bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Duterte Administration's Foreign Policy: Unravelling the Aquino Administration's Balancing Agenda on an Emergent China
Authors: De Castro Renato Cruz
Published: February 2019

From 2010 to 2016, then-President Benigno Aquino balanced China's expansive maritime claim in the South China Sea. President Aquino challenged China by shifting the AFP's focus from domestic security to territorial defence, bolstering closer Philippine–US security relations, acquiring American military equipment, seeking from Washington an explicit security guarantee under the 1951 Mutual Defence Treaty (MDT), and promoting a strategic partnership with Japan. However, the Duterte administration is unravelling its predecessor's balancing agenda by distancing itself from the United States and gravitating closer to China, despite the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) July 12 2016 award to the Philippines. President Duterte's foreign policy is directed at reviving the equi-balancing policy on China, in contrast to then-President Aquino's balancing strategy. This is best exemplified by his efforts to harness China for several major infrastructure and investments projects in the Philippines and to resort to bilateral negotiations with Beijing. The present article argues that instead of relying on the US, President Duterte is fostering closer security partnership with Japan to equi-balance an emergent China.
How Power Affects Policy Implementation: Lessons from the Philippines
Authors: Marquardt Jens
Published: February 2019

This article unveils how the complex multilevel governance system of a developing country affects environmental policy implementation. The Philippine Renewable Energy Act is discussed as an in-depth case study. The law was passed in 2008 to increase the share of renewables in the electricity mix, but its implementation remains a challenge. Analysing the complex multilevel governance system of the Philippines, this article shows how interjurisdictional coordination and the distribution of power resources and capacities affect the implementation process. This qualitative research is based on key documents and insights from 48 expert interviews. From a theoretical perspective, research about power in central–local relations can make a useful contribution to current multilevel governance concepts.
Sarawak State Elections 2016: Revisiting Federalism in Malaysia
Authors: Osman Mohamed Nawab Mohamed , Ali Rashaad
Published: February 2019

The recent state elections in the Eastern Malaysian state of Sarawak in 2016 saw the ruling coalition, the Barisan Nasional, secure a comfortable victory through its component party, the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu, led by the late Adenan Satem, who passed away suddenly on 11 January 2017. A key theme of Adenan's election campaign was greater autonomy for the state of Sarawak, while he also distanced himself from the troubles of the Najib Razak administration and the federal government. This paper seeks to examine the Sarawak state elections within the context of Malaysia's federalism. We argue that the state elections highlight how a lack of popularity and weakened federal government has allowed states to exercise more leverage in order to gain greater influence and autonomy, strengthening the original federal agreement of 1963 while inadvertently weakening the centre. We argue that Malaysia's claim to be a federation is largely superficial, as much power constitutionally rests with the federal government at the expense of state autonomy. This is demonstrated through both an examination of federalism as a broad concept and a brief history of centre–state relations in Malaysia. This paper posits that further “bargaining” by states with the federal government during election campaigns may be possible if the centre continues to exhibit political weakness.
The NLD and Myanmar's Foreign Policy: Not New, but Different
Authors: Myoe Maung Aung
Published: February 2019

This article argues that although the NLD government continues to adhere to the “independent, active, and non-aligned foreign policy,” the policy will be implemented through multiple tracks in diplomacy with a possibility of stronger focus on people-to-people contacts and multilateralism. The NLD's foreign policy, in terms of objectives and principles, is not new but it is different, as adjustments are made in the realm of diplomacy. The reasons for this lack of foreign policy change or transformation are that (1) the predecessor USDP government has more or less adjusted the country's foreign policy, (2) the Tatmadaw (Myanmar Armed Forces) continues to exercise strong influence over the foreign policy process, (3) the emerging geopolitical environment in the Asia-Pacific region shapes the country's foreign policy choices, and (4) the NLD's leadership style and political mandate provide little room for public access and input in foreign policy decision-making. It is expected that activism in Myanmar's foreign policy will be once again centre stage, with more dynamic diplomacy being conducted through multiple tracks under the NLD government. Aung San Suu Kyi's fame and global influence is perhaps the most important asset and driving force behind Myanmar's return to the world of international diplomacy. Myanmar's foreign policy under the NLD government, while retaining the survival and security of the state at its core, will not aim for the narrow interest of regime survival, but instead for the best interests of both state and society in Myanmar.
The Downside of Indonesia's Successful Liberal Democratisation and the Way Ahead. Notes from the Participatory Surveys and Case Studies 2000–2016
Authors: Törnquist Olle , Hanif Hasrul , Hiariej Eric , Samadhi Willy P. , Savirani Amalinda
Published: February 2019

Indonesia is a critical case of liberal democratisation. Most of the country's old dominant actors were included in compromises aimed at democracy and were expected to become democrats by adjusting to the new institutions. The pro-democrats were expected to propel change from civil society. However, the recurrent participatory surveys and follow-up studies summarised herein point to remarkable freedoms, along with deplorable governance and representation. The major causes are biased institutions of representation, plus weak political capacity of the crucial actors of change within modern business and among the middle classes and labourers. Advances presuppose new ways to represent their interests.
Adversarial Linkages: The Urban Poor and Electoral Politics in Jakarta
Authors: Savirani Amalinda , Aspinall Edward
Published: February 2019

