bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Morte e Sonhos nas Confissões de Thomas De Quincey
Authors: Barreira Leila , Farate Carlos , Vicente Henrique
Published: January 2021

Confissões de Um Opiómano Inglês é uma obra literária escrita por Thomas De Quincey, publicada em formato de livro no ano de 1822, sobre a experiência da dependência do ópio e a sua influência nos sonhos. Neste estudo, pretendeu-se explorar os relatos do autor à luz dos conceitos de pulsão de morte e compulsão de repetição de Freud e de alpha dream work de Bion.
Este trabalho divide-se em três segmentos: recolha dos dados biográficos do autor, através da obra em estudo e de outros trabalhos biográficos; exploração da narrativa confessional e a sua análise; interligação dos dados biográficos e de análise da obra com os aportes psicanalíticos referenciados.
Encontraram-se várias indicações, nas palavras do autor, de um funcionamento psíquico sob o domínio da pulsão de morte, em que a compulsão de repetição opera pelo reenactment da experiência traumática da perda originária. Pelo seu lado, a atividade onírica ficcional constitui uma tentativa mítica, secundariamente simbolizada em modo alpha dream work, de elaborar psiquicamente a experiência traumática passada e recorrente. Os sonhos parecem, de facto, reencenar o trauma originário de modo, por vezes, inovador e constituem, deste ponto de vista, uma tentativa intuitiva e ficcional de elaboração psíquica de elementos não mentalizados. Através da análise psicodinâmica de uma narrativa autobiográfica com quase duzentos anos, num certo sentido próxima da associação livre em setting analítico, foi possível explorar o funcionamento mental de uma personalidade, simultaneamente criativa e aditiva.
Pautas y tabla de notación interna
Authors: Málaga Luis F.
Published: January 2021

Aplicación simplificada de las tablas de notación interna elaboradas por Luis F. Málaga para satisfacer la necesidad de la Biblioteca Nacional del Perú en particular y de las bibliotecas peruanas e hispanoamericanas en general, publicadas en la edición N° 5 de Fenix.
Prontuario del Curso de Clasificación
Authors: Arbulú Vargas Ricardo
Published: January 2021

Continuación del Resumen de las lecciones dictadas en la Escuela Nacional de Bibliotecarios desde el año 1950 publicado en la edición de Fénix N° 9. Las notas en su mayoría corresponden al proceso de clasificación.
The development of rainfall retrievals from radar at Darwin
Authors: Jackson Robert , Collis Scott , Louf Valentin , Protat Alain , Wang Die , Giangrande Scott , Thompson Elizabeth J. , Dolan Brenda , Powell Scott W.
Published: January 2021

Abstract. The U.S. Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurement program Tropical Western Pacific site hosted a C-band polarization (CPOL) radar in Darwin, Australia. It provides 2 decades of tropical rainfall characteristics useful for validating global circulation models. Rainfall retrievals from radar assume characteristics about the droplet size distribution (DSD) that vary significantly. To minimize the uncertainty associated with DSD variability, new radar rainfall techniques use dual polarization and specific attenuation estimates. This study challenges the applicability of several specific attenuation and dual-polarization-based rainfall estimators in tropical settings using a 4-year archive of Darwin disdrometer datasets in conjunction with CPOL observations. This assessment is based on three metrics: statistical uncertainty estimates, principal component analysis (PCA), and comparisons of various retrievals from CPOL data. The PCA shows that the variability in R can be consistently attributed to reflectivity, but dependence on dual-polarization quantities was wavelength dependent for 1<R<10mmh-1. These rates primarily originate from stratiform clouds and weak convection (median drop diameters less than 1.5 mm). The dual-polarization specific differential phase and differential reflectivity increase in usefulness for rainfall estimators in times with R>10mmh-1. Rainfall estimates during these conditions primarily originate from deep convective clouds with median drop diameters greater than 1.5 mm. An uncertainty analysis and intercomparison with CPOL show that a Colorado State University blended technique for tropical oceans, with modified estimators developed from video disdrometer observations, is most appropriate for use in all cases, such as when 1<R<10mmh-1 (stratiform rain) and when R>10mmh-1 (deeper convective rain).
Calculating canopy stomatal conductance from eddy covariance measurements, in light of the energy budget closure problem
Authors: Wehr Richard , Saleska Scott R.
Published: January 2021

Abstract. Canopy stomatal conductance is commonly estimated from
eddy covariance measurements of the latent heat flux (LE) by inverting the
Penman–Monteith equation. That method ignores eddy covariance measurements
of the sensible heat flux (H) and instead calculates H implicitly as the
residual of all other terms in the site energy budget. Here we show that
canopy stomatal conductance is more accurately calculated from eddy covariance (EC)
measurements of both H and LE using the flux–gradient equations that define
conductance and underlie the Penman–Monteith equation, especially when the
site energy budget fails to close due to pervasive biases in the eddy fluxes
and/or the available energy. The flux–gradient formulation dispenses with
unnecessary assumptions, is conceptually simpler, and is as or more accurate
in all plausible scenarios. The inverted Penman–Monteith equation, on the
other hand, contributes substantial biases and erroneous spatial and
temporal patterns to canopy stomatal conductance, skewing its relationships
with drivers such as light and vapor pressure deficit.
CAMELS-AUS: Hydrometeorological time series and landscape
attributes for 222 catchments in Australia
Authors: Fowler Keirnan J. A. , Acharya Suwash Chandra , Addor Nans , Chou Chihchung , Peel Murray C.
Published: January 2021

