bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Symposium: Breaking Boundaries and Forging a Circle of Trust
Authors: Waddock Sandra , Calron Jerry , Weber James ,   International Association for Business and Society
Published: January 2020

This symposium created a circle of trust between IABS Fellows in attendance and other attendees around the issue of co-creating a vision for IABS 2050. A circle of trust is exploratory, inclusive, respectful of difference, open to new insights and perspectives, while being bound together by a shared commitment to co-learning and co-creation via the sense-making interaction of self and other. The session focused on four core questions: What are the major issues and obstacles to a flourishing future for business in society as a field? What topics and issues should the field be emphasizing now and into the foreseeable future? How do we collectively build a flourishing future? What role(s) should IABS play in that future?
Structure, Agency, and the Establishment Process of Hamidiye Trade School in the Late Ottoman Turkey
Authors: Tayşir Eyüp Aygün ,   International Association for Business and Society
Published: January 2020

This study aims to rewrite the history of the establishment period of Hamidiye Trade School without overlooking its internal structure, but, at the same time, by giving importance to the global context of the time period that had an impact on the formation of the internal structure. Hamidiye Trade School, which was a higher education institute, was founded by Abdülhamid II in 1882/83 in Istanbul and it has been subjected to several changes during its history. Today, it continues its academic activities under the name of Marmara University, in Istanbul. Preliminary findings suggest that although agency shaped the organizational formation of Hamidiye Trade School in the beginning, later, during the nationalism period with Young Turks, a new mission was appointed to the school and this new mission has institutionalized by blurring the original establishment story of the school. In this process, non-Muslim agents who established the school were muted.
The Pyrrhic Victory of Benefit Corporations
Authors: Roman Ronald M. , Cabinte Ryan ,   International Association for Business and Society
Published: January 2020

Benefit corporations are a new corporate form with legal requirements to account for the interests of social or environmental stakeholders. In this paper we discuss the perceived advantages of benefit corporations and critically review the need for this new corporate form. We suggest traditional C-corporations can legally engage in the activities promoted by adherents of benefit corporations and also present evidence of a potential harm arising from benefit corporations’ existence. Analysis of an original survey of over 500 respondents reveals knowledge of benefit corporations dramatically decreased the percentage of people who thought C-corporations’ directors may legally consider the community or the environment when making decisions. However, exposure to benefit corporations did not alter belief in the widely held myth companies are legally required to maximize profit Overall, benefit corporations may represent a pyrrhic victory for those seeking to integrate values, ethics, and sustainability principles into corporate decision making.
Marginalized Communities and Social Enterprises
Authors: Siegner Meike , Panwar Rajat , Kozak Robert ,   International Association for Business and Society
Published: January 2020

Thus far, the academic focus has been limited to understand how hybrid organizations balance goal plurality. However, the question how hybrids engage (or fail to engage) local communities in this process and the potential challenges involved has remained unaddressed. Relying on an inductive multiple case study of six Canadian community forest enterprises (CFEs), we describe dilemmas that arise between community engagement and CFEs’ other goals that form their social mission, as well as a distinct set of compromise tactics to address them. We further identify a tension that arises from two distinct dimensions inherent to community engagement that are inherently interwoven yet contradicting. We add to research on paradox by showing that tensions not merely arise between outcome-focused goals that stem from organizational hybridity, but demonstrate that individual goal prescriptions in itself entail elements that cause tension, and warrant paradoxical management to ensure hybrids’ success in fulfilling their overall mission.
Fitch's Paradox and Level-Bridging Principles
Authors: San Weng Kin ,   Journal of Philosophy Inc.
Published: January 2020

Fitch’s Paradox shows that if every truth is knowable, then every truth is known. Standard diagnoses identify the factivity/negative infallibility of the knowledge operator and Moorean contradictions as the root source of the result. This paper generalises Fitch’s result to show that such diagnoses are mistaken. In place of factivity/negative infallibility, the weaker assumption of any ‘level-bridging principle’ suffices. A consequence is that the result holds for some logics in which the “Moorean contradiction” commonly thought to underlie the result is in fact consistent. This generalised result improves on the current understanding of Fitch’s result and widens the range of modalities of philosophical interest to which the result might be fruitfully applied. Along the way, we also consider a semantic explanation for Fitch’s result which answers a challenge raised by Kvanvig.
Maximal Non-trivial Sets of Instances of Your Least Favorite Logical Principle
Authors: Rosenblatt Lucas ,   Journal of Philosophy Inc.
Published: January 2020

The paper generalizes Van McGee's well-known result that there are many maximal consistent sets of instances of Tarski's schema to a number of non-classical theories of truth. It is shown that if a non-classical theory rejects some classically valid principle in order to avoid the truth-theoretic paradoxes, then there will be many maximal non-trivial sets of instances of that principle that the non-classical theorist could in principle endorse. On the basis of this it is argued that the idea of classical recapture, which plays such an important role for non-classical logicians, can only be pushed so far.
Interology
Authors: Zhang Peter ,   DePaul University
Published: January 2020

As a miniscule philosophical event, this essay proceeds in the liminal space between Deleuze studies and interality studies. Meant as just another “Go” move improvised in relation to previous moves and countermoves in a horizonless game of intellectual nomadism known as interality studies, it sketches out the contours of Deleuzean interology in the process of falsifying Platonist ontology.
Owen Barfield’s Riders on Pegasus
Authors: Hipolito Jeffrey ,   Marquette University Press
Published: January 2020

