bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recipientes bíblicos II. † *’Agartel/ ’Agartal
Authors: Rubiato M. T. , Lara J. C. , Gaviria A.
Published: October 2020

Al igual que sucede con otros términos empleados en el Antiguo Testamento hebreo para designar algún recipiente, ’agarṭel/’agarṭal se ha traducido y analizado en las versiones y estudios antiguos y modernos de muy distintas maneras. Sabido es que la realia de épocas lejanas plantea por su propia naturaleza muchos problemas al investigador. En éste y otros casos se añade la dificultad de la condición de hápax legómenon del vocablo. Tras examinar las versiones más características en lenguas clásicas y modernas y recoger los estudios más relevantes de comentaristas y exegetas, los autores rechazan la etimología compuesta de la palabra, proponen la vocalización ’agarṭel y la adaptación al hebreo, a través del griego крαtήр del tema /krat- / kerat- / karat-/ que se realiza en numerosos vocablos de lenguas indoeuropeas. En cuanto al tipo, se propugna el bol de época persa, de tamaño variable y muy extendido en el área del Oriente Cercano.
Arias Montano en una carta de John Mili
Authors: Spottorno M.ª Victoria
Published: October 2020

No disponible.
L’autorité à l’école : entre enseignants et élèves, une norme relationnelle ?
Authors: Beretti Marie
Published: October 2020

En matière d’autorité, la norme indique un certain nombre d’usages comme attendus et d’autres comme « hors norme ». Mais si dans le faire autorité, la norme pose une définition plus ou moins claire et précise de ce qu’est une bonne autorité en tant que conduite humaine, et plus précisément en tant que pratique professionnelle, dans le même temps, l’autorité des enseignants vise à produire ou maintenir certains comportements du côté des élèves, des comportements « attendus » qui relèvent de l’intériorisation d’un autre type de norme. L’autorité entretient donc un double rapport à la norme : dans sa pratique, l’autorité de l’enseignant est l’objet d’une norme (une norme professionnelle), en même temps que l’autorité vise et se donne les moyens de faire entrer les élèves dans une autre norme (une norme sociale). S’appuyant sur un corpus de données recueillies dans des classes de cycle 3 lors d’une recherche sur la construction de la relation d’autorité à l’école élémentaire, cet article étudie comment l’autorité en milieu scolaire, à la fois attendue et observable, s’impose comme objet d’une norme professionnelle, et comme vecteur d’une norme sociale. Dit autrement, comment l’autorité enseignante est conjointement normalisée et normative.
Normes scolaires et normes professionnelles à l’épreuve des troubles du comportement ?
Authors: Gasparini Rachel
Published: October 2020

Les « troubles du comportement » entendus comme des perturbations importantes de la situation scolaire ordinaire (agressions physiques et verbales d’enfants ou d’adultes, détériorations matérielles, conduites dangereuses pour soi) déstabilisent les professeurs des écoles. Ne sont-ils pas d’autant plus déstabilisés quand ils sont débutants (donc attachés à suivre les normes professionnelles ou à montrer qu’ils les suivent) particulièrement en maternelle (lieu de la première confrontation des enfants aux normes scolaires) ? Le matériau mobilisé s’appuie sur deux recherches : la première interrogeait des professeurs des écoles stagiaires sur leur autorité ; la deuxième questionnait des professionnels intervenant auprès d’enfants avec des « troubles du comportement » en maternelle.
Réformes éducatives sous le Front populaire et mise à l’épreuve des normes professionnelles et pédagogiques. Le cas du livret Fontègne
Authors: Seguy Jean-Yves
Published: October 2020

Cet article s’attache à décrire les fondements et la mise en place d’un outil d’accompagnement des enseignants impliqués dans l’expérience des classes d’orientation, de 1937 à 1939 : le livret Fontègne. Cette expérience, instaurée sous l’impulsion du ministre du Front populaire, Jean Zay, avait pour objectif de préparer l’orientation scolaire des élèves à partir de l’observation des aptitudes mises en jeu dans la classe. Le livret Fontègne devait permettre aux enseignants de disposer d’un cadre les conduisant à repérer ces aptitudes. Cette approche supposait que s’installent de nouvelles normes pour enseigner, conduisant en principe à développer des pratiques inspirées de l’éducation nouvelle, en mettant les élèves dans des situations qui devaient leur permettre d’exprimer leurs aptitudes. Ces normes ont été confrontées à celles en vigueur jusqu’alors dans l’enseignement secondaire, suscitant de vifs débats. L’article se propose de rendre compte de la construction de ces normes émergentes et de leur confrontation aux normes installées.
Pressions et expressions de normes dans les pratiques d’enseignement de l’histoire au secondaire
Authors: Moisan Sabrina , Saussez Frédéric
Published: October 2020

Les pratiques d’enseignement de l’histoire au secondaire sont reconnues comme présentant certaines caractéristiques communes : prédominance de l’enseignement magistral, centration sur les contenus historiques plutôt que sur les compétences, par exemple. Cet article s’arrête sur ce constat et cherche à lui donner sens en analysant les pratiques de cinq enseignants sur le plan didactique et sur le plan de normes organisant leur travail. La question de la norme prend ainsi plusieurs figures dans cette recherche. De fait, l’observation des pratiques permet de cerner les normes disciplinaires façonnant le travail de ces enseignants d’histoire, de même que la manière dont les prescriptions officielles sont reçues, intégrées et transformées par ceux-ci alors qu’ils cherchent à se construire un « milieu d’action » viable. Les résultats montrent que ces enseignants possèdent une culture disciplinaire propre, marquée par une centration sur l’organisation et la transmission des savoirs historiques et s’exprimant dans la construction de ce que nous nommons le « cahier d’apprentissage fait maison ».
Valuing Indigenous Research Paradigms in the Context of Language Acquisition
Authors: Morrison Jennifer Adele
Published: October 2020