Abstract. This paper presents the Australian edition of the Catchment Attributes and Meteorology for Large-sample Studies (CAMELS) series of datasets. CAMELS-AUS comprises data for 222 unregulated catchments, combining hydrometeorological timeseries (streamflow and 18 climatic variables) with 134 attributes related to geology, soil, topography, land cover, anthropogenic influence, and hydroclimatology. The CAMELS-AUS catchments have been monitored for decades (more than 85 % have streamflow records longer than 40 years) and are relatively free of large scale changes, such as significant changes in landuse. Rating curve uncertainty estimates are provided for most (75 %) of the catchments and multiple atmospheric datasets are included, offering insights into forcing uncertainty. This dataset, the first of its kind in Australia, allows users globally to freely access catchment data drawn from Australia's unique hydroclimatology, particularly notable for its large interannual variability. Combined with arid catchment data from the CAMELS datasets for the USA and Chile, CAMELS-AUS constitutes an unprecedented resource for the study of arid-zone hydrology. CAMELS-AUS is freely downloadable from https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.921850 (Fowler et al., 2020a).
Comprehensive evaluation of satellite-based and reanalysis soil
moisture products using in situ observations over China
Authors: Ling Xiaolu , Huang Ying , Guo Weidong , Wang Yixin , Chen Chaorong , Peng Jian
Published: January 2021

Abstract. Soil moisture (SM) plays a critical role in the water and energy cycles of the earth system; consequently, a long-term SM product with high quality is urgently needed. In this study, five SM products, including one microwave remote sensing product [European Space Agency's Climate Change Initiative (ESA CCI)] and four reanalysis datasets [European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Re-Analysis-Interim (ERAI), National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP), the Twentieth Century Reanalysis Project from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts Reanalysis 5 (ERA5)], are systematically evaluated using in situ measurements during 1981–2013 in four climate regions at different timescales over mainland China. The results show that ESA CCI is closest to the observations in terms of both the spatial distributions and magnitude of the monthly SM. All reanalysis products tend to overestimate soil moisture in all regions but have higher correlations than the remote sensing product except in Northwest China. The largest inconsistency is found in southern Northeast China, with a relative RMSE value larger than 0.1. However, none of the products can well reproduce the trends of interannual anomalies. The largest relative bias of 44.6 % is found for the ERAI SM product under severe drought conditions, and the lowest relative biases of 4.7 % and 9.5 % are found for the ESA CCI SM product under severe drought conditions and the NCEP SM product under normal conditions, respectively. As decomposing mean square errors in all the products suggests that the bias terms are the dominant contribution, the ESA CCI SM product is a good option for long-term hydrometeorological applications in mainland China. ERA5 is also a promising product, which is attributed to the incorporation of more observations. This long-term intercomparison study provides clues for SM product enhancement and further hydrological applications.
Large-scale changes of the semidiurnal tide along North Atlantic coasts from 1846 to 2018
Authors: Pineau-Guillou Lucia , Lazure Pascal , Wöppelmann Guy
Published: January 2021

Abstract. We investigated the long-term changes of the principal tidal component M2 along North Atlantic coasts, from 1846 to 2018. We analysed 18 tide gauges with time series starting no later than 1940. The longest is Brest with 165 years of observations. We carefully processed the data, particularly to remove the 18.6-year nodal modulation. We found that M2 variations are consistent at all the stations in the North-East Atlantic (Cuxhaven, Delfzijl, Hoek van Holland, Newlyn, Brest), whereas some discrepancies appear in the North-West Atlantic. The changes started long before the 20th century and are not linear. The secular trends in M2 amplitude vary from one station to another; most of them are positive, up to 2.5 mm/yr at Wilmington since 1910. Since 1990, the trends switch from positive to negative values in the North-East Atlantic. Concerning the possible causes of the observed changes, the similarity between the North Atlantic Oscillation and M2 variations in the North-East Atlantic suggests a possible influence of the large-scale atmospheric circulation on the tide. Our statistical analysis confirms large correlations at all the stations in the North-East Atlantic. We discuss a possible underlying mechanism. A different spatial distribution of mean sea level (corresponding to water depth) from one year to another, depending on the low-frequency sea-level pressure patterns, could impact the propagation of the tide in the North Atlantic basin. However, the hypothesis is at present unproven.
Nutrient limitations regulate soil greenhouse gas fluxes from
tropical forests: evidence from an ecosystem-scale nutrient
manipulation experiment in Uganda
Authors: Tamale Joseph , Hüppi Roman , Griepentrog Marco , Turyagyenda Laban Frank , Barthel Matti , Doetterl Sebastian , Fiener Peter , van Straaten Oliver
Published: January 2021

