bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Marketing aspects of corporate social responsibility in the context of innovative development of business structures
Authors: Yefremova N.
Published: November 2020

In the era of innovations business operation on the principles of socially responsible marketing is becoming more and more important. Socially responsible marketing is the responsibility for business activities to society. In Ukraine, the use of socially responsible marketing is free choice. In foreign countries, socially responsible marketing is a self-regulating norm of doing business. Most foreign companies understand this type of marketing as being honest with the company's mission, values and business principles, compliance with the law, taking into account national and cultural values, as well as socio-political events; responsibility for product consumption, prohibition to associate product consumption with personal or professional success; compliance with codes of practice, rules and norms of behavior, providing product samples. The principles of behavior in the market of large well-known companies from the standpoint of socially responsible marketing are analyzed in this paper in detail. The analysis is carried out on the basis of marketing concepts – traditional, socio-ethical, social, environmental, as well as A. Maslov’s theory of needs, M. Friedman’s theory of corporate selfishness of. There is the need to focus modern domestic management on the business structures management system based on the concept of socially responsible marketing. Its creation will bring the process of business structures management to a qualitatively new level. As an element of strategic management, social responsibility implies obtaining economic, social and environmental performance in the context of corporate sustainability. The introduction of the principles of socially responsible marketing in business entities activities should result in the improvement of its reputation, increase of its image and recognition; should contribute to brand strengthening, new markets entry, increase of innovative activity, consumer confidence, share value and investment opportunities, attraction of new consumers. In addition, it should result in the growth of economic and social efficiency, competitiveness.
Learning organization: world experience and Ukrainian realities
Authors: Zholonko T.
Published: November 2020

The concept of the learning organization is studied and the basic principles of its construction and operation are highlighted in this paper. The author emphasizes the need for constant updating of knowledge and professional skills in adulthood, in accordance with the concept of lifelong learning, recognized by UNESCO as a guarantee of sustainable human development. Based on the learning organization characteristics proposed by P. Senge (improvement of personal skills, shared vision, group learning, mental models and system vision), a new definition of this type of organization is derived, and it is compared with the definitions of other researchers. Examples of foreign companies that are appropriate to this definition (McDonalds, Walt Disney Company, Coca-Cola, Procter & Gamble, General Electric, etc.) and peculiarities of the learning organization concept introduction in Ukrainian realities are analyzed. The main ways, forms and tools of corporate learning depending on the goals and size of the enterprise – from creating its own educational platform or collaboration with leading educational institutions or service centers to webinars, trainings and distance training of the staff are considered. The author's vision of the life cycle of the learning organization, which in contrast to the life cycle of the normal organization do not consists of 5 phases (formation; growth; stability; decline; transformation), but of 4 (formation; growth; stability and transformation as the ability to respond to external and internal challenges facing the organization) is presented in this paper. Peculiarities of personnel management at such enterprise are offered (special attention is paid to planning of personnel career; flexible and transparent motivation system promoting the introduction of changes and innovations; formation of a certain corporate culture in which training and education are recognized as positive phenomenon at all levels of organizational structure; education of loyalty to the organization among the staff as guarantee of the personnel outflow reduction; attitude to personnel as talents, realized or unrealized, etc.). Prospects for increasing the number of learning organizations in Ukraine are analyzed in this paper.
Peculiarities of development and results of state management in Ukraine during independence (publicistic and scientific essay on solving managerial, philosophical and ideological problems in the state)
Authors: Andrushkiv B. , Kyrych N. , Pohaidak O. , Sherstiuk R. , Melnyk L. , Kuz T. , Hahaliuk O.
Published: November 2020

The problems of public management in the post-totalitarian society are highlighted in this paper. According to the available publications, specific examples of miscalculations in the state development are given. Their inheritance and logical-consequential connection with the efficiency of state management by society development are determined. The analysis of our state management by each president of Ukraine in the context of positive and negative achievements is carried out. Their causal relationship from the beginning of independence to the present is analyzed. The nature of miscalculations is considered. The problem of low responsibility or its absence for the majority of Ukrainian leaders, politicians and public figures is described. The principles being projected on any branch of national economy making it possible to strengthen responsibility and thus to provide relative management efficiency are offered. Some impact factors contributing to the effective work of managers are considered. Thesis about the lack of responsibility according to the results of management resulting in managers abuse at different levels and different forms of ownership and the need to ensure it is substantiated. It is recommended to support the concept of responsibility by forming «corporate ethics» code from enterprise manager to public management leaders. Moral crisis of the leaders, especially in public sector, which is the primary source of corruption is emphasized, as the main morality ideologist for the leader should be education, responsibility, spirituality, patriotism and professionalism, etc. Special attention is paid to the need for managers to implement the «corporate culture» and oneself formation as the state leader in order to improve management efficiency. It is defined that the properties characterizing successful leader and which are possessed by every leader will make it possible to create favorable climate for their employees and in the country. It is proposed to develop the moral code for the first leaders of the state, as behavior rules, which should be collected in the organization charter or behavior code for manager, employee, entrepreneur, owner and others.
Climate Change and Caribbean Coral Reefs
Authors: Deonarinesingh Anastasia
Published: November 2020

