bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparing Conservation Attitudes of Park-Adjacent Communities: The Case of Mole National Park in Ghana and Tarangire National Park in Tanzania
Authors: Abukari Haruna , Mwalyosi Raphael B.
Published: October 2018

The success of biodiversity conservation in African countries depends to a large extend on the cooperation of local communities. This study compared factors that influence attitudes of local communities toward the conservation of the Tarangire National Park (Tarangire NP) in Tanzania and Mole National Park (Mole NP) in Ghana. The purpose was to find out if the predominantly agricultural-communities around the Mole NP in Ghana will differ in park-attitude than the predominantly pastoral-communities around the Tarangire NP in Tanzania. Household survey was used to assess attitudes and focus group discussions used to elicit further information from respondents to complement the survey data. The study surveyed 365 households in 7 villages: 3 villages adjacent to the Tarangire NP and 4 villages adjacent to the Mole NP. There was significant difference between the park-attitudes of residents in communities near the Mole NP and their counterparts in communities near the Tarangire NP. However, respondents in both countries showed slightly positive and negative attitudes toward the parks as ecological entities and as community development agents, respectively. Factors that had significant effects on attitudes include: “knowledge of park rules,” “employment in park,” “distance between village and park,” “household size,” “access to non-timber forest products,” and “livelihood activity.” The findings suggest that any efforts aimed at increasing local community support for any of the two national parks should critically consider livelihoods diversification, population control, and extensive conservation education in neighboring communities.
Effect of Nigella sativa Nasal Spray on the Treatment of Chronic Rhinosinusitis Without a Nasal Polyp
Authors: Rezaeian Ahmad , Amoushahi Khouzani Sanaz
Published: October 2018

Background

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a common inflammatory disease of nasal and paranasal sinuses, with many treatment methods available for the management of this disease. Recently, herbal medicines have shown a significant impact on inflammatory diseases such as CRS, and one of these herbal medicines is Nigella sativa. Therefore, the current study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of N. sativa in patients with CRS without nasal polyp (CRSsNP).

Methods

In this randomized clinical trial, 65 patients with mild to moderate CRSsNP were enrolled based on the inclusion criteria. Patients were divided randomly into 2 parallel groups: intervention and placebo groups. Patients in the intervention group received 2 puffs/day of N. sativa nasal spray (1 g/day of N. sativa) and in the placebo group received 2 puffs/day of sodium chloride spray 0.65%.

Results

Thirty-one patients (19 men and 12 women) in the intervention group and 34 in the placebo group (18 men and 16 women) were evaluated. Lund–McKay, Lund Kennedy, and Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-22 scores were assessed for both groups after 8 weeks of treatments. These scores decreased significantly in both groups. However, these scores were significantly lower in the intervention group compared with the placebo group ( P < .0001, for all).

Conclusion

The use of N. sativa nasal spray has symptom reliever effect with no adverse effects in patients with CRSsNP.
At the Margins of Ideal Cities: The Dystopian Drift of Modern Utopias
Authors: Schwember Felipe , Urabayen Julia
Published: October 2018

Contemporary political philosophy has critically reflected on—if not denounced—the theoretical constructions and political enterprises that have been encouraged by modern Utopian tradition. This process of critical reflection has constantly signaled the tension between the emancipatory aspirations of that thought and its dystopian drift. Many authors have highlighted the problems that affect the constitution of those ideal cities. However, this article will be focused on the exclusive and excluding character of those ideal narratives, of those unblemished ideal spaces, of those happy spaces that are, in the end, nonspaces. This article will explain the meanings of the modern utopias taking into account the postmodern point of view that shows the exclusion the modern utopias provoke. At the margins of the ideal cities live all those beings that the utopias have vomited out and expelled from their perfect world: monsters, abnormals, infamous, pariahs, and countryless refugees. Those beings—so well described by Arendt and Foucault, among others—are those who are not part of any ideal city; they are the stones that the builders of the perfect cities have used to build them or have discarded them.
“Now I Know I Love Me”: The Trajectory to Self-Acceptance Among HIV Positive Adults in a Southeastern U.S. Community Center
Authors: Albright Jamie , Fair Cynthia D.
Published: October 2018

Individuals with HIV are now living healthier, longer lives due to the advancement of effective drug therapy. Understanding the dynamic narratives of the aging population of adults with HIV is critical in amplifying the voice of those who are often marginalized and to inform those social and medical providers with whom they most frequently engage. This article describes the narratives of 18 adults between the ages of 38 and 60 years diagnosed with HIV who frequent a community-based center in the southeastern United States. Recorded semi-structured interviews focused on how participants’ lives had changed since diagnosis with HIV. Transcribed interviews analyzed for emergent themes. Analysis of participant narratives revealed a cohesive trajectory from self-condemnation toward self-acceptance including acquisition of HIV and judgment of past behaviors, aftermath of the diagnosis, cultivating hope, and self-acceptance. Findings offer a window into the experiences of multiply marginalized adults living with HIV in the southern United States. Examining illness narratives in the context of their unique experience within an exclusively HIV-positive support center may offer valuable information for medical and social service providers as they develop strategies to support the aging population of adults living with HIV.
Badges and Bongs: Police Officers’ Attitudes Toward Drugs
Authors: Jorgensen Cody
Published: October 2018

