Microbiological Quality of Fresh Produce from Open Air Markets and Supermarkets in the Philippines

Vital, Pierangeli G.,Dimasuay, Kris Genelyn B.,Widmer, Kenneth W.,Rivera, Windell L. Hindawi Publishing Corporation 2014 The Scientific World Journal Vol.2014 No.-

<P>This study is the first in the Philippines to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the prevalence of bacterial pathogens and somatic phages in retailed fresh produce used in salad preparation, namely, bell pepper, cabbage, carrot, lettuce, and tomato, using culture and molecular methods. Out of 300 samples from open air and supermarkets, 16.7% tested positive for thermotolerant <I>Escherichia coli</I>, 24.7% for <I>Salmonella</I> spp., and 47% for somatic phages. Results show that counts range from 0.30 to 4.03 log<SUB>10</SUB> CFU/g for <I>E. coli</I>, 0.66 to ≥2.34 log<SUB>10</SUB> MPN/g for <I>Salmonella</I> spp., and 1.30 to ≥3.00 log<SUB>10</SUB> PFU/g for somatic phages. Statistical analyses show that there was no significant difference in the microbial counts between open air and supermarkets (<I>α</I> = 0.05). TaqMan and AccuPower Plus DualStar real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to confirm the presence of these organisms. The relatively high prevalence of microorganisms observed in produce surveyed signifies reduction in shelf-life and a potential hazard to food safety. This information may benefit farmers, consumers, merchants, and policy makers for foodborne disease detection and prevention.</P>

Novel phosphate glasses with different amounts of TiO₂ for biomedical applications

Vitale-Brovarone, C.,Novajra, G.,Milanese, D.,Lousteau, J.,Knowles, J.C. Elsevier 2011 Materials science & engineering. C, Materials for Vol.31 No.2

The aim of this work was to develop a range of phosphate glasses having different solubilities and with suitable characteristics to be drawn into fibres. Three glasses with molar compositions 50P<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>5</SUB>-30CaO-9Na<SUB>2</SUB>O-3SiO<SUB>2</SUB>-3MgO-(5-x)K<SUB>2</SUB>O-xTiO<SUB>2</SUB> (x=0, 2.5, 5) were prepared and characterized in terms of thermal properties, density and dissolution rate. The dissolution tests were conducted in bi-distilled water (pH 6.0+/-0.5), Tris-HCl (pH 7.4+/-0.1) and citric acid buffer solutions (pH 3.0+/-0.1) in order to study the influence of pH on the dissolution process. TiO<SUB>2</SUB> had a stabilizing effect on the glass, causing an increase in the glass transition temperature and density and a decrease in the glass dissolution rate. Acidic medium was found to strongly enhance the glass dissolution. The pH decrease caused by the acidic degradation products and the consequent enhancement of the glass weight loss were attenuated with the TiO<SUB>2</SUB> increase. The fabrication of glass fibres using a preform drawing approach was investigated. Control and versatility of the process are demonstrated through the production of several tens of meters of fibre with diameters ranging from 37+/-2μm up to 173+/-7μm. Preliminary analysis reveal pristine fibres, free of crystallization, showing adequate flexibility for prospective biomedical applications.

