bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Current prescribing Practices for Antibiotic Prophylaxis: A Survey of Dental Practitioners
Authors: Rivera-Hidalgo Francisco , Spittle Leah S , Muzzin Kathleen B , Campbell Patricia R , DeWald Janice P
Published: August 2017

Aim

Antibiotic prophylaxis guidelines have been developed for health care and dentistry. The authors examined whether dentists were following the 2007 American Heart Association (AHA) and the 2012 American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) recommendations for antibiotic prophylaxis.

Materials and methods

A survey was sent to 600 dentists in the south-central region of the United States. The survey examined dentists’ prescribing practices for patients with cardiac and prosthetic joint replacements, antibiotic regimen prescribed, confidence in their prescription decisions, and dentistry's contribution to antibiotic resistance.

Results

The response rate was 28.7% (n = 172). Dentists followed the 2007 AHA guidelines for patients with a history of infective endocarditis (95%), and cardiac valves repaired with prosthetic materials (76%) or animal/donor tissue (61%). For prosthetic joint replacement, 72% prescribed antibiotic prophylaxis within the first 2 years after placement and 58% continued to prescribe after 2 years. Amoxicillin was the most frequently prescribed antibiotic for cardiac conditions (92%) and prosthetic joint replacements (77%). No significant differences were found in relation to dentists’ gender (p = 0.75), year of graduation (p = 0.71), scope of practice (p = 0.30), and their confidence in their prescription decisions; 73% believed taking multiple doses of antibiotics leads to antibiotic resistance.

Conclusion

The majority of dentists were following the 2007 AHA guidelines. Confusion regarding the 2012 AAOS guidelines for prosthetic joint replacement was evident.

Clinical significance

Keeping current with changing antibiotic prophylaxis guidelines ensures dentists are providing the best evidence-based dentistry for their patients.

How to cite this article

Spittle LS, Muzzin KB, Campbell PR, DeWald JP, Rivera-Hidalgo F. Current prescribing Practices for Antibiotic Prophylaxis: A Survey of Dental Practitioners. J Contemp Dent Pract 2017;18(7):559-566.
Sealing Ability of Esthetic Post and Core Systems
Authors: Almohareb Thamer
Published: August 2017

Aim

To review the literature on the sealing ability of esthetic post systems with different cementation techniques.

Background

An important factor for successful root canal treatment is the development of a coronal seal to the treated root canal system.

Review result

The current literature describes promising results using fiber posts with a dual-cure, self-etch resin cement system. However, none of the published results describe a post system or cementation technique that achieved a homogeneous and tight coronal seal.

Conclusion

Fiber post systems appear to be favorable alternatives to metallic or ceramic post systems. Furthermore, dual-cure, self-etch resin cement systems represent superior alternatives to other cement systems.

Clinical significance

The clinician should be aware of the differences between various post systems and different cement systems to select and apply the most appropriate post and cement in each clinical situation.

How to cite this article

Almohareb T. Sealing Ability of Esthetic Post and Core Systems. J Contemp Dent Pract 2017;18(7):627-632.
Approaches for integrating Ayurveda with Conventional System in a Multispeciality Hospital for Management of Osteoarthritis (Knee)
Authors: Gupta Vikas , Padhi MM , Bhat Sulochana
Published: August 2017

Introduction

Udupa Committee Report 1958, Indian Health Policy 1983, National Population Policy 2000, ISM and H Policy 2002, and the National Rural Health Mission are some of the policy recommendations for mainstreaming of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy. Based on these recommendations, the physical mainstreaming for patient care and research is established but is not popularized in some hospitals and among health care providers due to various reasons.

Aim

To study the feasibility of integrating Ayurveda with allopathic system in the management of Osteoarthritis (OA) (knee).

Materials and methods

This operational study was conducted at Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India, in collaboration with the World Health Organization, India office. The study covered 252 patients of OA knee, out of which 201 completed the study. For the management of OA, standardized Yogaraja Guggulu, Ashwagandha, and Narayan taila were used along with lifestyle and dietary recommendations.

Results

Among 201 patients who completed the study period of 8 weeks, there was statistically significant improvement in signs and symptoms, King George's Medical College (KGMC)and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores (p-value < 0.05). There was statistically significant reduction in the intake of rescue medicines and side effects of oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. The study could develop referrals from orthopedics department to Ayurvedic unit for management of OA knee.

Conclusion

It was evident from the study that the Ayurvedic treatment is effective in the management of OA. It also concluded that continued communication and scientific approaches will ascertain actual integration and there is good scope for developing integration model in the management of OA. The Ayurveda health care providers were able to establish functional integration with their allopathic counterparts and were able to manage cross referrals.

