bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
As contribuições de Plácide Rambaud para a aplicação da distinção conceitual entre campo/rural e cidade/urbano
Authors: Fiúza Ana Louise de Carvalho , Pinto Neide Maria de Almeida , Nascimento Patricia Ferraz do
Published: April 2020

Neste artigo apresentamos uma revisão bibliográfica das contribuições de Placide Rambaud sobre os conceitos de “Campo” e “Rural”, e de “Cidade” e “Urbano”, diferenciando-os em termos de forma e conteúdo. Discutimos sua concepção teórica de “urbanização” do campo, argumentando que este processo aponta para a possibilidade de acesso a um padrão/estilo de vida que se torna acessível aos indivíduos tanto da cidade, quanto do campo. Argumentamos que é pertinente a utilização da expressão “campo urbanizado”, quando se tratar de um espaço marcado por um processo de diferenciação das atividades econômicas, de especialização da divisão social do trabalho e, portanto, de diferenciação do tecido social.
Eficacia de las estrategias legales para combatir el delito de trata de personas en Huánuco
Authors: Martínez Franco Pedro Alfredo
Published: April 2020

Objetivo. Determinar el nivel de eficacia de las estrategias legales que se han establecido para combatir el delito de trata de personas en Huánuco, 2018. Métodos. Se siguió el método deductivo, porque a partir de las observaciones y análisis documental se obtuvieron inferencias para evaluar el nivel de eficacia alcanzado. Se siguió el enfoque cuantitativo, porque se calcularon los datos recogidos; los mismos que se expresaron en términos porcentuales para el análisis estadístico de la información. El nivel fue descriptivo explicativo, por cuanto se tomó conocimiento de los dispositivos legales emitidos por el Gobierno Regional de Huánuco, y se describieron las acciones realizadas. La población estuvo conformada por 32 entidades conformantes de la Red Multisectorial de Lucha Contra la Trata de Personas de la Región Huánuco, e igualmente los habitantes de la región. La muestra estuvo conformada por la totalidad de las entidades conformantes de la citada red y, además, por 80 pobladores. Resultados. El Gobierno central emite normativas que deben replicarse en cada una de las regiones con la participación del Gobierno regional y las autoridades del Gobierno local de los sectores de la administración pública y entidades de la sociedad civil; sin embargo, la carencia de presupuesto y la falta de personal capacitado son factores que impiden el logro de las metas trazadas. Conclusión. El nivel de eficacia de las estrategias legales para combatir el delito de trata de personas en Huánuco, durante el 2018 fue significativo; sin embargo, conociendo las carencias que no han permitido la eficacia requerida, en el futuro se puede aspirar a mejores resultados
Relación Entre los Factores de Riesgo Psicosocial Intra y Extralaboral con el Aparecimiento del Estrés en los Trabajadores
Authors: Cedeño Lenin , Guamán-Chávez Ramiro , Moreta Miguel , Ramírez Vinicio
Published: April 2020

En el mundo actual las empresas dedicadas a la producción, dentro de sus procesos existe, ruido, turnos rotativos, esfuerzo físico, movimientos repetitivos, calor, trabajo bajo presión  entre otras, que hace posible el aparecimiento de los factores de riesgo psicosocial afectando positivamente o negativamente a los trabajadores en la ejecución de sus trabajos, si el nivel de estrés en los trabajadores es moderado, afecta positivamente que obliga a  esforzarse para a ser cada día mejores cumpliendo sus responsabilidades y en su estilo de vida, por la otra parte si el nivel de estrés es en exceso,  afecta negativamente al trabajador, al no cumplir las normas de calidad en los procesos productivos o presentar un daño en la operación de la maquinaria, por desconocimiento alguno, que signifique una parada no programada en los procesos productivos, de igual forma representa grandes pérdidas económicas. Esto hace posible la generación de un nivel de estrés en los trabajadores que se dedican a la extracción de aceite de palma africana en el Cantón La Concordia. La presente investigación es de tipo cuantitativa transversal mediante la aplicación de los cuestionarios de libre uso de la batería del ministerio de la protección social, en una empresa de producción que se dedica a la extracción de aceite de palma africana, esta empresa  presenta niveles altos de estrés, en los dominios, tanto intralaborales como extralaborales, la cantidad de síntomas y su frecuencia de presentación es indicativa de una respuesta de estrés severa y perjudicial para la salud. Los síntomas más críticos y frecuentes requieren intervención inmediata en el marco de un sistema de vigilancia epidemiológica.