This article examines how social movements based in poor communities make electoral alliances with politicians in contemporary Indonesia. Drawing on case studies of the urban poor in two elections in Jakarta, we point to a pattern of adversarial linkages by which movements present candidates with demands – in this case about housing and livelihood security – which are then distilled in formal ‘political contracts’. Unlike institutionalised relationships between parties and social constituencies in many democracies, these linkages are ad hoc, pragmatic and characterised by mistrust. In Jakarta, they involved disaggregation rather than aggregation of interests, with movement actors in the second election in 2017 seeking concrete gains relating to land and livelihoods in particular neighbourhoods, rather than a broad programme of urban reform, as had been their goal in 2012. We suggest that such adversarial linkages are a feature of contemporary Indonesian politics. They allow marginal groups to make contingent political gains but are compatible with prevailing clientelistic patterns, which limit their potential to promote systemic change.
The Strategic Vision behind Vietnam's International Trade Integration
Authors: Deprez Sophie
Published: February 2019

This paper evaluates the positioning of Vietnam in international trade. It addresses the key question of how Vietnam uses its participation in international trade agreements as a tool to ensure and advance national interest and security through increased economic power. The paper first examines how Vietnam participates in the international integration of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), and then looks at the importance for Vietnam to be outward-looking; that is, to participate in trade agreements outside the South-East Asian region. Finally, I examine how reforms required under international trade agreements push Vietnam into domestic economic reforms.

My conclusion is that the political elite of Vietnam has identified trade, export-oriented growth and international economic integration as international policy preferences and has used international trade integration as a strategic instrument to maximise these national priorities within the regional and international trade system. Therefore, Vietnam has a very strategic view on international trade integration and uses it as an instrument to ensure its national interest and security through increased economic power. Through careful selection of trade agreements, Vietnam aims to position itself in a strategically advantageous position vis-à-vis other economies of the AEC, to ensure continued economic growth through preferential access to key markets and to push through some of the more difficult and sensitive domestic economic reforms, using its commitments under external trade agreements as a lock-in mechanism.
Police Violence and Corruption in the Philippines: Violent Exchange and the War on Drugs
Authors: Jensen Steffen , Hapal Karl
Published: February 2019

In this article we explore the relationship between money and violence in the Philippine war on drugs. Building on long-term ethnographic and political engagement with a poor urban neighbourhood in Manila, we suggest that while the war on drugs has taken state killings to a new level, the Philippine state was no stranger to killing its own citizens before its onset. Furthermore, we argue that we cannot dissociate the killings from the rampant corruption in the Philippine police. By invoking the concept of violent exchange, the article shows that both corruption and death enter into particular understandings of state–citizen relationships. Because the war has reconfigured how death and corruption work, people in urban Manila are attempting desperately – as the stakes are high – to figure out how to engage with the police under these transforming conditions.
Neglecting Social and Economic Rights Violations in Transitional Justice: Long-Term Effects on Accountability: Empirical Findings from the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia
Authors: Destrooper Tine
Published: February 2019

This article builds on theories about the expressive function of law and uses Structural Topic Modelling to examine how the prioritisation of civil and political rights (CPR) issues by the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) has affected the agendas of Cambodian human rights NGOs with an international profile. It asks whether these NGOs’ focus on CPR issues can be traced back to the near-exclusive focus on CPR issues by the court, and whether this has implications for the creation of a “thick” kind of human rights accountability. It argues that, considering the nature of the Khmer Rouge's genocidal policy, it would have been within the mandate and capacity of the court to pay more attention to actions that also constituted violations of economic, social, and cultural rights (ESCR). The fact that the court did not do this and instead almost completely obscured ESCR rhetorically has triggered a similar blind spot for ESCR issues on the part of human rights NGOs, which could have otherwise played an important role in creating a culture of accountability around this category of human rights. Does this mean that violators of ESCR are more likely to escape prosecution going forward?
Performance and Usability of Three Systems for Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Direct Comparison
Authors: Freckmann Guido , Link Manuela , Kamecke Ulrike , Haug Cornelia , Baumgartner Bernhard , Weitgasser Raimund
Published: February 2019

Background:

To be able to compare continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems, they have to be worn in parallel by the same subjects. This study evaluated the performance and usability of three different CGM systems in direct comparison.

Method:

In this open, prospective study at two sites, 54 patients with diabetes wore three CGM systems each (Dexcom G5™ Mobile CGM system [DG5], Guardian™ Connect system [GC], and a Roche CGM system [RCGM]) in parallel for 6 or 7 days in a mixed inpatient and outpatient setting. Capillary comparison measurements were performed using a self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) system. During study site visits, glucose excursions were induced. Performance of the systems was evaluated by calculating mean absolute relative differences (MARD, calculated as absolute differences for glucose concentrations <100 mg/dL and as relative differences for glucose concentrations ≥100 mg/dL), and mean relative differences (MRD, bias) between CGM and SMBG results. In addition, usability of the systems was assessed.