한국경찰의 G20 정상회의 집회시위관리정책에 대한 사례연구

Vitale, A. S.,김학경,최낙범 치안정책연구소 2011 치안정책연구 Vol.25 No.2

It is widely recognized that the Korean Police Force confidently showed the whole world that protest-culture in Korea was greatly improved by their successful performance in policing the protests at 2010 G20 summit in Seoul. Protest policing policy is regarded as an indicator of a country's level of democratization. most previous studies of protest policing in Korea have focused either on effective countermeasure responses or legal issues, and hence, it is of great importance to analyze and positively associated protest management policy and its implementation process for better decision-making in protest policing policy. In this context, this study basically aims to examine the Korean National Police's G20 summit protest policing, compared with western police forces' (UK and USA) crowd management models, such as 'Escalated Force', 'Negotiated Management', and 'Command and Control'. To collect primary data in this research, participant observation as well as qualitative interviews are employed, and research findings are analyzed and presented from the two perspectives: tactical and strategic issues. This research's final findings were that when it comes to G20 protest policing, the Korean National Police have adopted a policy of 'facilitation of lawful protest', whereby detailed strategies and tactics are nearly synonymous with the 'Negotiated Management Model', which is a step forward from a 'guarantee of lawful protests & strict punishment of unlawful protest' policy in the past. However, to develop a more perfect negotiated management model, the Korean police should deploy a proportionate number of police officers to the scene and also introduce visible identification numbers as with police forces in the UK or USA in terms of tactical issues. This study further suggests that the Korean police should not only consider deregulating restrictions on protest venue, but also prohibition of entry from the perspective of strategic issues. 지난 해 한국경찰이 보여준 G20 정상회의 집회시위의 성공적인 관리는 전 세계에 높아진 한국의 집회시위 문화를 보여주는 계기가 되었다. 한 국가의 집회시위관리정책은 민주화 발전단계를 보여주는 척도가 될 수 있다. 따라서 관련 정책과 집행과정에 대한 객관적인 평가와 분석은 향후 더 나은 정책과 국가 전체 발전을 위해 중요한 의미를 갖는다고 할 수 있다. 하지만 그간 집회시위에 관한 연구들은 경찰의 효율적인 대응방식이나 법률적 대응에 주로 초점을 맞추고 있었다. 따라서 본 논문에서는 우선 문헌고찰을 통해 서구 경찰의 집회시위관리 모델인 물리력확대 모델, 협의관리모델, 지시통제 모델을 고찰하고, 이를 토대로 지난 G20 정상회의 집회시위 관리정책을 분석·평가 하였다. 특히 참여관찰 및 질적 인터뷰 등을 통해 집회관리 정책과 집행 실제 사례를 전술적 측면 및 전략적 이슈 측면에서 분석하였다. 분석결과, 의사소통 측면에서 상호 대화노력을 통해 평화적인 집회시위에 대한 합의를 이끌어내었으며, 가시성 측면에서는 형광색 재킷을 착용하고 전자교통신호벽을 사용함으로써 불필요한 오해와 충돌을 방지하였으며, 유연성 측면에서는 사소한 법위반에 대하여 유연하게 대처하는 태도를 보인 것으로 나타났다. 반면, 경찰관의 배치 측면에서는 대규모의 경찰관을 시위대 앞에 배치함으로써 대응 및 통제에 대한 자신감 결여를 보여주었던 것은 개선이 필요한 부분으로 지적되었다. 결과적으로, 한국의 G20 집회시위 관리정책은 과거 '합법보장, 불법필벌'에서 벗어나 서구의 협의관리모델에 가까운 '합법촉진 정책'으로 변모했다는 것을 알 수 있었다. 하지만, 보다 더 완벽한 협의관리모델을 위해서는 전술적 측면에서 경찰력의 축소배치 및 개별인식장치의 도입을 고려할 수 있으며, 전략적 측면에서 행사장에대한 접근성 보장 및 과도한 입국금지 정책의 폐지 등 이 고려되어야 할 것이다.

Resistance of Oryza sativa and Oryza glaberrima Genotypes to RBe24 Isolate of Rice Yellow Mottle Virus in Benin and Effects of Silicon on Host Response

Vital Kouessi Sixte Anato,Yves Agnoun,Joè,l Houndjo,Aderonke Oludare,Clement Agbangla,Malachy Akoroda,Victor O,Adetimirin 한국식물병리학회 2021 Plant Pathology Journal Vol.37 No.4