Abstract. Tropical forests contribute significantly to the emission and uptake of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O). However, studies on the soil environmental controls of greenhouse gases (GHGs) from African tropical forest ecosystems are still rare. The aim of this study was to disentangle the regulation effect of soil nutrients on soil GHG fluxes in a tropical forest in northwestern Uganda. Therefore, a large-scale nutrient manipulation experiment (NME) based on 40 m × 40 m plots with different nutrient addition treatments (nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), N + P, and control) was established. Soil CO2, CH4, and N2O fluxes were measured monthly using permanently installed static chambers for 14 months. Total soil CO2 fluxes were partitioned into autotrophic and heterotrophic components through a root trenching treatment. In addition, soil temperature, soil water content, and mineral N were measured in parallel to GHG fluxes. N addition (N, N + P) resulted in significantly higher N2O fluxes in the transitory phase (0–28 days after fertilization, p
An improved sea ice detection algorithm using MODIS: application
as a new European sea ice extent indicator
Authors: Parera-Portell Joan A. , Ubach Raquel , Gignac Charles
Published: January 2021

Abstract. The continued loss of sea ice in the Northern Hemisphere due to global warming poses a threat on biota and human activities, evidencing the necessity of efficient sea ice monitoring tools. Aiming at the creation of an improved European sea ice extent indicator, the IceMap250 algorithm has been reworked to generate improved sea ice extent maps at 500 m resolution at nadir. Changes in the classification approach and a new method to correct artefacts arising from the MODIS cloud mask allow the enlargement of the mapped area, the reduction of potential error sources and a qualitative improvement of the resulting maps, while systematically achieving accuracies above 90 %. Monthly sea ice extent maps have been derived using a new synthesis method which acts as an additional error filter. Our results, covering the months of maximum (March) and minimum (September) sea ice extent during two decades (from 2000 to 2019), are a proof of the algorithm's applicability as an indicator, illustrating the sea ice decline in the European regional seas. We observed no significant trends in the Baltic (−2.75 ± 2.05 × 103 km2 yr−1) although, on the contrary, the European Arctic seas display clear negative trends both in March (−27.98 ± 6.01 × 103 km2 yr−1) and September (−16.47 ± 5.66 × 103 km2 yr−1). Such trends indicate that the sea ice cover in March and September is shrinking at a rate of ∼9 % and ∼13 % per decade, respectively, even though the sea ice extent loss is comparatively ∼70 % greater in March. Therefore, according to the trends and without taking into account the variability of the sea ice cover, the loss of sea ice extent over two decades in the study area would be comparable to the area of continental France in the case of the March maximum, and to that of Finland in the case of the September minimum.
Social media surveillance, LGBTQ refugees and asylum
Authors: Andreassen Rikke
Published: January 2021

In recent years, social media content has played an increasingly significant role in the legal processing of asylum claims in Europe. This article investigates the role of such content in Danish asylum cases by examining verdicts from the years 2015–2019. In particular, it examines cases relating to LGBTQ refugees (i.e., asylum seekers who claim asylum on the basis of sexual orientation and/or gender identity) and how their credibility — and thus their ability to obtain asylum — is determined, in part, by their social media profiles. The article shows how posts and comments on social media platforms are used to prove (or disconfirm) LGBTQ identity, and how migration authorities expect refugees’ online behaviour to align with their expectations of ‘genuine’ LGBTQ persons. Finally, the article argues that the current use of biometric digital data traces to identify refugees, govern borders and manage migration has been intensified by the application of social media content in asylum proceedings.
Effects of social media motivations on women’s psychological well-being in Pakistan
Authors: Aksar Iffat Ali , Danaee Mahmoud , Maqsood Huma , Firdaus Amira
Published: January 2021

Social media use has been increasing apace regardless of geographical and economic boundaries. In particular, its penetration has occurred more rapidly in developing and low-income countries with abounding health and psychological disadvantages. Given the understanding that women are more prone to psychological disorders than men, the current research is an effort to examine social media motives and subsequent effects on the psychological well-being of women social media users in Pakistan. The study is based on an online survey conducted to ascertain as to what extent social media use contributes to women’s psychological well-being or otherwise. The survey recorded responses of 240 women selected through purposive sampling technique. SEM-PLS analysis of the collected data revealed that social media usage plays a meaningful role in women’s psychological health. However, results exposed that Pakistani women, under the traditional patriarchal social pressure, not only have to observe cultural norms in online practices but are also forced to adhere to socially constructed gender roles in online spaces. The mixed results suggest conducting extensive research for a deeper insight into the role of social media in psychological well-being of women in other low-income countries.
Shades of hatred online: 4chan duplicate circulation surge during hybrid media events
Authors: Zelenkauskaite Asta , Toivanen Pihla , Huhtamäki Jukka , Valaskivi Katja 
Published: January 2021

