bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Agricultural production in Poland and agri-food exports
Authors: Strojny Jacek
Published: April 2020

The research is aiming at the identification of the dynamic causality between agricultural production in Poland and exports of agri-food goods. Identification of the magnitude and direction of these variables may be used for economic policy forming. The study covers the period of 1991—2013 and is based on the data from the FAO; the research employs the vector autoregression methodology (VAR). The study comprises, among others, the analysis of the impulse response function and variance decomposition of forecasts’ errors of VAR model variables.
The results of the research show that agricultural production in Poland is shaped by both own and exports delays. On the other hand, agri-food exports are mainly influenced by their own development trends. This means that, in the VAR model, exports should be seen as a priority ('more exogenous').
Diversity of quality of life of inhabitants in rural gminas in Świętokrzyskie voivodship
Authors: Nowak Paulina
Published: April 2020

The aim of this article is to diagnose and evaluate selected aspects of the objective quality of life in rural gminas of Świętokrzyskie voivodship. An attempt was made to determine spatial differences in the quality of life in 2010 and 2015, using the taxonomic method and cluster analysis. The subject of the survey were rural gminas, where the quality of life analysis is carried out much less frequently than in the case of urban gminas, whereas these units are characterised by significant disproportions in the quality of life within the voivodship. In rural gminas of Świętokrzyskie voivodship the quality of life is improving, however, there are significant disproportions in the objective evaluation of the quality of life.
Prof. Jan Piekałkiewicz — statistician, economist, politician
Authors: Kordos Jan
Published: April 2020

The article presents the profile of Prof. Jan Piekałkiewicz — an outstanding statistician, economist and politician — starting from the creation of the Polish state in 1918 until the tragic death of the scientist caused by the Gestapo in 1943. It also highlights the role of the Polish Statistical Association (founded in 1912) in the preparation of statistical information from the three partitions and the efforts of statisticians and representatives of other circles, which led to the establishment of Statistics Poland in July 1918. Contribution of Prof. Piekałkiewicz to the development of Statistics Poland in the first years of his activity was highlighted, as well as his scientific achievements and didactic work in the field of statistics conducted at universities were presented. His activity as a politician was also mentioned.
Classification of gminas of Ostrołęka-Siedlce subregion in terms of their financial condition
Authors: Wakuła Monika
Published: April 2020

The aim of the article is to classify gminas of Ostrołęka-Siedlce subregion in terms of their financial condition. The research was conducted on the basis of data from the Local Data Bank for the years 2013—2016 concerning the state of finances in 84 gminas of the analysed subregion. The method of linear ordering was used. On the basis of the constructed synthetic development measure, four typological classes were distinguished. The first group consisted of gminas achieving the best financial results, whereas the fourth one included gminas with the weakest financial situation.
The research indicates that the most numerous group consists of units with lower than average financial condition (the third class) — 55% of all local governments.
Regional economic growth and human capital
Authors: Trzpiot Grażyna
Published: April 2020

The primary objective of cohesion policy is to reduce the differences in the economic development of the regions. The determinants of taken actions are the subject of research and discussion. An important factor in economic success is human capital. The article discusses the measurement of the relations between human capital resources and economic development in regions. Data of Statistics Poland for the years 2010—2015 were used. In the study, aimed at indicating the relationship between human capital and the level of economic development in the regions, a measure of human capital (HC) was applied. The established dependencies are of a non-linear nature.
On the surveys of household debt in Poland
Authors: Wałęga Agnieszka , Wałęga Grzegorz
Published: April 2020

The current grow of household debt requires a new approach to household indebtedness surveys in Poland. The aim of the article is to present and compare research methodologies in the field of consumer debt. The research is focused on presenting the theoretical context of indebtedness, and subsequently on the main aspects of methodological research on household borrowing at the microeconomic level. Selected international and national household surveys as well as data sources available in Poland regarding household indebtedness were discussed and compared. The review of available data sources on household indebtedness indicates that, compared to surveys in other countries, data on the microeconomic level are collected to a limited extent in Poland. The sources of these data can be treated complementary, however this is an obstacle in terms of both their comparability and access to them. This indicates the lack of a single long-term survey on the issue of household debt in Poland. Recommendations for directional changes in research on discussed issues conducted in Poland were formulated in the conclusion.
Income inequality among cities with powiat rights in Śląskie voivodship
Authors: Czempas Jan
Published: April 2020

The aim of the research is to assess whether the socio-economic policy pursued in the years 2006—2016 resulted in the reduction of income inequality among 19 cities with powiat rights in Śląskie voivodship. The research was based on the total and the own revenues from the annual reports prepared for the Regional Chamber of Audit. In the analysis, disproportion coefficients were applied, including the Gini coefficient and indicators based on order statistics. Changes in the degree of differentiation of meters characterising the disproportions among the cities with powiat rights occurring over the analysed years were examined.
Determining the direction of changes enabled to identify whether inequalities in the analysed cases are a deepening problems or losing its significance. The obtained results may be used by the decision-making bodies aware of the need for reactions anticipating the negative effects of large stratification or to abandon such actions where the disproportions are small.
An attempt to assess the degree of urbanity of new towns in Poland based on the morphological criterion
Authors: Szmytkie Robert
Published: April 2020