Rice yellow mottle virus (RYMV) is the most harmful virus that affects irrigated and lowland rice in Africa. The RBe24 isolate of the virus is the most pathogenic strain in Benin. A total of 79 genotypes including sus- ceptible IR64 (Oryza sativa) and the resistant TOG5681 (O. glaberrima) as checks were screened for their reactions to RBe24 isolate of RYMV and the effects of silicon on the response of host plants to the virus inves- tigated. The experiment was a three-factor factorial consisting of genotypes, inoculation level (inoculated vs. non-inoculated), and silicon dose (0, 5, and 10 g/plant) applied as CaSiO3 with two replications and carried out twice in the screen house. Significant differences were observed among the rice genotypes. Fifteen highly resistant and eight resistant genotypes were identified, and these were mainly O. glaberrima. Silicon application did not affect disease incidence and severity at 21 and 42 days after inoculation (DAI); it, however, significantly increased plant height of inoculated (3.6% for 5 g CaSiO3/plant and 6.3% for 10 g CaSiO3/plant) and non-inoculated (1.9% for 5 g CaSiO3/plant and 4.9% for 10 g CaSiO3/plant) plants at 42 DAI, with a reduction in the number of tillers (12.3% for both 5 and 10 g CaSiO3/plant) and leaves (26.8% for 5 g CaSiO3/plant and 28% for 10 g CaSiO3/plant) under both inoculation treatments. Our results confirm O. glaberrima germ- plasm as an important source of resistance to RYMV, and critical in developing a comprehensive strategy for the control of RYMV in West Africa.

Application of quantitative real-time PCR compared to filtration methods for the enumeration of <i>Escherichia coli</i> in surface waters within Vietnam

Vital, Pierangeli G.,Van Ha, Nguyen Thi,Tuyet, Le Thi Hong,Widmer, Kenneth W. IWA Publishing 2017 Journal of water and health Vol.15 No.1

<P>Surface water samples in Vietnam were collected from the Saigon River, rural and suburban canals, and urban runoff canals in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and were processed to enumerate <I>Escherichia coli</I>. Quantification was done through membrane filtration and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Mean log colony-forming unit (CFU)/100 ml <I>E. coli</I> counts in the dry season for river/suburban canals and urban canals were log 2.8 and 3.7, respectively, using a membrane filtration method, while using Taqman quantitative real-time PCR they were log 2.4 and 2.8 for river/suburban canals and urban canals, respectively. For the wet season, data determined by the membrane filtration method in river/suburban canals and urban canals samples had mean counts of log 3.7 and 4.1, respectively. While mean log CFU/100 ml counts in the wet season using quantitative PCR were log 3 and 2, respectively. Additionally, the urban canal samples were significantly lower than those determined by conventional culture methods for the wet season. These results show that while quantitative real-time PCR can be used to determine levels of fecal indicator bacteria in surface waters, there are some limitations to its application and it may be impacted by sources of runoff based on surveyed samples.</P>

Bipolar and Related Disorders Induced by Sodium 4-Phenylbutyrate in a Male Adolescent with Bile Salt Export Pump Deficiency Disease

Giovanni Vitale,Giulia Simonetti,Martina Pirillo,Gianfranco Taruschio,Pietro Andreone 대한신경정신의학회 2016 PSYCHIATRY INVESTIGATION Vol.13 No.5

Bile Salt Export Pump (BSEP) Deficiency disease, including Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis type 2 (PFIC2), is a rare disease, usually leading within the first ten years to portal hypertension, liver failure, hepatocellular carcinoma. Often liver transplantation is needed. Sodium 4-phenylbutyrate (4-PB) seems to be a potential therapeutic compound for PFIC2. Psychiatric side effects in the adolescent population are little known and little studied since the drug used to treat children and infants. So we described a case of Caucasian boy, suffering from a late onset PFIC2, listed for a liver transplant when he was sixteen and treated with 4-FB (200 mg per kilogram of body weight per day). The drug was discontinued for the onset of bipolar and related disorders. This case illustrates possible psychiatric side effects of the drug.

