bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contemplative Pedagogy in the College Classroom: Theory, Research, and Practice for Holistic Student Development
Authors: Faerm Steven
Published: September 2020

experiencing emotional challenges. Students face an increasingly unstable and uncertain world due to rising political discord, terrorism, tensions between world powers, and more. Additional factors are further impacting college students’ emotional health. Research shows excessive engagement with digital technology –such as the high frequency of electronic messaging– negatively affects users’ sense of well-being. The extreme volumes of texts and tweets sent and received prevent people from feeling “unplugged” and present during any given situation; multitasking has become the normative behavior for professionals and students alike. Over time, these stresses weaken students’ cognitive, emotional, and physical health, and contribute to the record numbers of undergraduates seeking services for mental health issues.

In response, many U.S. colleges are adopting pedagogical techniques that target students’ mental health. Dubbed “Contemplative Pedagogy,” these simple yet highly effective methods aim to decrease stress levels, improve a sense of well-being, and increase “mindfulness” so that students feel more present in the classroom and beyond. By adopting these pedagogical methods, students’ emotional and cognitive development is strengthened. This paper aims to provide educators with an awareness of the rising emotional challenges experienced by college students today. This paper also provides educators with practical methods for incorporating contemplative pedagogy techniques into their classrooms for students’ academic and personal success.
Research on Highway Engineering Supervision and Project Management
Authors: Yang Wenyuan
Published: September 2020

As the main part of China's transportation, highway transportation has promoted China's economic development, and it has been concerned by the society for a long time. However, with the development of highway industry, the traffic volume and burden of highway are increasing day by day, and highway quality problems have appeared frequently, which undoubtedly poses a great threat to the economy and people's lives. Based on this, this paper mainly studies the engineering supervision and project management in highway engineering, and it provides corresponding suggestions.
Study on the Application of Expressway Construction Based on Sponge City Concept
Authors: Chen Yuanzhi
Published: September 2020

Currently, in the active trial stage, sponge city concept has been applied in many low-impact development facilities on expressways in China, but many applications are not widely used. From four angles of pavement, slope, interchange and service area of expressway, this paper explains the adverse effects brought by rainwater, and then gives, and it carries out scene analysis combined with actual engineering projects with some feasible application schemes. Finally, the concept of sponge city at present is summarized, and it is considered that the optimal planning and design can be made only after establishing a reliable mathematical model and carrying out quantitative analysis.
Research on the tourist traffic in protected areas in Romania
Authors: Anda Milin Ioana , Luliana Merce Ioana
Published: September 2020

Ecotourism has been gaining popularity in recent times as more people are embracing the preservation of nature. Most countries are implementing laws to preserve natural habitats and other countries are practising a forestation in a bid to restore their lost nature. Romania is a country that is blessed with natural capital and is open to ecotourism. Over the years, Romania has been host to tourists from different countries, especially the European countries, who visit mostly to enjoy the eco tourist destinations of Romania. This research aimed to study the tourist traffic in protected areas in Romania and how they can be improved in order to generate further income for the Romanian tourism sector. This research made use of secondary data that were retrieved from the Association of Ecotourism Romania and the National Institute for Research and Development in Tourism. This research found out that most of the visitors to the Romanian tourist sites were the indigenes. However, tourists from different countries were more involved in ecotourism than the indigenes. At the end of this article, recommendations are made on how tourist traffic can be increased by the Romanian tourism department.

 

Keywords: Ecotourism, protected area, ecosystems, nature.
Impact of aggressive online digital marketing on sales in the Latin American and Caribbean regions
Authors: Pineida Felipe Oyarzo
Published: September 2020

The aim of this research was to study how aggressive online digital marketing improves sales. The study was implemented across 27 countries, 15 countries in Latin America and 12 islands in the Caribbean regions, over a period of 2 years. Professional advertising images were shared monthly with 27 different distributors of a US textile company specialised in interior design. The showrooms were expected to promote their businesses via email and on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, WhatsApp, Twitter and through their own websites. Data were collected from the 27 participant firms with the help of interviews. The results of the study showed a strong connection between the use of professional digital advertisement and the growth of these businesses, while the showrooms that used little or no digital marketing strategies decreased or stayed low on profits. The study also showed that the quality and the content of the advertisement received by customers and how often they received it had an impact on their perception of the brand and the new products offered by the company. Data also showed that the most professional and attractive websites belonged to the most successful businesses. This research has also made recommendations to businesses and to future researchers at the end of the article.

