other. The results indicate that Ethiopian barley grains and its processed foods are good source of essential metals.

                   

KEY WORDS: Barley, Hordeum vulgare L., Processed foods, Macro-minerals, Micro-minerals, Toxic metals

 

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2021, 35(3), 471-484.

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v35i3.1
Study of electrochemical behavior of two chemically similar acridines: Tacrine and 9-aminoacridine on hanging mercury drop electrode
Authors: F. S. Badulla W. , A. A. Hussein W. , Arli G.
Published: January 2022

ABSTRACT. The electrochemical behavior of two chemically related acridine compounds: tacrine (TAC) and 9-aminoacridine (9-AA) was investigated on a hanging mercury drop electrode (HDME). The electrochemical study was carried out by using Osteryoung square wave voltammetry (OSWV) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) techniques in the Britton-Robinson (B-R) buffer solution at pH = 2.0–12.0, KCl (0.1/0.2/0.3 M) and methanol (0.0-50%) mixture as supporting electrolyte. TAC showed maximum current at pH 7.5 while 9-AA at pH 10, KCl (0.3M), and 10% methanol. The study of electrochemical reduction of 9-AA and TAC on the HDME by using CV resulted in a quasi-reversibility, mainly diffusion-controlled reaction. The reaction involved 1e–/1H+ reduction at nitrogen atom in the case of the 9-AA while the second process involved the 2e–/2H+ reduction of the intra-cyclic azomethine group. The reduction peak potential of structurally related acridine compounds is influenced by the pH values and percentage of the organic solvent of the supporting electrolytes. Also, the study may provide insight into the electron transfer pathways of biological reactions of the acridines and their electrochemical behavior on the electrode.

                   

KEY WORDS: Tacrine, 9-Aminoacridine, Cyclic voltammetry, Osteryoung square wave voltammetry, Hanging mercury dropping electrode

 

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2021, 35(3), 639-646.

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v35i3.14
Facile synthesis and dyeing performance of some disperse monomeric and polymeric dyes on nylon and polyester fabrics
Authors: S. Abdullahi S. , Musa H. , Habibu S. , H. Birniwa A. , E. A. Mohammad R.
Published: January 2022

ABSTRACT. Monoazo disperse polymeric dyes consisting of polyarylazocarboxybenzene-formaldehyde (PACB-F) and polyarylazohydroxynaphthalene-formaldehyde (PAHN-F) were synthesized through diazotisation, coupling and polycondensation reactions in the presence of formaldehyde and aqueous oxalic acid. The structure of the as synthesised dyes was acquired using UV-visible absorption maxima and FT-IR spectroscopy and their color, yield, melting point, solubility, and viscosity determined via standard methods. UV-visible and FTIR results showed successful formation of the polymeric dyes due to shift of wavelength of maximum absorption (λmax) (420-470 nm, 460-510 nm) and new absorption peak at around (2800-2995 cm-1) for methylene bridge, respectively. The yield of the monomeric dyes was 67.1-85.7% and polymeric 45.1-59.3%, melting point was 104.1-131.2 oC, and 136.0-143.5 oC, respectively. They are soluble in acetone, ethanol, and methanol and insoluble in n-hexane and water. The dyeing process was achieved via high temperature and carrier dyeing techniques on nylon and polyester fibers. The dyeing characteristics of the synthesised dyes were analyzed in comparison with commercial disperse dyes (terasil brilliant violet and terasil scarlet brown). The dyeing produced a very attractive hue brown shades with good to excellent washing, light, hot pressing, and rubbing fastness.

                   

KEY WORDS: Carbocyclic, Dyeing activity, Monoazo, Monomeric, Polymeric

 

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2021, 35(3), 485-497.

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v35i3.2
Synthesis, characterization, docking and antimicrobial activity studies of binuclear Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes of bis aroylhydrazone and phenanthroline
Authors: Rajam K. G. , Daravath S. , K. Narendrula V. , K. Marri P. , Shivaraj
Published: January 2022

ABSTRACT. Schiff base (HL) N1,N3-bis(4-(methylthio)benzylidene)-5-nitrobenzene-1,3-dihydrazide (HL) has been prepared from condensation of 4-(methyl thio)benzaldehyde with 5-nitrobenzene-1,3-dihydrazide. Binucleated mixed ligand complexes of nickel(II) ([Ni2(L)(dmphen)2]Cl2, [Ni2(L)(phen)2]Cl2) and cobalt(II) ([Co2(HL)(dmphen)2]Cl2, [Co2(HL)(phen)2]Cl2) complexes have been synthesized from Schiff base (HL) and 1,10-phenanthroline/2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline. The synthesized compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, FT-IR, UV-Visible, magnetic moment, SEM, powder X-ray diffraction and molar conductivity measurements. Further, the Schiff base and its metal complexes have been investigated for fluorescence activity and molecular docking studies. In addition, Schiff base and its metal complexes were screened for antimicrobial activity against bacteria: Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and fungi: Sclerotium rolfsii and Macrophomina phaseolina.

