bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Financing Sustainable Development in Africa
Authors: Adejumo Oluwabunmi Opeyemi , Efobi Uchenna R. , Asongu Simplice A.
Published: November 2020

Actualizing sustainable development in Africa will require enormous economic resources. This implies that there must be a clear balance of prioritization of financing options on what works best for development in this region without further escalating other societal problems. The authors argue in the chapter that though there has been some benefit from the traditional means of financing development in Africa, some drawbacks still exist considering the rising rate of inequality and poverty head-count in the region. On this note, this present study examines financing options that have previously been advocated for in financing development in the African region (i.e., taking stock), such as development assistance and foreign investment, by considering its implication on development outcomes like poverty, inequality, and aggregate human development indicator in the region.
Migrant Remittances and Financial Inclusion in Africa
Authors: Barnabe Abba Yadou
Published: November 2020

The main objective of this chapter is to examine the effect of migrant remittances on financial inclusion in Africa from 2004 to 2017. Thus, the authors constructed a composite index of financial inclusion using principal component analysis (PCA). In addition, they examine the effect of remittances on financial inclusion using a system GMM and a pooled mean group (PMG). It is found that remittances have a negative effect on financial inclusion in the short run and a positive effect in the long run. Moreover, remittances have a negative long-term effect on the use of financial services and a positive long-term effect on access to financial services. This implies improved policies to both attract the flow of remittances through formal channels and improve financial inclusion.
Rural-Urban Food Movement
Authors: Popoola Ayobami Abayomi , Adeyemi Yamah Dele , Oni Femi Emmanuel , Omojola Odunayo , Adeleye Bamiji Michael , Medayese Samuel , Popoola Ojoma Gloria
Published: November 2020

The production of the food is majorly composite to the rural setting, and the consumption of this food is not only restricted to the rural area. This rural food production and urban area demand/consumption emphasises the need for rural-urban market linkages. This study employed mixed methods to investigate the role of road transport in the flow of food products from rural areas to the urban markets. Ten urban markets were sampled and 250 respondents from urban markets in Ibadan. The study revealed that household collaboration in the production and marketing of food produce exists in Ibadan. It was established that distance and transportation cost plays a vital role in supply volume, pricing, and delivery price. The variance in delivery cost is dependent on factors such as bargaining power, the season of the year, demand, destination, and road condition. In conclusion, improved roads condition and workable traffic policies that eliminate roadblocks are recommended.
The Role of Agriculture in Tanzania
Authors: Mayala Nyanjige Mbembela
Published: November 2020

Agriculture's importance to industrialization efforts in Tanzania goes far beyond its direct impact on the manufacturing sector, but on farmers' incomes, economic stability, and reduction of poverty. The challenges are on both sides; agricultural development initiatives are needed on one hand while manufacturing obstacles are supposed to be dealt with on the other hand. Using literature review approach, the study found that there should be a balance between infrastructure development and agricultural support so that the two may support well the industrialization process. Massive efforts have been myths to the smooth changes which call for serious attention to the planners to review strategies, policies and programme. On the other hand, the potentials of the agricultural sector are observed to support the industrialization process in Tanzania. The potentials include food security, private investments support, employment, and exports enhancement and supply strain stabilization through various crops and produce.
Neoliberal Reforms in Sub-Saharan Africa's Electricity Sector
Authors: Nweke-Eze Chigozie
Published: November 2020

Based on literature review and documents analyses, this contribution discusses the processes, implementation, experiences and impacts of the neoliberal electricity-sector reform in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The study generally finds poor implementation status and experiences as well as little improvement in the performance of the electricity sector as a result of the reforms, in the reviewed and analyzed SSA countries. The study identifies the reasons for the general poor outcomes of the reforms to be non-existence of truly independent electricity regulatory agencies, weak institutions and non-existence of unhampered competition among players in the electricity markets in most SSA context. The study suggests implementation of more tailored reform alternatives which suit existing political, social, and institutional characteristics and conditions of the SSA countries, namely: hybrid electricity markets and complementary regulatory measures.
The Struggles of Bilingual Authors
Authors: Tannacito Dan
Published: November 2020

This chapter examines the struggles of bilingual authors to write in English as an additional language. Autobiographical works in English illustrate themes found to be central to the development of biliteracy. The theme of finding voice is a highly variable theme in the writing of many bilinguals. The theme of constructing identity takes multiple forms as bilingual authors renegotiate their identities in the additional language. The struggle for place is a theme that permeates the narratives of expatriation, exile, immigration, and repatriation. These three struggles offer new writers opportunities to learn to develop their own creativity. Teachers of English as an additional language can structure their curricula to reflect the language learning practice of reading and writing.
The Future of Composition Studies
Authors: Salako Olubukola
Published: November 2020

One of the hardest battles that composition practitioners encounter within the writing classroom is dealing with students' poor writing skills. Traditional methods that only engage students to produce work that does not make use of the students' faculties, only propel students to continue to create work that is unsatisfactory. Currently, as composition practitioners continue to look for teaching strategies that can help their students become better writers, they often believe that reading, speaking, and listening cannot facilitate the teaching of writing. Because of the historical views that have defined the composition field, the discipline does not allow any other paradigms to redefine or shape how writing is taught. What is needed to combat such problematic teaching pedagogy is the institution of other methods that incorporates the use of writing, listening, reading, and speaking to teach students how to become better writers.
Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Hasan Mohammad Raghibul , Alotaibi Bader Saud , Alnomasy Sultan F. , Fakhri Khalid Umar
Published: November 2020

