bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
From reciprocity to collective empowerment: Re-framing university-school partnership discourses in the South African context
Authors: Silbert Patti
Published: November 2019

While partnerships are key to sustained engagement between universities and schools, structural and historical differences exist between partners at the level of both organisational boundaries and socioeconomic borders. Differential relations, particularly accentuated in contexts such as South Africa, are frequently masked by normative assumptions that have largely remained unquestioned.

Reciprocity and mutuality are two such foundational concepts, regularly enlisted in the partnership literature. Applied uncritically, these concepts function to obscure power differentials between partnering institutions – and between people who bring to those partnerships different histories and social positions. Using the example of a South African university-school partnership, the article draws on the scholarship of Keith (2005), Stavro (2001) and Young (1990, 1997a, 1997b) to develop a framework that moves beyond reciprocity and mutuality towards collective empowerment and solidarity. This discursive shift reflects the complexities of partnerships and partnering – and opens the space for more authentic forms of engagement, particularly in unequal partnering contexts. The article offers insights, from the perspective of the particular case presented, into how dialogic spaces might be created for interrupting normative discourses and practices, and for re-imagining new possibilities for partnering across contexts of difference. 

KeywordsAsymmetrical reciprocity, university-school partnerships, mutuality, collective empowerment
Radionuclide wiggle-matching reveals a non-synchronous Early Holocene climate oscillation in Greenland and Western Europe around a grand solar minimum
Authors: Mekhaldi Florian , Czymzik Markus , Adolphi Florian , Sjolte Jesper , Björck Svante , Aldahan Ala , Brauer Achim , Martín-Puertas Celia , Possnert Göran , Muscheler Raimund
Published: November 2019

Abstract. Several climate events have been reported from the Early Holocene superepoch, the best known of these being the Preboreal oscillation (PBO). It is still unclear how the PBO and the number of climate events observed in Greenland ice cores and European terrestrial records are related to one another. This is mainly due to uncertainties in the chronologies of the records. Here, we present new high resolution 10Be concentration data from the varved Meerfelder Maar sediment record in Germany, spanning the period 11310–11000 years BP. These new data allow us to synchronize this well-studied record as well as Greenland ice-core records to the IntCal13 time-scale via radionuclide wiggle-matching. In doing so, we show that the climate oscillations identified in Greenland and Europe between 11450 and 11000 years BP were not synchronous but terminated and began, respectively, with the onset of a grand solar minimum. A similar spatial anomaly pattern is found in a number of modeling studies on solar forcing of climate in the North Atlantic region. We further postulate that freshwater delivery to the North Atlantic would have had the potential to amplify solar forcing through a slowdown of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) reinforcing surface air temperature anomalies in the region.
Reconstructing coupled time series in climate systems by machine learning
Authors: Huang Yu , Yang Lichao , Fu Zuntao
Published: November 2019

Abstract. Despite the great success of machine learning, its applications in climate dynamics have not been well developed. One concern might be how well the trained neural networks could learn a dynamical system and what can be the potential applications of this kind of learning. Detailed studies show that the coupling relations or dynamics among variables in linear or nonlinear systems can be well learnt by reservoir computer (RC) and long short-term memory (LSTM) machine learning, and these learnt coupling relations can be further applied to reconstruct one series from the other dominated by common coupling dynamics. In order to validate the above conclusions, toy models are applied to address the following three questions: (i) what can be learnt from different dynamical time series by machine learning; (ii) what factors significantly influence machine learning reconstruction; and (iii) how to select suitable explanatory or input variables for the reconstructed variable for machine learning. The results from these toy models show that both of RC and LSTM can indeed learn coupling relations among variables, and the learnt implicit coupling relation can be applied to accurately reconstruct one series from the other. Both of linear and nonlinear coupling relations between variables can influence the quality of the reconstructed series. If there is a strong linear coupling between variables, all of variables can be taken as explanatory variables for the reconstructed variable, and the reconstruction can be bi-directional. However, when the linear coupling among variables is much weaker, but with stronger nonlinear causality among variables, the reconstruction quality is direction-dependent and it may be only uni-directional. We propose using convergent cross mapping causality (CCM) index ρa→b to determine which variable can be taken as the reconstructed one and which can be taken as the explanatory variable. For example, the Pearson correlation between the average Tropical Surface Air Temperature (TSAT) and the average Northern Hemispheric SAT (NHSAT) is as weak as 0.08, but the CCM index of that NHSAT cross maps TSAT is ρN→T = 0.70, it means that NHSAT could be taken as the explanatory variable. Then we find that TSAT can be well reconstructed from NHSAT by means of RC. However, the reconstruction quality in the opposite direction is poor, because the CCM index of that TSAT cross maps NHSAT is only ρT→N = 0.24. These results also provide insights on machine learning approaches for paleoclimate reconstruction, parameterization scheme, and prediction in related climate studies.
Development of pedotransfer functions for tropical mountain soilscapes: Spotlight on parameter tuning in machine learning
Authors: Gebauer Anika , Ellinger Monja , Brito Gomez Victor M. , Ließ Mareike
Published: November 2019

