bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of Application for Simple Network Traffic Files Analysis Using Python
Authors:   Uzhgorod National University, Herei T.M. , Bukovetskyi V.I. ,   Uzhgorod National University, Matovka T.V. ,   Uzhgorod National University, Rizak V.M. ,   Uzhgorod National University
Published: January 2023

The object of this study is software for analyzing network traffic. The analysis of the most popular packet analyzers shows that most of them require significant technical skills and experience in working with network traffic from the user. Some of them have a complex and difficult to perceive graphical user interface. Therefore, an application was developed that is easy to use, has sufficient functionality for quick analysis and requires a minimum of system resources. The program works with a command line interface. The application allows the user to conduct an initial analysis of a network traffic file with the *.pcap extension. The main functions of the program include: viewing the IP and MAC addresses available in the file; displaying packet exchange between two hosts; viewing all packages for a certain period of time; viewing services to which connections were made. The created application will allow users even without professional training to conduct a basic analysis of intercepted network traffic.
Pediatric Edible Cannabis Exposures and Acute Toxicity: 2017–2021
Authors: Tweet Marit S. , Nemanich Antonia , Wahl Michael
Published: January 2023

OBJECTIVES

This study evaluates trends in pediatric cannabis edible ingestions in children younger than age 6 years with regard to toxicity, medical outcome, and health care utilization for the years 2017–2021.

METHODS

We performed retrospective analysis of the National Poison Data System data for pediatric exposures to edible cannabis products in children <6 years from 2017 to 2021. Data were analyzed quantitatively with a focus on incidence, common clinical effects, medical outcomes, health care utilization, and changes in acute toxicity between the pre-COVID years (2017–2019) to the COVID years (2020–2021).

RESULTS

There were 7043 exposures reported during 2017–2021. In 2017, there were 207 reported cases, and in 2021 there were 3054 cases, an increase of 1375.0%. Most exposures (97.7%) occurred in a residential setting. Seventy percent of cases followed to a known outcome were reported to have central nervous system depression. Of all reported cases, 22.7% of patients were admitted to the hospital. There was a significant increase in both ICU and non-ICU admissions, whereas the number of patients treated and released decreased when comparing the pre-COVID years (2017–2019) to the COVID years (2020–2021) (P < .05). Major and moderate effects also significantly increased during the prepandemic years compared with the 2 years during the pandemic (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

There has been a consistent increase in pediatric edible cannabis exposures over the past 5 years, with the potential for significant toxicity. It is important for providers to be aware of this in their practice and it presents an important opportunity for education and prevention.
Racial Inequity in High-Risk Infant Follow-Up Among Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants
Authors: Fraiman Yarden S. , Edwards Erika M. , Horbar Jeffrey D. , Mercier Charles E. , Soll Roger F. , Litt Jonathan S.
Published: January 2023

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

High-risk infant follow-up programs (HRIFs) are a recommended standard of care for all extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants to help mitigate known risks to long-term health and development. However, participation is variable, with known racial and ethnic inequities, though hospital-level drivers of inequity remain unknown. We conducted a study using a large, multicenter cohort of ELBW infants to explore within- and between-hospital inequities in HRIF participation.

METHODS

Vermont Oxford Network collected data on 19 503 ELBW infants born between 2006 and 2017 at 58 US hospitals participating in the ELBW Follow-up Project. Primary outcome was evaluation in HRIF at 18 to 24 months’ corrected age. The primary predictor was infant race and ethnicity, defined as maternal race (non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, Asian American, Native American, other). We used generalized linear mixed models to test within- and between-hospital variation and inequities in HRIF participation.

RESULTS

Among the 19 503 infants, 44.7% (interquartile range 31.1–63.3) were seen in HRIF. Twenty six percent of the total variation in HRIF participation rates was due to between-hospital variation. In adjusted models, Black infants had significantly lower odds of HRIF participation compared with white infants (adjusted odds ratio, 0.73; 95% confidence interval, 0.64–0.83). The within-hospital effect of race varied significantly between hospitals.

CONCLUSIONS

There are significant racial inequities in HRIF participation, with notable variation within and between hospitals. Further study is needed to identify potential hospital-level targets for interventions to reduce this inequity.
Effects of High- or Moderate-intensity Rosuvastatin on 1-year Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events Post-percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Chehrevar Morteza , Golchin Vafa Reza , Rahmani Mohammadhossein , Parizi Mohammadjavad Mehdizadeh , Ahmadi Amin , Zamiri Bardia , Heydarzadeh Reza , Montaseri Mohammad , Ali Hosseini Seyed , Kojuri Javad
Published: January 2023

