bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nutrition-oriented reformulation of extruded cereals and associated environmental footprint: a case study
Authors: Espinoza-Orias Namy , Vlassopoulos Antonis , Masset Gabriel
Published: July 2020

Background

The global food system faces a dual challenge for the decades ahead: providing nutritious food to a growing population while reducing its environmental footprint. Reformulation of food has been identified as a strategy to improve the nutritional quality of products; but the environmental consequences of such reformulations have rarely been studied. The objective was to assess the evolution of five environmental impact indicators following reformulations of extruded breakfast cereals.

Methods

Recipe, nutritional composition and sourcing data for three extruded breakfast cereals were retrieved from the manufacturer, at three distinctive time points of a 15-year reformulation cycle: 2003, 2010, and 2018. Nutritional information was summarized using the Nutri-Score indicator. The environmental impact of all recipes was assessed by Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) using five indicators: climate change (CC), Freshwater consumption scarcity (FWCS), Abiotic resource depletion (ARD), Land use impacts on biodiversity (LUIB), and Impacts on ecosphere/ecosystems quality (IEEQ). Life cycle inventory (LCI) was both primary data from the manufacturer and secondary data from usual third-party LCI datasets.

Results

Reformulation led to improved nutritional quality for all three products. In terms of environmental impact, improvements were observed for the CC, ARD and IEEQ indicators, with average reductions of 12%, 14% and 2% between 2003 and 208, respectively. Conversely, the FWCS and LUIB indicators were increased by 57% and 70%, respectively. For all indicators but ARD, ingredients contributed most to the environmental impact, while the absolute impacts of other stages of the supply chain (i.e. manufacturing, packaging, transport and end-of-life) reduced. A sensitivity analysis simulating no deforestation agricultural practices suggested that the CC indicator could be further reduced by 21 to 49% for the 2018 recipes.

Conclusions

This study highlighted the need to better account for the environmental consequences of changing food product recipes. While improvements can be achieved at all stages of products’ life cycles, agricultural commodities need to be the focus for further improvement, in particular in shelf-stable grain-based products such as extruded cereals. This could be achieved through selection of less demanding ingredients and improvements in agricultural practices.
Trends in and determinants of visiting private health facilities for maternal and child health care in Nepal: Comparison of three Nepal Demographic Health Surveys, 2006, 2011, and 2016.
Authors: Adhikari Ramesh Prasad , Shrestha Manisha Laxmi , Satinsky Emily N. , Upadhaya Nawaraj
Published: July 2020

Background: Maternal and child health care services are available in both public and private facilities in Nepal. No study has yet looked at trends in maternal and child health service use over time in Nepal. This paper assesses trends in and determinants of visiting private health facilities for maternal and child health needs using nationally representative data from the last three successive Nepal Demographic Health Surveys (NDHS). Methods: Data from the NDHS conducted in 2006, 2011, and 2016 were used. Maternal and child health-seeking was established using data on place of antenatal care (ANC), place of delivery, and place of treatment for child diarrhoea and fever/cough. Logistic regression models were fitted to identify trends in and determinants of health-seeking at private facilities. Results: The results indicate an increase in the use of private facilities for maternal and child health care over time. Across the three survey waves, women from the highest wealth quintile had the highest odds of accessing ANC services at private health facilities (AOR=6.0, CI= 3.78 -9.52 in 2006; AOR=5.6, CI= 3.51 – 8.81 in 2011; AOR=3.0, CI= 1.53 -5.91 in 2016). Women from the highest wealth quintile (AOR=8.3 CI= 3.97 – 17.42 in 2006; AOR=7.3, CI= 3.91 – 13.54 in 2011; AOR=3.3, CI= 1.54 – 7.09 in 2016) and women with more years of schooling (AOR=1.1, CI= 1.07 – 1.16 in 2006; AOR=1.1, CI= 1.04 – 1.14 in 2011; AOR=1.2, CI= 1.17 -1.27 in 2016) were more likely to deliver in private health facilities. Likewise, children belonging to the highest wealth quintile (AOR=6.4, CI= 1.59 – 25.85 in 2006; AOR=8.0, CI= 2.43 – 26.54 in 2016) were more likely to receive diarrhoea treatment in private health facilities.Conclusions: Women are increasingly visiting private health facilities for maternal and child health care in Nepal. Household wealth quintile, and the mother’s years of schooling were the major determinants for selecting private health facilities for these services. These trends indicate the importance of collaboration between private and public health facilities in Nepal to foster a public private partnership approach in the Nepalese health care sector.
Primary non-adherence to inhaled medications measured with e-prescription data from Poland
Authors: Kardas Grzegorz , Panek Michał , Kuna Piotr , Kardas Przemysław
Published: July 2020

