bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Potential of fungi to produce bioconcrete
Authors: Martuscelli Carolina , Soares Célia , Lima Nelson , Camões Aires
Published: December 2020

The cracks in concrete reduce their resistance capacity and allow the entry of harmful agents both for their microstructure and for the reinforcements located inside the structure. Several studies have been done to promote sustainable solutions for this problem. The microbiologically induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICCP) is an alternative to traditionally used methods and a way to reduce the environmental impact of using more cement and polymers. Most of the biocementation studies to fill cracks or to promote bio self-healing on concrete present bacteria as the microorganisms responsible for the CaCO3 induction process. Fungi are potentially better for the biocementation process because they have more biomass and some develop filaments that can be used as microfibers on materials. Thus, the present work proposes the development of a methodology to analyse the potential use of two urease-positive fungi (Penicillium chrysogenum MUM 9743 and Neurospora crassa MUM 9208) to produce bioconcrete. The microstructure and chemical constituents of biocrystals formed due to MICCP were observed under Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). SEM showed fungal mycelia as bio-based fiber in bioconcrete and clusters of probable calcite crystals on and around mycelia. Both fungi were able to promote biocimentation of sand.
Nopoh Bukau Ritual by the Orang Asli of Che Wong in Kampung Senil, Kuala Gandah, Pahang
Authors: Rosli Fatin Nazihah , Md Noh Sabki
Published: December 2020

‘Nopoh’ is a traditional singing séance practice by the Che Wong aborigines community of Peninsular Malaysia. Modernisation had taken over their traditional lifestyle culture, especially to the young generation. There only some of the elders still maintain knowledge and is practising it. If there is no action taken in preserving it, all this traditional knowledge will be buried together with knowledgeable elders when they die. This study focused on ritual practice during the forest-flowering season to examine and analyse the data collected through audio-visual documentation of the ritual. The results revealed the significance of the ritual benefits to the community.
Keywords: Orang Asli; Che Wong; Singing Séance; Culture performance
eISSN: 2398-4287© 2020. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bsby e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v5iSI3.2575
Visual Interference from Street Lights: Field of Driver's View Analysis
Authors: Chen Ai-Hong , Rosli Saiful Azlan , Muhamad Nurulain
Published: December 2020

The study aimed to perform field of human’s view analysis to predict the visual interference of drivers from street lights positioning. A concentric circle with 13 quadrants was superimposed onto a photograph taken at the reference point for the field of human's view analysis. Visual interference from  light source located close to fovea would be most disturbing and gradually reduced to the peripheral. From the field of driver's view analysis superimposed with real-scenario photos, none of the street light sources was found to fall within the fovea ring. The visual interference from street lights was negligible from the driver's view.
 Keywords: Visual interference; streetlight; visual field; field of view.
eISSN: 2398-4287© 2020. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bsby e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v5iSI3.2580
Fusion Method with Mean-discrete Algorithm in Feature level for Identical twins Identification
Authors: Omar Bayan
Published: December 2020

The study on twins is an important form of study in the forensic and biometrics field as twins share similar genetic traits. A biometric is one of the common types of pattern recognition which acquires biometric data from a person. From these data, a feature is established and extracted where these features can be used to identify individual. Exiting works in biometric identification concentrate on unimodal biometric identification. The high similarity in a pair of twin’s biometric may lead to miss performance. Hence, due to their great accurateness, multimodal biometric systems have become more favored than unimodal biometric systems in identical twins identification. However, these systems are highly complex. We proposed Mean-Discrete feature based fusion algorithm for Kurdish handwriting and fingerprint for identical twins detection. Its viability and advantage over the unimodal biometric systems are highlighted. This paper employed 800 images from 50 pairs of identical twins from Kurdistan Region to carry out the experiment.
Use of #SaludTues Tweetchats for the Dissemination of Culturally Relevant Information on Latino Health Equity: Exploratory Case Study
Authors: Ramirez Amelie G , Aguilar Rosalie P , Merck Amanda , Despres Cliff , Sukumaran Pramod , Cantu-Pawlik Stacy , Chalela Patricia
Published: December 2020

Background

Latinx people comprise 18% of the US adult population and a large share of youth and continue to experience inequities that perpetuate health disparities. To engage Latinx people in advocacy for health equity based on this population’s heavy share of smartphone, social media, and Twitter users, Salud America! launched the #SaludTues Tweetchat series. In this paper, we explore the use of #SaludTues to promote advocacy for Latinx health equity.

Objective

This study aims to understand how #SaludTues Tweetchats are used to promote dissemination of culturally relevant information on social determinants of health, to determine whether tweetchats serve to drive web traffic to the Salud America! website, and to understand who participates in #SaludTues Tweetchats and what we can learn about the participants. We also aim to share our own experiences and present a step-by-step guide of how tweetchats are planned, developed, promoted, and executed.

Methods

We explored tweetchat data collected between 2014 and 2018 using Symplur and Google Analytics to identify groups of stakeholders and web traffic. Network analysis and mapping tools were also used to derive insights from this series of chats.

