bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
La double fonction sociale de l’université selon le gouvernement de Duplessis, 1936-1959
Authors: Colleret Maxime
Published: May 2021

Dans cet article, nous nous intéressons à la conception de l’université des gouvernements de Maurice Duplessis de 1936 à 1959. Plus précisément, nous défendons la thèse selon laquelle les unionistes conçoivent l’université à la fois comme un élément important du rayonnement de la culture franco-catholique et comme un outil capital du développement économique. D’ailleurs, puisqu’une large part du modèle économique de l’Union nationale est basée sur les ressources naturelles, Duplessis et ses ministres s’affairent à lier le développement universitaire aux richesses géologiques, hydrauliques et forestières.
Un concept infopédagogique innovant pour soutenir la motivation des étudiantes autochtones dans leurs études universitaires
Authors: Rocheleau Johanne , Pouliot Eve
Published: May 2021

Dans le cadre d’un programme de formation à distance en relation d’aide destiné à des étudiantes des Premières Nations à l’Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, nous avons déployé une formule pédagogique innovante afin de répondre à leurs cultures et à leurs besoins particuliers tout en suscitant et en maintenant leur motivation pour favoriser leur réussite et leur persévérance scolaires. Cette formule, offerte en ligne en mode synchrone et asynchrone, est diffusée à la manière d’un scénario d’une télésérie. Elle est le résultat de l’application du concept infopédagogique, qui consiste en une double scénarisation de l’information et de la pédagogie tout en situant le développement des compétences dans un milieu de vie virtuel servant de cadre à des aventures et à des interactions entre différents personnages aux prises avec des problèmes nécessitant l’engagement collectif des étudiantes pour les résoudre. Les compétences développées sont réinvesties dans de nouvelles résolutions de problèmes proposées lors de cours subséquents. Ce récit de pratique présente cette formule pédagogique innovante et l’application particulière que nous en avons faite. À la lumière de nos expériences, cette formule semble soutenir la motivation des étudiantes autochtones dans leurs études universitaires.
La qualification personnelle, un paradigme de la reconnaissance au travail
Authors: Guéniot Amaena
Published: May 2021

L’enjeu de cet article est de comparer deux institutions du travail, l’emploi et la qualification personnelle, du point de vue de la reconnaissance. Il s’agit de montrer que l’emploi implique une incertitude fondamentale quant à la continuité de l’activité. Cette incertitude se traduit par un manque actuel ou potentiel de reconnaissance des travailleuses et des travailleurs. Au contraire, la qualification personnelle permet une continuité de la reconnaissance des travailleurs, non pas dans leur activité mais dans leurs capacités, dans leur puissance. Il est alors essentiel de distinguer la qualification personnelle, qui permet de témoigner de la reconnaissance et du respect de toutes les personnes qui participent à la production sociale, et les niveaux de qualification, qui introduisent des niveaux d’estime différenciés.
La mujer: decisora de compra, pero apenas identificada con la publicidad de las marcas
Authors: Lavilla Montse
Published: May 2021

Existe una desconexión entre la comunicación publicitaria de las marcas con las mujeres, a pesar de que estas representan un papel clave en la mayor parte de las decisiones de compra. Esta es una de las conclusiones más relevantes obtenidas de la presentación al mercado de Meaninguful Women el pasado 21 de abril.
V.F. Odoyevsky and public music education: the background of the problem and the reception of the scholar’s ideas in Russian folklore
Authors: Popova Irina
Published: May 2021

The author of the article thinks through the views of an outstanding writer, musician, scholar, collector and music folklore and the Old Russian art of singing researcher, Prince Vladimir Fyodorovich Odoyevsky on public music education. The author considers Odoyevsky’s opinion about the education of the lowest tiers of Russian society and female education and the possible ways of public music education. The research is based on Odoyevsky’s letters and diaries, and three articles about primary music education methods and the peculiarities of giving solfegio classes to broad public. The author focuses on the role of “numerical technique” in the development of Russian folklore music notating.The scientific novelty of the research consists in the understanding of Odoyevsky’s contribution to the popularization of the music notating system created by Émile-Joseph-Maurice Chevé. The author of the research is the first to establish Odoyevsky’s priority in developing and supporting government and social initiatives in the field of public music education. The author demonstrates the universal character of approaches of the Russian enlightener to solving educational problems and explains the reception of some scientific ideas of the scholar in Russian folklore milieu. The author uses the examples of typologically homogeneous terms of the theory of music applied by Odoyevsky and still used by folklore musicians.   
V.M. Bekhterev on the influence of lofty sounds of music on person and society
Authors: Vasilenko Viktoriya
Published: May 2021