How to cite this article

Bhat S, Gupta V, Srikanth N, Padhi MM, Rana R, Singhal R, Dhiman KS. Approaches for integrating Ayurveda with Conventional System in a Multispeciality Hospital for Management of Osteoarthritis (Knee). J Res Ayurvedic Sci 2017;1(1):40-47.
Phytochemical and Biological Evaluation of Justica adhatoda
Authors: Aziz Shahid , Hussain Hidayat , Younis Anisa , Ur-Rehman Habib , Shahid Muhammad , Butt Arshad Farooq , Green Ivan R
Published: August 2017

Phytochemical and biological investigations were undertaken on  ethanolic extracts of the leaves and root bark of Justica adhatoda L.  Alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, tannins, steroids and saponins were detected in  extracts from both parts of the title plant. Reducing sugars  were not detected in  either extract whereas flavonoids were  detected in ethanolic extract of J. adhatota leaves only. Significant antibacterial and antifungal activities against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Aspergillus niger  were demonstrated by both the  leaf and root bark extracts. Additionally, both extracts  displayed good antioxidant and heomolytic potential.  Interestingly, eight metal ions were detected in both extracts  in different concentrations.
Documentation of Ethnoveterinary Practices in the CKNP Region, Gilgit-Baltistan
Authors: Ali Iftikhar , Hussain Hidayat , Batool Huma , Dad Akber , Raza Ghulam , Falodun Abiodun , Ullah Raza , Ahmad Viqar Uddin
Published: August 2017

Majority of the livestock holders in different areas of Central Karakoram National Park (CKNP) region in Gilgit-Baltistan lack the modern veterinary healthcare facilities. The local community mostly depends upon the traditional floral therapeutic veterinary practices for the cure of various livestock diseases. The lack of the ethnoveterinary surveys in the CKNP region results in loss in the scientific documentation of the traditional information and practices about the livestock healthcare.

The present study deals with the documentation of the livestock diseases and the ethnoveterinary herbal and non-herbal therapeutic practices by the livestock holders in CKNP region.

The study was conducted from March 2012 to March 2013 in the valleys of CKNP region. The ethnoveterinary data was collected through the semi-structured questionnaires and the techniques of interviews and field visits. And the productive interaction provided an enabling background for the successful Rapid Rural Appraisal and Participatory Rural Appraisal research.

Total 156 local community members were interviewed in Thallay, Khaplu, Hushe and Shigar valleys. The survey showed the prevalence of the most common diseases e.g. FMD, intestinal problems etc. Among the 51 medicinal plants, the Asteraceae family exhibited the highest number of genera with the therapeutic species. The parts of the plants that were most frequently used for the therapeutic purposes were the leaves (55%), seed (15%) etc.

The present study contributed to the documentation of the medicinal plants used in the ethnoveterinary practices in valleys in CKNP region, Gilgit-Baltistan.
Anticariogenic potential of Potentilla fulgens extract and its chemical constituents
Authors: Choudhary Alka , Bihade Umesh , Mittal Amit Kumar , Chatterjee Anupam , Banerjee Uttam Chand , Singh Inder Pal
Published: August 2017

Streptococci and Lactobacilli are the most common bacteria causing dental caries. Potentilla fuglens, native of north-east India is used by tribal people to cure teeth and gum problems. Based on its ethomedical use, its anticariogenic potential was evaluated. The crude methanol extract was found to have good anticariogenic potential. Epigallocatechingallate (4) was found to the most effective inhibitor against the tested bacterial strains. Epiafzelechin (4β→8) epicatechin (8) also demonstrated comparatively better activity than other dimeric compounds (MIC of 1.56, 3.12 and 3.12 μg/mL against Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus rhamnosus, respectively). Time-kill studies and biofilm formation inhibition assays showed molecule 8 to be comparable to compound 4 in terms of antibacterial action. The results suggest that these compounds and Potentilla extracts could be employed as natural antibacterial agents in oral health care products.
Identification of alkaloids in methanol extract from leaves of Semenovia suffruticosa when humic substances were added to its root soil in the primary growth
Authors: Sardashti Alireza , MS Mohammadi
Published: August 2017

 Alkaloids are a group of natural compounds originally found in plants. Suffruticosa is a species of the genus Semenovia, the Apiaceous family, a native herb in Iran. In this family, alkaloids are found rarely. Humic substances application to the root soil at the beginning of plant growth improves quality, productivity and physical properties of the soil. Accordingly, humic substances were added separately to the root soil of the samples and other samples were selected as the blank plant sample in the distance of 50 cm. Methanol extracts were prepared from dried and powdered leaf samples. The crude alkaloid solution was extracted from methanol extract with 2 % sulfuric acid, dense ammonia and chloroform. The crude alkaloid solution was passed gradiently with mixture solvents of methanol and chloroform through a chromatography column. The output samples of the chromatography column were analyzed by FT-IR, UV-Vis, and TLC and GC-MS techniques. Pyrimido [1, 2-a] quinoxalinone and 1, 3,8-triisopropyl-6-methyl-2,7-naphthyridine alkaloids were identified in both samples and the extracted humic acid (0.513% and 0.979%  respectively) and the Sapropel solution (0.449% and 0.678%  respectively )were added to their plants soil. Also another alkaloid named 9-benzyloxypyrido [1,2-a]pyrimidin-4-one(9.538%) was identified in the sample and Sapropel was sprayed onto  its root soil. No alkaloid was found in the blank plant sample. The results showed that humic substances had considerable effects on the effective substances of the plant Semenovia.suffruticosa.

