bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Field Pea Production and Options for Improved Productivity in Mt. Elgon, Uganda
Authors: Chemayek Bosco , Wasukira Arthur , Gidoi Robert , Wobibi Stephen , Nampamya Doreen , Teason Park , Owere Lawrence
Published: June 2021

Field pea is a key source of household income, food and nutrition in Uganda mainly produced in the high land areas of country including south western and Mt. Elgon. The crop fetches a high stable price across markets compared to other grain pulses and yet it has remained outside the mainstream of the research process. The status of this commodity is largely unknown yet such information would support its research agenda to improve productivity and marketing. A study was conducted in the Mt. Elgon sub-zone to determine the status of field pea production, understand its constraints and map out its production cycle. This was done through a survey covering 5 districts namely; Bulambuli, Kapchorwa, Kween, Namisindwa and Mbale. In each district two major field pea growing sub counties were purposively selected, in each sub-county 25 respondents were randomly sampled from a list of field pea producers. A structured questionnaire was then administered; data collated, and analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square test. The results revealed that the crop is grown by all gender categories with 60% grown for home consumption and 40% for income. In the districts of Kween and Mbale it is mostly grown for income since the Kween farmers have relatively larger pieces of land whereas Mbale being a commercial hub of the region there is relatively higher price throughout the year which attracts farmers to sell. Field pea is grown alongside other crops which varied by district but was largely grown as sole crop, along boundaries and intercrops depending on availability of land. It is also important to note that it forms a very important part of the rotation system because it plays a significant role in soil fertility restoration as well as serving as a break crop suitable for rotation to minimize the negative impact of cereal based mono-cropping.
The Impact of Better Management Practices (BMPs) Among Cotton Farmers in Punjab, Pakistan
Authors: Khan Liaqat Ali , Awan Zoia Arshad , Imran Asad Ullah , Saleem Muhammad , Sufyan Fawad , Azmat Muhammad
Published: June 2021

Better management practices (BMPs) as a sustainable approach made it attractive for growers to control the provision of pollutants from agricultural activities as well as enhance the financial return. The experiments of cotton production were conducted in four different regions of Punjab in cotton-growing years 2017-2019. The objective of the study was to evaluate the potential impact of BMPs among cotton farmers by rationalizing the use of input resources (viz., seed, fertilizers, pesticides and water). The data were collected from randomly selected adopters of BMPs (n = 400) and non-adopters of BMPs (n = 100) through a well-structured pretested questionnaire using a multistage sampling procedure from four different regions of Punjab province. Descriptive analysis was employing an independent two-sample t-test to evaluate the significant effect of BMPs on the utilization of input resources and profitability of cotton production between adopters and non-adopters of BMPs. The results indicated that adopters of BMPs were efficiently used input resources (at p ≤ 0.001 & p ≤ 0.01) and significantly enhanced the average cotton yield (855.09 kg acre-1) in Punjab, while non-adopters of BMPs had a significantly high cost of production by 11% (35,655 PKR acre-1) and output was lower by 15% (751.70 kg acre-1) under conventional farming for cotton cultivation. The economic analysis revealed that the average gross income gained by adopters of BMPs was significantly high by 11% (72,648 PKR acre-1 at p ≤ 0.001) with the maximum net return of 36% (40,785 PKR acre-1 at p ≤ 0.001) as well as a good B:C (1.28) as compared to non-adopters of BMPs. This study provides useful information about the potential impact of BMPs among cotton farmers even without the extra use of inputs. It is concluded that precision in inputs and management practices with lower input costs can significantly improve cotton productivity leading to uplift the farmers’ profit.
NEAT AND NEAT-HIGH EXTENSIONS
Authors: MASHHOOD ASIF , AHMAD MUSHEER , JAYES SEEMA
Published: June 2021

In the present paper, we find conditions that change a neat­ high subgroup into a pure-high subgroup and a neat subgroup, to a pure subgroup. It is shown that a neat-high extension can be transformed into a pure-high extension and a neat extension, to a pure extension. Furthermore, splitting conditions for a neat exact sequence are obtained.
UNIQUENESS OF AFFINE STRUCTURES ON RIEMANN SURFACES
Authors: MASTERSON JOHN T.
Published: June 2021

Let $M$ be any compact Riemann surface of genus $g\ge 2$. It is first established that there do not exist on $M$ any generic low- degree simple polar variations of branched affine structures having fixed nonpolar and polar branch data and fixed induced character homomorphism $\tilde \psi$. Hence, these structures depend uniquely on the branch data and the homomorphism. A related result is also established concern­ing the nonexistence on $M$ of generic low-degree single-point variations of branched affine structures having fixed homomorphism $\tilde \psi$. These resuits depend on the Noether and Weierstrass gaps on $M$. Corollaries are derived concerning mappings induced by sections of vector bundles of affine structures and concerning structures on an arbitrary hyperelliptic or elliptic ($g =1$) surface $M$.
Comunal, colaborativa y libre: enseñanzas de la cultura libre para la investigación social
Authors: Calvo Dafne
Published: June 2021