Anastasia, a student at the University of Toronto, St. George, is pursuing a Bachelor of Science Double Major in Physics and Caribbean Studies and a Minor in Mathematics. She is a pianist, plays the guitar and steelpan and spends her free time arranging music. Her love for soca music and steelpan in no way takes away from her passion for classical piano and physics. As a person of the Trinidadian Diaspora with many interests, Ana has decided to look at the Caribbean from a different perspective by combining her love for science and the region.
From the Ground Up
Authors: Williams Tammy Ronique
Published: November 2020

poetry
Baseball as an Intersection of Popular Culture & North AMerican Exploitation in the Dominican Republic
Authors: Gurprasad Tiffany
Published: November 2020

article
Appendix 1: Colonial Documents: Of Indentureship & Slavery
Authors: Bridgelal Pooran
Published: November 2020

essay
Stabilizing Haiti: Mission Accomplished? A Review of the work of MINUSTAH 2010-2011
Authors: Edmonds Kevin , Panchang Deepa , Fluerant Marshall , Rattan Rishi
Published: November 2020

essay
The Jamaican Bauxite Industry & Decolonization
Authors: Silberberg Monica
Published: November 2020

essay
Deconstructing Ideas of Violence and Homophobia in Jamaica by Sharifa Patel
Authors: Patel Sharifa
Published: November 2020

Deconstructing Ideas of Violence and Homophobia in Jamaica by Sharifa Patel
A proportional study of contemporary Bio safety rules and Islamic traditions regarding innate privileges of animals
Authors: Wattu Yasir , Farooq Yasir
Published: November 2020

Biosafety is the anticipation of significant forfeiture of biotic reliability, concentrating equally on bionetwork and hominid fitness. Use of animals and plants for experimental purposes is a controversial issue in recent days. Advanced states have constituted its biosafety and bioethical rules for security and survival of animals. Which prohibited unethical use of animals and ill treatment. All academic and research institutions are bound to constitute an ethical review committee which is assigned to review and supervise research activities conducted in institute. Contemporary Bioethical rules are assumed to secure the basic rights of animals. Islam has also set ethical principles for survival and security of animals and assure their innate privileges. Animals are an inordinate sanctification of Allah Almighty, many of our daily necessities are associated with them, and there is no denying the importance of animals in human life. As per Islamic education feeding and proper treatment and shelter are fundamental rights of animals and owner of animals is bound to provide these facilities. Moreover, cursing, beating, teasing and unnecessarily slaughter of animals is disliked. Major difference between contemporary bioethical rules regarding animal rights and Islamic teachings is use of animal for food purposes.
Lung Cancer Detection Using Marker Controlled Watershed with SVM
Authors: Johora Fatema Tuj , Jony Mehdi Hassan , Hossain Md Shakhawat , Rana Humayun Kabir
Published: November 2020

Lung cancer is one of the most dangerous diseases and prediction of it, is the most challenging problem nowadays. Most of the cancer cells are overlapped with each other. It is hard to detect the cells but also essential to identify the presence of cancer cells in the early stage. Early detection of lung cancer may reduce the death rate. In this study, we used the Grey Level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM) to extract the feature of cancer affected lung image and then Support Vector Machine (SVM) has been used to detect normal and abnormal lung cells after implementing the features. Our experimental evaluation using MATLAB demonstrates the efficient performance of the proposed system and in the result.

GUB JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING, Vol 5(1), Dec 2018 P 24-30
Design and Implementation of a Multiple Load Controlling Device Using Voice Command Sensor
Authors: Turkiye Al Amin Hassan , Bapari Md Maruf Islam , Hossain Md Faruk , Sazzad Md Nahid , Mansur Ahmed Al , Rahman Md Fayzur
Published: November 2020

The living standard of modern society has significantly changed by the rapid growth of Technology. The development of automated load control device is becoming more popular of the home system. At present the available automated load controlling devices in the market have several drawbacks with high operating costs incompatible standards. In this work a wireless automatic load controlling device is developed based on microcontroller and cellular phone to operate different home appliances such as television, light, fan, and air conditioner by voice command. The device is user-friendly and comparatively cost-effective. The simulation is done by using Proteus 8 professional software. Finally, an experimental setup is developed and tested result shows that the device is working properly.

GUB JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING, Vol 5(1), Dec 2018 P 60-64
Efficacy of Fruit Pulp Solvent Extracts of Cassia Fistula Linn. Against The Fourth Instar Larvae of The Mosquito Culex Quinquefasciatus Say
Authors: Khan Humayun Reza , Tanjina Taiyeba , Rahman Jinifath Ir , Afia Humayera
Published: November 2020

