bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pengaruh Budaya Organisasi, Motivasi Kerja, Lingkungan Kerja Terhadap Komitmen Organisasional Dan Kinerja Dosen Universitas Negeri Gorontalo
Authors: Asi Lisda. L. , Gani Achmad , Sukmawati ST.
Published: March 2021

Penelitian ini dilakukan bertujuan (1) Untuk Mengetahui dan menganalisis pengaruh budaya organisasi terhadap kinerja dosen. (2) Untuk Mengetahui dan menganalisis pengaruh motivasi kerja terhadap kinerja dosen. (3) Untuk Mengetahui dan menganalisis pengaruh lingkungan kerja terhadap kinerja dosen. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kuantitatif dengan memakai data primer melalui kuisioner sebanyak 205 responden dengan populasi 719. Penelitian dilakukan dari April sampai dengan Juni 2020. Data dianalisis menggunakan program SmartPLS. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa: (1) Budaya organisasi berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap komitmen organisasi. (2) Motivasi kerja berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap komitmen organisasional.(3) Lingkungan kerja berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap komitmen organisasional. (4) Budaya organisasi berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap kinerja dosen (5) Motivasi kerja berpengaruh positif dan tidak signifikan terhadap kinerja dosen.(6) Lingkungan kerja berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap kinerja dosen. (7) Komitmen oraganisasional berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap kinerja dosen.
Pengaruh Pendidikan, Disiplin Kerja, Motivasi Terhadap Kinerja Pegawai Kantor Kementerian Agama Kota Makassar
Authors: Muhammad Alamsyah Ramli  , Nasir Hamzah  , A. M. Hasbi
Published: March 2021

The results showed that education has less influence on the performance of the employees of the Office Kementerian Agama Kota Makassar. Meanwhile, the variable work discipline, motivation has a positive and significant effect on the performance of the employees of the Office Kementerian Agama Kota Makassar. From the results of regression testing, it is known that the dominant variable that affects the Employee Performance of the Office Kementerian Agama Kota Makassar.
Pengaruh Pemasaran Digital Terhadap Peningkatan Volume Penjualan Pada Ciputra Tallasa Jo Makassar
Authors: Reken Feky , Modding Basri , Dewi Ratna
Published: March 2021

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk : (1) menguji dan menganalisis  pengaruh pemasaran digital melalui websites terhadap peningkatan penjualan pada Ciputra Tallasa JO Makassar. (2) menguji dan menganalisis  pengaruh pemasaran digital melalui social media terhadap peningkatan penjualan pada Ciputra Tallasa JO Makassar. (3) menguji dan menganalisis  pengaruh pemasaran digital melalui email marketing terhadap peningkatan penjualan pada Ciputra Tallasa JO Makassar. Sampel yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah 40 Customer CitraLand Tallasa City Makassar yang melakukan pembelian unit secara online atau melalui digital marketing. Data diuji dengan menggunakan analsis regresi linear berganda melalui alat analisis SPSS. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa: (1) pemasaran digital melalui websites berpengaruh positif dan tidak signifikan terhadap peningkatan penjualan pada Ciputra Tallasa JO Makassar. (2) pemasaran digital melalui social media berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap peningkatan penjualan pada Ciputra Tallasa JO Makassar. (3) pemasaran digital melalui email marketing berpengaruh positif dan tidak signifikan terhadap peningkatan penjualan pada Ciputra Tallasa JO Makassar.

This study aims to: (1) test and analyze the effect of digital marketing through websites on increasing sales at Ciputra Tallasa JO Makassar. (2) test and analyze the effect of digital marketing through social media on increasing sales at Ciputra Tallasa JO Makassar. (3) test and analyze the effect of digital marketing through email marketing on increasing sales at Ciputra Tallasa JO Makassar.  The sample used in this study is 40 CitraLand Tallasa City Makassar customers who purchase units online or through digital marketing. Data were tested using multiple linear regression analysis through SPSS analysis tools. The results showed that: (1) digital marketing through websites had a positive and not significant effect on increasing sales at Ciputra Tallasa JO Makassar. (2) digital marketing through social media has a positive and significant effect on increasing sales at Ciputra Tallasa JO Makassar. (3) digital marketing through email marketing has a positive and insignificant effect on increasing sales at Ciputra Tallasa JO Makassar
Kazakhstan's soft power: present policy and opportunities
Authors: YESSIRKEP Saken
Published: March 2021

The article analyzes the role of soft power theory in world politics, the history of its application in the system of international relations, the features of the use of soft power tools by major actors and the current state of soft power theory.
The author also spoke about the potential tools of Kazakhstan's soft power policy and the mechanisms for its use.
Comparative analysis, summary analysis methods were used in writing the article. Scientific works and articles on the theory of soft power are analyzed. The results of the study suggest ways to achieve success through the use of the Latin alphabet, other ethnic groups immigrated from Kazakhstan, the Kazakh diaspora abroad, tourism, the Russian language.
A Course in Context: Video Course Trailers
Authors: Faulconer Emily , Dixon Zachary , Griffith John , Faulconer Laura
Published: March 2021