This essay offers an introduction to Owen Barfield’s long romance poem, Riders on Pegasus. It argues that the poem is a complex example of “romantic modernism,” self-consciously following in the tradition of Blake and Shelley while responding in an equally self-aware way to the anti-romantic modernism of early Eliot and Auden. It argues for the formal and aesthetic accomplishment and interest of the poem, and suggests that it is an as yet overlooked masterpiece of mid-century English poetry.
David Foster Wallace’s Catholic Imagination
Authors: Bocharova Jean ,   Marquette University Press
Published: January 2020

Although scholars have read “The Depressed Person” in relation to questions of the self and problems of communication and self-expression, this paper reads the story as an entry point for examining the religious dimensions of Wallace’s work. Comparing Wallace with G.K. Chesterton, the paper argues that if we can accept that the depressed person’s condition is not a biologically grounded clinical depression but an exaggerated personification of a common ailment—a particular brand of loneliness—then we can see that we each have a stake in the search for a way to break the dehumanizing pull of our own egos. Wallace and Chesterton point to submission and attention as potential means of escape, even if they disagree about how to do this. When confronted with the challenge of finding happiness, joy, and connection in a world that encourages introspection, explanatory mastery, and mechanistic views of the self—of finding meaning in the face of forces of meaninglessness, nihilism, and self-centeredness—both draw on imaginative literature as a source of knowledge. Wallace stops just short of orthodoxy, but his works stand as courageous defenses of the human person against the strange but dangerous foes of modern American life.
Dvojí pohled na Tomášův traktát o Trojici
Authors: Sousedík Prokop ,   University of South Bohemia
Published: January 2020

The author shows that Aquinas’s treatise on the Trinity can be viewed in two ways. According to the first, now prevailing opinion, the thoughts of the Angelic Doctor are too speculative and in essence they harm our personal relationship with God. He aims to show that the main source of inspiration for this approach are those currents in modern and contemporary philosophy according to which any metaphysics is impossible. Adherents of the other view do not reject metaphysics, and so they are also sympathetic towards Aquinas’s connecting speculation with the Trinity doctrine. They see a great advantage in this connexion, as it allows us to understand more deeply the mysteries of faith and so to demonstrate the uniqueness of the Christian message. The author aims to show that both approaches are justified and one should not be sacrificed for the other. He believes that a philosophical framework allowing the old and the new Trinitarian theologies to coexist is provided by Wittgenstein’s conception of speech games.
Percepção da sociedade sobre as ações socioeconômicas e ambientais do segmento sucroenergético em Mato Grosso do Sul
Authors: MÃ¼hlen Alex Sandro Richter Won , Castelão Raul Asseff , Souza Celso Correia de , Frainer Daniel Massen , França Josimar Fernandes de
Published: January 2020

Este trabalho foi desenvolvido na linha de pesquisa Sociedade, Ambiente e Desenvolvimento Regional Sustentável. Teve como objetivo verificar a percepção da sociedade quanto às ações de sustentabilidade promovidas pelas empresas do segmento sucroenergético do Mato Grosso do Sul. Para tanto, foi realizada uma pesquisa exploratória descritiva, combinando informações quantitativas e qualitativas colhidas por meio de formulários aplicados a um grupo composto por representantes da sociedade nos principais municípios em que as empresas sucroenergéticas estão instaladas, utilizando-se a metodologia de amostragem Snowball Sampling ou 'Amostragem em Bola de Neve'. Os dados foram processados e analisados utilizando os softwares Sphinx Léxica 5.0 e SPSS 22. Os resultados demonstram que a sociedade tem pouca percepção sobre as ações de gestão da sustentabilidade promovidas pelas usinas da região, dentro das dimensões socioeconômica (média de 3,99 na escala de 1 a 7) e ambiental (média de 3,77 na escala de 1 a 7). Infere-se que, se as empresas sucroenergéticas desenvolvem ações de sustentabilidade, estas são pouco percebidas pela sociedade.
Alternativa para redução do consumo de água potável no processo da indústria de transformação de plásticos
Authors: Melo Daniele Daniele de Castro Pessoa de , Freitas Domingos Joaquim de
Published: January 2020

O aproveitamento das águas da chuva vem sendo utilizado para diminuir os impactos ambientais causados pelos mais diversos setores industriais, pois estas águas podem ser utilizadas em uma parte do processo ou em substituição total da água necessária, variando de acordo com as demandas e o porte da fábrica ou sistema utilizado. Diante disso, este trabalho buscou avaliar a viabilidade econômica e técnica do uso das águas pluviais no processo de produção de pré-formas (PET) reduzindo em torno de 20% do consumo de água potável, em uma indústria de transformação situada no município de Cabo de Santo Agostinho, estado de Pernambuco. Para tanto foram testados métodos de dimensionamentos distintos, bem como analises físico-químicas da água coletada na região. A escolha do método mais adequado deu-se pelos critérios de maior índice de confiança, percentual de atendimento da demanda em torno de 20% e menor payback.  Os resultados obtidos indicaram que a demanda hídrica da indústria avaliada apresenta uma média diária de consumo igual a 47,04 m3, e a possibilidade de implantação do sistema com capacidade de 250 m3, com potencial de captação de água pluvial da ordem de 20% da demanda total, com uma economia estimada em $ 14.695,5  por ano e com payback de 30 meses.
Avaliação do desempenho operacional de uma estação de tratamento de lixiviado de aterro sanitário
Authors: Vieira Ricardo Mancilio , Souza Diego Hoefling , GÃ¶de Júlia Nercolini , Bittar Bruno Dalledone , Trevisan Viviane , Skoronski Everton
Published: January 2020