                   

KEY WORDS: Growth inhibitors, Ternary complex, Tuberculosis, Fluorescence activity, Crystal system

 

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2021, 35(3), 499-511.

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v35i3.3
Peroxidase-like activity of hemoglobin-based hybrid materials against different substrates and their enhanced application for H2O2 detection
Authors: Altinkaynak C. , Turk M. , Ekremoğlu M. , Özdemir N.
Published: January 2022

ABSTRACT. Organic-inorganic hybrid nanoflowers method with unique properties are preferred than conventional immobilization methods for the past decade. Hereemoglobin-based hybrid material (HbNFs@Cu) was synthesized under different experimental conditions (pH 5.0-9.0 and 0.01-0.50 mgmL-1 of hemoglobin) obtaining a material size of 9-10 µm. The encapsulation percentage and weight yield of HbNFs@Cu were determined as 100% and 6.7%, respectively. The peroxidase-like activities of the material against different substrates (ABTS and Guaiacol) were compared to free hemoglobin. The HbNFs@Cu hybrid structure exhibited Vmax of 3.6995 EU/mg and a Michaelis-Menten constant (KM) of 0.1357 mM/mL. The HbNFs@Cu hybrid material was then used to catalyze the oxidation of a peroxidase substrate ABTS to the pigmented product, which provided a colorimetric and spectrophotometric detection of H2O2. The linear operating range, detectable colorimetrically as H2O2 sensor, is 0.005-0.0042 mM, while the linear operating range, detectable spectrometically, is 0.003-0.0042 mM. The limits of detection of colorimetric and spectrophotometric sensors were 0.005 mM and 0.003 mM, respectively. Collectively, these results showed that HbNFs@Cu can be used as colorimetric biosensor for H2O2 in potential applications such as pharmaceutical food, biomedical, environmental, and industrial.

                   

KEY WORDS: Hydrogen peroxide, Hemoglobin, Hybrid Material, Colorimetric assay

 

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2021, 35(3), 537-550. 

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v35i3.6
Constitutional Law and Equality
Authors: Zietlow Rebecca E.
Published: January 2022

In this research review, Rebecca E. Zietlow identifies and gives invaluable context to the most important scholarly contributions on the topic of constitutional law and equality. While much of the scholarship around constitutional equality focuses on court enforcement of the Equal Protection Clause, the story of constitutional equality is not just about legal advocacy, but political action in an increasingly diverse nation. The future of constitutional equality depends less on legal arguments before courts than on political advocacy for social and economic change.
Stefan Morawski o filmie i krytyce filmowej
Authors:   University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland, Zajdel Jakub
Published: January 2022

Stefan Morawski about film and film criticism The author undertook the task of describing the views of Stefan Morawski as a film critic. Morawski appreciated realistic films the most. He understood realism as a film style that gives an image of the real life of ordinary people. Looking at the film from a Marxist perspective, he described it in a historical context. In his interpretations of the films, Morawski tried to reveal their moral message. He called for the creation of films that would mobilize viewers to work for a better world. In the second part of the article, the considerations concern Morawski’s metacritical publications. Morawski described many types of film criticism. He explained the relationship between film criticism and aesthetics.
Comunicación de Crisis: Gestión de la Comunicacional Organizacional en el GAD del cantón Santa Elena, durante la emergencia sanitaria
Authors: Caiche-Vera María Belén , García-González Vilma Maribel
Published: January 2022

La comunicación de crisis es un proceso que afecta a la reputación de las instituciones y se ha venido incrementando a través del tiempo debido al auge de las tecnologías. Esta comunicación en las instituciones gubernamentales es de suma importancia para tratar eventos de riesgos, tales como las emergencias de salud pública, en este caso el COVID-19, que ha marcado un antes y un después a escala global. Con la finalidad del cumplimiento de esta investigación se planteó, describir la gestión de la comunicación de crisis como un recurso de la organización para el manejo de la información y difusión de la emergencia sanitaria COVID-19 en el GAD Santa Elena. La metodología empleada fue cualitativa-descriptiva, se desarrolla la entrevista, ficha de cotejo y observación como herramientas de recolección de información. Los resultados destacan los desaciertos de la gestión de la comunicación organizacional, pero a la vez, establecen los criterios a ser considerados para producir mensajes de comunicación asertiva que coadyuve a la solución de problemas.

