bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modeling of climate change in cold arid regions of north western Himalayas using multiple linear regression (MLR)
Authors: Junaid N. Khan  , Asima Jillani  , Syed Rouhullah Ali  , Zarka Rashid  , Zikra Rehman  , Ifra Ashraf
Published: December 2021

The present study aimed at modeling the impacts of climate change on precipitation and temperature and its trend in the context of changing climate in cold arid regions of north western Himalayas using multiple linear regression (MLR) model. The study was carried out in three different time slices viz., near future (2017-2045), mid future (2046-2072) and far future (2073-2099). The study includes the calibration of the observed climate data (maximum temperature, minimum temperature and precipitation) for fourteen years (2002-2015) and the outputs of downscaled scenario A2 of the Global Climate Model (GCM) data of Hadley Centre Coupled Model, (HadCM3) was used for validation, for the future. Daily climate (maximum temperature, minimum temperature and precipitation) scenarios were generated from 1961 to 2099 under A2 defined by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). During calibration, the maximum temperature, minimum temperature and precipitation showed decreasing trend. During validation, the maximum temperature showed an increasing trend in near future (2017- 2045) and decreasing trend in mid (2046-2072) and far future (2073-2099). While as, the minimum temperature and precipitation showed an increasing trend and decreasing trend respectively, in three futuristic phases. After validation, on comparison with the measured data, the variation in maximum temperature was found -2.59 oC in near future, -3.17 oC in mid future and -3.41 oC in far future. Similarly, for minimum temperature and precipitation, the variations with observed data were found 0.91 oC and -32.2 mm, respectively in near future, 2.01 oC and -34.6 mm, respectively in mid future, 4.08 oC and -3.4 mm, respectively in far future. These changes may be found due to global warming which lead to decrease in average annual precipitation and increase in average minimum temperatures causing the melting of glaciers.
Damage assessment of chilli thrips using high resolution multispectral satellite data
Authors: Mathyam Prabhakar  , Merugu Thirupathi,  , G. Srasvan Kumar  , U. Sai Sravan  , M. Kalpana  , K.A. Gopinath  , N. Ravi Kumar
Published: December 2021

Remote sensing technology offers an effective, rapid and reliable tool for assessing pest severity in vegetation. Ground based hyperspectral radiometry studies revealed significant difference in the reflectance spectra between healthy and thrip damaged vegetation. Space borne multispectral reflectance from Sentinel 2A satellite data of chilli thrip infested canopy has significant differences in red region (Band 4 – 664.6 nm), NIR region (Bands 5, 6, 7, 8 & 8A having central wavelengths at 704.1, 740.5, 782.8 & 832.8 nm, respectively) and SWIR region (Bands 11 & 12 having central wavelengths at 1613.7 and 2202.4 nm). In this study, an attempt was made to discriminate healthy and pest affected chilli crop in the multispectral satellite imagery using several multispectral vegetation indices. Of these, land surface water index, LSWI (p=0.018) and normalized difference water index, NDWI (p=0.001) were found significant. These indices were used to classify chilli fields in the satellite imagery into severe, moderate and healthy classes. Superior performance of LSWI over NDWI with overall accuracy of 93.80 and Kappa Coefficient of 0.89 was observed. Moran's Index was used to study the spatial distribution of chilli thrips and observed strong clustering (I= 0.9073, p=0.0001).
Weather based pest forewarning models for mealybug infestation in Robusta coffee (Coffea canephora)
Authors: M. Jayakumar  , M. Rajavel
Published: December 2021

An investigation was carried out to study the effect of weather parameters on mealybug infestation in Robusta coffee and to develop forewarning model using 39 years (1977 to 2015) pest data on mealy bug damage in coffee plantations collected at Regional Coffee Research Station, Chundale, Wayanad district of Kerala were recorded at fortnightly intervals during 1977 to 2015 (39 years). The results revealed that mealybug infestation was found to vary with season and also year to year. Fruit setting and budding stages of coffee were severely damaged by mealy bug. Analysis indicated that annually, average damage due to mealy bug was 6.4 per cent and ranged between 5.4 per cent in 1984 to 9.7 per cent in 2011. The mealybug damage was maximum during summer season and lowest during South-West Monsoon (June-September) season. Season wise regression models were developed using data up to 2013 for forewarning per cent damage of mealy bug and validated for 2014 and 2015. The model for summer season mealybug damage has maximum R2=0.79 which can be used for operational forecasting of mealy bug damage.
Prediction of Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) larval population using weather based forewarning model in soybean
Authors: RAM MANOHAR PATEL  , A.N. Sharma  , PURUSHOTTAM SHARMA
Published: December 2021

