bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determinantes sociales de la salud de niños migrantes internacionales en Chile: evidencia cualitativa
Authors: Bernales Margarita , Cabieses Báltica , McIntyre Ana María , Chepo Macarena , Flaño Javiera , Obach Alexandra
Published: September 2018

Objetivo. Explorar los determinantes sociales de la salud (DSS) de niños migrantes, a partir de las percepciones de cuidadores y trabajadores/autoridades de salud en las zonas más densas de población migrante en Chile. Material y métodos. Se realizó un análisis de datos secundario de un estudio realizado entre los años 2014 y 2017 desde un para­digma cualitativo de investigación. El estudio original incluyó entrevistas semiestructuradas y grupos focales. El análisis temático secundario de datos contempló todos los temas emergentes referidos a niños migrantes y condiciones de vida, incluyendo utilización de servicios de salud. Resultados. Los DDS fueron agrupados de acuerdo con el Modelo de Determinantes Sociales de la Salud, el cual permite reflexionar en torno a las condiciones de vida de niños migrantes y su situación de salud. Conclusión. Esta investigación muestra el impacto de los DSS en salud de niños migrantes en Chile, resaltando temáticas relevantes en torno a este grupo.
Evaluación del Sistema de Administración, Logística y Vigilancia de Antirretrovirales (SALVAR) en el estado de Morelos, México
Authors: Molina-Vélez Diana , Montes-Alvarado Jorge , García-Fuente Norma Beatriz , Hernández-Ávila Juan Eugenio , Carrillo-Quiroz Berta Alicia , Palacio-Mejía Lina Sofía
Published: September 2018

[No disponible]
Genetic Variances and Heritabilities of Traits of an Early Yellow Maize Population after Cycles of Improvement for Striga Resistance and Drought Tolerance
Authors: Badu-Apraku B. , Ifie B. E. , Talabi A. O. , Obeng-Bio E. , Asiedu R.
Published: September 2018

Drought and Striga are principal constraints to maize (Zea mays L.) production in sub‐Saharan Africa. An early yellow maize population, TZE‐Y Pop DT STR, which had undergone five cycles of selection for resistance to Striga, followed by three cycles of improvement for drought tolerance, was investigated for yield gains, changes in genetic variance, and interrelationships among traits under drought stress and optimum environments. Two hundred and forty S1 lines comprising 60 each from the base population and subsequent populations from three selection cycles improved for grain yield and drought tolerance were assessed under drought and optimal environments in Nigeria from 2010 to 2012. Genetic improvements in grain yield of 423 and 518 kg ha−1 cycle−1 were achieved under drought stress and optimal environments. Predicted improvements in selection for yield were 348 and 377 kg ha−1 cycle−1 under drought stress and optimum environments, respectively. The highest yield observed in C3 was accompanied by reduced days to silking and anthesis–silking interval, improved plant aspect and ear aspect, and increased plant height and ears per plant across research environments, as well as improved stay‐green characteristic under drought. The level of genetic variability for yield and a few other traits were maintained under drought and optimal environments in the population. The presence of residual genetic variability for yield and other assayed traits in C3 indicated that progress could be made from future selection in the population depending on the ability of breeders to identify outstanding genotypes and the precision level of experimentation. Substantial improvement has been made in yield and drought tolerance in C3 of the population.
A Sugarcane Aphid “Super‐Clone” Predominates on Sorghum and Johnsongrass from Four US States
Authors: Harris-Shultz Karen R. , Brewer Michael J. , Wadl Phillip A. , Ni Xinzhi , Wang Hongliang
Published: September 2018

The sugarcane aphid [SCA, Melanaphis sacchari (Zehntner), Hemiptera: Aphididae], is the predominant pest of US‐grown sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]. A previous study found that a single clone was prevalent on samples collected from sorghum in seven states and one territory of the United States in 2015. We sought to determine if this clone was still prevalent on sorghum grown in 2016 and if this clone is also found on Johnsongrass [S. halepense (L.) Pers.]. Forty‐six SCA samples were collected from primarily sorghum and Johnsongrass from 10 cities in four states, and three aphid samples from different genera (Sipha, Rhopalosiphum, and Acyrthosiphon) were obtained. These aphid samples were genotyped with 43 SCA simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. The predominant aphid clone found on sorghum in 2015 was again the predominant genotype in the 2016 SCA samples collected from sorghum. This same genotype was also found for the SCA samples collected from Johnsongrass in 2015 and 2016, although two samples differed at a single locus. Mixtures of this predominant genotype with three additional genotypes of SCAs were detected for three samples (excluding the control), indicating that multiple genotypes do exist in the United States but at low levels. This study provides evidence that a SCA “super‐clone” has maintained its dominance on sorghum, and it is using the perennial Johnsongrass as an alternative host.
Portfolio selection strategies and cognitive psychology biases: a behavioral evidence from the Nigerian equity market
Authors: Aremu Akinde Mukail , Peter Eriki , Ailemen Ikpefan Ochei
Published: September 2018

