bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Mkwawa Portrait Conundrum: A Quest for Facial Similitude
Authors:   University of Dar es Salaam, Makukula Dominicus
Published: January 2023

This paper reports the findings of an investigation that was carried out to determine the accuracy of the facial likeness of Paramount Chief Mkwawa to his representative portrait created in 1954, with the intent to complement the missing part of his face following the return of his skull from Germany where it had been kept for 56 years. Since its creation, the portrait sought to approximate the actual face of Mkwawa, which had been badly damaged from a gunshot wound and the ensuing maceration process by Tom von Prince before he shipped the skull to Bremen, Germany in July 1898. Since its return to the then Tanganyika, local and foreign researchers have engaged in endless debate on its authenticity while ignoring discussions on Mkwawa’s facial appearance in most of their publications on the topic. Employing the Imitation Theory of Art, this paper extends the inquiry on the legitimacy of Mkwawa’s skull to his portrait, created to complement the missing flesh on the skull. Data for the study had been collected using critical interviews and document review. Meanwhile, analysis entailed a comparative examination of the facial features on the original photograph of Mkwawa’s head against photographs of his lineal descendants. Besides, a review was carried out of the artist’s skills of portraiture and knowledge of principles of art, as well as narratives of the respondents on the portrait creation process. Findings show that the portrait depicted a striking facial resemblance to Mkwawa’s descendants involved in his portrait creation process except for the spiritual aura and the imagined facial expression of the paramount Chief himself.
Mini Devils: Dynamics of Power in a Community of Laughter
Authors:   University of Dar es Salaam, Wakota John
Published: January 2023

This article examines the role of humour in Wilson Kaigalura’s novel, Mini Devils (2006) primarily because humour and laughter are among the most cherished traits of human being. Yet, what we laugh about, why, and how, are questions of serious concern. Using Susanne Reich and Mark Stein’s (2005) explication of the notion of communities of laughter, this article situates literary humour-laughter relationship within the stimuli-response framework and reads the characters as constituting a community of laughter that functions as an infrastructural site of sociability and socialisation. Drawing upon the theories of power, the article analyses the political and social aspects of humour that come in subtle ways, and yet serve major ways through which to access meanings that reveal, stabilise, or destabilise notions of power in society. This shift, from analysing humour and laughter as aesthetic devices to analysing them as deliberate political acts, can illuminate on our understanding of power dynamics and differentiation in society. The analysis shows that the characters’ performance of humour and its appreciation are goal-oriented and forms of power that are not always monopolised by particularised groups of people but can also be manipulated by all and sundry regardless of their social status in society.
Songs and Language: Children’s Songs and the Learning of Kiswahili in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Authors:   University of Dar es Salaam, Mkallyah Kassomo
Published: January 2023

This paper focuses on the use of children’s songs in learning Kiswahili language in Dar es Salaam Tanzania. Usually, songs serve different purposes including transmission of knowledge, values, and language. It argues that children’s songs serve as a means for learning Kiswahili and indigenous culture. The study was conducted at Msewe, Kimara and Changanyikeni nursery schools located in Ubungo municipality of Dar es Salaam. The data was collected using interviews, observations, discussion, and documentation. In this empirical research, the study analysed the Kiswahili songs, lyrics and associated information collected with the children at these schools. With recourse to the participant and arousal theory, the study found that, apart from learning word sounds and singing, songs help children to learn pronunciation and application of words found in songs in their day-to-day communication. The tunes and rhythms of these songs support the children’s acquaintance with Kiswahili words. Furthermore, the songs’ lyrics enables children to construct Kiswahili sentences and structures, thereby enhances their learning of Kiswahili language.
Crux of the Bongo Movie from a Digital Disruption Lens
Authors:   University of Dar es Salaam, Mbura Issa
Published: January 2023