Los factores de riesgo intralaborales y extralaborales también presentan un cuadro  significativos  para su efecto estrés, en los dominios más relevantes tenemos situación económica del grupo familiar se evidencia que el 32% de los trabajadores presentan dificultad económica esto hace posible tener un efecto en el incremento del estrés en los trabajadores, del mismo modo el dominio influencia del entorno extralaboral, los problemas, o calamidades domesticas con sus familiares afectan el bienestar y la actividad laboral del trabajador generando el aumento del nivel de estrés del trabajador.
A Shining Death of Unequal Supermassive Black Hole Binaries
Authors: Chen Xian , Lin D. N. C. , Zhang Xiaojia
Published: April 2020

In the ΛCDM scenario, small galaxies merge to produce larger entities. Since supermassive black holes (SMBHs) are found in galaxies of all sizes, SMBH binaries (SMBHBs) are generally expected to form during the amalgamation of galaxies. It is unclear what fraction of these binaries could eventually merge, but a general consensus is that initially the orbital decay is mediated by the surrounding gas and stars. In this Letter, we show that in active galactic nuclei (AGNs) the radiation field also causes the orbits of the accreting SMBHs to shrink. The corresponding mechanism, known as the “Poynting–Robertson drag” (PR drag), takes effect on a well-defined timescale CT
Sal, where T
Sal is the Salpeter timescale of the AGN, presumably coinciding with the primary SMBH, and

is a constant determined by the radiative efficiency ϵ, the mass ratio q of the two black holes, and a parameter ξ characterizing the size of the circumsecondary accretion disk. We find that when q ≲ a few × 10−5, the PR drag is more efficient in shrinking the binary than many other mechanisms, such as dynamical friction and type-I migration. Our finding points to a possible new channel for the coalescence of unequal SMBHBs and the clearing of intermediate-massive black holes in AGNs.
An Improved PID Tuning Method by Applying Single-Valued Neutrosophic Cosine, Tangent, and Exponential Measures and a Simulated Annealing Algorithm
Authors: Ruan Sheng-Yi , Ye Jun , Cui Wen-Hua
Published: April 2020

This chapter introduces an improved proportional-integral-derivative (PID) adjusting method by applying a simulated annealing algorithm (SAA) and the cosine, tangent, exponential measures of single-valued neutrosophic sets (SvNSs). For the approach, characteristic values of the unit step response (rise time, peak time, settling time, undershoot ratio, overshoot ratio, and steady-state error) in the control system should be neutrosophicated by the neutrosophic membership functions. Next, one of cosine, tangent, and exponential measures is used to obtain the similarity measure of the ideal SvNS and the response SvNS to assess the control performance of the PID controller by the optimization values of the PID parameters Kp, Ki, and Kd searched by SAA. The results of the illustrative example obtained by these measures and SAA are better than the existing ones and indicate better PID controller performance. Comparative results can demonstrate the rationality and superiority of the improved PID adjusting method.
A New Multi-Attribute Decision-Making Method Based on Similarity Measures of SVTN-Numbers
Authors: Deli Irfan
Published: April 2020

In this study, the authors develop a new decision-making method on single-valued trapezoidal neutrosophic numbers (SVTN-Numbers) where all the decision information take the form of SVTN-Numbers. To construct the method, some new similarity measures between two SVTN-Numbers are presented. Then, concept of impact value on SVTN-Numbers by using the cut sets of SVTN-Numbers is proposed, and the corresponding properties are discussed. Finally, a real example is introduced and compared with different methods to show the applicability and feasibility of the proposed multi-attribute decision-making method.
Neutrosophic Rayleigh Distribution With Some Basic Properties and Application
Authors: Aslam Muhammad Ahtisham
Published: April 2020

The existing Rayleigh distribution under classical statistics has been widely applied for analyzing the data having all determined, certain, and precise observations. The neutrosophic statistics (NS) are the extension of classical statistics and applied under uncertainty environment. In this chapter, the authors introduce the neutrosophic Rayleigh distribution (NRD) under the NS. The proposed NRD is the generalization of the existing Rayleigh distribution. The authors give some basic properties of the proposed distribution. An application of the proposed distribution is discussed with the help of wind speed data.
Soil Material Quality and Environmental Potential of Metallically Contaminated Soils
Authors: Fazekaš Juraj , Fazekašova Danica , Chovancová Jana
Published: April 2020

The paper presents the results of the evaluation of the environmental potential of soils in the area affected by the long-term mining activity. The environmental potential index consists of a numerical expression of the ability to provide water storage, immobilization of risk elements, and immobilization and transformation of organic pollutants. The exceedance of the limit values Hg, Cu, Zn, As, Cd and Pb was found in the soils of the investigated area of central Spiš. The rate of soil immobilization of risk elements is very low to high. The point value expressing the ability of agricultural lands to provide environmental functions is very low to medium in the studied areas, the financial expression of the values of the environmental potentials indexes is in the range of 7 100 to 14 000 € ha-1, while the average value of 1 ha of agricultural land in Slovakia is about 14 200 €.
The Temperature Impact on the Various Cement Type Consistency
Authors: Figmig Róbert , Eštoková Adriana , Sicakova Alena
Published: April 2020