Neste estudo foi realizada a avaliação do desempenho da estação de tratamento de lixiviados do aterro sanitário do município de Lages-SC. O sistema de tratamento é composto por uma lagoa anaeróbia, seguida de duas lagoas facultativas, duas lagoas aeradas, tratamento físico-químico baseado em coagulação e floculação, duas lagoas de decantação, desinfecção e posterior descarte no corpo receptor. Foram realizadas 10 coletas de efluente, em 9 pontos de amostragem distintos. Para cada amostra foi determinada a concentração de cloretos, cloro residual livre, coliformes fecais, cor, demanda bioquímica de oxigênio, ferro total, demanda química de oxigênio, fósforo total, nitrogênio amoniacal, oxigênio dissolvido, pH, sólidos dissolvidos totais, sólidos fixos totais, sólidos sedimentáveis totais, sólidos suspensos totais, sólidos totais, sólidos voláteis totais, sulfeto e turbidez. Para os parâmetros citados pela Resolução do Conselho Nacional do Meio Ambiente nº 430/2011 e pela Lei do Estado de Santa Catarina nº 14.675/2009, os resultados obtidos foram comparados com os limites estabelecidos. Com exceção do nitrogênio amoniacal, todos os parâmetros apresentaram-se em conformidade com o exigido pelas legislações supracitadas. A execução deste trabalho pode auxiliar na identificação de oportunidades de melhorias e alternativas para a operação da estação de tratamento de efluentes de aterros sanitários em outros municípios.
Influência do inóculo na co-digestão anaeróbia de resíduos alimentares e grama
Authors: Souza Fernanda de Marco de , Viana Ednilson , Jaeger Joyce Meneses da Silva , Candiani Giovano , Simões André Felipe , Fonseca Filho Homero
Published: January 2020

O inóculo configura-se como importante parâmetro no desempenho da digestão anaeróbia, uma vez que fornece a comunidade microbiana necessária ao início do processo de conversão e estabilização da matéria orgânica, contribuindo para o equilíbrio de outros parâmetros essenciais ao funcionamento da digestão, a exemplo do pH. Dado as vantagens da utilização de um sistema com alto teor de sólidos e a lacuna existente na literatura sobre a relação substrato/inóculo para tais sistemas, a presente pesquisa teve como objetivo verificar a influência da quantidade de inóculo na digestão anaeróbia de resíduos alimentares e grama com alto teor de sólidos. Para tal, quantificou-se a produção acumulada de biogás, redução de sólidos voláteis e pH da massa digerida. A influência do teor de inóculo foi verificada por meio da variação de 100 para 200 ml, mantidas as mesmas proporções de grama e resíduos alimentares. O ensaio de digestão foi conduzido tomando como base as normas alemãs VDI 4630 e DIN 38 414 (S8), e os resultados analisados através de teste de hipótese para duas amostras. Verificou-se uma redução de sólidos voláteis de 14% a mais para a triplicata com 200 ml, bem como uma produção de biogás e pH, cerca de 3,4 e 2,6 vezes maior, se comparado à de 100 ml. Com 5% de significância concluiu-se que o aumento da quantidade de inóculo contribui para o aumento médio da geração de biogás. Infere-se, neste contexto, que o volume de 100 ml não foi eficiente para fornecer a quantidade de microrganismos suficientes para superar a produção de ácidos orgânicos voláteis, que ocorre em maior quantidade após o primeiro dia de incubação. Deste modo, depreende-se que a quantidade de inóculo possui um papel relevante na geração de biogás, que vai além do controle do pH.
The Study of the Tensile Strength of AlSi21CuNiMg Silumin in the Final Stage of Solidification and the Initial Stage of Cooling
Authors: Romankiewicz Remigiusz
Published: January 2020

The paper presents the results of tensile strength tests of AlSi21CuNiMg silumin made on a test stand. Silumin was under examination in an unmodified state and after modification with AlCu19P1.4 master alloy in quantity of 0.2% in relation to the mass of the alloy. Using a scanning microscope, the surface fractures obtained from tensile tests were tested. The structure and profiles of fractures were examined using an optical microscope. Modification of the tested silumin resulted in a favorable fragmentation and regular distribution of the crystals of the primary silicon in the alloy structure, which led to an almost twofold increase in the strength of the silumin samples at the final solidification stage from 3.5 to 6.6 MPa. As a result of these changes, the resistance of silumin to hot cracks should increase, which is of great importance when casting hypereutectic silumin in a metal mould that strongly inhibits the shrinkage of the castings.
The Effect of Beneficiation on Some Properties of Osun State Ceramic Raw Materials
Authors: Abiola Oluranti Adetunji , Oke Adekola Olayinka , Omidiji Babatunde Victor , Adetan Dare Aderibigbe
Published: January 2020

