bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pengaruh Penambahan Fly Ash dan Serbuk Kaca Terhadap Sifat Fisik dan Mekanik Komposit Batako
Authors: Husain La Ode , Endriatno Nanang , Aminur Aminur
Published: April 2022

Composite  is  a  new  material  engineered  by  two  or  more  materials  where  the properties of the materials differ from one another both in chemical and physical properties. Composites are obtained from a combination of metal with ceramics, metal with plastics,  and others. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of adding fly ash and glass powder on the physical and mechanical properties of  brick-based  composites.  The  drying  process  is  carried  out  for  28  days.  The compressive strength and water absorption tests were carried out after the drying process.  The  results showed  the  highest  compressive strength  value  is  on  the  B sample  is  74.17  kg  /  cm2  and  water  uptake  is  lowest  in  the  sample  A,  namely 10.53%. The highest compressive strength test results exist in the sample B is 74.17 kg / cm2 and the compressive strength is lowest in the sample A which is 66.67 kg / cm2. While the highest water absorption test results were in sample C, namely 15.05% and the lowest water absorption value was in sample A, namely 10.53%. Keywords:  Brick-Based,  fly  ash,  glass  powder,  compressive  strength,  water absorption.
Climate–poverty connections: Opportunities for synergistic solutions at the intersection of planetary and human well-being
Authors: Jameel Yusuf , Patrone Carissa M. , Patterson Kristen P. , West Paul C.
Published: April 2022

Addressing climate change and improving the well-being of people experiencing extreme poverty—two grand challenges of the 21st century—must occur simultaneously and, ideally, synergistically. These two inextricably intertwined issues will shape the well-being of humanity for the rest of the century and beyond. People living in extreme poverty are more vulnerable to natural disasters and commonly live in regions that have been and are projected to be most impacted by climate change. Unfortunately, the benefits of addressing climate change in ways that simultaneously improve the human well-being (HWB) of people living in extreme poverty are commonly overlooked—despite their promise to yield substantial socioeconomic, health, equity, ecological, and biodiversity gains. This report highlights evidence of the co-benefits to HWB of proven climate mitigation solutions. It showcases areas of greatest need for funders, policymakers, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and other decision-makers to act and drive approaches to meet climate, development, and HWB needs while boosting prosperity for rural communities, especially in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and South Asia. The world should not have to choose among sustainable development, poverty eradication, climate mitigation, and climate adaptation; win-win solutions are at hand.
Assessment of the effects of foamrolling on the pain threshold in professional basketball players
Authors: Cabak Anna , Mielczarek Wojciech
Published: April 2022

Background. Auto-massage with the use of special rollers is now a popular form of biological regeneration in sport. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of the proposed scheme (me­thodology) of myofascial auto-release on changes in the pain threshold within selected muscle trigger points in professional basketball players.
Material and methods. The research was carried out on 20 basketball players of the 2nd Men's Ba­sketball League. The average age of the respondents was 23.35 ± 4.3 years. The study included 4 training units in one week. Pain sensation threshold was measured using the Pain Test FPX Algometer (Wagner). Measurements were taken on the first and last day of the tests according to the scheme: before and after training, and after rolling. The pain threshold was examined on the following trigger points of the muscles: descending and ascending part of trapezius muscle, levator scapula, rectus femoris muscle, tensor fascia lataeand the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle. The subjects rolled the areas of ​​the above-mentioned muscles 4 days after training (each time for a total of 10 minutes), according to a standardized schedule.
Results and conclusions. Based on the obtained results, it was found that the proposed self-massage regimen performed immediately after basketball training had a significant effect on changes in the pain threshold in some muscle areas. Significant differences were observed on the first day of the study in the descending part of the trapezius muscle and the levator scapulae on the left side (p <0.05). After the entire 4-day rolling session, significant differences were found in the pain threshold on the levator scapulae muscle on both sides of the spine (p = 0.03). An important trend was noted regarding the majority of the examined muscle points, after the self-massage by rolling, the pain threshold increased (muscle pain sensitivity decreased). According to the subjective opinion, the majority of basketball players (90%) consider rolling to be an effective method of post-workout regeneration and see the need for systematic use of this form of auto-massage. According to the vast majority of competitors, the presented method of rolling resulted in an improvement in post-workout regeneration (85%) and a reduction in muscle stiffness (60%). Tissue rolling after exercise seems to be an important complementary approah to biological regeneration in sport.
Management heute: In Zielsystemen gefangen? Plädoyer für eine Neubesinnung auf eine Sinn-basierte Unternehmensführung
Authors: Müller-Stewens Günter
Published: April 2022

