bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Advances in Condition Assessment of Water Pipelines
Authors: Vince Paul
Published: February 2020

Condition assessment forms an important component of prudent asset management. Information gained through condition assessment contributes to good decision making and optimizing asset life. Methodologies for inspecting pipelines are presented including screening techniques and more detailed techniques. Advances in technology have opened opportunities for new methods of inspection and evaluation of results. In some cases, the performance of an asset is just as important as its condition and sensors can be used to gain a good understanding of pipeline network performance and assist in optimizing maintenance scheduling to provide ongoing service to customers. Astute choice of condition assessment methodology can enhance asset life and achieve organizational targets.
Study on Location Choice for NAFFCO Company in Jiangsu Province China
Authors: Zakhry Karim , Xin-ying Jiang , Alhussam Mohammed Ismail
Published: February 2020

The research presents Fuzzy set multi-criteria decision-making approach combined by Delphi method (ADM) to facilitate location decision. Whereas the preference ranking of alternatives importance of the criteria was obtained by (ADM) then obtained the right decision by applying Fuzzy set method. The applicability of the recommended methods was given on NAFFCO firefighting company location selection problem. The importance of this study is that it presented as followed: it is the first usage of the mixed methodologies in the area of location selection (Jiangsu province) that focusing on market size(MS), labor productivity(LP), knowledge(KN), and transportation(T) to facilitate location decision. Second the presented content of methodologies can be used to decide the important weight of the existed variables. Third, reduce the risks that can be faced in making the location decision to gain a fruitful location decision. Fourth, it can be used to facilitate location selection within unlimited locations and unlimited criteria.
Quality Personnel the Bane of the University Students Participation in National Competition?: The Case of Kenya
Authors: Chumba Janet , Munayi Simon , Nteere Jacob S.
Published: February 2020

Kenyan university students have performed relatively poorly compared to their counterparts in Australia and the United Kingdom when it has come to International sports participations. Could this be attributed to the personnel handling sports at the Kenyan Universities? This study went out to look at the perceptions of the students participating in sports at public and private universities in Kenya. Further, the study went out to look at the qualifications and quantification of personnel in both private and public universities in Kenya. The study used a descriptive research design. A questionnaire was used on 268 students responded. An interview schedule was used on 10 directors and chairmen of sports directorates and departments. A further 28 sports personnel in public and private universities in Kenya were also used in the study. The results indicate that personnel in Kenyan University had diverse field of training. There was need to arrest this diversity and create a more focused sports trained personnel if the Kenyan university expect to make the same impact as that of Australia and the United Kingdom in international sport. Results also show that private universities in Kenya have better and available personnel than the public universities.
The Limits of the Multiple Institutionalization of Border Control: A Case Study of Immigration, Customs, and the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency in Batam, Indonesia
Authors: Lay Cornelis , Astrina Azifah R.
Published: February 2020

This article explores the limits of the multiple institutionalization of border control within the context of the Singapore-Johor-Riau Islands (SIJORI) interregional border, providing a detailed examination of three border control institutions, i.e. immigration, customs, and the Indonesian
Maritime Security Agency (BAKAMLA: Badan Keamanan Laut Republik Indonesia) in Batam, Riau Islands Province, Indonesia. This article asks why, in a region with high institutional density and rapid economic growth, illicit practices remain omnipresent, and finds that this stems from incompatible
border institution design and overemphasis on individual organizational interests. We find that individual institutions' tendencies to focus on their own goals compromises the common goal of security that justifies their presence. This has been exacerbated by the historical legacy of sectoral
egotism that continues to divide Indonesia's public institutions.
RegelSpraak: een brug tussen wetgeving en ICT
Authors: Wolferink A.J.C. , Ausems A. , Dulfer D.P.H. , Bouwmeester H.M. , Lokin M.H.A.F.
Published: February 2020

RegelSpraak: een brug tussen wetgeving en ICT

De Belastingdienst heeft in de afgelopen jaren gewerkt aan een nieuwe werkwijze om wetgeving te vertalen naar specificaties voor ICT-systemen en -toepassingen. Daarbij is de taal RegelSpraak ontwikkeld, die aansluit bij de taal van de juristen, maar ook geautomatiseerd omgezet kan worden naar softwarecode.

Dit artikel gaat in op deze taal en de manier waarop deze bij de vertaling van wetgeving naar ICT wordt gebruikt.

