bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ASSESSMENT OF FARMS FROM HIGH NATURE VALUE FARMLAND AREAS IN POLAND
Authors: Jadczyszyn Jan , Zieliński Marek
Published: September 2020

The objective of the study is to assess production potential and structure and the economic situation of farms pursuing their activity in areas (in municipalities) with various saturation of High Nature Value farmland (HNVf) areas in Poland. The first part of the study presented a method of designating HNVf areas, designated by the Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation National Research Institute (ISSPC-NRI) and the Institute of Agricultural and Food Economics National Research Institute (IAFE-NRI), in cooperation with the Institute of Technology and Life Sciences (ITLS), the Institute for Agricultural and Forest Environment of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IAFE-PAS), and the Polish Society for the Protection of Birds (PSPB) upon the request of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and the European Commission (EC). HNVf areas have been designated on the basis of the adopted criteria of characteristics of extensive agriculture and high nature value areas. On the other hand, the second part of the paper consisted of the organisational and economic assessment of farms from municipalities with various saturation of HNVf areas in Poland, uninterruptedly keeping accounts for the Polish FADN in the years 2016-2018. It was determined that farms from municipalities with a high saturation of HNVf areas, when compared to farms from municipalities with a lower saturation of such areas, being a reference point, have a lower production potential of soils and achieve worse production results. They have, inter alia, a smaller UAA size, smaller labour inputs and smaller capital value, including machinery and equipment. In addition, they have lower income per 1 ha of UAA, which limits their development opportunities.
CHANGES IN RESOURCES AND THE STRUCTURE OF PRODUCTION FACTORS AND THEIR PRODUCTIVITY IN HORTICULTURAL HOLDINGS IN THE YEARS 2010-2018
Authors: Filipiak Tadeusz
Published: September 2020

The aim of the research was to assess the changes in relations between factors of production and their effectiveness in horticultural holdings depending on their economic size in Poland in the years 2010-2018. The general characteristics of FADN horticultural holdings in Poland have been presented, followed by a description of the capital-labor ratio and the capital-land ratio and land resources per work unit, that is, the basic correlations between factors of production. Productivity of work, land and capital measured by gross added value was determined. On the basis of research, it was found that the resources of production factors increased along with the economic size of horticultural holdings. In the examined period, land resources decreased (apart from the biggest farms), labor expenditures were reduced, while capital resources increased. Increase in capital value, accompanied by a reduction in land and labor resources, resulted in enhancing the capital-labor ratio and capital-land ratio. In general, as economic size increased, so did the productivity of factors of production. The highest productivity of labor, land and capital was recorded in the biggest holdings. In the examined period, in all classes of economic size, an increase in labor and land productivity was observed (with the exception of the largest holdings), as well as a decrease in capital productivity (in all classes). Deterioration of capital productivity of horticultural holdings was due to a greater increase in capital value in comparison with gross added value. In the examined period, productivity of factors of production decreased in the largest holdings (economic class 5), despite the achievement of the highest productivity of factors of production in comparison with other classes.
Estimating and Predicting Value-at-Risk in the presence of structural breaks: A Study based on unbiased extreme value volatility estimator
Authors: Kumar Dilip
Published: September 2020

We provide a framework based on the unbiased extreme value volatility estimator to predict long and short position value-at-risk (VaR). The given framework incorporates the impact of asymmetry, structural breaks and fat tails in volatility. We generate forecasts of both long and short position VaR and evaluate the VaR forecasting performance of the proposed framework using various backtesting approaches for both long and short positions and compare the results with that of various alternative models. Our findings indicate that the proposed framework outperforms the alternative models in predicting the long and the short position VaR. Our findings also indicate that the VaR forecasts based on the proposed framework provides the least total loss score for various long and short positions VaR and this supports the superior properties of the proposed framework in forecasting VaR more accurately. The study contributes by providing a framework to predict more accurate VaR measure based on the unbiased extreme value volatility estimator.
Minerando Regras de Associação de Multirrelação na Web de Dados
Authors: De Oliveira Felipe Alves , Villote Guilherme Dos Santos , Costa Raquel Lopes , Goldschmidt Ronaldo Ribeiro , Cavalcanti Maria Cláudia
Published: September 2020

A Web de Dados é uma relevante e crescente fonte de dados que contém informações distribuídas em diferentes datasets interligados. A maioria dos algoritmos de mineração de dados foi projetada para analisar um único dataset por vez, e, consequentemente, não consegue explorar as conexões entre datasets da Web de Dados. Para suprir essa lacuna, este trabalho propõe o MRAR+, um algoritmo de mineração de grafos que busca por regras de associação multirrelação a fim de identificar conhecimentos novos que envolvam recursos de múltiplos datasets da Web de Dados. O MRAR+ foi aplicado com sucesso em dois experimentos e produziu regras novas e úteis para os usuários, ilustrando a sua viabilidade para minerar diferentes datasets interligados na Web de Dados.
Comparing Concept Drift Detection with Process Mining Software
Authors: Omori Nicolas Jashchenko , Tavares Gabriel Marques , Ceravolo Paolo , Barbon Jr Sylvio
Published: September 2020