In the years 1980—2018, the number of towns and cities in Poland increased from 803 to 930. However, the problem of the administrative procedure is the lack of clearly defined criteria of urbanity and the lack of measurable indicators that could be used to verify the settlements applying for the status of a city. This applies, in particular, to the measures identifying the character of the morphology of settlements. The main objective of this research is to propose a set of indicators based on generally available statistical data describing the morphology of settlements, which could be used in the administrative procedure of granting the city status.
The proposed indicators were used to analyse the morphology of cities in Poland in order to verifying their suitability to describe quantified degree of urbanity. The focus was on cites, which received city status in the years 2000—2014, because these cities should formally meet the criteria adopted in the administrative procedure. Data for cities (for 2014) were taken from Local Data Bank of Statistics Poland. Analyses have shown that in the case of new cities proposed morphological indexes assume values indicating low or very low level of their urbanization.
Deficits and Potentials: How Risk Involving Generational Characteristics Can Be Reduced Thanks to Human Capital Multigenerationality
Authors: Winnicka–Wejs Alicja
Published: April 2020

The article identifies the generational characteristics (deficits and potentials) of the C/Z, Y, X, and BB generations in the context of the human capital components of an organization: knowledge, abilities, skills, health, motivation, attitude, and values. It indicates examples of risks related to generational human capital and possibilities for its reduction through human capital multigenerationality. Also shown are instances in business practice of generationally homogeneous teams. They are described in the context of low generational trust and sources of risk in an organization. Moreover, pro–generational activities in the field of human capital management—a characteristic of intelligent generational organizations—are presented.
Mit zweierlei Maß gemessen? Ein Vergleich der für Politiker und Fußballer bei Steuer- und Drogendelikten geforderten Konsequenzen
Authors: Vögele Catharina
Published: April 2020

Die Studie analysiert, welche Konsequenzen für Fußballer im Vergleich zu Politiker*innen bei einem Steuer- sowie einem Drogendelikt gefordert werden und ob sich dabei Unterschiede zeigen, die auf die unterschiedliche Relevanz dieser Vergehen für den jeweiligen Beruf und auf die Verwendung unterschiedlicher moralischer Begründungsstrategien zurückzuführen sind. Diese Begründungsstrategien können Menschen einsetzen, um das unmoralische Verhalten von Personen des öffentlichen Lebens, die sie schätzen, zu erklären und damit ein positives Bild dieser beizubehalten. Hierzu können sie entweder das moralische Fehlverhalten der Person herunterspielen (Moral Rationalization) oder die Leistungsbewertung der Person von der Bewertung ihrer Moral abspalten (Moral Decoupling). Mithilfe einer Online-Befragung im Experimentaldesign (2x2-Between-Subjects-Design), bei der die Probanden*innen (N = 447) einen Artikel zu einem fiktiven österreichischen Politiker oder Fußballer lasen, der entweder ein Steuer- oder ein Drogendelikt begangen hat, analysieren wir unsere Fragestellung. Das Steuerdelikt war das rollennahe, berufsrelevante Fehlverhalten des Politikers, das Drogendelikt das rollennahe Vergehen des Fußballers. Im Anschluss an den Artikel fragen wir die Probanden*innen, wie stark sie bestimmte Konsequenzen für den Politiker bzw. Fußballer fordern. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass bei rollennahem moralischem Fehlverhalten sowohl für den Politiker als auch für den Fußballer im Vergleich zu rollenfernem Fehlverhalten stärkere Konsequenzen gefordert werden. Ein Teil dieses Effekts kann mithilfe des Einsatzes der Moral Decoupling Strategie erklärt werden. So führt ein rollennahes Fehlverhalten dazu, dass die Rezipient*innen die Moral Decoupling Strategie weniger intensiv einsetzen und deshalb den Konsequenzen stärker zustimmen. Für die Moral Rationalization Strategie zeigt sich dieser indirekte Effekt jedoch nicht.
Gendered hate speech in YouTube and YouNow comments: Results of two content analyses
Authors: Döring Nicola , Mohseni M. Rohangis
Published: April 2020

