bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
COINCIDENCE THEOREMS AND MATCHING THEOREMS
Authors: KO HWEI-MEI , TAN KOK-KEONG
Published: June 2021

Two coincidence theorems of Ky Fan are first slightly gen­eralized. As applications, new matching theorems are obtained, one of which has several equivalent forms, including the classical Knaster­ Kuratowski-Mazurkiewicz theorem.
ROTARU ALPHA - CONVEX FUNCTIONS
Authors: TIHOOSNURMATH SUBHAS S. , SWAMY S. R.
Published: June 2021

Let $S^*(a,b)$ denote the class of analytic functions $f$ in the unit disc $E$, with $f(0) =f'(0) - 1 =0$, satisfying the condition $|(zf'(z)/f(z))- a|<b$, $a\in C$, $|a- 1|<b\le Re(a)$, $z\in E$. In this paper the class $S^*(\alpha, a, b)$ of functions $f$ analytic in $E$, with $f(0) = f'(0)- 1 =0$, $f(z)f'(z)/z\neq 0$ for $z$ in $E$ and satisfying in $E$ the condition $|J(\alpha,f)- a|<b$, $a \in C$, $|a-1| (4b/c)|Im(a)|$, $c=(b^2- |a- 1|^2)/b$. Further a representation formula for $f \in S^*(\alpha, a, b)$ and an inequality relating the coefficients of functions in $S^*(\alpha, a, b)$ are obtained.
RINGS WITH ASSOCIATORS IN THE LEFT AND MIDDLE NUCLEUS
Authors: YEN CHEN-TE
Published: June 2021

Let $R$ be a nonassociative ring, $N$, $M$ and $L$ the left, middle and right nucleus respectively. It is shown that if $R$ a semipnme ring satisfying $(R,R,R) \subset N\cap M$ (resp. $(R,R,R) \subset M\cap L$), then $L\subset M\subset N$(resp. $N\subset M\subset L$); moreover, $R$ is associative if $((R,R,M),(R,R,R)) = 0$ (resp. $((M,R,R),(R,R,R)) = 0)$ or $(M,R) \subset M$; and the Abelian group $(R,+ )$ has no elements of order 2. We also prove that if $R$ is a simple ring satisfying char $R \neq 2$, and $(R, R, R) \subset N \cap M$ or $(R, R, R) \subset M \cap L$ then $R$ is associative.
An Exploratory Case Study Utilizing a Health in All Policies Approach to Improve Health in the City of Montclair
Authors:   , Colunga Alyssa
Published: June 2021

Rates of chronic disease are a long-term problem in the City of Montclair, a predominately high minority community with low socioeconomic status and limited resources. There is a need for leadership in small local jurisdictions, such as Montclair, to champion sustainable and effective health promotion strategies that meet the needs of its citizens and is accessible and tailored to the population.The purpose of this case study is to utilize a cross-sector social ecological lens to develop strategies for the City of Montclair to improve health through a collaborative health in all policies (HiAP) approach. This analysis of HiAP as a means to improve health, includes the incidence of chronic disease, uses document review and semi-structured interviews to adapt a logic model meant to guide a HiAP initiative for the City of Montclair. It also identifies the next steps in guiding a future HiAP initiative. Stakeholders within the City of Montclair were recruited to provide feedback on utilizing a HiAP approach to improve health. Five stakeholders participated in semi-structured interviews and were asked about barriers to creating a HiAP initiative in Montclair, how messaging can be better tailored for multiple sectors to buy-in, the feasibility of engaging high-level stakeholders and community leaders, and the potential benefits of HiAP in Montclair. This study fills a major need for investigation of how local municipalities might begin a HiAP initiative. Five critical themes were derived from the document review and from the six interviews conducted with Montclair city staff and community leaders provide perspective and insight into plans for a HiAP initiative. The five overall themes mentioned by both include: (1) communications and messaging, (2) incorporating health into decision making, (3) assessments and data collection, (4) building awareness and political support, and (5) formalizing HiAP. HiAP is an approach to improve chronic disease rates and ensure that future decisions are cross-sectoral and made only after serious consideration of their impacts on health. Other small cities can use this as an example of how to examine their specific environments and determine what they need to do and how to employ the existing literature as they tailor a foundational logic model for their own use.
An Investigation into Resilience and its Relationship with Sleep and Neighborhood Social Cohesion among Older Pacific Islanders in Southern California
Authors:   , Rainer Michelle
Published: June 2021

