bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Securing Image Using Enhanced Watermarking Technique
Authors:   Student, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University Institute of Technology, RGPV, Bhopal(M.P), India., Gupta Swati , Baraskar Raju ,   Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University Institute of Technology, RGPV, Bhopal(M.P), India., Agrawal Shikha ,   Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University Institute of Technology, RGPV, Bhopal(M.P), India.
Published: September 2019

The image is significantly used in applications such as medical area, research area, image conferencing, a military image system, online transactions, digital signatures, passwords etc. But not everyone who uses this network is going to play by the rules or have the best interest at heart. Just as we have physical security like locks, fences and police officers to minimize crime in the real world. We need some security to minimize crime and harm in the virtual world. Three important factors form the security objectives of the digital content: they are Availability, Confidentiality, and Integrity. Watermarking techniques along with some Cryptography are used to protect the confidentiality of data. Watermarking is basically a process of injecting data into an image in such a way that it can depict the authenticity of those possessing it. The digital information hidden inside an image is imperceptible to the user but can be easily detected by a computer or various digital devices. Watermarking Technique has proved to be a powerful technique for image security and a lot of research has been made over the years to how to embed the watermarks and recover the watermarks effectively. These types of technique where watermark can be fully extracted from the image and along with the restoration of the cover are popularly known as Reversible Watermarking techniques. These techniques have significantly gained importance due to this excellent recovering property making them suitable for content authentication based applications. However, they are not able to identify any modifications or changes done in watermark making it susceptible to tamper location-based attacks. Due to the rapid development of watermarking techniques, a concluding review of recent research in this field is highly desirable. However, the major focus of this paper is on tamper localization based reversible watermarking techniques.
Integarted Minimum Cost Sub-Block Matching Distance based Face Recognition using Internet of Things
Authors:   Asst.Professor, CSE Department,Prasad V Poturi Siddhartha Institute of Technology Kanuru, Vijayawada-7, India, Jyothi* Ch.Rathna
Published: September 2019

Abstract: Now a days one of the critical factors that affects the recognition performance of any face recognition system is partial occlusion. The paper addresses face recognition in the presence of sunglasses and scarf occlusion. The face recognition approach that we proposed, detects the face region that is not occluded and then uses this region to obtain the face recognition. To segment the occluded and non-occluded parts, adaptive Fuzzy C-Means Clustering is used and for recognition Minimum Cost Sub-Block Matching Distance(MCSBMD) are used. The input face image is divided in to number of sub blocks and each block is checked if occlusion present or not and only from non-occluded blocks MWLBP features are extracted and are used for classification. Experiment results shows our method is giving promising results when compared to the other conventional techniques.
Systematic Classification of Historical Handwritten Tamil Palm Leaf Manuscript using CART algorithm and RBF Network
Authors:   Department of Computer Science, University of Madras, Chennai, India., Sornam* M. , Devi. M Poornima ,   Department of Computer Science, University of Madras, Chennai, India.
Published: September 2019

Character classification in the handwritten Tamil palm-leaf manuscript is more challenging than the other document character classification due to degradation and ancient characters in the palm-leaf manuscript. In this work, RBF (Radial Basis Function) network and CART (Classification and Regression Tree) were used to classify the Tamil palm leaf segmented characters. This work consists of two phases: In the first phase, the scanned Tamil palm leaf images were preprocessed by converting them into a grayscale image and then the images were allowed to remove noise using a median filter. In the second phase, GLCM (Gray Level Co-occurrence Matrix) feature extraction method was used to extract the statistical features from the segmented characters and these features were used to train the RBF network and CART algorithm. For the RBF network, Nguyen-Widrow weight initialization technique was used to generate the weight instead of random initialization. The dataset used in this work is Kuzhanthai Pini Maruthuvam (Medicine for child-related disease). By comparing RBF using Nguyen-Widrow method with CART algorithm, RBF yields promising result of 98.4% of accuracy whereas CART produced 98.8% of accuracy for character classification. The digitization of the Tamil palm-leaf manuscript will preserve the historical secrets, traditional medicine to cure disease, healthy lifestyle, etc. It can be used in the archeological department and Tamil libraries having a palm leaf script to preserve the manuscript from degrading.
Performance Evaluation of Hybrid Electric Vehicles for Sustainable Transport System
Authors:   Department of EEE, Birla Institute of Technology Mesra, Ranchi India., Kumar* Avanish , Thakura P. R. ,   Department of EEE, Birla Institute of Technology Mesra, Ranchi India.
Published: September 2019

The emissions from the internal combustion (IC) engine vehicle causes pollution which increases the carbon footprints in the environment which causes global warming. In ICE vehicle only 20 % of the energy produced by it is used to run the vehicle and rest 80 % of it get wasted. The emerging technology of Hybrid Electric vehicle (HEV) has become the feasible solution for the modern world as it lessens the carbon emission and augments the fuel performance of vehicle. The role of power electronic converters is very crucial in designing the configuration of HEVs. The performance of the converter is employed for realizing the features of electric traction motor drive. The paper analyses the performance of a small car powered by gasoline based internal combustion engine, series hybrid electric vehicle (SHEV) and parallel hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) drive train. The simulation has been performed on Advanced Vehicle Simulator (ADVISOR) platform. Different types of HEVs configuration has been analyzed by considering three different driving schedules such as CYC_UDDS, CYC_NEDC and CYC_URBAN_INDIA. The gradability and acceleration test has also been carried out in all category of test vehicles and result is demonstrated by examining vehicle emission at each driving cycle.
ACE-PI: PAPR Reduction in OFDM Systems Using Constellation Extension with Peak Insertion
Authors:   Scholar, M. Tech., Digital Communication, Aravali Institute of Technical Studies, Udaipur, India., bansal Chhavi , Mathur Aabhas ,   Associate Professor and Head Department of Electronics &Communication Engineering, Aravali Institute of Technical Studies, Udaipur, India., Dhabhai Dr. Hemant ,   Professor,Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Aravali Institute of Technical Studies, Udaipur, India.
Published: September 2019

