bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transformation strategies for inner-city retail locations in the face of E-commerce
Authors: Stepper Martina , Kurth Detlef
Published: January 2020

Inner cities have always been the centres of retail in European cities, which withstood many radical changes due to their adaptability. Current developments query the persistence of this adaptability. One key factor is the booming e-commerce. It is increasingly affecting the inner cities as its sales shares are rapidly growing. This raises the question, if inner-city retail locations can find new attractive offers and functions, or if vacancies and trading down effects will threaten them. A loss of inner-city urbanity would be the result – in contrast to the objectives of the Leipzig Charter. Six transformation strategies are recommended; digital services, moderate festivalisation, local community groups, vacancy management, concentration of inner-city retail locations as well as alternative forms of mobility. These strategies should help to increase the sojourn quality of the inner cities and thus their attractiveness. In this way, inner cities can continue to be the central hub, the place of identification and the preferred place to dwell in a city.
Uncertainties in the decision-making process of megaprojects: the Zeebrugge new sea lock
Authors: Machiels Thomas , Compernolle Tine , Coppens Tom
Published: January 2020

Complexity and uncertainty are inherent to megaprojects. While the social cost−benefit analysis (SCBA) and environmental impact assessment (EIA) are increasingly used to support decision making (DM) in megaprojects, these instruments often ignore and avoid uncertainty communication, documentation and analysis. By using a conceptual uncertainty matrix for decision-support analyses, this paper questions how uncertainties are taken into account in the SCBA and EIA when making decisions. A document analysis is applied to the SCBA, EIA and other project documents from the research (planning) phase of an ongoing sea port megaproject in Zeebrugge, Flanders. The results show that uncertainties are barely documented nor analysed in the SCBA and EIA, but arise later during the DM process; mainly about which plan alternative is the best for achieving the project's objectives. Uncertainty or ambiguity about ‘the best alternative’ results from stakeholders’ different interpretations of the SCBA and EIA. The paper reveals that research about megaproject uncertainty and DM should not be limited to the boundaries of either an SCBA or EIA but to further extend the scope to look at the dynamic interplay between uncertainties like multiple decision-support instruments, stakeholders’ different interpretations of these instruments and perceptions about uncertainties, DM and the general process.
Strategic financial risk management of industrial enterprises in the conditions of uncertainty
Authors: Maevskaya E. B.
Published: January 2020

In article the main aspects of management of financial risks for the purpose of formation of the complete system promoting avoidance of financial losses and growth of cost of the industrial enterprises are considered. Functions of a financial risk management in terms of its practical application are characterized. The strategy of functioning of a financial risk management in modern conditions of managing of the industrial enterprises is presented. Ways of management of financial risks of the industrial enterprises in the conditions of uncertainty and volatility of the economic environment are offered. Measures of quantitative assessment of financial risks which can serve discrete sizes of criteria indicators of activity of the industrial enterprise, on the basis of the available statistical data which values are defined by influence of external and internal factors are defined.
Örgütsel Özdeşleşmenin İş Tatmini Üzerine Etkisinde İşe Adanmışlığın Aracı Rolünün Belirlenmesine Yönelik Bir Araştırma
Authors: BAYRAM Ali
Published: January 2020

Bu çalışmanın amacı, örgütsel özdeşleşmenin iş tatmini üzerine etkisinde işe adanmışlığın aracı rol oynayıp oynamadığını tespit etmektir. Kayseri’de faaliyet göstermekte olan kamu hastanelerinde çalışmakta olan sağlık çalışanları üzerinde alan araştırması gerçekleştirilmiştir. Yapılan alan araştırması sonucunda 427 katılımcıdan veri elde edilmiştir. Araştırma kapsamında frekans analizi, güvenilirlik analizi, doğrulayıcı faktör analizi, korelasyon analizi ve regresyon analizinden faydalanılmıştır. Yapılan analizler sonucunda işe adanmışlığın örgütsel özdeşleşmenin iş tatmini üzerindeki etkisinde kısmi aracılık rolü oynadığı tespit edilmiştir.
Study of functional outcome of surgical management of proximal humerus fracture by various modalities: a two-year study at a tertiary care hospital
Authors: Vijayanand Addanki , Jayasomeswar Narreddy
Published: January 2020

Background: Proximal humerus fractures account for nearly 6-10% and are on a rise. The management of this is controversial and is challenging task. There is a significant heterogeneity among the studies in describing the best surgical procedure in proximal humerus fracture. The objective of the study is to assess and compare the functional outcome with different modalities in fixation of proximal humerus shaft fractures.

Methods: A two-year prospective study was conducted after getting ethical approval at Narayana Medical College on cases admitted with proximal humerus fractures as per the inclusion criteria based on Neer’s classification. Radiological evaluation was done, and surgery was performed. Postoperative follow-up was done at 1st, 4th, 8th and 14th week and outcome were evaluated for each case based on Neer’s shoulder score.