 
Evaluation of antidiabetic and antioxidative efficacy of ethyl acetate fraction of methanolic extract of Camellia sinensis (green tea) leaves in streptozotocin induced diabetic albino rat
Authors: Biswas Baisakhi , Das Barnali , Jana Kishalay , Ghosh Debidas
Published: August 2017

Objective: To investigate the antidiabetic and antioxidative potentiality of ethyl-acetate fraction of methanolic extract of Camellia sinensis (Green tea) leaves in streptozotocin induced diabetic rat. Methods: Streptozotocin induced diabetic state was confirmed by increased level of fasting blood glucose, decreased level of serum insulin along with inhibition in carbohydrate metabolomics. Oxidative stress was assessed by measuring antioxidative enzyme activities of hepatic and skeleto-muscular tissue. Hepatic Hexokinase-I, pro-apoptotic Bax and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 gene expression patterns were noted by qRT-PCR technique. Results: After treatment with ethyl-acetate fraction of methanolic extract of Camellia sinensis (Green tea) leaves at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight/day to diabetic rats for 28 days, a significant (p < 0.05) recovery was noted in fasting blood glucose level, serum insulin level along with activities of carbohydrate metabolic enzymes in hepatic tissue in respect to the vehicle treated diabetic group. This fraction also resulted a significant (p < 0.05) recovery in the activities of antioxidative enzymes in hepatic and skeleto - mascular tissue. In streptozotocin induced diabetic rat the low level of expression of Hexokinase-I, anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and high level of expression of pro-apoptotic Bax gene were observed in hepatic tissue in respect to vehicle treated control. There were recovered significantly after the treatment with the said fraction. Conclusion: From the results, it may be concluded that ethyl-acetate fraction of methanolic extract of leaves of C. sinensis has a promising anti-diabetic and antioxidative activities for the management of streptozotocin induced diabetic state.
In Vitro antioxidant activity of Polygonum Glabrum
Authors: Sundara rajan Raja , I Ramya
Published: August 2017

Assessment of antioxidant activity was imperative in the screening of medicinal plants for potential health benefits. In present study methanol extract of Polygonum glabrum  (polygonaceae) was screened for its in vitro antioxidant activity using biologically relevant methodologies which scavenge radicals such as  1,1 diphenyl 2 picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), nitric oxide, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl,  superoxide anion and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS). Total reducing ability by conversion of ferric (III) to ferrous (II) and molybdenum (VI) to molybdenum (V), metal ion chelating capacity and anti lipid peroxidation activities were also examined. The antioxidant ability of Polygonum glabrum whole plant extract was found to be in a dose dependent manner. The IC50 values for scavenging of DPPH● and ABTS●+ free radicals were 13.18 μg/ml and 20.46 μg/ml. For scavenging of nitric oxide, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl and superoxide anion radicals, the IC50 values were found to be 80.22 μg/ml, 33.06 μg/ml, 52.26μg/ml and 36.98 μg/ml respectively. Further, addition of 120μg/ml of plant extract to the reaction mixture produced 50% lipid peroxidation inhibition activity. Commercial antioxidants such as vitamin E, quercetin, butylated hydroxytoluene and ascorbic acid were used as reference compounds. The strong antioxidant activity of Polygonum glabrum may be credited to the presence of triterpenes [beta-hydroxyfriedalanol], phenols        [3-hydroxy-5-methoxystilbene], flavonoids [pinocembrin and pinocembrin-5-methylether], steroids [sitosterol - (6-O-palmitoyl)- 3-O-β-D glucopyranoside and sitosterol-3-O-β-D glucopyranoside], sesqueterpenes [2,3-dihydroxy isodrimeninol] and pigments etc in methanol extract.
Antioxidant and Antiulcer Potential on leaves of Brassica nigra L. against Gastric Ulcer
Authors: Tripathi Atul , Punekar Rakesh , Jain Vishal , Tyagi Chandra Kishore , Chandekar Amol , Vyas Amber
Published: August 2017

In the present study, anti-ulcerative effects of extract of Brassica nigra L. leaves were investigated in pylorus ligation and aspirin-induced gastric ulcer models in rats. In present study antiulcer effect of ethanolic extract of Brassica nigra leaves is well understood by total acidity, free acidity, and ulcer index of different groups of animals in both the model viz. Pylorus ligation model  & Aspirin induced gastric ulcer in experimental rats when compared the test group with control and standard group. The percentage of ulcer inhibition was observed in pylorus ligated model was as follows: standard, BNLE 100mg/kg, BNLE 200mg/kg and BNLE 300mg/kg 55.76%, 30.96%, 49.54% and 51.35% respectively. The mechanism of gastric ulcer healing is not well understood and further study is needed to evaluate the specific phytoconstituents responsible for the gastric ulcer healing but on the basis of present study it can be concluded that this gastric healing potential may be due to the pharmacological effect played by the different phytoconstituents present in the ethanolic extract of Brassica nigra leaves for prevention of gastric mucosa or by the antioxidant potential of the leaves which is evaluated during the DPPH free radical scavenging activity.
Preliminary screening of Waltheria indica (L.) plant for its anti-inflammatory activity
Authors: Chandekar Amol , Vyas Amber , Upamanyu Neeraj , Tripathi Atul , Agrawal Surendra
Published: August 2017

The investigation on anti-inflammatory activity of the various extract of Waltheria indica L. was reported to find out the pharmacological basis for its ethnomedical use. The anti-inflammatory activity of the pet ether (PEW) and methanol (MEW) extracts of the leaves of Waltheria indica L. (Malvaceae)were evaluated by using in vivo (Carrageenan & histamine induced rat paw edema, cotton pellet granuloma test) models. It was observed that, all the extracts showed significant activity in the in-vivo model at the dose of 500 mg/kg b.w. orally, when compared with control and standard drugs. Of the two extracts tested, methanol extract MEW showed most significant activity well in comparison to the standard drug.  Therefore, present study suggests, potential of leaves of Waltheria indica L. in both models of acute and chronic inflammation.