In this study, a proposal is offered in order to calculate the Bit Error Rate with the Signal to Noise Ratio. Here in this paper, it is illustrated that by comparing this analysis among the other mechanisms effective results can be obtained. By applying the ACE scheme in which the clipping technique block is replaced with Peak Inversion (PI) and butter worth band-pass filter is added after the ACE constraint block for generating less distortion and more smoothing. As, it has been concluded from a survey that among different PAPR reduction techniques, PI found to be an effective technique which can reduce PAPR to an extent by incorporating a relatively high impulse. The MATLAB is used for analyzing the enhanced ACE scheme that offers better results in terms of both PAPR and BER.
Design Modification and Improvement on Automobile Suspension System
Authors:   Assistant professor in Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, M* Purusothaman , M Yogesh ,   pursuing his bachelor of Engineering in department of mechanical from sathyabama institute of science and technology.Chennai., E Vengatesan ,   pursuing his bachelor of Engineering in department of mechanical from sathyabama institute of science and technology, Chennai., B Vignesh ,   pursuing his bachelor of Engineering in department of mechanical from sathyabama institute of science and technology,Chennai., A Ramkumar ,   pursuing his bachelor of Engineering in department of mechanical from sathyabama institute of science and technology, Chennai.
Published: September 2019

Now days the air suspension system is used in all commercial vehicles like buses and trucks. In the recent era the peoples are looking for Air suspension in Light Commercial Vehicles. The Air suspension system comprises of many brackets, from them we selected the parallel link bracket. The existing Parallel link bracket is consists of more number of supporting plates, tubes, welding and also it having more weight. This type of brackets ate mounted in vehicle chassis with the help of bolted joints. The weight of the Air Suspension System is more important in the aspect of vehicle mileage. All the major OEM's are pressurising for reducing the weight of the air suspension system. By assimilate the optimized process or process route, removing the unfavourable materials or processes and decreasing the number of parts in mandatory area, mean while without affecting the requirement of the component and also reducing the weight of the components or assembly.
Weeds Detection in Agricultural Fields using Convolutional Neural Network
Authors:   faculty member of the Faculty of Information and Communication Technology of the Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM)., Ngo Hea Choon , Hashim Ummi Raba’ah ,   Faculty of Information and Communication Technology of the Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM)., Sek Yong Wee ,   Faculty of Information and Communication Technology, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM), Kumar Yogan Jaya ,   Faculty of Information and Communication Technology, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM)., Ke Wan Sing ,   Faculty of Information and Communication Technology, and she will be graduating with a bachelor degree of Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence) in 2020
Published: September 2019

Weeds are very annoying for farmers and also not very good for the crops. Its existence might damage the growth of the crops. Therefore, weed control is very important for farmers. Farmers need to ensure their agricultural fields are free from weeds for at least once a week, whether they need to spray weeds herbicides to their plantation or remove it using tools or manually. The aim of this research is to build an automated weed control robot using the Lego Mindstorm EV3 which connected to a computer. The robot consists of motors, servo motors and a camera which we use to capture the image of the crops and weeds. An automated image classification system has been designed to differentiate between weeds and crops. The robot will spray the weed herbicides directly to the area that have been detected weeds near or at it. For the image classification method, we employ the convolutional neural network algorithm to process the image of the object. Therefore, by the use of technology especially in artificial intelligence, farmers can reduce the amount of workload and workforce they need to monitor their plantation. In addition, this technology also can improve the quality of the crops.
Impact of Channel Geometries and Flow Patterns On Micro-Channel Heat Sink Performance
Authors:   Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Patna, Patna, India., Chandra Sunny , Prakash Om ,   Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Patna , Patna, India.
Published: September 2019

Demand for greater capability of electronic devices in very small volume for compactness has affected huge augmentations in heat indulgence at all stages of device, electronic wrapping, test section and system. Latest cooling systems are hence needed to eliminate the released heat while maintaining compactness of the device. The micro-channel heat sink (MCHS) is ideal for this situation as it consists of channels of micron size which offers an extended surface area to volume ratio of approximately 15.294 m2 / m3 compared to 650 m2 / m3 for a typical heat compact exchanger. A comprehensive review has been done for consequence of heat flux (qo), mass flux (G), vapour quality (x) and channel geometries at flow patterns and heat dissipation of MCHS. The study show that to increase the rate of heat transfer by using different channel geometries like converging-diverging, segmented etc. compared to conventional rectangular micro-channels has given better cooling effect The Flow patterns like bubbly, slug flow are associated with nucleate boiling dominated in low vapour quality and annular flow also given the significant effect on heat transfer in higher vapour quality region.
The Effect of Interactive Multiple Intelligences Activities Flip Module: Its Effects on Students’ Multiple Intelligences
Authors:   School of Education and Modern Languages, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Sintok, Malaysia., Azid Nurulwahida , Hashim Ridzuan ,   Kubang Pasu Science School, Jitra, Malaysia., Tee Tze Kiong ,   Department of Professional Education, Faculty of Technical and Vocational Education, Batu Pahat, Malaysia., Heong Yee Mei ,   Department of Professional Education, Faculty of Technical and Vocational Education, Batu Pahat, Malaysia
Published: September 2019