Results: 30 cases were included with a mean age of 48.2 years. Road traffic injury was common cause of fracture. Of the total 30 cases, 23 cases had excellent results, 4 cases were satisfactory, 2 cases were unsatisfactory, and one case had a failure. The mean scores observed on Neer’s score was pain (33.5 units), Function (23.5 units), range of motion (16.55 units) and anatomy (6.9 units).

Conclusions: Clinical evaluation, obtaining proper radiological views, age of the patient and activity holds the key for realistic approach and surgical management of complex humerus fractures. Proper patient selection and thorough knowledge of the anatomy and biomechanical principles are the pre-requisites for a successful surgery and good functional outcome.
Comparative study of sialidase activity and G(M3) content in B16 melanoma variants with different metastatic potential.
Authors: Sawada M , Moriya S , Shineha R , Satomi S , Miyagi T
Published: January 2020

We previously demonstrated that transfection of a sialidase cDNA into B16-BL6 cells, a highly metastatic and invasive cell line derived from the mouse B16 melanoma, resulted in a marked suppression of metastasis accompanied by decreased cellular content of the GM3 that is one of the target molecules of the sialidase expressed (Tokuyama et al., 1997 Int. J. Cancer, 73, 410-415). To obtain further insight into the involvement of sialidase in metastasis, we made a comparison of the levels of sialidase activity and GM3 content between B16 melanoma cell lines with low (B16-F1) and high (B16-F10 and -BL6) metastatic potential. The cells exhibited sialidase activity towards 4-methylumbelliferyl N-acetylneuraminic acid (4MU-Neu5Ac) and gangliosides at acidic pH in the particulate fractions, but not in the cytosol. The activity toward 4MU-NeuAc was significantly lower in highly metastatic cells. The activity toward gangliosides, on the other hand, varied independently of metastatic potential: B16-F10 cells with a high potential for experimental metastasis showed the lowest level and B16-BL6 cells having high invasiveness had rather a higher level of ganglioside sialidase along with a much greater GM3 synthase activity than the other two cell lines. Flow cytometric analysis with anti-GM3 antibody revealed that highly metastatic cell lines were higher in the binding affinity as compared to B16-F1 cells, B16-BL6 cells containing twice as much cellular GM3 as B16-F1 cells on thin-layer chromatography.
Processing of sphingolipid activator proteins and the topology of lysosomal digestion.
Authors: Sandhoff K , Kolter T
Published: January 2020

Plasma membrane derived glycosphingolipids (GSLs) destined for digestion are internalized through the endocytic pathway and delivered to the lysosomes. There, GSLs are degraded by the action of exohydrolases, which are supported, in the case of GSLs with short oligosaccharide chains, by sphingolipid activator proteins (SAPs). Four of the SAPs, SAP-A to -D (also called saposins) are synthesized from a single precursor protein (pSAP). Intracellular routing of pSAP and of the GM2 activator protein is only in part dependent on mannose-6-phosphate residues. Their endocytosis occurs in a carbohydrate-independent manner. The inherited deficiencies of individual activators, the GM2 activator, SAP-B, and SAP-C, as well as the deficiency of the precursor pSAP give rise to different, neuronal, white matter or visceral sphingolipid storage diseases. The analysis of cultured fibroblasts from corresponding patients suggests a new model for the topology of endocytosis and lysosomal digestion. It supports the hypothesis that endocytosis of plasma membrane-derived lipids occurs via small intraendosomal and intralysosomal vesicles and membrane structures, that are then digested within the lysosomes. In combined activator protein deficient cells nondegradable GSLs on the surface of intralysosomal vesicles protect them against lysosomal digestion. Mice with disrupted genes for activator proteins (SAP precursor -/-, GM2A -/-) as well as disrupted genes for ganglioside GM2 degrading hexosaminidases (HEXA -/-, HEXB -/-) turned out to be useful models for known human diseases whereas double knock out mice (HEXA -/- and HEXB -/-) show a new phenotype of both mucopolysaccharidosis and gangliosidosis.
Beta-carotene enhances the recovery of lymphocytes from oxidative DNA damage.
Authors: Fillion L , Collins A , Southon S
Published: January 2020

Epidemiological studies have revealed a strong correlation between high intake of fruit and vegetables and low incidence of certain cancers. Micronutrients present in these foods are thought to decrease free radical attack on DNA and hence protect against mutations that cause cancer, but the fine details of the causal mechanism have still to be elucidated. Whether dietary factors can modulate DNA repair--a crucial element in the avoidance of carcinogenesis--is an intriguing question that has not yet been satisfactorily answered. In order to investigate the effects of beta-carotene on oxidative damage and its repair, volunteers were given a single 45 mg dose and lymphocytes taken before and after the supplement were treated in vitro with H2O2. DNA strand breaks and oxidised pyrimidines were measured at intervals, to monitor the removal of oxidative DNA damage. We found inter-individual variations in response. In cases where the baseline plasma beta-carotene concentration was high, or where supplementation increased the plasma concentration, recovery from oxidative damage (i.e. removal of both oxidised pyrimidines and strand breaks) was relatively rapid. However, what seems to be an enhancement of repair might in fact represent an amelioration of the continuing oxidative stress encountered by the lymphocytes under in vitro culture conditions. We found that culture in a 5% oxygen atmosphere enhanced recovery of lymphocytes from H2O2 damage.
Estimation of oxidative DNA damage in man from urinary excretion of repair products.
Authors: Loft S , Poulsen H E
Published: January 2020

