bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Features the nutritional status of children with relapsing respiratory pathology
Authors: Druzhinina N. A. , Nasibullina L. M. , Merzlyakova D. R. , Akhmetshin R. Z. , Shiryaeva G. P. , Shagarova S. V.
Published: July 2019

A survey of 182 children aged 5 to 9 years in the children’s sanatorium «Duslyk» Ufa. A survey of 182 children aged 5 to 9 years in the children’s sanatorium «Duslyk» Ufa.The main group included 101 children with relapsing respiratory pathology, the control group 81 healthy children. The article presents an analysis of the actual weekly diet of children at home, modern approaches to the study of nutritional status using clinical, biochemical, anthropometric, somatometric methods, bioimpedance measurements. The actual nutrition of children with relapsing respiratory pathology was characterized by an imbalance in the content of the main nutrients. A comprehensive assessment of nutritional status revealed malnutrition in children of the main group. The aim of the study was to assess the actual nutrition, the study of nutritional status, taking into account the clinical and laboratory parameters and the component composition of the body of children in the children’s sanatorium. The inclusion of an assessment of actual nutrition and nutritional status in the survey program will make it possible to timely identify malnutrition in children with relapsing respiratory pathology, purposefully carry out preventive measures.
Peculiarities of gastroduodenal pathology in children in the families of parents with untested dyspepsia
Authors: Tsukanov V. V. , Tonkih Yu. L. , Vasyutin A. V.
Published: July 2019

A clinical and epidemiological study was performed including 295 Caucasian children (137 boys, 158 girls) of school age (coverage 93.7%) and 571 adults (208 male, 363 female) from their parents (coverage 82.4 %) in the settlement of Atamanovo, Sukhobuzimsky district of Krasnoyarsk Territory. The study showed that there was an association of the prevalence of dyspepsia, erosion and ulcers of the gastroduodenal zone in children who had parents with dyspepsia. Helicobacter pylori infection was more common in children with dyspepsia than in healthy individuals.
Fabrication of a novel cyanoethyl cellulose substrate for thin-film composite forward osmosis membrane
Authors: Zheng Ke , Zhou Shaoqi
Published: July 2019

In this study, cyanoethyl cellulose (CEC) was used as a membrane material, and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) was used as pore-forming agent to prepare the substrates for the thin-film composite (TFC) forward osmosis (FO) membrane for the first time. The experimental results demonstrate that the properties of the substrates were significantly improved after PVP was added. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) images show that a two-sublayer structure, a fringe-like top sublayer and macrovoids with sponge-like wall bottom sublayer, were formed after the addition of PVP. These improvements contributed to improved membrane performance during FO tests. Meanwhile, after adding PVP, the TFC membranes exhibited good water flux, and excellent specific reverse salt flux. For instance, the TFC-M2 exhibited 9.10/20.67 LMH water flux, 1.35/2.24 gMH reverse salt flux, and 0.15/0.11 g/L specific reverse salt flux in FO/pressure-retarded osmosis mode while using 1 M NaCl as the draw solution and deionized (DI) water as the feed solution.
A Systematic Review of Economic Evaluation Studies of Drug-Based Non-Malignant Chronic Pain Treatment
Authors: Backhaus Insa , Mannocci Alice , La Torre Giuseppe
Published: July 2019

Background and Objective:

Chronic pain is a highly prevalent problem, involving high costs and seriously affecting a patient's quality of life. This review aimed to systematically review economic evaluations of pharmacological-based treatments for non-malignant chronic pain and to compare different treatment approaches with regard to their economic profile.

Methods:

PubMed and Scopus were systematically searched in April 2016. Studies were included if quality-adjusted life years and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were reported. Quality assessment was carried out by using La Torre’s weighted scale on the Drummond checklist. Costs were converted into US$2014.

Results:

Fourteen economic evaluations met the inclusion criteria. Three treatment categories identified were: opioids, anticonvulsants, and anti-depressants. Compared to anticonvulsants and antidepressant, opioids had lower ICER. Transdermal buprenorphine showed an ICER of about US$11,000.00 while pregabalin showed an ICER of US$19,200. Studies included showed a diversity of methodological approaches, such as different modeling approaches and different perspectives (NHS and private payer).

Conclusion:

There are limitations to the success of making appropriate recommendations about which treatment is most cost-effective due to considerable variability between treatments, pain syndromes, and drug dosages. Opioids may have lower ICER, but the societal implications of the opioid epidemic and overdose deaths should be taken into account when coming to general conclusions about their cost-effectiveness. To ensure correct resource allocation as well as the best benefit for patients, uniform and standardized approaches of cost and outcome measurement in economic evaluations of chronic are needed.
Medicinal Plants with anti-Acanthamoeba Activity: A Systematic Review
Authors: Chegeni Tooran Nayeri , Fakhar Mahdi , Ghaffarifar Fatemeh , Saberi Reza
Published: July 2019

Background:

Recently, herbal medicine has received much attention in the literature.
Several essential oils or plant extracts have been found to have anti-Acanthamoeba properties
against trophozoites and cysts of Acanthamoeba spp.

Objective:

The aim of this systematic review is to introduce anti-Acanthamoeba properties of
some essential oils or plant extracts; perhaps the results of this research will be used to prevent
and treat infectious diseases.