The older adult population will continue to grow at an alarming rate and will comprise 21% of the population by the year 2030. Older Pacific Islanders (PIs) will experience a similar growth trajectory. By 2030, older PIs will account for 13.2% of the PI population, a two-fold increase from the 6.5% reported in 2010. Therefore, the overall well-being of older adults is a critical part of public health. Healthy aging is an approach that focuses on the strengths of older adults by reinforcing methods that improve or enhance intrinsic capacities and functional abilities of older adults, while minimizing the limitations, vulnerabilities, and losses. Resilience is a main contributor to healthy aging, yet research on the topic is emerging with noticeable gaps. In response, a pilot research project with older PIs residing in Southern California was conducted. The study goal was to investigate certain intrapersonal, social, cultural, and environmental factors that improve or hinder resilience. Based on this goal, the three main areas of study are: first, the impact sleep has on the relationship between resilience and self-reported health (SRH); second, an exploration of the ethno-cultural PI narrative of resilience and adaptation to adverse events among higher and lower resilient older adults; and third, an investigation into the effects social capital domains have on resilience. Results suggest that individual (sleep duration), intrapersonal (social support and religion), and community (neighborhood social cohesion and community engagement) level factors can affect resilience. Sleep duration had a small to moderate effect (R2 Change=.122) on the relationship between resilience and SRH (β = -0.012, t(9,23) = -2.27, p=.033). For older adults with short sleep duration, resilience was a positive influence on SRH but not among participants with long sleep. Social support from family and friends and religion were relied upon most frequently by the study population while dealing with adversity (80.0% and 74.3%, respectively), compared with 17.1% who tried to resolve the challenge on their own. Higher and lower resilient older PIs did not significantly differ on the methods employed to adapt to an adverse event. Neighborhood social cohesion was positively related to resilience (β=0.36, SE=0.14, p=.018) and explained 16.7% (Adj. R2 = .167) of the variance. Greater community engagement was also significantly associated with higher levels of resilience, but only when accounting for age and gender. Accordingly, public health professionals and other allied health care practitioners should incorporate a multilevel approach when designing initiatives to develop resilience among older PIs.
Black Woman Museum Activism "From Inside": Theorizing a Twenty-First Century Decolonization Movement Within the Colonial U.S. Museum
Authors:   , Vatel Fabiola
Published: June 2021

What are the constitutive features of a transnational African women contemporary visual artist resistance movement from inside the colonial U.S. museum? How are accomplished women contemporary visual artists, from different countries within the continent of Africa, yet currently based in the U.S., returning the gaze on American museal culture? How should the woman black Atlantic audience respond to the museum institution's efforts to reframe its colonial legacies? Considering these research questions, I argued that when women contemporary visual artists from Africa are afforded the space to exhibit their artwork in the colonial U.S. museum, they return the gaze on colonial museum culture, advocate for themselves, other African artists, and as a result, the traditional colonial U.S. museum could potentially reframe its identity, transform into a dynamic site for sustained political activism, and become a more equitable space to feature artistic expressions from other non-white perspectives.This qualitative study grounded in critical postcolonial feminist theory drew from extant cultural studies and museum studies literature to elucidate how successful black Atlantic resistance movements are traditionally mobilized by activists who have closely analyzed white supremacist ideology from inside systemically oppressive institutions, by means of white insiders initially granting them that access. It employed a method of psychoanalysis to theorize how transnational African women contemporary visual artists who were granted access to exhibit in colonial U.S. museums can potentially harness their institutional agency to mobilize a resistance movement from inside the institution.
Narrowing the Language Gap: The Learner-Content, Learner-Instructor, and Learner-Learner Experiences of Hispanic Generation 1.5 English Learners in First-Year College Composition Courses
Authors:   , de Diriye Esmeralda
Published: June 2021

Hispanic Generation 1.5 students are foreign-born, U.S. high school graduates socialized in the English dominant K-12 school system while maintaining their native language and home culture (Allison, 2006; Blumenthal, 2002; Harklau et al., 1999; Rumbault & Ima, 1988). When transitioning from high school to college, these students sometimes assess into ESL, basic, or mainstream courses based on their English language abilities, and because of this placement, Hispanic Generation 1.5 students might have different learner-content, learner-instructor, and learner-learner experiences than their mainstream peers. The purpose of this study was to describe the learner-content, learner-instructor and learner-learner experiences of Hispanic Generation 1.5 students. This study employed a qualitative design that included an analysis of the participants' interaction experiences. The main source of data was in-depth, face-to-face interviews with forty-one Hispanic Generation 1.5 students at one California State University and one California Community College. Purposive sampling was used to select the interview participants, ensuring that all participants identified as both Hispanic and Generation 1.5 learners and were taking or had taken at least one first year college composition course at their respective institutions. The study findings show that Hispanic Generation 1.5 students at both colleges believed that meaningful interactions with their English instructors, peers, and content played a critical role in their success. Participants indicated that they preferred content that was relatable and engaging; they preferred instructors who were caring, professional, engaging and supportive; and, they preferred peers who were prepared, engaging and supportive. Closing gaps between and among learners and their peers, instructors and content is a critical factor in student success.
Globalization and Geoblocking: Sustaining Nationally Bound Economic and Political Practices of Media Distribution and Access on the Internet
Authors:   , Venter Elaine
Published: June 2021