Organisations have seen a rise in the volume of data corresponding to business processes being recorded. Handling process data is a meaningful way to extract relevant information from business processes with impact on the company's values. Nonetheless, business processes are subject to changes during their executions, adding complexity to their analysis. This paper aims at evaluating currently available process mining tools and software that handle concept drifts, i.e. changes over time of the statistical properties of the events occurring in a process. We provide an in-depth analysis of these tools, comparing their differences, advantages, and disadvantages by testing against a log taken from a Process Control System. Thus, by highlighting the trade-off between the software, the paper gives the stakeholders the best options regarding their case use.
Bewältigungsstrategien alternativen Wirtschaftens
Authors: Gruber Sabine
Published: September 2020

How do you set a counterpoint to capitalism? Community supported agriculture has developed coping strategies which enable it to bridge the contradictions between social and economic requirements. It can thus bind its members and make itself less dependent on competition and price pressure. In this way, it differs from historical countermovements. This empirical study is based on a survey in Germany. Its economic–sociological approach focuses on economic action as social action and asks about the intended meaning of this, the conflicts in this respect and the strategies for resolving them. Therefore, the work shows alternative modes of action within capitalism.
Group Testimony
Authors: Faria Domingos ,   Romanian Academy - Iasi Branch
Published: September 2020

Our aim in this paper is to defend the reductionist (or deflationist) view on group testimony from the attacks of divergence arguments. We will begin by presenting how divergence arguments can challenge the reductionist view. However, we will argue that these arguments are not decisive to rule out the reductionist view; for, these arguments have false premises, assuming dubious epistemic principles that testimony cannot generate knowledge and understanding. The final part of this paper will be devoted to presenting the advantages of the reductionist approach to explaining the phenomenon of group testimony.
The Subject’s Perspective Objection to Externalism and Why it Fails
Authors: Hendricks Perry ,   Romanian Academy - Iasi Branch
Published: September 2020

The subject’s perspective objection (SPO) is an objection against externalist theories of justification, warrant, and knowledge. In this article, I show that externalists can accommodate the SPO while remaining externalist. So, even if the SPO is successful, it does not motivate internalism, and the primary motivation for internalism has been lost. After this, I provide an explanation for why so many people find cases that motivate the SPO convincing.
Empathy as a Tool for Learning about Evaluative Features of Objects
Authors: Sofronieva Diana ,   Romanian Academy - Iasi Branch
Published: September 2020

It is generally agreed that empathy can give us knowledge about others. However, the potential use of empathy as a tool to learn about features of objects in the world more generally, as opposed to learning only about others’ internal states, has not been discussed in the literature. In this paper I make the claim that empathy can help us learn about evaluative features of objects in the world. I further defend this claim by comparing empathy to testimony. Then I present and respond to two possible objections to this analogy.
Truth Tracking and Knowledge from Virtual Reality
Authors: Wheeler Billy ,   Romanian Academy - Iasi Branch
Published: September 2020

Is it possible to gain knowledge about the real world based solely on experiences in virtual reality? According to one influential theory of knowledge, you cannot. Robert Nozick's truth-tracking theory requires that, in addition to a belief being true, it must also be sensitive to the truth. Yet beliefs formed in virtual reality are not sensitive: in the nearest possible world where P is false, you would have continued to believe that P. This is problematic because there is increasing awareness from philosophers and technologists that virtual reality is an important way in which we can arrive at beliefs and knowledge about the world. Here I argue that a suitably modified version of Nozick's sensitivity condition is able to account for knowledge from virtual reality.
On the Formation of Critical Thinking of Students of a Higher Educational Institution
Authors: Yessekeshova Maral D. , Ibrayeva Kulyan Zh. , Kaltayeva Gulnar K. , Albytova Nazymgul , Bekbayeva Zhanar S.
Published: September 2020

Objective: The paper examined for the first time the features of the formation of systemic critical thinking of students of a higher educational institution, using systemic methods specially developed for this.
Background: Unfortunately, there is practically no specific technology or even a method that specifically solves the problem of forming critical thinking. Nevertheless, each person who did not even receive the skills of critical thinking in the learning process possesses this type of thinking to some extent.
Method: The method of systemic structuring and studying information about the objects in question solves important tasks of developing ways of thinking that are very relevant for future specialists. Implementing the methods of systemic cognition of the studied objects and the surrounding reality ensured the development of the systematic knowledge, skills, and systemic and other relevant ways of thinking and a systematic approach in cognitive and other activities.
Results: The peculiarity of what has been said is that students in the process of implementing this method learn and develop simultaneously the proposed types of activities (actions) and the corresponding ways of thinking, including critical ones, determined by them. The particularly important result of the implementation of a systematic approach and systematic methods developed on its basis is the formation of systematic-critical thinking.
Conclusion: The concept of systematic-critical thinking has been developed. Using a systematic approach as a scientific method allowed to significantly transform not only theory and practice but also existing traditional technologies of the formation of critical thinking.
Research on Integrated Learning upon Enhancing Cognitive Activity in Primary School
Authors: Zhekibayeva Botakoz , Kalimova Assemgul , Sarsekeyeva Zhanar , Ossipova Serafima , Zhukenova Gulpara
Published: September 2020