 

Keywords: Corporate social responsibility, digital marketing, email, online marketing, social media.
The Effects Of Violent Events On The Mexican Stock Market
Authors: Valero Magali , Valero-Gil Jorge
Published: September 2020

We study the impact of violent events on the Mexican stock market, by using an event study approach. Our results show that the Mexican stock market reacts negatively to news of violent events. This news, however, have no spillover effects into other Latin American and emerging markets, nor to the U.S. market, where their occurrence was inconsequential.
KEADILAN BAGI WAJIB PAJAK YANG PATUH PASCA BERLAKUNYA UNDANG-UNDANG NOMOR 11 TAHUN 2016 TENTANG PENGAMPUNAN PAJAK
Authors: Gunawan Edy
Published: September 2020

Norma hukum Keadilan bagi Wajib Pajak yang patuh pasca Pengampunan Pajak dapat dipahami sebagai bentuk keadilan komutatif dan keadilan prosedural. Parameter norma hukum kewajaran dalam pemungutan pajak dapat dilihat dari adanya perlakuan yang adil dan setara terhadap Wajib Pajak serta adanya perlindungan warga negara dari tindakan pemerintahan penguasa dalam pemungutan suara untuk pemungutan pajak itu sendiri. Efektivitas norma hukum keadilan bagi Wajib Pajak yang patuh pasca Pengampunan Pajak dapat diwujudkan dengan meningkatkan dan mengembangkan lima faktor penegakan hukum perpajakan yang memenuhi nilai-nilai Keadilan komutatif yang memperlakukan semua orang sama dan sama seperti pelaksanaan keadilan prosedural murni. Menetapkan keadilan dengan mengacu pada konsep keadilan prosedural murni dan keadilan komutatif, Keadilan akan menciptakan kepastian hukum bagi masyarakat adil yang terkait dengan tax amnesty yang merupakan rekonsiliasi nasional untuk menghapus kesalahan masa lalu Wajib Pajak, sehingga keadilan dan kenyamanan dalam upaya yang diharapkan buat kepatuhan bagi Wajib Pajak.
LEGAL ASPECT OF ONLINE ARBITRATION IN EUROPEAN UNION AND CHINA
Authors: Sari Manja Indah
Published: September 2020

Indonesia is highly regarded as a country with the biggest e-commerce market in South-East Asia. This creates an urgency for the Indonesian government to offer an efficient and effective dispute resolution mechanism to settle dispute arising from e-commerce transaction. Online arbitration as an arbitration conducted online through means of internet and technology may provide solution to the disputes arising from e-commerce transactions. Thus, this article sets out the legal aspect of online arbitration in European Union and China as countries with the most developed online arbitration and largest market of e-commerce. The author will use normative research through comparative, statue approach and will be based on the regulations from primary and secondary resources.

            This article compares six aspects of online arbitration in European Union and China, covering the arbiter, role of government, scope, procedure, enforcement, and factors affecting enforcement. The comparison may give further recommendation on the prospective of online arbitration in Indonesia.
PERLINDUNGAN HUKUM DAN KEPASTIAN HUKUM TERHADAP ANAK ANGKAT YANG PROSES PENGANGKATANNYA MELALUI AKTA NOTARIS DI LUAR SISTEM PENGANGKATAN ANAK ANGKAT/ADOPSI YANG AKTANYA WAJIB DIBUAT DENGAN AKTA NOTARIS (STB.1917 NO 129)
Authors: Girsang Ruth Tria Enjelina
Published: September 2020

Sumber Hukum Pengangkatan Anak di Indonesia adalah Staatsblad 1917 Nomor 129, di dalam Staatsblad 1917 nomor 129 dinyatakan bahwa pengangkatan anak melalui Notaris, kemudian setelah dikeluarkannya Peraturan Pemerintah Nomor 54 Tahun 2007 Tentang Pelaksanaan Pengangkatan Anak disebutkan bahwa pengangkatan anak menggunakan Putusan Pengadilan,terdapat penafsiran yang berbeda tentang kewenangan Notaris dalam membuat Akta Pengangkatan Anak. Masalah yang terjadi adalah Pengangkatan anak hanya dilakukan melalui Akta Notaris, tanpa dilanjutkan di Pengadilan. Berdasarkan tersebut penulis merumuskan masalah kewenangan Notaris dalam membuat Akta Pengangkatan Anak, Perlindungan Hukum dan Kepastian Hukum dari status akta pengangkatan anak yang dibuat oleh Notaris, dan apakah Akta tersebut sah atau tidak menurut Hukum.  Hasil penelitian yang dilakukan penulis adalah Notaris mempunyai kewenangan dalam membuat Akta Pengangkatan Anak berdasarkan Staatsblad, namun setelah adanya Peraturan Pemerintah 54 tahun 2007 notaris memang tetap dibolehkan membuat Akta Pengangkatan Anak, namun akta tersebut hanya dapat dijadikan alat bukti untuk pengajuan di Pengadilan. Perlindungan Hukum preventif yang dilakukan adalah pengangkatan anak dilakukan dengan itikad baik dan melaksanakan sesuai dengan ketentuan yang berlaku, sedangkan Perlindungan Hukum Refresif mencegah adanya konflik terkait status akta yang dibuat sebelum adanya Peraturan Pemerintah 54 tahun 2007, akta tersebut tetap berlaku sepanjang tidak bertentangan dengan peraturan pemerintah tersebut. Akta Pengangkatan Anak yang dibuat oleh Notaris hanya sah sebagai perjanjian sesuai dengan ketentuan pasal 1320 KUHPerdata, namun akta tersebut tidak dapat memindahkan hak dan kewajiban orang tua kandung ke orang tua angkat, jika tidak dilakukan berdasarkan Putusan Pengadilan. Pengangkatan anak yang tidak dilakukan berdasarkan Putusan Pengadilan, dapat menyebabkan batal demi hukum.
Phyto-Phospholipid Complexes: Innovative Approach to Enhance the Bioavailability and Therapeutic Efficacy of Herbal Extract
Authors: Anju Singh  , Avishikta Ray  , Rakhi Mishra  , Pramod K. Biswal  , Reenu Yadav  , Shailesh Kumar Ghatuary
Published: September 2020