Where we access the internet dictates what we see or, more importantly, do not see online. Access to online media content and information on the internet is controlled worldwide by a process called geoblocking. The term geoblocking refers to the process whereby a website blocks a user's access to digital media content or other information based on their geographic location. While it is possible that openness can exist on the internet, this dissertation asserts that the internet is not a completely free and open space as it continues to be shaped and bordered by media corporations, governments, and audiences. This dissertation further argues that geoblocking media content is an economic, political, and social reaction against the perceived danger of digital permeability of national borders through the internet. This dissertation examines how traditional, older models of media distribution and exhibition based on national borders, persist when the internet allows for global media access. Because of globalization, media corporations, governments, and the audience are in a connected loop where each are negotiating the real and virtual positive and negative effects of economic, political, cultural, and technological globalization. This dissertation finds that media corporations, governments, and the audience are responsible for using geoblocking to serve their varying motivations for maintaining control over accessibility of content and information. Examining geoblocking from the perspectives of media corporations and governments and the audience gives us further insight into the larger whole of the digital and real infrastructure of the internet -- where it is located, who has power over it, and who has access or not and why. By analyzing the relationships between media corporations, and motivations this study shows an uneven power distribution exists with media corporations and governments maintaining most of the control with the ability to dictate audience behaviors online to match their expectations and offline model. It is determined that what is at stake when geoblocking borders off the world by censoring content on the internet is: balance or power, access, and freedom.
The Positive Functioning of Post-9/11 Student Service Members/Veterans as a Predictor of Academic Performance
Authors:   , Weiss Eugenia
Published: June 2021

There is a dearth of empirical evidence on post-9/11 student veterans and what makes them successful in their transition from military service to postsecondary education. This study primarily examined post-9/11 student service members'/veterans' (SSM/Vs) positive functioning (i.e., the building blocks of well-being) as a predictor of their academic performance. Positive psychology through Seligman's (2010) PERMA model and Ecological Systems Theory (Bronfenbrenner, 1993) were used as the guiding theoretical frameworks. An SSM/V sample of convenience (N = 199) was derived from seven colleges and universities in three U.S. states. The following hypotheses were tested mostly using logistic regression: SSM/Vs' positive functioning will be positively related to their academic performance (i.e., self-reported GPA, perceptions of being on time towards program completion, and beliefs of meeting academic goals); SSM/Vs' perceived positive university environment (i.e., social climate) and sense of belonging (i.e., psychological sense of community) will likely be positively related to their academic performance. Additionally, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to assess the factor structure of a well-being measure, Positive Functioning at Work Scale (PF-W, Donaldson 2019; Donaldson & Donaldson, 2021). The findings from the study indicate that positive functioning is a predictor of SSM/Vs' academic performance and explain up to 18% of the variance. The findings also confirm the original factor structure of the PF-W scale. CFA model suggested a good fit for the data: [chi]2 =38.064, p < 0.009, [chi]2 /df = 1.903 CFI=.969, TLI = .957, SRMR =0.045, RMSEA = 0.067. SSM/Vs' positive perceptions of campus environment and sense of belonging only partially predicted academic performance. The results of this study serve to inform theory, research, and practice for institutions of higher learning specifically on the value of SSM/V well-being on academic performance. Additionally, the study highlights the importance of assessing and promoting well-being in SSM/Vs to facilitate a successful transition in and out of higher education. Future research and application of college/university-wide positive psychology interventions are recommended for further exploration.
In-feed organic and inorganic manganese supplementation on broiler performance and physiological responses
Authors: Carvalho Bruno Reis de , Ferreira Junior Hélvio da Cruz , Viana Gabriel da Silva , Alves Warley Junior , Muniz Jorge Cunha Lima , Rostagno Horácio Santiago , Pettigrew James Eugene , Hannas Melissa Izabel
Published: June 2021

Objective: A trial was conducted to investigate the effects of supplemental levels of Mn provided by organic and inorganic trace mineral supplements on growth, tissue mineralization, mineral balance, and antioxidant status of growing broiler chicks.Methods: A total of 500 male chicks (8-d-old) were used in 10-day feeding trial, with 10 treatments and 10 replicates of 5 chicks per treatment. A 2×5 factorial design was used where supplemental Mn levels (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 mg Mn/kg diet) were provided as MnSO4∙H2O or MnPro. When Mn was supplied as MnPro, supplements of zinc, copper, iron, and selenium were supplied as organic minerals, whereas in MnSO4∙H2O supplemented diets, inorganic salts were used as sources of other trace minerals. Performance data were fitted to a linearbroken line regression model to estimate the optimal supplemental Mn levels.Results: Manganese supplementation improved body weight, average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared with chicks fed diets not supplemented with Mn. Manganese in liver, breast muscle, and tibia were greatest at 50, 75, and 100 mg supplemental Mn/kg diet, respectively. Higher activities of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase (total-SOD) were found in both liver and breast muscle of chicks fed diets supplemented with inorganic minerals. In chicks fed MnSO4∙H2O, ADG, FCR, Mn balance, and concentration in liver were optimized at 59.8, 74.3, 20.6, and 43.1 mg supplemental Mn/kg diet, respectively. In MnPro fed chicks, ADG, FCR, Mn balance, and concentration in liver and breast were optimized at 20.6, 38.0, 16.6, 33.5, and 62.3 mg supplemental Mn/kg, respectively.Conclusion: Lower levels of organic Mn were required by growing chicks for performance optimization compared to inorganic Mn. Based on the FCR, the ideal supplemental levels of organic and inorganic Mn in chick feeds were 38.0 and 74.3 mg Mn/kg diet, respectively.
Effects of dietary supplementation of glucose oxidase, catalase, or both on reproductive performance, oxidative stress, fecal microflora and apoptosis in multiparous sows
Authors: Sun Xiaojiao , Piao Longguo , Jin Haifeng , Nogoy K. Margarette C. , Zhang Junfang , Sun Bin , Jin Yi , Lee Dong Hoon , Choi Seong-Ho , Smith Stephen B , Li Xiangzi
Published: June 2021

