bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PENINGKATAN SOFT SKILLS SISWA SMP MELALUI PEMBELAJARAN GENERATIF
Authors: Moma La
Published: January 2017

Abstrak: Soft skills merupakan faktor yang turut menunjang kesuksesan siswa belajar matematika. Perlu ada upaya untuk menerapkan suatu model pembelajaran yang dapat memicu peningkatan soft skills siswa dalam matematika. Penelitian ini menerapkan model pembelajaran generatif sebagai alternatif pembelajaran yang diperkirakan akan memicu peningkatan ketiga kemampuan tersebut. Tujuan penelitian untuk mengetahui seberapa besar kontribusi penerapan model tersebut terhadap peningkatan kemampuan soft skills pada level sekolah (tinggi, sedang dan rendah). Penelitian menerapkan desain kuasi eksperimen. Sampel terdiri atas 191 orang siswa kelas VIII pada tiga SMP Negeri di Kota Yogyakarta yang mewakili level sekolah. Pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan teknik tes (pretes dan postes), sedang analisis data menggunakan statistik uji-t dan anova dua jalur. Dari hasil analisis data ditemukan bahwa (1) ada perbedaan pencapaian, peningkatan soft skills siswa antara kelas eksperimen dan kelas kontrol; (2) tidak terdapat interaksi antara pembelajaran dan level sekolah terhadap peningkatan soft skills. Kata Kunci: kemampuan soft skills, pembelajaran generatif THE ENHANCEMENT OF JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS SOFT SKILLS THROUGH GENERATIVE LEARNING Abstract: Soft skills are factors that support students success in learning mathematics. The importance of the students soft skills, unfortunately, are not in line with at the students abilities in these competence. Therefore, we have to implemented a learning model that is expected to lead development soft skills of the students in mathematics. Generative learning model is applied in this study as an alternative learning is predicted to stimulate development soft skills of the students. This study is aimed at determining the contribution of generative learning model of the enhancement of soft skills for difference school levels (high, medium, low).This study is quasi-experimental research involving 191 students of eight-grade senior high schools in Yogyakarta involving three levels of school. Research hyphothesis was examined at 5% level of significance, data analyzed using t-test, and twoway ANOVA. The results of the study are: (1) there are different achievement, the enhancement of soft skills of student between experiment of class and control class; (2) there is no interaction betwee learning and school level toward the enhancemen soft skills. Keywords: soft skills, generative learning
PERKEMBANGAN KEMAMPUAN PEDAGOGICAL CONTENT KNOWLEDGE (PCK) CALON GURU BIOLOGI PADA PENDEKATAN KONKUREN
Authors: Anwar Yenny , Rustaman Nuryani Y. , Widodo Ari , Redjeki Sri
Published: January 2017

Abstrak: Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk memperoleh gambaran tahap perkembangan kemampuan PCK calon guru biologi yang mengikuti program konkuren. Perkembangan PCK diteliti selama  satu tahun setelah melalui semester ganjil dan praktik mengajar, dengan menggunakan metode Cross-sectional study. Data dikumpulkan dari CoRe dan PaP-eRs yang dibuat calon guru dan hasil wawancara. Sebagai data tambahan pelaksanaan pembelajaran oleh calon guru juga diobservasi. Data hasil penelitian dianalisis dengan teknik deskriptif kualitatif dan kuantitatif  menggunakan desain konkuren triangulasi (concurrent triangulation design). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan   Kemampuan PCK calon guru biologi yang mengikuti program pendidikan guru pada pendekatan konkuren mengalami peningkatan secara bertahap dari waktu ke waktu, mulai dari pra PCK menjadi growing PCK.  Dari hasil tersebut dapat disimpulkan bahwa perkembangan PCK calon guru ini bersifat kontinum, bertahap sesuai proses pada tiap tahapan.            Kata Kunci: Pendidikan Guru Biologi, Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK),      Pendidikan  Guru Konkuren, Calon Guru Biologi
Evaluación del efecto regulador de Chrysoperla externa sobre mosca blanca Trialeurodes vaporariorum en tomate
Authors: Castro L. Mayerly Alejandra , Martínez O. John Wilson , Dotor R. Mónica Yadira
Published: January 2017

