bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MCCG 2012 versus MCCG 2017: Board Gender Diversity and Women CEO Issues within the Male-dominated Oil and Gas Industry
Authors: Baharudin Dayana Mastura , Marimuthu Maran
Published: October 2019

Purpose – This study investigates the impact of the two main determinants of strengthening the Board and Top Management Team through gender diversity contrasting between the pre and post MCCG 2017 era.Design/methodology/approach – The study will employ the judgmental sampling method followed by descriptive statistics, regression analysis and quantitative content analysis derived from MCCG 2012 and MCCG 2017 as issued by the Malaysian Securities Commission together with prior research to analyse the annual reports in order to explore the reporting of gender diversity across the Board and Top Management Team.Originality/value – This study is a systematic review of prior recent research developments in the Malaysian Securities Commission’s MCCG 2012 and MCCG 2017. The Board of Directors and Top Management Team scoring index could also be applied to other PLCs within the ASEAN oil and gas industry.
In Pursuit of a Youth Life-Purposefulness Program
Authors: Buheji Mohamed
Published: October 2019

Dwelling on youth Life-Purposefulness, this paper explores how to enhance youth’s readiness for future economies. The detailed case study examines how life-purposefulness could be built and facilitated in different youths’ status, i.e. graduating youth, graduated, job-seekers, unemployed and youth that are not happy with their achievements, or current status.The research questions how the technique followed by the ‘International Inspiration Economy Project (IIEP) youth summer program’ contributes to the capacity of youth participants’ life-time inspiration and legacy. The two years’ program experience is evaluated in the way they are set-up. The content analysis from literature is reflected in the IIEP program delivery, including the setup of the five phases of the life-purposefulness program conducted. A framework that targets to enhance youth’s capacity to leave a differentiated outcome and minimise their zero-status is proposed to cover the literature gap. The researcher argues that the involvement of youth in socio-economic projects during their search for a purpose would create a differentiation in their life-time contribution. The implications for the program and its framework, along with the paper limitations and perspectives for future empirical research, is suggested.
Voluntary Chronic Exercise Decreases Nociceptive Responses Before and After a Traumatic Stressor
Authors: Mozingo Sarah Ford , Baiamonte Brandon A. , Hollander Daniel B. , Kraemer Robert R.
Published: October 2019

Objective: The hypoalgesic effect of acute bouts of exercise on healthy participants has been well documented across a variety of exercise modalities. However, the effects of a long-term exercise regimen on nociception is fairly unknown. Furthermore, it is unclear if exercise can be an effective treatment for disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder, which can be characterized by hyperalgesia. The purpose of the current study is to investigate the effects of chronic exercise on thermal nociception before and after a traumatic stressor.Methods: Twenty-four C57/B6 mice were separated into two groups with 12 animals performing voluntary wheel running over a 5 week period. All mice were assessed weekly to determine the effects of chronic exercise or rest on thermal nociception. After 4 weeks, animals were further divided into 4 groups according to exercise and traumatic stress exposure. All mice were exposed to a 15 minute predator odor paradigm with “no stress” animals being exposed to ambient air and “stress” animals exposed to bobcat urine. All mice were tested 48 hours post exposure for changes in thermal nociception.Results: Findings from this study yield support that chronic, voluntary exercise decreases thermal nociception in mice over a 4-week period before a traumatic stressor and 48 hours after exposure to the stressor.Conclusion: In conclusion, voluntary, long-term exercise has been shown to elevate nociceptive thresholds, providing support for these exercise programs in the treatment of stress-induced hyperalgesia.
Factores asociados a obesidad en pediatría, Hospital Mario Catarino Rivas, 2017-2018
Authors: Contreras Martinez Larissa Maydelin , Licona Rivera Tania Soledad , Zúniga Girón Oscar Francisco
Published: October 2019

Antecedentes: La obesidad infantil es una enfermedad crónica de origen multifactorial considerada uno de los problemas de salud pública más graves del siglo XXI. El problema es mundial que está afectando progresivamente a muchos países de bajos y medianos ingresos, sobre todo en el medio urbano. La prevalencia ha aumentado a un ritmo alarmante. Objetivo: Conocer los factores asociados con la Obesidad infantil en pacientes atendidos en Consulta externa de Endocrinología Pediátrica del Hospital Mario Catarino Rivas (HMCR) en el período de enero 2017-junio 2018. Pacientes y métodos: Diseño no experimental, estudio de casos y controles, edades comprendidas entre 2-17 años con 364 días de vida, los pacientes con obesidad fueron captados en Consulta Externa de Endocrinología Pediátrica, eligiendo los controles en una relación 1:1 de Consulta Externa de Postgrado de Pediatría. Los datos se analizaron con SPSS versión 23. Resultados: Los factores asociados a obesidad fueron: sexo femenino, tener antecedentes familiares de obesidad, realizar actividad física diaria menor a 30 minutos, dedicar tiempo diario a los videojuegos. Conclusiones: Según el análisis de Regresión Logística Binaria la probabilidad de desarrollar obesidad infantil se incrementa de forma significativa si el individuo es del sexo femenino, tienen antecedentes de padres con obesidad, si no recibió Lactancia Materna Exclusiva (LME) en los primeros 6 meses, si realiza actividad física diaria menor de 30 minutos y si dedica tiempo diario a los videojuegos. Además esos resultados según las estadísticas de WALD se pueden generalizar a la población.
Rendimiento académico y Trastorno de déficit de atención-hiperactividad en Escuelas de El Progreso, Yoro, 2018
Authors: Mendoza Contreras Nazaret Emisel , Pineda Luisa María , Velásquez Mario Roberto
Published: October 2019