El informacionalismo ha venido a designar un paradigma articulado por las nuevas capacidades técnicas para la producción y procesamiento de datos. Por su parte, el trabajo académico ha resultado permeable al desarrollo tecnológico y a las dinámicas de producción contemporáneas, instaladas dentro de una retórica neoliberal más extensa. Ello se ha traducido en críticas sobre la elitización de las universidades debida a la aceleración de los ritmos de trabajo y la reproducción de las desigualdades sociales. En este ensayo desarrollamos cuatro premisas que desde la cultura libre subvierten las dinámicas dominantes de la producción del conocimiento y, con ello, facilitan una interpretación política de las prácticas de investigación social. El uso de software libre, la disposición pública de los resultados de la investigación, la construcción colectiva del conocimiento, y la vocación a la transformación social proponen estrategias para reformular y debatir sobre el trabajo académico actual.
Participação política de mulheres quilombolas rurais no nordeste brasileiro
Authors: Leite Jáder Ferreira , Dimenstein Magda , Belarmino Victor Hugo , Macedo João Paulo , Dantas Candida , Carvalho Andressa Veras , Filho Antonio Alves
Published: June 2021

Objetivamos discutir as formas de participação política de mulheres quilombolas rurais, considerando os espaços de inserção, os desafios enfrentados e efeitos produzidos na vida cotidiana. Para tanto, realizamos entrevistas semiestruturadas como tática de produção de dados. As principais instâncias de participação das mulheres se dão em movimentos sociais, sindicato, a associação de moradores e grupos religiosos. Nesses espaços contribuem na presença em reuniões como ouvintes e na contribuição financeira mensal ao sindicato e à associação. As mulheres apontam dificuldades relativas aos lugares tradicionais de gênero, de ordem material como a falta de transporte, inviabilizando a participação em eventos, bem como forte desmobilização comunitária. Identificam repercussões da participação política em termos da melhoria nas condições de vida, na aquisição de novos conhecimentos e alteração nas relações comunitárias e familiares. A identidade étnico-racial e o racismo foram questões pouco evocadas no tocante aos conteúdos tratados nas instâncias de participação política.
REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF IASP – PAIN 162 (2021): 619–629: Cross-sectional study of psychosocial and pain-related
variables among patients with chronic pain during a time
of social distancing imposed by the coronavirus disease
2019 pandemic
Authors: Hruschak Valerie , Flowers K. Mikayla , Azizoddin Desiree R. , Jamison Robert N. , Edwards Robert R. , Schreiber Kristin L.
Published: June 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a tremendous impact, including on individuals with chronic pain.
The social distancing policies necessary to slow the spread of SARS-CoV-2 have involved increased levels of social
isolation. This cross-sectional survey study examined pain severity and interference among individuals with chronic
pain during an early phase of social distancing mandates and identified characteristics of individuals who were most
impacted. Approximately 4 to 8 weeks after social distancing mandates commenced in the state ofMassachusetts,
150 patients with fibromyalgia, chronic spine, and postsurgical pain completed demographic, pain, social distancing,
and validated psychosocial questionnaires. Patients self-reported an overall significant increase in pain severity
and pain interference, compared with before social distancing, although both pain severity and interference were
quite variable among individuals under conditions of social distancing. Several demographic, socioeconomic,
and psychosocial factors were associated with greater pain severity and interference during social distancing.
Multivariable linear regression demonstrated that female sex, nonwhite race, lower education, disability, fibromyalgia,
and higher pain catastrophizing were independently associated with greater pain severity, while female sex and
pain catastrophizing were independently associated greater pain interference. The findings suggest that individual
differences among patients with chronic pain should be considered in the planning, development, and prioritization of
interventions to improve pain care and to prevent worsening of symptoms during the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.
Chemistry-kit as an Intervention Tool in Emergency Education in Secondary Schools
Authors: Samuel Finch Karuna
Published: June 2021

This paper presents a Chemistry-kit as an intervention tool to grant spaces for, hands-on learning in Chemistry, in formal Emergency Education (EE) programs. Emergencies may arise due to either civil unrests or natural catastrophes. More literature is dedicated towards the former than the latter (Burde et al., 2017). This paper aims to contribute towards filling the gap. The COVID-19 pandemic is the most recent emergency of the latter kind to promulgate a colossal impact on the formal education of children (WHO, 2020). Organisations such as UNHCR and UNESCO have been continuously working towards this endeavour of formalising secondary education (cite). EE programs lack extravagant school infrastructure, chemistry labs being a section of it. This paper argues that an analogue Chemistry-Kit is a practicable route to valuable learning experiences and is both cost-effective and student-friendly. Even in the presence of virtual schools, the kit can afford a medium to impart hands-on learning and encourage the practical essence of the subject.
Teaching sociological subjects in English to university students: a case study of the Polish university
Authors: Kanasz Tatiana
Published: June 2021