The herbal drug are used extensively for the treatment of the various diseases by the globe. The minimum side effects of medicinal plants attract people for its medicinal uses. The conventional dosage form of herbal medicine has certain limitation like low absorption, reduced bioavailability and lower penetration across biological membrane, it decrease their uses. Hence the introduction of novel drug delivery system namely Phyto-Phospholipid Complexes techniques resolve all these issues of herbal extract or plant actives. This advance technology technique reduced dose to produce desired therapeutic effect, improved stability due to chemical linkage, ability to permeate through skin systematic targeting to transit from hydrophilic to lipophilic environment and improved pharmacokinetic parameters. This review summarizes the latest investigations regarding the possible application of Phytosomes complexes for therapy of different dieseases, their marketed formulation, mechanism of transportation through phytosome and future prospect. The prospectus of Phytosomes technique can suggest new directions and endless frontier as novel drug treatment.
The Effect of Herbicide Metribuzin on Environment and Human: A Systematic Review
Authors: Derouiche Samir  , Rezzag Mohcem Om Selma  , Serouti Asma
Published: September 2020

Metribuzin is a synthetic organic compound used as a selective Triazinone herbicide, incorporated as a post-emergent soil applied herbicide to control weeds in wheat, potato, tomato and others. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of Metribuzin on the environment and human health. Human exposure to Metribuzin occurs through inhalation and ingestion, usually in agricultural settings. Farmers' occupational exposure to Metribuzin is highly variable and complex depending on the farm but Few studies have assessed the exposure of the population to this herbicide. Metribuzin can accumulate in soil and water and cause damage to flora and fauna. furthermore,  Herbicides Metribuzin have a very variable toxicity, in the short term it can cause acute intoxication which can cause breathing and difficult drowsiness but the high exposures can cause stomach aches, fatigue and depression of the central nervous system, on the other hand in the long term and with strong exposure or other repeated it can cause modifications of the hepatic enzymes, disturbance in the kidneys, can affect the reproduction, the endocrine function and oxidant/antioxidant system imbalance. This study highlights on the undesirable effect of Metribuzin which allows to affirm their toxicity even at low doses, is not only following an occupational exposure, but also for the general population by their use of treated agricultural products by these pesticides, which poses a real public health problem. Accordingly, it is imperative that farmers avoid their use and replace them with biological fertilizers that are less harmful to human and animal health.
ATP-Binding Cassette (ABC) Transporter Genes in Plant Parasitic Nematodes: An Opinion for Development of Novel Control Strategy
Authors: Kooliyottil Rinu , Gadhachanda Koushik Rao , Solo Nejra , Dandurand Louise-Marie
Published: September 2020

The molecular interaction between the nematode and the host plant cells is complex and sophisticated. Initial contact with the plant parasitic nematodes (PPNs) triggers immune response in the host plant system which includes the release of toxic molecules. To put a bridle on this immune response, PPNs trigger pivotal cytoprotective mechanisms, such as antioxidant and detoxification pathways. Mechanisms of these pathways have been studied in PPNs and the specific genes involved have been targeted for gene silencing research in view of developing novel control measures. However, one of the important group of proteins involved in detoxification pathways known as ABC-transporters are not being studied until recently in PPNs. This opinion article focusses on the current knowledge and future prospects of ABC transporters in PPNs.
Development of a Pressure Stable Inline Droplet Generator with Live Droplet Size Measurement
Authors: Preiss Felix Johannes , Dagenbach Teresa , Fischer Markus , Karbstein Heike Petra
Published: September 2020

For our research on droplet deformation and breakup in scaled high-pressure homogenizing units we developed a pressure stable inline droplet generator. It consists of an optically accessible flow channel with a combination of stainless steel and glass capillaries and a 3D printed orifice. The droplet size is determined online by live image analysis. The influence of the orifice diameter, the mass flow of the continuous phase and the mass flow of the disperse phase on the droplet diameter was investigated. Furthermore, the droplet detachment mechanisms were identified. Droplet diameters with small diameter fluctuation between 175 µm and 500 µm could be realized, which allows a precise adjustment of the Ca and We Number in the subsequent scaled high pressure homogenizer disruption unit. The determined influence of geometry and process parameters on the resulting droplet size and droplet detachment mechanism agreed well with literature on microfluidics. Furthermore, droplet trajectories in an exemplary scaled high-pressure homogenizer disruption unit are presented which show that the droplets can be reinjected on a trajectory close to the center axis or close to the wall, which should result in different stresses on the droplets.
A Computational Method for The Computer Simulation of The Liquid Phase Sintering of Metallic Systems
Authors: Hosseinzadeh Hamed
Published: September 2020