Objective: The study aims to identify the possibility of using a set of methods that a future teacher can apply upon working with schoolchildren, and value-based attitudes, which subsequently develop the students' desire to learn.
Background: The model for preparing the teaching staff for work at school presupposes the presence of not only the already approved tools for assessing the quality of education but also the development of teaching principles. For this purpose, the structure of integrated education is applied, which forms the possibility of holistic comprehension of the surrounding world for schoolchildren and the use of technologies for sustainable education on the part of the teacher.
Method: To develop the above methods and attitudes, a pedagogical experiment was performed. In order to study the level of cognitive activity of young schoolchildren, experimental work based on the gymnasium was conducted.
Results: The authors demonstrate that integrated learning can be achieved only if the younger schoolchildren are prepared and discovered their individual way of thinking and desire for knowledge. The study identifies the possibility of using a set of methods that a future teacher can apply upon working with schoolchildren and value-based attitudes, which subsequently develop the students' desire to learn.
Conclusion: The authors have concluded that the use of the integrated learning methodology allows to expand pedagogical techniques and use them natively in high school
Pedagogical Conditions for the Formation of Moral Education of Elementary Schoolchildren by Means of Didactic Literature Works
Authors: Belgibayeva Gulnur A. , Kulanova Sandugash Sh. , Kerimbekova Akbope A. , Aitenova Dinara O. , Belgibayev Mukhtar A.
Published: September 2020

Objective: The purpose of this study is to identify the pedagogical conditions for the formation of the moral education of elementary school children with psychological characteristics using didactic works.
Background: Parenting and education are integral parts of the development of society. In this connection, moral education in elementary school is a prospect for the development of Kazakhstani society as a whole.
Method: The main research methods were content analysis, generalisation and concretisation, theoretical analysis of scientific, pedagogical and methodical literature, pedagogical experience.
Results: In the course of the study, the organisational forms of the educational process, the selection of didactic works in the discipline "Literary reading" of grade 4 were analysed and generalised. The pedagogical conditions for the formation of the moral education of elementary school students (general, private and specific), as well as the methods of moral education (verbal, practical and visual), are determined. The types of didactic works (stories, legends, poems, proverbs and instructive words) were analysed, and characters that educate morality were identified.
Conclusion: It was found that the specifics of the pedagogical conditions for the formation of the moral education of elementary school students with individual mental characteristics lie in the specifics of the discipline itself, the content of didactic works, tools and the results of the teacher’s work with schoolchildren, which is reflected in the level of morality of schoolchildren, that is, on the object of formation.
The Study of the Self-Development Model in the Context of Structural Security of the Individual Integrity
Authors: Ievtushenko Iryna V. , Kaliuzhna Yevheniia Ðœ. , Nezhynska Olena O.
Published: September 2020

Objective: The purpose of the study is the theoretical substantiation and testing of the methodological apparatus for determining the possibility of self-improvement and maintaining the level of personal psychological attitudes for social and professional interaction.
Background: The individual is perceived in the social environment as complex integrity having specific sets of its own properties and definitions. The implementation of professional standards, the creation of new organizational and psychological mechanisms in society puts forward new requirements for personality.
Method: The article presents a model for the formation of a qualitative perception of the possibilities of correcting motives and personality traits, which impact on the social interaction of a person.
Results: Analysis of the obtained results allowed to admit the effectiveness of authors’ experimental methodology. The authors show that the structural support for the development of the psychological characteristics of addictive individuals should be based on an understanding of the boundaries of social and professional interaction and the determination of the possibilities for its adjustment.
Conclusion: The authors presented a model for the formation of a qualitative perception of the possibilities of correcting motives and personality traits. This, in turn, forms the possibility of defining a complex that contributes to additional social interaction between the components of the social structure.
Tutoring: A Method of Facilitating Active Learning
Authors: Nurmukhanbetova Ardagul N. , Abdykhalykova Zhazira E. , Abdullayeva Zhazira D. , Baimanova Ulbossyn Sh. , Sadykova Aigul K.
Published: September 2020