Palabras claves: comunicación de crisis, comunicación organizacional, comunicación externa, institución gubernamental.
THE RHIZOCTONIAS OF PORTO RICO
Authors: Matz J.
Published: January 2022

Resumen en inglés.
CHANGES WROUGHT IN THE GRAPEFRUIT IN THE PROCESS OF MATURATION. PART II-FACTORS AFFECTING THE COMPOSITION OF THE FRUIT
Authors: López Domínguez F. A.
Published: January 2022

Resumen en inglés.
THE INSECTS OF SUGAR CANE IN SANTO DOMINGO
Authors: Wolcott George N.
Published: January 2022

Resumen en inglés.
GUMMING DISEASE OF SUGAR CANE
Authors: Matz Julius
Published: January 2022

Resumen en inglés.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE STUDY OF THE NATURE OF MOSAIC DISEASE OF SUGAR CANE AND OTHER PLANTS
Authors: Matz Julius
Published: January 2022

Resumen en inglés.
”INSECTAE PORTORICENSIS.” A PRELIMINARY ANNOTATED CHECK-LIST OF THE INSECTS OF PORTO RICO, WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF SOME NEW SPECIES
Authors: Wolcott George N.
Published: January 2022

Resumen en inglés.
REPORT OF PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE ADVISABILITY OF RESTRICTING OR PROHIBITING THE ENTRY FROM PORTO RICO OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES IN THE RAW OR UNMANUFACTURED STATE ON ACCOUNT OF THE WEST INDIAN FRUIT FLY, THE BEAN POD BORER, AND OTHER INJURIOUS INSECTS
Authors: Locke C. A.
Published: January 2022

Resumen en inglés.
DETERMINATION OF MACERATION PER CENT OF CANE AND THE PERCENTAGES OF FIBRE AND SUCROSE IN CANE
Authors: Acosta José J.
Published: January 2022

Resumen en inglés.
Morphological similarity between the phythium like fungus found associated with diseased sugar-cane roots in Hawaii and Porto Rico
Authors: Bourne B.A.
Published: January 2022

Resumen en inglés.
THE QUEENSLAND RASPBERRY (Rubus probus) A SPECIES ADAPTED TO TROPICAL CONDITIONS
Authors: Griffith J. P.
Published: January 2022

Resumen en inglés
Chromosome-level assembly of the common vetch (Vicia sativa) reference genome
Authors: Xi Hangwei , Nguyen Vy , Ward Christopher , Liu Zhipeng , Searle Iain R.
Published: January 2022

Vicia sativa L. (common vetch, n = 6) is an annual, herbaceous, climbing legume, originating in the Fertile Crescent of the Middle East and now widespread in the Mediterranean basin, West, Central and Eastern Asia, North and South America. V. sativa is of economic importance as a forage legume in countries such as Australia, China, and the USA, and contributes valuable nitrogen to agricultural rotation cropping systems. To accelerate precision genome breeding and genomics-based selection of this legume, we present a chromosome-level reference genome sequence for V. sativa, constructed using a combination of long-read Oxford Nanopore sequencing, short-read Illumina sequencing, and high-throughput chromosome conformation data (CHiCAGO and Hi-C) analysis. The chromosome-level assembly of six pseudo-chromosomes has a total genome length of 1.65 Gbp, with a median contig length of 684 Kbp. BUSCO analysis of the assembly demonstrated very high completeness of 98% of the dicotyledonous orthologs. RNA-seq analysis and gene modelling enabled the annotation of 53,218 protein-coding genes. This V. sativa assembly will provide insights into vetch genome evolution and be a valuable resource for genomic breeding, genetic diversity and for understanding adaption to diverse arid environments.
Laicismo: trampa de idolatría o nihilismo constitucional
Authors: Alnasir Samer
Published: January 2022

Soberanía y laicismo son dos conceptos que están adquiriendo protagonismo en los debates públicos de su país nativo, Francia. Este artículo propone abordar ambos desde dos perspectivas. La primera, etimológica, que intenta indagar el origen del concepto de «laicismo» desde el siglo XV y construir una definición conforme a su uso dado durante el Antiguo Régimen y durante el primer siglo de la revolución, hasta la ley de neutralización-emancipación de 1905, pasando por la envoltura normativa del Estado con la religión, el populistamente denominado Estado laico. La segunda, poner de relieve el antagonismo que suponía la convivencia de ese término con la soberanía propugnada por la revolución y los postulados centristas de los imperios que alimentaron la ideología de la ley de separación de 1905. La conclusión que se pretende alcanzar, y enlazar para sucesivos trabajos, es que el resurgimiento del concepto y su asalto a la Constitución de 1958 consiste en un antagonismo, tanto con su etimología como con la propia constitución, causando, más que idolatría, un entramado de nihilismo constitucional, o incluso una especie de blasfemia normativa a favor del populismo político.
Beyond the modern shapes of the equality principle. Notes for a transition
Authors: Seco Martínez José María
Published: January 2022