Cancer immunotherapy has become a powerful clinical strategy as well as an established pillar for the treatment of cancers to improving the prognosis of many cancer patients with a broad variety of solid tumors as well as blood cancers. The primary goals of immunotherapy are (a) to increase anti-tumor response, (b) decrease the immune suppression, and (c) to enhance the immunogenicity of tumors. This chapter aims to discuss the mechanism and different types of immunotherapies used for different cancers. It will also focus on recombinant products including immunostimulants, immunotoxins, antibodies, fusion proteins, engineered cytotoxic T cells, engineered immunocytokines, vaccines, checkpoint inhibitors, CAR T-cell therapy, and nanomedicine. Although immunotherapy has a rare side effect, it is not fully understood. The development of new strategies has been on the clinical trial to enhance the benefit of cancer patients to meet with challenges of limited efficacy and/or toxicity.
Lipids, Peptides, and Polymers as Targeted Drug Delivery Vectors in Cancer Therapy
Authors: Sharma Mani , Chouhan Neeraj Kumar , Vaidya Sandeep , Talati Mamta N.
Published: November 2020

The authors aim to describe valuable information and experimental reviews that may help to develop and design different formulation, which can boost up the overall efficiency of the final product. Further, they explained the overall efficiency, method of preparation, target delivery approaches, drawbacks, and other characteristics in relation to lipids, peptides, polymers, and vaccines. In addition, they also propose to uncover the physico-chemical properties, in-process manufacturing issues, and external factors that influence the fate of a medicine. That major includes the excipients, method of preparation, dose, delivery route, chemical and biological properties, drug-drug interaction, drug-body interaction, patient compliance, modifications in lipid based nano-vectors, polymer-mediated delivery systems, conjugate delivery systems, and others. In conclusion, by the end of this chapter, the authors are able to explain a robust mode of delivering active constituents more safely and economically to the target site by showing maximum bioavailability.
Utilization of Bio-Imaging in Cancer Studies
Authors: Barman Muneesh Kumar , Srivastava Manjita , Singh Meenakshi , Fakhri Khalid Umar , Chand Kailash , Sonkar Subash C. , Bhukya Prudhvilal
Published: November 2020

Biological studies have always relied on visual data and its precise interpretation. Bio-imaging is an integral part of cancer research as well as the diagnosis and treatment of various cancers. Cancer research employs the various bio-imaging techniques of fluorescence microscopy like confocal microscopy, FRET, FRAP, TPEF, SGH, etc. to study the complexity and characteristics of different cancer cells. The development of live-cell imaging has also helped in understanding the important biological processes which differentiate cancer cells from their environment. Advancement in the field of cancer diagnosis has taken place with the development of sophisticated radiology techniques like MRI, CT scans, and FDG-PET. Also, the development of novel nanotechnology-based probes has improved the quality of both cancer research and diagnosis. In this chapter, the authors summarize some of the bio-imaging techniques which are being used in the field of cancer studies.
Chemopreventive and Therapeutic Potential of Phytopharmaceuticals Against Oral Cancer
Authors: Barhoi Dharmeswar , Giri Sarbani , Upadhaya Puja , Nath Barbhuiya Sweety
Published: November 2020

Oral cancer is a major public health problem in both developing and developed countries. It is believed to be the eighth most common cancer considering a major risk factor of worldwide morbidity and mortality. Major risk factors of this deadly disease are lifestyle (consumption of smoking and smokeless tobacco, alcohol, betel quid, etc.), unhealthy food, and poor dental care and viral infections. These factors are responsible for mutations in the DNA leading to the initiation of carcinogenesis. Oral carcinogenesis is a multistep process having three distinct phases: initiation, promotion, and progression. Modern cancer treatments (chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy) are associated with lots of side effects. Thus, phytopharmaceuticals are being used as alternative medicines in the prevention of oral carcinogenesis. Phytopharmaceuticals (such as resveratrol, sulforaphane, quercetin, etc.) have immense potential to prevent cancer development in every phase of carcinogenesis and more importantly, these compounds have fewer side effects.
Natural Product Compounds for Breast Cancer Treatment
Authors: Thanh Tung Bui
Published: November 2020

Breast cancer is the primary cause of cancer death in women. Although current therapies have shown some promise against breast cancer, there is still no effective cure for the majority of patients in the advanced stages of breast cancer. Treatment with present synthetic drugs may lead to a number of adverse effects. Consequently, research into natural product compounds may provide an alternative pathway to determining effective against breast cancer. This chapter reviews molecular targets of breast cancer treatment as well as bioactive compounds sourced from bibliographic information such as Medline, Google Scholar, PubMed databases. The authors hope that this book chapter contributes significantly to previous and ongoing research and encourages further investigation into the potential of natural product compounds in breast cancer.
Records as Tools for Concealing and as Weapons for Fighting Corruption in Higher Educational Institutions in Zimbabwe
Authors: Dewah Peterson
Published: November 2020