This study aims to test an interactive pedagogical tool using a computer-based learning approach. The purpose of building Multiple Intelligences Activities Flip Module is to increase students’ potentials through their multiple intelligences. The true-experimental study design is used and the samples are randomly selected as control and treatment groups. Pre and post tests are used to measure the effectiveness of this interactive flip module in relations to multiple intelligences significant differences. The findings of the study reveal that the interactive Multiple Intelligences Activity flip module has a high degree of reliability whereby the average measure for Intra-class Correlation Coefficient is .771 with a 95% confidence interval from .520 to .931 (F(9,486)= 4.644, p<.000). Based on MANCOVA test analysis, the researchers have rejected the null hypothesis. The study has demonstrated that the Multiple Intelligence Activity flip module has increased the scores of multiple intelligences tests for treatment groups.
Execution of a Smart Prediction Tool to Evaluate Thermal Performance in a heat exchanger by using Single Elliptical Leaf Strips with altered Angle
Authors:   Mechanical Engineering, Sri Sivani College of Engineering, Srikakulam, India., Rao J.Bala Bhaskara , Raju V. Ramachandra ,   Mechanical Engineering, Jawaharlal Nehru Technology University, Kakinada, India.
Published: September 2019

Heat exchangers are prominent industrial applications where engineering science of heat transfer and Mass transfer occurs. It is a contrivance where transfer of energy occurs to get output in the form of energy transfer. This paper aims at finding a solution to improve the thermal performance in a heat exchanger by using passive method techniques. This experimental and numerical analysis deals with finding the temperature outlets of cold and hot fluid for different mass flow rates and also pressure drop in the tube and the annular side by adding an elliptical leaf strip in the pipe at various angles. The single elliptical leaf used in experiment has major to minor axes ratios as 2:1 and distance of 50 mm between two leaves are arranged at different angular orientations from 00 to 1800 with 100 intervals. Since it’s not possible to find the heat transfer rates and pressure drops at every orientation of elliptical leaf so a generalized regression neural network (GRNN) prediction tool is used to get outputs with given inputs to avoid experimentation. GRNN is a statistical method of determining the relationship between dependent and independent variables. The values obtained from experimentation and GRNN nearly had precise values to each other. This analysis is a small step in regard with encomiastic approach for enhancement in performance of heat exchangers.
Pkm Bagi Guru Smp Yang Mengalami Kesulitan Menggunakan Software Geogebra Dalam Pembelajaran Matematika
Authors: Wasiran Yulianto , Maja Ibnu , Husien Farida
Published: September 2019

One reason is that the process of learning mathematics related to geometry is not yet optimal, it is the difficulty of the teacher to visualize abstract geometrical objects. Geogebra software can be used as a tool to construct, demonstrate or visualize abstract problems in learning geometry material. The problem faced by partners in implementing the geometry learning process by using Geogebra's assistance as a learning medium is the low knowledge of teachers in the use of Geogebra software and the low skills of teachers in using Geogebra software in learning geometry material. In an effort to overcome partner problems, the solution offered was to provide training and assistance to the Geogebra application to junior high school mathematics teachers in Banyuasin III to assist them in the process of learning mathematics. This activity includes theory, practice, and exercises given to participants so that skilled participants use Geogebra. This activity has succeeded in increasing teacher skills in knowledge and skills using Geogebra software for Mathematics learning. Participants understand the use of this software and are also skilled at using it for learning geometry material. This activity has also produced several instructional materials for Geogebra software assisted geometry materials.
Peranan Economic Order Quantity dalam peningkatan Efisiensi pengelolaan persediaan pada PT. Martina Berto Tbk.
Authors: Tarsono Ono , Khotimah Siti
Published: September 2019