The efficacy of the fruit pulp extracts of Cassia fistula Linn (Caesalpiniodae: Leguminosae) extracted with three solvents (viz. water, acetone and n- hexanes) was studied against the 4th instar larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae) in the laboratory. Larval mortality was observed after 36 hours. The sun-dried extracts showed 18.67, 30.67, 41.33, 54.67 and 70.67 percent larval mortalities, respectively while the shade-dried extracts showed 6.67, 21.33, 42.67, 68.00 and 90.67 percent larval mortalities, respectively. The acetone based sun five extracts showed 18.67, 41.33, 60.00, 82.67 and 98.67 percent larval mortalities, respectively and the shade-dried extracts showed 17.33, 41.33, 73.33, 89.33 and 97.33 percent larval mortalities, respectively. The n-hexane based sun-dried extracts showed 21.33, 41.33, 59.67, 74.67 and 93.33 larval mortalities, respectively and the shade-dried extracts showed 33.33, 60.00, 68.00, 77.33 and 97.33 percent larval mortalities, respectively. The LC50 values for n-hexane, acetone and water based sun-dried extracts were 1.087, 1.097 and 3.211 mg/ml, respectively and the shade-dried extracts were 0.808, 1.054 and 3.048 mg/ml, respectively. No mortality was observed in control treatment.

Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 43(1): 1-9, June 2017
From the Desk of Editor in Chief
Authors: Sultana Professor Salma
Published: November 2020

Abstract not available

Journal of Surgical Sciences (2018) Vol. 22 (2) : 142
Society News
Authors: Sultana Professor Salma
Published: November 2020

Abstract not available

Journal of Surgical Sciences (2018) Vol. 22 (2) : 143
Factors Affecting Hospital Morbidity and Mortality after Esophageal Resection for Esophageal Carcinoma
Authors: Zico Nahid Rahman , Alam Md Kamrul , Masum Nazmul Hoque , Masum Mohammad , Mahmud Ashik , Ariph Ghiyas Uddin
Published: November 2020

Background: Since its introduction, esophageal resection has been notable for high rates of morbidity and mortality. Despite many retrospective reviews, conclusions regarding which patients may be at undue risk for complications are difficult to infer. Aim of this study was to evaluate the preoperative and postoperative factors affecting the hospital morbidity and mortality following esophageal resection for esophageal carcinoma. The study has been performed to standardize the criteria of patient selection and intensive postoperative care for patients undergoing esophageal surgery for esophageal carcinoma.

Methods: It is a descriptive longitudinal study, performed in department of thoracic surgery, Dhaka Medical College Hospital from 1st July 2015 to 30th June 2016. Total 50 cases were included in this study. Purposive sampling was done and surgical intervention was carried out by surgeon’s ranked assistant professor or above.

Results: Of the 50 collected cases, mean age was 52.10 (±14.69) years with minimum age of 32 and maximum, 80 years. 78% were male and 22% female. 28 (56%) patients underwent one stage esophageal resection for esophageal carcinoma and 22 (44%) patients underwent two stage esophageal resection. Out of 50 patients undergoing esophageal resection, complications occurred in 52% of patients leading to postoperative morbidity, 10% patients died following surgery during hospital stay and uneventful recovery occurred in 38% of patients. Respiratory complication was the leading cause of hospital morbidity (42.30%) following esophageal resection with predominance (30.77%) among stage III patients. Mortality rates were 5.26% in stage I patients, 11.11% in stage II patients and 15.38% in stage III patients. Comparison among different classes of ASA (American Society of Anaesthesiologists) score revealed better post operative outcome in patients with Class I and poor results in Class III patients. Post operative mortality rates of age group 61 to 70 and 71 to 80 were 33.33% and 50% respectively compared to 00.0% in 31-40 age group. Outcome of patients with squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma were quite similar.

Conclusion: This study showed that respiratory complication was the leading cause of hospital morbidity and mortality following esophageal resection for esophageal carcinoma. Old age, poor lung function test results, high ASA score and stage III disease have been found to be associated with poor post operative outcome after esophageal resection

Journal of Surgical Sciences (2019) Vol. 23 (1) : 3-9
Ajuste oclusal en prótesis completa
Authors: Laura Cahuana Jessica Gabriela
Published: November 2020

El propósito de este reporte de caso fue presentar un procedimiento de ajuste oclusal mediante remontaje clínico previo a la instalación de las prótesis completas en una paciente de sexo femenino de 65 años de edad, en ABEG, LOTEP. El diagnóstico definitivo fue la alteración de la dimensión vertical, edéntulo total superior e inferior. El tratamiento consistió en la confección de prótesis completa superior e inferior por la técnica compleja que incluye el remontaje clínico a partir de la confección de modelos para remontaje, registro de arco facial e intermaxilar y ajuste oclusal en el articulador semiajustable. Este procedimiento es una buena alternativa clínica para lograr una oclusión estable sin lesiones tisulares ni sintomatología dolorosa posteriores a la instalación; además, conserva la salud de las estructuras de soporte.
Working with Data from Real-World Corpora: A Case Study on Identifying Issues and Using Scalable Solutions
Authors: Shatz Itamar
Published: November 2020

Language corpora are increasingly being based on data from social and educational online platforms, and the size of these new corpora allows researchers to analyze language use in ways that were not previously possible. However, these platforms generally do not collect data with linguistic research in mind, so their data is often “messy” or “dirty” in various ways. Researchers must therefore develop new approaches for organizing and cleaning this type of data. Such approaches should generally be scalable, due to the size of these datasets, so they should rely primarily on quantitative and NLP-based techniques. Here, I present a case study based on working with a large-scale English learner database—the EFCAMDAT. I provide insights into the kinds of challenges that researchers may encounter when working with such corpora, and the kind of solutions that they may use.
The Development of a Syntactic Awareness Task using the Word-Order Correction Paradigm
Authors: Chu Claudia Pik-Ki , Ellefson Michelle
Published: November 2020