Results:

Overall MARD was 10.1 ± 2.1 for DG5, 11.5 ± 4.2 for GC, and 11.9 ± 5.6 for RCGM. Performance improved in all systems after the first day of use. All systems showed >99% of values within zones A and B of the consensus error grid. Overall, all CGM systems showed a small negative bias compared to SMBG. Usability of the systems differed regarding patch adhesion rate, failure rate, and patient rating. Most patients preferred GC, but in general all systems were rated positively.

Conclusion:

All three CGM systems showed similar overall accuracy in this direct comparison, but small differences were observed with regard to specific glucose ranges and usability aspects.
Observations of Activity Levels in a Purpose-Built, Inpatient, Rehabilitation Facility
Authors: Scrivener Katharine , Pocovi Natasha , Jones Taryn , Dean Bridget , Gallagher Shaun , Henrisson Wesley , Thorburn Michael , Dean Catherine
Published: February 2019

Background:

Effective rehabilitation should include high levels of physical activity. The impact of the environmental design on activity levels has had minimal consideration.

Purpose:

This study investigates activity levels of inpatients undergoing rehabilitation in a new rehabilitation facility with innovative design and multidisciplinary care, comparing weekday and weekend activity levels, as well as changes over a 12-month period.

Method:

An observational study reporting participants’ location, people present, body position, and activity type on 2 weekdays and 1 weekend day using behavior mapping techniques. Fifteen participants were observed in a mixed rehabilitation unit with neurological, orthopedic, and other health conditions.

Results:

Results were calculated as the proportion of observations participants spent in each location, position, and performing activities (physical, cognitive, social), and time spent alone and inactive. On average, participants were engaged in activity for 86% (standard deviation [ SD] = 9) of the day, with physical activity accounting for 51% ( SD = 11), cognitive activity 28% ( SD = 10), and social activity 42% ( SD = 16). There was more physical activity (mean difference [ MD] 8% absolute, confidence interval [CI] = [4, 12], p < .01) and less social activity ( MD −6% absolute, CI [−11, −1], p = .02) on weekdays compared to weekends. Overall, participants were alone and inactive for 12% ( SD = 9) of the day. Participants observed in 2016 displayed similar results to those observed in 2015.

Conclusion:

High levels of activity were achieved in this facility that underwent environmental redesign, construction of new facilities, and implementation of evidence-based strategies.
Drug repositioning in pulmonary arterial hypertension: challenges and opportunities
Authors: Grinnan Daniel , Trankle Cory , Andruska Adam , Bloom Bruce , Spiekerkoetter Edda
Published: February 2019

Despite many advances in medical therapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) over the past 20 years, long‐term survival is still poor. Novel therapies which target the underlying pathology of PAH and which could be added to current vasodilatory therapies to halt disease progression and potentially reverse pulmonary vascular remodeling are highly sought after. Given the high attrition rates, substantial costs, and slow pace of new drug development, repositioning of “old” drugs is increasingly becoming an attractive path to identify novel treatment options, especially for a rare disease such as PAH.

We here summarize the limitations of current PAH therapy, the general concept of repurposing and repositioning, success stories of approved repositioned drugs in PAH as well as novel repositioned drugs that show promise in preclinical models of pulmonary hypertension (PH) and are currently tested in clinical trials. We furthermore discuss various data‐driven as well as experimental approaches currently used to identify repurposed drug candidates and review challenges for the “repositioning community” with regards to funding and patent and regulatory considerations, and to illustrate opportunities for collaborative solutions for drug repositioning relevant to PAH.
Ultrasound-guided perioperative management of 28-month-old patient with congenital diaphragmatic eventration
Authors: Kang Hyemin , Lee Sangmin , Park Hyunwoo , Kim Yeojung , Ko YoungKwon , Kim Yoon-Hee , Hong Boohwi
Published: February 2019

Diaphragmatic eventration is a rare anomaly. When patients with this condition undergo general anesthesia, anesthetic management should be performed with particular care owing to the risk of diaphragmatic rupture. Such a rupture can be perioperatively diagnosed using multiple tools including lung ultrasonography. This case report describes the anesthetic management of a male infant with osteochondroma in the distal ulna, presenting with diaphragmatic eventration on the right side.
Effect of short peptides on neuronal differentiation of stem cells
Authors: Caputi Sergio , Trubiani Oriana , Sinjari Bruna , Trofimova Svetlana , Diomede Francesca , Linkova Natalia , Diatlova Anastasia , Khavinson Vladimir
Published: February 2019