Ook wordt aandacht besteed aan de lessen die de wetgever kan leren uit de nieuwe werkwijze en het gebruik van RegelSpraak, om daarmee de vertaling van wetgeving naar ICT beter te ondersteunen.
Burgerschap en terrorisme
Authors: Karapetian G.
Published: February 2020

Burgerschap en terrorisme

In deze bijdrage wordt aandacht besteed aan het intrekken van burgerschap als een bestraffende maatregel voor (medeplichtigheid aan) terroristische misdrijven. Een voorbeeld uit Zwitserland uit 2019 wordt nader besproken en in vergelijkend Nederlands perspectief geplaatst.
But What If We Cannot Agree?
Authors: Schmitt Richard ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: February 2020

A central challenge common to democratic processes is the inability of citizens to reach agreement on any given matter. Most frequently these disagreements are settled by vote, victory going to the majority. But majority rule is a fairly recent technique. Traditionally decisions were made by some form of non-opposition. This paper describes several versions of that decision-making technique and then shows how mediation methods, also known as “ADR” (Alternative Dispute Resolution), can replicate these traditional ways of overcoming disagreement. The paper argues that these techniques are frequently superior to electoral methods of reaching agreement.
Waiving Jury Deliberation
Authors: Poama Andrei ,   Department of Philosophy, Florida State University
Published: February 2020

This article argues that, given the current pervasive uncertainty about the reliability of jury deliberation, we ought to treat it with epistemic humility. I further argue that epistemic humility should be expressed and enforced by turning jury deliberation from a mandatory rule of the jury trial to a waivable right of the defendant. I consider two main objections to my argument: the first one concerns the putative self-defeatingness of humility attitudes; the second objection points to the burdensomeness of granting an unconditional jury deliberation waiver to the defendant.
Influência das queimadas para a qualidade orgânica de duas áreas do cerrado tocantinense
Authors: Noleto Pedro Franco , Noleto Plínio Costa , Sousa Keila Ferreira de , Guimarães Ana Paula Martins
Published: February 2020

Nos últimos anos, o cerrado brasileiro vem sofrendo fortes impactos devido a destruição da vegetação nativa. O presente artigo tem por objetivo expressar os resultados quali/quantitativos obtidos em um estudo sobre a influência do fogo na composição físico/química de dois solos em uma fazenda localizada no Município de Guaraí, Tocantins. Foram coletados dois tipos de solos que sofreram e que não sofreu queimada, recolhendo amostras da superfície e da profundeza de poços escavados para este fim. Estas amostras foram encaminhadas ao laboratório de solos para a realização das análises físicas e químicas dos solos. De modo geral, os resultados encontrados nos solos não apresentaram diferenças significantes, demonstrando que o fogo não alterou drasticamente a composição química destes solos. Apenas alguns elementos foram encontrados em menor quantidade nos solos queimados, e que alguns elementos se apresentaram em maior quantidade no solo queimado do que no solo que não sofreu a ação do fogo, como por exemplo, o Ferro que foi encontrado uma quantidade quase que dobrada no solo queimado. Diante das informações citadas a cima, conclui-se que é necessário realizar novos trabalhos com diferentes tipos de solos para testar a influência do fogo na composição química e física dos solos.
Avaliação da qualidade da água em poços de abastecimento de hotéis de Ipojuca/PE
Authors: Figueiredo Ricardo Fonseca Rodrigues de , Pereira Sonia Valeria
Published: February 2020

A concentração de grandes centros urbanos ao longo da costa brasileira, e o crescente interesse por áreas próximas as praias para moradia ou lazer, tem levado ao aumento na demanda de abastecimento de água, principalmente nas cidades turísticas. Para suprir a necessidade de consumo do distrito de Porto de Galinhas, no município de Ipojuca em Pernambuco, tem sido adotada a explotação de águas subterrâneas como alternativa para suprir esse déficit. Neste contexto, este trabalho objetivou caracterizar o padrão de potabilidade de águas captadas de poços tubulares que abastecem hotéis no município de Ipojuca e apresentar medidas que contribuam para melhorar a qualidade das águas dos poços estudados. A investigação foi conduzida por meio de um levantamento de dados secundários obtidos da Agência Pernambucana de Águas e Climas (APAC) e Agência Estadual de Meio Ambiente (CPRH), no período entre 2010 e 2018, em que foram avaliados parâmetros microbiológico e físico-químico conforme Portaria de Consolidação Nº 5 de 2017 do Ministério da Saúde. Foi utilizado o software Qualigraf para a realização do balanço iônico e construção do diagrama de Piper para a classificação das águas coletadas. Os resultados indicam que há uma predominância de águas do tipo cloretada sódica. As águas em geral são apropriadas ao consumo humano, satisfazendo na maioria dos casos, os critérios de potabilidade definidos pelas leis ambientais vigentes. Algumas razões iônicas obtidas no presente estudo não se encontram nas faixas de variação características das águas continentais indicando a possibilidade de intrusão salina.
Traveling imagery
Authors: Rasmussen Penille Kærsmose Bøegh , Søndergaard Dorte Marie
Published: February 2020

How is the sexualized digital imagery that young people engage in enacted and spread? How are negotiations of normativity reshaped by analogue-digital involve- ment? This study travels through shady as well as easily accessible parts of the web, combining insights with analogue research approaches in trying to contemplate these questions in new ways. We use digital ethnography, analogue fieldwork, inter- views, and helpline cases to study how young people’s sexualized imagery moves through and transforms across boundless networks, and also across digital and analogue space. Thinking with new materialist analytics, we show how these move- ments blur the distinction between mundane and abusive practices, and how the opaque and indeterminate character of the material functions as a game changer and affects what it means to be young in gendered communities. Although the effects vary among different young people and among different social groups, in all cases they infiltrate conditions for becoming, positioning, and relating.
To be a Bookeater
Authors: Grøn Rasmus , Albrechtslund Anne-Mette
Published: February 2020