Weekly larval populations of pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) collected from 20 districts of Maharashtra under Crop Pest Surveillance and Advisory Project (CROPSAP) during 2010-2015 were analyzed to work out the effect of weather variables on the incidence of this insect on soybean. The appearance of larva was observed throughout the soybean growing season, and the peak incidence was observed during third week of August to first week of September (34-35 SMW). The correlation analysis of the data revealed that larval population was significantly and positively influenced by the minimum temperature and rainfall of current week as well as previous two weeks. For the development of forewarning model, data for the period from 2010 to 2013 were used as training dataset and two year (2014-2015) data as validation dataset. The mean model used for forewarning the incidence of pod borer larval population was developed by using step-wise multiple regression analysis in polynomial form. The results of mean model revealed that the significant variables affecting the pod borer larval population in soybean were maximum temperature (current and 1st lag week), and rainfall (current week) and the model explained 48.93% variation. The pre-disposing conditions for the incidence of larvae have been worked out as maximum temperature ranging from 26.1 to 31.47 ºC and rainfall ranging from 6.63 to 141.46 mm with low or medium rainfall in previous weeks followed by high in current week. The model was validated with 2014-15 independent dataset with predicted R2 (R2 ) value 28.13%. Two sample t-test showed no Pred significant difference between observed and predicted values (p = 0.3691 > 0.05).
Influence of temperature on spinosad toxicity in different populations of Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus)
Authors: Anureet Kaur Chandi  , Avneet Kaur
Published: December 2021

Diamond back moth, Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus) is one of the major insect-pest of cole crops, causing high yield losses. In present study, larval populations of P. xylostella, collected from different regions of Punjab i.e. Amritsar, Kapurthala, Malerkotla and Ludhiana were exposed to different concentrations of spinosad at 15, 20, 25 and 30 °C for evaluation of LC values. The LC (Lethal 50 50 concentration) increased from lower (15 °C) to higher (30 °C) temperature for all populations of P. xylostella. Negative correlation was observed between the temperature coefficient and toxicity of spinosad towards P. xylostella populations, which decreased with increase in temperature. The LC 50 values varied among different populations of P. xylostella i.e. Amritsar populations with higher LC values 50 followed by Kapurthala, Malerkotla and Ludhiana populations. The temperature and insecticide exposure history both affected the toxicity of spinosad for P. xylostella. The information would be helpful in developing management strategies for P. xylostella according to prevailing environment conditions.
Phenomenological Analysis of Student Views on Human Geography Lesson
Authors: İNCE Ziya , YENTÜR Murat Mücahit
Published: December 2021

It is important to evaluate the education given in the institutions where geography education is given at the higher education level and to get student opinions. In this age where information technology is developing and entering the education life day by day, it has been considered important to examine human geography education with new technologies and methods. The aim of this study is to analyze the views of geography students about the human geography course with the phenomenology design, which is one of the qualitative research methods. In this context, a semi-structured interview form consisting of three questions was prepared with expert opinion to be asked to the students. Due to Covid-19 outbreak restrictions, a university's geography department, which is at the west of Turkey, have asked questions to the students electronically and received their answers the same way. The answers to the questions in the interview form answered by the students were interpreted by coding and categorizing. According to the result of the research, it was concluded that the students' opinions about the human geography course were positive, that the students gave more priority to the population issue and it attracts their attention. According to this result, it is thought that the transformation of human geography lessons into an education strengthened with technological infrastructure is needed for students to be more beneficial in their future professional and academic lives, so changes should be made in this direction.
RESEARCH REGARDING THE EFFICIENCY OF SOYBEAN CULTIVATION IN DIFFERENT TILLAGE SYSTEMS AND THEIR INFLUENCE ON SOIL COMPACTION, ACCUMULATION AND WATER STORAGE
Authors:   Agricultural Research and Development Station Turda, Romania, Cheţan Felicia , Cheţan Cornel ,   Agricultural Research and Development Station Turda, Romania, Mureşanu Felicia ,   Agricultural Research and Development Station Turda, Romania, Suciu Loredana ,   "Agricultural Research and Development Station Turda, Romania , University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania ", Crişan Ioana ,   Agricultural Research and Development Station Turda, Romania
Published: December 2021

In the last years there has been a slight increase in average annual temperatures, as well as a high fluctuation in the distribution of rainfall, thus the reduction of the effects of atmospheric and pedological drought is part of the reasons that determine the orientation towards new variants of soil tillage. The experiment conceived and performed at ARDS Turda includes four variants of soil tillage: plow with the turn of the furrow (CS), chisel (MT), disk (MD) and no tillage (NT), in a 3-year crop rotation of soybean - winter wheat - maize. The momentary water reserve was higher in the MD and NT system compared to the CS, MT. The specific resistance of the soil to penetration (Rp) in NT, MD are higher compared to the CS and MT systems. Soybeans can be cultivated in a MT, the yield difference compared to the CS is 107 kg/ha. Compared to CS (66.5 L/ha) significant reductions of diesel consumption are made in the MD system (21 L/ha) and in the NT (31.7 L/ha).
INTEGRATED PATHOGENS AND PESTS MANAGEMENT IN SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
Authors:   ", Suciu Loredana ,   Research and Development Station for Agriculture Turda University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture", Mureşanu Felicia ,   Research and Development Station for Agriculture Turda, Şopterean Laura ,   Research and Development Station for Agriculture Turda, Vălean Ana-Maria ,   Research and Development Station for Agriculture Turda, Chețan Felicia ,   Research and Development Station for Agriculture Turda, Urdă Camelia ,   Research and Development Station for Agriculture Turda, Șimon Alina ,   Research and Development Station for Agriculture Turda, Tărău Adina ,   Research and Development Station for Agriculture Turda
Published: December 2021