DNA is constantly damaged and repaired in living cells. The repair products of the oxidative DNA lesions, i.e. oxidised nucleosides and bases, are poor substrates for the enzymes involved in nucleotide synthesis, are fairly water soluble, and generally excreted into the urine without further metabolism. Among the possible products, 8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine, 8-oxoguanine, thymine glycol, thymidine glycol and, 5-hydroxymethyluracil have so far been identified in urine. It should be emphasised that the excretion of the repair products in urine represents the average rate of damage in the total body whereas the level of oxidised bases in nuclear DNA is a concentration measurement in that specific tissue/cells in the moment of sampling. The rate of oxidative DNA modifications has been studied in humans by means of the repair products as urinary biomarkers, particularly with respect to 8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine. The data obtained so far indicate that the important determinants of the oxidative damage rate include tobacco smoking, oxygen consumption and some inflammatory diseases whereas diet composition, energy restriction and antioxidant supplements have but a minimal influence, possibly with the exception of yet unidentified phytochemicals, e.g. from cruciferous vegetables. The data are consistent with the experimentally based notion that oxidative DNA damage is an important mutagenic and apparently carcinogenic factor. However, the proof of a causal relationship in humans is still warranted. In the future the use of biomarkers may provide this evidence and allow further investigations on the qualitative and quantitative importance of oxidative DNA modification and carcinogenesis in man, as well as elucidate possible preventive measures.
Rhetorical Styles in Knowledge Communication
Authors: Załęska Maria
Published: January 2020

The author of the article applied the rhetorical framework of three styles (genera dicendi) to highlight some of the communicative practices employed in academic discourse. By utilising the persuasive resources of the plain style, authors focus on the rhetorical purpose of docere/probare, i.e. to teach/to prove. The sober matter-of-factness of the plain style suggests to readers that there is no style at all, convincing them that the content reflects reality without any rhetorical mediation. In choosing the persuasive means of the middle style, researchers combine epistemic and aesthetic goals, trying to reach the rhetoric purpose of delectare, i.e. to delight. An engaging style helps them draw readers into intellectually complex issues. The grand style facilitates the reaching of the rhetorical purpose of movere, i.e. to move or induce action. It serves to present science as a helpful resource for readers to make decisions in their lives, hence it is likely to be used by engaged scholars and public intellectuals.
Linguistic and Stylistic Polyphony of Occasional Journalism
Authors: Wojtak Maria
Published: January 2020

The article was intended as an attempt at defining a specific press publication in the form of a genre collection. It was the supplement to the Tygodnik Powszechny weekly (issue 29 of 2018) entitled “Festiwal Stolica Języka Polskiego” [Capital of Polish Language Festival]. The publication utilised the form of a press magazine, as apart from the program of the festival, it also included: an editorial, interviews, reviews, commentaries and the bios of selected festival guests. Thus, it offered a cooccurrence of specific statements in a specific place and time which is typical for such a collection. The whole could be assigned the function of announcing a cultural event (the festival), and the function of promoting it. The author analyses the publication from the discursive perspective, i.e. she focussed on specific communicational practices typical for contemporary press, which form a complex network of strategies, goals and forms of communication, which, in turn, form contemporary journalism. The analytical objective of the paper was to present the communicational polyphony of a specific collection of journalistic expressions, that is which interpret a specific reality and were used for convincing the readers to accept that interpretation. Individual texts were treated as voices, i.e. in types of linguistic actions formed in communicational (pragmatic) and formal terms.
Children’s Magazines as Tools for (Not Only) Reading Education
Authors: Adamski Andrzej
Published: January 2020

The main aim of the article is to answer the question of how children’s magazines may be used as tools for media education understood as educating children on how to process media, and also as instilling the habit of reading periodicals and books. Hypothesis: It is generally assumed in the scholarly literature that periodicals for children may be an effective tool in encouraging a reading habit. Unfortunately, this segment of the press market, just as all other segments, faces declining readership due to the expansion of the digital media. Methodology: An analysis the existing data (e.g. study reports) and academic analyses in terms of the impact of the media, pedagogy, media education, and media psychology. The article is theoretical in nature. It stems from the discipline of the “science of social communication and the media”, yet it offers an interdisciplinary approach, due to its references to pedagogy, education, and technology.
The relationship between teaching styles and SEN students' reading comprehension achievement
Authors: Vlahava Kalliopi , Antoniou Faye
Published: January 2020

The aim of the current study was to find out which are the characteristics that affect teachersâ€™ preference on specific teaching styles and whether students with Learning Disabilities are benefited by the use of specific teaching styles in the development of their reading comprehension skills. Seventeen English as a Foreign Language teachers and 309 students, 55 of which were identified as students with special educational needs (SEN), aged 9â€“11 years old, were participated in this study. A questionnaire consisting of four teaching scenarios, in order for teachersâ€™ preferred teaching style to be emerged, and a reading comprehension test, which sought to assess studentsâ€™ reading comprehension skill and their skill to draw conclusions based on the information given on the text, was given to the teachers and students, respectively. Results indicated a high teachers' preference for the suggestive teaching style when dealing with students with SEN in the mainstream classroom. Findings also showed that teaching styles have a significant impact on their studentsâ€™ competence of extracting meaning from written text. The most beneficial teaching style to students with SEN was the suggestive one.