Today, adolescent fiction readers are increasingly engaged in different forms of ‘social reading’ in online communities. Through an analysis of Bookeater.dk, a Danish site for adolescent readers, we show how a communal reader identity is constructed via predominant conceptions of reading among the site’s users and how this influences literary value assessment. Overall, the article argues that the young readers’ adherence to this communal identity creates a culture of consensus rather than opening up space for critical discussion about literary value. Neverthe- less, they show critical awareness of the different interests surrounding the publica- tion and promotion of literature.
Friends, lovers, risk and intimacy: risk-taking as a socially meaningful practice
Authors: Thorhauge Anne Mette , Bonitz Mareike
Published: February 2020

In this article we aim to analyse and discuss the notion of risk in photo-sharing practices and the purposes risk serves in the development of intimate relationships. We will argue that risk in the form of self-disclosure is an inseparable aspect of intimate photo-sharing rather than an undesirable side-effect, and that a broader analytical perspective on the role of risk in the development of intimate relationships allows us to understand risky photo-sharing as socially meaningful practice. We will unfold and elaborate this theoretical perspective on the basis of five focus-group interviews with 21 German high schools students aged 14 to 17. The interviews focus on the participants’ sharing practices, and the role risk plays in relation to these practices. The data indicates that risk does indeed serve a social purpose as a way of ‘proving friendship’. Yet, it also indicates that the young people in question are more willing to accept risk related to ‘friendly intimacy’ as compared to ‘romantic intimacy’. We will discuss the possible background for this difference as well as its wider methodological and theoretical implications.
Intimacy and visual communication in social media
Authors: Thorhauge Anne Mette , Demant Jakob Johan , Strøm Krogager Stinne Gunder
Published: February 2020

Sharing (intimate) photos has become an integral part of close relationships in the ageof social media. Most young people use social media as a way to establish and main-tain strong social ties rather than as a way of connecting to public life. This pattern ofuse includes the sharing of photos and videos with intimate and sexual content, suchas nudes, intimate situations, and other types of self-disclosure. Given that the primary public and academic interest has been related to situations where the process has gone wrong and people have been hurt, these photos and videos are often associated with risk, worries, and moral disdain. However, these cases are part of a broader range of social practices, which are for the most part unproblematic and mundane. The sharing of inti- mate photos should be acknowledged as part of a more general act of (mutual) self-dis- closure to establish trust as well as an non-patalogical exploration of sexuality and social identities. In both cases, the sharing of intimate photos becomes part of more general processes of intimacy and close relationships that we should be careful not to reject or problematize as a whole. Accordingly, in this themed issue we would like to move beyond the stories of problem youth and move instead towards a more empirically grounded and systematic analysis of the complex ways in which the sharing of intimate photos becomes part of everyday life practices, including friendship, courtship, trust, and intimacy.
Preserving opportunities to live well
Authors: Kvamme Ole Andreas
Published: February 2020

See introduction in the uploaded document.
School Strikes, Environmental Ethical Values, and Democracy
Authors: Kvamme Ole Andreas
Published: February 2020

The aim of this paper is to contribute to an understanding of the school strikes for climate, initiated in August 2018 by the Swedish student Greta Thunberg, soon to become a global social movement involving hundreds of thousands of students. I examine 10 speeches of Thunberg as recontextualizations of environmental ethical values that have been formulated within the context of United Nations. With this approach, guided by an ethical and educational interest grounded in moral education, and informed by conceptions of Seyla Benhabib, this paper demonstrates how students become democratic citizens appropriating the concern for future generations as a cosmopolitan claim in a resistance to exclusions from current politics.
A Comparative Study on Critical Thinking in Education: From Critical Reading Attainments to Critical Listening Attainments
Authors: Erkek Gülten , Batur Zekerya
Published: February 2020

The importance of this study is to contribute to the development of curriculums and materials to be prepared for Turkish course in order to serve the needs of the era by creating a critical listening attainment list from the philosophy of the national curriculum and from the education programs of countries which are considered successful internationally. In the literature, there have been very few studies on critical listening skills. In addition, in the educational programs of the countries, there is a lack of achievements in listening skills, especially in critical listening skills. Besides, there is no mention of exams that measure critical listening skills. It is stated in the literature that reading and listening skills are understanding-based skills that serve the same purpose. Therefore, in this study, the attainments of the countries towards reading skills were examined and adapted to listening skills. A draft form was created on the basis of opinions of the experts in the field and a critical listening attainment list was created. It is believed that the “Critical Listening Attainment Framework”, which was created with the aim of improving students’ critical listening skills, will contribute to the field of education.
Unethical Behaviors of Teachers in Their Relationships with the School Stakeholders
Authors: Yıldırım İsa , Albez Canan , Akan Durdağı
Published: February 2020