Attack pathogens and increasing abundance of some insect pests were favored by the climate changes, culture technologies practiced and increasing of cultivated areas with soybeans. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the attack of pathogens in soybean crop and to monitor some pest Lepidoptera species in order to identify technological measures to ensure their control by methods with minimal impact on the environment. The experiment was performed at the Research and Development Station for Agriculture Turda during 2018-2020 period. The best technological option is plowing, balanced fertilization and fungicides application, either alone, or in combination with an insecticide.
INFLUENCE OF SOIL TILLAGE SYSTEM, FERTILIZER AND TREATMENT APPLIED TO SEEDS ON SOYBEAN CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
Authors:   ", Urdă Camelia ,   Research and Development Station for Agriculture Turda University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture", Suciu Loredana ,   Research and Development Station for Agriculture Turda, Mureşanu Felicia ,   Research and Development Station for Agriculture Turda, Păcurar Luana ,   Research and Development Station for Agriculture Turda, Tritean Nicolae ,   Research and Development Station for Agriculture Turda, Negrea Adrian ,   Research and Development Station for Agriculture Turda, Crișan Ioana ,   Research and Development Station for Agriculture Turda, Rezi Raluca ,   Research and Development Station for Agriculture Turda, Russu Florin ,   Research and Development Station for Agriculture Turda, Tărău Adina ,   Research and Development Station for Agriculture Turda
Published: December 2021

"In order to evaluate the effect of soil tillage system, fertilization and also different treatments applied to seeds on chemical composition in soybean crop, a field experiment was conducted at Research and Development Station for Agriculture Turda in 2020. Teo TD, an early soybean variety developed at RDSA Turda and registered in 2017 was used as a biological material. The compared tillage systems were: conventional tillage (plowing), reduced tillage (chisel or disk) and also no-tillage system. Four different mineral and organic fertilizers (N40P40, N40P40 + gulle, N40P40 + green fertilizer, N40P40 + gulle + green fertilizer) and various treatments applied to seeds (fungicide, insecticide, fungicide + insecticide, untreated) were also studied. All data were subjected to ANOVA using Polifact. Chemical composition (protein content, oil content, stearic acid (18:0), oleic acid (18:1), linoleic acid (18:2), and linolenic acid (18:3)) of Teo TD seeds was analyzed using NIR spectroscopy. Significant differences between some tillage systems and fertilizers were recorded in protein content, fat content and also stearic, oleic and linolenic acids content. The treatments applied to seeds influenced very significant the stearic acid and oleic acid, distinct significant the linoleic acid and significant the protein content."
EFFECT OF DIFFERENT CARBON AND NITROGEN SOURCES ON SPORULATION OF BEAUVERIA BASSIANA ROMANIAN STRAINS
Authors:   Research-Development Institute for Plant Protection Bucharest, Romania University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, Faculty of Biotechnology, Romania, Cojocaru Daniel , Lumînare Cristina-Maria ,   Research-Development Institute for Plant Protection Bucharest, Romania
Published: December 2021

A requirement for industrial-scale production of mycoinsecticides is the capacity of fungal strains to produce infective and stable propagules on inexpensive artificial substrates, with either solid-state or submerged liquid fermentation methods. The ability of entomopathogenic fungi to use different nutritive substrates is one of the factors influencing their effectiveness.Vegetative growth and sporulation yield depend on the composition of the culture medium and are specific to each fungal isolate. Our study has focused on fungal inoculum produced in artificial media. Native Beauveria bassiana strains was cultivated in liquid medium involving variations in carbon and nitrogen sources and the production of spores was evaluated. The results revealed that among the carbon and nitrogen sources tested, zaharose and ammonium nitrate were most efficiently used for the production of B.bassiana spores in submerged liquid fermentation.
"PLANT-BENEFICIAL MICROBIAL INOCULANTS AND THEIR FORMULATION – A REVIEW"
Authors:   ", Barbu Lavinia Diana Nicoleta ,   Research-Development Institute for Plant Protection Bucharest, Romania University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, Faculty of Biotechnology, Romania", Boiu-Sicuia Oana-Alina ,   "Research-Development Institute for Plant Protection Bucharest, Romania University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, Faculty of Biotechnology, Romania"
Published: December 2021

