bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EFEKTIVITAS PEMBELAJARAN DARING DENGAN MENGGUNAKAN MEDIA ONLINE SELAMA PANDEMI COVID-19
Authors: Julitawaty Wily
Published: December 2022

Saat pandemi berlangsung semua bekerja dan belajar dari rumah. Penggunaan teknologi yang masih sedikit, menjadikan setiap orang belajar dalam menggunakan semua media online yang ada. Belajar dan terus berdaya guna meskipun dalam kondisi pembelajaran jarak jauh. Keefektifan Pembelajaran biasa diukur dengan tingkat pencapaian isi belajar. Penelitian ini dilakukan dengan membagikan kuesioner kepada mahasiswa yang menggunakan pembelajaran daring di masa pandemi ini. Pernyataan ini menggunakan sepuluh indikator dalam pembagian angket. Dalam hal ini perlunya pembelajaran dan penguasaan teknologi, perlunya dukungan teknologi yang memadai dan perlunya proses pembelajaran yang tercapai dengan baik.
Estudio de costos de producción 2021 para empresas benchmark del sector de la palma de aceite de Colombia
Authors: Mosquera Montoya Mauricio , Ruiz Álvarez Elizabeth , Munévar Martínez Daniel Eduardo , Estupiñán Villamil María Celina , Guerrero Ánderson , Cala Silvia
Published: December 2022

Este trabajo presenta los resultados del estudio realizado para estimar los costos de producción 2021, de las empresas colombianas de palma de aceite que son referentes en adopción de tecnología. En cuanto al enfoque metodológico, los costos se estimaron considerando la variación de precios del 2020 al 2021, derivada del índice de costos para el cultivo de la palma de aceite (ICPA).
Además, se recopiló información sobre los rendimientos alcanzados por las empresas de referencia en 2021, que habían participado en el estudio de costos de 2020, las tasas de extracción de aceite (TEA) de las plantas de beneficio y los costos de procesamiento de racimos de fruta fresca.
Así, en 2021 las empresas nacionales de la agroindustria enfrentaron un aumento de costos unitarios en comparación con 2020, debido en gran parte al incremento en el precio de los fertilizantes y a la caída de la productividad de los cultivares OxG, principalmente en la Zona Oriental. En cultivos sembrados con E. guineensis, dicho costo fue de $ 324.268 por tonelada de RFF (con un aumento de 9 % con respecto al año anterior), mientras que en híbridos OxG fue de $ 341.538 (con un incremento de 17 % en relación con 2020). Finalmente, el costo unitario del aceite de palma crudo se estimó en 1,52 millones de pesos por tonelada métrica para E. guineensis, y $ 1,82 millones para los híbridos OxG.
ՔՐՈՆԻԿ ՎԻՐՈՒՍԱՅԻՆ C ՀԵՊԱՏԻՏ. ՀԱԿԱՎԻՐՈՒՍԱՅԻՆ ԲՈՒԺՄԱՆ ՓՈՒԼԵՐԸ (ՎԵՐԼՈՒԾՈՒԹՅՈՒՆ)
Authors: Սարգսյան Ս․Ռ․
Published: December 2022

All over the world, liver diseases occupy a significant place among the causes of disability and mortality, particularly, in patients with chronic liver lesions, which are common in people of working age. Chronic hepatitis C has a special place among liver diseases. A distinctive feature of chronic HCV infection is its long-term latent course due to which it remains unrecognized for a long time. At the same time, it gradually progresses with further development of liver cirrhosis and/or hepatocellular carcinoma.
WHO estimates that about 290,000 people died from hepatitis C in 2019, mostly as a result of cirrhosis of the liver or hepatocellular carcinoma. In the 90s of the twentieth century, recombinant interferons were used in mono mode, dosages were selected, treatment periods were increased, and the significance of HCV genotypes and viral load was established in predicting the results and duration of treatment. In the late XX – early XXI centuries, pegylated interferons (PIFN-α-2a and PIFN-α-2b) began to be introduced into clinical practice. The use of these drugs in combination with ribavirin made it possible to make a qualitative breakthrough in the treatment of chronic HCV infection.
The WHO updated guidelines released in 2018 recommend therapy based on pangenotypic direct-acting antiviral drugs, which guarantees treatment for almost all patients with chronic hepatitis C. It is important that treatment be initiated before the patient develops liver cirrhosis and/or hepatocellular carcinoma.
Impact of Damage Mechanics on Sand Production and Reservoir Formation Damage
Authors: Almak Hana , Hamid Osman
Published: December 2022

Changes in the magnitude of the effective stresses due to hydrocarbon production will lead to formation failure in the reservoir rock and around the wellbore. The failure around a wellbore and within the reservoir formation assumes that rock can fail due to mechanical damage within the formation. This damage can be defined as an irreversible dissipative. This study aims to evaluate the damage mechanics due to applied horizontal and vertical forces due to reservoir depletion. Formation mechanical properties, the magnitude of the axial and lateral stresses, and fluid properties will characterize the degree of damage mechanics. Such damage can be described on a macroscopic scale via a damage variable. The damage variable is equal to the increase in the porosity of the formation due to the creation of microcracks because of stress concentration around the wellbore. It is also assumed that damage is linearly related to the material's amount of plastic shear strain. The damage degree, including the debris's size and shape, depends on the grain cementation, fluid flow velocity, and the magnitude of the acting forces. The mechanism of damage can be sand grain sliding or crashing. The resultant solid production while hydrocarbon production or formation damage depends on the size of the debris. This innovative study will be used as a guideline for hydrocarbon production and injection strategies to avoid reducing porosity and Permeability.