The purpose of this article is to justify the value of Indigenous research paradigms, specifically in the context of research on language acquisition. This argument has implications not only for research on language acquisition and the practice of language instruction but also for qualitative research, more broadly. Specifically, depending on the context of a given research project, it may be critical for educational researchers to value and respect Indigenous epistemologies and worldviews; otherwise, educational research endeavors may be adding to knowledge at the expense of devaluing research participants and local communities.
Chatbot Experiences of Informal Language Learners
Authors: Alm Antonie , Nkomo Larian M.
Published: October 2020

In 2016, a number of language applications released chatbots to complement their programmes. Used primarily in informal learning settings, chatbots enable language learners to engage in conversational speaking practice, which can be perceived as less threatening than face-to-face interactions with native speakers. This study takes a closer look at four second language (L2) chatbots—Duolingo, Eggbun, Memrise, and Mondly—and analyses the experiences which informal language learners expressed on various online platforms (e.g., Duolingo forum, Memrise community, Reddit). Results indicate a degree of curiosity and a willingness to engage in conversation with chatbots. However, learners expressed frustration if the dialogues did not correspond to their learning goals or if they were excluded from using the bots because of technical or payment issues, or discontinuation of services.
Improving Reading Comprehension in Spanish Using iSTART-E
Authors: McCarthy Kathryn S. , Soto Christian Marcelo , Gutierrez de Blume Antonio P. , Palma Diego , González Jordan Ignacio , McNamara Danielle S.
Published: October 2020

iSTART-E is a web-based intelligent tutor developed for Spanish-speaking students to improve their reading comprehension through self-explanation strategy training. This study examined the effects of a blended comprehension strategy intervention on students' reading comprehension skill. Chilean high school students (N = 22) completed nine iSTART-E sessions and a face-to-face classroom lesson that included integrative video and additional examples of self-explanation. Survey data indicated that students thought that iSTART-E was useful and that they had improved their reading skills. Critically, this was supported by objective assessment—students' standardized reading comprehension test (Lectum) performance improved from pre-training to post-training. These findings demonstrate promise for the use of iSTART-E as a computer-supported learning environment for Spanish readers.
The Sopro Artefact
Authors: Correia Pedro , Mendes da Silva Bruno , Tavares Mirian N.
Published: October 2020

Sopro is a hybrid artefact composed of analogue and digital technologies that crosses video art with installation and interactive art. It includes an interface which reveals a certain audiovisual flow when triggered by an interactor blowing insistently. It oscillates between an interface of concealment at the moment that allows something to be visualized and self-neutralizes in the act of transmission and an interface that is revealed through the difficulties of the interactor in revealing the images and sounds (by blowing). This paradox, this ambiguity, singles out the artefact as a quasi-medium, in the sense that it has the ability to reveal audiovisual content but is not able to maintain fluid transmission. It does not withdraw; it shows itself.
Hardware/Software Co-Design of a Vision System for Automatic Classification of Date Fruits
Authors: Khriji Lazhar , Ammari Ahmed Chiheb , Awadalla Medhat
Published: October 2020

This paper proposes a hardware/software (HW/SW) co-design of an automatic classification system of Khalas, Khunaizi, Fardh, Qash, Naghal, and Maan dates fruit varieties in Oman. Three artificial intelligence (AI) techniques are used for qualitative comparisons: artificial neural network (ANN), support vector machine (SVM), and K-nearest neighbor (KNN). The accuracy performance of all AI classifiers is characterized for multiple color, shape, size, and texture feature combinations and for different critical parameter settings of the classifiers. In total, 600 date samples (100 dates/variety) are selected and imaged each sample individually. The system starts with preprocessing and segmentation of the colored input images. A total of 19 features are extracted from each image for use in classification models. The ANN classifier is shown to outperform all other classifiers. 97.26% highest classification accuracy is achieved using a combination of 15 color and shape-size features.
Negation Handling in Machine Learning-Based Sentiment Classification for Colloquial Arabic
Authors: Alharbi Omar
Published: October 2020

One crucial aspect of sentiment analysis is negation handling, where the occurrence of negation can flip the sentiment of a review and negatively affects the machine learning-based sentiment classification. The role of negation in Arabic sentiment analysis has been explored only to a limited extent, especially for colloquial Arabic. In this paper, the authors address the negation problem in colloquial Arabic sentiment classification using the machine learning approach. To this end, they propose a simple rule-based algorithm for handling the problem that affects the performance of a machine learning classifier. The rules were crafted based on observing many cases of negation, simple linguistic knowledge, and sentiment lexicon. They also examine the impact of the proposed algorithm on the performance of different machine learning algorithms. Furthermore, they compare the performance of the classifiers when their algorithm is used against three baselines. The experimental results show that there is a positive impact on the classifiers when the proposed algorithm is used compared to the baselines.
Evaluation of Parameter Settings for Training Neural Networks Using Backpropagation Algorithms
Authors: Leema N.  , Nehemiah Khanna H. , Elgin Christo V. R.  , Kannan A.
Published: October 2020