" Agriculture plays a crucial role in the society and global economy and has a huge impact on the environment. Human overpopulation require higher amounts of food, and due to the overwhelming increase of health disorder it is a consumer demand for high quality food products. However, intensive agricultural practices involve the use of synthetic substances, with negative effects on human health and environmental safety. These triggered the concern of global regulatory agencies for new strategies and harsh regulations regarding agricultural inputs. Sustainable agriculture practices, including the use of renewable resources are now promoted. Biofertilizers, biopesticides and biostimulants contribute to agricultural yield and quality improvement, having a low detrimental impact on the environment. Microbial inoculants based on selected microorganisms are promising products that can improve plant growth and productivity and prevent crops from pest and diseases attack, being an environmental friendly approach. Plant beneficial microorganisms trigger various mechanisms for soil improvement, nitrogen fixation, nutrients solubilization and uptake in plants. Some beneficial microorganisms can release active biomolecule involved in plant protection, or suppress biotic and abiotic stress factors, revealing plant or environmental benefits. This study aims to review plant beneficial microbial agro-inoculants, successful formulations and application methods."
"IN VITRO THERMAL REQUIREMENTS OF TWO ISOLATES OF METARHIZIUM ANISOPLIAE (METCH.) SOROK. UNDER CONSTANT CONDITIONS"
Authors:   ", Lumînare Cristina-Maria ,   Research - Development Institute for Plant Protection Bucharest, Romania  ", Cojanu Daniel Nicolae ,   "Research - Development Institute for Plant Protection Bucharest, Romania  Research - Development Institute for Plant Protection Bucharest, Romania ", Dinu Mihaela-Monica ,   "Research - Development Institute for Plant Protection Bucharest, Romania ", Fătu Ana-Cristina ,   Research - Development Institute for Plant Protection Bucharest, Romania
Published: December 2021

"The effect of temperature on the mycelial growth of two isolates of Metarhizium anisopliae (Metch.) Sorok. (Hypocreales, Clavicipitaceae) was evaluated in vitro on PDA growth medium, by measuring the diameter of the fungal colonies, at the following temperature values: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 °C, over 14 days under constant conditions. The data obtained were used for the calculation of the growth rate (mm/day) using linear regression. The representation of the values corresponding to the minimum, optimal and maximum temperature of vegetative growth was made by a curve described by a mathematical function, a modified beta (ß) function. The lowest temperatures at which growth occurs are 7 and 10°C, the highest is 35.7°C; temperature at which the most growth occurs, as indicated by the measurements, was distributed over a range of temperatures from 22.9 to 31°C."
The impacts of IPO financing and monetary policy on economic growth in Bangladesh: Evidence from a dynamic assessment
Authors: Provaty Sagira Sultana
Published: December 2021

The impact of dividend policy on stock price volatility is one of the most researched topics of corporate finance. This study investigates the relationship between stock price volatility and dividend policy among Bangladeshi financial service industry companies. Two key variables - dividend yield and dividend payout have been taken as the independent variables after controlling for firm size, asset growth, earnings volatility, long-term debt, and earnings per share. The stock price volatility has been taken as the dependent variable. Panel regression analysis is employed to explore the relationship of dependent with independent variables. Results reveal a significant positive relationship between stock price volatility and dividend yield among companies considered in this study. This study will help regulators and investors understand how the stock price fluctuates in response to financial information such as dividend announcements
Incidence, Risk Factors, and Timing of Macrovascular Thrombosis in the Post-COVID-19 Elderly and Assessing the Need and Duration of Extended Thromboprophylaxis: A Prospective Study
Authors: P. Sathyamurthy , Madhavan Sudha , Pandurangan Viswanathan
Published: December 2021

Background: COVID-19 infection causes a wide spectrum of macrovascular thrombosis, which has contributed significantly to morbidity and mortality in the elderly. Guidelines have recommended extended prophylaxis following discharge from the hospital for variable periods. The risk of thrombosis and the optimal duration of extended anticoagulation remain uncertain. Objectives: This study aimed at determining the overall incidence and timing of macrovascular thrombosis in post-COVID-19 elderly patients. It also aimed at finding out the predictive value of clinical severity, in-hospital anticoagulation, and discharge D-dimer values for the incidence of macrovascular thrombosis and overall mortality within 13 weeks following clinical recovery from acute COVID-19 infection in the elderly. Methods: In this study, 288 elderly patients with symptomatic acute COVID-19 infection discharged between August 1, 2020, and November 30, 2020, were enrolled. Details regarding the incidence of macrovascular thrombosis were collected through a telephone interview after 90 days. Data were tabulated and analyzed with IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 23.0. (Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.) Results: The number of macrovascular thrombotic events was significantly higher in group C (critical illness) than in the other two groups (17.9 vs. 1.8 and 1.1%, respectively) (P = 0.0005). Three (10.7%) patients died within 13 weeks of discharge in group C, versus one (0.6%) patient in group M (mild to moderate illness) and none in group S (severe illness) (P = 0.0005). There were two macrovascular thrombotic events in the elevated D-dimer group versus one in the reduced D-dimer group (P = 0.135). The number of deaths was high in the elevated D-dimer group [2 (8.3%) vs. 0 (0), P = 0.053]. The cumulative incidence rate of macrovascular events in the post-COVID-19 elderly cohort 13 weeks after discharge was 3.12%. Conclusions: Elderly patients with a critical illness during hospitalization due to COVID-19 and elevated D-dimer values at discharge have the maximum risk of developing macrovascular thrombosis in the post-COVID-19 period. It is reasonable to recommend extended thromboprophylaxis for at least eight weeks in the post-COVID-19 elderly.
Association Between Poor Sleep Quality and Glycemic Control in Adult Patients with Diabetes Referred to Endocrinology Clinic of Guilan: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Mehrdad Mojtaba , Azarian Mehrnaz , Sharafkhaneh Amir , Alavi Ali , Zare Roghayeh , Hassanzadeh Rad Afagh , Dalili Setila
Published: December 2021