The research subject is the scope of academic works of Vladimir Mikhailovich Bekhterev (1857 - 1927) published just before and during World War I, including the articles “Music as a remedy” (1913), “The role of music in aesthetic education of a child from the first days of life” (1915), “Remedial and hygienical role of music” (1916), in which the academician considers the results of experimental research of the influence of music on person and society from the standpoint of collective reflexology and general psychology, and develops methodic guidelines for the practical usage of music. The scientific novelty of the article consists in the fact that the author introduces the natural-science knowledge acquired by V.M. Bekhterev experimentally, into the discourse of the social sciences. The problem of practical usage of music is solved in the context of a comprehensive approach to human study. Along with explicit scientific facts, the sources under consideration have implicit content which can be explained by the academician’s interest in the social aspects of life, creative activities in arts, and music as a form of art. The author emphasizes the practical importance of the collected and classified guidelines for the practical usage of music for the purpose of the improvement of society.
Scientific and educational activities of the Jewish folk music society in St.Petersburg (1908-1921)
Authors: Cherkasova Zoya
Published: May 2021

The research subject is scientific and educational work of the Jewish folk music society established in St.Petersburg in 1908. Using the example of this Society, the author considers the realized ideas of public music education which became popular in Russia in the early 20th century. Special attention is given to the historic role of the folklore component in the music education of urban dwellers. In this context, the author considers the activities of the Society connected with ethnographic research of the pieces of Jewish folk music, their processing and usage in educational work. The author’s special contribution is the consideration of organization of the educational process in the Society. The author studies the activities of one-year music courses training Jewish folk music performers, and the well-known pedagogues: I.S. Tomars, I.Yu. Akhron, M.E. Bukinik. Besides, the information about music albums, issued by the Society, and Jewish folk music concerts, organized by it, which contained not only music performances, but also music lectures, is of great scientific and historical value.    
Pollen characteristics of Zelyony Mys yedoma and ground squirrel' burrows
Authors: Vasil'chuk Alla Constantinovna , Vasil'chuk Yurij Kirillovich
Published: May 2021

The pollen characteristics of the Zelyony Mys yedoma record cyclical changes in vegetation cover, both on a local and regional scale. There are three local pollen zones such as: Varia +Artemisia, Varia + Selaginella sibirica, and Pinus + Betula sect. Nanae. Pollen spectra reflect open landscapes of mosaic hypo-arctic tundra. Some local pollen zones in the ice wedges correspond to the local pollen zones of yedoma: Varia + Selaginella sibirica dates from 41.9-33.8 CalBP, Pinus + Betula sect. Nanae (P+B) is approximately dated to 33.5-30 CalBP. Reconstruction of the annual thawing index showed several fluctuations: two short-term periods of significant deterioration of vegetation conditions (annual thawing index was about 200-300 deg. × days, about 46, 34-33 CalBP), and two periods of improvement of vegetation conditions 45-43 and 32 CalBP (annual thawing index was about 600-750 deg. x days). Regional pollen in burrows is the same in synchronous horizons of yedoma. Noticeable amount of larch pollen (10%) in the fossil burrows in the Zelyony Mys yedoma showed that favorable conditions are created in the burrows for the preservation of larch pollen. The seeds found in minks reflect animal dietary preferences and only partlially local vegetation around minks. Reconstruction of positive temperature sums indicates the palinospectra reflect three-fold fluctuations of vegetation conditions: two short periods of substantial deterioration of vegetation conditions (the sum of positive temperatures is about 200-300 degrees x days), about 46, 34-33 thousand years (and two periods of improvement of vegetation conditions 45-43 thousand years (sum of positive temperatures about 600 degrees x days) and 32 thousand years (sum of positive temperatures about 750 degrees x days).
The influence of Arctic air masses on climatic conditions of the snow accumulation period in the center of the European territory of Russia
Authors: Chizhova Julia Nikolaevna
Published: May 2021

The subject of this article is exmination of the influence of the Arctic air flow on the climatic conditions of the winter period in the center of the European territory of Russia (Moscow). In recent years, the question of the relationship between regional climatic conditions and such global circulation patterns as the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and the Arctic Oscillation (AK) has become increasingly important. Based on the data of long-term observations of temperature and precipitation, the relationship with the AK and NAO was considered. For the winter months of the period 2014-2018, the back trajectories of the movement of air masses were computed for each date of precipitation to identify the sources of precipitation. The amount of winter precipitation that forms the snow cover of Moscow has no connection with either the North Atlantic Oscillation or the Arctic Oscillation. The Moscow region is located at the intersection of the zones of influence of positive and negative phases of both cyclonic patterns (AK and NAO), which determine the weather in the Northern Hemisphere. For the winter months, a correlation between the surface air temperature and NAO (r = 0.72) and AK (r = 0.66) was established. Winter precipitation in the center of the European territory of Russiais mainly associated with the unloading of Atlantic air masses. Arctic air masses relatively rarely invade Moscow region and bring little precipitation (their contribution does not exceed 12% of the total winter precipitation).
The concept of significance of violation of procedural norms of legislation of the Russian Federation on taxes and fees in terms of appointing an on-site tax audit
Authors: Zimulkin Maksim Igorevich
Published: May 2021

