bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PHENOLIC ACID PROFILING IN THE LEAVES OF TABERNAEMONTANA HEYNEANA WALL. AN ENDEMIC PLANT OF THE WESTERN GHATS USING ULTRA-HIGH PERFORMANCE LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY COUPLED WITH QUADRUPOLE-TIME-OF-FLIGHT
Authors: MANASA DJ  , CHANDRASHEKAR KR
Published: January 2020

Objectives: The study was conducted to identify the phenolic compounds and other possible bioactive compounds present in the leaf extracts of Tabernaemontana heyneana Wall.

Methods: Phenolic acid profiling was carried out using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-time-of-flight (QTOF). An internal standard syringic acid was used for quantitation of phenolic acids and naringenin for quantitation of flavonoids.

Results: The leaf extracts analysis revealed the presence of 17 compounds consisting of 14 phenolic compounds and three terpenes. Among 17 compounds, eight were the major compounds, namely, coniferyaldehyde, resveratrol, sinapic alcohol, protocatechuic acid, 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, chlorogenic acid, rutin, and protocatechuic aldehyde. This forms the first report on the identification of these pharmaceutically important compounds in T. heyneana.

Conclusion: These findings offer clear evidence and scientific support for further research on the leaf extract of T. heyneana plant for its therapeutic purpose.
The THE ROLE OF ASTAXANTHIN COMPARED WITH METFORMIN IN PREVENTING GLYCATED HUMAN SERUM ALBUMIN FROM POSSIBLE UNFOLDING: A MOLECULAR DYNAMIC STUDY
Authors: SYAHPUTRA WIBOWO  , SRI WIDYARTI  , AKHMAD SABARUDIN  , DJOKO WAHONO SOEATMADJI  , SUTIMAN BAMBANG SUMITRO
Published: January 2020

Objectives: Albumin in diabetes mellitus undergoes conformational changes that affect the ability as an endogenous scavenger. Treatment with astaxanthin (ASX) expected to improve the function of albumin in case of diabetes mellitus. The objectives of this study are to compare the capability of ASX and metformin to prevent conformational changes on glycated albumin.

Methods: Data mining is performed to obtain human serum albumin (HSA) (4K2C), glucose (79025), ASX (5281224), and metformin (4091). Data preparation used PyRx and Discovery Studio 2016 Client. PyRx is utilized for docking and analysis of receptor-ligand interactions with LigPlus and Discovery Studio 2016 Client. YASARA is used for molecular dynamics simulations with a running time of 15.000 ps.

Results: A description of the glycated-HSA (gHSA) conformational changes that are bound to metformin has been successfully carried out. Changes that occur were unfolding and release of bonds in gHSA. Unfolding on gHSA includes the release of bonds between sites A and B. The root mean square deviation (RMSD) backbone value of metformin-gHSA shows a significant difference with gHSA at 8650 ps where gHSA showed 6.47 nm while the metformin-gHSA was 8.06 nm and continues to increase up to 15.72 nm at the end of the simulation. RMSD and root mean square fluctuation residues of gHSA which were interacted with ASX showed conditions close to normal HSA. In 11725 ps ASX-gHSA remained stable at 5.78 nm, whereas gHSA increased to 8.13 nm. gHSA at the end of the simulation showed a number of 9.052 nm while the normal HSA was 7.561 nm.

Conclusion: This result indicated that ASX prevents gHSA from possible unfolding.
Los cambios provocados por el proceso de integración europea, especialmente en tiempos de crisis, en las relaciones entre el Parlamento y el Gobierno en Francia, Alemania y España
Authors: Fromage Diane
Published: January 2020

Este artículo analiza la relación entre los Parlamentos nacionales y sus gobiernos en el proceso de integración europea a la luz de los casos alemán, español y francés. Demuestra que existen variaciones entre estados y a lo largo del tiempo. Los Parlamentos nacionales fueron considerados “perdedores” de la integración durante mucho tiempo pero su posición mejoró desde el Tratado de Maastricht y, aún más, desde la aprobación del Tratado de Lisboa. Sin embargo, la crisis económica y financiera sufrida por Europa amenaza en cierta medida esta tendencia positiva.
El derecho a la identidad cultural: una aproximación a la integridad cultural de comunidades indígenas
Authors: Bravo Figueroa Roberto Luis
Published: January 2020

Este ensayo aborda la naturaleza jurídica del derecho a laidentidad cultural y su importancia como un principio de interpretación que posibilita el debate sobre los alcances y el entendimiento que deben tener los derechos fundamentales en función del contexto cultural de los grupos indígenas. Se expone además que todo Estado comprometido con la diversidad cultural debe asumir como una finalidad legítima para su democracia, la preservación de las comunidades indígenas a través del reconocimiento de su integridad cultural como un derecho fundamental. Lo anterior, teniendo en cuenta que la preservación de la cultura es esencial para la supervivencia de las comunidades indígenas en tanto que funciona como un agente de auto adscripción que permite a los individuos determinarse como integrantes de una comunidad y al tiempo, que cada grupo pueda diferenciarse de otros colectivos o incluso de la sociedad mayoritaria.
Una mirada a los derechos humanos desde la interculturalidad y los diálogos interculturales: un punto de partida hacia la igualdad profunda
Authors: Robles Zamarripa José Ricardo
Published: January 2020