This paper reports the findings of a study that had explored digital disruption as an analytical lens developed based on the constructs of two theories: the digital disruption theory and the disruptive innovation theory. The study had employed unstructured in-depth interviews, direct observation and virtual ethnographic to consult media experts, pioneer filmmakers, Bongo Movie’ producers, movies library’s keepers, movie retailers, movie translators (deejays) and social network sites (SNS) to collect data. Based on the study findings, the paper argues that the shift in technological paradigm, specifically from the use of expensive and inaccessible technologies used in filmmaking engendered the development and sustainability of the Bongo Movie genre in Tanzania. This technological paradigm shifts were twofold. To begin with, there was a transition from the use of celluloid film and analogue video cameras to digital video cameras in film production. Second, there was a shift from the use of optical prints and Vertical Helican Scan (VHS) tapes to optical discs such as Digital Versatile Discs (DVD) in the distribution of films. These changes in the technologies used in production and distribution of films provided entrants into the local film industry with necessary tools to produce low-budget films and service the low-end market of the country, which augured well with the country’s resource-poor context. Moreover, these Bongo Movies “disrupted” the erstwhile traditional, established, and stringent patterns of consumption of both locally-produced and foreign-imported films in local film markets. Overall, the Bongo Movie genre evolution appears to be a model of how digitally-motivated disruptions can occur in a local film market in a developing nation’s video-film industries and become a staple particularly among the low-end clientele.
Symbolism and Death: Class-based Ritualised Performance in the Basukuma Burial Ceremonies
Authors:   University of Dodoma, Kilatu Emmanuel
Published: January 2023

Guided by a Marxist perspective on literature, and Muleka’s Performer-centrism, this paper highlights and discusses different manifestations or gestures that covertly suggest that there are elements of classes in some of the burial ceremonies, which are accompanied by performances among the Basukuma ethnic group of Tanzania. It reports the findings of a study whose data were collected using interviews held with respondents selected via snowball sampling. Note-taking served as a prominent data collection tool. Documentary review supplemented interviews, especially to collect data on the traditions of the Basukuma as one of the ethnic groups in Tanzania found predominantly in the Lake Victoria Zone. The study found that the burial ceremonies of the Basukuma are class conscious as manifested by their symbolic, incantatory, and invocatory performances. Indeed, when chiefs, singers, breech-birth and twins die, their burials require special burial ritual performances such as incantations, invocations and symbols that differentiate them from other rank and file individuals whose burial ceremonies lack fanfares characterising privileged individuals. Overall, these burial ceremonies graced by symbolic gestures among the Basukuma also help to unify the community since individuals define themselves in terms of who they are and what to expect from them and the community as a whole.
‘We are like refuse in front of the guest of honour’ : Dancers’ Struggles and Tribulations in Tanzania
Authors:   University of Dar es Salaam, Sanga Daines
Published: January 2023

Informed by the theory of attitude and original data gathered with dancers in Dar es Salaam and Iringa, this article argues that dancers in Tanzania are dogged by lack of recognition, infrastructural, attitudinal and economic challenges. These problems arise primarily because dancing is largely an ad hoc and autonomous career that employs a considerable number of Tanzanians regardless of their socio-economic and education background. However, what dancers encounter in the career disappoint many of them particularly when they want to use it to earn a living as terpsichoreans. The article shows that failure of community members and the government to give the performing arts industry, particularly theatre and dancing, the attention it deserves frustrated many artistes including dancers. Thus, the article suggests that government-owned theatrical infrastructures be hired at affordable rates with more theatres to be built to ease the problem of limited venues for theatrical performances. Moreover, dealing with the problem of undervaluing dancers that, subsequently, impact on them economically and how they are perceived also requires a systematic documentation of the contributions of dancers and the theatre industry generally.
Cotton Gin Regulatory Issues
Authors: Wakelyn Phillip , Green Kelley
Published: January 2023