Methods:

All published papers in English and Persian databases were systematically searched for
some specific keywords to find articles that have influenced plant compounds on Acanthamoeba
up to April 2018. Articles related to the subject were selected and studied.

Results:

A total of 51 articles including 136 experiments (128 in vitro and 8 in vivo) between
1999 and 2018, met our eligibility criteria. Totally, 110 species of plants belonging to 34 families,
mainly Lamiaceae (15 plant species) and Asteraceae (13 plant species) were studied against trophozoites
and cysts of Acanthamoba in in vitro and in vivo. Most of the plant's species were Citrus
(6 species), Allium (5 species), Peucedanum, Piper, Lippia, and Olive (4 species). The most frequently
used parts were leaves, aerial parts, flowers, bark, rhizomes, and seeds.

Conclusions:

Recent studies have shown that many natural compounds have high anti-parasitic
properties and low toxicity. Our research team hopes that the information provided in present systematic
review can improve new experimental and clinical trials and herbal combination therapy.
Further studies are needed to understand the molecular mechanisms in the anti-amoebic reactions
of plant species and ocular toxicity of extracts in animal models.
Parasitic Infections of Wild Boars (Sus scrofa) in Iran: A Literature Review
Authors: Maleki Bahman , Dalimi Abdolhossein , Majidiani Hamidreza , Badri Milad , Gorgipour Mohammad , Khorshidi Ali
Published: July 2019

Background:

Swine species are an important source of meat production worldwide,
except in Islamic countries where pig breeding and pork consumption are forbidden. Hence, they
are often neglected in these regions. A considerable number of wild boars (Sus scrofa) inhabit Iranian
territories, particularly in dense forests of north, west and southwest of the country, but our
knowledge regarding their parasites is very limited.

Objective:

The lack of a comprehensive record in this connection encouraged us to review the
whole works of literature in the country.

Methods:

The current review presents all the information about the parasitic diseases of wild boar
in Iran extracted from articles available in both Persian and English databases until June 2017.

Results:

So far, 8 genera of protozoa (Toxoplasma, Balanthidium, Tritrichomonas, Blastocystis,
Entamoeba, Iodamoeba, Chilomastix and Sarcocystis) and 20 helminth species, including four
cestode species, two trematode species, thirteen nematode species as well as a single species of
Acanthocephala have been described in Iranian wild boars.

Conclusion:

This review sheds light on the veterinary and public health aspects of the parasitic
diseases of wild boars in the country and alerts authorities for future preventive measures.
Overview of Nanocellulose in Food Packaging
Authors: Souza Erika , Gottschalk Leda , Freitas-Silva Otniel
Published: July 2019

Background:

The rising concern with environmental preservation has led to increasing interest in biodegradable polymer composites from renewable sources, such as cellulose and its derivatives. The use of nanocellulose is an innovative food packaging trend.

Discussion:

This paper presents an overview and discusses the state of the art of different nanocellulose materials used in food and food packaging, and identifies important patents related to them. It is important to consider that before marketing, new products must be proven safe for consumers and the environment.

Conclusion:

Several packaging materials using nanocellulose have been developed and shown to be promising for use as active and intelligent materials for food packaging. Other nanocellulose products are under investigation for packaging and may enter the market in the near future. Many countries have been adjusting their regulatory frameworks to deal with nanotechnologies, including nanocellulose packaging.
Оптическое просветление кожи человека in vivo рядом моносахаридов
Authors: Березин К.В. , Дворецкий К.Н. , Чернавина М.Л. , Нечаев В.В. , Лихтер А.М. , Шагаутдинова И.Т. , Aнтонова E.M. , Тучин В.В.
Published: July 2019

AbstractWe present the results of in vivo optical immersion clearing of human skin by aqueous solutions of some immersion agents (ribose, glucose, and fructose monosaccharides and glycerol), obtained using optical coherence tomography (OCT). To assess the efficiency of optical clearing, we determined the values of the rate of change of the light scattering coefficient, obtained using the averaged A-scan of the OCT signal in the derma section at a depth of 350–700 μm. A good correlation was observed between the rate of change of the light scattering coefficient and the potential of the optical clearing. Using complex molecular simulation of the interaction of a number of immersion clearing agents with collagen mimetic peptide (GPH)_3 using classical molecular dynamics and quantum chemistry, we found correlations between the efficiency of optical clearing and the energy of intermolecular interaction of cleaning agents with a fragment of collagen peptide.
Introduction of Ultrasound Simulation in Medical Education: Exploratory Study
Authors: Hani Selim , Chalouhi Gihad , Lakissian Zavi , Sharara-Chami Rana
Published: July 2019

Background

Ultrasound is ubiquitous across all disciplines of medicine; it is one of the most commonly used noninvasive, painless diagnostic tools. However, not many are educated and trained well enough in its use. Ultrasound requires not only theoretical knowledge but also extensive practical experience. The simulated setting offers the safest environment for health care professionals to learn and practice using ultrasound.

Objective

This study aimed to (1) assess health care professionals’ need for and enthusiasm toward practicing using ultrasound via simulation and (2) gauge their perception and acceptance of simulation as an integral element of ultrasound education in medical curricula.

