bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maximum-likelihood estimation of seismic magnitude
Authors: Ringdal F.
Published: September 2021

abstract

Seismic networks often tend to overestimate the magnitude of earthquakes, because those stations within the network that do not detect a particular event are ignored in the conventional magnitude-averaging procedure. By assuming a normal distribution of worldwide magnitudes for any given event, it is possible to establish a simple statistical model that includes the additional information that event magnitudes at nondetecting stations must be below a certain threshold value. In this paper, maximum likelihood estimation is applied to determine event magnitude based on this model. The advantages and limitations of the technique are discussed using both simulated and real data. It is found that the maximum likelihood method, when applied properly, has the potential to yield a significant improvement in network magnitude estimates compared to the conventional averaging technique.
Higher-mode Rayleigh waves as an aid to seismic discrimination
Authors: Forsyth Donald W.
Published: September 2021

abstract

Long-period records of surface waves from earthquakes in central Asia are often complex, with rapid amplitude fluctuations and apparent multiple arrivals of energy of the same frequency. Comparison of records from closely spaced earthquakes shows that the complexity is not caused by multipath propagation, but is associated with the seismic source geometry. The multiple arrivals are higher-mode Rayleigh waves traveling with group velocities faster than the fundamental mode. A relatively high ratio of higher-mode to fundamental-mode energy can be produced when an unusual combination of source depth and focal mechanism leads to poor excitation of the fundamental-mode Rayleigh wave, in which case, the amplitude of the higher mode yields a more reliable estimate of the size of the event than the amplitude of the fundamental mode. Several anomalous events in central Asia, which are characterized by unusually low Ms : mb ratios and hence could be suspected to be nuclear explosions, are reclassified as earthquakes when the new, higher-mode scale, Mhs, is employed. The focal depth and mechanism of these anomalous events apparently causes poor excitation of the fundamental-mode Rayleigh wave without significantly affecting the amplitude of the higher mode. Elimination of these source-related factors from traditional Ms : mb discriminants is an essential tool for reliable discrimination between earthquakes and nuclear underground tests.
Two-parameter scaling of source spectra: Love waves from deep-focus Bonin Islands earthquakes
Authors: James Brown R.
Published: September 2021

Starting with the one-parameter scaling law of Aki, a two-parameter expression is developed to model the source factor of the far-field spectrum from a dislocation fault source for both ω−2 and ω−3 high-frequency asymptotic types. Aki's assumption of similarity is relaxed in two respects: it is neither here assumed that wD0 ∞ L2 (L = fault length, w = fault width, D0 = average dislocation) nor that kT = v kL (kT−1 = correlation time, kL−1 = correlation length, v = velocity of rupture propagation), the latter being equivalent to allowing for Brune's fractional stress drop. From this two-parameter model a four-parameter model of spectral ratio is obtained and fitted to observed spectral ratios by computer optimization of the four parameters. Observed spectral ratios have been determined from the Love waves recorded at NORSAR from six deep-focus Bonin Islands earthquakes using a common-path method. From the optimal values of the four parameters, values are determined for corner frequency (f ≈ 0.2 Hz for m 6.0; f ≈ 0.3 Hz for m = 5.3; m = PDE body-wave magnitude), relative fault length, relative seismic moment (and magnitudes), and p, the slope of the corner-frequency locus. Values found for p are all greater than 3 and such p, in combination with an ω−3 scaling law, can yield a reasonable m:M relation, i.e., with no ceiling imposed on m. A slightly better fit is obtained by starting with an ω−3 model than with ω−2.
Effects of surface and subsurface irregularities on the amplitudes of monochromatic waves
Authors: Wong H. L. , Trifunac M. D. , Westermo B.
Published: September 2021

Measurements of surface ground motion generated by forced vibration of a nine-story reinforced concrete building at a distance of 2 to 5.5 km are described. Three components of the displacement field were measured at 13 points along a line traversing an elongated canyon underlain by a shallow and dipping alluvial layer. The variations of measured displacement amplitudes have been modeled by (a) a two dimensional surface topographic feature corresponding to the average cross section of the canyon and (b) by a two-dimensional model of an alluvium valley excited by a line source. Comparison of the observed and computed amplitude variations with distance suggests that for the geometry corresponding to this experiment the effect of the dipping layer of alluvium seems to play a considerably more important role than the canyon.
WOMEN’S ISSUE ON NEW MEDIA
Authors: Sadasri Lidwina Mutia
Published: September 2021