The empirical evidence in the developed equity markets such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan and emerging markets had pronounced that there are institutional and individual investors’ cognitive psychology and mental biases in favor of the Growth Stocks, that is, the Growth Stocks are always preferred to the Value Stocks by the investors. The investors most times prefer the Growth Stocks to the Value Stocks irrespective of the stock fundamentals behavior in the equity market. The paper investigated whether Cognitive Psychology and Mental biases affect Portfolio Selection strategies using the Growth or the Value Stocks investment styles in the Nigerian Stock Market. In the study, the summary of the primary data was described and Multinomial Logistic Regression (MLR) models were adopted to make inferential decisions. The paper collected primary data through questionnaire administered to individual and institutional investors on the floor of Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE). The findings from the analyses conducted confirmed a strong existence of Cognitive Psychology and mental biases in favor of the Growth Stocks in the Nigerian Equity Market. Investors had more belief in Growth Stocks than the Value Stocks notwithstanding the behavior of the market fundamentals. The study recommended that investors should seriously consider occurrences and performance fundamentals in Portfolio Selection in the Nigerian Equity Market.
Effect of flumequine on peripheral blood leukocytes, alpha naphthyl acetate esterase activity and mitogenic lymphocyte response
Authors: SOPIŃSKA ANTONINA , GROCHOŁA ANNA , ROCZEŃ-KARCZMARZ MONIKA , TOMCZUK KRZYSZTOF
Published: September 2018

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of flumequine on the percentage of peripheral blood leukocytes of carp, alpha naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE) activity and proliferative activity of lymphocytes stimulated with concanavalin A (Con A) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Flumequine was administered to 40 carp, weighing 150 ± 10 g, at a dose of 12 mg/kg, once (group I) and four times, every 2 days (group II). Among white blood cells in flumequine, treated fish (group II) observed a decrease in percentage of lymphocytes and an increase of neutrophiles. Identification of the ANAE esterase activity in fish lymphocytes of the control group showed the advantage of positive cells over the negative ones and amounted to 62.65 ± 3.22 %. After administration of flumequine in group II fish, this value decreased to 44.75 ± 3.70 %. The present study clearly demonstrated that both Con A and LPS induced lymphoid cell proliferation in vitro in group I. There was an increase in activity after stimulation of LPS and its reduction after Con A in group II. This indicates a stimulating effect of flumequine on B lymphocytes. The results of this study are not conclusive as to the positive effect of the drug on the immune system of fish and indicate the need for caution in its use. .
Muskrat
Authors: GUGOŁEK ANDRZEJ , KOWALSKA DOROTA
Published: September 2018

Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) is a medium-sized semiaquatic rodent which belongs to the Cricetidae family. This species is native to North America. Nowadays muskrats due to introduction also inhabit Asia and Europe. In Poland, muskrats are counted to small game. They were also bred on fur farms, mainly in Czechoslovakia, the Soviet Union and Poland.
Introspecção em Hannah Arendt
Authors: Silva Ricardo George De Araújo
Published: September 2018

O tema da introspecção aparece em A condição humana (1958) no último capítulo. Nessa oportunidade, Arendt discorre sobre a introspecção e a perda do senso comum. Nesse contexto, entendemos a perda do senso comum como a perda do sentido compartilhado ou, em outras palavras, como o esvaziamento do mundo. Quando a introspecção se torna uma característica do indivíduo pautada nesse movimento de voltar-se a si, o que está em jogo é o mundo. Ou seja, implica na perda do que nos faz políticos, se perde a pluralidade. Rahel Varnhagen foi, em nosso entendimento, a maior expressão dessa introspecção trabalhada por Hannah Arendt. Segundo Arendt, em Rahel, a realidade é subsumida no recôndito da “alma” e, em resguardo, já não deseja o mundo. Assim, fica a questão: é possível constituir vida pública enquanto vida política pautada na introspecção? Tomamos como aporte bibliográfico as obras A condição humana (1958) e Rahel Varnhagen (1957). Elegemos como metodologia a exegese textual.
Novel Diagnostic Biomarkers of Prostate Cancer: An Update
Authors: Anceschi Umberto , Tuderti Gabriele , Lugnani Franco , Biava Pier Mario , Malossini Gianni , Luciani Lorenzo , Cai Tommaso , Marsiliani Davide , Filianoti Alessio , Mattevi Daniele , Costantini Manuela , Misuraca Leonardo , Simone Giuseppe
Published: September 2018

Objective:

In recent years, several biomarkers alternative to standard prostate specific antigen (PSA) for prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis have become available. The aim of this systematic review is to assess the current knowledge about alternative serum and urinary biomarkers for the diagnosis of PCa.

Material and Methods:

A research was conducted in Medline, restricted to English language articles published between December 2014 and June 2018 with the aim to update previously published series on PCa biomarkers. The preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) criteria were used for selecting studies with the lowest risk of bias.

Results:

Emerging role and actual controversies on serum and urine alternative biomarkers to standard PSA for PCa diagnosis, staging and prognosis assessment, such as prostate health index (PHI), PCA3, ConfirmMDx, Aberrant PSA glycosylation, MiPS, miRNAs are critically presented in the current review.