Results

We conducted 187 chats with 24,609 reported users, 177,466 tweets, and more than 1.87 billion impressions using the hashtag #SaludTues during this span, demonstrating effective dissemination of and exposure to culturally relevant information. Traffic to the Salud America! website was higher on Tuesdays than any other day of the week, suggesting that #SaludTues Tweetchats acted effectively as a website traffic–driving tool. Most participants came from advocacy organizations (165/1000, 16.5%) and other health care–related organizations (162/1000, 16.2%), whereas others were unknown users (147/1000, 14.7%) and individual users outside of the health care sector (117/1000, 11.7%). The majority of participants were located in Texas, California, New York, and Florida, all states with high Latinx populations.

Conclusions

Carefully planned, culturally relevant tweetchats such as #SaludTues can be a powerful tool for public health practitioners and advocates to engage audiences on Twitter around health issues, advocacy, and policy solutions for Latino health equity. Further information is needed to determine the effect that #SaludTues Tweetchats have on self- and collective efficacy for advocacy in the area of Latino health equity.
Patients’ Experiences of Using a Self-help App for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Qualitative Study (Preprint)
Authors: Riisager Lisa H G , Christensen Anne Bryde , Scharff Frederik Bernt , Arendt Ida-Marie T P , Ismail Israa , Lau Marianne Engelbrecht , Moeller Stine Bjerrum
Published: December 2020

BACKGROUND

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common disorder that requires more treatment options. Mobile health (mHealth) app interventions are promising for patients with PTSD, as they can provide easily accessible support, strategies, and information. However, knowledge about mHealth interventions is sparse and primarily based on quantitative studies.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to qualitatively explore the experiences of patients with PTSD with regard to using an mHealth app as a stand-alone intervention before commencing psychotherapeutic treatment.

METHODS

We conducted semistructured interviews with 14 participants 6 weeks after they received the app. The participants were all referred to PTSD treatment and were waiting to commence psychotherapeutic treatment. During this waiting time, the participants had no contact with the health staff. Interviews were transcribed and were analyzed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 3 themes were identified—the use of app, being a patient, and the overall evaluation of the app. The use of the app was described with the subtheme of habits, and the theme of being a patient included the subthemes of having negative experiences with the app and being a part of a research project. The use of the app encompassed how psychological factors and technical problems could interfere with the use of the app. The theme of being a patient depicted that the waiting time before starting treatment was long, and a subgroup of patients experienced feeling worse during this time, which they partly attributed to using the app. Several suggestions for change have been described in the overall evaluation of the app.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings in this study revealed that emotional arousal influenced the use of the app and that it was difficult for participants to establish a habit of using the app, thus reflecting the importance of supporting habit formation when implementing an mHealth app in mental health care services. This study makes an important contribution to the field of mHealth research, as it revealed that some participants had negative experiences resulting from using the app, thus reflecting the potential harm of having an mHealth app without the support of a clinician. It is therefore recommended to use a blended care treatment or an approach in which mental health care professionals prescribe an mHealth app for relevant patients to avoid increased suicidal risk.

CLINICALTRIAL
Tracing the Dairy Goat Industry: Profiling of Dairy Goat Farms in the Philippines
Authors:   Small Ruminant Center, Manalili L.G. , Del Rosario N. A. ,   Small Ruminant Center, Orden Edgar ,   Small Ruminant Center, Garabiles J. S. ,   Small Ruminant Center, Orden Maria Excelsis ,   Research Office, Central Luzon State University
Published: December 2020

The Philippine dairy goat industry remains a developing sector with fragmented data and information. Thus, a concerted effort to create baseline information on these dairy goat farms (DGF) is needed to situate technology interventions and consequently, improve dairy goat production. Out of the three main geographic areas of the country, 43 dairy goat farms were identified. Primary data were collected through qualitative and quantitative surveys using a structured questionnaire. The results showed that there are eight known goat breeds in the Philippines. Among the dairy goat breeds, Anglo-Nubian (94.9%), Saanen (53.5%), and Alpine (25.6%) were predominantly raised. Nearly one-third of the dairy goat farms include upgraded goats in the milk line. The total number of dairy goats in the participating farms reached 6,977 heads during the survey period. However, less than one percent of the total dairy goat population or equivalent to 689 are being milked. Farmers reported an average of 1.17 liters per day with an average 172-day lactation period or equivalent to 200 liters per lactation. Dairy goats in the Philippines, therefore, can produce over 137 MT of milk per year. Even though these farms are milking their goats, only 44.2% process and market the milk collected. Hence, this baseline information on the country’s dairy goat production provides a historical point of reference in assessing change and progress in the implementation of future dairy goat development programs.
Socio-Economic Appraisal of Farming Households in Marginal Areas in Botolan, Zambales, Philippines
Authors:   Central Luzon State University, Orden Maria Excelsis , Elane Edwin , Duca Rhenalyn , Dela Cruz Nenita ,   Central Luzon State University, Pagaduan Nestor ,   Central Luzon State University, Fermil Angelo ,   President Ramon Magsaysay State University, Natividad Elmer ,   Central Luzon State University, Jacinto, Jr. Lorenzo ,   Central Luzon State University
Published: December 2020