Introduction

The yielded zones will be characterized to evaluate the wellbore stability during drilling and production due to stress redistribution, strain concentration, and fluid flow. This modeling will improve the borehole completion and stimulation and avoid wellbore blockage during hydrocarbon production.

The knowledge of failure mechanics usually determines the type of failure criterion used in wellbore stability modeling. This paper used the Drucker-Prager criteria for wellbore stability assessment.
WEB SECURITY: A QUICK START INTRODUCTION TO OAUTH 2.0 AND KEYCLOAK 19.X AUTHORIZATION SCENARIOS
Authors: Kaczmarski Peter , Vandamme Fernand
Published: December 2022

OAuth 2.0 (Hardt, 2012) (note 1) is a widely used web security protocol. The aim of this paper is to illustrate OAuth 2.0 procedures by the use of Keycloak authorization server (Thorgensen, 2021) (note 6). Since OAuth 2.0 is a broad subject, we focus on selected Best Current Practice (BCP) topics, including the common types of authorization flows, and on the key aspects of bearer token processing by the protected resource server. The evolution of OAuth 2.0 towards OAuth version 2.1 implied by new internet challenges is also briefly discussed. To illustrate OAuth 2.0 procedures, we use a .NET6/C# demo implementation of client and server HTTP components, utilizing thereby well-known .NET6/C# classes such as HttpClient and HttpListener.
FRACTALS TO EXPRESS AND MEASURE CULTURE, CULTURAL INNOVATION, COOPERATION, HYPOCRITICAL COOPERATION, DYSSOCIAL AND PSYCHOPATIC BEHAVIOR
Authors: Vandamme Fernand , Lin Wang , Kaczmarski Peter
Published: December 2022

An introduction is made to formulate through the language of fractals the basic processes of culture, cultural change, cultural innovation, cooperation, hypocrisy, hypocritical cooperation, dyssocial or psychopathic behavior, etc... On this base, we are able to express, to describe and moreover to try to discover, to challenge and to protect against abuse all these crucial behaviors in management, in theoretical and applied science of justice, jurisdiction, jurisprudence as well in politicology, science of war and peace…
Modeling Settlements Development in the Philippines
Authors:   School of Urban and Regional Planning, University of the Philippines Diliman, Chaves Carmeli Marie , Eustaquio John ,   School of Statistics, University of the Philippines Diliman, da Costa Marcall Anna Clara ,   Planning and Development Research Foundation
Published: December 2022

A settlements model is formulated to identify the drivers of urban growth in the Philippines and to predict suitable growth areas outside Metro Manila. Historical population changes and spatial distribution in the country between 1960 and 2015 are analyzed, and trends in settlements development are reviewed. Based on established literature, 18 predictor variables are included in the model. Nine variables are found to be significant determinants of urban growth, of which the top four are related to economic activity. Stochastic Frontier Analysis is conducted to model the relationship between the growth drivers and settlements expansion, which subsequently allows the identification of suitable growth areas. Predicting where growth will occur next enables planners and decision-makers to refine strategies and foster balanced regional development in the Philippines. In response to the persistent issues of urbanward migration and crowding in cities, the model offers tools to direct population movements and to plan cities that are resilient, especially against health shocks like pandemics.
Pandau Jaya Waste Bank Socialization In Kampar Regency, Riau Province
Authors: Lubis Nurhayani , Hardi Hardi , Nofrizal Nofrizal
Published: December 2022

The purpose of this activity is to provide an understanding of the benefits of waste banks to the community. This is done because there are still many people who do not know about the waste bank. The initial motivation in establishing the Pandau Jaya Waste Bank was to support the Kampar Regency government program in managing waste that had been issued by the Kampar Regency Regent through Perbup No 40 of 2018. In addition, it was also to provide education about the economic value of waste. Namely that waste can also be an additional side income for the surrounding community. However, due to lack of information and understanding, Pandau Jaya Waste Bank does not yet have a place in the community. Therefore, it is necessary to socialize the Pandau Jaya Waste Bank which contains education about the economic value of waste to the community in the RW where the waste bank is established. The methods used in this service are lectures, distribution of questionnaires before and after socialization, and discussions. The lecture was directly filled by Mr. Prama Widayat as the owner of the Pandau Jaya Waste Bank. Attended by the heads of RT and RW throughout Pandau Jaya Village, this service went smoothly, several RT and RW heads gave their appreciation by visiting the Pandau Jaya Waste Bank directly to see the work process at the Waste Bank.
Mathematical Ability Improvement Training for Madrasah Ibtidaiyah Teachers in Tambang District, Kampar Regency
Authors: Marzuki Corry Corazon , Aryani Fitri , Suryani Irma , Rahma Ade Novia
Published: December 2022