For unknown reasons, the research investigating police officers’ attitudes toward drug use is underdeveloped. One study, by Wilson, Cullen, Latessa, and Wills, has directly investigated police officers’ perceptions toward general vice crimes (including drug use) and perceived appropriate sanctions for committing these offenses. This article built upon that study. A survey measuring officers’ attitudes toward drugs was developed and used to gather data from a large metropolitan police department in the South. Responding officers displayed fairly serious and punitive attitudes toward drug offenses. In addition, they reported an interventionist attitude, believing that more can and should be done to control drug activity. Individual officer characteristics, such as education attainment and political ideology, were more strongly associated with drug attitudes than law enforcement indicators, such as rank and experience with the vice/narcotics unit.
Application of black phosphorus nanodots to live cell imaging
Authors: Shin Yong Cheol , Song Su-Jin , Lee Yu Bin , Kang Moon Sung , Lee Hyun Uk , Oh Jin-Woo , Han Dong-Wook
Published: October 2018

Background

Black phosphorus (BP) has emerged as a novel class of nanomaterials owing to its unique optical and electronic properties. BP, a two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterial, is a structure where phosphorenes are stacked together in layers by van der Waals interactions. However, although BP nanodots have many advantages, their biosafety and biological effect have not yet been elucidated as compared to the other nanomaterials. Therefore, it is particularly important to assess the cytotoxicity of BP nanodots for exploring their potentials as novel biomaterials.

Methods

BP nanodots were prepared by exfoliation with a modified ultrasonication-assisted solution method. The physicochemical properties of BP nanodots were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffractometry. In addition, the cytotoxicity of BP nanodots against C2C12 myoblasts was evaluated. Moreover, their cell imaging potential was investigated.

Results

Herein, we concentrated on evaluating the cytotoxicity of BP nanodots and investigating their cell imaging potential. It was revealed that the BP nanodots were cytocompatible at a low concentration, although the cell viability was decreased with increasing BP nanodot concentration. Furthermore, our results demonstrated that the cells took up the BP nanodots, and the BP nanodots exhibited green fluorescence.

Conclusions

In conclusion, our findings suggest that the BP nanodots have suitable biocompatibility, and are promising candidates as fluorescence probes for biomedical imaging applications.
Elastic properties of continental carbonates: From controlling factors to an applicable model for acoustic-velocity predictions
Authors: Regnet Jean-Baptiste , Fortin Jérôme , Nicolas Aurélien , Pellerin Matthieu , Guéguen Yves
Published: October 2018

We have provided new insights into the controlling factors of elastic properties in continental carbonate rocks and introduced an applicable model for acoustic-velocity predictions in such a medium. Petrophysical properties (porosity, permeability, P- and S-wave velocities) from laboratory measurements have been coupled with thin-section observations and characterizations, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. A major achievement is the establishment of the link between the mineralogical composition and the P- and S-wave velocity dispersion at a given porosity. This reflects the subtle interplay between physicochemical and biological precipitation of continental carbonates, which can also be associated with a strong influence of detrital mineralogical inputs. The result is a mineralogical commixture, coupled to a wide array of pore types inherited from the strong ability of carbonate rocks to undergo diagenetic alteration. The proposed model takes into account the elastic moduli of the minerals, porosity, and pore shape, and it is based on the effective medium theory. We have considered the case in which the medium contained randomly oriented pores with different aspect ratios. Overall, the fit between the predicted trends and the experimental data is fairly good, especially for calcite and quartz matrix mineralogy. The results are even better when considering mineralogy inferred from XRD data, although in some case, and despite the aspect ratio variation in both simulations, the model fails to accurately predict the P-wave velocities. This probably means that another factor is at stake beside mineralogy. This can be explained by the limitation of the effective medium approach, which oversimplifies the reality and fails to account for the variability of some aspect ratio from one inclusion to another.
Source-free converted-wave reverse time migration: Formulation and limitations
Authors: Du Yue , Elita Li Yunyue , Yang Jizhong , Cheng Arthur , Fang Xinding
Published: October 2018

The source-free converted-wave (SFCW) reverse time migration is an alternative way to image the subsurface when the source information is missing or the overburden velocities are complex. However, it is challenging due to the lack of source-wavefield constraints. We have derived the SFCW imaging condition from the first gradients of waveform matching objective functions using a set of coupled P- and S-potential equations and small-perturbation approximations. We found that the images obtained from this SFCW imaging condition are second-order approximations to the shear-modulus perturbations. The images produced by the proposed imaging condition are free of the polarity reversal effects and have clear physical meanings. We also find that the acoustic wave equations can be used to back propagate the recorded P- and S-potentials, and the resulting images have the same kinematic accuracy and fewer unphysical mode-conversion artifacts than the SFCW images obtained by the elastic wave equations. Using multiple numerical examples, we determine the accuracy of our formulations, analyze the resolution and artifacts on the resulting images, and develop the limitations of the proposed method.
Sample size requirements for the design of reliability study: review and new results
Authors: Shoukri M M , Asyali M H , Donner A
Published: October 2018