This chapter aimed at establishing how corruption is hidden and perpetuated through use of some records in a public university, yet records should provide evidence to prove malpractices. Using a questionnaire data were collected from a purposively selected sample of participants employed in a university's four administrative sections. The findings revealed that corrupt malpractices such as employment or promotion of unqualified personnel, unfair tender awarding, forging of records and documents were concealed in the records yet things appear to have been done above board. The study recommends an anti-corruption strategy to campaign against all forms of corruption in the university.
The Relationships Between Cyberbullying, Sexting, and College Student Well-Being
Authors: Burke Gabrielle , Norvilitis Jill M.
Published: November 2020

To date, much of the research that has examined online bullying has viewed it as a direct correlate of face-to-face bullying. However, bullying may take different forms online, as when individuals share sexually explicit texts or pictures that were sent privately or press others into doing the same. Thus, this study explored how cyberbullying through sexting is related to college student well-being as measured by self-esteem, depression, and academic and social adjustment to college. Among 284 college students, sexting was unrelated to college adjustment or well-being, but was moderately correlated with cyberbullying. Overall, students did not report being affected by involuntary sexting in the same way as traditional cyberbullying.
Palmprint Recognition Using Hessian Matrix and Two-Component Partition Method
Authors: Chaki Jyotismita , Dey Nilanjan
Published: November 2020

Palmprint recognition has been comprehensively examined in the past couple of years and various undertakings are done to use it as a biometric methodology for various applications. The point of this study is to construct an effective palmprint recognition technique with low computational multifaceted nature and along these lines to expand the acknowledgment and precision. Since edges are free from distortion, they are very reliable and subsequently used for palm print recognition. The originality of the proposed technique depends on new area of interest (ROI) extraction took after by new principal line extraction and texture matching strategy. The new principal line extraction technique is created by using the Hessian matrix and Eigen value. The texture matching of the ROI is done using new 2-component partition method by segmenting the image into comparative and non-comparative edges. Examinations are finished on a database and exploratory results exhibit that the accuracy of the proposed method is comparable to past methods used for palmprint recognition.
Evaluating Electronic Health Records Systems in Jordan Extending EUCS With Self-Efficacy
Authors: Aljaafreh Ali Odeh
Published: November 2020

This study empirically examines the system satisfaction of employees from the Ministry of Health in Jordan toward the enhancement of the electronic health records (EHR) named HAKEEM. The proposed model has assimilated factors from the enriched end-user computer satisfaction (EUCS) model along with self-efficacy as a new predictor. The participants were 463 respondents distributed in public hospitals through all the country of Jordan. The data were collected by means of a self-administered survey and analyzed using SEM technique. The findings revealed that EUCS is significantly and positively affected by information quality, system quality, and self-efficacy. The study is also looking forward to providing empirical results and applicable recommendations for the Ministry of Health and HAKEEM provider in order to enhance and maximize the benefit of such EHR.
Ethical Computing for Mitigating Hyperconnectivity Threats
Authors: Lee Wanbil William
Published: November 2020

Many of the problems arising from a technology-driven information-intensive environment that could have been avoided occur because we are either insensitive to or ignorant of their ethical implications. Consequently, data protection remains a chronic, expensive nightmare despite the big speeding on cybersecurity. Ethical computing can play a role in identifying the ethical issues, key stakeholders, and reaching a near-ideal solution vis-à-vis an ideal solution. Hyperconnectivity threats that inherit all the IoT threats plus all the vulnerabilities of the physical objects and virtual subsystems that IoT connects (subsumed under the heads of security and privacy) to serve some purposeful objectives change not the environment but intensify the urgency for a remedy. Ethical computing is assistive in reaching that near-ideal solution.
Portable Hybrid Refrigerator Prototype for Agribusiness With Its 3D Real Physical Geometry Scanned and Transferred for Simulation Software
Authors: Morales Edith Obregón , Bueno Jose de Jesus Perez , Esparza Juan Carlos Moctezuma , García Diego Marroquín , Perez Arturo Trejo , Romero Roberto Carlos Flores , Ramírez Juan Manuel Olivares , López Maria Luisa Mendoza , Ulloa Juan Carlos Solís , Vong Yunny Meas , Obregón Víctor Hugo Rodríguez
Published: November 2020

A methodology that starts from the acquisition of real prototype geometries up to simulations to evaluate parameters, improvements, or performance under various conditions is proposed. The authors show a case study of a refrigerator with storage capacity for 50 kg of fruit solar-powered by photovoltaic panels, which reach a temperature of about 4°C. The refrigerator comprises two systems, vapor-compression, and Peltier. The methodology consisted of acquiring by a 3D laser scanner or coordinate measuring machine (CMM) and in some small complex items using 3D photogrammetry scanner. These data were transferred first as a CAD or solid works geometry and subsequently transferred to domains geometry useful for ANSYS or COMSOL simulation software. These models with high-resolution bring the simulations closer to real prototypes. Wireless sensors were installed for temperature and humidity monitoring. The analyses of the energy efficiencies of the prototype were performed. The photovoltaic system was for use in crop areas where there was no access to the urban electric network.
Performance Analysis of Some Competent Learners on Medical Data
Authors: Kumar Amit , Sarkar Bikash Kanti
Published: November 2020