Methods

A day-long intervention was organized at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) to provide a free-of-charge interactive ultrasound simulation workshop—using CAE Vimedix high-fidelity simulator—for health care providers, including physicians, nurses, ultrasound technicians, residents, and medical students. Following the intervention, attendees completed an evaluation, which included 4 demographic questions and 16 close-ended questions based on a Likert scale agree-neutral-disagree. The results presented are based on this evaluation form.

Results

A total of 41 participants attended the workshop (46% [19/41] physicians, 30% [12/41] residents, 19% [8/41] sonographers, and 5% [2/41] medical students), mostly from AUBMC (88%, 36/41), with an average experience of 2.27 (SD 3.45) years and 30 (SD 46) scans per attendee. Moreover, 15 out of 41 (36%) participants were from obstetrics and gynecology, 11 (27%) from internal medicine, 4 (10%) from pediatrics, 4 (10%) from emergency medicine, 2 (5%) from surgery and family medicine, and 5 (12%) were technicians. The majority of participants agreed that ultrasound provided a realistic setting (98%, 40/41) and that it allowed for training and identification of pathologies (88%, 36/41). Furthermore, 100% (41/41) of the participants agreed that it should be part of the curriculum either in medical school or residency, and most of the participants approved it for training (98%, 40/41) and teaching (98%, 40/41).

Conclusions

All attendees were satisfied with the intervention. There was a positive perception toward the use of simulation for training and teaching medical students and residents in using ultrasound, and there was a definite need and enthusiasm for its integration into curricula. Simulation offers an avenue not only for teaching but also for practicing the ultrasound technology by both medical students and health care providers.
Use of Mobile Health Apps and Wearable Technology to Assess Changes and Predict Pain During Treatment of Acute Pain in Sickle Cell Disease: Feasibility Study
Authors: Johnson Amanda , Yang Fan , Gollarahalli Siddharth , Banerjee Tanvi , Abrams Daniel , Jonassaint Jude , Jonassaint Charles , Shah Nirmish
Published: July 2019

Background

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited red blood cell disorder affecting millions worldwide, and it results in many potential medical complications throughout the life course. The hallmark of SCD is pain. Many patients experience daily chronic pain as well as intermittent, unpredictable acute vaso-occlusive painful episodes called pain crises. These pain crises often require acute medical care through the day hospital or emergency department. Following presentation, a number of these patients are subsequently admitted with continued efforts of treatment focused on palliative pain control and hydration for management. Mitigating pain crises is challenging for both the patients and their providers, given the perceived unpredictability and subjective nature of pain.

Objective

The objective of this study was to show the feasibility of using objective, physiologic measurements obtained from a wearable device during an acute pain crisis to predict patient-reported pain scores (in an app and to nursing staff) using machine learning techniques.

Methods

For this feasibility study, we enrolled 27 adult patients presenting to the day hospital with acute pain. At the beginning of pain treatment, each participant was given a wearable device (Microsoft Band 2) that collected physiologic measurements. Pain scores from our mobile app, Technology Resources to Understand Pain Assessment in Patients with Pain, and those obtained by nursing staff were both used with wearable signals to complete time stamp matching and feature extraction and selection. Following this, we constructed regression and classification machine learning algorithms to build between-subject pain prediction models.

Results

Patients were monitored for an average of 3.79 (SD 2.23) hours, with an average of 5826 (SD 2667) objective data values per patient. As expected, we found that pain scores and heart rate decreased for most patients during the course of their stay. Using the wearable sensor data and pain scores, we were able to create a regression model to predict subjective pain scores with a root mean square error of 1.430 and correlation between observations and predictions of 0.706. Furthermore, we verified the hypothesis that the regression model outperformed the classification model by comparing the performances of the support vector machines (SVM) and the SVM for regression.

Conclusions

The Microsoft Band 2 allowed easy collection of objective, physiologic markers during an acute pain crisis in adults with SCD. Features can be extracted from these data signals and matched with pain scores. Machine learning models can then use these features to feasibly predict patient pain scores.
The Effect of a Customized Nutrient-Profiling Approach on the Glycated Hemoglobin Levels of Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: Quasi-Experimental Study (Preprint)
Authors: Alrige Mayda , Alharbey Riad , Chatterjee Samir
Published: July 2019

BACKGROUND

Presently, dietary management approaches are mostly oriented toward using calorie-counting and diet-tracking tools that draw our attention away from the nutritional value of our food. To improve individuals’ dietary behavior, primarily that of people with type 2 diabetes, a simple technique is needed to increase their understanding of the nutritional content of their food.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to design, develop, and evaluate a customized nutrient-profiling tool called EasyNutrition. EasyNutrition was built to introduce the new concept of nutrient profiling by applying the Intelligent Nutrition Engine, an algorithm that we developed for ranking different food recipes based on their nutritional value. This study also aimed to investigate the efficacy of EasyNutrition in lowering glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels and improving dietary habits among people with type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

We evaluated the utility of EasyNutrition using design science research in three sequential stages. This paper has elaborated on the third stage to investigate the efficacy of EasyNutrition in managing type 2 diabetes. A quasi-experimental study was conducted in a diabetes treatment center (n=28). The intervention group utilized EasyNutrition over 3 months, whereas participants in the control group utilized the standard of care provided by the center. Dietary habits and HbA1c levels were measured to capture any change before and after experimenting with EasyNutrition.