El tomate Solanum lycopersicum L es una hortaliza de gran mportancia en el ámbito nacional. Dentro de las principales limitantes de este cultivo se encuentra la mosca blanca, Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood (Hemíptera: Aleyrodidae). Este estudio evaluó en laboratorio la capacidad reguladora de Chrysoperla externa Hagen (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) sobre mosca blanca T. vaporariorum. A partir de plantas infestadas con T. vaporariorum, se tomaron foliolos con presencia de ninfas de la plaga y se depositaron en recipientes plásticos con tapa, adicionando un individuo en cada estado larval del depredador C. externa. Se emplearon densidades de presa de 50, 75 y 100 individuos en los dos instares iniciales del depredador y 100, 150 y 200 para el tercer instar, con un testigo con 50 individuos sin depredador. Se empleó un diseño completamente al azar en condiciones de laboratorio de 17,8 °C y 67,5% de humedad relativa. Se observaron diferencias estadísticas significativas entre densidades de presa en los tres instares evaluados. Se encontró, para cada una de las densidades de presas de T. vaporariorum evaluadas en primer instar de C. externa, porcentajes de mortalidad de 96,8%, 80,5% y 56,4%, respectivamente; para el segundo instar, mortalidades de 94,4%, 77,5% y 75,4%, en su orden y para el tercer instar mortalidades de 99,1 %, 90% y 76,6%, respectivamente. De acuerdo con los resultados obtenidos, C. externa ejerce un efecto regulatorio, presentando una respuesta funcional tipo II en sus tres instares larvales, cuando actúa como depredador de ninfas de T. vaporariorum.
Una red de sensores inalámbricos para la automatización y control del riego localizado
Authors: Castro C. Nesly Diana , Chamorro F. Luis Eduardo , Viteri M. Carlos Andrés
Published: January 2017

Uno de los objetivos de la agricultura de precisión, es el riego de acuerdo con las necesidades particulares de cada porción del suelo de cultivo. En este trabajo, se describe el diseño e implementación de una red de sensores inalámbricos que es capaz de obtener mediciones de humedad del suelo de diferentes zonas de un cultivo de fresas y, según los datos recogidos, determina el tiempo de riego y la zona particular que se debe regar utilizando el método de goteo. Los requerimientos de agua para los cultivos se estimaron teniendo en cuenta la capacidad de campo y el umbral de riego; ambas fueron encontradas para cada zona del cultivo en periodo de producción. La comunicación entre los nodos de la red se basa en la pila de protocolos ZigBee, y el prototipo final es un sistema de control de riego de encendido/apagado en lazo cerrado, que incluye una banda de histéresis. Los resultados de la implementación de la red y el sistema de control muestran un incremento en la eficiencia del uso de agua, además de una mejora en la calidad de los frutos con respecto al método de riego tradicional.
An application of activity-based costing in the chicken processing industry: a case of joint products
Authors: Kabinlapat Panravee , Sutthachai Siriluck
Published: January 2017

A great deal of research has been presented on the application of activity-based costing (ABC) in the manufacturing and service industries. In the field of agribusiness, which focuses uniquely on joint products, few studies exist that illustrate applications of ABC. This research has therefore applied ABC to a food company, concentrating on fresh and frozen chicken processing production. The basic process of ABC, based upon five steps, was applied and demonstrated the difficulties in applying cost data collection, identifying activity and cost drivers, as well as collecting driver data. The results also revealed significant differences in unit costs derived by ABC and the company’s existing cost system, particularly within frozen food products. This may suggest the possibility of distorted cost allocations within the company’s current costing system.
Juventude e política segundo organizações juvenis em uma universidade do interior de Minas Gerais: experiências de ensino e de formação política
Authors: Groppo Luís Antonio , Dionizi Adilene Moreira , Pereira Anna Cinthia Tobias , Goussain Enzo Michel , Borges Lívia Furtado
Published: January 2017

Este trabalho almeja duplamente tratar da relação entre educação e movimentos sociais, especifica-mente, a dimensão educativa das organizações ju-venis de caráter político atuantes em uma universi-dade pública do Sul de Minas Gerais. Primeiro, sis-tematiza uma experiência de ensino e pesquisa em uma disciplina eletiva de graduação, “Juventude e movimento estudantil”, que tencionava estudar os movimentos com base em bibliografia e por meio de investigações de campo sobre coletivos juvenis. Se-gundo, interpreta os resultados desta experiência investigativa, destacando as concepções de juventu-de e política ativadas por coletivos políticos estudantis. A pesquisa contou com o levantamento de organizações, coleta de documentos e entrevistas com militantes de grupos estudantis. Sobre a siste-matização das experiências na disciplina, os resulta-dos demonstram a qualificação de uma atividade que buscou integrar ensino, pesquisa e extensão e aproximar os estudos acadêmicos das práticas sociopolíticas dos jovens estudantes. A pesquisa de campo destaca as contribuições das práticas de for-mação política, promovidas pelos coletivos estudan-tis, para a politização do espaço da universidade e para a atuação imediata, como sujeitos políticos, dos jovens estudantes universitários.
Corporate governance in banking: A survey of the literature
Authors: Busta Ilduara
Published: January 2017

The aim of this paper is to explain the particular characteristics of the corporate governance of banks and its role for good bank performance. In order to do that, it reviews the existing literature on this issue trying to answer three main questions: (i) Why are banks different? Existing research points at diverse features, such as, regulation, supervision, capital structure, risk, fiduciary relationships, ownership, and deposit insurance, that would make banks special and thereby influence their corporate governance. (ii) What is different about bank governance? According to past studies, banks’ boards of directors are larger, more independent, have a superior number of committees and meet more often, but seem to play a weaker disciplinary role. Executive compensation would be higher in banking, but pay-performance sensitivity appears lower. (iii) What works for banks? Larger boards, more concentrated ownership structures and certain levels of managerial shareholdings are the principal factors suggested by the empirical evidence to date that seem to lead banks to higher performance.
Corporate governance, legal investor protection, and performance in Spain and the United Kingdom
Authors: Castrillo Lara Luis Angel , Marcos Naviera Maria Sonia , San Martín Reyna Juan Manuel
Published: January 2017