This article reports the development of a “course trailer” video series that communicates the professional and academic value of general education courses' core competencies and describes the results of a survey measuring the impact of those videos on student perception. Although general education programs represent a staple of U.S. undergraduate education, enrolled students frequently misunderstand the nature and value of the programs' core goals and or competencies. Universities are making increasing use of devices such as catalog descriptions, mission statements, course websites or blogs, and course trailer videos to communicate and clarify their general education competencies and values; however, little empirical research exists demonstrating the efficacy of such devices. This study's results provide statistically significant evidence that the course trailer video series improved students' understanding of how general education course fit into both their academic and professional plans.
The Successes and Challenges of Kenya’s Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway Transport Operations: A Special Reference to the Users
Authors: Githaiga Nancy Muthoni
Published: March 2021

This article examined the successes and challenges of Kenya’s standard gauge railway for users in transport operations. The constrained operations in Kenya’s existing colonial railway system have contributed to connectivity barriers and inefficiencies in the transport sector. Standard Gauge Railway’s construction aimed to address these gaps and facilitate cargo and passenger transport operations in Kenya and across borders. This study used a descriptive research design in the form of a survey and adopted a mixed research method of qualitative and quantitative data with primary data collected through questionnaires and interviews. The population of interest was the train users (passengers and cargo transporters). The findings suggested that the railway has generally enhanced transport operations for passengers and freight through reduced travelling time, improved transport safety and security, and improved mobility and accessibility. While the SGR has led to reduced travel costs for passengers, the cost of freight transport remains relatively high.The SGR has provided an alternative for freight and passenger transport, but there are challenges such as logistical and administrative challenges in cargo clearance, ticketing issues, and passengers' “First mile and Last mile” challenges. While the improvement of physical transport infrastructure and connectivity is significant, these challenges should be transformed into enablers to realize the railway’s full potential. This research, therefore, recommends for; effective transfer of the cargo clearance and forwarding paperwork from Mombasa to Nairobi; development of a transport link between the railway and the two major cities to solve the “first mile” and “last mile” transport challenges for passengers, and to audit the ticketing system to identify and sanction cartels involved in ticketing malpractices. The overall conclusion is that generally, the railway has added value in Kenya’s transport sector; passengers now have a cheaper, reliable and safer mode of transport while cargo is transported in a more reliable and safer way. The SGR is thus a transformative infrastructural project for Kenya; it symbolizes a country on a pressing need to transform herself into a middle-income economy supported by modern infrastructure.
Impact of FDI and Electricity on the Economic Growth of Pakistan: A Long Run Cointegration and Causality Analysis
Authors: Qazi Umer , Alam Aftab , Ahmad Shahab , Ambreen Rani
Published: March 2021

Since the 1980s, analysts have been debating the effect of foreign direct investment (FDI) and electricity consumption (EC) on the economic growth (GDP) of developing countries. The purpose of the study is to estimate the long-run relationship between FDI, electricity consumption and GDP of Pakistan for the period of 1971 to 2017, using ARDL bounds testing, FMOLS and Canonicals cointegration regression. For causality analysis, the study uses a VECM approach for short-run causality directions and MWALD/Toda Yamamoto approach for the long-run causality directions. The cointegration results of all the approaches state that there exists a positive and significant long-run relationship between the concerned variables. The impact of electricity consumption on economic growth is very strong as compared to FDI. Moreover, in the short-run, there is a unidirectional causality running from FDI to GDP and GDP to EC. In the long-run causality, the study finds unidirectional causality for FDI and bidirectional causality for EC with GDP.
The Development of Indicators for Transformational Leadership of Undergraduate Students at Thailand National Sports University
Authors: Sukdee Thitipong
Published: March 2021

This paper develops indicators for transformational leadership of undergraduate students at Thailand National Sports University. The development of these indicators was based on in-depth interviews with six informants. The research instrument was a semi-structured interview form. The data collected were inductively analyzed. The development of indicators was accomplished through the synthesis of the data and the conceptual framework for this research investigation. Evaluate indicators of Accuracy Standard Propriety Standard with of five experts was compared with the principle of 3.50, using the research instrument was an Evaluation Form and thence the verification of the quality of the congruence of the indicators. The sample population consisted of 4 5 0 undergraduate students at Thailand National Sports. The research instrument was a rating-scale questionnaire. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was utilized in conjunction with reliance on the maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) technique. Findings were as follows: 1) In regard to the development of indicators for transformational leadership of undergraduate students at Thailand National Sports University, results were as follows: The aspect of idealized influence engendered eight keywords and twenty-two subtopics. The aspect of inspiration motivation exhibited six keywords and thirteen subtopics. The aspect of intellectual motivation evinced six keywords and fourteen subtopics. The aspect of individualized consideration displayed five keywords and eleven subtopics. 2) Assessing indicators for transformational leadership of undergraduate students at Thailand National Sports University All aspects were significantly higher than the threshold 3.50 at the .05 level. 3) The development of indicators for transformational leadership of undergraduate students at Thailand National Sports University were found to have twenty-five indicators. The verification of the quality of appropriateness for the indicators for transformational leadership of undergraduate students at Thailand National Sports University showed that chi-square (χ2) was at 552.93; (probability-value [p-value] at 0.000); degrees of freedom (df) at 271; relative χ2 at 2.04; goodness of fit index (GFI) at 0.91; adjusted goodness of fit index (AGFI) at 0.90; Normal Fit Index (NFI) at 0.99; Comparative Fit Index (CFI) at 0.99 and the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) at 0.04. It is concluded that transformational leadership of undergraduate students at Thailand National Sports is consistent with empirical data.
Editorial
Authors: Mikkelsen Henrik Hvenegaard , Madsen Mette My
Published: March 2021