Clay, feldspar and silica sand are important industrial minerals which often need treatment commonly known as beneficiation to improve the quality of ceramic tiles produced from these materials. The different minerals, after sorting, were treated separately in distilled water, alcohol and hydrochloric acid before being crushed in a ball mill; they were then characterized using a pelletron accelerator. The results show an increased silicon content for clay, silica sand and feldspar; and reduced aluminum content for clay and silica sand but not for feldspar. Iron impurity and its oxide are also shown to reduce by over 50% in all the minerals while potassium was found to be the dominant element in feldspar among the defining elements. In conclusion, the increased quartz in the mineral will improve the hardness, density, porosity, and rigidity of ceramic tiles as well as providing support and controlling shrinkage. Furthermore, increasing the mineral quotient in feldspar will enhance its fluxing potential.
Youth unemployment and crime: an empirical investigation for Turkey
Authors: Tunca Halil , Gulel Ferda Esin
Published: January 2020

The crime economy has lately become a popular field of research because of regular increases in crime rates. Economists’ interest in crime analysis goes back to Becker’s (1968) model. “Cost‑benefit” analysis determined the crime preferences of rational individuals in this model. According to this analysis, if the benefit from the crime is higher than the cost to be faced, the individual will be willing to commit the crime. One of the factors studied in the crime phenomenon is migration. The main reason for migration is unemployment and poverty. The main purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between youth unemployment and crime rates by migration-receiving regions. By this purpose, aggregated crime rates, as well as non-aggregated crime rates (property crime, theft, and violent crime), were used. Also, the youth unemployment rate has been subdivided by gender differences and educational levels. We prefer to use spatial econometrics models in this study because of the unemployment rate, and crime rate showing the regional cluster pattern. Migration-receiving is considered as regions neighboring.
Diethylcarbamazine (DEC) in Relapse Cases of Nephrotic Syndrome in Filarial Endemic Region: A Case Series
Authors: Gohil Jayendra R , Vagh Tanmay P , Patel Dimpal , Patel Asha
Published: January 2020

Introduction: Incidence of nephrotic syndrome (NS) and filariasis both is high in China, Japan & India. Studies have shown the association of filariasis in NS. In the coastal belt of Gujarat, Filariasis occurs as the mosquito responsible is still prevalent. Therefore, filariasis association may be causing persistence of oedema in NS relapse cases. After a 7th relapse patient was treated successfully with diethylcarbamazine citrate (DEC), we decided to observe the effect of DEC on weight loss and urine protein, in relapse patients of NS.

Case Details: In relapse patients of NS, DEC was given by oral route in the dose of 72 mg/kg/cycle for 7 days. Weight record and urine protein were measured daily. Steroid as Tab prednisolone was administered at 2 mg/k/d.

Outcome: The 1st case was a steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome with the 7th relapse; she had been on prednisolone and Levamisol for 3 years. DEC was started on day 3 of admission and response was seen on the 5th day. Urinary protein became nil on day 10, and the patient has been relapse free for 1 year. In each of the other 4 cases with 1st, 2nd, 2nd and 4th relapse respectively, the response of DEC was seen within 2 days. Thus, after starting DEC weight and urine protein reduced within 2 days in 5 relapse cases. Filaria was not detected in blood film of any patient and Elisa tests done in 2 were negative.

Conclusion: Randomized studies with controls and better filarial detection methods are required for DEC to be considered as an add-on drug in relapse cases of NS in, Filarial endemic regions, as it is faster acting, effective, similar to Levamisol and safe.
Climate Change Induced Human Displacement in Bangladesh: A Case Study of Flood in 2017 in Char in Gaibandha District
Authors: Hossain Babul , Ryakitimbo Crispin Magige , Sohel Md. Salman
Published: January 2020

This study seeks to investigate the livelihood patterns of the climate-induced people migrated by the flood in 2017 in the char areas. At the same time, examines a number of outcomes i.e. causes of displacement, demographic and socio-economic conditions of the affected people and the opportunities to obtain the local public services. A triangulation approach has been employed, where respectably qualitative and quantitative data have been obtained through focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, participant observation and a household questionnaire survey.  The data have been collected from three unions of two Upazila (sub-district) in the Gaibandha district. The results reveal that the flood-affected displaced people were migrated to the close at hand places owing to their economic vulnerability, damage of physical properties. And they were suffering adequately for their joblessness, scarcity of housing, health issues, and lower opportunities to the local civic amenities. The exploratory findings would be a crucial thoughtfulness for the disaster policymakers, managers, and civil societies.
Management of Postharvest Diseases of Vegetables in a Tropical and Sub-tropical Environment of the Kingdom of Eswatini
Authors: M. Earnshaw Diana , Masarirambi Michael T. , E. Dlamini Bonginkhosi , A. Nxumalo Kwanele
Published: January 2020

Vegetables are important in human diets as a side dish eaten either cooked or raw as in salads. They are important for their nutritional contribution as major sources of minerals, vitamins, nine essential amino acids, beneficial phytochemicals, fibre and interesting colour from an aesthetic point of view. Despite the immerse health benefits offered by vegetables there are challenges encountered in their post-harvest handling and storage up to consumption. Challenges include post-harvest losses due to diseases. Some losses occur even at household level when vegetables are not stored appropriately when stored under the sink where humidity can be high leading to an environment which promotes diseases. Diseases in the post-harvest chain are caused by bacteria and opportunistic pathogenic fungi. Post-harvest losses of vegetables are not only a threat to nutritional security but a threat to food security as well. The aim of this research study was to document major post-harvest diseases of vegetables found in the Kingdom of Eswatini and to suggest appropriate management strategies or ways of alleviating them.
Comparative Study of the Effects of Ethanolic and n-Hexane Extracts of Garcinia kola Seeds on the Serum Electrolyte of Albino Rats
Authors: Jack I. R. , Nwachoko N. , H. Nwafor U. , I. Ndukwe G.
Published: January 2020