RESULTS

The intervention group (n=9) exhibited a statistically significant change between the pre- and postexposure results of their HbA1c (t9=2.427; P=.04). Their HbA1c dropped from 8.13 to 6.72. This provided preliminary evidence of the efficacy of using a customized nutrient-profiling app in reducing HbA1c for people with type 2 diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

This study adds to the evidence base that a nutrient-profiling strategy may be a modern adjunct to diabetes dietary management. In conjunction with reliable dietary education provided by a registered dietician, EasyNutrition may have some beneficial effects to improve the dietary habits of people with type 2 diabetes.
Upholding Customer’s Loyalty through Customer’s Positive Affect
Authors: Santosa Eric
Published: July 2019

Loyalty is likely supposed as the key of any company’s success. Customers seemingly have no complain against price, even when the quality of a new product is under expectation. Purportedly, they close their eyes and ears, and believe everything will be fine. Apparently, this atmosphere is not easy to achieve. It needs such good quality perception of products in a particular period. Also it requires customer satisfaction, which leads of proud when using the product. While many similar products are available which in some extent they are also adjacent of quality, the effort of developing our product’s loyalty is tentative. It is supposed the loyalty is affected by factors, such as popularity, affection and pride. By other words, the customer’s mood plays a significant role. Can positive affect has an effect of customer’s loyalty, whether directly or indirectly through brand equity? The answer is obviously the purpose of the study. A sample which consists of 165 respondents is withdrawn by convenience and judgment method. Amos 16.0 and SPSS 16.0 are employed in analyzing data. The result shows that brand equity, satisfaction and customer’s loyalty are influenced by positive affect. In addition, both brand equity and satisfaction affect customer’s loyalty. Further, both brand equity and satisfaction post as mediator.
NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF LAMB WAVE PROPOGATION IN ISOTROPIC LAYER
Authors: Avershyeva Anna , Kuznetsov Sergey
Published: July 2019

Propagation of Lamb waves in an elastic isotropic layer is studied by analytical and numerical methods. The influence of numerical simulation parameters on the solution stability is analyzed. The results of the finite element modeling and the analytical solution are compared.
As vozes do conflito online: uma discussão sobre a relação entre violência, política e internet
Authors: Sinderski Rafaela Mazurechen
Published: July 2019

Ainda que pouco escolhida como objeto central dos estudos políticos, a violência – e, intrinsecamente, o conflito – conquista, por meio de teóricos como Miguel (2015), posição medular na compreensão do que é a política. Contrariando uma visão de que ela corresponde somente aos seus aspectos mais nítidos, e, frequentemente, físicos, o reconhecimento de formas de violência estrutural e simbólica é importante para o real entendimento dessa imbricação. Neste artigo, reflete-se sobre tal vínculo em um espaço cada vez mais presente no cotidiano da população: a internet e, em especial, suas redes sociais. A hipótese que guia o trabalho é a de que as características de um público em rede, pensadas por Boyd (2010), podem aumentar o alcance da violência contida nos discursos que se alastram pelo ambiente online. Assim, o que se constata é que a dominação imposta pela linguagem pode não ter surgido com esses novos espaços virtuais, mas teve suas potencialidades ampliadas por essas tecnologias.Palavras-chave: Violência. Política. Redes sociais na internet.
LINGUAGENS PAJUBEYRAS: re(ex)sistência cultural e subversão da heteronormatividade
Authors: Meira Célio Silva
Published: July 2019

Resenha da Obra Linguagens Pajubeyras: Re(Ex)Sistência Cultural e Subversão da Heteronormatividade de autoria de Carlos Henrique Lucas de Lima.
LA PERSPECTIVA DEL DIALOGO INTERCIENTÍFICO: una directiva para transdisciplinariedad cultural y epistemológica
Authors: Soares Marisa , Ybarra Luis Antonio Ccopa
Published: July 2019

En ese artículo de naturaleza bibliográfica explicamos porque el diálogo intercientífico permite que se transcienda la homogeneidad de una epistemología involucrada en sí misma, expandiéndose para la transdisciplinariedad cultural y epistemológica. Analizamos dos nuevos modelos de paradigma alternativo, a saber: el vivir bien y el desarrollo endógeno sustentable. Consideramos que esas concepciones filosóficas tienen el desafío de desarrollar nuevas posibilidades epistemológicas y metodológicas que permitan el cambio de la realidad social e histórica.

Palabras clave: Diálogo Intercientífico. Epistemología Transdisciplinar. Desarrollo Endógeno Sustentable. Vivir Bien.
O mundo dos antepassados e o mundo dos vivos - ritual de ukanyi na mediação: um ensaio sobre ancestralidade no Sul de Moçambique
Authors: Cossa Dulcídio Manuel Albuquerque
Published: July 2019

O objetivo deste artigo é pensar como a relação entre o mundo dos antepassados e o mundo dos vivos se estabelece e se estrutura por intermédio do ritual de ukanyi (um ritual realizado para o consumo da bebida-ancestral-sagrada ukanyi). Proposta esta que remete ao estudo e compreensão da religiosidade tradicional africana, na qual se assenta a cosmovisão dos africanos perpassada por um sistema de valores, crenças e práticas bantu. Assim, o método etnográfico e a análise situacional aparecem como alicerces para compreender o fenômeno em causa. Considero o pressuposto de que o ritual de ukanyi é uma cerimônia que permite a exaltação dos antepassados, ativa e reativa valores, crenças e práticas que fortalecem e revigoram a religiosidade tradicional africana. Dessa forma, o mesmo nos possibilita vivenciar e experimentar dois mundos diferentes, dos vivos e dos mortos (antepassados). Entendo que compreender a relação entre o mundo dos vivos e dos antepassados é adentrar na forma como se constituem as afrofilosofias que permitem tangenciar o universo africano.