Antecedentes. El Trastorno de déficit de atención con hiperactividad (TDAH) define un patrón persistente de inatención y/o hiperactividad/impulsividad, incoherente con el nivel de desarrollo del individuo. Inicia en la infancia e interfiere en la adaptación, funcionamiento social y rendimiento académico. Objetivo. Determinar el rendimiento académico en los escolares asociado a trastorno de déficit de atención con hiperactividad en escuelas públicas de El Progreso, Yoro durante el período de enero a junio 2018. Pacientes y métodos. Estudio descriptivo transversal analítico. Universo de 12,440 escolares de escuelas públicas. Se estimó un tamaño muestral de 300 (10.8%, IC95%). Se incluyeron escolares de 6-12 años. Se excluyeron patologías congénitas o adquiridas con afectación directa en personalidad/conducta, fracaso escolar secundario a estresores ambientales. Las variables incluyeron datos del escolar/ padre/tutor, rendimiento académico, antecedentes familiares/personales patológicos. Se utilizó el test de Conners para padres/maestros, así como el cuestionario DSM-V para diagnóstico TDAH. La información recolectada fue ingresada en Epiinfo versión 7.2.2.6 (CDC, Atlanta). Los resultados se presentan como frecuencias, porcentajes, valor de P, OR y chi2 La información personal de los casos se manejó confidencialmente. Resultados. La prevalencia de TDAH fue del 36% (108/300). Se encontró asociación estadísticamente significativa (P<0.05) en la edad del escolar, estado civil del padre/ tutor, antecedentes familiares, persona que vive con él. El rendimiento escolar fue satisfactorio ≤70-80% (53%). No hubo diagnóstico de TDAH en 64%. Conclusión. Es importante realizar una intervención oportuna e integral para prevenir las complicaciones del TDAH y la afectación directa en el rendimiento académico de los escolares.
Trastornos Neuropsiquiátricos Autoinmunes Pediátricos Asociados a Estreptococo: Presentación de un caso
Authors: Salinas Oscar Iván , Gómez Josué Joaquín , Velásquez Mario
Published: October 2019

Los trastornos neuropsiquiátricos autoinmunes pediátricos asociados a estreptococo (PANDAS) fueron creados para describir un subgrupo teórico de casos de trastornos obsesivo compulsivos (TOC) y / o tics en los que el inicio o la exacerbación de los síntomas es desencadenado por infección del estreptococo hemolítico del grupo A (SBHGA) ; Si bien aún no hay datos de incidencia se estima que el trastorno afecta aproximadamente al 1% de niños menores de 12 años, porque es menos probable que tengan anticuerpos contra el estreptococo y probablemente esté infradiagnosticado. La existencia de este trastorno ha generado considerables avances clínicos y científicos, así como controversia. Fisiopatológicamente, PANDAS se propone ser un trastorno autoinmune postestreptocócico similar a corea de Sydenham, hipotetizandose mas específicamente que los tics y la sintomatología obsesivo compulsiva son el resultado de la activación del sistema inmune adaptativo por el estreptococo del grupo A. Se presenta el caso de un paciente masculino de 6 años, con cuadro de tres semanas de evolución de movimientos involuntarios en cabeza y miembros superiores, así como cambios de conducta, cuyo antecedente de importancia fue una infección respiratoria y en piel varias semanas previo al inicio de los síntomas.
Health status, resilience and quality of life of first and fourth year nursing students
Authors: Silva Rodrigo Marques da , Costa Ana Lucia Siqueira , Mussi Fernanda Carneiro , Silva Fernanda Michelle Santos e , Félis Keila Cristina , Lopes Victor Cauê , Kimura Cristilene Akiko
Published: October 2019

Objective: To compare the health status (stress, depressive symptoms and sleep quality), the resilience and quality of life in first and fourth year nursing students.Methods: This is a cross-sectional research conducted in 2016 with 86 students enrolled in first and fourth years of the nursing degree. We applied the instrument for Assessment of Stress in Nursing Students, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index, Wagnild and Young’s Resilience Scale; and the WHOQOL-BREF. ANOVA (Test F) was applied for data analysis.Results and conclusions: A total of 49 first-year and 37 fourth-year students were sampled for this study. Fourth- year nursing students showed higher levels of stress, lower intensity of depressive symptoms and higher quality of life and resilience levels. The poor sleep quality was prevalent in both groups. Conclusion: although the nursing education potentially contributes for students’ sickness, the experiences lived in this period may strength the resilience skills.Conclusions: Video indexing and retrieval are accomplished by using hashing and $k$-d tree methods, while visual signatures containing color, shape and texture information are estimated for the key-frames, by using image and frequency domain techniques. Experimental results with the dataset of a multimedia information system especially developed for managing television broadcast archives demonstrate that our approach works efficiently, retrieving videos in 0.16 seconds on average and achieving recall, precision and F1 measure values, as high as 0.76, 0.97 and 0.86 respectively.
The Effectiveness of a CLIL Basketball Lesson: A Case Study of Japanese Junior High School CLIL
Authors: Ito Yukiko
Published: October 2019