The growth of solid particles during liquid phase sintering was modeled by the Cellular Automata method. The binary phase diagram and Fickian approach for the diffusion process were applied to simulate the chemical composition variation in liquid and solid phases during sintering. The Oswald-Ripening effect was considered during the dissolution of the solid phase in the liquid phase. It is used to define the probability of solid-phase dissolution by the liquid phase and develop the model to simulate the alloy with solid solubility. So, the microstructure could be modeled in the liquid phase sintering process.
Prospects of Red King Crab Hepatopancreas Processing: Fundamental and Applied Biochemistry
Authors: Ponomareva Tatyana , Timchenko Maria , Filippov Michael , Lapaev Sergey , Sogorin Evgeny
Published: September 2020

Since the early 1980s, a large number of research works on enzymes from the red king crab hepatopancreas have been conducted. These studies have been relevant both from a fundamental point of view for studying the enzymes of marine organisms and in terms of the rational management of nature to obtain new and valuable products from the processing of crab fishing waste. Most of these works were performed by Russian scientists due to the area and amount of waste of red king crab processing in Russia (or the Soviet Union). However, the close phylogenetic kinship and the similar ecological niches of commercial crab species and the production scale of the catch provide the bases for the successful transfer of experience in the processing of red king crab hepatopancreas to other commercial crab species mined worldwide. This review describes the value of recycled commercial crab species, discusses processing problems, and suggests possible solutions to these problems. The main emphasis is placed on the enzymes of the hepatopancreas as the most highly salubrious product of waste processed from red king crab fishing.
Biosynthesis of Lemongrass Essential Oil and the Underlying Mechanism for Its Insecticidal Activity
Authors: Mukarram Mohammad , A. Khan M. Masroor , Zehra Andleeb , Choudhary Sadaf , Aftab Tariq , Naeem M.
Published: September 2020

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) is an aromatic perennial grass grown extensively for its essential oil. Lemongrass oil is chiefly a mixture of various cyclic and acyclic bioactive monoterpenes. We reviewed lemongrass oil and its biosynthesis in the present chapter along with its biochemical composition. Furthermore, we attempted to explore both the possible routes for essential oil biosynthesis in lemongrass, i.e. mevalonate and non-mevalonate pathways and how these pathways interwind with each other. Lemongrass oil has high commercial potential in medicinal, cosmetic, food and energy industries. Regarding the pharmacological properties, a wide array of biological activities has been observed in lemongrass oil such as antimicrobial, insecticidal, analgesic and anti-cancer properties as well as its efficacy as insect-repellent. The later sections were dedicated for the analysis of insecticidal property of the lemongrass oil and the mechanism working behind this phenomenon where it was observed that in addition to synergistic effects, various components of lemongrass oil can also induce specific neurotoxic and cytotoxic responses in the insects.
Method for Quantifying Variation in Resistance of Electronic Cigarette Coils
Authors: Saleh Qutaiba M. , Hensel Edward C. , Robinson Risa J.
Published: September 2020

In Electronic Nicotine Delivery System (ENDS), coil resistance is an important factor in the generation of heat energy used to change e-liquid into vapor. An accurate and unbiased method for testing coil resistance is vital for understanding its effect on emissions and reporting results that are comparable across different types and brands of ENDS and measured in different laboratories. This study proposes a robust, accurate and unbiased method for measuring coil resistance. An apparatus is used which mimics the geometric configuration and assembly of ENDS pods and power control units. The method is demonstrated on two commonly used ENDS devices, the ALTO by Vuse and JUUL. Analysis shows that the proposed method is stable and reliable. The two-wire configuration introduced a positive measurement bias of 0.086 [ohm], which is a significant error for sub-ohm coil designs. The four-wire configuration is far less prone to bias error. We observed a significant difference in coil resistance of 0.593 [ohm] (p<0.001) between the two products tested. The mean resistance and standard deviation of the pod coil assemblies was shown to be 1.031 (0.067) [ohm] for ALTO and 1.624 (0.033) [ohm] for JUUL. The variation in coil resistance between products and within products can have significant impacts on aerosol emissions.
Heating Efficiency of CoFe2-xRExO4 (RE=Dy, Yb, Gd) Magnetic Nanoparticles for Hyperthermia Applications
Authors: Koutsoumbou Xanthippi , Tsiaoussis Ioannis , Bulai Georgiana Andreea , Caltun Ovidiu Florin , Kalogirou Orestis , Sarafidis Charalampos
Published: September 2020