Background: Although statins decrease mortality in coronary artery disease, the effect of high-dose statins and duration of therapy post-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is not well addressed. Aim: To determine the effective dose of statin to prevent major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), such as acute coronary syndrome, stroke, myocardial infarction, revascularisation and cardiac death, after PCI in patients with chronic coronary syndrome. Methods: In this randomised, double-blind clinical trial, all chronic coronary syndrome patients with a recent history of PCI were randomly divided into two groups after 1 month of high-dose rosuvastatin therapy. Over the next year, the first group received rosuvastatin 5 mg daily (moderate intensity), while the second received rosuvastatin 40 mg daily (high intensity). Participants were evaluated in terms of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and MACEs. Results: The 582 eligible patients were divided into group 1 (n=295) and group 2 (n=287). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of sex, age, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, previous history of PCI or history of coronary artery bypass grafting (p>0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in MACE and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein after 1 year between the two groups (p=0.66). Conclusion: The high-dose group had lower LDL levels. However, given the lack of association between high-intensity statins and MACEs in the first year after PCI among chronic coronary syndrome patients, the use of moderate-intensity statins may be as effective as high-intensity statins, and treatment based on LDL targets may suffice.
Concurrent occurrence of infectious bursal disease and respiratory complex caused by infectious bronchitis and avian influenza (H9N2) in broilers
Authors: Taifebagherlu J. , Talebi A. , Allymehr M.
Published: January 2023

Infectious bursal disease (IBD) virus is considered one of the commonest immunosuppressive diseases in chickens. The aim of this study was to investigate the concurrent occurrence of subclinical IBD in respiratory complex infections caused by avian influenza (AI, H9N2) virus and infectious bronchitis (IB) virus in broilers. During this study, 800 tissue samples of the trachea, caecal tonsil, spleen, and bursa of Fabricius and 400 blood samples were collected from 20 respiratory complex infected flocks. Detection of pathogens in the tissue samples was performed by RT-PCR for amplification of the VP2 gene of IBD, HA region of AI, and S1 gene of IB viruses. The amplified products were subjected to nucleotide sequence analysis. Blood samples were also tested for the detection of antibodies against IBV by using ELISA and against AIV via using the HI test. Molecular results showed that the tissue samples were positive for field isolates of subclinical IBD (45%), IB (45%), and AI-H9N2 (25%). Co-infections of IBD and IB (30%), IBD and AI (20%), and IBD, IB, and AI (5%) were also detected. Serological results indicated that subclinical IBD infected flocks had lower (P<0.05) antibody titres against IB and AI. In conclusion, prior exposure of broilers to IBD virus increased the incidence of respiratory complex caused by IBV and AIV in broilers, and vaccination against IBD is inevitable to reduce subclinical IBD to minimise the incidence/severity of respiratory complex diseases via improving immune responses to commonly used vaccines in broilers.
Quran Literacy for Students with Special Needs
Authors: Aly Hery Noer , Bustomi Bustomi
Published: January 2023

The study is aimed to investigate the implementation of teaching Quran literacy for students with disabilities. It applied qualitative. Data were collected using observation and interviews with teachers of Iqro (Quran for beginner). The participants of the study were students with disabilities studying in schools for special need inÂ  Bengkulu and Ciamis regency West Java Indonesia. The schools include MI (Madrasah Ibtidaiyyah/Islamic Elementary School) Mutiara Asyifa, Abdurrahamn Bin Auf, SDLB (Sekolah Dasar Luar Biasa/Elementary School for Special Need) Islam Amal Mulya, SLB (Sekolah Luar Biasa/School for Special Need) Baiturrahman Cisaga, and SLB Albarokah Baregbeg. The result showed that the schools have provided minimum service for teaching and learning Quran/Iqro for students with disabilities. There are two factors causing the situation; the scarcity of PAI (Pendidikan Agama Islam/Islamic Religious Education) teachers in the schools and the absence of reliable Quran reading methods. The teachers background are language teachers who had no experience and competence for Islamic religious education. In addition, the learning method for Iqro is similar to the BISINDO (Bahasa Isyarat Indonesia/Indonesian Sign Language) method for reading by sign language. This study suggests that PTKIN (State Islamic Higher Education) offering PAI to provide a program for Quran reading and writing courses for students with disabilities.
Evaluating Mandatory TahfÈ‹áº“ Quran Program Implementation at Madrasah
Authors: Muawanah Siti , Said Abdun , Furqoni Ridwan , Muzayanah Umi , Mustolehudin Mustolehudin
Published: January 2023

Mandatory tahfÈ‹áº“ is a program initiated by the Regional Office of the Ministry of Religion Affairs Yogyakarta Province. The core of the program is that every madrasah is required to target its students to memorize the Quran at least one juz before graduating from studying at the madrasa. This paper describes and evaluates the mandatory tahfÈ‹áº“ program at Madrasah Tsanawiyah in Yogyakarta which has been running since 2016. The approach used is quantitative-qualitative. Data were collected using observation techniques, interviews, and questionnaires. The results of the study show that through the CIPP evaluation model (context, input, process, and product) the mandatory tahfÈ‹áº“ program at Madrasah Tsanawiyah in Yogyakarta is running well. In terms of the context evaluation, 5% of madrasas include tahfiz in their vision and mission. The program does not have full parental support. When it comes to input aspect, the mandatory tahfÈ‹áº“ activities are carried out by 67% of teachers with bachelor's degrees. For evaluation process, madatory tahfÈ‹áº“ is carried out for 2-8 hours of lessons. The effectiveness of madtory tahfÈ‹áº“ evaluation products is below 30%.
Profile of Interactive Learning Media Based Digital Literacy Needs on Elemental Chemistry Concepts
Authors: Widarti Hayuni Retno , Triwidiastuti Diah , Rokhim Deni Ainur
Published: January 2023