Farm households in four barangays in Botolan, Zambales were studied to make a socio-economic appraisal of their condition after the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991 and the massive flooding in 2009 that further marginalized their farms. A self-construct questionnaire was used for 150 farming households. Socio-economic data, farm management practices, production, and income per household were described, pooled, and analyzed descriptively. As of 2018, rice farming was the main source of household income despite the land being less suitable for rice and production area reduced. There was low productivity and a high yield gap compared with the province’s and the region’s yield levels. There was high input cost in rice farming due to various factors including the marginal condition of the farms. There was low income from rice farming during both seasons, but the yield was much lower during the wet season due to lower yield.
Enhancing Capacity on Data Analysis among Gender and Development Focal Persons Through Training
Authors:   Central Luzon State University, Manalastas Maria Yna Diane , Orden Maria Excelsis ,   Central Luzon State University, Latonio Ana Maria Lourdes ,   Central Luzon State University
Published: December 2020

Gender and development (GAD)-related issues are important topics in nation building. GAD focal persons in government agencies are identified to mainstream implementation of GAD-related activities to include research and development. However, one of the limiting factors in gender-related research is the lack of technical knowledge on data analytics which is fundamental for decision-making. The Socio-Economics Research and Data Analytics Center in Luzon (SERDAC–Luzon) was established as a government’s response to this limitation. The Center aims to enhance the capacity of researchers in basic and advanced socio-economic research, especially on the use of statistical software for data analytics to a range of gender issues. Trainings were conducted among GAD focal persons to enhance their competency on the use of SPSS for data analytics. Lectures, discussions, and workshops using the software were the teaching modalities. Data on the GAD focal person participants in the trainings conducted at two universities were used. The pre- and post-assessment scores were the variables, and the differences of the scores indicated the effects of the training on their competency and level of knowledge. Differential response of the male and female participants was also analyzed. There was a difference in the level of competency and knowledge in data analysis and the use of the software by gender as indicated in the participants’ pre- and post-assessment scores. The training was effective in providing the participants knowledge and skills. The trainings contributed to the improvement of the participants’ competency on the use of the software and knowledge for data analytics.
The Impacts of Fiscal Decentralization on the Quality of Government in China: A Test of Market-Preserving Federalism at the Provincial Level
Authors: Zhang Ping , Zheng Haosheng , Ren Qiang
Published: December 2020

The potential influence of fiscal decentralization on economic growth in China has been extensively studied. This paper examines whether fiscal decentralization has influenced marketization and regional disparity (intra-provincial expenditure inequality) and the tradeoff between them (quality of government, QoG). When local governments have sufficient fiscal autonomy, decentralizing fiscal power to sub-provincial governments is found to have a greater impact on increasing marketization, highlighting the important role of fiscal self-sufficiency in the effect of fiscal decentralization on market efficiency. Measuring the QoG from the marketization versus disparity perspective, we find a reversed U-shape relationship between revenue decentralization and QoG. Comparing the effect of fiscal decentralization on the QoG in different regions, intra-provincial revenue decentralization in the eastern area is above the optimal level, while the fiscal decentralization in the middle and western areas is near the optimal level. This paper combines the perspectives of fiscal decentralization and governance and conducts an empirical test of market-preserving federalism to explain differences among provinces.
SPIRITUAL HIBRIDITY OF NATIVE AMERICAN IN LOUIS EDRICH’S THE ROUND HOUSE: POSTCOLONIAL STUDIES
Authors: Faqih Achmad , Rokhman Muh Arif
Published: December 2020

Louis Edrich is a contemporary Native American writer who writes The Round House. The novel portrays the complexities of individual and cultural identity, focuses on the exigencies of marginalization and cultural survival, which happened to Native Americans, as well as concerns about spirituality and the hybrid form of religion, known as spiritual hybridity. Spiritual hybridity appears to be common practices for Native Americans after the arrival of European and the massive spreading of Christianity. This study is conducted to probe the representation of the spiritual hybridity of Native Americans. The novel is examined using Bhabha’s theory on Hybridity. The dialogue and narration in the form of words, phrases, and sentences in the novel are treated as a data source representing the spiritual hybridity of Native Americans. The analysis results in the representation of the spiritual hybridity of Native Americans,which can be considered as their defense against Christian hegemony. Besides, the representation of spiritual hybridity, as a form of third space, occurs due to a mixture of religious beliefs committed by Native Americans after experiencing religious oppression or discrimination. Spiritual hybridity can be concluded as a new pattern of the struggle and resistance of Native Americans to fight for their tradition. Nowadays, spiritual hybridity for Native American remains a form of resistance towards Christian hegemony.
Do Open Data Badges Influence Author Behaviour? a Case Study at Springer Nature
Authors: Pearce Rebecca , Grant Rebecca
Published: December 2020

Digital badges have previously been shown to incentivise journal authors to share their data openly. In this paper we introduce an Open data badging project at the Springer Nature journal BMC Microbiology. The development of the Open data badge is described, as well as the challenges of developing standard badging criteria and ensuring authorsâ€™ awareness of the badges. Next steps for the badging project are outlined, which are based on the experiences of the team assessing the badges, the number of badges awarded at the journal to date, and the results of an author survey.
Access Some Areas: Reforming Access Categories for Data in a Social Science Data Archive
Authors: Horton Laurence , Perry Anja
Published: December 2020

In this paper we outline the process of revising data access categories for research data sets in GESIS â€“ a large European social science data archive based in Germany. The challenge is to create a minimal set of workable access conditions that cope with a) facilitating as â€œopen as possible, closed as necessaryâ€ expectations for data reuse; b) map on to existing legacy access categories and conditions in a data archive.