Cobalt ferrite nanoparticles (NPs) doped with rare earth (RE) metals with general formula CoFe2-xRExO4 (RE=Yb, Dy, Gd; x = 0.0 - 0.3) were synthesized by the co-precipitation method followed by post thermal treatment. The influence of RE doping on structural, magnetic and thermal properties and potential biomedical applications like magnetic hyperthermia has been investigated. In the as-prepared samples RE cations enter the spinel lattice as detected by X-ray diffraction. Thermal treatment leads to thermodynamically stable and relaxed single-phase spinel structures only for lower RE content, x = 0.01-0.05. However, annealed samples present higher mass magnetization values (MS), up to 83 Am2/kg. RE content also affects MS, especially in the case of annealed samples where it decreases linearly with x from about 80 Am2/kg (x = 0.01) to about 60 Am2/kg (x = 0.30). Thermal treatment induces a reduction in coercivity from 60-100 mT for as-prepared samples to 18-33 mT for annealed samples, in a nonlinear manner with respect to RE content. Heating efficiency, i.e., Specific Loss Power (SLP), of all samples has been studied using both magnetometric and calorimetric method to deeper examine the energy loss mechanisms involved.
Application of Geo-informatics Technology to Access the Surface Temperature Using LANDSAT 8 OLI/TIRS Satellite Data: A Case Study in Ampara District in Sri Lanka
Authors: Mohamed Zahir Ibra Lebbe
Published: September 2020

Land Surface Temperature is a one of the key variable of Global climate changes and model which estimate radiating budget in heat balance as control of climate model. It is a major influenced factor by the ability of the surface emissivity. In this study, were used Landsat 8 satellite image that have Operational Land Imager and Thermal Infrared Sensor to calculate Land Surface Temperature through geospatial technology over Ampara district, Sri Lanka. The Land Surface Temperature was estimated with respect to Land Surface Emissivity and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index values determined from the Red and Near Infrared channels. Land Surface Emissivity was processed directly by the thermal Infrared bands. Pixels based calculation were used to effort at LANDSAT 8 images that thermal Band 10 various dates in this study. The results were achievable to compute Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, Land Surface Emissivity, and Land Surface Temperature with applicable manner to compare with land use/ land cover data. It determines and predicts the changes of surface temperature to favorable to decision making process for the society. Study area faces seasonal drought in Sri Lanka, the prediction method that how land can be efficiently used with the present condition. Therefore, the Land Surface Temperature estimation can prove whether new irrigation systems for agricultural activities or can transformed source of energy into useful form that introducing solar hubs for energy production in future.
Streamline-Based Simulation of Nanoparticle Transport in Field-Scale Heterogeneous Subsurface Systems
Authors: Wang Bin , Feng Yin , Blears John , Thompson Karsten , Hughes Richard
Published: September 2020

Nanoparticle (NP) transport is increasingly relevant to subsurface engineering applications such as aquifer characterization, fracture electromagnetic imaging and environmental remediation. An efficient field-scale simulation framework is critical for predicting NP performance and designing subsurface applications. In this work, for the first time, a streamline-based model is presented to simulate NP transport in field-scale subsurface systems. It considers a series of behaviors exhibited by engineered nanoparticles (NPs), including time-triggered encapsulation, retention, formation damage effects and variable nanofluid viscosity. The key methods employed by the algorithm are streamline-based simulation (SLS) and an operator-splitting (OS) technique for modeling NP transport. SLS has proven to be efficient for solving transport in large and heterogeneous systems, where the pressure and velocity fields are firstly solved on underlying grids using finite-difference (FD) methods. After tracing streamlines, one-dimensional (1D) NP transport is solved independently along each streamline. The adoption of OS enhances flexibility for the entire solution procedure by allowing different numerical schemes to solve different governing equations efficiently and accurately. For the NP transport model, an explicit FD scheme is used to solve the advection term, an implicit FD scheme is used for the diffusion term and an adaptive numerical integration is used to solve the retention terms. The model is implemented in an in-house streamline-based code, which is verified against analytical solutions, a commercial FD reservoir simulator (ECLIPSE) and an academic FD colloid transport code (MNMs). For a 1D homogeneous case, the effluent breakthrough curves (BTC) produced by the in-house simulator are in good agreement with the analytical solution and MNMs, respectively. For a two-dimensional (2D) heterogeneous case, the BTC and concentration pattern of the in-house simulator all match well with the solution produced by commercial simulator. Simulations on a synthetic three-dimensional (3D) nanocapsule application engineering design case, are performed to investigate the effect of fluid and NP properties on the displacement pattern of an existing subsurface fluid.
Lightweight Cryptographic Algorithms on Resource-Constrained Devices
Authors: Meng Thomas Xuan , Buchanan William
Published: September 2020

