bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High-level resistance to aminoglycosides and ampicillin among clinical isolates of Enterococcus species in an Iranian referral hospital
Authors: Mousavi Seyed Hossein , Peeri-Doghaheh Hadi , Mohammadi-Ghalehbin Behnam , Teimourpour Roghayeh , Maleki Dadras , Khademi Farzad , Arzanlou Mohsen
Published: August 2020

Background and Objectives: Nowadays, high-level aminoglycosides and ampicillin resistant Enterococcus species are among the most common causes of nosocomial infections. The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of high-level resistance to aminoglycosides and ampicillin among clinical isolates of Enterococcus species in Ardabil, Iran.
Materials and Methods: In this cross–sectional study, a total of 111 Enterococcus species were collected from different clinical specimens between 2013 and 2015. Enterococcus species were identified using standard phenotypic and genotypic methods. BHI agar screen and agar dilution methods were used for detection of high-level gentamicin and streptomycin resistance (HLGR and HLSR) and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ampicillin, respectively.
Results: Of 111 clinical isolates, 59 (53.2%) and 25 (22.5%) isolates were E. faecalis and E. faecium, respectively, based on the PCR results. Totally, 60.3% and 56.7% of isolates were HLGR and HLSR, respectively, as well as 51.35% were HLGR plus HLSR. Among HLGR isolates, 36 (61.01%), 18 (72%) and 13 (48.14%) were E. faecium, E. faecalis and non-faecalis non-faecium species, respectively. Among HLSR isolates, 33 (55.93%), 16 (64%) and 14 (51.85%) were E. faecalis, E. faecium and non-faecalis non-faecium species, respectively. All HLGR isolates contained aac(6´)Ie-aph(2″)Ia gene. Overall, the prevalence of high-level ampicillin resistance among Enterococcus species was 17.1%. For E. faecalis, E. faecium and non-faecalis non-faecium species, ampicillin resistance rates were as follows: 11 (40.74%), 7 (28%) and 1 (1.69%), respectively. For aminoglycoside antibiotics, the resistance rate was significantly higher in E. faecium isolates and for ampicillin it was higher in E. faecalis isolates.
Conclusion: The frequency of high-level aminoglycoside resistant enterococcal isolates in our hospital was high and significant ampicillin resistance was noticed. This would require routine testing of enterococcal isolates for HLAR and ampicillin susceptibility.
Corona virus and one step backward
Authors: Basirat Vahid , Allameh Seyed Farshad
Published: August 2020

The article's abstract is no available.
Quality of Life of People with HIV/AIDS in Iran: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: MALEKI Mohammad Reza , DERAKHSHANI Naser , AZAMI-AGHDASH Saber , NADERI Mehran , NIKOOMANESH Mahdi
Published: August 2020

Background: Assessing the quality of life in HIV/AIDS patients is of great importance not only for evaluating the effect of the disease, but also to measure the impact of the interventions in order to improve their quality of life in clinical researches. Therefore, this study aimed to systematically review the quality of life of HIV/AIDS patients in Iran.
Methods: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, the literature search using the related chain of keywords was conducted from 1 Jan 1987 to 30 Apr 2019 in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, Iranian Scientific Information Database (SID), and Magiran. Moreover, hand search of the key journals and the gray literature was performed. The meta-analysis was performed by CMA2 software.
Results: Out of the 1576 retrieved records, eight studies met the inclusion criteria. The average age of the patients was 37.15 ± 9.46 years. The average score of quality of life before and after sensitivity analysis was (39.13 [28.36-49.901 95% CI P>0.000] vs. 49.05 [46.31-51.79 95% CI P>0.000]). Moreover, the average score of quality of life was respectively 38.86±3.83 vs. 40±6.37 among married compared with single patients, 56.33±4.67 vs. 43.64±1.94 for employment vs. unemployment status. While quality of life was measured in terms of education level, the score was 29.59±9.34 vs. 41.65±4.45 in the individuals with primary school versus academic education.
Conclusion: The QOL score of the HIV/AIDS patients in Iran was significantly low. Therefore, the study highlights the importance of strengthening efforts to undertake necessary investigations in order to provide adequate health insurance, extensive and affordable welfare services, and more appropriate social and mental supports in order to improve the quality of life of the individuals with HIV/AIDS in Iran.
Effect of Diabetes Mellitus on Tuberculosis Treatment Outcomes among Tuberculosis Patients in Kelantan, Malaysia
Authors: AHMAD Siti Rohana , YAACOB Nor Azwany , JAEB Mat Zuki , HUSSIN Zalmizy , WAN MOHAMMAD Wan Mohd Zahiruddin
Published: August 2020