Kajian mengenai gender dan pemosisian perempuan dalam relasi gender dan seks di Indonesia hingga kini terus menjadi diskusi hangat. Bahkan sampai pada April 2019, terbit pemberitaan tentang kampanye daring “Indonesia Tanpa Feminis” yang menjadi viral. Viralitas kampanye Indonesia Tanpa Feminis tersebut juga menjadi pembanding atas adanya penguatan isu perempuan di Indonesia melalui akun Instagram @magdaleneid dan @perempuantagartegar. Diskusi tentang feminisme pun menjadi salah satu perdebatan dalam fenomena tersebut, terlebih karena dua akun tersebut merupakan komunitas pengusung feminisme, yang sifatnya sangat berlawanan dengan kegiatan “Indonesia Tanpa Feminis”. Permasalahan yang sama juga menjadi titik tekan dalam penelitian ini dengan tujuan mendeskripsikan feminisme yang muncul dalam konten kedua akun tersebut jika ditilik melalui konsep feminisme yang dibedakan menjadi dua gelombang. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah analisis konten dalam periode enam bulan, dari bulan Maret 2019 - Agustus 2019. Berdasarkan analisis data, terlihat adanya kecenderungan sexism pada kedua akun dengan bentuk benevolent sexism, secara spesifik pada protective paternalism. Pada tataran feminisme second-wave, aspek yang sangat menonjol ada pada aspek antipatriarchy, hal ini sejalan dengan kekuatan yang dibawa oleh dua akun aktivisme tersebut. Aspek feminisme gelombang ketiga yang dilihat dalam konten dua akun tersebut hanya muncul dua dari tiga kategori yang tersedia, yakni doing gender dan reclamation of derogatory words.
Legal and Administrative Time Limits in the Context of the Latest Amendments of the Act of 14 June 1960 – Administrative Procedure Code
Authors: Batko Alicja
Published: September 2021

On 3 July 2019 a rule that a deadline is deemed to have been met if, before its expiry, a letter was posted at a Polish post office facility of the designated operator in the meaning of the Postal Law Act or at a postal facility of the operator providing the universal postal services in another Member State of the European Union, the Swiss Confederation or a Member State of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) – a party to the European Economic Area Agreement, was introduced into the Polish administrative procedure. Prior to the date of the aforementioned amendment coming into force, it was necessary to post a letter at a Polish post office facility of the designated operator in the meaning of the Postal Law Act in order to be able to state that the deadline was met. The interim provisions introducing the above-mentioned changes stipulated that the regulation in the wording before the amendment applies to the factual circumstances that took place before the date of its coming into force. However, by virtue of the judgement of the Constitutional Tribunal of 30 October 2019 also the above-mentioned regulation expired to the extent in which it functioned under the interim provisions. The amendment of the administrative proceedings provisions and the aforementioned ruling of the Constitutional Tribunal made it possible to adjust the administrative procedure in this respect to the constitutional requirements as well as the provisions of the law of the European Union, and ensured the consistency of this regulation with analogous regulations in other proceedings in the Polish legal system.
Participants in Administrative Court Proceedings in Multi-Stakeholder Proceedings
Authors: Polanowski Jakub
Published: September 2021

This article is conceptual in nature and addresses the application of the rules on the participation of participants in administrative court proceedings. The main thesis of the paper is based on the statement that a person who, as a party to administrative proceedings, was notified, pursuant to Art. 49a of the Administrative Procedure Code, of the activities of an authority by public announcement, may become a participant in administrative court proceedings after fulfilling the condition specified in Art. 33 § 1a of the Law on Administrative Courts Proceedings. The subsidiary thesis is that reasons of procedural efficiency require the adoption of such a limitation of the rights of the designated entities that will not infringe the essence of their right to a court and will not impede the exercise of that right by the parties and other participants to the proceedings. The purpose of this paper is to provide that Art. 49a of the Code of Administrative Procedure is one of the “special provisions” referred to in Art. 33 § 1a of the Law on Administrative Courts Proceedings. The reasoning adopted is based on the assumption that the interpretation of the above provisions should take into account both the requirements arising from the right of access to court and the right to be heard without unreasonable delay and the need to minimise the costs of proceedings. The described issue, based on national research, is of significant importance for practice and have not yet been discussed in more detail in the doctrine.
Trabajo, derecho y subjetividad
Authors:   Universidad Libre, López Cortés Oscar Andrés
Published: September 2021

Este libro es el resultado de un esfuerzo colectivo que busca construir un mapa de tres cuestiones comunes y recurrentes: el trabajo, el derecho y la subjetividad. Nuestro propósito es consolidar una herramienta teórica y metodológica, útil para pensar las formas mediante las cuales se configuran las prácticas y los discursos, en las actuales formas de organización del trabajo. Para ello, consideramos indispensable una reflexión detenida sobre cómo se constituye la subjetividad en las condiciones laborales actuales. Partimos de algunos supuestos que conviene ahora explicitar. El primero de ellos es la relación entre trabajo y derecho. No tomamos aquí las normas jurídicas como simples mecanismos de prohibición o permisión de una conducta, es decir como simple instrumento de normación, destinado a distinguir lo normal de lo anormal. Creemos que el derecho juega en un plano adicional, el cual nos interesa registrar: el de la normalización de la conducta. Partimos aquí de la perspectiva que desarrolló Michel Foucault (2006) en diferentes oportunidades sobre el papel del derecho en la gubernamentalidad, donde la relación entre derecho, poder y verdad, constituyen el cuerpo social.
Demodulation of Vibration Signal Based on Envelope-Kurtogram for Ball Bearing Fault Detection
Authors: Kamiel Berli Paripurna
Published: September 2021