Artificial neural networks (ANN) are widely used for classification, and the training algorithm commonly used is the backpropagation (BP) algorithm. The major bottleneck faced in the backpropagation neural network training is in fixing the appropriate values for network parameters. The network parameters are initial weights, biases, activation function, number of hidden layers and the number of neurons per hidden layer, number of training epochs, learning rate, minimum error, and momentum term for the classification task. The objective of this work is to investigate the performance of 12 different BP algorithms with the impact of variations in network parameter values for the neural network training. The algorithms were evaluated with different training and testing samples taken from the three benchmark clinical datasets, namely, Pima Indian Diabetes (PID), Hepatitis, and Wisconsin Breast Cancer (WBC) dataset obtained from the University of California Irvine (UCI) machine learning repository.
Real-Time Weather Analytics
Authors: Lavanya K.  , Venkatanarayanan Sathyan , Bhoraskar Anay Anand
Published: October 2020

Weather forecasting is one of the biggest challenges that modern science is still contending with. The advent of high-power computing, technical advancement of data storage devices, and incumbent reduction in the storage cost have accelerated data collection to turmoil. In this background, many artificial intelligence techniques have been developed and opened interesting window of opportunity in hitherto difficult areas. India is on the cusp of a major technology overhaul with millions of people's data availability who were earlier unconnected with the internet. The country needs to fast forward the innovative use of available data. The proposed model endeavors to forecast temperature, precipitation, and other vital information for usability in the agrarian sector. This project intends to develop a robust weather forecast model that learns automatically from the daily feed of weather data that is input through a third-party API source. The weather feed is sourced from openweathermap, an online service that provides weather data, and is streamed into the forecast model through Kafka components. The LSTM neural network used by the forecast model is designed to continuously learn from predictions and perform actual analysis. The model can be architected to be implemented across very large applications having the capability to process large volumes of streamed or stored data.
Context-Aware Web Service Clustering and Visualization
Authors: Kumara Banage T. G. S. , Paik Incheon , Yaguchi Yuichi
Published: October 2020

With the large number of web services now available via the internet, web service discovery has become a challenging and time-consuming task. Organizing web services into similar clusters is a very efficient approach to reducing the search space. A principal issue for clustering is computing the semantic similarity between services. Current approaches do not consider the domain-specific context in measuring similarity and this has affected their clustering performance. This paper proposes a context-aware similarity (CAS) method that learns domain context by machine learning to produce models of context for terms retrieved from the web. To analyze visually the effect of domain context on the clustering results, the clustering approach applies a spherical associated-keyword-space algorithm. The CAS method analyzes the hidden semantics of services within a particular domain, and the awareness of service context helps to find cluster tensors that characterize the cluster elements. Experimental results show that the clustering approach works efficiently.
Relação empírica entre lucro e retorno acionário: uma aplicação da modelagem MIDAS
Authors: Silva Aline Moura Costa da , Freire Anna Paola Fernandes , Medeiros Otávio Ribeiro de
Published: October 2020

A relação empírica entre lucro e retorno das ações tem sido muito investigada em finanças. Para tal, são usualmente utilizados modelos de regressão em séries temporais ou com dados em painel, nos quais as variáveis estão amostradas em uma mesma frequência. Contudo, tendo em vista que o lucro e o retorno acionário são disponibilizados em frequências distintas, há perdas informacionais ao serem convertidos para uma mesma frequência. Assim, o presente artigo tem como objetivo principal analisar a relação entre o lucro e o retorno acionário das empresas listadas na B3, por meio da modelagem MIDAS, a qual possibilita um conteúdo informacional mais completo, por permitir que dados amostrados em frequências distintas sejam incluídos em uma mesma regressão. O período analisado inicia-se em janeiro de 1994, finalizando-se em dezembro de 2017. Os resultados indicaram que a relação entre o lucro líquido e os retornos das ações no mercado acionário brasileiro é dinâmica, ou seja, positiva em alguns momentos e negativa em outros. Em adição, foi verificado que, para que se possa obter uma projeção robusta dos lucros trimestrais, é necessária a inclusão como variável explanatória, além dos retornos diários, dos lucros trimestrais defasados, numa modelagem autoregressiva.
Conformidade da evidenciação contábil obrigatória dos contratos de parcerias público-privadas nos governos subnacionais brasileiros
Authors: Franco Minéia Cristina , Andrade Maria Elisabeth Moreira Carvalho , Tavares Marcelo
Published: October 2020