Background: There is growing evidence that DM may play an important role in the occurrence of unsuccessful TB treatment outcomes. This study was undertaken to examine the prevalence of DM among TB population, compare the profile of TB patients with and without DM and determine the effect of DM on unsuccessful treatment outcomes among TB patients in Kelantan state, Malaysia from 2012 to 2016.
Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in Sep 2017 using data from registered TB cases in Kelantan state, Malaysia from 2012 to 2016. The profile of TB patients with and without DM were compared in univariable analysis. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine association between DM and unsuccessful treatment outcomes.
Results: A total of 1854 TB patients were diagnosed with DM. The annual proportion was ranging from 26 to 29%. TB patients with DM had an older age, live single, low educational status, poor chest x ray finding and diagnosed with smear positive sputum compared to TB patients without DM. TB patients with DM had three times higher risk to develop unsuccessful TB treatment outcomes compared to TB patients without DM (95% CI 2.47-3.58; P = 0.012) in multivariable analysis.
Conclusion: Those with DM had the worst prognosis of TB outcomes among the significant risk factors. TB control program in Malaysia will need to expand efforts to focus on treatment of TB-DM patients to improve their cure rates in order to achieve the goals of tuberculosis elimination.
First Cases of SARS-CoV-2 in Iran, 2020: Case Series Report
Authors: YAVARIAN Jila , SHAFIEI-JANDAGHI Nazanin-Zahra , SADEGHI Kaveh , SHATIZADEH MALEKSHAHI Somayeh , SALIMI Vahid , NEJATI Ahmad , AJAMINEJAD Fatemeh , GHAVVAMI Nastaran , SAADATMAND Fatemeh , MAHFOUZI Saeedeh , FATEMINASAB Ghazal , PARHIZGARI Najmeh , RAZAVI Kobra , GHABESHI Soad , SABERIAN Mostafa , ZANJANI Elham , NAMAZI Fatemeh , SHAHBAZI Tayebeh , REZAIE Farshid , ERFANI Hossein , GOUYA Mohammad Mehdi , NASR DADRAS Mohammad , MOKHTARI AZAD Talat
Published: August 2020

In Jan 2020, the outbreak of the 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in Wuhan, Hubei Province of China spread increasingly to other countries worldwide which WHO declared it as a public health emergency of international concern. Iran was included in the affected countries. Throat swab specimens were collected and tested by using real-time reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) kit targeting the E region for screening and RNA dependent RNA polymerase for confirmation. Conventional RT-PCR was conducted for the N region and the PCR products were sequenced by Sanger sequencing. The first seven cases of SARS-CoV-2 infections were identified in Qom, Iran. This report describes the clinical and epidemiological features of the first cases of SARS-CoV-2 confirmed in Iran. Future research should focus on finding the routes of transmission for this virus, including the possibility of transmission from foreign tourists to identify the possible origin of SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in Iran.
Spread of Health Risk Factors among Adolescents from Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Authors: MERDZHANOVA Elena , PETROVA Gergana , VAKRILOVA-BECHEVA Maria
Published: August 2020

The article's abstract is no available.
Cognitive Enhancement through Improved Central Artery Stiffness in Postmenopausal Women: Potential Benefit of HighIntensity Aerobic Exercise
Authors: HWANG Moon-Hyon
Published: August 2020

The article's abstract is no available.
Association of TIMP-1 and COL4A4 Gene Polymorphisms with Keratoconus in an Iranian Population
Authors: Yari Davood , Ehsanbakhsh Zohreh , Validad Mohammad-Hosein , Hasanian Langroudi Farzaneh
Published: August 2020

Purpose: Keratoconus (KC) is a bilateral and noninflammatory disease, characterized by progressive thinning and anterior protrusion of the cornea and may result in severe visual impairment due to irregular astigmatism. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) are the main group of enzymes that degrade extracellular matrix proteins including collagens; Type IV collagen is found in the corneal stroma. MMP enzymatic activity is inhibited by tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1). A decrease in TIMP-1 level is associated with the development of KC. In the present study, we investigated the impact of COL4A4 rs2228557 C/T and TIMP-1 rs4898 C/T (X-chromosome) variants on the odds of KC development in a sample of Iranian population.
Methods: This case–control study was conducted on 140 patients with KC and 150 healthy control subjects. We used modified methods of Nested-PCR and ARMS-PCR in combination (Nested- ARMS-PCR) and confirmed their validity with RFLP–PCR.
Results: Significant differences were noticed between KC patients and healthy individuals regarding the genotype TY or T allele frequencies of rs4898 in the male subjects (OR = 0.43, 95%CI: 0.20–0.92, P = 0.03), whereas no significant differences were identified in the female subjects (OR = 1.07, 95%CI: 0.52–2.20, P = 0.85). The rs2228557, T allele was associated with KC (OR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.50–0.97, P = 0.035).
Conclusion: In the rs2228557 variant, T allele acts as a protective factor from the disease and decreases the risk of KC compared with the C allele. Also, in our investigation about rs4898, we found that TY genotype or T allele decreased the risk of KC compared with the C allele in males and was a protective factor for KC in our population.
Orbital Cellulitis Following Uncomplicated Glaucoma Drainage Device Surgery: Case Report and Review of Literature
Authors: X. Zheng Cindy , H. Uhr Joshua , D. Deaner Jordan , M. Lin Michael , J. Moster Stephen , Razeghinejad Reza
Published: August 2020