Online hate speech in general, and gendered online hate speech in particular, have become an issue of growing concern both in public and academic discourses. However, although YouTube is the most important social media platform today and the popularity of social live streaming services (SLSS) such as Twitch, Periscope and YouNow is constantly growing, research on gendered online hate speech on video platforms is scarce. To bridge this empirical gap, two studies investigated gendered online hate speech in video comments on YouTube and YouNow, thereby systematically replicating a study by Wotanis and McMillan (2014). Study 1 investigated YouTube in the form of a content analysis of N = 8,000 publicly available video comments that were addressed towards four pairs of female and male German-speaking YouTubers within the popular genres Comedy, Gaming, HowTo & Style, and Sports [Fitness]. Study 2 examined YouNow, with a quantitative content analysis of N = 6,844 publicly available video comments made during the video streams of 16 female and 14 male popular German-speaking YouNowers. Study 1 successfully replicated the findings of Wotanis and McMillan (2014) that compared to male You-Tubers, female YouTubers received more negative video comments (including sexist, racist, and sexually aggressive hate speech) (H1a). In addition, they received fewer positive video comments regarding personality and video content but more positive video comments regarding physical appearance (H2a). Study 2 partly confirmed the earlier findings: It found that, compared to male YouNowers, the video comments received by female YouNowers were more sexist and sexually aggressive, but not generally more hostile or negative (H1b). They received more positive video comments regarding their physical appearance but did not receive fewer positive video comments regarding their personality or the content of their videos (H2b). With some exceptions, the findings of study 2 were comparable to the findings of study 1 (RQ1). In both studies, most effect sizes were small. Overall, females on the video platforms YouTube and YouNow seem to be disproportionately affected by both hostile and benevolent sexism expressed in viewer comments. The results are in line with the Expectation States Theory and the Ambivalent Sexism Theory. The total number of public hate comments was probably underestimated because inappropriate comments can be deleted by moderators and users. Future research directions and practical implications are discussed. Supplementary material can be retrieved from https://osf.io/da8tw
Landscape Hazards: Destructive Build Environment Zones and Safe Areas - An American Case Study
Authors: Kunii Yoichi , O’Keefe Paige , Burley Jon , Loures Luis , Regina Villanueva Marifaye
Published: April 2020

Planners, designers, governmental organizations, and citizens are interested in creating enduring safe buildable environments. Landscape hazards such as earthquakes, wildfires, hurricanes, tornados, flooding, volcanoes, radon, air pollution, sinkholes, avalanche, landslides, and blizzards create a complex set of destructive forces that form disturbances obliterating life and structures. In our study, we examined these forces across the lower 48 states of the United States of America. We applied geographic information system (GIS) technology to identify areas of extreme hazard and areas of low risk. Our investigation indicated that most of our study area (approximately 83%) was exposed to highly reoccurring destructive forces and that only relatively small patches (Upper Midwest-portions of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota) and thin stretches (Rocky Mountain Front Range—eastern Montana, Wyoming, and eastern Colorado) of land were relatively secure from these forces. This means that in the long term, much of the study area is not safe from disturbances that will destroy much of the built environment, challenging notions of sustainability for numerous metropolitan areas, United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Biosphere Reserves, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, National Parks, other noted historic sites.
New Discoveries on the Roles of “Other” HECT E3 Ubiquitin Ligases in Disease Development
Authors: I. Kane Emma , E. Spratt Donald
Published: April 2020

HECT E3 ubiquitin ligases selectively recognize, bind, and ubiquitylate their substrate proteins to target them for 26S proteasomal degradation. There is increasing evidence that HECT E3 ubiquitin ligase dysfunction due to misfolding and/or the gene encoding the protein being mutated is responsible for the development of different diseases. Apart from the more prominent and well-characterized E6AP and members of the NEDD4 family, new studies have begun to reveal how other members of the HECT E3 ubiquitin ligase family function as well as their links to disease and developmental disorders. This chapter provides a comprehensive discussion on the more mysterious members of the HECT E3 ubiquitin ligase family and how they control intracellular processes. Specifically, AREL1, HACE1, HECTD1, HECTD4, G2E3, and TRIP12 will be examined as these enzymes have recently been identified as contributors to disease development.
Efeito da granulometria do resíduo sólido urbano na composição do biogás proveniente de biorreatores anaeróbicos
Authors: Pereira Ana Cristina de Oliveira Santos , Flauzino Bárbara Bárbara Karoline , Santos Afonso Henriques Moreira , Cardoso Júnior Reinaldo Corrêa , Ribeiro Eruin Martuscelli , Tiago Filho Geraldo Lucio
Published: April 2020

A urbanização crescente traz um aumento considerável da produção de resíduos sólidos urbanos (RSU), sendo necessária a criação de alternativas que minimizem os impactos do descarte desse material no ambiente. A disposição dos RSU em aterros sanitários representa uma das destinações ambientalmente adequadas no contexto brasileiro. Nestes locais a degradação dos resíduos ocorre por meio de um processo anaeróbio que origina uma mistura gasosa denominada biogás, o qual é composto, basicamente, por metano, dióxido de carbono e outros gases em menores concentrações. Estudos realizados em biorreatores têm por objetivo o conhecimento das condições de degradação da matéria orgânica e dos fatores que favorecem ou prejudicam este processo. Diante disso, o objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar a influência da granulometria do RSU na composição do biogás proveniente de três biorreatores anaeróbios com resíduos diferentes granulometrias (entre 4 e 8 mm) instalados no município de Itanhandu-MG. Para isso foi realizado o monitoramento da composição do biogás proveniente destes biorreatores. Além disso, realizou-se a caracterização físico-química do resíduo utilizado no experimento. Os resíduos utilizados no enchimento dos biorreatores eram detentores de grande carga orgânica e ao fim do experimento demonstraram que houve degradação do material depositado. De maneira geral, a redução da granulometria mostrou-se um parâmetro favorável, para as condições do estudo no aumento do percentual de metano.
Parque Nacional da Chapada das Mesas (Maranhão/Brasil): atividades socioeconômicas dos moradores e seus reflexos
Authors: Silva Maria Lindalva Alves da , Araújo Maria de Fátima Veras , Conceição Gonçalo Mendes da
Published: April 2020