Berdasarkan pengamatan tim pelaksana Pengabdian kepada Masyarakat, diperoleh beberapa informasi mengenai kondisi pembelajaran matematika di Madrasah-madrasah Ibtidaiyah di Kecamatan Tambang Kabupaten Kampar, yaitu metode maupun pendekatan pembelajaran matematika yang diterapkan oleh guru tampaknya bersifat monoton, kurang variatif, dan didominasi dengan pemberian ceramah, sehingga siswa kurang aktif dan bosan. Disamping itu, siswa dilatih hanya untuk  menyelesaikan soal-soal tanpa memaknai materi yang diajarkan. Oleh karena itu, tim pengabdi berinisiatif untuk mengadakan  pelatihan untuk meningkatkan kemampuan matematika guru Madrasah Ibtidaiyah di Kecamatan Tambang Kabupaten Kampar. Adapun bentuk pelatihan yang dilaksanakan adalah pelatihan mengenai cara mudah pengurangan dan pembagian menggunakan metode GASING (Gampang, Asik, dan Menyenangkan). Dalam melaksanakan pengabdian ini, tim pengabdi bekerja sama dengan UPTD Kecamatan Tambang. Peserta pelatihan ini berasal dari empat Madrasah Ibtidaiyah, yaitu MI Muhammadiyah Pulau Tengah, MI Muhammadiyah Aur Sati, MIS Al-abrar, dan MIS Darussalam. Berdasarkan hasil pre-test dan post-test dapat disimpulkan bahwa secara umum nilai post-test lebih tinggi daripada nilai pre-test. Hal ini menunjukkan bahwa pelatihan ini dapat meningkatkan kemampuan matematika para peserta pada materi pengurangan dan pembagian.
Pemanfaatan Foto Udara dalam Penentuan Batas Wilayah pada Daerah Kantor Desa Teluk Latak Kecamatan Bengkalis
Authors: Maizir Harnedi , Harnedi Raihan Arditama , Hendra Hendra
Published: December 2022

Desa Teluk Latak merupakan salah satu desa yang terletak di Kecamatan Bengkalis, Provinsi Bengkalis. Desa dengan luas 3.787 ha dan 2.667 jiwa penduduk ini memiliki kondisi geologis dan pengembangan kawasan yang cukup baik di bidang perkebunan, pertanian dan peternakan. Pada Febuari 2022, tim Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat (PKM) Sekolah Tinggi Teknologi Pekanbaru melakukan kegiatan PKM dengan program kerja utama pembuatan peta geospasial berbasis peta foto udara. Pembuatan peta dilakukan menggunakan alat Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) atau drone udara sebagai alat pengambil foto udara dan software ArcGIS untuk menyusun peta geospasial. Kegiatan ini menghasilkan beberapa peta tematik kawasan sekitar kantor desa, area perkebunan, pemukiman dan jaringan jalan. Peta ini diharapkan dapat menjadi referensi tambahan pemerintah setempat untuk merencanakan program-program pengembangan daerah Desa Teluk Latak di masa depan.
Tennisgame Physio: A tool for amputees physiotherapy based on gamification
Authors: Pinheiro Andrelise Nunes Lemos , Vieira Márcio Barroso , Amaral Érico Marcelo Hoff do , Domingues Júnior Julio Saraçol
Published: December 2022

The present work aims to develop a computational solution in hardware and software that uses gamification methodologies to help physiotherapy professionals in the rehabilitation sessions of upper and lower limb amputees, who are in the pre-prosthetic and prosthetic stages. Thus, a table tennis match simulator is developed to instigate patients to reach the flow state during the session. Thus, a mobile program is developed to collect data from the smartphone’s gyroscope sensor and, through Bluetooth communication with the Arduino prototyping board, this information is forwarded to the simulator. The data received is used to move the virtual racket in the game. Furthermore, physiotherapists have a tool integrated with the tennis match simulator, to monitor the progress of patients during the sessions. In short, this solution turns out to be effective in helping both patients and physical therapists in physical rehabilitation sessions.
Dichter und Helden
Authors: Bolay Ann-Christin
Published: December 2022

In den ersten Jahrzehnten des 20. Jahrhunderts erschienen im Kreis um den Dichter Stefan George monographische Darstellungen historischer Herrscher wie Cäsar und Napo­leon oder Geistesgrößen wie Shakespeare, Goethe und Nietzsche. Die ausgewählten Figuren wurden als Heroen inszeniert und programmatisch in eine Heldengenealogie eingereiht, die auf George zuführte. In seiner Auffassung vom Heldentum lehnte sich der Kreis zum einen an vorgängige Theorien des Heroischen, zum anderen an Georges heterogene Heldentypen und ein in der Maximin-Vorrede entwickeltes Modell einer heroischen Trias an, das dem Heldenvermittler eine zentrale Rolle zuwies. Charak­teristisch für das Konzept, wie es zusätzlich von Friedrich Gundolf und Friedrich Wolters in den Jahrbüchern für die geistige Bewegung theoretisch entwickelt wurde, war die Idee eines heroischen ‚Urtypus‘, der von verschiedenen Personen verkörpert werden konnte. Friedrich Gundolf, Ernst Bertram und Berthold Vallentin propagierten in den von ihnen verfassten Biographien eine gemeinsame heroische Haltung, die auf die soziale Struktur des Kreises als Verehrergemeinde wirken sollte. Der Band vergleicht erstmals anhand von fünf Fallstudien die narratologische Gestalt der Kreis-Biographik in Abgrenzung etwa zur zeitgleichen ‚Historischen Belletristik‘ und legt das Heldenkonzept des George-Kreises in seiner intertextuellen wie intermedialen Perspektive offen.
Effective Optimization of Bacterial and Alkaline Augmented Plants Substrate on Biogas Yield Using Operational Conditions
Authors: Ugwu Tochukwu Nicholas , Nwachukwu Augusta Anuli , Ogbulie Toochukwu Ekwutosi , Anyalogbu Ernest Anayochukwu
Published: December 2022