This article outlines a junior high school physical education class which teaches basketball in English using the CLIL framework as a case study. The purpose of the article is to consider how and what students learned from the class through students’ class results, basketball skills test, post lesson questionnaire and pre and post lesson teacher interviews. It examines how the teacher’s attitude toward CLIL changes from pre and post lesson interviews. Through this CLIL class led not by English teachers but by a physical education teacher the qualities and abilities necessary for competent CLIL teaching are considered. Regarding students, this CLIL lesson was conducted for the acquisition of physical basketball skills, English expressions and situational English ability. It also aimed to teach 21st-century skills defined by global education. The lesson resulted in students being able to understand both the English target structures and the basketball terms and strategies taught. In addition, students not only learned the content of the lesson, but also co-operated well with the teacher and worked well in teams which made the lesson successful. Before the lesson, the teacher felt that the CLIL lesson would be difficult for the students. However, the lesson was well received and had a great effect on the students and the teacher herself gained confidence. The experience they gained will lead to skills that will help them succeed in a global society in the future.
Fuzzy Logic System for Retrieval of Information in Electronic Libraries
Authors: H. Al-Ibrahim Ali Mohammad
Published: October 2019

This research represents one of the steps aimed to address one of the most important challenges on the Web and digital libraries, which is compute  the rank of the document’s, and its importance, and their relevance to the user and to meet their needs for information, and so by taking advantage of the vast potential of logic Fuzzy in dealing with this kind of problems, and provide high flexibility for the user to clarify the issues and areas that interested them.

This research is concernd on the design and implementation of a proposal for the information retrieval system, called Fuzzy Information Retrieval System(FZIRS). This system is designed to deal with a huge distributed database on a group of computers (servers) associated with the Intranet network specially designed to work the system, which includes different types and sizes of text files.

The proposed system has the ability for mining of data mining from the database and retrieve useful information from them and that meet the user's needs well.

This accomlished  through the applying of the proposed algorithms for indexing operations and calculate the rank of documents and generate keywords operations and display the  retrival results, which showed high quality when calculating results compared with other Information retrieving algorithms.
A Computational Insight into Reaction Between Different Amino Acids with Reactive Aldehydes 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal and 4-oxo-2-nonenal
Authors: Škulj Sanja , Vazdar Mario
Published: October 2019

In this work, we studied in detail the reaction mechanism of modification of arginine (Arg), cysteine (Cys) and histidine (His) model amino acids upon the reaction with biologically relevant reactive aldehydes 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) and 4-oxo-2-nonenal (ONE) in acetonitrile and acetonitrile/water systems by using high level ab initio calculations. We identified and characterized all of the reaction steps along two possible pathways – Michael addition pathway and Schiff base pathway resulting in the formation of Michael adducts/hemiacetals and carbinolamine/Schiff base adducts, depending on the reactive aldehyde and the reaction pathway. Overall energetics suggests that Arg amino acid is more reactive than Cys and His amino acids in both reaction pathways. We established that the ONE is in general more reactive than HNE and also found out that addition of water in the reaction steps involving proton transfer strongly catalyzes the reaction by decreasing prohibitively high free energy barriers.
Invisibilización en puntos suspensivos: Percepciones del espacio vital en la infancia y en adultos mayores de tres comunidades en Quito.
Authors: Campo Aráuz Lorena , López Cárdenas Paola Lizeth , Varela Jorge , Yépez Karina
Published: October 2019

Este artículo tiene como objetivo presentar un informe de trabajos de investigación psicosocial sobre percepciones de vida, que han empleado el método etnográfico en 2 comunidades en los alrededores de Quito, Ecuador. El primero, en el Bulevar 24 de Mayo, en el que se observa la invisibilización de los niños, niñas y adolescentes (NNA) en situación de calle. Y el segundo, el comedor “María Auxiliadora”, ubicado en la comuna de Lumbisí, en el que se identifican factores psicosociales que lo sitúan como un espacio de bienestar para el adulto mayor, frente a duelos propios de sus vivencias.
Direct and inverse kinematic problems of tripod-type parallel manipulator
Authors: Nurakhmetov Baurzhan , Sartayev Kuanyshbek , Myrzageldiyeva Zhanat
Published: October 2019

The purpose of the work is to study the structural features of the tripod-type parallel manipulator as well as to solve direct and inverse kinematic problems for such a manipulator. The developed algorithms and computer-generated programs for synthesis and analysis of the tripod-type parallel manipulator are useful for designing spatial mechanisms with parallel kinematics with many degrees of freedom, with an arbitrary number of edges and an arbitrary arrangement of segments with different kinematic pairs that can be used in many ways. For example, the foregoing can be used in machine processing of the inner surfaces of the cavities of complex shape, during maintenance and reclamation work in pipeline, during surgical operations in medicine etc.
The effect of Diesel-Methanol Blends with Volumetric Proportions on The Performance and Emissions of A Diesel Engine
Authors: BERBER ADNAN
Published: October 2019