The 4chan /pol/ platform is a controversial online space on which a surge in hate speech has been observed. While recent research indicates that events may lead to more hate speech, empirical evidence on the phenomenon remains limited. This study analyzes 4chan /pol/ user activity during the mass shootings in Christchurch and Pittsburgh and compares the frequency and nature of user activity prior to these events. We find not only a surge in the use of hate speech and anti-Semitism but also increased circulation of duplicate messages, links, and images and an overall increase in messages from users who self-identify as “white supremacist” or “fascist” primarily voiced from English-speaking IP-based locations: the U.S., Canada, Australia, and Great Britain. Finally, we show how these hybrid media events share the arena with other prominent events involving different agendas, such as the U.S. midterm elections. The significant increase in duplicates during the hybrid media events in this study is interpreted beyond their memetic logic. This increase can be interpreted through what we refer to as activism of hate. Our findings indicate that there is either a group of dedicated users who are compelled to support the causes for which shooting took place and/or that users use automated means to achieve duplication.
A Novel Mobile Acoustic Uroflowmetry: Comparison With Contemporary Uroflowmetry
Authors: Lee Young Ju , Kim Michelle M. , Song Sang Hun , Lee Sangchul
Published: January 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy and reliability of a new smartphone-based acoustic uroflowmetry compared to conventional uroflowmetry.Methods: This was a prospective validation study enrolling 128 subjects from September 2017 to April 2018 comparing a novel acoustic uroflowmetry to conventional uroflowmetry in an outpatient urologic clinic at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital. Visual comparison of flow patterns and uroflow parameters such as maximum flow rate (Qmax), average flow rate (Qavg), and voided volume were compared between the 2 techniques. Reliability and accuracy of the uroflowmetry results were compared using Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC) and Student t-test, respectively.Results: One hundred twelve participants were included in the study. Of these, 77 had baseline urologic comorbidities while 35 were normal participants. Flow patterns between the 2 uroflowmetry techniques demonstrated strong visual correlation. When compared to conventional uroflowmetry, all 3 parameters of voiding in male participants showed a very robust correlation with PCC of 0.88, 0.91, and 0.95 for Qmax, Qavg, and voided volume, respectively. Among female participants, we observed a PCC of 0.78, 0.93, and 0.96 for Qmax, Qavg, and voided volume, respectively. The Qmax showed a statistically significant difference in both sexes between the 2 methods, although the absolute value was small.Conclusions: Uroflowmetry using acoustic analysis demonstrates comparable findings to conventional uroflowmetry. This provides an opportunity to perform uroflowmetry in the clinic or at home in a reliable, inexpensive manner. Future large-scale prospective studies are required to further validate our results.
The Effectiveness of the Amount of Polymethylmethacrylate In The Treatment of Osteoporotic Compression Fracture of The Lumbar Vertebrae
Authors: Yüksel Mehmet Onur , Çevik Serdar , Erdoğan Barış , Katar Salim , Tunçkale Tamer , Çalışkan Tezcan , Ervan Şevket
Published: January 2021

Objective: We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the amount of polymethylmethacrylate used in pain control and maintenance of long-term vertebra corpus height in patients undergoing percutaneous vertebroplasty due to osteoporotic compression fracture of the lumbar vertebra. Method: A total of 60 patients who underwent unilateral percutaneous vertebroplasty between 2014 and 2019 due to osteoporotic compression fracture of the lumbar vertebrae were included in the study. Patients who received 5 ml and 3 ml cement injection were retrospectively analyzed. Of patients, postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score and anterior vertebral height of the patients at 1st-year control were evaluated. Results: In the postoperative period, the mean visual analogue scale score was 2.3±0.46 in the 5 ml injected group and 2.2±0.4 in the 3 ml injected group (p5 ml=0.001, p3 ml= 0.001). There was a statistically significant decline in pain control in both groups. The mean anterior vertebral height loss (AVHL) in the 5 ml injected group was 31.5±0.40%, and 32.6±0.47% in the 3 ml injected group (p5 ml=0.820, p3ml= 0.870). There was no statistically significant alteration in both groups. Conclusion: Our results indicate that the 3 ml polymethylmethacrylate injection during the percutaneous vertebroplasty procedure provides adequate pain control and stabilization in patients with lumbar vertebral osteoporotic fracture. Therefore we think that small amount of polymethylmethacrylate (3 ml) is sufficient to avoid undesirable complications in this patient group.
New validated Eucalyptus SSR markers located in candidate genes involved in growth and plant development
Authors: Acuña Cintia Vanesa , Rivas Juan Gabriel , Aguirre Natalia Cristina , Villalba Pamela Victoria , Martínez María Carolina , García Martín Nahuel , Hopp Horacio Esteban , Marcucci-Poltri Susana Noemí
Published: January 2021