Nowadays, the role of English in teaching sociology has been increasing significantly, as far as the English language is an international medium of academic communication worldwide. Polish universities also follow this global trend. Students are offered not only general English courses but also specialised facultative courses in English. Taking into account the last one, a reflexive qualitative research has been carried out at the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology, the Maria Grzegorzewska University in Warsaw. The objective of four face-to-face expert interviews with the academic teachers was exploring teaching methods and techniques, as well as difficulties in the process of teaching sociology with the use of English as a foreign language. An expert interview was designed starting from the teaching background, followed by teaching reflections on their didactic practice and ending with the academic teachers’ thoughts on the role of English in sociology. The following issues were considered: 1) methods and techniques of incorporating English in teaching sociology to Polish students; 2) strategies of motivating students to use English in sociology; 3) the perception of difficulties; 4) reflections on empowering students.The research results in the field of the sociological facultative English-based courses revealed the dominance of some ways of using the language over others. All experts acknowledged that they aimed to develop sociological English through the communicative and task-based approaches. They engaged students in reading sociological texts and critically discussed them. Some of the academic teachers referred also to watching and listening to native speakers as important ways to activate students during their classes. Moreover, the experts took into account students specific interests and encouraged them to prepare a presentation or to write a short essay. Some experts used also the collaborative methods when students were involved in group projects and group presentations. In general, the experts developed interesting and important topics of social life and research to strengthen the students’ intrinsic motivation. It was noticed that the presence of foreign students becomes a reasonable factor of improving English-based communication among Polish and foreign students in classroom. The experts pointed out that there were various linguistic, psychological and institutional barriers in teaching sociological subjects in English for Polish university students. Nevertheless, they tried to overcome those obstacles whenever it was possible.
Prediction of Post-Diagnostic Decisions for Tested Hand Grenades’ Fuzes Using Decision Trees
Authors: AMPUŁA Dariusz
Published: June 2021

The article presents a brief history of creation of decision trees and defines the purpose of the undertaken works. The process of building a classification tree, according to the CHAID method, is shown paying particular attention to the disadvantages, advantages, and characteristics features of this method, as well as to the formal requirements that are necessary to build this model. The tree’s building method for UZRGM (Universal Modernised Fuze of Hand Grenades) fuzes was characterized, specifying the features of the tested hand grenade fuzes and the predictors used that are necessary to create the correct tree model. A classification tree was built basing on the test results, assuming the accepted post-diagnostic decision as a qualitative dependent variable. A schema of the designed tree for the first diagnostic tests, its full structure and the size of individual classes of the node are shown. The matrix of incorrect classifications was determined, which determines the accuracy of incorrect predictions, i.e., correctness of the performed classification. A sheet with risk assessment and standard error for the learning sample and the v-fold cross-check were presented. On the selected examples, the quality of the resulting predictive model was assessed by means of a graph of the cumulative value of the lift coefficient and the "ROC" curve
Concept of Short-Range Radar and Counter-Projectile for Detecting and Countering Armour-Piercing Projectiles
Authors: RUTKOWSKI Adam , KAWALEC Adam , JARZEMSKI Józef
Published: June 2021

During warfare and acts of terrorism an extreme threat to vehicles and other high-value assets comes from armour-piercing projectiles. Under these conditions, defence systems should include devices capable of rapid detection of these threats. Defence assets should also be provided with counter-projectile systems capable of destroying incoming armour-piercing projectiles at a safe distance from the asset to be protected. This paper describes the concept of a system comprising of a lightweight short-range radar and a counter-projectile for countering armour-piercing projectiles. The purpose of the radar is to monitor the environment and search for incoming armour-piercing projectiles. When an armour-piercing projectile is detected in a designated monitoring area, an automatic command is given for the counter-projectile launcher to be fired.
The counter-projectile deployed can be equipped with a single or multi-sensor detection head unit and an explosive payload module, both being the primary components of the warhead. When the signal analysis blocks interfaced with the detection head determine that the armour-piercing projectile to be struck down is in the target position in relation to the counter-projectile deployed, they automatically command the explosive payload module to detonate. The components of the system concept were tested in proving ground conditions. The successful results of these tests confirmed the validity of the solutions initially adopted and the execution of the individual systems.
Analysis on the Next Generation Assault Rifles and Ammunition Designed for the US Army
Authors: DIMITROV Miroslav
Published: June 2021

In recent years, the US Army began actively looking for a replacement for the 5.56 mm M16/M4 assault rifle, which currently is the standard issue weapon for the infantry. The US Army has selected three potential companies to produce the next generation assault weapon. These are the following companies Sig Sauer, General Dynamics, and Textron systems. All companies have submitted prototypes for the next generation assault rifle that are the subject of the analysis in this paper. In addition, the companies also offer new types of ammunition for the abovementioned systems. The purpose of this paper is to compare the three assault rifle prototypes and the ammunition they use to highlight their potential strengths and weaknesses and to address possible reliability problems. Although many of the specifications of the weapons are the subject to company secret, the paper will provide a comparative analysis of small arms samples that plan to replace the 5.56 mm M16/M4 assault rifle, according to available information from various sources.
The Safety of a Vegan Diet During Pregnancy
Authors: Miedziaszczyk Miłosz , Ciabach Patrycja , Grześkowiak Edmund , Szałek Edyta
Published: June 2021