The reliability of continuous or binary outcome measures is usually assessed by estimation of the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). A crucial step for this purpose is the determination of the required sample size. In this review, we discuss the contributions made in this regard and derive the optimal allocation for the number of subjects k and the number of repeated measurements n that minimize the variance of the estimated ICC. Cost constraints are discussed for both normally and non-normally distributed responses, with emphasis on the case of dichotomous assessments. Tables showing optimal choices of k and n are given along with the guidelines for the efficient design of reliability studies.
Age and stage specific prevalence estimate of cancer from population based Cancer Registry using inhomogeneous Poisson process
Authors: Gras C , Daures J P , Tretarre B
Published: October 2018

A multi stage model is described for estimating the age and two stage specific prevalence of cancer. The disease evolution is considered as an inhomogeneous Poisson process in the Lexis diagram. Prevalences are estimated from the basic epidemiological measures (stage specific incidences and survivals). A piecewise constant hazard model is used to estimate the transition rates constructing a finite partition of age and, where it is the case, of duration. Moreover, variance calculations are described. An application to breast cancer in the Hérault (France) population is presented.
Identifying influential observations in discriminant analysis
Authors: Poon Wai-Yin
Published: October 2018

Linear discriminant analysis has been widely applied in medical studies where atypical observations in a data set are usually encountered. While it is well known that the estimation in linear discriminant analysis can be conducted by using regression with dummy variates, typical regression diagnostic statistics cannot be applied to identify influential observations in discriminant analysis because these statistics are not invariant with regard to the codings of the dummy variates. We propose that regression model diagnostic measures developed from the local influence perspective can be used for identifying observations in a data set that exert undue influence on the result of the linear discriminant analysis. The measures are functions of the usual regression diagnostic statistics, such as leverage and residual, but are independent of the choice of the values of the dummy variate. They are local versions of Cook’s distance-type diagnostic statistic and the advantage of the measures lies in its ability in detecting a group rather than a single influential observation. The performance of the proposed measures are illustrated by analyses of three medical data sets and is compared with other diagnostic measures available in the literature. The results indicate that the proposed measures are simple and yet efficient discriminant diagnostic quantities. It is also observed from empirical evidence that a data point which is a multivariate outlier may not be influential in linear discriminant analysis.
Equivalence of conditional and marginal regression models for clustered and longitudinal data
Authors: Ritz John , Spiegelman Donna
Published: October 2018

Certain statistical models specify a conditional mean function, given a random effect and covariates of interest. On the other hand, one may instead model a marginal mean only in terms of the covariates. We discuss some common situations where conditional and marginal means coincide. In a Gaussian linear mixed effects model we have equivalent interpretations of the conditional and marginal regression parameter estimates. Similar results exist for more general link functions. In this paper we give a short overview of some models, where conditional and marginal results are equivalent and we illustrate this with some examples. When the conditional mean is additive in a random effect on the log scale, it is seen that the marginal mean equals the conditional mean plus a constant, such that slope parameters have the same interpretation in both formulations. No further distributional assumptions are needed in either of these cases. With a logit link and a double exponential random effect, a closed form marginal link function is derived from the conditional model. When a logit or probit link is used with a normal random effect, the marginal mean parameters become attenuated by a factor which depends on parameters of the distribution of the covariates. In a conditional Weibull proportional hazards model with a positive stable frailty, the marginal hazards are again Weibull but with slope parameters attenuated towards zero.
A Novel Regression Analysis Method for Randomly Truncated Strong-Motion Data
Authors: Chao Shu-Hsien , Chen Yi-Hau
Published: October 2018

Regression analysis is a basic and essential tool for developing the ground motion prediction equation (GMPE). Generally, the probability of intensity measurement for a given ground motion scenario described by several predictors is assumed to be normally distributed. However, because of the triggering threshold of the strong-motion station, ground motion records below the triggering threshold are truncated (i.e., not recorded), and the truncated intensity levels of spectral accelerations at different periods are random variables. Consequently, the sampling of the ground motion data used in GMPE development is biased, and the observed probability of the intensity measurement is no longer normally distributed. Therefore, a novel two-step maximum-likelihood method is proposed in this paper as a regression tool to overcome this problem in GMPE development. The advantage of the proposed method is that the correlation between records from the same events and those from the same sites as well as the biased sampling problem can be considered simultaneously, and more ground motion data can be considered to derive more reliable analysis results.
Integration of Health Questionnaire Systems to Facilitate Supportive Care Services for Patients at an Academic Breast Care Center
Authors: Wong Emily C. , Kaplan Celia P. , Dreher Nickolas , Hwang Jimmy , van’t Veer Laura , Melisko Michelle E.
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This study evaluated the use of an electronic Health Questionnaire System (HQS) within the University of California San Francisco Breast Care Center as a screening and triage tool to proactively recognize patients’ supportive care needs during new patient consultations and identify demographic characteristics associated with referrals to three supportive care services.