The many workplace, environmental, and other regulations that apply to cotton gins that need to be addressed through programs to ensure compliance are discussed. Some of the regulations discussed in this chapter apply to all gins, whereas other regulations will apply to some gins, but not all. Most of the environmental and workplace legislation was passed by Congress in the 1970s. This has led to many workplace and environmental regulations promulgated pursuant to these laws. In the future there will be even more regulations and these regulations will continue to be more comprehensive and restrictive.
Agronomy and Physiology Symposium - Carbon Dynamics in Cotton
Authors: Snider John L.
Published: January 2023

Each year at the Agronomy and Physiology Conference of the Beltwide Cotton Conferences, a special symposium is organized that brings together speakers with expertise in a common topic. In the past, speakers from these symposia, along with additional invited experts, have contributed chapters to topical books for The Cotton Foundation Reference Book Series. Recent book examples include Stress Physiology in Cotton (2011), Flowering and Fruiting in Cotton (2012), and Linking Physiology to Management (in press). The special symposium at the 2015 Beltwide Conferences addressed Carbon Dynamics in Cotton, and it was decided at that time to submit a collection of papers on this topic to the Journal of Cotton Science. Consequently, the collection of review articles presented in the current issue addresses photosynthetic carbon acquisition, respiratory carbon losses, translocation of assimilate from source to sink, carbohydrate balance, and carbon partitioning in response to genotype, management, or environment. This special issue brings together physiologists with extensive experience in their chosen review topic and will provide readers with a valuable reference on carbon dynamics in cotton.
Emergence Date Influences Growth and Fecundity of Palmer Amaranth in Cotton
Authors: Norsworthy Jason K. , Schrage Brandon W. , Barber Tom L. , Schwartz Lauren M.
Published: January 2023

Research was conducted in 2012 and 2013 in Fayetteville, AR to evaluate the impact of Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri (S.) Wats.) emergence date on plant biomass, height, and seed production as well as the corresponding influence on cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) biomass and yield. Palmer amaranth was evaluated in the presence and absence of cotton and when emergence was delayed in cotton (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 wk). Seed production per plant was reduced by a greater extent in the presence of cotton, compared to the absence of cotton. Palmer amaranth plants emerging 10 wk after cotton were able to produce on average 880 seed per plant, which is a sufficient amount to replenish a soil seedbank. The late-emerging plants competing with cotton were smaller in size than earlier emerging plants. Seed production in the presence of cotton was correlated with Palmer amaranth biomass production (r2 = 0.63). Furthermore, the later-emerging cohorts responded to the presence of cotton by producing less biomass more so than a reduction in plant height with delayed emergence. This research shows that Palmer amaranth cohorts emerging as late as 10 wk after cotton emergence must be removed to prevent weed seed production.
Effects of Chilling Temperatures on Photosynthesis
Authors: Holaday A. Scott , Mahan James R. , Payton Paxton
Published: January 2023

Environmental stress is an inescapable reality for most plants growing in natural settings. Conditions of sub- or supraoptimal temperatures, water deficit, water logging, salinity, and pollution can have dramatic effects on plant growth and development, and in agricultural settings, yield. In cotton, yield is a product of the number of mature bolls produced in a given area and the amount of cotton produced by each boll. Though cotton is among the most stress-tolerant crop plants, suboptimal environmental conditions limit the yields and quality of fiber and seed. The most significant effects of abiotic stress related to yield are on fertilization, boll retention, and boll filling. Maintenance of photoassimilate supply during fruit development is critical in achieving high yields in cotton. Because photosynthesis is the driving force behind plant productivity, although not the only factor that determines yield, plants have developed numerous mechanisms that serve to protect the photosynthetic apparatus during stressful conditions. Cotton is produced across a wide range of environments and management conditions, from hot and humid subtropical to semiarid environments. Although production is limited by varying environmental conditions across these environments, it is clear that the physiological resilience to abiotic stress is considerable. We present a review of our understanding of low-temperature limitations to photosynthesis and the impact on productivity. Additionally, we use the High Plains region of Texas as a case study to highlight potential key developmental aspects of low-temperature stress on yield.
Heat-tolerance in Cotton Is Correlated with Induced Overexpression of Heat-Shock Factors, Heat-Shock Proteins, and General Stress Response Genes
Authors: Zhang Jin , Srivastava Vibha , Stewart James McD. , Underwood Jamie
Published: January 2023