The subject of this research is the legislation of the Russian Federation, case law, as well as domestic and foreign doctrine, which allow establishing the essence of legal relations for the purpose of appointment of on-site tax audit. The object of this research is the social relations in terms of appointing an on-site tax audit. The author considers legal aspects associated with the procedural issues of appointing an on-site tax audit, and violations committed by tax officials in appointing an audit. Special attention is given to the problems of qualification of procedural violations as significant, i.e. entailing cancellation of the decision of tax authority, acknowledgement of actions (or inaction) of tax officials as unlawful. The scientific novelty of this work consist in formulation of the criterion of significance of violation of procedural norms of the legislation of the Russian Federation on taxes and fees in terms of appointing an on-site tax audit. Leaning on the results of research of the Russian and foreign doctrine, as well as the analysis of the relevant case law, the author determines the procedural violations of tax officials committed in appointing tax audit, which should result in cancellation of the decisions of tax authorities, an acknowledgement of the actions (or inactions) of tax officials as unlawful. The conclusion is made on the content of the criterion of significance of violation of procedural norms of the legislation of the Russian Federation on taxes and fees in terms of appointing an on-site tax audit.
Limb myology and muscle architecture of the Indian rhinocerosRhinoceros unicornisand the white rhinocerosCeratotherium simum(Mammalia: Rhinocerotidae)
Authors: Etienne Cyril , Houssaye Alexandra , Hutchinson John R.
Published: May 2021

Land mammals support and move their body using their musculoskeletal system. Their musculature usually presents varying adaptations with body mass or mode of locomotion. Rhinocerotidae is an interesting clade in this regard, as they are heavy animals potentially reaching three tons but are still capable of adopting a galloping gait. However, their musculature has been poorly studied. Here we report the dissection of both forelimb and hindlimb of one neonate and one adult each for two species of rhinoceroses, the Indian rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) and the white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum). We show that their muscular organisation is similar to that of their relatives, equids and tapirs, and that few evolutionary convergences with other heavy mammals (e.g. elephants and hippopotamuses) are present. Nevertheless, they show clear adaptations to their large body mass, such as more distal insertions for the protractor and adductor muscles of the limbs, giving them longer lever arms. The quantitative architecture of rhino muscles is again reminiscent of that of horses and tapirs, although contrary to horses, the forelimb is much stronger than the hindlimb, which is likely due to its great role in body mass support. Muscles involved mainly in counteracting gravity (e.g.serratus ventralis thoracis,infraspinatus,gastrocnemius,flexores digitorum) are usually highly pennate with short fascicles facilitating strong joint extension. Muscles involved in propulsion (e.g.gluteal muscles,gluteobiceps,quadriceps femoris) seem to represent a compromise between a high maximal isometric force and long fascicles, allowing a reasonably fast and wide working range. Neonates present higher normalized maximal isometric force than the adults for almost every muscle, except sometimes for the extensor and propulsor muscles, which presumably acquire their great force-generating capacity during the growth of the animal. Our study clarifies the way the muscles of animals of cursorial ancestry can adapt to support a greater body mass and calls for further investigations in other clades of large body mass.
Mapping open knowledge institutions: an exploratory analysis of Australian universities
Authors: Huang Chun-Kai (Karl) , Wilson Katie , Neylon Cameron , Ozaygen Alkim , Montgomery Lucy , Hosking Richard
Published: May 2021

While the movement for open research has gained momentum in recent years, there remain concerns about the broader commitment to openness in knowledge production and dissemination. Increasingly, universities are under pressure to transform themselves to engage with the wider community and to be more inclusive.Open knowledge institutions(OKIs) provide a framework that encourages universities to act with the principles of openness at their centre; not only should universities embrace digital open access (OA), but also lead actions in cultivating diversity, equity, transparency and positive changes in society. This leads to questions of whether we can evaluate the progress of OKIs and what are potential indicators for OKIs. As an exploratory study, this article reports on the collection and analysis of a list of potential OKI indicators. Data for these indicators are gathered for 43 Australian universities. The indicators provide high-dimensional and complex signals about university performances. They show evidence of large disparities in characteristics such as Indigenous employment and gender equity, and a preference for repository-mediated OA across Australian universities. We demonstrate use of the OKI evaluation framework to categorise these indicators into three platforms of diversity, communication and coordination. The analysis provides new insights into the Australian open knowledge landscape and ways of mapping different paths of OKIs.
Mahalanobis distances for ecological niche modelling and outlier detection: implications of sample size, error, and bias for selecting and parameterising a multivariate location and scatter method
Authors: Etherington Thomas R.
Published: May 2021