There is a saying, ‘do not paint the devil on the wall’, which is commonly taken to mean that one should, for all intents and purposes, avoid portraying something in an overly negative or exaggerated way. The German origin of the proverb is even more interesting. It says: ‘One should not paint the devil on the wall, since he will enter the room anyway’[1]. Rather than referring to a moral virtue (don’t be overly pessimistic, don’t exaggerate), the original proverb is, in itself, a pessimistic view on the world. In short, you don’t need to evoke the devil, since he is already here. Or, perhaps, you don’t need to exaggerate, since the world is already exaggerated. This special issue started out as an attempt to pursue this idea: If the world is exaggerated, wouldn’t this require us to use exaggerated examples to describe it? ... 
 
[1] Man braucht den Teufel nicht an die Wand zu malen, er kommt auch ohne das herein
Combining Variables to Improve Subadult Age Estimation
Authors: Stull Kyra , Armelli Kerianne
Published: March 2021

Anthropologists have reported that the combination of multiple variables and indicators generally increases precision and reduces bias in age estimates. However, endeavors specific to subadult age estimation have primarily focused on estimating age of the living and therefore on variables and indicators that are active later in ontogeny and easy to image. The current study aimed to determine if multivariable, single-indicator age-estimation models outperform single-variable age-estimation models throughout ontogeny using the three most common subadult age indicators: diaphyseal dimensions, epiphyseal fusion, and dental development. Data were collected from individuals from South Africa between birth and 12 years (N = 601) using Lodox Statscan radiographic images and from the United States between the ages of birth and 20 years (N = 1,277) using computed tomography images. Multivariate adaptive regression splines were used to build the multivariable, single-indicator, and single-variable models. Each subset used for model development had a unique training sample to build the model and testing sample to ensure that the results were generalizable. The multivariable models presented with increased precision and accuracy, reduced bias, and greater consistency across ontogeny compared to the single-variable models for both samples. Eighty percent of the independent test models (20/24) had ≥ 93% coverage, and 75% (18/24) of the independent tests models had ≥ 95% coverage. Besides providing more information to the resulting age estimate, multivariable models remove any a priori beliefs regarding variable importance and eliminate the requirement to contrive a final age estimate from multiple single-variable age-estimation models.
Primary Reasons as Normative Reasons
Authors: Howard Nathan ,   Journal of Philosophy Inc.
Published: March 2021

I argue that Davidson’s conception of motivating reasons as belief-desire pairs suggests a model of normative reasons for action that is superior to the orthodox conception according to which normative reasons are propositions, facts, or the truth-makers of such facts.
A incidência das meningites no Nordeste: um estudo ecológico de 13 anos
Authors: Lima Daniel Meira Nóbrega de , Patriota Gustavo Cartaxo
Published: March 2021

As campanhas de vacinação e as medidas de promoção à saúde tem reduzido o número de casos de meningite no Brasil, contudo verifica-se que as taxas de incidência ainda estão mais altas do que as metas de saúde pública, quando comparamos a países desenvolvidos. Assim, para que haja uma intervenção eficaz na população brasileira, faz-se necessários estudos epidemiológicos que verifiquem a atual situação apresentada. Averiguar a taxa de incidência dos principais agentes etiológicos no Nordeste, bem como das meningites, no geral, em estados e capitais. O presente estudo trata-se de um estudo epidemiológico descritivo e retrospectivo, realizado por meio de dados fornecidos pelo Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (Sinan) através da plataforma do Departamento de Informática do SUS (Datasus). Além disso, foram obtidos dados demográficos através do portal do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE). A partir de 49.095 fichas de notificação, verificou-se uma redução da taxa de incidência das meningites em cerca de 68,79%, no período, passando de 13,3 para 4,151 casos por 100.000 habitantes. Em todas as capitais, a taxa de incidência foi mais alta, em relação a seus estados, sendo os municípios de Recife, Teresina e Salvador os maiores epicentros. As meningites virais são as mais prevalentes e apresentaram o maior declínio, diminuindo de 7,911 para 1,6 casos/100.000 habitantes. Houve uma redução em todas as meningites, exceto a tuberculosa. Dessa forma, compreende-se a necessidade de ampliar o saneamento básico e programas de educação em saúde.
The Unwritten Principle of Democracy
Authors: Pal Michael
Published: March 2021

This article considers the content of the unwritten principle of democracy and its potential relevance in Canadian constitutional interpretation. The unwritten principles of federalism, the rule of law and constitutionalism, democracy, and the protection of minorities set out by the Supreme Court of Canada in the Secession Reference have received extensive academic attention. Much yet remains unknown, however, about the democracy principle. This article argues that we should interpret the unwritten principle as embodying a “thin” or procedural account of democracy tied to meaningful participation, rather than a “thick” version imposing specific outcomes or broader obligations. I argue that whatever the weight of a “thick” account of democracy, a “thin” understanding is preferable for filling in the content of a constitutional principle that has legal force. The central critiques of the use of unwritten principles in constitutional interpretation are 1) that they lack legitimacy and 2) that they are incoherent in relation to one another. Operationalizing a thin version of democracy in constitutional interpretation responds better to the claims that the unwritten principles lack legitimacy or are incoherent. A thin account still permits the unwritten principle to carry out its functional role in constitutional interpretation, such as enabling courts to fill in gaps in the text or to engage in structural reasoning. The article considers the implications of this approach for referendums and municipal elections.
The Structural and Administrative Demands of Unwritten Constitutional Principles
Authors: Berger Kate Glover
Published: March 2021