Breeding for heat tolerance is complicated by the polygenic nature of the trait and genetic engineering awaits delineation of the molecular mechanisms. To understand heat-tolerance mechanisms in cotton (Gossypum hirsutum L.), the world’s most important natural fiber crop, this study compared expression of selected heat-stress response genes between heat-tolerant (VH260 and MNH456) and heat-sensitive (ST213 and ST4288) cotton genotypes. Cotton orthologs of selected Arabidopsis heat-stress response genes included two heat-stress transcription factors, three heat-shock proteins, and the general stress response genes: ascorbate peroxidase and the calcium-dependent stress responder, ANNAT8. The seedlings and flowering plants of each genotype were exposed to heat (38°C) for 1 to 3 hours or days, respectively, followed by RNA isolation from the seedlings and ovaries of flowering plants for gene expression analysis by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reactions. All genes, except the heat-shock protein GHSP26, were found to be induced exclusively in the heat-tolerant lines. The genotype VH260, which reportedly is tolerant to extreme heat (45°C), was found to display much higher induction of these genes than MNH456, the heat-tolerance level of which has not been thoroughly studied. Further, VH260 showed high gene induction in both seedlings and ovaries, whereas MNH456 showed lower induction levels. Strong heat tolerance in VH260 most likely is based on early induction of multiple mechanisms coordinately functioning to defend the plants against membrane damage, protein denaturation, and oxidative stress, in addition to rapid sensing of heat stress to signal the defense processes at the flowering stage towards minimizing yield losses and increasing boll retention during heat stress.
Carbon Allocation in Cotton Grown in CO2 Enriched Environments
Authors: Mauney Jack
Published: January 2023

Many studies have used CO2 -enriched environments to identify the factors limiting growth and productivity of the cotton crop. This review focuses on the allocation of carbohydrates within the plant in these environments. Three pools of carbohydrates have been shown to be altered significantly by CO2 enrichment. 1) Leaf starch is increased during the day and mobilized for night utilization; 2) starch deposition in the stems increases during the juvenile period of growth and is utilized during the boll filling period, and 3) starch deposition is increased in roots during the juvenile and early fruiting period. This enables the roots to remain more active during the heavy demand of fruit maturation. The expansion of these three pools of deposition enables the cotton crop to utilize the higher photosynthetic rate to a greater degree than other crops. The activity in these pools determines the growth and productivity of the crop at ambient CO2.
Desempenho do agronegócio na balança comercial paranaense durante o período de 2010 a 2015.
Authors: Hochuli Alexia , Kureski Ricardo
Published: January 2023

Paraná state’s food and agriculture industry has been growing over the years with an increasing representative participation at the national level. The objective of this study is to characterize the agribusiness export profile in the state of Paraná over a period of five years, presenting its values related to exports, imports, trade balance surplus while identifying the main products exported by the state, thereby determining the due importance of agribusiness toward the final agro-food value added in Paraná and Brazil.
KİTLE FONLAMA: DÜNÜ, BUGÜNÜ VE YARINI
Authors: VERGİLİ Gizem
Published: January 2023