Mit dem Shareholder Value-Ansatz fanden auch äusserst ausdifferenzierte Zielsysteme Eingang in die Praxis. Oberste quantitative Zielgrössen des Unternehmenswerts, wie das Umsatzwachstum oder die EBIT-Marge, wurden über Werttreiber (KPIs) in untergeordnete Zieleebenen und eine grosse Anzahl von Teilzielen aufgebrochen, die es seitens der betroffenen Bereiche des Unternehmens zugunsten des Shareholder Values zu realisieren galt. Führung geschah dann durch Zielvereinbarungen zwischen dem Topmanagement der Corporate-Ebene und den Managementteams der Geschäftsbereiche. Doch Untersuchungen zeigen, dass dieser Führungsansatz immer mehr zu Organisationen führt, die von vielen Mitarbeitern immer mehr als sinnentleert, motivationshemmend und auch nicht als wirklich sozial empfunden werden. Eine Abschwächung der Performance (z.B. Rückgang der Innovationen, Abflachung des Wachstums etc.) ist meist die Folge. In diesem Beitrag soll der Nutzen einer solchen Führung über oberste quantitative Ziele, wie er vielerorts propagiert und betrieben wird, hinsichtlich seiner Eignung für Unternehmen des 21. Jahrhunderts grundsätzlich in Frage gestellt werden. Es soll gezeigt werden, wie dieser Zustand überwunden werden kann, indem man die Ziele einem höheren gemeinsamen Zweck («shared purpose») unterordnet.
Unser Finanzsystem: Nur für Schönwetterlagen tauglich?
Authors: Wallmeier Martin
Published: April 2022

Der Beinahe-Zusammenbruch des Finanzsystems in der globalen Finanzkrise 2008 wirft die Frage auf, ob das System hinreichend stabil konstruiert oder nur auf „Schönwetterlagen“ ausgelegt ist. Dieser Beitrag beleuchtet kritische Elemente des bestehenden Finanzsystems: die Risiko- und Fristentransformation von Banken, die Tendenz zu exzessiver Verschuldung sowie illusorische Erwartungen der Marktakteure, die irrationale Übertreibungen begünstigen. Die Krise hat nicht in erster Linie Defizite der Finanztheorie offenbart, sondern im Gegenteil gezeigt, dass es geboten ist, die Theorie ernst zu nehmen. Sinnvoll wäre eine Rückbesinnung auf robuste Strukturen und einfache Grund­sätze mit dem Ziel, die Realwirtschaft effektiv zu unterstützen.
Aufdeckung von Bilanzbetrug: Sind Leerverkäufer besser als Wirtschaftsprüfer?
Authors: Pfaff Dieter , Ruffing-Straube Patricia
Published: April 2022

Spektakuläre Bilanzskandale werfen die Frage auf, wie es trotz aller Prüfungs- und Aufsichtsanstrengungen zu schweren Betrugsfällen kommen kann. Der Beitrag zeigt, dass Massnahmen gegen Bilanzbetrug nicht einseitig auf eine Stärkung der Kontrolle und Haftung der Abschlussprüfer setzen sollten. Zu vielfältig ist die Anreizstruktur, die auf die Entscheidungsträger in Unternehmen und deren Aufsichten einwirkt. Wichtig ist vielmehr auch, die Marktkräfte zu stärken, um Bilanzbetrug entgegenzuwirken. Dazu gehört es, Leerverkäufern einen Rahmen zu bieten, um ihre Anschuldigungen vorbringen zu können. Gleichzeitig geht es darum, die Anreize von Leerverkäufern, die mit ungerechtfertigten Vorwürfen oder unzulässigem rechtlichem Vorgehen Geld verdienen wollen, zu beschränken.
Corporate Governance Best Practices: Der Weisheit letzter Schluss?
Authors: Gantenbein Pascal , Volonté Christophe
Published: April 2022

Die Corporate Governance adressiert das zwischen Kapitalgeber, Unternehmer und Management existierende Prinzipal-Agent-Problem. Im Rahmen der verschiedenen Corporate Governance-Mechanismen, welche darauf ausgerichtet sind, Agency-Kosten zu minimieren und zunehmend auch Interessen weiterer Anspruchsgruppen einzubeziehen, haben sich «Best Practices» herausgebildet. Diese internen Mechanismen umfassen das Aktionariat und die Aktionärsrechte, den Verwaltungsrat - und dabei die Themen Doppelmandat, Unabhängigkeit, Mehrfachmandate, Diversität, Kompetenzen und Gremiumsgrösse - sowie die Vergütungspolitik. Doch sind diese akzeptierten Corporate Governance-Praktiken auch zielführend und empirisch fundiert? Der Beitrag gibt einen Überblick über die Corporate Governance-Mechanismen und die wissenschaftliche Debatte zu diesen Empfehlungen. Es zeigt sich, dass «Best Practices» zwar den Vorteil der Einfachheit und Verlässlichkeit haben, jedoch empirisch nicht zweifelsfrei abgestützt und daher kontrovers sind.
Wir würfeln einen Chef oder eine Chefin!
Authors: Osterloh Margit , Fong Mandy
Published: April 2022

Bei der Besetzung von Führungskräften werden meist aufwendige Selektionsverfahren angewendet, in welchem Leistungskriterien zur Anwendung kommen sollen. Wir weisen auf einige Schwächen dieses Verfahrens hin, insbesondere die Gefahr der Hybris der Führungskräfte und die „leaky pipeline“ für weibliche Führungskräfte. Wir zeigen anhand von zwei Laborexperimenten, dass ein fast vergessenes Verfahren - die fokale Zufallsauswahl - Abhilfe bieten könnte.
Sollen CEOs rotieren?
Authors: Frey Bruno S. , Eichenberger Reiner
Published: April 2022