The article deals with the temperature of the fresh cement pastes (CP) prepared from various type of cement in connection to its consistency. The aim of the experiment was to simulate the real condition at a concrete mixing plant with the comparison of laboratory method of cement testing – test of water need for achieving the normal consistency. In the experiment, cement types CEM I 42.5 R, CEM II/A-LL 42.5 R, CEM II/B-S 42.5 N, CEM III/A 32.5 R and CEM III/A 32.5 N were used. Results from the previous experiment with CEM II/A-S 42.5 R were adopted. Particular water-cement ratios were determined within each of cement type and stayed the same for each of CP temperatures. Increasing of temperature of the CP was achieved by mixing water with various temperatures. Different behavior of consistency change with increasing of temperature within different cement composition was observed. Approach to methods of cement testing at the concrete plant as well as using different cement type in different season of the year in context of durability and sustainability were also discussed.
Development of IFN-Stimulated Gene Expression from Embryogenesis through Adulthood, with and without Constitutive MDA5 Pathway Activation
Authors: Bankers Laura , Miller Caitlin , Liu Guoqi , Thongkittidilok Chommanart , Morrison James , Poeschla Eric M.
Published: April 2020

Pathogen-associated molecular patterns (e.g., dsRNA) activate expression of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs), which protect hosts from infection. Although transient ISG upregulation is essential for effective innate immunity, constitutive activation typically causes harmful autoimmunity in mice and humans, often including severe developmental abnormalities. We have shown that transgenic mice expressing a picornavirus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) outside the viral context (RdRP mice) exhibit constitutive, MDA5-dependent, and quantitatively dramatic upregulation of many ISGs, which confers broad viral infection resistance. Remarkably, RdRP mice never develop autoinflammation, interferonopathy, or other discernible abnormalities. In this study, we used RNA sequencing and other methods to analyze ISG expression across five time points from fetal development to adulthood in wild-type and RdRP mice. In RdRP mice, the proportion of upregulated ISGs increased during development, with the most dramatic induction occurring 2 wk postnatally. The amplified ISG profile is then maintained lifelong. Molecular pathways and biological functions associated with innate immune and IFN signaling are only activated postnatally, suggesting constrained fetal responsiveness to innate immune stimuli. Biological functions supporting replication of viruses are only inhibited postnatally. We further determined that the RdRP is expressed at low levels and that blocking Ifnar1 reverses the amplified ISG transcriptome in adults. In conclusion, the upregulated ISG profile of RdRP mice is mostly triggered early postnatally, is maintained through adulthood, and requires ongoing type I IFN signaling to maintain it. The model provides opportunities to study the systems biology of innate immunity and to determine how sustained ISG upregulation can be compatible with robust health.
The clinical value of the delta finger to palm distance in systemic sclerosis
Authors: Javinani A. , Mostafaei S. , Gharibdoost F. , Jamshidi A.R. , Atef Yekta R. , Kiani Fard T. , Tamartash Z. , Gorgani F. , Mirbeyk M. , Mahmoudi M. , Sadeghi K. , Kavosi H.
Published: April 2020

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a collagen-vascular disorder characterized by fibrosis and vasculopathy. Delta finger to palm distance (delta FTP) is an index measuring the distance between the tip of the third finger to the distal palmar crease in the flexed and extended position. The present study aimed to evaluate the clinical value of delta FTP and to assess the correlation of delta FTP with modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) and forced vital capacity (FVC) over the 12-month follow-up. This prospective longitudinal study began with 50 participants who were followed for twelve months. Lowess smoothing and linear regression were applied to detect and assess the relationship between delta FTP and mRSS. p-values were adjusted by the Benjamini-Hochberg method (BHM) as a control for false discovery rate. Delta FTP was lower among patients with higher disease duration (p-valueadj: 0.008), diffuse cutaneous SSc (p-valueadj: 0.006), digital ulcers (p-valueadj: 0.003), telangiectasia (p-valueadj: 0.006) and dysphagia (p-valueadj: 0.036). The mRSS has a significant negative linear effect on the delta FTP at the baseline and the end of the follow-up (r: -0.31 and -0.40, respectively). Moreover, changes of mRSS and delta FTP showed a negative linear association over time (r: -0.22). These linear effects remained significant after regrouping the patients based on their SSc subtype. Delta FTP and FVC were not correlated either at the baseline or at the end. It seems that the delta FTP can be a valuable clinical index, supported by its correlated changes with mRSS and other SSc clinical manifestations over the one-year follow-up.
Association between red cell distribution width and response to methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Bellan M. , Soddu D. , Zecca E. , Croce A. , Bonometti R. , Pedrazzoli R. , Sola D. , Rigamonti C. , Castello L.M. , Avanzi G.C. , Pirisi M. , Sainaghi P.P.
Published: April 2020

Red cell distribution width (RDW) is an unconventional biomarker of inflammation. We aimed to explore its role as a predictor of treatment response in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Eighty-two RA patients (55 females), median age [interquartile range] 63 years [52-69], were selected by scanning the medical records of a rheumatology clinic, to analyze the associations between baseline RDW, disease activity scores and inflammatory markers, as well as the relationship between RDW changes following methotrexate (MTX) and treatment response. The lower the median baseline RDW, the greater were the chances of a positive EULAR response at three months, 13.5% [13.0-14.4] being among those with good response, vs 14.0% [13.2-14.7] and 14.2% [13.5- 16.0] (p=0.009) among those with moderate and poor response, respectively. MTX treatment was followed by a significant RDW increase (p<0.0001). The increase of RDW was greater among patients with good EULAR response, becoming progressively smaller in cases with moderate and poor response (1.0% [0.4-1.4] vs. 0.7 [0.1-2.0] vs. 0.3 [-0.1-0.8]; p=0.03). RDW is a strong predictor of early response to MTX in RA. RDW significantly increases after MTX initiation in parallel to treatment response, suggesting a role as a marker of MTX effectiveness.
Family history identifies sporadic schizoaffective disorder as a subtype for genetic studies
Authors: Van der Merwe Nicolaas J. , Karayiorgou Maria , Ehlers René , Roos Johannes L.
Published: April 2020