There is an increasing number of people who go vegetarian. Some young parents also switch to this diet. The safety of vegetarian diets, especially vegan diets, is very important, especially during pregnancy. Unfortunately, reference publications do not provide coherent data on the safety of vegetarian diets during pregnancy. On the one hand, the vegan diet has advantages because it reduces the risk of heart disease and gestational diabetes. On the other hand, vegetarians/vegans should be aware of potential deficiencies of some nutrients (iron, zinc, vitamin B12, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, iodine) and the clinical consequences for the fetus. For example, iron deficiency may affect cognitive abilities, behavior, intelligence and increase the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight of infants. Plant food contains non-haem iron with variable absorption. Therefore, the vegan diet should include nutrients increasing the bioavailability of iron, e.g. ascorbic acid, carotene and retinol. Due to the fact that animal food is the main source of vitamin B12, vegans are at a very high risk of vitamin B12 deficiency, which will affect the infant’s weight at birth. Low level of vitamin D, which is prevalent in animal food, is the most common deficiency among vegans and lacto-ovo vegetarians. This vitamin prevents gestational diabetes, reduces insulin resistance and guarantees normal function of the musculoskeletal system. Zinc deficiency during pregnancy may lead to preterm birth, neural tube defects or even miscarriage. In view of the clinical consequences of potential deficiencies of nutrients, the vegetarian/vegan diet should be well balanced.
Optimal Maintenance Policy for Second-Hand Equipments under Uncertainty
Authors: dit Bouran Sidibe Ibrahima , Djelloul Imene , Fane Abdou , Ouane Amadou
Published: June 2021

This chapter addresses a maintenance optimization problem for re-manufactured equipments that will be reintroduced into the market as second-hand equipments. The main difference of this work and the previous literature on the maintenance optimization of second-hand equipments is the influence of the uncertainties due to the indirect obsolescence concept. The uncertainty is herein about the spare parts availability to perform some maintenance actions on equipment due to technology vanishing. The maintenance policy involves in fact a minimal repair at failure and a preventive repair after some operating period. To deal with this shortcoming, the life cycle of technology or spare parts availability is defined and modeled as a random variable whose lifetimes distribution is well known and Weibull distributed. Accordingly, an optimal maintenance policy is discussed and derived for such equipment in order to overcome the uncertainty on reparation action. Moreover, experiments are then conducted and different life cycle of technologies are evaluated according to their obsolescence processes (accidental or progressive vanishing) on the optimal operating condition.
Forensic Analysis in Wildlife Crime Cases: Microscopy, DNA Profiling and Isotope Analysis
Authors: Sahajpal Vivek , Mishra Sudhanshu , Bhandari Deepika
Published: June 2021

Illegal wildlife trade is one of the biggest threats to the environment and biodiversity. The growing volume of illegal trade in wildlife jeopardizes all the conservation efforts across the globe. Many species have become extinct due to the illegal wildlife trade and many have reached the verge of extinction. According to some estimates, the monetary values of the illegal wildlife trade are estimated to be several billion US dollars. To deal with wildlife crime cases, it becomes imperative to have a sound knowledge of the techniques required in the analysis of wildlife crime exhibits. In this chapter, we have outlined the three frequently used techniques in wildlife forensics viz. microscopy, DNA and isotope analysis for addressing the problems of species and individual identification, and additionally identification of the geographical origin of a wildlife sample. The basic essentials of these techniques have been discussed in this chapter.
Utilization from Computational Methods and Omics Data for Antiviral Drug Discovery to Control of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Baysal Ömür , Soner Silme Ragıp
Published: June 2021

SARS-CoV-2 pandemic issue threatening world health and economy became a major problem with its destructive impact. The researchers have seen that conventional methods related to medicine and immunological background do not resolve this disease by gained knowledge of viruses previously studied. Advances in computational biology comprising bioinformatics, simulation, and yielded databases have accelerated and strengthened our facilities to predict some cases related to the biological complex by comparison with the use of artificial intelligence. Various novel drugs by using in silico resources and in vivo imaging techniques associated with high-resolution technologies can cause the confidential development of methods for the detection of antiviral drugs and the production of diagnosis kits. In the future, we will start seeing these novel techniques’ positive reflection and their advantages in cost/time effective profits. This chapter highlights these approaches and addresses updated knowledge currently used for research and development.
Hospitalization Outcomes and Mortality Predictors of SARS-Cov-2 Infection in the Elderly: A Single Center Experience from India
Authors: Pandurangan Viswanathan , Gopalan Sowmya , Madhavan Sudha , Rajendran Vaasanthi , Varadaraj Priyadarshini , Marappa Lakshmi , Nair Aiswarya M , Mani Rajkumar , Bhaskar Emmanuel
Published: June 2021