Die Institution eines einzelnen CEO (Chief Executive Officer) hat erhebliche Schwächen. Der CEO hat andere Interessen als die Eigentümer und deren Vertreter sowie die anderen Topmanager. Einer einzelnen Person so viel Macht zuzuweisen ist riskant. Der Wechsel eines CEO verursacht hohe Kosten. Jedoch hat auch die traditionelle Alternative - ein kollektiv arbeitendes Top-Management-Team - Nachteile. Eine neue Governance-Institution - ein Team von rotierenden Chief Executive Officers - vereint die Vorteile der beiden traditionellen Modelle, ohne mit deren Nachteilen behaftet zu sein.
Briefe vom Kaiserhof
Authors: Schmidt Ondřej
Published: April 2022

The publication brings a critical edition of Latin and Italian correspondence from the court of the Holy Roman Kings or Emperors Wenceslas (1376–1400/1419) and Sigismund (1410/1411–1437), preserved in the archives of the Gonzaga family in Mantua. The edition contains 52 documents, including letters and mandates of the two Luxembourg monarchs and their officials, but most importantly dispatches sent by Gonzaga envoys from the imperial court to Italy. The individual sources shed new light on Wenceslas and Sigismund as rulers and offer a vivid insight into the life of the court, the practice of diplomacy and the everyday life of travel. In addition, they provide an interesting picture of Bohemian and German lands in the Late Middle Ages from the perspective of Italian observers.
A new species of the genus Archaeoheilus Legalov, 2018 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) from the Paleocene of Menat (France)
Authors: Andrei A. LEGALOV undefined , Alexander G. KIREJTSHUK undefined , NEL André
Published: April 2022

A new molytine species, Archaeoheilus gallicus n. sp. from the Paleocene of Menat (France) is described and illustrated. The new species is similar to A. provectus (Scudder, 1876), A. scudderi Legalov, 2018, A. ovalis Legalov, 2018 from the early-middle Eocene Green River Formation, and A. lacoei (­Scudder, 1893) from the late Eocene Florissant Formation. But it differs from them in the narrow elytral interstriae. The new species differs also from A. scudderi in the thicker rostrum, larger body size, and wider tarsomeres 2 and 3; and also from A. provectus, A. ovalis, and A. lacoei in the thinner rostrum; from A. provectus and A. lacoei in the smaller body size, and from A. ovalis in the larger body size and antennal scrobes reaching eyes. The key to species of the genus Archaeoheilus Legalov, 2018 is given. The links between the weevil faunas of America and Europe in the Paleogene are discussed.
Intratympanic gentamicin compared with placebo for Ménière's disease
Authors: de Amesti Fernanda , Santander Maria Jesus , Winter Matias
Published: April 2022

INTRODUCTION Ménière's disease is a multifactorial disorder affecting the inner ear, characterized by episodes of spontaneous and recurrent vertigo, fluctuating hearing loss and tinnitus. Intratympanic gentamicin therapy has been used to reduce the intensity and frequency of attacks in intractable Ménière's disease, but it is associated with hearing loss. There is controversy regarding its efficacy and safety. METHODS We searched in Epistemonikos, the largest database of systematic reviews in health, which is maintained by screening multiple information sources, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, among others. We extracted data from the systematic reviews, reanalyzed data of primary studies, conducted a meta-analysis and generated a summary of findings table using the GRADE approach. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS We identified 13 systematic reviews that included 80 primary studies overall, of which three correspond to randomized trials. We concluded that intratympanic gentamicin may improve the control of vertigo, and result in little or no difference to tinnitus, but the certainty of the evidence is low. Furthermore, we are uncertain whether intratympanic gentamicin reduces hearing or the frequency of vertigo attacks as the certainty of the evidence has been assessed as very low.
Tekstynai ir jų išvestiniai produktai lietuvių kalbos mokymui(si) bei tyrimams
Authors: Kovalevskaitė Jolanta , Rimkutė Erika , Ruzaitė Jūratė
Published: April 2022

Šioje mokomojoje priemonėje siekiame pristatyti naujai sukurtus skaitmeninius išteklius, skirtus lietuvių kalbos kaip svetimosios mokymui(si) ir kalbos tyrimams. Čia išsamiai aptartos trys empirinės duomenų bazės: „Mokomasis lietuvių kalbos tekstynas“ (toliau vadinamas mokomuoju tekstynu), Lietuvių kalbos mokinių tekstynas (toliau – mokinių tekstynas, MOKATE) ir „Mokomasis lietuvių kalbos vartosenos leksikonas“ (toliau – leksikonas). Ištekliai parengti siekiant, kad juose lietuvių kalbos kaip svetimosios mokytojai, tyrėjai ir lietuvių kalbos besimokantys kitakalbiai rastų kuo įvairiapusiškesnę informaciją apie autentišką lietuvių kalbos vartoseną. Sukurti tekstynai atspindi gimtakalbių ir negimtakalbių kalbą, o tai svarbu ir teoriškai, ir praktiškai: tokie ištekliai iki šiol nebuvo viešai prieinami, o naujosios empirinės bazės su automatizuota paieška bus prieinamos įvairiems vartotojams ir galės būti naudojamos įvairiems tikslams. Leksikone, parengtame mokomojo tekstyno pagrindu, be informacijos apie žodžio (ar pastoviojo žodžių junginio) tarimą, kirčiavimą, kaitybą, vartotojams pateikti žodžio vartosenos dėsningumai: dažnų žodžių reikšmių vartosenos dėsningumai aprašyti vartosenos modeliais ir iliustruojami autentiškais pavyzdžiais, retesnių žodžių vartosena atspindėta pavyzdžiais.
THE IMPACT OF NATIONAL COMPETITIVENESS ON THE ECONOMIC GROWTH OF EUROPEAN ECONOMIES
Authors: Merdić Alem , Hodžić Kadrija
Published: April 2022