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk (1) mengetahui jumlah safety stock yang sudah ditetapkan oleh manajemen perusahaan apakah sudah optimal (2) mengetahui jumlah pembelian bahan baku yang optimal, dan mengetahui total biaya persediaan yang optimal, dan (3) mengetahui waktu pemesanan kembali (reorder point). Data yang dipelajari berupa data  tentang (1) kebutuhan bahan baku tahun 2015 (2) biaya pemesanan setiap kali pesan tahun 2015 (3) harga faktur bahan yang dibeli tahun 2015 (4) biaya penyimpanan variabel tahun 2015. Metode penelitiaan yang digunakan adalah (1) Metode Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) (2) Metode Safety Stock (SS)  (3) Metode Reorder Point (ROP). Dengan diperoleh kesimpulan sebagai berikut : (1) Besarnya safety stock ditentukan oleh perusahaan sebesar 30% dari kebutuhan bulan berikutnya (2) Kuantitas pembelian optimal bahan baku alcohol sebesar 15,6 ton, dengan frekuensi pembelian sebanyak 12 kali, bahan baku Texapon N-70 sebesar 10 ton, dengan frekuensi pembelian sebanyak 8 kali, bahan baku Whimol 15 sebesar 9 ton, dengan frekuensi pembelian sebanyak 7 kali, bahan baku Euperlan PK771 sebesar 7 ton, dengan frekuensi pembelian sebanyak 5 kali, dan bahan baku Edenor C12-99 MY sebesar 7 ton, dengan frekuensi pembelian sebanyak 5 kali, dan besarnya total biaya persediaan untuk 5 (lima) jenis bahan baku utama sebesar 3.708.967.727. (3) Titik pemesanan kembali untuk bahan baku alcohol dilakukan apabila mencapai 14 ton, bahan baku Texapon mencapai 5.8 ton, bahan baku Whimol 15 mencapai 4.6 ton, bahan baku Euperlan PK771 mencapai 2.3 ton , dan bahan baku Edenor C12-99 MY mencapai 3.35 ton. Berdasarkan kesimpulan diatas, maka penulis memberikan saran kepada perusahaan PT. Martina Berto Tbk. Agar mempertimbangkan penggunaan metode EOQ dan kapan perusahaan harus melakukan pemesanan kembali, agar pengendalian persediaan yang efektif dan efisien dapat tercapai.
Pengaruh Brand Equity dan Brand Trust terhadap Loyalitas Pelanggan Teh Botol Sosro di Kota Bandung
Authors: Iman Teguh
Published: September 2019

Currently the competition to attract consumers to use the product is no longer limited to promoting the initial functionality of a product but it will always be associated with the image of the product itself. The strength of a brand or brand Equity of a product is formed from the process of applying a good marketing strategy in shaping a brand while a product that is trusted by a consumer is a product that has a high brand trust because the product gives high satisfaction value to the consumer. This research is to know the influence of brand equity and brand trust to customer loyalty of Bottle Sosro Tea to Active Student of S1 STIE EQUITY STAFF STUDY 2011-2013, with member of population as much as 975 people, questionnaires distributed to 91 respondents by using error rate equal to 10%. The research method used is survey method, while data collection technique is done through interview and questionnaire. The analytical tool used is Line Analysis using IBM SPSS 20.0. The result of the research shows that there are significant positive influence either partially or simultaneously brand equity and brand trust to loyalty.
Analysis of Cost of Goods Sold Before and After The Issuance of Regulation of the Minister of Finance (PMK) No. 97 / PMK.010 / 2015 In The Metal Industry of Iron and Steel Listed on BEI
Authors: Novyarni Nelli
Published: September 2019

The external factor affecting the basic iron and steel industry in Indonesia is the Regulation of the Minister of Finance of Indonesia concerning the imposition of import duty tariff on imported goods. The purpose of this study is: to determine the difference in cost of goods sold before and after the Minister of Finance Regulation no. 97 / PMK.010 / 2015. This research uses descriptive research type with quantitative, which measured by using comparative method / comparison with SPSS 23,00. The population of this research is sub metal company and the like listed on Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) from 3rd Quarter 2014 to 1st Quarter 2016. Samples are determined purpuse sampling method, with the sample number is 11 companies. The data used in this research is secondary data. Technique of collecting data using documentation method through IDX official website: www.idx.co.id. hypothesis testing using Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test. It is known that the result of the significance level of 0.768> 0.05.So the conclusion is: there is no significant difference in cost of goods sold before and after the Regulation of the Minister of Finance No. 97 / PMK.010 / 2015.
Pengaruh Perencanaan Pajak (Tax Planning) Atas Aset Tetap Terhadap Laba Pada PT. Leading Garment Industries
Authors: Tarsono Ono
Published: September 2019

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui apakah perencanaan pajak dapat menghemat beban pajak pada perusahaan. Sampel dalam penelitian ini mengambil teknik Pemilihan Sampel Bertujuan (Purposive Sampling) dibuat perhitungan yang menggunakan metode garis lurus. Jenis data yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah data sekunder, teknik analisis data yang digunakan adalah deskriptif kuantitatif. Berdasarkan hasil analisis disimpulkan bahwa terdapat perbedaan perhitungan penyusutan aktiva tetap menurut fiskal dan menurut perusahaan. Perbedaan tersebut mengakibatkan penyajian laporan laba rugi nya juga berbeda serta berpengaruh terhadap laba bersih pada perusahaan pada tahun 2016 sebelum perencanaan pajak Rp. 101.273.003 setelah perencanaan pajak Rp.17.895.860, tahun 2011 sebelum perencanaan pajak Rp. 91.877.380 setelah perencanaan pajak Rp. 1.282.454, tahun 2012 sebelum perencanaan pajak Rp. 79.890.799 setelah perencanaan pajak mengalami kerugian sebesar Rp. 20.105.701, tahun 2013 sebelum perencanaan pajak Rp. 262.776.230 setelah perencanaan pajak Rp. 177.867.610, dan terakhir pada tahun 2014 sebelum perencanaan pajak sebesar Rp. 262.776.230 setelah perencanaan pajak Rp. 177.867.610. peningkatan biaya depresiasi dapat memberikan dampak pada penurunan laba perusahaan sehingga laba perusahaan sebagai dasar pengenaan pajak penghasilan akan semakin kecil.
Model Hubungan Citra Merek, Perpsepsi Kualitas, Harga dan Intensi Pembelian Konsumen
Authors: Hendryadi Hendryadi , Purnamasari Diana
Published: September 2019