The aim of the study is to reveal the unethical behaviors of teachers in their relationships with other stakeholders in terms of their perceptions. The research was designed in phenomenology pattern and maximum diversity method was used as one of the non-probable purposeful sampling methods for the population of the study. A total of 30 participants including 3 District Director of National Education, 14 school administrators, 6 teachers, 4 parents and 3 students in the center of Erzurum province consisted the study group. A semi-structured interview form developed according to expert opinions was used in the face-to-face interviews conducted by the researchers. The obtained data were transferred to a computer and analyzed in NVIVO 12 program. Content analysis being one of the qualitative data analysis methods was used for the analysis of the data. Primarily, the codes were determined, and the themes and sub-themes were found by categorizing the codes. In accordance with the obtained data, it was concluded that the unethical behaviors of teachers are related to justice and equality, respect for themselves and others, personal and professional integrity and compliance with institutional culture. The results were compared with the results of similar studies and discussed.
Innovation, Recreation, Interpretation? A Case Study on the Origins and Implementation of Transversal Core Competencies in Finnish Basic Education Core Curriculum Reform 2016
Authors: Loima Jyrki
Published: February 2020

This qualitative study on the Finnish basic education curriculum (2016) had two goals. First, to survey the origins of first two new curriculum competences: 1) thinking and learning to learn, and, 2) cultural competences. Second, to analyse the local curricular implementation and comprehension in a rapid socio-cultural change. To reveal the possible data trends, two research questions were addressed: 1. What was the background of first two 2016 transversal core competencies? 2. How were those competencies implemented into a local curriculum 2016-19? The Data included basic education curricula (1985-2016), and a local curriculum. Relevant legislation, official information (e.g. PISA), parental feedback, and a questionnaire to an anonymous implementing principal comprised the curricular data. The Data triangulation was completed with a wide range of educational, cultural and ideological research. Regarding ethics, the individual sources and educational provider remained anonymous. Findings were surprising. “Modern” thinking and learning skills were created in early 20th century American society by Deweyan comprehension. However, an immigration had changed the long-lasting interpretation on the origins of Finnish culture. Moreover, local curriculum implementation was more successfully comprehended and supported. Conclusions were obvious: more identifiable research and teachers’ training were needed for curricular reforms and competences. The socio-cultural comprehension in the era of AI asked for sound arguments.
Gender, Research Approach, Type of Research, and Completion Period of the Minor Thesis (Skripsi)
Authors: Sulandari Santi , Prihartanti Nanik , Ali Qonita , Salimah Marida Rahma , Savitri Amanda Intan , Wijayanti Mei
Published: February 2020

The time-span of completing the minor thesis in Indonesian undergraduate programs has been one of the significant issues in higher education accreditation and quality insurance. Therefore, it is important to assess the possible determinants such as gender, research approach, and type of research, which might effect the students’ completion period of minor thesis (Skripsi). This study used quantitative approach and involved 719 university students. The data was collected from the Faculty database from 2014 to 2017 and Mann Whitney U test and Crosstab analysis were applied to analyze the data. The result of this study showed that gender and research approach did not significantly contribute to the students’ minor thesis completion period. Additionally, students who chose independent research, as their type of research, were able to finish their Skripsi faster than those who conducted joint research.
The Effect of Using Drama in English Language Learning among Young Learners: A Case Study of 6th Grade Female Pupils in Sakaka City
Authors: Alasmari Nasser , Alshae’el Amal
Published: February 2020

English is now the most frequently used language worldwide. In academia, English has become “a hyper central language” millions of students are learning for various reasons. As such, pedagogists, academicians, and language teachers seek new tools and teaching methods to help English language learners reach high proficiency levels. The use of drama as a teaching/learning tool in English language classrooms is one proposed method, justifying this study to investigate the effects of teaching English language through drama, thus deciphering the advantages of this experience and possible challenges it may pose. Data was gathered via an English language test and classroom observations. Results showed that the use of drama develops participants’ language skills, especially the communicative ones such as interactions and conversations, and yields higher proficiency levels as it motivates them to become more engaged in the learning process. These participants also displayed more responsibility and self-reliance; thus, much learning took place. These results confirmed the general claim that introducing drama activities in language classrooms positively supports language acquisition. However, introduction of such a tool presented a few challenges as well, such as the learners’ problems of L1 interference, embarrassment, and inhibition, as well as issues related to the unpredictable and open-ended nature of drama. This paper presents more implications of the findings that necessitate further research to gain a more comprehensive account of drama use in language classrooms and thus overcome the challenges presented.
Roaming Students’ Role as Text Analysts: An Analysis of Indonesian Tertiary EFL Students’ Review Paper
Authors: Setyaningsih Endang
Published: February 2020