Abstract. Machine learning algorithms are good in computing non-linear problems and fitting complex composite functions, which makes them an adequate tool to address multiple environmental research questions. One important application is the development of pedotransfer functions (PTF). This study aims to develop water retention PTFs for two remote tropical mountain regions of rather different soil-landscapes, dominated by (1) organic soils under volcanic influence, and (2) tropical mineral soils. Two tuning procedures were compared to fit boosted regression tree models: (1) tuning by grid search, which is the standard approach in pedometrics and (2) tuning by differential evolution optimization. A nested cross-validation approach was applied to generate robust models. The developed area-specific PTFs outrival other more general PTFs. Furthermore, the first PTF for typical soils of Páramo landscapes, i.e. organic soils under volcanic influence, is presented. Overall, results confirmed the differential evolution algorithm’s high potential for tuning machine learning models. While models based on tuning by grid search roughly predicted the response variables' mean for both areas, models applying the differential evolution algorithm for parameter tuning explained up to 22 times more of the response variables' variance.
Inter-comparison of surface meltwater routing models for the Greenland Ice Sheet and influence on subglacial effective pressures
Authors: Yang Kang , Sommers Aleah , Andrews Lauren C. , Smith Laurence C. , Lu Xin , Fettweis Xavier , Li Manchun
Published: November 2019

Abstract. Each summer, large volumes of surface meltwater flow over the Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS) surface and drain through moulins to the ice sheet bed, impacting subglacial hydrology and ice flow dynamics. Runoff modulations, or routing delays due to ice surface conditions, thus propagate to englacial and subglacial hydrologic systems, requiring accurate assessment to correctly estimate subglacial effective pressures and short-term lags between climatological melt production and ice velocity. This study compares hourly supraglacial moulin discharge simulations from three surface meltwater routing models, the Synthetic Unit Hydrograph (SUH), Surface Routing and Lake Filling (SRLF), and Rescaled Width Function (RWF), for four internally drained catchments (IDCs) located on the southwestern GrIS surface. Using surface runoff from the MAR regional climate model (RCM), simulated values of surface meltwater transport velocity, flow length, total transport time, unit hydrograph, peak moulin discharge, and time to peak are compared among the three routing models. For each IDC, modeled moulin hydrographs are also input to the SHAKTI subglacial hydrologic model to simulate corresponding subglacial effective pressure variations in the vicinity of a single moulin. Two routing models requiring use of a digital elevation model (SRLF, RWF) are assessed for the impact of DEM spatial resolution on simulated moulin hydrographs. Results indicate SUH, SRLF, and RWF perform differently in simulating moulin peak discharge and time to peak, with RWF simulating slower, smaller peak moulin discharges than SUH or SRLF. SRLF routing is sensitive to DEM spatial resolution, whereas RWF is not. Seasonal evolution of supraglacial stream/river networks is readily accommodated by RWF but not SUH or SRLF. In general, all three models are superior to simply using RCM output without routing, but significant differences among them are found. This variability among surface meltwater routing models is reflected in SHAKTI subglacial hydrology simulations, yielding differing diurnal effective pressure fluctuations.
Are There Universal Standards for Network Neutrality?
Authors: Carrillo Arturo J.
Published: November 2019

N/A
State Net Neutrality
Authors: Lyons Daniel A.
Published: November 2019

N/A
Impact of E-Logistics on Warehousing Management Performance at English Biscuit Manufacturing
Authors: Shah Ghulam Naseer , Asim Muhammad
Published: November 2019

The main objective of the study was to determine the impact of e-logistics on warehousing management performance at English biscuit manufacturing. The study utilized quantitative research design for investigating the effects of information visibility and sharing in e-logistics, real time communication, real time forecasting decision and cost saving in E-Logistics on warehouse management performance. Quality, response, cost and productivity levels were taken as indicators of warehouse performance. Data was collected individuals currently serving English Biscuit Manufacturing to explore their perception regarding the impact of e-logistics processes on the warehousing management performance. The total number of respondents were 233 among them 85 were female and 148 were male. The results suggested that information visibility and sharing in e-logistics, real time communication, real time forecasting decision and cost saving significantly affects warehousing management performance. The need to introduce e-logistics in Pakistani manufacturing companies and training staff regarding the use of e-logistics to improve productivity was suggested in the recommendations of the study.
Systemic Challenges, Stigma, and Solutions: Experiences of Black Men Who Have Sex with Men in Tennessee
Authors: Barnes Sandra L.
Published: November 2019

Much of the research on black Men Who Have Sex with Men (BMSM) focuses on health disparities in HIV occurrence and retroantiviral medication adherence. Although important, this emphasis is often at the expense of other areas of their lives. This study endeavors to better understand systemic challenges, including stigma, and responses for a group of BMSM who reside in a moderately-sized metropolitan city in Tennessee. Focus group results, black feminism, and content analysis are used to examine their experiences and coping mechanisms. Respondents describe circumstances they associate with inequities linked to race, class, sexual orientation, gender and their intersection. Other themes emerged around: self-help; innovative family forms; and, the need for collective mobilization. Equally important was the desire for group and individual identities that do not reduce BMSM to stereotypes linked to HIV/AIDS. In addition to illustrating the usefulness of black feminism to illumine the lives of historically marginalized groups beyond women, results suggest the need for solutions that attend to the unique challenges and capacities of BMSM.
Consciousness-raising and Liberation: The Latin American Progressive-Catholic Student Movements and the Regional Version of the Revision of Life Method (1955–1968)
Authors: Londono-Ardila Sandra
Published: November 2019