Palavras chave: Ritual de ukanyi. Mundo dos vivos. Mundo dos mortos. Antepassados.
Organizational Cultural Practices and Employee Efficiency among Selected Nigerian Commercial Banks
Authors: Olanrewaju Lawal Ibrahim , Westhuizen Thea Van Der , Awotunde Olusegun Matthew
Published: July 2019

The study examined the relationship between organizational culture and employee efficiency among commercial banks in Nigeria. Primary data was gathered by means of a self administered questionnaire. to select 223 respondents using simple random sampling technique, and out of which 218 were retrieved. the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSSS) was adopted to analyze collected data. The findings revealed that organizational processes and structures were significant predictors of employee efficiency. As a result, the staffâ€™s familiarity with the organizational processes and structure, their efficiency levels. Arising from these findings, it is recommended that all bank employees should become familiar with and committed to the corporate culture. Appropriate incentives should be offered to employees. These should not be restricted to monetary rewards, but should include recognition of their performance and present opportunities to achieve individual goals and aspirations. Finally, both managers and employees should receive training to enhance efficiency.
A Model to Measure the Service Quality of Pharmaceutical Wholesalers
Authors: Bisschoff Christo A , Barnard Heinrich C
Published: July 2019

The study constituters a model to measure the service quality of pharmaceutical wholesalers in South Africa. Several pharmaceutical wholesalers distribute medical supplies throughout South Africa in a very regulated and competitive market where high service quality levels are anticipated. In this price-undifferentiated market, service quality can have a significant impact on the competitiveness of a pharmaceutical wholesaler. As a result, the primary objective was to develop a model to measure the service quality levels of large pharmaceutical wholesalers. The literature study compiled an industry profile of the South African pharmaceutical market, analysed service quality and then proposed an adapted SERVQUAL model to measure the service quality. A review of the literature also highlighted the general structure of the pharmaceutical industry and the regulatory framework in the supply of pharmaceutical products. The literature study also focuses specifically on the role and function of the pharmaceutical wholesaler in the supply chain. Data was collected from clients of a pharmaceutical wholesaler using to record the service expectations and perceptions on a seven-point Likert scale. Some 385 of the 4468 clients completed and returned the industry-adapted SERVQUAL survey questionnaires on the electronic platform Google Forms (signifying an 8.6% response rate). The results showed that the data were reliable with a Cronbach alpha coefficient higher than 0.70. The results also show that in five, the service dimensions gap where perceptions and expectations are measured had negative gaps. This means that the clients expected better service quality than what they received. The service dimension Assurance showed the largest gap, while Tangibility had the smallest gap. However, none of these gaps was practically significant. Further analysis using exploratory factor analysis identified three underlying service quality variables, namely Positive employee actions, Business process management and Marketing channels. These factors explained a favourable cumulative variance of 67.7%. The study finally proposes a model to measure service quality in the pharmaceutical wholesale industry.
African Big Economies on the Continental Trade Liberalisation and Migration Policy Development
Authors: Enaifoghe Andrew Osehi , Maduku Harris
Published: July 2019

African countries are faced with a broad spectrum of political and economic challenges that have shadowed hugely in an anticipated socio-economic prosperity. The continent overtime has resolved to come up with a single currency as well as opening borders for trade but none of that has been realised. Polarisation of economic development has caused brain drain within the continent with educated people from poorly governed countries moving across borders (Europe and America), and the same happens with gifted entrepreneurs who search for a country with a better business enabling environment than their own home countries. There is uneven development in Africa with very poor, fragile and better performing countries constituting the continent. This has caused a huge burden on those economies that are doing well as those economies have to create jobs for immigrants as well and for their own people. However, the founding principles of the African Union were basically to bring African countries together and help each other to see through economic and political prosperity across the continent in as much as there are laid out guiding rules.Africa has continued to be a highly protective continent especially amongst itself as most countries still require visas from citizens of other African countries, while countries still impose import duties and all forms of control on imports and practices that are against the foresights of the founding principles of the African Union. This paper acknowledges the efforts that have been done in the West and South of Africa for the formation of regional blocks that desire to achieve socio-economic progress in those regions. The formation of ECOWAS in the WEST and SADC in the South are good strides towards integration efforts in Africa but if the founding objectives of the African Union are to be achieved, member countries still have to do more. This paper recommends the two biggest countries in Africa to make use of their economic power to influence smaller member states to also envision possible socio-economic benefits that can emanate from total integration of the continent. They could make use of the African parliament, African Union summits and other several platforms to lobby for this important goal.
Structural Changes of the 21st Century and their Impact on the Gold Price
Authors: Grynberg Roman , Kaulihowa Teresa , Singogo Fwasa K
Published: July 2019