Research in disease diagnosis is a challenging task due to inconsistent, class imbalance, conflicting, and the high dimensionality of medical data sets. The excellent features of each data set play an important role in improving performance of classifiers that may follow either iterative or non-iterative approaches. In the present study, a comparative study is carried out to show the performance of iterative and non-iterative classifiers in combination with genetic algorithm (GA)-based feature selection approach over some widely used medical data sets. The experiment assists to identify the clinical data sets for which feature reduction is necessary for improving performance of classifiers. For iterative approaches, two popular classifiers, namely C4.5 and RIPPER, are chosen, whereas k-NN and naïve Bayes are taken as non-iterative learners. Fourteen real-world medical domain data sets are selected from the University of California, Irvine (UCI Repository) for conducting experiment over the learners.
Clustering and Profiling Consumer Buying Behavior
Authors: Tsourgiannis Lambros Nikolaos , Valsamidis Stavros Ioannis
Published: November 2020

This paper aims to identify the factors that affect consumers' buying behavior towards goods of consumers' shopping basket to classify them into groups according to their similar buying behavior patterns and to profile each group of consumers. A primary survey conducted to 242 consumers in Greece. Principal component analysis (PCA) conducted to identify the main factors that affect consumers purchasing behavior. Cluster analysis performed to classify consumers into groups with similar purchasing behavior whilst discriminant analysis conducted to check cluster predictability. Nonparametric tests are performed to profile each group of consumers according to their demographic characteristics and other factors. PCA identified six main factors: (1) price, (2) entertainment during shopping, (3) advertisement, (4) public relationships, (5) product features, (6) promotion activities. Cluster analysis classified consumers into three groups: (1) advertisement-orientated consumers, (2) promotion-orientated consumers, and (3) entertainment-orientated consumers.
An Applied Mathematical Model for Business Transformation and Enterprise Architecture
Authors: Trad Antoine
Published: November 2020

To restructure or transform a business organization in the optimal manner, there is a need for a specific organizational intelligence and engineering pattern to support a business transformation and integration strategy. The applied strategy should be based on existing standards, mapping concepts, and various levels of interoperability. Today, many standards, patterns, and methodologies exist, and they are very advanced and are able to support the organizational transformation process of the older business environment to become part of a larger business eco-system. Transforming a traditional organization or a business environment into an innovative and efficient organization based atomic service-oriented environment is a great challenge, because transformation initiatives often fail, mainly because of the monolithic nature of the mammoth-like organisations. Many monolithic environments and their correspondent business information and communication systems fail to be transformed and are unable to adapt to the new business requirements and challenges. These presented facts make organizations unable to follow frequent changes and this fact might cost organizations fortunes without obtaining the return on investment. A well-designed organizational transformation process and a reorganized business environment should be based on a platform of flexible atomic business loose block (or microartefacts) that can support the future changes request of the business environment. In order to reach the optimal organizational transformation models, an organizational engineering pattern must be designed to improve the functions of the existing business services. This article's goal is to present an organizational engineering and risk pattern integration concept is presented to support frequent change initiatives.
An Automatic Blocking Keys Selection For Efficient Record Linkage
Authors: Benkhlaed Hamid Naceur , Berrabah Djamal , Dif Nassima , Boufares Faouzi
Published: November 2020

One of the important processes in the data quality field is record linkage (RL). RL (also known as entity resolution) is the process of detecting duplicates that refer to the same real-world entity in one or more datasets. The most critical step during the RL process is blocking, which reduces the quadratic complexity of the process by dividing the data into a set of blocks. By that way, matching is done only between the records in the same block. However, selecting the best blocking keys to divide the data is a hard task, and in most cases, it's done by a domain expert. In this paper, a novel unsupervised approach for an automatic blocking key selection is proposed. This approach is based on the recently proposed meta-heuristic bald eagles search (bes) optimization algorithm, where the problem is treated as a feature selection case. The obtained results from experiments on real-world datasets showed the efficiency of the proposition where the BES for feature selection outperformed existed approaches in the literature and returned the best blocking keys.
Bring Your Own Device in Healthcare
Authors: Moreira Ailton , Portela Carlos Filipe da Silva , Santos Manuel Filipe
Published: November 2020

Bring your own device (BYOD) policies have become a very popular topic in information technology, as this approach allows employees to bring their devices into their organizations and use them to access information. This trend has some benefits both for the organization and to employees. This paper aims to identify those benefits as well as the advantages and disadvantages of BYOD usage in organizations. In addition, SWOT analysis of BYOD usage is presented and discussed. Finally, it is introduced as an approach to BYOD in healthcare. Utilizing personal devices at work is beneficial to organizational employees as they are in some way satisfied, and they have more freedom and choice to use their devices. This can easily lead the employees to be more productive and flexible. Organizations who embrace BYOD policies have noticed that their employees are happier, more productive, and more collaborative.
A Unified Mathematical Model for Stochastic Data Envelopment Analysis
Authors: El-Demerdash Basma E. , Tharwat Assem A. , El-Khodary Ihab A. A.
Published: November 2020