Garcinia kola (bitter kola) plays an important role in Africa ethnomedicine and traditional hospitality. Proximate and phytochemical composition of G. kola seeds as well as the effects of ethanolic and n-hexane extracts on the serum electrolytes of albino rats were studied using standard methods. Thirty-six albino rats of both sexes were used for the experiment. The animals were divided into nine groups of four rats per group. The groups were designated 1-9. Group 1 served as the control which was treated with normal saline. Groups 2-5 served as the groups treated with ethanolic extract of G. kola seeds and received 50, 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight, while groups 6-9 served as the groups treated with n-hexane extract. After three weeks of treatment, the animals were sacrificed, and blood samples analyzed. Result of the proximate analysis showed that carbohydrate content was the highest (78.06%) while ash was the lowest (0.70%). Phytochemical result of G. kola seeds showed that tannins (0.342%) was the highest in terms of percent composition, followed by flavonoids (0.00764%); while alkaloids (0.00075%) was the lowest. Also, biochemical analysis revealed that the n-hexane extract of G. kola seeds was found to have slightly increased the activities of the serum electrolytes than the ethanolic extract. Conclusively, the results of this study showed that both extracts had effect on serum electrolytes of the albino rats, but the n-hexane extract had more toxic effect.
Zingiber zerumbet Rhizome Essential Oil: Chemical Composition, Antimicrobial and Mosquito Larvicidal Activities
Authors: Huong Le T. , V. Chinh Hoang , T. G. An Nguyen , T. Viet Nguyen , H. Hung Nguyen , T. H. Thuong Nguyen , O. Giwa-Ajeniya Abdulatif , A. Ogunwande Isiaka
Published: January 2020

Aims: In the present study, the chemical constituents, antimicrobial and larvicidal potentials of hydrodistilled essential oil from the rhizome of Zingiber zerumbet were evaluated.

Study Design: The study was designed in different phases which are: collection of mature rhizomes of Zingiber zerumbet, hydrodistillation of essential oils, chemical analysis of the essential oils, determination of the antimicrobial potential and evaluation of larvicidal activity.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at School of Natural Science,              Vinh University, Vinh City, Nghệ An Province, Vietnam. The duration of the study was between August and December 2018.

Methodology: The rhizomes of Z. zerumbet were collected from Bến En National Park, Thanh Hóa Province, Vietnam, in August 2018. The air-dry sample was subjected to hydrodistillation process using Clevenger-apparatus to obtained essential oils. We evaluated the larvicidal potential of the oil against Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes albopictus at 24 h and 48 h according to World Health Organisation protocol. The antimicrobial activity (MIC) was determined by microdilution broth susceptibility assay. Statistical analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism (version 7.02). The LC50 values, LC90 values and 95% confidence limits were obtained by using XLSTAT v. 2018.5.

Results: The most abundant compound of the essential oil was zerumbone (51.3%). The essential oil showed mortality of 98.3% (24 h) and 100% (48 h) against the Ae. albopictus at concentration of 100 µg/mL. In the same vein, mortality of 100% was displayed against Cx. quinquefasciatus under the tested time and concentration. The essential oil exhibited larvicidal activity towards Cx. quinquefasciatus showing minimum lethal concentrations, LC50, values of 33.28 mg/mL (24 h) and 21.81 mg/mL (48 h). The LC50 values of 55.75 µg/mL and 36.22 µg/mL at 24 h and 48 h respectively were obtained against Ae. albopictus. The result of the antimicrobial test indicated that Z. zerumbet oil inhibited the growth of Aspergillus niger (ATCC 9763) with MIC of 50.0 µg/mL.

Conclusion: Results demonstrated that the essential oil of Z. zerumbet was effective in the control of tested mosquitoes, Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes albopictus and the microbe, Aspergillus niger.
The Effect of Chemical Seed Treatments on Managing Chocolate Spot [Botrytis fabae (S.)] of Faba Bean at Welkayt and Tsegedie, Western Tigray, Ethiopia
Authors: Gebregergs Gebremedhn
Published: January 2020