A pesquisa descreve as atividades socioeconômicas dos moradores que residem dentro e no entorno do Parque Nacional da Chapada das Mesas, no estado do Maranhão, bem como as práticas de manejo para a exploração dos recursos naturais. Dessa forma, realizou-se pesquisa descritiva com abordagem quanti-qualitativa. Os dados foram levantados no segundo semestre de 2016 com aplicação de formulários em 40 dos 130 domicílios reconhecidos pelo Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade. Observou-se que a agricultura de subsistência destacou-se com o cultivo do Phaseolus vulgaris., Oryza sativa, Manihot essculenta e Zea mays. Na prática do extrativismo, Mauritia flexuosa, Platonia insignis, Caryocar brasiliense e Orbignya speciosa são os produtos mais coletados; na criação de animais, Gallus gallus domesticus e Bos taurus. Percebeu-se que a agricultura de subsistência e a criação de animais bovinos são as atividades econômicas que mais perturbam ao ambiente, devido a forma de manejo. Entretanto, constatou-se que após a criação do Parque Nacional, as comunidades despertaram para o uso de práticas sustentáveis para exploração dos recursos naturais.
Análise de correlação entre as regiões administrativas de Natal (RN) baseada em indicadores de vulnerabilidade socioambiental
Authors: Vasconcelos Ana Cecilia Feitosa , Lins Junior Paulo Ribeiro , Freire Eliza Maria Xavier , Cândido Gesinaldo Ataíde
Published: April 2020

Este artigo tem como objetivo analisar as correlações lineares existentes entre as regiões administrativas de Natal (RN) com base nos índices de vulnerabilidade socioambiental de seus bairros. O alcance do objetivo permitirá identificar quais regiões administrativas são mais vulneráveis sob a perspectiva do conjunto de indicadores, além de identificar as similaridades e diferenças existentes entre elas. Em termos metodológicos este artigo se caracteriza como exploratório e descritivo, realizado por meio das técnicas de pesquisa documental para levantar dados e informações necessárias da cidade, bem como os dados referentes aos indicadores de vulnerabilidade socioambiental escolhidos para a análise dos bairros e regiões de Natal. Os resultados apontam que a região Norte foi a região que apresentou um nível de vulnerabilidade classificado como ‘Alto’. Essa também é a região mais pobre de Natal e, por conseguinte, a que apresenta os problemas mais latentes nas questões referentes aos temas analisados, sobretudo, Saúde, Trabalho e renda, Infraestrutura Urbana, Educação e cultura. Tal fato o coloca em um nível de correlação linear fraca e de disparidade frente as regiões mais abastadas da cidade: região Leste e região Sul.
El problema de la Universalidad en la Teoría Populista: En defensa de un Populismo Democrático
Authors: Camargo Ricardo
Published: April 2020

El debate entre redistribución y reconocimiento que protagonizaron Nancy Fraser y Judith Butler permite reabrir una discusión de la teoría del populismo, a saber: ¿cómo construir la universalidad de la política en un contexto de demandas socioeconómicas irresueltas y de luchas de reconocimiento ascendentes? Tres modelos están en juego, los cuales adquieren particular relevancia en el contexto latinoamericano actual de ascenso de las derechas. El de Fraser, donde prima la igualdad y la supeditación de las diferencias. El de Laclau-Mouffe, donde la universalidad es una relación hegemónica. Y el de Butler, en donde la única universalidad posible es la que mantiene el conflicto de modos políticamente productivos. Al final, se argumenta que el giro de las izquierdas en favor de las luchas culturales no ha sido el culpable de la emergencia de los neofascismos tipo Bolsonaro y se postula una defensa de la universalidad del populismo democrático.The debate upon redistribution and recognition lead by Nancy Fraser and Judith Butler allows reopening a dormant discussion in the populist theory: how to construct a universality of politics in a context of unresolved socioeconomic demands and recognition struggles in ascent? Three models appear to be at stake, all of which acquire a particular relevance in the current context at Latin America and its rise of the right wing. Fraser’s answer, in which equality is preferred. Laclau-Mouffe’s answer, in which this universality is a hegemonic relationship. And Butler’s, in which the only possible universality is that which holds the conflict in politically productive ways. We will recover this debate seeking to clarify a substantial misunderstanding: that the turn of left wing politics towards cultural struggles is to blame for the rise of Bolsonaro-like neofascisms and we suggest a defence of a democratic populist universality.
¿Te ha tocado? El sorteo llega a la política de Madrid.
Authors: Ganuza Ernesto , Menendez-Blanco María
Published: April 2020

In early 2019 Madrid launched the first permanent citizen participation scheme in which members are chosen by lot: the Observatory of the City. Although the scheme was abandoned by the new government after the May 2019 elections, the Madrid experiment raises important questions about democracy. The project is another example of the growing prominence that the draw has acquired in many countries, as an ideal element to organise and order the participation of people in political affairs. In this paper we describe the first steps of this scheme and also highlight the features that make the draw in Madrid a unique experience both because of the implications of the use of the draw, and from the point of view of similar schemes that are being carried out in other parts of the world.