Interactive learning media integrated with technology are needed to facilitate the explanation of abstract material, including elemental chemistry. The study aims to analyze the profile of interactive learning media-based digital literacy needs on elemental chemistry concepts in high school students. The research uses a descriptive qualitative research method. The subjects of this study consisted of chemistry teachers and high school students from four sub-districts in Trenggalek Regency. Based on perspective of teachers and students, they need learning media that can help explain abstract material to be more communicative and interactive to increase learning effectiveness. The results of questionnaire answers show the application of interactive digital learning media based digital literacy from the teachers and students are 39% and 37%, respectively. The percentage shows that digital literacy-based learning media is still lacking. Furthermore, interactive learning media based on digital literacy could be developed to fulfill a need using specific criteria.
Assessing multilingual teacher competencies
Authors: Tyrosvoutis Greg , Chan Lawi , Win Naing , Htoo Saw Eh Kwe , Oo Khun John Bosco Wai Lwin , Htun Naw New Temple , Htoo Naw Paw Kolo , Chit Saw Dah , Lin Saw Naing , Mon Nai Rot Ong
Published: January 2023

There are 117 living languages in Myanmar (Lewis et al., 2016). In a country of 53 million people, over 23 million are fluent in one of the seven main indigenous language clusters: Shan, Mon, Rakhine (Rohingya), Chin, Kachin, Karenni (Kayah), and Karen (Kayin) (World Bank, 2018). Even during the January 2011 – January 2021 period under a democratically elected civilian government, the official language of oral and written instruction in all government schools remained rigidly singular. In many of Myanmar’s ethnolinguistic minority communities, the national language is only first encountered in schools and rarely used at home. An assessment of multilingual education (MLE) teacher competencies was used to assess the specific proficiencies needed to effectively promote multilingual education with 16 teachers working in areas under ethnic administration in southeastern Myanmar, as well as one temporary shelter on the Thai–Myanmar border, with the goal of identifying existing abilities and areas for growth. Overall, 94% of observed ethnic and refugee teachers demonstrated meeting minimum MLE competency requirements to support children to build a strong bridge from their mother tongue to their L2 (Burmese or English, depending on the context). The study was conducted together with the Karen Education and Cultural Department (KECD), Kayan New Generation Youth (KNGY), the Karen Teacher Working Group (KTWG), the Mon National Education Committee (MNEC), Rural Indigenous Sustainable Education (RISE), and the Karen Refugee Committee–Education Entity (KRC–EE) and World Education Thailand and Myanmar.
Heritage language maintenance in diasporic communities
Authors: Othman Mohamed Fathi Ahmed
Published: January 2023

This study investigates heritage language maintenance among Arabs in Manchester by analysing language choice interaction both inside and outside the home domain. Data were collected from 17 families representing two generations using participant observation and semi-structured interviews. The results show that Arabic is the consistent language of interaction between parents, parents and children, parents and Arab friends, and children and first-generation Arabs. English is consistently used in parents’ interaction with non-Arabs in most social situations such as at work and in the neighbourhood, and in most children’s interaction with their Arabic–English speaking friends. English is used more than Arabic in children–sibling interaction in most families; however, Arabic is sometimes used more in some families in such interactions. It is argued that these intergenerational differences in language choice are related to the difference in both generations’ motivation to use Arabic or English, their abilities in both languages, the domain, and the addressee. However, a demarcation in function is generally maintained between Arabic and English in both generations with varying degrees, which suggests Arabic maintenance. In this regard, parents’ occupation, education, and length of stay in Britain do not seem to influence the functional compartmentalization they keep between Arabic and English and their attempts to impose it at home.
Use of internet forums by multilingual families
Authors: Daussà Eva J , Qian Yeshan
Published: January 2023

Raising children in a multilingual family is a demanding task. Seeking support, many parents turn to the internet where they post questions eliciting advice and feedback to forums and blogs. In our study, we identify the most pressing issues around the practice of multilingual upbringing reported in this rich source of data from the perspective of parents themselves. We collected over 500 posts from seven such forums, selected by purposive criterion sampling. We focused on characterizing users’ demographics and identifying most frequent themes. Our sample included mostly Western European and North American families with 2–4 languages each and 2–3 children up to 15 years old. The most frequent inquiries were from parents asking for language transmission strategies to support their minority language, which is especially salient among the children aged 4–6, coinciding with the start of full time schooling, but it lasts longer. Language mixing and finding resources are a concern for younger children but fade with age, although the former remains in the form of language preference by the children. Language mixing is disproportionally present for trilingual or multilingual children (children with three or more languages). Other categories include environmental criticisms, literacy, mobility, raising a child in a non-native language, language delays, linguistic insecurities, timing, and a (large) miscellaneous category.
German and Turkish as minority languages
Authors: Wolf-Farré Patrick , Cantone Katja F
Published: January 2023