This paper studies the influence of ownership concentration, board size, and debt in firm performance of a sample of 216 companies from Spain and the United Kingdom, over a four-year period (2000-2003), with the aim of uncovering evidence on the influence of the legal environment in the design of governance mechanisms. Our findings show that the legal protection offered to investors in each country determines the use of internal governance mechanisms. The results show that ownership concentration and investor protection are substitutive mechanisms when increasing firm value, and that the latter mechanisms determine the use of the remaining governance mechanisms.
Capital structure in blockholder-dominated firms: a closer look on corporate ownership and control
Authors: Morresi Ottorino
Published: January 2017

In countries where holding control takes on much relevance it is arguable that capital structure choices are shaped in response to ownership characteristics. These issues are explored in the Italian context being dominated by pyramidal groups and majority-controlled firms. The results show that (1) family firms are more indebted than non-family counterparts and, within family firms, (2) founding-family controlled ones are more reliant on debt; (3) family firms exploit control-enhancing devices along with long-term leverage; (4) higher cash flow rights are associated with a lower leverage; (5) institutional investors are more common in firms with a higher dependence on long-term debt; (6) decreasing trends of the long-term leverage over time seem to occur with upward paths of the votes-to-capital ratio
Ruling self-dealing in a global market: a reassessment of the convergence vs. path-dependency debate
Authors: Pizzo Michele , Moscariello Nicola , Vinciguerra Rosa
Published: January 2017

Self-dealing refers to all kinds of transactions and operations whose aim is to divert value from a company to corporate controllers. In order to tackle self-dealing, scholars and regulators have emphasised the importance of legal tools. However, although the pro-regulatory approach prevails on a wide scale in the academic arena, there still exists a marked divergence between theoretical positions supporting the existence of a benchmark model towards which to converge (convergence hypothesis) and those that underscore the importance of socio-economic factors on the efficacy of governance rules (path dependency view). The aim of this paper is to join in the convergence vs. path dependency debate by adding some considerations on the efficiency of mandatory rules to the well-known investigations on the effectiveness of legal frameworks. Specifically, considering the current market integration and associated opportunities and threats, the traditional cost-benefit analysis has been extended in order to embrace direct and indirect costs specifically associated to the issue of domestic rules in a global scenario. Such an economic analysis on self-dealing introduces new variables that may support the convergence view and encourage at least a partial and gradual adjustment of national legislations towards the Anglo-Saxon model. To test our hypothesis, an examination of the self-dealing rules adopted in Germany, Italy and UK has been conducted. In particular, spatial and temporal comparisons of conflict of interests and self-dealing legislations have been carried out in order to appreciate trends, differences and similarities of some of the most important European legal frameworks.
Corporate governance, firm characteristics and internet financial reporting: evidence from Egyptian listed companies
Authors: Elsayed Amr , El-Masry Ahmed , Elbeltagi Ibrahim
Published: January 2017

This study investigates the effect of corporate governance and firm characteristics on the Internet financial reporting (IFR) of the Egyptian listed companies. We develop a disclosure index to measure the three components of the IFR for the Egyptian listed corporations by using an un-weighted checklist. The results find a significant relationship between the three components of IFR (TOTAL, CONTENT and PRESENTATION) and firm size, ownership diffusion, type of business, profitability, audit type, institutional ownership and board size. The results indicate that large non-financial companies that are audited by the big four auditing companies with high diffusion in their ownership and lower presentation of institutions in the ownership structure are more likely to be related to TOTAL and CONTENT. In addition, large profitable companies with high diffusion in their ownership are more likely to be related to TOTAL and PRESENTATION. Finally, companies with a large board size are associated only with PRESENTATION.
ICN pharmaceuticals: corporate governance analysis
Authors: Grove Hugh , Čupić Milan
Published: January 2017

ICN Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (today Valeant Pharmaceuticals International) was a drug developer and manufacturer, known in the medical field for its development of Ribavirin, an antiviral compound used to treat various viral infections. However, ICN will probably be remembered mostly as an example of problematic and inefficient corporate governance. Changes in the management structure of ICN occurred almost at the same time when corporations, like Enron, WorldCom, Tyco, were dealing with financial scandals caused by problems in corporate governance. Since ICN was not a powerful corporation and found a way to deal with its problems, it was not subject of any big financial scandal. Nevertheless, it is interesting how ICN managed to operate, in some years even successfully, with so many corporate governance problems and how Milan Panic managed to stay at the top of ICN for 42 years, in spite of his numerous expensive law suits, scandals and bad decisions.
Managing strategic risks from management control approach
Authors: Sales Xavier
Published: January 2017