This article examines the mobilization of the Catholic student youth in Latin America and the project of “consciousness-raising” and “liberation of La Patria Grande” they envisioned. At the core of this project, this article contends, an original ideological synthesis fused critical progressive-Catholic views with Latin America’s intellectual developments and political ideas. The particularity of this project shall underscore the unique unfolding of the Specialized Catholic Action model and the Revision of Life Method in the region.
Medellín between Two Revolutions: The Impact of CELAM II on Cuba and Nicaragua
Authors: Wingeier-Rayo Philip
Published: November 2019

The second assembly of the Latin American Council of Bishops (CELAM II) in Medellin had widespread implications for religion and politics in Latin America and in the late twentieth century. This meeting occurred in 1968 almost halfway between two popular revolutions, one in Cuba (1959) and the other in Nicaragua (1979). The role of Christianity in these revolutions could not have been more different. The Cuban Revolution adopted a Marxist ideology that viewed Christianity as a pawn of American foreign policy and suspected Christians as counterrevolutionaries. After Medellin, however, Christians actively supported and participated in the Nicaraguan Revolution. This article offers an overview of the role of Christianity in these two popular revolutions with similarities and differences, and concludes with the impact of CELAM II, liberation theology, and the Base Christian Community movement upon the Nicaraguan Revolution.
UM ESTUDO COMPARATIVO DOS MODELOS BOX-JENKINS E REDES NEURAIS ARTIFICIAIS NA PREVISÃO DE VAZÕES E PRECIPITAÇÕES PLUVIOMÉTRICAS DA BACIA ARAGUAIA, TOCANTINS, BRASIL
Authors: Salame Camil Wadih , Queiroz Joaquim Carlos Barbosa , Souza Everaldo Barreiros de , Farias Valcir João da Cunha , Rocha Edson José Paulino da , Moura Helyelson Paredes
Published: November 2019

Estudar a variabilidade dos parâmetros hidroclimáticos locais em baciashidrográficas é importante para melhorar o gerenciamento dos recursos hídricos.Para tal, foram utilizados o modelo estatístico baseado na metodologia Box-Jenkins, adotado por muitas empresas na análise de séries temporais, inclusivetodo o setor elétrico brasileiro, e a tecnologia de redes neurais, que se apresentacomo poderosa ferramenta para previsões. Na comparação entre as duas técnicas,foram utilizadas observações de médias mensais de duas estações meteorológicasda Bacia Araguaia-Tocantins, Brasil, uma de vazões mensais (m3/s) e outra deprecipitações pluviométricas mensais (mm), da Agência Nacional de Águas (ANA),com registros contínuos nos períodos de 1969 a 2017 e 1974 a 2017. As previsõesforam testadas para 12 e 24 meses. Uma comparação entre os dois métodos,usando o teste de hipótese a partir de intervalos de confiança de 95%, mostrouque não houve diferenças estatisticamente significativas nas previsões individuaistanto de precipitações pluviométricas como de vazões. Entretanto, o uso do rootmean square error (RMSE) mostrou que o método de Box-Jenkins apresentamelhores resultados. A maior dificuldade nesse método é na construção domodelo, sobretudo em séries com alta variabilidade. O método de redes neurais,em geral, consome mais tempo computacional em relação ao Box-Jenkins.
AVALIAÇÃO DE METAIS TÓXICOS DE ALFACES CULTIVADAS EM HORTA URBANA NA CIDADE DE SÃO PAULO, SÃO PAULO
Authors: Bortoletto Luiz Alberto , Lima Erico da Silva , Fávaro Deborah Inês Teixeira , Ulrich João Cristiano , Souza Vanessa Aparecida Feijó de , Cotrim Marycel Elena Barboza , Bezerra Fernanda de Campos
Published: November 2019

As hortas urbanas trazem benefícios alimentares e sociais, mas os poluentesatmosféricos são nocivos à saúde. Então, surge a questão: os alimentos dashortas urbanas são seguros? Para investigar, neste estudo utilizou-se a alfacecrespa, a mais consumida em São Paulo e bioindicadora de metais tóxicos.A pesquisa ocorreu de agosto a outubro de 2018, em horta urbana no telhadode um grande shopping da cidade de São Paulo, cercado de intenso tráfego deveículos. Utilizaram-se dois tratamentos, cultivo a céu aberto (T1) e cultivoem estufa com controle de ar (T2), com nove repetições cada. Após 60 dias,quantificaram-se as concentrações médias, nas amostras, dos elementosarsênio (As), cádmio (Cd), cromo (Cr), chumbo (Pb) e zinco (Zn), que nãoultrapassaram os limites máximos preconizados pela Agência Nacional deVigilância Sanitária (ANVISA). Concluiu-se que as alfaces não oferecem riscosà saúde humana, e o tratamento T2 reduziu o teor de Zn na alface (p<0,05).
APLICAÇÃO DE ANÁLISE MULTIVARIADA PARA A CONSTRUÇÃO DE INDICADORES AMBIENTAIS NA RELAÇÃO ENTRE PRECIPITAÇÃO E DESLIZAMENTOS
Authors: Bosco Ricardo Brambila , Cardoso Andrea de Oliveira , Young Andrea Ferraz
Published: November 2019