Madrid ha puesto en marcha, desde inicios del año 2019, la primera experiencia de participación ciudadana permanente cuyos miembros son elegidos por sorteo, el Observatorio de la Ciudad. A pesar de que la experiencia fue abandonada por el nuevo Gobierno después de las elecciones de mayo del 2019, la experiencia madrileña plantea importantes cuestiones sobre la democracia. Esta experiencia se suma al creciente protagonismo que ha adquirido el sorteo en muchos países, como un elemento idóneo para organizar y ordenar la participación de la gente en los asuntos políticos. En este trabajo exponemos los primeros pasos de esta experiencia, así como destacamos los rasgos que hacen del sorteo en Madrid una experiencia singular, tanto por las implicaciones que tiene el uso del sorteo como desde el punto de vista de las experiencias similares que se hacen en otras partes del mundo.
Multivariate statistical analysis and numerical modelling for the hydrogeological and hydrochemical characterization of a closed MSW landfill: the case study of Vizzolo-Predabissi
Authors: Fumagalli Letizia , Stefania Gennaro Alberto , Zanotti Chiara , Sartirana Davide , Di Martino Giuseppe Raffaello , Perosa Antonella , Valentini Piergiorgio , Rotiroti Marco , Bonomi Tullia
Published: April 2020

This work aims at assessing the impact on groundwater resources of a leachate overflow occurred in the landfill of Vizzolo-Predabissi (Milan, Italy) after its closure. Hydrogeological sections, piezometric maps, spatio-temporal and multivariate analysis of hydrochemical data enabled to define a conceptual model and to build a groundwater flow model, solved and calibrated by means of MODFLOW-NWT and PEST. The results of the study pointed out that the leachate overflow produced an impulsive contamination, currently in attenuation, which behaved differently in areas with different redox characteristics.
Groundwater (Freeze and Cherry, 1979), ora disponibile anche in italiano
Authors: Re Viviana , De Filippis Giovanna , Viaroli Stefano , Di Curzio Diego
Published: April 2020

Il famoso libro Groundwater (Freeze and Cherry 1979), un testo fondamentale per la formazione di qualsiasi idrogeologo, è ora disponibile anche in italiano, ed è scaricabile gratuitamente a questo indirizzo: http://hydrogeologistswithoutborders. org/wordpress/1979-italiano [...].
Il lago ottocentesco di Villa Savoia (Roma)
Authors: Argentieri Alessio , Rotella Giovanni , Grassi Lorenzo , Ferri Gianluca
Published: April 2020

Nel settore nordorientale dell’area urbana di Roma si trova il parco di Villa Ada, intensamente frequentato dalla cittadinanza per le sue bellezze naturalistiche ed architettoniche. La sovrapposizione di interventi antropici nel corso della storia antica e recente della Città Eterna ha determinato, in un peculiare contesto geologico e geomorfologico, una complessa evoluzione del territorio; allo stato attuale l’area verde richiede attenzione sia per la protezione e conservazione dei beni ambientali e culturali, sia per il monitoraggio dei fenomeni di dissesto e la tutela della pubblica incolumità. Il principale fattore di rischio è rappresentato infatti dalla elevata probabilità di formazione di sinkholes antropogenici, connessi allo sviluppo di cavità nel sottosuolo; rispetto a ciò vari Enti pubblici e privati hanno da tempo avviato ricerche, a partire dal censimento e mappatura della rete caveale ipogea e delle voragini conclamate o incipienti che sono largamente diffuse all’interno del comprensorio [...].
Sulphuric Utopias
Authors: Engelmann Lukas , Lynteris Christos
Published: April 2020

How early twentieth century fumigation technologies transformed maritime quarantine practices and inspired utopian visions of disease-free global trade.

In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, fumigation technologies transformed global practices of maritime quarantine through chemical and engineering innovation. One of these technologies, the widely used Clayton machine, blasted sulphuric acid gas through a docked ship in an effort to eliminate pathogens, insects, and rats while leaving the cargo and the structure of the vessel unharmed, shortening its time in quarantine and minimizing the risk of importing infectious diseases. In Sulphuric Utopias, Lukas Engelmann and Christos Lynteris examine this overlooked but historically crucial practice at the intersection of epidemiology, hygiene, applied chemistry, and engineering. They show how maritime fumigation inspired utopian visions of disease-free trade to improve global shipping and to encourage universally applicable standards of sanitation and hygiene.

Engelmann and Lynteris chart the history of ideas about fumigation, disinfection, and quarantine, and chronicle the development of the Clayton machine in 1880s New Orleans. Built by the Louisiana Board of Health and adapted and patented by Thomas Clayton, the machine offered a barrier against bacteria and pests and enabled a highway to global trade. Engelmann and Lynteris chronicle the Clayton machine's success and examine its competitors, including carbon-based fumigation methods in Germany and the Ottoman Empire as well as the “Sulfurozador” in Argentina. They follow the international standardization of maritime fumigation and explore the Clayton machine's decline after World War I, when visions of “sulphuric utopia” were replaced by a pragmatic acknowledgment of epidemiological complexity.