Purpose: Orbital cellulitis (OC) is a rare postoperative complication of glaucoma drainage device (GDD) implantation. To date, there have only been 10 reported cases of OC following GDD implantation.
Case Report: Here, we report a case of OC in a 57-year-old man who developed pain, proptosis, and limited extraocular motility two days after uneventful Ahmed FP7 implantation in the right eye. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the orbits demonstrated fat stranding and a small fluid collection, consistent with OC. He had minimal improvement with intravenous antibiotics and ultimately underwent GDD explantation. A systematic review of the literature showed that the development of OC following GDD implantation can occur in the early or late postoperative period. Immediate hospitalization with intravenous administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics is recommended. Explantation of the infected GDD is often required for source control.
Conclusion: OC is a rare postoperative complication of GDD implantation. Prompt evaluation and treatment are required, often combined with GDD explantation.
Cytomegalovirus Retinitis in a Patient on Long-term Mycophenolate Mofetil Treatment for Myasthenia Gravis
Authors: Patel Shyam , Robin Alexander
Published: August 2020

This is a Photo Essay and does not have an abstract.
A pedagogia crítica e emancipatória/libertadora de inspiração freireana
Authors: Akkari Abdeljalil , Mesquida Peri
Published: August 2020

As ondas de refugiados migrados de diversas partes do mundo para a Europa, mas também para os Estados Unidos e para o Brasil, neste caso originários da Venezuela, em particular, e a forma como são tratados nos países que os “acolhem” nos motivaram a pensar no pensamento filosófico, político, social e pedagógico de Paulo Freire, a partir dos conceitos mais importantes. Este artigo objetiva desenvolver uma análise interpretativa, fundada na hermenêutica, em especial de Ricoeur (1989), da contribuição de Paulo Freire para os fundamentos teóricos e práticos da pedagogia crítica. Em primeiro lugar, analisamos o que, para nós, seriam os conceitos centrais da pedagogia freireana: opressão, conscientização, palavras geradoras, círculo de cultura, diálogo, práxis e emancipação. Em segundo lugar, destacamos a centralidade do “político” na pedagogia crítica de inspiração freireana, tanto em termos das políticas educacionais quanto no que diz respeito aos processos de aprendizagem. Em terceiro lugar, versamos as possibilidades de utilização da abordagem pedagógica de Freire na educação dos refugiados e dos estudantes que se encontram em situação de urgência e de conflitos. A pesquisa mostrou que a contribuição do pensamento de Freire para uma educação libertadora e amorosa e para a construção de uma sociedade colaborativa e acolhedora é inegável.
Realización apropiada de la linfadeno-histerectomía amplia
Authors: Zuckermann Conrado
Published: August 2020

1. Es necesario procurar cumplir, en la extirpación del cán­cer cérvico-uterino, con lo señalado en las reglas de la cirugía cancerológica que indican hacerlo en un solo bloque ganglionar - linfático-uterino-anexial.2. Es bastante difícil, pero no imposible, realizar la extirpa­ción en un solo bloque y al efectuarlo debe recordarse que el pe­dículo linfático principal es preureteral.3. La linfadenectomía debe preceder a la histerectomía am­plia efectuada en continuidad anatómica con la extirpación linfático-ganglionar.4. La extirpación ganglionar obturatriz-ilíaca y a los lados de la vejiga debe ser completa y para lograrlo es apropiado seccionar y ligar el conducto obliterado de la arteria umbilico-vesical.5. El uretere debe mantenerse hacia adentro mientras se realiza la disección ilíaco-obturatriz y hacia afuera cuando se ter­mina la extirpación utero-anexial-vaginal.6. La separación ureteral, vesical y rectal debe ser suficiente y en caso de ocurrir herida de estas vísceras, hacerse inmediata­mente la reparación conducente.7. El paracolpos debe ser seccionado muy afuera del extremo superior de la vagina y ligado para evitar molestas hemorragias.8. La peritonización es posible y muy útil y debe hacerse des­pués de cuidadosa revisión de la gran superficie cruenta para evitar dejar zonas sangrantes y gasas hemostáticas.9. La incisión vertical suprapública nos parece muy apro­piada, siendo su ejecución y la reparación posterior realizadas en menos tiempo que lo referente a las incisiones horizontales amplias (las no amplias serían inadecuadas).10. Solo las extirpaciones amplias que comprenden los gan­glios linfáticos tributarios, matriz, anexos, gran porción vaginal, el paracolpos y paracervix, permiten obtener apropiados resultados.11. La técnica-táctica de linfadeno-histerectomía descrita es propia para cáncer del cuello uterino en etapa regional pélvica y sin metástasis viscerales ni óseas.
Fisiología y valor diagnóstico moco cervical
Authors: Pardo Vargas Francisco
Published: August 2020

El moco cervical es un elemento secretorio, elaborado por las glándulas del endocérvix, que fluye por el orificio cervical de manera constante. En las diferentes etapas de la vida de la mujer y condicionado por las influencias hormonales consecutivas, el moco cervical presenta, dentro de lo normal, variaciones que se refieren tanto a su composición .química como a sus caracteres físicos; por esta razón el estudio de ellas debe hacerse teniendo en cuenta la etapa genital correspondiente.
Tratamiento del complejo-síntoma de la dismenorrea Reporte de la eficacia de un factor relajante uterino
Authors: Cáceres A. Eduardo
Published: August 2020