It is this conceptual paper’s intention to show the use of a management control approach to managing strategic risks. This theoretical work presents and conceptualizes strategic risk, categorizes strategic risks (examples taken from financial industry are used) and presents a management control framework to manage with these risks strategically. The paper illustrates the need to identify strategic risks proactively and to integrate risk management tools into overall company strategic management. It suggests that risk management is critical for an organization’s survival; it needs to have a company-wide strategic approach and backed by the top management of the organization. The paper also suggests that shareholders are ultimately responsible for the way the risks their companies face are managed. The recent financial crisis has generated a considerable amount of discussion around what regulators can do or could have done, while forgetting proper controls system by owners (shareholders) to influence and control the behavior of the managers of their own companies.
Hydrogeologic structures in two Serbian spa towns - Sijarinska Banja and Selters Banja
Authors: Marinkovic Goran , Papic Petar , Dragisic Veselin , Andrijasevic Jakov
Published: January 2017

The objective of the paper is to identify the boundaries of hydrogeologic
structures in which natural mineral waters occur, using two examples: old
mineral water (Sijarinska Banja) and young mineral water (Selters Banja). The
research addresses the distance from recharge zones, depth of occurrence, and
points of discharge. Apart from the three spatial dimensions, the study also
includes the time dimension - water age. The following parameters are
examined: geologichydrogeologic conditions in the places of occurrence of
mineral water, connection between mineral water and permeable fault zones,
distance of surface water divides, previously-defined maximum possible depths
of occurrence, possible flow rates, and the determined age. If the flow
followed a straight line, the maximum distance of the recharge zone would be
up to 7 m for the young and up to 11 km for the old mineral water. However,
it is obvious that this is never the case in fractured systems, given that
water travels much longer distances from the point of entry to the point of
drainage from aquifers. Assessment of geologic-hydrogeologic and hydrodynamic
conditions, relative to the determined age of the mineral water, leads to the
conclusion that the distance between the recharge and drainage zones can be
less than 5 km. The paper shows that insight into the depth of infiltration
into permeable fault zones can also be gained by studying the depth of
circulation relative to known hydrodynamic zones. The inference is that the
largest amount of groundwater is restored in the hydrodynamic zone of slow
groundwater renewal, which is below a depth of 1.5 km at Sijarinska Banja and
below 1.3 km at Selters Banja.
Characteristic groundwater level regimes in the capture zones of radial collector wells and importance of identification (Case study of Belgrade Groundwater Source)
Authors: Bozovic Djordjije , Polomcic Dusan , Bajic Dragoljub
Published: January 2017

Assessment of the operating modes of radial collector wells reveals that the
pumping levels in the well caissons are very low relative to the
depth/elevation of the laterals, which is a common occurrence at Belgrade
Groundwater Source. As a result, well discharge capacities vary over a broad
range and groundwater levels in the capture zones differ even when the rate
of discharge is the same. Five characteristic groundwater level regimes are
identified and their origin is analyzed using representative wells as
examples. The scope and type of background information needed to identify the
groundwater level regime are presented and an interpretation approach is
proposed for preliminary assessment of the aquifer potential at the well site
for providing the needed amount of groundwater.
Contemporary principles of suicide prevention
Authors: Ljusic Dragana , Ravanic Dragan , Filipovic-Danic Snezana , Soldatovic Ivan , Cvetkovic Jovana , Stojanovic-Tasic Mirjana
Published: January 2017

Introduction. Suicide remains a significant public health problem worldwide.
This study is aimed at analyzing and presenting contemporary methods in
suicide prevention in the world as well as at identifying specific risk
groups and risk factors in order to explain their importance in suicide
prevention. Material and Methods. The literature search covered electronic
databases PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus. In order to select the
relevant articles, the authors searched for the combination of key-words
which included the following medical subject heading terms (suicide or
suicide ideation or attempted) and (prevention or risk factors) and (man or
elders or mental disorders). Data analysis covered meta-analyses, systematic
reviews and original scientific papers with different characteristics of
suicide preventions, risk factors and risk groups. Results. Worldwide
evidence-based interventions for suicide prevention are divided in
universal, selective and indicated interventions. Restricted approach to
various methods of committing suicide as well as pharmacotherapy
contributes to a lower suicide rate. Suicide risk factors can be categorized
as proximal and distal. The following groups are at highest risk of
committing suicide: males, older persons and persons with registered
psychiatric disorders. Conclusion. There is a lot of evidence that
suicide is preventable. It is known that only 28 countries in the world have
national suicide prevention strategies and Serbia is not one of them.
The regulation role of carotid body peripheral chemoreceptors in physiological and pathophysiological conditions
Authors: Lazovic Biljana , Zlatkovic-Svenda Mirjana , Durmic Tijana , Stajic Zoran , Djuric Vesna , Zugic Vladimir
Published: January 2017