Keywords: English as a foreign language, reading comprehension, special educational needs, teaching styles.
Role of participative leadership in the improvement of academic performance of students in the University of Tehran, Iran
Authors: Joyami Ehsan Namdar , Salmani Davod
Published: January 2020

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of components of participative leadership style on the academic performance of students at the University of Tehran, Iran. This descriptive and correlational research was performed on 43 senior managers of the university selected through random cluster sampling using the Morgan table. In addition, data were collected applying the standard questionnaire of â€˜are we making progress?â€™ by Malcolm Baldrige. Moreover, data analysis was performed using Pearsonâ€™s correlation coefficient. The test results confirmed the majority of the research hypotheses. The organisation can provide mutual trust and respect between senior leaders and faculty members of the university and, thereby, improve academic performance of students by creating a suitable environment for applying supportive and participative leadership in the university.

Keywords: University, leadership, management, quality, academic performance.
Innovation for English language teaching in higher education
Authors: Videla Carmen Burgos , Martinez Diaz Javiera
Published: January 2020

This research aims to learn about the perception about didactics of professors who teach English in the study programs of Bachelor of Education and English Pedagogy, and Bachelor of English and English-Spanish Translation at the University of Atacama, Copiapo, Chile. For this, a qualitative pilot research was conducted, using the case study approach and the associative letters method for data collection, using as an inductive concept â€˜didactics of the English languageâ€™. This, in order to gather information about didactics in English teaching, given through the four production and comprehension language skills: writing, reading, speaking and listening. The first findings show a lack of innovation in the field of teaching and unawareness of it. Within the data of the pilot sample, the concepts â€˜skillsâ€™ and â€˜methodologyâ€™ stand out as central elements in the English Language Teaching didactics. From this small pilot research, the idea of the importance of communication and methodology as key concepts to be included in the next investigation is reinforced, so that the data collection is meaningful, and a close intervention could be achieved, where the teachers reflect on the didactics used in a more comprehensive and less recursive way.

Keywords: Didactics, higher education, innovation, language teaching, second foreign language.
Cultivation of 21st-century skills: Creating and implementing rubrics for assessing projects
Authors: Îšasimatis Îšaterina , Kouloumpis Dionisios , Papageorgiou Theodora
Published: January 2020

The purpose of this study is to highlight the effectiveness of the implementation of the rubric for the project assessment in comparison with other traditional assessment techniques. The development of skills and the improvement of educational work are concerned. This processing tool automatically quantifies the gradient of the criteria and automatically completes the final descriptive evaluation. It has a modern pedagogical scientific approach and flexibility, which gives impetus to creative projects in school. Six teachers of a Greek high school in Athens participated in the study. The data were collected through a semi-structured interview. The results revealed that the rubric can replace any other traditional technique. The tool allowed the students and the teachers to communicate constructively. Teachers assessed the rubric in a positive way as the students were led to self-assessment processes through reflection and feedback and the development of cognitive and metacognitive skills.

Keywords: Authentic assessment, project, rubric, assessment criteria, reflection, 21st-century skills.
A study of attention deficit hyper disorder (ADHD) problem of dyslexic children
Authors: Zeenat Khan
Published: January 2020

Attention deficit hyper disorder (ADHD) and dyslexia both hamper the learning ability of children in the classroom. An estimated 15.99% of dyslexic children are found in every classroom, and 5.60% of the children have ADHD. The study was undertaken to investigate the correlation between dyslexia and ADHD in school-going children. A survey method was used, and 963 students were selected through random sampling technique. The screening and diagnostic test of Dyslexia (SDTD-J) test by Dr. Khan Zeenat and S. B. Dandegaonkar was used for identifying the percentage of dyslexic children in the classroom, and James E. Gilliam test was used for identifying the percentage of ADHD children in the classroom. The findings also showed that 35.06% of dyslexic children also have ADHD problems.

Keywords: Dyslexia, attention deficit hyper disorder.
Comparative study and evaluation of dominant external representational systems in mathematics education
Authors: Moskofoglou-Chionidou Maria , Vamvouli Aikaterini
Published: January 2020

In this theoretical study, initially, we propose and argue in favour of sub-dividing the external representations into the following two major categories: the self-constructed external representations and the hetero-constructed external representations. We then link this distinction to the general meaning of representations. Some researchers mistakenly use representational mode, representational method and representational system as synonymous or identical concepts thus often confusing. This is the reason why we put effort in outlining the â€˜fluidâ€™ conceptual boundaries of these concepts by highlighting the relation between them. Hence, we outline and compare the dominant categorisations of external representations proposed by various researchers while examining the necessity for their improvement and their extension.