It has been demonstrated that short peptides play an important role in the transmission of biological information, modulation of transcription, and restoring genetically conditioned alterations occurring with age. Peptidergic regulation of homeostasis occupies an important place in physiological processes, which lead to the aging of cells, tissues, and organs, consisting in the involution of major regulatory systems—the nervous, the endocrine, and the immune. The effect of AED (Ala-Glu-Asp), KED (Lys-Glu-Asp), KE (Lys-Glu), AEDG (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) peptides and their compound on neuronal differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) was studied by immunofluorescence and western blot analysis. Growth-Associated Protein 43 (GAP43), which implements neurotransmission mechanisms and neuroplasticity, demonstrated an increased expression in hPDLSCs cultured with a compound of all studied peptides and with KED alone. The peptide compound and KED, increase the expression of Nestin (neurofilament protein), expressed in early neuronal precursors in hPDLSCs cultures. Thus, the compound of peptides AEDG, KE, AED, and KED could promote the neuronal differentiation of hPDLSCs and be a promising tool for the study of peptides as a modulator of neurogenesis in neurodegenerative diseases studied in animal models.
Patterns in Style Evolution of Poets
Authors: Andreev Vadim
Published: February 2019

This article investigates the problem of style stability and variation over time and presents the results of analysis of style evolution of American romantic poet H.W. Longfellow. The feature set includes 29 morphological and syntactic characteristics. The method of multivariate discriminant analysis is used. The study showed significant style changes over time and made it possible to single out the major tendencies of style evolution: the poet in his mature verses returns to the characteristics of his early lyrics. Besides, comparison of the variable and stable characteristics demonstrated that the initial part of the line is connected with style evolution, whereas the end of the line (which is the rhymed position) is less variable over time. The results may be useful for authorship attribution and manuscript dating research.
Lamin Sanneh, Leading Expert on Christianity and Islam in Africa, Remembered for “a scholarly life of immense value and significance”
Authors: Nicholas Dan
Published: February 2019

This news article and tribute reports on the life and death of Lamin Sanneh, who was known worldwide as the leading expert on Christianity and Islam in Africa. In the words of his friend and colleague Andrew F. Walls, Professor Sanneh was a “visionary, man of faith, scholar, teacher, writer, architect, motivator, networker, dear friend.”
Platelets inhibit apoptotic lung epithelial cell death and protect mice against infection-induced lung injury
Authors: Bain William , Olonisakin Tolani , Yu Minting , Qu Yanyan , Hulver Mei , Xiong Zeyu , Li Huihua , Pilewski Joseph , Mallampalli Rama K. , Nouraie Mehdi , Ray Anuradha , Ray Prabir , Cheng Zhenyu , Shanks Robert M. Q. , St. Croix Claudette , Silverstein Roy L. , Lee Janet S.
Published: February 2019

Thrombocytopenia is associated with worse outcomes in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome, which is most commonly caused by infection and marked by alveolar–capillary barrier disruption. However, the mechanisms by which platelets protect the lung alveolar–capillary barrier during infectious injury remain unclear. We found that natively thrombocytopenic Mpl−/− mice deficient in the thrombopoietin receptor sustain severe lung injury marked by alveolar barrier disruption and hemorrhagic pneumonia with early mortality following acute intrapulmonary Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) infection; barrier disruption was attenuated by platelet reconstitution. Although PA infection was associated with a brisk neutrophil influx, depletion of airspace neutrophils failed to substantially mitigate PA-triggered alveolar barrier disruption in Mpl−/− mice. Rather, PA cell-free supernatant was sufficient to induce lung epithelial cell apoptosis in vitro and in vivo and alveolar barrier disruption in both platelet-depleted mice and Mpl−/− mice in vivo. Cell-free supernatant from PA with genetic deletion of the type 2 secretion system, but not the type 3 secretion system, mitigated lung epithelial cell death in vitro and lung injury in Mpl−/− mice. Moreover, platelet releasates reduced poly (ADP ribose) polymerase cleavage and lung injury in Mpl−/− mice, and boiling of platelet releasates, but not apyrase treatment, abrogated PA supernatant–induced lung epithelial cell cytotoxicity in vitro. These findings indicate that while neutrophil airspace influx does not potentiate infectious lung injury in the thrombocytopenic host, platelets and their factors protect against severe pulmonary complications from pathogen-secreted virulence factors that promote host cell death even in the absence of overt infection.
Using machine learning as an aid to seismic geomorphology, which attributes are the best input?
Authors: Infante-Paez Lennon , Marfurt Kurt J.
Published: February 2019

Volcanic rocks with intermediate magma composition indicate distinctive patterns in seismic amplitude data. Depending on the processes by which they were extruded to the surface, these patterns may be chaotic, moderate-amplitude reflectors (indicative of pyroclastic flows) or continuous high-amplitude reflectors (indicative of lava flows). We have identified appropriate seismic attributes that highlight the characteristics of such patterns and use them as input to self-organizing maps to isolate these volcanic facies from their clastic counterpart. Our analysis indicates that such clustering is possible when the patterns are approximately self-similar, such that the appearance of objects does not change at different scales of observation. We adopt a workflow that can help interpreters to decide what methods and what attributes to use as an input for machine learning algorithms, depending on the nature of the target pattern of interest, and we apply it to the Kora 3D seismic survey acquired offshore in the Taranaki Basin, New Zealand. The resulting clusters are then interpreted using the limited well control and principles of seismic geomorphology.
Imaging-Genomic Study of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Associations Between Radiomic Phenotypes and Genomic Mechanisms via Integration of The Cancer Genome Atlas and The Cancer Imaging Archive
Authors: Zhu Yitan , Mohamed Abdallah S.R. , Lai Stephen Y. , Yang Shengjie , Kanwar Aasheesh , Wei Lin , Kamal Mona , Sengupta Subhajit , Elhalawani Hesham , Skinner Heath , Mackin Dennis S. , Shiao Jay , Messer Jay , Wong Andrew , Ding Yao , Zhang Lifei , Court Laurence , Ji Yuan , Fuller Clifton D.
Published: February 2019