Patients and Methods

A total of 428 patients with and without breast cancer between the ages of 18 and 84 years completed HQS intake forms before appointments at the University of California San Francisco Breast Care Center between November 2014 and May 2015 and agreed to participate in this study. Patient HQS responses triggered referrals to supportive care services, and a review of electronic health records was conducted to determine the outcomes of these referrals.

Results

A total of 242 patients (56.5%) met criteria for at least one supportive care referral. Women with invasive breast cancer or ductal carcinoma in situ met criteria for supportive services more frequently than women without breast cancer diagnoses (76.9% v 23.8%; P < .001) and were most likely to receive referrals for genetic counseling (67.0%), psychological services (32.2%), and social services (12.1%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that being married was associated with fewer referrals to social work (OR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.21 to 0.81) and that those between 45 and 54 years of age were less likely to receive referrals to genetic counseling than those ≥ 55 years of age (OR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.23 to 0.73). Among all referrals (n = 369), 26.8% resulted in completed appointments.

Conclusion

Using an automated intake form is an efficient way to identify and triage individuals in need of supportive care services and can provide insight into the populations with supportive care needs for targeted outreach.
Questioning the Value of Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography for Residual Lesions After Chemotherapy for Metastatic Seminoma: Results of an International Global Germ Cell Cancer Group Registry
Authors: Cathomas Richard , Klingbiel Dirk , Bernard Brandon , Lorch Anja , Garcia del Muro Xavier , Morelli Franco , De Giorgi Ugo , Fedyanin Mikhail , Oing Christoph , Haugnes Hege Sagstuen , Hentrich Marcus , Fankhauser Christian , Gillessen Silke , Beyer Jörg
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Residual lesions after chemotherapy are frequent in metastatic seminoma. Watchful waiting is recommended for lesions < 3 cm as well as for fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)–negative lesions ≥ 3 cm. Information on the optimal management of PET-positive residual lesions ≥ 3 cm is lacking.

Patients and Methods

We retrospectively identified 90 patients with metastatic seminoma with PET-positive residual lesions after chemotherapy. Patients with elevated α-fetoprotein or nonseminomatous histology were excluded. We analyzed the post-PET management and its impact on relapse and survival and calculated the positive predictive value (PPV) for PET.

Results

Median follow-up time was 29 months (interquartile range [IQR], 10 to 62 months). Median diameter of the largest residual mass was 4.9 cm (range, 1.1 to 14 cm), with masses located in the retroperitoneum (77%), pelvis (16%), mediastinum (17%), and/or lung (3%). Median time from the last day of chemotherapy to PET was 6.9 weeks (IQR, 4.4 to 9.9 weeks). Post-PET management included repeated imaging in 51 patients (57%), resection in 26 patients (29%), biopsy in nine patients (10%) and radiotherapy in four patients (4%). Histology of the resected specimen was necrosis in 21 patients (81%) and vital seminoma in five patients (19%). No biopsy revealed vital seminoma. Relapse or progression occurred in 15 patients (17%) after a median of 3.7 months (IQR, 2.5 to 4.9 months) and was found in 11 (22%) of 51 patients on repeated imaging, in two (8%) of 26 patients after resection, and in two (22%) of nine patients after biopsy. All but one patient who experienced relapse were successfully treated with salvage therapy. The PPV for FDG-PET was 23%.

Conclusion

FDG-PET has a low PPV for vital tumor in residual lesions after chemotherapy in patients with metastatic seminoma. This cautions against clinical decisions based on PET positivity alone.
What Can Be Done to Improve Research Biopsy Quality in Oncology Clinical Trials?
Authors: Ferry-Galow Katherine V. , Datta Vivekananda , Makhlouf Hala R. , Wright John , Wood Bradford J. , Levy Elliot , Pisano Etta D. , Tam Alda L. , Lee Susanna I. , Mahmood Umar , Rubinstein Lawrence V. , Doroshow James H. , Chen Alice P.
Published: October 2018

Purpose:

Research biopsy specimens collected in clinical trials often present requirements beyond those of tumor biopsy specimens collected for diagnostic purposes. Research biopsies underpin hypothesis-driven drug development, pharmacodynamic assessment of molecularly targeted anticancer agents, and, increasingly, genomic assessment for precision medicine; insufficient biopsy specimen quality or quantity therefore compromises the scientific value of a study and the resources devoted to it, as well as each patient’s contribution to and potential benefit from a clinical trial.

Methods:

To improve research biopsy specimen quality, we consulted with other translational oncology teams and reviewed current best practices.

Results:

Among the recommendations were improving communication between oncologists and interventional radiologists, providing feedback on specimen sufficiency, increasing academic recognition and financial support for the time investment required by radiologists to collect and preserve research biopsy specimens, and improving real-time assessment of tissue quality.