The open access edition of this book was made possible by generous funding from Arcadia – a charitable fund of Lisbet Rausing and Peter Baldwin.
Prediction of antiviral drugs against African swine fever viruses based on protein–protein interaction analysis
Authors: Zhu Zhaozhong , Fan Yunshi , Liu Yang , Jiang Taijiao , Cao Yang , Peng Yousong
Published: April 2020

The African swine fever virus (ASFV) has severely influenced the swine industry of the world. Unfortunately, there is currently no effective antiviral drug or vaccine against the virus. Identification of new anti-ASFV drugs is urgently needed. Here, an up-to-date set of protein–protein interactions between ASFV and swine were curated by integration of protein–protein interactions from multiple sources. Thirty-eight swine proteins were observed to interact with ASFVs and were defined as ASFV-interacting swine proteins. The ASFV-interacting swine proteins were found to play a central role in the swine protein–protein interaction network, with significant larger degree, betweenness and smaller shortest path length than other swine proteins. Some of ASFV-interacting swine proteins also interacted with several other viruses and could be taken as potential targets of drugs for broad-spectrum effect, such as HSP90AB1. Finally, the antiviral drugs which targeted ASFV-interacting swine proteins and ASFV proteins were predicted. Several drugs with either broad-spectrum effect or high specificity on ASFV-interacting swine proteins were identified, such as Polaprezinc and Geldanamycin. Structural modeling and molecular dynamics simulation showed that Geldanamycin could bind with swine HSP90AB1 stably. This work could not only deepen our understanding towards the ASFV-swine interactions, but also help for the development of effective antiviral drugs against the ASFVs.
Interaction effects of aging, word frequency, and predictability on saccade length in Chinese reading
Authors: Liu Zhifang , Tong Wen , Su Yongqiang
Published: April 2020

Background

It was well known that age has an impact on word processing (word frequency or predictability) in terms of fixating time during reading. However, little is known about whether or not age modulates these impacts on saccade behaviors in Chinese reading (i.e., length of incoming/outgoing saccades for a target word).

Methods

Age groups, predictability, and frequency of target words were manipulated in the present study. A larger frequency effect on lexical accessing (i.e., gaze duration) and on context integration (i.e., go-past time, total reading time), as well as larger predictability effects on data of raw total reading time, were observed in older readers when compared with their young counterparts.

Results

Effect of predictability and frequency on word skipping and re-fixating rate did not differ across the two age groups. Notably, reliable interaction effects of age, along with word predictability and/or frequency, on the length of the first incoming/outgoing saccade for a target word were also observed.

Discussion

Our findings suggest that the word processing function of older Chinese readers in terms of saccade targeting declines with age.
Assessoramento remoto por meio de escritórios virtuais: uma categorização de serviços prestados
Authors: Paes Raul Vitor Oliveira , Santiago Cibelle da Silva
Published: April 2020

O crescimento da profissão de secretário tem se materializado em outras formas de assessoria, com o intuito de acompanhar os novos modelos organizacionais que estão surgindo. Assim, é possível agregar valor a esta profissão a partir dos serviços que são prestados através dos Escritórios Virtuais. Nessa perspectiva, este trabalho tem como objetivo geral investigar os serviços prestados pelos assistentes remotos por meio de escritórios virtuais. A abordagem teórica foi centrada na assessoria e assessoramento virtual, bem como nos novos modelos organizacionais. A metodologia da pesquisa foi do tipo bibliográfica, exploratória e descritiva com a abordagem qualitativa. A coleta de dados foi feita com nove profissionais que atuam em escritório virtual, alcançados com questionário online da plataforma Google Forms, de forma que os dados foram analisados sob o método da análise de conteúdo de Bardin (2011). Os resultados mapearam os serviços mais oferecidos pelos escritórios virtuais secretariais, a saber: a) cadastro e atualização de clientes; b) organização de contas pessoais e profissionais em aplicativos de escritório ou com sistema online; c) organização de documentos para contabilidade; d) digitação, redação e revisão de documentos; e) gerenciamento de e-mails; f) elaboração de planilhas financeiras; g) elaboração de orçamentos diversos e h) consultoria e assessoria no planejamento e execução de eventos.
Governança cooperativa: mapeamento do perfil das publicações científicas internacionais (1991-2018)
Authors: Santos Ramon Rodrigues dos , Santos Joséte Florencio dos , Da Silva Alexsandra
Published: April 2020

Este artigo buscou identificar os elementos que descrevem o perfil das publicações científicas sobre governança cooperativa nos periódicos indexados na base Scopus no período de 1991 a 2018, contemplando os termos Cooperative Governance e Gobernanza Cooperativa. Os principais resultados mostram que a produção científica internacional sobre a temática apresenta 94 trabalhos publicados, com destaque para o período mais recente, de 2016 a 2018. Em maioria, os artigos são classificados na área Social Sciences e Economics, Econometrics and Finance e são predominantemente produzidos por autores cujas instituições são sediadas nos Estados Unidos e Holanda. Em complemento, identificou-se que a rede de autores é isolada, não havendo cooperação entre os clusters e que os trabalhos citados concentram, dentre as suas palavras-chave, os termos “hazard model”, “borrower-dominated”, “saver-dominated” e “risco moral”.
Socio Economic Features and Poverty Status of Livelihood Diversifiers in Marginal Communities of Ekiti State Nigeria
Authors: Abiodun Ajiboye , Adekunmi A. O. , Toluwase S. O. W , Oluwatusin F. M. , Osundare F. O. , Awoyemi A. O.
Published: April 2020