Rolling element bearings often suffer damage due to harsh operating and environmental conditions. The method commonly used in detecting faults in a bearing is envelope analysis. However, this method requires setting the central frequency and the correct bandwidth - which corresponds to the resonance frequency of the bearing - for signal demodulation to be effective. This study proposes a kurtogram to determine the correct central frequency and bandwidth to obtain the frequency band with the highest impulse content or the highest kurtosis value. Analysis envelope is applied to the filtered vibration signal using the central frequency and bandwidth parameters obtained from the kurtogram. The results showed that the envelope-kurtogram method is effective for faulty bearing detection as shown in the envelope spectrum where the peaks coincide with the bearing defect characteristic frequency (BPFO) with high accuracy. Likewise, it can be observed several BPFO harmonics which provide information on the level of bearing fault.
Window denture: An unconventional approach for the bulky edentulous ridges
Authors: Sikri Arpit , Sikri Jyotsana
Published: September 2021

Prosthetic rehabilitation in patients having prominent labial ridge with conventional complete denture is an uphill task. Severe labial ridge undercuts are commonly seen incompletely edentulous maxilla than in mandible. This may be attributed to the fact related to the proclined maxillary anteriors, indicated for extraction. Treatment approaches generally involve either a surgical or a non-surgical option. The non-surgical or the prosthetic option generally involves the fabrication of conventional complete denture, which may further compromise the esthetics due to excessive thickness of the labial flange. To challenge such situations, an unconventional approach is needed for fabricating a complete denture. This case report delineates a simple, economical, conservative and non-surgical treatment approach for fabrication of denture in a patient with excessive bulky maxillary ridge, to pronounce the final facial aesthetics of the patient.
Estudo da influência das imperfeições geométricas iniciais no comportamento de pórticos semi-rígidos de aço
Authors: Rodrigues Victor Painçal , Higaki Bruno Eizo
Published: September 2021

Neste trabalho analisou-se a influência das imperfeições geométricas iniciais na estabilidade de pórticos planos semi-rígidos de aço. Para isso, foi analisado via método dos elementos finitos a introdução das imperfeições geométricas iniciais por meio da modelagem dos nós em uma posição inicial deslocada. Verificou-se que com a introdução de imperfeições geométricas iniciais houve um pequeno aumento dos valores de momentos fletores nos pórticos estudados, porém não suficientes para tornarem-se significativos na análise. Um fator notado como mais relevante foi à consideração da semi-rigidez das ligações viga-pilar.
Morpho-physiology, yield and quality assessment on five local landrace Chilli Germplasms
Authors: Chowdhury Md Shah Newaz , Sarkar Shahnaz , Uddin AFM Jamal , Sultana Tania , Roni MZK , Islam Rabiul
Published: September 2021

An experiment was arranged to evaluate the morpho-physiological characters, yield and quality of local landrace chilli germplasms, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, from October 2013 to July 2014. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with four replications. Among germplasms, maximum plant height (59.5 cm) and leaves (84.1) from ‘Kajoli’. Number of branches (33.1) was from ‘Akashi’ minimum (18.6) from ‘Dongfou’, chlorophyll content (56.9%) was obtained from ‘Kajoli’, whereas minimum (48.9%) was obtained from ‘Dongfou’. Leaf area highest (125.8 cm2) from ‘Dongfou’, whereas lowest (62.38 cm2) from ‘Deshi kacha Morich’; was recorded as at 85 DAT. Highest flowers plant-1 (68.7), number of fruits plant¬-1 (268.3) were found in ‘Kajoli’, whilst lowest (24.6) and (61.42) were for ‘Dongfou’. Maximum vitamin-C was found in green and dry chilli fruits (76.44 mg/100g and 42.55 mg/100g), of the germplasm ‘Akashi’ and minimum vitamin-C was recorded in green and dry fruits from ‘Deshi kacha morich’. The germplasm ‘Akashi’ gave the highest fresh fruits yield (18.1 t ha-1), followed by Deshi kacha morich (16.9 t ha-1) and Bogra morich produced the lowest fresh yield (13.3 t ha-1). In view of overall performances, So, Akashi with was best for higher fruit, yield and quality chilli production.
The Economic Impact of Stall Feeding on Cow Milk Production and Calf Death: Empirical Evidence from Northern Ethiopia
Authors: Hadush Muuz , Hagos Berhe Gebregewergs
Published: September 2021

Ethiopia, the emerging economies of Africa has abundant cow milk potential but its milk harvest is negligible. In order to enhance milk yield, an improved livestock feeding practice such as stall feeding (SF) is introduced and expanded in the region. In this paper, we aim to evaluate the impact of stall feeding on rural farmers’ milk production and calf death using IV 2SLS model. The paper used a primary data collected from 251 randomly selected smallholder households consisting 115 adopters and 136 non-adopters. Accordingly, the average SF adopter’s milk production per day per cow is 1.3 litters larger as compared to the non-users. Likewise, Stall feeding significantly reduces the probability of death for the newly born calves by about 68%.
Implication of Rural Population in Planning Local Community Development: A Need for Policy Reform
Authors: Engwali Fon Dorothy , Grace Mengue Melongo Priscille
Published: September 2021

