bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
El Problema del “Quinto Cuerpo”
Authors: Zamora Calvo José Maria ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: October 2021

In the Treatise On the Heavens II, 1 [ 40 ], Plotinus rejects the explanation of Aristotle who, in De caelo I, 2-3, considers the “fifth body”, ether, the incorruptible matter of celestial bodies and heavens and, hence, different from the sub-lunar world’s four elementary bodies (fire, air, water and earth). Plotinus’ argument at tempts to found the kind of perpetuity which numerical identity implies -the identity which is proper of heavens and celestial bodies- on the harmony that reigns between their body and soul. This way, the Plotinian exeges is of the Aristotelian Treatise integrates the themes already raised in the Platonic Phaedrus and Timaeus. In this article I attempt to expound: 1 ) the concepts of perfection and the cosmological dualism in Aristotle, 2) the problem of the cosmos’ perpetuity, 3) the Plotinian search of a more satisfactory explanation, and 4) the theme of the two regions: sub-lunar and supra-lunar.
O Conceito de Liberdade na Ética de Espinosa
Authors: Fragoso Emanuel Angelo da Rocha ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: October 2021

Dans la plus grande oeuvre de Benedictus de Espinosa, son Éthique, la délimitation de l’univers ontologique, outre le fait de discerner les éléments constitutifs de sa Philosophia en général, résulte entre autre d’un cadre conceptuel pour le principal sujet de son éthique: la liberté. Ayant l’intention d’expliciter les relations entre l’ontologie spinoziste et le concept de liberté, en so ulignant l’importance de ce concept au sein du système de Espinosa en général et sa spécificité à l’intérieur de l'Éthique en particulier, nous expliciterons le concept de liberté dans cette oeuvre: la Définition 7 de la Partie 1. Dans cette définition composée de deux parties distinctes, Espinosa ira opposer “chose libre” (res libera) et “contrainte” (coacta), la première consistant à celle qui “existe exclusivement par nécessité de sa nature et est par soi-même déterminé à agir”, et la seconde à “ce qui est déterminé par autre chose à exister et à opérer de certaine manière déterminée”. Ensuite, nous procéderons à l’analyse critique du concept traditionnel de liberté mise en relation avec la volonté et la contingence, que ce soit comme un pouvoir de choisir ou comme un pouvoir de décision ou d’être régia par un modèle, vis-à-vis des causes qui détermineraient la liberté de la volonté ou absoluto beneplacito, ou encore, de ce qui la régit, en visant la caractérisation de la liberté comme autonomie nécessaire à l’existence et à l’action, ou comme nécessité intrinsèque attachée à l’essence et à ce dont elle découle. En outre, nous analyserons aussi les dédoublements de cette définition initiale suivant leurs relations avec la volonté (finie ou infinie) comme faculté et avec l’accord (fini ou infini), en tant qu’absents de l’e ssence divine, et, finalement, avec la nécessité même.
Mendacidad y Rebelión en Kant
Authors: Aramayo Roberto R. ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: October 2021

Based on the ethic formalism, Kant develops a rigorist interpretation of political and juridical philosophy that leads both to the unconditional condemnation of lies, for which there are no possible cases of exception, such as the lie to support philanthropy, or the lie to support needs, and to the total negation of the subjects’ right to resistance, even against the sovereign’s unfair decisions, although the realization of morality in the history of philosophy explains his enthusiasm regarding successful revolutions.
Interculturalidad o Barbarie. 11 Tests Provisionales Para el Mejoramiento de las Teorías y Prácticas de la Interculturalidad como Alternativa de Otra Humanidad
Authors: Fornet-Bettancourt Raúl ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: October 2021

Pour éviter que le destin de l’humanité soit «la prison ou l’hospice d’aliénés» il faut faire attention aux mutations théoriques et pratiques qui puissent développer l’interculturalité. Celle-ci est es sentielle pour la survie du planète. La thèse soutenue dans cet article est que l’alternative à la multiculturalité est la barbarie. Il faut modifier le travail d’investigation et les pratiques habituelles développées sur ce thème. On doit proposer d’autres orientations philosophiques et d’autres pratiques, qui ne s’inscrivent pas sur des vérités absolues et sur des lois universelles, des orientations qui rejettent les implications d’uniformité de la globalization néo-libérale. Le recours à la théologie de la libération et à l’antropologie philosophique critique est importante.
Biomimicry and Nature as Sympoiesis
Authors: Van den Bergen Laetitia , Van den Akker Robin ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: October 2021

Formulating how biomimicry relates to nature has been crucial to ‘deepening’ its theory. Currently, an autopoietic model of nature dominates the literature. However, advances in the natural and human sciences have demonstrated that autopoiesis does not adequately explain complex, dynamic, responsive, and situated systems. This article draws on Beth Dempster’s (1998) characterisation of ecosystems as sympoietic, that is as homeorhetic, evolutionary, distributively controlled, unpredictable, and adaptive, and on Donna Jeanne Haraway’s (2016) critique that entities do not pre-exist their relationships. We argue that using sympoietic processes of becoming as our model, measure, and mentor impacts biomimicry’s practice and relation to sustainability. Taking John Todd’s Living Machines as a case study, we explicate how sympoiesis unfurls autopoiesis. By integrating advances in the natural and human sciences into the philosophy of biomimicry, we address the limitations of the autopoietic model and provide a more comprehensive and adequate model of ‘nature.’
El papel mediador de las fortalezas psicológicas entre la interferencia académica/laboral y la salud mental durante el confinamiento por COVID-19
Authors: López-Núñez Alfonso , Piqueras Jose Antonio , Falcó Raquel , PSICO-RECURSOS-COVID-19 STUDY GROUP A
Published: October 2021