 
GC/MS analysis, antimicrobial and Antioxidant Effect of Ethanol Garlic Extract
Authors: Park Na-Hye , Jang Hye-Ri , Lee Seung-Jin , Park Seung-Chun
Published: August 2017

Aim of the study: The purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility of garlic extract as a feed additive to prevent and treat Salmonella infection.

Methods: Garlic extracts were prepared from fresh crushed garlic and dissolved in different concentrations of ethanol. Garlic extract (Allium sativum) was analyzed by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). To examine biological activity, the antimicrobial activity test was carried out by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) against Salmonella typhimurium. Antioxidant activity of garlic extracts was examined by ABTS radical scavenging assay

Results and discussion: In the GC-MS analysis, allyl trisulfide, 2-hydroxy-gamma-butyrolactone, 1, 3-dihydroxyacetne dimer, propanoic acid, 2-propone were confirmed as predominant components of garlic extract. the MIC was 10 mg/mL in all extracts. However, antioxidant effect was highest in 20 mg/mL of 100% ethanol garlic extract (82.1%). The amount of IC₅₀ (50% inhibitory concentration) was measured at 1.6 mg/mL. 

Conclusion: 75% ethanol garlic extract was the most efficient in considering the recovery rate, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities among the various extracts. Based on the above biological results, we could confirm this possibility as a feed additive for anti-salmonella infection.
Need of an Ancient Roots to Modern Medicine in the Treatment of Cancer- A review
Authors: Gunjan Manish , Naidu Jegathambigai Rameshwar , Marzo Roy Rillera , Harmal Nabil Saad Mohammed
Published: August 2017

The already available expensive conventional therapies for cancer like chemotherapy and radiotherapy have a number of side effects such as myelosuppression and neurological, cardiac, pulmonary, and renal toxicity, which pose serious harm to the quality of life. Therefore, there is a need to develop treatment options that include more potent and less toxic anticancer drugs as compared to existing drugs. Studies have shown that regular consumption of fruits and vegetables because of phytochemical compounds extracted from them inhibiting the activity of antioxidant and free radicals which in turn showing anti-cancer activities. More recent semi-synthetic analogues of these agents are vinorelbine (VRLB) and vindesine (VDS). These agents are primarily used in combination with other cancer chemotherapeutic drugs for the treatment of a variety of cancers. VLB is used for the treatment of leukaemia, lymphomas, advanced testicular cancer, breast and lung cancers, and Kaposi’s sarcoma, and VCR, in addition to the treatment of lymphomas, also shows efficacy against leukaemia, particularly acute lymphocytic leukaemia in childhood. VRLB has shown activity against non-small-cell lung cancer and advanced breast cancer. Therefore there is need of developing cell cycle-based, mechanism-targeted ancient based modern cancer therapies that emulate the body's natural process in order to stop the growth of cancer cells. This approach can limit the damage to normal cells and the accompanying side effects caused by conventional chemotherapeutic agents. This review focuses on the role of ancient medicine in modern research and anticancer drug development. The current findings and known anticancer agents from natural sources are discussed, and recent therapeutic advances in this field are presented.
Using ‘Visitors and Residents’ to visualise digital practices
Authors: White David S. , Le Cornu Alison
Published: August 2017

‘Visitors and Residents’ is a continuum of modes of engagement which has been well established as a valuable way of understanding how individuals engage online. This paper discusses how the original metaphor of Visitors and Residents has been developed into a mapping process which helps individuals to visualise, and reflect on, the digital tools and places they use or spend time in. The paper explores ways that the Visitors and Residents work has developed and proposes a method of analysing a body of maps through ‘engagement genres’ to discover broader trends in behaviour across groups.
Scientific data from and for the citizen
Authors: Schade Sven , Tsinaraki Chrisa , Roglia Elena
Published: August 2017

Powered by advances of technology, today’s Citizen Science projects cover a wide range of thematic areas and are carried out from local to global levels. This wealth of activities creates an abundance of data, for example, in the forms of observations submitted by mobile phones; readings of low-cost sensors; or more general information about peoples’ activities. The management and possible sharing of this data has become a research topic in its own right. We conducted a survey in the summer of 2015 in order to collectively analyze the state of play in Citizen Science. This paper summarizes our main findings related to data access, standardization and data preservation. We provide examples of good practices in each of these areas and outline actions to address identified challenges.
"It's a secret thing": Digital disembedding through online teen drama fandom
Authors: Gerrard Ysabel
Published: August 2017