The paper covers the work done in gathering data on data access categories used by data archives in their existing data catalogues, the choices offered to depositors of data in their user agreements, and work done by other data reuse platforms in categorising access to their data. Finally, we talk through the process of refining a minimal set of data access conditions for the GESIS data archive.
Vaccines against Coronavirus Disease: Target Proteins, Immune Responses, and Status of Ongoing Clinical Trials
Authors: Syahniar Rike , Purba Maria Berlina , Bekti Heri Setiyo , Mardhia Mardhia
Published: December 2020

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has infected more than 26 million individuals and caused 871,166 deaths globally. Various countries are racing against time to find a vaccine for controlling the rapid transmission of infection. The selection of antigen targets to trigger an immune response is crucial for vaccine development strategies. The receptor binding domain of the subunit of spike 1 protein is considered a promising vaccine candidate because of its ability to prevent attachment and infection of host cells by stimulating neutralizing antibodies. The vaccine is expected to mount a sufficient immunogenic response to eliminate the virus and store antigenic information in memory cells for long-term protection. Here, we review the ongoing clinical trials for COVID-19 vaccines and discuss the immune responses in patients administered an adequate dosage to prevent COVID-19.
Isolation and Molecular Characterization of Antibiotic Producing Bacillus licheniformis Strains Isolated from Soil
Authors: Al-Turk Anhar , Odat Nidal , Massadeh Muhannad I.
Published: December 2020

Currently, there is an increase prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria worldwide. Therefore, the need for characterization of naturally occuring antibiotics with less antibiotic resistance is required. Soil resources contains valuable antibiotic producing microorganisms that increasingly being utilized for the production of suitable antibiotics. Therefore, this study aimed at identifying an antibiotic bacteria with ability of producing antibiotic that is isolated from soil samples collected from Al Zarqa provenance, an arid area in Jordan. Morphological and biochemical characterization of the isolates were carried out and found that all of the isolates belong to Bacillus genus. Further confirmation of the characterization of the bacteria was done by ribosomal RNA and PCR. The results reveal that the isolates represent Basilluslicheniformis. These bacilli were further investigated for antimicrobial activities against 6 ATCC human pathogens viz., S. aureus, S. pneumonia, Salmonella typhi., E. coli, P. mirabels and E. cloacae. Additionally, the results of Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GCMS) of ethyl acetate extracts for B. licheniformis secondary metabolites showed that they contain two main antimicrobial compounds namely Pyrrolo [1, 2-a] pyrazine-1, 4-dione,hexahydro and Trans-13-octadecenoic acid. The present work maybe suggests that soil isolates from the studied arid area include antibiotic producing strains that can be utilized commercially.
Urban Migrant Labourers as Potential Source for Transfer of Antimicrobial Resistance to Rural Community
Authors: Chattopadhya Debasish , Devi Leimapokpam Sumitra , Grover Shyam Sunder , Broor Shobha
Published: December 2020

The aim of the study was to investigate potential evidence for spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) from urban migrant labourers to labourers from local resident rural community due to sharing of common residential premises and other civic amenities. Two groups of unskilled labourers, enrolled for civil construction in a peri-urban area viz. (i) labourers having migrated from urban zone and (ii) labourers from local resident village community were compared in terms of demographic profile, history of various risk factors towards acquisition of AMR and prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL), carbapenemase and New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase type 1 (NDM-1) categories of AMR at enrolment and after one year of sharing of common residential premises with associated sanitation facilities using Escherichia coli as indicator organism. Higher percentage of urban migrant labourers were characterised by low literacy level, history of inhabitation in makeshift shelters without dedicated access to drinking water or cooking space, practice of defecation in open, episodes of illness suggestive of bacterial infections, faulty treatment seeking behaviour and intestinal carriage rate of E. coli with various categories of AMR compared to the non-migrant labourers from rural community. The later group showed an increase in the prevalence of carbapenem resistance with NDM-1 production during the duration of co-inhabitation with urban migrant labourers. The present study provided potential evidence for transfer of AMR by urban migrant labourers to non-migrant labourers from rural community that may serve as vehicle for further transmission of AMR to the rural community hitherto unexposed or less exposed to the problem.
Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis: Correlation between Positivity of Acid-Fast Bacilli Sputum and Time to Conversion on Patients with Short-Term Treatment Regimen
Authors: Kusmiati Tutik , Charisma Anita Nur , Nugroho Nur Prasetyo , Soedarsono
Published: December 2020

Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) is a worldwide global burden and related to poor treatment outcomes. Monitoring the progress of DR-TB treatment can be carried out microscopic with Acid-Fast Bacilli (AFB) sputum smear and assessed from the beginning or the first time the patient is diagnosed and monthly to determine the sequential conversion of AFB baseline to the next month twice until it becomes negative. The prolonged conversion has been associated with infectiousness and treatment outcomes. This study was aimed to determine the correlation between positivity of AFB sputum and time to conversion in DR-TB patients with short-term treatment (STR) regimen. An analytic retrospective at hospital collected from medical records of DR-TB patients, from September 2017 to July 2018. Spearman technique was used to analyze the data with p < 0.05. From the total of 151 DR-TB patients on STR regimen, 51 patients were enrolled consisting of 30 (58.8%) males and 21 (41.2%) females with ages average were 51 ± 12.9 years old. Overall, 39 (76.5%) patients had time of AFB conversion in the first month, 9 (17.6%) patients in the second months, 2 (3.9%) patients in the third months, and 1 (2%) patient in the fourth months. Among those patients, 26 (51%) patients had completed the treatment outcomes, 22 (43.1%) were loss to follow-up, 1 (2%) patient had the treatment failure, and 2 (3.9%) were died. There was no significant correlation between AFB sputum baseline (Scanty, 1+, 2+, 3+) with the time to sputum conversion (p > 0.05). AFB sputum have significant correlation with time of culture conversion (p < 0.05), and treatment compliance was not associated with time of AFB sputum conversion (p > 0.05). There was no significant relation between positivity of AFB baseline and time to sputum conversion in DR-TB patients on short-term treatment (STR) regimen. AFB sputum have significant correlation with time of culture conversion in DR-TB patients on short-term treatment (STR) regimen.
Effect of Heat Stress and the Recovery Potential of Heterocystous Cyanobacterium, Anabaena iyengarii Bharadwaja 1935
Authors: Dash Sidhartha Kumar , Pandey Jitendra Kumar , Jena Mrutyunjay , Biswal Basanti
Published: December 2020

Cyanobacteria, the major photosynthetic organisms, cover a large surface area of this planet. These organisms, being photosynthetic, have the capacity for sequestration of atmospheric carbon dioxide, a significant greenhouse gas that causes global warming. In this work, we have collected, developed pure culture, and identified 25 cyanobacterial species from semi arid agricultural rice fields of western Odisha with the high-temperature environmental setting. The purpose was to screen the cyanobacteria that can survive and grow at high temperatures with high photosynthetic efficiency. Cyanobacteria belong to genera Nostoc, Anabaena, Calothrix, and Hapalosiphon are observed to survive at 45°C. Among the cyanobacterial species, Anabaena iyengarii 17-SKD-2014 was found to exhibit higher growth, protein content, photosynthetic pigments, and photosynthetic O2 evolution at 45°C in comparison to other cyanobacterial isolates. Further, this cyanobacterium was grown at 50°C to analyze the cellular viability, and only up to ninth day incubated culture could recover from high-temperature stress after transferring to 25°C. Even though this indigenous cyanobacterial species failed to survive at 50°C in the laboratory conditions beyond a time limit, but this could be biotechnologically manipulated for effective carbon dioxide sequestration contributing to minimization of global warming.
Chetoui Olive Cultivar Rhizosphere: Potential Reservoir for Exoenzymes and Exopolysaccharides Producing Bacteria
Authors: Cheba Ben Amar , Abdelzaher H.M.A.
Published: December 2020

Rhizospheric soils from cultivated olive (Olea europaea) trees of Chemlali, Chetoui, Quaissi, and Djalat cultivars were assessed for their bacterial abundance and diversity and were further screened for production of exopolysaccharides and exoenzymes (cellulase, chitinase, amylase, protease, lipase, and peroxidase). The results of the present study indicate that Chetoui cultivar revealed higher diversity, followed by Chemlali > Quaissi > Djalat, wherein, bacilli, enteric bacteria, and pseudomonads were abundantly present as specific bacterial groups associated with the Chetoui rhizosphere. Moreover, the exopolysaccharide (EPS)-producing bacteria of Chetoui cultivar (68.4%) presented the highest efficiency, followed by Djalat (23.5%) > Chemlali (7 %) > Quaissi (1%). These results revealed that the Chetoui cultivar presented highest enzyme activities, followed by Chemlali > Djalat > Quaissi, with a distinct abundance of peroxidase- and chitinase-producing bacteria, which may play a pivotal role in adapting olives to the environmental stresses. From this preliminary study, we confirmed that olive rhizosphere microbial diversity is essentially driven by the geographical origin and genotype of olive cultivars. Furthermore, we recommended the Chetoui olive cultivar rhizosphere as a potential reservoir for exoenzyme- and EPS-producing bacteria useful for future biotechnological applications.
Bacterial Profile of Urinary Tract Infections: Evaluation of Biofilm Formation and Antibiotic Resistance Pattern of Uropathogenic Escherichia coli
Authors: Shah Tariq Ahmad , Preethishree P. , Ashwini  , Pai Vidya
Published: December 2020