Background: Diabetes is a prevalent chronic medical comorbid condition worldwide. Diabetes mellitus is associated with various sleep disorders. Objectives: We aimed to determine the prevalence of poor sleep and the main factors of sleep interruptions in patients with diabetes mellitus. We further evaluated the association of sleep interruptions with glycemic control in this cohort. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study on 266 patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes recruited from a university outpatient endocrinology clinic. Patients completed a checklist including demographic and disease-related characteristics in addition to the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to evaluate sleep quality. Using the PSQI cutoff score of 5, we created two subgroups of good sleepers (GS) and poor sleepers (PS). Results: Our results showed that good sleeper and poor sleeper patients with diabetes were significantly different regarding sex, employment status, BMI, presence of diabetes-related complications, HbA1c, and 2-hour postprandial blood sugar (2HPPBS) (all significant at P < 0.05). The most prevalent factors of sleep interruptions were “waking up to use a bathroom”, “feeling hot”, “pain”, “having coughs or snores”, and “bad dreams”. Among the subjective factors of sleep interruption, problems with sleep initiation, maintenance, or early morning awakenings in addition to having pain or respiratory problems such as coughing or snoring had the most significant associations with HbA1c. Conclusions: Our study showed significant subjective sleep disturbances (both quality and quantity) in patients with diabetes mellitus (both type I and II) and its association with diabetes control. We further identified the main factors that led to sleep interruptions in this cohort.
Zingerone Attenuates Methotrexate-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats
Authors: Goudarzi Mehdi , Basir Zahra , Malayeri Alireza , Nesari Ali , Zaeemzadeh Narjes
Published: December 2021

Background: Methotrexate (MTX) is mainly used for the chemotherapy of different types of malignancy and some autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. The MTX application is limited by its severe side effects, including several types of hepatic injury. Objectives: In this study, we decided to evaluate if zingerone (the main constituent of ginger) can reduce the hepatic side effects of MTX. Methods: Thirty-five rats were divided into five groups: Control group receiving normal saline (N/S), once daily, by gavage, for 10 days, and N/S intraperitoneally (i.p.), a single dose on the ninth day; Methotrexate (MTX) group receiving N/S, once daily, by gavage, for 10 days, and MTX (i.p.), a single dose (20 mg/kg) on the ninth day; Groups 3 (ZG25), 4 (ZG50), and 5 (ZG100) receiving zingerone (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg, respectively), once daily, by gavage, for 10 days, and MTX (i.p.), a single dose (20 mg/kg) on the ninth day. Results: The results showed a significant decrease in serum AST, ALT, and ALP, as well as the hepatic content of MDA, NO, PC, TNF-α, and IL-1β, in the ZG groups compared with the MTX group. The activity of SOD, CAT, and GPX, as well as the hepatic content of GSH, showed a significant increase in the ZG groups compared with the MTX group. Histopathological improvement in the hepatic tissue of ZG groups compared with the MTX group confirmed all other findings. Conclusions: It is concluded that zingerone can improve hepatic injury induced by MTX in rats regarding the redox system features, inflammation, and histological changes. This can make humans hopeful for using Ginger in the future for attenuating the hepatic side effects of MTX when used chronically.
The Age of Hesitancy, Recognition, Reinforcement, and Interposition in Cochlear Implant Children in Ahvaz, Iran: A 5-year Study
Authors: Saki Nader , Asadollah Pour Amir Hossein , Abshirini Hasan , Nikakhlagh Soheila , Karimi Majid , Bagheripour Hossein , Bayat Arash
Published: December 2021

Background: Delay in early detecting of hearing loss (HL) and aural interposition in children have intense impacts on their speech and language expansion, academic progress, social skills, and psychological status. Objectives: The purpose of the current study was to assess the age of hesitancy, recognition, reinforcement, and interposition in children with bilateral severe to deep hearing loss. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on children who were candidates for cochlear implant surgery at Khuzestan Cochlear Implantation Center, Ahvaz, Iran. The rehabilitative histories and children’s medical were utilized to record ages of hesitancy, recognition, reinforcement, and interposition for both groups of “high-risk” and “not-high-risk” children. Paired sample t-test was used to evaluate the middle ages of children between the “high-risk” and “not-high risk” groups. Results: A total of 389 children (205 boys and 184 girls) were included. The mean ages of hearing loss hesitancy, hearing loss recognition, fitting the hearing reinforcement devices, and interposition were 10.7 ± 7.1, 15.75 ± 9.4, 21.81 ± 8.1, and 26.32 ± 9.2 months, respectively. The average delays between the ages of hesitancy and recognition: 3.74 (P < 0.0001); recognition and reinforcement: 5.05 (P < 0.0001); reinforcement and interposition: 2.83 months (P < 0.0001) were obtained. There were no significant statistical differences in terms of four studied ages among the high-risk (n = 129) and not-high risk (n = 260) children (P > 0.05). Conclusions: The outcomes showed that there is a significant improvement in the average ages of hearing loss hesitancy, recognition, reinforcement, and interposition in Iran. However, there is still an obvious difference between these ages and those recommended by the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing.
Direitos Humanos, reparação e história em espaços de memória na América Latina
Authors: Setemy Adrianna
Published: December 2021