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the outcome and mortality predictors of SARS-CoV-2 infection requiring hospitalization among elderly population. Methods: In this retrospective study, hospitalized elderly people with virologically confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were evaluated. Participants were divided into three groups of mild, moderate, and severe based on oxygenation. The primary outcome was death or discharge to home. Results: A total of 169 patients were studied (mean age: 68 years). Apart from respiratory symptoms, other reported symptoms included gastrointestinal complaints in 11% (n = 19), acute stroke in 1.1% (n = 2), delirium in 1.7% (n = 3), and anosmia or ageusia in 8.88% (n = 15). Also, 65 (38.5%) patients required oxygen support, 25 (14.7%) were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), 7 (4.1%) required non-invasive ventilation (Fio2 0.6 to 1.0), 14 (8.28%) were mechanically ventilated. 72 (42%) received steroid, and 100 (59%) received prophylactic heparin. Overall mortality was 12.4% (n = 21). Gender had no effect on mortality (P = 0.83). Presence of ≥ 3 risk factors, elevated neutrophil lymphocyte ratio, D-dimer, and lactate dehydrogenase, were associated with mortality (P = 0.001, P = 0.0005, P = 0.05, and P = 0.0005, respectively). Sepsis and cardiovascular events were higher among those who died. Conclusions: We observed a low mortality among the elderly treated with steroids compared to studies done in the pre-steroid period. Elevated NLR, LDH, and D-dimer were associated with mortality.
Family Factors Affecting Adolescent Violence: A Qualitative Content Analysis
Authors: Ramezankhani Ali , Vedadhir Abouali , Alhani Fatemeh , Mohammadkhah Fatemeh
Published: June 2021

Background: Family and parents’ supervision and performance affect the proper socialization process of adolescents and their behavioral development. Therefore, this qualitative study was conducted to examine the family factors affecting violence in adolescents. Materials and Methods: This qualitative study was conducted using the conventional qualitative content analysis method in 2017 in Roodsar. Data saturation was obtained with 50 individuals using 4 questions. The data were collected using in-depth interviews with purposive sampling among female primary and secondary school students as the main participants of the study and their teachers and family as contributors. All interviews were recorded and then typed. Data analysis was done continuously and simultaneously by collecting data using Lundman and Graneheimm constant comparative method. Results: Data analysis was conducted using the conventional qualitative analysis method resulted in the extraction of 357 primary codes, 21 sub-sub-categories, 4 sub-categories, and one main category. At the end of this stage, the family factors affecting the violence of adolescents in the whole family provided insecurity to the adolescents, and an insecure family was defined according to the findings as follows: "a broken family with incorrect parenting practices and open borders that provide an insecure environment for the student and lead to violent behavior in adolescent". Conclusions: According to the results of this study family factors are related to adolescent violence. Regarding the independence of adolescents at this age and the role of other socializing formal and informal institutions that affect adolescent behavior, the strong and influential role of the family on adolescent behavior is quite obvious.
Comparing the Facial Emotion Recognition in Opioid Antecedent Subjects and Mixed Opioid-methamphetamine Antecedent Subjects under Methadone Maintenance Therapy with Control Group-A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Alaedini Kamaledin , Farahmandfar Maryam , Sefidgarnia Maryam , Islami Parkoohi Parisa , Jafari Sepideh
Published: June 2021

Background: Facial emotion recognition (FER) is an important social skill. Some studies have determined the capability of FER in substance abusers, but their results are contradictory. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate FER ability in opioid antecedent subjects and mixed opioid-methamphetamine antecedent subjects under methadone maintenance therapy compared to a control group. Methods: Following a retrospective cohort design, 71 methadone-maintained subjects (MMS) (40 individuals with a history of only opioid use disorder and 31 patients with a history of both opioid and methamphetamine use disorder) and 40 healthy participants filled the Persian version of Ackman and Friesen facial emotion experiment, which were matched based on age, education, and gender. Demographic and substance use characteristics were evaluated. Both groups were similar concerning the duration of the opioid use disorder, methadone maintenance treatment, and currently prescribed methadone dose. Data were analyzed using the chi-square, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Welch test. Statistical significance was considered when P-value < 0.05. Results: Total FER scores were significantly lower in MMS compared to the control group. Concerning the subgroups, recognition of sadness was impaired in patients with a history of opioid use disorder (with and without a history of methamphetamine use disorder), while in recognition of anger and wonder, patients with both opioid and methamphetamine use disorder history had a significantly lower performance. There was no other significant difference between the groups. Conclusions: The findings suggest that social cognition deficit should be considered in strategies related to the addiction (both treatment and rehabilitation).
Redaktionelt forord
Authors: Mariager Rasmus , Wivel Anders
Published: June 2021

Beslutningstagere benytter ofte eksperter som rådgivere forud for store politiske reformer, når forhandlinger er gået i hårdknude, og når gældende praksis skal evalueres. Eksempelvis blev Velfærdskommissionen oprettet for at forberede befolkningen og komme med forslag til reformer inden for velfærdsområdet, Lærerkommissionen blev nedsat for at løse problemet med skolelærernes arbejdstidsnormer, og Krigsudredningen blev besluttet for at udrede beslutningerne om at sende danske soldater i krig samt for at komme med anbefalinger for fremtiden.
Hvem kan måle sikkerhed? Opbrud og stilstand på det sikkerhedspolitiske område
Authors: Villumsen Berling Trine
Published: June 2021