Conclusion:

Although the use of several biomarkers has been recommended or questioned by different international guidelines, larger prospective randomized studies are still necessary to validate their efficacy in PCa detection, discrimination, prognosis and treatment effectiveness. To date, only PHI and 4Kscore have shown clinical relevance for discriminating more aggressive PCa. Furthermore, a new grading classification based on molecular features relevant for PCa risk-stratification and tailoring treatment is still needed.
Structural Characterization of Gallbladder Stones Using Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy and X-ray Diffraction
Authors: Almarshad Hassan A. , Badawy Sayed M. , Alsharari Abdalkarem F.
Published: September 2018

Aim and Objective:

Formation of the gallbladder stones is a common disease and a major
health problem. The present study aimed to identify the structures of the most common types of
gallbladder stones using X-ray spectroscopic techniques, which provide information about the
process of stone formation.

Material and Method:

Phase and elemental compositions of pure cholesterol and mixed gallstones
removed from gallbladders of patients were studied using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy
combined with scanning electron microscopy analysis and X-ray diffraction.

Results:

The crystal structures of gallstones which coincide with standard patterns were confirmed
by X-ray diffraction. Plate-like cholesterol crystals with laminar shaped and thin layered structures
were clearly observed for gallstone of pure cholesterol by scanning electron microscopy; it also
revealed different morphologies from mixed cholesterol stones. Elemental analysis of pure
cholesterol and mixed gallstones using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy confirmed the different
formation processes of the different types of gallstones.

Conclusion:

The method of fast and reliable X-ray spectroscopic techniques has numerous
advantages over the traditional chemical analysis and other analytical techniques. The results also
revealed that the X-ray spectroscopy technique is a promising technique that can aid in
understanding the pathogenesis of gallstone disease.
Targeting Matrix Metalloproteinases for Diabetic Retinopathy: The Way Ahead?
Authors: Solanki Ankita , Bhatt Lokesh K. , Johnston Thomas P. , Prabhavalkar Kedar S.
Published: September 2018

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a severe sight-threatening complication of diabetes. It causes
progressive damage to the retina and is the most common cause of vision impairment and blindness
among diabetic patients. DR develops as a result of various changes in the ocular environment. Such
changes include accelerated mitochondrial dysfunction, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species production,
and formation of acellular capillaries. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are one of the major culprits in
causing DR. Under physiological conditions, MMPs cause remodeling of the extracellular matrix in the
retina, while under pathological conditions, they induce retinal cell apoptosis. This review focuses on
the roles of various MMPs, primarily MMP-2 and MMP-9 in DR and also their participation in oxidative
stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and apoptosis, along with their involvement in various signaling
pathways. This review also underscores different strategies to inhibit MMPs, thus suggesting that MMPs
may represent a putative therapeutic target in the treatment of DR.
Insights on the Use of Nanocarriers for Acne Alleviation
Authors: Amer Sandra Sherif , Nasr Maha , Mamdouh Wael , Sammour Omaima
Published: September 2018

Among the common myths in the cosmetics industry is the perception that acne only happens to teenagers, and specifically to females. However, acne is neither limited to a specific age, nor to a certain gender, it creates a stressful problem for many people. Many chemical treatments for acne were proven to be successful, but when administered as such, they showed many adverse effects, starting from itching to skin dryness and inflammation. Natural remedies have also been explored for acne treatment, and despite their safety, they suffered many stability problems attributed to their physicochemical properties, creating an obstacle for their topical delivery. Therefore, many nanocarriers were used to deliver those chemical and natural remedies topically to maximize their therapeutic potential in acne treatment. The present review discusses the different nanocarriers which were proven successful in improving the acne lesions, focusing on vesicular, lipidic, and polymeric systems.
Phosphazene Base-Catalyzed Double Michael Addition: Stereoselective Synthesis of Cyclohexanones
Authors: Li Yang-Guo , Zhang Yang , Du Guang-Fen , Gu Cheng-Zhi , He Lin
Published: September 2018

Phosphazene bases have been utilized as efficient organocatalysts to catalyze the double Michael
additions of divinyl ketones with active methylenes to afford functionalized cyclohexanones in
36-91% yields with >25:1 diastereoselectivity.
Recent Trends in Fast Liquid Chromatography for Pharmaceutical Analysis
Authors: Memon Najma , Qureshi Tahira , Bhanger Muhammad Iqbal , Malik Muhammad Imran
Published: September 2018

Background:

Liquid chromatography is the workhorse of analytical laboratories of pharmaceutical
companies for analysis of bulk drug materials, intermediates, drug products, impurities and
degradation products. This efficient technique is impeded by its long and tedious analysis procedures.
Continuous efforts of scientists to reduce the analysis time resulted in the development of three different
approaches namely, HTLC, chromatography using monolithic columns and UHPLC.

Methods:

Modern column technology and advances in chromatographic stationary phase including
silica-based monolithic columns and reduction in particle and column size (UHPLC) have not only
revolutionized the separation power of chromatographic analysis but also have remarkably reduced the
analysis time. Automated ultra high-performance chromatographic systems equipped with state-ofthe-
art software and detection systems have now spawned a new field of analysis, termed as Fast Liquid
Chromatography (FLC). The chromatographic approaches that can be included in FLC are hightemperature
liquid chromatography, chromatography using monolithic column, and ultrahigh performance
liquid chromatography.