Faba bean (Vicia faba (L).) is one of the important legume crops of the world,  mainly it is cash crop and important source of nitrogen in the human diet which corrects the important amino acid deficiencies in cereals. It is considered too low in productivity and chocolate spot (Botrytis fabae S.), is one of the economically important fungal disease. Seed treatment using chemical inducers is one of the management options used to control the seed and soil borne diseases. Therefore, research was conducted to determine the efficacy of seed treatment chemicals on controlling chocolate spot and enhance productivity of faba bean. Six (6) seed treatment chemicals, one Cow urine and untreated seed as control were used to manage chocolate spot at Welkayt and Tsegedie under field condition during the 2015 and 2016 main growing seasons in randomized complete block design with three replications. A variety called “Welqi” was used. Combined analysis of variance in locations showed statistically significant at (P≤0.05) among the treatments of yield and disease reaction data. Minimum disease severity was recorded in Salicylic acid (31.31%) and maximum severity in the control (62.53%). Highest grain yield was obtained from the Salicylic acid treated seed (3198 kg ha-1) and the lowest grain yield was from Ascorbic acid (2231 kg ha-1) non-significant with the control (2488 kg ha-1). Salicylic acid and Apronstar were effective in managing chocolate spot providing more than 18.73% yield advantage in faba bean growing areas so that faba bean productivity could be enhanced though the application of these seed treatment chemicals. Therefore, our faba bean producing farmers has to use the salicylic acid in 10 mM concentration to manage chocolate spot below the threshold level.
Assessment of Serum Anti-mullerian Hormone Level, Antral Follicle Count and Age as Indicators of Ovarian Reserve Response in Women Diagnosed with Infertility in Abia State, South Eastern Nigeria
Authors: S. Bartimaeus Ebirien-Agana , E. J. Obi Chukwuma , O. Igwe Felix , O. Nwachuku Edna
Published: January 2020

Aim: This study aimed at assessing serum anti-mullerian hormone level, antral follicle count and age as indicators of ovarian reserve response in women diagnosed with infertilility.

Methodology: Subjects comprised of 200 females: 150 subjects and 50 controls, aged < 20  and up to 49 years, stratified into age < 20 years (control), age 20-29 years  (group 1), age 30-39 years (group 2) and age 40-49 years (group 3). About 5 ml of blood sample for AMH determination was collected on day 2-3 of spontaneous menstrual cycle from all groups and control and serum anti-mullerian hormone analyzed using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Baseline transvaginal ultrasound scanning was carried out on the subjects in experimental groups and control on day 2-3 of un-stimulated menstrual cycle for the measurement of antral follicle count, using the 2-dimensional plane.

Results: The means±SEM of serum anti-mullerian hormone by experimental groups was 1602.44 ± 54.42 pg/ml for control, 848.06±23.04 pg/ml for group 1, 26.74±1.28 pg/ml for group 2, while group 3 is 10.37±1.26 pg/ml. The means were significantly different (P<0.0001). The mean±SEM of AFC by experimental groups was control; 7.82±0.14, group 1; 5.46±0.18, 1.78±0.10 for group 2, and 0.70±0.08 for group 3. The means of antral follicle count by experimental groups showed significant difference (p<0.0001). Results showed that anti-mullerian hormone level and antral follicle count decreased significantly (p<0.05) as the age of the subjects increases. Subjects in the control and experimental group 1 showed 100% high anti-mullerian hormone level indicating 100% potential of good ovarian response. The antral follicle count result also indicate that 100% and 75% of the control group and experimental group 1 respectively show good ovarian reserve. The ovarian response and reserve in the subjects decreased substantially as the age of the subjects increased. Positive correlations were also observed between the AMH and AFC across the ages of the population studied.

Conclusion: The study reveals that good ovarian response and reserve in the population is related to the age of the subjects.
Housing Situation in the Bamenda Urban Space, Challenges and the Way Forward
Authors: Beatrice Maluh Nformi , Sounders Nguh Balgah , Ndizifon Kimengsi Jude
Published: January 2020

Housing is a fundamental human need, until now, making sure that every person has access to good quality housing is a grave challenge facing Bamenda Urban Space. This paper seeks to examine the housing situation and challenges to housing development in Bamenda Urban Space. The study adopted the mix method approach which involves triangulation of quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection. Primary data were obtained from field observations, interviews and questionnaires administered to households. Secondary data were obtained from relevant official documents, published and unpublished sources. Satellite imageries and ArcGIS were used to describe the pattern of growth in built-up areas between 1986 and 2019. Data from questionnaire was entered using Epi Data Version 3.1, analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science Standard version 21.0 and presented in the form of tables, figures, plates and maps. Findings on housing situation revealed that, although the housing structures has improved, the housing designs, technology and level of maintenance are still low. The irregularity and unreliability in water supply, electricity supply and waste management systems have turned most households to alternative sources with poor quality. Urbanisation and urban growth are occurring without a concurrent increase in housing supply resulting to congestion, deterioration of basic services, pollution, inaccessibility, social vices, lack of privacy, poor ventilation and natural disasters amongst others. The paper, therefore, calls for the rehabilitation and renovation of dilapidated housing structures, provision of basic services, construction of low-cost housing, encourage financial institutions to grant loans to real estate developers at low interest rate.
Online identification of time‐delay jump Markov autoregressive exogenous systems with recursive expectation‐maximization algorithm
Authors: Chen Xin , Zhao Shunyi , Liu Fei
Published: January 2020

This article considers the identification problem of the jump Markov autoregressive exogenous (JMARX) systems with unknown invariant time‐delay under the framework of recursive expectation‐maximization (REM) algorithm. In this article, a recursive Q‐function is formulated for the JMARX systems, based on which the recursive sufficient statistics are obtained. Then, the parameter vectors, variance, transition probability matrix, and time‐delay are recursively estimated. A numerical example and a simulated continuous fermentation reactor process are employed to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Balancing Ionic and Electronic Conduction for High‐Performance Organic Electrochemical Transistors
Authors: Savva Achilleas , Hallani Rawad , Cendra Camila , Surgailis Jokubas , Hidalgo Tania C. , Wustoni Shofarul , Sheelamanthula Rajendar , Chen Xingxing , Kirkus Mindaugas , Giovannitti Alexander , Salleo Alberto , McCulloch Iain , Inal Sahika
Published: January 2020