Objective: The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effect of dietary glucose oxidase (GOD), catalase (CAT), or both supplementation on reproductive performance, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in sows.Methods: A total of 104 multiparous sows were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 26) with each group given a basal diet, basal diet plus GOD at 60 U/kg, basal diet plus CAT at 75 U/kg, and basal diet plus GOD at 60 U/kg and CAT at 75 U/kg. Sows were fed the experimental diets throughout gestation and lactation.Results: Dietary GOD supplementation increased average daily feed intake of sows and litter weight at weaning (p<0.05). Dietary CAT supplementation reduced the duration of parturition, stillbirth, and piglet mortality and increased growth performance of weaned piglets (p<0.05). Dietary GOD and CAT supplementation enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities and lessened oxidative stress product levels in plasma of sows and elevated anti-oxidant capacity of 14-day milk and plasma in weaned piglets (p<0.05). Dietary GOD supplementation increased fecal Lactobacillus counts and reduced Escherichia coli counts of sows (p<0.05). Compared with the basal diet, the GOD diet reduced fecal Escherichia coli counts of sows, but the addition of CAT did not reduce Escherichia coli counts in the GOD diet. Dietary GOD and CAT supplementation reduced the apoptosis rate of the liver, endometrium, and ovarian granulosa cells in sows (p<0.05). In the liver, uterus, and ovary of sows, the mRNA expression of caspase-3 and caspase-9 was downregulated by dietary GOD and CAT supplementation (p<0.05).Conclusion: Dietary GOD and CAT supplementation could improve the antioxidant capacity of sows and weaned piglets, and alleviate hepatic, ovarian and uterine apoptosis by weakening apoptosis-related gene expression. Glucose oxidase regulated fecal microflora of sows, but supplementation of CAT to GOD could weaken the inhibitory effect of GOD on fecal Escherichia coli.
Effect of increasing levels of threonine relative to lysine on the performance and meat quality of finishing pigs
Authors: Upadhaya Santi Devi , Lee Sang Seon , Jin Sung Giu , Wu Zhenlong , Kim In Ho
Published: June 2021

Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of varying standardized ileal digestible lysine:threonine (SID Lys:Thr) ratio in the diet on the performance and meat quality of finishing pigs.Methods: In total 192 crossbred pigs ([Landrace×Yorkshire]×Duroc, 17 weeks old), with an initial body weight (BW) of 70.6±3.9 kg were used in an 8-wk trial. Pigs were randomly allotted to one of six dietary treatments based on their initial BW and sex (8 replications; 4 pigs per pen, 2 barrows and 2 gilts). The pigs in the 6 treatments were fed diets having different SID Lys:Thr ratios such as 1:0.65, 1:0.66, 1:0.67, 1:0.68, 1:0.69, and 1:0.70.Results: A linear increment (p<0.05) in average daily gain (ADG) and trends in reduction in feed conversion ratio (FCR) were observed during day 29 to 56 of the experiment and the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter tended to increase linearly (p = 0.094) at the end of the experiment (day 56) with the increase in the dietary SID Lys:Thr ratios. The backfat thickness and lean percentage increased (linear effect, p<0.05) on day 28. In addition, at day 56, a linear (p<0.05) increment in lean percentage was observed. Significant quadratic responses (p = 0.02) for pH and drip loss at day 7 (p = 0.02), a linear increase (p<0.05) in cooking loss and drip loss at day 7, and a trend in quadratic response (p = 0.07) in the lightness of meat color (L*) were observed, whereas other meat quality indices were unaffected by varying the SID Lys:Thr ratios.Conclusion: The SID Lys:Thr ratio for maximum ADG, minimum FCR and enhanced digestibility was found to be 0.70. However, for carcass trait and meat quality, the SID Lys:Thr ratio of 0.65 was enough.
A comparative analysis of rumen pH, milk production characteristics, and blood metabolites of Holstein cattle fed different forage levels for the establishment of objective indicators of the animal welfare certification standard
Authors: Baek Dong Jin , Kwon Hyoun Chul , Mun Ah Lyum , Lim Joo Ri , Park Sung Won , Han Jin Soo
Published: June 2021