This article challenges the traditional view in administrative law scholarship that the mandate and design of administrative decision-makers are principally products of executive policy choice and legislative delegation. Drawing on public law theories of structural interpretation and positioned within the growing field of administrative constitutionalism, this article argues that unwritten features of the Constitution can make concrete demands on institutional structure and tribunal design such that certain functions and features of the administrative state are constitutionally required. The argument emerges from a careful analysis of a single case study, that of the discipline, and in particular the removal, of superior court judges in Canada. The analysis reveals that section 99(1) of the Constitution Act, 1867 provides an incomplete account of the procedures that must be followed in order to remove a federally appointed judge from the bench. More specifically, the case study establishes that the principle of judicial independence requires that judges be eligible for removal under section 99(1) only after an administrative process is held, one that investigates the alleged misconduct and assesses the facts against the constitutional standard of good judicial behaviour. Judicial independence further demands that this process embody certain essential features—features that are familiar to administrative law: the inquiry must be carried out by a body that is independent from the political branches of government; the body must conduct itself in accordance with a commitment to the independence of the judiciary; the inquiry must be carried out in accordance with the duty of fairness; and both the process and substantive determinations of the inquiry process must be subject to review by the courts. While current theories of administrative constitutionalism have often been focused on the role of administrative decision-makers in interpreting and implementing constitutional rights, this article builds on the work of Mashaw, Lee, Bremer, and Metzger and Stack to open and contribute to important structural conversations in the field.
Common Law Constitutionalism Through Methodology
Authors: Wheatle Se-shauna
Published: March 2021

This paper makes the case that methodology is a cornerstone of the advance of common law constitutionalism both within jurisdictions and transnationally. Common law methods, including interpretive presumptions and reasoning by unwritten principles, are central to an appreciation of the development of common law constitutionalism. Moreover, methodological practices present a more fruitful basis for lasting common law constitutionalism in several respects. Firstly, methods have the potential to survive legislative winds of change. Path dependence (in the sense that legal decisions and outcomes are shaped by the historical sequence of legal developments) points to the retention of techniques through embedded judicial practice. Secondly, methods also travel well across borders and thereby enable further development of the transnational dimension of common law constitutionalism. Common law methods are capable of adaptation across borders; they are less susceptible to barriers erected by claims of national or constitutional identity. Against this background, I argue that debates about the merits and impact of common law constitutionalism must contain and respond to accounts of the methods engaged in common law constitutionalist reasoning.
Contraseña inválida, vuelve a intentarlo
Authors: Ollé Candela
Published: March 2021

Si sois de aquellos que tenéis una memoria excelente o tenéis una única y fácil contraseña, enhorabuena. Seguro que no tenéis que recorrer a la pregunta “¿Has olvidado tu nombre de usuario? ¿Has olvidado tu contraseña?”. En cambio, si sois de los que vais combinando nombres de usuario y contraseñas, o las cambiáis sistemáticamente cada cierto tiempo y, además, tenéis mil y un perfiles –quizás no sabéis ni dónde os habéis dado de alta– seguramente debéis usar las preguntas de seguridad o generar nuevos passwords con cierta frecuencia.
'Pop-up', un nuevo concepto de tiendas y restaurantes
Authors: Estanyol i Casals Elisenda
Published: March 2021

Desde hace unos cuantos meses se está haciendo cada vez más popular una nueva manera de comprar, cenar y relacionarse. Se trata de las tiendas y restaurantes pop-up, donde el espacio deja de ser fijo para convertirse en itinerante y temporal para ofrecer, casi siempre, una experiencia irrepetible.
Dissecció dels continguts per mitjà de conceptes
Authors: Vàzquez Garcia Mercè
Published: March 2021

Tenir la capacitat de poder seguir fil per randa la informació que es difon sobre un tema que ens interessa demana temps, constància i tenir a l’abast eines que ens ajudin a gestionar els continguts de manera sistemàtica. I si volem anar encara més al detall del contingut, cal disposar d’eines que permetin extreure'n els conceptes clau per a identificar amb més exactitud quin volum d'informació realment volem llegir sobre un determinat tema.
Development of Electric Propulsion Thrusters Cooling Systems for Perspective Spacecrafts
Authors:   , Kravchenko Sergey
Published: March 2021

This Thesis is dedicated to the problems of calculation and design of high power electric rocket (propulsion) thrusters (EPT) cooling systems. The paper investigates the issues of thermal regime and thermodynamic balance of the thruster, reveals a particular case of the heat conduction equation for the EPT cooling system and finds its analytical solution. On this basis a methodology, algorithm and program for calculating EPT cooling systems have been developed. The theoretical provisions of the Thesis were confirmed by comparative experiments with two versions of a Magnetoplasmadynamic EPT with its own magnetic field with the same characteristics of the discharge chamber, operating at atmospheric pressure. The first version is without a cooling system and the second is equipped with a cooling system which was developed using the indicated methodology, algorithm and program. Based on the obtained results , the EPT with an external magnetic field was created and tested, the thrust of which increased by an order of magnitude with the same characteristics of the discharge gap and the obtained energy characteristics at atmospheric pressure are comparable with the best examples of chemical rocket engines.
Dynamic Na+/H+ exchanger 1 (NHE1) – calmodulin complexes of varying stoichiometry and structure regulate Ca2+-dependent NHE1 activation
Authors: Sjøgaard-Frich Lise M , Prestel Andreas , Pedersen Emilie S , Severin Marc , Kristensen Kristian Kølby , Olsen Johan G , Kragelund Birthe B , Pedersen Stine Falsig
Published: March 2021