In this work, the methanol is added to the diesel fuel in the volumetric proportions of 5%-%10-%15 to diminish negative environmental impacts of diesel engines. The diesel-methanol blends in the various proportions are tested in a single-cylinder direct-injection diesel engine. According to the test results, the addition of methanol to the diesel fuel causes a maximum decrease of 13.07 % in the engine torque, and a maximum decrease of 12.54 % in the specific fuel consumption. On the other hand, the exhaust emission results show that the values of CO and CO2 decrease 38.4 % and 5.04%. However, the increase of 3.66% in the exhaust gas temperature causes the increase of 17.1% in the NOx emission. Also, a significant decrease of 39.37% in the smoke opacity is observed compared to that of the diesel fuel. Although the addition of methanol to diesel fuel causes a slightly decrease in the engine performance, the diesel-methanol blends have a reasonable and considerable positive effect on environmental concerns of diesel engines.
Performance and emission characteristics of preheating corn oil methyl ester in CI Engine
Authors: Varudharajan Gopinath
Published: October 2019

In the present work on unheated Corn oil methyl ester and Preheated Corn oil methyl ester is used to prepare different concentration blends with diesel, B20, B40 and B60 were used as alternative fuels in a compression ignition engine. The properties like calorific value, flash point, fire point and viscosity of these oils were determined. The viscosity of corn oils has been reduced through transterification process. The waste heat energy from the exhaust gas was reused to preheat the corn oil around 80°C by adjusting the flow rate of exhaust gas.  The performance and emission characteristics of a single cylinder, direct injection diesel engine were determined using unheated corn oil, Preheated Corn oil and diesel. Brake thermal efficiency of preheated B20 was more than other blends and unheated fuels but equal to diesel fuel. Brake specific fuel consumption, CO2 and HC of preheated B20 were less than unheated fuels and diesel. However, the NOx emission of preheated B20 was little higher than unheated fuels and diesel due to high combustion temperature. By considering the result of all the factors, preheated B20 blend was found to be a suitable alternative for diesel fuel.
“Property” Characterization and the Status of Accidental Unities in Aquinas
Authors: Cleveland Lindsay K. ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: October 2019

Jeffrey Brower argues that Aquinas’s hylomorphic account of change entails a distinction between “property” possession and “property” characterization. Given that and Brower’s assumption that Aquinas’s fundamental hylomorphic compounds are material substances and accidental unities, it follows that material substances are not characterized by the accidents they possess. In order to avoid that counterintuitive consequence, Brower stipulates a form of derivative property characterization and a numerical sameness without identity relation, which together enable him to affirm that material substances are derivatively characterized by the accidents they possess. I argue that, by affirming a plausible alternative to Brower’s account of Aquinas’s fundamental hylomorphic compounds, we can maintain that accidents characterize material substances in the primary sense without having to affirm the real existence of accidental unities or Brower’s objectionable numerical sameness without identity relation.
The Time of the Beautiful in Kant’s Critique of Judgment
Authors: Kerimov Khafiz ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: October 2019

The present article considers the problem of the preservation of pleasure in Kant’s Critique of Judgment. The problem stems from the fact that the Critique of Judgment contains not one but two distinct definitions of pleasure. In the definition of pleasure in §10 of the Analytic of the Beautiful Kant emphasizes that all pleasure is characterized by the tendency to preserve itself. On the other hand, in the definition of §VII of the unpublished Introduction Kant makes a sharp distinction between interested and disinterested pleasures, whereby only the former kind is defined by the tendency for self-preservation. Yet, how can the disinterested pleasure of the beautiful preserve itself, given that insofar as it is disinterested it can be based on neither desire for its own preservation nor continued existence of the object? In addressing this issue, most commentators erroneously reintroduce desire (whether explicitly or surreptitiously) in the pleasure of aesthetic reflection. By contrast, I propose to resolve this issue by turning to Kant’s account of lingering in §12 of the Analytic of the Beautiful and, more importantly, §§43-53 of the Deduction, where Kant affords his conception of aesthetic ideas.
Staying Well in Heraclitus’s River
Authors: Silliman Matthew R. ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: October 2019

This philosophical dialogue explores some of the barriers to an adequate definition of general health, encompassing physical, social, and mental/emotional well-being. Many of the putative obstacles to such a definition—concerns about subjectivity, cultural difference, marginal cases, etc.—prove to be chimerical once the characters take seriously the Peircean insight that truth-claims methodologically grounded in people’s lives, experiences, and conversations need not be apodictic to be useful. Drawing on Canguilhem and others, the characters critically discuss a proposed definition of health: a dynamic equilibrium by which a human being thrives in relation to its situation. Although they do not manage to resolve all of this definition’s difficulties, or all of their differences, their interaction in some ways models the ongoing task of inquiry.
The effect of cage size on stress levels in captive green anole (Anolis
carolinensis)
Authors: Borgmans G , Palme R , Sannen A , Vervaecke H , Van Damme R
Published: October 2019

