bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Melanoma Detection by Automated Reconfiguration System Using Local Binary Pattern
Authors:   Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, PPG Institute of Technology, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India., K Nithya , Mettilda Mary , K Anandakumar
Published: June 2023

The biggest organ in the body is the human skin. Its weight is between six and nine pounds, and its surface area is roughly two square yards. The body's internal organs and the outside world are separated from one another by the skin. Dermoscopy technology was developed to improve melanoma diagnosis, a type of cancer that often starts in skin pigment cells (melanocytes). Dermoscopy, a non-invasive skin imaging technique, is used to acquire an image of a section of skin that has been enlarged and illuminated in order to make the skin spots more visible. Skin-related conditions are the most prevalent diseases worldwide. Despite being prevalent, its diagnosis is exceedingly challenging and necessitates a wealth of expertise in the field. To precisely identify the disease, we employ a dual stage methodology that successfully blends Computer Vision on clinically assessed histological features. First, several pre-processing techniques are used to the skin disease image, and then feature extraction is done. Key Word: DIP, MATLAB, Diagnose, Melanoma
Key determinants of consumers' decision making on the purchase of wristwatches on the Serbian market
Authors: Nuševa Daniela , Marić Radenko , Vukmirović Goran , Macura Nikola
Published: June 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic and other global challenges that have appeared in the past years have caused market transformation and crucial changes on the demand side, forcing manufacturers and retailers to rethink their sales and marketing strategies. In particular, high-frequency durable consumer products such as wristwatches have proven to be sensitive. This paper aims to analyze the consumers' needs and define the indicators that directly influence the decisions to buy wristwatches in the Serbian market. The research was organized in two phases. Theoretical research has identified indicators influencing purchase decisions, such as price, brand, design, ease of use, and warranty. Empirical research examined their influence on the purchase decision depending on different segments of respondents: gender, age, education, and employment status. The obtained results showed significant differences as to how the mentioned indicators influence the purchase decision, depending on the demographic indicators. According to these results, a series of measures was proposed to improve the sales and marketing strategy for placing wristwatches on the Serbian market. Guidelines for future research are outlined in the paper.
Sycamore and oak lace bugs
Authors: Stamenković Sreten , Kereši Tatjana
Published: June 2023

Provides an overview of Sycamore lace bug (Corythucha ciliata Say) and Oak lace bug (C. arcuata Say) based on literature data and monitoring during the period 2018-2022. The species have been present in insect fauna of Serbia over the past fifty years and ten years, respectively. Lace bugs are significant pests of sycamore and oak trees. Their damage manifests itself as premature desiccation and drop of leaf mass (premature defoliation), reducing air quality benefits of trees in urban areas and diminishing aesthetic function. Additionally, tissue injury and loss of nutrients can affect longevity of mature trees and reduce woody mass yield. Presents information on origin and geographic range, biology, damage and control of lace bugs.
Hypothyroidism: Diagnostic challenge in children: Case report
Authors: Damnjanović Milijana
Published: June 2023

Hypothyroidism is an endocrine disorder with a wide range of symptoms and multi-organ involvement. Almost all cells of the body have receptors for thyroid hormones, and the clinical picture of hypothyroidism is a result of the reduced effect of thyroid hormones on target organs and can be nonspecific, especially in children and adolescents, and thus may remain unrecognized for a longer period of time. Pericardial effusion, which occurs with a frequency of 10%-30% in adult patients with hypothyroidism, is very rare in children. Pericardial effusion, as well as all other symptoms of hypothyroidism, is reversible after the initiation of hormone replacement therapy. This is a report of a girl in whom pericardial effusion was the most significant manifestation of autoimmune thyroiditis, and in whom, at the time of diagnosis, other disorders due to the prolonged effect of low levels of thyroid hormones on target organs were also observed.
Comparative analysis of the traffic accidents in the territory of the city of Užice for 2021 and 2022 using open data and the Streamlit application
Authors: Gavrilović Branko , Mitrović Jelena
Published: June 2023

Introduction/purpose: With the development of information technologies, the Internet and social networks, the amount of collected data grows year by year at high speed. Data processing and analysis is becoming a necessity without which quality business decisions cannot be made. With the development of data science, tools for processing unstructured data have also been developed. Open data is publicly available data, the processing of which allows gaining new knowledge. The goal of the work is to present the possibility of using open data for research purposes, and their processing through the Streamlit development environment. Methods: This paper will present the Streamlit framework of the Python programming language and its functionality through the analysis of a web application for data analytics. As a case study, a comparative analysis of the traffic accident data on the territory of the Užice Police Department for 2021 and 2022 will be presented. Results: The Streamlit application will be used for the automatic analysis of open data on the traffic accidents in the territory of the Republic of Serbia in order to process the data and test the hypothesis about whether there has been an increase in traffic safety in the territory of the Užice Police Department. Conclusion: This work shows the possibility of using the Streamlit framework for creating an application for processing open data.
Macroeconomic aspects of comprehensive costs of assets as a prerequisite for equipping the defense system with weapons and military equipment
Authors: Savić Aleksandar , Mihajlović Milan , Božović Ivan
Published: June 2023