El impacto psicológico debido a la pandemia por coronavirus (COVID-19) ha sido evidenciado. Algunas de las variables asociadas a éste han sido la presencia de problemas financieros previos, ser estudiantes o encontrarse inactivo, todas ellas cuestiones relacionadas con el ámbito laboral y académico. En consecuencia, el objetivo principal del trabajo fue analizar el papel mediador que tienen las fortalezas personales para la salud mental frente a la interferencia académica/laboral provocada por el confinamiento debido a la COVID-19 en España en función del estatus laboral (estudiantes, trabajadores activos e inactivos), controlando a su vez otras variables sociodemográficas (sexo y edad). Para la recogida de datos del presente estudio descriptivo de corte transversal se utilizó una encuesta online, compuesta por instrumentos para valorar el grado de interferencia en las actividades académicas/laborales (ad hoc), las estrategias de afrontamiento desadaptativas (COPE-28), la resiliencia (CD-RISC), la covitalidad (SEHS), los hábitos saludables (ad hoc), el bienestar psicológico (WHO-5) y malestar psicológico (PHQ-4). Los resultados mostraron, por un lado, que los colectivos de estudiantes y de inactividad manifestaron peores indicadores de salud mental y recursos personales, mientras que el efecto contrario fue hallado en el grupo de trabajadores activos; y, por otro lado, los modelos de mediación PROCESS (modelo 4) evidenciaron un efecto amortiguador de los recursos personales entre la interferencia académica/laboral percibida y los indicadores de ajuste psicosocial (bienestar y malestar psicológico), independientemente de la categoría laboral. En conclusión, se destaca la función protectora de los recursos personales en el ajuste psicosocial durante el periodo de confinamiento por COVID-19.
Zkaya, corpo [negro] e moda ativista em Santa Catarina
Authors: Vilela Verdi Lazaro Alves , Novelli Daniela , Rosa Lucas da , Silveira Icléia
Published: October 2021

O presente artigo tem como objetivo identificar ações de engajamento estético-político da marca catarinense Zkaya voltadas para a valorização das subjetividades de identidades negras, no contexto do ativismo e da moda Afro-brasileira no cenário contemporâneo. Trata-se de uma pesquisa básica, qualitativa e descritiva, cujo levantamento bibliográfico permitiu construir o embasamento teórico, que discute primeiramente como operam as estruturas de poder sobre o corpo [negro], como a moda tem um papel fundamental em sua docilização e, contudo, aponta para o fato de que onde há poder, existe resistência; em seguida, apresenta um comparativo de como algumas marcas ativistas brasileiras estão resistindo ao sistema dominante, para finalmente apresentar os resultados de dados coletados por meio de entrevista e acesso a site e redes sociais da principal marca em questão, de modo a tornar possível a afirmação de que a Zkaya é uma marca ativista que ressignifica a moda e valoriza aspectos históricos e socioculturais associados às subjetividades das identidades negras.
Ensino remoto de música durante 2020
Authors: Ogibowski Brunno Rossetti , Mateiro Teresa da Assunção Novo
Published: October 2021

Frente à realidade de pandemia, neste trabalho tivemos como objetivo compreender os impactos do ensino remoto de música, durante o ano de 2020, por meio da narrativa de dois professores que atuam em escolas públicas. A experiência dos professores com a narrativa, contando histórias de sua própria vida e suas experiências de ensino durante o período de isolamento inserem o trabalho dentro do chamado movimento biográfico da educação. O baixo estímulo ao profissional docente, aliado à falta de programas sociais estinados ao maior acesso à internet ou tecnologias digitais por parte dos estudantes e suas famílias, presente no relato dos docentes, revelam desafios do momento vivenciado na educação básica em 2020.
Covid-19: memórias e acervos em construção
Authors: Pereira Filho Hilário Figueiredo , Ottoline Luana Xavier
Published: October 2021

Em meio aos confrontos entre aqueles que se negam a adotar práticas de isolamento social e os que respeitam as recomendações das instituições científicas no contexto da Covid-19, há uma série de iniciativas que buscam registrar a produção de narrativas de memórias sobre experiências proporcionadas pela pandemia. A partir de projetos desenvolvidos por instituições públicas e privadas, cujas abordagens variam entre as dimensões individuais e coletivas, selecionamos iniciativas para aprofundar os debates sobre direito à memória, acesso aos acervos como prática democrática e construção plural de representações sobre o presente tensionado por incertezas, traumas e esperanças.
Racial Background and Health Behaviors Among Adults With Cancer in Canada: Results of a National Survey
Authors: Abdel-Rahman Omar
Published: October 2021