Os fatos históricos se expressam no espaço topográfico das cidades, onde capas de memória do passado se sobrepõem e se condensam ao longo do tempo. Ainda que permeados de marcas, muitas vezes os espaços das cidades tornam-se esvaziados de seu significado social, histórico e político em decorrência do ritmo acelerado da vida cotidiana.  Percebe-se que entre o estabelecimento de políticas públicas memoriais visando à celebração e à homenagem, e a divulgação de conteúdos e conhecimento histórico que resulte em uma conscientização dos sujeitos que circulam pelos espaços de memória há uma distância que precisa ser discutida com cuidado. Neste texto buscamos analisar a escolha, preservação e a gestão de espaços de memória relacionados às últimas ditaduras militares na América Latina, e o desafio de “conferir sentido histórico” a esses espaços sob a ótica dos Direitos Humanos.
On determination of the deadlines with regards to restrictions arising after the dismissal of civil servants for loss of credibility
Authors: Zanko Tigran Antonovich
Published: December 2021

The subject of this research is the legal norms that regulate the consequences of bringing civil servants to responsibility in the form of dismissal due to loss of credibility. It is noted that the current norms of civil service legislation do not contain specific deadlines for restrictions upon the admission to civil service after dismissal for loss of credibility. It is also indicated that the exclusion of a citizen from the register of persons dismissed for loss of credibility does not prevent negative consequences such as failure to enter into civil service is indefinite per se. The author compares the sanctions that restrict the admission of individuals to civil service within the framework of disciplinary, administrative, and criminal responsibility. The main result lies in formulation of practical recommendations for the improvement of civil service legislation, namely clarification of the paragraph 10, of the Part 1 of the Article 16 of the Federal Law No. 79-FZ for determination of the term in which the restriction caused by dismissal for loss of credibility is imposed on the entry into civil service. The article also suggests the mechanism for admission to civil service of persons who have been dismissed for loss of credibility, with participation of the Commission for combatting corruption-related offences.
Walking on broken glass: gender as predictor of job precariousness among young people in Spain
Authors: Solano Lucas Juan Carlos , Díaz Marcos Bote , Soler Juan Antonio Clemente , López José Ángel Matínez , Balibrea Lola Frutor
Published: December 2021

Previous evidence reveals that socioeconomic factors, such as contract duration, occupation, activity sector, age, training, nationality, marital status or gender, lead to precariousness. This research looks into the intersectionality of inequalities in order to explain the impact of precariousness among young people based on gender. Data from the Spanish Labor Force Survey (EPA) from 2005 to 2016 has been analyzed using logistic regression and hierarchical segmentation. Results suggest that the economic crisis has widened the gender gap in precarious jobs, such that currently, young women are more likely to face precarious situations as compared to young men.
Lei do aborto em Portugal: barreiras atuais e desafios futuros
Authors: Feio Miguel Areosa
Published: December 2021

A despenalização do aborto previu eliminar os abortos clandestinos, embora ainda existam barreiras ao aborto seguro que afetam mais as mulheres desfavorecidas: objeção de consciência, prazos demasiado curtos para o procedimento, períodos de reflexão obrigatórios ou a estigmatização. Foi investigada a relação entre a formulação legislativa e a sua implementação, sendo que eventuais discrepâncias atestam a falência parcial dos seus objetivos. Foram analisados os dados quantitativos da DGS e qualitativos provenientes de entrevistas e focus group com especialistas e profissionais de saúde. As evidências produziram orientações para debates futuros.
Sociological game theory: agency, social structures and interaction processes
Authors: Burns Tom R. , Roszkowska Ewa , Machado Nora , Corte Ugo
Published: December 2021

This article presents two sociological theories, alternatives to classical game theory. These social science-based game theories discussed here present reformulations of classical game theory in applied mathematics (CGT). These theories offer an important advance to classical game theory, thanks to the application of central concepts in sociology and social psychology, as well as the results of empirical analyses of individual and collective behaviour. These two theories emerging in the social sciences are, the first, based on systems theory, is social science game theory (SGT); the other is Erwing Goffman’s interactionist theory (IGT) based on social psychology. Each of these theories, both focused on the analysis of social games, are presented and contrasted with classical game theory, highlighting the centrality of social rules in structuring and regulating human behaviour, and the need to include them in any analysis.
Effect of Build Parameters on the Mechanical Behavior of Polymeric Materials Produced by Multijet Fusion
Authors: Chen Andrew Y. , Chen Ailin , Wright Jake , Fitzhugh Andrew , Hartman Aja , Zeng Jun , Gu Grace X.
Published: December 2021