O objetivo geral desta pesquisa consiste em investigar o nível de conformidade da evidenciação obrigatória dos contratos de Parcerias Público-Privadas (PPPs nos governos subnacionais brasileiros nas demonstrações financeiras dos entes privados no período de 2010 a 2017, bem como os fatores que podem influenciar o nível de informação de divulgação. Para o alcance do objetivo, foi utilizado o Índice de Disclosure (INDISC), construído a partir dos normativos que regem os contratos de PPPs sob a ótica do ente privado. Na segunda etapa, parte-se para investigar se o índice de disclosure de uma empresa está positivamente associado ao tamanho da empresa, à auditoria, à rentabilidade e ao endividamento. Para tal, optou-se pela estimação de modelos de regressão linear simples e múltipla para verificar as hipóteses levantadas neste estudo. Os resultados auferidos demonstram que as empresas analisadas cumprem, em parte, a evidenciação obrigatória, pois a média geral do índice de divulgação das mesmas foi próximo à 70%. O estudo mostrou também que, quando analisadas as empresas individualmente, as variáveis auditoria e endividamento tiveram influência positiva do índice de disclosure, ou seja, essas variáveis estão associadas ao nível de divulgação de informações. Já a análise realizada por setores das empresas mostrou que a variável auditoria perdeu sua significância, com destaque para as variáveis tamanho da empresa e endividamento, as quais melhor explicam o nível do índice de disclosure e a aderência às normas de contabilidade vigente aos contratos de PPPs nas empresas analisadas.
Do financial restricted companies use the cash flow for investment or for cash holdings?
Authors: Granzotto Alberto , Alves Lamberti Fernanda , Bernardi Sonza Igor
Published: October 2020

The present paper aims to verify whether the most financially restricted companies use their cash flow for investment or for cash holdings. To this end, the cash flow sensitivity of investment as well as the cash flow sensitivity of cash for Brazilian publicly traded companies through the Threshold method is tested, given its classification in restricted and unrestricted companies. In this context, the models of Fazzari, Hubbard and Petersen (1984) and Almeida, Campello and Weisbach (2004) were applied, using as structural breaks the Dividends Paid, Total Assets, Z-score and KZ-index. The result of the analysis was not clear in relation to which behavior is predominant in Brazilian companies. Using the Total Asset as a Threshold, the model that was most representative was the one referring to investments in capital goods. But, considering the Z-score as a Threshold, the most representative model indicates that companies use more Cash Flow results for cash holdings. Dividends and KZ-index were not significant in the analysis.
Estrogen Deficiency Accompanied by Oxidative Stress Sustains Heme Oxygenase 1 expression in Cardiomyocytes of Ovariectomized Rats
Authors: Lai Zheng-Zong , Yang Hsiang-Yu , Chen Ping-Nan , Shih Wei-Jou , Shen Hsin-Hsueh , Lee Yen-Mei
Published: October 2020

Background:

Estrogen deficiency is one of the main causes of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) after menopause, accompanied with the upregulation of oxidative stress. Two isoforms of heme oxygenase (HO), HO-1 and HO-2, have been implicated in the cytoprotective effects via the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacities.

Aims:

This study aimed to investigate the time-course of HO-1 and HO-2 expression in the cardiac tissue of ovariectomized rats and whether oxidative stress is involved in the regulation of HO alteration.

Methods:

Adult female rats were ovariectomized bilaterally to induce estrogen deficiency and randomly divided into (1) Sham, (2) ovariectomy (Ovx), (3) Ovx + E2 (17β estradiol, 50 μg/kg/day, intramuscular), and (4) Ovx + tempol (1 mM in drinking water, a superoxide dismutase [SOD] mimetic). Rats were sacrificed 12 weeks after Ovx; blood and myocardium samples were collected.

Results:

Showed that plasma E2 levels of Ovx and Ovx + tempol groups were significantly reduced as compared to Sham group after 4 weeks of Ovx. Superoxide anion in the cardiac tissue was significantly elevated 2 weeks after Ovx, and the increase was drastically reversed by the treatment with E2 and tempol. In addition, Ovx rats showed significantly higher levels of oxidized glutathione (GSSG) than those of Sham group, which were also significantly reduced by E2 and tempol administration. Western blot analysis indicated that HO-1 expression was significantly induced 1 week after Ovx and sustained at high levels until 12 weeks. E2 replacement did not immediately reverse HO-1 until treatment for 4 weeks as well as tempol administration for 5 weeks. Expression of the constitutive enzymes HO-2 did not show significant differences between Sham and Ovx groups, and E2 or tempol administration had no effect on cardiac HO-2 protein expression.

Conclusion:

E2 deficiency induced upregulation of superoxide anion in the myocardium, which might be the major contributor to the sustained HO-1 expression as adaptive responses to oxidative stress. This study provides new insight into the pathogenesis of CVDs after menopause.
The Ratios of Estradiol and Progesterone to Testosterone Influence the Severity of Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy
Authors: Hangül Ceren , Bozkurt Selen , Bilge Uğur , Özdem Sebahat , Altunbaş Hasan , Uysal Hilmi , Koç Filiz , Karaüzüm Sibel Berker
Published: October 2020

Background:

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) occurs as a consequence of genetic deletion of D4Z4 repeats on chromosome 4q35. Onset of FSHD is earlier in males, suggesting that testosterone may trigger the disease. In accordance, the rapid progression of disease in women after menopause suggests a protective role for estrogen and progesterone. No studies have examined levels of all these hormones in relation with the severity of FSHD.

Aims:

To evaluate the possible correlation between the severity of FSHD with sex hormones, age, and genetic deletion on chromosome 4q35.

Subjects and Methods:

D4Z4 repeat units were investigated in 33 patients (19 males/14 females) with FSHD. In the blood samples, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, free estriol, estradiol, free testosterone and total testosterone, progesterone, 17-OH progesterone, prolactin, albumin, and fibrinogen were measured. The severity of FSHD was identified using a Clinical Severity Score (CSS) scaling system. Spearman's correlation and regression analyses were performed as statistical analyses.