Background: This study was an assessment of the impact of racial background on health behaviors among Canadian adults with a concurrent or past history of a cancer diagnosis. Methods: The Canadian Community Health Survey datasets (2015–2018) were accessed, and adults (age ≥18 years) with cancer were reviewed. Information about the racial background, socioeconomic status, and different health behaviors was reviewed. Multivariable logistic regression analyses for factors associated with different health behaviors were conducted. Results: A total of 20,514 participants with a history of cancer were considered eligible and were included in the analysis. Compared with individuals who self-identified as White, those who self-identified as indigenous were less likely to have received an influenza vaccination in the past year (odds ratio [OR], 1.253; 95% CI, 1.084–1.448), less likely to have drunk alcohol in the past 12 months (OR, 0.641; 95% CI, 0.546–0.752), more likely to be current smokers (OR, 2.245; 95% CI, 1.917–2.630), and more likely to have used recreational drugs in the past 12 years (OR, 1.488; 95% CI, 1.076–2.057). Compared with individuals who self-identified as White, those who self-identified as non-White and nonindigenous were less likely to have received an influenza vaccination in the past year (OR, 1.207; 95% CI, 1.035–1.408), less likely to have drunk alcohol in the past 12 months (OR, 0.557; 95% CI, 0.463–0.671), and less likely to be current smokers (OR, 0.605; 95% CI, 0.476–0.769). Conclusions: Within the Canadian context, there is a considerable variability in the health behaviors of adults with cancer according to their racial background. There is a need to tailor the survivorship care planning of patients with cancer based on socioeconomic context.
Impact of Telemedicine on Patient Satisfaction and Perceptions of Care Quality in Radiation Oncology
Authors: Shaverdian Narek , Gillespie Erin F. , Cha Elaine , Kim Soo Young , Benvengo Stephanie , Chino Fumiko , Kang Jung Julie , Li Yuelin , Atkinson Thomas M. , Lee Nancy , Washington Charles M. , Cahlon Oren , Gomez Daniel R.
Published: October 2021

Background:The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed cancer care with the rapid expansion of telemedicine, but given the limited use of telemedicine in oncology, concerns have been raised about the quality of care being delivered. We assessed the patient experience with telemedicine in routine radiation oncology practice to determine satisfaction, quality of care, and opportunities for optimization.Patients and Methods:Patients seen within a multistate comprehensive cancer center for prepandemic office visits and intrapandemic telemedicine visits in December 2019 through June 2020 who completed patient experience questionnaires were evaluated. Patient satisfaction between office and telemedicine consultations were compared, patient visit-type preferences were assessed, and factors associated with an office visit preference were determined.Results:In total, 1,077 patients were assessed (office visit, n=726; telemedicine, n=351). The telemedicine-consult survey response rate was 40%. No significant differences were seen in satisfaction scores between office and telemedicine consultations, including the appointment experience versus expectation, quality of physician’s explanation, and level of physician concern and friendliness. Among telemedicine survey respondents, 45% and 34% preferred telemedicine and office visits, respectively, and 21% had no preference for their visit type. Most respondents found their confidence in their physician (90%), understanding of the treatment plan (88%), and confidence in their treatment (87%) to be better or no different than with an office visit. Patients with better performance status and who were married/partnered were more likely to prefer in-person office visit consultations (odds ratio [OR], 1.04 [95% CI, 1.00–1.08];P=.047, and 2.41 [95% CI, 1.14–5.47];P=.009, respectively). Patients with telephone-only encounters were more likely to report better treatment plan understanding with an office visit (OR, 2.25; 95% CI, 1.00–4.77;P=.04).Conclusions:This study is the first to assess telemedicine in routine radiation oncology practice, and found high patient satisfaction and confidence in their care. Optimization of telemedicine in oncology should be a priority, specifically access to audiovisual capabilities that can improve patient–oncologist communication.
National Quality Measure Compliance for Palliative Bone Radiation Among Patients With Metastatic Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Grant Stephen R. , Smith Benjamin D. , Colbert Lauren E. , Nguyen Qunyh-Nhu , Yu James B. , Lin Steven H. , Chen Aileen B.
Published: October 2021

Background: There exists wide practice variability in palliative treatment schedules for bone metastases. In an effort to reduce variation and promote high-quality, cost-conscious care, the National Quality Forum (NQF) endorsed measure 1822 in 2012. This measure recommends the use of 30 Gy in 10 fractions, 24 Gy in 6 fractions, 20 Gy in 5 fractions, or 8 Gy in a single fraction for palliative radiation for bone metastases. We report on longitudinal compliance with this measure. Methods: Using the National Cancer Database, patients with metastatic thoracic non–small cell lung cancer diagnosed between 2004 and 2016 who received radiation therapy for bony sites of metastatic disease were identified. Treatment courses fitting 1 of the 4 recommended schedules under NQF 1822 were coded as compliant. Rates of compliance by patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics were analyzed. Results: A total of 42,685 patients met the criteria for inclusion. Among all patients, 60.2% of treatment courses were compliant according to NQF 1822. Compliance increased over time and was highest for treatments to the extremity (69.8%), lowest for treatments to the skull or head (48.8%), and higher for academic practice (67.1%) compared with community (56.0%) or integrated network facilities (61.2%). On multivariable analysis, predictors of NQF 1822 compliance included year of diagnosis after 2011, treatment to an extremity, or treatment at an academic facility. Of noncompliant treatment courses, extended fractionation (≥11 fractions) occurred in 62.6% and was more common before 2012, in community practice, and for treatments of the skull or head. Conclusions: Among patients treated for metastatic non–small cell lung cancer, compliance with NQF 1822 increased over time. Although extended fractionation constituted a majority of noncompliant treatment courses, a substantial proportion also involved shorter courses.
Impact of Nonadherence to NCCN Adjuvant Radiotherapy Initiation Guidelines in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma in an Underserved Urban Population
Authors: Ponduri Anusha , Liao David Z. , Schlecht Nicolas F. , Rosenblatt Gregory , Prystowsky Michael B. , Kabarriti Rafi , Garg Madhur , Ow Thomas J. , Schiff Bradley A. , Smith Richard V. , Mehta Vikas
Published: October 2021