En el presente artículo se presentan reflexiones enfocadas a evidenciar la necesidad de redimensionar el discurso de los derechos humanos en un espectro de mayor conciencia sobre la incompletitud de los mismos; un espectro que permita percibir el analfabetismo intercultural presente en su origen y en sus expresiones contemporáneas. Ello se sustenta en la inexistencia de una visión única de derechos humanos al concebir estos como productos culturales y la consideración del proyecto intercultural como un marco más propicio para lograr una inclusión real de distintas cosmovisiones. Por último, con base en algunos casos de la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos (Corte IDH o CoIDH) en materia de pueblos y comunidades indígenas y tribales, se presentan disertaciones sobre cómo la interacción entre derechos humanos e interculturalidad –a través de diálogos interculturales- puede ser una ruta para despensar y repensar a dichos derechos; considerarlos desde una visión consciente de sus limitaciones para así, poder estar más cerca de la generación de una “concepción intercultural de los mismos”.
Órganos Constitucionales autónomos y hegemonía de partido
Authors: Pérez Guzmán Karime
Published: January 2020

Este trabajo es un sencillo análisis del surgimiento de los órganos constitucionales autónomos en relación con la hegemonía de partidos. Esta investigación intenta determinar si existe un vínculo entre el incremento de órganos constitucionales autónomos y la desaparición de un partido hegemónico en México. Es decir, si la alternancia partidista en el cargo de Presidente de la República ha tenido alguna influencia en el aumento de facultades autónomas en el ejercicio del poder.
Russian National Scientific Conference with International Participants “European Literature Heritage in the Cross-Cultural Space” (Yaroslavl, May 23–24, 2019)
Authors: Boychuk Elena
Published: January 2020

The article shows the core findings of the literature studies conference, with the discussion of fundamental issues of European literary criticism viewed through the lens of the impact of other cultures on its development, as well as issues of the analysis of Russian-language literary text in the light of close intercultural interaction, Russian-European literary symbiosis.
Grain Problem in the 20th Century Siberia
Authors: Il'inyh Vladimir
Published: January 2020

The author offers a retrospective analysis of the stages and methods of solving the grain problem in the 20th century Siberia. The study focuses on the country's farming development. The grain problem in the region had its own features, yet was part of the national problem as well. Siberia was one of the leading granaries of the nation. The country leaders have continuo­usly tried to use the potential of the region to step up grain production.

It is established that in early 20th century, there was no grain problem in Siberia. In the Soviet period, it turned into a permanent one. The periods of its exacerbation were the early 1920s, the late 1920 and early 1930s, early 1950s, early 1960s, early 1980s, and early 1990s. The problem used to be solved through radical farming reforms, economic incentives for farmers, new far­ming innovations, and the shift to non-economic or market-based mechanism of grain turnover. Despite some measures driving manufacture, the grain problem in the region and the country as a whole was not solved in the 20th century.
Proactive feedback seeking has a positive effect on career adaptability
Authors: Gong Zhenxing , Xu Zhiyuan , Van Swol Lyn , Zhang Tiantian , Xu Jifeng
Published: January 2020

We examined the impact of feedback seeking, including feedback inquiry and monitoring, on career adaptability via the mediator of supervisor feedback environment and the moderator of person–organization fit (P–O fit). Participants were 415 full-time employees in China, who
completed the research measures in 3 waves each spaced 3 months apart. The results revealed that supervisor feedback environment mediated the relationship between feedback seeking and career adaptability, and that the effect of feedback inquiry and feedback monitoring on the supervisor feedback
environment was moderated by P–O fit. The positive effect of feedback inquiry and feedback monitoring on career adaptability was significant only when P–O fit was poor (vs. good). Supervisors should encourage employees to seek feedback and organizations could also design training
sessions to improve employee career adaptability, promote employee performance, and facilitate career development.
Relationship between a high-performance work system and employee outcomes: A multilevel analysis
Authors: Ma Bing , Ma Guimei , Liu Xiaolang , Lassleben Hermann
Published: January 2020

Although research on high-performance work systems (HPWS) is increasing, there are few studies in which the focus is on whether and how firm-level HPWS affect individual-level employee outcomes. Using social identity theory, we examined the relationship between HPWS and employee outcomes,
and the role organizational identification plays as a mediator in this relationship. We used a multilevel research design and collected data at the organizational and individual levels from a sample of 485 employees of 32 companies in Guangdong Province, China. We used Amos 17.0 and hierarchical
linear modeling 6.08 software to examine our hypotheses and the theoretical model. Results showed that organizational identification fully mediated the relationship between HPWS and employees' job performance as well as that between HPWS and their turnover intention. Our findings provide new
insights into the relationship between firm-level human resource management and individual-level employee outcomes, and highlight the importance of considering the implementation of HPWS practices to strengthen employees' identification with the organization and improve their performance.
Passive social network site use and adolescent materialism: Upward social comparison as a mediator
Authors: Hu Yu-Ting , Liu Qing-Qi
Published: January 2020

We examined the role of upward social comparison in the relationship between passive social network site use and adolescent materialism. A sample of 718 Chinese adolescents completed measures of passive social network site use, upward social comparison, and materialism. Correlational
analysis results showed that passive social network site use was significantly correlated with upward social comparison and adolescent materialism. In addition, regression analysis results showed that passive social network site use significantly predicted adolescent materialism through the
mediation of upward social comparison. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Use of residual rock strength in bearing structures in underground ore mining
Authors: Golik Vladimir I. , Dmitrak Yury V. , Gabaraev Oleg Z. , Razorenov Yuri I.
Published: January 2020