Keywords: External representational systems, self-constructed external representations, hetero-constructed external representations, representational element, representational mode, representational method, representational code.
A Perspective on the OECD Report “Health at a Glance 2019”
Authors: Campos Fernandes Adalberto
Published: January 2020

N/a.
RAPID AND SPESIFIC DETECTION OF MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS USING POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION
Authors: Kurniati Anita , Suameitra Dewi Desak Nyoman Surya , Purwani Ni Nyoman
Published: January 2020

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the major causes of health burden worldwide, especially in lower middle-income countries. TB is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and characterized by severe condition incuding coughing and fever. Purpose: To review the current methods for detection of TB using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Review: several studies have been done to give valuable insight into TB transmission, diagnosis, and treatment, however research  is constantly  needed  to decrease the incidence of eradicate TB. This infectious disease still give big health problem in all over the world by being second in causing high mortality rates after HIV/AIDS.  A specific, sensitive, rapid and cheap method for TB and other mycobacteria diagnosis in clinical specimen is a desperate needed in the laboratory diagnosis and hence management of tuberculosis. PCR as one of nucleic acid amplification assays have revolutionized MTB detection. Since it was first invented in fifteen years ago, it’s been through many developments. Conclusion: PCR  is one of the most specific and sensitive method currently available for TB diagnosis that can also detect in in all types of specimens obtained from TB patients.
Influence of micro economic factors on financial sustainability of informal finance groups in Kiharu constituency-Kenya
Authors: Mutegi Emily , Kiai Richard , Maina Esther
Published: January 2020

This article considers the influence of macro-economic factors as integrated factors in financial sustainability of Informal Finance Groups. Informal Finance Groups (IFGs) have become critical in poverty eradication around the world in enhancing access to finance. Despite acknowledgement of this fact, IFGs have been faced with financial constraints as a result of micro factors that affect them. This puts the financial sustainability of the IFGs at risk.  In this study, financial instability in informal finance groups is caused by these factors: loan pricing and loan repayment period. This study required to examine the connection between macro-economic factors and financial sustainability of informal finance groups in Kiharu Constituency in Murang’a County. Both primary and secondary data were collected. Findings indicate that there is relationship between macro-economic factors and financial sustainability of informal finance groups. The R value of 0.238 portrayed a positive linear relationship between the loan pricing practices and financial sustainability of Informal Finance Groups, and the R value of 0.354 portrayed a positive linear relationship between the loan repayment period and financial sustainability of Informal Finance Groups. Therefore the study concluded that the macro-economic factors have an influence on financial sustainability of informal finance groups. The study recommends that the IFGs should devise a standard criteria for optimal pricing of loans to avoid charging exorbitant rates which worsen the poverty situation of the rural residents. Further, the IFGs should also set up loan monitoring systems in place to avoid diversion and defaults.
Influence of audit committee and internal audit on audit report lag
Authors: Juwita Ratna , Sutrisno T Sutrisno , Hariadi Bambang
Published: January 2020

This study aims to examine the effect of the audit committee and internal audit on the audit report lag and examine the relationship between the audit committee and the internal audit moderated by the size of a public accounting firm. This study uses 220 samples of manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange based on purposive sampling. The analytical method used is Partial Least Square (PLS). The results show that the audit committee influences the audit report lag while the internal audit has no effect. The size of a public accounting firm successfully moderated the relationship between the audit committee and audit report lag, but failed to moderate the relationship between the internal audit and audit report lag
Improving the efficiency of human resources with the use of new technologies and reorganization process
Authors: Tërstena Arben , Goga Arta Jashari , Jashari Bujar
Published: January 2020

Information technology (IT) as a structural factor and instrument transforms the architecture of organizations, business processes, and communication which is increasingly integrated into human resource management (HRM). It is an important part of the human resources work process. IT is designed to support HR professionals at all stages of management. This paper is focused on analyzing how information technology affects the improvement of human resource efficiency. The survey was conducted in private enterprises in Ferizaj, region (Kosovo), through questionnaires. Twenty employees/managers of manufacturing enterprises were surveyed who were well informed about the role of human resources in general and the impact on the efficiency of information technology. The results of the empirical study show that the use of new information technology improves the efficiency of HR and enhances the performance of the enterprise.
Keragaman Ketahanan Padi Lokal Jawa, Sumatra, dan Sulawesi terhadap Patogen Hawar Daun Bakteri Patotipe III, IV, dan VIII
Authors: Roza Celvia , Usyati N , Gunarsih Cucu
Published: January 2020