As the embedded device and internet of things (IoTs) concept prevalent in today's world, there is an increasing demand for the security and performance requirements on deploying these devices to private and public sectors. The crucial part of it is to protect privacy, confidentiality and integrity, meanwhile, maintain an adequate level of performance during transmission, storage and access of critical information. While the conventional cryptography methods, such as the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), SHA$-$2 hashing method and RSA and Diffie Hellman for message authentication and identification, work well on systems which have reasonable processing power and memory capabilities. These do not scale well into a world with embedded systems and sensor networks, in conjunction with their nature of smaller size and lower cost. Thus, in the context of resource constrained device, lightweight cryptography methods are proposed to overcome many of the problems of conventional cryptography possessed. This includes constraints related to physical size, processing requirement, memory limitation, energy drain and production cost. This paper provides a survey of the architectures that are defined as replacements for conventional ciphers within an IoTs space and discuss some trends in the design of future lightweight algorithms. The performance metrics are carefully chosen to reflect and assess the suitability for embedded devices. The aim of this research is to identify the various performance metrics applied on different types of symmetric block ciphers especially lightweight ciphers and compare the results on versatile platforms with stream ciphers and public key methods. The comparative analysis on efficient LW cipher will be tested against other similar block ciphers on both MacBook Pro with Intel core and resource constrained device Raspberry Pi with ARM processor.
Granulomatous Pneumonia in a Nile Crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) Caused by a Member of Mycobacterium Chelonae/Abscessus Group
Authors: Gobbi Marco , Corneli Sara , D'Avino Nicoletta , Manuali Elisabetta , Di Paolo Antonella , Sebastiani Carla , Ciullo Marcella , Tentellini Michele , Pacciarini Maria Lodovica , Sebastianelli Martina , Pavone Silvia , Mazzone Piera
Published: September 2020

A 40 years old male Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) was diagnosed with pulmonary mycobacteriosis caused by a member of Mycobacterium chelonae/abscessus group. Post-mortem examination showed a severe systemic visceral granulomatous involvement, with lesions in lungs, heart, liver, spleen and kidneys. Histopathological examination of lung, spleen, heart and liver revealed multifocal to coalescing granulomas showing eterophils in central zone and outer rim of epithelioid histiocytes, multinucleated giant cells and lymphocytes. The Ziehl–Neelsen histological staining revealed rare vacuoles containing numerous alcohol-acid resistant bacteria. Mycobacterial infection was confirmed by culture and PCR targeting rRNA 16S gene. Sequence analysis of the DNA amplicon revealed a 100% homology with the M. chelonae/ abscessus group. Even if the classification of the memebrr of this group is still on updating, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of M. chelonae/abscessus member infection in a Nile crocodile species.
Burden of viral hepatitis caused by specific aetiologies in China, 1990-2016: findings from the GBD 2016
Authors: Li Man , Wang Zhuo-qun , Zhang Lu , Zheng Hao , Zhou Mai-geng , Liu Dian-wu
Published: September 2020

Purpose The aim of this study is to quantify the burden caused by viral hepatitis in China from 1990 to 2016. Methods: Data from the GBD 2016 study were extracted to calculate incidence, prevalence and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Trends in DALYs were assessed in 33 provinces/regions. Results: From 1990 to 2016, the total incidence of hepatitis decreased by 88.5%. However, the prevalence of hepatitis (counts in thousands), increased by 37.6% from 153,856 (95% UI: 136,047-172,319) in 1990 to 211,721 (95% UI: 179,776-240,981) in 2016, with age-standardized prevalence rates changing slightly. The number and age-standardized rates of prevalence increased by 35.9% and 1.6% for hepatitis B, respectively, and by 81.8% and 30.4% for hepatitis C. Guangxi, Guangdong and Hainan had the highest age-standardized prevalence rates (≥16,500 per 100,000). Tibet, Qinghai and Gansu had the highest age-standardized DALYs rates (≥40 per 100,000). The largest absolute number of DALYs was observed in the 15-49 year age group in 2016. The highest rate of DALYs occurred in males aged 50-69 years and in females aged ≧70 years. Conclusion: The incidence and DALYs of viral hepatitis decreased dramatically from 1990 to 2016. However, the prevalence still remains at a high level, which may result in heavy burdens in the future.
Interventions for prudent antibiotic use in primary healthcare: An econometric analysis
Authors: Lampi Elina , Carlsson Fredrik , Sundvall Pär-Daniel , Torres Marcela Jaime , Ulleryd Peter , Åhrén Christina , Jacobsson Gunnar
Published: September 2020

Background: Rational antibiotic prescribing is crucial to combat antibiotic resistance. Optimal strategies to improve antibiotic use are not known. Strama, the Swedish strategic program against antibiotic resistance, has been successful in reducing antibiotic prescription rates. This study investigates whether two specific interventions directed toward healthcare centers, an informational visit and a self-evaluation meeting, played a role in observed reduction in rates of antibiotic prescriptions in primary healthcare. Methods: The study was a retrospective, observational, empirical analysis exploiting the variation in the timing of the interventions and considering past prescriptions through use of estimations from dynamic panel data models. Primary healthcare data from 2011 to 2014 were examined. Data were from public and private primary healthcare centers in western Sweden. The key variables were prescription of antibiotics and indicator variables for the two interventions. Results: The first intervention, an educational information intervention, decreased the number of prescriptions among public healthcare centers, but this effect was only temporary. We found no proof that the second intervention, a self-evaluation meeting at the healthcare center, had an impact on the reduction of prescriptions. Conclusions: Single educational interventions aimed at influencing rates of antibiotic prescriptions have limited impact. A multifaceted approach is needed in efforts to reduce the use of antibiotics in primary health care.
Exploring contraception myths and misconceptions among young men and women in Kwale County, Kenya
Authors: Mwaisaka Jefferson , Gonsalves Lianne , Thiongo Mary , Waithaka Michael , Sidha Hellen , Agwanda Alfred , Mukiira Carol , Gichangi Peter
Published: September 2020

Background
Myths and misconceptions around modern contraceptives have been associated with low contraceptive uptake in sub-Saharan Africa and Kenya in particular. Addressing persistent contraceptive knowledge gaps can make a significant contribution towards improved contraceptive uptake among young women. This qualitative study therefore sought to explore and understand young people’s knowledge of modern contraception and to identify their key concerns regarding these methods.