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common complaints in the outpatient clinic and a major health problem owing to the emergence of antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation. The objective of this study was to isolate and identify the causative bacterial agent of UTI and detect in vitro biofilm formation by Escherichia coli and investigate its correlation with antibiotic resistance. Urine samples from 519 patients with suspected UTIs were collected and processed by conventional microbiological procedures. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing for E. coli isolates was performed on Mueller Hinton agar (MHA) plates using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Biofilm production was evaluated using the tissue culture plate method. Of 519 urine samples, 115 (22.1%) showed significant bacteriuria. The most common isolate was E. coli (n=57, 49.6%), followed by Klebsiella spp. (n=23, 20%). All E. coli isolates were evaluated for their ability to form biofilms in vitro. Of 57 isolates, 50 (87.7%) were biofilm producers and 7 (12.3%) were non-biofilm producers. Antibiogram of E. coli isolates revealed the highest resistance to ampicillin (96.5%) and nitrofurantoin (91.2%), followed by amoxyclav (82.5%), ceftazidime (73.7%), cefepime (71.9%), and tetracycline (71.9%). A significant association (p<0.05) was observed between biofilm formation and resistance to amoxyclav, ceftazidime, cefepime, imipenem, and nitrofurantoin. A significant correlation was noted between biofilm production and antibiotic resistance. Hence, screening of all isolates of uropathogenic E. coli for biofilm production and studying their antibiogram would allow appropriate choice of antibiotic therapy.
A Study on Prevalence of Extended Spectrum Beta-lactamases Gene (CTX-M, TEM & SHV) Producing Enterobacteriaceae Members Isolated from Different Clinical Specimens at Tertiary Care Hospital, Uttarakhand
Authors: Singh Hitendra , Umesh  , Rawat Vinita , Negi Nidhi , Kumar Sunil
Published: December 2020

Extended spectrum b-lactamases (ESBLs) are one of the major enzymes responsible for antimicrobial drug resistance in bacterial isolates. The objective of this study was to find out the ESBL genes (blaTEM, blaSHV and blaCTX-M) in Enterobacteriaceae. This study was conducted from November 2013 to October 2015. The identification of Enterobacteriaceae isolates & antimicrobial drug resistance was done by conventional standard microbial methods. Further genotypic detection of ESBL was done by multiplex PCR. Results: Among 942 Enterobacteriaceae isolates, 332 (35.24%) isolates was ESBL producers. We observed high prevalence of ESBL enzyme in Klebsiella pneumonia (59.09%). These isolate revealed high resistance to co-trimoxazole, fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides. Out of 48 randomly selected isolates, ESBL genes were identified in 45 isolates which were found resistant to third generation cephalosporins. Single CTX-M gene noticed in 29 strains of Escherichia coli (E. coli), 02 strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae, and 01 strain of Proteus mirabilis. Occurrence of Combination of the genes e.g., (blaTEM+blaCTX-M), (blaSHV+blaCTX-M), (blaTEM+blaSHV+blaCTX-M) was detected in 08, 01 and 04 isolates respectively. Multiplex PCR in CTX-M carrying isolates revealed the presence of blaCTX-M group-1. The most common blaCTX-M group-1 was observed in all isolates of family Enterobacteriaceae. Antimicrobial drug resistance is a major problem of concern now a day. Studies like this will be helpful to knowing the burden of multi drug resistance as well as formulating antibiotics policy for a particular region.
Effect of Thermal Treatment of Chamomile (Marticaria chamomella) Extract on the Growth Inhibition of Some Pathogenic Fungi
Authors: Suliman Al-Meshal Areej
Published: December 2020

This Study shows the effect of thermal treatment of chamomile (Marticaria chamomella) extract with different concentrations (5,10,15,20,25,30) mg / ml, on inhibition of some pathogenic fungi such as Trichophyton rubrum and Aspergillus fumigatus under the different temperature degrees (25,50,75, 100)°C. The aqueous extract of chamomile gave complete inhibition against the fungus Trichophyton rubrum at (20,25,30) mg/ml under temperatures of (25,50,75,100)°C While, the aqueous extract of chamomile gave complete inhibition against the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus at concentrations (25,30) mg/ml under the temperature degree of (75,100) °C.
Features of Simplified Roller Bearings Simulation Using Finite Element Method
Authors: Belyaev A. N. , Shevchenko S. A.
Published: December 2020

Рассмотрены вопросы упрощенного моделирования подшипников качения при проведении прочностных расчетов методом конечных элементов в линейной постановке. Представленные подходы к моделированию подшипниковых опор справедливы как при проведении статических, так и при проведении динамических расчетов, но с учетом основных режимов работы конструкций, содержащих подшипники, главный акцент в работе сделан на динамические расчеты.В качестве программного обеспечения для проведения конечно-элементного анализа использовался Ansys Mechanical. Во введении приведено общее разъяснение необходимости упрощенного моделирования подшипниковых опор при проведении численного анализа. В основной части предложен способ упрощенного представления механической системы в виде дискретной динамической модели, необходимой при проведении динамических расчетов.Дается понятие о линеаризованной жесткости подшипника, причинах необходимости линеаризации, приводится возможный вариант условия линеаризации исходя из принципа верификации расчетной модели. Одновременно с этим в статье рассмотрены особенности конечно-элементного моделирования подшипников с использованием линейного упругого конечного элемента COMBIN14, в частности подход к моделированию подшипников при проведении расчета по определению динамических характеристик системы и прочностном расчете. Приведены способы оценки напряженно-деформированного состояния как конструкций в целом, так и самих шарикоподшипников по результатам моделирования. Отдельное внимание уделено особенностям расчета конструкций с подшипниками, установленными с предварительным натягом.Представленная статья основана на опыте авторов в проведении соответствующих расчетов конструкций с шарикоподшипниковыми опорами и может быть полезна студентам вузов, а также молодым специалистам, не имеющим опыта в подобном моделировании.
Development of Software and Hardware for Simulating the Operation of Radio Communication Facilities
Authors: Zykin A. A. , Khvorenkov V. V. , Kopysov A. A. , Boyarshinov M. A. , Khatbullin R. A.
Published: December 2020