Fintech ile ortaya çıkan alternatif finansman yöntemlerinden kitle fonlama yöntemi, proje fikrinin zaman mekân tanımaksızın birçok yatırımcı tarafından hayata geçirilmesini sağlamaktadır. Kitle fonlama platformu üzerinden yayınlanan kampanyalarla fonların toplanıp girişimcilere aktarıldığı sistemde farklı kitle fonlama modelleri bulunmaktadır. Bu çalışmada kitle fonlama işleyişi, modelleri tanıtılarak dünyada ve Türkiye’de kitle fonlamanın geçmişten bugüne durumu incelenmiştir. Özellikle Türkiye’de yasal mevzuatın üzerinde durularak kitle fonlama yöntemine ilişkin politika önerilerine yer verilmiştir. Kitle fonlama yönteminin girişimci ve yatırımcılar açısından avantaj ve dezavantajları değerlendirilerek, dünyada ve Türkiye’de başarılı ve başarısız kitle fonlama proje örnekleri incelenmiştir. Dünyada popüler olan borçlanmaya dayalı kitle fonlama uygulamalarının Türkiye’de de uygulama alanının artırılması için özellikle borcun vergi kalkanı etkisinin dikkate alınarak vergi düzenlemesine gidilmesinin önemi vurgulanmıştır. Kitle fonlamaya yönelik farkındalık çalışmalarının artırılması, girişimcilere başarılı kitle fonlama kampanyalarının şartlarına yönelik eğitimlerin düzenlenmesi, yap işlet devret modeline alternatif olarak kullanılması gibi politika önerilerinde bulunulmuştur.
Culinary Culture and Special Day Meals of Elazig
Authors: KARDEŞ DELİL Bürge , BEYTER Nurten , YILMAZ İlkay
Published: January 2023

The Purpose of Study: Elâzığ province and its nearby region is investigated because of its being home to historically ancient civilizations. This study was conducted with the idea that detailed information can be obtained about the attitude of the families form Elazig to the concept of local food and whether they include local dishes in their homes.Literature Review/Background: The features that distinguish local dishes from the others are that they are a part of special day celebrations and rituals in traditional meals. Elâzığ, which hosts one of the societies that existed in Türkiye and settled down from the oldest known civilizations, is the heir of a rich culture and one of the most important gastronomic values worth exploring.Method: In this study, data were collected using the semi-structured interview technique, which is one of the qualitative research methods, to promote the local heritage and tastes with gastronomic identity and culinary culture of Elazig and contribute to raising awareness. Content analysis method was used in the evaluation of the data. The recipes for four of the dishes were preserved and recorded as the participants learned from their ancestors. The application of ‘içli köfte’, ‘zilfet’, ‘kofik dolması’ and ‘lobik soup’ was made in Başkent University Gastronomy Laboratories.Results: Analyzing the data, it was observed that the local dishes were cooked by the whole of the participants (N=11) at home, however. when evaluated in terms of the frequency of doing them at home, it could be highlighted that there were significant differences between the two generations.Conclusion: The main findings of the study are that families from Elazig have a high level of local culinary awareness, but there is a significant difference between the two generations.Keywords: Elâzığ, culinary culture, local heritage, products with geographical indications, local dishes.
Hair Colour Stereotypes in Croatian Language Corpora
Authors: Hudeček Lana
Published: January 2023

The paper shows how hair colour stereotypes are reflected in two Croatian language corpora: the Croatian Language Corpus hrWaC and the Croatian Language Repository. Both were searched with the Sketch Engine corpus tool, utilizing the word sketches function, which shows the information on the most common collocations in which a lemma occurs. Synonymous words denoting female and male persons with fair, brown, black, ginger, or red hair were explored. The following hypotheses were confirmed or partially confirmed: women are more often defined by hair colour than men; more synonyms denote a female person of a particular hair colour than a male person; some synonyms appear in contexts suggesting stereotypes more often than others; in the formation of words especially denoting female persons of particular hair colour, some word-formation models are used to form pejorative and depreciative words and (by onymisation) animal names; and the adjectives pravi (‘real’), jedan (‘one’), and običan (‘ordinary’) serve as focus markers and suggest expressions reflecting stereotypes. Based on the conducted collocation and word-formation analysis, it is concluded that the collocations and word-formation models associated with hair colour words suggest various extralinguistic data, including the social status of women.
Structure of low-lying states in 158-168Hf nuclei
Authors: Al-Khudair Falih H. , Qasim Hussein N.
Published: January 2023