Fans of teen drama television series often feel that their pleasures are unworthy, with many going to great lengths to hide their practices from certain people. Social media plays a key role in contemporary fan cultures, and so fans must navigate platforms’ changing and complex norms around their users’ identity in careful and strategic ways. These acts counter recent scholarly claims about the ‘embeddedness’ (or entanglement, enmeshing) of social media’s technologies and norms within our everyday lives. In this paper I explore how fans sometimes disembed, or detach from the logics of certain platforms to facilitate secrecy. My respondents disembed from: (1) some platforms’ normalization of authentic identities, (2) social media’s increasing naturalization of its own embeddedness within everyday life, and (3) platforms’ demands that their users engage in often-risky practices of sharing. I draw on interview and social media observation data to examine how teen drama fandoms’ devalued cultural status motivates my respondents to create secret identities on certain platforms, particularly Facebook Pages.
The multi-objective Spanish National Forest Inventory
Authors: Alberdi Iciar , Vallejo Roberto , Álvarez-González Juan G. , Condés Sonia , González-Ferreiro Eduardo , Guerrero Silvia , Hernández Laura , Martínez-Jauregui Maria , Montes Fernando , Oliveira Nerea , Pasalodos-Tato Maria , Robla Elena , Ruiz-González Ana D. , Sánchez-González Mariola , Sandoval Vicente , San Miguel Alfonso , Sixto Hortensia , Cañellas Isabel
Published: August 2017

Aim of study: To present the evolution of the current multi-objective Spanish National Forest Inventory (SNFI) through the assessment of different key indicators on challenging areas of the forestry sector.Area of study: Using information from the Second, Third and Fourth SNFI, this work provides case studies in Navarra, La Rioja, Galicia and Balearic Island regions and at national Spanish scale.Material and methods: These case studies present an estimation of reference values for dead wood by forest types, diameter-age modeling for Populus alba and Populus nigra  in riparian forest, the invasiveness of alien species and the invasibility of forest types, herbivore preferences and effects on trees and shrub species, the methodology for estimating cork production , and the combination of SNFI4 information and Airborne Laser Scanning datasets with the aim of updating forest-fire behavior assessment information with a high degree of accuracy.Main results: The results show the suitability and feasibility of the proposed methodologies to estimate the indicators using SNFI data with the exception of the estimation of cork production. In this case, additional field variables were suggested in order to obtain robust estimates.Research highlights: By broadening the variables recorded, the SNFI has become an even more important source of forest information for the development of support tools for decision-making and assessment in diverse strategic fields such as those analyzed in this study.
Resource communication. ORGEST: Regional guidelines and silvicultural models for sustainable forest management
Authors: Piqué Míriam , Vericat Pau , Beltrán Mario
Published: August 2017

Aim of the study: To develop regional guidelines for sustainable forest management.Area of the study: Forests of Catalonia (NE Spain).Material and methods: The process of developing the forest management guidelines (FMG) started by establishing a thorough classification of forest types at stand level. This classification hinges on two attributes: tree species composition and site quality based on ecological variables, which together determine potential productivity. From there, the management guidelines establish certain objectives and silvicultural models for each forest type. The forest type classifications, like the silvicultural models, were produced using both existing and newly-built growth models based on data from the National Forest Inventory (NFI) and expert knowledge. The effort involved over 20 expert working groups in order to better integrate the expertise and vision of different sectorial agents.Main results: The FMG consist in quantitative silvicultural models that include typical silvicultural variables, technical descriptions of treatments and codes of good practice. Guidelines now cover almost all forest types in Catalonia (spanning up to 90% of the Catalan forest area). Different silvicultural models have been developed for pure and mixed stands, different site quality classes (2–3 classes per species), and even- and multi-aged stands.Research highlights: FMG: i) orient the management of private and public forests, (ii) provide a technical scaffold for efficient allocation/investment of public subsidies in forest management, and (iii) bridge forest planning instruments at regional (strategic-tactical) and stand (operational) level.
The Practice of Basic HR Functions in Garments Industry in Bangladesh: Focus Group Finding
Authors: Khan Md. Rahat , Arafin Murshedul , Hossain S. M. Khaled
Published: August 2017

A Focus Group Discussion has been made to see the practice of basic HR functions ingarment industry in Bangladesh. 13 garments employees along with the researchers in total 16 members were consisted for the FGD and the finding shows the prime reasons for the deviation of HR practice in different areas are attract foreign buyers, enhancing the brand value of the organization, employee-management relationship, cost minimization pressure, keep environment green, auditing policy compliance. Few factors have also been sort out under the four basic HR functions; those are employment planning, job advertisement, and recruitment & selection practice, orientation, training & development facilities, career development, job security, better salaries, appraisal systems, different leave policies, work environment, health & safety issues, transport facilities, working hour. A quantitative analysis has also been conducted by using those identifing factors from 150 employees’ responses. The study conducted the reliability test to find out the consistency of the data. Then the study shows the descriptive analysis of mean response & Std. deviation of responses. Finally the study goes for correlation analysis for those four HR functions and the result shows the relationships among the all the functions are strongly positively correlated to each others.
Corporate Social Responsibility: Its Effect on SMEs
Authors: Valdez Juárez Luis Enrique
Published: August 2017

In recent times, small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) have focused their activities on short-term financial results. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is among the organizational practices currently being adopted by companies to increase their competitiveness. While some companies implement CSR out of curiosity or because it is aligned with their true social vocation, most embrace it to increase economic and financial performance. Whereas some theories support CSR practices and assert the great benefits these activities can yield, other theories state that management should not allocate resources to CSR actions. Focusing on SMEs, the present study sought to examine the effects of CSR on profitability from three perspectives: the social, the environmental, and the economic dimensions of social responsibility. The sample for this study included 81 companies in the industrial (54.3%) and services (45.7%) sectors operating in the south of the state of Sonora (Mexico). Data collection was carried out from August to November, 2013, and used a self-directed survey administered to company managers. Results were analyzed and validated using a variance-based statistical technique focused on structural equation models (SEM); the structured relationships were validated by partial least square (PLS) modeling using the SmartPLS Professional software (version 3.2.6). Our findings provide evidence that social and economic CSR activities have a positive influence on profitability in SMEs. This study contributes to the development of the main literature on CSR practices in their social, environmental, and economic dimensions: firm theory, sustainability theory, and stakeholder theory.
Construction and Comparison of a Correlation Model on the Marketing Effect of Cultural and Creative Landmarks on Regional Tourism Development
Authors: Wu Shwu-Ing
Published: August 2017