Introduction/purpose: The activity of managing the budget funds of the Ministry of Defense and the Serbian Armed Forces (MoD and AF) does not accept even minimal mistakes in the procurement of weapons and military equipment (WME). Equipping the Serbian Armed Forces with weapons and military equipment must be economically justified because a large part of the budget is allocated for that purpose. The goal of the research is to look at the economic aspect of treating costs as a prerequisite for the process of equipping the defense system with weapons and military equipment. Methods: For the purposes of the research, we used analytical and descriptive methods in order to see the comprehensive costs of assets that precede the effective equipping of the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces with WME. The research included the analysis of 18 review and research papers, which we analyzed in accordance with the Rulebook on equipping the Serbian Armed Forces with weapons and military equipment. Results: The results of the research indicate that economic justification is expressed implicitly by the ratio of intangible benefits and achieved goals to the invested funds. The most common reason why economic justification is not expressed explicitly by the difference between the initial investment and the final asset quantity is the existence of a number of circumstances for making wrong investment decisions. Also, if the costs are not considered in detail during the entire life cycle of the investment, it can be assumed that the planned target result is not certain. Conclusion: The research indicates that not considering costs during the entire life cycle of the investment is the main reason for unplanned investments in the later stages and the emergence of numerous problems in the functioning of the defense system.
Monitoring and analysis of air quality and meteorological parameters on the construction site by the IoT
Authors: Milivojević Lazar
Published: June 2023

Introduction/purpose: The construction industry is one of the main producers of dust, greenhouse gases and air pollutants. Effective operation and management of construction site operations can significantly reduce projects' carbon footprints and other environmental impacts. Through the cooperation of a scientific and research institution and a construction company, the real-time monitoring of air quality at a construction site was implemented using IoT technologies. Methods: An IoT-based system framework that integrates a distributed sensor network to collect real-time data and demonstrates air quality at a construction site was implemented. Different types of sensors were used to collect data related to NO2, PM2.5, and PM10 particles, as well as meteorological parameters - wind speed and direction, humidity, pressure, and temperature. Results: The results of real-time measurements provide a picture of the state of air pollution at the construction site and the connection with construction activities that can be managed in order to reduce the concentration of polluting gases and suspended particles. Through on-site monitoring of a construction site in Belgrade City, this study found that the dust level due to construction activities is relatively high. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the construction activity had a significant impact on the air quality in the construction surrounding areas. Regarding the main factors affecting the building construction dust emission, the correlations show that building construction dust emission was not significantly correlated with meteorological factors.
Evaluation of low-temperature properties of mixtures of bitumen and SBS polymers of various topologies by the ABCD method
Authors: Nikolaevsky Vladimir , Duzhiy Pavel , Nebratenko Dmitry
Published: June 2023

Introduction: Due to climate change, scientists around the world, including specialists in the road construction industry, are forced to take into account the need for regular monitoring of the low-temperature properties of both individual building materials and the properties of multicomponent road composites based on them. Therefore, the possibility of developing new approaches and methods for evaluating these properties is being studied. Methods: For these purposes, Dr. Kim Sang-Soo proposed a new method for evaluating the low-temperature properties of road binders, which was called the ABCD (Asphalt Binder Cracking Device) method. The use of the device does not require special skills and knowledge and auxiliary equipment is widely available in laboratories of road construction organizations. The duration of the test does not exceed 4-5 hours. Results: The possibility and effectiveness of regulating the cracking temperature of bitumen-containing binders by introducing styrene-butadiene thermoplastics of various topologies into the composition is shown using the example of industrially produced batches of petroleum road viscous oxidized bitumen and applying the ABCD methodology. Conclusions: In Russia, where winter temperatures in the vast majority of the country fall below minus 30 degrees Celsius, it is extremely important to control the behavior of bitumen binders and multicomponent mixtures of different compositions (asphalt concrete mixtures). The national standard GOST R 58400.11-2019 has been put into effect and the production of appropriate measuring equipment has been established. At the same time, the ABCD method can be used both to study the properties of mixtures of binders with polymers of various topologies and to select a commercial binder that meets the requirements of a specific region of highway operation.
EMPLOYEES’ RETENTION AND COMPENSATION PACKAGES OF RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS IN OYO STATE, NIGERIA
Authors:   Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria, S.O. Adeogun , O.A. Adebayo ,   Federal College of Wildlife Management, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, New-Bussa, Niger State, Nigeria, B.G. Abiona ,   Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria, E.O. Oyedokun ,   Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology, Lagos, Nigeria
Published: June 2023