Results:

Age (P = 0.001, r = 0.541) and total testosterone (P = 0.045, r = 0.351) were positively correlated, and the progesterone/total testosterone (P = 0.025, r = −0.390) and estradiol/total testosterone ratios (P = 0.025, r = −0.389) were negatively correlated with the severity of FSHD.

Conclusions:

Our results indicate that age, total testosterone, ratios of estradiol and progesterone to total testosterone, but not deletion on chromosome 4q35, have a significant relation with the severity of FSHD. Given that both estrogen and testosterone treatment are considered in therapy, our results suggest that estrogen and progesterone but not testosterone are likely to be more effective on the severity of FSHD.
Current Trends in the Quality Assessment of Colorectal Cancer Practice and Treatment in South Korea during 2012-2017
Authors: Choi Kyu Hye , Song Jin Ho , Jang Hong Seok , Kim Sung Hwan , Lee Jong Hoon
Published: October 2020

Purpose Colorectal cancer (CRC) is increasing in South Korea due to westernized eating habits and regular health check-ups. The Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) has conducted a national quality assessment of the treatment of CRC. This study examined the quality assessment report of the Korean HIRA and analyzed the status of practice pattern and the epidemiology of CRC in South Korea.Materials and Methods The number of subjects was determined based on the number of surgical procedures in each institution during 2012-2017. The institution types were classified according to the number of beds and the composition of oncologic specialists. Twenty-one indicators for diagnosis, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, pathology, and mortality were analyzed and the interinstitutional variation for each indicator was calculated.Results Among 21 evaluation indices, indicators related to medical records, receipt of chemotherapy with a high coefficient of variation of ≥ 0.1% were improved over 6 years until the survey in 2017. In the analysis of indices affecting surgical mortality, the regional lymph node resection and examination rate (p=0.022) showed a negative correlation with surgical mortality. Hospitalization stay (p < 0.001) and hospitalization cost (p=0.002) were positively correlated with surgical mortality.Conclusion This study showed that the treatment quality and examination status for CRC in South Korea were appropriate for improving relevant medical records, receipt of chemotherapy, maintaining the quality of treatment, and mortality. These analyses could be the basis for developing an improved quality assessment program worldwide.
A note on the $G$-Sarkisov program
Authors: Floris Enrica
Published: October 2020

The purpose of this note is to prove the

G

-equivariant Sarkisov program for a connected algebraic group

G

following the proof of the Sarkisov program by Hacon and McKernan. As a consequence, we obtain a characterisation of connected subgroups of

Bir(Z)

acting rationally on

Z

.
Wear Evaluation of Niobium-Added Cast Iron for Brake Disc and Drum Applications
Authors: Leal Gilberto , Enloe C. Matthew , Meira Marcos , Franca Erico , Nascimento Francisco , Halonen Andrew
Published: October 2020

Grey cast iron alloys for brake drum and brake disc applications are being developed with niobium additions and a range of equivalent carbon for commercial, passenger vehicle, and performance applications. The benefit of niobium in cast iron is based on the contribution of strength by matrix refinement for a given carbon equivalence that may permit the direct improvement of wear improvement or allow for an increase in carbon equivalence for a given strength. Proper carbon equivalency and pearlite stabilization contribute to an improved pearlite structure with an optimized distribution of graphite. These structures, when refined with niobium, demonstrate increased service life and reduced wear relative to their niobium-free equivalents as measured by lab dynamometer testing and by on-vehicle testing in passenger bus fleets. The increase in performance is attributed to both the presence of wear resistant carbides and refinement of pearlite interlamellar spacing with only minor refinement of graphite flake length.
Role of networking capability, socio-economic and institutional characteristics on adoption tendencies of clean seed potato agri-enterprises in central Rift Valley, Kenya
Authors: Ong’ayo M.J. , Gido E.O. , Ayuya O.I. , Mwangi M. , Kibe A.M.
Published: October 2020

Even though quality of seed is a major yield determinant in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) production and global food security, inadequate availability of and access to high quality (certified) seed is a major challenge to potato producers in Sub-Saharan Africa. The objective of this study was to examine farmer’s adoption tendency towards decentralised clean seed potato multiplication agri-enterprise (CSPMAE) in Central Rift Valley, Kenya, which aids in implementation of stage matched entrepreneurial interventions. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire on 54 seed potato producers and 192 non-seed potato producers, through multistage sampling. Ordered logistic regression analysis, based on the trans-theoretical model, revealed that household head, partner knowledge, gender, land size allocated for potato production, level of education, ownership of transport and/or storage facilities, frequency of interaction with certified seed potato producers and agricultural extension officers influenced adoption tendencies of CSPMAE, positively and significantly. Seed potato value chain stakeholder platforms, development workers and donors should prioritise their support for clean seed agri-enterprises to farmers with such traits. This is likely to lead to increased supply of access to clean seed, thereby improving potato yields in Kenya.
Factors influencing agripreneurs’ investment decision and level in clean seed potato enterprises in the highlands of Kenya
Authors: Mutinda R.M. , Gathungu E.W. , Kibe A.M. , Wambua D.K.
Published: October 2020