The relevance of the study is explained by the need to improve technological processes with the increasing complexity of the development of ore deposits with an increase in the depth of development, the use of powerful technology and an increase in stresses in arrays of ore-bearing rocks. The need to minimize the risk of mining requires the development and use of tools for managing an array. The purpose of this study is to systematize information about the theory and practice of using the residual bearing capacity of destroyed rocks from the practice of underground mining to improve the methods used to control the geomechanics of ore-bearing arrays. The complex of research includes analytical, full-scale, laboratory and theoretical methods that are used to identify the phenomenon of the use of the residual carrying capacity of destroyed rocks. To achieve this goal information on the use of bearing floors made of intact and destroyed ores and rocks, as well as other materials, is systematized. A brief description of the scientific support of mining engineering tasks is given. The phenomenon of the use of residual bearing capacity of disturbed rocks in the structure arising in the mountain massif is characterized. A critical analysis of the concepts of array management is given. Considered alternative options for creating structures for solving problems of reducing the health risk of workers and improving the quality of ores. A new typification of structures using the residual strength of destroyed rocks is given. It has been proved that in underground mining there is an opportunity to realize the residual bearing capacity of the destroyed rocks to create structures with desired properties, which contributes to solving the tasks of labor protection and improving the quality of ores.
POLÍTICA MINEIRA E A INTEGRAÇÃO SÓCIO-CULTURAL E SUSTENTÁVEL DOS REASSENTADOS EM CATEME-MOÇAMBIQUE: 2009-2017
Authors: Coutinho Cremildo De Abreu
Published: January 2020

Este artigo discute o processo de integração dos reassentados em Cateme, distrito de Moatize, provincia de Tete-Moçambique, como fruto do inicio de extração do carvão mineral, cujo foco centra-se na dicotomia integração sócio-cultural e desenvolvimento sustentável. Para o efeito, aplicou-se o método qualitativa na sua vertente etnográfica. Após um trabalho de campo onde se privilegiou a observação participante, constatou-se que a extração mineira em vez de conduzir a uma integração sócio-cultural e sustentável aos cidadãos reassentados em Cateme, caracteriza-se por uma realidade desfavorável para estas comunidades. Portanto, há evidências do não respeito a algumas especificidades socio-culturais o que, por sua vez, concorre de forma clara, para uma integração deficitária e desenvolvimento insustentável. Outro fator que contribui para estas realidades é o desencontro fatual entre as promessas feitas tanto pela Vale Moçambique assim como pelo governo aos cidadãos reassentados, onde se constatou um aparente e efetivo incumprimento das promessas, criando um ambiente de descontentamento e consequente abertura de um espaço para a existência de conflitos entre os cidadãos reassentados e os agentes que causaram o reassentamento.
UNIVERSIDADE AGOSTINHO NETO: UMA ANÁLISE DOS CONTEXTOS E PROCESSOS DE PRODUÇÃO DE TRABALHOS CIENTÍFICOS
Authors: Faria Paulo Conceição João
Published: January 2020

O contexto e o processo revelam os obstáculos que têm condicionado o desenvolvimento da Universidade Agostinho Neto (UAN), como espaço autónomo de investigação e produção do conhecimento ao nível dos cursos de doutoramento nas Unidades Orgânicas (UOs), designamente, as Faculdades de Ciências Sociais, de Direito e Economia. Estes obstáculos são tão generalizados ao ponto estarem associados à natureza do regime político que vigorou em Angola, logo a seguir a Independência de Portugal em 1975. É de notar que as transições políticas têm, na verdade, assumido ritmos e características distintas, por exemplo, a passagem do monopartidarismo à democracia pluralista semi-liberal, do centralismo burocrático administrativo e económico à um modelo de economia de mercado no início da  dêcada 1990s. Porém, o reacender do conflito violento ofuscou o fervor pela mudança estrutural com impactos reais no exercício das liberdades cívicas e académicas, e bem como na promoção do estado de direito regido pelo primado da lei. Ao contrário, a autoridade originada das reformas constitucionais que se seguiram ao fim da guerra civil tornou-se absoluta no exercício do poder e estruturalmente personalizante quanto ao modo da administração da res publica. Este artigo argumenta que a UAN – apesar dos esforços de reforma da actual administração – ainda é uma caixa de ressonância dos paradoxos do regime que propecia a fraca investigação científica, a megacefalia pedagógica. Dando-se mais relevo a um tipo de ensino que resulta em baixos índices produção como os constatados nos doutorandos nas UOs analizadas.
Sistema en tiempo real para el monitoreo de variables médicas en pacientes hospitalizadas con redes WSN
Authors: Campaña Bastidas Sixto Enrique , Aguirre Cabrera Adriana , Cabrera Mez Harold Emilio , Cervelion Alvaro José
Published: January 2020