This study examined the employees’ retention and compensation packages of Research Institutions in Oyo State, Nigeria. The two selected Research Institutions selected were National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB) and Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN). A multistage sampling technique was used to select 109 respondents in NACGRAB and 126 respondents in FRIN for the study. Primary data were obtained on respondents' characteristics, level of employees’ retention and accessibility of compensation packages through the use of a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, One-Way Analysis of Variance and Linear Regression were used for data analysis. The results showed that employees entitlement to sick leave/maternity leave/casual leave ( = 2.48), provision of incentives before jobs are performed ( = 1.85) and provision of retirement plans/pension made available for staff by the organisation for quality service years ( = 1.78) were the major incentives and compensations accessible to the respondents. Employees’ were happy with their job ( = 3.13) and that their job is meaningful / satisfying ( = 3.08). There was a significant difference between employees’ retention across the selected research Institutions (F=4.418; p<0.05). There was a significant effect of compensation packages (β = 6.59; p<0.05) on employees’ retention. It was recommended that the research institutions should revise, update and adopt comprehensive compensation package scales in order to motivate, retain and improve the productivity of the research environment vis-à-vis employees’ retention enhancement. Research Institutions, employees’ retention, compensation packages
DEMOCRACY, GOOD GOVERNANCE AND DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA: A SURVEY OF KARU LOCAL AREA
Authors:   Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria, Ahmed Abubakar Audi , Salisu Ibrahim Isah ,   Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria, Zakari Musa ,   National Open University of Nigeria
Published: June 2023

The study is examining democracy, good governance and development in Nigeria: a survey of Karu Local Area. Social contract theory was used as theoretical framework. The study adopted survey research method; data was collected from the primary and secondary sources. The study reveals that Democracy has enhanced good governance and development for the people in Keffi Local Government. Karu Local Government council to some extent has provided the people of Karu Local Government Area with social amenities like roads, pipe born water, functional hospital, schools and others essential service for the citizens. The study recommends that Elected and Caretaker Management of Karu Local Government Council should consolidate on the effort made so far by the provision of more physical infrastructures like roads, bridges, potable water, telecommunications and public transport to remote villages that are yet to feel the dividends of democracy.
Prevalence of psychological violence in young people in the south of Spain: Implications for prevention
Authors: Lledo Rando Carmen , Perles Novas Fabiola , San-Martin Garcia Jesus
Published: June 2023

The present study shows the prevalence of psychological violence received across ten dimensions in young people aged 18 to 25 years (55.8% female) and the perception of severity, in order to design more effective dating violence prevention programs. We used a sample taken in southern Spain of 771 people. The instrument used was an adaptation of Perceived Gender Violence Scale (VGP), a perception of dating violence scales towards women through 47 behaviours. It was adapted to assess psychological violence received in men and women, maintaining psychometric properties from original (α > .94) and a factor analysis without rotation resulting in a KMO-Barlett .94. The results show that 84.4% of women and 80.2% of men have received some type of psychological violence behaviour from their last partners. The most frequent are Affective indifference (67.7%), Discrediting (51.8%) and Control (50.6%), followed by Emotional manipulation and Sexual pressure. Differences were found by age, with more frequent at the age of 20 years old. Differences were found by sex in the type of psychological violence received, but the most important predictor variables were having a current partner (β = 17.7; p < .001; R2= .07): where women with a partner perceive a lower level of violence received. The data suggest that it is necessary to incorporate these behaviours to be developed as contents in prevention programs; the research provides the most frequent behaviors.
Influence of Different Tillage Systems on Abundance and Dynamics of Pests in Maize Crop
Authors: Tărău Adina-Daniela , Mureșanu Felicia , Vălean Ana Maria , Russu Florin , Şopterean Laura , Chețan Felicia , Suciu Loredana , Urdă Camelia
Published: June 2023

The abundance and dynamics of pests in maize crop are influenced by the tillage system. The research has been done at Research and Development Station for Agriculture Turda (RDSA Turda) in order to estimation the insect populations in conventional tillage (plowing) and minimum tillage system (with chisel variant). The research consisted of observations and determinations on the monitoring, abundance and dynamics of the most common species pests of maize crop: Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, Autographa gamma L. and Agrotis segetum Den. & Schiff. The pests monitoring, with economically importance for maize crop was evaluated using F-1 pheromone traps, with synthetic sex pheromones (atraGAM- 9, atraSEG-21 and atraVIRG). By minimizing the tillage, there has been an increase in the pest population, especially in Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte. An almost perfect synchronization of the first generation with the optimal threshold of specific temperatures for insect biology was observed in the three monitored species. This meens even if, these mechanisms were formed over the course of evolution exist a permanent adaptations of insects to climate changes.
Selected Plant Protection Bacillus Strains Increase Food Safeness by Inhibiting Human Pathogenic Bacteria
Authors: Toma Radu Cristian , Boiu-Sicuia Oana-Alina , Diguță Filofteia Camelia , Ciucă Matilda , Matei Florentina , Cornea Călina Petruța
Published: June 2023