Penelitian ini menguji hubungan antara citra merek, persepsi kualitas, dan harga pada intensi pembelitian produk pafum merek X. Secara khusus, peran kualitas dan harga ditempatkan sebagai mediator pada hubungan citra merek dengan intensi pembelian. Data dikumpulkan melalui penyebaran kuesioner dengan metode convenience sampling. Sebanyak 117 pelanggan dari tiga supermarket di Jakarta dijadikan responden.  Analisis data menggunakan PLS-SEM untuk menguji hipotesis yang diajukan. Hasil empiris menunjukkan bahwa citra merek secara signifikan dan positif berpengaruh terhadap persepsi kualitas dan harga. Citra merek, kualitas, dan harga adalah tiga faktor yang secara langsung mempengaruhi intensi pembelian. Pengujian model mediasi menunjukkan bahwa harga terbukti sebagai mediator hubungan citra merek dengan intensi pembelian, sedangkan persepsi kualitas tidak signifikan. Penelitian ini terbatas pada perilaku pembelian produk parfum sehingga riset mendatang dapat memperluas analisis pada produk yang berbeda.
Pengaruh Peran Budaya Organisasi Efektivitas Kepemimpinan dan Motivasi Kerja Pegawai Terhadap Kebijakan Badan Layanan Umum
Authors: Ritonga Azis
Published: September 2019

The background of this research is the change of status of Health Polytechnics of Surakarta from Civil Servant purely become Public Service Agency. Where in this form change make Health Polytechnics of Surakarta prepare their own budget. Thus there must be a change of management to address it. For that researchers are very interested to see the effect of Organizational Culture Roles, Leadership Effectiveness And Employee Motivation Against Public Service Agency Policy. The population in this research is all employees of Health Polytechnics of Surakarta. This research uses Simple random sampling which is a randomly chosen sampling technique. Statistical analysis using structural equation model (SEM). With 95% confidence level of research results showed that there is no significant positive relationship between organizational culture and leadership in Health Polytechnics of Surakarta.There is no significant correlation between organizational culture on policy of Health Polytechnics of Surakarta Public Service Agency (BLU).There is no significant correlation between work motivation toward leadership in Health Polytechnics of Surakarta.There is no significant correlation between work motivation to BLU policy in Health Polytechnics of Surakarta.There is no significant positive correlation between leadership of BLU policy in Health Polytechnics of Surakarta.
Synthesis and properties of sulfur-functionalized triarylmethylium, acridinium and triangulenium dyes
Authors: Santella Marco , Della Pia Eduardo , Sørensen Jakob Kryger , Laursen Bo W
Published: September 2019

Triangulenium dyes functionalized with one, two or three ethylthiol functionalities were synthesized and their optical properties were studied. The sulfur functionalities were introduced by aromatic nucleophilic substitution of methoxy groups in triarylmethylium cations with ethanethiol followed by partial or full ring closure of the ortho positions with nitrogen or oxygen bridges leading to sulfur-functionalized acridinium, xanthenium or triangulenium dyes. For all the dye classes the sulfur functionalities are found to lead to intensely absorbing dyes in the visible range (470 to 515 nm), quite similar to known analogous dye systems with dialkylamino donor groups in place of the ethylthiol substituents. For the triangulenium derivatives significant fluorescence was observed (Φf = 0.1 to Φf = 0.3).
Phylogeny and species delimitations in the entomopathogenic genus Beauveria (Hypocreales, Ascomycota), including the description of B. peruviensis sp. nov.
Authors: Bustamante Danilo E. , Oliva Manuel , Leiva Santos , Mendoza Jani E. , Bobadilla Leidy , Angulo Geysen , Calderon Martha S.
Published: September 2019

The genusBeauveriais considered a cosmopolitan anamorphic and teleomorphic genus of soilborne necrotrophic arthropod-pathogenic fungi that includes ecologically and economically important species. Species identification inBeauveriais difficult because of its structural simplicity and the lack of distinctive phenotypic variation. Therefore, the use of multi-locus sequence data is essential to establish robust species boundaries in addition to DNA-based species delimitation methods using genetic distance, coalescent, and genealogical concordance approaches (polyphasic approaches). In this regard, our study used multilocus phylogeny and five DNA-based methods to delimit species inBeauveriausing three molecular makers. These polyphasic analyses allowed for the delimitation of 20–28 species inBeauveria, confirming cryptic diversity in five species (i.e.B. amorpha,B. bassiana,B. diapheromeriphila, andB. pseudobassiana) and supporting the description ofB. peruviensisas a new taxon from northeastern Peru. The other five species were not evaluated as they did not have enough data (i.e.B. araneola,B. gryllotalpidicola,B. loeiensis,B. medogensis, andB. rudraprayagi). Our results demonstrate that the congruence among different methods in a polyphasic approach (e.g. genetic distance and coalescence methods) is more likely to show reliably supported species boundaries. Among the methods applied in this study, genetic distance, coalescent approaches, and multilocus phylogeny are crucial when establishing species boundaries inBeauveria.
A new species of Alpioniscus (Illyrionethes) from the Dinaric Karst (Isopoda, Oniscidea, Trichoniscidae)
Authors: Bedek Jana , Gottstein Sanja , Taiti Stefano
Published: September 2019