Este trabalho avaliou a vulnerabilidade socioambiental à ocorrência dedeslizamentos em uma área da Região Metropolitana do Vale do Paraíba,no estado de São Paulo, através da construção de índices ambientais esocioeconômicos, visando à criação de um índice sintético, denominadoíndice de vulnerabilidade geral (IVG). Consideraram-se indicadores obtidosatravés do Censo Demográfico de 2010 do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia eEstatística, de séries históricas pluviométricas da Agência Nacional de Águase de registros de ocorrências de deslizamentos (1990 a 2016). O métodoestatístico de análise de componentes principais foi utilizado para obter umindicador que representasse a relação entre a precipitação e as ocorrênciasde deslizamentos. A partir de todos os indicadores, construíram-se os índicesde vulnerabilidade ambiental e social, obtendo-se assim o IVG. Os resultadosmostraram um índice muito elevado de vulnerabilidade nas regiões de Camposdo Jordão e Natividade da Serra devido, principalmente, à contribuição dosindicadores de chuva-deslizamento e socioeconômicos, respectivamente.
Sobre la Pobreza en el Centro Occidente de México
Authors: Riojas López Carlos
Published: November 2019

El Consejo Nacional de Evaluación de la Política de Desarrollo Social en México (CONEVAL) usa mediciones combinadas de pobreza sustentadas en líneas de bienestar ancladas al ingreso y a un conjunto de carencias sociales (enfoque multidimensional). Sin embargo, es factible generar otra lectura a partir de sus cifras mediante una alternativa metodológica que, en términos generales, intenta deconstruir el concepto de pobreza propuesto por CONEVAL. El objetivo del artículo es demostrar cómo las estrategias de combate a la pobreza en el Centro Occidente de México han dado resultados mediocres por más de una década. Este fracaso se explica porque se ha dejado de lado un enfoque global de los problemas de desarrollo, para dar prioridad a una agenda de crecimiento con un discurso de progresismo, donde las estructuras socioeconómicas y socioterritoriales no han sido tomadas en sus verdaderas dimensiones en el diseño de políticas públicas que aminoren los problemas de pobreza en México. El texto se divide en cinco partes. Primero, se expone la metodología; luego, se hace un recorrido desde una aproximación de historia contemporánea, sobre la noción de pobreza en el ámbito de la política pública global; después, se presentan algunas cifras de pobreza para el contexto nacional; en seguida, se aborda un panorama general de la pobreza en Jalisco y el Centro Occidente de México; por último, se intenta responder a la siguiente pregunta: ¿A dónde van las personas que están en pobreza extrema en el Centro Occidente de México una vez que dejan esta condición social?
Saqueos: episodios recurrentes de la sociedad argentina, período 1930-2013
Authors: Prieto Marina
Published: November 2019

El artículo analiza la inseguridad en Argentina, teniendo como propósito reflexionar acerca de cómo se fue construyendo el concepto de ‘saqueo’ en la historia de este país. El principal aspecto teórico metodológico radica en la producción sociohistórica de los saqueos y se propone un análisis de rasgos cuantitativos con datos extraídos del Latinobarómetro y el Ministerio de Seguridad de la Nación Argentina. La finalidad es identificar la manera en que los actos de vandalismo tienen vinculación directa con el concepto de inseguridad. Asimismo, se busca comprender mediante gráficos y tablas cómo se representan y evalúan los actos de los sujetos implicados en los saqueos indagando la presencia y articulación de dicotomías como la de víctima/victimario, delincuente/justiciero, inseguridad/seguridad, exponiendo una articulación de aspectos interdisciplinarios. Finalmente, se presentan discusiones sobre la manera en que el concepto de ‘saqueo’ ha transcurrido en el tiempo otorgando sentido a los sucesos y actores sociales.
Algunas consideraciones sobre la caravana migrante centroamericana en Piedras Negras, Coahuila
Authors: Frausto Ortega Jesús , Parra Ávila Juan
Published: November 2019

El objetivo de este artículo es realizar un análisis sobre algunas características asociadas a la caravana migrante centroamericana que llegó a Piedras Negras, Coahuila en febrero de 2019. Se aplicaron 535 cuestionarios y se agregaron 5 de la prueba piloto para un total de 540. Además, se realizaron 6 entrevistas realizadas a población local; se hizo una revisión hemerográfica de la prensa local y regional y se consultó diversas fuentes secundarias e información estadística. Entre las conclusiones se tiene: las y los migrantes salen de sus países por falta de trabajo y de oportunidades económicas; aunado a lo anterior las condiciones de inseguridad y violencia en sus países son variables relevantes para tomar la decisión de migrar; su objetivo es llegar a Estados Unidos para pedir asilo político; en su tránsito por México algunos enfrentaron maltratos de autoridades mexicanas. La opinión que tiene la población local de la caravana es ambivalente: tanto de apoyo solidario, y de ayuda de la sociedad organizada, como de rechazo asociado con la idea de que las y los migrantes hacen uso de recursos que los nigropetenses no tienen.
Las mujeres y el envejecimiento de la población total y activa de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires
Authors: Mazzeo Victoria , Bocchicchio Fabiana
Published: November 2019

El envejecimiento de la población es un cambio de importancia que repercute en todas las facetas de la vida humana. El número de personas adultas mayores está aumentando, pero no es ese el problema sino el envejecimiento de la población activa lo que hace que una economía sea más vulnerable al debilitamiento de su crecimiento. La Ciudad de Buenos Aires presenta población envejecida desde 1960. En ese momento, la población de 65 años y más representaba ya 9,1% y el proceso fue tan importante que, a partir de 1991, la sexta parte de su población se ubica en ese estrato. A partir del siglo XXI, los adultos mayores ya superan a los niños.