This poster described the development of a Syntactic Awareness task that stemmed from a larger project exploring the possible interplay of the psycholinguistic and cognitive predictors of reading comprehension in British and Chinese children. A word-order correction paradigm, ie. rearranging the fragmented words or phrases into logical and meaningful sentences (Brimo et al., 2017; Cain, 2007; Nation & Snowling, 2000), was adopted in the development of the measurement. Based on Nation and Snowling’s (2000) findings, items were developed with varying degree of syntactic complexity (the grammatical structure of the sentences) and semantic ambiguity (the possible correct combinations of the words) by adapting the materials from their study. The instrument was administered to a group of Year 5 and 6 children. Reliability was established using Cronbach’s Alpha, split-half reliability, inter-rater reliability, and composite reliability. The findings indicated the suitability of this six-item instrument as a measure of Syntactic Awareness.
The path to Jihad: A critical metaphor analysis of religious conceptualisations in jihadist magazines
Authors: Patterson Katie
Published: November 2020

The ideological discourse of jihadist groups depends on their use of persuasive techniques as instruments for recruitment, radicalisation and more generally “to convince the audience of the veracity of the doctrine presented through it” [1]. The language choices therefore play a crucial role in reflecting their social relationships, motivations and beliefs, and what attempts they make to justify or enforce these values. By adopting Charteris-Black’s [3] Critical Metaphor Analysis framework, this paper explores the use of metaphor as a rhetorical and ideological dimension to jihadist texts. Data are taken from jihadist magazines and compared against the Qur’an. Results show that the pervasiveness of religiously inspired concepts like the JOURNEY metaphor help the writers to anchor their message to a deeply seated, authoritative set of ideologies. At the same time, differences in the use of these metaphors suggest an ability to manipulate pre-existing conceptualisations to embody the principles of jihadist groups.
Syntactic Ambiguity: Meter, Rhyme and Lineation Effects
Authors: Tsoukala Andromachi , Vogelzang Margreet , Tsimpli Ianthi Maria
Published: November 2020

Although various factors have been considered in syntactic ambiguity research, the influence of formal textual features remains largely unexplored. Poem stimuli were designed to test whether line breaks influence the availability of preceding hosts for RC adjunction. In an online pilot reading study, we considered presentation in 5-line poem format (RC in its own verse) and in prose (RC and hosts on a single line). The prosodic features of rhyme and meter were manipulated to test whether they influence attachment decisions (by making a host more prominent) as well as whether they facilitate or impede the disambiguation process. Results: High Attachment was preferred the most while Low Attachment the least across all +/-Meter & Rhyme conditions. Stimuli were read significantly faster in their +Meter/+Rhyme version relative to the -Meter/-Rhyme condition. The combination of both these rhetorical devices led to processing delay, albeit not significant, when answering an attachment site question.
Estimation Of Drift Limits For Different Seismic Damage States Of Typical Single-story Precast Rc Buildings
Authors: Yesilyurt Ali , Akram M. Rizwan , Zulfikar A. Can , Tuzun Cuneyt
Published: November 2020

In the past earthquakes, the field surveys performed on the single-story precast RC industrial buildings reveal that the main reason for severe damages in those structures were due to the insufficient lateral stiffness. These high period structures exhibit more flexible behavior than conventional reinforced concrete structures. In this study, different code status single story precast RC industrial building models have been considered. Limit drift values for four different damage states such as slight, moderate, extensive, and complete have been investigated based on Park and Ang damage index values. These damage index values are obtained from incremental dynamic analysis. Incremental dynamic analysis is conducted for 25 earthquake ground motion records. The results of current study show that there is an increase in mean drift values obtained for each damage case taken from low code to high code. In the final step, values of current study are also examined in comparison with the values recommended for low-rise prefabricated building class in HAZUS. It is believed that the limit drift values presented in the study will allow a practical and rapid evaluation of the vulnerability of the considered structure.
İvme Kayıtları ile Deprem Enerjisi Azalım Bağıntısı Hazırlama: Zemin Etkisinden Arındırma İşlemi
Authors: Beyaz Turgay , Kayabalı Kamil
Published: November 2020