Conclusion:

Implementing these recommendations at the National Cancer Institute’s Developmental Therapeutics Clinic has demonstrably improved the quality of biopsy specimens collected; more widespread dissemination of these recommendations beyond large clinical cancer centers is possible and will be of value to the community in improving clinical research and, ultimately, patient care.
The RECK tumor-suppressor protein binds and stabilizes ADAMTS10
Authors: Matsuzaki Tomoko , Kitayama Hitoshi , Omura Akira , Nishimoto Emi , Alexander David B. , Noda Makoto
Published: October 2018

The tumor suppressor protein RECK has been implicated in the regulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), NOTCH-signaling and WNT7-signaling. It remains unclear, however, how broad the spectrum of RECK targets extends. To find novel RECK binding partners, we took the unbiased approach of yeast two-hybrid screening. This approach detected ADAMTS10 as a RECK-interactor. ADAMTS10 has been characterized as a metalloproteinase involved in fibrillin-rich microfibril biogenesis, and its mutations have been implicated in the connective tissue disorder Weill-Marchesani syndrome. Experiments in vitro using recombinant proteins expressed in mammalian cells indicated that RECK indeed binds ADAMTS10 directly, that RECK protects ADAMTS10 from fragmentation following chemical activation and that ADAMTS10 interferes with the activity of RECK to inhibit MT1-MMP. In cultured cells, RECK increases the amount of ADAMTS10 associated with the cells. Hence, the present study has uncovered novel interactions between two molecules of known clinical importance, RECK and ADAMTS10.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Exercise for Athletes With Inflammatory Arthritis
Authors: Powell Amy P. , English Joy
Published: October 2018

Advances in pharmacologic management of inflammatory conditions have allowed those living with these conditions to pursue fitness activities previously difficult due to functional limitations. With that said, many patients with inflammatory arthritis are still not active enough. In this article, we review specific exercise recommendations for a number of inflammatory conditions with a focus on overall health promotion and cardiovascular disease risk reduction, discuss exercise as an adjunct to pharmacologic disease management, and review potential risks of sport participation for athletes with inflammatory arthritis conditions.
Diversity of Weeds Species in Citrus Farms of Taymma (Tabuk, Saudi Arabia): Implication for Invasive Species Ecology
Authors: Mesfir Al-Qahtani Salem
Published: October 2018

Invasive species of weeds in agroecosystem is known as a critical problem which is associated with severe economic loss as they compete the crops for niche, water and nutrients. There is a lacking in the information about biology and ecology of weeds communities in agroecosystems of Saudi Arabia particularly citrus farms. The present study aimed to investigate the distribution and diversity of weeds in selected citrus farms of Taymma (Saudi Arabia). A total of 36 weed species belonging to 20 families were recorded in citrus farms of Taymma. The species Aizoon canariense, Artemisia seiberi, Morettia parviflora, Oxalis corniculata, Setaria viridis and Salsola imbricata were the dominant species in the citrus farms. The dominant family was Poacea, Asteraceae, Brassicaceae and Chenopodiaceae. The total number of weed species (gamma diversity index γ), ranged between 25 and 27. Three diversity indices were calculated; Shannon-Weiner (H’), Simpson (1-D) and Margalef. There was no significance differences in the three diversity measures among the selected citrus farms (One-way ANOVA Shannon-Weiner (H’); F2,12=0.025 and P=0.975, Simpson; F2,12=0.071 and P=0.932, Margalef; F2,12=0.113 and P=0.895). The variance in the species among the sites as expressed by beta diversity (β) varied slightly among the studied farms. The present study provides essential information about ecology of weeds in citrus agroecosystem. It is recommended that further ecological studies should be carried out to better understand the biological and environmental factors that structuring the weeds communities in arid region.
Antibacterial Activity and Morphological Characterization of Synthesis Graphene Oxide Nanosheets by Simplified Hummer’s Method
Authors: R. Ghanim Russel , Mohammad M. R. , M. Abdul Hussien Adi
Published: October 2018

Graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets were prepared by a novel simplified Hummer's method. The morphological and cross section images of GO have been tested with field emission-scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM). The antibacterial activity of GO nansheets against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) were investigated as a model for Gram-negative bacteria and Gram-positive bacteria respectively. Bacteriological tests were performed by agar well diffusion assay with different concentrations of GO nanosheets and the bacterial morphological change of two bacterial species has been studied by scanning electron microscope (SEM) before and after treated with GO nanosheets. These sheets have been approved to be an effective bactericide. The antibacterial activity of the nanosheets dispersion was measured by agar well diffusion method. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to investigate the biocidal action of this nanoscale material. The nanosheets of GO have shown a high antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria. The results of the present work offer a novel assay to prepare GO nanosheets were it could be used as novel antibacterial agent in future for different areas of biomedical and pharmaceutical sciences, like biosensing, antibiotics, imaging, and drug delivery.
The Morphological Effects of Methandienone on Sperm Head in Male Mice
Authors: Y. Falih Marwah , A. Mohammed Abbas , M. Sulaiman Ghassan
Published: October 2018