Biogas technology as an alternative energy source illuminates the need for less dependence on fossil fuel. This study highlights the importance of bacteria and alkaline augmentation on lignocellulose-rich biomass for enhanced biogas production. Three different plant substrates namely: maize cob (MC), rice straw (RS), water hyacinth (WH), were augmented with 10% alkaline (NaOH) and 1000 ml broth culture of isolated bacteria (Bacillus sp), while cow rumen (CR) waste served as inoculum. They were formed into three batches as Batch A (maize cob), Batch B (rice straw) and Batch C (water hyacinth). Hydraulic retention time, temperature and pH were monitored during the experiment while biogas production was obtained daily. The results showed that the highest biogas yield was obtained in bacteria augmented MC (626.265 ml/kg TS) at 28 °C and alkaline augmented WH (498.265 ml/kg) at 25 °C. The least biogas production yield was observed in bacteria augmented WH (290.398 ml/kg TS) and untreated MC (311.939 ml/kg TS) at 35 °C and 38 °C respectively. The methane concentrations of the biogas produced were highest in untreated WH and bacteria augmented RS at 3849 ppm and 8558 ppm, the least was observed in bacteria augmented WH at 1130 ppm. The pH of the slurry were within range as the least was 5.4 and the highest recorded was 7.4. The performance of the substrates indicates that plant substrates are impacted by augmentation. However, characteristics and operational conditions are vital irrespective of the required augmentation utilized to enhance production efficiency.
Educational Paradigm with Ubuntu Mindset: Implications for Sustainable Development Goals in Education
Authors: Frempong George , Kadam Raavee
Published: December 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the fragility of our development systems and drawn attention to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this chapter, we acknowledge the critical role of education in supporting sustainable development. We argue for inclusive education for the Sustainable Development approach and offer the African philosophy of Ubuntu (I am because we are) as a mindset that should drive the transformative change required. We contend that this mindset serving as a theoretical and methodological model offers unique potential possibilities of bringing learners close to their social realities and helping them learn together better, the Africentric way. We expect this model to help better understand the intervention and transformative changes required for sustainable education that works for all learners.
Perspective Chapter: New Active Learning Models in Africa
Authors: Awaah Fred , Lambini Kombat Cosmas , Okyere Ekwam Emmanuel
Published: December 2022

This desk review draws from the active learning literature to establish that the Culturo- Techno-Contextual Approach is a new active learning model of African origin that holds the key to students understanding of concepts within the continent. The chapter argues that the tripod of culture, technology, and context form the basis of the CTCA and are all triggered by engaging peers, community, teachers, and other active learning partners to ensure students understand concepts. Anchored on Hofstede’s cultural dimensions, we argue that the five-step teaching processes used in the CTCA further involve students engaging with their communities, peers, friends and relations, technology, and others to enhance their understanding of concepts. We conclude that the CTCA is an active learning model that enhances students understanding of concepts in schools. We further propose the Collectivism, Culture & Context Framework (3C Framework) as one that can further enhance active learning and students’ understanding of concepts.
Erythrocytes and Hemoglobin of Fish: Potential Indicators of Ecological Biomonitoring
Authors: Arnaudov Atanas , Arnaudova Dessislava
Published: December 2022

Anthropogenic pollution of the freshwater basins is a serious environmental problem. This has necessitated the search for different approaches to the detection of different pollutants in water bodies. Many authors point out that the hematological parameters of freshwater fish are sensitive to the action of various pollutants in freshwater basins. This chapter summarizes the results of studies on the effects of current water pollutants (heavy metals, organic matter, etc.) on erythrocytes and hemoglobin in fish. An analysis of the possibility of the use of erythrocyte damage and the change in the hemoglobin content of the tested animals for the purposes of ecological biomonitoring of freshwater pollution will be made.
Perspective Chapter: Gluteal Augmentation with Complete Retromuscular Placement of Biconvex Silicone Implants
Authors: Badiali Valerio , Salval André , Giordano Salvatore
Published: December 2022

Permanent esthetic buttocks augmentation is on the rise. Fat augmentation or Brazilian butt lift (BBL) cannot be a solution for patient with a lean body and poor subcutaneous fat deposit. Hyaluronic acid (HA) infiltrations for volume enhancement, when used in big volumes, tend to form foreign body granulomas and cysts, which are visible and palpable with a poor esthetic result. On the other hand, implant-based augmentations have been proposed since the late 1960 of the past century. Buttocks implants can be placed in four different planes according to distinct surgical techniques: subcutaneous, subfascial, intramuscular, and submuscular. An alternative to the widely proposed intramuscular technique is described in the chapter. Submuscular positioning of a biconvex silicone implant is a safe and valuable alternative to other gluteal augmentation techniques with a different plane for implant positioning. Depending on implant volume, submuscular gluteal augmentation has the benefit to perfectly conceal the implant making it almost impalpable and invisible as well.
Vitamin D Deficiency and Critical Care in the Neonatal Period
Authors: Ghahremani Pedram
Published: December 2022