Food illnesses can occur due to the presence of human pathogen contaminants in fresh farm products. Herbs, vegetables and fruits, especially from organic agriculture, are highly exposed to animal and human pathogens. However, safe microbial antagonists, approved for plant protection, could be a solution to prevent this health risk to occur. The aim of this study is to reveal several beneficial bacterial strains reducing the prevalence of human and animal pathogens. Tested beneficial strains were previously described as promising biocontrol agents against soilborne pathogens of field crops and vegetables. Moreover, their endophyte adaptation, ensures an intimate relation with their plant hosts. Therefore, within this study we analyzed the inhibitory activity of seven biocontrol endophytes against 24 reference bacterial strains, of which 19 important human and animal pathogens. Some of the tested beneficial strains revealed antibacterial activity against a wide spectrum of pathogens, such as: Bacillus cereus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Listeria ivanovii, L. monocytogenes, Rhodococcus equi, Salmonella enterica, S. typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis and Streptococcus pyogenes. Due to their antagonistic activity, the beneficial strains were studied through molecular techniques to reveal their functional genes involved in antimicrobial compounds synthesis. Genes encoding for iturin A, surfactin, bacilysin, bacillomycin and bacillaene were found in these biocontrol strains. Therefore, we could consider such beneficial strains as promising candidates for plant protection and human safety.
Comparative Study Regarding Yield and Economic Effect of Agricultural Activities Carried Out in Meadow and Hill Conditions, in the Branistea Area, Galaţi County
Authors: Bularda Marcel , Cujbescu Dan , Popa Lucretia , Popa Nelu , Pavel Adrian
Published: June 2023

The current study carries out a technical-economic analysis of the agricultural activity that takes place in conditions of meadow lands compared to the agricultural activity that takes place in conditions of hilly lands, aspects that largely characterize the agriculture of Galaţi County. The paper highlights the technical and economic aspects that can characterize the two distinct zonal situations of agricultural production. The obtained data specify which are the most appropriate crop conditions and agricultural crops and measure these aspects in monetary units.
CRISE CLIMÁTICA, MECANISMOS DE REAÇÃO, DIREITO DO MAR E FRONTEIRA MARÍTIMA NO BRASIL
Authors: Mello Cunha Gabriel Pacheco
Published: June 2023

O presente trabalho aborda a redefinição da fronteira marítima que pode ter um pano de fundo de mudança dos limites por conta do aumento do nível do mar ou por interesse de exploração econômica de determinada área marinha. Essa estratégia brasileira tem a perspectiva de crescimento econômico a partir da diminuição dos recursos naturais num contexto de crise econômica e aumento da população mundial e consequentemente suas demandas. Portanto, as tensões e guerras serão voltadas para usufruir recursos naturais e recursos financeiros vide o problema da produção de petróleo e gás, do trigo, etc., na guerra da Ucrânia em pleno ano 2023, etc. Os mecanismos de reação para a crise climática são as ações climáticas (ODS 2030) que normalmente são feitas através da reparação natural que são feitas através da restauração ecológica, por compensação ecológica e por último indenização pecuniária. Esses valores da reparação podem ser obtidos através de garantias bancárias on first demand o que colocaria o credor na posição mais protegida diante da atividade anormalmente perigosa ou que causa significativos impactos ambientais. Por outro lado, o Brasil nos termos do Direito do Mar pode pleitear junto a organização internacional competente sobre território marítimo, para além da Amazônia azul, também as redefinições das fronteiras marítimas diante da crise climática. Portanto, muitas questões estão por solucionar.
A PRISÃO PARA ALÉM DA FRONTEIRA FÍSICA, FAZ-SE FRONTEIRA AFETIVA
Authors: Chaves Karina Belmond
Published: June 2023

O Brasil é um país com uma das maiores populações carcerárias do mundo e embora seja de conhecimento geral a falência da prisão, o aprisionamento ainda continua sendo utilizado como estratégia de punição e controle da criminalidade. Este texto revisita as funções e o funcionamento das prisões, retomando referências clássicas da temática, apresentando a prisão, de modo geral vista como instituição de controle dos corpos, que separa as pessoas elencadas como “infratores” ou “criminosos” e que, por sua própria estrutura, afasta-os do convívio de outras pessoas sob a justificativa de proteção social. Entretanto, também os afasta daqueles que consideram seus “entes queridos”, portanto, fazendo fronteira afetiva que impede ou limita a interação dos mesmos, compreendidas muitas vezes como figuras importantes no processo de reintegração social. Através da comunicação que se estabelece por carta/ correspondência e visitação (de forma presencial ou virtual), o contato familiar é possível e é por meio desses recursos, que os vínculos afetivos são mantidos, contribuindo para a diminuição do sofrimento e para a reintegração social. Conclui-se que, na existência ainda da prisão, esta pode se estabelecer como fronteira permeável, permitindo o fluxo, o contato com pessoas que sejam figuras afetivas, mesmo que selecionadas, preservando assim vínculos essenciais para o desenvolvimento humano.
Situaciones de violencia por parte de pacientes percibidos por personal de enfermería en un hospital pública Corrientes capital 2021.
Authors: Bravo Ezequiel D. , Baez Alfredo N. , Cozzoli Bianca C. , Auchter Mónica C. , Meza Angélica M.
Published: June 2023