Bu çalışmada, Türkiye İçin Yeni Bir Deprem Enerjisi Azalım Bağıntısının Geliştirilmesi amacıyla kullanılan zemin ortamda kaydedilmiş deprem ivme kayıtlarındaki zemin etkisinin giderilmesi işlemi anlatılmaktadır.
Depreme dayanıklı yapı tasarımındaki en önemli parametrelerden biri, depremin yatay yer ivmesi değeridir. Sismik enerjinin mesafeye göre azalımını ifade eden bu parametre, deprem enerjisi azalım bağıntıları yardımıyla hesaplanmaktadır.
Deprem enerjisi azalımı konusundaki ampirik bağıntılar türetilirken ivme kayıtlarındaki zemin etkisinin giderilmesi gerekir. 
Türkiye'de ölçülmüş kuvvetli yer hareketi kayıtları, kuyu içi sismik deneyi ve ProShake bilgisayar programı kullanılarak gerçekleştirilen ters evrişim işlemi çalışmada kullanılan başlıca materyal ve yöntemlerdir.
Türkiye'de meydana gelen deprem kayıtlarının zemin etkisinden arındırılabilmesi için:  ivmeölçer istasyonlarında sondaj kuyusu açılmıştır. Zemine ait kuyu loğu hazırlanmış ve düşey kuyu yöntemiyle zemindeki tabakaların dalga iletme hızı (VP ve VS) ölçülmüştür. 
ProShake yazılımına aktarılan arazi verileri ve ivme kayıtları ters evrişim işlemi uygulanarak zemin etkisinden arındırılmıştır. 
Stratejik İnsan Kaynakları Yönetimi Penceresinden Afet ve Acil Durum Yönetiminde İletişim
Authors: Yaman Fatih
Published: November 2020

Afet ve acil durum yönetimi temelde, etkin kaynak yönetimi tabanlı bir süreç yönetimidir. Yönetilecek kaynaklar, insan, takım ve malzeme olmak üzere üç bileşenden oluşmaktadır. Bu üç bileşenini en önemli halkası hiç şüphesiz insan kaynağıdır. İnsan kaynağının etkili ve verimli olarak yönetimi, karşılaşılabilecek kötü durumları en aza indirebilmek için kullanılabilecek en güçlü unsur olarak karşımıza çıkmaktadır. İletişimin, insan kaynağı yönetiminde kilit rol oynayan bir konu olduğu açık ve net olarak bilinen bir husustur. Stratejik insan kaynakları yönetiminde önemi vurgulanan iletişim yönetiminin aynı zamanda afet ve acil durum yönetiminde de temel bir alt başlık olarak karşımız çıktığı görülmektedir. Bu çalışma kapsamında iletişim yönetiminin bu iki konu bağlamında nasıl entegre edilebileceğine dair birtakım önerilerde bulunulacaktır.
Upgrading Seismic Behaviors of R/C Frames with Shaped Memory Alloys Based Braces
Authors: Allahverdizade Ali Reza , Kara Serenay , Erdem Savaş
Published: November 2020

Intelligent systems in structural engineering are systems that are capable of automatically adapting structural behavior in response to instantaneous loads, thereby ensuring the safety of extended structural life and performance. One of the new technologies that makes it possible to achieve these goals is the production and development of smart materials. Examples of these smart materials used in structural engineering include piezo-ceramics, magnetorheological fluids, electrorheological fluids, and form-memory alloys. Shaped Memory Alloys (SMAs) are new materials that have been used in various fields of science and engineering in recent decades. In recent years, these materials attracted the attention of researchers in the field of building and earthquake engineering due to their properties such as high damping capacity, low permanent displacement and structural fatigue resistance. One of the application areas of these materials is that they are used as a brace in the structures, so the research results have shown the acceptable performance and operability of such structural systems. In this study, shape memory bracelets and steel bracelets installed as structural brackets were used as a lateral load system in the seismic improvement of concrete bending frames and factors such as residual displacement and base shear in these two load-bearing systems are compared.  The model under studying is a 6-story frame that has been subjected to time history analysis. SeismoStruct software was used to analyze the model.
Gastrin Attenuates Renal Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury by a PI3K/Akt/Bad-Mediated Anti-apoptosis Signaling
Authors: Liu Chao , Chen Ken , Wang Huaixiang , Zhang Ye , Duan Xudong , Xue Yuanzheng , He Hongye , Huang Yu , Chen Zhi , Ren Hongmei , Wang Hongyong , Zeng Chunyu
Published: November 2020

Ischemic/reperfusion (I/R) injury is the primary cause of acute kidney injury (AKI). Gastrin, a gastrointestinal hormone, is involved in the regulation of kidney function of sodium excretion. However, whether gastrin has an effect on kidney I/R injury is unknown. Here we show that cholecystokinin B receptor (CCKBR), the gastrin receptor, was significantly up-regulated in I/R-injured mouse kidneys. While pre-administration of gastrin ameliorated I/R-induced renal pathological damage, as reflected by the levels of serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen, hematoxylin and eosin staining and periodic acid-Schiff staining. The protective effect could be ascribed to the reduced apoptosis for gastrin reduced tubular cell apoptosis bothin vivoandin vitro.In vitrostudies also showed gastrin preserved the viability of hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-treated human kidney 2 (HK-2) cells and reduced the lactate dehydrogenase release, which were blocked by CI-988, a specific CCKBR antagonist. Mechanistically, the PI3K/Akt/Bad pathway participates in the pathological process, because gastrin treatment increased phosphorylation of PI3K, Akt and Bad. While in the presence of wortmannin (1 μM), a PI3K inhibitor, the gastrin-induced phosphorylation of Akt after H/R treatment was blocked. Additionally, wortmannin and Akt inhibitor VIII blocked the protective effect of gastrin on viability of HK-2 cells subjected to H/R treatment. These studies reveals that gastrin attenuates kidney I/R injury via a PI3K/Akt/Bad-mediated anti-apoptosis signaling. Thus, gastrin can be considered as a promising drug candidate to prevent AKI.
Effect of Ethylene-Insensitive Mutation etr2b on Postharvest Chilling Injury in Zucchini Fruit
Authors: García Alicia , Aguado Encarnación , Cebrián Gustavo , Iglesias Jessica , Romero Jonathan , Martínez Cecilia , Garrido Dolores , Rebolloso María del Mar , Valenzuela Juan Luis , Jamilena Manuel
Published: November 2020