Calmodulin (CaM) engages in Ca2+-dependent interactions with numerous proteins, including a still incompletely understood physical and functional interaction with the human Na+/H+-exchanger NHE1. Using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, isothermal titration calorimetry, and fibroblasts stably expressing wildtype and mutant NHE1, we discovered multiple accessible states of this functionally important complex existing in different NHE1:CaM stoichiometries and structures. We determined the NMR solution structure of a ternary complex in which CaM links two NHE1 cytosolic tails. In vitro, stoichiometries and affinities could be tuned by variations in NHE1:CaM ratio and calcium ([Ca2+]) and by phosphorylation of S648 in the first CaM-binding α-helix. In cells, Ca2+-CaM-induced NHE1 activity was reduced by mimicking S648 phosphorylation and by mutation of the first CaM-binding α-helix, whereas it was unaffected by inhibition of Akt, one of several kinases phosphorylating S648. Our results demonstrate a diversity of NHE1:CaM interaction modes and suggest that CaM may contribute to NHE1 dimerization and thereby augment NHE1 regulation. We propose that a similar structural diversity is of relevance to many other CaM complexes.
Evaluation of femaleAedes aegyptiproteome via LC-ESI-MS/MS using two protein extraction methods
Authors: Shettima Abubakar , Ishak Intan H. , Abdul Rais Syahirah Hanisah , Abu Hasan Hadura , Othman Nurulhasanah
Published: March 2021

Background

Proteomic analyses have broadened the horizons of vector control measures by identifying proteins associated with different biological and physiological processes and give further insight into the mosquitoes’ biology, mechanism of insecticide resistance and pathogens-mosquitoes interaction. FemaleAe. aegyptiingests human blood to acquire the requisite nutrients to make eggs. During blood ingestion, female mosquitoes transmit different pathogens. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the best protein extraction method for mass spectrometry analysis which will allow a better proteome profiling for female mosquitoes.

Methods

In this present study, two protein extractions methods were performed to analyze femaleAe. aegytiproteome, via TCA acetone precipitation extraction method and a commercial protein extraction reagent CytoBusterTM. Then, protein identification was performed by LC-ESI-MS/MS and followed by functional protein annotation analysis.

Results

The CytoBusterTMreagent gave the highest protein yield with a mean of 475.90 µg compared to TCA acetone precipitation extraction showed 283.15 µg mean of protein. LC-ESI-MS/MS identified 1,290 and 890 proteins from the CytoBusterTMreagent and TCA acetone precipitation, respectively. When comparing the protein class categories in both methods, there were three additional categories for proteins identified using CytoBusterTMreagent. The proteins were related to scaffold/adaptor protein (PC00226), protein binding activity modulator (PC00095) and intercellular signal molecule (PC00207). In conclusion, the CytoBusterTMprotein extraction reagent showed a better performance for the extraction of proteins in term of the protein yield, proteome coverage and extraction speed.
Influence of plastic film mulch with biochar application on crop yield, evapotranspiration, and water use efficiency in northern China: A meta-analysis
Authors: Mak-Mensah Erastus , Obour Peter Bilson , Essel Eunice , Wang Qi , Ahiakpa John K.
Published: March 2021

Background

China is the leading consumer of plastic film worldwide. Plastic film mulched ridge-furrow is one of the most widely adopted agronomic and field management practices in rain-fed agriculture in dry-land areas of China. The efficiency of plastic film mulching as a viable method to decrease evapotranspiration (ET), increase crop yields, and water use efficiency (WUE), has been demonstrated extensively by earlier studies.

Methods

A comprehensive evaluation of how co-application of plastic-film mulch and biochar in different agro-environments under varying climatic conditions influence ET, crop yield, WUE, and soil microbial activity were assessed. We performed a meta-analysis using the PRISMA guideline to assess the effect of plastic-film mulched ridge-furrow and biochar on ET, yield, and WUE of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), and maize (Zea mays L.) in northern China.

Results

The use of plastic film increased average yields of wheat (75.7%), potato (20.2%), and maize (12.9%) in Gansu, Ningxia, Shaanxi, and Shanxi provinces, respectively due to the reduction in ET by 12.8% in Gansu, 0.5% in Ningxia, and 4.1% in Shanxi, but increased in Shaanxi by 0.5% compared to no-mulching. These changes may be attributed to the effect of plastic film mulch application which simultaneously increased WUE by 68.5% in Gansu, 23.9% in Ningxia, 16.2% in Shaanxi, and 12.8% in Shanxi, respectively. Compared to flat planting without mulching, in three years, the yield of maize increased with the co-application of plastic film and biochar by 22.86% in the Shanxi and Shaanxi regions.