Objetivo: Describir las situaciones de violencia por parte de los pacientes percibidas por el personal de enfermería en una institución de salud pública de Corrientes capital durante 2021. Metodología: Estudio observacional, descriptivo, transversal. Muestreo de tipo consecutivo. La población personal de enfermería asistencial de un hospital. Variables: edad, género, instrucción, antigüedad laboral, área de trabajo, turno, identificación de maltrato físico, verbal y asedio sexual, principal modo de actuar e impacto frente a situaciones de violencia. Recolección de datos mediante cuestionario Google Forms con consentimiento informado anónimo, que fue validado por prueba piloto. Análisis con Microsoft Excel y Epidat 4.1. Resultados: Población estudiada 115 trabajadores de enfermería; 69,57% mujeres; rango etario 22-56 años, promedio 35,5 años. Formación: 58,26% enfermeros, 22,61% licenciados en enfermería y 19,13% auxiliares en enfermería. Turno: 37,39% mañana, 30,43% tarde, 17,39% noche y 14,78% rotativo. Área laboral: cuidados intensivos 27,83%, clínica médica 21,74%, clínica quirúrgica 15,65%, emergencias 15,65%, consultorios 10,43%, coronaria 8,70%. De los entrevistados, 89,56% había percibido algún tipo de violencia, de estos 61,17% estaba entre 22 y 38 años. La percepción de violencia mostró que 92,53% eran enfermeros, 88,46% licenciados y 81,81% auxiliares de enfermería. Los tipos de violencia identificados fueron maltrato verbal en el 86,09%, maltrato físico en el 72,17% y asedio sexual en el 24,35%. El principal género afectado por los hechos violentos fue el femenino y el turno de trabajo con mayor identificación de situaciones violentas fue el de la mañana. En cuanto a los modos de proceder para comunicar a la institución las situaciones vividas, el 66,96% lo reportaron a un superior Los hechos de violencia según área de trabajo se reportaron por 80% de los de unidad coronaria, 84,38% de unidad de cuidados intensivos, 88,89% de emergencias, 92% de clínica médica, 94,44% de clínica quirúrgica y 100% de consultorios externos. Conclusión: La violencia hacia enfermería está presente en el hospital y afecta más a las mujeres. La forma más frecuente es la verbal, seguida de la física y del asedio sexual. En general frente a las agresiones optan por no hacer nada.
Adaptación del equipo docente del laboratorio de aprendizaje de prácticas simuladas al proceso de enseñanza aprendizaje en modalidad virtual. Relato de experiencia.
Authors: Luna Carlos Fernando , Quiñones Marcela Noemí , Rivadera Marcela del Carmen , Rodríguez Gloria Ester
Published: June 2023

El presente relato describe la adaptación que atravesó el equipo docente del Laboratorio de Aprendizaje de Prácticas Simuladas en una institución educativa de nivel universitario en Argentina al enfrentar el cambio en el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje, para ajustarse a las nuevas modalidades educativas con el fin de dar seguimiento a las actividades prácticas de simulación. En base a ello, se buscó reconocer como se logró, en dos aspectos: en primer lugar, relacionado a las tecnologías que debieron de adquirir; y en segundo, referido a las plataformas que debieron utilizar, considerándose los cambios a evaluar e implementar en la virtualidad, sirvieron como punto de partida para la creación de reglamentos y propuestas pedagógicas en simulación clínica. A modo de cierre, se arribó a conclusiones y retroalimentaciones positivas en cuanto a los objetivos planteados, pudiendo así implementar favorablemente estrategias tales como plataformas de trasmisión (streaming), recursos digitales e interrogación. (debriefing)
Shaul Magid, Ed., and Jordan Gayle Levy, Trans. The Bible, the Talmud, and the New Testament: Elijah Zvi Soloveitchik’s Commentary to the Gospels
Authors: Sax Benjamin E.
Published: June 2023

No abstract is available.
Karma Ben Johanan. A Pottage of Lentils: Mutual Perceptions of Christians and Jews in the Age of Reconciliation (Hebrew)
Authors: Weissman Deborah
Published: June 2023

No abstract is available.
Gavin D’Costa. Catholic Doctrines on the Jewish People After Vatican II
Authors: Cunningham Philip A.
Published: June 2023

No abstract is available.
American Catholic Attitudes toward Jews, Judaism, and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Authors: Bumin Kirill , Cunningham Philip A. , Gregerman Adam , Inbari Motti
Published: June 2023

This unprecedented survey of a representative sample of American Catholics assesses their opinions about their Jewish neighbors, Judaism, Israel and Palestine, and Catholic Church teaching on these subjects. After comparing the survey's results with similar research on the views of evangelical Christians, the article focuses on implications for Catholic religious education, including the respondents' familiarity with relevant post-Nostra Aetate theological developments in papal and Vatican documents.
The impact of sanctuary visits on children’s knowledge and attitudes toward primate welfare and conservation
Authors: Feliu Olga , González-Zamora Arturo , Riba David , Sauquet Teresa , Sánchez-López Sònia , Maté Carmen
Published: June 2023