High quality seed potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) supply has failed to meet the growing demand estimated at 250,000 metric tonnes from 161,000 ha of ware potato for cultivation by 600,000-800,000 small-scale farmers in Kenya. Increased investments by private seed potato multipliers could alleviate the shortage of seed potato by enhancing availability and accessibility to quality seed, and bridging the supply that currently meets less than 5% of the demand. The objective of this study was to investigate factors that influence agripreneurs’ investment decisions and level of investment in clean seed potato enterprise in the highlands of the Rift Valley, Kenya. The study was conducted through a cross-sectional survey of 380 agripreneurs. The Double hurdle (Craggit) model analysis revealed that training, frequency of extension services, family history in seed potato business, years spent in school and selling price, significantly (P<.05) influenced the probability of agripreneurs’ decision to invest in clean seed potato enterprises in the highlands of Kenya. Initial land size put under seed potato production at the commencement of the enterprise, higher annual household income, number of cropping seasons, total land under seed potato and group membership fee also significantly (P <.05) influenced the decision and level of investment in clean seed potato enterprise.
Optimisation of oven-drying of baobab leaves using a central composite design
Authors: Gbaguidi A.M. , Chadare F.J. , Salako V.K. , Idohou Y.O.V. , Assogbadjo A.E.
Published: October 2020

Baobab (Adansonia digitata) leaves represent a key nutritional resource; although their consumption is apparently restricted to local communities, mainly as a sticky sauce, cosmetics and a variety of purposes. Ready-to-use powder of oven-dried baobab leaves can improve the availability of the product on markets, and hence its utilisation and shelf life. This study was carried out to optimise the oven-drying temperature and duration for the best conservation of baobab leaf powder and its sustainable availability for multipurpose uses. Different combinations of values of temperature and drying duration were generated, using a central composite design, in response surface methodology framework. Findings showed that dry matter, hue, chroma and lightness were significantly influenced by oven-drying temperature and duration; while the least gelation concentration was significantly influenced by the temperature. Based on leaf dry matter, hue and chroma models, the optimal oven drying conditions for baobab leaves for good preservation leading to human consumption and other purposes are set at 45 °C for 23.5 hours.
Evaluation de la diversite de l’entomofaune du sorgho au nord de la Cote d’Ivoire, Afrique de l’Ouest
Authors: Tuo Y. , Traore D. , Yapo M.L. , Koua H.K.
Published: October 2020

Le sorgho (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench), est une source majeure d’aliment pour les populations du Nord de la Côte d’Ivoire. En effet, en plus de son usage dans la confection de plusieurs mets, il est utilisé pour la préparation d’une bière très appréciée au nord. Mais la production demeure faible du fait de l’action des insectes ravageurs. Ces insectes pourraient entrainer une destruction totale de la production en absence de traitement. Toutefois, très peu de données existent sur la diversité et l’abondance de ces derniers au cours des phases végétatives et d’épiaison en Côte d’Ivoire. Cette situation rend difficile la lutte contre les nuisibles de cette spéculation. L’objectif de cette étude est de connaitre les insectes associés au sorgho en Côte d’Ivoire. Ainsi un inventaire a été réalisé au jardin botanique de l’Université Péléforo Gon Coulibaly (UPGC) dans la commune de Korhogo au Nord de la côte d’Ivoire. Le dispositif expérimental était constitué d’un bloc aléatoire complet de 252 m2 (20 m x 12.6 m). A l’aide des pièges colorés (Assiettes jaunes), du filet fauchoir et la capture directe avec la main, les insectes associés à la culture du sorgho (Sorghum bicolor) ont été collectés une fois par semaine de la levée à l’épiaison (22 semaines). Ces méthodes ont permis de recenser 5805 insectes dont 3188 spécimens pendant la phase végétative et 2218 individus pendant l’épiaison. Ces insectes appartiennent aux ordres des Hémiptères, des Diptères, des Hyménoptères, des Coléoptères, des Orthoptères, des Dermaptères, des Lépidoptères, des Dictyoptères et des Isoptères. Au cours des deux phases, les insectes appartenant à l’ordre des Hémiptères (34,2%) étaient les plus abondants. En conclusion, il ressort que l’ordre des Hémiptères renferme les principaux insectes ravageurs du Sorgho dans le Nord de la Côte d’Ivoire.
Resistance of Andean beans and advanced breeding lines to root rots in Uganda
Authors: Amongi W. , Kato F. , Male A. , Musoke S. , Sebuliba S. , Nakyanzi B. , Naluwooza C. , Acam C. , Mukankusi C.
Published: October 2020

Root rots cause severe yield losses of up to >70% in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in most parts of the world, with devastating effects on the major commercial bean cultivars in East and Central Africa. Increased intensity of droughts and rains, and higher temperatures influence the occurrence and distribution of root rots, resulting in increased epidemics. The causal pathogens tend to occur in a complex, and since most cultivars do not have broad resistance, adverse effects continue to occur. The objective of this study was to evaluate the levels of dual resistance of new breeding lines (BL) developed for root rot resistance, as well as Andean (ADP) genotypes, for resistance to Fusarium (FRR) and Pythium root rots (PRR). Altogether, 316 new BL developed for root rot resistance and 295 ADP bean genotypes were evaluated at Kawanda in Uganda. There were significant differences (P<0.05) among genotypes for both root rots and yield. Thirty and 1.9 percent of the BL and ADP genotypes expressed resistance to both root rots. In addition, more than 80% of ADP genotypes showed susceptibility to both root rots. Yield was generally poor with means of 458 kg ha-1 for ADP, and ranging from 949 to 1075 kg ha-1 for the BL groups. Nonetheless, the 0.3 and 2.4% of the ADP and BL that yielded >2000 kg ha-1 expressed high yield potential, considering that majority of the genotypes yielded below 1000 kg ha-1.
‘Pushing the envelope’: The Representation of Jazz, Sex and Violence in Fred Khumalo’s Bitches’ Brew
Authors: Mkhize Jabulani
Published: October 2020