Background: Schizophrenia is a heterogeneous disorder with strong genetic vulnerability. Family history of schizophrenia has been considered in genetic studies under several models. De novo genetic events seem to play a larger role in sporadic cases.Aim: This study used the familial–sporadic distinction with the aim of identifying a more homogeneous phenotype to delineate the genetic and clinical complexity of schizophrenia.Setting: The study was conducted at Weskoppies Hospital, Pretoria, South Africa.Methods: The study included 384 participants with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder from the Afrikaner founder population in South Africa who are considered comparable to Caucasian patients from the United States. A comprehensive data capturing sheet was completed.Results: When schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder diagnoses were considered jointly, we found no significant differences between the sporadic and the familial groups for age at disease onset, season of birth, comorbid diagnoses, clinical symptomatology, history of suicide or marital status. When the diagnoses were examined separately, however, the sporadic schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, was found to have a significantly lower age at onset (mean 20.6 vs. 25.3 years).Conclusion: The sporadic schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, forms a more homogeneous subgroup for genetic studies.
Prevalence and predictors of low bone mineral density in treatment-naive HIV-infected patients and its correlation with CD4 cell counts
Authors: Gupta Pulin Kumar , Singh Sanchit , Mahto Subodh Kumar , Sheoran Ankita , Garga Umesh Chand , Lal Ashok Kumar , Jain Piyush , Mathews Sujata Elizabeth
Published: April 2020

Objective:

HIV virtually affects every organ system of the body. The skeletal system is no exception, and antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been implicated in bone diseases. However, not many studies have been done to evaluate bone disease in treatment (ART) naive HIV-infected patients, and hence, the present study was executed.

Materials and Methods:

One hundred and twenty HIV-infected ART-naive patients and 80 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were recruited for this study. A thorough history and physical examination was done followed by laboratory investigations after an overnight fasting. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan at the level of lumbar spine, femur, and forearm.

Results:

Of 120 ART-naive HIV-infected cases, the prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia was 13% and 41%, respectively, as compared to 0% and 17.5% in controls (P < 0.001). The mean BMD in cases was 0.842 g/cm2 which was approximately 25% lesser than that in controls. Hypovitaminosis-D was seen in 100% of cases as compared to 65% of controls (P < 0.01). A significant association of low BMD was seen with HIV-infection per se (P < 0.001), low CD4 cell counts (P < 0.001), low Vitamin D levels (P < 0.001), long duration of disease (P < 0.04), history of opportunistic infections (P < 0.03), and history of tuberculosis in the past (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:

Bone diseases such as osteoporosis and osteopenia characterized by low BMD are very common in HIV-infected patients. Virus per se, along with low CD4 cell counts and low Vitamin D levels are major predictors of pathological fractures in these individuals.
Temperature variability between 1951 and 2014 in Germany and associated evolution of apple bloom onset
Authors: Weil Sarah-Sophie , Ullmann Albin , Camberlin Pierre
Published: April 2020

Apple tree bloom onset in Germany has advanced by 2 days/decade in 1951-2014 and by 3 days/decade in 1988-2014, behaving similarly in respect to its evolution since 1951 and its sensitivity to temperature to other species’ phenological spring phases. The evolution however was not linear; by conducting a split moving-window dissimilarity analysis (SMWDA) we were able to detect the “break-period” 1987-1989 which coincides with a breakpoint that has been identified in the phases of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). We observed distinct spatial patterns with apple bloom advancing from southwest to northeast and, most interestingly, a longitudinal gradient in the trend of apple bloom onset revealed by a probabilistic principal components analysis (PPCA). In the period of 1951-2014, plants located in the east displayed a much stronger trend (-16.53 days on average) than those in the western part of the country (-6.74 days on average). This pattern seems to be linked to patterns in temperature which is highly correlated to apple bloom onset (best one predictor model: mean temperature March to May, R2= 0.82, -6 days/°C): the coldest regions exhibit the strongest warming trends and the greatest advances in apple bloom onset.
Topographic descriptors and thermal inversions amid the plateaus and mountains of the Jura (France)
Authors: Joly Daniel , Richard Yves
Published: April 2020