Conclusion

Our analysis revealed co-application of plastic film with biochar is integral for improving soil and water conservation in rain-fed agriculture and as an integrated practice to avert drought while simultaneously mitigating runoff and erosion.
Inhibitory effects of α-Mangostin on T cell cytokine secretion via ORAI1 calcium channel and K+ channels inhibition
Authors: Kim Hyun Jong , Park Seorin , Shin Hui Young , Nam Yu Ran , Lam Hong Phan Thi , Chin Young-Won , Nam Joo Hyun , Kim Woo Kyung
Published: March 2021

Background

As one of the main components of mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana), a tropical fruit, α-mangostin has been reported to have numerous pharmacological benefits such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergic effects through various mechanisms of action. The effects of α-mangostin on intracellular signaling proteins is well studied, but the effects of α-mangostin on ion channels and its physiological effects in immune cells are unknown. Generation of intracellular calcium signaling is a fundamental step for T cell receptor stimulation. This signaling is mediated not only by the ORAI1 calcium channel, but also by potassium ion channels, which provide the electrical driving forces for generating sufficient calcium ion influx. This study investigated whether α-mangosteen suppress T cell stimulation by inhibiting ORAI1 and two kinds of potassium channels (Kv1.3 and KCa3.1), which are normally expressed in human T cells.

Methods

This study analyzed the inhibitory effect of α-mangostin on immune cell activity via inhibition of calcium and potassium ion channels expressed in immune cells.

Results

α-mangostin inhibited ORAI1 in a concentration-dependent manner, and the IC50 value was 1.27 ± 1.144 µM. Kv1.3 was suppressed by 41.38 ± 6.191% at 3 µM, and KCa3.1 was suppressed by 51.16 ± 5.385% at 3 µM. To measure the inhibition of cytokine secretion by immune cells, Jurkat T cells were stimulated to induce IL-2 secretion, and α-mangostin was found to inhibit it. This study demonstrated the anti-inflammatory effect of α-mangostin, the main component of mangosteen, through the regulation of calcium signals.
Comparative transcriptomic analysis reveals the cold acclimation during chilling stress in sensitive and resistant passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) cultivars
Authors: Wu Yanyan , Huang Weihua , Tian Qinglan , Liu Jieyun , Xia Xiuzhong , Yang Xinghai , Mou Haifei
Published: March 2021

Chilling stress (CS) is an important limiting factor for the growth and development of passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) in winter in South China. However, little is known about how the passion fruit responds and adapts to CS. In this study, we performed transcriptome sequencing of cold-susceptible cultivar Huangjinguo (HJG) and cold-tolerant cultivar Tainong 1 (TN1) under normal temperature (NT) and CS conditions, and a total of 47,353 unigenes were obtained by seven databases. Using differentially expressed unigenes (DEGs) analysis, 3,248 and 4,340 DEGs were identified at two stages, respectively. The Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis showed that the DEGs were mainly related to phosphorylation, membrane protein, and catalytic activity. In Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway, the unigenes of plant-pathogen interaction, plant hormone signal transduction and fatty acid metabolism were enriched. Then, the 12,471 filtered unigenes were clustered into eight co-expression modules, and two modules were correlated with CS. In this two modules, 32 hub unigenes were obtained. Furthermore, the unigenes related to CS were validated using quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). This work showed that the expression levels of CS-related unigenes were very different in two passion fruit cultivars. The results provide information for the development of passion fruit with increased chilling tolerance.
Estimating species sensitivity distributions on the basis of readily obtainable descriptors and toxicity data for three species of algae, crustaceans, and fish
Authors: Iwasaki Yuichi , Sorgog Kiyan
Published: March 2021

Estimation of species sensitivity distributions (SSDs) is a crucial approach to predicting ecological risks and water quality benchmarks, but the amount of data required to implement this approach is a serious constraint on the application of SSDs to chemicals for which there are few or no toxicity data. The development of statistical models to directly estimate the mean and standard deviation (SD) of the logarithms of log-normally distributed SSDs has recently been proposed to overcome this problem. To predict these two parameters, we developed multiple linear regression models that included, in addition to readily obtainable descriptors, the mean and SD of the logarithms of the concentrations that are acutely toxic to one algal, one crustacean, and one fish species, as predictors. We hypothesized that use of the three species’ mean and SD would improve the accuracy of the predicted means and SDs of the logarithms of the SSDs. We derived SSDs for 60 chemicals based on quality-assured acute toxicity data. Forty-five of the chemicals were used for model fitting, and 15 for external validation. Our results supported previous findings that models developed on the basis of only descriptors such as log KOW had limited ability to predict the mean and SD of SSD (e.g., r2 = 0.62 and 0.49, respectively). Inclusion of the three species’ mean and SD, in addition to the descriptors, in the models markedly improved the predictions of the means and SDs of SSDs (e.g., r2 = 0.96 and 0.75, respectively). We conclude that use of the three species’ mean and SD is promising for more accurately estimating an SSD and thus the hazardous concentration for 5% of species in cases where limited ecotoxicity data are available.
Wielokryterialna optymalizacja zużycia energii w domu jednorodzinnym z modyfikacją preferencji entropią
Authors:   Politechnika Rzeszowska, Łagoda Marzena
Published: March 2021