Background: Treatment adherence greatly influences the clinical outcomes in various fields of medicine, including management of asthma and COPD. With the recent implementation of a nationwide e-Health solutions in Poland, new and unique opportunities for studying primary non-adherence in asthma and COPD emerged. The aim was to study primary non-adherence to inhaled medications available in Poland indicated in asthma and/or COPD and analyse the impact of patients’ demographics and inhalers’ characteristics (dry powder inhalers (DPIs) vs metered dose inhalers (MDIs) and presence of a dosage counter) on primary non-adherence. Methods: A retrospective analysis of all e-prescriptions issued in Poland in 2018 (n=119,880) from the national e-prescription pilot framework.Results: Primary non-adherence for inhalable medications reached 15.3%. It significantly differed among age groups – the lowest (10.8%) was in 75+ years-old patients, highest (18%) in 65-74 years-old patients. No gender differences in primary non-adherence were found. The highest non-adherence was observed for ICS + LABA combinations (18.86%). A significant difference was found MDI and DPI inhalers and between inhalers with/without a dosage counter.Conclusions: Out of e-prescriptions for inhaled medications issued in 2018 in Poland, 15.3% were not redeemed. The degree of primary non-adherence was influenced by age, but not gender. Significant differences between MDIs and DPIs and between inhalers with/without a dosage counter were observed.
Tuberculosis and HIV mortality in Russia
Authors: Tsybikovа E. B. , Son I. M. , Vlаdimirov A. V.
Published: July 2020

The objective: to study changes in the structure of mortality from tuberculosis and HIV infection in Russia from 2000 to 2017.

Subjects and methods. The data of the Federal State Statistics Service on the mortality of the Russian population from tuberculosis and HIV infection (standardized ratio per 100,000 population) for 2000-2017 were studied. Data on the structure of patients with TB/HIV co-infection were obtained from Form no. 61 of the federal statistical monitoring for 2017.

Results. In Russia, there has been a steady decrease in the mortality rate from tuberculosis, the value of which in 2017 reached 5.9 per 100,000 people. At the same time, the average values of the mortality rate from tuberculosis have shifted towards the older age groups reaching maximum values in the age group of 45 years and older. On the contrary, the analysis of mortality from HIV infection (2006-2017) detected its unprecedented increase from 1.6 to 12.6 per 100,000 population. The maximum concentration of mortality from HIV infection was observed in young age groups (35-44 years old). The increase in mortality from HIV infection was accompanied by a change in the structure of mortality from infectious diseases: the proportion of tuberculosis decreased from 79.1% (2000) to 27.4% (2017), and the proportion of HIV infection increased from 0.1% ( 2000) to 57.2% (2017). Currently, in Russia, mortality from HIV infection in young age groups has taken a leading position in the structure of causes of death from infectious diseases, displacing mortality from tuberculosis.
The influence of different sludge concentrations on its dewaterability during bioleaching
Authors: Yang Wenfeng , Zeng Liyuan , Zhang Weihao , Yang Qiyong , Wang Tianfeng , Xiong Houfeng
Published: July 2020

Bioleaching, a technologically and economically feasible technology, is considered as the high efficiency method to improve dewaterability in sewage sludge. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of different sludge concentrations on bioleaching dewaterability and understand the mechanism of the effect of bioleaching on sludge dewaterability. Variation in pH, oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), capillary suction time (CST), specific resistance to filtration (SRF) and different fractions of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) including slime EPS (S-EPS), loosely bound EPS (LB-EPS), and tightly bound EPS (TB-EPS) were determined. Different sludge concentrations (5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 g·L−1) were selected to investigate during bioleaching. Results indicated that sludge buffering capacity significantly inhibited bioleaching efficiency as sludge concentrations increased. Optimum enhancements in sludge dewaterability were observed during the 10 g·L−1 sludge concentration treatment, and reached a maximum when the pH was 2.11. The variation of different fractions of EPS revealed that the ratio of S-EPS/TB-EPS significantly affected sludge dewaterability. Principal component analysis and Pearson's correlation analysis both provided evidence that the higher TB-EPS followed by a very large reduction was positively correlated with sludge dewaterability. However, the increase of protein and DNA in S-EPS content was negatively correlated with sludge dewaterability.
PROTOCOLO CLÍNICO E LABORATORIAL NA REABILITAÇÃO ORAL COM PRÓTESE OBTURADORA E SATISFAÇÃO DO PACIENTE: CASO CLÍNICO
Authors: Melo Laércio Almeida de , Paulo Miranda Silva Marcos , Henrique de Souza Moura José , Oliveira de Almeida Erika , Da Fonte Porto Carreiro Adriana
Published: July 2020

Introdução: A enorme dificuldade de deglutição e fala apresentada em pacientes que sofreram maxilectomia total ou parcial por consequência de patologias bucais, afeta grande parte da população que realizou tal procedimento. A alternativa de minimizar o impacto causado pela sequela deixada após cirurgia em maxila está na confecção de um obturador palatino, que tem como objetivo obstruir a comunicação oronasal. Objetivo: Este trabalho objetivou descrever um relato de caso evidenciando o passo a passo clínico e laboratorial de uma prótese total obturadora. Método: Paciente do gênero masculino, maxilectomizado há 6 anos devido a presença de um Carcinoma Adenóide Cístico foi reabilitado com prótese total obturadora superior e prótese total convencional inferior. A reabilitação superior seguiu os mesmos passos de uma prótese total convencional, com exceção da moldagem funcional, na qual foi feita a moldagem da comunicação bucosinusal com silicona de condensação antes da moldagem do selado periférico e moldagem funcional propriamente dita. Na etapa laboratorial, foi necessária a realização de três prensagens a fim de deixar a prótese oca na porção obturadora. Resultados: O tratamento restabeleceu a dimensão vertical perdida, proporcionou uma oclusão adequada e se mostrou melhor esteticamente. Conclusões: Como conclusão, obteve-se uma prótese total obturadora superior com qualidades funcionais e estéticas satisfatórias. Ademais, ao comparar com a antiga, a nova possui um menor peso, favorecendo uma melhor retenção.
Caracterización nacional de las víctimas de trata de personas en Chile, 2012-2018
Authors: Maldonado-Vivar Sebastián , Puebla-Núñez Tatiana , Soto-Castillo Teresa
Published: July 2020