Efficiency measurement is one aspect of organizational performance that managers are usually interested in determining. Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is a powerful quantitative tool that provides a means to obtain useful information about the efficiency and performance of organizations and all sorts of functionally similar, relatively autonomous operating units. DEA models are either with a constant rate of return (CRS) or variable return to scale (VRS). Furthermore, the models could be input-oriented or output-oriented. In many real-life applications, observations are usually random in nature; as a result, DEA efficiency measurement may be sensitive to such variations. The purpose of this study was to develop a unified stochastic DEA model that handles different natures of variables independently (random and deterministic) and can be adapted to model both input/output-oriented problems, whether it is CRS or VRS. The chance-constrained approach was adopted to handle the stochastic variables that exist in the model. The developed model is implemented through an illustrative example.
Research on VRM in RF PA System Based on Enhancement Mode GaN HEMT
Authors: Cheng Yu Jie , Xu Jian Hua , Cheng Hai Feng
Published: November 2020

As a key part of the RF PA system, VRM (Voltage-Regulate-Modulator), whose main role is to offer pulse voltage for RF power transistor, is often slighted. As a result, VRM has been a restraining factor now. In order to realize the needs of high speed and high frequency, a new method based on enhancement mode GaN HEMT of designing VRM is proposed in this paper. By using this method, the rise time and fall time of VRM could be as about 10ns with the peak voltage 75V and the peak current 150A, which is quite suitable for driving high voltage and high power GaN-based RF power transistor.
Characteristics and Drive Design Analysis of SiC
Authors: Zhang Wei Ping , Duan Ya Dong , Peng Mao , Liang Zhang
Published: November 2020

In this paper, a new model is established ,which aimed at the physical model and analytical model structure,and ombined with the nonlinear capacitance and parasitic parameters of SiC. The accuracy and rapidity of the model are preserved as much as possible. This paper firstly compares and analyzes the established models through theoretical analysis of new models and SIMetrix/SIMPLIS platforms. Then the paper analyzes the switching characteristics of the SiC and verify the accuracy of the verification results by setting up a double pulse platform experiment. Finally, by analyzing the physical, high temperature, static and dynamic characteristics of SiC and Si, the reference values of driving voltage design of SiC and the comparative data of SiC and Si losses are obtained by means of the double pulse experimental platform, which is used to analyze the physical characteristics, high temperature resistance, static characteristics and dynamic characteristics of SiC. Thus better play the superior performance of SiC.
Mannose-Binding Lectin Possesses Agglutination Activity and Promotes Opsonophagocytosis of Macrophages with Calreticulin Interaction in an Early Vertebrate
Authors: Mu Liangliang , Yin Xiaoxue , Wu Hairong , Lei Yang , Han Kailiang , Mo Jinfeng , Guo Zheng , Li Jun , Ye Jianmin
Published: November 2020

The innate immune system is an ancient defense system in the process of biological evolution, which can quickly and efficiently resist pathogen infection. In mammals, mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is a key molecule in the innate immune and plays an essential role in the first line of host defense against pathogenic bacteria. However, the evolutionary origins and ancient roles of immune defense of MBL and its mechanism in clearance of microbial pathogens are still unclear, especially in early vertebrates. In this study, Oreochromis niloticus MBL (OnMBL) was successfully isolated and purified from the serum of Nile tilapia (O. niloticus). The OnMBL was able to bind and agglutinate with two important pathogens of tilapia, Streptococcus agalactiae and Aeromonas hydrophila. Interestingly, the OnMBL was able to significantly inhibit the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria and reduce the inflammatory response. Upon bacterial challenge, the downregulation of OnMBL expression by RNA interference could lead to rapid proliferation of the pathogenic bacteria, ultimately resulting in tilapia death. However, the phenotype was rescued by reinjection of the OnMBL, which restored the healthy status of the knockdown tilapia. Moreover, a mechanistic analysis revealed that the OnMBL could clear pathogenic bacteria by collaborating with cell-surface calreticulin to facilitate phagocytosis in a complement activation-independent manner. To our knowledge, these results provide the first evidence on the antibacterial response mechanism of MBL performing evolutionary conserved function to promote opsonophagocytosis of macrophages in early vertebrates and reveals new insights into the understanding of the evolutionary origins and ancient roles basis of the C-type lectins in the innate immune defense.
The Paradox of the Alien Plant Leucaena leucocephala subsp. glabrata (Rose) S. Zárate in Sicily: Another Threat for the Native Flora or a Valuable Resource?
Authors: Badalamenti Emilio , Pasta Salvatore , Sala Giovanna , Catania Valentina , Quatrini Paola , La Mantia Tommaso
Published: November 2020

With this contribution, an updated picture of the rapid expansion of Leucaena leucocephala subsp. glabrata in Sicily is provided. On the one hand, this is a quite worrying sign, as this woody species figures among the world’s worst invasive alien species. On the other hand, the species shows interesting potential for production purposes (for wood, biomass and for feeding livestock), also considering its nitrogen fixation ability. Consequently, the two opposite options to cope with this species, i.e. cultivation and control/eradication, should accurately take into account the possible uses as well as its invasive behaviou.
Association Between Knee- and Hip-Extensor Strength and Running-Related Injury Biomechanics in Collegiate Distance Runners
Authors: Moffit Tyler J. , Montgomery Melissa M. , Lockie Robert G. , Pamukoff Derek N.
Published: November 2020

Context

Running-related injuries are common in distance runners. Strength training is used for performance enhancement and injury prevention. However, the association between maximal strength and distance-running biomechanics is unclear.