Methods
We used focus group discussions (FGD) with vignette and writing activities to explore key myths and misconceptions around the use of contraceptives. Six FGDs (three for young men and three for young women) were conducted with a total of 28 young women and 30 young men from Kwale County, Kenya. We included 10 discussants aged 18-24 per FGD, one FGD had 8 participants. Predefined codes reflecting the discussion guides and emerging issues in the FGDs were used to develop the thematic coding framework. Our analysis followed a pattern of association on the key preset themes focusing on myths and misconceptions around contraceptive use.

Results
Results are presented under three key themes: awareness of contraception, myths and misconceptions around contraception, and males’ contraceptive narratives. Both men and women participants reported basic awareness of contraceptives. A mixture of biological and social misconceptions were discussed and included perceptions that modern contraception: jeopardized future fertility, prolonged menstrual bleeding, could result in problems conceiving or birth defects, made women promiscuous, was ‘un-African’, and would deny couples their sexual freedom. Compared to female respondents, young men appeared to be strong believers of the perceived socio-cultural effects of contraceptives.

Conclusions
This study revealed the presence of a mixture of biological and social myths and misconceptions around contraception, with young men also strongly adhering to these misconceptions. The low level of contraceptive knowledge, particularly on contraceptive fears as revealed by the study demonstrate critical gaps in sexual and reproductive health (SRH) knowledge among young people. Improved SRH literacy to address contraceptives’ fears through appropriate and gender specific interventions to reach out to young men and women with factual SRH information may therefore contribute to increased uptake of SRH services including modern contraceptive methods.
What makes advocacy work? Stakeholders’ voices and insights from prioritisation of Maternal and Child Health programme in Nigeria
Authors: Uzochukwu Benjamin , Onyedinma Chioma , Okeke Chinyere , Onwujekwe Obinna , Manzano Ana , Ebenso Bassey , Etiaba Enyi , Ezumah Nkoli , Mirzoev Tolib
Published: September 2020

Background: The Nigerian government introduced and implemented a health programme to improve maternal and child health (MCH) called Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment programme for MCH (SURE-P/MCH). It ran from 2012 and ended abruptly in 2015 and was followed by increased advocacy for sustaining the MCH (antenatal, delivery, postnatal and immunization) services as a policy priority. Advocacy is important in allowing social voice, facilitating prioritization, and bringing different forces/actors together. Therefore, the study set out to understand how advocacy works - through understanding what effective advocacy implementation processes comprise and what mechanisms are triggered by which contexts to produce the intended outcomes. Methods: The study used a Realist Evaluation design through a mixed quantitative and qualitative methods case study approach. The programme theory (PT) was developed from three substantive social theories (power politics, media influence communication theory, and the three-streams theory of agenda-setting), data and programme design documentation, and subsequently tested. We report information from 22 key informant interviews including national and State policy and law makers, policy implementers, CSOs, Development partners, NGOs, health professional groups, and media practitioners and review of relevant documents on advocacy events post-SURE-P. Results: Key advocacy organizations and individuals including health professional groups, the media, civil society organizations, powerful individuals, and policymakers were involved in advocacy activities. The nature of their engagement included organizing workshops, symposiums, town hall meetings, individual meetings, press conferences, demonstrations, and engagements with media. Effective advocacy mechanism involved alliance brokering to increase influence, the media supporting and engaging in advocacy, and the use of champions, influencers, and spouses (Leadership and Elite Gendered Power Dynamics). The key contextual influences which determined the effectiveness of advocacy measures for MCH included the political cycle, availability of evidence on the issue, networking with powerful and interested champions, and alliance building in advocacy. All these enhanced the entrenchment of MCH on the political and financial agenda at the State and Federal levels. Conclusions: Our result suggest that advocacy can be a useful tool to bring together different forces by allowing expression of voices and ensuring accountability of different actors including policymakers. In the context of poor health outcomes, interest from policymakers and politicians in MCH, combined with advocacy from key policy actors armed with evidence, can improve prioritization and sustained implementation of MCH services.
Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) receptor inhibitor JL5 synergizes with Ym155 to induce Apoptosis-Inducing Factor (AIF) caspase independent cell death
Authors: Mondal Arindam , NeMoyer Rachel , Langenfeld Elaine , Glover Danea , Scott Michael , Lairson Lauren , Zloza Andrew , Augeri David , Gilleran John , Peng Youyi , Roberge Jacques , Langenfeld John E.
Published: September 2020

