bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors affecting implementation of preference and reservation directive on government procurement opportunities in Kenya
Authors: Arunga Awuor 
Published: February 2022

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to determine factors affecting the implementation of preference and reservation directives on government procurement opportunities in Kenya: a case of the central bank of Kenya.
Design/ Methodology/Approach: The investigation utilized stratified arbitrary inspecting, the adolescent, ladies and people with handicaps being the strata of particular elements prequalified with the Central Bank of Kenya in its mind office in Nairobi and the three branches (Mombasa, Kisumu and Eldoret). From that point, straightforward arbitrary testing was utilized to choose 310 respondents from the strata who were issued with surveys. Information was gathered utilizing self-regulated polls. The information gathered was broken down by the utilization of illustrative and inferential measurements. Numerous relapse models were utilized to demonstrate the connection between the reliant variable and the free factors.
Findings: R square value of 0.768 means that 76.8% of the corresponding variation in the implementation of the 30% preference and reservation directive on government procurement in Kenya can be explained or predicted by (regulatory framework and requirements, procurement opportunity awareness and sensitization, the capacity of disadvantaged groups, ethical and compliance issues) which indicated that the model fitted the study.
Contribution to policy and practice: The discoveries of the investigation demonstrated that administrative system and prerequisites, obtainment opportunity mindfulness and sharpening, the limit of distraught gatherings, moral and consistency issues have a positive association with the execution of the 30% inclination and reservation order on government acquirement openings in Kenya.
Originality/Value: The study extends the literature on open organizations and recommends that they should grasp administrative structure and prerequisites, acquisition opportunity mindfulness and refinement, the limit of impeded gatherings, moral and consistency issues in order to improve the usage of the 30% inclination and reservation.
Effect of financial perspective on the performance of Small and Medium Enterprises
Authors: Kiptanui Albert 
Published: February 2022

Purpose: There are several ways through which business practices can be established in specific areas, which can lead to outstanding business performance. Using balanced scored model, this study looked into the effect of of financial perspective on the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) performance.
Design/ Methodology/Approach: The study was conducted in Elgeyo Marakwet County in Kenya and sampled 95 SMEs using simple random sampling method. First hand data from sampled SMEs was collected using questionnaires and analysed using Ordinal Least Squares (OLS) regression model.
Findings: The study found out that financial perspective had significant influence on SMEs performance (β = 0.017, p < 0.847).
Contribution to policy and practice: The study confirmed the need for the county government and microfinance institutions to support SMEs financial by offering them cheap, affordable and low interest loan to the resident.
Originality/Value: The study extends and contributes to the strategic management literature on factors affecting performance of SMEs. It is the first study to establish financial and customer perspetive as determinants of SMEs performance in Elgeyo Marakwet County in Kenya.
Effect of cash management automation on financial management in Meru County government
Authors: Mugambi Bonface Mutuma 
Published: February 2022

Purpose: The main purpose of the study was to find out if ICT adoption has a significant effect on financial management in the Meru County Government. Effective public financial management has attracted the attention of many scholars in identifying the best practice and how to install fiscal disciplines. In search of good governance and sound financial management, the World Bank has been at the forefront in championing this aspect. Lack of effective financial management practices hinders effective service delivery.
Design/ Methodology/Approach: Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) theory is one of the models used to explain how technology is accepted by the users. A descriptive survey research design study was used. The population for this study is composed of the Meru county government staff. The sample size was 70 respondents in total, a questionnaire was used as the research tool whose validity and reliability was measured accordingly. Mean and regression analysis was computed when analyzing data.
Findings: The findings established that Cash management automation enables county leadership to understand the true cost of service delivered by the county per activity; that Through Cash management automation, the county finance department is able to reconcile transactions data in real-timeOn Cash management automation the study concludes that successful cash management automation in any institution is essential due to difficulties that come with accessing credits whenever an organization is facing liquidity several constraints.
Contribution to policy and practice: From the findings on cash management automation the study recommends that automation systems should be fully implemented as it increases cash management. For Meru county Government to realize growth, investment in technology should be made in order to enhance service delivery and transparency in cash management.
Originality/Value: This study is the first of its kind to empirically explore cash management automation on financial management in Meru county government.
PERANCANGAN GAME TIMBANGAN BUKAN OTOMATIS ELEKTRONIK INTERVAL TUNGGAL SEBAGAI MEDIA PEMBELAJARAN
Authors: Nasution Rifyan 
Published: February 2022