Hawar Daun Bakteri (HDB) disebabkan oleh bakteri patogen, Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo), yang merupakan salah satu penyakit penting tanaman padi. Salah satu pengendalian yang efektif yaitu dengan penggunaan varietas tahan. Koleksi aksesi padi local siperlukan unntuk mendukung program perakitan varietas tahan penyakit HDB. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengidentifikasi keragaman respons ketahanan padi lokal asal Jawa, Sumatra, dan Sulawesi terhadap penyakit HDB, patotipe III,
IV, dan VIII. Materi genetik yang digunakan adalah seratus aksesi plasma nutfah padi local asal Jawa, Sumatera, Sulawesi dan biakan murni bakteri Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) patotipe III, IV, dan VIII. Evaluasi ketahanan dilakukan di Rumah Kaca BB Padi Sukamandi pada MT-1/MT-2 tahun 2016. Metode inokulasi dilakukan dengan pengguntingan daun dan skoring ketahanan berdasarkan SES IRRI tahun 2014. Evaluasi pada stadia vegetatif menunjukkan adanya keragaman respons ketahanan terhadap patotipe III (agak rentan−sangat rentan) dan VIII (rentan−sangat rentan). Sedangkan pada stadia generatif terdapat satu aksesi yang bereaksi agak tahan terhadap patotipe III yaitu Padi Terong (7782), yang merupakan aksesi padi lokal asal Jawa Barat. Padi lokal asal Jawa Barat terdeteksi memiliki keragaman respons ketahanan terhadap patogen HDB yang paling beragam.
Plastic surgery of nail folds combined with Arkada’s method in patient with ingrown nail – case report
Authors: Trochanowski Tomasz , Kotlęga Dariusz , Gołąb-Janowska Monika
Published: January 2020

Introduction: Ingrown nail (onychocryptosis) is a common condition in podiatric and surgical practices. It is usually chronic, recurrent, and affects every-day quality of life. Treatment can be divided into conservative and surgical methods and should be initiated by the former methods and followed by the latter if need be.

Case report: The report describes the case of a patient with an ingrown toenail, who suffered from recurrent bouts of inflammation which were cured conservatively. The periods of relief were short-lasting, and thus he underwent two types of treatment simultaneously – surgical excision of the nail folds combined with Arkada’s method. This treatment achieved two goals – withdrawal of all symptoms and a good aesthetic effect. No recurrences were reported.
Coping styles and aggressiveness in adolescents
Authors: Łodygowska Ewa , Hendzelewska Natalia , Tyl Martyna
Published: January 2020

Introduction: Aggressiveness and aggression are important factors contributing to the functioning of young people and their adaptation to the environment. Despite numerous studies on aggression, there are actually no studies on methods of coping with stress among aggressive adolescents. Therefore, the aim of the presented research was to verify whether adolescents with different levels of aggressiveness/aggression reveal different tendencies in the use of styles of coping with stress.

Materials and methods: We studied 135 adolescents (aged 16–18), using: 1) the Psychological Inventory of Aggression Syndrome (IPSA) by Gas – enabling identification of three main dimensions of aggression: S – self-aggression, U – internal aggression, and Z – external aggression; and 2) the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS) by Endler and Parker, in the Polish adaptation by Strelau et al.

Results: Based on their level of aggression, the participants were divided into three groups. Compared to their more aggressive peers, in stressful situations, adolescents scoring low on S, U, and Z significantly more frequently use task-oriented and significantly less frequently use emotion- and avoidance-oriented coping styles. There is a link between the level of aggressiveness/aggression and the tendency to prefer emotion-focused coping and avoidance-oriented coping in the form of distraction, described as a tendency to engage in substitute activities.

Conclusions: Elevated aggressiveness/aggression significantly limits the individual’s ability to use constructive methods of coping with stress.
Therapeutic problems of delayed speech development (DSD)
Authors: Budzińska Katarzyna , Kleszczewska Ewa
Published: January 2020

Introduction: The main purpose of this publication is to review the current state of knowledge in the field of delayed speech development and to present data on etiology, clinical symptoms, and indications for therapy.

Materials and methods: Literature data was reviewed from the English-language PubMed and MEDLine computer databases, as well as the Polish Medical Bibliography database. Google Scholar search engine was used. The works were analyzed, with current scientific evidence based on peer-reviewed scientific publications, systematic reviews, and conducted control studies taken into account. In addition, an analysis of our own nearly 10 years of experience in the field of hearing and speech rehabilitation was conducted.

Results: A child with non-harmonious development, regardless of the etiology of the phenomenon, may also exhibit problems with speech acquisition, indicating, among others, a developmental delay in speaking. The correct development of speech depends on 3 types of factors: biological, psychological, and social. Delayed speech development (DSD) is primarily attributed to the person affected, as well as her immediate surroundings. In the case of small children developing harmoniously, the chance of compensating for missing words is one hundred percent. The above phenomenon may be compensated for spontaneously – which takes place in a small number of cases – or thanks to systematic therapy, with the participation of the child’s parents (guardians).