Conjugated polymers that support mixed (electronic and ionic) conduction are in demand for applications spanning from bioelectronics to energy harvesting and storage. To design polymer mixed conductors for high‐performance electrochemical devices, relationships between the chemical structure, charge transport, and morphology must be established. A polymer series bearing the same p‐type conjugated backbone with increasing percentage of hydrophilic, ethylene glycol side chains is synthesized, and their performance in aqueous electrolyte gated organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) is studied. By using device physics principles and electrochemical analyses, a direct relationship is found between the OECT performance and the balanced mixed conduction. While hydrophilic side chains are required to facilitate ion transport—thus enabling OECT operation—swelling of the polymer is not de facto beneficial for balancing mixed conduction. It is shown that heterogeneous water uptake disrupts the electronic conductivity of the film, leading to OECTs with lower transconductance and slower response times. The combination of in situ electrochemical and structural techniques shown here contributes to the establishment of the structure–property relations necessary to improve the performance of polymer mixed conductors and subsequently of OECTs.
Engineering Versatile Nanoparticles for Near‐Infrared Light‐Tunable Drug Release and Photothermal Degradation of Amyloid β
Authors: Lai Yi , Zhu Yingying , Xu Zhiai , Hu Xianli , Saeed Madiha , Yu Haijun , Chen Xingxing , Liu Jun , Zhang Wen
Published: January 2020

Nanomedicines that inhibit/disassemble amyloid β (Aβ) aggregates in Alzheimer's disease (AD) are highly desirable yet remain challenging. Therapeutic efficacy and systemic delivery of reported molecules and nanoparticles (NPs) are hampered by various challenges, including low biocompatibility, off‐target toxicity, and lack of specificity. Herein, a versatile NP is designed by integrating high Aβ‐binding affinity, stimuli‐responsive drug release, and photothermal degradation properties for efficient disassembly of Aβ. Near‐infrared (NIR)‐absorbing conjugated polymer PDPP3T‐O14 serves as a photothermal core while thermal‐responsive polymer 1,2‐dipalmitoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphocholine at the outer layer as the NIR‐stimuli gatekeeper. Curcumin, an inhibitor of Aβ aggregation, is loaded into the NP with high encapsulation efficiency. The 5‐mer β‐sheet breaker peptides LPFFD (Leu‐Pro‐Phe‐Phe‐Asp) having high binding affinity toward Aβ are further anchored onto the surface of polyethylene glycol‐lipid shell for active Aβ‐targeting. The resultant NPs exhibit good Aβ‐targeting ability and obvious photothermal dissociation effect together with Aβ aggregation‐dependent fluorescence detection capability. Upon NIR laser irradiation, entrapped curcumin can be effectively released from the unconsolidated NPs to enhance the anti‐amyloid activity. In vitro studies demonstrate that the NPs dramatically lower Aβ‐induced cytotoxicity of PC12 cells, and therefore show great potential for the application in AD treatment.
Ultrahigh Responsivity Photodetectors of 2D Covalent Organic Frameworks Integrated on Graphene
Authors: Xiong Yifeng , Liao Qiaobo , Huang Zhengping , Huang Xin , Ke Can , Zhu Hengtian , Dong Chenyu , Wang Haoshang , Xi Kai , Zhan Peng , Xu Fei , Lu Yanqing
Published: January 2020

2D materials exhibit superior properties in electronic and optoelectronic fields. The wide demand for high‐performance optoelectronic devices promotes the exploration of diversified 2D materials. Recently, 2D covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have emerged as next‐generation layered materials with predesigned π‐electronic skeletons and highly ordered topological structures, which are promising for tailoring their optoelectronic properties. However, COFs are usually produced as solid powders due to anisotropic growth, making them unreliable to integrate into devices. Here, by selecting tetraphenylethylene monomers with photoelectric activity, elaborately designed photosensitive 2D‐COFs with highly ordered donor‐acceptor topologies are in situ synthesized on graphene, ultimately forming COF‐graphene heterostructures. Ultrasensitive photodetectors are successfully fabricated with the COFETBC–TAPT‐graphene heterostructure and exhibited an excellent overall performance with a photoresponsivity of ≈3.2 × 107 A W−1 at 473 nm and a time response of ≈1.14 ms. Moreover, due to the high surface area and the polarity selectivity of COFs, the photosensing properties of the photodetectors can be reversibly regulated by specific target molecules. The research provides new strategies for building advanced functional devices with programmable material structures and diversified regulation methods, paving the way for a generation of high‐performance applications in optoelectronics and many other fields.
Nacre‐Inspired Mineralized Films with High Transparency and Mechanically Robust Underwater Superoleophobicity
Authors: Chen Wei , Zhang Pengchao , Zang Ruhua , Fan Junbing , Wang Shutao , Wang Bailiang , Meng Jingxin
Published: January 2020