The aim of this paper is to examine the impact of national competitiveness, measured by GCI 4.0, on the economic growth of European economies within the CEFTA free trade zone, the European Single Market, and the European Monetary Union. The impact of GCI 4.0 on economic growth is analyzed collectively at the level of European economies (34 countries observed), and then analytically per levels of economic integration in CEFTA, EU, and EMU. Panel regression models are used in the paper to assess this impact, namely the Pooled OLS model, fixed effects model (FEM), and random effects model (REM), which increase the number of observations and thus alleviate the research limitation related to a short observation period. The obtained values of the F-test and Breusch-Pagan LM test show that for all 4 observed groups of countries there are significant fixed and random effects. Based on the results of the Sargan-Hansen test, the FEM model was used to estimate the parameters and predict the values of the dependent variable lnRBDP_pc based on changes in the values of the independent variable lnGCI4_0 for the observed European economies collectively as well as at the European Union and the European Monetary Union integration levels. The REM model was used for the CEFTA integration level. Research results show that there exists a positive and statistically significant impact of national competitiveness on real economic growth at the level of the observed European economies collectively as well as analytically within the CEFTA free trade zone, the European Single Market, and the European Monetary Union in the period 2018-2019. The results further show that an increase in the value of the global national competitiveness index 4.0 by 1% leads to increase in real GDP pc by 1.659% within the 34 European economies observed (CEFTA, EU, and EMU). An increase in the value of GCI 4.0 by 1% within CEFTA leads to increase in the value of real GDP pc by 2.183%; at the level of the European Union it leads to increase in the value of real GDP pc by 1.772%, while at the level of the European Monetary Union the growth of GCI 4.0 by 1% leads to increase in the value of real GDP pc by 1.256%. The results show that the strength of the impact decreases with a higher level of economic integration of countries, higher average value of GCI 4.0, and higher average real gross domestic product per capita, because within the observed economies the lowest value of GCI 4.0 and real GDP per capita is within the CEFTA free trade zone, followed by the European Union, while the highest values of GCI 4.0 and real GDP pc are at the level of the European Monetary Union. The cause of this can be found in the fact that when all analytical pillars of national competitiveness that will lead to an increase in economic growth are significantly improved, in order to ensure further growth it is necessary to identify and improve new factors of economic growth.
WHY IS THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REPO MARKETS IN EMERGING MARKET COUNTRIES NECESSARY? – LESSONS FROM PAST EXPERIENCE
Authors: Pobrić Nermina
Published: April 2022

The repo markets in many emerging market countries were established considerably later than in developed countries. Even though these markets have been growing steadily in some countries, they have not yet developed sufficiently to provide all the possible benefits to different entities, market segments and the financial market as a whole. In this article, the author intends to answer the question: Why is the further development of repo markets in emerging market countries necessary? To answer this question, the author will rely primarily on the experience of developed economies, and to a lesser degree on the experience of developing countries, because the research in which the experience associated with the functioning of the repo markets in emerging market countries is presented is scarce and thereby insufficient to draw a conclusion about the issue. According to the author’s findings, the multiple benefits of repo agreements and the existence of insufficiently exploited potential advantages of repo agreements and repo transactions can explain the necessity of the further development of repo markets in emerging market countries.
SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISESAND ECONOMICS GROWTH
Authors: Vulić Svjetlana
Published: April 2022

Small and medium enterprises play a key role in the economic development of many countries. Precisely for that reason, there is research that examines and analyzes this connection and these effects. Numerous studies on the role and importance of small and medium-sized companies, both in BiH and beyond, highlight and point to the importance and need to strengthen the role of small and medium-sized enterprises. Thus, the authors point out that small and medium enterprises are the drivers of development in most countries, while in BiH there is an entrepreneurial initiative but without significant government policy when it comes to implementing business ideas of entrepreneurs and potential entrepreneurs, despite their success spreading to society.Small and medium enterprises are the subject of numerous researches and analyzes. Among these analyzes, it is often examined how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) affect economic growth expressed in gross domestic product (GDP). Research generally confirms that SMEs boost economic growth and development, reduce unemployment, and contribute to innovation. In this context, the aim of this paper is to examine the relationship between individual microeconomic and macroeconomic components related to small and medium enterprises but also to gross domestic product. In this case, the gross domestic product is observed through GDP per capita, and the research examines the effects of the observed variables on GDP per capita. The period covered by the analysis is from 2004 to 2019. Data are on an annual basis. Theoretical and empirical research seeks to answer the following research question: Which components of SME business increase GDP per capita in BiH? The answer to this research question has been investigated using several scientific methods. The research includes a review of the literature, analyzing the data that examine these relations and which indicate their impact on economic growth and development. Examination of the correlation and influence of the analyzed variables was performed using the method of correlation and regression. The obtained research results show that the only factor that has a positive and statistically significant impact on the GDP per capita growth rate has loans granted to the private sector. Other factors, whether positive or negative, do not have a statistically significant impact on GDP per capita. The number of days required for business registration has a negative effect on GDP growth per capita. As the number of days to register a business decreases, so does GDP per capita. On the other hand, insolvency resolution of companies is positively maintained at GDP per capita. The unemployment rate has a negative effect on GDP per capita, while inflation has a positive one. Investments in RiD also have a positive effect on GDP per capita. Such findings indicate that BiH should focus on these factors if it wants to stimulate growth measured through GDP per capita through small and medium enterprises.
THE IMPACT OF COMPANY’S BACIS CHARACTERISTICS ON INNOVATIVENESS AND BUSINESS PERFORMANCE IN THE PERIOD 2016-2019 IN CROATIA
Authors: Šlogar Helena
Published: April 2022