Se consideró interesante analizar la evolución del envejecimiento de la población en los últimos años y sus efectos en el mercado laboral de la ciudad. A partir de un abordaje cuantitativo, se indaga el crecimiento de los adultos mayores por sexo, tanto en la población potencialmente activa (PPA) como en la económicamente activa (PEA). El objetivo del artículo es responder la pregunta ¿Qué papel juegan las mujeres en el contexto del envejecimiento de la población activa en la ciudad de Buenos Aires? La evidencia empírica muestra que el envejecimiento de la población se ha trasladado a la población activa y que el mismo está relacionado con el aumento de la PEA femenina.
Hermann Kretzschmar’s Forgotten Heirs: “Silent”-Film Music as Applied Hermeneutics
Authors: Fuchs Maria
Published: November 2019

The Allgemeines Handbuch der Film-Musik was published by Hans Erdmann, Ludwig Brav, and Giuseppe Becce in 1927 by the Berlin-based publisher Schlesinger. It represents the most comprehensive and undoubtedly most significant document pertaining to the practice of “silent”-film accompaniment during the 1920s in Germany. The four hundred-page work is divided into two volumes: The first one delivers an elaborate aesthetic and theoretical debate about the prevalent and ideal methods of film accompaniment, and the second volume contains a cinema music catalog, the so-called Thematisches Skalenregister (Thematic Music Index), with over three thousand musical incipits. While the Handbuch was firmly grounded in the musical practice of cinema musicians, the two parts were not solely intended as a manual to facilitate the fast-paced working routine of practitioners, like the numerous cinema music catalogs that were published in Germany in the wake of Becce’s Kinotheken (1919-1929). In these catalogs, music pieces of various origins were organized according to certain parameters in order to satisfy the musi-co-dramatic demands of day-to-day “silent”-film accompaniment. The pieces were interpreted for their extramusical associations and labeled under specific semantic categories in order to be used for specific and recurrent types of film scenes. This labeling of music was based on the tradition of “musical hermeneutics,” and it inspired the conception of the Handbuch’s second volume, the Thematic Music Index, which is a complex and multilayered classification system for cinema music. Thus, in addition to providing a precise method for film accompaniment, the Handbuch contains a theory and an aesthetics that applies the music-hermeneutical ideas of German musicologist Hermann Kretzschmar to the practice of film accompaniment. Kretzschmar (1848-1924) located the core problem of musical hermeneutics—a discipline of music analysis that essentially studies musical meaning and interpretation—in the nomenclature of musical expression, which formed the basis of the musical accompaniment method in “silent” cinema. This essay focuses on the influence of Kretzschmar’s theory of musical hermeneutics on the indexing system of the Handbuch as well as on the author’s intentions to ground their work in academic theory.
Windows onto Other Worlds: Music and the Negotiation of Otherness in Iranian Cinema
Authors: Nooshin Laudan
Published: November 2019

This article examines the role of music in exoticizing processes of representing and negotiating otherness in Iranian cinema, with reference to two main case examples. It explores the ways in which film narratives have been mobilized in the service of, or resistance to, differing visions of nationhood, in the context of which music facilitates an affective sonic marking of difference.
Social Involvement of Polish Immigrants in the U.S.: A Research Note
Authors: Fiń Anna , Nowak Witold , Nowosielski Michał
Published: November 2019

This article presents the results of the research on the social activity of Polish immigrants in the United States and their involvement in the activities of their community. The analysis is based on empirical data collected from an internet survey among Poles living in the United States and in selected European countries. Based on gathered empirical materials, the authors describe four main areas and contexts of the social activity of Polish immigrants in the United States: a) social participation of Polish immigrants (participation in social networks, cultural participation, as well as political participation); b) participation in nongovernmental organizations; c) participation in Polish immigrant organizations; d) opinions on Polish immigrant organizations’ functioning. The presented research note contains also the information about the crucial determinants of the immigrants’ social activity.
The Patron Saint of West Point: Tadeusz Kościuszko and His Academy Disciples
Authors: Bajdek Anthony J.
Published: November 2019

This paper examines the origin of the circumstances of Kościuszko’s having been held to be the patron saint of West Point, which concomitantly rendered him to be an exemplar of secular sainthood in the early American Republic. The American historian Douglas Southall Freeman (1886–1953), in his 1934 opus, “R. E. Lee: A Biography,” is credited for having identified Kościuszko as West Point’s patron saint at the time Lee matriculated as a plebe (i.e., freshman) in 1825. However, it had been the well-known storied life of Kościuszko in America as well as in Poland that particularly had attracted West Point’s fifth Superintendent, Sylvanus Thayer (1785–1872), on one hand, along concurrently with six Cadets, Lee included, that constituted, on the other hand, a student-based committee to select the best design for a monument to the memory of Kościuszko, who had been appointed by General George Washington to serve as the fortification engineer of West Point. The design selected had been submitted by John H. B. Latrobe of Maryland, a former Cadet, who resigned from the Academy in his senior year ranked first in his class, because his father had died leaving his family in poverty. When the Kościuszko Monument of West Point was dedicated on July 4, 1828, it became the world’s second-oldest national monument raised in honor of Kościuszko’s memory, second only to the Kopiec Kościuszki (Kościuszko Mound) of Kraków, Poland, that had been completed in 1823.
The New Ethnicity Movement and Polish Americans: Its Coming, Going, Significance, Consequences
Authors: Pienkos Donald E.
Published: November 2019