Results:

This review summarizes the progress of FLC in pharmaceutical analysis during the period
from year 2008 to 2017 focusing on detecting pharmaceutical drugs in various matrices, characterizing
active compounds of natural products, and drug metabolites. High temperature, change in the mobile
phase, use of monolithic columns, new non-porous, semi-porous and fully porous reduced particle size
of/less than 3μm packed columns technology with high-pressure pumps have been extensively studied
and successively applied to real samples. These factors revolutionized the fast high-performance separations.

Conclusion:

Taking into account the recent development in fast liquid chromatography approaches,
future trends can be clearly predicated. UHPLC must be the most popular approach followed by the
use of monolithic columns. Use of high temperatures during analysis is not a feasible approach especially
for pharmaceutical analysis due to thermosensitive nature of analytes.
Determination of Probiotic Abilities and Lactic Acid Content of Pediococcus acidilactici
Authors: Kiymaci Merve Eylul , Gumustas Mehmet , Altanlar Nurten , Akin Ahmet , Zenciroglu Aysegul , Ozkan Sibel A.
Published: September 2018

Background:

Probiotics are living microorganisms that have a healthy influence on a host.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to isolate a probiotic Pediococcus acidilactici strain from newborn faeces and develop and optimize a selective high-performance liquid chromatography method for the determination and validation of its lactic acid content and also evaluate some probiotic characteristics.

Methods:

Isolated strains were identified by the API 50 CH system and 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis and tested for antibiotic susceptibility, bile salt tolerance, low pH resistance, proteolytic, haemolytic activity, as well as the production of bacteriocin, hydrogen peroxide, and lactic acid. Antimicrobial activity of selected strain against standard test microorganisms was determined by the spot lawn method and the quantitation of lactic acid was carried out by high-performance liquid chromatography on a Rezex ROA organic acid (300x7.8 mm) analytical column.

Results:

P. acidilactici M7 strain was evaluated as a potential probiotic due to its ability to survive at low pH values or in the presence of pepsin, pancreatin, and bile salts. The lactic acid amount of strain was found in the range between 5.59-5.94 mg mL-1 by HPLC. M7 strain was also found to be resistant to vancomycin, had no bacteriocin, and hydrogen peroxide production and was able to inhibit the growth of P. aeruginosa and E. faecalis by its lactic acid content.

Conclusion:

This study explains a simple, selective, and fully validated procedure for the determination of lactic acid from probiotic bacteria.
The Association Between Dental Anxiety And Psychiatric Disorders And Symptoms: A Systematic Review
Authors: Halonen Harri , Nissinen Jenna , Lehtiniemi Heli , Salo Tuula , Riipinen Pirkko , Miettunen Jouko
Published: September 2018

Background:

A growing amount of evidence suggests that dental anxiety is associated with other psychiatric disorders and symptoms. A systematic review was conducted to critically evaluate the studies of comorbidity of dental anxiety with other specific phobias and other Axis I psychiatric disorders.

Objective:

The aim of the review was to explore how dental anxiety is associated with other psychiatric disorders and to estimate the level of comorbid symptoms in dental anxiety patients.

Methods:

The review was conducted and reported in accordance with the MOOSE statement. Data sources included PubMed, PsycInfo, Web of Science and Scopus.

Results:

The search produced 631 hits, of which 16 unique records fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The number of eligible papers was low. Study populations were heterogeneous including 6,486 participants, and a total of 25 tests and in few cases clinical interviews were used in the evaluation processes. The results enhanced the idea about the comorbidity between dental anxiety and other psychiatric disorders. The effect was found strong in several studies.

Conclusion:

Patients with a high level of dental anxiety are more prone to have a high level of comorbid phobias, depression, mood disorders and other psychiatric disorders and symptoms.
Hemodynamic Effects of the Light Stabilizer Tinuvin 770 in Dogs In Vivo
Authors: Krepuska Miklos , Hubay Marta , Zima Endre , Kovacs Aniko , Kekesi Violetta , Kalasz Huba , Szilagyi Brigitta , Merkely Bela , Sotonyi Peter
Published: September 2018

Introduction:

Tinuvin 770 [bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinyl) sebacate, Ciba-Geigy, Basel, Switzerland] is a UV light stabilizer that is a component of many plastic materials used world-wide in the medical and food industries. We report on the acute hemodynamic effects of Tinuvin 770 examined in dogs.

Materials and Methods:

Tinuvin 770 was dissolved in a mixture of saline and ethanol (1:1 v/v) and was administered to 12 intravenously narcotized and respirated dogs in increasing doses (T1-T7: 1, 3.3, 6.6, 10, 33.3, 66.6 and 100 mg, respectively). The doses were given as bolus injections over a three minute period, and the effects were recorded for 12 minutes. The vehicle was used as a control. Hemodynamic parameters (heart rate, blood pressure, end-diastolic pressure, dp/dt, cardiac output) and ECG were monitored continously.

Results:

At doses T1-T4, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, mean pressure and ventricular contractility were significantly decreased without significant changes in cardiac output, heart rate, or PQ interval. At doses T5 and T6, declines in blood pressure and myocardial contractility were observed. At doses T6 and T7, heart rate and PQ interval decreased substantially. Irreversible circulatory failure occured in one dog after administering dose T6 and in 8 dogs following dose T7.