Current trend in education has acknowledged the urgency to move students from the role of traditional receiver and echoer of information to the role of critical listener, speaker, reader, and writer. In so doing, the students need to embrace the role of text analysts who continuously question texts that they encounter. This study looked for indices of students’ engagement in text analyst role. The data for the analysis were collected from 25 EFL university students’ reviews which were randomly selected. Using the guidepost developed from Luke and Freebody’s (1999) Four Resources Framework, the study highlighted points of information and/or questions or issues addressed in the students’ writing which indicated students’ role as text analysts. The study revealed that 40 percent of the students failed to practice the text analyst role. Meanwhile, those who addressed the role showcased five major patterns of indices: (1) questioned the trustworthiness of text, (2) recognized bias, (3) uncovered hidden intention/agenda, (4) identified harmed/benefitted party, and (5) provided alternate point of view/way of saying and/or personal standing. This study concludes that the students will be able to engage in text analyst role under two conditions (1) they are not struggling with the basic comprehension and (2) they have reached a state of habituation of mind in terms of questioning text. It is therefore recommended that the students be given sufficient time for familiarization and have continuous practices to make a critical approach to texts.
Students' Attitudes and Perceptions of Reading through Analysis of Their Paintings
Authors: Batur Zekerya , Özcan Halil Ziya
Published: February 2020

This study investigated the attitudes and perceptions of 5th grade students in terms of reading. The study group consists of 10 participants, 6 girls and 4 boys, attending the 5th grade of a public school. This research is a qualitative study with a descriptive phenomenology design. As a data collection tool, the students' drawings and face to face interviews with the students were used. At the stage of collecting the data, the students were asked the question “Can you draw a picture that reflects your thinking about reading?” Afterwards, face-to-face interviews were made to explain their drawings. The students' attitudes and perceptions about reading were examined through paintings and face-to-face interviews. A total of 3 different themes were created. It is seen that “Dream World” theme is the most drawn with 4 paintings among these themes. According to the results obtained, it is seen that all the students in the study group have a positive perception towards reading.
Assessment of Some Heavy Metals and Their Health Risk on Some Vegetables Cultivated in Kwadon Farmlands, Gombe, Nigeria
Authors: Adamu Usman Abubakar , Mohammed Adamu Baba , Yuguda Friday , Magaji Buhari
Published: February 2020

Aim: The present study was aimed to determine the concentration of heavy metals (Pb, Cr, Mn, Cu and Cd) in waterleaf (Talinum triangulare), lettuce (Lectuca sativa) and spinach (Amaranthus hybridus) from three farmlands.

Study Design and Place of Study: The research was carried out at Kwadon in Yamaltu Deba local Government of Gombe State, Kwadon is located between latitude 10.270ºN and longitude 11.28ºE.

Methodology: The heavy metal concentration in the vegetables was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry.

Results: The result showed that the heavy metals concentration in the vegetables across the farms ranges from 2.0–34.4 mg/kg for Mn, 0.025 mg/kg for Cd, 1.7–23.7 mg/kg for Cr, 0.2–1.0% for Cu. The concentration of Mn and Cr are higher than the permissible limit of FAO/WHO in vegetables. To assess the health risk associated with the heavy metals concentration from these vegetables, daily intake of metal (DIM), health risk index (HRI), and target hazard quotient (THQ) were calculated. The daily intake of metals in vegetable species for Mn (0.17–2.81), Cd (2.1), Cu (0.02–0.08), Cr (0.1–2.0) are significantly higher than the recommended daily intake of metals and the upper tolerable daily levels.

Conclusion: This result reflects the risk associated with exposure for the period of life expectancy considered and the inhabitant, are highly exposed to the health risk associated with these metals.
Anti-oxidative and Anti-inflammatory Potential of Aqueous and Ethanol Extract of Leaves and Roots of Napoleona imperialis
Authors: Effiom Etim, Okon , Evans Bassey, Utibe , Bassey Umoren, Elizabeth , Sambo Sunday , Chibuzor Nnamudi, Anthony
Published: February 2020

Napoleona imperialis is a wild plant commonly found in South eastern part of Nigeria which is mostly used for the treatment of wounds. The aim of this research was to evaluate the in vitro anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory potential of aqueous and ethanol extracts of leaves and roots of Napoleona imperialis. The DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) radical scavenging potential of the extracts were evaluated with ascorbic acid as standard. Lipoxidase activity, membrane stabilization and percentage inhibition of acetylcholinesterase was assayed using spectrophotometric method with reference drugs as standard. The DPPH radical scavenging potential of the aqueous leaf extract was observed to be maximum at a concentration of 150 μg/ml which is similar to the result obtained for ascorbic acid. There was a statistically significant difference in the ABTS radical scavenging potential of the ethanol leaf extract (23.67±0.61) and ethanol root extract (32.54±0.84) at 10 µg/ml when compared with ascorbic acid (9.90±0.26). The ethanol leaf extract showed a significantly higher percentage inhibition of lipoxidase activity at 100 μg/ml (20.88±0.77) and 150 μg/ml (31.20±0.80) when compared to reference drug (26.28±0.68 and 31.67±0.82 respectively). Furthermore, the ethanol leaf extract demonstrated a percentage membrane stabilization activity of 41.78±1.08 and 43.65±1.12 at 20 μg/ml and 50 μg/ml respectively compared with the standard drug diclofenac (38.35±0.99 and 41.86±1.08 respectively). The present study therefore suggests that extract of N. imperialis has good anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory potential and could be ameliorated in diseases due to inflammation and oxidation.
Vertical Distribution of TOC, TN and Other Important Soil Attributes and Their Relationship in Alfisol and Entisol of West Bengal
Authors: Rakesh S. , Sinha Abhas Kumar , Mukhopadhyay Prabir
Published: February 2020