Language maintenance has been a central point in different linguistic disciplines, responding to an increasing degree to immigrant minority languages (IML) and the micro-level of language policies. However, while frameworks such as ethnolinguistic vitality theory account for general factors of language maintenance and loss, the individual factors of the respective cases are difficult to work out and challenge comparative studies. This article aims to compare situations of language contact, analysing two language biographies in two settings that have never been read in context: Turkish as an IML in Germany and German as an IML in Chile. Our aim is to investigate emerging factors for language maintenance in these settings, focusing on policies and attitudes, and examining their consequences within the families. Through the qualitative analysis, the importance of sociolinguistic factors from the individuals’ perspectives becomes apparent. The data reveal that the role of parental strategies in language exposure, use and policies is crucial but not sufficient in both contexts, indicating that the appreciation of an IML as a medium of instruction constitutes an insuperable condition fostering efficient language maintenance.
Educators’ perceptions of the life orientation programme in schools and its effect on HIV/AIDS
Authors: Fatoba Abiodun Folakemi , Angaama Daniel , Ogunniyi Meshach Bolaji
Published: January 2023

The life orientation programme (LOP) was introduced to all schools in South Africa to help learners to, among others, take cognisance of their sexual lives. Before the programme was introduced in the 2006, many learners had become infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The programme was introduced based on the perceptions that some learners were struggling as a result of the epidemic. The main aim of this study was to evaluate educators’ perceptions of their ability to successfully implement the objectives of the programme. In the study we used open-ended questions to explore 8 educators’ perceptions on the programme. Of the 8 educators who responded to the questions in the questionnaire, only 2 were interviewed based on their willingness and commitment to life orientation (LO) in schools. The findings suggest that only 1 of the 8 educators had the relevant training and qualification to teach LO at school. Although the educators considered the programme to have a moderate influence on the learners’ sexual behaviour, we highlight compromise and uncertainty about the veracity of such claims. The introduction of LO to South African schools cannot be underestimated because of its well-timed intervention. However, all involved must be committed to ensure successful implementation of the programme.
Hybrydowy model zarządzania w chińskich przedsiębiorstwach
Authors:   Uniwersytet SWPS, Mazurowska Karolina
Published: January 2023

The dynamic development of Chinese enterprises in the last two decades means that increasingly often, Chinese companies have been expanding their own specific corporate culture and management methods. The article discusses the differences in the attitudes of managers, business strategies as well as the Chinese definitions and visions of what an enterprise is to serve, what are its goals, strategies and forms of operation. In the article, we analyze Chinese and external – Western factors which influence the management and organization of work in China, arguing that the Chinese management model may be described as a hybrid, in view of the variety of sources on which its principles are based. The first part of the article deals with the philosophical foundations and management considerations in traditional China, referring to the main currents of the Chinese philosophical thought, Confucianism, Legism and Daoism. The second part describes the implications of Chinese philosophy in management; the practice of networking and how the characteristics of Chinese society affect corporate governance in China. Part three is devoted to human resources and to the way social needs of Chinese workers are met.The Chinese society is examined in the context of management. The last part of the article describes enterprises in the People’s Republic of China, their special relationship with the State and how it is understood in the context of management.
Prawna ochrona dziedzictwa kultury w Japonii – zarys tematyki
Authors:   Uniwersytet Gdański, Zeidler Kamil , Kliczkowska Luiza ,   Uniwersytet Gdański
Published: January 2023

The authors of this article undertake a general discussion of the legal protection of Japan’s cultural heritage. They begin their reflection with the issue of comparative legal studies, treating it as a determinant of the direction and scope of legal analysis of the cultural property protection in Japan. However, their main focus are three issues. These are: the history of legal protection of the cultural heritage against the background of the formation of modern Japanese law, the subject of protection and its categories according to the Japanese Act of 30 May 1950 on the Protection of Cultural Property, and the empirically significant aspect of conservation theory concerning the issue of the authenticity of a historic substance in relation to Japan. The authors end their analysis of the legal history of the protection of Japan’s cultural heritage with a discussion of the 1950 Law, which (amended) still remains in force. The curious practice of monuments conservation in Japan related to the understanding of the authenticity of a historic substance by the Japanese is addressed by the authors in the last part of the article.
Why didn’t Nepal Join the Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS)? A Critical Assessment of Nepal’s Foreign Policy Response to IPS
Authors:   Tribhuvan University, Katmandu, Nepal., Bhattarai Gaurav , Bista Prakash ,   Tribhuvan University, Katmandu, Nepal., Adhikari Sudip ,   Tribhuvan University, Katmandu, Nepal.
Published: January 2023

The significance of maritime interactions has impacted coastal and landlocked countries. Nepal’s response to the US-led Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS) signifies the same. For Nepal, crossing seas was culturally associated with sin as an objective to fulfill the isolationist policy adopted until the political change of 1950. As such, Nepal’s interaction with the sea was not so friendly in the past. However, these historical shreds of evidence cannot suffice as the reason behind her denial of joining the IPS. Most of the available literature divulges the sensitive geographical position of Nepal in the context of the rise of China and the projection of a ‘new Cold War’ for its reluctance to join the Indo-Pacific strategy. However, they fail to probe into the domestic intricacies contributing to the hesitation. In this context, this paper primarily tries to dwell upon the actors and factors that have influenced Nepal’s dubiety in joining the Indo-Pacific Strategy. Thus, this paper aims to fulfill two objectives. First, to analyze the role of geographical sensitivity, and second, to scrutinize the domestic interplay of things. As exploratory qualitative research, this study reviews the official documents, agreements, statements, speeches, and reports from think tanks and newspapers to hypothesize that besides external factors there are integral internal elements that have played a part in Nepal’s denial to join the strategic partnership.
Zielone Chiny – marzenie czy niedaleka przyszłość? Recenzja książki Łukasza Gacka, Cywilizacja ekologiczna i transformacja energetyczna w Chinach, Wydawnictwo Naukowe FNCE, Poznań 2020, ss. 260.
Authors:   Uniwersytet Gdański, Łągiewska Magdalena
Published: January 2023