Este artículo presenta los resultados de la investigación PIE 03-15 aprobada por el Comité de Investigaciones de la Ecbti de la unad en el año 2015, la cual consistió en un estudio de aplicación de un sistema en tiempo real para el monitoreo de variables médicas, en pacientes hospitalizados. Para el caso específico, se tomó como referencia una población de personas con patología de preeclampsia. La investigación en referencia partió de la descripción de la población seleccionada, así como de la patología asociada; luego, se presentaron los requerimientos técnicos y lógicos del sistema propuesto y se finalizó con los resultados que arrojó el desarrollo del sistema. Este estudio es un inicio en la aplicación y desarrollo de dispositivos y sistemas para la captura de señales biomédicas utilizando tecnologías emergentes, con software y hardware a bajo costo.
Análisis de Ciclo de Vida para la producción de biodiesel derivado de palma de aceite caso colombiano
Authors: Franco Rodriguez Julio Mario , Ordoñez Noriega Luis Hernán , Herrera Orozco Israel , Torres Ortega Alfonso
Published: January 2020

La producción de biodiesel a partir de aceite vegetal derivado de palma africana requiere diferentes procesos los cuales podrían provocar daños ambientales, como las emisiones atmosféricas, la acidificación, la desertificación y el vertido de aguas residuales, que contribuyen al cambio climático. En este trabajo se realiza el análisis del ciclo de vida (ACV) para la producción de biodiesel a partir de aceite vegetal, utilizando la metodología de la norma técnica ISO 14044, para lo cual fue necesario realizar un análisis de inventario considerando las materias primas y la energía para cada proceso. El análisis del ciclo de vida "de la cuna a la puerta", busca la evaluación de impactos ambientales mediante el uso del software SimaPro permitiendo identificar las fases con mayor impacto, además se generan recomendaciones para optimizar la cadena de producción y mitigación de las cargas medioambientales relevantes. Según la evaluación del ciclo de vida usando la metodología ISO 14044 para las diferentes categorías de impacto que se evaluaron, se concluye que la actividad con el mayor impacto ambiental es la extracción de aceite de la palma. Hay cargas favorables para el medio ambiente que se producen por la recirculación de insumos como el metanol; asimismo, en la fase de reacción, se generó glicerina, este subproducto se utiliza en la industria farmacéutica.
Investigation of Internet of Things Handover Process for Information Centric Networking and Proxy Mobile Internet Protocol
Authors: Mohd Aman Azana Hafizah , Hassan Rosilah , Abdalla Hashim Aisha-Hassan , Mohd Ramli Huda Adibah
Published: January 2020

IoT (Internet of Things) technically connects billions of entities to the Internet. The IoT is divided between the technology and the service itself. As a result, great efforts are needed to join data from many contexts and services. This reason has motivated proposals to develop solutions that can overcome existing issues of limitations for mobility, security, reliability and scalability of IoT. These billions of devices are interconnected to each other either using unicast, multicast or broadcast communications, and mixture of static and mobile communications. This paper aims to investigate the parameters of mobility performance in handover process for mobile multicast IoT environment. Investigation is done quantitatively by evaluating the parameters of handover process for IoT in two networking protocols that are possible to support acceptable mobility performance for IoT. The protocols are ICN (Information Centric Networking) and Proxy Mobile Internet Protocol. The evaluation parameters include packet loss and service recovery time. The metrics are extracted from the handover process flow for each network protocol topology. The service recovery time parameter is assumed as the time duration for each message to travel from sender to receiver, while packet loss parameter depends on the packet arrival rate and service recovery time. The results show that the ICN performs better than Proxy Mobile Internet Protocol.
Bringing Shape to Textual Data – A Feasible Demonstration
Authors: Shaikh Anoud , Mahoto Naeem Ahmed , Unar Mukhtiar Ali
Published: January 2020

The Internet has revolutionized the communication paradigm. This has led towards immense amount of unstructured data (i.e. textual data), which is a major source to get useful knowledge about people in several application domains. TM (Text Mining) extracts high quality information to discover knowledge by drawing patterns and relationships in textual data. This field has taken great attention of the research community. As a result, several attempts have been made to propose, introduce and refine techniques applied for uncovering knowledge from text data. This study aims at: (1) presenting existing TM techniques in the scientific literature, (2) reporting challenges/issues and gaps that still need attention, and (3) proposing a framework to bring shape to textual data. A prototype has been developed to demonstrate the effectiveness and potential worth of proposed approach to display how unstructured data (i.e. news articles in this study) has been brought to a shape representing interesting knowledge. The proposed framework implements basic NLP (Natural Language Processing) functions in combination of AYLIEN API (Application Programming Interface) functions. The results reveal the fact that how events, celebrities and popular news-items have been covered in the electronic media, and it also represents subjectivity of topical news events. The news coverage trends highlight the significance of daily news events, which may assist in getting insight about the media groups.
A Comparative Analysis of the Socio-Economic Challenges Faced by SMMEs: The Case of the Emfuleni and Midvaal Local Municipal Areas
Authors: Molefe Karabo , Meyer Natanya , De Jongh Jacques
Published: January 2020