Purpose

Recent data suggest that imaging radiomic features of a tumor could be indicative of important genomic biomarkers. Understanding the relationship between radiomic and genomic features is important for basic cancer research and future patient care. We performed a comprehensive study to discover the imaginggenomic associations in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and explore the potential of predicting tumor genomic alternations using radiomic features.

Methods

Our retrospective study integrated whole-genome multiomics data from The Cancer Genome Atlas with matched computed tomography imaging data from The Cancer Imaging Archive for the same set of 126 patients with HNSCC. Linear regression and gene set enrichment analysis were used to identify statistically significant associations between radiomic imaging and genomic features. Random forest classifier was used to predict the status of two key HNSCC molecular biomarkers, human papillomavirus and disruptive TP53 mutation, on the basis of radiomic features.

Results

Widespread and statistically significant associations were discovered between genomic features (including microRNA expression, somatic mutations, and transcriptional activity, copy number variations, and promoter region DNA methylation changes of pathways) and radiomic features characterizing the size, shape, and texture of tumor. Prediction of human papillomavirus and TP53 mutation status using radiomic features achieved areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.71 and 0.641, respectively.

Conclusion

Our exploratory study suggests that radiomic features are associated with genomic characteristics at multiple molecular layers in HNSCC and provides justification for continued development of radiomics as biomarkers for relevant genomic alterations in HNSCC.
Does the clinical information play a role in the magnetic resonance diagnostic confidence analysis of ovarian and deep endometriosis?
Authors: Saba Luca , Ajossa Silvia , Ledda Giuseppe , Balestrieri Antonella , Schirru Federica , De Cecco Carlo Nicola , Suri Jasjit S , Melis Gian Benedetto , Lavra Francesco , Guerriero Stefano
Published: February 2019

Objective:

Some recent studies have explored how the experience in the observers change their performance in the endometriosis detection using MRI but the effects of the clinical information remains uncertain. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of the clinical information in the diagnostic confidence in the MRI diagnosis of endometriosis.

Methods and materials:

Institutional Review Board was obtained. This study is compliant to STARD method. 80 patients (mean age 32 years; range 19 – 46 years) who had undergone MRI study and surgery for suspected endometriosis were retrospectively evaluated. MRI exams were performed with a 1.5 T scanner and the following five locations were assessed: ovary, anterior compartment, vaginal fornix, utero-sacral ligaments, and Rectum\Sigmoid\Pouch of Douglas. Data sets were evaluated twice on a 5-point scale by four radiologists with different level of expertise; the first time blinded to the clinical information and the second time, after 3 months together with the clinical chart. Statistical analysis included receiver operating characteristics curve analysis, the Cohen weighted test and sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, accuracy, LR+ and LR–.

Results:

A total of 140 localization of endometriosis (47 endometriomas and 93 endometriotic nodules) were found. The pairwise comparison demonstrated that in all cases the presence of clinical information improved the Az value. The concordance analysis indicated a mixed pattern from modest agreement (weighted κ value 0.556 for anterior compartment) to excellent agreement values (weighted κ value 0.867 for ovarian endometriomas).

Conclusion:

The results of our study suggest that clinical information is useful in diagnosing endometriosis in general anterior compartment, but not in other locations. Less experienced radiologists (resident) may benefit from it at utero-sacral ligaments or Rectum\Sigmoid\Pouch of Douglas.

Advances in knowledge:

In this era of sometimes indiscriminate use of diagnostic methods, it is important to emphasis the context for interpretation of diagnostic results. Our paper confirms that clinical information is useful in diagnosing endometriosis.
Dog health and demographic surveillance survey in Western Kenya: Demography and management practices relevant for rabies transmission and control
Authors: Kwoba Emmah N. , Kitala Philip , Ochieng Linus , Otiang Elkanah , Ndung’u Robert , Wambura Gati , Hampson Katie , Thumbi S.M.
Published: February 2019

Background: Domestic dogs transmit 99% of the estimated 59,000 human rabies deaths occurring globally annually. To achieve the global target of zero human deaths from rabies by 2030, effective mass dog vaccination campaigns that break rabies transmission cycles in dog populations are required. This study describes the design of a dog health and demographic surveillance study established within a human health and demographic surveillance study in Western Kenya. Using baseline data from the dog cohort study, we quantify demographic parameters and describe management practices relevant for rabies transmission.

Methods: All dogs in 1213 households participating in a linked human and animal health syndromic surveillance study were recruited. Data on household demographics, dog ownership, dog age and sex ratios, reproductive indices, rabies vaccination, management practices, dog movement and health status were collected at least monthly.