Dalam rangka mendukung proses pembelajaran pada pelatihan fungsional penera, pengembangan media pembelajaran diperlukan sebagai alternatif untuk praktikum. Banyak peserta pelatihan fungsional penera yang belum memiliki Unit Metrologi Legal (UML) sehingga kurang memiliki akses untuk melakukan latihan pada timbangan yang sesungguhnya setelah mengikuti pelatihan fungsional. Hal ini menjadi kendala karena peserta pelatihan diharuskan untuk mengikuti ujian kompetensi setelah lulus dari pelatihan fungsional. Adanya media pembelajaran edukasi ini diharapkan dapat meningkatkan kemampuan untuk melakukan peneraan timbangan bukan otomatis elektronik dalam persiapan menghadapi ujian kompetensi. Metodologi yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini mengacu pada referensi Luther dengan Multimedia Development Life Cycle (MDLC). Aplikasi yang digunakan untuk membuat media pembelajaran ini adalah construct 2. Penerapan media pembelajaran ini diharapkan dapat memfasilitasi peserta pelatihan setelah mengikuti pelatihan fungsional penera. Peserta pelatihan yang tidak memiliki akses alat praktikum di tempat asal peserta pelatihan tetap dapat berlatih kembali untuk menghadapi ujian kompetensi. Untuk penelitian lebih lanjut, media pembelajaran ini diharapkan dapat dikembangkan lagi dalam hal animasi, desain, fitur, serta peningkatan dari 2 Dimensi menjadi 3 Dimensi agar peserta pelatihan mendapatkan simulasi praktikum yang lebih baik. Metodologi yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini mengacu pada referensi Luther dengan Multimedia Development Life Cycle (MDLC). Aplikasi yang digunakan untuk membuat media pembelajaran ini adalah construct 2. Penerapan media pembelajaran ini diharapkan dapat memfasilitasi peserta pelatihan setelah mengikuti pelatihan fungsional penera. Peserta pelatihan yang tidak memiliki akses alat praktikum di tempat asal peserta pelatihan tetap dapat berlatih kembali untuk menghadapi ujian kompetensi. Untuk penelitian lebih lanjut, media pembelajaran ini diharapkan dapat dikembangkan lagi dalam hal animasi, desain, fitur, serta peningkatan dari 2 Dimensi menjadi 3 Dimensi agar peserta pelatihan mendapatkan simulasi praktikum yang lebih baik.
LANTIBIOTICS OF MILK ISOLATES: A SHORT REVIEW ON CHARACTERIZATION AND POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS
Authors: Nettoor Veettil Vajid , Chitra Vijaya 
Published: February 2022

Milk, due to its high nutritional content, is an excellent medium for supporting growth of diverse group of microorganisms, many of which produce beneficial compounds like bacteriocins. Class I bacteriocins, called lantibiotics, are ribosomally synthesized, post-translationally modified peptides containing unusual amino acids, such as dehydrated and lanthionine residues with antibacterial activities. Bacterial strains isolated from milk and dairy products produce a range of lantibiotics which can employed for development of food preservatives, flavor enhancers and as alternate treatment strategies for multi drug resistant bacterial pathogens. The diverse category of lantibiotics from milk isolates include well characterized prototypes like nisin to newer peptides yet to be studied. In this review, details of most prominent lantibiotics obtained from milk isolates have been presented with special focus on applications of these lantibiotics in therapeutics and food.
LIPASE-CATALYZED TRANSESTERIFICATION OF MEDIUM-LONG-MEDIUM STRUCTURED LIPID (MLM-SL) USING PALM OLEIN AND PALM KERNEL OIL IN BATCH AND CONTINUOUS SYSTEMS
Authors: Utama Qabul Dinanta , Sitanggang Azis Boing , Adawiyah Dede Robiatul , Hariyadi Purwiyatno 
Published: February 2022