Статья посвящена разработке программно-аппаратного комплекса, позволяющего имитировать работу средств связи в условиях воздействия естественных и преднамеренных помех. Программно-аппаратный комплекс построен на базе приборов Rohde & Schwarz и оборудования National Instruments. Разработанный программно-аппаратный комплекс позволяет учитывать физические характеристики реальных приемопередающих трактов средств связи и каналов связи. При этом программно-аппаратный комплекс может использовать в качестве источника и приемника сигналов как существующие средства связи, так и SDR-трансиверы.В ходе разработки программно-аппаратного комплекса были созданы программы для автоматизированного управления приборами (Rohde & Schwarz) и оборудованием (National Instruments), которые входят в состав разрабатываемого программно-аппаратного комплекса. Также проведено программно-аппаратное моделирование работы средств связи, использующих сигналы OFDM в условиях воздействия преднамеренных помех.В результате программно-аппаратного моделирования средств связи в условиях воздействия преднамеренных помех была исследована устойчивость сигнала OFDM к воздействию помех в виде тонального и аналогового ЧМ-сигнала. По результатам моделирования получены графики зависимости вероятности битовой ошибки от уровня мешающего сигнала (помехи). По результатам видно, что с увеличением значения уровня помехи вероятность битовой ошибки возрастает. Например, при воздействии помехи в виде тонального гармонического сигнала с уровнем 10 дБм на передачу OFDM-сигнала вероятность битовой ошибки составляет 0,2414, при уровне помехи 15 дБм – 0,3806. Также при воздействии помехи в виде аналогового ЧМ-сигнала при увеличении значения уровня помехи вероятность битовой ошибки возрастает. Например, при значении уровня помехи –30 дБм вероятность битовой ошибки равна 0,0054, при уровне помехи –25 дБм – 0,065.Разработанный программно-аппаратный комплекс для имитации работы средств связи в условиях радиоэлектронного противодействия позволяет оперативно изменять параметры средств радиоэлектронной борьбы и проводить оценку влияния радиоэлектронных помех на процесс работы средств связи. Разработанное программное обеспечение комплекса создает условия для автоматизированного управления приборами и оборудованием. Комплекс позволяет задавать режимы работы с персонального компьютера.
Analysis and Forecasting of Parameters for p-Order Autoregressive Process
Authors: Sherstneva A. A.
Published: December 2020

При решении задач расчета показателей производительности и надежности инфокоммуникационных систем классическими методами делают ряд допущений, например, об экспоненциальном распределении исходных переменных, что не всегда соответствует реальной сетевой ситуации. Кроме того, исходные переменные являются случайными величинами, сбор и обработка которых осуществляются системой мониторинга. Для получения как можно более точных результатов расчета показателей необходимо проводить большое число измерений случайных величин. В этом смысле известные формулы теории телетрафика обладают некоторой неточностью. Один из эффективных путей решения данной проблемы – применение методов регрессионного анализа. Целью статьи является решение задач прогнозирования тренда данных для расчета параметров инфокоммуникационных систем.Статья направлена на идентификацию авторегрессионного процесса для прогнозирования параметров инфокоммуникационных систем. Применение классического метода регрессионного анализа, такого как МНК-оценка параметров модели ряда, имеет некоторые ограничения. В статье предлагается альтернативный подход к решению обозначенной проблемы через теорию фильтрации сигналов.Наряду с классическим оцениванием методом наименьших квадратов одной из возможностей является решение эмпирических уравнений Юла – Уокера. В статье приводится методика решения по алгоритму Левинсона – Дурбина. Помимо теоретических выкладок разработана программа, позволяющая автоматизировать процесс вычислений.В зависимости от количества наблюдений выбирается критерий, минимизация которого приводит к выбору истинного порядка модели. Оценка осуществляется с использованием программных средств, а именно программы математического моделирования Matlab. В связи с этим в статье рассматривается не только возможность выбора критерия с теоретической точки зрения, но и его практическая реализация. Также приведены условия использования и показана наиболее эффективная методика выбора критерия в зависимости от количества наблюдений.
Data Transmission Model with Lost Fragments Recovery Based on Application Layer ARQ
Authors: Abilov A. V. , Chunaev A. V. , Nistyuk A. I. , Kaisina I. A.
Published: December 2020