Se ha aislado un fatcor relajante uterino del cuerpo lúteo. Químicamente dicho producto ha sido clasificado como una proteína o un polipéptido. Esta substancia no es destruida en el es­tómago ya que sus principios activos aparecen en la sangre a los 30 minutos de su administración oral. En una serie de 50 mujeres que se quejaban de dismenorrea, dosis iniciales de 1.000 a 3.000 U. seguidas por dosis de 1.000 U. cada dos o cuatro horas, fueron su­ficientes para controlar los síntomas de una manera total en 30 y parcial en 7; en 13 no se obtuvo ningún resultado, achacándose este último o a mal tratamiento o a lasiones pélvicas ,y en tres no re encontró ninguna lesión. Parece, pues, que dicho factor relajan­te uterino es de algún valor en el tratamiento del síntoma dismenorrea, ya que hace desaparecer los síntomas sin tener efectos se­dativos. No parece tener efecto alguno en pelvis anormales o en mujeres de dificultades psicosomáticas mayores.
EDUCAÇÃO AMBIENTAL E ENSINO DE MATEMÁTICA: UM ESTUDO DA PRÁTICA DOCENTE DOS EGRESSOS DO CURSO DE MATEMÁTICA/UNESC/SC
Authors: Pereira Ledina Lentz
Published: August 2020

Esta pesquisa se caracteriza como exploratória qualitativa quanto aos fins de investigação e configurou-se bibliográfica quanto aos meios. Num referencial teórico construído em torno do tema: formação/atuação de professores, egressos do curso de Matemática/UNESC (ECM) e as questões ambientais trabalhadas por eles no ensino. Justifica-se por: considerar que não se preserva a natureza tanto quanto necessário; e a possibilidade de acontecer o que Ferreira e Wodewotzki (2007 p. 65) afirmam “[...] a junção da Matemática com questões ambientais pode apresentar-se como um caminho promissor para despertar um maior interesse dos alunos pelo aprendizado da Matemática, além de torná-los mais conscientes, críticos e reflexivos no tocante à problemática ambiental”. Objetivo foi: estudar as possibilidades que os ECM de 2010-2015 têm para trabalhar conceitos matemáticos nas aulas com aplicação no Meio Ambiente (MA), tema transversal considerado na legislação da Educação Brasileira. Os professores em sua maioria não trabalham as questões ambientais em suas aulas.PALAVRAS-CHAVE: meio ambiente; formação/atuação de professores; modelagem matemática.
The assessment of disease symptom dynamics using survival analysis methods
Authors:   Saint Petersburg Research Institute of Ear, Throat, Nose and Speech Ministry of Healthcare of Russia,  Saint Petersburg, 190013, Russia, Korneenkov A. A. , Fanta I. V. ,   Saint Petersburg Research Institute of Ear, Throat, Nose and Speech Ministry of Healthcare of Russia,  Saint Petersburg, 190013, Russia, Vyazemskaya Е. E. ,   Saint Petersburg Research Institute of Ear, Throat, Nose and Speech Ministry of Healthcare of Russia,  Saint Petersburg, 190013, Russia
Published: August 2020

The article describes an approach to the analysis of disease symptom dynamics from the viewpoint of survival analysis methods. It is justified in the events where the observation time is insufficient to record the disappearance or critical reduction of the severity of the symptom. Using the example of analysis of the cough disappearance time in ARVI, the authors demonstrated the solution of several typical tasks: the assessment of dependence of cough symptom disappearance on time, the comparison of antitussive preparations effect, building a model of probability of cough disappearance within the observation period with consideration of additional signs – covariates. All calculations were made in the statistical software R. To evaluate the probability of a symptom disappearance by a particular observation day, the authors used a non-parametric analysis method – the Kaplan–Meier method; to compare the effects of drugs on cough preservation, the low-rank test was used; the Cox semi-parametric proportional risk method was used to build the symptom disappearance, probability model. It has been shown that the presented method provides an efficient prediction of the likelihood of the symptom disappearance within the observation period, patients stratification according to the risk of preservation of the symptom in question, adequately changing the diagnostic and treatment approaches and considering the factors that are important for the outcome in question; besides, it provides the assessment of their contribution to the probability of disappearance of clinically significant symptom. The text of the article contains the program codes of R language with explanations.
Methods for Determining the Thermal State of Medium-Speed Diesel Engines Taking into Account Boiling of the Coolant
Authors: Myagkov L.L. , Sivachev V.M.
Published: August 2020

Forcing medium-speed diesel engines by increasing the mean effective pressure leads to an increase in the thermal factor of the engine parts. High temperatures of the cylinder head fire deck and the cylinder liner working surface cause thermal fatigue cracks in these parts as well as piston scuffing. Therefore, the development of new methods of intensifying heat transfer in the cooling gallery and refined methods for determining the engine parts thermal state is currently relevant. In both areas of research, a significant role is played by the process of coolant boiling, which significantly intensifies heat transfer in the cooling system. A review of the literature showed that the existing methods of mathematical modeling of conjugate heat transfer in the cooling cavities taking into account the boiling process have a number of significant drawbacks. This paper presents the developed mathematical model and methods for determining the thermal state of medium-speed diesel engine parts taking into account boiling of the coolant, thus making it possible to combine the advantages of both the engineering approach and numerical simulation based on computational fluid dynamics. The thermal state of a new generation medium-speed diesel engine D500 was calculated and the thermal factor of the main engine parts was estimated.
An Evaluation of Performance Characteristics of Short-Fiber Basalt Insulation at Cryogenic Temperatures
Authors: Komkov M.A. , Timofeev M.P. , Larionova A.V.
Published: August 2020