Primate sanctuaries provide a solution for the increasing number of primates being taken from their home countries to support the demands of the illegal pet trade. To help end the primate trade and raise awareness about the risks this trade poses to delicate ecosystems, sanctuaries are increasingly developing conservation education programs. Education and raising awareness must be one of the primary roles of primate sanctuaries. However, there are few evaluations of the impacts of conservation education programs for school children published in scientific literature. To address this gap, we conducted an evaluation of educator-led visits of school children at Fundació Mona, a primate sanctuary located in Catalunya, Spain. Questionnaires for an experimental and control group were conducted with 3,205 school children, ages 8 to 18 from 83 different schools, to evaluate changes in their attitudes and knowledge of primate welfare and conservation. We found that Fundació Mona’s program of environmental activities had a positive impact on children, both female and male students, in terms of attitudes and knowledge of primate welfare and conservation. Although female students gave better responses regarding welfare and conservation, all children showed gains in pro-conservation responses. This study demonstrates that environmental education activities focused on children can help shape a change in knowledge and attitudes toward primate welfare and conservation. Educator-led visits of school children to primate sanctuaries such as Fundació Mona can also serve to amplify biodiversity conservation messages among children and their families. We encourage primate sanctuaries to promote empirical studies of attitudes and knowledge of primate welfare and conservation and to conduct systematical evaluations to strengthen their educational activities.
Diverse migration patterns and seasonal habitat use of Stone’s sheep (Ovis dalli stonei)
Authors: Enns Grace E. , Jex Bill , Boyce Mark S.
Published: June 2023

We describe temporal and spatial patterns of seasonal space-use and migration by 16 GPS-collared Stone’s sheep (Ovis dalli stonei) from nine bands in the Cassiar Mountains of northern British Columbia, Canada. Our objectives were to identify the timing of spring and fall migrations, characterize summer and winter ranges, map and describe migration routes and use of stopover sites, and document altitudinal change across seasons. Our last objective was to assess individual migration strategies based on patterns of geographic migration, altitudinal migration, or residency. Median start and end dates of the spring migration were 12 and 17 Jun (range: 20 May to 05 Aug), and of the fall migration were 30 Aug and 22 Sep (range: 21 Aug to 07 Jan). The median area of winter and summer ranges for geographic migrants were 630.8 ha and 2,829.0 ha, respectively, with a broad range from about 233.6 to 10,196.2 ha. Individuals showed high fidelity to winter ranges over the limited duration of the study. The winter and summer ranges of most individuals (n = 15) were at moderate to high elevations with a median summer elevation of 1,709 m (1,563–1,827 m) and 1,673 m (1,478–1,751 m) that varied <150 m between ranges. Almost all collared females (n = 14) exhibited changes in elevation use that coincide with abbreviated altitudinal migration. Specifically, these females descended to lower spring elevations from their winter range (Δ > 150 m), and then gradually moved up to higher-elevation summer ranges (Δ > 150 m). In the fall, they descended to lower elevations (Δ > 100 m) before returning to their higher winter ranges. The median distance travelled along geographic migration routes was 16.3 km (range: 7.6–47.4 km). During the spring migration, most geographic migrants (n = 8) used at least one stopover site (median = 1.5, range: 0–4), while almost all migrants (n = 11) used stopover sites more frequently in the fall (median = 2.5, range: 0–6). Of the 13 migratory individuals that had at least one other collared individual in their band, most migrated at about the same time, occupied the same summer and winter ranges, used similar migration routes and stopover sites, and exhibited the same migration strategy. We found collared females exhibited four different migration strategies which mostly varied across bands. Migration strategies included long-distance geographic migrants (n = 5), short-distance geographic migrants (n = 5), vacillating migrants (n = 2), and abbreviated altitudinal migrants (n = 4). Different migratory strategies occurred within one band where one collared individual migrated and two did not. We conclude that female Stone’s sheep in the Cassiar Mountains displayed a diverse assemblage of seasonal habitat use and migratory behaviors. By delineating seasonal ranges, migration routes and stopover sites, we identify potential areas of priority that can help inform land-use planning and preserve the native migrations of Stone’s sheep in the region.
Impact of Foliar Spraying by Using Some Stimulative Substances on Growth, Green Pods, Dry Seed Yield, Its Components and Some Chemical Constituents of Pea Plants (Pisum sativum L.) under High Temperature Stress Conditions
Authors: Ismail Ashraf Y. , Abdel-Aziz Medhat A.
Published: June 2023

This experiment was carried out during the two winter seasons of 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 at Qaha Vegetable Research Farm (Qalubia Governorate), Horticulture Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center (A. R. C.), Egypt. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of foliar spraying with some stimulative substances i.e. Green Miracle at the rate of 3 cm3 / L, Kaolin (Aluminum silicate) at the rate of 20 g/ L, Selenium element at the rate of 12 mg /L, Megacal Hort at the rate of 2.5 cm3/L, Super Grow Hortic at the rate of 0.75 cm3 /L and High Harvest at the rate of 0.75 cm3/L beside the control treatment (spraying with tap water) on vegetative growth, green pods, dry seed yield and its components as well as seed quality of pea Master B cv. under high temperature stress conditions. The experimental design was a randomized complete block containing seven treatments with three replicates. Seeds of peas were sown in the 2nd week of September during the two winter growing seasons.