Flourishing and thriving small, medium and micro enterprise (SMME) sectors have become one of the leading recognised cornerstones of economic development. The ability of these businesses to act as key drivers of economic growth, innovation and job creation make them valuable assets towards any nationâ€™s strive for a more inclusive economic and social outlook. For South Africa in particular, burdened by an epidemic of unemployment, poverty and income inequality, SMMEs role in improving the socio-economic environment proves pivotal. Yet, despite their potential, these businesses face a myriad of challenges, emanating from both internal and external environments, that restricts their growth and development. The primary aim of this study is to identify and compare the main socio-economic challenges faced by SMMEs in two local areas within the Vaal Triangle region. The study made use of a quantitative research approach and a cross-sectional research design through means of the survey method. The sample consisted of a total of 198 SMME owners that resided in both the Emfuleni (ELM) (n = 100) and Midvaal (MLM) (n = 98) local municipal areas. Data analysis involved the use of descriptive statistics, cross tabulations and chi-square tests. Overall the results of the study revealed that amongst the biggest challenges faced by SMMEs included managerial as well as economic aspects such as a lack of skilled labour, insufficient business training and lacklustre local economic conditions. The comparative analysis further revealed more significant infrastructural challenges in the Emfuleni local municipal area while market challenges such as a lack of demand as well as higher transportation costs were experienced by SMMEs located in the Midvaal area. The findings of the study provide valuable insight towards fostering an enabling environment for SMME development, specifically on local levels. In this regard policy stakeholders should adopt a multi-sectoral SMME focus. Possible recommendations include enhanced macroeconomic stability, strong public-private partnership formation and the provision of strong business support structures that facilitate management skills development together with the provision of strategic finance facilities.
Efficiency and Profitability Analysis of Agricultural Cooperatives in Mpumalanga, South Africa
Authors: Xaba Thembi , Marwa Nyankomo , Mathur-Helm Babita
Published: January 2020

Agricultural cooperatives are expected to generate sustainable profit as they are established as a vehicle of economic development. Efficiency and profitability analysis measures the performance of a firm, and assists management in decision-making through benchmarking with other firms (Marwa & Aziakpono, 2014). To understand the performance of agricultural cooperatives, our study analysed efficiency and profitability using an efficiency-profitability matrix to provide for multi-dimensional analysis. The study used secondary data from annual financial statements for the financial years 2015/16 collected from 19 agricultural cooperatives. Technical efficiency was estimated using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and profitability was estimated using Returns on Assets (ROA). The median scores were 68% for technical efficiency and 10% for profitability. Using the 68% efficiency and 10% profitability benchmark, the matrix separated best performers from low performers. The matrix indicated that 26% of the cooperatives had high-efficiency levels with high profitability (stars), however there was an even distribution between the stars and sleepers: 5 out of 19 cooperatives were sleepers and 5 out of 19 were stars. The majority of the decision-making units (DMUs) at 42% (8 out of 19) are in quadrant 3, categorised as â€˜question markâ€™. These DMUs had low-efficiency scores and low profitability ratios. Only 1 out of 19 cooperatives had high-efficiency levels and low profitability scores. The results demonstrate that technically efficient firms do not always translate to profitable firms: in this regard, management needs to investigate how best to allocate resources in order to remain relevant within the business context and competition. Policy makers need to investigate other drivers of efficiency and profitability when measuring the performance of a firm to influence future policy directives.
The Rural Immigration Effects on Urban Service Delivery in South Africa (SA)
Authors: Nkabinde Buyani , Lekhanya Lawrence Mpele , Dorasamy Nirmala
Published: January 2020

The current socio-economic and political problems of South Africa are rooted in the colonial apartheid era as scholars and researchers suggest through extensive research. However, there have been high levels of service delivery protests related to the government performance on the issues of service delivery to the local communitiesâ€™ countrywide. Governments departments appear to be lacking much required knowledge and understanding of external factors associated with rural to urban migration such social-economic factors and other various relevant challenges, hence, local authorities are struggling to meet up with demands caused by the ever-increasing number of urban populations, which affects services delivery performance. The study was quantitative approach and used 5 Likert scale questionnaires which were distributed in the selected areas of eThekwini city. A total of 100 with 25 respondents per area, chosen areas include emhlabeni, emalandeni, ezimeleni and silver city. Whereas, qualitative aspects of the study were secondary data through extensive literature review, the study has found that indeed rural to urban migration has a negative impact on service delivery the study argue that service delivery, rural to urban migration, public participation need to be part of the government agenda holistically to improve service delivery and capacity of local authorities. This study recommends proactive urban planning and community involvement through public participation channels. The generalization of the findings of this study should be done with care.
Analysis of Relationships and Causality between Consumer Price Index (CPI), the Producer Price Index (PPI) and Purchasing Managerâ€™s Index (PMI) in South Africa
Authors: Meyer Daniel Francois , Habanabakize Thomas
Published: January 2020

The variables the consumer price index (CPI), the producer price index (PPI) and the purchasing managersâ€™ index (PMI) and play major roles in economic forecasting. The overall objective of this study is to assess the inter-relationships between CPI, PPI and PMI as predicting variables. This study is quantitative in nature and employed an ARDL econometric model, error correction model (ECM) and Granger causality approaches to establish long and short-run relationships. The ARDL method was used due to the fact that the variables had a mix of stationarity at levels I (0) and the first difference I (1). Quarterly datasets were obtained from Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) and the Bureau of Economic Research (BER) for the period 2000 to 2017. Results from the estimations discovered that variables cointegrate in the long-run. Additionally, evidence of short-run relationships has been determined using ECM. Furthermore, causal relationships were also analysed with results indicating that CPI causes PMI and PPI causes PMI. The implication of the research is the confirmation of the importance of relationships between CPI, PPI and PMI, which is especially significant in the short-run and the three index indicators are important macro-economic indicators for changes in overall economic activity on a macro level.
Cash Flow Volatility and Firm Investment Behaviour: Evidence from African Listed Firms
Authors: Vengesai Edson , Kwenda Farai
Published: January 2020