This paper aims to examine whether the impact model of company fundamental characteristics on innovativeness and business performance in Croatian companies changed from 2016 to 2019. A regression analysis was conducted to analyse the impact of the company’s age as well as of the number of employees, using them as two ordinal variables. Moreover, to analyse the impact of the employee education level and manager education level, the factor analysis of variance was applied using these two nominal variables. The results of the regression analysis show that there was a significant change in both the impact of the company’s age and of the number of employees on process innovativeness as well as in the impact of the number of employees on business performance. On the other hand, there was no significant change in the impact of the company’s age on innovativeness and business performance. Furthermore, there was no significant change in the impact of the number of employees on innovativeness, product innovativeness and business system innovativeness in the period from 2016 to 2019. The results of the factor analysis of variance show that from 2016 to 2019 the values ​​of innovativeness and its three dimensions changed significantly in respect of the employee education level. In the observed period, there was no statistically significant change in the same values ​​of innovativeness in respect of the manager education level. Furthermore, the values ​​of business performance did not change significantly related to both the employee education level and the manager education level. The study provides practical insights on the basis of which companies should strive to employ highly educated individuals, which will strengthen innovation through organizational learning. The limitation of the research refers to the sample of Croatian companies only. The applied research methodology can also be considered as a limitation of the research. Differently designed variables could possibly lead to more significant conclusions. The next limitation refers to the statistical set in which micro-enterprises are not included, so that part of the future research could be oriented to their differences in relation to larger enterprises. Future research should be conducted on a larger sample in multiple countries to identify similarities and differences in the relationships of company fundamental characteristics on innovativeness and business performance. In particular, research is proposed that compares the characteristics of enterprises and their effects in more developed countries and more developing countries in order to establish new insights.
Changes in the Global Competitiveness Index 4.0 Methodology: The Improved Approach of Competitiveness Benchmarking
Authors: Olczyk Magdalena , Kuc-Czarnecka Marta , Saltelli Andrea
Published: April 2022

The Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) developed by the World Economic Forum (WEF) is used as a standard for measuring a country’s competitiveness. However, in literature, the GCI has been accused of numerous methodological flaws. Consequently, in 2018, the WEF introduced significant methodological changes. This study aims to examine whether the methodological modifications in the GCI’s structure increase its ability to capture the real competitiveness of economies. In addition, the study considers whether the selection of weights of individual elements included in the GCI is optimal or could be improved. By employing a sensitivity-based analysis, we find that the change in methodology resulted in fewer pillars of marginal importance. In the case of the GCI 2017, there were four pillars, whereas in that of the GCI 4.0, there were only two pillars: product market and labor market. Furthermore, we reveal that the WEF weights do not reflect the measured importance of the variables. In the optimization process, numerous variables (primarily opinion-based indicators) were insignificant in explaining the GCI variance and could be eliminated from the set of diagnostic variables without affecting the index’s value. For instance, in the case of the GCI 4.0, 35 out of 103 variables could be eliminated. The new rankings obtained by weight optimization and reduction of the diagnostic variables demonstrated a strong positive correlation with the original rankings. This research contributes to the literature from both a theoretical perspective (indicating the most vital indicators in the GCI) and a practical standpoint (reducing the costs and time of obtaining redundant data).
Changes in Online Shopping Behavior in the Czech Republic During the COVID-19 Crisis
Authors: Svatosova Veronika
Published: April 2022

The development of the online environment resulted in the formation of the behavior of all subjects in the online and offline market. This paper responds to current changes that significantly shape the whole society. Therefore, this paper aims to identify changes in online shopping before and during the COVID-19 crisis. The paper is based on primary research in the form of a questionnaire survey among a selected group of respondents that assess the determinants influencing their online shopping decisions before and during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. The research showed that the COVID-19 crisis was reflected in changes in respondents’ online shopping behavior. Less than a third of respondents declared that they did not change their online shopping behavior during the COVID-19 crisis. The research showed that the frequency of online purchases had increased significantly (more than three times), as well as the percentage volume of goods purchased online. It can also be assessed that the COVID-19 crisis has an impact on future online shopping, and more than 40% of respondents do plan to shop online more after the COVID-19 crisis than during the crisis. However, the relationship between generational cohorts and changes in online shopping behavior before and during the COVID-19 crisis has been demonstrated. Online retailers should be prepared for these changes and should take these changes into account when designing and implementing their e-strategy and thus increase their competitiveness in e-commerce.
Meta-research: justifying career disruption in funding applications, a survey of Australian researchers
Authors: Barnett Adrian , Page Katie , Dyer Carly , Cramb Susanna
Published: April 2022

Background:

When researchers’ careers are disrupted by life events – such as illness or childbirth – they often need to take extended time off. This creates a gap in their research output that can reduce their chances of winning funding. In Australia, applicants can disclose their career disruptions and peer reviewers are instructed to make appropriate adjustments. However, it is not clear if and how applicants use career disruption sections or how reviewers adjust and if they do it consistently.