It has been observed that the participation of rural population is not really massive in some localities during the process of planning local community development. Thus, this study seeks to identify factors which can influence the participation of an individual in the materialization of the planning process at the level of the village. Data was collected from 108 respondents with the help of a structured pre-tested questionnaire in Bonalea and Dibamba councils. The binary logistic regression was used to find the factors which can influence their participation in the planning process. The results show that the implication of an individual is influenced by his or her affiliation (membership) to a farmer’s organization and the knowledge that a person has about the activities of the program. This suggests the need for the government to increase the sensitization about the activities of the program and the benefit of being a member of a farmer’s organization. The origin of the family influenced their participation. A non-native of a locality does not find it important to take part in any development process in their host locality which therefore suggests the need for the government to realize a special plan for strangers in locality.
A Review of Egyptian Afforestation Program and its Effect on Agriculture
Authors: Subandi M , Mahmoud Abdelwahab M , T Cecep
Published: September 2021

Egypt has been famous as agricultural country since ancient times. Most Egyptian horticultural and food crop plants are shrubs or small trees with shallow root systems. These plants are susceptible to drought and have a little or no hydrological effect. Egyptian agriculture is mostly dependent on the Nile water (82.59%). Desert areas can be ecologically reclaimed or restored to agronomically productive areas if socioeconomic, cultural, and political factors permit the restoration. Afforestation is when a desert is turned into a woods or forest as a climate change agent and water reservoir. This survey found that Egyptian land was greener than Indonesian land. The availability of the Nile water should be managed as effective as possible to accelerate Egyptian afforestation projects. Egypt may imitate Indonesian success in re-greening the Gunungkidul region of Jogyakarta with the Wanagama forest. The afforestation program affects agricultural practices in Egypt in both the near- and long-term.
Establishment of Inclusive Business on Coffee Production in Bali Province: Lesson from the Coffee Development Project in Nusa Tenggara Timur Province, Indonesia
Authors: Sedana Gede , Astawa Nengah Dasi
Published: September 2021

Indonesia is one of the biggest coffee producers in the world. However, farmers’ incomes are still relatively small due to low productivity, poor quality, and low price, as well as limited access to information, technology, and market. This study aims to describe the effect of inclusive business on coffee development in Bali, based on the Flores experience. The results of the study pointed out that the experience of inclusive business on coffee development in Nusa Tenggara Timur Province might also be implemented in Bali. The business model established should include the coffee farmers/farmers’ cooperative, coffee buyer/exporter, bank, government, research institution, and independent actors. Among the market actors, they should have mutualism partnership in order to obtain economic incentives. This could ensure the sustainability of inclusive business on coffee development.
Diversification of Economy - An Insight into Inclusive Growth & Food Security with Special Reference to Pakistan’s Agriculture Economy
Authors: Dixit Pankaj , Ahmed Ramyar Rzgar , Yadav Arvind Kumar , Lal R.C
Published: September 2021

In order to improve agricultural economies, diversification is an important step to deal with the challenges of both the present and the future. This research attempted to deal with the above challenges of different economies as well as Pakistan’s economy to achieve inclusive growth through internal diversification and reforms. The main objective of this paper is to see how internal diversification and land reform can prove to be a milestone in tackling the above challenges. In order to perform numerical and qualitative analysis of primary and secondary data, the descriptive statistics is being used. As a result, it was shown that through internal diversification and land reforms, Pakistan's agricultural economy can be strengthened. At the end of the paper, some effective suggestions have been proposed, which will be important in achieving the aforementioned objectives.
The Level of Job Satisfaction of Young Farmers Subsidized by European Rural Measures: Evidence from Northern Greece
Authors: Papadopoulou Dimitra G , Papadaki-Klavdianou Afroditi , Michailidis Anastasios , Partalidou Maria
Published: September 2021

This paper examines the job satisfaction of a sample of 182 young farmers from northern Greece who are beneficiaries of support policies, as well as the factors influencing it. The results indicate that young farmers are little satisfied in their job and the practices applied by institutional bodies are the main cause of their job dissatisfaction. Nevertheless, they like the content and nature of their job. Residing in peri-urban rural areas, the intention to continue exercising the farming profession, the sense of achievement, training opportunities, and optimism have positive effects on job satisfaction. However, considering that young people in mountainous areas have a strong sense of job dissatisfaction and claim that they are less likely to continue farming there is a need for integrated development of the countryside focused on the local needs of each area.
Macroeconomic Variables Affecting Fish Production in Nigeria
Authors: Udoh Edet Joshua , Akpan Sunday Brownson
Published: September 2021