This study explored the association between cash flow variability and investment behaviour of African listed firms. The research employed a dynamic panel data model estimated with the difference and system Generalised Method of Moments estimation techniques on a panel of 815 listed African non-financial firms. The estimation techniques control for unobserved heterogeneity, endogeneity, autocorrelation, heteroscedasticity and dynamic panel bias. Two different measures of volatility were employed; the exponentially weighted moving average, a forward-looking measure that captures innovations in cash flow volatilities and the coefficient of variation that captures the mechanical effect of the possible relation between cash flow levels and volatility. The results obtained suggested that cash-flow volatility is associated with average lower investment in African firms. These findings show that not only cash flows are an important determinant of investment decisions, but the variability of the cash flows also has a significant bearing on the investment levels of African firms. Cash flow volatility has a significant negative impact on investment even for firms with higher cash flows and unconstrained firms. African firms should not only aim at achieving higher cash flows, but the stability of the cash flows is equally important to sustain solid investment levels.
Treasury Single Account: A Nudge towards Public Sector Accountability in Nigeria
Authors: G. T. Akinleye , S. B Fajuyagbe , B. O Owoniya
Published: January 2020

This study examined treasury single account, as a nudge towards public sector accountability in Nigeria. Specifically, the study analyzed the influence of adoption of treasury single account on the effectiveness of cash management, reduction of fraudulent activities and improvement in the level of accountability in the Nigerian public sector. The study made use of primary data collected through the use of a questionnaire, based on a sample of 400 respondents randomly selected from government parastatals, departments, institutions and ministries, across the six southwest states in Nigeria. Data collected were analyzed with frequency and percentage response analysis. The result showed that adoption of treasury single account provoked effective management of cash, sustained a considerable reduction in the level of fraudulent activities and aided improved level of accountability in the Nigerian public sector. Thus, there is no doubt that treasury single account is a nudge towards public sector accountability in Nigeria. Therefore, the government can further harness the potency of centralize control of public resources to birth a corrupt free society, where utmost accountability and transparency of resources mobilization and management can be attained.
Political Institutions and Macroeconomic Factors as Determinants of Credit Risk in South Africa
Authors: Zhou S. , Tewari D.D
Published: January 2020

This study analyses the effects of political institutions and macroeconomic factors on credit risk in South Africa using quarterly data between 1998 and 2016. The study uses the ARDL approach to cointegration and reports on both long-run and short-run influences of credit risk. In the long-run political institutions and gold prices are found to positively impact credit risk whereas Gross domestic product has a negative influence on credit risk. In the short-run however political institutions have a negative influence on credit risk. Further, the study confirms the recent country risk downgrades by rating agencies, S & P, Moody and Fitch. Policies that grow the economy and are consistent with the governmentâ€™s long-term strategy needs to be followed to improve investor and lender confidence.
Positive and Negative Antecedents of Consumer Attitude towards Online Shopping
Authors: Redda Ephrem Habtemichael
Published: January 2020

The internet has enabled businesses to make a wide range of products available for consumers to shop online, conveniently, anytime from anywhere in the world. While online shopping has shown tremendous growth over the recent past, literature indicates that consumers do cite some serious risks in transacting through the internet, and show reluctance in engaging in such activities. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to identify positive and negative antecedents of consumer attitudes towards online shopping in an emerging economy, South Africa. Primary data through a survey method was collected from a sample of 215 consumers in Gauteng, South Africa, in early 2018. The study utilized descriptive, correlation and multivariate regression analysis to achieve its stated objective. The study identifies convenience, better deals/competitive pricing, a wider selection of products and online atmospherics as positive antecedents of consumer attitudes towards online shopping, while trust/reliability issues, financial risk, product risk, non-delivery risk and return policy issues are identified as negative antecedents of consumer attitudes towards online shopping. Online retailers are therefore encouraged to building on the positive antecedents by offering value for money (i.e. competitive pricing), offering a wide range of goods and services in their web pages, providing valuable information to customers, and designing visually appealing websites. Similarly, online retailers should try as much as possible to reduce the real and/or perceived risks related to financial risk and product risk by building trust with their customers.
South Africaâ€™s Trade Performance under Alternative Exchange Rate Regimes
Authors: Patrick Romaine , Nyatanga Phocenah
Published: January 2020

This study examined the effect exchange rates have on import and export volumes under alternative exchange rate policies adopted in South Africa over the period 1960 to 2017. Using quarterly time series data for the stated period, a log-linear error correction model is employed to estimate the countryâ€™s export and import elasticities, taking into account Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the real price of exports, the real price of imports and real exchange rates. Using the freely floating exchange rate regime as the base period, the study concluded that both export and import volumes are lower under a system of fixed exchange rates. Export and import volumes were also found to be lower under the dual exchange rate regime, relative to the freely floating exchange rate regime. In accordance with export-led growth strategies, exports were found to be higher and imports lower under a managed floating exchange rate regime. It is therefore recommended that South Africa revert to a more managed exchange rate regime, until the South African economy is developed to accommodate a freely floating exchange rate regime.
Automatic testing method for static pressure drive performance of electronic hydraulic brake system
Authors: He Ren , Huang Daxing
Published: January 2020