In the Dinaric Karst, Alpioniscus (Illyrionethes) is the taxon with the largest number of troglobiotic species (19), one of which is new and described here: A. busljetaisp. nov., found in two caves in the coastal area of North Dalmatia. Both caves are threatened by human activities (IUCN threats 1.1, 9.1.1).
Revision of the genus Ceriantheomorphe (Cnidaria, Anthozoa, Ceriantharia) with description of a new species from the Gulf of Mexico and northwestern Atlantic
Authors: Lopes Celine S. S. , Ceriello Hellen , Morandini André C. , Stampar Sérgio N.
Published: September 2019

The present study presents a revision of the genus Ceriantheomorphe Carlgren, 1931, including redescriptions of the two presently recognized species, Ceriantheomorphe ambonensis (Kwietniewski, 1898) and Ceriantheomorphe brasiliensis (Mello-Leitão, 1919), comb. nov., and a description of the new species Ceriantheomorphe adelitasp. nov.
Glutathione Reductase Promotes Fungal Clearance and Suppresses Inflammation during Systemic Candida albicans Infection in Mice
Authors: Kim Victoria Y. , Batty Abel , Li Jinhui , Kirk Sean G. , Crowell Sara A. , Jin Yi , Tang Juan , Zhang Jian , Rogers Lynette K. , Deng Han-Xiang , Nelin Leif D. , Liu Yusen
Published: September 2019

Glutathione reductase (Gsr) catalyzes the reduction of glutathione disulfide to glutathione, which plays an important role in redox regulation. We have previously shown that Gsr facilitates neutrophil bactericidal activities and is pivotal for host defense against bacterial pathogens. However, it is unclear whether Gsr is required for immune defense against fungal pathogens. It is also unclear whether Gsr plays a role in immunological functions outside of neutrophils during immune defense. In this study, we report that Gsr−/− mice exhibited markedly increased susceptibility to Candida albicans challenge. Upon C. albicans infection, Gsr−/− mice exhibited dramatically increased fungal burden in the kidneys, cytokine and chemokine storm, striking neutrophil infiltration, histological abnormalities in both the kidneys and heart, and substantially elevated mortality. Large fungal foci surrounded by massive numbers of neutrophils were detected outside of the glomeruli in the kidneys of Gsr−/− mice but were not found in wild-type mice. Examination of the neutrophils and macrophages of Gsr−/− mice revealed several defects. Gsr−/− neutrophils exhibited compromised phagocytosis, attenuated respiratory burst, and impaired fungicidal activity in vitro. Moreover, upon C. albicans stimulation, Gsr−/− macrophages produced increased levels of inflammatory cytokines and exhibited elevated p38 and JNK activities, at least in part, because of lower MAPK phosphatase (Mkp)-1 activity and greater Syk activity. Thus, Gsr-mediated redox regulation is crucial for fungal clearance by neutrophils and the proper control of the inflammatory response by macrophages during host defense against fungal challenge.
Adherence to drug treatment among schizophrenic patients in Jigawa State, Nigeria
Authors: Shehu Ado , Garba Saleh Ngaski , Anyebe Emmanuel Ejembi , Tukur Mb , Gomma Hayat
Published: September 2019

Schizophrenia is among the most common psychiatric disorders, affecting approximately 1% of the world’s population and is among the leading cause of disability. Adherence to drug therapy is associated with favourable clinical outcomes and good quality of life among schizophrenic patients undergoing treatment. This study assessed the prevalence and factors responsible for adherence/ non-adherence to drug treatment among schizophrenic patients in Jigawa State. We used a descriptive hospital-based cross-sectional study design and recruited three hundred and ninety- nine patients using multi-stage sampling technique. The mean and standard deviation of age of the respondents was 42.3±11.2. The level of drug adherence was 47.1%. On bivariate analysis, cost of treatment, types of treatment, side effects, and effects of treatment on the performance were found to be associated with low adherence of drugs treatment (P<0.05). On adjusting for confounding effect using logistic regression analysis, the cost of treatment of more than one thousand naira per day (AOR=3.00, 95%CI=2.75-8.83) and presence of side effects (AOR=4.01, 95%CI=1.45-16.09) were found to be predictors of non-adherence to drug treatments. Supervised community treatment, behavioural change communications along with community mental health care financing were recommended in order to increase access and decrease non-adherence to drugs.
Post-natal care uptake and associated factors among nursing mothers in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria
Authors: Obi Andrew , Obarisiagbon Otaniyenuwa
Published: September 2019