The article discusses examples of solutions that reduce energy consumption in a single-family home. 7 variants were selected to optimize energy consumption and 6 criteria, which describe the designated solutions. The validity value of the adopted criteria was chosen and four preference variants were subjectively determined for them. The data was then collected in a table and normalized to be able to use the weighted sum method to determine the best solution. In the next step, the entropy method was used and the subjective preferences adopted earlier, were used to determine the way to optimize electricity in a single-family home.
Kalibracja małej anteny pętlowej
Authors:   Politechnika Rzeszowska, Katedra Elektrotechniki i Podstaw Informatyki, Szczupak Paweł
Published: March 2021

The article presents examples of calibration of a small loop antenna, witch can be used to measure the magnetic component of the electromagnetic field. The source of such a field may be, for example, lightning. There are many methods of calibration a loop antenna. Two of them are presented below – using test antenna with is calibrated and with known parameters, and using a homogenous magnetic field generated inside Helmholtz coil. Measurements using the first method were carried out in the anechoic chamber of the EMC laboratory.
A Fibra de Coco como Matéria-Prima para o Desenvolvimento de Produtos: uma prospecção tecnológica em bancos de patentes
Authors: Dos Santos Djane Encarnação , Martinez Felipe Carlos Carvalho , Juiz Paulo José Lima
Published: March 2021

O uso do coco vai muito além do que é encontrado e extraído do seu interior, tendo a sua parte externa elevado potencial de aproveitamento industrial. A fibra retirada da casca do coco vem sendo utilizada para muitas finalidades capazes de melhorar o desenvolvimento econômico, bem como o desenvolvimento sustentável. O presente artigo realiza uma análise de tecnologias relacionadas à fibra de coco depositadas em bases de patentes utilizando o software Orbit®. Os resultados obtidos demonstram inclinações para estratégias empresariais, bem como de governos e instituições de pesquisas nacionais e internacionais, com um gradativo interesse pelo investimento em tecnologias vinculadas ao tema (os resultados permitem embasar a afirmação sobre “gradativo interesse pelo investimento em tecnologias vinculadas ao tema”). Verifica-se que a fibra de coco tem capacidade para ser explorada em pesquisas futuras diante da sua versatilidade, suprindo demandas da sociedade aliada à preservação ambiental.
Prospecção Tecnológica sobre Métodos de Controle do Mosquito Aedes Aegypti
Authors: Santos Sidnei Cerqueira dos , Paz Lorena Carmem M. , Lima Matheus Oliveira Assunção
Published: March 2021

O mosquito Aedes Aegypti tornou-se um grande problema de saúde pública em vários países, por ser o agente transmissor do vírus da Dengue, vírus Chikungunya, vírus da Zika. Como resultado dessa problemática, vários métodos químico, mecânico e biológico de controle do mosquito estão sendo desenvolvidos e protegidos na forma de patente. Nesse sentido, o objetivo deste trabalho é realizar o levantamento de dados tecnológicos para identificar os métodos de controle de Aedes Aegypti. A pesquisa foi realizada nos bancos de dados do Escritório Europeu de Patentes e do Instituto Nacional de Propriedade Industrial (INPI). O Brasil foi o maior depositante de patente sobre o tema da pesquisa. Os métodos químicos são os mais utilizados e estudados, mas os componentes químicos desses métodos apresentam riscos ao ambiente e à saúde pública. Os métodos biológicos e mecânicos são os mais indicados, porém, eles são difíceis de serem executados.
Desafios na Transferência de Tecnologia Universidade-Empresa: um relato de experiência do Núcleo de Transferência de Tecnologia da UFRB
Authors: Amorim Gustavo Modesto , Pires Edilson , Santos Ferlando
Published: March 2021

O processo de Transferência de Tecnologia e a relação Universidade-Empresa (TTUE) têm sido discutidos no Brasil com grande frequência nos últimos anos. Apesar dos avanços promovidos pela Lei n. 10.973/2004 e Lei n. 13.243/2016, uma diversidade de barreiras na promoção da TTUE é  comum nas Instituições de Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação do país. Esse artigo apresenta um relato de experiência da utilização de estratégias para tornar uma tecnologia desenvolvida pela universidade em uma inovação mercadológica, ou seja, promover a TTUE. A partir da descrição das ações do Núcleo de Transferência de Tecnologia e Captação de Recursos da Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia (UFRB) e do grupo de Bioprodutos e Processos Aplicados à Nutrição Humana da UFRB para colocar uma tecnologia patenteada no mercado, discutiu-se essas ações correlacionando-as à prática e debatendo-as com base na literatura científica que discorre sobre as estratégicas que podem ser adotadas para ascender ao mercado um produto inovador com potencial mercadológico.
INTERFACES DE VISUALIZAÇÃO DE TRILHAS DE APRENDIZAGEM: UMA ANÁLISE A PARTIR DOS PRINCÍPIOS DOS SISTEMAS DE HIPERTEXTO
Authors: Lopes Patrícia Lopes , Lima Gercina Angela
Published: March 2021