Results: 460 of 1213 (38%) of the study households owned dogs (mean 2 dogs/household), and 526 (70%) of those without dogs had owned dogs previously. 802 dogs were recruited into the study, more than half (52%) of those with known ages were ≤ 1 year old. The dog:human ratio in the study population was 1:7, the dog density 54 dogs/km2, and the female: male dog sex ratio was 1:1.3. Rabies vaccination was low (5% coverage), and only 48 (12%) male dogs and 13 (5%) female dogs were castrated and spayed, respectively. Dogs were predominantly local breed (99%), mainly kept for security purposes, almost always (97%) left to scavenge for leftovers and 61% roamed freely.

Conclusion: Low vaccination coverage, unrestricted dog movement, and high dog population turnover with a large proportion of dogs below one-year-old support endemic rabies circulation in this population. These gaps present opportunities for the design of effective dog rabies control plans to break rabies transmission cycles in this part of Kenya.
Women and Negotiations: An Undergraduate Level Study
Authors: Macenczak Lee A.
Published: February 2019

This essay discusses the impact that a negotiations class had on a group of women at a private, liberal arts college. Perceptions, confidence levels, and negotiations frequency were all examined to determine if a significant change could be seen in the participants. Utilizing an experience-based class structure, students were given the opportunity to learn, practice, share feelings, and critique performance. Results indicate that women may benefit from schools offering more access to negotiation classes at the undergraduate level across all disciplines in order to build this critical skillset.
A New Lens for Leadership Education: Developing Agency and Effective Decision-Making in the Face of Counter-Reality
Authors: Andenoro Anthony C. , Dulikarvich Linnea M. , McBride Corina H. , Stedman Nicole L.P. , Childers Jessica
Published: February 2019

Interdisciplinary leadership education programs attempt to integrate students from diverse backgrounds and ideologies within contexts that facilitate cognitive growth and allow students to engage with real world problems. Specifically, the development of agency and effective decision-making can provide students with a powerful toolkit replete with the necessary capacities and dispositions for addressing complex global problems. However, recently counter- reality has created significant challenges for leadership educators. Counter-reality, or the pervasive and persuasive replacement of objective truths with subjective opinions grounded in falsehoods, lead perceptions and provide barriers to developing leadership students primed for sustainably addressing complex organizational and community challenges. The following educational framework intends to address the challenge posed by counter-reality by developing agency in leadership students, so they are better equipped to ask incisive questions when presented with counter realities. Addressing counter-reality through the development of agency is incredibly timely as false claims and misinformation are presented on nearly a daily basis.
Leadership Tenacity and Public-School Superintendents
Authors: Klocko Barbara A. , Justis Riley J. , Kirby Elizabeth A.
Published: February 2019

Leadership tenacity for school superintendents rests largely upon experience, grit, and subsequently resilience as they balance the pressures of the operational challenges of school operation with the instructional needs of the children they serve. Through this study, the authors identified the critical aspects of how effective superintendents may have developed and whether deliberate practice was evidenced in their experience. The superintendent’s perseverance to doing what matters over an extended period of time and under challenging conditions contributes to leadership grit and resilience. Viewed through the lens of these superintendents, experience, grit, and resilience influence leadership tenacity interdependent, but not limited to the theory of deliberate practice and transformational leadership.
Understanding Principal Investigators’ Differences in Leadership Style and Perceptions of Teamwork to Leverage Leadership Development
Authors: Stedman Nicole L.P. , Adams-Pope Brittany L.
Published: February 2019

The purpose of this study was to begin exploring the nature of leadership behavior and style, as it relates to team functionality. The extent to which the problems we face grow and become more complex; solutions require multiple perspectives, requiring researchers to be prepared to lead large groups of collaborators from a variety of disciplines. This study sought to explore the self-perceptions of principal investigators related to their leadership style and team functionality. Using the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire developed by Bass and Avolio (1995) and Lencioni's Team Assessment (2002), it was found that transformational leadership was self-perceived to be used the most in contrast to transactional leadership behaviors. With respect to team functionality, absence of trust and inattention to results showed the greatest concern to principal investigators, yet fear of conflict did not.
Leadership Styles of Successful FFAAdvisors and FFA Programs
Authors: Nowak Zachary , Pavelock Dwayne , Ullrich Douglas R. , Wolfskill Lawrence A.
Published: February 2019

Leadership development has been viewed as a foundational component of agriculture education and the FFA since the early 20th century (Hoover, Scholl, Dunnigan, & Mamontova, 2007). To contribute to previous research in the field of leadership, this study lays the framework for future studies on the leadership styles of those individuals who lead today’s youth in FFA programs across the State of Texas. This study describes FFA advisors of successful FFA programs in terms of their leadership styles, leadership training/educational background, and suggests how FFA advisors could use their leadership styles to improve their programs. Participants reported engaging in behaviors related to transformational leadership, M = 3.15, more often than those related to transactional, M = 2.45, or laissez-faire leadership styles, M = 0.86
University Students’ Perceptions of Generational Issues in the Workplace
Authors: Woods Kathryn
Published: February 2019