태권-도 외교

( George Vitale ) 국제태권도학회 2017 국제 태권도 컨퍼런스 Vol.2017 No.-

Letter to the editor: Comment on "Simultaneous treatment of anterior vaginal wall prolapse and stress urinary incontinence by using transobturator four arms polypropylene mesh"

Salvatore Giovanni Vitale,Antonio Simone Laganà,Agnese Maria Chiara Rapisarda 대한비뇨의학회 2016 Investigative and Clinical Urology Vol.57 No.2

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EFFECTS OF NATIVE CONTENT APPEAL, AD SKEPTICISM AND WEBSITE TYPE ON ATTITUDES TOWARD THE AD, PEOPLE’S WEBSITE EVALUATION AND PERSUASION KNOWLEDGE

Ana Clara Meirelles Vitale,Sooyoung Cho 글로벌지식마케팅경영학회 2017 Global Fashion Management Conference Vol.2017 No.07

The purpose of this study is to find out how effective native content can be and how much 1) the web site type (news vs. entertainment vs. social networking site) and 2) the native content appeal (emotional vs. informational) will influence reader’s evaluations about a) the ad/website where the ad is placed and b) reader’s persuasion knowledge. The study also included an individual’s ad skepticism as one of the independent variables, arguing that the level of ad skepticism will influence the evaluations about the ad/website and individual’s persuasion knowledge. The result of the study can be helpful for advertisers to decide where and how to present native content. An online experiment, 3 (website type: news site/entertainment site/Facebook) X 2 (native content appeal: emotional/informational) X 2 (individual’s ad skepticism: high/low) was conducted to estimate the effects of independent variables on dependent variables, such as attitude towards the ad, website’s evaluation and individual’s persuasion knowledge. Introduction One of the newest ways of online advertising is ‘native ad’ or ‘native content.’ This new form of advertising provides companies the opportunity to introduce their products or services in a more natural way via online. Native ads normally match the design of other contents presented in the website and it should be perceived naturally as the rest of the content there (for example, in an online news site, the ad should be presented as news). Since native ads fit into the design of the site and people are there looking for stories to read, they provide higher rates of engagement as well as brand perception. However, there is a possibility of people feeling ‘deceived’ after realizing the story they click to read is no other but advertising. Furthermore, in the case of news websites, there have been instances of disapproval regarding native content. One of the arguments against native content presented in news sites points out that it is not ethical to present ads in the format of news. On the other hand, paid content can be seen as a useful alternative for non-intrusive online advertising which can generate more views among the users. Despite the increase of native content as a new form of advertising, academic study about native content (ads) is still difficult to find. The purpose of this study is to find out how effective native content can be and how much 1) the web site type (news vs. entertainment vs. social networking site) and 2) the native content appeal (emotional vs. informational) will influence reader’s evaluations about a) the ad/website where the ad is placed and b) reader’s persuasion knowledge. The study also included an individual’s ad skepticism as one of the independent variables, arguing that the level of ad skepticism will influence the evaluations about the ad/website and individual’s persuasion knowledge. Native content appears naturally, functioning like the rest of the content in the website. This characteristic makes it difficult for some people to tell the difference between the editorial content and paid content. By including ad skepticism as an independent variable, this study will show how people with high/low levels of ad skepticism will deal with this type of advertising. The result of the study can be helpful for advertisers to decide where and how to present native content. An online experiment, 3 (website type: news site/entertainment site/Facebook) X 2 (native content appeal: emotional/informational) X 2 (individual’s ad skepticism: high/low), was conducted to estimate the effects of independent variables on dependent variables, such as attitude towards the ad, website’s evaluation and individual’s persuasion knowledge. Literature Review Native Advertising and Evolution of Advertorials Native advertising is a method marketers use to present content in an interesting and subtle way on different websites or social media in a way that is almost camouflaging with the other content presented there. According to a IPG Media Lab survey, native advertising presented 53% more exposure than banners and it showed better performance regarding purchase intention, brand closeness and share intention. Native advertising’s origins can be found in what is defined as ‘advertorial’ (a combination of the words advertising and editorial). As we can find different arguments in native ads, we may also find discussions regarding similar topics related to advertorials. Cameron and Ju-Pak (2000)’s research supported that when stories are presented as editorial copy, they showed better credibility than those with a label of advertising. The ideas and main characteristics of advertorials appear today in native advertisements, bringing the advantages of advertorials to native ads. Marketers keep trying to make online advertising reliable and create effective sponsored content. However, as it was discussed with advertorials, when it appears difficult to tell the difference between news content and sponsored content, there is a possibility that the advertising is seen as deceptive (Pike, 2014). Since native content has become a popular online advertising format in reality, it is necessary to study it and the responses generated among the audience members of online news and different websites. Persuasion Knowledge Model & Ad Skepticism An individual’s ability to recognize and evaluate marketers’ persuasion goals and tactics is known as persuasion knowledge. Ad skepticism refers to a critical approach for consumers to evaluate and cope with advertising. Relating to the persuasion knowledge model and native content, one of the most important aspects for marketers is to determine the degree of persuasion knowledge that the target has in the different types of native content or the different website types where it is presented. This study will evaluate how an individual’s persuasion knowledge is affected after being exposed to native content. According to the persuasion