Green China – a Dream or Not So Faraway Future? Review of Łukasz Gacek’s book Cywilizacja ekologiczna i transformacja energetyczna w Chinach
INTERNAL AND NEAR-NOZZLE TRANSIENT FLOW OF A SPILL-RETURN ATOMIZER
Authors: Harizi Wassim , Idrissi Mohamed Salah , Chrigui Mouldi
Published: January 2023

The present study investigates, numerically, the spill-return atomizer's (SRa) internal flow features within a 3D geometry by the use of a commercial code, ANSYS FLUENT. Experimental measurements, from the literature, are used to validate the numerical results of spray-cone angle (SCA), discharge coefficient (CD), and mass flow rates. The unsteady flow is solved as two-phase flow using the volume of fluid (VOF) method. The turbulence is captured using the K-ω shear-stress transport (SST) turbulence model. The geo-reconstruct scheme is used to capture the gas-liquid interface. An adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) is applied to refine the regions featuring high gradients in space. The simulations manage to capture the overall flow characteristics of a SRa with the formation of an air core and a thin liquid film in the exit region of the swirl chamber. Profiles of axial and tangential mean velocities are obtained. Furthermore, pressure measurements are conducted and pictures of the air core, velocity, and pressure field are taken for qualitative analysis. The tangential velocity profile resembles a Rankine vortex. The results show that air cores behave differently (size and shape) when changing the spill to feed ratio (SFR) due to a significant rise in the velocity profiles inside the swirl chamber, which directly affect the SRa performances, such as SCA and breakup process. The results show an important influence of the SFR variation on the gas-liquid volume fraction. A brief overview at the end is devoted to creation of the liquid spray cone outside of the injector, as well as the liquid sheet breakup process.
FLOW BOILING HEAT TRANSFER AND HEAT CONDUCTION ANALYSIS OF HIGH-POWER ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Authors: Shibahara Makoto , Liu Qiusheng
Published: January 2023

A flow boiling experiment in a narrow channel was conducted using subcooled water. Moreover, the experimentally measured heat flux of the channel was applied for the heat conduction analysis of insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs). The relationship between the heat flux and the temperature difference was investigated experimentally, ranging from nonboiling to boiling in the narrow tube. The boiling heat transfer in the fully nucleate boiling region was validated by comparing with the Rohsenow correlation. Moreover, the measured critical heat flux (CHF) agreed with the Hall and Mudawar correlation within ± 15%. The heat conduction analysis of an IGBT module with a heatsink was solved using the measured heat flux in the narrow channel as a boundary condition, applied from the nonboiling region to the film boiling region. The thermal resistance of the material was obtained when the heatsink with narrow channels was modeled. The numerical result indicated that the thermal resistance of the material was influenced by the heat transfer process of the cooling channel.
DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES OF CONTAMINATED SOIL BY SALT CRYSTALS
Authors: Maaoui Walaeddine , Mezdari Ferid , Najjari Mustapha
Published: January 2023

Dielectric permittivity is a physical property that reflects the electric polarizability of a medium. This property is highly sensitive to the components of the studied material. It can be affected by varying the water content and the salinity of the sample. In this work, an impedance analyzer and a capacitive cell have been used to measure the complex permittivity of different samples composed of a mixture of salt crystals and soil for a frequency range between 100-107 Hz and for various proportions of salt crystals in each sample. Experimental results for permittivity spectra exhibit frequency dispersion and dielectric relaxation phenomena for all samples. The relaxation occurs in the range of frequency from 1 kHz to 100 kHz. The real and imaginary parts of the permittivity are strongly correlated with the salt crystal volume fraction at 1 kHz. However, the sensitivity at 100 kHz decreases, especially for the imaginary part. Three composite dielectric mixing models (alpha models) fitting the relationship between the permittivity and the salt crystal content are evaluated with the experimental dataset. The results indicate a good estimation of the real and imaginary parts of the complex permittivity using the complex refractive index model (CRIM). However, the experimental results are misestimated by the "parallel" and "series" models. Experimental results are better fitted at 1 kHz.
Portable ultrasonic air-leak detectors can help to ensure fire door compartmentation
Authors: Hornung Bernard
Published: January 2023

Owners of multi-occupancy buildings in the UK now need to ensure that all flat-entrance doors and fire doors provide the required compartmentation. Bernard Hornung of Coltraco, formerly an experienced fire fighter with the British Army, says ultrasonic air-leak detectors could help.
Influence of salinity on sedimentation during electrokinetic consolidation of dredged mud
Authors: To Peter , Malekzadeh Mona , Sivakugan Nagaratnam , Nguyen Peter , Buskens Rahoi
Published: January 2023