The characteristics of low-lying mixed-symmetry states in 158-168Hf isotopes have been investigated in the framework of the interacting boson model. The obtained results of the low energy spectra, B(E2) and mixing ratio δ(E2/M1) for all isotopes are compared with empirical values . The effect of the Majrona terms on the energy levels have been investigated. The 2ms+ and 1+ states are the lowest mixed-symmetry for vibrational 158-164Hf nuclei and for rotational 166,168Hf nuclei, respectively.
Studying Individual Understanding of Organizational Culture and Service-Oriented Strategy Towards a Business Services Firm
Authors: Zhongcao Chen
Published: January 2023

The underlying beliefs, assumptions, values, and methods of interacting that contribute to an organization's unique social and psychological environment are referred to as organizational culture. In this study, the understanding of organizational culture in service-oriented strategy towards business services is questioned. The study also conducted empirical research on the revitalization of service orientation in a business model which is related to Peter Drucker, the theory of the business. The study was measured quantitatively using Google Form distributed through social media - WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram applications where around 200 respondents participated in this study. The service-oriented strategy had a significantly positive and direct influence on business services, while the higher service-oriented strategy had an additional influence on organizational readiness and respondents’ knowledge sharing. Researchers have achieved the desired objective where they can conclude that most individuals agreed that the organizational readiness and knowledge sharing fully mediates them.
Surface Assessment of Transparent Glass Plate with Wavelength-Modulated Interferometry and Harmonic Phase-Iterative Method
Authors: Kim Sungtae , Kim Yangjin , Sugita Naohiko , Mitsuishi Mamoru
Published: January 2023

Multiple reflections and nonlinearity of phase modulating need to be compensated to accurately profile the surface of the glass plate using wavelength-modulated interferometry. In this study, to assess the glass plate surface using wavelength-modulated interferometry, a new phase-iterative method insensitive to the harmonic signals and nonlinear errors was developed. We developed the harmonic phase-iterative method by combining the phase-iterative method with irradiance signal considering the harmonic components. Moreover, for suppression of the harmonic-related errors in the iterative calculation, the noble pixel-selection technique and convergence formula were combined with the phase-iterative method. For estimation of the developed iterative method, we conducted the numerical simulation and assessed the glass plate surface with the Fizeau interferometer. The simulation and assessment results demonstrated that the proposed method could perform phase extraction with improved iterative calculation and suppression of the effects of the harmonics and nonlinearity.
On recently described Procridinae taxa from the Volga Region (Lepidoptera: Zygaenidae)
Authors: Efetov Konstantin A. , Tarmann Gerhard M.
Published: January 2023

The systematic position of the recently described taxa: Jordanita (Roccia) scintillosa Zolotuhin, 2020, J. (R.) smaragdonna Zolotuhin, 2020, and Adscita (Adscita) albanica accola Zolotuhin & Nedoshivina, 2020, are discussed. J. scintillosa and J. smaragdonna are considered to be synonyms of Jordanita (Roccia) paupera (Christoph, 1887) and A. albanica accola is synonymised with the nominotypical Adscita albanica (Naufock, 1926). Moreover, some notes on the book “Zygaenoid moths (Lepidoptera, Zygaenoidea) of the Middle and Lower Volga Region” are presented.
On the presence of Ephestia woodiella Richards & Thomson, 1932 in the Maltese Islands (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae, Phycitinae)
Authors: Sammut Paul , Seguna Anthony , Borg John J. , Catania Aldo
Published: January 2023

The species Ephestia woodiella Richards & Thomson, 1932 is recorded for the first time from the Maltese Islands.
Two new species of the genus Klimeschiopsis Povolny, 1967 from southern Siberia discovered as a result of study cryptic diversity in K. discontinuella (Rebel, 1899) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)
Authors: Sumpich Jan , Bidzilya Oleksiy
Published: January 2023