Equality as an historic process of human emancipation, transcends the strictly legal/formal plane. Furthermore, it is enhanced by the “historic” willingness to democratise society and improve people’s lives. This is the materialistic dimension of the principle of equality, this ethical and historical “willingness” based on the production and development of social justice as a criterion and principle for action. Human rights and democracy, with their fighting practices and traditions, cannot be understood today without the idea of equality as a necessary principle. Human rights have always been linked to processes of reaction against inequalities. They have been and remain a reaction to any kind of oppression and/or domination, because human rights, which are rights and are human, are always actions that refer to human beings in need. The fact that they were formally conceived under the umbrella of normative reasoning does not presuppose that they should be conceived exclusively as individual rights, which demand fulfilment in the future, or even as horizons of possibility (idealistic vision), but as ways of life that make human existence – dignified existence – feasible for all people. The idea of equality is, therefore, not possible without this material judgement of existence.
Theatre and politics: suffragist theatre in the United States
Authors: Pacheco Costa Verónica
Published: January 2022

One of the publicity tools used by British and then American suffragists was theatre. Suffragist theatre was written for a clear purpose, which was none other than political propaganda and performance as part of the campaign being conducted. In many cases, the plays performed reflected the situation in which women lived, denouncing their circumstances; in others, they were didactic works, explaining in a very simple and clear way the actions that were being carried out to secure women's rights.
crítica al concepto de Dios y sus consecuencias políticas en el pensamiento anarquista post feuerbachiano y post hegeliano
Authors: Jiménez García Héctor
Published: January 2022

El pensamiento político anarquista ha hallado tradicionalmente en la divinidad un objeto teórico de recurrencia opositiva. En este estudio se pretende abordar el problema teológico-político en la obra de Mijaíl Bakunin y de Max Stirner, quienes partiendo de la crítica a la idea de Dios despliegan paradigmas políticos antiestatistas enfrentados, y comprender por tanto de qué manera la concepción de Dios de estos dos autores influye en su filosofía política y cómo se relacionan entre sí sus desarrollos doctrinales. Primeramente, se analizará su disenso alrededor de la interpretación de la crítica teológica de Feuerbach y consecuentemente, alrededor del humanismo y la modernidad. Estas divergencias en la crítica de Dios se trasladarán analíticamente, tanto en un sentido positivo como en un sentido negativo, a las propuestas de organización política que ambos pensadores despliegan, trazando un marco de comprensión comparativo y matizado a la luz de Hegel y la dialéctica del señor y el siervo.
Ludovico Domenichi nella Querelle des Femmes
Authors: Stefanuto Clelia
Published: January 2022

L’obbiettivo di questo articolo è quello di illustrare il contributo che il polígrafo Ludovico Domenichi diede all’interno del dibattito sulla Querelle des femmes nell’Italia del 1500.

La produzione Domenichiana in questo studio è divisa in tre gruppi differenti: il primo comprende le opere scritte da Domenichi in veste autoriale, soffermandosi sul primo testo che affronta l’argomento, ovvero la Nobiltà delle donne (1549). Il secondo gruppo analizza le opere scritte da donne ma promosse e curate dal poligrafo, dove nello specifico si analizzeranno le Rime della signora Laura Terracina (1548). Il terzo parágrafo infine, illustra alcune dediche di opere scritte da Domenichi e rivolte a nobildonne dell’epoca, ponendo l’attenzione su quelle presenti nelle Rime del 1544.
Querella de las Mujeres en Italia y España. Una revisión bibliográfica
Authors: Arriaga Flórez Mercedes , Cerrato Daniele
Published: January 2022

“El proceso de recuperación histórica de la memoria feminista no ha hecho más que comenzar”, con estas palabras Ana de Miguel (1995) señalaba la necesidad de añadir nuevos nombres a la genealogía del feminismo. Las escritoras y escritores italianos que intervienen en la Querella de las Mujeres, siglos (XIV-XVII), son un eslabón escasamente conocido de las ideas Feministas tanto en el contexto de la cultura italiana como europea, a causa de la falta de ediciones modernas, estudios críticos y traducciones. Estudiosas como Joan Kelly (1982), o Gisela Bock (2002a) sostiene que la Querella ha constituido una tradición desde 1400 hasta la Revolución francesa, sosteniendo que la historia del feminismo está estrechamente conectada con el desarrollo de este debate en el que se han nacido y desarrollado la mayor parte de las ideas feministas.