Sixteen temperature measurement sites under forest cover are distributed across the plateaus and mountains of the Jura (France). They are composed of pairs of stations located, one at the bottom of a topographic trough, the other at least 50 m higher in altitude. Three descriptors (station elevation, altitudinal difference (amplitude) between the two stations of each site, and topographical context) are used to explain how the frequency, intensity, and duration of inversions are spatially structured. Depending on whether one considers: 1) tn (minimum temperature) or tx (maximum temperature), 2) frequency or intensity, the sign of the correlation values changes. This reflects the fact that not all inversions can be explained in the same way. Elevation moderately explains the three characters of the inversions. Amplitude mainly explains their frequency (R = -0.83 for daily minima [tn]) and their intensity (R = 0.62 for daily maxima [tx]). The magnitude of the topographic depressions where the low stations are located mainly explains the tn inversions while the magnitude of the eminences where the high stations are located mainly explains the tx inversions. Finally, a multiple regression where the explanatory variables correspond to the topographic descriptors makes it possible to model the three inversion indicators.
Îlot de sécheresse et d’humidité à Strasbourg (France)
Authors: Kastendeuch Pierre P. , Najjar Georges , Philipps Nathalia
Published: April 2020

Les différences d’humidité entre domaines urbain et rural ont été analysées pour la ville de Strasbourg (France, 48.583° N, 7.745° E), à partir des données horaires de trois stations météorologiques sur une période de huit ans (2011-2018). Notre attention s’est focalisée sur les différences d’humidité relative et de pression partielle en vapeur d’eau de deux stations situées en ville (représentatives d’un parc et d’un quartier urbain) comparées à une référence rurale. L’humidité relative traduit nettement les spécificités des différents sites, ne serait-ce qu’au niveau des moyennes annuelles : l’îlot de sécheresse urbain (ISU) est quasiment permanent, avec un pic d’intensité en été et la nuit. Spatialement, cette intensité peut être modulée par la présence de végétation ainsi que par l’îlot de chaleur urbain (ICU). Cependant, la ville peut aussi parfois devenir un îlot d’humidité urbain (IHU) couplé à un îlot de fraicheur urbain (IFU). Ce couplage est plus fréquent en hiver et augmente avec la présence de végétation. Pour la pression partielle en vapeur d’eau, les spécificités des sites apparaissent surtout au niveau mensuel et horaire : la ville alterne entre un IHU en hiver (ou la nuit) et un ISU en été (ou en journée). La fréquence des ISU intenses (Δe< -0,5 hPa) est nettement plus faible dans le parc (18,7 %) que dans le quartier (28,3 %), ce qui prouve que la ville ne forme pas forcément toujours un ensemble homogène du point de vue de la vapeur d’eau : dans 30 % des cas, on a même des situations où le parc et le quartier sont classés dans des catégories opposées.
Phytochemical Screening and High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography Fingerprinting Profiles of Shigru (Moringa oleifera Lam.) Leaves from Tanzania and India
Authors: Das Manosi , Mitra Achintya , Banerji Avijit , Roy Swaswati , Hazra Jayram
Published: April 2020

Introduction:

Shigru or Moringa oleifera Lam. (Moringaceae) is a very useful medicinal plant in folklore medicines of Africa and Asia for the treatment of diseases like ulcers, wounds, inflammation, heart problem, stroke, obesity, anemia, and liver damage. Moreover, the plant leaves are very good supplements for malnutrition and are also used as an antimicrobial agent. The present work was carried out for assessment of physicochemical constants screening of phytochemicals and high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) fingerprinting of the plant samples.

Materials and methods:

The crude powders of M. oleifera leaves of two varieties, collected from India and Tanzania, were subjected to the physicochemical analysis. The methanolic extracts of the respective leaves were subjected to phytochemical screening to determine the classes of phytoconstituents present and generate HPTLC fingerprinting profiles.

Results:

Phytochemical screening showed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, saponins, carbohydrates, reducing sugars, and proteins in both the varieties, but in different concentrations. The HPTLC finger printing profile of the methanolic extract of the M. oleifera leaves collected from Tanzania showed more number of bands with higher concentrations as compared to that of the Indian variety.

Conclusion:

This research article compares the physicochemical and phytochemical parameters as well as HPTLC profiles of the leaves of the two designated M. oleifera varieties. Besides the importance for authenticating the plant samples, the present results also show that both the varieties can be used as herbal drugs for different purposes.
A Comparative Pharmacological Evaluation of Antianxiety Activity of Raw and Traditionally Shodhita (Processed) Rhizome of Vacha (Acorus calamus L.)
Authors: Acharya Rabinarayan , Bhatt Savita , Ashok Basti K , Ravishankar Basavaiah
Published: April 2020

Background:

Vacha (Acorus calamus L.; Acoraceae), one of the well-known drug of Ayurvedic pharmacopeia, is highlighted for its Medhya (brain tonic), Sanjnasthapana (restores lost consciousness), Deepana (appetizer), Pachana (digestive), etc., properties and hence used extensively in therapeutics. Ayurvedic pharmacopeias like Chakradatta, Bhaishajya Ratnavali, and Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API) have recommended Shodana (processing) of Vacha using certain media like Gomutra, Mundi Kwatha, Gandhodaka, etc. It has been reported by us that subjecting to Shodhana is not only safe to use but also enhances the therapeutic activity of Vacha.

Aim:

To assess the antianxiety activity of raw and shodhita (processed) Vacha rhizomes in different experimental animal models.