Beginning in the trough of 2000 and culminating in the peak of 2012, gold prices have exhibited a spectacular and unparalleled increase. Based on annual averages, the price of gold did not decrease at all over this 12 year period. The paper considers the various factors that have shaped the surge of gold spot prices over the last two decades using quarterly data. The analysis considers the role of structural changes such as Chinaâ€™s liberalization of the domestic gold market post-2003 and its impact on demand as well as other important economic factors such as risk, the role of quantitative easing and other fundamental factors in the gold market. The study investigates which of the macroeconomic and structural factors are responsible for the long term bullish trend in the gold price, of which China, global economic risk assessments along with quantitative easing have been crucial to understanding the almost uninterrupted price increase over the period.
Factors affecting the integration of local traditional products into quality assurance schemes
Authors: Karagkiozi Polyxeni , Oxouzi Eleni , Papanagiotou Evangelos
Published: July 2019

This paper investigates the factors that affect the decisions of the Prespes
Beans? (Fassolia 'Prespon') producers to certify their product as a product
of protected geographical indication (PGI). The study was based on primary
data collected by means of a questionnaire completed by both PGI certified
and non-certified producers. The logit model was used for the indication of
factors that affect the producers? decision to certify or not to certify
their product as PGI. Descriptive statistics were also used for the study of
leaders? social features. The research results showed that the producers?
decision of adopting the protected geographical indication (PGI)
certification was significantly linked to membership producer organizations
(cooperatives or other groups), the years of agricultural experience, the
size of the cultivated land as well as the motives for joining quality
assurance schemes.
Kereste Kurutmada Enerji Verimliliği - Güneş Enerjisi İle Kızılçam (Pinus brutia) Kerestesi Kurutma Örneği
Authors: KORKMAZ Hasan , ÜNSAL Öner , GÖRGÜN Hızır Volkan , AVCI Erkan
Published: July 2019

Enerji temini ve maliyeti her geçen gün daha çok ön plana çıkmaktadır. Bununla
birlikte üretiminde ve tüketiminde çevreye olan etkileri de, maliyet ve temini
kadar önemli hale gelmiştir. Bu yüzden mevcut
enerji türlerine alternatif olarak rüzgâr, güneş, dalga gibi doğal ve
sürdürülebilir enerji kaynakları yerini almaya başlamıştır. Enerji
kullanımındaki bu değişim, ahşap endüstrisine de yansımaktadır. Bu çalışmada, masif ahşabın kurutulması için ısı kaynağı olarak güneş
enerjisini kullanan bir kurutma fırının kurutma performansı incelenmiştir. Bu kapsamda
güneş enerjisi bakımından nispeten önemli bölgelerden olan Muğla şehrinde yer
alan güneş kolektörlü bir fırında, iki farklı kalınlıktaki Kızılçam keresteleri
kurutulmuştur. Yapılan denemeler sonucunda; istenen sonuç rutubetine, büyük
oranda kereste kalitesi korunarak ulaşılmıştır. Diğer yöntemlere oranla biraz
daha uzun sürede kurutulmalarına karşın, en az %30 enerji tasarrufu sağlandığı
söylenebilir. Sonuç olarak bu alanda kullanılan diğer enerji türleriyle
karşılaştırıldığında, temiz bir enerji türü olan güneş enerjisi ile düşük
maliyetli ve kaliteli bir kurutma yapılabildiği görülmüştür.
Finansal Krizlerin Öngörülmesinde Öncü Göstergelerin İzlenmesine Yönelik Teorik Bir Yaklaşım
Authors: Duman Yakup Koray
Published: July 2019

Krizlere karşı
erken uyarı sistemleri çerçevesinde, öncü göstergelerin neler olduğunun
belirlenmesiyle, kriz olasılığını bertaraf etme veya gerekli önlemleri alma
konusunda uygun politika seçimleri ve uygulamaları, ülke ekonomileri için en
önemli unsurdur. Özetle, kriz olasılıklarına karşı her ne kadar erken uyarı
sistemleri önemli bilgiler vermekte ise de, bu bilgiler doğru politikalarla
yönetilmiyorsa, “ekonomilerin krizlerden korunması”, kavram olarak yeterli
olmayacaktır. Bu noktada, elde edilecek ön bilgilerin iyi değerlendirilmesi ve
oluşturulacak politikaların doğru bir zamanlamayla uygulanması gerekir.  Çalışmanın ana çerçevesi finansal krizlerin
nedenlerini, kriz modelleri ışığı altında incelemektir. . Bu çalışma özellikle
para ve finansal kriz alanında ampirik araştırmalar yapacak araştırmacılara
kaynak oluşturma amacını taşımaktadır.
Science Ethics and Social Responsibilities of Scientists
Authors: Bektaş Çetin , Tayauova Gulzhanat
Published: July 2019