Methods:

To examine career disruption, we used surveys of the Australian health and medical research community. We used both a random sample of Australian authors on PubMed and a non-random convenience sample.

Results:

Respondents expressed concerns that sharing information on career disruption would harm their chances of being funded, with 13% saying they have medical or social circumstances but would not include it in their application, with concerns about appearing ‘weak’. Women were more reluctant to include disruption. There was inconsistency in how disruption was adjusted for, with less time given for those with depression compared with caring responsibilities, and less time given for those who did not provide medical details of their disruption.

Conclusions:

The current system is likely not adequately adjusting for career disruption and this may help explain the ongoing funding gap for senior women in Australia.

Funding:

National Health and Medical Research Council Senior Research Fellowship (Barnett).
TMT labeled comparative proteomic analysis reveals spleen active immune responses during Clostridium perfringens type C infected piglet diarrhea
Authors: Wang Xiaoli , Huang Xiaoyu , Yang Qiaoli , Yan Zunqiang , Wang Pengfei , Gao Xiaoli , Luo Ruirui , Gun Shuangbao
Published: April 2022

Background

Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) type C is the principal pathogenic clostridia of swine, frequently causing hemorrhagic diarrhea, even necrotic enteritis in piglets, leading to severe economic loss for swine industr ies worldwide. However, there are no specific and effective prevention measures. Therefore, clarifying the molecular mechanisms of hosts against pathogenesis infection is very important to reduce the incidence of C. perfringens type C infected piglet diarrhea disease.

Methods

We performed an TMT labeling-based quantitative spleen proteomic analysis of the control group (SC), tolerance group (SR) and susceptible group (SS) to identify the differentially expressed proteins (DEPs), and screened potential molecular markers of piglet spleen tissues in response to C. perfringens type C infection.

Results

In this study, a total of 115, 176 and 83 DEPs were identified in SR vs SC, SS vs SC, and SR vs SC, respectively, which may play the important regulatory roles in the process of piglet spleens in response toC. perfringens type C-infected diarrhea diseases. GO enrichment analysis revealed that the DEPs were mostly significantly enriched in acute inflammatory response, defense response, antimicrobial response, transporter activity, cellular metabolic process and so on, and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that the significantly enriched immune related pathways of the PPAR signaling pathway, IL-17 signaling pathway, antigen processing and presentation, which hints at the immune defense process of piglet spleen against C. perfringens infection. This study helps to elucidate the protein expressional pattern of piglet spleen against C. perfringens type C-infected diarrhea disease, which can contribute to the prevention and control for pig diarrhea disease and the further development of diarrhea resistant pig breeding.
Surgical Outcomes of Trabeculectomy Alone versus Trabeculectomy with Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery Following Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma: A Comparative Study
Authors: Ray Soumya , Chakraborty Soumen
Published: April 2022

Introduction: Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma (AACG) is an ophthalmic emergency and is managed medically. Therapeutic options for the management of the post congestive phase are varied and no procedure has a documented therapeutic superiority over the other. Two established procedures were therefore chosen and compared to determine their therapeutic efficacy. Aim: To compare the surgical results of combined manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery (SICS) and trabeculectomy with standalone trabeculectomy in patients following an attack of AACG, with a final aim to decide which would be the better therapeutic approach in such a situation. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective observational study done in Bankura Sammilani Medical College located in West Bengal, India. Sixteen patients presenting with AACG in a 19 months study period from October 2019-April 2021 and having 50% or more synechial angle closure on indentation gonioscopy were selected for this study after obtaining necessary ethical clearance. Eight of them underwent trabeculectomy alone (Group A) and the rest underwent a combined procedure of trabeculectomy and SICS (Group B). They were followed-up for a six-months period and compared on the basis of Intraocular Pressure (IOP) control, Anterior Chamber (AC) depth and the requirement for further surgery. Results: Mean IOP following surgery at the end of six weeks in Group A was 15.98±1.56 mmHg whereas in Group B it was 12.01±1.18 mmHg. Results were compared by unpaired t-test, and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.001). Three out of eight patients (37%) in Group A developed cataract which caused a reduction in visual acuity and needed cataract surgery within the six months follow-up period but none of the patients in Group B needed any additional surgery. One patient in Group A needed additional medications due to uncontrolled IOP after surgery but no such event was noted in Group B. Seventy five percent patients in Group A had Grade 2 angles whereas 87% patients in Group B had Grade 4 angles as estimated by Van Herrick’s method. Conclusion: Combined trabeculectomy and SICS offers a better level of postoperative IOP control than trabeculectomy alone, and perhaps offers a better therapeutic option following AACG. Also, the chances of postoperative cataract formation and associated visual debility are eliminated.
Changing Scenario of Rural Economy in Telangana State: Insights from the Selected Villages of Mahabubnagar District
Authors: Sneha V. , Janaiah Aldas , Manisha V. V. D.
Published: April 2022