This paper, primarily, explores the extent to which Fred Khumalo’s novel, Bitches’ Brew, can be considered a jazz novel by looking at both its subject matter and form. It argues that the transgressive power of Khumalo’s novel lies in its use of epistolary form as a narrative strategy that is akin to a jazz solo, marked as it is by a dialogical narrative that is similar to the call and response pattern that bears an affinity to a jazz performance. In terms of the subject matter, the central thrust of the argument is that the over-arching predominance of sex and violence in the text threatens to overshadow the musicality of the text, even as masculinity and misogyny are considered as the other side of the coin of jazz. In its exploration of the jazz and gender interface, this paper highlights how the phallocratic logic that informs and dominates the novel is indicative of the fact that Khumalo may have ‘pushed the envelope’ too far in his representation of masculinity and misogyny in jazz culture in his writing of this work. That Khumalo's novel fails to interrogate the relationship between jazz and black masculinity, but rather endorses and valorises it, serves to reinforce the stereotype of misogyny in jazz culture.

Keywords: Fred Khumalo, Bitches’ Brew, jazz, musicality, masculinity, misogyny
Analysis of whole and filleted stockfish (Gadusmorhua) marketing IN Ebonyi Rural Areas
Authors: Nwabunike M.O. , Igwe G.V.C. , Agama I.K. , Esheya C.E.
Published: October 2020

The study was conducted with the broad objective of analyzing the profitability of marketing different forms (whole and filleted) of stock fish in Ebonyi rural markets. A total of 80 stock fish sellers were carefully selected through an unbiased (multi-stage and random) sampling technique. The data collected were analyzed using simple frequency and percentages as well as gross margin and comparative cost ratio. The result showed that 92.5% of the stockfish sellers were females and married with mean age of 38 years, mean household size of 9 persons and mean year of experience of 14. It was further observed that between the two forms of stock fish marketed in Ebonyi rural communities, filleted type was more profitable having a profit of N669,000 and benefit cost ratio (BCR) of N1: 2.352 as against that of whole form with a profit of N286,000 and BCR of N1: 1.685. The results of the study implied that it is advisable to market stock fish in the filleted form rather than selling it whole.

Keywords: Stock fish, gross margin, marketing, profitability, Ebonyi Rural Area
Health risk assessment of heavy metals in Tympanotonus fuscatus along Oron water channel, Cross River Estuary, South Eastern Nigeria
Authors: Bassey B.O. , Nicholas E.
Published: October 2020

Health risk associated with the consumption of contaminated seafood has become of global concern. The study evaluated potential human health risk associated with heavy metal contamination of Tympanotonus fuscatus along Oron water channel Cross River Estuary. The following metals: chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) were analyzed using standard procedure. The target hazard quotient (THQ) and cancer risk (TCR) were estimated using USEPA guidelines. Results showed significant differences (p<0.05) in Ni across the sampling period. The principal component analysis (PCA) had 71.2% of the total variance (with PC 1 represented by Ni and Pb and PC 2 dominated by Cd and Zn). The results for THQ and hazard index (HI) were: Cr = 0.95 mg/kg; Ni = 0.12 mg/kg; Zn = 0.16 mg/kg; Cd = 0.06 mg/kg and Pb = 0.69 mg/kg. These values were below the WHO limit of 1.0 mg/kg. This indicated no adverse health effects associated with the consumption of T. fuscatus from the estuary. A high value of TCR (2.15 x 10-3 mg/kg) was recorded for Ni which showed potential ability to induce moderate cancer risk in human over 70 years of consumption. The health risk associated with accumulated metal in tissues of T. fuscatus underscores the need for periodic biomonitoring of the Cross River Estuary.

Keywords: Molluscs, Heavy Metal, Risk assessment, Pollution, Cross River Estuary
Toxicity of aquaeous leaf extracts of Gongronema latifolium on behaviourial and haematological characteristics of Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) juveniles
Authors: Nwakpa J.N. , Oti E.E , Agim M.U.
Published: October 2020

A static bioassay experiment was set up to investigate effects of acute (96-hrLC50) concentrations of aqueous leaf extracts of Gongronema latifolium on behaviourial and haematological characteristics of Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) juveniles. Evaluation of toxicity of leaf extracts at concentrations of: 0, 10, 25, 50, 75, and 100mg/l was done at various time intervals on the fish. A total of 180 catfish juveniles with average initial weight of 8.37±1.36g and total length of 12.10±2.45cm were used. The fish were distributed among the treatments on complete randomized design. Each treatment had three replicates. The results showed that aqueous leaf extracts were toxic to experimental fish. There was an observed erratic movement, colour change from black to ash-brown and dark coloured belly of treated fish. There were slight changes in water quality parameters, with no significant effect (p>0.05) on the tolerance level of fish on G. latifolium leaf extracts. Mean values of 96-hrLC50 were 90.14mg/l and 2.78mg/l for the upper and lower limits while the threshold value was 0.26mg/l. Phyto-chemical analysis of the leaves showed constituents of flavonoids, saponins, tannins, anthrocyanide, alkaloids and glycosides. Effects of aqueous extracts on haematological indices revealed increasing values of pack cell volume, haemoglobin, white blood cell, red blood cell, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular heamoglobin and mean corpuscular heamoglobin concentration counts with extract concentration. Thus, G. latifolium could be used as feed additive for improved fish production at concentration below 70%.