Zucchini is a vegetable fruit that is very susceptible to postharvest chilling injury, and fruit ethylene production is correlated with chilling injury sensitivity, such that the more tolerant the cultivar, the lower is its ethylene production. It is expected that zucchini fruit with reduced sensitivity to ethylene would have a higher chilling injury tolerance. In this study, we compared the postharvest fruit quality of wild type and ethylene-insensitive mutant etr2b, in which a mutation was identified in the coding region of the ethylene receptor gene CpETR2B. Flowers from homozygous WT (wt/wt), mutant plants in homozygous (etr2b/etr2b) and heterozygous (wt/etr2b) were hand-pollinated, and all fruits were harvested with the same length, at about 8 days after pollination. After harvesting, fruit of each genotype was randomly divided in 3 batches of 12 fruits each (four replications with three fruits each), and then stored at 4 °C and 95% RH. At 0, 7, and 14 days after cold storage, each batch was used to assess ethylene production, respiration rate, weight and firmness loss, chilling injury, and oxidative stress metabolites. The results showed a lower chilling injury associated with lower cold-induced ethylene production in the mutant fruit, in comparison with the WT fruit. These data demonstrated that the ethylene-insensitive etr2b mutant fruit was more tolerant to chilling injury, confirming that basal ethylene in the still undamaged fruit could function as a modulator of post-harvest chilling injury. Moreover, the higher chilling tolerance of the etr2b mutant fruit was not associated with MDA content, but was concomitant with a reduction in the accumulation of hydrogen peroxide in the refrigerated mutant fruit.
Effect of Vineyard Floor Management on Seasonal Changes of Cultivable Fungal Diversity in the Rhizosphere
Authors: Kovács Barnabás , Dobolyi Csaba , Sebők Flóra , Kocsis László , Tóth Zoltán
Published: November 2020

Vineyard floor management has been widely discussed for many decades, but it is still unclear how its intensity levels change the fungal community structure of grape rhizosphere. Our objective was to examine the density and rate of the habitats of fungi in three vineyards that differ only in the methods of tillage procedure applied, namely intensive, extensive and none (abandoned). The hypothesis was that in the cases of lower intensity or no soil tillage, there would be a higher level of fungal diversity with a lower ratio of pathogen strains in grape rhizosphere. In the course of this research, it has been determined that the level of fungal colonization of roots is the highest in the extensively managed vineyard, unrelated to season (spring and summer). Four of the five fungal genera detectable in all of the three sampled vineyards are registered as opportunist grape pathogens, however the fifth one, Trichoderma, is commonly used in biological plant protection. The diversity of fungal communities in grape rhizosphere, in accordance with the expectations, was the lowest in the intensively cultivated and highest in the abandoned vineyard, and it was not affected by seasons. The proportion of opportunist plant pathogen groups was higher in the intensive variant than in the other two (less-intensive variants); therefore, it is possible to conclude that soil under similar conditions but disturbed by intensive tillage methods tends to exhibit lower suppressivity.
Effect of Jasmonic Acid and Salicylic Acid on Growth and Biochemical Composition of In-Vitro-Propagated Lavandula angustifolia Mill
Authors: Miclea Ileana , Suhani Andreea , Zahan Marius , Bunea Andrea
Published: November 2020

This study assessed the effect of jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA) on the in vitro development and production of Lavandula angustifolia Mill. plant material, and the accumulation of polyphenols, chlorophylls, and carotenoids in explants. Results were compared with explants grown in control media and with in-vivo-grown mature and young L. angustifolia plants. After 21 days of incubation, all explants propagated on low-SA-concentration or elicitor-free media produced a greater number of shoots than explants cultivated on media with higher elicitor concentrations. Shoots grew taller when activated charcoal (AC) was added to the elicitor-supplemented media, while AC negatively affected or had no effect on the phytochemical composition of plants. Explants grown in the presence of elicitors had higher polyphenolic and chlorophyll content than the controls, demonstrating the beneficial impact of elicitors on the secretion of secondary metabolites. Lutein and β-carotene were the dominating carotenoids in all samples. Culture media supplemented with 0.5 mg/L JA and 1.5 mg/L SA + AC proved the most suitable to produce plant material with high polyphenol and carotenoid content, comparable with in-vivo-grown plants.
Chemical Extraction of Phosphorus from Dairy Manure and Utilization of Recovered Manure Solids
Authors: Szogi Ariel A. , Takata Virginia H. , Shumaker Paul D.
Published: November 2020