Neonates in critical care constitute a vulnerable group, and vitamin D status in this group is the subject of extensive research. Studies suggest that critically ill neonates and children have lower mean vitamin D levels than healthy ones, and there is evidence linking vitamin D deficiency to an increased risk of mortality, illness severity, and complications in these patients. Vitamin D deficiency in neonates and children with congenital heart disease (CHD) undergoing corrective surgical treatment has attracted particular attention. Overall, studies show high prevalence rates of vitamin D deficiency in this group. Moreover, several studies report significant associations between low vitamin D levels and unfavorable findings, such as increased requirements for vasoactive support and mechanical ventilation and prolonged ICU stays. Available data suggest vitamin D deficiency as a risk factor in neonatal and pediatric critical illness, specifically in CHD patients undergoing surgical treatment. Clinical trials have been proposed to examine the beneficial effect of preoperational vitamin D supplementation on the outcome in this group. However, for now, vitamin D supplementation should be considered in critically ill neonates, particularly those undergoing surgery for CHD, aiming to maintain vitamin D at safe levels over the threshold of vitamin D deficiency.
Genetic Susceptibility to Differentiated Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Lesueur Fabienne , Truong Thérèse
Published: December 2022

Differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) represents more than 90% of all thyroid cancer histological types. Its incidence has increased at a faster rate than most other malignancies during the last three decades and varies considerably around the world. The familial form of the disease has also become more common than previously reported, accounting for 5−15% of DTC cases. The main established risk factor of thyroid cancer is exposure to ionizing radiation, particularly if occurred during childhood. Thyroid cancer (including DTC) is also characterized by having one of the highest familial risks of any cancer supporting heritable predisposition. In spite of such a high familial risk, linkage analysis in non-syndromic DTC families (i.e. families where DTC is the primary cancer) performed two decades ago mapped several susceptibility loci but did not lead to the identification of high-penetrance causal germline variants. More recently, genome-wide association studies based on population case–control studies identified a limited number of DTC-associated loci and suggested that multiple low penetrance genes are involved in predisposition to DTC. This chapter reviews known genetic factors predisposing to DTC as well as approaches used to map them in various populations, and opens up on alternative strategies that could help to understand DTC tumorigenesis.
Three Dimensional Widefield Imaging with Coherent Nonlinear Scattering Optical Tomography
Authors: Wang Lang , Murray Gabriel , Field Jeff , A. Bartels Randy
Published: December 2022

A full derivation of the recently introduced technique of Harmonic Optical Tomography (HOT), which is based on a sequence of nonlinear harmonic holographic field measurements, is presented. The rigorous theory of harmonic holography is developed and the image transfer theory used for HOT is demonstrated. A novel treatment of phase matching of homogeneous and in-homogeneous samples is presented. This approach provides a simple and intuitive interpretation of coherent nonlinear scattering. This detailed derivation is aimed at an introductory level to allow anyone with an optics background to be able to understand the details of coherent imaging of linear and nonlinear scattered fields, holographic image transfer models, and harmonic optical tomography.
Leadership-Advancing Great Leadership Practices and Good Leaders: Developing Good School Leaders in Botswana – Advancing Leadership for Learner Outcomes
Authors: Bakokonyane Kaone
Published: December 2022

The study investigated how headship teacher professional development proficiencies and academic performance, of two high-performing primary schools in the Kweneng region, helped them become better school leaders. The study used multi-cross case study analysis, qualitative approach, and purposive sampling to gather data from semi-structured, focus group interviews, observations, and document analysis. Twenty-eight participants in this study were four senior teachers, six teachers, 12 students, two school heads, two deputy school heads, and two heads of departments. This study utilised Kiral’s Excellent Leadership Theory in Education. The study’s aim was to determine how the school heads of two rural primary schools with high academic performance and teacher professional development leadership development evolved into effective school leaders. The cross-analysis case study revealed that high-performing rural primary schools possessed: leadership and continuous improvement, excellence and perfectionism, excellent leadership in their schools, and implementation of excellent leadership in their schools. The study concluded that solid leadership practices and strong learners’ academic performance are needed in schools. The study also showed that school leaders who prioritised teachers’ continued professional development had an excellent academic performance. This study recommends that great school leaders may promote consistent teacher-professional learning support, which promotes high academic performance.
Genomics Underlying Familial Thyroid Carcinoma in Dogs
Authors: Yu Yun , R.P.A. Crooijmans Richard
Published: December 2022

Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine neoplasm occurring in dogs. We reported familial thyroid follicular cell carcinomas (FCCs) in 54 Dutch German longhaired pointer (GLP) dogs. We investigated the genetics of the FCC in these dogs, including the germline risk mutations and somatic driver mutations. We identified the germline risk factor locating in the TPO gene for these hereditary FCCs through a combination of genome-wide association study (GWAS) and homozygosity mapping analyses using SNP array genotype data and whole-genome sequencing data. We further investigated the somatic mutation landscape of these FCCs using high-depth whole-genome sequencing technology of the tumors. A recurrent missense mutation in the GNAS gene was identified as a very promising driver mutation. We validated this somatic mutation using Sanger sequencing and revealed a prevalence of 62.5% among thyroid tumors identified in the Dutch GLPs. In addition, we can also review the findings in genetics of other canine thyroid tumors in recent years.
Recent Progress in the Diagnosis of Staphylococcus in Clinical Settings
Authors: Zhang Xue-Di , Gu Bin , Usman Muhammad , Tang Jia-Wei , Li Zheng-Kang , Zhang Xin-Qiang , Yan Jia-Wei , Wang Liang
Published: December 2022