Background:Nonadherence to NCCN Guidelines during time from surgery to postoperative radiotherapy (S-PORT) can alter survival outcomes in head and neck squamous cell carcinomna (HNSCC). There is a need to validate this impact in an underserved urban population and to understand risk factors and reasons for delay. We sought to investigate the impact of delayed PORT with outcomes of overall survival (OS) in HNSCC, to analyze predictive factors of delayed PORT, and to identify reasons for delay.Methods:We conducted a retrospective cohort study in an urban, community-based academic center. A total of 184 patients with primary HNSCC were identified through the Montefiore Medical Center cancer registry who had been treated between March 1, 2005, and March 8, 2017, and met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The primary exposure was S-PORT. OS, recurrence, and risk factors and reasons for treatment delay were the main outcomes and measures.Results:Among 184 patients with HNSCC treated with PORT, the median S-PORT was 48.5 days (interquartile range, 41–67 days). The S-PORT threshold that optimally differentiated worse OS outcomes was >50 days (46.7% of our cohort; n=86). Independent of other relevant factors, patients with HNSCC and S-PORT >50 days had worse OS (hazard ratio, 2.30; 95% CI, 1.34–3.95) and greater recurrence (odds ratio, 3.51; 95% CI, 1.31–9.39). Predictors of delayed S-PORT included being underweight or obese, prolonged postoperative length of stay, and age >70 years. The most frequent reasons for PORT delay were complications related to surgery (22.09%), unrelated medical comorbidities (18.60%), and nonadherence/missed appointments (6.98%).Conclusions:Delayed PORT beyond 50 days after surgery was associated with decreased OS and greater recurrence. Identification of predictive factors and reasons for treatment delay helps to target at-risk patients and facilitates interventions in underserved populations.
STUDY OF FLUID DYNAMICS AND SULFUR MASS TRANSFER BETWEEN STEEL AND SLAG IN A LADLE FURNACE CONSIDERING DRAG AND NON-DRAG FORCES
Authors: Urióstegui Hernández Antonio , GARNICA GONZALEZ PEDRO , HERNANDEZ BOCANEGRA CONSTANTIN ALBERTO , RAMOS BANDERAS JOSE ANGEL , MONTES  RODRIGUEZ JOSE JULIAN , ORTIZ CASTILLO JOSE RAUL
Published: October 2021

In this work fluid dynamics and a basic study of the sulfur transfer at the steel/slag interface in the ladle during argon gas agitation was developed. Mass transfer and chemical reaction models coupled with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) were employed. The multiphasic simulation was solved using the Eulerian model considering drag and non-drag forces, and the flow pattern was validated through Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) technique. The sulfur transfer rate was tracked by two approximations: (1) unidirectional constant rate Mass Transfer Model (MTM), and (2) unidirectional constant rate Mass Transfer Model coupled with Chemical Reaction Model (MTM+CRM) using Arrhenius equation. It was found that including the non-drag forces affects the fluid dynamics structure. Otherwise, the desulfurization rates increase as the argon gas flow rate increases, finding that the MTM model predicts ~15% less sulfur in the steel than the MTM+CRM, whose results were compared with plant measurements reports.
EFFECTS OF SHOOT TRIMMING AND ETHEPHON TREATMENTS ON VEGETATIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF ‘USLU’ GRAPEVINE
Authors: POLAT A. Aytekin , KAMILOĞLU Önder
Published: October 2021

Mediterranean, depending on the ecological conditions, is an important region in terms of earliness and grape cultivation in Turkey. Vegetative growth control is deemed to be necessary in grape cultivars that exhibit strong growth. This experiment was carried out for grapevines of Uslu grafted onto 1103 P rootstock at a spacing of 2 m × 3 m to analyze the influence of ethephon and shoot trimming on vine growth characteristics. Shoot trimming (control and 10 nodes) and ethephon (0, 500, 750 ppm) applications were carried out on vinestocks approximately one week before blooming. Summer shoot length (cm), node number of summer shoot (n), internode length of summer shoot (cm), axillary bud burst percentage (%), number of axillary shoot (n), mean length of axillary shoot (cm), total length of axillary shoot (cm), cane diameter (mm), pith diameter (mm), cane/pith, pruning wood weight (g) were determined. According to results, foliar treatments with ethephon applied in shoots growth period (before flowering) exhibited a strong inhibitory effect on shoot growth of cv. Uslu. Ethephon (500 ppm and 750 ppm) application reduced summer shoot length, node number and internode length. Increasing ethephon doses reduced active bud burst percentage, shoot length and pruning wood weight. The number of axillary shoots decreased by 49.4% in trimmed plants in comparison with the control. It was determined that mean length of axillary shoot was higher in trimmed plants, while total length of axillary shoot and pruning wood weights of grapevines were similar in both trimmed and control plants.
UPTAKE AND EXPENSE OF NITROGEN, PHOSPHORUS AND POTASSIUM IN GRAIN SORGHUM DEPENDS ON NITROGEN FERTILIZATION
Authors: VELINOV Ivan , TODOROV Zhivko , KOSTADINOVA Svetla
Published: October 2021