This work shows the potential of highly porous thermal insulation made of short basalt super-thin fibers chopped using liquid technology for insulating cryogenic piping. The effective heat conductivity coefficient, maximum-permissible porosity and insulation density were determined for short basalt fibers with a mean diameter of 1.88 mcm and a length of 1.0–1.5 mm, taking into account radiation heat transfer. The results of compression tests are presented for highly porous flat insulation samples made of short basalt fibers without binding agents and those reinforced with Al2O3. It is established that the thermal insulation material containing a binding agent has the strength, elasticity modulus and elastic compression deformation two times higher than samples without a mineral binding agent.
Empirical Negation, Co-Negation and the Contraposition Rule II: Proof-Theoretical Investigations
Authors: Niki Satoru
Published: August 2020

We continue the investigation of the first paper where we studied logics with various negations including empirical negation and co-negation. We established how such logics can be treated uniformly with R. Sylvan's CCω as the basis. In this paper we use this result to obtain cut-free labelled sequent calculi for the logics.
Module Structure on Effect Algebras
Authors: Saidi Goraghani Simin , Borzooei Rajab Ali
Published: August 2020

In this paper, by considering the notions of effect algebra and product effect algebra, we define the concept of effect module. Then we investigate some properties of effect modules, and we present some examples on them. Finally, we introduce some topologies on effect modules.
Conflict in Cross Border Higher Education: Franchised Cross Border Ethiopian Universities in Somaliland Higher Education
Authors: Wondemneh Rawling , Shen Hong
Published: August 2020

This study deals with the conflict of franchised cross-border higher education. The constitution of Somaliland on article 15 No.4 loosen the gate of education for foreign institutions, but bilateral relation between Ethiopian universities and Somaliland higher education is experiencing conflicts. The conflicts are between franchisor and franchisee and among franchisee shareholders. The reasons for the problem are unknown since the existence of cross-border foreign universities in Somaliland. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the reasons behind the conflicts and the effect of the conflicts on the learning-teaching. Case study design was applied. The research approach was qualitative, and both primary and secondary sources of data were employed. Interview, document analysis, focus group discussion (FGD), and observation were drawn for data instruments. The results show that the franchising mode of contract/agreement is not respected by the shareholders, absence of trust is existed in franchised relationship, the involvement of the Somaliland National Commission for Higher Education (SNCHE) is late on the contract and conflicts, the higher education is running without higher education policy, interruption of the learning-teaching, student transfer, and stakeholders suspicion towards cross border universities. The country has joined the world map after Somaliaâ€™s destructive civil war and focused on development in many aspects. Likewise, the researcher planned to contribute tangible asset for the recently emerged Somaliland National Commission for Higher Education. So that it initiates local or international researchers in this area for further researches.
Reverse Logistics and Competitive Advantage: The Mediating Effect of Operational Performance Among Manufacturing Firms in Kenya
Authors: Job Mwanyota L. , Njihia Muranga , Maalu Jackson , Iraki X.N.
Published: August 2020

Today globally, countries and manufacturing entities alike are concerned with environmental sustainability apart from economic gains. Implementation of reverse logistics programs has been contemplated as a feasible alternative to mitigate the negative environmental effects of manufacturing while gaining competitory position. Literature has also suggested that improved operational performance results in the achievement of competitiveness. However the question has been whether implementing reverse logistics creates comparative advantage that leads to gaining competitive advantage for manufacturing entities. Specifically, the study sought to determine the influence of operational performance on the relationship between reverse logistics and a firmâ€™s competitive advantage. Using correlation cross-sectional survey design, primary data were collected from 175 Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) registered firms through a semi-structured questionnaire. Covariance-based, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the data and test the study hypothesis. Results from the hypothesis tests revealed that operational performance significantly mediates the association linking reverse logistics and a firmâ€™s competitive advantage. The study confirmed that when resources are mobilized uniquely, they create comparative advantage consequently leading to competitive advantage. The study recommends that implementation of reverse logistics should be guided by a process that requires identifying the uniqueness of resources the organization has and strategically utilizing these resources in a manner that builds comparative advantage. Policymakers within the manufacturing sector in Kenya should improve the regulatory framework to upscale application of reverse logistics strategies in a manner that improves operational performance. Based on the limitations of the study, areas for further research have been suggested.
The Impact of Institutional Investorsâ€™ Holdings on Performance Sensitivity to Management Compensation in China
Authors: Min Cheng
Published: August 2020

In recent years, institutional investors have developed rapidly, and have gradually developed into a trend of growing multi-type institutional investors. Management compensation system, as an important part of corporate governance, is a system that institutional investors often pay attention to. And the performance sensitivity to management compensation can precisely measure the improvement of corporate governance of corporate investors, showing the convergence of management and shareholdersâ€™ goals. Therefore, it is meaningful to discuss the relation between institutional investor's shareholding and company management compensationperformance sensitivity. This paper combines normative research and empirical research, combs and summarizes domestic and foreign literature, and puts forward some research hypotheses. In terms of empirical research, this paper selects Chinese listed companies as research samples to study the influence of overall institutional investors and different types of institutional investors on the performance sensitivity to listed companies' management compensation. There is a positive correlation between the overall institutional investor's shareholding and performance sensitivity to management compensation. Compared with trading institutional investors, stable institutional investors are more able to increase the performance sensitivity to management compensation in Chinese listed companies.
The Impact of Sustainable Supply Chain Management and Supply Chain Collaboration on Turkish Firms Performance: Moderator Effect of Uncertainty
Authors: Ince Huseyin , Ozkan Andac Sahinbe , Imamoglu Salih Zeki
Published: August 2020