Staphylococci are mainly found on the skin or in the nose. These bacteria are typically friendly, causing no harm to healthy individuals or resulting in only minor issues that can go away on their own. However, under certain circumstances, staphylococcal bacteria could invade the bloodstream, affect the entire body, and lead to life-threatening problems like septic shock. In addition, antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus is another issue because of its difficulty in the treatment of infections, such as the notorious methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) which is resistant to most of the currently known antibiotics. Therefore, rapid and accurate diagnosis of Staphylococcus and characterization of the antibiotic resistance profiles are essential in clinical settings for efficient prevention, control, and treatment of the bacteria. This chapter highlights recent advances in the diagnosis of Staphylococci in clinical settings with a focus on the advanced technique of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), which will provide a framework for the real-world applications of novel diagnostic techniques in medical laboratories via bench-top instruments and at the bedside through point-of-care devices.
Quantifying Risk Using Loss Distributions
Authors: Maphalla Retsebile , Mokhoabane Moroke , Ndou Mulalo , Shongwe Sandile
Published: December 2022

Risk is unavoidable, so quantification of risk in any institution is of great importance as it allows the management of an institution to make informed decisions. Lack of risk awareness can lead to the collapse of an institution; hence, our aim in this chapter is to cover some of the ways used to quantify risk. There are several types of risks; however, in this chapter, we focus mainly on quantification of operational risk using parametric loss distributions. The main objective of this chapter is to outline how operational risk is quantified using statistical distributions. We illustrate the application of parametric loss distributions’ risk quantification using “Taxi claims data” which seems to best fit one of the loss distributions and fully illustrate how to quantify this specific data. More importantly, we also illustrate how to implement quantification of risk for two other scenarios: (i) if we assumed the underlying distribution is unknown and use the nonparametric empirical distribution approach, and (ii) when using the generalized extreme value (GEV) distribution approach. The latter two scenarios were not the main objective but were done in an effort to compare our results with some of the more commonly used techniques in real-world risk analysis scenarios.
Synthesis of Five-Membered Heterocycles Using Water as a Solvent
Authors: Kathuria Abha , Jahan Anwar , Dwivedi Poonam
Published: December 2022

Water owing to its modest cost, easy accessibility, and non-toxic and non-flammable attributes has been considered one of the most ideal and promising solvents in organic synthesis, especially from the green and sustainable point of view. Furthermore, considering the immense enzyme-mediated biosynthesis in nature, water serves as a favourable medium for the versatile synthesis of a wide variety of complicated molecules and compounds. Over the past decades, considerable efforts have been deployed in conducting organic reactions using water as a solvent. In recent years, more and more general organic reactions were successfully exploited to perform in water instead of organic solvents to achieve sustainable and environmental benefits.
Breast Reconstructive Options
Authors: Liliav Benjamin , Torres-Strauss Luis
Published: December 2022

Breast reconstructive options have evolved over the past six decades. Despite advancements in technology, improved therapeutic options, and genetic testing, women are still, unfortunately, faced with a myriad of deformities after treatments for breast cancer. In order to restore an esthetically pleasing breast mound, a careful evaluation of the patient must be taken into account. There are, generally, three components or factors that need to be considered while devising an excellent reconstructive option for a particular patient. These are: patient factors, surgeons’ factors, and oncologic factors. It is only with a detailed understanding of each one of these factors that a sound solution is arrived at. In this chapter, we will explore the various modalities of breast reconstruction available to patients. We will also demonstrate specific considerations in order to optimize an excellent outcome for our breast cancer patients.
A Coke by Any Other Name: What New Coke Can Teach about Having Trust, Losing Trust, and Gaining It Back Again
Authors: Peaslee Levine Martha , M. Levine David
Published: December 2022

For 99 years, Coca-Cola sold itself as an American icon made with a secret recipe that was locked away in an Atlanta vault. Then, in 1985, in an attempt to compete with Pepsi-Cola, Coca-Cola changed the taste of Coke. After an uproar, the old version of Coke was reissued as Coke Classic; New Coke faded away. Evidence shows that New Coke tasted better, so it should have been eagerly accepted by the public. But it was not. Why did changing a long-term brand to a better-tasting alternative fail? Examining this issue from both the psychological and legal dimensions, we come to understand many aspects of this failed experiment, which can be useful for other brands interested in making transitions. It is clear that if companies use psychological tools to connect consumers to a brand and trademark law tools to strengthen and protect that connection, they risk adverse reactions and criticism if they then change the brand. Tools that can guard a brand from competitors can also lock it into a cage with tightly defined expectations by the public. Because advertising through media and sports generates strong connections with these beverages, health concerns and possible future research on obesogenic behaviors are considered.
Role of Mycorrhizae in Crop Protection
Authors: Larbi-Koranteng Stephen , Kankam Frederick , Adomako Joseph , Abdulai Muntala
Published: December 2022

Mychorrizae are indigenous soil fungi that are found associated symbiotically with plant root system. They promote growth of the root system by protecting the plant from pathogen attack, acting directly or indirectly as biocontrol agents and offering plant resistance. These group of rhizosphere fungi also benefit from various biosynthetic substances produced by the root of the plant (root exudates). In this chapter, attempt is being made to present a balanced account of the various roles these fungi play in plant protection. This will give our cherish readers the opportunity to appreciate the mycorrhizal fungi as potential biocontrol agents or bioprotectants of soilborne plant pathogens.
A DFT Investigation on Different Graphene Based Substrates on SERS: A Case Study of TiO2 Adsorbed Gold/Graphene
Authors: Hasan Bouzari Hosein , Malekfar Rasoul , Farhang Matin Laleh
Published: December 2022