Este artículo aborda el fenómeno de la trata de personas a partir del perfil sociodemográfico y de acceso a la salud en Chile durante el periodo 2012 a 2018. Sus objetivos se basan en conocer las características sociodemográficas y de atención en salud de las víctimas de trata en este país, las cuales fueron identificadas a través de las denuncias efectuadas por instituciones pertenecientes a la Mesa Intersectorial sobre Trata de Personas (MITP), o bien, por medio de su protocolo. En su parte teórica, se exponen los diferentes tipos de trata y su incidencia según variables de edad y género, especialmente. Metodológicamente, el trabajo es de enfoque cuantitativo, con un diseño descriptivo y transversal, en el que se usan los registros electrónicos en salud para llevar una estadística de la problemática de la trata en Chile. Gracias a esto se concluye que hay una fuerte relación entre la configuración del delito en las zonas extremas del país, la edad, el género y el tipo de trata del cual son víctimas las personas atendidas en los centros de salud.
Obesity Is Associated With Increased Basal and Postprandial β-Cell Insulin Secretion Even in the Absence of Insulin Resistance
Authors: van Vliet Stephan , Koh Han-Chow E. , Patterson Bruce W. , Yoshino Mihoko , LaForest Richard , Gropler Robert J. , Klein Samuel , Mittendorfer Bettina
Published: July 2020

We tested the hypothesis that obesity, independent of insulin resistance, is associated with increased insulin secretion. We compared insulin kinetics before and after glucose ingestion in lean healthy people and people with obesity who were matched on multiorgan insulin sensitivity (inhibition of adipose tissue lipolysis and glucose production and stimulation of muscle glucose uptake) as assessed by using a two-stage hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic pancreatic clamp procedure in conjunction with glucose and palmitate tracer infusions and positron emission tomography. We also evaluated the effect of diet-induced weight loss on insulin secretion in people with obesity who did not improve insulin sensitivity despite marked (∼20%) weight loss. Basal and postprandial insulin secretion rates were >50% greater in people with obesity than lean people even though insulin sensitivity was not different between groups. Weight loss in people with obesity decreased insulin secretion by 35% even though insulin sensitivity did not change. These results demonstrate that increased insulin secretion in people with obesity is associated with excess adiposity itself and is not simply a compensatory response to insulin resistance. These findings have important implications regarding the pathogenesis of diabetes because hyperinsulinemia causes insulin resistance and insulin hypersecretion is an independent risk factor for developing diabetes.
Association of the 1q25 Diabetes-Specific Coronary Heart Disease Locus With Alterations of the γ-Glutamyl Cycle and Increased Methylglyoxal Levels in Endothelial Cells
Authors: Pipino Caterina , Shah Hetal , Prudente Sabrina , Di Pietro Natalia , Zeng Lixia , Park Kyoungmin , Trischitta Vincenzo , Pennathur Subramanian , Pandolfi Assunta , Doria Alessandro
Published: July 2020

A chromosome 1q25 variant (rs10911021) has been associated with coronary heart disease (CHD) in type 2 diabetes. In human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), the risk allele “C” is associated with lower expression of the adjacent gene GLUL encoding glutamine synthase, converting glutamic acid to glutamine. To further investigate the mechanisms through which this locus affects CHD risk, we measured 35 intracellular metabolites involved in glutamic acid metabolism and the γ-glutamyl cycle in 62 HUVEC strains carrying different rs10911021 genotypes. Eight metabolites were positively associated with the risk allele (17–58% increase/allele copy, P = 0.046–0.002), including five γ-glutamyl amino acids, β-citryl-glutamate, N-acetyl-aspartyl-glutamate, and ophthalmate—a marker of γ-glutamyl cycle malfunction. Consistent with these findings, the risk allele was also associated with decreased glutathione-to-glutamate ratio (−9%, P = 0.012), decreased S-lactoylglutathione (−41%, P = 0.019), and reduced detoxification of the atherogenic compound methylglyoxal (+54%, P = 0.008). GLUL downregulation by shRNA caused a 40% increase in the methylglyoxal level, which was completely prevented by glutamine supplementation. In summary, we have identified intracellular metabolic traits associated with the 1q25 risk allele in HUVECs, including impairments of the γ-glutamyl cycle and methylglyoxal detoxification. Glutamine supplementation abolishes the latter abnormality, suggesting that such treatment may prevent CHD in 1q25 risk allele carriers.
Phytochemical Characterization of Transilvanian Prunella vulgaris
Authors: Groşan Alexandra , Ștefănescu Ruxandra , Vari Camil-Eugen , Jîtcă George , Bătrânu Mădălina , Muntean Lucia Daniela
Published: July 2020