Conclusion:

Tinuvin 770 induces acute hemodynamic alterations. In lower doses, it causes peripheral vasodilatation, however at higher doses acute cardiac failure occured. Plastics containing Tinuvin 770 should be used with care in medical practice and the laboratory.
Livelihood Vulnerability Associated with Forest Fire in Pauri-Garhwal, Western Himalaya
Authors: Jha Shashidhar Kumar , Jana Purna , Negi A. K. , Negi Rajendra Singh
Published: September 2018

Background:

The livelihood of mountainous communities of Himalayan region closely knotted with forest related activities. However, forest degradation especially forest fire significantly affects the mountainous livelihood and hence, there is an urgent need to describe, evaluate and understand specificity of mountainous areas to forest fire.

Methods:

In this view, a study on livelihood vulnerability with forest fire of High Altitude Zone (HAZ) and Low Altitude Zone (LAZ) was assessed with Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI). It uses 35 indicators, reduced to six components to create an overall index. Each component is composed of set of indicators and they are function of observable variables. The framework uses primary data and employs maximum-minimum normalization to restrict the value range of indicators between 0 to 1.

Results:

The value near to 0 shows lower vulnerability. The overall vulnerability of HAZ region is higher, that might be attributed to higher dependency on forest; live in proximity of forest; unstable socioeconomic condition; less infrastructural development and higher exposure to climatic extreme events.

Conclusion:

Therefore, the adaptive capacity of HAZ should be strengthened in a cross cutting manner for reducing livelihood vulnerability to forest fire. The sectors specific developmental policies/programmes should also be rationalized through bottom up adaptation planning with special reference to forest fire vulnerability.
Intramuscular Myxoma in the Supinator Muscle with Transient Postoperative Posterior Interosseous Nerve Palsy: A Case Report
Authors: Nonaka Toshihiro , Sonohata Motoki , Takeshita Shuhei , Oba Yosuke , Fujii Yoshimasa , Mawatari Masaaki
Published: September 2018

Background:

Intramuscular myxomas are rare, benign mesenchymal tumors in the musculoskeletal system, and usually, the tumors arise in the large muscles of the thigh, buttocks, shoulder, and upper arm. However, a tumor of the forearm is very rare. Herein, we describe the case of an intramuscular myxoma in the supinator muscle of a 56-year-old female patient.

Case Presentation:

Magnetic resonance imaging showed a well-defined mass that was hypointense with the peritumoral fat ring sign. The differential diagnoses might have been myxoma, schwannoma, or intramuscular hemangioma. The histopathological image showed abundant myxoid tissue, hypocellularity, and poor vascularization. The cells of the tumor were spindle and stellate-shaped with normochromic nuclei. Based on these findings, the pathological diagnosis was an intramuscular myxoma. After excising the tumor, the patient had transient posterior interosseous nerve palsy.

Conclusion:

This tumor is curative by resection in toto; however, when the tumor exists in the forearm, surgeons should be careful to avoid damaging surrounding tissues because the tumor is very hard and relatively large compared to the forearm.
Adaptation of Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) in Feral Birds and their Potential Role in Interspecies Transmission
Authors: Rahman Aziz-ul- , Habib Momena , Shabbir Muhammad Zubair
Published: September 2018

Introduction:

Newcastle Disease (ND), caused by Avian avulavirus 1 (AAvV 1, avulaviruses), is a notifiable disease throughout the world due to the economic impact on trading restrictions and its embargoes placed in endemic regions. The feral birds including aquatic/migratory birds and other wild birds may act as natural reservoir hosts of ND Viruses (NDVs) and may play a remarkable role in the spread of the virus in environment. In addition, other 19 avulaviruses namely: AAvV 2 to 20, have been potentially recognized from feral avian species.

Expalantion:

Many previous studies have investigated the field prevailing NDVs to adapt a wide range of susceptible host. Still the available data is not enough to declare the potential role of feral birds in transmission of the virus to poultry and/or other avian birds. In view of the latest evidence related to incidences of AAvVs in susceptible avian species, it is increasingly important to understand the potential of viruses to transmit within the domestic poultry and other avian hosts. Genomic and phylogenomic analysis of several investigations has shown the same (RK/RQRR↓F) motif cleavage site among NDV isolates with same genotypes from domestic poultry and other wild hosts. So, the insight of this, various semi-captive/free-ranging wild avian species could play a vital role in the dissemination of the virus, which is an important consideration to control the disease outbreaks. Insufficient data on AAvV 1 transmission from wild birds to poultry and vice versa is the main constraint to understand about its molecular biology and genomic potential to cause infection in all susceptible hosts.