The objective of the present study is to detect the effects of methandienone on sperm head morphology of male (Mus musculus) mice. For this purpose 55 adult male mice were used and divided into five groups: both of the control -ve and control +ve (CFA) have consisted of 5 mice, and the other three treated groups consisted of 15 mice injected orally with three doses (low, medium and high) (0.125, 0.25, 0.5) mgkg body weight methandienone, with periods (7, 21, 35) days. At the end of the treatment periods morphological abnormalities of sperm were examed. The results showed the presence of abnormal change in the form of the sperms head morphology, the effect of methandienone was dose and time dependents. The significant abnormal shapes of sperms head were observed; they were swelling head, head acrosome loss, apical hook, hammerhead, acrosome defective and other abnormalities. From these results, we can conclude Methadinone has the potential to increase the rate of deformity of head sperm morphology when increasing dose and duration of the drug, indicating that may be a genetic damage happened affects the stages of sperm formation and this needs further studies and in spite of methandienone medical uses and advantages, dose and period of treatment must be determined by a doctor.
Extraction, Identification and Pharmacological Evaluation of Phyto-Active Compound in Manilkara Hexandra (Roxb.) Dubard Stem Bark
Authors: Monisha S. Irudaya , Vimala J. Rosaline
Published: October 2018

Plants are made up of chemicals of differing nature produced by metabolism. These phytochemicals show varied biological activity. The present work was aimed to identify such active principle present in the stem bark of Manilkara hexandra (Roxb.)Dubard. Proximate, fluorescence, histochemical, mineral analysis was carried out for the plant material. From the preliminary analysis, the flavonoid rich extract was identified which was then subjected to using chromatographic methods for compound separation. Characterization of the separated compound was done by UV, FT-IR, and GC-MS studies. 7,9- DI-TERT-BUTYL-1-OXASPIRO[4.5]DECA-6,9-DIENE-2,8-DIONE was identified by GC-MS analysis. Antibacterial activity was carried and it shows high zone of inhibition, when concentration increases from 30 to 150 μg/ml. The separated flavanoid in future could be used to study its wide pharmacological applications as a lead compound in drug delivery.
Adsorption of Fe3+ by a living microalgae biomass of Scenedesmus obliquus
Authors: Bouzit Laila , Jbari Nohman , El Yousfi Farida , Slimani Alaoui Nabila , Chaik Asmae , Stitou Mostafa
Published: October 2018

In this work, the green microalgae Scenedesmus obliquus was tested for his Fe3+ removal ability in his living state.To avoid poisoning by heavy metals, the green microalgae Scenedesmus obliquus used in the form of paste obtained after incubation, for seven days in the treated wastewater, and centrifugation.The findings showed that this method achieved total removal of Fe3+in less time, with a lower cost of materials, and with less complexity than the method commonly used which uses absorption.This method avoids four disadvantages of the current method, which 1) need a long time to achieve total removal of heavy metals, 2) is a slower process which needs greater time and cost, 3) cannot be used for any heavy metal that requires an acidic environment in order to avoid precipitation, and 4) slows the growth of algae and causes mortality of algae due to the acidic environment and prolonged exposure of algae to toxic heavy metal.The maximum Fe3+ removal was estimated to use 16g/l of living algal cells to remove 25g/l of Fe3+ with pH=3, T°=30°C and 80tr/min during 20min.
MODEL RESOLUSI KONFLIK KAWASAN REGISTER 45 MESUJI LAMPUNG BERBASIS HUTAN TANAMAN RAKYAT
Authors: Jaka Ferdian Komang
Published: October 2018

Agrarian conflicts in Indonesia, one of which occurred in the region registers 45 Mesuji Lampung. The conflict in the region registers 45 result people are not getting their rights as citizens. The problem area management register 45 that conflict has reached a scale where there is a negative impact on residents who often get unilateral acts of intimidation and arrest of the security forces. The conflict that left would pose a threat to one of the parties, special nature of conflict can be widened up to the global level, there is a violence that resulted from one of the parties. The purpose of this study is to map the conflict in the region registers 45 Mesuji of Lampung and explain the model of conflict resolution in the region register 45 based on Forest Plantation. Conflict in the region register 45 involves PT. Silva Inhutani, Community Register 45, State / Government, Land Speculators, thuggery, Megoupak and Media. Model of conflict resolution that can be done through Forest Plantation. The positive side is going to cause, among others, conflict resolution, improvement in the economic sector, development environments, forming jobs, alleviate poverty and improve food security in Mesuji district. Keywords:Land Conflict; Mapping Conflict; Conflict Resolution; Mediation; Forest Plantation
MARKETING POLITIK DPP PARTAI GERINDRA PADA PEMILU LEGISLATIF 2014
Authors: Nurdiansyah Fahmi
Published: October 2018