Conclusions: An interdisciplinary approach to DSD is of key importance in the treatment of this disorder, and its multifactorial etiology indicates the need for early comprehensive rehabilitation of hearing and speech. In contrast, clinical practice shows that this problem is often downplayed. The reasons for the appearance of DSD are constantly under investigation, as there are many paths leading to delays in this area. There are also new reports that allow better understanding of the ways of speech development, which directly translates into a change in the attitudes regarding rehabilitation.
The Cost-effectiveness of screening tools used in the diagnosis of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: A modeled analysis
Authors: Berrigan Patrick , Andrew Gail , Reynolds James N , Zwicker Jennifer D
Published: January 2020

Background Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is characterized by physical and neurological abnormalities resulting from prenatal alcohol exposure. Though diagnosis may help improve patient outcomes, the diagnostic process can be costly. Subsequently, screening children suspected of FASD prior to diagnostic testing has been suggested, to avoid administering testing to children who are unlikely to receive a diagnosis. The present study set out to assess the cost-effectiveness of currently recommended FASD screening tools. Methods The screenings tools evaluated were chosen from Children’s Healthcare Canada’s National Screening Toolkit for Children and Youth Identified and Potentially Affected by FASD and include meconium testing of fatty acid ethyl esters (meconium testing) and the neurobehavioral screening tool (NST). An economic model was constructed to assess cost-effectiveness. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the robustness of findings. Costs reflect 2017 Canadian dollars and the perspective is the public healthcare system. Results Both screening tools evaluated resulted in reduced costs and fewer diagnosed years of life than a no screening strategy in which all children suspected of FASD receive diagnostic testing. The model predicts that screening newborns with meconium testing results in a reduced cost of $89,186 per 100 individuals screened and 38 fewer diagnosed years of life by age 18, corresponding to an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of $2,359. Screening children with the NST resulted in a reduced cost of $183,895 per 100 individuals screened and 77 fewer diagnosed years of life by age 18, corresponding to an ICER of $2,390. Conclusion Findings suggest that screening is associated with less use of healthcare recourses but also fewer years of life with an FASD diagnosis over a no screening strategy. Since diagnosis can be key to children receiving timely and appropriate health and educational services, cost-savings must be weighed against the fewer years of life with a diagnosis associated with screening.
Prevalence of Eimeria parasites and sulfachloropyrazine sodium resistance in chicken farms in the Hubei and Henan provinces
Authors: Geng Tiantian , Lei Zhenyu , Ye Cheng , Shen Bang , Fang Rui , Hu Min , Zhao Junlong , zhou yanqin
Published: January 2020

Background：Coccidiosis is an intestinal parasitic disease that causes huge economic losses to the poultry industry globally. At present, the primary control strategy is administration of anticoccidial drugs with feed. However, overuse of anticoccidials, such as sulfachloropyrazine sodium (SC), has resulted in an increase in the emergence of drug resistance.Methods: We aimed to evaluate coccidiosis prevalence and SC resistance in field isolates to provide reasonable guidance on the use of anticoccidial drugs in the Hubei and Henan provinces. We collected 318 fresh fecal samples from 137 chicken farms. We used internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) sequence of ribosomal DNA to identify the species from 94 samples that were collected from different farms and to assess drug resistance.Results: As shown by genus-specific PCR results, the positivity rate of Eimeria was 97.17 % (309/318), and the most common species were E. mitis (66.67%), E. tenella (46.86%), and E. necatrix (41.51%). Animal experiment demonstrated that 25 strains were completely resistant to SC, among which 16 were from Henan and nine were from Hubei. Twenty-four strains were partially resistant, among which 8 and 16 strains were identified from Hubei and Henan, respectively.Conclusions: In summary, these data indicated that chicken coccidia is ubiquitous and SC resistance is widespread, in the Hubei and Henan provinces. The results provide important insights into the control of chicken coccidiosis in this region.
Expanding the Role of Paralegals: Supporting Realization of the Right to Health for Vulnerable Communities
Authors: Wirya Albert , Larasati Ajeng , Gruskin Sofia , Ferguson Laura
Published: January 2020

Background All around the world, the paralegal program prepares members of marginalized communities to face the legal system. Having a common background with their clients and being capable of conducting flexible work, paralegals’ role moves beyond enlarging the beneficiaries of legal aid to addressing intersectional issues around health-related rights. This study assesses the impact on the health-related rights of paralegals recruited by Lembaga Bantuan Hukum Masyarakat (LBHM) which operates in Jakarta, Indonesia. The positive results these paralegals can bring in the specific context can contribute to the development of community-based paralegals elsewhere. Methods This mixed methods research was carried out in 2016-2018. In 2016, a quantitative survey was administered to LBHM-trained paralegals and a sub-set of paralegals were also interviewed. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS, and, for the qualitative data, thematic analysis was conducted. Results The paralegals make important contributions to health-related rights in four distinct ways. Firstly, most of the paralegals checked their clients’ health in all stages of detention, especially regarding their drug dependency status and checking for signs of torture. Secondly, paralegals help clients to be more aware of their medical status by providing information about available health services. Thirdly, paralegals can ensure that their clients obtain health services by taking medicines directly to the clients or encouraging the law enforcement agencies to refer the clients to health services. Lastly, in drug cases, paralegals help their clients to obtain alternative sentences besides imprisonment. Conclusions These four contributions verify the positive impacts paralegals, recruited from marginalized communities, can deliver for community members facing criminal justice processes. The shifting role of paralegals from merely an intermediary between clients and lawyers to champions of the health-related rights of their clients can happen as a result of adequate training, support, and networks with other agents in criminal justice system.
Transcriptome Analysis of the Sepia pharaonis: Identification of salt stress-related information and Microsatellite Markers
Authors: Ren Zhiming , Zhao Yun , Song Weiwei , Wang Chunlin , Mu Changkao , Li Ronghua
Published: January 2020