This study assess and document the changes in the rural economy with special focus on agrarian indicators and modernization of rural economy between 2009 and 2019 through focused-group discussions in ten randomly selected villages in Mahabubnagar district of Telangana State. The data were analyzed by simple statistical tools like averages, percentages to quantify the changes in key indicators. Findings indicated that number of actual cultivators declined by about 30% while, number of tenant farmers has been significantly increased by about 80% between 2009 and 2019 in the selected villages. About three-fourths of farmers and agriculture labourers owned mobile phone and motor-bikes. On an average, 3% of agricultural land every year has been diverted into non-farm uses over the past ten years. There was not much increase in the yield of many crops except paddy over the past ten years. The increase in farm gate prices of major crops are not in par with the increased input prices leading to decline in real profitability in farming. This is the key source of rural crisis in rural Telangana rural distress. Therefore, rural people are facing the problems of poverty and exploitation which is impacting the rural economy.
Phytochemical Composition, in-vitro Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Effects (MCF-7) of Ipomoea biloba
Authors: Geetha Rani K. , Shobana Devi P.
Published: April 2022

Ipomoea biloba is a plant, which belongs to Convolvulanceae family and also has more medicinal values. It is an aquatic creep runner plant used as a medical herb for various diseases such as asthma and rheumatism and dried leaves are used to apply for burns. In the current investigation, the Methanol extract of Ipomoea biloba leaves was experimented to evaluate the phytochemical properties, in vitro antioxidant activity and in vitro anticancer assay on MCF7 cell line. Plant components can be used to extract both hydrophilic and lipophilic compounds. Methanol is an excellent solvent of its polarity. Because methanol is highly volatile, we can remove the solvent by distillation at a low temperature after extraction. The leaves of Ipomoea biloba extract used in an analysis which shows the ability to produced estrogen comes froth as estradiol via estrogen receptor in the cytoplasm of the cell. Phytochemical screening showed the presence of carbohydrate, amino acids, alkaloids, saponin, steroids, terpenoids and phenols. The antioxidant activity of Methanol extract indicates the significant antioxidant content it and against with standard ascorbic acid. The results of this analysis highlight the interest of Ipomoea biloba extract for the isolation of anticancer molecules.
Molecular Characterization and Activity Analysis of Promoters from Two Cucumber Translationally Controlled Tumor Protein Genes (CsTCTPs)
Authors: Yu Yongbo , Meng Xiangnan , Jia Shumin , Qu Mengqi , Ma Zhangtong , Fan Haiyan
Published: April 2022

Aims: The aim of the paper was to isolate and characterize the promoters of two cucumber TCTP genes (CsTCTP1 and CsTCTP2) and evaluate their active domains.

Study Design: CsTCTP1 and CsTCTP2 promoter activity were analyzed under treatments with different exogenous hormones.

Place and Duration of Study: In 2017, these experiments were conducted in College of Bioscience and Biotechnology of Shenyang Agricultural University (Lab 240).

Methodology: CsTCTPpro::GUS constructs were generated by using double digests method. Transient expression was mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens GV3101. Histochemical and Fluorometric GUS Assays were follow by the biochemical method.

Results: Bioinformatics analysis revealed some hormone- and defense-related response elements. Histochemical and fluorometric GUS assays demonstrated that the 0.7-kb CsTCTP1 promoter (proT1-0.7kb) and 0.7-kb and 1.3-kb CsTCTP2 promoters (proT2-0.7kb and proT2-1.3kb) had strong transcriptional activity. In addition, we used exogenous hormones (abscisic acid [ABA], salicylic acid [SA], and ethylene [ETH]) for treatment. The results showed that proT1-0.7kb and proT2-1.3kb activity were upregulated in the ABA treatment group, suggesting that these promoter sequences may contain ABA-related response elements. However, in the SA and ETH treatment groups, the activity of all the promoter fragments of CsTCTP1 and CsTCTP2 declined to different degrees, suggesting that SA and ETH may have negative regulatory effects on CsTCTP1 and CsTCTP2 promoters.

Conclusion: Taken together, these results suggest that the proT1-0.7kb promoter of CsTCTP1 and proT2-1.3kb promoter of CsTCTP2 may contain ABA-related response elements, and SA and ETH may have negative regulatory effects on the CsTCTP1 and CsTCTP2 promoters. This study will help to further understand the expression patterns and the regulatory mechanism of gene transcriptional regulation.
Antibacterial Activity of Composite Mixture of Senna siamea Leaves and Tamarind Pulp Extracts on Multidrug Resistant Salmonella typhi
Authors: Kabeer Z. M. , Iliyasu M. Y. , Abdulrazak M. H. , Musa H. S. , Yakubu M. N. , Salisu A. , Idris A. H. , Umar A. F.
Published: April 2022

Background: For many years, antimicrobial chemotherapeutic approach have been challenged by drugs resistant bacteria such as Salmonella associated with gastrointestinal infections. To overcome these effects, several attempts by herbalists and traditional healers were in progress, using some plants parts to treat Typhoid fever in Nigeria.

Aim: The aim of this work was to determine the antibacterial activity of Senna siamea leaves and Tamarindus indica fruit pulp against multidrug resistant Salmonella typhi.