The marketing of cultural and creative landmarks has become important ever since it has been associated with the connection between regional development and people’s needs, thus making it is an urgent issue of regional tourism sustainability. From Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung of Taiwan, this study respectively selects one cultural and creative landmark that represents the city as the targets and explores tourists who have visited any of these landmarks in order to analyze the effects of characteristics, surroundings, and marketing activities of cultural and creative landmarks on the public’s perceived value and regional attraction. It also constructs a correlation model. After analyzing 578 valid questionnaires, this study realizes that surroundings are the most critical factor influencing people’s perceived value of cultural and creative landmarks and enhance a regional attraction; the second most critical factor is the effect of landmark characteristics. However, the impact of marketing activities is insignificant. It shows that people’ perception of the marketing activities of cultural and creative landmarks is low. Therefore, in the future the marketing activities of cultural and creative landmarks should come from the aspect of improvement.
Comparative Proximate and Mineral Composition of Moringa oleifera and Moringa ovalifolia Grown in Central Namibia
Authors: Korsor Morlu , Ntahonshikira Charles , Bello Haruna M. , Kwaambwa Habauka M.
Published: August 2017

The objective of this study was to compare the proximate and mineral compositions of Moringa oleifera and Moringa ovalifolia grown together at Neudamm Experimental Farm in central Namibia. Moringa oleifera is well known for its rich nutritional value and was compared to the nutritional value of M. ovalifolia, a native plant of Namibia and Angola, which is less studied. Namibia being a semi-arid country, many plants in the rangelands are low in nutrients essential for livestock nutrition. This creates the necessity for planting fodder trees like moringa that withstand the harsh climatic conditions and retain their nutritional quality for the production of sustained livestock supplement. Leaves of both Moringa species were harvested with twiglets, shade dried fortnightly and taken to the laboratory where they were ground and passed through 1 mm sieve for proximate and mineral analysis. Statistically, M. oleifera nutrient values were significantly different (P < 0.05) in moisture, ash, crude protein (CP) and crude fiber (CF) from M. ovalifolia, but had no differences in fat, acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF). Also, M. oleifera was significantly different (P < 0.05) from M. ovalifolia in potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn), but there were no differences in calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), phosphorus (P), iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) values. This implies that both Moringa species have similar quantity of Ca, Na, P, Fe and Mn in their leaf tissues. The almost identical nutrient values of the two Moringa species, suggests that M. ovalifolia could serve as an alternative supplement for livestock since there is a known human-livestock competition for M. oleifera, and since M. ovalifolia is native and well adapted to the harsh environmental conditions of Namibia.
STROKE PATIENTS AND THEIR PARTNER’S PERCEPTIONS OF SURVIVOR FUNCTIONING
Authors: Witty Chloe , Heffernan Thomas , Riby Leigh
Published: August 2017

[b]Background: [/b]Research into stroke survivors and their partners have shown that the partner frequently rates the stroke survivor as less capable than the survivors rate themselves through self-report questionnaires or qualitative interviews; however, no research to date has used cognitive tasks as a method for in vestigation. This paper aims to investigate if the stroke survivor or the partner rate the stroke survivor as worse across all cognitive domains. [b]Material/ Methods:[/b]This research aimed to observe the incongruence of stroke survivors and their spouse’s perception of survivor functioning by rating their confidence on Picture Memory, Verbal Memory, Digit Span, Luria’s Three Step Test, NART and Raven’s Matrices. Participants, and to compare these score to see if either could predict the actual score. [b]Results: [/b]Showed that neither the stroke survivor nor the partner consistently rated functioning as worse, but there was a significant difference between the dyad. Further, the stroke survivor and the partner’s confidence had no relationship with raw scores. A thematic analysis was also conducted and themes emerged from the data. These were “Confidence,” “Insight into Ability,” and “Post-Stroke Changes.”[b]Conclusions:[/b]These themes were shown to interlink with the scores provided in the qualitative analysis, and implied that low self-efficacy may be crucial in post stroke recovery. Limitations and implications are discussed in full.
Fatores “genéticos” da política de habitação operária da Companhia União Fabril em Portugal: uma breve análise
Authors: Martins Alexandre Cotovio
Published: August 2017