Objective: This study was conducted to obtain an objective index that can be quantified and used for establishing an animal welfare certification standard in Korea. For this purpose rumen pH, ruminating time, milk yield, milk quality, and blood components of cows reared in farms feeding high forage level (90%) and farms feeding low forage level (40%) were compared.Methods: Data on rumen pH, rumination time, milk yield, milk fat ratio, milk protein ratio, and blood metabolism were collected from 12 heads from a welfare farm (forage rate 88.5%) and 13 heads from a conventional farm (forage rate 34.5%) for three days in October 2019.Results: The rumination time was longer in cattle on the welfare farm than on the conventional farm (p<0.01), but ruminal pH fluctuation was greater in the cattle on conventional farm than the welfare farm (p<0.01). Conventional farms with a high ratio of concentrated feed were higher in average daily milk yield than welfare farms, but milk fat and milk production efficiency (milk fat and milk protein corrected milk/total digestible nutrients) was higher in cattle on welfare farms. Blood test results showed a normal range for both farm types, but concentrations of total cholesterol and non-esterified fatty acid were significantly higher in cows from conventional farms with a high milk yield (p<0.01).Conclusion: The results of this study confirmed that cows on the animal welfare farm with a high percentage of grass feed had higher milk production efficiency with healthier rumen pH and blood metabolism parameters compared to those on the conventional farm.
Energy concentration and phosphorus digestibility in meat meal, fish meal, and soybean meal fed to pigs
Authors: Kong Changsu , Kim Kyoung Hoon , Ji Sang Yun , Kim Beob Gyun
Published: June 2021

Objective: The objectives of the present study were to determine digestible energy (DE), metabolizable energy (ME), and standardized total tract digestibility (STTD) of phosphorus (P) in meat meal (MM) and to compare these values with those in fish meal (FM), and soybean meal (SBM) fed to pigs.Methods: Two experiments were conducted to determine energy concentrations and STTD of P in MM, FM, and SBM fed to growing pigs. In Exp. 1, DE and ME in the 3 test ingredients were measured using 24 barrows with initial body weight (BW) of 77.7±8.3 kg. A corn-based diet and 3 diets containing corn and 22% to 30% of each test ingredient were prepared. In Exp. 2, the STTD of P in the 3 test ingredients was measured using 24 barrows (90.9±6.6 kg BW). Three diets were formulated to contain each test ingredient as the sole source of P.Results: In Exp. 1, the DE and ME values in MM (3,310 and 2,856 kcal/kg dry matter [DM]) were less (p<0.05) than those in FM (4,121 and 3,572 kcal/kg DM) and SBM (4,390 and 4,032 kcal/kg DM). In Exp. 2, FM (64.3%) had greater (p<0.05) STTD of P than SBM (44.8%) with MM (55.8%) having intermediate STTD of P.Conclusion: The MM contains less energy concentrations compared with FM and SBM, and digestibility of phosphorus in MM does not differ from that in FM and SBM.
Effects of different nitrogen doses and cultivars on fermentation quality and nutritive value of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) silages
Authors: Ertekin Ibrahim , Atis Ibrahim , Aygun Yusuf Ziya , Yilmaz Saban , Kizilsimsek Mustafa
Published: June 2021

Objective: The fermentation profile and silage quality of 3 Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) cultivars (cvs. Devis, Hellen, and Trinova) treated with 5 nitrogen doses (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 kg/ha) were evaluated.Methods: The experiment was laid out in split plot in randomized complete block design with three replications. Annual ryegrass cultivars used in this study have been commonly grown in Turkey. Nitrogen doses were set in main plot and cultivars in split plot in the field. Plants were harvested at full-flowering stage with dry matter content about 220 g/kg for first cutting and 260 g/kg for second cutting. Harvested plants were chopped theoretically into 2 to 3 cm lengths for ensiling. Chopped fresh materials were ensilaged by compressing in 2 L plastic jars about 3±0.1 kg.Results: Effects of N doses on dry matter, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, dry matter digestibility, relative feed value, crude protein, pH, ammonia nitrogen, lactic acid, acetic acid, and lactic acid/acetic acid were statistically significant while water soluble carbohydrate, ash and organic matter were not statistically different. Ammonia nitrogen, crude protein, ash, organic matter, lactic acid, and lactic acid/acetic acid were affected by cultivars, but the other parameters were not. Increasing nitrogen applications positively affected the chemical composition of annual ryegrass silage. The significant increase in protein content was remarkable, however, silage fermentation properties were adversely affected by the increasing nitrogen dose.Conclusion: It can be recommended 150 kg/ha nitrogen dose for annual ryegrass harvested at full blooming stage. Even though the silage fermentation properties of the used cultivars were similar, cv. Devis gave better results than the others in terms of silage pH and relative feed value.
Sequential use of real-time polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay techniques verifies adulteration of fermented sausages with chicken meat
Authors: Benli Hakan , Barutçu Elif
Published: June 2021

Objective: Detection of adulteration in processed meats is an important issue for some countries due to substitution of beef with a cheaper source of protein like poultry. In this study, the presence of chicken meat was investigated using real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) techniques to verify adulteration of fermented sausage samples.Methods: A total of 60 commercial samples were collected from 20 establishments in three replicates including 10 fermented sausage manufacturers and 10 butchers to investigate the presence of chicken meat with the sequential use of real-time PCR and ELISA techniques. In addition, pH, moisture content, water activity and color values of the samples were determined.Results: Both real-time PCR and ELISA showed agreement on the presence or absence of chicken meat in 55 out of 60 fermented sausage samples and chicken meat was identified with both methods in 16 samples. Five samples produced inconsistent results for the presence of chicken meat in the first run. Nevertheless, the presence of chicken meat was verified with both methods when these samples were analyzed for the second time. In addition, the average physico-chemical values of the fermented sausage samples tested positive for chicken meat were not significantly different from some of those fermented sausage samples tested negative for the chicken meat.Conclusion: The sequential use of real-time PCR and ELISA techniques in fermented sausages could be beneficial for the government testing programs to eliminate false negatives for detection of adulteration with chicken meat. Furthermore, consumers should not rely on some of the quality cues including color to predict the adulteration of fermented sausages with chicken meat since there were no statistical differences among some of the samples tested positive and negative for chicken meat.
Effect of PCP Pesticide Contamination on Soil Quality
Authors: Werheni Ammeri Rim , Hidri Yassine , Abdenaceur Hassen
Published: June 2021