Objective: To create one of the possible conditions for student-centred education, the authors’ research group developed a tutoring support programme for adaptation of students to the educational process of the school and implemented it into practice.
Background: The necessity of implementing tutoring support in Kazakhstan education is associated with the processes of integration of Kazakhstan into the world educational space, with the introduction of a multi-level educational system, the development of new educational standards such as the Bologna Process. Student-centred education is the fundamental principle of the reform in light of the Bologna process in inclusive education. Tutoring support addresses the needs and meets the requirements of the transition to the individualisation of learning and the variability of educational programmes.
Method: The study included the following research methods: theoretical (analysis, synthesis, classification, generalisation, deduction, induction, analogy, and modelling); empirical (observation, survey, questionnaire, and interview); experimental (stating, developmental, and diagnostic experiment); statistical (statistical analysis of the data, qualitative and quantitative analysis of the study results).
Results: The results of the pilot programme noted changes in motivational and cognitive activity-target components of adaptation in students of the experimental group who received tutoring support, their academic achievements improved, and their independence in preparation for classes developed.
Conclusion: In conclusion, the authors noted that to create conditions for student-centred education, it is necessary to use various kinds of programmes of student academic support in the educational process.
Formation of Arithmetic Musical Competence in Students
Authors: Oshanova Nurzhamal T. , Shekerbekova Shirinkyz T. , Sagimbaeva Ainur E. , Arynova Gylnar C. , Kazhiakparova Zhadyra S.
Published: September 2020

Objective: The purpose of this study is to form the arithmetic musical competency of students on the basis of Al-Farabi’s theoretical musical heritage. In this context, the work “The Great Book of Music” is of great importance. In this work, he gives not only a scientific explanation of the origin of sounds as properties of matter but also gives an idea of the arithmetic principles of the emergence of harmony and musical melodies.
Background: Musical competence is described as an ability and an aptitude to adequately perceive and emotionally respond (react) to music, to transfer musical perception into the ability to think using artistic images. In school, its formation occurs during the study of a discipline "Music", among special subject competencies that form within this subject an arithmetic musical competence can be distinguished.
Method: Judging from the musical theory composition method, Al-Farabi suggests an innovative method to improve the musical development of students with intellectual disabilities which consists of the individual preparation of a training plan.
Results: As a result of this study, it was determined that the problem of the formation of arithmetic musical competence in the learning process is relatively new and insufficiently studied. Arithmetic musical competence can be formed on the basis of teaching the method of the musical theory of composition Al-Farabi.
Conclusion: The experiment results allows for the conclusion about the advantages of the formation of musical competence of students via knowledge of music theory.
Socio-Cultural Implication in the Development of Educational Institutions of Kazakhstan: Interdisciplinary Research
Authors: Puzikova Svetlana M. , Kudro Nataliya M. , Assylov Nurgali Z. , Moldasan Kuanysh S. , Biryuk Larisa A.
Published: September 2020

Objective: The purpose of the paper is to determine the specifics of the modern process of democratisation of the educational environment in Kazakhstan through the analysis of the implicative development of subject-to-subject interactions in educational institutions of the country.
Background: The implication of traditionalism, patriarchy (collectivism), and individualism in the modern culture of Kazakhstani society form the basis for the development of a special, paternalistic type of subject-to-subject interactions in educational institutions of Kazakhstan. The specific nature of this type of interaction is in the preservation of students' value-and-role views about teacher’s functions in the educational process.
Method: The study used a comparative method, conducted a questionnaire survey among students and schoolchildren with special educational needs, an expert survey of teachers, as well as in-depth interviews of schoolchildren and teachers at the second stage.
Results: Based on the results of empirical studies, proposals are being developed on the conceptualisation of the development of the educational environment in the Kazakh school and on the further development of subject-to-subject relations in higher educational institutions. Democratisation of the educational process as a world trend necessitates considering local specific peculiarities when modernising the educational process in societies with a predominance of collectivist values.
Conclusion: The authors, analysing the results of studies on the formation of an individual's subjectivity in various types of societies, having identified implicative relationships in the socio-cultural development of Kazakhstan, conclude that a new institutional significance of education is necessary as a fundamental factor in the overtaking modernisation of Kazakhstan.
Analytics and Privacy
Authors: Quintel Denise , Wilson Robert
Published: September 2020

When selecting a web analytics tool, academic libraries have traditionally turned to Google Analytics for data collection to gain insights into the usage of their web properties. As the valuable field of data analytics continues to grow, concerns about user privacy rise as well, especially when discussing a technology giant like Google. In this article, the authors explore the feasibility of using Matomo, a free and open-source software application, for web analytics in their library’s discovery layer. Matomo is a web analytics platform designed around user-privacy assurances. This article details the installation process, makes comparisons between Matomo and Google Analytics, and describes how an open-source analytics platform works within a library-specific application, EBSCO’s Discovery Service.
“Effroyable réalisme”: Wax, Femininity, and the Madness of Realist Fantasies
Authors: Hunter Mary
Published: September 2020