O objetivo do presente artigo é apresentar um contributo para a compreensão dos sistemas paternalistas de gestão de mão-de-obra operária na indústria, perspectivando os mesmos sistemas a partir de algumas das suas incidências territoriais, designadamente no plano da habitação. Com este escopo, visa-se estabelecer um quadro interpretativo para a criação da política de habitação operária que vigorou na Companhia União Fabril, em Portugal, a partir de 1907, após a instalação da empresa na frente ribeirinha junto a Lisboa, na cidade do Barreiro e até a revolução política de 25 de Abril de 1974. Mais do que se realizar aqui uma síntese de pendor diacrónico que cobrisse todo este arco temporal, centrámo-nos na elucidação dos traços e fatores que, em nosso entender, justificaram esta intervenção patronal e conduziram ao seu sucesso, do ponto de vista da gestão empresarial, bem como à sua atratividade para os trabalhadores que acederam às habitações disponibilizadas pela Companhia. O texto começa com uma breve análise das características do paternalismo patronal na indústria, nomeadamente explicitando os seus principais objetivos e características. Em seguida, fornecem-se alguns dados de contextualização histórica do assunto, identificando traços específicos do caso da Companhia União Fabril, no Barreiro. Finalmente, procura-se identificar os fatores que terão estado na génese e, posteriormente, na manutenção da intervenção patronal ao nível da habitação operária na Companhia União Fabril. Os dados aqui avançados foram colhidos por pesquisa documental e entrevistas, num trabalho de campo de doze meses.
O Zé Pereira em Rio Novo: uma manifestação cultural centenária no interior de Minas Gerais (1906-2006)
Authors: Xavier Felipe Araujo
Published: August 2017

Este texto tem como escopo retratar a história de uma das manifestações culturais mais tradicionais do interior da Zona da Mata mineira, o Zé Pereira, bloco pré-carnavalesco que permanece ativo na pequena cidade de Rio Novo-MG há mais de 100 anos e tornou-se o primeiro “patrimônio imaterial” ou “intangível” registrado do município. Para atingir esse objetivo, apresento uma análise concreta e particularizada das transformações ocorridas nessa manifestação pré-carnavalesca, retratando as discussões sobre suas origens remotas, as quais remetem ao início do século XX, sua relação com os “Clubes Carnavalescos” rionovenses, em um contexto de extrema segregação social e racial entre os cidadãos, sua emancipação na década de 1950 como um bloco autônomo e a continuidade dessa manifestação cultural, comemorando o seu centenário em 2006, quando foram reiniciados os debates sobre a sua origem e sua história. Para realizar este estudo, utilizo referências jornalísticas, documentos referentes ao bloco pré-carnavalesco e registros e depoimentos de foliões que participaram dos desfiles nas ruas de Rio Novo, seguindo um rigor metodológico relativo ao uso das memórias como fontes históricas.
Uncovering hidden biodiversity: phylogeny and taxonomy of Physoderinae (Reduviidae, Heteroptera), with emphasis on Physoderes Westwood in the Oriental and Australasian regions
Authors: Hwang Wei Song , Weirauch Christiane
Published: August 2017

The cryptic assassin bug subfamily Physoderinae is characterized by a distinctly uneven species and genus-level diversity across continents, but the lack of a phylogeny has so far precluded investigations into the biogeographic history of the group. Endemic Madagascan Physoderinae (11 of the 15 genera) exhibit broad morphological diversity, but the large (38 spp.) and seemingly uniform genus Physoderes is widely distributed across the Oriental and Australasian regions. The three remaining genera are small or even monotypic and restricted to the Neotropical (Cryptophysoderes, Leptophysoderes) and Afrotropical (Porcelloderes) regions. To investigate relationships among Physoderinae, with emphasis on the monophyly of the Madagascan fauna and the monophyly of Physoderes, we conducted a cladistic analysis based on 57 morphological characters and complete genus-level taxon sampling. We found that the Madagascan fauna is not monophyletic, indicating that the island was colonized more than once, although the great majority of Madagascan taxa are part of a single clade. Overall relationships are recovered as Afrotropical Porcelloderes + [(Neotropical Cryptophysoderes, Leptophysoderes) + (Madagascan, Oriental and Australasian taxa)]. Physoderes is shown to be polyphyletic and 3 new genera, Breviphysoderes gen. nov., Macrophysoderes gen. nov. and Nanophysoderes gen. nov., are erected to accommodate new species and several species previously classified as Physoderes. A taxonomic revision of Physoderes and allied genera is conducted. Diagnoses, updated distribution ranges, habitus and genitalic images, and identification keys are provided. A total of 17 synonymies are given, and 15 new species and 3 new genera are described, focusing on the diversity of Physoderinae in the Oriental and Australasian regions. The new species are Breviphysoderes fulvopicta gen. et sp. nov., B. tenebrosa gen. et sp. nov., Macrophysoderes cirripilosa gen. et sp. nov., M. elongata gen. et sp. nov., M. finisterre gen. et sp. nov., M. grandis gen. et sp. nov., Paraphysoderes popeye sp. nov., Physoderes anamalaiensis sp. nov., P. brevipennis sp. nov., P. minime sp. nov., P. muluensis sp. nov., P. mysorensis sp. nov., P. nigripennis sp. nov., P. ractepilosa sp. nov. and P. tricolor sp. nov.
Estoque de biomassa e de nutrientes em um povoamento do híbrido Eucalyptus urophylla x Eucalyptus grandis no Bioma Pampa – RS
Authors: Carvalho Renata Reis de , Guimarães Claudiney Do Couto , Silva Júlio Cesar Medeiros da , Momolli Dione Richer
Published: August 2017