Introduction. The major oxygen sensors in the human body are peripheral
chemoreceptors, also known as interoreceptors-as connected with internal
organs, located in the aortic arch and in the body of the common carotid
artery. Chemoreceptor function under physiological conditions. Stimulation
of peripheral chemoreceptors during enviromental hypoxia causes a
reflex-mediated increased ventilation, followed by the increase of the
muscle sympatic activity, aiming to maintain tissue oxygen homeostatis, as
well as glucosae homeostatis. Besides that, peripheral chemoreceptors
interact with central chemoreceptors, responsible for carbon dioxide
changes, and they are able to modulate each other. Chemoreceptor function
in pathophysiological conditions. Investigations of respiratory function in
many pathological processes, such as hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea,
congestive heart failure and many other diseases that are presented with
enhanced peripheral chemosensitivity and impaired functional sympatholysis
ultimately determine the peripheral chemoreceptor role and significance of
peripheral chemoreceptors in the process of those pathological conditions
development. Considering this, the presumed influence of peripheral
chemoreceptors is important in patients having the above mentioned
pathology. Conclusion. The importance and the role of peripheral
chemoreceptors in the course of the breathing control is still
controversial, despite many scientific attempts to solve this problem. The
main objective of this review is to give the latest data on the peripheral
chemoreceptor role and to highlight the importance of peripheral
chemoreceptors for maintaining of oxygen homeostasis in pateints with
hypoxia caused by either physiological or pathological conditions.
Cup-bearer of Constantius II and Early Christian inscriptions from the necropolis of St Synerotes in Sirmium
Authors: Popovic Ivana , Ferjancic Snezana
Published: January 2017

During the archaeological excavations performed in 1969/70 at the northern
necropolis of Sirmium, around the Basilica of St Synerotes, a few sepulchral
slabs with inscriptions and symbols of Early Christian character were
discovered. The inscription on one slab, which reads: [?1 ? M]arturiu/[s
p]incerna /[C]onstanti/[I]nperatori/[s(!)qui] vixsit(!) an/n[is] nonag/inta
una cu/m matron/a sua Man/
Detection of Ground Water Availability at Buhias Island, Sitaro Regency
Authors: Tamod Zetly E , Polii Bobby , Sikome Ruth Maria
Published: January 2017

The study aims to detect ground water availability at Buhias Island, Siau Timur Selatan District, Sitaro Regency. The research method used the survey method by geoelectrical instrument based on subsurface rock resistivity as a geophysical exploration results with geoelectrical method of Wenner-Schlumberger configuration. Resistivity geoelectrical method is done by injecting a flow into the earth surface, then it is measured the potential difference. This study consists of 4 tracks in which each track is made the stretch model of soil layer on subsurface of ground.  Then, the exploration results were processed using software RES2DINV to look at the data of soil layer based on the value of resistivity (2D). Interpretation result of the track 1 to 4 concluded that there is a layer of ground water. State of dominant ground water contains the saline (brackish). Location of trajectory in the basin to the lowland areas is mostly mangrove swamp vegetation. That location is the junction between the results of the runoff of rainfall water that falls down from the hills with sea water. Bedrock as a constituent of rock layer formed from marine sediments that carry minerals salts.
Distribution of Water Infiltration Rate in Ciliwung Watershed
Authors: Pramono Irfan Budi
Published: January 2017

Floods in Jakarta showed that the Ciliwung watershed and surrounding areas in critical condition. More than 50 % of land cover Ciliwung watershed is residential. Planting trees in residential areas have been insufficient to infiltrate as much water into the ground. Infiltration well is one possibility for absorbing water in residential areas. The purpose of this study was to determine the variation in the level of water absorption Ciliwung watershed and surrounding areas. The method used is overlaying analysis of the factors that determine the rate of water infiltration with geographic information system. Each of these factors gave weights and scores to obtained variations Ciliwung water infiltration rate. The results showed that the regions with the highest levels found in the upper catchment area and the city of Bogor, middle absorbtion water area was in Bogor Regency, low water absorption areas in Depok , South Jakarta , and East Jakarta . While in North Jakarta, Central Jakarta and West Jakarta the water absortion is very low level due to the shallow ground water level and very low soil permeability. Map variations in water absorption can be used as a material consideration for determining the locations of recharge wells effectively.
Traditional honey harvesting by the Pnar community of South Assam, India
Authors: Deori Biswajyoti Bikomiya , Deb Panna , Singha Hilloljyoti , Choudhury Manabendra Ray
Published: January 2017

Honey obtained from the bee hives is a sweet food and has a great medicinal value. Honey collected from nature by the ethnic communities is an important source of nutrition and also contribute to their income generation. Honey collection from the wild is especially done by the indigenous tribe and forest dwellers. The Pnar community living in Barak Valley, South Assam is also engaged in the collection of honey from the forest, especially during the spring season. The process starts with the gathering of information, followed by the preparation for the activity and subsequently extraction of honey from the bee hive. The technique used by the Pnar community is a challenging one as it involves harvesting of honey from lofty trees in forest with traditionally made gears like bamboo basket, smoke torch and a one bamboo ladder. The indigenous ways involves lining the bamboo basket with leaves for the collection of honey, using smoke to frighten the bee and storage of honey in the bamboo pipes. The present study exhibits the rich traditional knowledge that has paved the way for a sustainable livelihood since long and at the same time provides income generation opportunity for the community. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Epidemiological study of clinical signs and symptoms of mercury poisoning in fish consumers residing in five villages along Thane Creek and Ulhas River Estuary near Mumbai, India
Authors: Menon Jayashree S.
Published: January 2017