The Mahalanobis distance is a statistical technique that has been used in statistics and data science for data classification and outlier detection, and in ecology to quantify species-environment relationships in habitat and ecological niche models. Mahalanobis distances are based on the location and scatter of a multivariate normal distribution, and can measure how distant any point in space is from the centre of this kind of distribution. Three different methods for calculating the multivariate location and scatter are commonly used: the sample mean and variance-covariance, the minimum covariance determinant, and the minimum volume ellipsoid. The minimum covariance determinant and minimum volume ellipsoid were developed to be robust to outliers by minimising the multivariate location and scatter for a subset of the full sample, with the proportion of the full sample forming the subset being controlled by a user-defined parameter. This outlier robustness means the minimum covariance determinant and the minimum volume ellipsoid are highly relevant for ecological niche analyses, which are usually based on natural history observations that are likely to contain errors. However, natural history observations will also contain extreme bias, to which the minimum covariance determinant and the minimum volume ellipsoid will also be sensitive. To provide guidance for selecting and parameterising a multivariate location and scatter method, a series of virtual ecological niche modelling experiments were conducted to demonstrate the performance of each multivariate location and scatter method under different levels of sample size, errors, and bias. The results show that there is no optimal modelling approach, and that choices need to be made based on the individual data and question. The sample mean and variance-covariance method will perform best on very small sample sizes if the data are free of error and bias. At larger sample sizes the minimum covariance determinant and minimum volume ellipsoid methods perform as well or better, but only if they are appropriately parameterised. Modellers who are more concerned about the prevalence of errors should retain a smaller proportion of the full data set, while modellers more concerned about the prevalence of bias should retain a larger proportion of the full data set. I conclude that Mahalanobis distances are a useful niche modelling technique, but only for questions relating to the fundamental niche of a species where the assumption of multivariate normality is reasonable. Users of the minimum covariance determinant and minimum volume ellipsoid methods must also clearly report their parameterisations so that the results can be interpreted correctly.
Phytochemistry and Antioxidant Activity of Irvingiagabonensis (Bush mango) Seed Sample
Authors: Sunday Ezekwe Ahamefula , Nnedimma Nwadike Constance , Peter Wokocha Gift , Orlando George Boma
Published: May 2021

Phytochemistry and antioxidant activity of Irvingiagabonensis (Bush mango) seed sample were evaluated. Dried milled seeds of I.gabonensis popularly known as “ogbono” passed through phytochemical screening, Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis and antioxidant studies. Tannins, saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, and reducing sugars were among the phytochemicals found present after screening. About 20 constituents were revealed by the GC-MS analysis out of which 1,3-O-Benzylidine glyceryl-2-myristate had the highest molecular weight, 2-Undecanone had the highest peak area of 45.39% whereas 3-Dibenzofuranamine had the highest retention time. Some of these constituents could have one or two applications in medicinal, food or cosmetic industries. I.gabonensis seeds showed better antioxidant activity against the control at concentrations considered in this study. Some of these constituents as well could be behind the observed antioxidant activity. This study has evaluated the phytochemistry and antioxidant activity of I.gabonensis (Bush mango) seed sample.
IFRS 4 Disclosure and Firm Performance of Insurance Companies in Nigeria
Authors: Suleiman Hadiza Ahmed , Sani Abdulraham Bala
Published: May 2021

IFRS 4 is an International Accounting Standard Board providing guideline for the accounting of insurance contract. This paper therefore, examined the compliance of IFRS 4 and performance of quoted Insurance Companies in Nigeria. The study further  investigate the extent of compliance with disclosure requirements of IFRS 4 and determined the relationship between ROA, liquidity, ROE, leverage and firm size with compliance of IFRS4 disclosure. Quantitative grading system was used to investigate the extent of compliance. Multiple regression analysis was further used to find out the relationship between ROA, liquidity, ROE, leverage and firm size with compliance of IFRS 4 disclosures. The study found that the sampled companies complied at 90% which suggest a strong compliance. ROA, ROE, and Liquidity have a positive significant relationship with compliance with a p-values of 0.0324<0.05, 0.01<0.05, and 0.0247<0.05 respectively. The study also found that leverage is negative but has a significant relationship with compliance. Therefore, the study recommends that, the Inspectorate unit which is the monitoring and enforcement mechanisms need to be improved upon. Although, the level of compliance is good, but mandatory disclosures are meant to be fully complied with 100%.
Retroperitoneal Primary Cystic Tumours: (Case Series of Seven Patients and Literature Review)
Authors: Lafkihq Oussama , El Jai Saad Rifki , Driss Erguibi , Boufettal Rachid , Chihab Farid
Published: May 2021

Primary retroperitoneal cystic tumors include all cystic tumors that arise in the retro and sub peritoneal space independent of the kidney, the excretory tract, the adrenal gland, large vessels and contiguous viscera. We propose a retrospective study of 7 cases of primary retroperitoneal cystic tumors, collected in the department of digestive cancer surgery and liver transplantation at the Ibn Rochd University Hospital in Casablanca over a period of 10 years (2009 to 2019). Our patients are divided into 6 women and 1 man with an average age of 42 years. The diagnostic time varies from 3 months to 3 years with an average of 10 months. The revealing signs are mainly pain (7 cases or 100%) and abdominal mass (3 cases or 43%). The positive diagnosis is based on ultrasound (2 cases or 40%) but above all on computed tomography (7 cases or 100%) which specifies the retroperitoneal site as well as the relationship of the tumor to neighboring organs. Its confirmation can only be histological. Surgery with total resection is the treatment of choice.
Detection of Diabetic Retinopathy Based on Convolutional Neural Networks: A Review
Authors: Ismael Halbast Rashid , Abdulazeez Adnan Mohsin , Hasan Dathar Abas
Published: May 2021