O presente estudo teve como objetivo estimar o estoque de biomassa e de nutrientes em um povoamento do híbrido de Eucalyptus urophylla x Eucalyptus grandis, aos 4,5 anos de idade, para isso, foram instaladas aleatoriamente quatro parcelas com dimensões de 21,0 m x 27,5 m. A partir da distribuição diamétrica do povoamento foram determinadas quatro classes de diâmetro e em cada classe foram amostradas três árvores (limite inferior, central e limite superior).  Para estimar a biomassa das raízes a coleta foi realizada na área útil das árvores do limite central de cada classe. Após a amostragem e a identificação de cada componente da biomassa, estas foram encaminhadas para o laboratório, onde foram secas, pesadas, moídas e analisadas quimicamente. Os resultados encontrados a partir das análises foram: para a estimativa de biomassa total:  75 Mg ha-1, com a seguinte proporção: madeira (61,2%), raiz (15,4%), galhos (10,2%), casca (7,7%) e folhas (5,5%). Salienta-se que a biomassa se encontra predominantemente alocada no fuste (68,9%). Cabe ressaltar que, em média, o acúmulo de nutrientes foi maior na madeira, seguido pelas folhas, raízes, galhos e cascas, apresentando a seguinte magnitude: Ca > K > N > Mg > S > P, com a maior quantidade de Ca alocada no fuste. A partir disso, entende-se que o estoque de nutrientes na biomassa foi elevado em relação ao solo de baixa fertilidade natural.
Alterações na fertilidade de um solo sob diferentes usos na região de Brasnorte - MT
Authors: Vieira Cristiane Ramos , Araujo João Lucas da Silva , Weber Oscarlina Lúcia dos Santos , Scaramuzza José Fernando
Published: August 2017

A conversão da cobertura vegetal natural provoca alterações nas propriedades químicas do solo, de forma a melhorá-las ou degradá-las. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar as modificações nas propriedades químicas do solo sob diferentes coberturas vegetais, tendo como referência a Floresta Secundária, bioma Cerrado. A pesquisa foi realizada no município de Brasnorte - MT, analisando os sistemas: Floresta Secundária (FS); cultivo de Teca (Tectona grandis) de 19 anos, 16 anos, 13 anos e 8 anos; e Pastagem (PA). Foi utilizado o delineamento em blocos casualizados em esquema fatorial, com as coletas das amostras de solo em três profundidades (0 - 5, 5 - 10 e 10 - 20 cm) e, posteriormente, feitas as análises químicas. A retirada da vegetação nativa para implantação de cultivo de Teca e de Pastagem alterou as propriedades químicas do solo. O solo sob a Floresta Secundária apresentou os maiores teores de Ca2+, K+ e de P, os maiores valores de soma de bases, de capacidade de troca de cátions e de saturação por bases na camada de 0 - 5 cm. Os solos sob a Pastagem e sob o cultivo de Teca com 13 anos apresentaram os maiores teores de COT na camada de 0 - 5 cm, em razão da matéria orgânica formada nos dois casos.
Avaliação do crescimento de canafístula em diferentes densidades de mudas por bandeja e volumes de tubetes
Authors: Massad Marília Dutra , Dutra Tiago Reis , Meireles Ivan Edson Da Silva , Sarmento Mateus Felipe Quintino , Dos Santos Aline Ramalho , Menezes Eduarda Soares
Published: August 2017

Objetivou-se avaliar a influência no crescimento da canafístula em viveiro, considerando diferentes densidades de mudas em bandeja e volume de tubete. O experimento foi conduzido no delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com três blocos, em esquema fatorial (5 x 2), sendo avaliados cinco densidades de mudas na bandeja (54, 36, 27, 18 e 9 mudas) e dois volumes de tubetes (180 cm³ e 280 cm³), sendo que a unidade experimental foi constituída pelas cinco mudas centrais. Foram avaliados aos 120 dias após a semeadura a Altura (H), o Diâmetro do Coleto (DC), a Massa Seca da Parte Aérea (MSPA), a Massa Seca de Raízes (MSR) e a Massa Seca Total (MST). Esses parâmetros foram transformados em índices de qualidade de mudas: H/DC, H/MSPA, MSPA/MSR, e no Índice de Qualidade de Dickson - IQD. As mudas de canafístula produzidas no tuebete de maior volume (280 cm3) apresentaram valores superiores para altura e relação H/DC, MSPA, MSR, MST e melhor relação MSPA/MSR e IQD. A maior densidade de mudas na bandeja proporcionou às plantas maior crescimento em altura e na relação H/DC e IQD, sendo recomendada a utilização de 100% da área útil da bandeja na produção de mudas da espécie florestal.
A Smooth Test of Goodness-of-Fit for the Baseline Hazard Function for Time-to-First Occurrence in Recurrent Events: An Application to HIV Retention Data
Authors: Odhiambo Collins , Odhiambo John , Omolo Bernard
Published: August 2017

Motivated by HIV retention, we present an application of the smooth test of goodness-of-fit under right-censoring to time to first occurrence of a recurrent event. The smooth test applied here is an extension of Neyman’s smooth test to a class of hazard functions for the initial distribution of a recurrent failure-time event. We estimate the baseline hazard function of time-to-first loss to follow-up, using a Block, Borges and Savits (BBS) minimal repair model of the data (n = 2,987,72% censored). Simulations were conducted at various percentages of censoring to assess the performance of the smooth test. Results show that the smooth test performed well under right-censoring.