The New Ethnicity movement was one of the many social protest movements that arose in the conflicted 1960s and early 1970s in the U.S. Its leading advocates—Michael Novak, Geno Baroni, and Andrew Greeley—argued powerfully against the derogatory characterization of urban Americans of Polish, Italian, Greek, and East and Central European ancestry in connection with the burning issues of the day, most notably civil rights and the Vietnam War. They urged the Democratic Party to pay more attention to white ethnic Americans’ concerns, especially those involving the well-being of their neighborhood communities. And they called on all Americans to learn more about the cultures and traditions of the “new ethnics.” In its efforts, the movement met with little success. Indeed, by the early 1980s, many “new” or “white ethnic” American voters had transferred their support to Republican Party candidates. The response of Polish Americans to the movement is also discussed in this paper, with attention to their receptivity to the New Ethnicity’s rejection of the “melting-pot” idea of American society in favor of the “cultural pluralism” thesis. Cultural pluralism emphasizes ethnicity’s enduring significance in appreciating the diversity of American life. The author argues that this view continues to animate the activities of members of many Polish American organizations, including PAHA.†
The Effect of the Global Financial Crisis on the Profitability of Islamic Banks in UAE
Authors: Ibrahim Mukdad
Published: November 2019

This paper empirically analyzes the profitability of the four Islamic banks operating in the UAE during the financial period between 2004 and 2009 using three profitability indicators, return on total income, return on assets and return on equity. The researcher uses a variety of techniques, equality of means, coefficient of variation and Anova analysis to assess the effect of the financial crisis on the performance of the four specified banks. The findings show that although the financial crisis began in the 3rd quarter of 2007, its impact on the profitability of Islamic banks was most profound in 2008 and 2009 where there was a notable decline in all analyzed financial indicators. Moreover, the three indicators held a higher variability rate during the crisis years spanning 2008 to 2009 in stark contrast with the pre-crisis rates of the period spanning 2004 to 2007. Anova analysis across the four banks show significant differences between the mean of most indicators, suggesting varying performance under the adverse conditions present during the recession.
Academic Cheating and Characteristics of Accounting Students
Authors: Sayidah Nur , Hartati Sulis Janu , Muhajir Muhajir
Published: November 2019

This paper aims to examine the correlation between perceptions of incentives, pressures, and rationalizations in academic cheating with student characteristics. Researchers used the survey method by distributing questionnaires to accounting students in various public and private universities in Indonesia. The results of Pearson Correlation Bivariate analysis of 386 respondents' answers show that there was a significant negative relationship between student academic performance and length of study with the desire and rationalization of students to conduct academic cheating. There is a significant negative correlation between the length of worship and the rationalization of students to be dishonest. Results indicate further research can use regression analysis to examine the effect between the variables studied. Implications of this study are lecturers need to internalize the value of honesty in the learning process. College management needs to develop policies that give strict sanctions to students who cheat.
Awareness of antibiotics use among Omani patients
Authors: Alrahbi Hilal , Al-Alawi Amna , Al-Abri Nuha
Published: November 2019

Objective: Antibiotics are considered crucial in preventing and treating many infectious diseases. However, antibiotics use causes major side effects and consequences. Raising public awareness about proper use of antibiotics contributes to improving understanding and preventing irreversible consequences. The aim of this study was to measure the level of awareness of antibiotics use among Omani patients, and to assess the relationship between level of awareness of antibiotics use and selected demographic variables.Methods: A cross-sectional design using a questionnaire, with a convenience sample of 354 patients was employed for this study.Results: The findings of this study indicated that most of the participants (63%) reported poor levels of awareness of antibiotics use. The mean value of level of awareness was 19.3 and the standard deviation was 3. Participants ranked doctors as the most (27%) to receive education from. There were significant relationship between levels of antibiotics awareness and gender [rpb (352) = -.126, p < .05]; levels of antibiotics awareness and employment [rpb (352) = -.149, p < .01]; levels of antibiotics awareness across age groups [F (3, 350) = 2.308, p = .049]; and across levels of education [F (3, 350) = 3.268, p = .014].Conclusions: Such findings are crucial because they form the basis for establishing awareness programs about antibiotics use which should be made accessible to patients and their families.
Safety and Efficacy of a Novel Anterior Decompression Technique for Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament of the Cervical Spine
Authors: Lee Dong-Ho , Riew K. Daniel , Choi Sung Hoon , Im Soo Bin , Nam Woo Dong , Yoon Young Sik , Hong Chul Gie
Published: November 2019

Introduction:

Anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) for cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is associated with a high incidence of surgery-related complications. A novel anterior decompression technique (vertebral body sliding osteotomy [VBSO]) has been developed to prevent such complications. This study attests the efficacy and safety of VBSO versus those of standard ACCF.

Methods:

Patients requiring surgery for cervical OPLL underwent VBSO (24 patients) or ACCF (38 patients). Operating time, estimated blood loss, neurologic outcomes, complications, and various radiographic parameters were investigated.