Supply Chain-Related Sustainability Cases offer organizations the challenge of enriching environmental, social, and economic performance within supply networks. Firms are increasingly implementing environmental and social dimensions of sustainability. During the implementation, they check the collaboration efforts for getting information outside of the organizations to develop and improve both firm and supply chain performance. Due to drastic changes in the business environment, firms face uncertainty. This study aims to analyze the impact of sustainable supply chain management and collaboration under the supply chain uncertainty on firms' performance. Based on the literature review the conceptual framework was developed. To test the research hypotheses, multi-item scales and survey questionnaires were adopted from prior research. The research is based on a quantitative approach using a questionnaire survey. We obtained 240 usable questionnaires from 112 companies. The Partial Least Square method was used to test the proposed conceptual model. The results show that sustainable supply chain management is positively associated with supply chain performance and supply chain collaboration. Also, we found that supply chain collaboration has a positive effect on supply chain performance. Supply chain performance is positively associated with firm performance. Furthermore, supply chain uncertainty moderates the relationship between collaboration, sustainable supply chain management, and supply chain performance.
Modalites Dâ€™acquisition Des Terres Et Conflits Fonciers Dans La Sous-Prefecture De Sinfra (Cote dâ€™Ivoire)
Authors: Ismaila Bakayoko , PacÃ´me Kana Jean Noel , Fatoumata Traore
Published: August 2020

Cette Ã©tude vise Ã  expliquer comment Ã  partir des transactions fonciÃ¨res rurales entre populations sÃ©dentaires, naissent les conflits fonciers Ã  Sinfra (CÃ´te dâ€™Ivoire). Elle sâ€™appuie sur la thÃ©orie de lâ€™acteur de Blumer qui privilÃ©gie lâ€™approche idiographique dans lâ€™explication des phÃ©nomÃ¨nes sociaux. Lâ€™enquÃªte a Ã©tÃ© effectuÃ©e auprÃ¨s dâ€™une population de 112 individus repartis selon les catÃ©gories suivantes N 1 : autoritÃ©s coutumiÃ¨res et administratives et N2 : ruraux et cultivateurs dans les 16 villages que compte cette sous-prÃ©fecture. En termes de techniques de recherche, lâ€™Ã©tude a eu recours Ã  la documentation, lâ€™observation et lâ€™entretien. Les donnÃ©es rÃ©vÃ¨lent que la plupart des litiges fonciers observÃ©s Ã  Sinfra rÃ©sultent des modalitÃ©s dâ€™acquisition des terres et des rixes liÃ©es aux contrats de cession Ã©laborÃ©s par des acteurs ruraux sans qualification qui, tout en nâ€™associant pas des acteurs habilitÃ©s en la matiÃ¨re, se heurtent Ã  des difficultÃ©s syntaxiques et Ã  la reproduction textuelle de leurs aspirations dans le cadre des contrats. ParallÃ¨lement, ces partenaires fonciers qui croient que leurs aspirations sont toutes dÃ©finies dans le texte, Ã©voquent des droits qui nâ€™apparaissent pas clairement dans le rÃ©digÃ© et de ce fait, agissent non pas selon le contrat Ã©crit mais selon leurs aspirations, gÃ©nÃ©rant ainsi entre eux, heurts et rixes. Pour circonscrire ces conflits, lâ€™Ã©tude plaide en faveur de lâ€™intÃ©gration des acteurs administratifs dans le processus dâ€™acquisition des terres rurales.
This study aims to explain how, from rural land transactions between sedentary populations, land conflicts arise in Sinfra (CÃ´te dÂ´Ivoire). It is based on the theory of the actor of Blumer who privileges the idiographic approach in the explanation of social phenomena. The survey was carried out on a population of 112 individuals divided into the following categories L 1: customary and administrative authorities and L 2: rural people and farmers in the 16 villages of this sub-prefecture. In terms of research techniques, the study used documentation, observation and interview. The data reveal that most of the land disputes observed in Sinfra result from the terms of land acquisition and brawls linked to the sale contracts drawn up by unskilled rural actors who, while not associating actors authorized in the matter, encounter syntactic difficulties and the textual reproduction of their aspirations within the framework of contracts. At the same time, these land partners who believe that their aspirations are all defined in the text, evoke rights that do not appear clearly in the wording and therefore act not according to the written contract but according to their aspirations, thus generating between them, clashes and brawls. To reduce these conflicts, the study calls for the integration of administrative actors in the process of acquiring rural land.
A Research Review on the Global Refocusing on African Development: Challenges and Opportunities in 21stCentury
Authors: Onwuatuegwu Ignatius Nnaemeka
Published: August 2020