Prunella vulgaris L. grows in spontaneous flora of Romania in wet places, fields, meadows, unpopulated areas, both in the sun and in the shade. The plant is rich in phenolic acids (caffeic acid, rosmarinic acid), pentacyclic triterpenic compounds (ursolic, oleanolic, betulinic acid) and flavonoids (rutoside, quercetin). Prunella vulgaris L. has shown numerous pharmacological actions: antioxidant, anti-allergic, antimicrobial, immunostimulatory activities. The aim of the study was to evaluate the phytochemical and pharmacological profile of the leaves and spike inflorescence of Prunella vulgaris L. collected from Romania. The polyphenol content in leaves was found to be 63.78 ± 2.01 mg GAE/g dry weight in the methanolic extract and 45.73 ± 13.87 mg GAE/g in the aqueous extract. In the spike inflorescence, total polyphenol content was 36.44 ± 6.73 mg GAE/g in the methanolic extract and 26.49 ± 2.97 mg GAE/g in the aqueous extract. The results from the antioxidant assays (DPPH and ABTS) were not significantly different between the two herbal drugs. Further studies are needed in order to quantify the active compounds.
Chronic use of PPIs as a potential cause of anemia: case reports and review of the literature
Authors: Podgajna Martyna , Mielnik Michał , Szudy-Szczyrek Aneta , Kuśmierczuk Kinga , Hus Marek
Published: July 2020

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are drugs commonly used for many diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, erosive esophagitis, and peptic ulcers of the stomach and duodenum. Used for about 30 years, they are currently the most effective drugs that reduce the gastric secretion of hydrochloric acid. However, a dramatic increase in their consumption has been recently observed. Very often, they are used not in accordance with the guidelines. The consequences of the long-term use of PPIs may be various, with the most common side effects being bone fractures, cardiovascular events, recurrent infections, and vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Case report: An 82-year-old and a 58-year-old patients who had been taking omeprazole, a PPI for several years, developed vitamin B12 and iron deficiency anemia. Both patients were administered PPI orally for nonspecific dyspeptic symptoms. An evaluation of the gastrointestinal tract did not reveal the evident causes of gastrointestinal blood loss. They were also screened negative for Helicobacter pylori infection. Conclusions: There are no definitive pieces of evidence that the long-term use of PPIs can induce anemia, but our cases strongly suggest this thesis. Physicians should be aware of this potential side effect and consider monitoring in high-risk patients.
Metal-loaded zeolite remediation of soils contaminated with pandrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Hrenović Jasna , Dekić Svjetlana , Dikić Jelena , Kazazić Snježana , Durn Goran , Rajić Nevenka
Published: July 2020

Due to the development of resistance to antimicrobial agents, bacterium Acinetobacter baumannii is nowadays a leading cause of nosocomial outbreaks. Clinically relevant A. baumannii outside hospital settings including natural soils affected by human waste represents a public-health risk for humans and animals. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of metal-loaded zeolites to eliminate viable A. baumannii from artificially contaminated natural soils. A. baumannii isolate was subjected to the activity of natural zeolitised tuff (NZ) and Cu-modified (CuNZ) or Ag-modified zeolite (AgNZ) in wet, slightly acidic terra rossa and slightly alkaline red palaeosol. A. baumannii survived in terra rossa and red palaeosol supplemented with 1 wt% of NZ for seven days and four months, respectively. The addition of 1 wt% of CuNZ to terra rossa and red palaeosol shortened the survival of A. baumannii to three and 14 days, respectively. The addition of 0.1 wt% of AgNZ to both soils resulted in complete removal of viable A. baumannii within 1 h of contact, while the total native heterotrophic bacterial counts remained high. Since AgNZ is prepared with a simple modification of cost-effective and environmentally friendly natural zeolite, it is a promising material for the remediation of soils contaminated with pandrug-resistant A. baumannii.
Superior protective effects of in vitro propagated green garlic against hydrogen peroxide-induced cytotoxicity in human hepatoma cells
Authors: Vinković Tomislav , Parađiković Nada , Kojić Monika Tkalec , Mendaš Gordana , Semren Tanja Živković , Gluščić Valentina , Vrček Ivana Vinković , Pavičić Ivan
Published: July 2020

Garlic is a valuable source material for medicines due to its known antitumor, hypolipidaemic, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects. This study compares the protective effects of conventionally grown (CG) and in vitro propagated garlic (PG) against hydrogen peroxide-induced cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells and their antioxidant activity. Garlic used in this study was obtained by planting garlic cloves or by planting the transplants of PG directly in the field. At the end of the vegetation period, CG and PG were sampled and extracts prepared for the experiment. Compared to conventionally grown garlic bulbs, PG leafy part yielded significantly higher content of polyphenols, flavonoids and alliin, and also showed equal or higher antioxidant activity, measured by the cell viability test, GSH and ROS level. Moreover, PG can be produced in less time (shorter vegetation period) and with significantly less material (cloves). Significantly higher content of alliin, polyphenols, and flavonoids and significantly higher yield of plant biomass in PG has a great potential to become a new production model with improved garlic properties as a medicine material.
Influence of Drying Temperature on the Content of Bioactive Compounds in Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) Shoots as Well as Yield and Composition of Essential Oils
Authors: Matłok Natalia , Gorzelany Józef , Piechowiak Tomasz , Balawejder Maciej
Published: July 2020