Sikkerhedspolitikken er præget af opbrud i de traditionelle rammer for håndtering af trusler og vidensproduktion herom. På baggrund af et voldsomt øget fokus på nye former for trusler, risici og udfordringer er et vækstlag af eksperter opstået som de (måske) mest vidende over for nutidens sikkerhedspolitiske kriser. Covid-19 har sat denne udvikling på spidsen, men udviklingen har været undervejs længe. Artiklen redegør for den nuværende danske ekspertkonstruktion, og hvordan et udvidet sikkerhedsbegreb sætter dette under pres. Samtidig peges der på, at der med sikkerhedspolitisk vidensdeling følger et særligt ansvar. Artiklen bruger et videnssociologisk syn på ekspertise og kritiske sikkerhedsstudier som ramme for fortællingen.
Proyecto web de un instituto con WordPress
Authors: Jiménez Aguiló Alba
Published: June 2021

Este artículo trata de explicar las diferentes fases en las que se ha trabajado para la realización de la práctica final de la asignatura Sistemas de Gestión de Contenidos del Grado Multimedia. La práctica consistía, por encargo de un supuesto cliente real, en la creación de un proyecto web de instituto, que permitía al alumno abordarlo de manera libre en cuanto a contenido y diseño.
MICROBIOLOGICAL SAFETY OF WATER IN PRIMARY PRODUCTION OF FOOD
Authors: GOLIĆ́ Bojan , KALABÁ Vesna , ILIĆ́ Tanja
Published: June 2021

Health-safe water is the basis of a healthy life and is one of the priorities in primary health care. Water safety involves microbiological, physicochemical and radiologically clean water, a sufficient amount of water and continuous delivery. Due to the great epidemiological importance of water, whose impact is immediate and through which various infectious diseases can be transmitted harmful and dangerous chemicals can be introduced, it is necessary, in order to protect human health, to control the safety of drinking water. The aim of this study was to determine the microbiological safety of water used for watering animals, as well as in the food industry. Based on data collected from year 2015 to 2017, 26.20% water samples did not meet requirements defined by Regulation on hygienic quality of drinking water. The greatest number of samples was unsatisfactory due to an increased number of microorganisms at the temperatures of 22°C (63.40%) and 37°C (54.90%), and when it comes to pathogenic microorganisms due to the presence of intestinal enterococci (58.80%). The lowest risk of the presence of coliforms and E. coli is in the water from the water supplying network, while it's much higher presence is in wells and in the water from the wellspring. The presence of intestinal enterococci is significant in all three types of drinking water, while the presence of sulphite-reducing clostridia was observed only in the wellspring water.
MICROBIOLOGICAL PROPERTY OF RAW MEAT IMPORTS IN THE YEAR 2017
Authors: VRANEŠEVIĆ́ Jelena , VIDAKOVIĆ́ Suzana , KNEŽEVIĆ́ Slobodan , PELIĆ́ Miloš , RUŽIĆ́ Zoran , PAJIĆ́ Marko , LJUBOJEVIĆ PELIĆ́ Dragana
Published: June 2021

International trade requires food safety guarantees based on specialized hygiene standards, transparency procedures, and programs. Meat, because of its high water content and nutrition, can be an ideal medium for microorganism growth and multiplication. Salmonella, as one of the most common pathogens that can be transmitted from animals to humans, causes major public health problems worldwide. Although mortality is low, the disease has important social and economic consequences. Based on governmental regulation, Serbia runs an active, official control of Salmonella in meat. From January to December 2017, 193 samples of imported pork, beef, lamb, kid, and poultry meat were analyzed for the presence of Salmonella spp. Only one (0.52%) of all analyzed samples was positive to Salmonella spp. The positive sample was frozen chicken drumsticks together with thighs originated from Poland, which makes 6.67% of the total examined poultry meat samples. Infected poultry is one of the most important reservoirs of Salmonella that are transmitted to humans through the food chain. The identity of the isolated strain was biochemically and serologically confirmed to be Salmonella Infantis. This pathogen is in the 4th place of most common Salmonella serovar among human isolates in Europe and the most common serovar isolated from poultry meat. In order to decrease the prevalence of Salmonella spp. it is necessary to maintain all the food safety standards through the whole food chain, from farm to fork.
УТИЦАЈ АСЕПТИЧНОГ ПОДОДЕРМАТИТИСА НА МЛЕЧНОСТ КРАВА
Authors: РАДИНОВИЋ́ Миодраг , СТАНОЈЕВИЋ́ Јован , ЦИНЦОВИЋ́ Марко Р. , БЕЛИЋ́ Бранислава
Published: June 2021