The study is an attempt to examine the influence of macroeconomic variables on the growth of fishery sub-sector in Nigeria. The study covers the period from 1961 and 2017. The results apparently revealed that aquaculture production, artisanal fish production, and total fish production, grew exponentially at the rate of 8.90%, 3.75%, and 4.25% respectively. To be more precise, various other factors like, demand shocks, food imports, and variable exchange rate, affected artisanal fish production in the long-run; while exchange rate and demand shocks were significant in the short-run period. For the aquaculture production, demand shocks, credit potential, inflation, food imports, and exchange rate were some significant policy variables in the long-run; whereas demand shocks and exchange rate were also significant in the short-run period. Finally, as far as the total fish production is concerned, demand shocks, food imports, and exchange rate were significantly trending variables, both in the short and long-run periods. To promote fish production in Nigeria, fish imports should be gradually restricted and the economic system regulated to ensure the stability of naira exchange for the US dollar.
Accelerating Agricultural Productivity and Marketing for Rural Transformation in Nigeria
Authors: Ogbeide-Osaretin Evelyn Nwamaka , Ozougwu Ben , Ebhote Oseremen
Published: September 2021

This study examined the essential factors required to drive agricultural productivity and marketing towards enhancing rural transformation. Nigeria data on Total Factor Productivity (TFP) generated using the Solow’s residual approach, quality of labour force captured by different educational levels and health status, availability of credit, and the role of female gender among others were used for the period between1981-2016. Autoregressive distributed lag method was employed as no existence of long-run association was found among variables confirmed by the bound testing result. Findings showed that the female labour force is positively significantly related to TFP. Educational levels of labour were positively but insignificantly related to TFP except the primary educational level. Life expectancy rate was significantly negatively related to TFP. We thus recommended among others that female access to education and credit be enhanced to improve the female labour agricultural productivity, enhances the rural secondary and tertiary educational levels as well as increase in investment in farmers’ health status.
Competition, Contestability and Market Structure for Securities Firms in Taiwan
Authors: Liao Chang-Sheng
Published: September 2021

The purpose of this study is to investigate securities firms’ market structure and contestability in Taiwan over the period from 1998 to 2006. This is the first study to integrate structural and non-structural approaches to the evaluation of competitive conditions in securities firms. The findings of this study have managerial implications, as the results show that market share is positively related to profitability but negatively related to efficiency, implying that the pursuit of market share may not be an appropriate strategy for securities firms. Empirical results show that securities firms are not in perfect competition and that the market is instead characterised by monopolist competition. The results regarding changes in the degree of competition show that securities firms’ competitive condition is not improving. The government is to advance a serial of financial reform policies, but they do not affect securities firms, so the market remains a monopolist competitive environment with a lower level of contestability.
Should Firms Keep a Balance between State and Foreign Ownership? A Perspective on Financial Constraints and Investments in Vietnam
Authors: Gan Christopher , Anh Dao Le Trang
Published: September 2021

State and foreign ownership are increasing their role in financial management and performance of Vietnamese enterprises in the context of global and regional economic integration. Meanwhile, financial constraints and investments are two essential elements affecting corporate financial success. This study investigates the influences of governmental and foreign ownership on financial constraints and investment decisions of enterprises in Vietnam. Using regression models for panel data of 657 non-financial firms listed in Vietnam stock market, the study reveals that Vietnam listed firms with higher rates of state-owned shares exhibit higher levels of financial constraints. State ownership also restricts firms’ investments. On the other hand, foreign ownership helps to reduce the investment – cash flow sensitivity and enhances the firms’ investment levels. As a result, the study recommends that Vietnamese firms should try to eliminate the role and percentage of state ownership as well as attract more foreign investors to enhance the financial barrier and increase more promising investment opportunities to boost the firms’ financial outcomes.
Impact of Urban Agriculture on Household Income in Zambia: An Economic Analysis
Authors: Mupeta Mavis , Kuntashula Elias , Kalinda Thomson
Published: September 2021

The study aimed to empirically determine the impact of urban agriculture on household income in Zambia. The analysis was based on the 2007/2008 Urban Consumption/ Expenditure secondary data collected in Kitwe and Lusaka districts, with a total sample size of 2,682 urban households. The propensity score matching approach is used to estimate the impact of urban agriculture on household income since the method takes into account the systematic differences in socio-economic characteristics between the urban agriculture practicing and non-practicing households by matching from both groups with similar characteristics. Results indicate that urban agriculture has a significant positive effect on household income. The income of households that practiced urban agriculture increased by 13.7% to 19.1%. It implies that urban agriculture has the potential to improve household livelihood through enhanced income.
Land Management for Agricultural Entrepreneurship Development: Farmers’ Perspective from Udayapur, Nepal
Authors: Rai Ashish , Devkota Niranjan , Bhandari Udbodh , Paudel Udaya Raj
Published: September 2021