Для сетей беспроводной связи в сложных условиях приема характерен высокий уровень группирования потерь, при котором может теряться подряд большое количество фрагментов данных. В этом случае для восстановления потерянных данных применение методов прямой коррекции потерь FEC в большинстве случаев не дает достаточного эффекта.Применение стандартных методов восстановления потерь данных на основе автоматического запроса повторной передачи ARQ на канальном и транспортном уровнях модели OSI может привести к появлению существенных задержек, что является неприемлемым для сервисов потоковой передачи в реальном режиме времени. В этом случае предпочтительнее пропустить фрагмент данных, чем вносить задержку на ожидание доставки фрагмента при повторных передачах. Применение методов, основанных на ARQ прикладного уровня модели OSI для потоковой передачи данных, позволяет более эффективно восстанавливать потерянные фрагменты данных в сетях беспроводной связи с высоким уровнем группирования потерь. Известные модели дискретного канала передачи информации для беспроводных сетей позволяют аналитически оценить вероятность потерь данных, однако не учитывают случаи с повторной передачей потерянных данных.В исследовании предложена математическая модель передачи данных в канале беспроводной связи на основе модели Гильберта, которая учитывает восстановление потерь методом ARQ и позволяет рассчитывать коэффициент потерь фрагментов данных. Для проверки адекватности предложенной модели разработано программное обеспечение, обеспечивающее передачу потоковых данных в сети беспроводной связи с восстановлением потерь фрагментов на прикладном уровне, и проведено соответствующее экспериментальное исследование. Показано, что математическая модель учитывает группирование потерь передаваемых данных и их восстановление методом ARQ.
COVID-19 la pandemia que nos prepara para un nuevo enfoque de salud-enfermedad
Authors: Guerrero F Milena
Published: December 2020

Editorial Volumen 23 Número 1
Infección por Herpes virus Humano tipo 6 relacionado con manifestaciones dermatológicas y fatiga crónica: serie de casos
Authors: Ávila-González Gloria Inés , Erazo-Narváez Andrés Felipe , Sánchez-Muñoz Fernando , Riascos-Montes Rigobert Alexis , Anacona Cristian , Dueñas-Cuellar Rosa Amalia , Niño-Castaño Victoria Eugenia , Klínger Julio César
Published: December 2020

Introducción: Las manifestaciones clínicas más frecuentes causadas por el Herpes Virus Humano Tipo 6 (HHV-6) ocurren en niños menores de 2 años, presentan lesiones en piel tipo roséola o exantema súbito. En adultos, las manifestaciones clínicas relacionadas a HHV-6 son muy variables, y pueden sobreponerse con otras afecciones. Objetivo: Presentar una serie de casos de pacientes diagnosticados con infección activa por HHV-6, quienes mostraban manifestaciones neurológicas, dermatológicas y de fatiga crónica. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó análisis de historias clínicas de 6 pacientes que fueron diagnosticados con infección activa por HHV-6, a través de métodos moleculares. Resultados: Se reportan 6 pacientes que fueron diagnosticados con infección activa por HHV-6 mediante métodos moleculares, quienes presentaron manifestaciones clínicas comunes tales como: fiebre, cefalea, depresión, decaimiento, pérdida de memoria y concentración, dolor fibromuscular, dolor poliarticular, sueño no reparador, exantema, nevus rubí, liquen plano y parestesias. Conclusiones: A través de esta serie de casos se espera resaltar la importancia de identificar la infección activa por HHV-6 a través de métodos moleculares, y sensibilizar a la comunidad médica sobre el papel que juega el virus en la evolución de diversas patologías.
EL PRINCIPIO DE SIMPLICIDAD ADMINISTRATIVA APLICADO A TRAVÉS DEL SISTEMA DE FACTURACIÓN
Authors: Arias Pérez Mauricio , Ordoñez Pico Shirley
Published: December 2020

El sistema de facturación, a través del tiempo muestra una conducta evolutiva de cambios constantes, que tienen como fin generar facilidades, para sus beneficiarios. Las reformas tributarias al sistema de facturación, cumplen un papel primordial en el perfeccionamiento del sistema mismo, considerando que la administración tributaria, se ha enfocado de tal manera que las reformas efectuadas, no sean consideradas únicamente como una medida de control,hacia los contribuyentes, sino más bien una herramienta para mejorar y potencializar los sistema de facturación dentro de las entidades económicas, con la finalidad de lograr que su eficiencia y eficacia hagan parte de sus fortalezas empresariales. Basados en el principio de simplicidad administrativa, se busca comprobar que las reformas efectuadas al sistema de facturación cumplen con lo estipulado en el estudiado principio, el mismo que determina la obligatoriedad de la administración tributaria, al brindar al contribuyente, las facilidadesnecesarias para que cumpla con sus deberes y formalidades tributarias.
El sufrimiento como valor: expertise y compromiso en las reparaciones económicas a las víctimas de una “tragedia” argentina
Authors: Zenobi Diego
Published: December 2020

En las últimas décadas puede observarse la proliferación de mecanismos de reparación de la violencia que clasifican, jerarquizan y modelan la condición de víctima. Aquí me baso en la idea de que existe una relación entre la finalidad de esos dispositivos y las expectativas de las personas que realizan sus propias evaluaciones morales sobre aquellos. En este trabajo analizo los pedidos de indemnización elaborados por los abogados de las víctimas del incendio de la discoteca Cromañón, que ocurrió en 2004 y dejó 194 muertos y 1.500 heridos. Mostraré que la elaboración de aquellas demandas está estrechamente conectada con las expectativas de justicia sostenidas por estos expertos del derecho comprometidos con la lucha pública y política de las víctimas. Pretendo mostrar que así como los dispositivos hacen personas, también las personas hacen dispositivos.