A study to assess the profile distribution of important soil attributes in Alfisols and Entisols of West Bengal was conducted during 2016-17. Purposefully selected random sampling was carried out to collect the soils from different locations of two study sites, viz., Kalinagar (25º27'33.9"N, 88º19'10.2"E) from Malda district and Durganagar (26º09'62.7"N, 89º53'51.7"E) from Cooch Behar district of West Bengal at 0-15, 15-30, 30-45 and 45-60 cm depths. Understanding of vertical distribution of soil fertility indicators like soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN) and other important properties in two different soil and climatic conditions will provide an insight regarding the behaviour of soil with the change in environmental conditions. Soil bulk density (BD), porosity, pH, SOC, TN, C:N ratio and texture were determined using standard laboratory procedures and computations. Obtained results were subjected to statistical analyses. Soils of Kalinagar sites were slightly acidic in nature while soils of Durganagar were neutral in nature. Kalinagar soils were silt clay loam in texture where Durganagar soils classified as loam to sandy loam. Soil BD values increased with depth in both Kalinagar (Alfisol) and Durganagar (Entisol). The porosity percentage progressively decreased with an increase in depth. Soils of Durganagar reported higher soil porosity at all the depths studied. An increase in soil pH with increasing depth was observed in both the sites. The mean total organic carbon (TOC) content recorded maximum in surface soil and its concentration decreased with the depth. Kalinagar soils observed 7.63% higher TOC (17.94 g kg-1) content than Durganagar (16.57 g kg-1) at surface depth (0-15 cm) and its accumulation at the lower depths was also maximum in former soil. Mean TN values were also found to decrease by increasing the depth. The accumulation of total nitrogen at the subsequent depths was relatively higher in Kalinagar than Durganagar. Increase in C:N ratio with increasing depth was noticed in Kalinagar site but the opposite trend was accorded in case of Durganagar. Accumulation of SOC and TN throughout the soil depth was found to be greater in Alfisol (Kalingar) due to higher clay and silt fractions as compared to Entisol (Durganagar). There was a significant positive relation of TOC with clay and silt (r = 0.285, p<0.05, r = 0.314, p<0.01, respectively) and of TN with clay and silt (r = 0.328, p<0.01, r = 0.262, p<0.05, respectively) irrespective of soil orders. Alfisols with high bulk density have a greater capacity to accumulate SOC and TN throughout the soil profile due to higher clay and silt fractions in comparison to Entisols with loose textural properties.
Effect of Swine Manure Amendment on Pb2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, and Ni2+ Competitive Sorption onto Agricultural Soil
Authors: Ruiz Danilo Bernardino , Constantino Leonel Vinicius , Barbosa Graziela Moraes de Cesare , Santos Maria Josefa
Published: February 2020

Aims/Objectives: An agricultural tropical soil treated and untreated with swine manure was evaluated to Pb2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, and Ni2+ competitive sorption dynamics.Study Design: Metal ion mobility patterns were evaluated by sorption-desorption reactions with the mineral and organic matter soil phases.

Place and Duration of Study: Agronomic Institute of Parana (IAPAR) at Londrina city, Parana State, Southern Brazil, in an experiment conducted since June 2008.Methodology: Soybean and corn were growing up in the experimental area in summer and winter, respectively. Swine manure (SM) was applied twice a year, and the amount was calculated according each crop necessity. Experiments were in batch, varying the metal ion concentrationfrom 1.0 to 10 meq L−1. After equilibrium, the solid phase was analyzed by EDXRF and liquid phase by ICP-OES. Metal ion mobility was evaluated by applying the dual-mode Langmuir- Freundlich mathematical model, in addition to rate removal and Gibb’s free energy determination.Results: Sorption capacity increased after the SM amendment, and the retention sequence Pb2+>Cu2+>Zn2+>Ni2+ was observed. The sorption capacity increased in 30%, 45%, 176%, and 231% for Pb2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, and Ni2+, respectively. The relative intensity of the fluorescence emission lines showed metal ion sorption increased after the amendment, keeping the same sequence observed for the adjustable parameters from the fitting by dual-mode Langmuir- Freundlich model.

Conclusion: The possibility of a controlled release of micronutrients, considering low-affinity sorption sites, brings an excellent look to the swine manure amendment.
Antidepressant and Antiamnesic Potential of Foeniculum vulgare
Authors: Abbas Afshan , Ikram Rahila , Hasan Faiza , Adil Abeer , Nisar Uzair , Ain Qurat ul
Published: February 2020

Aim: To evaluate the antiamnesic and antidepressant effect of Foeniculum vulgare whole crushed seeds.

Study Design: Laboratory based randomized control study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmacology, University of Karachi between January 2018 to August 2018. 

Methodology: Thirty swiss albino mice and wistar rats were divided equally in three groups. Control group was fed on standard rodent diet, group 2 was fed on 2% Foeniculum vulgare diet and group 3 was given 4% Foeniculum vulgare diet. Antidepressant activity was assessed using forced swimming test. Memory enhancement effect was evaluated by stationary rod test, passive avoidance test and water maze test.