A major cause of human vision loss worldwide is Diabetic retinopathy (DR). The disease requires early screening for slowing down the progress. However, in low-resource settings where few ophthalmologists are available to care for all patients with diabetes, the clinical diagnosis of DR will be a considerable challenge. This paper, review the most recent studies on the detection of DR by using one of the efficient algorithms of deep learning, which is Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN), which highly used to detect DR features from retinal images. CNNs approach to DR detection saves time and expense, and is more efficient and accurate than manual diagnostics. Therefore, CNN is essential and beneficial for DR detection.
A Bioeconomic Analysis of a Renewable Resource in the Presence of Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing
Authors: Ibrahim Mahmud
Published: May 2021

The issue of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing is of prime concern to fisheries in developing countries where the regulatory regimes are often weak. This study proposes a Gordon-Schaefer bioeconomic model with non-constant catchability and nonlinear cost to study the impact of IUU fishing on the stock size of a marine fishery in Ghana. The static equilibrium reference points of the model are established and discussed. Bifurcation analysis on the modified Schaefer model shows the existence of a transcritical bifurcation point were the model is structurally unstable. Pontryagin’s maximum principle is employed to investigate the necessary conditions of the model, and also established are the sufficiency conditions that guarantee the existence and uniqueness of the optimality system. The characterization of the optimal control gives rise to both the boundary and interior solutions, with the former indicating that the resource should be harvested if and only if the marginal revenue of harvest exceeds the marginal revenue of stock. Numerical simulations with empirical data on the Ghana sardinella are carried out to validate the theoretical results. It is shown that IUU fishing leads to excessive exploitation of the resource biomass to levels below 50% of the carrying capacity. This has the tendency of making the fishery unsustainable, with its concomitant loss of revenue to fishers.
Enhanced Oil Recovery Practices: Global Trend, Nigeria’s Present Status, Prospects and Challenges
Authors: Alawode Adeolu J. , Falode Olugbenga A.
Published: May 2021

Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques are considered due to unimpressive oil recovery, limited oil reserves, and non-applicability of primary recovery methods in some (heavy oil) fields. In Nigeria, preparation is in gear towards implementing EOR projects. This paper therefore reviews the global trend of EOR practices and discusses Nigeria’s present status, prospects, and challenges.

Most EOR projects are employed in sandstone (high permeability) reservoirs; hence based on lithological considerations, all EOR methods are feasible in Nigeria. However, miscible hydrocarbon gas injection is found to be a very good EOR choice because it would drastically reduce the uneconomical practice of gas flaring; besides, transportation of carbon dioxide (CO2) and flue gas is virtually non-existent in Nigeria. Chemical (especially surfactant) flooding is costly; hence it would be feasible in Nigeria if oil price is high. At present, cost implications of heat treatment facilities may be an impedance to implementing thermal EOR for heavy oil in Nigeria. Though microbial EOR is the cheapest, it is not favorable in high temperature (above 85 oC), high salinity (above 100,000 ppm) and deeper (beyond 3,500m) reservoirs.

For EOR practices to thrive in Nigeria, there should be an extensive economic evaluation and forecasting, effective research and development, effective training of technical staff for proper operation, surveillance and maintenance of EOR projects, implementation of health, safety and environmental (HSE) guidelines, low inflation rates, low interest rates on loans, general price stability, favorable tax policy, low import duties on machineries and equipment used for EOR, modified private market decisions and encouraging legal and regulatory framework.
Load Deflection and Ultimate Strength Properties of Sandwich Lightweight Foamed Concrete Panels
Authors: Richard Alonge O. , Adeolu Opatade J. , Afolake Olusola Ololade
Published: May 2021

The interaction that exists between two wythes of concrete, inner and outer, goes a long way to establish the structural behavior of the whole components and particularly, lightweight foamed concrete sandwich panel. Precast concrete sandwich panel (PCSP) has become a household name since it has been utilized in the construction of structural shell in some building types. This research investigated the load deflection of six different lightweight foamed concrete panels. The six panels were produced using a foamed concrete mix of the same density and the mechanical properties of the mix were tested. Each panel consists of two withes (facings) made of lightweight foamed concrete and polystyrene was used as the core and the insulation layer. Mild steel wire mesh of 6mm sizes was used as reinforcement in three of the panels while 9mm diameter high yield steel was used in the remaining three panels. The reinforcement in both facing was tied together using shear and bend to an angle of 450.End crushing of the panels was avoided using concrete capping. An axial load test was conducted, the load deflection, mode of failure and crack patterns of the panels was observed. The result also revealed that panels with concrete capping deflect along with their Wythe in the same directions and small deflection was recorded in panels with concrete capping. Cracking modes in panels reinforced with 6mm mild steel were controlled by material failure while those in panels with 9mm high yield steel, cracks was only observed at the lower part of the capping.
Extraction and Characterization of Silver Nitrate Modified Biopolymer and its Antimicrobial Mode of Action
Authors: Ayorinde Jeje O. , Eghosa Osula J.
Published: May 2021