Reptiles are often used as model species in scientific research and are
popular in the pet trade, yet how they cope with captive conditions has not
been well studied. Stress caused by captivity could affect the
endocrinology, physiology and behaviour of animals, resulting in a general
decrease in welfare and could confound the results of scientific
experiments. One of the factors that could influence stress in a captive
environment is the size of the cage. However, the effect of cage size on
stress has rarely been investigated in reptiles. In this study, the effect
of cage size on the behaviour, morphology and physiology of the green anole
(Anolis carolinensis) was quantified. We were unable to find an effect of
cage dimensions (range 0.05 to 0.2 m3) on body mass,
tail-base width, heterophil to lymphocyte ratios (H/L ratios), behaviour and
faecal corticosterone metabolite (FCM) levels.
Prevalence and severity of tail lesions as a possible welfare indicator for rabbit does
Authors: Bill J , Rauterberg SL , Stracke J , Kemper N , Fels M
Published: October 2019

The impact of behavioural disorders on animal welfare in modern animal husbandry has been much debated. While other abnormal behaviours have been explored at length, there are a paucity of studies on tail-biting in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). In the present study, severe tail lesions were observed in group-reared rabbit does on a commercial rabbit farm. In the subsequent investigations, the occurrence of tail lesions in 219 rabbit does from nine batches was compared between group- or singlehousing and a scoring system recording the severity of tail lesions was developed and verified. This five-grade scoring system was applied to evaluate the progression of prevalence and severity of tail lesions in 21 groups during rearing in two batches. The results revealed a significant difference in the score level between housing types with a higher prevalence of injured tails in group- (60.4%) compared to single-reared (4.0%) does. An increase in severity and frequency of tail lesions was observed in groups during the course of a rearing period. Furthermore, the established scoring system was characterised by adequate observer reliability. Overall, tail injuries occurred on a regular basis in the investigated rearing groups, indicating tail-biting to be a prevalent problem. This could be considered relevant in terms of animal welfare, both for the animal doing the biting and the individual being bitten. The findings draw attention to an inadequately described problem in rabbit husbandry. However, the search for preventive measures needs to scrutinise the role of single-housing, without failing to consider the gregarious nature of rabbits.
Stability Assessment of Drill Ship Using Probabilistic Damage Stability Analysis
Authors: Mohan Poonam , Shashikala A.P.
Published: October 2019

Drill ship is a ship-shaped structure with a drilling unit at its center and with oil compartments, which is moored and kept in position using anchors. These ships should be capable of working in deep sea for a long time, hence affected by harsh ocean environment. Drill units are said to have greater heave motion, and the height of the derrick influences the vessel’s stability. MARPOL Oil Outflow Analysis is performed for damaged crude oil carriers or tankers and Mobile offshore drilling units (MODU) in damaged condition. In the present study, probabilistic analysis is performed on drill ship to understand its stability behavior under damaged condition. Stability assessments are carried out by considering single and multiple damage locations. Oil outflow analysis is carried out for different damage cases of oil tank. Probabilistic damage assessment is done for load cases up to 50% flooding, to obtain stability charts. These charts will be useful to understand variations in stability parameters under damaged conditions.
How to Avoid Mistakes in Software Development for Unmanned Vehicles
Authors: Szczepański Cezary , Ciopcia Marcin
Published: October 2019

The purpose of this paper is to propose design and development methodology, in terms of robustness, of unmanned vehicles (UV) software development, which minimizes the risk of software failure in both experimental and final solutions. The most common dangers in UV software development were determined, classified and analysed, on the basis of literature studies, and the author's own experience in software development and in analysis of open-source code. As a conclusion, “good practices” and failure countermeasures were proposed.
Mission Statements in Port Authorities: Empirical Analysis of Content in Spanish Port System
Authors: De la Peña Zarzuelo Ignacio , Freire-Seoane María Jesús , López-Bermudez Beatriz
Published: October 2019

Introduction: A structured Strategic Planning process has been developed in the Spanish Port System since 1990s. One of the first elements of this process is the formulation of the mission statement of each Port Authority.

Aim: An in-depth review of the mission statements of the Spanish Port Authorities is carried out in this research, and mission statements are assessed from a theoretical point of view. The goal of the study is to discuss how mission statements of these entities are aligned with the international standards.

Methods: Mission statements are captured from public sources. Two criteria are used for the assessment: its content (analyzing if the mission statement reflects nine key elements usually considered internationally), and its length (number of words). As the first component is qualitative, a Delphi method was used in the assessment of this element.

Results: The mission statements of these Port Authorities reflect more frequently than the benchmark omparison made by over 50 companies seven of the nine key elements. The only two fields in which Spanish Port Authorities show a negative gap are those related to "technology” and “concern of employees”. In terms of length, the average of 32 words is shorter than the 50-100 words recommended by some authors.