The purpose of this research is to know the implementation in the political marketing of Gerindra Party and some factors encouraging the party to gain a wide range of constituent voters in the legislative elections 2014. The aforementioned evidence reveals that Gerindra Party approached middle class down society and youth, on determining intended voters and this party also focusing on small society (farmer, fisherman, labour, teacher and small trader). In terms of positioning, Gerindra Party put themselves in outside of the government and acknowledge them as the party for small society. In Indonesian political constellation, it can be seen that political party has a high correlation with the power of public figure to increase popularity and electability. Gerindra Party is still introduced Prabowo Subianto as a public figure who can be used to gain a number of voters for the party.
POLITIK ETNIS FLORES TIMUR DI KABUPATEN TIMOR TENGAH UTARA PADA PEMILIHAN KEPALA DAERAH (PILKADA) 2015
Authors: Kolne Yakobus , Festianto Dian
Published: October 2018

Penelitian ini bertujuan menggali informasi mengenai politik etnis Flores Timur (Flotim) yang berdomisili di Kabupaten Timor Tengah Utara (TTU) pada Pilkada tahun 2015 dalam perspektif politik identitas. Penentuan informan yang terdiri dari tokoh dan komunitas etnis Flotim menggunakan teknik purposive sampling dengan metode penelitian bersifat deskriptif analitis dengan menggunakan data primer dan data sekunder yang relevan dengan politik etnis Flotim. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan dinamika politik etnis Flotim membentuk enam pola relasi bersifat resiprokal. Kesimpulan penelitian ini adalah dari aspek kultural kohesifitas etnis Flotim cenderung kuat, namun dari aspek politik kehesifitas cenderung cair yang disebabkan karena faktor akulturasi budaya melalui institusi perkawinan campur dengan etnis di TTU yang terbagi dalam tiga swapraja. Hibriditas sosial budaya tersebut pada akhirya menciptakan polarisasi politik dalam komunitas etnis Flotim. Reflesi teoritis studi ini sejalan dengan konsep Castell (1997), Beerger dan Luckmann (1990)  bahwa konstruksi identitas etnis Flotim di TTU ditandai oleh asal-usul bangunan identitas dan realitas politik sebagai proses kontruksi simbolik yang terus menerus berubah (situasional) terutama dalam setting Pilkada 2015.
Kilka uwag o potrzebie badań kompetencji słowotwórczych dzieci z niepełnosprawnością intelektualną w stopniu lekkim
Authors: Marciniak-Firadza Renata
Published: October 2018

Word formation is significant for the linguistic and cognitive development of the child and it is possible to get and interpret data concerning decoding and encoding word-formative structures by children with intellectual disability through linguistic analysis. This task is so much important because Polish literature lacks studies concerning word formation competence of children with intellectual disability. The article shows the need for research and their description as well as the evaluation of understanding and forming word-formative structures by children with intellectual disability in comparison with analogical abilities of children without such a disability.
„Projektowanie włączające” – proces projektowania nowoczesnych technologii z aktywnym udziałem adresatów rozwiązań
Authors: Marciniak-Madejska Natalia , Adamska-Kijko Magdalena
Published: October 2018

Projekt finansowany ze środków Narodowego Centrum Badań i Rozwoju w ramach programu „Innowacje społeczne”. Doniesienie z etapu badań „System elektronicznego wspomagania samodzielności życiowej osób z niepełnosprawnością intelektualną”.
Czas wolny dzieci niepełnosprawnych intelektualnie w opinii rodziców
Authors: Kaiser Izabella
Published: October 2018

The study aimed at diagnosing the opinions of parents of children with mild and moderate intellectual disability on the forms and significance of leisure time behaviour. The study revealed that parents, siblings, or other family members were most often partners of leisure for intellectually disabled children. All the respondents declare that they know what their children are doing in their leisure time and who they spend it with. Leisure time appears to be the area of limitless rehabilitation opportunities, and therefore it should occupy a significant position both in scientific research and (perhaps predominantly) in practical activities undertaken to help children with intellectual disability. Extensive activity of the school, family environment and special education teachers themselves is required to implement leisure time as a vital element in the process of revalidation of intellectually disabled children.
Gerontologia (geragogika) specjalna – obszar koniecznych badań i refleksji pedagogiki specjalnej. Wybrane zagadnienia
Authors: Chrzanowska Iwona
Published: October 2018

In the text, an attempt was made to analyse selected issues related to gerontology in the relationship to people with disabilities. The context of analyses is the tendency of social ageing tendencies, observed in Poland and in the world, especially in European countries. Selected areas of reflection are combined with the conviction that there is a need for research which would fill in the gap in the field of research carried out so far, focused on the issue of the broadly defined life situation of the people with disabilities in the senior years, which is in the scientific merit of Polish special needs education (pedagogics). There is a justified fear that these individuals are more likely to experience marginalisation and exclusion in many areas of life than people of similar age in the general population.
The work process for the promotion of students with special needs integrated in the kindergartens of regular education: the case of Israel
Authors: Bar Nava
Published: October 2018