In recent years, soil contamination with pesticides has become a crucial news issue with serious short- and long-term effects on human health and its environment. Pesticides play a significant role in the success of modern farming and food production. These compounds have potential for toxicity and adverse effects on human health and ecological soil systems. Pentachlorophenol (PCP) is one of the most recalcitrant chemicals polluting the environment for its stable aromatic ring system and chloride content. Nowadays, many sites are contaminated with this substance. In these areas, concentrations may stay high for a long time because of slow degradation in the soil due to the negative effects that PCP has on soil microbial populations. Bioremediation of PCP contaminated sites can be realized introducing directly, into a contaminated system, microorganisms able to consume selectively the target compound (bioaugmentation) or increasing the microbial indigenous population by addiction of nutrients in form of organic and/or inorganic fertilizers and biosolids (biostimulation). In the present chapter, we present an overview of the effect of PCP pesticide contamination on soil microbial populations (density and diversity), enzymatic activity and physicochemical parameters. Additionally, the bioremediation process will be detailed.
Introduction to Intelligent User Interfaces (IUIs)
Authors: Jalil Nauman
Published: June 2021

This chapter is intended to provide an overview of the Intelligent User Interfaces subject. The outline includes the basic concepts and terminology, a review of current technologies and recent developments in the field, common architectures used for the design of IUI systems, and finally the IUI applications. Intelligent user interfaces (IUIs) are attempting to address human-computer connection issues by offering innovative communication approaches and by listening to the user. Virtual reality is also an emerging IUI area that can be the popular interface of the future by integrating the technology into the environment so that at the same time it can be more real and invisible. The ultimate computer interface is more like interacting with the computer in a dialog, an interactive environment of virtual reality in which you can communicate. This chapter also explores a methodology for the design of situation-aware frameworks for the user interface that utilizes user and context inputs to provide details customized to the activities of the user in particular circumstances. In order to comply to the new situation, the user interface will reconfigure itself automatically. Adjusting the user interface to the actual situation and providing a reusable list of tasks in a given situation decreases operator memory loads. The challenge of pulling together the details needed by situation-aware decision support systems in a way that minimizes cognitive workload is not addressed by current user interface design.
The Role of the Livestock Farming Industry in Supporting the Global Agricultural Industry
Authors: Irfan Said Muhammad
Published: June 2021

The livestock farming industry is a strategic industry and has a very important potential for the advancement of the agricultural industry. The livestock farming industry is an industry that plays a role in providing protein food for most of the world’s population. Not only as a food provider, but also having a very large contribution to the progress of agricultural cultivation in the world. The livestock industry contributes part of the needs of the agricultural industry through the provision of environmentally friendly organic fertilizers. The integration of the livestock farming industry and the agricultural industry is a mutually supportive system. The integration of plants with livestock is basically an agricultural system characterized by a close relationship between plant and livestock components in a farm in a certain area. The bio-mass waste products from the agricultural industry can be used as a source of animal feed or as raw material for compost. The combination of the livestock industry with the agricultural industry provides enormous economic value for the development of the livestock and agricultural sectors. In Indonesia, the concept of integration between the livestock industry and the agricultural industry has been proven to improve the standard of living and economic status of the community. Some important materials will be discussed in more depth in this paper, including: (1) integration between livestock and rice, (2) integration between goats and cacao plants, (3) integration of livestock with oil palm, (4) integration of ruminants with cassava plants, and (5) integration of cattle with horticultural crops. Utilization of livestock and agricultural waste can reduce environmental burdens. Livestock farming industrial waste in the form of manure can be combined with agricultural wastes. This waste can be used as raw material for organic fertilizers which can be used as a fertilizer provider to support the cultivation of food crops, horticulture and plantations. The development of livestock in an area can encourage farmers to fill their vacant land to be planted with forage. Guidance efforts that will be carried out will be oriented towards land conservation. This is done through the arrangement of forage planting. Therefore, this will have a positive impact on increasing forage production. This effort will ultimately support the improvement of feeding patterns, proper land arrangement and being able to reduce the rate of erosion. The existence of livestock will add a source of manure. This is certainly synonymous with increasing land fertility which can provide business opportunities in optimizing land use diversification. The role of livestock in the livestock industry is the main support and complement in the system of integration in the livestock industry-agricultural industry.
Primary Central Nervous System Neuroblastoma: An Enigmatic Entity
Authors: Mishra Rakesh , Agrawal Amit
Published: June 2021