Aim of study: To validate and characterize new microsatellites or Simple Sequence Repeats (SSR) markers, located within genomic transcribed sequences related to growth and plant developmental traits, in Eucalyptus species.Area of study: Eucalyptus species from different Australian origins planted in Argentina.Materials and methods: In total, 134 SSR in 129 candidate genes (CG-SSR) involved in plant development were selected and physically mapped to the E. grandis reference genome by bioinformatic tools. Experimental validation and polymorphism analysis were performed on 48 individuals from E. grandis and interspecific hybrids (E. grandis x E. camaldulensis; E. grandis x E. tereticornis), E. globulus, E. maidenii, E. dunnii and E. benthamii.Main results: 131 out of 134 CG-SSR were mapped on the 11 chromosomes of E. grandis reference genome. Most of the 134 analyzed SSR (> 75%) were positively amplified and 39 were polymorphic in at least one species. A search of annotated genes within a 25 kbp up and downstream region of each SSR location retrieved 773 genes of interest.Research highlights: The new validated and characterized CG-SSR are potentially suitable for comparative QTL mapping, molecular marker-assisted breeding (MAB) and population genetic studies across different species within Symphyomyrtus subgenus.Keywords: CG-SSR; cross-transferability; EST; eucalypts; microsatellite.
The Practice of Cross-Grading in Assessing Writing: The Case of EFL Teachers and Students in a Saudi Arabian Context
Authors: Alshakhi Abdullah
Published: January 2021

This qualitatively based research study utilized a combination of multiple methods, which aimed at investigating the efficacy and reliability of employing cross-grading when assessing English as a Foreign Language (EFL) tertiary level learners’ writing. It further explored the perceptions of the EFL teachers and learners regarding the cross-grading practices to provide a clearer understanding of this relatively unexplored line of research enquiry. It was set to answer the following research question: In what ways does cross-grading practice contribute to assessing EFL writing? The participants of this study were conveniently selected where the sample included four language instructors from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds, as well as four Saudi EFL learners. Semi-structured interviews were individually conducted with all eight participants. In addition, four one-on-one feedback sessions between language instructors and learners were observed to assess feedback effectiveness after the cross-grading sessions. The data analysis revealed that instructors had difficulty explaining the feedback on their learners’ papers since they did not grade their students’ papers themselves. Furthermore, students felt they did not benefit from the feedback sessions because they could not fully understand the external grader’s markings and, thus inhibiting the learner’s ability to improve and develop their writing. The study concluded with some pedagogical implications for the EFL writing assessment context.
De duistere wereld van hondengevechten
Authors: van Wijk Anton , Endenburg Nienke , van Uhm Daan , Siegel Dina
Published: January 2021

The dark world of dogfighting

Organizing dog fights is prohibited in the Netherlands. In such fights, two dogs have to fight each other, sometimes to the death. The animal suffering behind this is enormous. Little is known in the Netherlands about the phenomenon of dog fighting, both from a scientific point of view and through criminal cases. In this contribution, we outline the world behind dog fights by describing how dog fights work, who are part of the entourage and within which criminal infrastructure the dog fights take place. Finally, the problem is discussed and the current approach by the appropriate authorities is discussed and which gaps can be discovered.
Over mensen, dieren en beesten
Authors: Janssen Janine , Kolthoff Emile
Published: January 2021

About humans, animals and beasts. The use of metaphors in the debate on racism

Racism is related to the process of ‘othering’. Individual people or groups can be described as ‘other’ by depicting them as ‘beasts’. In another form of othering accusations of maltreatment of other than human animals play an important role: awful people abuse innocent animals. Next to that concepts like ‘genocide’ and ‘slavery’ are nowadays used in order to describe the way humans treat other animals. All of this influences the debate on racism.
Homoseksuele leraar op een orthodox-protestantse school?
Authors: Rijke Niels
Published: January 2021

Homosexual teacher at an orthodox Protestant school in The Netherlands?

Whether homosexual teachers can work at an orthodox Protestant school in The Netherlands is regularly subject of societal debate. The Equal Treatment Law (1994) prohibits discrimination on the ground of homosexual orientation. How this works out in practice differs per denomination (type of school) and shifts over time in the direction of increasing acceptance. Within orthodox Protestant schools room is increasing to come out of the closet. Within certain schools there is increasing room for homosexual relationships, although opinions within these schools often differ and hence may also lead to conflict.
Huwelijkse gevangenschap onder Nederlands-Pakistaanse moslims
Authors: Wapstra Diewertje
Published: January 2021

Marital captivity among Dutch-Pakistani Muslims An analysis of religious and socio-cultural factors

While the legal path to ending marital captivity has been cleared, socio-cultural obstacles continue to prevent victims from going to court. This article focuses on the religious and socio-cultural elements within the Dutch-Pakistani community that promote the continued existence of marital captivity, thereby zooming in on the importance of the nikah, the prevalence of (transnational) arranged marriages, and the concept of family honor.
Effects on Vital Signs after Twenty Minutes of Vaping Compared to People Exposed to Second-Hand Vapor
Authors: McClelland Molly , Sesoko Channing S. , MacDonald Douglas A. , Davis Louis M.
Published: January 2021