Keywords: Gongronema latifolium, leaf extracts, behaviour, haematology, Clarias gariepinus
Spatial and seasonal variations in physico-chemical parameters of the Imo River Estuary, Niger Delta, Nigeria
Authors: Obuba L. E. , Nlewadim A.A. , Uka A.
Published: October 2020

Variations in the water quality of the Imo River estuary was investigated by measuring values of selected physico-chemical parameters. Samples were collected bi-monthly between April 2015 and March 2016, covering the dry and wet seasons of the year. Three stations were selected: upstream (Kalibiama), midstream (Opobo) and downstream (Queenstown). Analysis of results showed that physico-chemical parameters were affected more on seasonal than spatial scale. Principal component analysis carried out indicated that values of most of the parameters recorded within the stations clustered together. On the other hand, dispersed values were recorded in months and seasons with significant variations at (p≤0.05) among most parameters. The high spatial variations in phosphates, suspended solids and lead could be associated to human activities like laundry and waste disposal within Opobo and Kalibiama stations. While, high seasonal variability in most parameters could be associated with intense sunshine, cloud cover and tidal intrusion/dilution due to runoff. It can be concluded that nutrient fluxes due to nitrogenous fertilizers are not a problem within the estuary. However, chemical factors and biodegradable components which cause fluctuations in biological oxygen demand are more of the challenge.

Keywords: Land-use, nutrient flux, water-quality, pollution, coastal wetlands.
Effects of replacement of maize with cassava stem meal on growth and haematology of african catfish (Clarias gariepinus, Burchell 1822) fingerling
Authors: Ikwor T.N. , Nwakpa J.N. , Awoke J.S. , Agim M.U.
Published: October 2020

The study investigated effects of replacing maize meal with cassava stem meal on growth performance and haematology of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) fingerlings. Cassava stem meal (CSM) was substituted for maize at 0% (control), 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% to produce five isonitrogenous (45% CP) diets. C. gariepinus fingerlings (mean weight 3.08±0.02g) were randomly distributed into concrete tanks (0.9m3) at 10 fish/tank in triplicates and fed twice daily for 8 weeks. Results showed the highest mean weight gain (1.72±0.01g) and the best food conversion ratio (0.08±0.01) in fish fed diet containing 25% CSM which were significantly different (p<0.05) from other treatments. Fish fed 100% CSM recorded the highest value for protein efficiency ratio which differed significantly (p<0.05) from other treatments. The highest survival rate of (73.3±0.01%) was recorded in fish fed 50% and 100% cassava stem meal inclusion levels while the lowest (33.4±0.01%) was observed in the control diet. The haematological results showed that packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC) and haemoglobin (Hb) were significantly different (p<0.05) among treatments. There was an increase in the counts of PCV, white blood cell, Hb, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin while mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration remained constant in all the treatments. The study revealed that 25% substitution rate of maize with cassava stem meal would not have any adverse effect on the growth and blood parameters of catfish.

Key words: Cassava stems meal, fish growth, nutrient utilization, haematology, C. gariepinus
Nutraceutical records of aquatic plants (Heinsia bussie and Diplazium sammatii) of lesser known values in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Authors: Okon J.E.
Published: October 2020

Nutraceutical evaluation was determined for two aquatic plants: Heinsia bussie and Diplazium sammatii. Plant leaves were collected from a stream in Mbak Ikot Abasi in Etoi, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria and analyzed for phytochemicals, nutrients, anti-nutrients, minerals and vitamin constituents using standard analytical methods. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of bioactive compounds: alkaloids (7.26+0.06), tannin (1.05+0.37), saponin (1.68+0.42), flavonoids (7.83+0.11), cardiac glycosides (6.94+0.48) and terpenes (6.03+0.47) in H. bussie while alkaloids (7.74+0.05), tannin (0.03+0.00), flavonoids (5.37+0.83) cardiac glycosides (4.66+0.38) and terpenes (5.17+0.21) in mg/100g were found in D. sammatii. Results also showed that the leaves contained appreciable amounts of essential nutrients such as crude protein: 11.90±0.62% in H. bussie and 10.80±0.07% in D. sammatii; carbohydrate, 49.70±0.41% in D. sammatii and 39.90±0.02% in H. bussie. Other components like ash and lipid were also present in appreciable amounts. Anti-nutrients such as phytate, saponin and tannins were significantly (p=0.05) low in both vegetables. Minerals analysis showed the highest values for iron (12.05+0.0807mg/kg) and potassium (9.04+0.0307mg/kg) in D. sammatii. Other minerals such as calcium, phosphorus and magnesium were moderate in both vegetables. The vitamins recorded were axephthol, thiamin, riboflavin and ascorbic acid and were significantly (p=0.05) high. The plant leaves could be said to possess vital phytochemical and nutritional properties as well as essential mineral elements and vitamins. Therefore, these vegetables could be utilized as dietary supplement for aqua-feed production.

Keywords: H. bussie, D. sammatii, nutraceutical, Athyriaceae, Rubiaceae