Results:

The VBSO group showed a shorter mean operating time and less estimated blood loss versus the ACCF group. Sixteen patients in the ACCF group experienced various complications, namely neurologic deficit (two patients), cerebrospinal fluid leakage (four patients), graft migration (three patients), and pseudarthrosis (seven patients). In the VBSO group, only pseudarthrosis was reported (two patients).

Conclusions:

VBSO provides similar neurologic outcomes with a shorter operating time and less bleeding compared with ACCF. Surgeons do not need to directly manipulate the OPLL mass or dissect the interspace between the OPLL and dura mater. Therefore, this technique may decrease the incidence of surgery-related complications.

Study Design:

Retrospective comparative study.
Ecological Correlates of Preschooler Obesity: A Multilevel Study
Authors: Park Yunhee
Published: November 2019

BACKGROUND: The risk factors for preschooler obesity at various levels have been identified, but little is known about the organizational-level factors of environments in which preschoolers spend long periods of time.

METHODS: This study focused on factors at the organizational level and attempted multilevel modeling to appropriately estimate the effects with individual-level factors controlled. In 2013 and 2019, data from 295 and 112 preschoolers aged 2–5 years were collected, combined, and analyzed.

RESULTS: At the individual level, mother’s sedentary behavior was a significant factor, while at the organizational level, teacher’s sedentary behavior was a significant factor.

CONCLUSION: Focus should be placed on developing obesity risk reduction intervention for this population group. Although there no statistical significance was observed, there is a need to improve the organizational environment such as reducing screen time and shortening the duration of study-focused programs. Moreover, further investigation in a prospective study is required to determine the evidence of these proposed interventions.
Plot Size by the Variance Comparison Method for With ‘Gigante’ Cactus Pear
Authors: Guimarães Bruno V. C. , Donato Sérgio L. R. , Aspiazú Ignacio , Azevedo Alcinei M. , Carvalho Abner J. de
Published: November 2019

Appropriate plot size is recognized as a means of maximizing experimental accuracy and contributes to efficient treatment assessment. This study aimed to estimate the optimal plot size for experiments with ‘Gigante’ cactus pears using the comparison of variances method (CVM). A uniformity trial was conducted to assess plant height (PH), number of cladodes (NC), yield (Y), cladode area index (CAI), cladode length (CL), width (CW), thickness (CT) and cladode area (CA) in a cactus pear crop. A rectangular-shaped plot consisting of 10 rows of 50 plants each was used, totaling 500 plants, with 384 basic units (BU), corresponding to the study area. A hierarchical classification approach was adopted, simulating a split-plot design in which each plant was denominated a basic unit (BU), and considering the effects of blocks (B), plots (P)/B, subplots (S)/P/B, rows (R)/S/P/B and plants (Pln)/F/S/P/B. This resulted in five plots sizes, consisting of 1, 12, 24, 48 and 96 basic units. Plots with 12, 24, 48 and 96 BU were statistically equal for the variables Y, PH, NC, CAI, CL, CW and CT, with lower variances than the plot with 1 BU. As such, 4.8 m² with 12 basic units is the optimal experimental plot size for ‘Gigante’ cactus pears.
Comprehensive Perception Approach of Adoption: Experimenting Hybrid Chinese Maize Varieties in Benin
Authors: Dedehouanou Houinsou , Affokpon Antoine , Sikirou Rachidatou , Akissoe Noël , Yallou Chabi G. , Ahounou Jean-Louis , Akondé François-Xavier , Badou Antoine , Sagbohan Jacqueline
Published: November 2019

The probability of adoption of four Chinese Hybrid Varieties of maize is considered as a favorable perception for these varieties by actors. In order to understand the way of adoption, a panel of actors comprising producers, processors, traders, extension officers, local elected representatives and, above all, end-users, was used as enumerator to evaluate the behavior of those varieties in comparison to the reference maize varieties known as “local” in experiment plots during the vegetative, harvesting and processing phases. For each actor surveyed and for each introduced variety, the comparative index of appreciation (IA) was determined by the difference in perception scores with respect to each of the descriptors evaluated. The adoption of maize varieties within the sites surveyed was affected by the respondent’ social profile (title), the number of varieties already adopted by the respondent, respondent’s experience, age, educational background, membership to an association/organization and the site (research station). The estimation of adoption relative to probabilities (odds ratio) of each variety of maize from the binary logistic regression models revealed only one variety having more than one in two chances for being adopted. Unlike the adoption rate of maize varieties calculated after expensive dissemination efforts, the analysis of probabilities and determinants of adoption somewhat reduces research, pre-extension and extension efforts. The proposed approach allows for a flexible integration of research experiments and field extension concerns of the process of adoption by creating panels of stakeholders around research experiments on research stations.
Azolla Fern in Mwea Irrigation Scheme and Its Potential Nitrogen Contribution in Paddy Rice Production
Authors: Oyange Wilson A. , Chemining’wa George N. , Kanya James I. , Njiruh Paul N.
Published: November 2019

Azolla fern is invasive in Mwea Irrigation Scheme in Kenya and its management in paddy rice fields is a challenge to farmers. A survey was undertaken to establish farmers’ knowledge and potential nitrogen contribution by Azolla in the paddies. The Scheme was stratified into seven sections and a questionnaire administered to 250 farmers. Data were collected on awareness levels, source, trend of infestation, abundance, fertilizer regimes and management practices. Five farms from each of the sections were also sampled for Azolla coverage and tissue N levels analyzed. Survey data were analyzed using SPSS software and interpreted using descriptive statistics. Biomass sampling data were analyzed using SAS software and means separated using the least significant differences at P ≤ 0.05.