The results showed that, the most estimated parameters were significantly affected with all tested treatments as foliar applications; the superiority effect of the treatments was recorded by using kaolin (Aluminum silicate) followed by selenium element and green miracle which led to obtain the highest significant increase in all the previous studied traits i.e. the vegetative growth, green pods yield, dry seed yield and its components as well as seed quality under high temperature stress conditions. The superior treatment; kaolin at the rate of 20 g/ L increased green pod yield by 36.8 and 33.6 % and enhanced dry seed yield /fed by 34.2 and 32.3 % over the control treatment (the untreated plants) in the two winter seasons, respectively.
Influence of Sagarika-Liquid with Inorganic Fertilizers for Enchaning the Soil Health and Yield of Green Gram (Vigna radiata L.)
Authors: Singh Ankit , David Arun Alfred , Thomas Tarence , Toppo Neha
Published: June 2023

An experiment was conducted on sagarika-liquid with inorganic fertilizers during Zaid season 2022 at the central research farm of Department of Soil science and Agricultural chemistry, to enhance the productivity. The design applied was 3x3 RBD having three levels of Sagarika-liquid @2ml, 3ml and 4ml L-1 and N P K @ 50, 75and 100%. The result obtained with treatment T9[N P K @100%+ 2 Spray of Sagarika 4ml l-1] that showed vermicompost in combination resulted in a slight change in soil pH at 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm were found 7.12 and 7.27and EC 0.35 and 0.32 dS m-1 respectively. The significant results were in pore space 47.90 and 45.52%, water holding capacity 46.10 and 43.60%, organic carbon 0.54%, 0.44%, and available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium was found to be significant among other treatments in Green gram cultivation and soil quality improvement. The maximum yield regarding, gave the best results with respect to plant height 45.34 cm, number of pod plant-1 28.16, and number of seed pod-1 8.45. It gave highest yield 1.96 t ha-1. It was also revealed that the application with organic manures was excellent source for fertilization than fertilizers.
High-Cost Cancer Drug Use in Medicare Advantage and Traditional Medicare
Authors: Bradley Cathy J. , Liang Rifei , Lindrooth Richard C. , Sabik Lindsay M. , Perraillon Marcelo C.
Published: January 2025

Importance

Medicare Advantage (MA) plans are designed to incentivize the use of less expensive drugs through capitated payments, formulary control, and preauthorizations for certain drugs. These conditions may reduce spending on high-cost therapies for conditions such as cancer, a condition that is among the most expensive to treat.

Objective

To determine whether patients insured by MA plans receive less high-cost drugs than those insured by traditional Medicare (TM).

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cohort study used data from the linked Colorado All Payer Claims Database and Colorado Central Cancer Registry. This population-based cohort included adults 65 years and older insured by Medicare with prescription coverage who reside in Colorado and were diagnosed with colorectal (CRC) or non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) between January 2012 and December 2021. The data were analyzed between December 2023 and August 2024.

Exposure

Enrollment in TM or MA insurance plans.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Claims for chemotherapy and oral targeted agents were identified. Thresholds for high-cost drugs were based on the distribution of drug costs. Inverse probability weighted logistic regression for receiving any cancer drug and for receiving a high-cost cancer drug was estimated, controlling for patient and ecological characteristics. The sample was stratified by cancer site and local/regional and distant stage.

Results

Of 4240 patients included in the analysis (mean [SD] age, 75 [7] years; 2327 [54.9%] female), 1991 were diagnosed with CRC and 2249 with NSCLC. A total of 1647 patients had local or regional CRC, and 344 had distant CRC; 1351 patients had local or regional NSCLC, and 898 had distant NSCLC. In the covariate-adjusted analysis, patients diagnosed with local or regional CRC who were insured by MA were 6.0 percentage points less likely to receive a cancer drug than similar patients insured by TM. Patients diagnosed with distant NSCLC were 10.0 percentage points less likely to receive a cancer drug if insured by MA. Among patients who received a cancer drug, patients insured by MA were less likely to receive a high-cost drug for local or regional CRC (by 10.0 percentage points) and distant CRC (by 9.0 percentage points).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study, high-cost drugs were more commonly prescribed among patients enrolled in TM and diagnosed with CRC. A similar pattern was not observed for patients with NSCLC, perhaps because clinical evidence suggests survival benefits to be associated only with certain drugs, all of which are expensive. Nonetheless, MA was modestly associated with reduced high-cost drug utilization and may reduce overall treatment costs.
Use of and Steering to Pharmacies Owned by Insurers and Pharmacy Benefit Managers in Medicare
Authors: Kakani Pragya , Navangul Swayami , Lee Luo Christie , Tormohlen Kayla N. , Kanter Genevieve P. , Landrum Mary Beth , Keating Nancy L. , Bond Amelia M.
Published: January 2025

Importance

The prevalence of pharmacies owned by integrated insurers and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), or insurer-PBMs, is of growing regulatory concern. However, little is known about the role of these pharmacies in Medicare, in which pharmacy network protections may influence market dynamics.