The uptake and expense of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in grain sorghum was studied in a field experiment during the period 2017-2018. Hybrid EC Alize was grown under non-irrigated conditions. The applied nitrogen fertilization was in rates 0, 60, 120, 180, 240 and 300 kg N.ha-1. It was established that application of N240 and N300 let to high average uptake of nitrogen (212.0 kg N.ha-1) and phosphorus (125.2 kg P2O5.ha-1) in maturity. The higher removal of 159.9 kg K2O.ha-1 on average was observed at N180 rate. The expense of nitrogen for production of 1 t of grain increased in parallel with the nitrogen fertilization. The highest nitrogen expense of 39.7 - 45.3 kg N.t-1 grain was established when sorghum received 300 kg N.ha-1 and it exceeded the control by 38.8 in 2017 and by 53.6% in 2018. Sorghum plants used 15.5 - 16.6 kg P2O5 an average to form 1 t of grain and nitrogen fertilization in rates N60-N300 slightly affected the phosphorus expense. Nitrogen fertilization proven increased the expense of potassium for production of 1 t of grain compared to N0 control plants. The increase was by 8.3 -20.0% in 2017 and by 8.0 - 34.0% in 2018. Sorghum plants expensed 23.2 - 24.2 kg K2O on average to form 1 t of grain at nitrogen rates N180-N300. The strong positive correlation was established between nitrogen fertilization with N uptake (0.966**) and N expense (0.997**) and K uptake (0.820*) and K expense (0.870*).
EFFECT OF MICROFINANCE ON SMALLHOLDER FARMERS’ LIVELIHOOD IN RWANDA: A CASE STUDY OF NYAMAGABE DISTRICT
Authors: MUTAMULIZA Eularie , MUSABANGANJI Edouard
Published: October 2021

Microfinance in Rwanda is considered as one of the most crucial mechanisms in the implementation of the Government program to reduce poverty and to increase economic growth. However, despite the effort made by the Government of Rwanda to put in place microfinance institutions in rural areas, little is known about the effects of microfinance on smallholder farmers’ income in Nyamagabe District of Rwanda. This study aimed at examining the contribution of microfinance services to the income of smallholder farmers in Nyamagabe District. Primary data were collected from 240 respondents randomly selected in 3 sectors of Nyamagabe District using structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics to describe the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents and Propensity Score Matching was used to assess the effect of microfinance on smallholder farmers’ livelihood. The results from descriptive statistics showing that 117 respondents were participants in microfinance services and 123 were nonparticipants and more men were committed to participate and to access microfinance services than women. Results from Propensity Score Matching Model using both Kernel Based Matching and Nearest Neighbor Matching showed that the households participating in microfinance services increased their total annual income by 256,674 Rwandan francs and 228,246 Rwandan francs more than non-participants, respectively. The study recommended that smallholder farmers should be encouraged to participate in microfinance services to increase their income and agricultural productivity. The use of SACCOs and microfinance services needs to be promoted in order to provide an instrument for mobilizing savings and extending credit.
ASSESSMENT ON PERFORMANCE OF PARTNERSHIP EXTENSION MODELS IMPLEMENTED IN TEA SMALLHOLDING SECTOR IN SRI LANKA
Authors: JAYASINGHE Dilip , AMARATHUNGA Lalith , WANIGASUNDERA Padmasiri , MAPATUNA Yasantha , THALAGODA Supun
Published: October 2021

Tea smallholding sector provides the highest contribution to Sri Lankan tea industry. In recent years the productivity of tea smallholdings has shown a declining trend. This could mainly be attributed to limitations of providing an optimum extension service. The Public-Private Partnership (PPP) extension models have been introduced during the last decade as an alternative to a part of the tea smallholdings sector. This study was carried out to assess the performance of three such well-established partnership extension models and to identify the factors affecting their success. Three partnership extension models representing a factorybased model (FBM), an input supplier-based model (ISBM) and, a development agency-based model (DABM) were selected for the study. Six key components of a successful partnership i.e. trust and cohesiveness, motivation to participate, resource sharing, support to achieve long-term expectations, sharing technical information and, satisfaction about the model were used to assess the success of PPP. The primary data was collected using pretested questionnaire schedule followed by key informant interviews with randomly selected 90 smallholders (30 from each model) and with extension partners from each model. The findings revealed that productivity of tea smallholder lands in FBM is the highest when compared to that of other two models. This could be attributed to the more frequent contacts with smallholders and better provision of other services. Some success factors of the models viz. trust and cohesiveness, resource sharing, technical information sharing and motivation to work showed a significant relationship with age, experience, tea land extent and productivity (p0.05). Development agency model was highly rated by poorer tea smallholders, while those having higher land extent highly rated the other PPP models. Partnership models should serve equally to all tea smallholders and therefore, it could be recommended that partners of PPP AGROFOR International Journal, Vol. 5, Issue No. 1, 2020 113 extension model should further promote trust and cohesiveness, sharing of technical information and resources to establish successful partnerships.
Comparative analysis of administrative and legal regulation of the activity of Voluntary People's Detachment in the Russian Federation and France
Authors: Khromov Aleksandr Vladimirovich , Sabirova Anna Kudratovna
Published: October 2021