Neuroblastoma is one of the most common solid tumour in the paediatric age group. Central nervous system (CNS) involvement in neuroblastoma is commonly due to metastasis from the extracranial primary. Primary CNS Neuroblastoma (PCNS-NB) is a rare entity and highlights errors in development of neural crest cells and CNS. A lot has been published since the first description of PCNS-NB four decades ago. Over the years, neuroscientists, geneticists, and clinicians have improved the understanding of PCNS-NB. PCNS-NB is an enigmatic entity with variable presentation, epidemiology, clinical features and outcomes. Recent update in knowledge is seen in 2016 WHO classification of CNS tumours with reclassification of CNS neuroblastoma. It further subclassified different histological variants of PCNS-NB and its molecular correlates. Most common histological subtype of PCNS-NB is neuroblastoma followed by ganglioneuroblastoma. Studies support the view that younger age group, less number of lesions, ganglioneuroblastoma histology subtype and surgical management are good prognostic indicators. This chapter provides an updated overview of epidemiology, clinical features, histological and molecular diagnosis, and outcomes of PCNS-NB in addition to the role of adjuvant therapy.
Participatory Contingency Plan to Covid 19 Adaptation of Merapi Volcano Eruption - Indonesia
Authors: Teguh Paripurno Eko
Published: June 2021

The contingency plan was carried out for the seven highest villages in Sleman Regency, Yogyakarta Special Region, as areas prone to eruption of Merapi Volcano. This contingency plan was prepared based on a scenario with a volcanic eruption index of 3, in the form of the collapse of a lava dome of 5 million cubic meters. The collapse of the lava dome formed a hot cloud that moved 6–9 km towards the Gendol River, Opak River, Kuning River, Boyong River and Krasak River. The number of exposed residents is 18,880. The emergency situation period is estimated to be 30 days, from the time the status is increased to Alert. This contingency plan was prepared in a participatory and collaborative manner, under the coordination of the Sleman Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency (RDMA). This process includes: (1) Updating the village level contingency plan as materials for the district level. (2) Formation of a substance team from local government, universities and non-governmental organizations, and (3) Conducting a series of workshops for related organizations to compile documents and equate perceptions on the adaptation of contingency plans with the Covid 19 health protocol. The preparation of this document also involves the participation of children, in order to express their opinions and needs in implementing emergency management.
Fungal Keratitis: Recent Advances in Diagnosis and Treatment
Authors: Suman Suwarna , Kumar Arushi , Saxena Indu , Kumar Manoj
Published: June 2021

Fungal keratitis or fungal corneal ulcer is potentially blinding infection of cornea, is considered one of the major cause of ocular morbidity, particularly in developing countries. It is a common cause of infectious keratitis, especially in tropical and subtropical countries. Fungal keratitis is notoriously challenging to diagnosis and difficult to treat. Delay in diagnosis may result in irreversible sequelae of corneal fungal infections, which can be preventable. Fungal keratitis often have worse treatment outcomes than bacterial keratitis, Delayed diagnosis and scarcity of effective antifungal agents are the major factors for poor outcome. In the recent years considerable advancement in the diagnosis and treatment has been occurred. In this chapter, we will discuss the recent advances in diagnosis and management of fungal keratitis with a brief discussion on pathogenesis and future therapeutic models.
Solar System Planets and Exoplanets
Authors: Bevelacqua Joseph
Published: June 2021

Solar System planets have been studied for centuries, but the observation of exoplanets is only a few decades old. Consequently, knowledge of exoplanets is considerably more limited than Solar System planets. This chapter reviews the essential characteristics of Solar System planets and associated data derived from a variety of observational approaches. Exoplanet characteristics and their comparison to Solar System planets are provided as well as general detection methods and planned probes to gather additional data.
COVID-19 Lockdown and the Aerosphere in India: Lessons Learned on How to Reduce Air Pollution
Authors: Panda Subhasmita , Satpathy Priyadatta , Das Trutpi , Ramasamy Boopathy
Published: June 2021

The giant increase in COVID-19 infection across India forced the government to impose strict lockdown in order to curb the pandemic. Although the stringent restrictions crippled India’s economy and poor people’s livelihood, it significantly improved the air quality of most of the polluted cities of India and rejuvenated the atmosphere. Thus, the major objective of this study is to provide a comprehensive overview of lockdown on pollutants prevailing in the atmosphere. A prominent decline in primary pollutants such as Particulate matter (PM), Black carbon (BC), Oxides of nitrogen (NOx), Carbon monoxide (CO) is observed across the country. However, lockdown had a trifling impact on Sulphur dioxide (SO2) concentration over some parts of India due to the constant operation of coal-fired thermal plants as a part of essential service. Furthermore, the sudden decline in NOx concentration disturbed the complex atmospheric chemistry and lead to an enhancement of surface ozone (O3) (secondary pollutant) in many cities of India. Thus, lockdown emerged as a unique opportunity for the atmospheric researchers, policymakers as well as stakeholders to collect baseline data of pollutants and their major sources. This will help to set new targets of air quality standards and to develop various mitigation processes to combat air pollution.
Hormones and Parasites, Their Role in Taenia solium and Taenia crassiceps Physiology and Development
Authors: C. Romano Marta , A. Valdez Ricardo , Patricio Martin , Aceves-Ramos Alejandra , I. Sánchez Alex , Veloz Arlet , Jiménez Pedro , J. Bobes Raúl
Published: June 2021