The Special Education Law in Israel was legislated on July 12, 1988. The law determined precedence and advance preference for the placement of special needs students in the regular educational system over the special education system. In the spirit of the law, methodical and painstaking processes that arrange the work with special needs students in the educational system were determined. This article presents two work processes implemented in parallel in the regular kindergartens. The first work process is with students who have functional difficulties, before their definition and as prevention of their definition as students with special needs. The second process is the work process with the special needs students who are integrated in the regular kindergartens, intended to prevent their referral to frameworks of special education. These processes reflect the development that occurred in the importance ascribed in the educational system in Israel to careful and adjusted work with students who have difficulties and special needs and are integrated in the kindergartens of regular education. Alongside the described development, the article presents the challenges and the questions that the implementation of the processes poses.
Szczegółowa diagnoza logopedyczna dziecka z niepełnosprawnością intelektualną w stopniu umiarkowanym jako podstawa skutecznej terapii
Authors: Szurek Mateusz
Published: October 2018

Speech and language are important in the mental and emotional development of every human being. Various speech disorders that affect the daily functioning, communication and acquiring the basic human needs can disrupt the functioning of a person in society. In the case of people with intellectual disabilities, this is an oligophasia, or the speech disorder characteristic for people with reduced intellectual ability. In this article, the author draws attention to the importance of a detailed speech diagnosis, which is the basis for the later therapeutic process. He presents in on the example of a child with moderate-degree intellectual disability, using the Afa-Skala test, while at the same time demonstrating its usefulness in diagnosing the intellectually disabled children’s language disorders. In the final part of the text the author deals with the problem of speech therapy in children with these disorders.
Radzenie sobie ze stresem rodziców dzieci z autyzmem
Authors: Dudek Mieczysław
Published: October 2018

The appearance of a child with a disability is always a source of tremendous stress in the family. This problem is particularly evident in the case of an autistic child because of its unpredictable and untypical development. Every person during their life develops certain mechanisms to deal with difficult situations. According to Lazarus and Folkman (1987), dealing with stress mainly relies on specific intellectual activities and appropriate actions to control the requirements assessed by the person as burdensome or beyond his/her current possibilities. There are many ways of dealing with stress. The most common strategies include those focused on solving the problem (SSZ), emotional overreaction (SSE) and avoidance of stress (SSU) by engaging in substitute activities (ACZ) or seeking social interaction (CSA). It is assumed that an effective way to deal with stress consists in relating the needs and capabilities of an individual. The aim of this article was to investigate the ways of dealing with stress among 130 parents of autistic children.
Investigation of the Factors Influencing SME Failure as a Function of Its Prevention and Fast Recovery after Failure
Authors: Nikolić Nenad , Jovanović Ivan , Nikolić Đorđe , Mihajlović Ivan , Schulte Peter
Published: October 2018

This paper presents a conceptual framework for investigation of the factors influencing the failure of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as well as the level of their recovery. Based on the review of literature, all the factors are classified either as individual characteristics of entrepreneurs or non-individual characteristics, that is, characteristics related to SMEs. Having in mind various factors identified by different researchers in their studies, the authors of this paper formed a basic hypothetical framework as well as a qualitative framework for evaluation of the most significant factors influencing SME failure and recovery. Accordingly, a preliminary questionnaire was designed in order to collect the attitudes of entrepreneurs regarding the impact of particular factors. The results of the survey were used for further quantitative analysis and as a base for the formation of a structural equation model for testing the proposed hypotheses.

Using the structural equation model to derive results, the authors have found that all the analysed factors except the factors related to private time activities of entrepreneurs/owners of SMEs have a statistically significant influence on SME success, with external non-individual factors having the greatest influence. Furthermore, the results indicate that the level of recovery, business life cycle stage and the sector of a failed SME impact on the ranking of the factors leading to SME failure. The study points to the necessity of improving the conditions under which SMEs operate, primarily by removing the obstacles that hinder growth and development of SMEs as well as by developing the appropriate system of support for entrepreneurs. In addition, having a clear vision of the factors of failure can help SMEs to become more resistant to the adverse effects of these factors and deal with them more effectively.
A Compact Dual-Band Planar Monopole Antenna Using Fractal Rings and A Y-Shaped Feeding Transmission Line
Authors: Djafri Kahina , Challal Mouloud , Romeu Jordi
Published: October 2018

This paper presents a novel design approach of a compact dual-band monopole antenna with an overall size of 18.9x13x1.6mm3. The proposed antenna is composed of a fractal ring shaped patch fed by a Y-shaped transmission line on the top side of the substrate and a second fractal ring along with a U-shaped ground plane on the bottom side. The second fractal ring, identical to the radiating ring, is loaded and a rectangular slot is etched at the top side of the ground plane respectively, to achieve dual-band characteristic and improve the impedance matching. The effect of standard ground-plane (SGP) of a laptop computer is incorporated in the design; the antenna is mounted on a SGP in order to investigate its performance. The antenna covers widely the frequency bands of the WLAN 2.4 GHz (2.2–2.52 GHz) and WiMAX 3.5 GHz (3.32–4.35 GHz), and exhibits an omnidirectional radiation pattern in the H-plane and a monopole like radiation pattern in the E-plane. A good agreement between the simulated and measured results indicates that the proposed dual-band antenna design is suitable for WLAN/WiMAX applications.