Unlike commercial and government structures, volunteer organizations are not widely covered in the scientific literature. Volunteerism is examined from the perspective of the motivation of the participants, their value orientation, and the level of engagement in the voluntary activity. It is no coincidence that France was selected for this comparative research, as its similarities and differences are of particular importance for the results of the study. Legal regulation of the activity of Voluntary People's Detachment (Druzhina) in Russia has its own peculiarities, as well as borrowings from the foreign experience. The author compares the Russian and French legislation, taking into account that in the Russian language the words “volunteer” and “voluntary servant” are synonymous, but not identical, while the French language uses only the neutral word “volunteer”. France has no equivalent of the Voluntary People's Druzhina; however, it has the volunteer fire squads. Therefore, comparison is conducted by the legal status of domestic and foreign volunteers. It reveals in which country the legislator is more effective in encouraging the population to participate in volunteer activity, and namely maintenance of order.
The problems of 2017 Kurdistan Region independence referendum
Authors: Shakali Swara
Published: October 2021

This article sheds light on the situation related to 2017 Kurdistan Region independence referendum. Leaning on the primary sources, it is demonstrated that the party officials of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan warned the leadership of the Kurdish Regional Autonomy of Iraq represented by the Kurdistan Democratic Party about the consequences of shortsighted policy. The disputed territories, which are the subject of discussion between the leadership of the Autonomy and Baghdad, were controlled by the troops of the Central Government. The Iraqi leadership has also reduced the funds from the federal budget for supporting the government employees of the Autonomy. It resulted in payment arrears and mass disturbances in the Autonomy. The novelty of this research lies in the fact that this topic has not previously received due attention in the Russian sources. This article is first within the Russian Kurdish Studies to introduce the primary sources in Sorani (Kurdish dialect). It cannot be asserted that these problems have been resolved conclusively; the blame falls on the shortsighted and irrational policy of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, or even personally Masoud Barzani, who was removed from his office as result of the referendum. The representatives of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan denounced the detrimental consequences of holding the referendum in the existing conditions.
Protest actions of the Tibetans in the People's Republic of China
Authors: Pomelova Yulia
Published: October 2021

This article examines the methods of protest actions of the Tibetans residing in the territory of the People's Republic of China. The inability for legal self-organization and representation of the interests of ethnic minorities in the public space of PRC leads to the emergence of new forms of expressing protest moods, such as social network movements. Tibetan Buddhism is an important element of integration and construction of the identity of Tibetan society, which intensifies both positive and negative effects of China’s religious policy, and thus, causes various forms of disturbances from individual protest to large-scale temporary training centers of Tibetan Buddhism. The Russian scientific literature on the “Tibetan question” gives ample attention to China's religious policy pertaining to the Tibetan Buddhism monasteries and protests of Tibetan monks. The monasteries that have consolidated the religious and political power since the region became part of PRC, received particular attention of the party; organization and participation of the Tibetan monks and nuns in the protests seemed as the logical continuation of their traditional social role. The article systematizes the methods of protest activity of laity Tibetans, who believed that opposing the state policy implies the defense of their identity, which subsides due to the state homogenization project.
Indicators of the quantity and quality of human potential as the “markers” of security (pseudo-security) of territorial economy
Authors: Samoilova Liudmila Konstantinovna , Litvinenko Aleksandr Nikolaevich
Published: October 2021

This article presents the original approach towards assessment of human potential of the territory from the perspective of economic security. Despite a wide variety of scientific publications that touch upon the issues of assessing the quantity and quality of human resources, there is no comprehensive research on them as a structural element of the system of ensuring economic security of the country and its administrative-territorial units. At the same time, the development of human capital significantly impacts the level of economic security of public legal entities, and the indicators that characterize its state may serve as the “markers” that allow tracing the instance of occurrence of the borderline states that threaten territorial economy. In light of this, the author aims to develop the indicators that on the one hand describe the provision of territorial-economic complex with labor resources, and on the other hand the fulfillment of socioeconomic needs of the population. Combined, they determine the degree of protection of the territorial economy from threats that arise due to the changes in quantitative and qualitative parameters of human capital. In the course of this research, the author develops the system of coefficients that reflect the parameters of human potential of the territory, constant monitoring and comparison with the “threshold” values, which are objectively required for assessing the level of economic security of meso-formations. It is suggested to include relative, tempo-based indicators in the list. Their application is oriented towards determination of changes in the quantity and quality of human resources and the predisposition of the territorial-economic complex to strengthening (weakening) the destructive socioeconomic processes.
Evolution of irreversible somatic differentiation
Authors: Gao Yuanxiao , Park Hye Jin , Traulsen Arne , Pichugin Yuriy
Published: October 2021

A key innovation emerging in complex animals is irreversible somatic differentiation: daughters of a vegetative cell perform a vegetative function as well, thus, forming a somatic lineage that can no longer be directly involved in reproduction. Primitive species use a different strategy: vegetative and reproductive tasks are separated in time rather than in space. Starting from such a strategy, how is it possible to evolve life forms which use some of their cells exclusively for vegetative functions? Here, we develop an evolutionary model of development of a simple multicellular organism and find that three components are necessary for the evolution of irreversible somatic differentiation: (i) costly cell differentiation, (ii) vegetative cells that significantly improve the organism’s performance even if present in small numbers, and (iii) large enough organism size. Our findings demonstrate how an egalitarian development typical for loose cell colonies can evolve into germ-soma differentiation dominating metazoans.
Tbx5 drives Aldh1a2 expression to regulate a RA-Hedgehog-Wnt gene regulatory network coordinating cardiopulmonary development
Authors: Rankin Scott A , Steimle Jeffrey D , Yang Xinan H , Rydeen Ariel B , Agarwal Kunal , Chaturvedi Praneet , Ikegami Kohta , Herriges Michael J , Moskowitz Ivan P , Zorn Aaron M
Published: October 2021