Multijet fusion (MJF) is a novel additive manufacturing (AM) process for the powder bed fusion of thermoplastic polymers. In recent years, MJF has been established as a promising manufacturing technique for the rapid prototyping and production of fully functional, large‐scale components at high resolution. Like other powder bed fusion techniques, MJF permits the printing of parts without support material, and does not require chemical postprocessing steps, making it especially suitable for fabricating parts with complex and intricate internal features. However, the effects of common build volume parameters (such as part orientation, location, and interpart spacing) on mechanical properties are currently not well understood. This study aims to provide a thorough and comprehensive description of the trends in mechanical properties observed in polyamide (PA)‐11 and PA‐12 samples printed using the MJF process. Tensile, flexural, and impact specimens are printed using varying build volume packing parameters and tested according to the corresponding ASTM standards. The fracture surfaces of tested specimens are studied and characterized to further understand the method of failure propagation through MJF‐printed PA‐11 and PA‐12. As this work demonstrates, determining an optimal bed packing algorithm will be instrumental for optimizing desired mechanical properties of printed parts.
Fatigue Life Optimized Layer Architecture of Ultrafine‐Grained Al–Ti Laminates Under Bending Stresses
Authors: Diepold Benedikt , Schunk Christopher , Kümmel Frank , Fey Tobias , Prakash Aruna , Höppel Heinz Werner , Göken Mathias
Published: December 2021

Fatigue of metallic components is an important aspect in mechanical engineering. For example, the repeated pressure differences result in the fatigue of the fuselage of aircrafts. These high demands require the application of endurable and lightweight materials. In this context, laminated metal composites produced by the accumulative roll bonding process can fulfill both aspects: outstanding mechanical strength of lightweight materials, due to an ultrafine‐grained microstructure, combined with the possibility to produce fatigue‐resistant materials by varying the stacking order of the laminated metal composites. This work investigates laminated metal composites consisting of aluminum AA2024 and titanium grade 1 layers with different stacking orders in respect to their three‐point bending fatigue properties. Additional finite element method (FEM) calculations of the stress distributions in the laminated metal composites are used to explain the results. The mechanical properties of the laminates with an outer aluminum or titanium layer are discussed based on the investigations of nanohardness and crack propagations. Although maximum bending stresses at the sheet surface of laminates with outer Titanium layer are higher than in monolithic materials, these laminates exhibit good lightweight potentials due to the weight reducing aluminum in inner layers.
Coatings for Core–Shell Composite Micro‐Lattice Structures: Varying Sputtering Parameters
Authors: Garcia-Taormina Alina R. , Kurpiers Chantal M. , Schwaiger Ruth , Hodge Andrea M.
Published: December 2021

Magnetron sputtering has garnered increased attention as a versatile deposition method for generating novel core–shell composite nano‐ and micro‐lattice materials spanning a wide range of properties and functionalities. Sputtering offers an expansive material workspace consisting of a wide range of ceramics, single‐element metals, and alloy systems. However, achieving uniform coatings on such fine‐featured structures remains a challenge. Thus, herein, a foundational assessment of various sputtering configurations, cathode geometries, and deposition parameters is carried out to investigate their implications on the coating thickness and uniformity of 3D micro‐lattice scaffolds. Specifically, tetrahedral‐truss structures fabricated via direct laser writing are coated by leveraging planar and inverted cylindrical magnetron cathodes at select deposition rates, sputtering powers, and Ar working pressures. Both plasma focused ion beam and microtome sectioning techniques are employed to evaluate the cross section of individual struts and assess overall uniformity. Overall, the influence of key sputtering factors on the design and development of core–shell composite nano‐ and micro‐lattice materials is highlighted and a pathway for future sputter coating optimization on these complex structures is provided.
Plasmonic Bragg Grating for Optical Feedback Raman Detection
Authors: Liu Miao , Zhang Xinping , Mu Yunyun , Zhao Zhi , Fu Yulan , Liu Feifei , Li Jiajun , Liu Yue , Hu Jingyun , Song Xiaoyan
Published: December 2021

Optical feedback for either the excitation or the signal is an effective approach to enhance the detection sensitivity of Raman scattering spectroscopy. A combination of plasmonic and optical feedback schemes may supply multifold enhancement mechanisms with further improved efficiency. Herein, a plasmonic Bragg grating (PBG) consisting of periodically distributed silver nanoslabs coated onto the sidewalls of the grating lines is reported. Localized surface plasmons excited in the silver nanoslabs with a large width/thickness ratio facilitate enhanced local field and Raman interaction. Asymmetric Bragg diffraction not only supplies optical feedback along the grating plane to extend largely the laser–molecule interaction distance but also enables efficient collection of the Raman signal through back‐diffraction into the detection system. Such a design accomplishes “volume” surface‐enhanced Raman scattering with a modulation depth of more than 500 nm and strong optical feedback, extending largely the limited interaction distance of surface plasmons. With respect to the scheme using Ag films for enhancement, a further enhancement factor larger than 2.8 × 103 has been achieved by the PBG device in the direct detection of the low‐concentration water solution of R6G molecules. The discovered photophysics is potentially important for practical applications in in situ water pollutant detection.
Temperature‐Dependent Electromagnetic Microwave Absorbing Characteristics of Stretchable Polyurethane Composite Foams with Ultrawide Bandwidth
Authors: Sun Zhaoxu , Chen Yiming , Zheng Jiajia , Jiang Shaohua , Dong Weiping , Li Xiping , Li Yancheng , E Shiju
Published: December 2021