As economic, social and political
developments encumber responsibility to many parts of the society, they also
encumber some responsibilities to scientists as well. In this context,
scientists are required to produce solutions for problems about the topics
which belong to their areas. Especially, the responsibilites of social
scientists are higher about this issue. Because, rules of natural sciences are
certain and mechanism of these rules do not change. On the other hand, the
possibility of providing a direct recipe for solutions to problems in social
sciences is almost impossible. In this context, the issue of “what is
university and what should be the mission of university?” is handled.
Therefore, the answers to the questions “who is scientist and what is the
characteristic of a scientist” are revealed. Afterwards, scientific research
ethics and its coverage are emphasized; ethical violations, ethical violations
in the Internet and the sanctions of ethical violations are explained. Later
on, social responsibility of social scientists were tried to be explained. In
this context, a model which reveals the socail responsibility of social
scientists is presented. The model consists of four stages and it is explained
that it follows a hierarchical path to achieve the social responsibility.
Vergilendirmede Basitlik İlkesi Açisindan Türk Vergi Sisteminin Değerlendirilmesi
Authors: Uğurlu Hümeyra
Published: July 2019

Kamu
harcamalarının en önemli finansman kaynağı olan vergi, resim, harç ve benzeri
mali yükümlülüklerin oluşturduğu genel yapı, vergi sistemi olarak adlandırılır.
Bir vergi sisteminin etkinliği, başka bir deyişle vergilendirmeden beklenen
amaçların gerçekleşmesi esas itibarıyla vergilendirmede adalet, verimlilik
ilkeleri ve vergiye uyum ile sağlanabilir. Bu bakımdan, vergilendirmede
basitlik ilkesinin sağlanması büyük önem taşımaktadır. Zira vergi sistemindeki
karmaşıklık mükelleflerin vergiye uyumunu engelleyen önemli bir faktördür.
Basitlikten uzak ve karmaşık yapıdaki bir vergi sistemi hem yükümlülerin hem de
vergi idaresinin vergilendirmeye ilişkin görevlerini yerine getirmesini
zorlaştırmaktadır. Bu nedenle, vergilemede basitlik ilkesi son yıllarda vergi
reformlarındaki öncelikli konulardan biri haline gelmiştir. Bu çalışmada vergi
sistemlerinin karmaşıklığından hareketle vergilendirmede basitlik ilkesi
açısından Türk Vergi Sistemi değerlendirilmeye çalışılmıştır. Değerlendirme
sonucunda Türk Vergi Sisteminin karmaşık olduğu ve bu konuda hükümetin çalışmalar
yürüttüğü görülmüştür.
Enhancing Usage Behavior of E-Procurement Through Organizational Values
Authors: Suliantoro Hery , Ririh Kirana Rukmayuninda
Published: July 2019

The main purpose of this paper is to examine empirically the influence of organizational factors on the adoption of e-procurement in government institutions.The research design used is a survey research. This study examines theoretical models involving 185 respondents from 130 work units of all local government agencies in Central Java, Indonesia. Data analysis was done by using structural equation to know influence of organization value in e-procurement adoption process in government institution. The result of the research shows that organizational polychronicity values influence the behavior of e-procurement. Characteristics of dynamic organizational functions and tasks directly enhance the use of e-procurement behavior. Another finding, the learning organization has an effect on the e-procurement intention. The ability or capacity of the organization provides an opportunity for individuals to do individual learning will further activate the process of adoption of various applications of e-procurement. An important result of this study is that organizational value is one of the main determinants of successful adoption of technology. The findings of this study provide insight into the importance of organizational value in supporting the successful implementation of e-procurement.
The Application of Quality Function Deployment (QFD) Towards The Design of Batik Coloring Machines to Increase The Value of Fading and Stains on Fabrics
Authors: Siswiyanti S , Rusnoto R , Luthfianto Saufik , Nurjanah N
Published: July 2019

The aim of this study is to design a batik coloring machine using the Quality Function Deployment (QFD) method in order to increase the value of fading and stains on fabrics. It can be concluded that the results of the design of batik coloring machines according to the application of QFD have 3 rollers/cylinders and propulsion about 0.190 HP with the working concept of a sheet of cloth wrapped around the cylinder with rotation of 72.5 rpm. There are significant differences between variables in the design before and after the experiment on the batik value quality analysis of soap washing and desecration of unbleached plain cloth of Primisima type, Gamelan stamp. The average difference between before and after the experiment is 0.060 or increase to 6%, while for the analysis of batik quality test, the value of rubbing dry and wet cloth has a mean difference between before and after the experiment of 0.100 or an increase of 10%. Standard time generated from the measurement process using a machine dipping carried out by 20 batik makers has a value of 0.2701 hours/ unit with total output of 4 units/ hour, while standard time for coloring activities that uses a bucket dip is 0.5346 hours / unit with total output of 2 units/ hour.
Pengaruh Perbedaan Metode Ekstraksi Metabolit Sekunder Streptomyces sp. GMR22 terhadap Toksisitas pada Sel BHK-21
Authors: Mentari Diani , Naima Mirtani , Wulansari Riska , Widada Jaka , Nuringtyas Tri Rini , Wibawa Tri , Wijayanti Nastiti
Published: July 2019