Underwater superoleophobic materials have shown promising applications in various fields, especially in the highly frequent oil‐spill accidents. However, the transparency and mechanical properties of existing underwater superoleophobic materials are generally mutually exclusive. In this work, a transparent and mechanically robust underwater superoleophobic film is presented by combining superspreading and biomineralization. Unlike the conventional hydrogel‐based materials, the transparent mineralized film exhibits significantly improved mechanical properties, which lead to a robust underwater superoleophobicity and an ultralow oil adhesion. Such a bioinspired mineralized film can be coated on various transparent supporting materials such as glass, polystyrene (PS), poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), and polypropylene (PP), showing promising applications in various fields, such as goggles, underwater cameras, and submarines.
Simulating switchgrass biomass productivity using ALMANAC. I. Calibration of soil water
Authors: Rocateli Alexandre C. , Ashworth A. J. , West C. P. , Brye K. R. , Popp M. P. , Kiniry J. R.
Published: January 2020

Soil water supply plays a key role in driving switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) yield, and therefore is an important parameter for crop‐model accuracy. ALMANAC (Agricultural Land Management Alternative with Numerical Assessment Criteria) model has been applied to simulating switchgrass growth with mixed results. The objective was to develop and test a calibration for ALMANAC simulating soil water dynamics in a switchgrass (‘Alamo’) stand under Arkansas conditions. Soil volumetric water content (SW) profiles were measured daily in switchgrass from May 2009 to February 2013. Soil, crop, and weather input data were developed based on in situ measurements. After identifying the most sensitive parameters in SW simulation, a calibration method was proposed, and the parameters initial soil water (FFC), permanent wilting point (U), field capacity (FC), sand content (SAN), silt content (SIL), pH, and maximum stomatal conductance (GSI) were modified. Daily SW simulation outputs from default and calibrated runs were compared to SW observations. Default Willmott agreement d‐index values were lower than the calibrated d‐index values in all years. Therefore, calibration improved simulation accuracy. Calibration accuracy was greater in 2009 and 2010 than in 2011 and 2012. Lower root mean square error of calibrated versus observed SW data confirmed the elevated d‐index values. Lower accuracy in the latter years was related to drought periods when ALMANAC was unable to mimic switchgrass drought adaption by lowering GSI. Calibration of SW in ALMANAC was aided by using site‐specific soil data. Improvement of SW calibration for drought‐resistant plants may be achieved by quantifying GSI dynamics.
Complement activation in sickle cell disease: Dependence on cell density, hemolysis and modulation by hydroxyurea therapy
Authors: Roumenina Lubka T. , Chadebech Philippe , Bodivit Gwellaouen , Vieira‐Martins Paula , Grunenwald Anne , Boudhabhay Idris , Poillerat Victoria , Pakdaman Sadaf , Kiger Laurent , Jouard Alicia , Audureau Etienne , Pirenne France , Galactéros Frédéric , Frémeaux‐Bacchi Véronique , Bartolucci Pablo
Published: January 2020

The complement system is an innate immune defense cascade that can cause tissue damage when inappropriately activated. Evidence for complement over activation has been reported in small cohorts of patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). However, the mechanism governing complement activation in SCD has not been elucidated. Here, we observe that the plasma concentration of sC5b‐9, a reliable marker for terminal complement activation, is increased at steady state in 61% of untreated SCD patients. We show that greater complement activation in vitro is promoted by SCD erythrocytes compared to normal ones, although no significant differences were observed in the regulatory proteins CD35, CD55, and CD59 in whole blood. Complement activation is positively correlated with the percentage of dense sickle cells (DRBCs). The expression levels of CD35, CD55, and CD59 are reduced in DRBCs, suggesting inefficient regulation when cell density increases. Moreover, the surface expression of the complement regulator CD46 on granulocytes was inversely correlated with the plasma sC5b‐9. We also show increased complement deposition in cultured human endothelial cells incubated with SCD serum, which is diminished by the addition of the heme scavenger hemopexin. Treatment of SCD patients with hydroxyurea produces substantial reductions in complement activation, measured by sC5b‐9 concentration and upregulation of CD46, as well as decreased complement activation on RBCs in vitro. In conclusion, complement over activation is a common pathogenic event in SCD that is associated with formation of DRBCs and hemolysis. And, it affects red cells, leukocytes and endothelial cells. This complement over activation is partly alleviated by hydroxyurea therapy.
Macaca leonina has a wider niche breadth than sympatric M. mulatta in a fragmented tropical forest in southwest China
Authors: Sun Nan , Cao Guanghong , Li Guogang , Liu Zehua , Quan Rui‐Chang
Published: January 2020

Niche differentiation has long been identified as an essential stabilizing mechanism for the coexistence of sympatric species. Using camera trapping data obtained during 2012–2016, we identified Macaca leonina and M. mulatta as the dominant macaque species in the Naban River Watershed National Nature Reserve (NRW‐NNR), a tropical forest in southwestern China. In general, M. leonina exhibited a wider distribution and greater niche breadth than co‐occurring M. mulatta. According to a fitted maximum entropy model (MaxEnt), M. leonina was predicted to predominantly occur in forest at higher elevation, whereas M. mulatta was predicted at lower elevation; the broadleaved evergreen forest was predicted as the most suitable vegetation for both species to inhabit, while the unsuitable area was bordered by rubber plantation, in which both food scarcity and human disturbance restricted the movement of macaques. Although the niches of these two species highly overlapped across space and time, we also found evidence for their spatiotemporal niche differentiation. When the two species inhabited independent areas with different elevations and vegetation, they maintained a similar activity pattern; however, in the zones of overlap, their activity patterns differed significantly. Further comparative field studies of these two macaques, considering other niche dimensions, are required to ensure their coexistence and long‐term conservation.