Conclusions: The Strategic Planning in the Spanish Port Authorities is a long and well -structured process. Port Authorities are essentially market-oriented public organisms and their mission statements seems to be properly formulated following business practices in terms of their content.
An evolutionary recent IFN/IL-6/CEBP axis is linked to monocyte expansion and tuberculosis severity in humans
Authors: Delgobo Murilo , Mendes Daniel AGB , Kozlova Edgar , Rocha Edroaldo Lummertz , Rodrigues-Luiz Gabriela F , Mascarin Lucas , Dias Greicy , Patrício Daniel O , Dierckx Tim , Bicca Maíra A , Bretton Gaëlle , Tenório de Menezes Yonne Karoline , Starick Márick R , Rovaris Darcita , Del Moral Joanita , Mansur Daniel S , Van Weyenbergh Johan , Báfica André
Published: October 2019

Monocyte counts are increased during human tuberculosis (TB) but it has not been determined whether Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) directly regulates myeloid commitment. We demonstrated that exposure to Mtb directs primary human CD34+ cells to differentiate into monocytes/macrophages. In vitro myeloid conversion did not require type I or type II IFN signaling. In contrast, Mtb enhanced IL-6 responses by CD34+ cell cultures and IL-6R neutralization inhibited myeloid differentiation and decreased mycobacterial growth in vitro. Integrated systems biology analysis of transcriptomic, proteomic and genomic data of large data sets of healthy controls and TB patients established the existence of a myeloid IL-6/IL6R/CEBP gene module associated with disease severity. Furthermore, genetic and functional analysis revealed the IL6/IL6R/CEBP gene module has undergone recent evolutionary selection, including Neanderthal introgression and human pathogen adaptation, connected to systemic monocyte counts. These results suggest Mtb co-opts an evolutionary recent IFN-IL6-CEBP feed-forward loop, increasing myeloid differentiation linked to severe TB in humans.
Local human movement patterns and land use impact exposure to zoonotic malaria in Malaysian Borneo
Authors: Fornace Kimberly M , Alexander Neal , Abidin Tommy R , Brock Paddy M , Chua Tock H , Vythilingam Indra , Ferguson Heather M , Manin Benny O , Wong Meng L , Ng Sui H , Cox Jon , Drakeley Chris
Published: October 2019

Human movement into insect vector and wildlife reservoir habitats determines zoonotic disease risks; however, few data are available to quantify the impact of land use on pathogen transmission. Here, we utilise GPS tracking devices and novel applications of ecological methods to develop fine-scale models of human space use relative to land cover to assess exposure to the zoonotic malaria Plasmodium knowlesi in Malaysian Borneo. Combining data with spatially explicit models of mosquito biting rates, we demonstrate the role of individual heterogeneities in local space use in disease exposure. At a community level, our data indicate that areas close to both secondary forest and houses have the highest probability of human P. knowlesi exposure, providing quantitative evidence for the importance of ecotones. Despite higher biting rates in forests, incorporating human movement and space use into exposure estimates illustrates the importance of intensified interactions between pathogens, insect vectors and people around habitat edges.
ZP4 confers structural properties to the zona pellucida essential for embryo development
Authors: Lamas-Toranzo Ismael , Fonseca Balvís Noelia , Querejeta-Fernández Ana , Izquierdo-Rico María José , González-Brusi Leopoldo , Lorenzo Pedro L , García-Rebollar Pilar , Avilés Manuel , Bermejo-Álvarez Pablo
Published: October 2019

Zona pellucida (ZP), the extracellular matrix sheltering mammalian oocytes and embryos, is composed by 3 to 4 proteins. The roles of the three proteins present in mice have been elucidated by KO models, but the function of the fourth component (ZP4), present in all other eutherian mammals studied so far, has remained elusive. Herein, we report that ZP4 ablation impairs fertility in female rabbits. Ovulation, fertilization and in vitro development to blastocyst were not affected by ZP4 ablation. However, in vivo development is severely impaired in embryos covered by a ZP4-devoided zona, suggesting a defective ZP protective capacity in the absence of ZP4. ZP4-null ZP was significantly thinner, more permeable, and exhibited a more disorganized and fenestrated structure. The evolutionary conservation of ZP4 in other mammals, including humans, suggests that the structural properties conferred by this protein are required to ensure proper embryo sheltering during in vivo preimplantation development.
Consuming alternative prey does not influence the DNA detectability half-life of pest prey in spider gut contents
Authors: Fülöp Dávid , Szita Éva , Gerstenbrand Regina , Tholt Gergely , Samu Ferenc
Published: October 2019

Background

Key natural enemy-pest interactions can be mapped in agricultural food webs by analysing predator gut content for the presence of a focal pest species. For this, PCR-based approaches are the most widely used methods providing the incidence of consumption of a focal pest in field sampled predators. To interpret such data the rate of prey DNA decay in the predators’ gut, described by DNA detectability half-life (t1/2), is needed. DNA decay may depend on the presence of alternative prey in the gut of generalist predators, but this effect has not been investigated in one of the major predatory arthropod groups, spiders.

Methods

In a laboratory feeding experiment, we determined t1/2 of the key cereal pest virus vector leafhopper Psammotettix alienus in the digestive tracts of its natural enemy, the spider Tibellus oblongus. We followed the fate of prey DNA in spiders which received only the focal prey as food, or as an alternative prey treatment they also received a meal of fruit flies after leafhopper consumption. After these feeding treatments, spiders were starved for variable time intervals prior to testing for leafhopper DNA in order to establish t1/2.