The host’s hormonal environment determines the susceptibility, the course, and severity of several parasite infections. In most cases the infection disturbs the host environment, and activates immune responses that end up affecting the endocrine system. In the other hand, a number of reports indicate that parasites have reproductive systems, and some others have shown that these organisms synthetize sex steroid hormones. We have shown that cysticerci, the larval stage of Taenia solium and Taenia crassiceps ORF and WFU, synthesize steroid hormones. This capacity was modified by drugs that act inhibiting the steroid synthesizing enzymes, or blocking the parasite’s hormone receptors. We have also shown that the cysticerci of T. crassiceps WFU and T. solium have the capacity to synthesize corticosteroids as deoxicorticosterone and corticosterone. We also reviewed the effects of insulin on these parasites, and the receptors found for this hormone. A deep knowledge of the parasite’s endocrine properties will contribute to understand their reproduction and the reciprocal interactions with the host. Likewise, may also help designing tools to combat the infection in clinical situations.
Chemotherapy in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
Authors: Madhavan Nair Lekha , Ravi Kumar Rejnish , Rafi Malu , Nazeer Farida , Cessal Thommachan Kainickal , Ramadas Kunnambath
Published: June 2021

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a unique disease entity among head and neck cancers due to its epidemiology and clinical behavior. Non-keratinizing or undifferentiated carcinoma is the most common histological type in endemic areas. Radiotherapy is the treatment for early-stage disease. With the widespread use of IMRT, loco-regional control has improved significantly in locally advanced diseases. But distant metastasis continues to be the most common pattern of failure. To address this issue, chemotherapy has been incorporated into radiotherapy in various settings; as concurrent, induction, and adjuvant. The initial trials of concurrent chemotherapy incorporated adjuvant chemotherapy also and the magnitude of benefit contributed by each treatment was not clear. Later trials proved that adjuvant chemotherapy was not beneficial. Induction chemotherapy when added to concurrent chemoradiation resulted in improvement in Failure Free Survival, Overall Survival, and Distant Metastasis Free Survival. Thus, induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemoradiation became the standard of care for locally advanced disease (stage III and IVA). The role of chemotherapy in stage II disease is still evolving. Metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma is treated by platinum doublet chemotherapy, Cisplatin-gemcitabine is the standard regimen.
Fostering Education for Circular Economy through Life Cycle Thinking
Authors: Minguez Rikardo , Lizundia Erlantz , Iturrondobeitia Maider , Akizu-Gardoki Ortzi , Saez-de-Camara Estibaliz
Published: June 2021

Since 2002, the University of the Basque Country has supported several teaching experiences related to the so-called Life Cycle Thinking and Ecodesign in collaboration with local and regional public institutions and private companies. The implementation of a Master’s Degree entitled ‘Circular Economy: Business Application’ constitutes a milestone in the framework of these teaching experiences. From the very moment the European Green Deal was approved and, subsequently, before the state and regional strategies were launched, thanks to our prior experience, we have been able to offer the postgraduate course required by our administration and companies. The courses have been specifically designed to provide education for Circular Economy for new graduates as well as professionals with backgrounds as varied as product manufacturing engineering, environmental engineering, business administration or economics. It aims to become a European reference in its goal of promoting Circular Economy, life cycle thinking, ecodesign, industrial symbiosis and sustainable development and, at the same time, support the transition to circular economy in our region. As a result, in just two years the master’s degree has led to the creation within our university of a knowledge hub in Circular Economy, which hosts more than 20 research groups.
Zr-Th-U MINERALS IN HIGH-MG DIORITE OF THE CHELYABINSK MASSIF (SOUTH URALS) – EVIDENCE FOR CRUST–MANTLE INTERACTION
Authors: Osipova T. A. , Kallistov G. A. , Zamyatin D. A. , Bulatov V. A.
Published: June 2021

Zr-Th-U minerals, namely baddeleyite, zircon and U-Th-oxide, were found in high-Mg diorite from the Late Devonian – Early Carboniferous synplutonic dyke in granodiorites of the Chelyabinsk massif, South Urals. Micron-sized minerals were investigated by electron microscopy and cathodoluminescence spectroscopy. Their chemical compositions were determined by electron probe microanalysis that was optimized to ensure more precise measurements of the composition of minerals. Baddeleyite grains are found as inclusions in amphibole crystals and reside in intergranular areas. The former retain their composition and show no traces of corrosion or substitution. In the intergranular areas, baddeleyite grains were replaced by polycrystalline zircon due to the reaction with an acid melt, and the U-Th-oxide precipitated inside baddeleyite simultaneously, which suggests the restite origin of baddeleyite. The main features of the baddeleyite composition are extremely high concentrations of ThO2 and UO2 (to 0.03 wt. % and 1.0 wt. %, respectively), which may be due to the metasomatic interaction between the mantle peridotite and the crustal or carbonatite fluid or melt.