With the rapid development of current electronic equipment, electromagnetic microwave absorption (EMA) materials with higher design requirements under special circumstances have attracted great attention. Herein, a flexible polyurethane composite foam assisted by coral‐like CNT@Fe3O4/graphene nanocomposites is fabricated by a facile solvothermal and moisture self‐foaming method. The composite foam with 15 wt% nanofillers exhibits an outstanding temperature cycle stability with gradually improved EMA performance at elevated temperature and excellent resilience stability with a tensile strength of 4.81 MPa. An enhanced minimum reflection loss (RLmin) of −59.44 dB at 10.38 GHz with a thickness of 2.28 mm is achieved, while the ultrawide absorption bandwidth of 6.09 GHz nearly covers the full X‐band. This benefits from interface impedance matching, dielectric and magnetic dual losses, and multiple reflections depending on the interior open microcellular structures. It is expected to become a promising thermally tunable microwave absorber in harsh environments.
1D Nanowire Heterojunction Electrocatalysts of MnCo2O4/GDY for Efficient Overall Water Splitting
Authors: Qi Lu , Zheng Zhiqiang , Xing Chengyu , Wang Zhongqiang , Luan Xiaoyu , Xue Yurui , He Feng , Li Yuliang
Published: December 2021

Rational design and synthesis of non‐precious metal‐based electrocatalysts for efficient overall water splitting (OWS) in an integrated electrolyzer are of great significance for the development of hydrogen energy. To this end, nanowire‐structured heterogenous MnCo2O4/graphdiyne arrays are synthesized on the surface of 3D carbon cloth (NW‐MnCo2O4/GDY) by using in situ assembly and coupling strategy. Experiments demonstrated that the special core/shell‐nanowire structure and synergistic interaction between the MnCo2O4 and GDY can greatly improve the electric conductivity, facilitate the mass/ion transport and gas emissions, expose more active sites, and thus lead to the enhancement of the catalytic activity and long‐term stability of the electrocatalysts for OWS. For example, the alkaline water electrolyzer assembled by NW‐MnCo2O4/GDY shows high‐performance with only 1.47 and 1.60 V required to reach a current density of 10 and 100 mA cm−2, respectively, which is even better than that of previously reported electrocatalysts.
Low Tortuosity and Reinforced Concrete Type Ultra‐Thick Electrode for Practical Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Han Zhilong , Li Shuping , Xiong Ruoyu , Jiang Zhipeng , Sun Mengjun , Hu Wei , Peng Linfeng , He Renjie , Zhou Huamin , Yu Chuang , Cheng Shijie , Xie Jia
Published: December 2021

High‐energy density and ultra‐long cycling lifespan are of great significance in pursuit of practical lithium–sulfur (Li‐S) batteries, in which the construction of ultrathick, high‐areal‐capacity, and stable‐cycling sulfur cathodes remains challenging. Here, a unique layered reinforced concrete structure (LRCS) is reported by integrating an ice‐template method with incorporating carbon fibers in the thick electrodes for Li‐S batteries. The LRCS enables aligned through‐channel structure and intertwined conductive network, which lead to both fast kinetics of ions/electrons transport and strengthened electrode integrity to tolerate the volume change during cycling and the dimensional deformation under a high compaction density. Benefiting from the unique structure, the ultra‐thick Se0.05S0.95 @ pPAN cathode (20.2 mg cm−2) delivers a high capacity of 10 mAh cm−2 and excellent capacity retention of 80.8% over 140 cycles at a low electrolyte‐to‐sulfur ratio of 2 and a negative‐to‐positive capacity ratio of 2.7, corresponding to a calculated energy density of 390 Wh kg−1. This investigation not only provides guidance for the design of thick sulfur electrodes but also paves the way for the development of practical Li‐S batteries.
A Biomimetic Drosera Capensis with Adaptive Decision‐Predation Behavior Based on Multifunctional Sensing and Fast Actuating Capability
Authors: Qiu Ye , Wang Chengjun , Lu Xiaoyan , Wu Huaping , Ma Xiaolong , Hu Jiahui , Qi Hangcheng , Tian Ye , Zhang Zheng , Bao Guanjun , Chai Hao , Song Jizhou , Liu Aiping
Published: December 2021

The sophistication, adaptability, and complexity of biological systems have provided enormous inspiration and have been a continuous source of numerous innovations. Soft living organisms like drosera capensis have amazing predatory behavior that can capture prey of ideal size, enabling them to interact with environmental stimuli efficiently. Mimicking such natural intelligence in artificial systems with systematical functions of multiple information perception, neuronal transmission, and adaptive motility remains a grand challenge. Here, a biomimetic drosera capensis is reported that is capable of multifunctional self‐sensing, automatic regulation, and adaptive actuation in response to diverse stimuli with intelligent predation capability in an entirely closed‐loop fashion. The functional system heterogeneously integrates the thermal‐responsive soft actuator as the muscle‐like motor and flexible tactile, strain, and piezoelectric multimodal sensors as somatosensory receptors. With the synergistic effect of multifunctional sensing and fast actuating schemes, the artificial drosera capensis deconvolutes multiple characteristics of the catching process (e.g., strain rate, magnitude, and direction) and thus holds impressive predatory behavior for ideal‐sized prey. This electronically innervated artificial drosera capensis with multimodal sensing and self‐regulated actuating capability through the closed‐loop control of sensing and actuating system paves the way for the development of adaptive soft robots.