Lipase-catalyzed transesterification between refined bleached deodorized palm olein (RBDO) and palm kernel oil (RBDPKO) has been investigated to produce medium-long-medium structured lipid (MLM-SL). The synthesis was catalyzed by a specific sn-1,3 commercial lipase (Lipozyme TL IM) in batch and continuous systems. Progress of the transesterification of this study was monitored as triacylglycerol (TAG) with equivalent carbon number (ECN) 40, presumably that of 1,3-dilauryl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycerol (LaOLa). The results showed that lipase-catalyzed transesterification using RBDO and RBDPKO could potentially be used as the main substrate for MLM-SL synthesis, both for batch and continuous systems. In batch system, transesterification of RBDO and RBDPKO at the ratio of 1:2 at 50oC yielded in the highest concentration of ECN 40 (LaLaO/LaOLa, 7.34%) but also a higher total concentration of partial acylglycerol fractions (Di- and Monoacylglycerols; DAGs and MAGs). Thus, this condition also obtained transesterified lipid rich in EC N40 with a lower slip melting point as compared to other substrate ratios. In a continuous system, transesterification at RDBO:RBDPKO of 1:1 at 50oC and 15 min of residence time were selected as the optimum conditions, resulting in 5.39% EC N40 with a minimum concentration of DAGs and MAGs.
APPLICATIONS OF PLANT LECTINS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS
Authors: NAIK SANJAY , KUMAR SANJIT 
Published: February 2022

Lectins are carbohydrate-binding proteins broadly used in various therapeutic and biomedical applications. The variable affinity of lectins towards variety of carbohydrates has raised attention for the biologist to explore functional aspects of lectins. Lectins express specificity to simple carbohydrates for example mannose, lactose, sialic acid, complex glycan, and glycoproteins. Lectins are classified based on their sugar specificity and are used as a tool to study protein-carbohydrate interactions. Lectins are ubiquitous in nature and identified from all sources such as bacteria, fungi, algae, and animals. Plants are the most abundant source of lectins, and till now, more than three hundred lectins were characterized from plants. These are distributed to various parts of a plant according to their requirements and function. The physiological role of lectins in a plant is still not well understood. The overabundant presence of lectins in plant seeds and storage tissues indicated their role in plant development. Plant lectins shows a broad range of activities like antibacterial, antifungal, insecticidal, anticancerous, antileishmanial, antiviral, and anticoagulants. In this review, we aim to highlight the plant lectins classification and their application in various biological aspects.
VALORIZATION OF PERILLALDEHYDE MOLECULE CONTAINED IN THE ESSENTIAL OIL OF Ammodaucus Leucotrichus Coss. FROM THE SAHARAN ZONES OF MOROCCO
Authors: Bouzekri Omayma , Elgamouz Sabah , Ghaleb Adib , Amechrouq Ali , El Idrissi Mostafa , Choukrad M’barek 
Published: February 2022

The aim of this work is to valorise the species Ammodaucus leucotrichus Coss which is known by its abundance in perillaldehyde. The plant material was collected from two regions in Morocco: Errachidia and Smara region, then was hydrodistilled. The essential oils (EOs) obtained were firstly characterized by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Secondly the EO with the major component is the perillaldehyde was used as starting material to semi-synthesize three p-menthane monoterpenoids. The semi-synthesized compounds from perillaldehyde were studied for their docking behavior against Lung Cancer with the crystallographic structure of the kinase domain of EGFR protein using surflex-docking.
The GC/MS analysis of essential oils, showed a total of 25 components accounts 99.51% for Errachidia’s EO while 28 components account for 99.83% for Smara’s EO. GC/MS analysis showed that perillaldehyde is the major components in the EO of Errachidia with a percentage of 74.71%. For this purpose, Errachidia's EO was used to semi-synthesize the perilla alcohol, the perillic acid, and the perillartine. The three compounds were obtained in good yield, their structures were confirmed by GC/MS and Infrared (IR). The molecular docking study showed a good binding affinity between the perilla alcohol (POH) and the lung cancer receptor than perillic acid and perillartine.
The species Ammodaucus leucotrichus Coss. could be considered a promising source of p-menthan monoterpenoids, known for their anticancerous properties.
THE INFLUENCE OF NON-TRADITIONAL FRUITS AND ELDER FLOWERS ON RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF THE DOUGH
Authors: Kolesárová Anna , Bojňanská Tatiana , Kopčeková Jana , Kolesárová Adriana 
Published: February 2022