The gene regulatory networks that coordinate the development of the cardiac and pulmonary systems are essential for terrestrial life but poorly understood. The T-box transcription factor Tbx5 is critical for both pulmonary specification and heart development, but how these activities are mechanistically integrated remains unclear. Here using Xenopus and mouse embryos, we establish molecular links between Tbx5 and retinoic acid (RA) signaling in the mesoderm and between RA signaling and sonic hedgehog expression in the endoderm to unveil a conserved RA-Hedgehog-Wnt signaling cascade coordinating cardiopulmonary (CP) development. We demonstrate that Tbx5 directly maintains expression of aldh1a2, the RA-synthesizing enzyme, in the foregut lateral plate mesoderm via an evolutionarily conserved intronic enhancer. Tbx5 promotes posterior second heart field identity in a positive feedback loop with RA, antagonizing a Fgf8-Cyp regulatory module to restrict FGF activity to the anterior. We find that Tbx5/Aldh1a2-dependent RA signaling directly activates shh transcription in the adjacent foregut endoderm through a conserved MACS1 enhancer. Hedgehog signaling coordinates with Tbx5 in the mesoderm to activate expression of wnt2/2b, which induces pulmonary fate in the foregut endoderm. These results provide mechanistic insight into the interrelationship between heart and lung development informing CP evolution and birth defects.
Control of Arabidopsis shoot stem cell homeostasis by two antagonistic CLE peptide signalling pathways
Authors: Schlegel Jenia , Denay Gregoire , Wink Rene , Pinto Karine Gustavo , Stahl Yvonne , Schmid Julia , Blümke Patrick , Simon Rüdiger GW
Published: October 2021

Stem cell homeostasis in plant shoot meristems requires tight coordination between stem cell proliferation and cell differentiation. In Arabidopsis, stem cells express the secreted dodecapeptide CLAVATA3 (CLV3), which signals through the leucine-rich repeat (LRR)-receptor kinase CLAVATA1 (CLV1) and related CLV1-family members to downregulate expression of the homeodomain transcription factor WUSCHEL (WUS). WUS protein moves from cells below the stem cell domain to the meristem tip and promotes stem cell identity, together with CLV3 expression, generating a negative feedback loop. How stem cell activity in the meristem centre is coordinated with organ initiation and cell differentiation at the periphery is unknown. We show here that the CLE40 gene, encoding a secreted peptide closely related to CLV3, is expressed in the SAM in differentiating cells in a pattern complementary to that of CLV3. CLE40 promotes WUS expression via BAM1, a CLV1-family receptor, and CLE40 expression is in turn repressed in a WUS-dependent manner. Together, CLE40-BAM1-WUS establish a second negative feedback loop. We propose that stem cell homeostasis is achieved through two intertwined pathways that adjust WUS activity and incorporate information on the size of the stem cell domain, via CLV3-CLV1, and on cell differentiation via CLE40-BAM1.
Experiencias Adversas en la Niñez: Modificaciones Neuro-Estructurales, Neuro-Funcionales y Comportamentales
Authors:   Universidad de los Andes (Colombia), León Rodríguez Diego Armando , Cárdenas Parra Luis Fernando ,   Universidad de los Andes (Colombia)
Published: October 2021

Se realizó una revisión sistemática de las publicaciones que han estudiado la relación entre la exposición a experiencias adversas en la niñez (EAN) y los cambios en la estructura y función encefálica a través de neuroimágenes. Para la búsqueda de publicaciones se usaron las bases de datos Scopus, PubMed, Scielo, y Mendeley. Se encontraron 849 artículos que contenían las palabras clave, de los cuales 122 cumplieron los criterios de inclusión. Estas investigaciones evaluaron 8498 personas expuestas a adversidades, como maltrato, abuso sexual, violencia doméstica, institucionalización y pobreza. Se hallaron alteraciones significativas en la estructura, función y conectividad de 21 áreas corticales y subcorticales, sobresaliendo la corteza prefrontal, amígdala, hipocampo, corteza cingulada anterior y estriado. Estas se pueden agrupar en cuatro sistemas neuro-comportamentales implicados en el procesamiento sensorial, la valoración afectiva, las inferencias sociales y el control ejecutivo, los cuales se ven afectados por la exposición a las EAN incrementando el riesgo para el desarrollo de problemas mentales. En la discusión se aborda la importancia de considerar las variaciones genéticas, las condiciones ambientales y la moderación epigenética para comprender mejor cómo las EAN alteran los sistemas neuro-comportamentales. Esta compresión permitirá diseñar estrategias de intervención y prevención más eficientes y sectorizadas hacia las poblaciones vulnerables. En conclusión, los estudios con neuroimagen en personas expuestas a adversidad durante la niñez demuestran la afectación de redes neurales implicadas en el procesamiento perceptual, afectivo, social y ejecutivo.
A Comparison Between the Korean Digits-in-Noise Test and the Korean Speech Perception-in-Noise Test in Normal-Hearing and Hearing-Impaired Listeners
Authors: Kim Subin , You Sungwha , Sohn Myoung Eun , Han Woojae , Seo Jae-Hyun , Oh Yonghee
Published: October 2021