In recent years, there has been a series of supports by the developed world towards securing effective and efficient development in Africa. These support programmes have cut across various sectors, ranging from education, health and sociopolitical programmes initiated by the developed countries aimed at assisting Africa to measure up with in terms of developmental aspects with other continents. To this end, this research paper is a philosophical review that sought to centre on global refocusing on African development unveiling the challenges and opportunities faced by African continent in this 21st century. This paper maintained that the achievability of Africaâ€™s developmental stride depends to a more significant extent on its political development. The discovered challenges include among others; bribery and corruption, bad governance, weak political institutions, and undemocratic values. These hurdles are hazardous, real and numerous but could be addressed through improvement and strengthening of governance and democracy. The significance of this research cannot be overemphasized as the issues raised in this paper could be beneficial to both policymakers and scholars alike as it will enable them to ascertain the problems and policy recommendations to avert the evils that befell the continent. Some African countries did well with regards to governance and combating corruption. However, major institutional reform is needed to achieve sustainable development across the continent. The researcher recommend that; Policies should be made towards strengthening economic analysis and management across Africa as it will to a great extent facilitate sustainable development and poverty reduction across African. This paper, therefore, will employ the analytic approach to examine the situations that stagnate African development and then make recommendations on how to surmount the problems.
Morphometric Analysis and Flash Floods Assessment of River Taraba Basin in Taraba State, Nigeria
Authors: Gabriel Adelalu Temitope , Yusuf Mohammed Bakoji , Bwadi Benjamin Ezekiel , Clement Yakubu G.
Published: August 2020

Morphmetric analysis was conducted for River Taraba Catchments Area in Taraba with an emphasis on its hydrological response to storm events using geospatial techniques. The Study Basin comprises of nine small watersheds. The drainage network is dendritic. RTCA is a 7th order drainage basin, with an area of 15777 km2, having a perimeter of about 959km.The Lo value registered was 1.64 km .This denote gentle slope and stretch paths network on the watershed. The mean Rb varies between 3.0 and 5.14 for the catchment, indicating a transitional zone of geological structure with a less remarkable influence of structural disturbances. Value of drainage density indicates moderate runoff potentials. This depicts geological structures which do not distort the drainage pattern as such. The Basin has long Lb, of 242 km. This is an indication of low flooding susceptibility. The elongated the basin length, the little the effect on the extent to which the surface runoff manipulate the basin and been lowered by agents of denudation. Catchment characterizations of the study area and basin morphometry do not typify high flooding susceptibility. Environmental degradation through proliferation of haphazard and uncontrolled development within and around the flood plain seems the cause of incessant flooding in the catchments. Hazards occur when people place themselves in the path of geophysical and climatological agents. Governments should discourage influx to buffer and exploitation of the drainage basin in the study area.
DiffÃ©renciation Identitaire, Usage et Fonction des Ã‰difices Religieux dans la Gouvernance Urbaine Ã Meiganga (Nord-Cameroun)
Authors: Alexis Hamdja Ngoniri , Laure Lissouck Catherine , Ndjeng Esse
Published: August 2020

Meiganga est une ville du Nord-Cameroun dâ€™environ 38 000 habitants. Elle est caractÃ©risÃ©e par une rÃ©partition spatiale de lâ€™habitat en deux zones marquÃ©es dâ€™une part par des Ã©difices musulmans, et dâ€™autre part, par des Ã©difices chrÃ©tiens. Cette Ã©volution de la ville en deux zones distinctes est le rÃ©sultat de lâ€™absence dâ€™un service public de promotion immobiliÃ¨re. Cela expose la ville Ã  des tensions sociales Ã©ventuellement liÃ©es Ã  lâ€™accroissement de la valeur Ã©conomique du sol urbain. MalgrÃ© la bipartition religieuse ainsi dÃ©fini, la ville prÃ©sente une cohÃ©sion sociale apparente. Cela est dÃ» au fait de lâ€™appartenance de la population autochtone Ã  la mÃªme et unique communautÃ© traditionnelle Gbaya, dont une partie des ressortissants sâ€™est islamisÃ©e et contrÃ´le la chefferie. Toutefois, apparait-il nÃ©cessaire que les pouvoirs publics planifient le dÃ©veloppement de cette ville en vue de minimiser les tensions qui pourraient naÃ®tre suite aux vellÃ©itÃ©s expansionnistes de plus en plus prononcÃ©es de certaines organisations religieuses. Cette Ã©tude est basÃ©e sur les donnÃ©es des documents Ã©crits et de diverses enquÃªtes de terrain. Elle examine tour Ã  tour la politique publique de promotion immobiliÃ¨re au Cameroun, le processus de bipartition de lâ€™espace urbain de Meiganga et lâ€™impact de la disposition des lieux de culte sur la fonctionnalitÃ© socio-Ã©conomique urbaine.
Meiganga is a city in northern Cameroon with a population of around 38,000. Meiganga is characterized by a spatial distribution of housing in two areas marked on the one hand by Muslim buildings, and on the other hand by Christian buildings. The evolution of the city into two distinct zones is due to the absence of a public real estate development service. This exposes the town to social tensions which is eventually linked to the increase in the economic value of urban land. In spite of the religious bipartition thus defined, the city presents an apparent social cohesion. This is due to the fact that the indigenous population belongs to the same one and only traditional Gbaya community, some of whose nationals have Islamized and control the chieftaincy. There appears to be a need for the authorities to plan the development of this city in order to minimize the tensions that could arise from the increasingly expansionist tendencies of certain religious organizations. This study is based on data from written documents and various field surveys. It examines in turn the public policy of real estate development in Cameroon, the process of bipartition of the urban space of Meiganga, and the impact of the layout of places of worship on the urban socio-economic functionality.
Processing of waste of canning and swimming crab (Portunus pelagicus) in PT. Sumber Mina Bahari Rembang, Central Java
Authors: Wulandari Sri , Pramono Heru
Published: August 2020