Electrokinetic consolidation is an innovative method for ground improvement in special conditions such as underwater construction. This method uses a weak electromagnetic field to dewater weak soils or slurries. Due to their chemical structure, water molecules act as dipoles, where the positive charge has a larger spatial distribution. Hence, when a low voltage is applied, water moves towards the cathode and can be drained there. Most current experimental studies in laboratories often use pure water, whereas weak soils located offshore or near the coastal line are often saline. It is not understood for saline soil whether a small zeta potential decreases efficacy or electromigration may reverse the negative effect. This paper presents an experimental research study on the influence of salinity on the efficacy of electrokinetic consolidation methods. The work reported herein suggests that the coefficient of consolidation increases linearly with salinity. The higher the salinity, the faster the consolidation. A salinity of 40 g/l can make the consolidation process six times faster.
Investigating the Professional Adaptation of English Teachers in the First Years of their Profession to School Environment
Authors: AKCAN Sumru , KIRKGÖZ Yasemin , ERSANLI Ceylan
Published: January 2023

This study investigates English teachers’ socialization to the school environment, their behaviour in the classroom, and their attitudes towards their profession in the first few years after graduation. An explanatory research design was used with a mixed-method methodology. We administered a survey to 800 novice English language teachers in 16 cities where there is high rates of governmental teacher placements in Turkey based on the data provided by the Ministry of National Education (MoNE). The questionnaire included five category components: professional competence, interpersonal relations, organizational history and language, organizational goals and values, and organizational policy. We then selected 9 English teachers using purposeful sampling from the three of the 16 cities in order to gain information about novice teachers’ experiences and to elaborate on the results of our quantitative data findings. After observing the classes of those English teachers, we conducted semi-structured interviews. The content analysis of the responses revealed important issues the teachers experienced during their socialization period. These included their relationships with the school administration, colleagues, parents, and the teachers’ own professional competence, particularly in the areas of the target language (TL) use and language teaching methodology. A discussion of the findings provides suggestions for teacher education programmes, thereby contributing to the development of educational curricula. Having postgraduate studies to sustain professional development has been suggested for teacher growth, which will also establish a link between the university-school partnership. The university-school partnership will only be possible with a willingness to collaborate, dedicated time and systematic feedback to share knowledge and experience.
Educational Technology Research Trends: A 10-Year Content Analysis of PhD Dissertations
Authors: GÜNDÜZ Ali , GÜNDÜZALP Cengiz , KOÇAK Ömer , GÖKTAŞ Yüksel
Published: January 2023

This study investigates the trends of doctoral dissertations produced in Türkiye in the field of Educational Technologies. 292 doctoral dissertations were included in this study which was conducted in the design of document analysis in the period between 2011 and 2020. The dissertations were put to content analysis by using the Dissertation Analysis Form developed within the scope of this study. The results demonstrated that the approach of the mixed method research was more commonly used in the dissertations. As a research model, it has been determined that case study from qualitative approaches and quasi-experimental model from quantitative approaches are mostly preferred. It is seen that the students of the faculty of education are greatly used as the sample. It is concluded that descriptive statistical methods are mostly used during the data analysis phase and the SPSS program is the most frequently preferred data analysis program. It has been determined that simple level statistical analysis techniques are used in theses. It is clear that although effect size calculations were made, there were also studies in which the type was not specified. Of the statistical techniques used for validity and reliability, Cronbach’s Alpha internal consistency coefficient was found to be frequently used. 1376 keywords emerged in the analysed theses. These keywords were presented visually using a force-directed algorithm. Stating sampling methods clearly in studies will guide the studies to be conducted in the future. The sampling of different types of students is important in that it enriches the potential areas of study paving the way for the emergence of different perspectives.
Aspergillosis in peacocks – Case Report
Authors: Edina Sesztáková , Vladimír Vrabec , Katarína Kuzyšinová , Ladislav Molnár , Zuzana Ševčíková , Eva Čonková
Published: January 2023

The work describes two cases of Indian peacocks (Pavo cristatus) originating from extensive breeding, in which pulmonary aspergillosis and aerosacculitis were diagnosed. A clinical examination revealed difficult breathing with an open beak, gradual apathy, decreased appetite, and weight loss in both affected individuals. During the endoscopic examination, a yellow, caseous mass was diagnosed in the area of ​​the margo caudalis of the lung. Pathological autopsy in both cases revealed a granuloma in the area of ​​the left lung parenchyma and aerosacculitis. Fungal hyphae were detected in the granulomas by pathological-histological examination, and Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus parasiticus were diagnosed by mycological culture.
Decreased risk of Alzheimer disease in bladder cancer patients with intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin therapy: An exploratory meta-analysis v1
Authors: Tian Junjie
Published: January 2023