The influence of the addition of flowers (Flos sambuci L.) and berries of elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.), blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum L.) and chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa L.) to wheat flour was characterized by the rheological test Mixolab (Chopin Technologies, France). Twelve types of wheat flour mixture with different fruit and elder flowers addition were prepared for evaluation in the following ratios: 95: 5, 90:10, 85:15. The control represented 100 % wheat flour. Preliminary rheological analyzes indicated a strong influence of the ingredients used on the properties of the dough. The addition of elderflowers, elderberry and blackcurrants significantly increased the values of the dough development time. In the samples with the addition of elder flowers, we also found a higher stability of the dough, on the contrary, the addition of berries of elderberry and also the 15% addition of chokeberry reduced it. The most significant effect of increasing the addition on the development time and stability of the dough was observed in the samples with the addition of blackcurrant. In contrast to the other samples, the properties of the flour with the addition of elder flowers were comparable with the control flours in protein strength, in starch gelatinization and in the estimated amylase activity. Samples of flour with the addition of lyophilized fruits behaved significantly differently rheologically than flour with the addition of elder flowers. The closest relationship (p <0.001) was observed between the torque C3 (starch gelatinization rate) and C4 (stability of the formed gel), also between C3 and the difference C3-C2 (r = 0.99).
Association between sleep insufficiency and dyslipidemia: a cross-sectional study among Greek adults in the primary care setting
Authors: Tsiptsios Dimitrios , Leontidou Eleni , Fountoulakis Petros N. , Ouranidis Andreas , Matziridis Anestis , Manolis Apostolos , Triantafyllis Andreas S. , Tsamakis Konstantinos , Serdari Aspasia , Terzoudi Aikaterini , Dragioti Elena , Steiropoulos Paschalis , Tripsianis Gregory 
Published: February 2022

Objective To investigate the potential association between sleep insufficiency and dyslipidemia (DL) in the primary care setting using self-reported questionnaires.
Material and Methods 957 adults aged between 19 and 86 years old from the rural area of Thrace, Greece were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Multistage stratifed cluster sampling was used and the subjects were classifed into three groups according to sleep duration [short (<6h), normal (6-8h), and long (>8h) sleep duration]. DL was defined by a positive response to the question “Have you ever been told by a doctor or health professional that your blood cholesterol or triglyceride levels were high?”, or if they were currently taking antilipidemic agents. Sleep quality, utilizing Epworth sleepiness scale, Athens insomnia scale, Pittsburgh sleep quality index and Berlin questionnaire, was also examined.
Results DL prevalence was significantly associated with short sleep duration (aOR=2.18, p<0.001) and insomnia (aOR=1.43, p=0.050), while its relation with poor sleep quality (aOR=1.31, p=0.094) and risk for obstructive sleep apnea (aOR=1.32, p=0.097) were of marginal statistical significance. Concerning insomnia subtypes, DL was significantly associated with difficulties maintaining sleep (aOR=2.99, p<0.001) and early morning awakenings (aOR=1.38, p=0.050), but not difficulties initiating sleep (aOR=1.18, p=0.328).
Conclusion This study reveals an association between sleep pathology and DL. Thus, early pharmacological and cognitive or behavioral interventions that improve sleep are deemed necessary in order to decrease DL burden.
Changes in adolescents’ sleep during COVID-19 outbreak reveal the inadequacy of early morning school schedules
Authors: Santos Jefferson Souza , Louzada Fernando Mazzilli 
Published: February 2022

Objectives The forced closure of schools during the COVID-19 outbreak imposed on adolescents a new reality of home-schooling. This new situation has affected adolescent sleep patterns due to the absence of the pressure to wake up earlier induced by school times during pandemic. This study aimed to investigate the changes in sleep and napping habits in Brazilian adolescents during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Methods A sample of 259 high school adolescents (mean age = 15.5 years) reported sleep and napping habits by means validated questionnaires in both baseline year (March-June 2019) and during COVID-19 lockdown (July 2020).
Results The tendency to eveningness was higher and daytime sleepiness was reduced during the social isolation. Time in bed (TIB) increased by more than 2 hours and sleep onset time was delayed during the pandemic. More adolescents reported getting enough TIB during the pandemic. Moreover, sleepiness during remote classes was reduced compared to that reported during traditional classes one year before. The nap habit decreased during the pandemic compared to the baseline year.
Discussion The lack of early wake-up pressure to attend school in the morning could explain the sleep improvements perceived during the COVID-19 outbreak. Therefore, parents, educators, and policy makers need to discuss more feasible school times for adolescents in order to implement these changes as soon as returning to presential/hybrid learning.
Prevalence of predictive factors for obstructive sleep apnea in university students
Authors: Santos Eduardo Rodrigues dos , Silva Jamilly Henrique Costa da , Lima Anna Myrna Jaguaribe , Studart-Pereira Luciana Moraes 
Published: February 2022