The study concerns the effects of drying process conditions (40, 50, 60°C) on the contents of bioactive compounds in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) shoots as well as the yield and composition of essential oils. The obtained dry material was examined for the total contents of polyphenols and the antioxidant activity as well as the content of vitamin C. The material was examined by using the HS-SPME method, and the composition of the essential oils was determined using gas chromatography method (GC-MS). The highest contents of bioactive compounds were found in the material subjected to drying at 40°C. The highest yield of essential oils (0.63 ml 100 g−1 d.m. of the material) was obtained from the pine shoots dried at 40°C.
The Passio Corporalis and the Passio Animalis in Aquinas
Authors: Dugandzic Matthew
Published: July 2020

Contemporary discussions of Aquinas’ understanding of the passions often mention the passio corporalis and the passio animalis, but no recent scholarship has paid close attention to what these terms mean, largely because many scholars wrongly assume that ‘passio animalis’ simply means the same thing as ‘passio animae’. However, this paper argues that ‘passio corporalis’ and ‘passio animalis’ are specialized terms that Aquinas uses in order to explain the ways in which Christ experienced suffering on earth. Furthermore, understanding these terms properly bears important implications for understanding the development of Aquinas’ thought on the passion of pain.
Thomas Aquinas on Human Beings as Image of God
Authors: Schoot Henk J.M.
Published: July 2020

Employing a work of modern conceptual art, a manipulated photograph entitled ‘The Missing Person’, the author studies Thomas Aquinas on the concept of human beings as image of (the Triune) God. Typical for Aquinas’ approach is the theocentric focus of his Christian anthropology. The threefold (nature, grace, glory) ‘image of God’, a central and dynamic concept in Aquinas’ Summa Theologiae, is both descriptive and prescriptive in nature, corresponding to an account of both analogical naming of the divine ánd living according to the vocation to become more and more image of the Triune God.
Microregional patterns of corporate philanthropy: the role of economic structure and regional determinants
Authors: Halada Marek , Ženka Jan
Published: July 2020

We aim to describe and explain current differences in the rate of corporate philanthropy (CP) at microregional level. Primary research question is to what extent are microregional patterns of CP affected by determinants at firm and industry-level (firm size, industrial structure, profitability) and to what extent are they shaped by regional contextual factors. Measurement of CP was based on anonymized firm-level data provided by the Ministry of Finance, aggregated at the level of municipalities with extended powers (microregions). We employed a regression model to test the effects of population density, economic performance, specialization, dependence of manufacturing, firm size, traditional values and social capital. Surprisingly, we found no significant effects of firm size and industrial structure on regional CP. Firm’s profitability was the most important predictor. We found also positive effects of population density and religiosity and negative relationship between CP and regional economic performance. Despite initial expectations higher rate of CP was not found in rural regions.
Reformation and the end of Christendom: two visions
Authors: Duffy Eamon
Published: July 2020

This article reveals the complex dimensions which make it impossible to speak singularly of ‘the Reformation’. Martin Luther's reforming activity gave rise to conflicting visions of the Church, which are impossible now to resolve. The article traces the trajectory of the English Reformation through the figures of Thomas More and William Tyndale. Although both convinced of the need for reform, More was opposed to Tyndale's approach, which he perceived would lead to the breakdown of order into anarchy. The outworking of this signals the end of Christendom, and has led to continuing mutual incompatibility.
Product Branding and Consumer Loyalty in Telecommunication Industry
Authors: Akpoviroro Kowo Solomon , Amos Akinbola Olufemi , Oladipo Akinrinola Olalekan , Adewale Adegbite Ganiu
Published: July 2020

Research Purpose. With fierce competition and saturated marketing in Nigeria, telecom operators must work hard to reduce cost, win new customers, and most importantly, retain the existing ones. The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between product branding and consumer loyalty in the Nigerian telecommunication industry.

Design / Methodology / Approach. This research employed survey research design. Primary data was adopted with the aid of a questionnaire administered to the customers of three major telecommunication companies in Nigeria (MTN, AIRTEL and GLOBACOM) residing in Lagos State. The population of the study was 172, the sample size was 120, which were determined using the simple computation method. The study made use of statistical tools that include: analysis of variance (ANOVA), correlation efficient and Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 17.0.

Findings. The results of this study confirm with the existing literature that product branding as a feature has a significant effect on product. The study found out that there exists a significant relationship between product branding and consumer loyalty in the Nigerian telecommunication industry. Consequently, from the practical perspective, telecommunication firms should expand their network coverage, improve the quality of service and provide better access to other networks within and outside Nigeria.