Alzheimer disease(AD) is the primary cause of chronic progressive dementia worldwide, accounting for about 60-80% of all cases of dementia. It is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting 50 million people around the world, and the number will continue to increase in future with the aging of the population. The public health burden arising from AD is expected to increase dramatically in the coming decades according to demographic trends. Recently, accumulating experiments showed that BCG treatment could prevent, delay, and even reverse cognitive decline in various animal models for AD. To date, several retrospective observational cohort studies have reported the influence of BCG use or not on AD incidence in bladder cancer patients, but with controversial results. So far, the efficacy of BCG on the risk of AD in bladder cancer patients has not been systematically evaluated yet. Hence, our current exploratory meta-analysis aimed at investigating the efficacy of BCG in reducing AD risk among bladder cancer patients, though the relatively limited number of high-quality studies are available.
Estructura, composición vegetal y descomposición de hojarasca en el suelo, en dos sitios de un bosque nublado andino (reforestado y en sucesión espontánea), en Peñas Blancas, Calarcá (Quindío), Colombia
Authors: García-Velásquez Luz M. , Ríos-Quintana Adriana , Molina-Rico Ligia J.
Published: January 2023

Se estudia la comunidad vegetal de dos bosques (reforestado y sucesión espontánea) localizados en Calarcá (Quindío), Colombia, y la velocidad de descomposición de la hojarasca de Verbesina nudipes en el suelo forestal. Para evaluar la composición florística se utilizó la técnica del punto y cuarto, seleccionando en cada bosque tres transectos al azar de 100 m cada uno, posteriormente se evaluó durante 90 días la descomposición de hojarasca de V. nudipes. Los resultados muestran que los bosques tienen alta diversidad; la especie con mayor valor de importancia fue Montanoa quadrangularis para el bosque reforestado (BR) y V. nudipes para el bosque en sucesión espontánea (BSE). La familia más importante para las áreas estudiadas fue Asteraceae. Como consecuencia del uso previo dado al suelo, el área de estudio se encuentra en diferentes estadios sucesionales. En relación con la descomposición, la hojarasca disminuyó en más del 50% del peso original en los primeros 30 días del ensayo en ambos bosques. Los datos se ajustaron al modelo exponencial simple con valores medios de K (año-1) de 12 para el BR y 10 para el BSE. La rápida pérdida de peso es consistente con la concentración de N (2,9%) y la relación C/N (14,4%) de la hojarasca. Las diferencias en la tasas de descomposición de los bosques, pueden estar relacionadas con las condiciones físicas del suelo (temperatura y humedad), factores que determinan el metabolismo microbiano y consecuentemente la velocidad de descomposición.
Composición y estructura de un ensamble de plantas acuáticas vasculares de una represa alto andina (Santander), Colombia
Authors: Durán-Suárez Licet R. , Terneus-Jácome Héctor E. , Gavilán-Díaz Rosa A. , Posada-García José A.
Published: January 2023

La flora acuática de la represa de Berlín, localizada en un área de páramo seco en el departamento de Santander (Colombia), altitud de 3.214 m, fue estudiada para observar los efectos que la construcción de esta represa podía tener. Se realizaron tres muestreos en transectos desde la orilla hacia el centro de la represa en tres diferentes temporadas climáticas. Se recolectaron en total 28 especies de plantas acuáticas, distribuidas en 17 familias; la mayoría de ellas de hábito emergente. La familia con mayor número de especies fue Poaceae con cinco; sin embargo, la familia Haloragaceae presentó la especie con mayor abundancia relativa (cobertura), Myriophyllum aquaticum. No se encontraron diferencias significativas en la riqueza de especies entre las tres temporadas de muestreo. Al analizar la composición espacial de los transectos se observó la dinámica del ensamble de plantas acuáticas vasculares evidenciando un recambio de siete especies en las tres temporadas de muestreo. Los cambios espaciales fueron más evidentes, encontrándose que los transectos de las zonas litorales mostraron, no solo cambios en la composición sino también en la riqueza, mientras que la zona limnética mantuvo su composición original. La conductividad fue el factor que mostró mayor influencia en la riqueza.
Alimentación de Peltocephalus dumerilianus (Testudines: Podocnemididae) en condiciones naturales
Authors: De La Ossa-V. Jaime , Vogt Richard C. , Santos-Júnior Ladislau B.
Published: January 2023

El presente trabajo analiza aspectos de alimentación en medio natural de la tortuga, Peltocephalus dumerilianus (Testudines: Podocnemididae; cabezón), a partir de muestras de contenidos alimenticios tomados de estómago e intestino grueso de ejemplares utilizados para consumo por los habitantes ribereños de la comunidad de São Louis, en el medio río Negro, municipio de Barcelos (Amazonas), Brasil. Se documenta que la especie es omnívora, oportunista y generalista, consume preferiblemente vegetales, con predominancia de semillas y frutos de palmeras, además, se registraron otros productos que incluyen materia animal de diversos taxones.
Estructura de un ensamblaje de escarabajos coprófagos (Coleoptera: Scarabaeinae) en tres sitios con diferente uso del suelo en Antioquia, Colombia
Authors: Ari Noriega Jorge , Palacio Javier M. , Monroy-G. José D. , Valencia Edison
Published: January 2023