Background: Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) is an evolutionarily conserved morphogen that is reactivated in lung carcinomas. BMP receptor inhibitors promote cell death of lung carcinomas by mechanisms not fully elucidated. The studies here reveal novel mechanisms by which the “survivin” inhibitor Ym155 in combination with the BMP receptor inhibitor JL5 synergistically induces death of lung cancer cells.Methods: This study examines the mechanism by which Ym155 in combination with JL5 downregulates BMP signaling and induces cell death of non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) cell lines. Validation experiments were performed on five passage 0 primary NSCLC cell lines.Results: We found that Ym155, which is reported to be a survivin inhibitor, potently inhibits BMP signaling by causing BMPR2 mislocalization into the cytoplasm and its decreased expression. The combination of Ym155 and the BMP receptor inhibitor JL5 synergistically causes the downregulation of BMP Smad-1/5 dependent and independent signaling and the induction of cell death of lung cancer cell lines and primary lung tumors. Cell death involves the nuclear translocation of apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) from the mitochondria to the nucleus. This causes DNA double stranded breaks independent of caspase activation, which occur only when JL5 and Ym155 are used in combination. Knockdown of BMPR2 together with Ym155 also induced AIF localization to the nucleus.Conclusions: These studies suggest that inhibition of BMPR2 together with Ym155 can induce AIF caspase-independent cell death. AIF caspase-independent cell is an evolutionarily conserved cell death pathway that has never been targeted to induce cell death in cancer cells. These studies provide mechanistic insight of how to target AIF caspase-independent cell death using BMP inhibitors.
Rivastigmine improves dual-task gait velocity in patients with Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Shimura Hideki , Aiba Saiko , Hayashi Akito , Hattori Nobutaka , Urabe Takao
Published: September 2020

Background Gait impairments are common in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Cholinesterase inhibitors are used to treat the symptoms of patients with Alzheimer’s disease, but they have not been shown to reduce the severity of Alzheimer’s disease-related gait disorders. Methods This was a prospective, single-arm, open-label, non-randomized study. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor rivastigmine on gait in 21 newly diagnosed patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. The outcome variables were velocity, stride length, and cadence during single-task and dual-task gait trials. The subjects were also assessed with the Mini-Mental State Examination, Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study Activities of Daily Living, Functional Assessment Staging, and Geriatric Depression Scale. Results After 12 weeks of treatment with rivastigmine, gait velocity was significantly improved in the dual-task gait trials; gait velocity was increased from 40.59 ± 13.59 m/min at baseline to 46.88 ± 12.73 m/min when counting backward from 100 in steps of 7 while walking, and gait velocity was increased from 37.06 ± 15.57 m/min at baseline to 42.03 ± 14.02 m/min when naming animals while walking. In the single-task gait trials, which consisted only of walking at their usual pace or at a fast pace, gait velocity was not increased by rivastigmine administration. Conclusion Our findings indicated that rivastigmine improved gait in subjects with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease during dual-task trials. The observed enhancement of dual-task gait might be caused by an improvement of cognitive function rather than motor function. Trial registration: UMIN, UMIN000025869. Registered December 16, 2016, https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/icdr/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000029744
The compound role of a coordinator for home-dwelling persons with dementia and their informal caregivers: A qualitative study
Authors: Fæø Stein Erik , Tranvåg Oscar , Samdal Rune , Husebo Bettina S. , Bruvik Frøydis
Published: September 2020

Background: As the number of persons with dementia is increasing, there has been a call for establishing sustainable clinical pathways for coordinating care and support for this group. The LIVE@Home.Path-trial is a multicomponent, multi-disciplinary intervention combining learning, innovation, volunteer support and empowerment. To implement the intervention, a municipal coordinator has a crucial role. Implementation research on multicomponent interventions is complex and we conducted a qualitative study, aiming to explore the coordinator role and how a coordinator may empower persons with dementia in decision-making processes. Methods: Qualitative program evaluation combined with a hermeneutic interpretive approach was chosen as methodological approach. Sixteen dyads, consisting of the person with dementia and their main informal caregiver received the intervention by two coordinators. Of these, six dyads, three informal caregivers alone and the two care coordinators along with their leader, in sum, eighteen persons, participated in in-depth or focus group interviews, sharing their experiences after six months intervention.Results: We found that the coordinators fulfilled three functions for the participating dyads: being a safety net, meaning that the dyads might have little needs at the moment, but found safety in a relation to someone who might help if the situation should change; being a pathfinder, meaning that they supported the dyads in finding their way through the complicated system of care and support services; being a source for emotional care and support, meaning that they listened, acknowledged and gave counsel in times of distress. The coordinators emphasized that a trusting leader and work environment was crucial for them to fulfill these functions. We also found that it was challenging for the coordinators to build a relation to the persons with dementia in order to pursue genuine empowerment in decision-making processes. Conclusion: We found the framework for follow-up to be a feasible starting point for establishing empowering coordination and a sustainable care pathway for persons with dementia and their informal caregivers. More meeting points between coordinator and person with dementia should be pursued in order to fulfill the persons’ fundamental rights to participate in decision-making processes.