In this study, the Raman and the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra of TiO2 adsorbed on gold/graphene cluster is explained by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. we concentrated on the interaction between TiO2, Au, and graphene, in which graphene is presented as a substrate component in SERS. Results indicate that changing graphene type including pure graphene and B/N-doped graphene enables modifications of interaction between molecule, gold, and graphene cluster. The Raman and SERS spectra of compounds are compared considering the intensity of spectra, which demonstrate the intensity dependence on graphene type which is due to the effects of chemical and electromagnetic properties.
Maximizing the Efficacy of CRISPR/Cas Homology-Directed Repair Gene Targeting
Authors: S. Elton Terry , Ismail Hossain Md. , Carvajal-Moreno Jessika , Wang Xinyi , J. Skaggs Dalton , C. Yalowich Jack
Published: December 2022

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated system (CRISPR/Cas) is a powerful gene editing tool that can introduce double-strand breaks (DSBs) at precise target sites in genomic DNA. In mammalian cells, the CRISPR/Cas-generated DSBs can be repaired by either template-free error-prone end joining (e.g., non-homologous end joining/microhomology-mediated end joining [NHEJ]/[MMEJ]) or templated error-free homology-directed repair (HDR) pathways. CRISPR/Cas with NHEJ/MMEJ DNA repair results in various length insertions/deletion mutations (indels), which can cause frameshift mutations leading to a stop codon and subsequent gene-specific knockout (i.e., loss of function). In contrast, CRISPR/Cas with HDR DNA repair, utilizing an exogenous repair template harboring specific nucleotide (nt) changes, can be employed to intentionally edit out or introduce mutations or insertions at specific genomic sites (i.e., targeted gene knock-in). This review provides an overview of HDR-based gene-targeting strategies to facilitate the knock-in process, including improving gRNA cleavage efficiency, optimizing HDR efficacy, decreasing off-target effects, suppressing NHEJ/MMEJ activity, and thus expediting the screening of CRISPR/Cas-edited clonal cells.
Case Study: Upland Ponds Provide On-Site Mitigation for Bat Habitat along American Electric Power’s 765-kV Powerline ROW in the Appalachian Mountains, USA
Authors: Brack Jr Virgil , W. Sparks Dale , Kennedy Scott
Published: December 2022

Initially, mitigation for protected species in the United States was project-specific, in-kind, and on-site, benefiting local populations of focal species. Recent mitigation policy uses in-lieu fees and mitigation banks, consolidating mitigation at large off-site locations, targeting regional population. This is true for the Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis), a species that roosts in trees and forages along many types of woodland edges. Drinking water is essential but considered ubiquitous and rarely factored into mitigation. In high-relief areas, runoff is rapid, precipitation is low, and evapotranspiration is high in late summer, limiting drinking pools for lactating females and juveniles. In Virginia’s Ridge and Valley region, our on-site mitigation paired ponds, roost boxes, and edge foraging habitat along a new electric transmission line right-of-way (ROW). During mitigation, white-nose syndrome (a fungal disease) decimated populations of this and four additional species of bats, which we included in analyses. Mitigation metrics were abundance, presence of focal species, species richness, and species diversity. The Indiana bat was known regionally, and an adult male was captured pre-construction along the ROW but not at mitigation sites; the species was recoded acoustically at a mitigation site post-construction. For other focal species, abundance (total and reproductive females), was dramatically greater post-mitigation. Species richness and diversity increased severalfold post-mitigation.
The Challenge of Self-Mastery in the Future of Work
Authors: Gahl Robert A. ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: December 2022

The acceleration of technological change due to Industry 4.0 causes a need for new features of old virtues. Recent discoveries in neuroscience and in cognitive behavioral therapy complement classical virtue theory, especially that of Aristotle and Aquinas, to offer new scientific appreciation for classical virtues and more effective strategies for their acquisition. Self-mastery requires the ability to maintain focus on the task at hand in accord with one’s commitments by avoiding rumination, intrusive thoughts, and distractions. Mindfulness, positive psychology, and neuroscience complement the recent philosophical study of the virtues of acknowledged dependence (MacIntyre) and offer strategies for embracing stress for personal and community growth through work within teams shaped by shared goals. The freedom to focus in accord with personal commitments can both contribute to and benefit from the shared goals of a team that is shaped by a common hope.
PHENOTYPIC AND GENETIC VARIABILITY OF LOCAL EARLY MAIZE GERMPLASMFROM TRANSYLVANIA AND PROSPECTS FOR ITS USE IN IMPROVEM
Authors: HAS Voichita , TRITEAN Nicolae , VANA Carmen , VARGA Andrei , ONA Andreea
Published: December 2022