Materials and methods:

Swiss albino mice of either sex weighing 24 ± 4 g, of either sex, were administered with raw and shodhita Vacha (16 mg/kg body weight) along with distilled water. Diazepam (2 mg/kg body weight) was used as a standard drug.

Results and conclusion:

Pretreatment with both raw and classically processed Vacha samples exhibited significant antianxiety activity; among them, the observed activity in shodhita Vacha was found to be better. The present study confirms the antianxiety activity of raw and shodhita Vacha. But when subjected to the traditional Shodhana procedure, the efficacy of Vacha rhizomes get enhanced.
Subacute Oral Toxicity Assessment of a Herbomineral Formulation with Shilajit, Swarna Bhasma and other Ingredients
Authors: Gupta Arun , Kumar Satyendra , Singh Promila , Gupta Pankaj , Sastry JLN
Published: April 2020

Background:

An Ayurvedic herbomineral formulation containing Shilajit, Swarna bhasma, and other ingredients intended to be used as a rejuvenator for increasing strength stamina and endurance was investigated for its subacute oral toxicity in Wistar rats.

Materials and methods:

The study was conducted as per the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) guidelines. Test item (TI) was administered to three groups at three dose levels (250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg body weight BW) for 28 consecutive days. Animals in one group were taken as high-dose satellite reversal along with one control group and one satellite control group that received Milli-Q water (10 mL/kg BW). Any clinical sign of toxicity/mortality was observed. Signs of delayed onset of toxicity was observed in satellite groups for the next 14 days.

Results:

No mortality or clinical sign of toxicity was observed. All animals from the treated and satellite groups showed similar weight gain and feeding as of control group during dosing and recovery periods. Hematological and biochemical parameters were within the range of normalcy in treated and control groups. Necropsy examination did not reveal any significant gross pathology changes. Organ weights in treated group were comparable to control group. Histopathology of high-dose-treated animals and control animals was also comparable.

Conclusion:

Tested formulation containing Shilajit, Swarna bhasma, and other ingredients was found to be nontoxic at tested doses in both the sexes of Wistar rats on subacute administration. Results of the current study show that TI has no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of 1000 mg/kg BW on subacute oral exposure to Wistar rats for 28 days.
Evaluation of the Procurement Time of Kalmegh [Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees], through HPLC, Macro- and Microscopic Studies
Authors: Cheemalapati Venkata N , Sharma Neelima , Mangal Anupam K , Rekha Prabhu , Srikanth Naraynam , Murthy Soma N
Published: April 2020

Aim:

This study was conducted to validate the most suitable collection time for Kalmegh [Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees] by comparing the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) estimation of andrographolide in different seasons and pharmacognostical study of aerial parts of the plant. In Ayurvedic texts, procurement time of A. paniculata has not been mentioned; hence, this study was performed to validate the most suitable time of collection of the plant.

Materials and methods:

The aerial part of Kalmegh [Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees] was collected from the Regional Ayurveda Research Institute (RARI) garden from the same locations in the different seasons described in Ayurveda, i.e., Shishir or winter season (Jan to Feb), Vasant or spring season (Mar to Apr), Grishm or summer season (May to June), Varsha or rainy season (Jul to Aug), Sharad or autumn season (Sept to Oct), and Hemant or early winter season (Nov to Dec). The source of the collected plant materials was authenticated at National Vrkshayurveda Research Institute (NVARI), Jhansi Herbarium acronym code “JHS” (Accession no. 23598). Identification, comparative macroscopic and microscopic along with powder microscopy, of the aerial parts of A. panniculata in each season was carried out, in addition to the extraction of different solvents such as methanol, alcohol, and hydroalcoholic through Soxhlet, and its comparative quantitative analysis of the extracted material in all six seasons through HPLC for the different seasons at Captain Srinivas Murthy Regional Ayurveda Drug Development Institute, Chennai.

Results:

Extractive value of Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees was found to be maximum, i.e., 1.3787 g (27.57%) of Varsha Ritu sample in methanol extract. The marker compound, andrographolide is high, i.e., 2.0312 to 2.2093 (% w/w) in Varsha ritu, through the HPLC analysis. The drug shows floral parts, i.e., pollen grains, epidermis of petals, fragments of trichome from the anthers in powder microscopy in Shishir, Sharad, and Hemant Ritu samples, whereas in Vasant, Grishm, and Varsha Ritu are devoid of floral parts.