To solve the problem of static pressure transmission performance of electronic hydraulic brake system, the mathematical models of main cylinder, solenoid valve, accumulator, and motor hydraulic pump of electronic hydraulic brake system are established. Based on the mathematical model, the static pressure transmission performance of electronic hydraulic brake system is analyzed. Then the standard normal state model of static pressure transmission performance of electronic hydraulic brake system is established by statistical method. The threshold correlation degree between the vibration signal of the static pressure drive and the normal state mode obtained by the vibration acceleration sensor are calculated. If the threshold correlation degree is greater than or equal to 0.5, the precision pressure transmission state of the electronic hydraulic brake system to be tested belongs to the standard normal state, and the threshold correlation degree is less than 0.5, indicating that the precision pressure transmission state of the electronic hydraulic brake system to be tested does not belong to the standard normal state. The test results show that the proposed method can effectively detect the boost response of the static pressure transmission of the electronic hydraulic brake system under high and low strength conditions under normal conditions and accumulator failure conditions. The method can effectively detect the static pressure transmission state of the electronic hydraulic brake system belongs to the fault state according to the threshold correlation degree, which is consistent with the simulation results.
Damage detection of long-span bridge structures based on response surface model
Authors: Fang Shujun
Published: January 2020

In order to solve the problem of high risk and low precision of existing damage detection methods for long-span Bridges, a new method based on fourth-order polynomial response surface model is proposed. Response surface model is constructed by using fourth order polynomial function. The parameters of the finite element model of the bridge are modified according to the response surface model. Based on the finite element model, the modal strain energy before and after the damage of the element was calculated, and the damage index of the element was obtained, so as to realize the damage detection of the long-span bridge structure. Experimental results show that the proposed method can accurately detect the damage location of long-span Bridges under different damage conditions, and the detection error of damage degree is less than 1%, which has a broad application prospect.
The Meetings Industry an overview and structure
Authors: Celuch Krzysztof
Published: January 2020

Convention bureaus (convention and visitors bureaus, CBs) play a significant role in the development of the meetings industry, as they constitute the particular element which unites all the participants of the events market. They are marketing organisations or, in other words, destination marketing/management organisations, DMOs for short. Generally speaking, DMOs specialise in promoting the destination they represent in the scope of hosting events, support the event acquisition process and perform other functions, such as integrating the local meetings industry, preparing a common offer and developing it, conducting research concerning the position of the represented market, and undertaking educational initiatives. The key challenge convention bureaus face is achieving the best position for the destination as event venue.
Penggunaan Mesin Modifikasi Jamu Tradisional untuk Meningkatkan Hasil Produksi
Authors: Dwi Ferdiani Rosita , Yudiono Udik , Murniasih Tatik Retno
Published: January 2020

Proses produksi jamu tradisional dengan mesin manual memerlukan waktu yang relatif lama. Proses produksi yang lama akan menghasilkan produksi jamu yang sedikit dan juga resiko tumbuhnya bakteri. Tujuan dari pengabdian ini yaitu membuat mesin modifikasi jamu untuk meningkatkan produksi jamu. Pengabdi melalui kegiatan PKM (Program Kemitraan Masyarakat) menawarkan metode pada mitra antara lain diskusi, pelatihan dan pendampingan. Diskusi berguna untuk menggali kelemahan dan kelebihan mitra. Pelatihan dibantu ahli mesin terkait pengoperasian mesin modifikasi jamu dan perawatannya. Sedangkan pendampingan dilakukan pengabdi mulai dari penyediaan mesin modifikasi jamu sampai produksi jamu. Hasil pengabdian menunjukkan kegiatan berjalan dengan lancar dengan penjadwalan yang sudah disepakati pengabdi dan mitra. Selain itu mitra juga berpartisipasi aktif dalam kegiatan pengabdian PKM ini. Penggunaan mesin modifikasi jamu dapat meningkatkan produksi jamu mitra.
Pengaruh Penerapan Model Konsiderasi Terhadap Pembentukan Sikap Siswa dalam Pembelajaran Sosiologi di Kelas XI IPS SMA Adabiah Padang
Authors: Kahana Mutia , Junaidi Junaidi
Published: January 2020