Results

We created a PCR protocol that detects P. alienus DNA in its spider predator. The protocol was further calibrated to the digestion speed of the spider by establishing DNA decay rate. Detectability limit was reached at 14 days, where c. 10% of the animals tested positive. The calculated t1/2 = 5 days value of P. alienus DNA did not differ statistically between the treatment groups which received only the leafhopper prey or which also received fruit fly. The PCR protocol was validated in a field with known P. alienus infestation. In this applicability trial, we showed that 12.5% of field collected spiders were positive for the leafhopper DNA. We conclude that in our model system the presence of alternative prey did not influence the t1/2 estimate of a pest species, which makes laboratory protocols more straightforward for the calibration of future field data.
Effects of Selected Antioxidants on Atherosclerosis in Hyperlipidemic Wistar Rats
Authors: Adedapo K. S. , Adepoju S. , Olusanya T. O.
Published: October 2019

The interplay of hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress in atherosclerosis has been fairly established by previous studies. There remains however, paucity of data in this environment on the direct effects of antioxidants on atherosclerosis. This study therefore aimed at determining the protective effects of EDTA, vitamin C and Vitamin E on atherosclerosis in diet induced heperlipidemic wister rats.

Thirty Wister rats were investigated in this study. The rats were randomly divided into five groups (n=6). The control group was fed with growers mash and water only while group II-V were induced with hyperlipidemic diet for ten weeks. In addition to the hyperlipidemic diet; group III received 1 g/kg body weight of EDTA, group IV received 1 g/kg body weight of vitamin C, group V received 1 g/kg body weight of vitamin E, and group VI received EDTA, vitamin C and E. The group’s treatments were orally for two weeks. C-reactive protein, Total cholesterol (TC), Triglyceride (TG), HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, Total calcium and Total antioxidant status were analyzed using standard methods after the treatments.

The study showed significant effect in the use of EDTA, Vitamin C and Vitamin E in the treatment of atherosclerosis in rats which could be due to their antioxidant and anti-hyperlipidemic properties. Therefore the combinations EDTA, vitamin C and vitamin E appear greatly protective against atherosclerosis.
On the Properties and Applications of a Transmuted Lindley-Exponential Distribution
Authors: Umar Adamu Abubakar , Eraikhuemen Innocent Boyle , Koleoso Peter Oluwaseun , Joel Jerry , Ieren Terna Godfrey
Published: October 2019

The Quadratic rank transmutation map proposed for introducing skewness and flexibility into probability models with a single parameter known as the transmuted parameter has been used by several authors and is proven to be useful. This article uses this method to add flexibility to the Lindley-Exponential distribution which results to a new continuous distribution called “transmuted Lindley-Exponential distribution”. This paper presents the definition, validation, properties, application and estimation of unknown parameters of the transmuted Lindley-Exponential distribution using the method of maximum likelihood estimation. The new distribution has been applied to a real life dataset on the survival times (in days) of 72 guinea pigs and the result gives good evidence that the transmuted Lindley-Exponential distribution is better than the Lindley-Exponential distribution, Exponential distribution and Lindley distribution based on the dataset used.
Multivariate Time Series Modelling with Seasonal Univariate Components; Evidence from Nigeria GDP
Authors: Abidemi Azeez Taofikat , Olusola Yusuf Olufemi , Idris Hamzat Kayode , Monsuru Micheal Salawu
Published: October 2019

The patterns of GDP variables are graphically examined using time plot presented the time plot for the GDP variables concerning time presented a combined single time plot for all the considered GDP variables. The relationship, as well as the degree of relationship between/among the GDP variables, was further revealed by computing the pairwise correlation. Based on the output, each variable when crossed classified with itself have a strong positive correlation with an output of (1), while pairwise correlation reveals a positive figure with the least estimate being (0.3149), this implies that for all the variables there exist a positive correlation. All the pairwise relationship reveals a strong positive association with all the estimates revealing a value between (0.8-0.9) except ‘trade and industry' that shows a positive relationship but not strong with an estimate of (0.3149). The initial test in fitting a time series model is to examine the series for stationarity. The Augmented Dickey-Fuller test revealed that ‘Agriculture’, ‘Construction’, and Services’” satisfies the requirement of stationarity while the series ‘industry and “Trade” are non-stationary initially but later became stationary after the application of the first difference transformation which was confirmed after the application of the ADF test to the first differenced series. The Johansen co-integration's Trace test was employed to determine the order of co-integration and it was revealed that the series are cointegrated hence presentation of the equation of integration. We presented the lag length estimation criteria which revealed that the lag length of order 5 is appropriate for the VAR model as suggested by Akaike Information Criteria (AIC), Hannan-Quinn (HQ) Information Criteria, Schwarz Information Criteria (SC). The VAR(5) model was fitted for all the considered GDP variables.
Comparison between SQL and NoSQL Databases and Their Relationship with Big Data Analytics
Authors: Ali Wajid , Shafique Muhammad Usman , Majeed Muhammad Arslan , Raza Ali
Published: October 2019

A key ingredient in the world of cloud computing is a database that can be used by a great number of users. Distributed storage mechanisms become the de-facto method for data storage used by companies for the new generation of web applications. In the world of data storage, NoSQL (usually interpreted as "not only SQL" by developers) database is a growing trend. It is said that NoSQL alternates with the most widely used relational databases for the data storage, but, as the name implies, it does not fully replace the SQL. In this paper we will discuss about SQL and NoSQL databases, comparison of traditional SQL with NoSQL databases for Big Data analytics, NoSQL data models, types of NoSQL data stores, characteristics and features of each data store, advantages and disadvantages of NoSQL and RDBMS.
Consumers’ Opinion towards Food Product Recall
Authors: Kaaviya C. , Lavanya S. Moghana , Krishnakumare B.
Published: October 2019

Aim: To examine consumers’ opinion towards food product harm crisis.