Objective

To determine the relationship between maximal knee- and hip-extensor strength and running biomechanics previously associated with injury risk.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Research laboratory.

Patients or Other Participants

A total of 36 collegiate distance runners (26 men, 10 women; age = 20.0 ± 1.5 years, height = 1.74 ± 0.09 m, mass = 61.97 ± 8.26 kg).

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Strength was assessed using the 1-repetition maximum (1RM) back squat and maximal voluntary isometric contractions of the knee extensors and hip extensors. Three-dimensional running biomechanics were assessed overground at a self-selected speed. Running variables were the peak instantaneous vertical loading rate; peak forward trunk-lean angle; knee-flexion, internal-rotation, and -abduction angles and internal moments; and hip-extension, internal-rotation, and -adduction angles and internal moments. Separate stepwise linear regression models were used to examine the associations between strength and biomechanical outcomes (ΔR2) after accounting for sex, running speed, and foot-strike index.

Results

Greater 1RM back-squat strength was associated with a larger peak knee-flexion angle (ΔR2 = 0.110, ΔP = .045) and smaller peak knee internal-rotation angle (ΔR2 = 0.127, ΔP = .03) and internal-rotation moment (ΔR2 = 0.129, ΔP = .03) after accounting for sex, speed, and foot-strike index. No associations were found between 1RM back-squat strength and vertical loading rate, trunk lean, or hip kinematics and kinetics. Hip- and knee-extensor maximal voluntary isometric contractions were also not associated with any biomechanical variables.

Conclusions

Greater 1RM back-squat strength was weakly associated with a larger peak knee-flexion angle and smaller knee internal-rotation angle and moment in collegiate distance runners. Runners who are weaker in the back-squat exercise may exhibit running biomechanics associated with the development of knee-related injuries.
Global Gevrey solvability for a class of involutive systems on the torus
Authors: Bergamasco Adalberto P. , de Medeira Cleber , Zani Sérgio L.
Published: November 2020

Let

L_j={\partial}/{\partial t_j}+(a_j+ib_j)(t_j){\partial}/{\partial x}

,

j=1,\ldots,n

, be a system of complex vector fields defined on the

(n+1)

-dimensional torus, where

a_j

and

b_j

are real-valued functions belonging to the Gevrey class

G^s(\mathbb{T}^1)

,

s > 1

. We present a complete characterization to the global

s

-solvability of this system in terms of diophantine properties of the coefficients and the Nirenberg–Treves condition (P).
Understanding the Trophodynamics of Yellowfin Tuna, Thunnus albacares (Bonnaterre, 1788) from the Western Bay of Bengal
Authors: Kumar Mamidi Satish , Ghosh Shubhadeep
Published: November 2020

The trophodynamics of Thunnus albacares (Bonnaterre, 1788) from the western Bay of Bengal was studied during 2012 – 2015. Feeding intensity revealed that 34.6 % of the fishes had empty-trace stomachs, 52.77% of the fishes had quarter full-half full stomachs and 12.44% of the fishes had three fourth full-gorged stomachs. Feeding intensity increased with an increase in body size of the fishes with high prey to predator weight ratios and with a third of the fishes above 160 cm fork length possessing three fourth full-gorged stomachs. Cephalopods (47%) dominated the prey constituents, followed by semi digested finfishes and shellfishes (28%), finfishes (16%) and crustaceans (9%). Significant shifts in prey items were observed with an increase in fish size. Though squids were predominant in the diet, however, with the increase in size, feeding shift has clearly been observed towards finfishes. Feeding preferences did not vary between sexes. Annual and seasonal similarities were recorded in their food and feeding habits. Prey-specific abundance indicated a relative specialized feeding pattern with high occurence of species belonging to the orders Teuthidae and Perciformes. Levins Standardized Niche Breadth Index of 0.16 indicated limited niche width in the feeding strategy of Thunnus albacares.
Insect Meal as a Partial Replacement for Fish Meal in a Formulated Diet for Perch Perca fluviatilis
Authors: Tilami Sarvenaz Khalili , Turek Jan , Červený Daniel , Lepič Pavel , Kozák Pavel , Burkina Viktoriia , Sakalli Sidika , Tomčala Aleš , Sampels Sabine , Mráz Jan
Published: November 2020