This study examined university students’ perceptions of generational issues in the workplace. Baby Boomers are retiring rapidly (their knowledge and experience retiring along with them), and Millennials are now the largest generational group represented in the workforce. Students at a mid-sized university in the southeast region of the United States, majoring in Leadership or attending a leadership skills development workshop, were surveyed to determine their views on challenges and opportunities that exist due to the current generational landscape of the workforce. Results of the study indicated that reconciling various perspectives was both the top challenge and benefit when working with members of other generations, and that opportunities for reciprocal mentorship were valued by members of each generation surveyed. Recommendations for leadership educators and future researchers are provided.
What Can Feminism Offer Student Leadership Education?
Authors: Iverson Susan V. , McKenzie Brenda L. , Halman Malina
Published: February 2019

Givensocietalcallsfortransformationalleadershipthatwillliftpeopletohigherlevelsof motivation and critical consciousness, this paper critiques existing student leadership education efforts and proposes that leadership educators adopt core tenets of feminism in order to prepare students to be engaged, change-oriented leaders in their communities. Today’s literature on student leadership development places an over-emphasis on positional leadership, technical problems, and leadership competencies. Feminism can serve as a theoretical strategy for addressingtheseproblemsbyconsideringthecomplexitiesofidentity,re-conceptualizingpower, amplifying student voice, and encouraging activism. In particular, we argue that consciousness- raising is essential for leadership development and offer ways in which it can be employed within leadership curriculum, among student leaders, and among leadership educators.
Short Communication: Augmentation of cardioprotective effect of captopril by Costus speciosus against isoproterenol induced myocardial toxicity in rats
Authors: AL-YAHYA ABDULRAHMAN A.I. , ASAD MOHAMMED , SADABY ABDULMONIEM , IBRAHIM KHALID ELFAKKI
Published: February 2019

Al-Yahya AAI, Asad M, Sadaby A, Ibrahim KE. 2017. Short Communication: Augmentation of cardioprotective effect of captopril by Costus speciosus against isoproterenol induced myocardial toxicity in rats. Nusantara Bioscience 9: 295-299. This study determined the pharmacodynamic interaction of captopril, a known cardioprotective effect with methanolic extract of Costus speciosus rhizomes (Costaceae) that is known for its powerful antioxidant action during isoproterenol induced cardiac toxicity in rats. A methanolic extract of the rhizomes was prepared by maceration. Rats were administered the methanolic extract at two different doses of 200 mg/k or 400 mg/kg orally and captopril was administered orally at a dose of 30 mg/kg. All the drugs alone or in combination were once daily for two weeks. At the end of treatment period, two doses of isoproterenol (150 mg/kg, s.c) were administered to rats at 24 hr interval. Blood was withdrawn to estimate creatinine kinase-MB (CK-MB) activities. The heart tissue was subjected to histological examinations to determine the extent of damage. Isoproterenol induced severe damage to the myocardium that was indicated through an elevation in serum CK-MB activity and the same was confirmed by histological examinations. Costus speciosus at both the tested doses attenuated the damage produced by isoproterenol. Both the doses caused a decrease in the biomarker activity as well as reduced the myocardial damage as observed in histological examination. A similar effect was observed with captopril. The co-administration of captopril with either dose of Costus speciosus demonstrated excellent cardioprotection suggesting that combination of this herb with captopril augments its cardioprotective action. It was concluded that Costus speciosus shows dose-dependent cardioprotection and augments the cardioprotective effect of captopril during isoproterenol induced cardiotoxicity in rats.
Kidney histology in streptozotocin-induced diabetic male Wistar rats treated with combined extract of temulawak rhizome and belimbing wuluh fruit
Authors: ALIPIN KARTIAWATI , SARI EMA PURNAMA , MADIHAH MADIHAH , SETIAWATI TIA , RATNINGSIH NINING , MALINI DESAK MADE
Published: February 2019

Alipin K, Sari EP, Madihah, Setiawati T, Ratningsih N, Malini DM. 2017. Kidney histology in streptozotocin-induced diabetic male Wistar rats treated with combined extract of temulawak rhizome and belimbing wuluh fruit. Nusantara Bioscience 9: 312-317. Complications that are occurred in patients with Diabetes Mellitus usually followed by kidney damage. Temulawak (Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb.) and belimbing wuluh (Averrhoa bilimbi L.) were traditionally used to decrease blood glucose level. Thus, they were potential as antidiabetic drugs. This study aimed to evaluate the combination of ethanol extracts of temulawak rhizome and belimbing wuluh fruit in repairing kidney damage in diabetic male Wistar rats induced by streptozotocin (STZ). An experimental method using a completely randomized design that consist of seven treatments with three replications. Six treatment groups were injected intraperitoneally with a dose of 60 mg/kg BW STZ, and one group served as a control. The animals which have blood glucose level â‰¥200 mg/dl were stated as diabetic. Furthermore, the animals were treated orally with single extract i.e. temulawak 17.5 mg/kg BW or belimbing wuluh 750 mg/kg BW and combined extracts 383.75 or 767.5 mg/kg BW, as well as glibenclamide 0.45 mg/kg BW as reference, including diabetic rat as positive control and non-diabetic rat as negative control. The results showed that combine extract at dose of 383.75 mg/kg BW treatment repaired the kidney histology, i.e., glomerular diameter and Bowman space width, as well as significantly decreased the necrosis percentage of proximal tubular in diabetic rat compared with positive control group (p<0.05). In conclusion, the combined extract of temulawak rhizome and belimbing wuluh fruit has potent to cure renal failure in diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin.
Effect of Azadirachta excelsa and Melia azedarach extracts on soybean germination
Authors: GUMILAR RUMMI AZAHRA , WIJAYANTO NURHENI , WULANDARI ARUM SEKAR
Published: February 2019