The paper investigates the socio-economic features and poverty status of livelihood diversifiers in marginal communities of Ekiti State, Nigeria. Data were collected from a sample of 80 respondents’ from three communities selected from three Local Government Areas. Descriptive and Hosmer and Lemeshow test were used to analyse the data. It was found that those engaged in livelihood diversification were predominantly male while few of them were female. Over 70 percent of them were still in their active age. Only a handful of them could be outright concluded in illiteracy which reveal how ekiti state people cherish education. In all, 71 percent of them were married which explained the difficulty for such families to relocate to urban centers. Household size was fairly large with 60 percent having between 5-10 household members. This further makes it pretty difficult to relocate to urban centers for greener pastures. Only 21 of them operated fairly large farm holdings of more than 4 ha. The result of the Hosmer and Lemeshow test showed that all the respondents have high degree of susceptibility to change their poverty status. The paper justified that livelihood diversification still remains one of the potent tools of dealing with abject poverty and inability to make ends meet among the rural households in a country where government has nothing or little to offer as safety nets for the vulnerable of the society.
Growth, Yield and Nutrient Use Efficiency of Corchorus olitorius under Irrigated and Rain-fed Conditions in Northeastern Benin (West Africa)
Authors: Katé Sabaï , Tovihoudji Pierre G. , Batamoussi-Hermann Michel , Sossa Elvire L. , Idohou Rodrigue , Agbangba Emile Codjo , Sinsin Brice
Published: April 2020

Aims: Investigated the influence of organic manures (municipal solid waste compost [MSWC] and cow dung) and N-fertilizer on growth, yield and nutrient use efficiency of jute mallow (Corchorus olitorius L.) under two water regimes (rain-fed and irrigated).

Study Design: Randomized complete block.

Place and Duration of Study: Farm of Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Parakou, Northern Benin (latitude 09°20’16.8’’N and longitude 002°38’54’’ E, 353 m asl), during 2013 rainy (June to August) and dry seasons (October to December 2013).

Methodology: Ten treatments derived from a factorial combination of five levels of organic manures (control, MSWC at 10 t/ha, MSWC at 20 t/ha, cow dung at 10 t/ha and cow dung at 20 t/ha) and two levels of N-fertilizer (0 kg and 50 kg urea/ha), arranged in a randomized complete block with three replicates were considered.

Results: Results showed that water regime significantly (p<.001) affected growth and yield of jute mallow. In addition, the growth and yield parameters showed significant differences (p<.001) in relation to different rates of organic manures.  The integrated use of organic manure and urea increased plant height, number of leaves, stem diameter, number of branches, leaf growth parameters and leaf yield. The maximum amount of leaf yield (7554.88 kg/ha) was obtained with 20 tons/ha of MSWC and 50 kg urea/ha.

Conclusion: Fertilizer types also had highly significant effects on nutrient use efficiency. Application of these treatments could help to enhance yield and growth of the jute mallow.
Assessment of Vitamin D Knowledge and Awareness among Female Students of Applied Medical Sciences Faculty, Umm Al-Qura University
Authors: Mostafa Reham A.
Published: April 2020

Background: Despite the numerous functions of vitamin D, there are still billions of people worldwidewho have vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency, and the highest prevalence is in the Middle East, mostly females.

Aim of The Study: This study aimed to assess the knowledge and behaviors of applied medical science female students regarding vitamin D. Participants and methods: A cross- sectional study was conducted at the Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences- Umm Al-Qura University. An electronic questionnaire was assigned for (156) students from female section and chosen from an age group (18-22 years) to assess their vitamin D knowledge and attitudes. Data analysis was done using the Statistical Package of the Social Science (SPSS) version 20, using frequency and chi-square test. A p-value less than or equal to 0.05 was considered significant.

Results: About 57% of the students were not aware that the overuse of sunscreen could block the ultraviolet rays from reaching the skin, thus decreased production of vitamin D. The overall knowledge of the students about vitamin D sources (fortified milk, mushrooms and eggs) was decent.

Conclusion: the students had a good background of vitamin D functions, sources, and deficiency symptoms but wasn't reflected on their behavior, this gap between their knowledge and their lifestyle must be filled through health education for better health.
Assessment of Physicochemical and Bacteriological Qualities of Borehole Water Sources in Gokana Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria
Authors: Aleru C. P. , Ollor O. A. , Agi V. N. , Azike C. A.
Published: April 2020