Conclusion:

The study finds that the best procurement season for A. paniculata Nees. is Varsha Ritu for better therapeutic results in terms of assay of andrographolide.
Predictors of Entrepreneurial Orientation: Comparative Assessment of the Effects of Personality and Environment
Authors: Demirci Ahmet Emre
Published: April 2020

This study aims to understand whether the personal traits or the environmental conditions play a more significant role in entrepreneurial intentions. Since intentions are strong predictors of the behaviors, it is important to understand whether the former or the latter factor has a stronger impact on entrepreneurial dispositions. In order to understand the complex relations between entrepreneurial intentions, personality traits, and perceived environmental conditions, total number of 229 economics and business administration students at Anadolu University, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences were surveyed. Results of the statistical analysis have revealed that although the majority of the individual personal traits and contextual factors are perceived as strong predictors of entrepreneurial intentions, when considered as separate holistic structures; personal traits are better predictors for entrepreneurial intentions compared to contextual factors in Turkey.
Prevalence of Multi-Antibiotic Resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella species obtained from a Tertiary Medical Institution in Oyo State, Nigeria
Authors: Ayandele AA , Oladipo EK , Oyebisi O , Kaka MO
Published: April 2020

Background: The development of multi-antibiotic resistant bacteria, especially Gram-negative bacteria which are the major cause of hospital-acquired infections worldwide, had been increasing. Escherichia coli and Klebsiella sp. had become more resistant to different classes of antibiotics, and the treatment of infections caused by these bacteria had developed into a challenge in both developed and developing countries. This study had determined the multi-antibiotic resistance (MAR) patterns of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella sp. isolated from clinical inpatient and outpatient samples. Method: The present study had used 50 E. coli and 48 Klebsiella sp. isolates. Antibiotic susceptibility test had been carried out by using disk diffusion method, and the interpretation of results of the zones of inhibition had accorded with Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). The antibiotics used had included the following: streptomycin, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, nitrofurantoin, amikacin, gentamicin, ofloxacin, cefepime, oxacillin, colistin sulfate, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, pefloxacine, and cloxacillin. Results:
E. coli and K. pneumoniae had shown high-resistance patterns. E. coli had exhibited high resistance against cloxacillin (96%), oxacillin (96%), erythromycin (88%), and most especially streptomycin (98%). Similarly, K. pneumoniae had presented a high resistance to streptomycin (88%), cloxacillin (92%), oxacillin (92%), and colistin (92%). E. coli had presented the highest multidrug resistance with a MAR index of 1.00. A total of 17 E. coli isolates had shown resistance to the 14 antibiotics tested. Conclusion:
E. coli and Klebsiella sp. in clinical isolates in outpatients and inpatients in Ibadan, Western Nigeria had demonstrated high antimicrobial resistance. Thus, such condition should be considered a major public health concern, and measures must be taken to establish the sources and drivers of this problem.
An Investigation on the Adoption of Electronic Commerce Systems for the Operators of Construction Companies
Authors: Issa Nafisa Bello , Hoong Lee Angela Siew
Published: April 2020

E-commerce is emerging and growing in all kinds of businesses and industries over the world especially in the construction industry. This research focuses on the adoption of business-to- business kind of e-commerce in construction industry. This research aims to identify the motivational and barrier factors of the construction workers in influencing the adoption of e- commerce specifically in the construction industry world. As part of the research, a multinational company, which produces tools for the construction industry, will be used as a case study to look into how the customers of this company are adopting e-commerce. This research uses the Diffusion of Innovation model as the based research framework to understand the factors that explain the rate of adoption and how these factors are influencing the adoption in the construction industry. Other internal and external factors of companies such as the organizational factor, technological factor digital readiness will also be looked into to understand their influence as well when it comes to adoption of e-commerce. Data collection is done by distributing questionnaires to the related participants in the construction industry. Findings from this study provides insights on the factors of adoption by applying the diffusion of innovation model and recommendation of strategies for this industry to address the problem of low adoption of e-commerce among construction workers in the construction industry. This research showed that relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, Trialability, organizational readiness and trust are significant factors leading to the adoption of e-commerce systems. Culture as well as technological and digital readiness were found to be insignificant. Overall, the study’s findings enrich the discourse related to the adoption of e-commerce systems by construction companies in Asia and other parts of the world. The findings will be relevant for construction companies around the world planning to introduce or improve the e-commerce adoption of the customers. The study’s findings could also be relevant for future analysis of e-commerce adoption.
The Role of the Public Policy Network in Making and Implementing Anti-Corruption Policies in Palestine
Authors: Iriqat Ismail , Yehya Khaireyay Radwhan
Published: April 2020

As a result for the official and unofficial interactions between many effective sides on both local and central levels, and as a result for the well of the policies network within its different parts such as the legislative council, civil society organizations, financial and administrative audit office, authors, parities and citizens as well as foreign parts such as the international bank and some donating countries, the polices networks started to develop itself and started to work in cooperation with other parties. The networks accomplished all stages in the absence of the legislative council from 2008 till 2019. However, the result of its accomplishments started with short term plans from 1998-2010, in the last year the corruption law as announced, the anti-corruption commission was established. Therefore, the three pillars of anti-corruption were completed including prosecution and anti - corruption court as a type of judicial independence. The Anti-Corruption Law and Strategy has become a systematic policy in all Palestinian public sector institutions. In mid-2019, the PAA obtained a license from the Palestinian Ministry of Higher Education to open the Anti-Corruption Academy for Higher Education, which follows the vision and objective of the Anti-Corruption Commission, which is administratively independent, which will grant a Master's degree and a higher diploma to its members. Thus, we can note the integrated role of the Anti-Corruption Policy Network from implementation to evaluation.
Report from National Polish Scientific-Practical Conference Titled ”The Labour Market of Tour Guides, Tour Leaders and Animators of Leisure Time” (Kraków 6 Dec. 2018)
Authors: Gmyrek-Gołąb Katarzyna , Kostrakiewicz-Gierałt Kinga
Published: April 2020