Cet article examine l’utilisation de pratiques formelles réalistes, de procédures et de médias par les professionnels de la médecine à Paris au dix-neuvième siècle ; il se concentre sur les modèles en cire commandés par le chirurgien Jules Émile Péan (1839–98). Ces modèles reproduisaient des parties génitales atteintes de maladies et ils étaient exposés à l’hôpital Saint-Louis, un hôpital dont la spécialité était le traitement des maladies vénériennes et des maladies de la peau. Cette étude sur la production et la réception des modèles en cire autant au sein du domaine scientifique que dans le domaine public, remet en question les revendications de vérité absolue et d’objectivité faites par les professionnels de la médecine et exprimées à l’aide de matériaux « mimétiques »—dont la cire et la photographie—dans le développement de la connaissance médicale. Il tient compte d’autres revendications à la vérité faites par différents médias, pratiques stylistiques et disciplines professionnelles dont l’art et la médecine. En établissant des liens entre les modèles en cire et la féminité dans les sources médicales, artistiques et littéraires du dix-neuvième siècle, cet article soutient que la façade rationnelle de la médecine moderne et des représentations réalistes dissimule un comportement démentiel. Bien que la surface réaliste des représentations du corps de la femme aient aidé à convaincre que leur création, leur exposition et leur description en tant qu’objets de collectionneur étaient raisonnables, le contact physique excessif que leur production exigeait, et leur rôle fantastique et théâtral dans l’oeil du public menaçaient constamment d’ébranler les prétentions à la raison faites par les domaines médical et artistique.
Reception of Darwinism in mid-to late Nineteenth-Century Nova Scotia
Authors: Reynolds Andrew , MacNeil Christie , Jabalee Mitchell
Published: September 2020

Reaction to Darwin’s theory of evolution within the natural history community of nineteenth-century Nova Scotia focused on his use of hypothesis to account for a diversity of facts about the origin of species. Critics here, as elsewhere, faulted Darwin’s reasoning for straying from proper Baconian inductive method. Those locally engaged in natural history were inclined to stick closely to a descriptive inventory of the colony’s (after 1867, the province’s) natural resources. More fundamentally, Darwin’s approach challenged the mission of natural theology to support a providential reading of the natural world and humanity’s place within it. A review of publications in the Proceedings and Transactions of the Nova Scotian Institute for Natural Science and a private-diary account of a discussion emerging from a Mechanics Institute lecture during the 1860s and ‘70s reveals how members reacted critically to Darwin’s science while insisting on the compatibility of science and religion.
Les débats sur la légitimité de la traite négrière transatlantique au tournant du XVIe siècle : une illustration des « luttes d’articulation » entre experts?
Authors: Martineau Anne-Charlotte
Published: September 2020

L’objectif du présent article est de partir d’un exemple historique pour mieux comprendre les rouages de l’expertise. Comment se déroulent les « luttes d’articulation », pour reprendre la formule de David Kennedy, par lesquelles certains experts réussissent à imposer leur propre vision du monde et à fournir des solutions aux crises environnantes? Pour réfléchir à cette question, nous partirons des débats juridico-théologiques qui eurent lieu au tournant du XVIe siècle sur la légitimité de la traite négrière transatlantique et essayerons de comprendre comment les premiers membres de l’École de Salamanque — ceux-là mêmes qui sont considérés comme étant les « pères du droit international » — ont pu inscrire la traite dans l’optique d’une éthique ou d’un droit du commerce.
Predictive models for stage and risk classification in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC)
Authors: Kumar Sugandh , Patnaik Srinivas , Dixit Anshuman
Published: September 2020

Machine learning techniques are increasingly used in the analysis of high throughput genome sequencing data to better understand the disease process and design of therapeutic modalities. In the current study, we have applied state of the art machine learning (ML) algorithms (Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine Radial Kernel (svmR), Adaptive Boost (AdaBoost), averaged Neural Network (avNNet), and Gradient Boosting Machine (GBM)) to stratify the HNSCC patients in early and late clinical stages (TNM) and to predict the risk using miRNAs expression profiles. A six miRNA signature was identified that can stratify patients in the early and late stages. The mean accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) was found to be 0.84, 0.87, 0.78, and 0.82, respectively indicating the robust performance of the generated model. The prognostic signature of eight miRNAs was identified using LASSO (least absolute shrinkage and selection operator) penalized regression. These miRNAs were found to be significantly associated with overall survival of the patients. The pathway and functional enrichment analysis of the identified biomarkers revealed their involvement in important cancer pathways such as GP6 signalling, Wnt signalling, p53 signalling, granulocyte adhesion, and dipedesis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first such study and we hope that these signature miRNAs will be useful for the risk stratification of patients and the design of therapeutic modalities.
Dichocarpum hagiangense—a new species and an updated checklist of Ranunculaceae in Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Minh Ty , Trinh Ngoc Bon , Tran Thanh Thi Viet , Thanh Tran Duc , Phan Long Ke , Pham Van The
Published: September 2020