The growing importance of aquaculture products for human health also raises the question of product sustainability and decreasing its costs. Insects are considered as novel feed ingredients and source of proteins. In this study, a twelve-week feeding trial with replacement of 25% fishmeal by a mixture of house cricket (Acheta domesticus) and superworm (Zophobas morio) in the fish feed was conducted with perch (Perca fluviatilis). There were no significant differences in this feeding trial, regarding survival, but decreased fish growth and increased feed conversion between the control and the experimental fed groups. Hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP1A and CYP3A-like) activity and fatty acid (FA) composition were assessed in perch also. No significant effects were observed on cytochrome P450 activity associated with presence of toxic compounds in fish. Feeding with insect pellets resulted in significant increasing of linoleic FA and an increase of the total content of n-6 FA in fish fillets, compared to the fish fillets from control group. However, changes in FA composition were only minor and did not affect the nutritional value of the fish with insect-based diet for human consumption. Further evaluation should be conducted with different ratios or different insect species.
Fore-Stomach Foreign Bodies: prevalence, associated risk factors and types affecting cattle slaughtered at Gondar ELFORA abattoir, northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Bihon Amare , Bayeleyegn Teketaye , Assefa Ayalew , Muktar Yimer
Published: November 2020

In Ethiopia, recurrent drought and feed shortage coupling with high level of environmental pollution predispose the animals to foreign body  ingestion. A cross-sectional study with systematic random sampling approach was employed from November 2018 to April, 2019 with the objectives of estimating the prevalence; identify associated risk factors and to categorize the types of foreign body in cattle slaughtered at Gondar ELFORA Abattoir. Ante-mortem and postmortem examinations were used to collect the data. From the total of 384 animals examined, the overall prevalence of foreign body was 83(21.61%). Adult and old animals were 4.33 (95% CI=0.98, 19.00, p=0.052) and 4.54 (95% CI=1.03, 19.96, p=0.045) times more likely to have a chance of getting foreign body than young animals by keeping another factors constant, respectively. However, the difference is not statistically significant for adult cattle. Moreover, poor and medium body conditioned animals were 2.19 (95% CI=1.04, 4.56, p=0.037) and 1.51 (95% CI=0.72, 3.13, p=0.273) times more likely to acquire foreign bodies than good body conditioned animals by keeping another factors constant. In the positive cases (N=83), 41(49.40%), 34(40.96%), 8(9.64%) and 0(0%) of the foreign bodies were found in the rumen, reticulum, both rumen and reticulum, and omasum, respectively. Majority of foreign bodies identified (79.51%) were non-metallic in nature, including clothes, plastics, rope,  sand and stone. Designing and implementation of appropriate solid waste disposal and management practices are strongly recommended to reduce the risk of ingestion of indigestible foreign bodies.

Keyword: Abattoir; Cattle; Foreign body; Fore stomach; Prevalence
Effects of icariin and quercetin on high glucose-induced neuronal cell apoptosis
Authors: Dong Mengqian , Jin Ying , Huang Peifen , Chen Zhiyang
Published: November 2020

Purpose: To study the effects of icariin and quercetin on cell apoptotic changes in neurons induced by elevated glucose condition, and the  mechanism involved.

Methods: Neonatal male Sprague Dawley rats (n = 48) weighing 5 – 7 g were used. Neuronal cells were isolated from rat hippocampus and cultured after purification. The cells were randomly assigned to six groups: control, high glucose, icariin, quercetin, serine/threonine-specific protein kinase (Akt) inhibitor, and Akt agonist groups. The Akt inhibitor and agonist used in this study were MK-22062hci and SC79, respectively. The influence of icariin and quercetin on neuronal apoptotic changes were determined flow cytometrically, while their effects on levels of expression of Akt, p-Akt, bax and bcl-2 were determined with Western blotting.

Results: Treatment with icariin or quercetin significantly inhibited apoptosis induced by high glucose. The concentrations of Akt, p-Akt, and bcl-2 proteins were markedly upregulated in high glucose group, relative to control (p < 0.05). The corresponding expression of bax was significantly down-regulated in high glucose group, relative to control (p < 0.05). Treatment with icariin or quercetin, or their agonists reversed high glucose-mediated alterations in these protein levels (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Icariin and quercetin inhibit neuronal cell apoptosis induced by high glucose through upregulation of bcl-2 expression and down- regulations of bax expression and Akt-induced protein phosphorylation. Thus, Icariin and quercetin possess potential benefits for the treatment of neurological diseases.

Keywords: Apoptosis, High glucose condition, Hippocampal neurons, Icariin, Quercetin
Effect of anti-CIRP antibody on inflammatory response, tumor formation and abdominal aortic aneurysm in rats
Authors: Wang Yuqing , Lu Lantao , Li Weiyan , Gu Shuntong
Published: November 2020