This study aims to explore farmers’ perspectives on land management for agricultural entrepreneurship in Udayapur, Nepal. The research is based on cross-sectional explanatory research design, and a structured questionnaire was administered for collecting the data from 297 farmers in Tiryuga, Chudandhigadhi, and Belaka municipalities in Udayapur. The results were derived with the help of descriptive and inferential analysis using STATA. The results show that agricultural training and market information play significant roles in gaining awareness about agricultural entrepreneurship and ideas on land management. Agricultural training, credit facilities, and market information have a positive relationship with an awareness of agricultural entrepreneurship and ideas on land management. In contrast, the age, land size, crop cycle, credit facility and agricultural subsidy have a negative relationship with them. This study suggests the need for increasing and enhancing the knowledge for farmers about agricultural entrepreneurship and proper land management in Nepal. The outcome of this study remains significant mostly in developing nations like Nepal and even in the developed ones to feed the growing population’s increasing food demand, as land area is limited on earth and the population living on it is swelling.
Multinomial Regression Analysis if Yam (Dioscorea Spp.) Consumers’ Preferences and Varietal Diversification Pattern in Nigeria
Authors: Achoja Felix Odemero , Enujeke Emmanuel Chukudinife , Ogisi Oraye Dicta , Overehirha Rebecca Tega
Published: September 2021

Multinomial regression analysis of yam consumers’ preference and varietal diversification in the yam production system in Nigeria was the thrust of this investigation. Five major yam farming communities were sampled randomly to get 200 respondents (suppliers and consumers) of yam. Parametric and non-parametric tests were employed to analyze the primary data collected with the questionnaire. The result indicates that white yam (Dioscorea rotundata) is the dominant variety among consuming households. The majority of the respondents prefer selling of white yam (76%) followed by water yam (13%) and yellow yam (l1%) in response to consumers’ preferences. The mean value of yam supplied was 505.34kg, while the mean quantity consumed was 14.56kg. The finding shows that the statistical relationship between the varieties consumed and supplied is strong and positive. It was concluded that as the demand-end is willing to purchase more quantity of white yam supplied, yam farmers and marketers are advised to scale-up production and supply respectively to take advantage of the increasing market demand for white yam in Nigeria. Also, more research works on yam varieties should be conducted by researchers to expand the value chain / industrial uses of other yam varieties to prevent their extinction.
Technical Efficiency among Pepper Farmers in Sarawak, Malaysia: A Stochastic Frontier Analysis
Authors: Rosli Anita , Radam Alias , Rahim Khalid Abdul , Abdullah Amin Mahir
Published: September 2021

This study aimed to estimate the technical efficiency among pepper (Piper nigrum. L) farmers in Sarawak, Malaysia, using Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA). SFA involves a one-step process that can estimate technical inefficacy factors simultaneously with the production frontier. 678 pepper farmers were involved in this study, and the data were collected from 2012 to 2013. The mean score for technical efficiency was 0.518, indicating that pepper farmers were not efficient. However, the inefficiency model showed that education level, membership in farmers’ association, full-time as a pepper farmer, attending courses and visiting sample farms were factors that significantly improved inefficiency. The major problem of pepper farming in Sarawak is poor agricultural practices where farmers do not fully utilize the available agricultural inputs to produce maximum output. Based on the findings, farmers must improve their knowledge and skills in pepper farming through agronomic education.
The Effect of Stem Segment Cuttings of Robusta Coffee (Coffea canephora) on Growth of Root and Leaf Sprout
Authors: Simanjuntak Bistok Hasiholan , Wardani Devi Kusuma
Published: September 2021

Robusta coffee plant propagation is recommended to be performed by vegetative methods, one of which is cuttings. Among plant organs that can be used for cuttings is the stem. The research objective was to determine which stem segment from cuttings was able to provide the best root and leaf growth. The layout study used a completely randomized block design (RBD) with an experimental treatment consisting of five stem segments, namely (1) the first stem segment from the upper shoot (A); (2) the second stem segment from the upper shoot (B); (3) the third stem segment from the upper shoot (C); (4) the fourth stem segment from the upper shoot (D); and (5) the fifth stem segment from the upper shoot (E); each treatment had five replications. Data analysis was performed statistically with analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's HSD (honestly significant difference) test with a significance level of P < 0.05. Robusta coffee cuttings stems from the second stem segment from the upper shoot were able to provide the optimal root growth (root length) and shoot growth (leaf sprout height and leaf sprout growth rate). Leaf sprout number derived from the cuttings was not affected by the stem segment.
Farmers Markets: An Analysis of the Determinants of Consumers Attitudes and Behavior
Authors: Solanki Sandip , Inumula Krishna Murthy
Published: September 2021

This research explores indicators of the attitudes, preferences, and features of customers who buy at farmers’ markets in India, using an intercept survey design. Single-stage purposive sampling was carried out in which consumers were targeted at weekend farmers’ markets at nine different locations within the state of Maharashtra, India. Over a 2-month period of data collection (eight weekend visits) a total of 255 consumers were interviewed on site at the time of purchase, from whom we collected 235 completed questionnaires. Consumers in the sample were divided into three clusters and were rated positively on all seven factors considered. The findings of the study are that in cluster 1, about 80% of consumers were willing to pay more at the farmers’ market rather than to go to a nearby retail outlet or supermarket. Cluster 2 comprised those consumers who prefer value for money while cluster 3 includes those consumers who gave a high rating to the hygiene and service conditions at the market. This research concludes that consumers are positive about the operation of farmers’ markets held near their home.
Characterization of Rural Organizations in a Forest-Based Economy: A Socio-Institutional Approach
Authors: Brahim Marwa Ben , Nasr Jamel Ben , Zaibet Lokman
Published: September 2021