The fish of Thane Creek and Ulhas River Estuary are contaminated with mercury. The traditional fishing folks residing along these water sources consume large amounts of these fish for their sustenance, therefore, being vulnerable to mercury poisoning. A survey on the clinical signs and symptoms of mercury poisoning was carried out in Wehele, Alimgarh and Diwe-Kewni along Ulhas River Estuary and Vittawa and Airoli along Thane creek. Fortunately, no alarming signals of mercury poisoning could be detected in these populations. Genetic make-up and/or use of onion and garlic in the fish preparations could be the probable detoxifying factors in these populations. However, these populations being vulnerable to mercury poisoning, continuous monitoring is recommended in these areas. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Water quality and red bloom algae of fish ponds in three different regions of Nepal
Authors: Mandal Ram Bhajan , Rai Sunila , Shrestha Madhav Kumar , Jha Dilip Kumar , Pandit Narayan Prasad , Rai Shiva Kumar
Published: January 2017

Present study determines the causes and seasonal variation of red bloom in fishponds of Eastern, Western and Central regions of Nepal. Monthly monitoring of water quality and phytoplankton was carried out for one year. Water parameters such as NH3-N, total phosphorus, total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), total dissolved solids (TDS) and conductivity were significantly higher (p<0.05) in red bloom fishponds than non-red bloom fishponds. The total density of euglenophytes in red-bloom fishponds was significantly higher (P<0.05) (1970±260 cells L-1) than non-red bloom fishponds (410±30 cells L-1). Euglenophyte density varied seasonally and significantly lower in spring season (1250±220 cells L-1) than autumn (1950±390 cells L-1), winter (2180±370 cells L-1), and summer (2490±480 cells L-1) in red bloom fishponds. High nutrients might favor the growth of euglenophytes (Euglena sanguinea) causing red bloom fish ponds of Nepal. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Modeling the Impacts of Free Trade Agreements on Domestic Transportation Gateways, Corridors, and Ports
Authors: Bachmann Chris
Published: January 2017

Canada has recently made progress with several free trade agreements (FTAs), and although the government has carried out considerable analysis of their potential impact on the Canadian economy, little to no work has been done to assess the potential impact on Canada's transportation system. The objective of the research was to estimate the impacts of recent and forthcoming FTAs on Canada's domestic trade infrastructure. This study extended a typical computable general equilibrium simulation of an FTA by estimating high-level domestic supply chain characteristics (i.e., subnational region of origin or destination, sub-national region of exit or entry, international transportation mode, port of clearance) and by converting the resulting trade flows to freight flows measured in tonnage. The results indicate that the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between Canada and the European Union (EU) may have had large impacts on Canada's Continental and Atlantic Gateways, especially at the Port of Montreal, Quebec, as a result of trade creation with the EU. CETA also has had impacts on various crossings at the U.S. border as a result of trade diversion with the United States. Simulations, however, suggested that the Canada–Korea Free Trade Agreement has had relatively small impacts, mostly concentrated in the Asia-Pacific Gateway, particularly at the Port of Vancouver, British Columbia. Although the impacts were FTA-specific, this research demonstrated the need to consider FTAs in commodity forecasting and freight transportation planning, because they could make sizable changes to future freight flows on domestic transportation infrastructure.
Inference of Public Transportation Trip Destinations by Using Fare Transaction and Vehicle Location Data
Authors: Sánchez-Martínez Gabriel E.
Published: January 2017

Origin–destination matrices provide vital information for service planning, operations planning, and performance measurement of public transportation systems. In recent years, methodological advances have been made in the estimation of origin–destination matrices from disaggregate fare transaction and vehicle location data. Unlike manual origin–destination surveys, these methods provide nearly complete spatial and temporal coverage at minimal marginal cost. Early models inferred destinations on the basis of the proximity of possible destinations to the next origin and disregarded the effect of waiting time, in-vehicle time, and the number of transfers on path choice. The research reported here formulated a dynamic programming model that inferred destinations of public transportation trips on the basis of a generalized disutility minimization objective. The model inferred paths and transfers on multileg journeys and worked on systems that served a mix of gated stations and ungated stops. The model is being used to infer destinations of public transportation trips in Boston, Massachusetts, and is producing better results than could be obtained with earlier models.
Long-Term Durability Studies on Chemically Treated Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement Material as a Base Layer for Pavements
Authors: Puppala Anand J. , Pedarla Aravind , Chittoori Bhaskar , Ganne Vijay Krishna , Nazarian Soheil
Published: January 2017