In maize, local populations are the result of the mass selection made by the farmers, followingespecially the production characters. The expansion in culture of American maize hybrids resulted in anincrease in grain yield, but also a reduction in the areas cultivated with local populations and their process ofintrogression with hybrids. In recent years, European breeders, but also Romanian breeders, have begun to payattention to the collection of local maize germplas, in the hope that it will prove useful in future breedingprograms. In Romania, there is relatively little data on the phenotypical and genetic diversity of maizegermplasm of the first Cycle. Turda maize collection is mainly composed of more than 300 local populations(landraces); 70 synthetics/ composites, 3 varieties, and more than 1400 inbred lines. For a deeper knowledge ofthe first cycle maize germplasm, a number of 8 inbred lines developed from the local populations were testedfor their general combining ability by crossing with four elite inbred lines. 42 inbred lines developed fromTransylvania local populations were studied by using 80 SSR markers. In this way, it was possible to classifythe 42 inbred lines, especially in 4 groups of germplasms: W 153R, F2, Lo3, D 105. Both local populations andsynthetics/ composites were on average the most divergent (%) in height of ear (range value 22.3; 24.9), thenumber of tassel branches (range value 27.1; 27.8), ear weight (range value 22.9;20.3) and grain weight (rangevalue 21.7; 20.9), grain oil concentration (range value 12.7;14.3) and grain fiber content 18.3 to landraces ascompare to synthetics/ composites range value 9.8. The grain oil, fiber, and ash content showed high variabilityamong the genotypes. In this context, the traditional germplasm represents a good source of genetic variabilityto explore and may help to identify the most suitable materials for the development of more nutritiousfoods.Theobjectives of this study were: i) to evaluate the potential of maize TURDA germplasm according to its plant andear characters as well as grain quality content ii) to estimate the extent of phenotypical and geneticalvariabilityand iii) to formulate a selection criterion in a breeding program.
THE INFLUENCE OF SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF THE LEAF FLAG ON THE PRODUCTION OF AUTUMN OATS
Authors: TOMA Ioan , RUJA Alina , BULAI Andreea , BUZNA Ciprian , HORABLAGA Nicolae Marinel
Published: December 2022

In recent years, the production and quality of autumn oats have been influenced by the evolution of climate change, characterized by high temperatures and low rainfall.This agricultural year is part of the evolution of the climate through a very warm autumn, extremely poor in rainfall, which led to a difficult preparation of the germination bed for sowing, of poor quality, and the growth of the crop began in winter and ended in next spring. Rainfall and storms in June and July caused a strong fall of plants with major consequences on the quantity and quality of production and delaying the optimal time for harvesting.The ideal production for oats is about 6 tons per hectare, but depending on climatic conditions, technologicaland quality parameters, this value can fluctuatefor autumn oats, an essential requirement is frost and winter hardness, which is also conditioned by other factors.In this study, 15 genotypes from the comparative competition culture for autumn oats were analyzed in the Oat Breeding Laboratory of S.C.D.A. Lovrin to determine the factor with the greatest influence on production in terms of chlorophyll variation,blade thickness and leaf area. Thus, the impact of the flag leaf on the production parameters was determined, by establishing the factor with the most obvious influence.The parameters studied in this experiment were leaf area, leaf blade thickness and chlorophyll content. The flag leaf was used for the indicated determinations. In each of the 15 variants, 40 standard leaves were harvested and analyzed in the laboratory, using the following devices: LI-300 Portable Area Meter (leaf surface) and SPAD 502 Chlorophyllmeter.Following the evolution of production in the analyzed period under the influence of the 3 factorsstudied, we can conclude the following: when the chlorophyll content increases by 1%, the production increases by 0.26%; when the thickness of the leaf blade increases by 1%, the production decreases on average by 0.13%; when the leaf area increases by 1%, the production decreases on average by 0.001%.
SEED YIELD OF SOME ROMANIAN AND FOREIGN SOYBEAN VARIETIES IN THE PEDOCLIMATIC CONDITIONS OF CENTRAL OF MOLDAVIA
Authors: Alexandra LEONTE  , Simona Florina ISTICIOAIA  , Paula PINTILIE  , Sabina EȘANU  , Adina Cătălina DRUȚU
Published: December 2022

The main purpose of this study was to establish the adaptability of 15 Romanian and foreign soybean varieties in the pedoclimatic conditions of Central of Moldavia. On average, the factors studied greatly influenced soybean yield, which varied widely, from 1477 kg / ha to Onix variety to 3280 kg / ha Albiensis. variety. Superior yields compared to the control (average experience) were achieved by the local variety Perla, and for four foreign varieties, respectively Albiensis, Kofu, Atacama and Sigalia. Lower yield achieved by five varieties Onix, Caro, Avatar, Nirvana and Moravians, suggest lower adabtability.
COMBINING ABILITY FOR SOME PHYSIOLOGICAL INDICES IN BARLEY
Authors: Giancarla VELICEVICI  , Emilian MADOSA  , Sorin CIULCA  , Adriana CIULCA  , Carmen BEINSAN  , Iuliana CRETESCU  , Gabriela GORINOIU
Published: December 2022

The aim of this study was conducted to assess the combined ability, for chlorophyll content, proline content, and dehydration capacity of the leaves. In this sense was used 4 x 4 half diallel crosses of winter barley to identify the best parents and combinations of these. Combining ability analysis provides important information for selecting parents in terms of the performance of their hybrids for future use in breeding programs. For chlorophyll content, the additive gene action presented a major influence. The greatest general combining effects for proline content were achieved in the Adi and DH 260/18 varieties, the Adi variety possessing a high potential for transmitting this character to the offspring. The Andrew variety (-1.32) registered the most valuable additive effects for improving the dehydration capacity of the leaves.