Methods: A total of 168 samples of stool and blood from patients with suspected cases of typhoid fever were collected and only three (3) Salmonella typhi isolates were recovered (from the 168 samples) by conventional microbiological techniques. The isolates were screened for multidrug resistant properties according to Kirby -Bauer disc diffusion method. Water and ethanol were used to extract phytochemical components from powdered leaves of Senna siamea and Tamarindus indica fruit pulp via percolation method. The extracts were tested for the antibacterial activity against the clinical isolates of Salmonella typhi.

Results: All the isolates (100%) were resistant to Ampicillin, Amoxicillin, while two (66.7%) to Erythromycin and Tetracycline and sensitive (100%) to Streptomycin, Gentamycin, Nalidixic acid Ciprofloxacin, Cotrimoxazole, Augmentin and Chloramphenicol, The phytochemical screening o of both plants extracts showed the presence of alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, carbohydrates and cardiac glycosides. The result shows that aqueous and ethanolic extracts of combined Tamarind and Senna siamea were more active (2.50µg/ml) against Salmonella typhi when compared to individual extracts.

Conclusion: This study shows that aqueous and ethanol extracts of both plants exhibited activity on S. Typhi, hence, possess antimicrobial potentials that it can be used in treatment of typhoid.
Assessment of Water Requirements by Several Methods and Impact of Deficit Irrigation on the Date Palm Productivity and Water use Efficiency
Authors: Alharbi Maged M. , Al-Omran A. M. , Alwabel M. A.
Published: April 2022

This study was conducted on (Khalas) date palm, which is well-known for its cultivation in the regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) to estimate the monthly, annual irrigation water requirements and effect of different deficit irrigation levels on yield, soil moisture distribution and water use efficiency. The experiment consisted of four levels of deficit irrigation: 60%, 80%, 100% and 120% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) compared with traditional irrigation. Two different water qualities: well 4.79 dS/m and treated electrical conductivity 1.86 dS/m. Several methods of estimating water requirements were used, such as the Penman Monteith method, the evaporation pan, and the water balance. The results indicated that the traditional irrigation (farm method) gave the highest amount of productivity with the most water consumption. The results showed that the water requirements of the Khalas date at the 100% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) were 53.57, 37.67, 58.89 m3/year/tree, calculated using water balance, the evaporation pan and Penman Monteith equations, respectively. The results indicated that an increase in the amount of well water added by the traditional irrigation compared to the deficit irrigation, whereas the increase % at 100% ETc ranged from 38.71% to 195.59% using well water, while the increase % ranged from 22.63% to 280.37 % in March and November, respectively. While in the case of comparing the quantities of water added by the traditional method with 60% ETc of the water requirements, the increase% ranged from 78.71% to 235.59% in the case of well water and 62.63% to 320.37% using treated water of March and November months, respectively.
Effect of Organic and Mineral Fertilizers on the Growth and Production Parameters of Maize (Zea mays L.) at Djalingo in the North Region of Cameroon
Authors: Alioum Paul Sounou , Kouogueu Ghislain Seuyim , Mediesse Francine Kengne , Simeu Christelle Yolande Ngalle
Published: April 2022

In Cameroon, maize (Zea mays L.) remains the staple food crop the most consumed in the northern part of that country. Therefore, investigation of the effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers applied singly or in combination on growth and production parameters of TZEE-W maize variety was carried out from June to September 2015 in the locality of Djalingo in the North region of Cameroon. Field experiments were designed in Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD) in three replicates treatments single or combinations of organic manures (Cow dung, Poultry manure and Cotton crab) with the inorganic fertilizer (NPK 150 kg/ha). Plant maize receiving the mixture of mineral and organic fertilizers significantly improved their growth and production traits. The highest maize grain yield up to 6.33 tons/ha was registered in the maize plot treated with the mixture of 1/4 Cow dung + 1/4 Cotton crab +1/4 Poultry manure +1/4 NPK while a moderate maize grain yield of 3.87 and 3.76 tons/ha were obtained in the combination treatments of 1/2 Cotton crab+ 1/2 NPK treatment and 1/2 Cow dung + 1/2 NPK, respectively. Thus, fertilization strategies that mix inorganic fertilizer with organic manures should be developed and adopted by farmers to increase and improve maize yield, especially in the northern part of Cameroon where famine and poverty are recurrent.
Genetic Diversity Analysis among Genotypes of Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) for Yield and Its component Traits under Timely Sown Conditions
Authors: Neeru . , Singh Vikram , Anu . , Yadav Satender , Janghel D. K. , Kiran .
Published: April 2022

Genetic diversity analysis for yield and its component traits among 60 genotypes of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under timely sown conditions distributed into seven clusters via D2 statistics using Euclidean distance method which revealed that the cluster IV had maximum number of genotypes followed by cluster II, Cluster VI, cluster I, cluster V and, cluster III and VII. The highest inter-cluster genetic distance existed between cluster IV and VII and the average intra cluster distance between the genotypes of cluster V was maximum. Therefore, genotypes in these clusters may be used to produce the superior hybrids and transgressive segregants. For grain yield and effective tillers had highest mean value in cluster V and cluster VI. Cluster V and VII had highest mean value for 1000-grain weight and plant height respectively. Traits such as by plant height followed by canopy temperature, days to maturity, days to anthesis and grain filling duration contributing total of 50 per cent to the total divergence.