Conclusion:

The current review details the pertinent features of several historical and contemporary aspects of NDVs and the vital role of feral birds in its molecular epidemiology and ecology.
Epidemiologic Status of Picobirnavirus in India, A Less Explored Viral Disease
Authors: Malik Yashpal Singh , Sircar Shubhankar , Saurabh Sharad , Kattoor Jobin Jose , Singh Rashmi , Ganesh Balasubramanian , Ghosh Souvik , Dhama Kuldeep , Singh Raj Kumar
Published: September 2018

Since the unexpected discovery of picobirnaviruses (PBV) in 1988, they have been reported in many animals including mammals and birds, which comprises both terrestrial and marine species. Due to their divergent characteristics to other viral taxa they are classified into a new familyPicobirnaviridae. Although their pathogenicity and role in causing diarrhea still remains a question since they have been discovered in symptomatic and asymptomatic cases both. Recent studies employing state-of-art molecular tools have described their presence in various clinical samples, like stool samples from different mammals and birds, respiratory tracts of pigs and humans, sewage water, different foods,etc. Furthermore, their epidemiological status from different parts of the world in different hosts has also increased. Due to their diverse host and irregular host pattern their role in causing diarrhea remains alien. The heterogeneity nature can be ascribed to segmented genome of PBV, which renders them prone to continuous reassortment. Studies have been hampered on PBVs due to their non-adaptability to cell culture system. Here, we describe the molecular epidemiological data on PBVs in India and discusses the overall status of surveillance studies carried out till date in India.
Investigating the Relationship Between Eye Movement and Brain Wave Activity Using Video Games: Pilot Study (Preprint)
Authors: Wang Chaoguang , Yu Gino
Published: September 2018

BACKGROUND

All eye movements are related in one way or another to our mental processes with lateral eye movements being associated with the different hemispheres of the brain. Eye movement techniques form the basis of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy, wherein forced eye movements activate neurological pathways to treat the subject.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of our study was to examine the relationship between players' eye movements and their brain wave activities using a video game.

METHODS

We used similar eye movement techniques in the form of a video game called Lifeguard that could potentially stimulate different eye movement mode and create a more engaging experience for the user. By designing an experiment, we further explored the differences in electroencephalogram spectral power activity for the alpha, beta, theta, delta, and gamma frequency bands in Lifeguard and Tetris.

RESULTS

The game based on eye movement technologies resulted in decreased delta power and increased beta power, but significant difference between 2 games was not found.

CONCLUSIONS

The applied uses of this research could mean that eye movement desensitization and reprocessing can be conducted in a more fun and engaging way through the use of gaming technology.
Modeling of Stochastic Volatility to Validate IDR Anchor Currency
Authors: Nugroho Didit Budi , Mahatma Tundjung , Pratomo Yulius
Published: September 2018

This study aims to assess the performance of stochastic volatility models for their estimation of foreign exchange rate returns' volatility using daily data from Bank Indonesia (BI). The model is then applied to validate the anchor currency of Indonesian rupiah (IDR). Two stylized facts are incorporated into the models: A correlation between the previous returns and their conditional variance, and return errors following four different error distributions namely Normal, Student-t, non-central Student-t, and generalized hyperbolic skew Student-t. The analysis is based on the application of daily returns data from nine foreign currency selling rates to IDR from 2010 to 2015, including the AUD, CHF, CNY, EUR, GBP, JPY, MYR, SGD, and USD. The main results are: (1) Mixed evidence of positive and negative relationships between the return and its variance were found, especially significant correlations being found for the IDR/AUD, IDR/CHF, IDR/JPY, IDR/SGD, and IDR/USD returns series; (2) the model with the generalized hyperbolic skew Student's t-distribution specification for the returns error provides the best performance; and (3) anchoring the IDR to established hard currencies is more appropriate than anchoring it to other currencies.
PERCEPTIONS OF HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGERS ON TELECOMMUTING CONCEPT: Implementation in Malaysian Firms
Authors: Karia Noorliza , Zainuddin Yuserrie , Abu Hassan Asaari Muhammad Hasmi
Published: September 2018

Telecommuting concept has been a new phenomenon for most ofMalaysian firms, especially for human resource managers. Further, the drive towards promoting the telecommuting concept need to be done as part of paradigm change as Malaysia is becoming an industrialized nation–Vision 2020 of the Prime Minister. This study was conducted on the Malaysian human resource managers in representing their firm’s stand on the telecommuting concept. The purpose of this paper is to explore the level of acceptance of the telecommuting concept by the human resource managers. It was discovered that high percentage of the human resource managers shown their concern on the acceptance of the telecommutingconcept.
Phenomoenology Study on Financial Performance and Management Accountability of Special Autonomy Funds Allocated for Education at the Province of Papua, Indonesia
Authors: Agustinus John
Published: September 2018