knowledge model, we can assume that the more consumers know about the persuasion attempt of an agent, the lesser they are being persuaded. This study examined how the exposure to a new way of online advertising (native content) affects users’ persuasion knowledge. In the meantime, consumers with a higher level of skepticism make it harder for advertisers to find the effective format of online advertising. Consumers with a high level of skepticism may also be more aware of advertising strategies which leads to less positive responses to ads that use subtle persuasive techniques (Obermiller & Spangenberg, 1998, 2000). Previous research has shown that ad skepticism varies depending on advertising formats: banner advertisements present higher levels of skepticism than sponsored content. The present study differentiated persuasion knowledge from ad skepticism. Ad skepticism is regarded as a personal attribute. It is measured in order to find out how participants' level of ad skepticism (high/low) will influence the effects of native content. On the other hand, persuasion knowledge is seen as a way users will cope with advertising strategies. This research examined the effects different native advertising have on a reader’s persuasion knowledge. Research Questions & Hypotheses [RQ1]: Will the effect of native content on site evaluation be different depending on the website type, native content appeal and individual’s ad skepticism? [RQ2]: Will content appeal and website type influence the effects of native content on site evaluation (before/after)? [RQ3]: Will the effect of native content on persuasion knowledge be different depending on the website type, native content appeal and individual’s ad skepticism? [RQ4]: Will the effect of native content on attitude towards the ad (affective/cognitive/behavioral attitude and advertising credibility) differ depending on website type, native content appeal and individual’s ad skepticism? [H1]: Informational native content will show more positive cognitive attitude towards the ad than emotional content. [H2]: Emotional native content will show more positive affective attitude towards the ad than informational content. Research Method An online experiment was conducted in May 2016 in Seoul, Korea. Using a convenient and snowball sample, a total of 359 adult participants aged 18 or older took part in the online experiment. Experiment stimuli were created based on existing brands with high-involvement products (LG G5 mobile phone and CITI credit card). Experimental stimuli were created by the researchers to resemble native content and native ads in news sites, entertainment sites, and Facebook. The format of the contents was adapted from native content published in different sites (news site: /entertainment site: Huffington Post Korea, ). Participants were randomly assigned to one of the 6 cells (3 website types X 2 appeals). First, ad skepticism was measured followed by website evaluation. After each stimulus was shown, attitude towards the native ad, site evaluation and persuasion knowledge were measured. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Despite the growing popularity of native advertising in various online sites, little research has been performed regarding its effects and possible variables influencing the effects of native advertising. This study intended to contribute to find an effective way to create native content and a suitable place to place the native content. The study found significant interaction effects between content appeal and site evaluation (before/after). Also, significant interaction effects on persuasion knowledge were found between website type and content appeal. On the other hand, main effects of independent variables (native content appeal and ad skepticism) showed interesting results. Results of RQ1 showed that a lower ad skepticism and informational content appeal presented more significant effects on site evaluation. In other words, participants with lower levels of ad skepticism were more likely to positively evaluate the site. Also, when comparing the types of appeal, informational native content turned out to be more effective on site evaluation than emotional appeal. However, the online experiment failed to detect a meaningful connection between website type and site evaluation. Significant differences were found in terms of participants’ website evaluation before and after presenting experimental stimuli, native content (RQ2). Contrary to what was expected, emotional appeal presented a bigger mean difference between site evaluation before and site evaluation after. This may be due to participants’ feeling of deception from native content with emotional appeal that leads a lower website evaluation among research participants (Howe & Teufel, 2014). According to Moore and Rodgers (2005), due to high levels of skepticism, online ads are perceived as the least reliable source of credibility. This can explain why content with informational appeal showed more favorable website evaluation over content with emotional appeal. The interaction effect between content appeal and website type on persuasion knowledge was significant. That is, informational appeal showed higher persuasion knowledge for both Facebook and news sites, whereas emotional appeal showed higher persuasion knowledge for entertainment sites. This result is consistent with the literature review presented above regarding website context and online advertising. Meanwhile, the fact that informational appeal increases persuasion knowledge on Facebook can be a subject for further research. Main effects of content appeal and ad skepticism were also found in increasing persuasion knowledge (RQ3). Ad skepticism showed significant main effects on attitude towards the ad over all four categories (affective, cognitive, behavioral attitudes and ad credibility). In other words, participants with lower ad skepticism showed more positive affective/cognitive/behavioral attitudes towards the native content and believed the ad was better. This finding supported previous research on ad skepticism where consumers with low levels of skepticism had more positive responses to advertising (Obermiller & Spangenberg; 1998, 2000). In conclusion, this study showed that participants with a lower level of ad skepticism show more positive reactions to native content than those who tend to be more skeptical about advertising in general. Also, informational appeal appeared to be more effective when compared to emotional content: informational appeal native ads resulted in more positive cognitive/behavioral attitudes towards the native ad and more ad credibility (RQ4).