Biopolymer (chitosan) was isolated from crab shell waste through the processes of demineralization, deproteinization, decolourization and deacetylation. The resulting chitosan (CHS) was further treated with silver nitrate (AgNO3) solution at various concentrations (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 M) in order to enhance the antimicrobial activity of chitosan. The crab shell powder (CSP) and (CHS) were characterized using X-ray Diffractometer (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR), and Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). The antimicrobial mode of action of AgNO3 treated chitosan was performed using serial dilution (1:2) technique for minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and tested against four microorganisms (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Staphlococcusaureus and Pseudopodium). The result of proximate analysis of CHS and chitin (CHN) showed % crude protein to be 12.24±001 and 20.54±0.03 respectively, % ash was found to be 4.1±0.01 for CHS and 3.80±0.01 for CHN. The FTIR spectra of CHS and CHN showed their characteristic absorption peaks and the diffractograms of CSP and CHS showed CaCO3 to be the major mineral present in the samples. The antimicrobial evaluation revealed that untreated chitosan extract (UCHSE) showed no antimicrobial activity against the four tested microorganisms. The results of MIC and MBC showed that the organisms responded to the antimicrobial agent at different dilution concentration. It was observed that CHS treated with 0.5 M AgNO3 (0.5 SNCHSE) inhibited the growth of E. coli at 1000 µg/mL, S. aureus at 500 µg/mL while it exhibited bactericidal (MBC) activity against all the organisms at 1000 µg/mL.
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia in an Adolescent Girl: A Case Report and Clinico-Pathologic Review
Authors: Mansoor Neelum , Jabbar Naeem , Khan Hamza , Shaikh Ameerah , Jamal Saba
Published: May 2021

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in pediatric age is rare in the literature. It is a common disease of older adults, characterized by clonal proliferation and progressive accumulation of monoclonal B-cell lymphocytes. The diagnosis is established by immunophenotyping and prognosis is defined by staging system (Rai and Binet), as well as by several biological and genetic markers. We report a case of CLL diagnosed in an adolescent girl presented at 16 years of age. The case is being reported to improve awareness regarding this rare entity in children.

Case Presentation: A 16 year old female presented with fever, weight loss and cervical lymphadenopathy. After baseline workup, lymph node biopsy, bone marrow biopsy along with immunohistochemistry and flowcytometry on peripheral blood was performed to establish the diagnosis. The clinico-pathologic features including extensive immunophenotyping were consistent with CLL.

Discussion: Management guidelines for older adults are very well established but no standardized protocol exists for pediatric age group. We offered her Fludarabine and Cyclophosphamide as first line regimen and she responded well and achieved remission after four cycles. Unfortunately disease relapsed within two years. At this time, determination of optimum therapeutic protocol was a unique challenge as hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) was not available at our institute.

Conclusion: CLL is an extremely rare malignancy in childhood and adolescence. Therefore age specific treatment protocols are not established. Reporting this case will help in eliciting the high index of suspicion among pathologists and oncologists for this exceptionally unusual and life threatening disease so that delays can be avoided.
Studies on Nutrigenetic Traits of Silkworm, Bombyxmori L. for Determining Growth and Development for Identifying Parental Breeds for Breeding under Subtropical Region of North West India
Authors: Murali S. , Singh Sardar
Published: May 2021

Study was conducted during spring and autumn season (2018 & 2019) to screen and identify rich nutrigenetic breeds from the selected breed’s for their nutrigenetic traits in silkworm, BombyxmoriL.(Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) is an essential prerequisite for better understanding and development of nutritionally efficient breeds under Subtropical condition of Jammu based on the breeds which shows less food consumption with higher efficiency conversion based on leaf to cocoon and leaf to shell ratio. Highly significant variations were found among all nutrigenetic traits of bivoltine silkworm breeds in the study. The nutritionally efficient silkworm breeds were shortlisted by utilizing nutrition consumption index and efficiency for conversion of ingesta/cocoon traits as the index for selection of highly promising breeds. Furthermore, based on the average of data from both the seasons, the overall rearing nutrigenetic traits utilized as index, eight bivoltine silkworm breeds (B.con 1, B.con 4, BHR 2, ATR 16, BHR 3, CSR 50, RSJ 14 and NB4D2) were identified as havingthe potential for nutrition efficiency conversion and can be utilized for further breeding programme. The data from the present study advances our knowledge for the development of nutritionally efficient silkworm breeds/hybrids and their effective commercial utilization in the sericulture industry.
Identification of Gibberellins and Cytokinins in Saladette Tomato Seeds
Authors: Ramírez H. , Castillo-Robles M. C. , Melendres-Alvarez A. I. , Castillo U. A. Macías , Zermeño-González A. , Jasso-Cantú D. , Villarreal-Quintanilla J. A.
Published: May 2021

Aims: Tomato (SolanumlycopersicumL.) is one of the most important vegetable crops worldwide, mainly as a result of its economic and nutritive contribution to human society. The presence of endogenous gibberellins and cytokinins in seeds of several crops has been related to a good germination; however, little is known in tomato. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze and identify the presence of gibberellins and cytokinins in saladette tomato seeds.

Study Design: Laboratory analysis for gibberellins and cytokinins were conducted in solvent solutions groups with three technical replicates using a complete randomized design and results when applicable were analyzed using the statistical program 'RStudio' (version 10) and data obtained subjected to a comparison of means with the Tukey (P≤0.05) test.

Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted at the Department of Horticulture in Universidad AutónomaAgraria Antonio Narro, Saltillo, Mexico, during 2020-2021.

Methodology: Lots of 50 grams dry weight of saladette “SVTE8832” tomato seed samples were freeze dried and prepared with several organic solvents for the extraction, purification and identification of gibberellins and cytokinins using the techniques of gas chromatography mass spectrometry(GC-MS) and gas chromatography mass spectrometry with selection ion monitoring(GCMS-SIM) respectively.

Results: Gibberellins A1, A4, A7, A9, A12, A15, A17, A20, A44 and A53 were found in tomato seed tissue. The cytokininszeatin and zeatin-ribozide were also detected in analyzed tomato samples.

Conclusion:The endogenous gibberellins A1, A4, A7, A9, A12, A15, A17, A20, A44, A53 and the cytokininszeatin and zeatin-riboside are present in saladette“SVTE8832” tomato seeds.
Optimization of Sowing Window for Summer Fodder Sorghum Cultivars by Thermo Radiation Requirements Under Southern Agroclimatic Zone of Andhra Pradesh in India
Authors: Saimaheswari K. , Prathima T. , Subramanyam D. , Latha P.
Published: May 2021

Field experiment was conducted during summerseason,2018 on sandy loam soils of dryland farm of S.V. Agricultural College, Tirupati, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University to study radiation use efficiency of fodder sorghum crop. The experiment was in four times of sowing viz., I FN of January, II FN of January, I FN of February and II FN of February with three fodder sorghum varieties viz., CSV 21 F, CSV 30 F and CSV 32 F. Efficiency of thermal and radiation energy conversion into dry biomass was computed using thermal and radiation indices.Results obtained during study revealed that early planting of crop CSV 32 F resulted in higher thermal use efficiency and radiation use efficiencies with higher fodder yield compared to delayed sowings. The correlation studies between RUE and TUE to LAI, dry matter accumulation and green fodder yield showed at significant positive linear relationship. The regression coefficients between meteorological indices viz., RUE and TUE and crop parameters viz., LAI, dry matter production, green fodder yieldwere significantly influenced by varieties at varied times of sowing. Conversion efficiency of radiation and thermal energy to accumulation of dry matter varied much with times of sowing and varieties.
Effectiveness of Entomopathogenic Fungus Beauveria bassiana Isolate on Callosobruchus maculatus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Mortality under Different Concentrations in Kenya
Authors: Kabole Mellon , Kilalo Dora , Muiru Maina , Coyne Danny
Published: May 2021

Callosobruchus maculatus Fab. (Coleoptera: Bruchidae), is a major field-to-store post-harvest pest of in the tropics and worldwide.  They cause weight loss, decreased germination potential and reduction in commercial and aesthetic value as a result of physical contamination of grain by insects, eggs and excrement, decreased nutritional value. Entomopathogenic fungi have been employed in control of a number of storage pests. Nine B. bassiana isolates were evaluated for effectiveness in controlling C. maculatus in cowpea grain under controlled laboratory conditions. Mortality of the bruchids was evaluated stepwise where the most effective isolate concentrations against C. maculatus were assessed. Initial assessment involved determination of the most effective concentration among the isolates following dilution. The most effective isolate concentrations were then doubled and halved to identify the most effective dose rate. The isolates showed significant differences on the mortality of cowpea bruchids at the different concentrations. The halved rate from the most effective rate with BBC recording 85% and 76.7 % cumulative mortality at day 3 during the first and second season respectively.  Isolate J35 had 98.2% mortality at 5 days after application during the first season and 88.3% during the second season, which was only lower to the formulated isolates BBC and BVT. At the optimal dose rate experiment, isolate J57 presented the highest cumulative mortality (25.5%) at 14 days after application while J59 recorded the lowest cumulative mortality at 11.8% at the same time. The combination of isolate J39 and RI showed the highest cumulative mortality of 40.4% and 44.4% during the first and second season respectively. Results obtained from this study support the importance of exploring the use of B. bassiana in control of C. maculatus during storage.
Impact of the COVID‐19 Pandemic on the Employment of Canadian Young Adults With Rheumatic Disease: Findings From a Longitudinal Survey
Authors: Jetha Arif , Tucker Lori B. , Chen Cynthia , Gignac Monique A. M.
Published: May 2021

Objective

The COVID‐19 pandemic has had considerable economic repercussions for young workers. The current study was undertaken to examine the impact of the pandemic on the employment of young adults with rheumatic disease and on perceptions of work and health.

Methods

Surveys were administered to young adults with rheumatic disease prior to and following the onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Surveys asked about employment status and collected information on sociodemographic, disease/health, and work‐context factors. Items also asked about the perceived impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on work and health. A generalized estimating equation model was fitted to examine the effect of the pandemic on employment.