Objectives To identify predictive factors for obstructive sleep apnea in university students.
Material and Methods Analytical, observational, cross-sectional study, conducted from August 2018 to February 2019. 144 students of both genders, informed of purposes and procedures, signed consent forms to participate. Procedures included measuring body mass index, abdominal, and neck circumference; inspecting tongue and oropharynx with Mallampati modified classification; answering Berlin questionnaire.
Results 63.9% had normal body mass index; 19.4% were overweight. 59.7% had normal abdominal circumference; 89.6%, normal neck circumference. 65.3% presented Mallampati class I V. 74.3% indicated no obstructive sleep apnea; 25.7% were at high risk. High risk for obstructive sleep apnea associated with body mass index (p<0.001), abdominal (p=0.006), and neck circumference (p<0.001).
Discussion Anthropometries were mostly normal, despite the high prevalence of changed Mallampati classification. Positively correlated predictive factors, also associated with high risk for obstructive sleep apnea, reinforce the need for such preventive measures in youth.
Validation of the Colombian version of the Karolinska sleepiness scale
Authors: Laverde-López María Camila , Escobar-Córdoba Franklin , Eslava-Schmalbach Javier 
Published: February 2022

Introduction Currently, daytime sleepiness is a prevalent condition worldwide. Locally validated instruments for measuring sleepiness are required. The objective of this study was to validate a version of the Karolinska sleepiness scale that was translated into the Spanish spoken in Colombia.
Methods Individuals who attended a sleep laboratory for a polysomnography study and people in the general population were included. The validation process was performed in 6 phases: translation and back translation of the original version of the scale (English), face validity (n=13), pilot test (n=20), criteria validity (n=139) by means of polysomnography and the Epworth sleepiness scale, reproducibility (n=34), and sensitivity to change (n=40).
Results Regarding its discriminant validity, the Colombian version of the Karolinska sleepiness scale is correlated with the Epworth sleepiness scale, provided that a Mann-Whitney z=2661 (p=0.0078) was obtained. The scale has an acceptable reproducibility, Spearman Rho=0.55 (p=0.0002), and sensitivity to change, as shown through a two-tailed t test (p=0.0000).
Conclusions The Karolinska Sleepiness Scale was successfully adapted to the Spanish variation spoken in Colombian and to the conditions of adult Colombians; thus, it constitutes a valid, reliable, and easy to use instrument for the assessment of patients with hypersomnia.
Sleep patterns, problems, and habits in a sample of Egyptian preschoolers
Authors: Abou-Khadra Maha K. , Ahmed Dalia , Sadek Samar A. , Mansour Hala H. 
Published: February 2022

Objective Sleep problems are common among preschoolers. We conducted this study to investigate sleep problems in a sample of Egyptian preschoolers attending pediatric outpatient clinics and examine the relationship between their sleep problems, patterns, and hygiene.
Methods The parents of 319 preschoolers, aged 2-5 years, completed the BEARS(which represent the fve major sleep domains, i.e., bedtime problems, excessive daytime sleepiness, awakenings during the night, regularity and duration of sleep, and snoring) questionnaire in Arabic and a short survey on their educational status, significant medical problems and/or their child’s medications , and sleeping habits.
Results The frequency of bedtime problems, excessive daytime sleepiness, awakenings during the night, regularity of sleep, and snoring were 58.9%, 17.9%, 31%, 60.5%, and 20.4%, respectively. More than a third of the samples had poor sleep hygiene practices, ranging from 41.7% to 70.5%. Multivariate analyses revealed that age and body mass index (BMI) are predictors of bedtime problems.
Conclusions Our fndings indicate that sleep problems and poor sleep hygiene are common among this sample of preschoolers. This study also suggests an association between age and BMI and sleep disturbances.