Repeated land application of dairy manure can increase soil phosphorus above crop requirements because of manure’s low nitrogen (N) to phosphorus (P) ratio (N:P < 4:1). This soil P build-up can lead to off-site P transport and impairment of surface water quality. We evaluated a treatment process to extract P from manures, called Quick Wash, integrated with a double-stage solids separation system to recover coarse and fine manure solids. The Quick Wash process uses a combination of acid, base, and organic polymers to extract and recover P from manures, improving the N:P ratio of recovered manure solids (RMS). Results showed that coarse RMS could have use as bedding materials for dairy cows, and the fine acidified RMS with N:P > 10:1 can be used as a low-P organic soil amendment. A soil incubation test showed that acidified RMS stimulated N mineralization and nitrification having higher nitrate levels than untreated dairy slurry when incorporated into soil. Our results suggest that the inclusion of Quick Wash in a dairy manure management system can improve manure’s value, lowering costs of bedding material and manure hauling, and recover P for use as fertilizer while reducing the environmental impact of land spreading manure P.
The Influence of Different Fertilization Strategies on the Grain Yield of Field Peas (Pisum sativum L.) under Conventional and Conservation Tillage
Authors: Macák Milan , Candráková Eva , Đalović Ivica , Prasad P. V. Vara , Farooq Muhammad , Korczyk-Szabó Joanna , Kováčik Peter , Šimanský Vladimír
Published: November 2020

Weather, tillage, and fertilization are the major factors affecting the grain yield of field peas (Pisum sativum L.). However, the impact of tillage and fertilization on yield is not well understood. Therefore, this experiment was initiated in 1999. In this manuscript, we report the data recorded during the period of 2011–2015 to quantify the impacts on yield. Field peas were planted in seedbeds prepared through conventional tillage (CT)—moldboard ploughing to the depth of 0.22 m; and minimum tillage (MT)—disking to the depth of 0.12 m. The crop received three fertilization treatments, including zero fertilization (control); nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) mineral fertilization treatment; and NPK mineral fertilization plus the incorporation of pre-crop biomass. Five years’ average data indicated the highest yield on fertilized treatments (2.85–2.98 t ha−1 vs. 2.66 t ha−1) regardless of the tillage. When comparing the yield of fertilized treatments, the yield under CT (2.98 t ha−1) was significantly higher than that of MT (2.85 t ha−1). However, on non-fertilized treatments (less fertile plots), a higher yield was recorded under MT (2.71 t ha−1) compared with CT (2.40 t ha−1). Overall, the results of this study suggest that fertilizer application together with incorporation of the above-ground biomass of the previous crop may help sustain pea grain yield.
The Roles of Microbial Cell-Cell Chemical Communication Systems in the Modulation of Antimicrobial Resistance
Authors: Huang Ying , Chen Yufan , Zhang Lian-hui
Published: November 2020

Rapid emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become a critical challenge worldwide. It is of great importance to understand how AMR is modulated genetically in order to explore new antimicrobial strategies. Recent studies have unveiled that microbial communication systems, which are known to play key roles in regulation of bacterial virulence, are also associated with the formation and regulation of AMR. These microbial cell-to-cell chemical communication systems, including quorum sensing (QS) and pathogen–host communication mechanisms, rely on detection and response of various chemical signal molecules, which are generated either by the microbe itself or host cells, to activate the expression of virulence and AMR genes. This article summarizes the generic signaling mechanisms of representative QS and pathogen–host communications systems, reviews the current knowledge regarding the roles of these chemical communication systems in regulation of AMR, and describes the strategies developed over the years for blocking bacterial chemical communication systems in disease control. The research progress in this field suggests that the bacterial cell-cell communication systems are a promising target not only for disease control but also for curbing the problem of microbial drug resistance.
Phenolic Content and Antimicrobial and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Solidago virga-aurea, Phyllanthus niruri, Epilobium angustifolium, Peumus boldus, and Ononis spinosa Extracts
Authors: Ferrante Claudio , Chiavaroli Annalisa , Angelini Paola , Venanzoni Roberto , Angeles Flores Giancarlo , Brunetti Luigi , Petrucci Massimiliano , Politi Matteo , Menghini Luigi , Leone Sheila , Recinella Lucia , Zengin Gokhan , Ak Gunes , Di Mascio Massimo , Bacchin Francesco , Orlando Giustino
Published: November 2020