Originality / Value / Practical implications. The study seeks to contribute to existing literature on product branding and customer loyalty. The paper contributes in clarifying that telecom providers in Nigeria must make product branding as a very important aspect of its marketing strategy and it must be given a serious approach, because it goes a long way to determine the success or failure of the product offer to the market, the firm in question and its ability to achieve consumer loyalty
Explaining Inconsistencies in the Education Distributions of Ten Cross-National Surveys – the Role of Methodological Survey Characteristics
Authors: Ortmanns Verena
Published: July 2020

Surveys measuring the same concept using the same measure on the same population at the same point in time should result in highly similar results. If this is not the case, this is a strong sign of lacking reliability, resulting in non-comparable data across surveys. Looking at the education variable, previous research has identified inconsistencies in the distributions of harmonised education variables, using the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED), across surveys within the same countries and years. These inconsistencies are commonly explained by differences in the measurement, especially in the response categories of the education question, and in the harmonisation when classifying country-specific education categories into ISCED. However, other methodological characteristics of surveys, which we regard as ‘containers’ for several characteristics, may also contribute to this finding. We compare the education distributions of nine cross-national surveys with the European Union Labour Force Survey (EU-LFS), which is used as benchmark. This study analyses 15 survey characteristics to better explain the inconsistencies. The results confirm a predominant effect of the measurement instrument and harmonisation. Different sampling designs also explain inconsistencies, but to a lesser degree. Finally, we discuss the results and limitations of the study and provide ideas for improving data comparability.
Investigating the Effects of the Household Budget Survey Redesign on Consumption and Inequality Estimates: the Italian Experience
Authors: Pannuzi Nicoletta , Grassi Donatella , Lemmi Achille , Masi Alessandra , Regoli Andrea
Published: July 2020

In 2014, many innovations were introduced in the Italian Household Budget Survey (HBS) in response to changes in European recommendations and purchasing behaviours and to an increased demand for information in the context of social and economic research. New instruments and techniques have been introduced, together with more accurate methodologies, with the aim of improving the survey, by both reducing the bias and variance of survey estimates and supplying estimation for additional subpopulations and variables. Given the parallel conduction of the former and new HBS in 2013, it has been possible to evaluate the effects of the abovementioned changes on consumption expenditure and inequality estimates and to compare the sample representativeness of selected subpopulations in both surveys.
QoS to QoE Mapping Function for Iptv Quality Assessement Based on Kohonen Map: A Pilot Study
Authors: Frnda Jaroslav , Durica Marek , Savrasovs Mihail , Fournier-Viger Philippe , Lin Jerry Chun-Wei
Published: July 2020

This paper deals with an analysis of Kohonen map usage possibility for real-time evaluation of end-user video quality perception. The Quality of Service framework (QoS) describes how the network impairments (network utilization or packet loss) influence the picture quality, but it does not reflect precisely on customer subjective perceived quality of received video stream. There are several objective video assessment metrics based on mathematical models trying to simulate human visual system but each of them has its own evaluation scale. This causes a serious problem for service providers to identify a critical point when intervention into the network behaviour is needed. On the other hand, subjective tests (Quality of Experience concept) are time-consuming and costly and of course, cannot be performed in real-time. Therefore, we proposed a mapping function able to predict subjective end-user quality perception based on the situation in a network, video stream features and results obtained from the objective video assessment method.
Management of surgical wound dehiscence by oxygen-ozone therapy in a FIV-positive cat – a case report
Authors: Repciuc Călin Cosmin , Toma Corina Gina , Ober Ciprian Andrei , Oana Liviu Ioan
Published: July 2020

Patients infected with the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) are frequently victims of postoperative wound dehiscence due to low efficiency of the immune system that predisposes to delayed scaring and epithelization processes. This case report aimed to describe the successful use of medical ozone in the treatment of a dehisced wound in a feline patient that presented this type of FIV-associated complication. Here we present a case of a 12-year-old, mixed-breed, male, FIV-positive cat with purulent arthritis affecting the shoulder, elbow, and the carpal joints with subsequent periostitis and arthrogryposis affecting the right forelimb. After a thorough investigation (clinical examination, X-rays) it was decided that limb amputation would be the proper choice. The surgical wound did not tend to heal, followed by rejection of the suture material, skin necrosis, and wound dehiscence. After 13 days following the surgery with allopathic treatment and no improvement, oxygen-ozone-therapy was started. Clinically, oxygen-ozone therapy showed significant results after the first session: borders of the wound got into the contraction phase, got attached to the underlying tissues, and exudates were significantly diminished. The therapy continued every 2 days showing improved blood perfusion of the affected area and a visible advancement of the contraction phase daily with complete healing in 1.5 months.
Perceptions of Organizational Politics: Should Teleworkers Beware?
Authors: E Peters Jaime , P Butler William , Boyle Elizabeth , Thomas Andrew , A Decker Gretchen
Published: July 2020

Drawing from telework and organizational politics literature, this case study of a sales team at Midwest Global Manufacturing (MGM) sought to understand whether the work location of office-based employees and teleworkers influenced their perceptions of organizational politics (POP). The commonly held belief was that given the numerous outcome differences teleworkers experience, they would also have dissimilar POP. However, after a thorough examination of the case study data, we concluded that in the context of MGM, there is no difference in POP between office-based employees and teleworkers.