Results: Increased duration of struggling time was noted in both group 2 and group 3 as compared to control in forced swimming test. Decrease in time to reach platform in both water maze and stationary rod test was recorded in both the study group (group 2 & 3). Increase in step through latency was also seen in group 2 and group 3 as compared to control group.

Conclusion: The results showed the memory enhancing and antidepressant actions of Foeniculum.
Investigation of the Levels of Total Aflatoxin in Herbal Traditional Medicines from Selected Vendors Dealers in South-Eastern Nigeria
Authors: Ikeagwulonu Richard C. , Onyenekwe Chinedum C. , Oshim Ifeanyi O. , Olise Nkechi A. , Odeyemi Oluwayemisi , Ojidei Chiedozie K.
Published: February 2020

Aim: To investigate the levels of total aflatoxin (AF) in herbal medicines from selected vendors in South- Eastern Nigeria.

Study Design: This is a cross-sectional study designed to investigate the levels of aflatoxin (AF) mycotoxin in herbal traditional medicines selected randomly from vendor dealers in Ebonyi State of  Nigeria. Fifty-seven (57) herbal medicine samples were obtained from local markets and stores in Ebonyi state, Nigeria.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out at Abakaliki, Ezza-North, Afikpo North, Ohaukwu, Ikwo in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. This study covered a period of one year from April, 2018 to April, 2019.

Methodology:  Fifty-seven (57) herbal medicine samples were analyzed to detect the level of aflatoxin (AF) mycotoxins with the controls. They were selected with self-administered questionnaire using a multistage random sampling technique. Wet extraction was performed on the liquid herbal samples whereas aflatoxin occurrence and levels were evaluated using lateral flow immunoassay technique. Data were analyzed using One sample t-test and descriptive statistics and statistical significance was set at P ≤ 0.05.

Results: The incidence of Aflatoxin contamination in the samples were 48(84.21%) out of 57 herbal medicines examined with the highest level seen in African Iba herbal (20.00±2.00 ppb)  and the lowest level seen in Dunamis and Divine roots herbals (0.00 ± 0.00). Data from the analysis of herbal medicine samples showed different concentration range of mycotoxins AFs (0-20 ppb).

Conclusion: Although aflatoxins concentration observed in the herbal samples were below Nigerian and European Union (EU) upper limits of 20 ppb, the high incidence rate observed in the study should be of concern to public health. The policy makers in the Nigerian agricultural and health sectors have been provided with research evidence as contained in this study on the dangers posed by consumption of some herbal medicines as a result of their aflatoxin contamination.
Social Networking (SNS) Addiction among University Students: A Literature Review and Research Directions
Authors: AlBarashdi Hafidha Sulaiman
Published: February 2020

The main objective of this literature review is to provide empirical and conceptual insight into SNS addiction by exploring potential SNS addiction, examining the personalities of SNS addicted users, and exploring SNS addiction’s negative consequences on well-being, social and academic life. The results revealed that there was no concordance among previous studies on which gender is the most likely to be addicted to SNS. Moreover, the addiction symptoms linked with SNS addiction were cognitive and behavioral salience, conflict with other activities, euphoria, loss of control, withdrawal, and relapse/reinstatement. Previous SNS’s studies determined a high prevalence rate of addiction to SNS among university students. The review revealed that 18.4% of the reviewed studies agreed that SNS addiction is significantly and positively related to depression and Neuroticism. Although 78% of the reviewed previous studies have highlighted several potential negative correlations of extensive SNS usage and addiction on university student well-being, social, and academic life, however, these studies gave more attention to the negative impact on students’ academic performance.
Intracellular matrix Gla protein promotes tumor progression by activating JAK2/STAT5 signaling in gastric cancer
Authors: Wang Mizhu , Chen Lei , Chen Yu , Wei Rui , Guo Qingdong , Zhu Shengquan , Guo Shuilong , Zhu Shengtao , Zhang Shutian , Min Li
Published: February 2020

Matrix Gla protein (MGP) has been widely reported as an extracellular matrix protein with abnormal expression in various types of cancer. However, the function of intracellular MGP in gastric cancer (GC) cells remains largely unknown. Here, we demonstrated aberrantly high expression of intracellular MGP in GC as compared to adjacent normal tissues by immunohistochemistry. Moreover, The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset analysis suggested a positive correlation between MGP overexpression and unfavorable prognosis. MGP silencing reduced cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and survival in GC cell lines. Gene set enrichment analysis of TCGA dataset indicated significant enrichment of the IL2–STAT5 signaling in MGP‐high GC patients. Immunofluorescence staining and immunoprecipitation showed that MGP binds to p‐STAT5 in the nuclei of GC cells. Furthermore, ChIP‐qPCR and luciferase reporter assays indicated that MGP acts as a transcriptional co‐activator through the enhancement of STAT5 binding to target gene promoters. Use of STAT5 inhibitor revealed that the oncogenic functions of intracellular MGP mainly depend on the JAK2/STAT5 signaling pathway. Taken together, our results indicate that intracellular MGP promotes proliferation and survival of GC cells by acting as a transcriptional co‐activator of STAT5. The detected aberrant, high MGP expression in GC tissues highlights MGP as a potential new prognostic biomarker in patients with GC.
Characterization of the cHS4 insulator in mouse embryonic stem cells
Authors: Lu Xi‐bin , Guo Yu‐han , Huang Wei
Published: February 2020