Blue crab canning is a high protein, low fat, and multi functional product. Waste that produced from blue crab canning needs handling and processing that couldn’t make a negative impact to the enviroment. The study on waste management, is a very important for student because they can learn about how to make a canned blue crab directly from the factory, get to know about the waste implementation and also get to know about the problem that caused from the waste implementation management at PT. Sumber Mina Bahari Rembang, Central Java. The purpose from this activity is to get to know the implementation of waste mangement from blue crab canning ( Portunus pelagicus )PT. Sumber Mina Bahari Rembang, Central Java. According to Saptadewi (2013), the waste that produced from blue crab canning are solid waste and liquid waste. The solid waste are like blue crab shell, broken cans, and sand. Meanwhile the liquid waste are like the leftover water from production, sanitary needs, and boiling processing. The study have been done on January 23rd  2017 until  February 21st 2017. This activity was held at at PT. Sumber Mina Bahari Rembang - TubanHighway 31st KM, Sumber Sari Village, Kragan Disctrict, Rembang Regency, Central Java. The waste that produced by PT. Sumber Mina Bahari are separeted in two types that liquid waste and solid waste. The waste has been processed quite well, it has been proven with a cooperative contract between PT. Sumber Mina Bahari with the Rembang City sanitary agency at a solid waste processing. The liquid waste certification shown that PT. Sumber Mina Bahari is very keeping the enviroment clean meanwhile the management functions like planning, organizing, actuating, controlling, and evaluating didn’t mention very well. It is happen because there is no special division in waste processing in between PT. Sumber Mina Bahari.
Presentation of Binning-Based Inter-Click Interval Data from Passive Acoustic Monitoring of Free-Ranging Harbour Porpoises (Phocoena Phocoena)
Authors: Ruffert Maximilian , Todd Victoria L.G. , Todd Ian B.
Published: August 2020

C-PODs are used for Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) at an offshore open sea location in the German North Sea. Diel patterns of echolocation click trains are extracted from minimum inter-click interval (minICI) data by binning. The aim of this study is to reassess and refine minICI ranges of click train data with particular consideration to the binning widths. Emphasis is also placed on choosing an appropriate visualisation of these binned data. Key ecological results include presence of higher train rates during the day with intermediate minICI values defined by the range 6-28 ms and a higher train rate with short minICI values 1.25-2.00 ms at night. This indicates an increase in porpoise feeding behaviour, or change of style, at night. Click trains with long minICI values > 35 ms occur at an equal rate throughout both diel phases, suggesting a more routine behaviour, such as navigation. Results could be revealed only by judicious choice of binning widths, e.g. previously overlooked patterns within historical echolocation data. The classification methodology can be used to analyse echolocation trains from a variety of species and can be applied to any PAM data with the relevant click parameters.
Tuning a Two-Chamber Muffler for Wide-Band Transmission Loss
Authors: Munjal M.L.
Published: August 2020

The design of a muffler with wide-band transmission loss (TL) is a basic requirement for automotive exhaust systems where the exhaust noise is spread over several harmonics of the engine firing frequency. This has led to the concept of a double-tuned expansion chamber. In the present paper, the concept of double-tuning is extended to the two-chamber mufflers. The author's classical Velocity Ratio Algorithm is used here to analyze and design such a muffler. The relevant two-row array is manipulated and simplified to arrive directly at the single most significant term out of the 81 non-dimensional terms constituting the relevant Velocity Ratio. Examination of this single term reveals acoustics of the raised wide-band domes of the TL spectrum of the double-tuned two-chamber (DT2C) muffler vis-a-vis that of an equivalent longer double-tuned single-chamber muffler. Except for a low-frequency trough, its TL curve covers the entire frequency range of interest for control of automotive exhaust noise. It is also shown that the corresponding side-inlet side-outlet (SISO) DT2C muffler configuration has an identically similar wide-band TL spectrum to that of the co-axial muffler configuration. Finally, some guidelines are laid out for designing a DT2C muffler.
Developments in the Design of Centrifugal Pendulum Vibration Absorbers
Authors: Newland David E.
Published: August 2020

For over 60 years, the torsional vibration of reciprocating aircraft engines has been controlled by centrifugal pendulum vibration absorbers. Loose weights attached to an engine's crankshaft act as tuned-mass absorbers by oscillating at a frequency in proportion to rotational speed. More recently, similar loose masses have been attached to the flywheels of automobile engines. The need to achieve increased power from fewer cylinders, while reducing weight and improving economy, has exacerbated torsional vibration of the drive train. The dynamics of a wheel carrying many centrifugal pendulums of bifilar design has been the subject of a growing literature, but much less has been written about roller-type pendulums and about overall system performance. This paper is a new analysis of bifilar and roller systems and their design requirements. The current state of knowledge about practical design limitations is explained and the need for further research discussed.