Research Design: Primary data was collected using well-structured questionnaire. Online survey was conducted and responses were obtained from 100 respondents. The study used convenience sampling technique in order to full fill the objectives.

Methodology: Percentage analysis was used to analyze the data collected.

Results: The results revealed that that the quality is the major factor influencing purchase of food products rather than its taste and promotional activities. Besides, majority of respondents would buy the product again if the issues were resolved. Also, the study revealed that consumers’ would switch the brand if there is any quality issues arise in usual brands they are buying.

Conclusion: Results inferred that brand loyalty is dependent on the quality of the product. In order to overcome the food harm crisis, it is suggested that, stringent measures need to be taken regarding the quality of the product, traceability system needs to be implemented for the food products to ensure food safety.
Quality Characteristics of Bread from Wheat and Garden Peas Flours
Authors: Ukeyima M. T. , Agoh H. , Ochelle P. O.
Published: October 2019

The functional, physicochemical and sensory evaluation of bread from wheat and garden peas flours were investigated. Five (5) bread samples were produced from the proportion of wheat and garden pea flours as 90%:10% (B), 80%:20% (C), 70%:30% (D), 60%:40% (E) and 100% wheat was the control sample (A) using standard methods. All the functional parameters differed (p≤0.05) significantly. The moisture, crude protein, crude fat, Ash and crude fiber increased (p≤0.05) significantly while the carbohydrate content decrease (p≤0.05) significantly with corresponding increase in the percentage of the composite flour from 10-40%. The result of the physical properties showed that there was a significant difference in all the physical parameters. Also, sensory results showed that there were significant differences in all the sensory scores. However, consumers preferred the bread from 100% wheat flour and 90% and 10% (Sample B) of wheat and garden peas flours substitution.
Prevalence of Candida Species from Cases of Vulvovaginitis in Women using Contraceptives in Four Selected States of North Central Nigeria
Authors: Chuku Aleruchi , Yami Adogo, Lillian , Bukola Ajide
Published: October 2019

Background: Vulvovaginal candidiasis affects millions of women every year and in most developing countries such as Nigeria, vulvovaginal candidiasis is still received with little attention since it is considered to be a trivial disease. 

Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of Candida species from cases of vulvovaginitis in women using contraceptives in four selected states of North Central Nigeria.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in four selected states of North Central Nigeria and the Department of Microbiology, Federal University Lafia between the months of January to November 2018.

Study Design: A cross-sectional study design was utilized.

Material and Methods: One thousand six hundred samples of high vaginal swabs were collected in four States of North Central Nigeria. Four hundred samples were collected from women using contraceptive device in each state. Two high vaginal swabs were collected. Germ tube test, direct examination and lactophenol cotton blue examination was carried out. The high vaginal swabs was streaked on Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA), and subsequently isolates from SDA were streaked on CHROM agar and incubated aerobically at 37ºC.

Results: Five species of Candida were isolated from 710 women with vulvovaginal candidiasis.  Candida albicans was the most frequent isolate which accounted for 43.23% of the species isolated. The prevalence of vulvovaginal candidiasis across the four selected states in the North Central zone is 44.37%.  The prevalence of vulvovaginal candidiasis in relation to age in the study area shows that the lowest prevalence (32.67%) of candidiasis infection was recorded among women below 20 years. The distribution of contraceptive usage reveals that the use of injectables was the most predominant contraceptive method used in the study area. The cross tabulated results at 95% confidence interval showed a statistically strong significance at 0.001 level for demographic characteristics which include age, marital status, and educational status in the study area. A significant difference at 0.294, 0.351 was recorded for diabetes and HIV status respectively.

Conclusion: The high prevalence rate of vulvovaginal candidiasis in this study poses a great threat to women’s reproductive health, hence the need for continuous epidemiological surveys among women in Nigeria.
Two-dimensional Analytical Derivation of Incipient Desaturation Criterion in Stream-aquifer Flow Exchange
Authors: Morel-Seytoux Hubert J.
Published: October 2019

A criterion for incipient desaturation for a stream and an aquifer initially in saturated hydraulic connection is derived analytically. The riverbed acts as a clogging layer. Such a criterion cannot be derived using a one-dimensional analysis. At least a two-dimensional analysis is required. It applies for a variety of shape of cross-sections. The formulae are algebraic and show explicitly the various factors that affect the initiation of desaturation such as river width, thickness of the aquifer, thickness of the clogging layer, conductivities of the clogging layer and of the aquifer, (drainage) entry pressure of the aquifer, ponded depth over the riverbed and aquifer head at some distance from the river bank. It is shown also that neglecting the change in thickness of the capillary fringe due to flow, as opposed to its hydrostatic value, has little impact on the accuracy of the criteria for incipient desaturation.