Background and Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to validate the performance and diagnostic efficacy of the Korean digits-in-noise (K-DIN) test in comparison to the Korean speech perception-in-noise (K-SPIN) test, which is the representative speech-in-noise test in clinical practice.Subjects and Methods: Twenty-seven subjects (15 normal-hearing and 12 hearing-impaired listeners) participated. The recorded Korean 0-9 digits were used to form quasirandom digit triplets; 50 target digit triplets were presented at the most comfortable level of each subject while presenting speech-shaped background noise at various levels of signal-to-noise ratios (-12.5, -10, -5, or +5 dB). Subjects were then instructed to listen to both target and noise masker unilaterally and bilaterally through a headphone. K-SPIN test was also conducted using the same procedure as the K-DIN. After calculating their percent correct responses, K-DIN and K-SPIN results were compared using a Pearson-correlation test.Results: Results showed a statistically significant correlation between K-DIN and K-SPIN in all hearing conditions (left: r=0.814, p<0.001; right: r=0.788, p<0.001; bilateral: r=0.727, p<0.001). Moreover, the K-DIN test achieved better testing efficacy, shorter average listening time (5 min vs. 30 min), and easier performance of task according to participants’ qualitative reports than the K-SPIN test.Conclusions: In this study, the Korean version of digit triplet test was validated in both normal-hearing and hearing-impaired listeners. The findings suggest that the K-DIN test can be used as a simple and time-efficient hearing-in-noise test in audiology clinics in Korea.
Wide Voltage Aqueous Asymmetric Supercapacitors: Advances, Strategies, and Challenges
Authors: Huang Jun , Yuan Kai , Chen Yiwang
Published: October 2021

Asymmetric supercapacitors (ASCs) can substantially broaden their working voltage range, benefiting from the advantages of both cathode and anode while breaking through the energy storage limitations of corresponding symmetric cells. Wide voltage aqueous ASCs hold great promise for future electronic systems that require satisfied energy density, power density, and cycle life, due to the advantages of aqueous electrolyte in terms of low cost, operational safety, facile manufacture, environment‐friendly, and high ionic conductivity. This review will first briefly present an overview of the historical developments, charge storage mechanisms, and matching principles of wide voltage aqueous ASCs. Then, the cathode and anode materials with wide potential windows for building wide voltage aqueous ASCs over the last few decades are summarized. The next section details the optimization methods of aqueous electrolyte related to wide voltage aqueous ASCs. In addition, the basic device configurations of wide voltage aqueous ASCs are classified and discussed. Furthermore, several strategies are proposed for achieving high‐performance wide voltage aqueous ASCs in terms of voltage window, specific capacitance, rate performance, and electrochemical stability. Finally, to motivate further research and development, several key scientific challenges and the perspectives are discussed.
Elimination of Interfacial‐Electrochemical‐Reaction‐Induced Polarization in Perovskite Single Crystals for Ultrasensitive and Stable X‐Ray Detector Arrays
Authors: Song Yilong , Li Liqi , Hao Mingwei , Bi Weihui , Wang Anran , Kang Yifei , Li Hanming , Li Xiaohui , Fang Yanjun , Yang Deren , Dong Qingfeng
Published: October 2021

Organic–inorganic halide perovskites have exhibited bright prospects in high‐sensitivity X‐ray detection. However, they generally suffer from the severe field‐driven polarization issue that remarkably deteriorates the detection performance. Here, it is demonstrated that the interfacial electrochemical reaction between Au electrodes and halogen in MAPbI3 single crystals (SCs) is the major source of the dark current polarization in the metal–semiconductor–metal (MSM)‐structured perovskite X‐ray detectors at the initial stage of biasing. By introducing the p‐ and n‐type charge transport layers to isolate the electrodes from contacting the SC surface, the polarization is fully eliminated under a large electric field up to 1000 V cm−1. Moreover, the resultant lateral p–i–n heterojunction suppresses the dark current of the devices by nearly 3 orders of magnitude as compared to the MSM counterparts and therefore enables a high sensitivity of 5.2 × 106 µC Gy−1air cm−2 and a record low X‐ray detection limit down to 0.1 nGyair s−1. The excellent biasing stability and sensitivity of the devices allow to prepare the linear detector arrays for X‐ray imaging applications.
Self‐Supporting 3D Carbon Nitride with Tunable n → π* Electronic Transition for Enhanced Solar Hydrogen Production
Authors: An Sufeng , Zhang Guanghui , Li Keyan , Huang Zhennan , Wang Xiang , Guo Yongkang , Hou Jungang , Song Chunshan , Guo Xinwen
Published: October 2021

Self‐supporting 3D (SSD) carbon nitrides (UCN‐X, X = 600–690; where X represents the pyrolytic temperature) consisting of curved layers, with plenty of wrinkles and enlarged size, are synthesized via a facile stepwise pyrolytic strategy. Such unique features of the SSD structure exhibiting dramatically improved charge mobility, extended π‐conjugated aromatic system, and partial distortion of heptazine‐based skeleton can not only keep the easier activation of the intrinsic π →  π* electronic transition but also awaken the n → π* electronic transition in carbon nitride. The n → π* electronic transition of UCN‐X can be controllably tuned through changing the pyrolytic temperature, which can greatly extend the photoresponse range to 600 nm. More importantly, the change regularity of H2 evolution rates is highly positive, correlated with the change tendency of n → π* electronic transition in UCN‐X, suggesting the positive contribution of n → π* electronic transition to enhancing photocatalytic activity. The UCN‐670, with optimal structural and optical properties, presents enhanced H2 evolution rate up to 9230 µmol g−1 h−1 (Pt 1.1 wt%). This work realizes the synergistic optimization of optical absorption and exciton dissociation via fabricating an SSD structure. It offers a new strategy for the development of novel carbon nitride materials for efficient photocatalytic reactions.