For several years reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) material has been used as a construction material in hot-mix asphalt (HMA) to reduce material costs and stabilize pavements. Of the 45 million tons of RAP produced every year in the United States, only 33% is being used in HMA. Recent studies have demonstrated that RAP can be used effectively in base layers when it is blended with aggregate base materials and stabilized with cement or fly ash additives. This adoption in the pavement base layer helps maximize the reutilization of RAP material and minimize its disposal in landfills, thereby making it an environmentally friendly practice. However, studies reported so far addressed only the strength and stiffness characteristics of stabilized RAP in base layers in the short term, and not many studies have addressed its long-term behavior. In this study the long-term durability of untreated as well as stabilized specimens was tested by conducting standard durability testing to replicate the moisture fluctuations in the field from seasonal variations. In addition, leachate studies were conducted to examine the effect of rainfall infiltration on the leachability of the cement or fly ash stabilizer from stabilized RAP mixtures. Durability studies revealed a very low volumetric change and good retaining strength at the end of three, seven, and 14 cycles for RAP material from the El Paso, Texas, area, and leachate tests proved that the leaching of cement or fly ash stabilizer from RAP mixes cannot be considered to be a concern for long-term performance. However, approximately 2 years of field infiltration were replicated in the laboratory in this study. Of the several RAP mixtures studied, the mixture composed of 60% RAP and 40% base material with 2% cement was identified as an effective long-term-performing mixture.
Sundarban mangroves: diversity, ecosystem services and climate change impacts
Authors: Neogi Sucharit Basu , Dey Mouri , Kabir SM Lutful , Masum Syed Jahangir H , Kopprio German , Yamasaki Shinji , Lara Rubén
Published: January 2017

The Bengal delta coast harboring the famous Sundarban mangroves is extremely vulnerable to climate change. Already, salinity intrusion, increasing cyclones and anomalies in rainfall, and temperature, are causing many social and livelihood problems. However, our knowledge on the diversified climate change impacts on Sundarban ecosystems services, providing immense benefits, including foods, shelters, livelihood, and health amenities, is very limited. Therefore, this article has systematically reviewed the major functional aspects, and highlights on biodiversity, ecosystem dynamics, and services of the Sunderban mangroves, with respect to variations in climatic factors. The mangrove ecosystems are highly productive in terms of forest biomass, and nutrient contribution, especially through detritus-based food webs, to support rich biodiversity in the wetlands and adjacent estuaries. Sundarban mangroves also play vital role in atmospheric CO2 sequestration, sediment trapping and nutrient recycling. Sea level rise will engulf a huge portion of the mangroves, while the associated salinity increase is posing immense threats to biodiversity and economic losses. Climate-mediated changes in riverine discharge, tides, temperature, rainfall and evaporation will determine the wetland nutrient variations, influencing the physiological and ecological processes, thus biodiversity and productivity of Sundarban mangroves. Hydrological changes in wetland ecosystems through increased salinity and cyclones will lower the food security, and also induce human vulnerabilities to waterborne diseases. Scientific investigations producing high resolution data to identify Sundarban?s multidimensional vulnerabilities to various climatic regimes are essential. Sustainable plans and actions are required integrating conservation and climate change adaptation strategies, including promotion of alternative livelihoods. Thus, interdisciplinary approaches are required to address the future climatic disasters, and better protection of invaluable ecosystem services of the Sunderban mangroves.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. December 2016, 2(4): 488-507
Medicinal use of the unique plant Tinospora Cordifolia: evidence from the traditional medicine and recent research
Authors: Khan Md Moniruzzaman , Haque M Sadul , Chowdhury Md Saiful Islam
Published: January 2017

Tinospora cordifolia is commonly known as Gulancha in Bangladesh is belongs to Menispermaceae family and it is also available all over the world. It is widely used as a unique ingredient of various natural medicine and traditionally use for numerous aliment like fever, vomiting, diabetes, jaundice, anaemia, polyuria and skin diseases etc. It has hypoglycemic, antipyretic, anti-allergic, Antineoplastic, anti inflammatory, antioxidant, and immuno modulatory properties. A variety of constituents have been isolated from different parts of Tinospora cordifolia, mainly contains alkaloids like Aporphine alkaloids, clerodane diterpenes, berberine, palmatine, tembertarine, tinosporin, magniflorine, choline, Berberine, Palmatine, Tembetarine, Magnoflorine Choline, Tinosporin etc. and Glycoside like Tinocordiside, Tinocordifolioside, steroids, essential oils, mixture of fatty acids and polysaccharides are found in Gulancha plant. This review presents a detailed survey of the literature on traditional and modern knowledge of Tinospora cordifolia for health benefit.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. December 2016, 2(4): 508-512
AAntibiotic use to the production performance of ISA brown layer
Authors: Rahman Md Khalaydur , Majumder Md Kamrul Hasan , Ali Md Yousuf , Khatun Most Mahfuja , Kabir Sarkar Enayet , Sakib Md Nazmus , Islam Mohammed Sirajul , Akter Most Sumona , Sultana Fowzia
Published: January 2017