Хромост високо млечних крава у лактацији је један од главних фактора економских губитака на фармама. У ове губитке спадају трошкови лечења, смањење производње млека, смањење плодности и повећан број искључења крава из производње. Хромост крава је болно стање које доводи до дугог лежања, одбијања кретања као и смањене конзумације хране. Смањена конзумација хране последично доводи до пада у производњи млека. Оглед је изведен на фарми високомлечних крава у Војводини. Циљ овог рада је био да се испита утицај асептичног пододерматитиса на млечност крава. У оглед је укључено 40 крава холштајн-фризијске расе, у другој лактацији, једнаке телесне кондиције и исте фазе лактације. Краве су подељене у 2 огледне групе. Прва група су биле краве са израженом хромошћу и дијагностикованим ламинитисом, а у другој групи су биле здраве краве, без изражене хромости. Дневнa производњa млека је мерена на почетку код обе групе крава, а затим 1., 7. и 21. дана након обраде папака код оне групе крава са ламинитисом. Након статистичке обраде добијених резултата примећена је значајно нижа дневна производња млека код крава са израженим симптомима асептичног пододерматитиса у односу на здраве краве. Такође је примећено да код крава са асептичним пододерматитисом у првих 7 дана после третмана нема значајаног пораста у производњи млека. Први дан после третмана уочава се пад, што је последица додатног стреса ком су краве изложене током обраде и терапије папака. Највећи експоненцијални раст у производњи млека код третираних крава забележен је између 7. и 21. дана од третмана, при чему је значајно повећање тек након три недеље.
Working memory gates visual input to primate prefrontal neurons
Authors: Noudoost Behrad , Clark Kelsey Lynne , Moore Tirin
Published: June 2021

Visually guided behavior relies on the integration of sensory input and information held in working memory (WM). Yet it remains unclear how this is accomplished at the level of neural circuits. We studied the direct visual cortical inputs to neurons within a visuomotor area of prefrontal cortex in behaving monkeys. We show that the efficacy of visual input to prefrontal cortex is gated by information held in WM. Surprisingly, visual input to prefrontal neurons was found to target those with both visual and motor properties, rather than preferentially targeting other visual neurons. Furthermore, activity evoked from visual cortex was larger in magnitude, more synchronous, and more rapid, when monkeys remembered locations that matched the location of visual input. These results indicate that WM directly influences the circuitry that transforms visual input into visually guided behavior.
Displeasures of Cultural Diversity and Diasporic Hybridity in Almost English by Charlotte Mendelson
Authors: Sumra Shahzadi , Taseer Mehroz , Sufyan Afzal Muhammad , Sadaf Khishar
Published: June 2021

The research explores the strands of cultural hybridity and diaspora compromise that Mendelson has introduced in her novel, Almost English (2013). The research has analyzed the diasporic community as victim of cultural diversity and ambivalence. It focuses on the significance of cultural choices to establish one’s identity; we see identity as a process of negotiation and of articulation of cultural differences. It explores the ways in which Mendelson addresses the hybrid world, a world in which no culture and identity is pure or essential. Homi K. Bhabha’s critical approaches serve as the theoretical framework of this research. His concepts of cultural hybridity, ambivalence, third space and mimicry are of prime interest for the study of this novel. This work highlights the appropriation of Bhabha’s concepts and their application in postcolonial context considering Almost English (2013), for which main motifs include: challenging fixity in one culture, awareness about other existing cultures, and a contestation of view which privileges one culture above other, skirmish realities which finally produce multiple meanings, and values and identities. Finally, the research demonstrates that diasporic communities face displeasures of identity and language while living in a hybrid world. A world where third space is not productive enough for diasporic communities because of which they become conscious of their own identities and place in the society.
Psychosocial or Mythological: Sam Shepard’s Kicking a Dead Horse as a Liberal Ironist
Authors: Oroskhan Muhammad Hussein , Hadaeg Bahee
Published: June 2021

American West has conjured up a shining image in the media but a complex subject in the research studies. Among the iconic elements that represent the American West, the image of cowboy has occupied a unique place. Relatively, mythological or psychosocial methods may contribute to the comprehension of the image of cowboy. In this vein, an examination of cowboy with regard to the aforementioned perspectives are studied but proved insufficient because it is almost impossible to draw a fine distinction between these two matters. Nevertheless, the core of this study by attributing to one of Shepard’s late plays entitled Kicking a Dead Horse tries to address the issue of cowboy with regard to Richard Rorty’s liberal ironist to prove that neither mythological nor psychosocial approach is appropriate enough to study the image of cowboy whereas Shepard’s emphasis on self-creation as buttressed by Richard Rorty’s liberal ironist is the suitable method for analyzing the image of cowboy.
Revisiting the Role of Social Dimensions in Metaphorical Conceptualization: Implications for Comparative Literature and Translation
Authors: Hadidi Yaser , Jahangiri Ali , Taghipour Samin
Published: June 2021