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Research on Installation Technologies of Retaining Walls with Ground Anchors
Authors: Daukšys Mindaugas , Daukšys Mindaugas , Mockienė Jūratė
Published: April 2020

With increasing level of urbanization, new buildings are erected in close proximity of existing buildings or quite close to site boundaries. Such practice affects the complexity of retaining wall installation technology. When a retaining wall is installed close to an existing building, a street or a steep slope, the stability of the wall has to be ensured first. There are cases when a retaining wall has to be strengthened by creating a permanent or temporary support, i.e. by installing ground anchors. According to literature analysis, the major problem is that a profile stops without reaching its designed depth (Van Baars). Merifield et al. distinguish three major types of anchors: circular, square and rectangular. They emphasise that anchor surface unevenness does not impact anchor resistance. According to El Nagar, most frequently anchors disintegrate due to excessive tensile strength of the anchor. The increase of this force is related to tensile strength measured in anchor testing. In this paper, three types of retaining walls with ground anchors are considered: pile wall, Berlin Wall, and sheet piling with excavation depth of 6 m. The conditions are selected as follows: when walls are installed in clay soils, sandy soils, sandy soils at high groundwater levels, and when the wall is installed next to the building. Mechanical resistance and stability of construction incline are calculated by means of GEO5 software. A survey was designed basing on the calculation results and the selected evaluation criteria. In the survey geotechnical engineers rated 18 different cases. The relevance of criteria is determined by employing the entropy method after the primary results of the survey are summarised; afterwards a multiple criteria decision analysis carried out using the utility function. The multi-criteria assessment results indicate the most rational type of a retaining wall for the chosen conditions.
Significant Role of Perovskite Materials for Degradation of Organic Pollutants
Authors: Pola Someshwar , Gade Ramesh
Published: April 2020

The advancement and the use of visible energy in ecological reparation and photodegradation of organic pollutants are being extensively investigated worldwide. Through the last two decades, great exertions have been dedicated to emerging innocuous, economical, well-organized and photostable photocatalysts for ecofriendly reparation. So far, many photocatalysts mostly based on ternary metal oxides and doped with nonmetals and metals with various systems and structures have been described. Among them, perovskite materials and their analogs (layer-type perovskites) include an emerged as semiconductor-based photocatalysts due to their flexibility and simple synthesis processes. This book chapter precisely concentrates on the overall of related perovskite materials and their associated systems; precisely on the current progress of perovskites that acts as photocatalysts and ecofriendly reparation; explores the synthesis methods and morphologies of perovskite materials; and reveals the significant tasks and outlooks on the investigation of perovskite photocatalytic applications.
LibGuides Groups in practice: Building a partnership between an academic library and an information studies school
Authors: Hoffner Courtney , Osuna-Garcia Antonia
Published: April 2020

The University of California-Los Angeles campus is home to an iSchool and a robust library system, consisting of nine physical locations and even more affiliated library units. It would seem natural that the iSchool would partner with the library to provide library and Information Studies students with opportunities to learn practical skills to enhance their resumes.
Validation of a handheld β-hydroxybutyrate acid meter to identify hyperketonaemia in ewes
Authors: Araújo Carolina Akiko Sato Cabral , Minervino Antonio Humberto Hamad , Sousa Rejane Santos , Oliveira Francisco Leonardo Costa , Rodrigues Frederico Augusto Mazzocca Lopes , Mori Clara Satsuki , Ortolani Enrico Lippi
Published: April 2020

Background

The end of pregnancy is the period with the highest risk of occurrences of ketosis and pregnancy toxemia due to fat mobilization and increasing non-esterified fatty acids in the liver which are converted in ketone bodies, mainly β-hydroxybutyrate acid (BHB). This ketone body may also become elevated in the bloodstream. The present study validates the use of a handheld meter for determining the blood concentration of BHB and ascertaining the predictive value and accuracy of BHB measurements in diagnosing hyperketonaemia in ewes.

Methods

A total of 19, non-pregnant, crossbred ewes were subjected to 2 h of intravenous infusion of a saturated BHB solution. Over 6 h of evaluation, 247 blood samples were obtained in 13 sampling moments. The BHB concentration was measured by an enzymatic colorimetric method in an automated biochemical analyzer (gold-standard) and by a handheld meter using an electrochemical enzyme technique.

Results

There was a high correlation between both methods (r = 0.98; P < 0.001). Considering the blood BHB concentrations range 0.8–1.6 mmol/L for moderate ketosis the handheld meter presented sensitivity and specificity of 0.98 and 0.81, respectively. For severe ketosis (BHB ≥ 1.6 mmol/L) sensitivity and specificity were 0.99 and 0.75, respectively. Thus, the handheld device can be useful for diagnoses of cases of mild or severe pregnancy toxemia at field conditions.