Gumilar RA, Wijayanto N, Wulandari AS. 2017. Effect of Azadirachta excelsa and Melia azedarach extracts on soybean germination. Nusantara Bioscience 9: 346-351. Azadirachta excelsa and Melia azedarach are potential tree species developed in agroforestry system. Both plants are fast growing species and good for timber use. However, there is an inadequacy on both species due to their allelopathic compound contents. Allelopathic compounds in the plants are distributed from root, stem, leaf, and fruit; which at certain concentrations could inhibit germination, growth, and development of other plants. The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of root, leaf, and twig extracts of M. azedarach and A. excelsa on the germination of soybean. Result of this study showed that the root, leaf, and twig extracts of M. azedarach and A. excelsa were able to inhibit the development of soybean. 5 % twig extract of M. azedarach significantly inhibited the germination by 77.75%. Leaf and twig extracts of A. excelsa at 1.25% concentration has shown to provide stimulant effect on the germination of soybean.
Short Communication: Birth weight of a Holstein calf based on forefoot circumference
Authors: SALMAN LIA BUDIMULYATI , DJAJA WILLYAN , ANANG ASEP , INDRIJANI HENI , PARTASASMITA RUHYAT
Published: February 2019

Salman LB, Djaja W, Anang A, Indrijani H, Partasasmita R. 2017. Birth weight of a Holstein calf based on forefoot circumference. Nusantara Bioscience 9: 367-370. Record of birth weight of Holstein calf can be used as consideration for selection. The purpose of this study is to determine the accuracy of birth weight based on regular measuring tape compared to Calf scale BW Tape. The records of calfâ€™s birth weight were collected from 1370 female calf birth records from PT Taurus Dairy Farm, Sukabumi. Birth weight measurements were performed by (i) measuring birth weight using Calf scale BW Tape (Nasco, Fort Atkinson, WI); (ii) predicting birth weight with regression based on the circumference of the right front toenails using regular measuring tape a day after the calf was born; (iii) weighing the calf with the scales. The results showed that the predicted birth weight of dairy cowâ€™s calves can be done by regular measuring tape with a polynomial regression equation, Y=(-6288,6)+(1378.8X)-(113.0X2)+(4.1X3)-(0.056X4), which has a deviation 0.5%, and 7.4% using Calfscale BW Tape. Conclusion of this research is that predicting birth weight of dairy cowâ€™s calves using regular measuring tape is more accurate than using Calfscale BW Tape
Evaluation of neck blast resistance and agronomical performances on double haploid rice population in greenhouse and endemic field
Authors: WINDARSIH GUT , UTAMI DWINITA WIKAN
Published: February 2019

Windarsih G, Utami DW. 2017. Evaluation of neck blast resistance and agronomical performances on double haploid rice population in greenhouse and endemic field. Nusantara Bioscience 9: 371-377. Blast disease caused by fungal Pyricularia grisea Sacc. is one of the most destructive diseases of rice in the world. The development of blast-resistant rice varieties will be essential to control this disease. This research aimed (i) to compare the resistance response to neck-blast among DH lines from double cross IR54/Parekaligolara//Bio110/Markuti and the differential varieties against three selected Indonesian blast races in greenhouse, (ii) to identify the gene(s) that caused the resistance to neck-blast based on the association between the resistance response and the genotype evaluation using molecular markers linked to Pi1, Pi33, Pib, Pir4 and Pir7 genes, and (iii) to evaluate the resistance response to leaf and neck blast on DH lines in endemic field (Sukabumi) and the agronomical performance of selected DH lines in optimum field in Ciasem of Subang, West Java, Indonesia during December 2013 to March 2014. Eleven double haploid lines from double-crossing IR54/Parekaligolara//Bio110/Markuti, the differential varieties as resistant control and the US2 variety for susceptible control were observed for neck-blast resistance response to three blast races in greenhouse and endemic field (Sukabumi), while the agronomical performances were observed in field of Ciasem-Subang. The results based on the genotyping evaluation, leaf and neck blast resistance, either in greenhouse and endemic location, and the agronomical performance in field showed that 5 selected double haploid lines had leaf and neck blast resistance and good performance on field trial. Thus they are promising for use either for further testing forwarding into releasing variety or used as donor for further blast resistant breeding activities.