Ergonomic Evaluation of Young Agricultural Operators Using Handle Equipment Through Electromyography and Vibrations Analysis Between the Fingers

Roggio Federico,Vitale Ermanno,Filetti Veronica,Rapisarda Venerando,Musumeci Giuseppe,Romano Elio 한국산업안전보건공단 산업안전보건연구원 2022 Safety and health at work Vol.13 No.4

Background: Agricultural handle equipment is present on all production areas’ farms. They are handy and portable; however, excessive use can lead to acute traumas or accidental injuries. Repetitive movements, awkward postures, and hand-arm vibrations predispose them to pain and work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The purpose of this study was to observe the interaction of handle equipment in terms of electromyographic activity and analyze the postural work-related alterations. Materials and methods: Twenty male agricultural operators, mean age 24 1.54 years, underwent the electromyographic analysis testing their muscular activities with a brushcutter, electric saw, and hedge trimmer in four different test conditions. Results: The brushcutter proved to be the agricultural handle equipment with the higher mean frequency (3.37 0.38 Hz) and root mean square (5.25 1.24 ms2). Furthermore, the digital postural analysis showed a general asymmetry of the main arm and the respective side of the trunk. The head resulted right inclined in the anterior frontal plane by 5.7 1.2; the right scapula lower than the left in the posterior frontal plane (8.5 1.8), and a working trunk inclination of 34.15 5.7. Conclusions: Vibrations of handle equipment and awkward working postures represent a risk for agricultural operators. Preventive measures are required to avoid young operators from experiencing musculoskeletal disorders all lifelong.