Streptomyces sp. GMR22 is local isolate from Wanagama 1 Forest in Yogyakarta. They have the potential to be developed to produce active compounds because have PKS and NRPS genes.The active compounds from isolation are strongly influenced by various factors, one of them is extraction techniques. Effect difference of extraction technique will be affected by the quality of secondary metabolites produced.The purpose of this study was to compare the cytotoxicity effects of secondary metabolites of Streptomyces sp. GMR22 which have extracted with different stages from previous studies. The extraction technique was carried out by multilevel separatory funnel extraction methods, which was first extracted using non-polar solvent (n-hexane) and then extracted using semi-polar solvent (ethyl acetate). This research is important because in previous studies (separatory funnel only extracted using ethyl acetate) with the use of the lowest concentration in the dengue virus antiviral test (further test) caused 100% of deaths in BHK-21 cells.This study indicate that multilevel extraction result in lower CC50 value than previous studies. There are 49.160 µl/ml (n-hexane extract) and 284.56 µl/ml (ethyl acetate extract) while water extract is 464,38 µl/ml. FTIR compound analysis show that the three extracts produced have different spectrum patterns, especially in the n-hexane and ethyl acetate extract. Value of CC50 is not too high, it is expected that the secondary metabolites contained in the extracts can be used for further analysis such as antiviral testing because it is safe for normal host cells such as BHK-21 cells
EFFECT OF CYNICISM TOWARDS ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE PURCHASE BEHAVIOUR OF ENERGY EFFICIENT VEHICLE AMONG MALAYSIAN CONSUMERS
Authors: SHUKOR Muhamad Syakir , SULAIMAN Zuraidah , AI CHIN Thoo , MAS’OD Adaviah
Published: July 2019

Objective: One of the toughest challenges in social marketing is behaviour intervention. Previous researchers have developed various models and theories to simultaneously examine behaviour changes and their effects. Due to resources scarcity and global warming, automakers have come out with an innovative idea of Energy Efficient Vehicle (EEV) which has been a great improvement in the automotive industry. This invention targets for behavioural change or behavioural adoption for consumers to adjust their preferences from a conventional vehicle to EEV. High market growth in the automotive industry has encouraged social marketers, policymakers, governments, and academics to propose suitable intervention approach in motivating preferences toward EEV. Using the context of the purchase intention of EEV in Malaysia, this conceptual research paper applies Environmental Responsible Behaviour (ERB) model to evaluate the causal model of materialism, environmental belief and environmental concern transcend on Purchase Intention of EEV. Methodology: This study proposed an explanatory quantitative method. Using a partial least squares approach, the measurement model for this study is presented. Implication: This research presents a conceptually supported framework to describe the moderating role of cynicism on the relationship between environmental concern with purchase intention of EEV due to rising issues of greenwashing in the automotive industry. The study is particularly useful by providing insights in assisting the stakeholders and automotive industry players on promoting the pro-behaviour toward EEV. This paper also provide additional review of Environmental Responsible Behaviour (ERB) model that been derived from Values, Belief and Norms theory (Stern et al., 1995).
JEL CLASSIFICATION: M31
… Und führe uns nicht in Versuchung, sondern erlöse uns von dem Bösen … Gedanken zu Eginald Schlattners Text Ja nicht ja. Walther Gottfried Seidner zum 80.
Authors: Dumitru Andreea
Published: July 2019

The story “Ja nicht ja” was written specifically for the volume “Der siebenbürgische Voltaire. Walther Gottfried Seidner zum 80. Geburtstag” by the famous novelist Eginald Schlattner. It brings the communist regime and the Department of State Security into the focus of the reader. During a meeting in the early 1990s attended by evangelical Lutheran priests of Augustan Confession a young priest admitted that he was a collaborator of the State Security, and thus managed to take over the burden of being an informant on the shoulders of others. Father Walther Gottfried Seidner, who was also threatened, managed to avoid State Security at any price, and understanding the situation of the young priest takes his defense.
Zu den Bedeutungen der Verben „kopulieren”, „kaufen” und „verändern” in siebenbürgischen urkundlichen Quellen und im Siebenbürgisch- Sächsischen
Authors: Haldenwang Sigrid
Published: July 2019

This article covers the verbs kopulieren (copulate) and kaufen (buy) with the meaning of, religious and legal marriage’ followed by the verb verändern (change) with the meaning of ,marry’, ,getting married’. The case examples show that certain meanings of a verb which have been retained in Transylvanian documentary sources and the Transylvanian-Saxon vernacular are indeed mentioned in High German, however, they are marked ,archaic’ (see the given meanings of the verbs kopulieren, originating from Latin and the given meanings of the verb verändern originating from Middle High German). On the other hand, when a certain meaning of a verb is not documented in High German any longer, Transylvanian document sources and the Transylvanian-Saxon vernacular can serve as documentation (see the verb kaufen which has retained the Middle High German meaning). The case examples are taken from the Transylvanian-Saxon Dictionary and the North-Transylvanian-Saxon Dictionary.
Leider nur ein Leichtgewicht: Der Text+Kritik-Sammelband zu Christoph Ransmayr enttäuscht
Authors: Spitz Markus Oliver
Published: July 2019

It has been more than thirty years since Christoph Ransmayr published The Last World to great success despite its intellectually challenging theme, the fictitious search for Publius Ovidius Naso, known as Ovid, who had been sent into exile by emperor Augustus. Ever since then, his writing has attracted the attention of the public, literary critics and scholars alike. Volume 220 of the renowned edition text+kritik has been dedicated entirely to his work. Its editor, Doren Wohlleben, gathered half a dozen contributions meant to map the different intercultural narrative spaces, which are mainly identifiable in the author’s novels and prose writings.