Results

In total, 133 young adults completed the pre–COVID‐19 pandemic survey (mean age 28.9 years, 82% women). When compared to the pre–COVID‐19 pandemic period, employment decreased from 86% to 71% following the pandemic, but no other changes were identified in sociodemographic, disease/health, or work‐context factors. The time period following the COVID‐19 pandemic was associated with a 72% lower odds of employment compared to the pre‐pandemic period (odds ratio 0.28 [95% confidence interval 0.11–0.71]). Those with a postsecondary education or who reported more mental job demands were more likely to be employed following the onset of the pandemic. Also, a majority of participants reported that the pandemic affected health care (83%), treatment access (54%), working conditions (92%), and occupational health and safety (74%).

Conclusion

The onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic had socioeconomic implications for young people with rheumatic disease. To support economic recovery for individuals with rheumatic disease, strategies to promote employment should be designed that account for the young adult life phase and occupational characteristics.
General Safety and Tolerability of Subcutaneous Tanezumab for Osteoarthritis: A Pooled Analysis of Three Randomized,Placebo‐ControlledTrials
Authors: Berenbaum Francis , Schnitzer Thomas J. , Kivitz Alan J. , Viktrup Lars , Hickman Anne , Pixton Glenn , Brown Mark T. , Davignon Isabelle , West Christine R.
Published: May 2021

Objective

This pooled analysis of 3 randomized, placebo‐controlled trials (16–24 week treatment and 8–24 week follow‐up) assessed safety of subcutaneous tanezumab (2.5–10 mg every 8 weeks) in 1,840 patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis.

Methods

Overall treatment‐emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and TEAEs of abnormal peripheral sensation (APS) were prospectively assessed in 3 trials. Joint safety events (primary osteonecrosis, rapidly progressive osteoarthritis [RPOA], subchondral insufficiency fracture, and pathologic fracture; adjudicated by an independent expert committee) and TEAEs potentially associated with sympathetic neuropathy were prospectively assessed in 2 trials.

Results

During the treatment period, overall TEAE rates were 51.7% for placebo and 39.5–54.8% for tanezumab 2.5–10 mg; treatment discontinuation rates were 2.0% for placebo and 0–1.3% for tanezumab. Rates of composite joint safety events (predominantly RPOA type 1) over the treatment plus follow‐up period were 0% for placebo and 0.5–3.2% for tanezumab 2.5–5 mg (5 mg was statistically greater than placebo); total joint replacement rates with tanezumab (5.9–7.0%) were not significantly different from placebo (4.5%). Rates of TEAEs of APS (predominantly paresthesia and hypoesthesia) were 2.2% for placebo and 3.2–12.8% for tanezumab 2.5–10 mg. Rates of TEAEs potentially associated with sympathetic neuropathy (predominantly bradycardia and orthostatic hypotension) were 0.8% for placebo and 0.5–2.8% for tanezumab 2.5–5 mg (exposure‐adjusted rates were not significantly different from placebo).

Conclusion

Tanezumab was generally well tolerated. TEAEs of APS (mostly mild and transient) and joint safety events were infrequent but more common with tanezumab than placebo. A tanezumab dose of 2.5 mg demonstrated a more favorable safety profile than higher doses.
Predictors of Lumbar Spine Degeneration and Low Back Pain in the Community: The Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project
Authors: Goode Adam P. , Cleveland Rebecca J. , George Steven Z. , Schwartz Todd A. , Kraus Virginia B. , Renner Jordan B. , Gracely Richard H. , DeFrate Louis E. , Hu David , Jordan Joanne M. , Golightly Yvonne M.
Published: May 2021

Objective

To determine the incidence and worsening of lumbar spine structure and low back pain (LBP) and whether they are predicted by demographic characteristics or clinical characteristics or appendicular joint osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods

Paired baseline (2003–2004) and follow‐up (2006–2010) lumbar spine radiographs from the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project were graded for osteophytes (OST), disc space narrowing (DSN), spondylolisthesis, and presence of facet joint OA (FOA). Spine OA was defined as at least mild OST and mild DSN at the same level for any level of the lumbar spine. LBP, comorbidities, and back injury were self‐reported. Weibull models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) of spine phenotypes accounting for potential predictors including demographic characteristics, clinical characteristics, comorbidities, obesity, and appendicular OA.

Results

Obesity was a consistent and strong predictor of incidence of DSN (HR 1.80 [95% CI 1.09–2.98]), spine OA (HR 1.56 [95% CI 1.01–2.41]), FOA (HR 4.99 [95% CI 1.46–17.10]), spondylolisthesis (HR 1.87 [95% CI 1.02–3.43]), and LBP (HR 1.75 [95% CI 1.19–2.56]), and worsening of DSN (HR 1.51 [95% CI 1.09–2.09]) and LBP (HR 1.51 [95% CI 1.12–2.06]). Knee OA was a predictor of incident FOA (HR 4.18 [95% CI 1.44–12.2]). Spine OA (HR 1.80 [95% CI 1.24–2.63]) and OST (HR 1.85 [95% CI 1.02–3.36]) were predictors of incidence of LBP. Hip OA (HR 1.39 [95% CI 1.04–1.85]) and OST (HR 1.58 [95% CI 1.00–2.49]) were predictors of LBP worsening.

Conclusion

Among the multiple predictors of spine phenotypes, obesity was a common predictor for both incidence and worsening of lumbar spine degeneration and LBP.