Cross-cultural and within-culture variation in conceptual metaphors is a much-debated subject in Cognitive Linguistics research. The theory points out that such variation occurs on a series of dimensions, like social, ethnic, regional, stylistic and subcultural dimensions. The social dimensions consist of the separation of society into people, youthful and old, and working class and average workers. The purpose of this study was to undertake a deeper look at the distinctions caused in metaphorical conceptualization due to the attitude each individual or group of individuals possesses, especially with regard to the economic status of each group. To this end, twenty individuals were selected, with the only variable existing amongst them being their financial status. Each person was asked to write three paragraphs on three separate topics, adding up to sixty paragraphs, in an attempt to try and determine differences in metaphorical conceptualization. The results reveal interesting insights largely supporting the thinking in the theory on individual and cross-cultural variation in Conceptual Metaphors rooted in social agents’ financial statuses. Other research like the current one would contribute to our Cognitive Linguistics understanding of the social dimensions of Conceptual Metaphor variation and universality.
A Baybayin word recognition system
Authors: Pino Rodney , Mendoza Renier , Sambayan Rachelle
Published: June 2021

Baybayin is a pre-Hispanic Philippine writing system used in Luzon island. With the effort in reintroducing the script, in 2018, the Committee on Basic Education and Culture of the Philippine Congress approved House Bill 1022 or the ”National Writing System Act,” which declares the Baybayin script as the Philippines’ national writing system. Since then, Baybayin OCR has become a field of research interest. Numerous works have proposed different techniques in recognizing Baybayin scripts. However, all those studies anchored on the classification and recognition at the character level. In this work, we propose an algorithm that provides the Latin transliteration of a Baybayin word in an image. The proposed system relies on a Baybayin character classifier generated using the Support Vector Machine (SVM). The method involves isolation of each Baybayin character, then classifying each character according to its equivalent syllable in Latin script, and finally concatenate each result to form the transliterated word. The system was tested using a novel dataset of Baybayin word images and achieved a competitive 97.9% recognition accuracy. Based on our review of the literature, this is the first work that recognizes Baybayin scripts at the word level. The proposed system can be used in automated transliterations of Baybayin texts transcribed in old books, tattoos, signage, graphic designs, and documents, among others.
Development of rapid and highly accurate method to measure concentration of fibers in atmosphere using artificial intelligence and scanning electron microscopy
Authors: Iida Yukiko , Watanabe Kenji , Ominami Yusuke , Toyoguchi Toshiyuki , Murayama Takehiko , Honda Masatoshi
Published: June 2021

Aim

We aimed to develop a measurement method that can count fibers rapidly by scanning electron microscopy equipped with an artificial intelligence image recognition system (AI-SEM), detecting thin fibers which cannot be observed by a conventional phase contrast microscopy (PCM) method.

Methods

We created a simulation sampling filter of airborne fibers using water-filtered chrysotile (white asbestos). A total of 108 images was taken of the samples at a 5 kV accelerating voltage with 10 000X magnification scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Each of three expert analysts counted 108 images and created a model answer for fibers. We trained the artificial intelligence (AI) using 25 of the 108 images. After the training, the AI counted fibers in 108 images again.

Results

There was a 12.1% difference between the AI counting results and the model answer. At 10 000X magnification, AI-SEM can detect 87.9% of fibers with a diameter of 0.06-3 μm, which is similar to a skilled analyst. Fibers with a diameter of 0.2 μm or less cannot be confirmed by phase-contrast microscopy (PCM). When observing the same area in 300 images with 1500X magnification SEM—as listed in the Asbestos Monitoring Manual (Ministry of the Environment)—with 10 000X SEM, the expected analysis time required for the trained AI is 5 h, whereas the expected time required for observation by an analyst is 251 h.

Conclusion

The AI-SEM can count thin fibers with higher accuracy and more quickly than conventional methods by PCM and SEM.
Mortality of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders in a Chinese population
Authors: Du Qin , Shi Ziyan , Chen Hongxi , Zhang Ying , Wang Jiancheng , Qiu Yuhan , Zhao Zhengyang , Zhang Qin , Zhou Hongyu
Published: June 2021

Objective

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a rapidly disabling disease. Epidemiologic studies have suggested varying NMOSD mortality across ethnic groups. However, NMOSD mortality data in China are scarce. This study’s objectives were to explore mortality and causes of death among Chinese NMOSD patients and to identify independent predictors of death.

Methods

We performed a retrospective study with a 10‐year follow‐up of Chinese NMOSD patients. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify independent predictors of death.

Results

Five hundred and sixty‐nine patients were included; 24 patients died during follow‐up, for overall mortality of 4.2%. In these patients, the median disease duration at the time of death was 3.4 years. The most common cause of death was secondary infection (62.5%), especially respiratory infection (45.8%). The second most common cause of death was extensive cervical myelitis with respiratory failure (16.7%). Other causes included suicide (8.3%), cancer (4.2%), cerebral embolism (4.2%), and unknown causes (4.2%). The multivariate Cox analyses indicated that a short first interattack interval (HR = 0.93, 95% CI 0.89–0.98, p = 0.003), lack of regular immunotherapy (HR = 10.34, 95% CI 4.05–26.37, p < 0.001), and older age at onset were independent predictors of death. Every increasing decade of onset age increased the risk of death 2.59 times (95% CI 1.74–3.86, p < 0.001).

Interpretation

Infections were more common in patients not treated with any immunotherapy, indicating that early and consequent immunotherapy might prevent death by infections, which is of great importance for further treatment of NMOSD patients to avoid undertreatment due to fear of treatment‐associated infections.