Special autonomy in education is regarded as a great blessing for the Papua people. They have high expectation that Special autonomy funds allocated for education will elevate their living quality including school provisions and living standard. The population of the research, however, perceived that such wishes and expectations did not match with the reality. It is assumed that there had been mismanagement of the funds. The study is aimed at reviewing special autonomy financial performance and its management accountability. The study is performed through a qualitative approach with a phenomenological strategy— a study which is conducted at particular setting in a real live (natural setting) to investigate and understand phenomena. The data were collected from government employee, NGO officers, the target population, and other resources by observation, in-depth interviews, and library reviews. The results show that local government officials lack of capacity in handling the funds and there had been poor budget management as indicated from four management functions —planning, executing, reporting, and monitoring of educational funds— which were not implemented appropriately. A concept as a set of law and regulation that shapes Special Autonomy fund management of Papua Province is needed. Therefore, an integrated mechanism of building compliance and control system of educational funds management is necessary to reach the Value for Money (effectiveness, efficiency, and economics) of education budget. It is recommended that knowledge building and understanding on the financial performance as mandated in Special Autonomy Article will strengthen the achievement of the target as stated in the vision, mission, and objectives which supported by a construct culture of transparency, frankness, accuracy, and accountability.
A MECHANISM AND DETERMINANTS OF AN AGENCY-COST EXPLANATION FOR DIVIDEND PAYMENTS
Authors: Hartono Jogiyanto , Ratnaningsih Dewi
Published: September 2018

This study explains the dividend puzzle using the agency-cost frame work suggested by Easterbrook (1984). Easterbrook hypothesized that shareholders in firms, who increase cash dividend payout and ‘simultaneously' raise debts to finance their investments are likely to be wealthier than those in firms who only increase their cash dividend payout. He provided the mechanism that shareholders use the dividend payments to force managers to go to the capital markets to raise funds. Therefore, he argued that dividend policy influences the financing policy. A system of simultaneous equation using three-stage generalized least square method is used to test the hypotheses. Among the variables to proxy the investment opportunity set, market-to-book ratio, market-to-book assets ratio and accounting earnings-per-share-to-price ratio are the best proxies. Attempt is made to obtain better proxies for the investment opportunity set using an instrument variable method. The system is robust to alternate investment opportunity variables as well as to the instrumental variables. The findings are as follows. For the firms that increase cash dividend payout and raise debt simultaneously, (a) dividend policy is not a shareholders' mechanism, but a manager's accounting-based decision with accounting earnings and retained earnings as the major determinants, (b) dividend policy influences financing policy, but not the other way around, (c) increasing dividend payment decreases shareholders' wealth, but increasing debt subsequently increases shareholders' wealth with a net effect positive to shareholders' wealth, and (d) dividend policy is independent from investment policy.
CAN ACCOUNTING INFORMATION ACT AS A PROXY FOR EX ANTE UNCERTAINTY IN INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERINGS?
Authors: Gumanti Tatang Ary
Published: September 2018

This paper reviews and summarizes previous works and the rationale for the proposition that accounting information is in fact value relevant in the determination of an initial public offering IPO).Theoretical and empirical evidence has indicated that certain accounting measures can he used as proxies for total firm risk, that is, they could determine the riskiness of a corporation. The literature also advocates that accounting information is relevant in determining the value and thus the riskiness of a corporation through the use of accounting analysis. Since most of the information available in the prospectus is accounting information, it is arguable that this information represents a potential source for assessing the issuing firm. Some scholars have also advocated the possibility of using accounting information in assessing the value of firm making an IPO. Numerous papers have provided analytical and empirical evidence of the association between accounting numbers and the value of IPOs. The conclusion generally comes to show that information in the prospectus is value relevant concerning the IPO. The paper shows that it is indeed an arguable to use accounting information in the valuation of an IPO. Accordingly, it is an empirical issue whether accounting information has the property in explaining the ex-ante uncertainty of an IPO.
THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN SUPPLIER PARTNERSHIP, ENVIRONMENTAL VARIABLES ANDFIRM PERFORMANCE IN RETAIL INDUSTRY
Authors: Soehadi Agus W.
Published: September 2018

Partnership with suppliers is becoming a critical activity in retail industry to strengthen their competitive position. However, evidence suggested that partnership efforts do not reach their potential due to the effect of external factors. This article presents a comprehensive model that depicts the links among the supplier partnership, environmental variables and firm performance. Data for testing the model were collected by sending a questionnaire to a sample of retail industry in Indonesia. Hypothesized links depicted in the research model were tested using structural equation modeling. The findings show that supplier partnership affects positively firm performance in general term as well as across components of performance measurement. The empirical results suggest that the effect of environmental variables on supplier partnership is: market turbulence has a positive effect, competitive intensity and demand volatility have a negative effect.
Developing a Seasonal Cash Demand Simulation for Agricultural Cooperatives (Village Unit Cooperative) in Indonesia
Authors: Santoso Budi
Published: September 2018

Irrespective of the success of the Indonesian Government to achieve self-sufficiency of rice in 1985, and the rice price stabilization, paddy growers still suffer from a very low price for their produce. Koperasi Unit Desa (KUDs) –in Indonesian, or Village Unit Cooperative (VUC) have been entrusted with the marketing of rice paddies although their performance has always been less than satisfactory. One problem experienced by the KUDs is not having sufficient cash to purchase and process paddies into rice. The purpose of this study is to develop and validate a simulation model to represent cash flows during one paddy plantation season for a KUD (VUC). The simulation model is a decision support tool that enables a KUD’s (VUC) management to determine the maximum quantity of paddies to be purchased; the minimum borrowing and additional borrowing; and the earnings before taxes. An investigator- administrated questionnaire was used to collect historical data of the twenty randomly selected KUDs (VUC) on Lombok Island to validate the sub-models of the simulation model. The Kolmogorov- Smirnov Goodness of Fit (two-sample), linear regression, correlation and t- tests were used to validate the simulation model. The validation results have shown that the sub-models of the simulation model are valid, and these may contribute to the valid results of the simulation model. This study has found that the limitations of the paddy storage building, drying floor, and milling machine owned by the KUDs (VUC) may restrict the KUDs (VUC) from buying the entire paddies harvested. Therefore, further research is needed to find out the minimum capacities of those facilities enabling the KUDs (VUC) to work efficiently.Keywords: agricultural cooperatives (Village Unit Cooperative); seasonal demands; cash flows; simulation; validation
A Case Study of an Internationalization Process of a Private Higher Education Institution in Malaysia
Authors: Abdul Rahim Abu Bakar , Asmat Nizam Abdul Talib
Published: September 2018