Los bosques andinos se encuentran sometidos a fuertes procesos de perturbación y fragmentación debido a la creación de pastizales y explotación de monocultivos, especialmente, cafetales. Adicionalmente, es poca la información acerca de la capacidad que tienen estos relictos de bosque para mantener su biodiversidad. Se realizó un estudio en una finca cafetalera-ganadera en el municipio de Tarso (Antioquia), Colombia, utilizando a los escarabajos coprófagos como grupo bioindicador. Se realizaron tres muestreos en tres hábitats: bosque, cafetal y pastizal, cada uno de ellos con un transecto de nueve trampas de caída, cebadas con excremento de cerdo por 48 h. Se recolectaron un total de 779 individuos, distribuidos en 13 especies y 7 géneros. Las especies: Onthophagus curvicornis (n = 196, 25,2%) y Oxysternon conspicillatum (n = 159, 20,4%) fueron las especies dominantes. No hubo diferencias significativas en la riqueza, abundancia, ni en la diversidad entre hábitats, pero si en la biomasa. El ensamblaje estuvo dominado por cavadores, algunos endocópridos y ninguna especie rodadora, evidenciando el alto grado de perturbación del bosque. El cafetal fue el hábitat que presentó la mayor diversidad, posiblemente debido a una mayor oferta alimenticia. Las diferencias entre las biomasas encontradas responden a los procesos de perturbación y fragmentación, ocasionando que el ensamblaje estuviera dominado por O. conspicillatum, lo cual sugiere que la presencia de esta especie en esta localidad sería indispensable para el mantenimiento de la funcionalidad ecosistémica.
Novedades en Diplazium (Woodsiaceae) con frondas pinnado-lobuladas para el Neotrópico
Authors: Rojas-Alvarado Alexander F.
Published: January 2023

Dos especies nuevas de Diplazium con frondas pinnado-lobuladas son descritas aquí: D. pseudocarnosum y D. salazarianum. La primera especie de ellas puede distinguirse de Diplazium carnosum por presentar escamas del rizoma más cortas, frondas más cortas, relativamente menos pares de pinnas y estas pinnas lanceolado-oblongas, 3-4 veces más largas que anchas, comúnmente con una yema axilar en el último par de pinnas e indusio con el margen eroso. La segunda especie difiere de Diplazium urticifolium por presentar pinnas con margen lobulado e inciso 1/4-2/5 entre el margen y la costa y con 5-10 yemas axilares por fronda. Adicionalmente, se describe D. urticifolium var. mesoamericanum la cual se caracteriza por tener un ápice pinnatífido sin yema subterminal. Finalmente, se combina Diplazium costale var. robustum a Diplazium robustum y se amplía su distribución, y finalmente se amplía la distribución de Diplazium moccennianum.
Características estructurales del esqueleto en Mabuya sp. (Squamata: Scincidae): una comparación con escíncidos africanos
Authors: Jerez Adriana
Published: January 2023

Para establecer las particularidades del plan corporal en Mabuya sp. se describen las principales características estructurales del esqueleto, se comparan con otros escíncidos africanos y se discuten en el contexto de la evolución de los escíncidos en América y del plan corporal en los Squamata. El taxón Mabuya sp. exhibe caracteres craneales diferentes a las especies africanas que podrían constituir sinapomorfias para el clado americano. Si bien, Mabuya sp. exhibe un cráneo con características similares a lagartos con un plan corporal lacertiforme, presenta transformaciones incipientes hacia un plan corporal serpentiforme, las cuales se evidencian en aumento del número de vértebras y en la reducción del tamaño de las extremidades. En Mabuya sp. el alargamiento corporal, representado en mayor número de vértebras, podría estar relacionado con la viviparidad, como también se observa en las especies vivíparas africanas, lo cual aumentaría el volumen en el abdomen para mantener los embriones en crecimiento. Por lo tanto, en su evolución a partir de formas africanas, esta característica del plan corporal probablemente subyace a la evolución del conjunto de especializaciones relacionadas con la viviparidad en el género Mabuya, las cuales son únicas dentro de reptiles y alcanzan su pináculo en este clado.
Acumulación de carbono y cambios estructurales en bosques secundarios del Oriente antioqueño, Colombia
Authors: Peña Miguel A. , Saldarriaga Juan , Duque-Montoya Álvaro J.
Published: January 2023

En el Oriente antioqueño (Antioquia), Colombia, en tierras utilizadas previamente en ganadería extensiva, se estudió la sucesión secundaria analizando la densidad arbórea, área basal y biomasa aérea. Se evaluaron seis fragmentos de bosque, agrupados en dos categorías de edad: bosques secundarios (BS) de 15 a 20 años y BS de 25 a 30 años. La recuperación de los BS fue comparada con respecto a información secundaria de bosques maduros (BM). Entre los BS y el BM se encontraron diferencias significativas en el promedio por hectárea de la biomasa aérea y el área basal, pero no en la densidad de individuos con respecto a la edad después del abandono. Se estimó que los bosques secundarios entre 25 a 30 años con respecto al BM recuperaron el área basal en un 85,2% y la biomasa aérea en un 52,7%. En toda el área estudiada la acumulación de biomasa aérea promedio anual en el 2005 fue de 4,6 ± 0,3 t ha-1 año-1 que corresponde a un total de 323.469,8 ± 23.227,7 toneladas (t), equivalentes a 161.734,88 ± 11.613,65 t carbono secuestrado (C). Los resultados confirman el manejo de la regeneración natural como estrategia viable y de bajo costo para lograr la recuperación de la estructura de los bosques degradados en el área de estudio. Igualmente, se ratifica la alta productividad primaria neta de los ecosistemas boscosos sucesionales y su aporte a la regulación del ciclo global del carbono.