Globally, postnatal care is a strategic public health intervention to aid significant reduction in maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality especially in developing countries. This study aimed to assess the level of postnatal care (PNC) uptake and associated factors among nursing mothers for improved maternal and newborn outcomes in Benin City, Edo State. Two hundred and twenty (220) nursing mothers attending immunization clinics in University of Benin Teaching hospital, Benin City were studied using a descriptive cross-sectional study design. Data analysis was carried out using IBM SPSS version 21.0 statistical software after sorting and collating researcher administered questionnaire. Results were represented as prose, frequency tables and figures, univariate and bivariate analysis to assess postnatal care uptake and associated factors was carried out with level of significance set at P<0.050. Two hundred and five (93.2%) of the respondents studied registered and attended antenatal care (ANC) during pregnancy. One hundred and twenty-one (55.5%) of respondents studied had good knowledge of PNC, 190 (86.4%) had a positive attitude towards PNC, while 159 (72.3%) attended PNC. ANC registration (P<0.001), knowledge of PNC (P=0.002) and attitude towards PNC (P=0.013) were identified as significant factors influencing PNC among nursing mothers. Postnatal care uptake was high among study participants. ANC registration was a major determinant of postnatal care uptake in the study area, in addition to also significantly influencing knowledge of PNC and attitude towards PNC among nursing mothers studied. There is need to sustain and improve on the gains of postnatal care (PNC) uptake among nursing mothers in Benin City, by promoting sensitizations campaigns to promote ANC registration and attendance among pregnant women.
The role of standardized patient assessment forms in medical communication skills education
Authors: Peters Grace
Published: September 2019

Communication skills training is a routine practice in medical education designed to instruct and evaluate future physicians in matters of patient-provider interaction. Based on the United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS), medical schools across the United States hire and train standardized patients (SPs) to act as patients in and evaluators of simulated interactions with medical students (MSs). Using discourse analysis, I examine how a computerized assessment form creates a particularized version of communication skills with implications for future practice. The 39-item checklist is completed by SPs following a simulated interaction designed to prepare third-year MSs for the Step 2 CS. Specifically, I analyze how the form is structured to make recognizable specific communication skills tasks, who should complete said tasks, and what varying degrees of communication skills competency are within the realm of task completion. By analyzing the form, I consider the agency of texts in medical education, the implications of technologizing communication as an institutional skill, and the limitations of enlisting SPs to evaluate communication skills competency under the guise of a patient perspective.
Environmental health factors associated with diarrhoeal diseases among underfive children in the Sebeta town of Ethiopia
Authors: Mohammed A. I. , Zungu Li
Published: September 2019

The aim of this study was to assess and explore household environmental health factors associated with the occurrence of diarrhoea experienced by children under five years of age in Sebeta town of Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study, using stratified random sampling was used to conduct the research. A total of 477 households’ mothers/caregivers had participated in the study. The study showed that the prevalence of childhood diarrhoea was 9.9%. A number of risk factors including demographic variables, water and hygienic practices, and knowledge of risk factors showed significant association with childhood diarrhoea on bivariate analysis. The multivariate analysis showed that four variables were protective factors for childhood diarrhoea, including the type of toilet facility (AOR: 0.37; 95% CI 0.16 – 0.87; p = 0.023), availability of specific hand-washing places (AOR: 0.40; 95% CI 0.18 – 0.90; p = 0.026), availability of hand-washing facilities (AOR: 0.20; 95% CI 0.06 – 0.70; p = 0.012) and mothers’ knowledge on diarrhoea causation (AOR: 3.09; 95% CI 1.24 – 7.68; p = 0.015). The study, thus, recommends that effective measures to curtail prevalence of diarrhoea in urban contexts should be substantially increased by enhancing protective factors such as urban sanitation promotion programmes with emphasis on accelerating universal access to improved sanitation and hand-washing facilities, together with efforts in promoting proper hygiene behaviours.
Epidemiology of cystic fibrosis respiratory pathogens isolated at a South African Hospital, 2006–2010
Authors: Chibabhai Vindana , Lowman Warren
Published: September 2019

Background: The epidemiology of cystic fibrosis (CF) associated pathogens other than Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the South African cystic fibrosis population has not been previously described.Methods: A retrospective review of respiratory cultures taken from cystic fibrosis clinic patients at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital from 2006 to 2010 was performed.Results: During the study period, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Burkholderia cepacia complex and Candida albicans prevalence remained stable, Aspergillus fumigatus increased from 8% to 20% (p = 0.0132); Staphylococcus aureus decreased from 66% to 50% (p = 0.0243) and Haemophilus influenzae decreased from 13% to 3% (p = 0.0136). There were significant antimicrobial susceptibility changes to meropenem (p  0.0001) amongst P. aeruginosa isolates and cloxacillin (p 0.0001) amongst S. aureus isolates. Prevalence of most bacterial pathogens appeared to increase with increasing age.Conclusion: The findings of this study illustrate the epidemiology of CF associated respiratory pathogens and the trends in prevalence and susceptibility patterns over a 5-year period.
Delivery of isoniazid preventive therapy to reduce occupational TB among healthcare workers in Swaziland
Authors: Calnan Marianne , Haumba Samson , Matsebula Makhosazana , Shongwe Ntombifuthi , Pasipamire Munyaradzi , Levy Natalie K. , Mirira Munamato , Preko Peter , Smith-Arthur Alisha , Ghazaryan Varduhi
Published: September 2019

Healthcare workers (HCWs) in Swaziland are at increased risk of acquiring tuberculosis (TB), but existing infection control and occupational health policies often fall short of mitigating the risk of acquiring TB in the workplace. Health service failure to systematically offer isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) to HCWs, which is endorsed by the World Health Organisation (WHO), contributes significantly to the TB incidence among HCWs in high HIV prevalence settings. This paper describes a pilot introduction of IPT to HCWs, and expounds possible determinants for adherence and non-acceptance to IPT. Acceptance to the widespread use of IPT among HCWs can be improved through education on risk and counselling.
One Health in South Africa?
Authors: Weyer Jacqueline , Mulumba Misheck
Published: September 2019