Objective

To evaluate the prevalence of insurer-PBM–owned pharmacies and the extent to which insurer-PBMs steer patients to pharmacies they own in Medicare.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cross-sectional study used Medicare Part D claims data on prescription fills for a 20% random sample of US beneficiaries enrolled from January 1 through December 31, 2021. Data were analyzed from March to November 2024.

Exposures

Prescription fills.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The main outcome was the share of spending filled by insurer-PBM–owned pharmacies overall, by pharmacy type (specialty and nonspecialty), and by drug class. For the top 100 specialty and nonspecialty molecules by claim volume, 2 quantities were identified for 4 major insurer-PBMs (Cigna, CVS, Humana, and UnitedHealth Group): share of the index firm’s insurer claims filled by its owned pharmacies and share of other firms’ insurer claims filled by the index firm’s owned pharmacies. Differences between these quantities were assessed to evaluate the degree to which insurer-PBMs steered patients to their own pharmacies.

Results

Among 10 455 726 patients (54.8% women; mean [SD] age, 71.8 [10.7] years), 34.1% of all pharmacy and 37.1% of specialty pharmacy spending occurred through Cigna, CVS, Humana, or UnitedHealth Group pharmacies. Among specialty molecules, market shares varied by drug class (antivirals: 18.5%; antipsychotics: 29.5%; cancer: 32.5%; disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs: 41.1%; multiple sclerosis: 64.8%; pulmonary arterial hypertension and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: 89.7%). Across molecule-firm combinations, a 19.8 (95% CI, 18.0-21.6)–percentage point and 13.9 (95% CI, 13.1-14.7)–percentage point greater share of claims were filled at insurer-PBM–owned pharmacies than would be expected without steering for specialty and nonspecialty categories, respectively.

Conclusions and Relevance

This cross-sectional study found that insurer-PBM firms represented an important portion of the Medicare Part D market, especially for certain drug classes, and that insurer-PBM firms steered patients to their own pharmacies, despite certain pharmacy network protections in Medicare. These findings underscore the need to understand the impacts of insurer-PBM and pharmacy integration on medication access and costs for Medicare patients.
Estimating Visual Acuity With Spectacle Correction From Fundus Photos Using Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Zhou Ashley , Li Zhuolin , Paul William , Burlina Philippe , Mocharla Rohita , Joshi Neil , Gu Sophie , Nanegrungsunk Onnisa , Bressler Susan , Cai Cindy X. , Alvin Liu T. Y. , Moini Hadi , Sepehrband Farshid , Bressler Neil M. , Kong Jun
Published: January 2025

Importance

Determining spectacle-corrected visual acuity (VA) is essential when managing many ophthalmic diseases. If artificial intelligence (AI) evaluations of macular images estimated this VA from a fundus image, AI might provide spectacle-corrected VA without technician costs, reduce visit time, or facilitate home monitoring of VA from fundus images obtained outside of the clinic.

Objective

To estimate spectacle-corrected VA measured on a standard eye chart among patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) in clinical practice settings using previously validated AI algorithms evaluating best-corrected VA from fundus photographs in eyes with DME.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Retrospective cross-sectional evaluation of deidentified fundus photographs matched to spectacle-corrected VA determined by technicians on eye charts among patients with a history of DME based on optical coherence tomography and at least 2 visits within 1 to 6 months of each other at a university-based clinic between January 2014 and December 2022. Data were analyzed from January 2023 to October 2024.

Exposure

Previously validated AI algorithm evaluation of fundus photographs.

Main Outcomes and Measures

AI-determined VA mean absolute error (MAE) compared with actual spectacle-corrected VA.

Results

Among 141 patients, the mean (SD) age was 63 (13) years, 71 (50%) were male, 2 (1%) were Asian, 42 (30%) were Black or African American, and 88 (63%) were White. Among 282 eyes at visit 1, 66 had nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) and DME, 38 had proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and DME, 101 had NPDR and no DME, and 77 had PDR and no DME. Among 564 images (282 eyes) at both initial and follow-up visits, MAE (SD) among eyes with NPDR, with or without center-involved DME (CI-DME), was 1.16 (1.00) lines on the eye chart for VA between 20/10 and 20/20 (67 images), and 1.44 (1.15) lines for between VA 20/25 and 20/80 (231 images). MAE (SD) among eyes with PDR, with or without CI-DME, was 1.92 (1.08) lines for VA between 20/10 and 20/20 (50 images), and 1.42 (0.97) lines for spectacle-corrected VA between 20/25 and 20/80 (150 images). Only 65 images had VA 20/100 or worse, precluding meaningful analyses.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cross-sectional study, AI evaluation of fundus photographs among patients with DME and VA 20/80 or better estimated spectacle-corrected VA within approximately 1 to 1.5 lines of actual spectacle-corrected VA. These results support use of AI evaluation of fundus photographs to determine spectacle-corrected VA among patients with DME globally, beyond ophthalmology offices.