The increasing competition and commercialization of higher education has led to the internationalization of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) around the world. While internationalization appears to be inevitable, differences are apparent in its definitions, depth, scope and mode. The main aim of this paper is to assess the internationalization efforts of Malaysian HEIs through a case study on the internationalization process of one private HEI. The case highlights various weaknesses of the internationalization effort in the institution. The symptoms and the causes of the problems in the institution corroborate similar findings in other studies involving the internationalization of HEIs. Suggestions and recommendations are presented to enable other organizations that wish to undertake similar internationalization efforts to learn from the case study institution’s experience.
The Impact of Public Capital Investments on the Revenue Growth of Medium Enterprise in Indonesia
Authors: Tirtosuharto Darius
Published: September 2018

Public capital investment represents the role of state and local governments in supporting greater capacity of private enterprises to gain success in a market economy measured by revenue growth. Medium enterprises are considered as the catalysts for economic growth and competitiveness particularly in developing countries due to efficiency and flexibility in an adverse economic environment. Using aggregate data of 30 states (provinces) in Indonesia from 1997-2002, the impact of public capital investment on the revenue growth of medium enterprise is examined. The paper finds that only medium enterprises in the industrial and trading sector benefited from public capital investments and the most optimum capital investment is in transport infrastructure.
An Alternative to Optimize the Indonesian’s Airport Network Design: An Application of Minimum Spanning Tree (MST) Technique
Authors: Lusiantoro Luluk , Ciptono Wakhid Slamet
Published: September 2018

Using minimum spanning tree technique (MST), this exploratory research was done to optimize the interrelation and hierarchical network design of Indonesian’s airports. This research also identifies the position of the Indonesian’s airports regionally based on the ASEAN Open Sky Policy 2015. The secondary data containing distance between airports (both in Indonesia and in ASEAN), flight frequency, and correlation of Gross Domestic Regional Product (GDRP) for each region in Indonesia are used as inputs to form MST networks. The result analysis is done by comparing the MST networks with the existing network in Indonesia. This research found that the existing airport network in Indonesia does not depict the optimal network connecting all airports with the shortest distance and maximizing the correlation of regional economic potential in the country. This research then suggests the optimal networks and identifies the airports and regions as hubs and spokes formed by the networks. Lastly, this research indicates that the Indonesian airports have no strategic position in the ASEAN Open Sky network, but they have an opportunity to get strategic positions if 33 airports in 33 regions in Indonesia are included in the network.
The Impact of Financial, Non-Financial, and Corporate Governance Attributes on The Practice of Global Reporting Initiative (gri) Based Environmental Disclosure
Authors: Frendy - , Kusuma Indra Wijaya
Published: September 2018

Business entities are able to exert their influence on particular stakeholders for the benefit of their interest by managing the information they disseminate to the public, particularly if there is no regulation on such issue in place. Accordingly, the extent of accounting information disclosed to the public, specifically voluntary environmental information, is determined by the internal characteristics of the business entities. The objective of this research is to test the financial, non-financial, and corporate governance attributes of Indonesian public companies which contribute to the extent of environmental information disclosure in Indonesia. This research measured the extent of Indonesian public companies’ environmental disclosure using Environmental Disclosure Index (EDI) as a dependent variable. The index is developed from the parameters under environmental protocols of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) G3 framework. Samples of 35 Indonesian public companies are purposively chosen for each of the year from 2005-2008 to form a total of 140 observations.The testing results conclude that size of company, economic performance, and industry sensitivity positively affect environmental disclosure. This research is limited by an assumption that Indonesian public companies employ annual report as the primary means to publicize financial and non-financial information to public.
Paternalistic Leadership and Employee Responses in Javanese Culture
Authors: Irawanto Dodi W. , Ramsey Phil L.
Published: September 2018

While much has been written about leadership research, little effort has been made to identify what constitutes effective leadership in an Indonesian cultural context. Paternalistic leadership is an emerging body of research that has been adapted to the Indonesian context. Javanese cultural values provide a foundation for an Indonesian form of Paternalistic Leadership (PLI). In this study, 178 civil servants in the province of Yogyakarta Special Region, where surveyed in order to examine their responses to the dimensions of PLI. Results suggested that effective PLI emphasises a leader’s visibility, benevolence and courage. Authority and impartiality need to be expressed in ways that align with traditional Javanese values. Suggestions of the direction for further study are presented.