Dichocarpum hagiangense from Ha Giang province, northern Vietnam is described and illustrated. Diagnostic features of the new species are a short rhizomatous stem, (2–)3-foliolate or simple leaves, and pink-purple flowers. The described species is distinct from closely allied D. trifoliolatum in having longer sepals, shape and obcordate apex of petal limbs, shorter flower stem, number and tooth shape of basal leaves; it differs from D. basilare and D. carinatum in having stem leaf, retuse apex and longer of central leaflet, number and (2–)3-foliated (or simple) of leaf. With the support of molecular data, the new species was clearly distinguished from other species in the Dichocarpum group by eight autapomorphic characters in nrITS sequence. A key to all species of Dichocarpum is provided. We suggest the IUCN conservation status of D. hagiangense to be “Critically Endangered”. A newest checklist of the family Ranunculaceae in Vietnam is updated.
Effects of Blend Formulation on Quality Characteristics of Mordum (A Nigerian Multi-Grain Breakfast Cereal) Fortified with Grain Legume or Powdered Milk
Authors: Gervase Agbara Ikechukwu , Fatima Goni Kachalla , Rukayya Abba Zanna , Halima Bulama Usman
Published: September 2020

In this present study, mordum a millet-rice based Nigerian breakfast meal was produced from blends consisted of rice, millet or rice, maize, each fortified with cowpea, soybean or powdered milk(cereal1:cereal2:legume/milk or cereal2:cereal1:llegume/milk) in the ratios of 50:30:20 or 30:50:20. Nine spiced multigrain blends were produced and subjected to physicochemical and sensory evaluations. Percentage retentions on sieves revealed that the main mass fraction of the blends was 224-300 µm, however blends containing powdered milk were finer. Solubility (4.85-8.95%) and swelling power (2.71-3.27%) of the blends were generally low while water absorption capacity (159%-221%) and bulk density (0.7895-0.9181 g/ml) were moderately high. Moisture, crude protein, crude fat, total ash, crude fiber and carbohydrate varied significantly (p<0.05): 5.03-10.30%, 10.46-20.15%, 7.01-12.08%, 2.45-4.20%, 1.52-3.38%, and 52.57-68.50% respectively. In order of dominance, the mineral elements were (mg/100g): 226.08-356.68 K, 220.69-360.34 Ca, 13.32-40.00 Mg, 5.34-9.21 P, 3.67-8.14 Fe, and 3.32-8.34 Zn. Bacterial and fungal populations of the blends were satisfactorily low, less than104cfu/g and 103cfu/g respectively, perhaps due to relatively low moisture contents of the blends. The overall sensory attributes of the gruel containing milk and maize were the best. Although the nutritive value of the blends were generally enhanced, however the study concluded by recommending commercial production of ready-to-cook blends containing rice and maize and fortified with either soybean or milk for improved nutritional status of the mordum consumers.
Ragging and Its Impacts on the English Language Use of the First Year Undergraduate Community: Sri Lankan Perspective
Authors: Navaz A. M. M.
Published: September 2020

Ragging is a form of teasing introduced into Sri Lankan universities with an alleged aim of assimilating new students to the university culture. The origin of ragging is not known and over the years ragging has become a form of violent action and bullying, which harms junior students physically as well as mentally. It is generally accepted that classroom interaction would help develop students’ English language proficiency, especially speaking skills. Among some of the reasons for students not to involve in interaction with lecturers, ragging (hazing) in universities seems to play a significant role.

The study focused on the effects of ragging on students’ participation in language classes and their involvement in classroom discussions with lecturers, especially in the English medium content classes. Classroom discussion in the English medium classes is believed to be effective in improving the comprehension of content matters while offering a platform to develop language skills as well. Data were collected through focus group discussions and personal interviews with students and the staff of the university. The study revealed that multi-faceted sub-set of factors influenced students' behaviour in class. Students’ perception and justification of the said behaviour affect classroom interaction. Among the significant sub-set of factors, culturally embedded behavioural patterns perpetuated by senior students that come in the form of ragging seem to restrict the classroom interaction of the students in English. The study stresses the importance of examining the influence of culturally embedded behavioural factors on classroom interaction of the undergraduate community.
Role of Farmer Producer Organization Post COVID in Marketing of Perishables in Karnataka
Authors: Basavaraj G. , Alur Ashok S. , Prabhakar Itigi , Manjunath M. , Shashibhushana G. , Kumar S. , Parameshwarappa K. J.
Published: September 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic started in India during first week of March has infected people and taken its toll. As a result of this pandemic, the entire Nation went into lockdown from March 22nd 2020 to protect people’s life. The lockdown has hit all the sectors of the economy including agriculture resulting in disruption of business, movements, lifestyles, health and employment.  Agriculture being backbone of the Country is affected both on backward and forward linkages of the supply chain. In this context, a study of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPO) primarily dealing in horticulture commodities in Karnataka was undertaken with an objective to understand their role in addressing the challenges in supply chain. Of the 100 FPO’s promoted by Department of Horticulture, 40 FPO’s were involved in output business post COVID-19 pandemic of which 23 FPO’s were chosen for the study. As field surveys were not possible due to the pandemic, information was elicited through telephonic interview of Chief Executive Officers of the FPO’s. FPOs in the process on selling diverse commodities to consumer door step faced challenges with respect to transport, payment, logistics and working capital. Though FPOs faced several challenges, several of them found new approaches to deal with the situation. The findings from the study are summarized and recommendations are made to create an enabling environment for FPO’s to do business more effectively and to equip them to deal with the situation.
Relationship between Microsatellite Status and Other Prognostic Factors in Patients with Colon Cancer
Authors: Erşen Ogün , Çulcu Serdar , Aydın Ferit , Mercan Ümit , Yüksel Cemil , Ünal Ali Ekrem
Published: September 2020

It is reported that 0.5-13 % of all colorectal cancers are hereditary. Many mutations that cause genomic instability have been described lately in this cancers; the most famous one is yet microsatellite instability pathway. Investigating the presence of these mutations is important in tailoring patients' treatment and predicting prognosis.