The present study was designed with a view to study the effects of enrofloxacin antibiotic on ISA brown layer performance. A total of 1,80,000 laying hens (ISA brown) received and supplied enrofloxacin antibiotic in the dose of 0 mg, 10mg and 20 mg/kg BW with normal diet. Each layer was fed 120 g feed/day from 42 to 48 weeks of age. Antibiotic made significant differences in egg production (p<0.05) and especially on mortality (p<0.01). The different doses of enrocin (0 mg, 10mg and 20mg/kg BW) had no significant effect on feed conversion efficiency and egg weight. Therefore, it can be suggested that a lower dose (10mg/kg BW) of antibiotic may be benefited in commercial layer diet.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. December 2016, 2(4): 541-546
Detection of enteric bacteria in the popular street food chotpoti in Dhaka, Bangladesh
Authors: Hassan Md Zakiul , Islam Md Saiful , Salauddin Md , Zafor Abu Hena Abid , Scott Meghan L , Alam Shahinul
Published: January 2017

Contaminated street food has been linked to food-borne illness and food-borne outbreak. Chotpoti is a popular street food in Bangladesh. This study was conducted to identify enteric bacteria in chotpoti sold in different parts of the capital city Dhaka. From July to October, 2012 we purposively selected 18 sites where chotpoti was sold in Dhaka city. From each site we randomly selected six chotpoti stalls for sample collection. At each stall we aseptically collected approximately 100 gm of a combined sample of chotpoti, chili sauce and water used for cleaning utensils. The combined sample was homogenized and was serially diluted in a sterile test tube with normal saline to obtain a dilution up to 10-5. From each test tube 0.1 ml of dilution was plated on to MacConkey and Blood agar plates under aerobic conditions at 37?C for 24 to 48 hours. Bacterial growth was identified by the colonial morphology, Gram stain, and biochemical tests. Of the 108 samples we analyzed, 84 (78%) were contaminated with bacterial pathogens. Among isolated organisms Acinetobacter (66%) was the most dominant followed by Klebsiella spp. (54%), E. coli (3%) and Proteus spp. (0.9%). Two different organisms were present in 47 (44%) samples. In half of the study sites, every sample was contaminated; in only one site bacterial contamination was absent in all samples. Contaminated street food like chotpoti may cause food borne illness and pose risk of food borne epidemics. Further studies are required for quantitative assessment of pathogens to detect potential sources of contamination and to develop interventions that can effectively reduce street food contamination.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. December 2016, 2(4): 596-602
Species identification and the biological properties of several Japanese starfish
Authors: Sharmin Farhana , Ishizaki Shoichiro , Nagashima Yuji
Published: January 2017

Marine organisms are a rich source of natural products with potential secondary metabolites that have great pharmacological activity. Starfish are known as by-catch products in the worldwide fishing industry and most of starfish have been got rid of by fire destruction without any utilization. On the other hand, starfish are considered as extremely rich sources of biological active compounds in terms of having pharmacological activity. In the present study, molecular identification of starfish species, micronutrient content and hemolytic activity from Luidia quinaria, Astropecten scoparius, and Patiria pectinifera were examined. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene fragment of mitochondrial DNA indicated that partial sequences of PCR products of the species was identical with that of L. quinaria, A. scoparius, and P. pectinifera. From the results of micronutrient contents, there were no great differences on the micronutrient among species. However, Cd, Cu, and as contents had species-specificity. The crude extract of three starfish showed hemolytic activity against 2% rabbit erythrocytes with 50% hemolytic concentration of 10-1000 ?g/mL. The findings of the present study provided some basic information about identification of starfish species, potentialities of starfish which could be utilized in food and pharmaceutical industry.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. December 2016, 2(4): 689-695
Effects of medicinal plants, Alisma canaliculatum, Laminaria japonica and Cornus officinalis, treated with probiotics on growth performance, meat composition and internal organ development of broiler chicken
Authors: Sarker Md Sazedul Karim , Kim Gwi Man , Sharmin Farhana , Yang Chul Ju
Published: January 2017

A trial was conducted with 175 day old Ross broiler chicks to evaluate the effectiveness of Alisma canaliculatum (Water plantain or Theksa), Laminaria japonica (Sea tangle or Dashima) and Cornus officinalis (Cornelain cherry or Sansuyu) medicinal plants treated with probiotics in replacing antibiotic. Three medicinal plants were prepared in dry and flour form with treatment of probiotics. The groups were control (basal diet), antibiotic (basal diet + 0.05% OTC, oxytetracycline), Water plantain treated with Probiotics (WPP) 0.5%, Sea tangle treated with Probiotics (STP) 0.5% and Cornelian cherry treated with Probiotics (CCP) 0.5% in basal diet. The broilers were distributed in a completely randomized design having 5 replications with 7 chicks per replication in wire cage. The data were analyzed by SAS package program. Addition of three medicinal plants in broiler diets didnt show negative effect on growth and feed conversion efficiency in broilers. Significantly highest protein percentage in broiler meat was found in groups fed the three medicinal plants treated with probiotics (WPP, STP and CCP) compared with other groups (P<0.05). Crude ash also increased significantly by the three medicinal plants addition compared to control especially in breast meat (P<0.05). Addition of probiotics treated with medicinal plants had similar beneficial effects on most of the observed parameters to those found in antibiotic-fed groups, so it implies that these three medicinal plants can be the possible alternatives to antibiotic for broiler production.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. December 2016, 2(4): 696-702