Purpose: To investigate the effect of anti-cold induced RNA binding protein (CIRP) antibody on inflammation, tumor formation and abdominal aortic aneurysm in rats.Methods: Thirty healthy male Wistar rats were assigned to pseudo-operation, abdominal aortic aneurysm model, and anti-CIRP groups, with 10 in each group. The levels of CIRP, TNF- α, monocyte giant cytokine chemokine-1 (MCP-1), Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)) and nuclear factor kappaB (NF- κB)were determined compared among the groups.Results: At both 2 and 4 weeks, the expression of CIRP protein in the model group was significantly higher than that in the sham operation group (p < 0.05). At these two time-points, tumor formation and maximum diameter were higher in anti-CIRP and model control rats than in pseudo-operation rats. After 4 weeks of treatment, the protein expressions of TNF- α, MCP-1, TLR4 and NF-κB were higher in anti-CIRP and model control rats than in pseudo-operation rats, but were lower than model control values (p < 0.05).Conclusion: CIRP expression is significantly increased in abdominal aortic aneurysm tissue and serum, and is involved in the onset and progress of abdominal aortic aneurysm. Anti-CIRP antibody therapy effectively suppresses tumorigenesis, and inhibits tumor wall inflammatory reaction viaTLR4/NF-κB pathway. This finding provides a clue and new strategy for the clinical management of abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Keywords: CIRP, Abdominal aortic tumor wall, Inflammatory reaction, Protein expression, Tumor body
Synergistic hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic effects of mixtures of Lactobacillus nagelii/betanin in a mouse model
Authors: Rivera Antonio , Becerra-Martinez Elvia , Pacheco-Hernández Yesenia , Landeta-Cortés Gerardo , Villa-Ruano Nemesio
Published: November 2020

Purpose: To determine the nutraceutical effect of mixtures containing Lactobacillus nagelii/betanin on the carbohydrate and lipid metabolism of mice.Methods: Lactobacillus nagelii and betanin were isolated from the raw materials. These components were subsequently assessed for their anti-hyperglycemic and hypolipidemic activities, and administered individually or combined in normoglycemic and diabetic mice. These animals were subjected to a standard OGTT and given an atherogenic diet.Results: The combination of L. nagelii (2.0 × 109 CFU/mL) and betanin (30 mg/kg body weight) exerted a significant (p < 0.01) and prolonged reduction of postprandial blood glucose (30 - 120 min). Interestingly, a mixture of L. nagelii (1 ×107 CFU/mouse/day) with betanin (10 mg/kg body weight) administered for 30 days, produced favourable effects (p < 0.01) in the lipid profile of mice previously treated with an atherogenic diet. These mixtures significantly ameliorated (p < 0.01) hypoinsulinemia, hyperleptinemia and increased the levels of adiponectin.Conclusion: The simultaneous administration of L. nagelii and betanin in mice produced a beneficial change in blood glucose and lipids in mice, indicating a synergistic nutraceutical effect. However, there is a need to develop this therapy further for potential application in humans

Keywords: Lactobacillus nagelii, Betanin, Anti-hyperglycemic, Hypolipidemic
Targeting of protein expression in renal disease using siRNA – A review
Authors: Buabeid Manal Ali , Ibrahim Nihal Abdalla , Kharaba Zelal Jaber , Umar Muhammad Ihtisham , Murtaza Ghulam
Published: November 2020

The kidneys have rarely been used as a target in the systemic delivery of siRNA when compared to other tissues or organs in the body. This review article deals with various modalities adopted to deliver siRNA to the renal system under different normal and pathophysiological states. In this article, the authors have reviewed extensive clinical data that describe the use of siRNA for the treatment of renal diseases. Conventional and 3D modeling utilizes the existing genome-based RNA libraries, which facilitated the identification of molecular pathways involved in renal diseases.

Keywords: siRNA, kidney disease, targeting proteins, signal pathways
The Centroid Solid Angle and Probability Models of Square Prism Dice Rolls
Authors: Hurst Paul R. , Tandiman Vanessa
Published: November 2020

Past studies have indicated that the centroid solid angle is related to probabilities of square prism dice rolls. We explain how it is relevant to these probabilities and how to use the spherical projection to calculate the centroid solid angles for the faces on a square prism. These values are then used in a statistical analysis in the quest of constructing a mathematical probability model. The proposed model is based on the principle that the probability of ending up on a particular resting aspect is proportional to the centroid solid angle of that aspect and inversely proportional to a power of the centroid height in that aspect. Using a power of 2.427, this proposed model fits our data of over 60,000 non-symmetrical square prism dice rolls of various sizes (unequal heights and widths) with the largest magnitude Z-score of 1.01. Different powers can potentially describe other situations; e.g. different surfaces, larger dice, heavier dice, etc.
KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS’ UNDERSTANDING OF THE QUALITY OF THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH THEIR TEACHER
Authors: Vatou Anastasia
Published: November 2020

Teacher-child relationships in early childhood are increasingly considered as a prerequisite for children’s development. The Child Appraisal of the Relationship with the Teacher Scale (CARTS) (Vervoot, Doumen, & Verschueren, 2015) is a new multidimensional measure that evaluates the quality of teacher-child relationships from the children’s perspective. The purpose of this study was to confirm the factor structure of the Dutch version of CARTS in the Greek context, to describe the perceptions of young children about their relationship with their teachers and to examine whether child’s age, gender, and ethnicity contribute to this relationship. In total, 366 children (Mage= 5.4) from 36 kindergarten of Greece participated in this study. Results supported the construct validity of the CARTS scale. CFA implementation, consistent with attachment-based research revealed the three dimensions of the teacher-children relationships, Closeness, Dependency and Conflict. Supportive and warmth relationships were found. Children’s demographics characteristics affect the quality of teacher-child relationships. The results highlighted the importance of the dyadic relationships.