As trilhas de aprendizagem podem ser consideradas um conjunto sistemático e multimodal de unidades de aprendizagem, contendo diferentes esquemas de navegação, que podem ir desde modelos lineares, prescritivos, passando-se por modelos mais hierárquicos, em que são permitidas escolhas, e chegando-se a modelos em rede, cuja navegação é mais livre e tem como propósito o desenvolvimento de competências. Esses esquemas de navegação podem ser personalizados, com base em variáveis, como: objetivos, perfil do aluno e características de aprendizagem. Este artigo tem como objetivo apresentar os resultados de uma das etapas de pesquisa de mestrado, que teve como um dos objetivos esboçar um metamodelo conceitual de representação dessas trilhas de aprendizagem. Para alcance desse objetivo, foi conduzida análise de dados por meio das etapas sugeridas no método da análise de conteúdo. Os resultados indicaram que, por meio da metodologia adotada, foi possível identificar uma variedade de categorias e entidades que foram usadas na composição do modelo conceitual para organização e representação de trilhas de aprendizagem. Entretanto, observou-se necessidade de refinamento dos elementos identificados, principalmente do ponto de vista de tratamento terminológico, o que evidencia a importância do uso de um vocabulário controlado, visando o enriquecimento semântico.
O MOVIMENTO DE ACESSO ABERTO E A UFBA: DEZ ANOS DE IMPLANTAÇÃO DO REPOSITÓRIO INSTITUCIONAL
Authors: Santos Davilene Souza , Rosa Flávia Goulart Mota Garcia
Published: March 2021

Este artigo visa homenagear e divulgar os dez anos de implantação do Repositório Institucional da Universidade Federal da Bahia, completados em 2020, bem como, mapear as produções acadêmicas e científicas realizadas sobre o repositório, seja como objeto de estudo, ou como base para fontes de informação na realização de diversas pesquisas. Adotando uma abordagem qualitativa e quantitativa, o levantamento possui natureza descritiva, no qual procura descrever o Movimento de Acesso Aberto no cenário internacional, até a sua chegada ao Brasil, através do Manifesto de acesso livre à informação, promovido pelo Instituto Brasileiro de Informação em Ciência e Tecnologia, em 2005. A implantação do repositório foi fruto dos estudos elaborados pela Doutora Flávia Rosa entre os anos de 2008 e 2010, com defesa de tese em 2011. O presente levantamento revela que o repositório tem se consolidado como uma importante fonte de informação, para a produção de dissertações e artigos científicos, assim como, tem sido objeto de estudo para inúmeros pesquisadores. Nesses dez anos de existência o repositório conta com mais de 30 mil trabalhos disponibilizados em acesso aberto, com potencial para alavancar a visibilidade das pesquisas, dos pesquisadores e da instituição.
Avaliação de tecnologias em saúde: ponto de vista do pesquisador - Health technology assessment: the researcher's point of view
Authors: Silva Roberto Carlos Lyra da , Silva Carlos Roberto Lyra da
Published: March 2021

O desenvolvimento das indústrias farmacêuticas e de equipamentos médico- hospitalares no mercado mundial, e as disparidades dos diferentes contextos e cenários dos serviços de saúde que necessitam dessas tecnologias, o aumento da demanda e a pressão pela incorporação, somados a gestão ineficiente dos escassos e finitos recursos financeiros, sobretudo em países em desenvolvimento, são uma das principais razões para o desenvolvimento de estudos de Avaliação de Tecnologias em Saúde (ATS).
Recent Progress in Optical Control of Ferroelectric Polarization
Authors: Guo Jiaxing , Chen Wenwen , Chen Haisheng , Zhao Yanan , Dong Feng , Liu Weiwei , Zhang Yang
Published: March 2021

Manipulation of ferroelectric polarization and associated domain is at the heart of ferroelectric‐based applications. Polarization switching is typically achieved by a static or pulsed electric field, which however suffers from limitations associated with the requirement of circuitry access and the sluggish switching time. To circumvent abovementioned challenges, significant effort has been devoted to optical control of ferroelectric polarization, which can provide tremendous potential to develop ferroelectric devices with more freedom and to extend transient operation down to picosecond time scale. In this review, both the phenomena and the mechanism of optical control over polarization and associated domain evolution are explored in various kinds of ferroelectrics, including oxide perovskites, van der Waals ferroelectrics, and ferroelectric heterostructures, etc. All‐optical fabrication of 3D nonlinear photonic crystals based on femtosecond laser‐induced ferroelectric domain inversion is presented. In particular, some intriguing examples of terahertz field‐induced polarization reversal and paraelectric‐to‐ferroelectric phase transition are highlighted. The review concludes with a brief summary of the related branches, and discusses the challenges as well as the potential directions of this emerging field.
To Triage or Not Triage?
Authors: Feit Norman
Published: March 2021

Although early in the litigation, mediation seemed like a good idea.
Nitrogen Release from Polymer‐Coated Urea: Effect of Seasons and Growing Degree‐Days
Authors: El‐Hout Nael M. , Fountain Jeremy W.
Published: March 2021

Controlled‐release nitrogen (CRN) fertilizers are designed to gradually release N at rates that closely match the N demand by plants while potentially reducing N losses to the environment. Polymer‐coated urea (PCU) is the most widely used CRN. Actual N release patterns in the field are expected to be influenced by differences in weather conditions during different times of the year. Six field trials were carried out to estimate and model N release from PCUs during different times of the year (seasons) and to investigate a possible relationship that may exist between N release from PCU fertilizers and growing degree‐days and whether such a relationship could be used as a reliable predictor of N release under field conditions. Earn 1 CEU in Nutrient Management by reading this article and taking the quiz at www.certifiedcropadviser.org/education/classroom/classes/943.