The results demonstrated that Azolla has infested nearly all the paddy farms in Mwea. Azolla invasion occurred more than 10 years ago and coverage per unit area was on a decline and stood at 25%. Water shortage and herbicide use were the main reasons associated with this trend. Azolla is conspicuously noticed at transplanting and weeding times. The presence of Azolla in Mwea is enhanced by widespread use of P and K fertilizers and continuous paddy cropping, thus providing a suitable environment for Azolla growth. Azolla was reported to enhance soil fertility, rice yield and yield components. The maximum Azolla biomass coverage was 14.92 t/ha, with a potential nitrogen contribution of 37.6 kg N/ha. Azolla is invasive in Mwea, widespread, beneficial to paddies and with a high potential N contribution.
The reciprocal complementary Wiener number of graphs
Authors: Nasiri Ramin
Published: November 2019

The reciprocal complementary Wiener number (RCW) of a connected graph G is defined as the sum ofweights frac{1}{D+1-d_G(x,y)} over all unordered vertex pairs in a graph G, where D is the diameter of Gand d_G(x,y) is the distance between vertices x and y. In this paper, we find new bounds for RCW ofgraphs, and study this invariant of two important types of graphs, named the Bar-Polyhex and theMycielskian graphs.
A Viscosity Iterative Algorithm Technique for Solving a General Equilibrium Problem System
Authors: Azhini Mahdi , Cheraghi Masoumeh , Sahebi Hamid reza
Published: November 2019

In the recent decade, a considerable number of Equilibrium problems havebeen solved successfully based on the iteration methods. In this paper, we suggest a viscosity iterative algorithm for nonexpansive semigroup in the framework  of Hilbert space. We  prove that, the sequence generated by this algorithm under the certain  conditions imposed on parameters  strongly convergence to a common solution of general equilibrium problem system. Results presented in this paper extend and unify the previously known  results announced by many other authors. Further, we give some numerical examples to justify our main results.
Desarrollo y cambios en las maneras de justificar matemáticamente de estudiantes cuando trabajan en un ambiente sociocultural
Authors: Bustos Rubilar Álvaro Sebastián , Zubieta Badillo Gonzalo
Published: November 2019

En este artículo reportamos cómo se promovió un acercamiento desde la fase preformal hacia la fase formal en la manera de justificar de estudiantes. Se implementó una actividad diseñada bajo los principios del método de enseñanza de aprendizaje colaborativo, debate científico y autorreflexión (ACODESA), con el fin de generar un ambiente sociocultural en la clase de matemáticas y así promover las interacciones sociales entre los estudiantes. Exponemos el caso de un alumno que cambió su manera de justificar tras intercambiar ideas y discutir con sus pares durante el análisis de las justificaciones construidas por cada uno de ellos.
Evaluar competencias en sostenibilidad en los grados y posgrados de educación: propuesta de un instrumento
Authors: Albareda Tiana Silvia , Azcárate Goded Pilar , Muñoz Rodríguez José Manuel , Valderrama Hernández Rocio , Ruiz Morales Jorge
Published: November 2019

Este estudio presenta una revisión de competencias genéricas en sostenibilidad (CS) en Educación Superior y proporciona una compilación de estas CS mediante una rúbrica que sirve como instrumento para evaluar el nivel de adquisición de las CS de los estudiantes universitarios en el campo de la educación. La rúbrica ha sido diseñada, analizada y contrastada por un grupo de investigadores de diferentes universidades vinculados al campo de la educación. Ha sido adaptada a los grados y posgrados de educación de ocho universidades y está estructurada en tres niveles de dominio en la adquisición de las competencias. Esta rúbrica puede ser un instrumento útil para la evaluación de la CS en los grados de educación del sistema universitario español.
Current Treatment Strategies in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma with a Treatment Algorithm
Authors: Sayan Mutlay , Eren Mehmet Fuat , Gupta Apar , Ohri Nisha , Kotek Ayse , Babalioglu Ibrahim , Kaplan Sedenay Oskeroglu , Duran Ozge , Derinalp Or Ozlem , Cukurcayir Funda , Kurtul Neslihan , Bicakci Beyhan Ceylaner , Kutuk Tugce , Senyurek Sukran , Turk Ali , Jabbour Salma K. , Atalar Banu
Published: November 2019

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is arare disease with apoor prognosis. The main therapeutic options for MPM include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy (RT). Although multimodality therapy has been reported to improve survival, not every medically operable patient is able to undergo all recommended therapy. With improvements in surgical techniques and systemic therapies, as well as advancements in RT, there has been apotential new paradigm in the management of this disease. In this review, we discuss the current literature on MPM management and propose afunctional treatment algorithm.
A Late Presentation of an Uncommon Congenital Vascular Anomaly
Authors: Srikanth Juvva , Das Abanti , Ish Pranav , Chakrabarti Shibdas , Gupta Nitesh
Published: November 2019

A 36-year-old male presented with complaints of dyspnea on exertion, cough and sputum for the last 2 years [...]