Synthetic biology circuits are often constructed with multiple gene expression units assembled in close proximity, and they can be used to perform complex functions in embryonic stem cells (ESCs). However, mutual interference between transcriptional units has not been well studied in mouse ESCs. To assess the efficiency of insulators at suppressing promoter interference in mouse ESCs, we used an evaluation scheme in which a tunable tetracycline response element promoter is connected to a constant Nanog promoter. The chicken hypersensitive site 4 (cHS4) insulator, widely used both for enhancer blocking and for barrier insulation in vitro and in vivo, was positioned between the two expression units for assessment. By inserting the cassette into various loci of the mouse ESC genome with PiggyBac transposon, we were able to quantitatively examine the protective effect of cHS4 by gradually increasing the transcriptional activity of the tetracycline response element promoter with doxycycline and then measuring the transcriptional activity of the Nanog promoter. Our results indicate that the cHS4 insulator has minimal insulating effects on promoter interference in mouse ESCs. Further studies show that the cHS4 insulation effect may be promoter specific and related to interaction with CCCTC‐binding factor‐mediated loop formation. In addition, we also compared DNA transposition and transgene expression with or without the cHS4 insulator using well‐established ESC reporters. The results indicate that cHS4 has no apparent effects on DNA transposition and transgene expression levels, but exerts modest protective effects on long‐term transgene silencing.
Flexible Multicolor Electroluminescent Devices on Cellulose Nanocrystal Platform
Authors: Badkoobehhezaveh Amir Masoud , Hopmann Eric , Elezzabi Abdulhakem Y.
Published: February 2020

In this work, flexible electroluminescent devices (FELDs) are demonstrated using environmentally‐friendly cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) substrates with a silver nanowire conductive network. The CNC sheets with drop‐casted silver nanowires act as highly transparent conductive electrodes for an electroluminescent layer (a phosphorescent ink containing Cu/Br‐doped ZnS microparticles). This phosphorescent device requires operating voltages as low as 7 V and achieves high luminance of up to 43 Cd m−2 (at 50 V). Furthermore, through impregnating the CNC host material with Rhodamine 6G or Thiazol Yellow G, different emission colors are achieved: blue, turquoise, green, and purple light emission having a broad (400–650 nm) luminescence spectrum are obtained. This device, which uses earth‐abundant, cost‐effective, and recyclable materials, is envisioned to lead to advancements in the areas of electronics and lighting technology.
MoTe2 p–n Homojunctions Defined by Ferroelectric Polarization
Authors: Wu Guangjian , Wang Xudong , Chen Yan , Wu Shuaiqin , Wu Binmin , Jiang Yiyang , Shen Hong , Lin Tie , Liu Qi , Wang Xinran , Zhou Peng , Zhang Shantao , Hu Weida , Meng Xiangjian , Chu Junhao , Wang Jianlu
Published: February 2020

Doped p–n junctions are fundamental electrical components in modern electronics and optoelectronics. Due to the development of device miniaturization, the emergence of two‐dimensional (2D) materials may initiate the next technological leap toward the post‐Moore era owing to their unique structures and physical properties. The purpose of fabricating 2D p–n junctions has fueled many carrier‐type modulation methods, such as electrostatic doping, surface modification, and element intercalation. Here, by using the nonvolatile ferroelectric field polarized in the opposite direction, efficient carrier modulation in ambipolar molybdenum telluride (MoTe2) to form a p–n homojunction at the domain wall is demonstrated. The nonvolatile MoTe2 p–n junction can be converted to n–p, n–n, and p–p configurations by external gate voltage pulses. Both rectifier diodes exhibited excellent rectifying characteristics with a current on/off ratio of 5 × 105. As a photodetector/photovoltaic, the device presents responsivity of 5 A W−1, external quantum efficiency of 40%, specific detectivity of 3 × 1012 Jones, fast response time of 30 µs, and power conversion efficiency of 2.5% without any bias or gate voltages. The MoTe2 p–n junction presents an obvious short‐wavelength infrared photoresponse at room temperature, complementing the current infrared photodetectors with the inadequacies of complementary metal‐oxide‐semiconductor incompatibility and cryogenic operation temperature.
Photoredox Catalyst Free, Visible Light‐Promoted C3−H Acylation of Quinoxalin‐2(1H)‐ones in Water
Authors: Lu Juan , He Xiang‐Kui , Cheng Xiao , Zhang Ai‐Jun , Xu Guo‐Yong , Xuan Jun
Published: February 2020

A method for the synthesis of 3‐acyl quinoxalin‐2(1H)‐ones through visible‐light promoted decarboxylative acylation of α‐oxo‐carboxylic acids with quinoxalin‐2(1H)‐ones was developed. The reaction was performed in aqueous phase and photoredox catalyst was not required to run the process.

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