Aims: We evaluated the association between micro satellite status and other pathologic prognostic factors like grade, tumor size, lymph node metastasis, lymphovascular invasion and perineural invasion in patients who underwent curative colon resection for colorectal cancers (CRC) in our clinic in the past five years.

Study Design: A total of 205 sequential patients who were older than 18 and had curative colon resection for CRC in Ankara University Surgical Oncology Unit and been tested for microsatellite instability (MSI) were analyzed on behalf of the facultys’ database.

Methodology: Pathology results had been determined and tumor localizations, lymph node metastasis status, grade, lymphovascular and perineural invasion status were evaluated. Information about MSI status and defected genes were obtained from detailed pathology reports. Patients were divided into two groups as MSI and MSS.

Results: No significant difference was found between two the groups in the context of microsatellite instability status. Lymphovascular invasion had been seen higher in high frequency microsatellite instability (MSH-H) compared to low frequency microsatellite instability (MSH-L)  group (76.4% vs 53.1%, P =.02). There was no statistical difference in perineural invasion between the two groups (P = 0.102). Signet ring cell status between the groups we found a higher rate of signet ring cells and consequently a higher grade in MSH-H group (17.6% vs 10.6%, P = 0.042).

Conclusion: In conclusion, although many important points have been identified in our study, more studies are needed to compare the evaluation of MSI in colon cancer with other prognostic factors and to investigate its effect on the course of the disease.
TB Infection Control in TB/HIV Settings in Cross River State, Nigeria: Policy Vs Practice
Authors: Odo Michael , Ochei Kingsley Chinedum , Obeagu Emmanuel Ifeanyi , Barinaadaa Afirima , Eteng Ugobo Emmanuel , Ikpeme Mabel , Bassey Jonah Offor , Paul Andrew Ogar
Published: September 2020

TB and HIV remain a dangerous duo of significant public health concern across the globe. Both diseases require significant community and health system activities to be successfully managed. TB infection control is an important disease prevention strategy among the general population and among people living with HIV, in cost and management. We undertook to assess the situation of TB infection control at three levels of health care in Cross River State of Nigeria. A qualitative method was used to assess TB infection control (TBIC) knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the health care workers at each of the purposefully selected facilities using a semi-structured questionnaire - University of Calabar Teaching hospital, Calabar; Infectious disease Hospital, Calabar and primary Health Centre, Calabar Municipal, between 15th to 31st November, 2019 in the first phase, and an extension to February, 2020 due to delayed ethical clearance from the University of Calabar Teaching hospital. Data was collected and entered on an excel template and cleaned by trained data entry clerks. Charts and color diagrams were developed to compare specific descriptive data. There is wide variation between the written policies of TB infection control and the practices among health workers. Even though there are strong administrative protocols to support TB infection control in the higher levels of care, it is better practiced in the lower level PHC where the protocols were not spelt out.
Air gap technique is recommended in axiolateral hip radiographs
Authors: Kivistö Susanne , Kotiaho Antti , Henner Anja , Nevala Terhi , Niinimäki Jaakko , Nieminen Miika T. , Hanni Matti
Published: September 2020

Purpose

To investigate the replacement of conventional grid by air gap in axiolateral hip radiographs. The optimal air gap distance was studied with respect to radiation dose and image quality using phantom images, as well as 26 patient axiolateral hip radiographs.

Methods

The CDRAD phantom, along with polymethylmethacrylate slabs with thicknesses of 10.0, 14.6, and 20.0 cm was employed. The inverse image quality index and dose area product (DAP), as well as their combination, so called figure‐of‐merit (FOM) parameter, were evaluated for these images, with air gaps from 20 to 50 cm in increments of 10 cm. Images were compared to those acquired using a conventional grid utilized in hip radiography. Radiation dose was measured and kept constant at the surface of the detector by using a reference dosimeter. Verbal consent was asked from 26 patients to participate to the study. Air gap distances from 20 to 50 cm and tube current‐time products from 8 to 50 mAs were employed. Exposure index, DAP, as well as patient height and weight were recorded. Two radiologists evaluated the image quality of 26 hip axiolateral projection images on a 3‐point nondiagnostic — good/sufficiently good — too good scale. Source‐to‐image distance of 200 cm and peak tube voltage of 90 kVp were used in both studies.