We used a socio-institutional approach to characterize rural organizations in forest-based communities in North West Tunisia. This approach builds on the imperatives of a social system, the conservation of rural capital, and the role of social capital. The resulting model was used to characterize rural organizations based on key socio-institutional attributes. The paper used a Participatory Rural Appraisal (focus groups mainly) to conduct in-depth analysis in nine forest communities. Results reveal the following : 1) in Development Committees there is a strong belief in state intervention and moderate natural capital appropriation, weak conflict management, weak capacity to sanction, and low trust in the organization; 2) in active Agricultural Development Groups there exists a strong potential for conflict management, trust in the organization, and natural capital appropriation, but a lower level of degradation responsibility and capacity to sanction; and 3) in the Inactive Agricultural Development Groups there is the strongest perception of state intervention and overall weak performances in terms of conflict management, trust in organization, and degradation responsibility. These features indicate the organization’s attributes for sustainable local development and specifically for common forest resources management.
Features of Post-Resection Regeneration of Hepatocytes under the Influence of Intrahepatic Administration of Cyanocobalamin
Authors: Andreev A. A. , Shishkina V. V. , Laptieva A. Yu. , Glukhov A. A. , Ostroushko A. P.
Published: September 2021

Liver resection in most cases remains the only way to achieve an increase in life expectancy and cure of patients with large liver formations. In clinical practice, hepatoprotectors are used to improve metabolic processes of the liver, many of them include vitamin B12, the active form of which is able to stimulate reparative regeneration.The aim of the study was to identify morphological features of hepatocytes and the stroma of the resected liver during intra-organ intraoperative administration of cyanocobalamin to study the effect of vitamin B12 on the proliferative activity of hepatocytes.Material and methods. The experiment was conducted on 36 male Wistar rats. In 3 experimental groups of animals, a typical resection was performed in the volume of 70% of the initial liver mass, in the 1st experimental group, prevention of post-resection liver failure was not carried out, in the 2nd experimental group, 0.9% sodium chloride solution was injected into the preserved liver lobes after resection, in the 3rd-vitamin B12. In the animals of the 1st control group liver resection was not performed. The animals were removed from the experiment in 1, 7 and 14 days after the operation and liver material was selected for morphological examination.Results. A significant increase in the number of binuclear hepatocytes was noted in the animals of the 3rd experimental group in 14 days. When studying liver sections stained with silver impregnation after 14 days of the study, the number of reticular fibers in the animals of the 3rd experimental group was 90% higher than similar parameters in animals of the 1st control group, in the animals of the 1st and 2nd experimental groups it was less than 80%. In the immunohistochemical study, an increase in the proliferative activity of mononuclear and binuclear hepatocytes was observed in all experimental groups by the 14th day of the experiment compared with the 1st day. On the 14th day after the operation, the highest proliferation index was observed in the animals of the 3rd experimental group.Conclusion. The proposed method of intra-organ intraoperative administration of cyanocobalamin increases the proliferative activity of hepatocytes, increases the number of cells entering the mitotic cycle, and restores the structural organization of the liver, its anatomical and functional integrity.
Inequality and Students’ PISA 2018 Performance: a Cross-Country Study
Authors: Mazurek Jiri , Fernández García Carlos , Pérez Rico Cristina
Published: September 2021

The aim of this paper was to investigate the relationship between countries’ PISA study results from 2018 and a set of indices related to socio-economic inequality, such as the Gini index, human development index, or gender inequality index, along with purely economic variables, such as GDP per capita and government expenditure on education. The study covered 70 countries, consisting of 37 OECD countries and 33 non-OECD countries. Research methods included multivariate linear regression models, k-means clustering, and hierarchical clustering. Our findings revealed that the Gini index was statistically insignificant, indicating income inequality had little effect on students’ PISA performance. On the other hand, the gender inequality index was the single most statistically significant explanatory variable for both OECD and non-OECD countries. Therefore, our recommendation for policymakers is simple: increase students’ PISA performance, thus enhancing countries’ human capital and competitiveness, and focus on decreasing gender disparity and the associated loss of achievement due to gender inequality.
Investigating style and narrative techniques in Dickens’ Bleak House
Authors: Benamar Abdelhadi
Published: September 2021

Dickens could never get rid of his everlasting catching style even though the very novel has been said to be one of his maturities. The style is there with more repetition and mock. The latter is not obvious to readers; it is dramatically welded to the circumstances, bizarre, rare but not alien to commoners of the very epoch. One of the most stunning texts and range of words, wordiness and elements within contexts alluding, saying but revealing the hidden, forbidden and the taboo, is the introduction of his novel A Tale of the Two Cities. In the following excerpts taken from Bleak House, the introduction is dense and irregularly shaped in English: the very language of his and her majesty. Wherein the question poses itself and raises the discrepancies among form and content; a dichotomy that ought to be considered in conducting the investigation of style and stylistics upon the forthcoming texts.
 