Background: Sepia pharaonis has great commercial value for aquaculture. However, it is sensitive to salinity fluctuations and lacking in genomic information. The present work utilized throughput transcriptome sequencing to assess the factors associated with salt stress in Sepia pharaonis. Results: Based on the Illumina paired-end sequencing results, 203,852,818 raw reads were produced, and 130,857 unigenes were assembled having an average of 784.72 bp in length. Transcriptome analysis identified 16013 and 24119 unigenes in the Swiss-Prot protein database and NCBI non-redundant database, respectively. Of note, 12717 unigenes were grouped into 64 Gene Ontology (GO) terms, 5237 unigenes were classified into 332 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways, 13808 unigenes were subcategorized into 25 Cluster of orthologous groups for eukaryotic complete genomes (KOG) functional categories based on functional analysis. Besides, 6153 genes were identified as differentially expressed (p≤0.05), of which 3340 were increased and 2813 were decreased in treatment group relative to the control group. Subsequently, these DEGs were allocated to 226 KEGG pathways and 491 GO terms. Analysis of the transcriptome sequences and DEGs identified several unigenes and pathways involved in salt stress regulation. Moreover, the Sepia pharaonis carried 101576 simple sequence repeats (SSRs). Conclusions: This is the first time osmoregulation in Sepia pharaonis has been explored by transcriptome sequencing. The data presented here reveals key insights into the genetic markers of salt stress in Sepia pharaonis.
Genome-wide transcriptome analysis of triterpene biosynthetic genes of Anoectochilus roxburghii plant
Authors: Wang Hongzhen , Xu Haishun , Brodelius Peter E. , Wu Xueqian , Shao qingsong , Xu Juan , Zheng Bingsong
Published: January 2020

Background: Anoectochilus roxburghii is a medicinal plant and contains a variety of bioactive components, including triterpene, which exhibits important pharmacological properties with low toxicity. However, little is known about the biosynthetic pathway of triterpene or about the genome and transcriptome in A. roxburghii.
Results: In order to analyze transcriptional determinants related to the biosynthesis of the bioactive components, we performed transcriptome sequencing in A. roxburghii (SRX1818644, SRX1818642 and SRX1818641) and annotated the sequences from three samples. In total, 137,679,059 clean reads were obtained, corresponding to 12.20 Gb of total nucleotides. They were then assembled into 86,382 contigs and 68,938 unigenes, which were further annotated according to sequence similarity with known genes in COG, EST, Nr, Pfam and Uniprot databases, leading to 10,040，29,442，39,551，34,991 and 28,082 unigenes, respectively. GO analysis classified all unigenes into three functional categories, i.e. biological processes (43,206 unigenes in 22 categories), molecular functions (46,978 unigenes in 15 categories) and cellular components (20,951 unigenes in 18 categories). Candidate triterpenes biosynthetic genes ArHMGR1 in MEV pathway, ArDXS1, ArDXS4 ArDXS5, ArDXS8-10, ArDXR1-2 and ArHDR1-2 in MEP pathway and ArFDS1, ArSM and ArOCS were selected based on RNA-seq and gene-to-metabolites correlation analysis.
Conclusion: The transcriptomes of A. roxburghii plant include 86,382 contigs and 68,938 unigenes. The assembled dataset allowed identification of genes encoding enzymes in the biosynthesis of bioactive components in A. roxburghii plant. Candidate genes that encode enzymes being important in triterpenes biosynthetic pathway were selected. This will facilitate the study of expression and regulation in the biosynthesis of bioactive component in A.roxburghii.
Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics of Phytochemicals in the Human Body
Authors: Rathaur Pooja , SR Kaid Johar
Published: January 2020

Background:

Phytochemicals are obtained from various plants and used for the treatment of diseases as both traditional and modern medicines. Poor bioavailability of phytochemicals is a major concern in applying phytochemicals as a therapeutic agent. It is, therefore, necessary to understand the metabolism and pharmacokinetics of phytochemicals for its implication as a therapeutic agent.

Methods:

Articles on the metabolism of phytochemicals from the PubMed database. The articles were classified into the digestion, absorption, metabolism, excretion, toxicity, and bioavailability of phytochemicals and the effect of gut microbiota on the metabolism of phytochemicals.

Results:

The metabolism of each phytochemical is largely dependent on the individual's digestive ability, membrane transporters, metabolizing enzymes and gut microbiota. Further, the form of the phytochemical and genetic make-up of the individual greatly influences the metabolism of phytochemicals.

Conclusion:

The metabolism of phytochemicals is mostly depended on the form of phytochemicals and individualspecific variations in the metabolism of phytochemicals. Understanding the metabolism and pharmacokinetics of phytochemicals might help in applying plant-based medicines for the treatment of various diseases.