Results and conclusion

Based on the phantom study, it is possible to reduce radiation dose by replacing conventional grid with air gap without compromising image quality. The optimal air gap distance appears to be 30 cm, based on the FOM analysis. Patient study corroborates this observation, as sufficiently good image quality was found in 24 of 26 patient radiographs, with 7 of 26 images obtained with 30 cm air gap. Thus, air gap method, with an air gap distance of 30 cm, is recommended in axiolateral hip radiography.
Dose reduction potential of using gold fiducial markers for kilovoltage image‐guided radiotherapy
Authors: Takei Yoshiki , Monzen Hajime , Tamura Mikoto , Doi Hiroshi , Nishimura Yasumasa
Published: September 2020

This study aimed to evaluate the possibility of reducing the imaging dose for image‐guided radiotherapy by using planar kilovoltage orthogonal imaging and fiducial markers (kV‐FM). We tested kilovoltage planar images under clinical imaging conditions for the pelvis (75 kVp, 200 mA, 50 ms) at a decreasing tube current (from 200 to 10 mA). Imaging doses were measured with a semiconductor detector. The visibility of the kV‐FM, aspects of image quality (spatial resolution, low contrast resolution), and the resultant image registration reproducibility were evaluated using various shapes (folded, linear, tadpole‐like) of fiducial markers containing 0.5% iron [Gold Anchor™ (GA); Naslund Medical AB, Huddinge, Sweden]. The GA phantom was created by placing these variously shaped GAs in an agar phantom. The imaging doses with 200 and 10 mA were approximately 0.74 and 0.04 mGy and they were correlated to the tube current (R2 = 0.999). Regardless of the marker’s shape, the GA phantom ensured visibility even when the tube current was reduced to the minimum value (10 mA). The low contrast resolution was gradually decreased at less than 50 mA, but the spatial resolution did not change. Although the auto‐registration function could not be used, manual‐registration could be achieved with an accuracy of within 1 mm, even when the imaging dose was reduced to 1/20 of the clinical imaging condition for the pelvis. When using the GA as the fiducial marker, the imaging dose could be reduced to 1/20 of that used clinically while maintaining the accuracy of manual‐registration using the kV‐FM for image‐guided radiotherapy of the pelvis.
An Emerging Lead‐Free Double‐Perovskite Cs2AgFeCl6:In Single Crystal
Authors: Yin Hang , Xian Yeming , Zhang Yongli , Chen Weijian , Wen Xiaoming , Rahman Naveed Ur , Long Yi , Jia Baohua , Fan Jiandong , Li Wenzhe
Published: September 2020

The recently emerged hybrid lead halide perovskites demonstrate low‐cost fabrication and noteworthy performance, but they have intrinsically unstable properties and contain toxic Pb in a soluble form. Herein, a thus far unreported highly stable lead‐free Cs2AgFeCl6 double perovskite is developed. Its crystallographic structure and band structure are demonstrated to be capable of tuning by means of In3+ incorporation. The as‐prepared Cs2AgInxFe1−xCl6 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) perovskite single crystals display a broadband absorbance in the range of 450–800 nm, which further enables a remarkable enhancement of photoluminescence quantum yields by a factor of ≈167. Equally important, the incorporation of In atoms is experimentally and theoretically shown to improve the carriers transport ability, which is associated with the substitution of Fe‐3d state by In‐5s state in the energy range between 1.5 and 2.5 eV that dominates the conductive process, and thereafter may benefit the potential applications in photoelectronic and photovoltaic devices.
Strong Electronic Interaction Enhanced Electrocatalysis of Metal Sulfide Clusters Embedded Metal–Organic Framework Ultrathin Nanosheets toward Highly Efficient Overall Water Splitting
Authors: Zhao Ming , Li Wei , Li Junying , Hu Weihua , Li Chang Ming
Published: September 2020

Unique metal sulfide (MS) clusters embedded ultrathin nanosheets of Fe/Ni metal–organic framework (MOF) are grown on nickel foam (NiFe‐MS/MOF@NF) as a highly efficient bifunctional electrocatalyst for overall water splitting. It exhibits remarkable catalytic activity and stability toward both the oxygen evolution reaction (OER, ƞ = 230 mV at 50 mA cm−2) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER, ƞ = 156 mV at 50 mA cm−2) in alkaline media, and bi‐functionally catalyzes overall alkaline water splitting at a current density of 50 mA cm−2 by 1.74 V cell voltage without iR compensation. The enhancement mechanism is ascribed to the impregnated metal sulfide clusters in the nanosheets, which not only promote the formation of ultrathin nanosheet to greatly enlarge the reaction surface area while offering high electric conductivity, but more importantly, efficiently modulate the electronic structure of the catalytically active atom sites to an electron‐rich state via strong electronic interaction and strengthen the adsorption of oxygenate intermediate to facilitate fast electrochemical reactions. This work reports a highly efficient HER/OER bifunctional electrocatalyst and may shed light on the rational design and synthesis of uniquely structured MOF‐derived catalysts.