Introduction: Very little is known about the immediate physiological implications of vaping or inhaling second-hand vapor. This study used a quantitative approach to understand the short-term physiological implications of vape use and exposure to sec-ond-hand vapor for people who do not vape. Material and methods: One hundred and forty-eight people participated in the study, 75 self-identified as non-vapers and 73 self-identified as people who vape. All participants were over the age of 18. Participants used or were exposed to non-flavored e-juice without nicotine in Sorin® vape devices. Heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, blood oxygenation, blood glucose and pulmonary function tests were assessed. Physiological parameters were assessed prior to vape use or exposure to vapor and again after 20 minutes of vaping. Results: Findings indicated there were no significant changes in most health parameters except blood pressure which was reduced in both groups. Heart rate was also significantly reduced for vaping participants. Conclusion: Vaping without flavorings or nicotine do not appear to have an immediate negative health impact on vital signs. The physiological effects of long-term exposure and/or vape use requires additional investigation. Information was established regarding the physiological effects of non-flavored, non-nicotine vaping so future studies can compare the effects of vaping with assorted flavors and nicotine concentrations to the effects of vaping only the base ingredients (vegetable glycerin and propylene glycol). New knowledge was gleaned relating to exposure to vapor, a phenomenon not previously examined but common espe-cially among non-vaping people who attend social events where people are vaping.
Uncontrolled Asthma in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Tadesse Degena , Negash Melaku , Ayele Ebud , Hailay Abrha , Kiros Kbrom Gemechu , Haile Teklehaimanot Gereziher , Abay Mebrahtu , Demoz Gebre Teklemariam
Published: January 2021

Introduction: Despite significant improvement in the diagnosis and management of this disorder, asthma in the majority of Ethiopians remains poorly controlled. Although the prevalence of uncontrolled asthma is a public health problem in Ethiopia, its reported prevalence varies from study to study. Hence, this review aims to determine the true prevalence of uncontrolled asthma among asthmatic patients in Ethiopia. Material and methods: Different database searching engines were used including PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Africa journal online, World Health Organization (WHO) afro library, and Cochrane review. They were systematically searched for published studies on uncontrolled asthma in Ethiopia from 2014 to 2019. Primary search terms were “asthma”, “uncontrolled asthma”, “uncontrolled wheezing”, and “Ethiopia”. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) Guidelines was followed. Publication bias was examined by the funnel plot. The random-effect model was fitted to estimate the pooled prevalence of uncontrolled asthma among asthmatic patients. All statistical analysis was done using R version 3.5.3 and the RStudio version 1.2.5033 software for Windows. Results: The overall pooled prevalence of uncontrolled asthma was found to be 71.67% [95% CI (0.6772; 0.7562)]. Potential associated factors were: unscheduled visits, frequency of short-acting beta2-agonist (SABA) use, type of treatment and perceived rate of asthma control, low monthly income, age group, presence of comorbidity, moderate persistent asthma, severe persistent asthma and use of SABA alone as anti-asthmatic medication, use of biomass fuel for cooking, longer duration of asthma (> 30 years), incorrect inhalation technique, and asthma exacerbation in the last 12 months. Self-perceived poor asthma control was associated with any activity limitation due to asthma, inconsistent inhaled corticosteroid use, and lack of health education on metered-dose inhaler technique [AOR =4.96; 95% CI (1.08–22.89)]. Conclusions: Nearly two-thirds of patients were determined to have uncontrolled asthma. Thus, this evidence suggests that attention should be given to asthma patients and health care providers.
Spirometry during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic. Guideliness and Practical Advice from the Expert Panel of Respiratory Physiopathology Assembly of Polish Respiratory Society
Authors: Franczuk Monika , Przybyłowski Tadeusz , Czajkowska-Malinowska Małgorzata , Radliński Jakub , Bochenek Grażyna , Wesołowski Stefan , Śliwiński Paweł
Published: January 2021

This guidance provides advice to healthcare workers on the use of spirometry during the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak [...]
SARS-CoV-2 Lung Disease in a Patient with Pulmonary Sarcoidosis—Case Report
Authors: Opoka Lucyna , Wyrostkiewicz Dorota , Winek Jolanta , Błasińska Katarzyna , Miłkowska-Dymanowska Joanna , Szturmowicz Monika
Published: January 2021

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the recently identified cause of the current pandemic. In patients with chronic respiratory lung diseases, SARS-CoV-2 may result in significant morbidity and increased mortality. We present a case of a 69-year-old male with stage II pulmonary sarcoidosis who had been under observation for 30 months without immunosuppressive treatment. He then developed severe SARS-CoV-2 disease with typical radiological and laboratory findings. Therapy with oxygen, antibiotics, low-molecular-weight heparin in a prophylactic dose, and dexamethasone resulted in marked clinical improvement. We will discuss the rationale for corticosteroid use in both SARS-CoV-2 disease and in SARS-CoV-2 disease that is complicating comorbid sarcoidosis.
Developed jet-centrifugal spray devices:
experimental testing to establish the
possibility of their application in plants
spraying technologies
Authors: Vambol S. , Khan N.A. , Khan A.H. , Kiriyenko M. , Borysova L. , Taraduda D. , Zakora A. , Bilotserkivska N.
Published: January 2021