Keywords: Dickens, stylistics, narrative, techniques, Bleak House.
Meeting CORE Standards in the Research and Program Evaluation Course
Authors: Schultz Jared C. , O'Brien Michael
Published: September 2021

Rehabilitation research provides the foundation for effective services to persons with disabilities. As a required course by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE) accreditation standards, the research course in the rehabilitation counseling curriculum remains a difficult one for students, as direct application to practice is not readily apparent. This article provides a review of the CORE standards and recommended curriculum design for the research and program evaluation course. The application of evidence-based practice and program evaluation in rehabilitation counseling is discussed.
Análisis de los Factores Asociados al Crecimiento Exponencial de los Casos Diarios de COVID-19 durante la primera Ola Epidemiológica en Colombia
Authors: Bustos Anthony S. , Ibarguen Mondragon Eduardo , Cerón Gómez Miller
Published: September 2021

Una de las características que más ha afectado la dinámica de la pandemia de Covid-19 es el crecimiento exponencial de contagios diarios por esta enfermedad. Es así, que los impactos económicos y sanitarios más trascendentes se han presentado durante periodos de crecimien- to exponencial. Este trabajo se enfoca en estimar dichos periodos durante la primera ola epide- miológica, y analizar los factores asociados, mediante métodos determinísticos y estadísticos, con la ayuda de las herramientas Excel y Statgraphics. Los resultados indican la existencia de 10 periodos de crecimiento exponencial, de los cuales el periodo más corto cuenta con un rango de 4 días, mientras que el más largo tiene un rango de 37 días. Las tasas de contagio mas alta y mas baja fueron k1 = 0, 5535 y k10 = 0, 0521, respectivamente, durante rangos de 4 días. Entre los factores que más influenciaron este crecimiento exponencial se encuentran, el no acata- miento de las medidas de prevención y contención en fechas claves tales como, semana santa, día de la madre, el día sin IVA y lunes festivos. Además, la reapertura de sectores económicos y el aumento de pruebas en el mes de junio, contribuyeron al aumento y detección de casos.
Estructura Electrónica de GaAs y AlAs usando un Hamiltoniano Tight-Binding sp3s∗
Authors: Rasero Causil Diego Alejandro , Portacio Alfonso A. , Suescun Daniel
Published: September 2021

Calculamos los estados electrónicos en volumen para GaAs y AlAs en estructura Zinc-Blenda usando el método Tight-Binding (TB). El Hamiltoniano TB se construyó usando una base de orbitales s, p y s∗. Los orbitales s∗ representan estados excitados con igual simetría de los orbitales s. Llevando a cabo la diagonalización numérica del Hamiltoniano, se determinaron las relaciones de dispersión para algunas direcciones de alta simetría de la primera zona de Brillouin (PZB), obteniendo un gap directo de 1.54 eV para GaAs y un gap indirecto de 2.26 eV para AlAs. Las densidades de estados totales (DOS) y parciales indican la presencia de orbitales s en la parte inferior de la banda de valencia (BV), orbitales p en la parte superior de la BV y en la parte inferior de la banda de conducción (BC), y orbitales s∗ en la parte superior de la BC. Nuestros resultados concuerdan bastante bien con otros reportes experimentales y teóricos.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN URODYNAMIC PARAMETERS AND LEVEL OF SPINAL CORD INJURY
Authors: Barnaś Anna , Chlebuś Ewa , Wareńczak Agnieszka , Pałucka Joanna , Lisiński Przemysław
Published: September 2021

Introduction Low back pain and comorbid afflictions influence negatively on the quality of life, postural control and gait. Facet joint syndrome is one of the causes of low back pain. Cryoablation is a minimal invasive percutaneuous technique for zygapophysial joint syndrome. Aim The aim of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of the cryoablation in patients with chronic low back pain on pain, disability and spatiotemporal gait parameters in the course of facet joint syndrome. Material and methods The study included 19 patients (13 women, 7 men) with chronic low back and facet arthropathic changes in MRI, and with failure in conservative treatment. The evaluation was performed before and with one-month follow-up after cryoablation and included pain assessment (Numeric Rating Scale), the evaluation of functional state and disability (Revised Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Index, Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire) and an analysis of spatiotemporal gait parameters (treadmill). Results A significant improvement in pain, functioning and spatiotemporal gait parameters such as distance and the number of steps were found. Conclusions Cryoablation is an effective method for pain reduction in facet joint syndrome, which improves functioning and gait. Cryoanalgesia is a safe procedure for the treatment of low back pain related to facet joint syndrome if earlier conservative management failed. Keywords: cryoablation, low back pain, functional assessment, gait
A inclusão da arte contemporânea no ensino de artes
Authors:   Universidade de Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Menezes Marina Pereira de
Published: September 2021

O texto apresenta reflexões acerca do ensino de artes na atualidade, destacando conceitos e referências. Como proposta para um debate acerca de novos fundamentos para este ensino, a autora discute sobre uma prática atenta aos aspectos contemporâneos da arte e da cultura, onde a abertura, investigação, experimentação e pluralidade são conceitos-chave.