Prostatitis is an inflammatory condition that is related to multiple infectious agents, including bacteria and fungi. Traditional herbal extracts proved efficacious in controlling clinical symptoms associated with prostatitis. In this context, the aim of the present study was to explore the efficacy of extracts from Solidago virga-aurea, Ononis spinosa, Peumus boldus, Epilobium angustifolium, and Phyllanthus niruri against bacterial (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus) and fungi strains (Candida albicans; C. tropicalis) involved in prostatitis. Additionally, anti-mycotic effects were tested against multiple species of dermatophytes (Trichophyton rubrum, T. tonsurans, T. erinacei, Arthroderma crocatum, A. quadrifidum, A. gypseum, A. currey, and A. insingulare). Antioxidant effects were also evaluated in isolated rat prostates challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and phytochemical analyses were conducted to identify and quantify selected phenolic compounds, in the extracts. Finally, a bioinformatics analysis was conducted to predict putative human and microbial enzymes targeted by extracts’ phytocompounds and underlying the observed bio-pharmacological effects. The phytochemical analysis highlighted that rutin levels could be crucial for explaining the highest antibacterial activity of P. boldus extract, especially against E. coli and B. cereus. On the other hand, in the E. angustifolium extract, catechin concentration could partially explain the highest efficacy of this extract in reducing lipid peroxidation, in isolated rat prostates stimulated with LPS. Concluding, the results of the present study showed moderate antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects induced by water extracts of S. virga-aurea, P. boldus, E. angustifolium, P. niruri, and O. spinosa that could be related, at least partially, to the phenolic composition of the phytocomplex.
Appropriate Technologies to Accompany Sunscreens in the Battle Against Ultraviolet, Superoxide, and Singlet Oxygen
Authors: Giacomoni Paolo U.
Published: November 2020

The interaction of ultraviolet radiation with biological matter results in direct damage such as pyrimidine dimers in DNA. It also results in indirect damage provoked by the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) catalyzed by photosensitizers. Photosensitizers can be endogenous (e.g., tryptophan) or exogenous (e.g., TiO2 and other photostable UVA sunscreens). Direct damage triggers an inflammatory response and the oxidative and proteolytic bursts that characterize its onset. The inflammatory reaction multiplies the effects of one single photon. Indirect damage, such as the peroxidative cascade in membrane lipids, can extend to thousands of molecular modifications per absorbed photon. Sunscreens should therefore be formulated in the presence of appropriate antioxidants. Superoxide and singlet oxygen are the main ROS that need to be tackled: this review describes some of the molecular, biochemical, cellular, and clinical consequences of exposure to UV radiation as well as some results associated with scavengers and quenchers of superoxide and singlet oxygen, as well as with inhibitors of singlet oxygen production.
Improved Long Short-Term Memory Network with Multi-Attention for Human Action Flow Evaluation in Workshop
Authors: Yang Yun , Wang Jiacheng , Liu Tianyuan , Lv Xiaolei , Bao Jinsong
Published: November 2020

As an indispensable part of workshops, the normalization of workers’ manufacturing processes is an important factor that affects product quality. How to effectively supervise the manufacturing process of workers has always been a difficult problem in intelligent manufacturing. This paper proposes a method for action detection and process evaluation of workers based on a deep learning model. In this method, the human skeleton and workpiece features are separately obtained by the monitoring frame and then input into an action detection network in chronological order. The model uses two inputs to predict frame-by-frame classification results, which are then merged into a continuous action flow, and finally, input into the action flow evaluation network. The network effectively improves the ability to evaluate action flow through the attention mechanism of key actions in the process. The experimental results show that our method can effectively recognize operation actions in workshops, and can evaluate the manufacturing process with 99% accuracy using the experimental verification dataset.
Preparation and Characterization of a Selective Polymer-Based Solar Absorber for Building Integration
Authors: Čekon Miroslav , Struhala Karel , Kopkáně Daniel
Published: November 2020

Recent technological advances in solar absorber production may have created opportunities for new applications of these materials in buildings. A low-emissivity enhanced polymer-based absorber foil was developed and prototyped to demonstrate feasibility of the concept. This paper describes key development factors leading to a particular composition of the prototype and its testing, specifically spectroscopy measurements (both for shortwave and longwave regions) and environmental impact assessment of its production. It also provides comparison of the tested parameters with commercially available absorbers. The results show that the developed absorber has relatively good thermal emissivity (approx. 0.3), high solar absorption (0.95) and selectivity (3.2), and significantly lower (up to 98%) environmental impacts compared to the commercially available metal-based solar selective absorbers.
Techno-Economic Analysis of a Heat Pump Cycle Including a Three-Media Refrigerant/Phase Change Material/Water Heat Exchanger in the Hot Superheated Section for Efficient Domestic Hot Water Generation
Authors: Emhofer Johann , Marx Klemens , Barz Tilman , Hochwallner Felix , Cabeza Luisa F. , Zsembinszki Gabriel , Strehlow Andreas , Nitsch Birgo , Wiesflecker Michael , Pink Werner
Published: November 2020

Integration of a three-media refrigerant/phase change material (PCM)/water heat exchanger (RPW-HEX) in the hot superheated section of a heat pump (HP) system is a promising approach to save energy for domestic hot water (DHW) generation in multi-family houses. The RPW-HEX works as a desuperheater and as a latent thermal energy storage in the system. The latent thermal energy storage is charged during heating and cooling operation and discharged for DHW production. For this purpose, the water side of the RPW-HEX is connected to decentralized DHW storage devices. DHW consumption, building standards and climate, energy prices, material costs, and production costs are the constraints for the selection of the optimal storage size and RPW-HEX design. This contribution presents the techno-economic analysis of the RPW-HEX integrated into an R32 air source HP. With the aid of experimentally validated dynamic computer models, the optimal sizing of the RPW-HEX storage is discussed to maximize energy savings and to minimize the investment costs. The results are discussed in the context of a return of investment analysis, practical implementation aspects and energetic potential of the novel technology.