Purpose: Experimentally substantiate the possibility of using the developed jet-centrifugal
spraying device in plants spraying technologies.
Design/methodology/approach: Many years of experience in creating spraying devices for
solving practical problems in various industries made it possible to propose a design diagram
of a single-phase jet-centrifugal spraying device. The tests were aimed at achieving device
characteristics that are acceptable for use in plants spraying technologies such as jet coverage
distance, droplet size and droplet deposition area (spray diameter). For this a several tests
series with different design parameters was done. Before testing, the tightness of the device
body was checked (the holding time under a pressure of 1 MPa is not less than 2 minutes).
Findings: Based on the obtained jet coverage distance, droplet size and droplet deposition
area, the developed spray device of some modifications can be used in plants spraying
technologies. However, it is necessary to determine the quality of the spray device according
to the BCPC classification; the device should be tested with some insecticides, fungicides
and in plants spraying technologies to develop recommendations for their use.
Research limitations/implications: The influence of design features of developed jetcentrifugal
spray device on the jet coverage distance, droplet size and droplet deposition
area was studied.
Practical implications: The results obtained are useful in the field of improving national
plants spraying technologies in order to improve the quality of the plant protection agent
application and reduce the loss of the drug into the environment.
Originality/value: To ensure maximum efficiency the proposed design of the jetcentrifugal
spray device can be upgraded directly by the farmer by installing interchangeable
nozzles that are attached with a union nut. Replaceable nozzles have different diameters
and modifications and can be selected depending on the required jet coverage distance and
spraying dispersion according to the current environmental conditions.
Effects of dietary hatchery by-products on growth performance, relative organ weight, plasma measurements, immune organ index, meat quality, and tibia characteristics of broiler chickens
Authors: Choi Won Jun , Kim Jong Hyuk , Han Gi Ppeum , Kwon Chan Ho , Kil Dong Yong
Published: January 2021

Objective: The objective of the current study was to investigate the effects of dietary hatchery by-products (HBPs) as a replacement of fish meal (FM) on growth performance, relative organ weight, plasma measurements, immune organ index, meat quality, and tibia characteristics of broiler chickens. Methods: A total of 720 broiler chickens (3 d of age) were randomly allotted to 1 of 9 treatments with 8 replicates. Each replicate consisted of 5 male and 5 female birds. The basal diet was formulated to contain 5.0% commercial FM, whereas eight treatment diets were prepared by replacing 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100% of FM in the basal diet with infertile eggs (IFE) or a mixture of various HBPs (MIX); therefore, the inclusion levels of IFE or MIX in the experimental diets were 1.25%, 2.50%, 3.75%, or 5.00%. The diets and water were provided on an ad libitum basis for 32 d. Results: Increasing inclusion levels of IFE as a replacement of FM in diets had no effects on growth performance, plasma measurements, immune organ index, and tibia characteristics of broiler chickens. Increasing inclusion levels of IFE in diets increased (linear, p<0.05) meat lightness (L*) but decreased (linear, p<0.05) meat redness (a*). The breast meat pH at 1-h postmortem was increased (linear, p<0.05) by increasing inclusion levels of IFE in diets. Likewise, increasing inclusion levels of MIX in diets had no effects on growth performance, relative organ weight, plasma measurements, immune organ index, and tibia characteristics. However, increasing inclusion levels of MIX in diets increased (linear, p<0.05) 1-h postmortem pH but decreased (linear, p<0.05) 24-h postmortem pH of breast meat. Increasing inclusion levels of MIX in diets decreased (linear, p<0.05) thiobarbituric acid reactive substances values of breast meat. Conclusion: Both IFE and MIX are suitable alternatives to FM as protein ingredients in broiler diets.
Analytic and Numerical Results of Bending Deflection of Rectangular Composite Plate
Authors: S. Yousuf Louay
Published: January 2021

In this chapter, the derivation of analytic formulation of bending deflection has been done using the theory of classical laminate plate. The method of Navier and Levy solutions are used in the calculation. The composite laminate plate is exposed to out-off plane temperatures and combined loading. The temperature gradient of thermal shock is varied between 60C∘ and −15C∘. The combined loading are the bending moment (Mo) in the y-direction and in-plane force (Nxx) in the x-direction. The in-plane force (Nxx) has a great effect on the bending deflection value within a 95.842%, but the bending moment (Mo) has a small effect on the bending deflection value in the rate of 4.101%. The results are compared and verified for central normal deflection.
Digital Transformation of World Finance
Authors: Saxunova Darina , Liesl Le Roux Corlise
Published: January 2021