This study is an important contribution because neither the teleworking literature nor the organizational politics literature addresses differences in POP between office-based employees or teleworkers. Yet, many companies have teleworking policies and a mix of teleworkers and office-based employees. Managers and employees alike should consider this study to ensure that both teleworkers and office-based workers can universally achieve a positive perception when utilizing the political system.
Retaining Military Veterans in the Civilian Workforce
Authors: LePage Patty
Published: July 2020

With veteran retention rates as low as 20% to 35%, in the first two years post-service transition, organizations need to have a better understanding of the factors that affect veteran churn (Ford, 2017). This high rate of churn has a huge financial impact on employers, costing billions of dollars in addition to the loss of productivity. In addition to the high cost for employers, veterans are also negatively impacted by post-service employment churn with periods of unemployment, difficulty assimilating into civilian culture, a lack of peer and social support, and social isolation.
This study provides a systematic review of the literature regarding the factors affecting veteran churn rates and how organizations can increase veteran retention. The findings of this research discussed six common themes that contribute to veteran retention and attrition: social/peer support, culture, mental and physical disabilities and functional impairment, supportive leadership, cultural competency, and mismatched job skills. The themes were viewed through the theoretical lens of social identity theory (Tajfel & Turner, 1979) and Maslow’s (1943) hierarchy of needs. The article provides concrete recommendations for employers that may help to reduce veteran churn, saving employers money and improving the veteran transition process. The recommendations, for employers, on the findings and flow through the theoretical lens and consist of: 1) culturally competent hiring and training, and 2) social/peer support and supportive leadership.
Introducing a Mobile Health Care Platform in an Underserved Rural Population: Reducing Assimilations Gaps on Adoption and Use via Nudges
Authors: Hodges Joseph
Published: July 2020

Rural communities are often overlooked when it comes to offering cutting edge consumer
healthcare technologies. Mobile applications usually exclude populations in rural demographics
due to the infrastructure requirements and available technology in the region. The population
studied is a low income rural health plan in southwest Georgia. They are uniquely considered as
they have the highest healthcare costs in the U.S. and are compared to healthcare costs among
higher income populations like Vail, Colorado. Innovations, such as mobile healthcare
applications, have the capacity to offset some of these costs, but even if adoption occurs, this
does not guarantee use will naturally follow. This study explores the creation and development
of a mobile healthcare application (i.e., the platform) and measurement of the assimilation gap in
the use of the adopted platform. The platform was designed to simplify the access to use
opportunities between consumers and providers of care with the long-term goal of reducing
healthcare costs. The use opportunities measured in this platform are telemedicine visits and
electronic appointment setting.
This research presents a process for influencing assimilation gaps in healthcare platforms.
Measurement techniques for successful healthcare platform programs are constrained due to data
limitations. Building on existing assimilation gap research and designing artifacts that include
nudging techniques, this study identifies concepts that display assimilation gap narrowing
methods that improve healthcare platform design. Using elaborated action design research
(EADR), each artifact design cycle follows a process map to improve adoption and use. The
research discovers how adoptable a healthcare platform (CareValet) is within a rural population, which strategies most promote adoption, and what strategies might best support use
improvement. In this study, platform adoption is compared as the relative value against each use
metric for key stakeholders including consumers (e.g., health plan members), clients (e.g.,
employer or health plan), and platform developers. Research contributions include the
development of assimilation gap narrowing methods and return on investment (ROI) value
graphing tools associated with platform use.
Ensayo preliminar de líneas de calabaza tropical con mayor productividad
Authors: Garza-García Dagoberto , Garza-García Ramón , Zúñiga-Estrada Lamberto , Martínez-Martínez Mario Alberto
Published: July 2020

La gran mayoría de las calabazas que se consumen en el mundo tienen su origen en especies que fueron domesticadas en México, todas ellas pertenecen el género Cucurbita. Se obtuvieron colectas de semillas provenientes de la huasteca, las localidades son: Cd. Mante, Antiguo Morelos, Cd. Valles, Río Verde y Huejutla. En relación con los antecedentes, para esta investigación se decidió escudriñar por la hibridación en cruza simple y autofecundación con selección individual de frutos. Siendo calabazas de clima cálido iniciamos y realizamos las cruzas en un invernadero con temperaturas controladas de 25 a 35 grados, en el CEVAMEX, en 2015 se iniciaron un cruzamiento directo de todas contra todas en las que tuviéramos flores para polinizar y se observó que los estambres se formaban filamentos un pie y discos nectarífero, también con diferente número 3, 4, 5 y hasta 6. El mejoramiento genético con autofecundaciones y selección individual de frutos, por lo cual tratamos de emparejar los estigmas y los estambres iguales, actualmente estamos en F3 que es una endogamia de 87.5%. Se observa en la Figura 4 se ilustra el avance del aumento de carrilleras de semillas de calabaza y eliminando los espacios dentro de las cavidades de fruto de calabaza, así mismo se observa en el Cuadro 1, los pesos de los frutos y sus rendimientos en semilla seca y el porcentaje de ganancia de semilla dentro del fruto, el de 4 carrilleras de 5 a 53% y las de 5 carrilleras es de 37 a 53%.
Identification and Analysis of Powdery Mildew Resistance in Melon (Cucumis melo L.) Cultivar Meloni
Authors: Ishak Muhammad Alif , Budi Setiadi Daryono
Published: July 2020