Dalam pembelajaran sosiologi di kelas XI IPS SMA Adabiah Padang beberapa siswa belum mampu menunjukkan beberapa sikap sikap toleransi dan nondiskriminasi terhadap masyarakat lain yang memiliki etnis dan agama yang berbeda. Untuk mengatasi masalah itu peneliti memilih model pembelajaran konsiderasi. Tujuan dari penelitian ini untuk mengetahui pengaruh penerapan model konsiderasi terhadap pembentukan sikap siswa dalam pembelajaran sosiologi di kelas XI IPS SMA Adabiah Padang. Jenis penelitian ini adalah kuantitatif dengan tipe penelitian eksperimen dengan desain Pretest Posttest Control Group Design. Populasi penelitian ini adalah seluruh siswa kelas XI IPS SMA Adabiah Padang. Sampel yang terpilih sebagai kelas eksperimen adalah siswa kelas XI IPS 2 dan sebagai kelas kontrol adalah XI IPS 5. Instrumen penelitian adalah berupa angket untuk memperoleh data mengenai sikap siswa terhadap mata pelajaran sosiologi dengan menggunakan model konsiderasi, selanjutnya hasil data yang diperoleh dianalisis dengan menggunakan uji t. Berdasarkan deskripsi dan analisis data yang telah dilakukan, dapat disimpulkan bahwa rata-rata skor sikap siswa dalam pembelajaran sosiologi kelas eksperimen adalah 50,74, sedangkan rata-rata skor sikap siswa dalam pembelajaran sosiologi kelas kontrol adalah 43,85, pengolahan data tes dilakukan dengan menggunakan uji t. Setelah dianalisis diperoleh t hitung = 2,88 dengan taraf nyata α = 0,05 dan df = 77, sedangkan t tabel = 2,00 karena t hitung > t tabel maka hipotesis nol (H0) ditolak. Oleh karena itu, berdasarkan data di atas dapat disimpulkan bahwa pembelajaran dengan model konsiderasi berpengaruh terhadap sikap siswa dalam pembelajaran sosiologi di kelas XI IPS SMA Adabiah Padang.
Bilgi Yönetimi Eğilimi Ölçeğinin Türkiye Kültürüne Uyarlanması: Geçerlik ve Güvenirlik Çalışması
Authors: DURNALİ Mehmet , LİMON İbrahim
Published: January 2020

Bu çalışmanın amacı, Wang, Ahmed ve Rafiq (2008) ta-rafından geliştirilen Bilgi Yönetimi Eğilimi Ölçeği (BYE-Ö)’ni Türkiye Kültürüne uyarlamaktır. İlk olarak, ölçeğin Türkçe sürümünün dilsel eşdeğerliği İngilizce uzmanların-dan oluşan bir grubun fikir birliği ile sağlanmıştır. Sonra-sında, ölçeğin yapı geçerliliğini test etmek amacıyla Doğru-layıcı Faktör Analizi (DFA) için gönüllük esasına dayalı olarak 2017-2018 öğretim yılı sonunda Türkiye genelinde 206 öğretmenden veri toplanmıştır. DFA sonucuna göre; yapısal geçerliliği test edilen modelin uyum değerlerinin en az “kabul edilebilir” düzeylerde olduğu tespit edilmiştir. BYE-Ö maddelerinin bireyleri iyi derecede ayırt edebildiği tespit edilmiştir. Ölçek bütünü ve alt faktörlerin ilişki katsa-yısı değerleri, ölçek bütünü ve alt faktörleri arasında pozitif yönlü anlamlı doğrusal bir ilişki olduğunu işaret etmiştir. Cronbach’s Alpha katsayısı; ölçeğin tamamı için .901; örgütsel hafıza alt faktörü için .845; bilgi paylaşımı alt faktörü için .712; bilgi edinimi/kavrama alt faktörü için .668 ve bilgi duyarlılığı alt faktörü için .792 bulunmuştur. DFA bu yapıyı doğrulamıştır. Bu alt faktörler; “örgütsel hafıza”, “bilgi paylaşımı”, “bilgi edinimi/kavrama” ve “bilgi duyar-lılığı” olarak adlandırılmıştır. Orijinal ölçekte olduğu gibi uyarlama sonucunda da BYE-Ö’ünde 16 madde mevcuttur. Uyarlanan ölçeğin Türkiye Kültürü için geçerli ve güvenilir bir ölçme aracı olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Özellikle, bu ölçek, okullardaki bilgi yönetimi hakkında yönetimsel ve örgütsel çıkarımlarda bulunabilme noktasında faydalı olabilir.
Optimizing Design and Analysis on The Helically Coiled Tube Heat Exchanger By Providing Fins
Authors: Kumar Sunil , Mohan Ravindra
Published: January 2020

Heat exchangers are an essential part in an assortment of mechanical settings, for example, cooling frameworks, force plants, refineries, and in this way ceaseless endeavor are made to expand their heat transfer efficiencies. Optimize design of helical coil heat exchanger by using fins and the Compare pressure & temperature by conventional design. The final outcome of the study increase the total heat transfer rate inside the domain. And increase the pressure drop inside the domain. The water outlet temperature decrease up to 315k and cold outlet temperature increase up to 320 k. and total pressure drop increase with the temperature increases. Finally the CFD data were compared with previous data  the total pressure drop increase up to 0.65 bar for case-2.the overall efficiency of the system incites up to 5%  to 6%.
Performance and Statistical Analysis of Stream ciphers in GSM Communications
Authors: Yerukala Nagendar , Prasad V Kamakshi , Apparao Allam
Published: January 2020

For a stream cipher to be secure, the keystream generated by it should be uniformly random with parameter 1/2.Statistical tests check whether the given sequence follow a certain probability distribution. In this paper, we perform a detailed statistical analysis of various stream ciphers used in GSM 2G,3G, 4G and 5G communications. The sequences output by these ciphers are checked for randomness using the statistical tests defined by the NIST Test Suite. It should also be not possible to derive any information about secret key and the initial state ofthe cipher from the keystream. Therefore, additional statisticaltests based on properties like Correlation between Keystreamand Key, and Correlation between Keystream and IV are also performed. Performance analysis of the ciphers also has been done and the results tabulated. Almost all the ciphers pass thetests in the NIST test suite with 99% confidence level. For A5/3stream cipher, the correlation between the keystream and key is high and correlation between the keystream and IV is low when compared to other ciphers in the A5 family.