No abstract available.
The effect of prior antimicrobial therapy for community acquired infections on the aetiology of early and late onset ventilator-associated pneumonia in a level I trauma intensive care unit
Authors: Ramsamy Yogandree , Muckart David J.J.
Published: September 2019

Background: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is the most common hospital acquired infection in patients who require mechanical ventilation. Early VAP is associated with community acquired pathogens whereas late VAP involves hospital flora. Based on this premise, a protocol may be formulated for microbiological surveillance and antimicrobial stewardship within a specific intensive care unit (ICU) to ensure appropriate empiric antimicrobial choice. The bacterial flora in VAP may be affected, however, by antimicrobials prescribed during the ICU stay. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of prior antimicrobial therapy for community acquired infections on aetiology and the susceptibility of bacterial isolates from the first episode of early or late VAP in a trauma intensive care unit.Methods: Endotracheal aspirates (ETAs) were obtained from patients with suspected early and late VAP. All ETAs were processed and interpreted as per the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Patients were divided into two cohorts: those whose injuries had required antimicrobial therapy for community acquired infections and those who were antimicrobial naïve. The effect of prior antimicrobial therapy on bacterial isolates from the first episode of suspected VAP was compared between the two groups.Results: Of 288 patients admitted to the Trauma ICU between January and December 2014, pneumonia was suspected in 91 (31.6%). Of these, 69 (76%) patients were antimicrobial naïve and 22 (24%) had received prior antimicrobial therapy. Early VAP occurred in 31 (45%) patients in the naïve cohort compared to 3 (12.5%) with prior antimicrobial exposure (p = 0.01). Of the early VAP isolates 25 (81%) in the naïve cohort contained community flora, whereas all isolates in those with prior antimicrobial therapy revealed hospital acquired organisms (p = 0.01). In the antimicrobial naïve cohort with late VAP 27 (71%) patients had community acquired organisms, whereas only 3 (16%) isolates in late VAP in those with prior therapy revealed community acquired flora (p 0.001).Conclusion: Patients who receive prior antimicrobial therapy have a significantly lower incidence of early VAP, but in those who developed either early or late VAP hospital acquired pathogens were more commonly isolated. Knowledge of prior antimicrobial exposure in a patient with early or late VAP will assist in determining the correct empiric antimicrobial choice.
HIV risk perception and consistency in condom use among adolescents and young adults in urban Cape Town, South Africa: a cumulative risk analysis
Authors: Muchiri Evans , Odimegwu Clifford , De Wet Nicole
Published: September 2019

Background: The relationship between HIV risk perception and consistency in the use of condoms is scarcely understood in the context of a high HIV prevalence among adolescents and young adults in urban South Africa.Methods: Using data from Cape Area Panel Study (CAPS), gender-stratified analyses were conducted to determine relationship between risk perception and condom use among 14–22 year olds (n = 4 853) in urban Cape Town. Using discriminant function analyses, ecological determinants of consistency in condom use were determined and a cumulative risk approach examined. Results: A total of 1 598 sexually active youths, of mean age 17.7 years, with 785 (49%) of males and 813 (51%) females were identified for analyses. At baseline, 87% of males and 90% of females assessed themselves to be at no or low risk of HIV infection. At follow-up, 61% of males reporting low or no risk were consistently using condoms compared to 67% reporting some risk of HIV infection. In females, 47% reporting low or no risk consistently used condoms compared to 49% of those reporting to be at some risk.Conclusions: Perceived risk for HIV infection had no significant impact on consistency in using condoms for both males and females. Further, findings suggests that the effect of ecological risk factors was cumulative. Therefore, interventions aimed at the three levels ecology may be more effective in improving consistency as risk factors possess a cumulative effect.
Hepatitis C virus seroprevalence among haemodialysis patients, sickle cell patients and blood donors at a tertiary hospital in Yaounde, Cameroon
Authors: Ndomgue Therese , Kengne Michel , Njukeng Patrick A. , Ndze Valentine N. , Anong Damien N. , Masebe Tracy M. , Tamoufe Ubald , Bongajum Anastasia Y. , Ter Goon Daniel , Nwobegahay Julius M.
Published: September 2019

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a serious health care problem in haemodialysis patients, sickle cell patients and blood donation in Africa. However, there is a paucity of information about this in Cameroon. This study presents the prevalence of antibodies to HCV among haemodialysis patients, sickle cell patients and blood donors at the Yaounde University Teaching Hospital, Cameroon.Methods: A total of 113 participants were included in the study. Sociodemographic data were collected using a questionnaire. The prevalence of HCV antibodies was determined by a rapid diagnostic test (DiaSpot HCV One Step Hepatitis C Virus Test Strip) and data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science. Results: Of the 113 patients, 18 tested positive, giving an overall prevalence of 15.9%. 15.6% (12/77) males had HCV antibodies, while 16.7% (6/36) females tested positive with HCV antibodies. HCV positive rates of 26.3% (10/38), 8.6% (3/35) and 12.5% (5/40) for haemodialysis patients, sickle cell patients and blood donors, respectively, were recorded. However, no statistical significant differences were observed in these three groups (p = 0.089).Conclusion: The present study reveals that the rate of HCV antibodies among the study population is high and Cameroon could be a highly endemic society for HCV infection.