Background: A powdery mildew-resistant cultivar of melon is needed to increase melon yield crops. Meloni is a superior melon cultivar bred through a crossing between ♀ SL-3 and ♂ PI 371795, resulted by the Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding, Faculty of Biology, UGM. This study aimed to determine the level resistance of Meloni to powdery mildew infection and to identify the powdery mildew species that infected Meloni based on morphological characters. Methods: Meloni seeds were germinated and planted in the greenhouse of PIAT UGM. Powdery mildew spores were inoculated into the leaves after ±2 weeks of age. Leaf infected were scored using the gridline every 3 days for 6 weeks. Scoring results were converted to the diseases index score. Furthermore, powdery mildew species was identified using morphological characters. Results: Meloni had a tolerance level of resistance to the powdery mildew infection. Based on the morphological characters with fibrosin bodies, conidia ovoid-shape and the position of the germ tube in the lateral part of the conidia, powdery mildew that infected Meloni was expected as P. xanthii. Conclusions: Meloni can be expected as an alternative to superior melon seeds resistant to pest and disease infections especially powdery mildew.
Mengidentifikasi Mengidentifikasi miskonsepsi mahasiswa pendidikan biologi pada konsep Bioteknologi Hewan
Authors: Jago Duda Hilarius , Esti Wahyuni F Rahayu , Edy setyawan Antonius
Published: July 2020

Background: Many misconceptions are unknown to the instructor, so the instructor will not provide solutions for students who correct the misconceptions, of course this will improve the learning process as well as understanding students in the future on the concept. Therefore, researchers try to correct misconceptions that occur in students who have studied biotechnology courses on animal biotechnology concepts. Methods: The evaluation of the research was qualitative with qualitative descriptive methods. The study population was students of Biology Education STKIP Persada Equator Sintang, West Kalimantan and the sample used was 29 students. The technique of collecting data with multiple choice rounded tests and interviews. Data analysis using Certainty Of Response Index (CRI) and descriptive. Results: The research results obtained are misconceptions on the overall concept of animal biotechnology by 40.37%. From these data, quite a lot of biology education students have corrected misconceptions about the concept. The interview also concluded that students change misconceptions in addition to being caused by abstract concepts and many terms also related to information obtained previously from print media (such as books, journals), the internet, teaching staff, and peers. Conclusion: There are still many students who change misconceptions on animal biotechnology materials and are caused by print media, online, teaching staff and others. This research is useful for teaching staff to find out students' misconceptions and find solutions in overcoming the factors in overcoming the factors causing these misconceptions
Development of Interactive Learning Media Flip-Book Using Kvisoft Flipbook Maker Based on Local Culture Arts
Authors: Putri Reni Ariska , Uchtiawati Sri , Fauziyah Nur , Huda Syaiful
Published: July 2020

Development of interactive learning media flip book using Kvisoft flipbook maker based on local culture and art is one way to utilize technology education in the form of software kvisoft flipbook maker which is integrated with local cultural arts and produced a development product in the form of learning media for mathematics flip book. The purpose of this study was to determine the process of developing flip book learning media and the effectiveness of learning media flip book in the learning process in class. The subjects in this study were 30 students consisting of 16 men and 14 women in rade VII junior high school in Indonesia. The development model in this study uses the 4D model which consists of the stages of define, design, develop, and disseminate. The development process in this study starts from the stage define by conducting initial initial analysis, student analysis, taskanalysis, concept analysis, and learning objective specifications; the next stage is the stage design by conducting a benchmark reference test, media selection, format, and initial media design; the next stage is the stage develop by conducting expert validation and development testing; and the last stage is the stage disseminate by packaging media and distributing media in the same school scope with different classes. The development of this learning media flip book can be an alternative choice in the use of mathematics learning media, especially in social arithmetic material.
Estetika Hindu Pada Segehan Manca Warna
Authors: Tary Puspa Ida Ayu , Subrahmaniam Saitya Ida Bagus
Published: July 2020

Keindahan (estetika) hasil dari kreativitas manusia baik sengaja atau tidak, pada prinsipnya adalah untuk memenuhi kepuasan bathin atau rohani bagi pembuat karya itu sendiri dan bagi masyarakat penikmat. Kehidupan manusia dalam kesehariannya selalu memerlukan keindahan untuk memenuhi kepuasan bathinnya, baik yang diperoleh dari keindahan alami maupun keindahan karya manusia. Oleh karena itu, kahadiran karya estetika sangat dibutuhkan manusia sebagai penghalus rasa dalam kehidupannya. Estetika Hindu pada intinya merupakan cara pandang mengenai rasa keindahan (langÃ¶) yang diikat oleh nilai-nilai agama Hindu yang didasarkan atas ajaran-ajaran kitab suci Weda. Ada beberapa konsep yang kiranya menjadi landasan penting dari estetika Hindu. Konsep-konsep yang dimaksud antara lain konsep kesucian (Siwam), kebenaran (Saytam), dan konsep keseimbangan Sundaram). Segehan bila dipandang dari estetika Hindu tentunya dengan lima warna yang dimiliki yaitu putih, merah, kuning, hitam, dan brumbun akan dipersembahkan untuk keharmonian dalam kehidupan