This study was carried out to assess the Physicochemical and Bacteriological qualities of borehole water sources in Gokana Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria. Twenty (20) boreholes were used for the study and a total of sixty (60) water samples were collected for bacteriological analyses. All the Physicochemical parameters were measured in situ using Horiba Water Checker (Model-10). Heterotrophic Plate Count, Most Probable Number technique and Eijkman test were used for the enumeration, isolation and identification of bacteria. All analyses for Physicochemical parameters were within the acceptable limits (pH: 6.3 to 7.7; Temperature: 27 to 30; Turbidity: 0.61 to 2.01). Bacteriological quality was higher than the World Health Organisation standard recommended limits. The detection of bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus and Klebsiella species in the borehole water sources that are intended for human consumption could cause one to think that water from those sources may lead to severe health risks to consumers. Hence, it is not suitable for direct human consumption without treatment. Therefore, it is recommended that onsite treatment intervention be mobilised in order to protect residents of Gokana LGA of Rivers State, Nigeria from further possible consequences of using the borehole water sources.
Chemtrails are Not Contrails: Radiometric Evidence
Authors: Herndon J. Marvin , Hoisington Raymond D. , Whiteside Mark
Published: April 2020

Aims: Concerted efforts are made to deceive the public into falsely believing the jet-emplaced tropospheric aerosol trails, called chemtrails by some, are harmless ice-crystal contrails from aircraft engine exhaust-moisture. Our objective is to use radiometric measurements in the range 250-300 nm to show that a typical chemtrail is not a contrail, and to generalize that finding with additional data. 

Methods: We utilized International Light Technologies ILT950UV Spectral Radiometer mounted on a Meade LXD55 auto guider telescope tripod and mount assembly.

Results: Radiometric solar irradiance spectra data that included the transit of a typical tropospheric aerosol trail between radiometer-sensor and the solar disc showed significant absorption during    the transit period. The during-transit absorption is wholly inconsistent with the almost negligible adsorption by ice, but is wholly consistent with absorption by aerosolize particulates, including coal fly ash. This result is consistent with other aerosol-trail physical phenomena observations.

Conclusions: The public and the scientific community have been systematically deceived into falsely believing that the pervasive, jet-sprayed ‘chemtrails’ are harmless ice-crystal contrails. We have presented radiometric measurements which unambiguously prove the falsity of that characterization for one specific, but typical instance. We show in a more general framework that the physical manifestations of the aerial trails are inconsistent with ice-crystal contrails, but entirely consistent with aerosol particulate trails. We describe potential reasons for the deception, and cite the extremely adverse consequences of the aerial particulate spraying on human and environmental health. For the sake of life on Earth, the modification of the natural environment by aerial particulate spraying and other methodologies must immediately and permanently end.
The Role of Environmental Distractions in the Experience of Fibrofog in Real‐World Settings
Authors: Kratz Anna L. , Whibley Daniel , Kim Samsuk , Williams David A. , Clauw Daniel J. , Sliwinski Martin
Published: April 2020

Objective

Perceived cognitive dysfunction in people with fibromyalgia (FM), “fibrofog,” is commonly reported and has been demonstrated in neurocognitive testing. Distractibility and inattention have been implicated as potential contributors to fibrofog, but the role of environmental distractions has not been explored. In this study, ambulatory assessment methods were used to examine whether FM is related to more environmental distractions and to examine the impact of distractions on subjective and objective cognitive functioning.

Methods

Fifty people with FM and 50 age‐, sex‐, and education‐matched controls without FM completed 8 consecutive days of ambulatory assessments. Five times per day, participants reported perceived cognitive functioning and environmental distractions and completed validated tests of processing speed and working memory.

Results

The FM group reported distractions in a higher proportion of the ambulatory cognitive testing sessions (40.5%) compared with the group without FM (29.8%; P < 0.001) and more often reported multiple simultaneous distractions. For both groups, sound was the most common distraction. The group with FM reported more distractions caused by light, and the group without FM reported more social distractions. Group differences in subjective and objective cognitive functioning were not augmented during distraction relative to during periods of no distraction. There were no group differences in within‐person changes in cognitive functioning as a function of distraction.

Conclusion

The group with FM reported more distractions than the group without FM; both groups reported poorer processing speed when distracted, and the effects of distraction on test performance did not differ significantly by group. Findings suggest that sensitivity to environmental distractions may play a role in the experience of cognitive dysfunction in FM.
Flexible Micropillar Array for Pressure Sensing in High Density Using Image Sensor
Authors: Cao Zimei , He Kaiyang , Xiong Wei , Chen Yan , Qiu Xianbo , Yu Duli , Guo Xiao‐Liang
Published: April 2020

A stable flexible pressure array sensor is a key point for the development of smart robotics and prosthetic solutions. Traditional flexible pressure sensors are mainly based on piezoresistive, capacitive, and piezoelectric effect. However, pressure array sensors based on these principles need complicated wire links and complex fabrication processes. In addition, sensors based on capacitors are susceptible to interference, while piezoresistive sensors have drift problems. In this paper, a vision‐based flexible device integrating a transparent substrate with a black micropillar array is proposed. An image sensor is introduced to measure pillar sectional‐area variation caused by external pressure. Low‐cost precision machining is used to make the mold which avoids complex fabrication process in terms of lithography process. Fabricating micropillars and substrate respectively with Ecoflex gel and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) implies adhesion of two polymer materials. The sensor demonstrates a considerable pressure sensitivity of 0.133 kPa−1 in the pressure range 0–3 kPa owing to the softness of Ecoflex gel. Application in high‐density pressure distribution measurement such as braille reading and shape recognition is presented. The device is also believed to have promising potential applications in wearable devices, for example, arterial pulse signal measurements.