The boundary between the physical and a virtual world is not clearly visible nowadays, the 4.0 industry utilizes artificial intelligence, distributed ledger technology, quantum computing, advanced visualization and other advanced technologies. The surge of capital flows in financial technology is visible wherever we look. Classical businesses face a challenge to connect and create partners with the companies that are technology savvy because this may impact their future success. The strategy for digital business must be thought over very thoroughly since it represents the success threshold in contemporary digital environment. The classic banking system faces the threat or opportunity of an open banking system and banks are forced to be prepared to offer next generation services benefiting from third party channels. The short history on the banking industry including digital banking along, with fintech as a financial institution showing its power to compete sophistically, will shift the studied digital transformation phenomenon into a dilemma whether we indeed face a cashless society challenge, whether the governments should start to accelerate their decisions on Central Bank Digitalized Currency – CBDC or how far several countries already are to become a cashless society. At last, potential security, trust and fraud issues will close this chapter.
Current State-of-the-Art of Clustering Methods for Gene Expression Data with RNA-Seq
Authors: Jamail Ismail , Moussa Ahmed
Published: January 2021

Latest developments in high-throughput cDNA sequencing (RNA-seq) have revolutionized gene expression profiling. This analysis aims to compare the expression levels of multiple genes between two or more samples, under specific circumstances or in a specific cell to give a global picture of cellular function. Thanks to these advances, gene expression data are being generated in large throughput. One of the primary data analysis tasks for gene expression studies involves data-mining techniques such as clustering and classification. Clustering, which is an unsupervised learning technique, has been widely used as a computational tool to facilitate our understanding of gene functions and regulations involved in a biological process. Cluster analysis aims to group the large number of genes present in a sample of gene expression profile data, such that similar or related genes are in same clusters, and different or unrelated genes are in distinct ones. Classification on the other hand can be used for grouping samples based on their expression profile. There are many clustering and classification algorithms that can be applied in gene expression experiments, the most widely used are hierarchical clustering, k-means clustering and model-based clustering that depend on a model to sort out the number of clusters. Depending on the data structure, a fitting clustering method must be used. In this chapter, we present a state of art of clustering algorithms and statistical approaches for grouping similar gene expression profiles that can be applied to RNA-seq data analysis and software tools dedicated to these methods. In addition, we discuss challenges in cluster analysis, and compare the performance of height commonly used clustering methods on four different public datasets from recount2.
The Impact of the Multidisciplinary Team on the Management of Prosthetic Joint Infection in Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery
Authors: A. Sandiford Nemandra , Wronka Konrad
Published: January 2021

Periprosthetic Joint Infection (PJI) is a devastating complication of the Total Joint Arthroplasty (TJA). It presents a great challenge for the clinician to diagnose and manage it appropriately, with significant morbidity for the patients and cost for health care providers. The purpose of this study is to review and examine the role of multi-disciplinary team (MDT) approach in diagnosis and management of prosthetic joint infection (PJI) and how this approach can influence outcomes. All published literature examining the role of multidisciplinary care in the management of PJI and the influence of this approach to the management and outcomes of patients with this diagnosis were included. Studies published in languages other than English were excluded. There is a paucity of data on the influence of multidisciplinary care on outcomes of the management of PJI. Evidence suggests that the MDT has important role in ensuring all factors in the management of this complex group are considered and best possible care is delivered. Multicentre randomised clinical trials are required to assess the influence of MDT’S on outcome as well as important questions around the structuring of these teams.
Environmental Evaluation of Surfactant: Case Study in Sediment of Tigris River, Iraq
Authors: R. Al-Ani Rana , M. Hassan Fikrat , Hameed M. Jawad Al-Obaidy Abdul
Published: January 2021

Many chemical pollutants take their way into different environment ecosystems. One of these pollutants is detergent, which these compounds used widely worldwide. There is less attention to their impact on the Iraqi environment, especially on an aquatic system; most of these compounds discharged into the river directly by non-urban communities, in addition to household uses that it had spent throughout the domestic drainage systems. Tigris river is the primary source of water in Baghdad City, Iraq, and passes throughout Baghdad city north to south of the city. This chapter deal with the qualitative and quantitative of these compounds in the sediment as it’s considered the sink of most pollutant compounds. The four sampling sites were chosen along the river for 13 months, starting from Feb 2017 to Feb 2018 and represent as dry and wet seasons. Physicochemical parameters had measured during this study. For the sediment sample, two methods used Photolab and HPLC. The two types of surfactants were extracted from the sediment as follows anionic and nonionic surfactants which they had found at all the study sites, especially in some locations in the midstream. For temporal variation, the dry seasons noticed a high concentration for nonionic surfactant (56.19 and 467.3 μg/g) by Photolab and HPLC, respectively, and for anionic surfactant (135.74 μg/g) by HPLC. In contrast, by Photolab, only anionic surfactant was recorded a high concentration in wet seasons (72.05 μg/g). The lowest frequency of anionic and nonionic was recorded in wet seasons by Photolab and HPLC, respectively (41.83 μg/g and not detectable) unless for NS by HPLC in the dry season (10.80 μg/g). For spatial variation which according to the cluster diagram, the highest concentration for anionic and nonionic surfactants by Photolab had recorded (57.88 and 34.32 μg/g, respectively) at site1, while for HPLC anionic and nonionic surfactants was recorded highest values (48.37 and 235.79, respectively) at site 4. From this study concluded that sites 1 and 4 are the most pollutant than other sites because the activity of discharge of pollution.