Klimeschiopsis varia Sumpich & Bidzilya, sp. n. and Klimeschiopsis confusella Sumpich & Bidzilya, sp. n. are described as new species for science based on differences from congeners in external appearance, genitalia of both sexes and genetic data. Klimeschiopsis varia is most similar to Klimeschiopsis discontinuella (Rebel, 1899) and Klimeschiopsis maritimaealpina Nel & Varenne, 2011 but can be distinguished by the genitalia characters. Klimeschiopsis confusella resembles Klimeschiopsis kiningerella (Duponchel, [1843]) and Klimeschiopsis terroris (Hartig, 1938) by absence of yellowish suffusion on forewings, but the coloration of new species is not so much contrasting, and the species is unmistakable according to the genitalia. Both new species occur sympatricaly in Russian Altai Mountains, Tuva and Buryatia.
A new species of the genus Epischnia Hübner, 1825 from Kazakhstan (Lepidoptera: Pyraloidea, Pyralidae, Phycitinae)
Authors: Tsvetkov Eugene T.
Published: January 2023

Epischnia porphyrea Tsvetkov, sp. n. is described from Kyzylorda and Turkestan Provinces of Kazakhstan. The new species is related to Epischnia albella Amsel, 1954 and it is distinguished by the forewing pattern and by the male genitalia. The description is based on material collected by the author in Kazakhstan in 2019.
New distributional record of Heterocera from Andaman and Nicobar Islands with six new additions to Indian Lepidoptera Fauna (Insecta: Lepidoptera)
Authors: Rao B. Sumit Kumar , Sivaperuman Chandrakasan
Published: January 2023

This paper reports six species of Heterocera belonging to family Geometridae, Notodontidae, Euteliidae, and Noctuidae viz. Probithia imprimata (Walker, 1861), Ruttellerona pseudocessaria Holloway, 1994, Amraica solivagaria (Walker, 1866), Phalera sundana Holloway, 1982, Paectes psaliphora Hampson, 1912 and Iambia lyricalis Holloway, 1989. The species stated above have been collected from different islands of Andaman and Nicobar archipelago. Furthermore, the study reveals new contributions to India’s Lepidoptera fauna. Microphotographs of Adult genitalia along with species diagnosis, habitat, and the new distributional data from these islands are provided.
Range extension of the Macroglossum pyrrhosticta Butler, 1875, in Northwestern India (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae)
Authors: Farooqui Shahabab A. , Kitching Ian J. , Parwez Hina , Joshi Rahul
Published: January 2023

During a faunistic survey of Lepidoptera in Sasni (27.7063º N, 78.0823º E; 181 m), Uttar Pradesh, a specimen of Macroglossum pyrrhosticta Butler, 1875, was collected and thus the species reported for the first time from the Gangetic Plains Biogeographic Zone of India, as well as North-West India as a whole. Details of the known larval host plants of M. pyrrhosticta are also provided, together with a checklist of the Indian species of genus Macroglossum Scopoli, 1777.
National Security and its Linkage with Social Media: Lessons for Pakistan
Authors: Al Abd Saad
Published: January 2023

This paper explores the literature on conceptual aspects of national security, its relationship with social media, and the impacts of the latter on the national security of Pakistan. This paper answers a few questions, i.e., what is national security, how does social media overlap with it, and what are the implications of social media for the national security of Pakistan? The methodology applied in this research is qualitative and relies on secondary sources; therefore, literature has been explored to find the answers. The analysis of this research is inspired by the thematic analysis technique through which it has been ascertained that national security is a subjective phenomenon and is mainly defined by national values. The relationship between national security and social media is significant, as the latter extensively relies upon as an avenue by anarchists, extremists, terrorists, and external forces to spread disinformation and achieve their respective objectives. As far as Pakistan is concerned, the interrelationship between national security and social media has not been looked into in detail. Accordingly, this research concludes that there are gaps in the literature produced in Pakistan on social media vis-à-vis its connection with national security. Consequently, the existing literature lacks an explanation of the political, strategic, and social motives of the actors employing social media for their respective vested purposes, especially for propaganda.
Особенности клинических проявлений заболеваний носа у больных хронической почечной недостаточностью
Authors: Каримов О.М. , Шамсиев Д.Ф.
Published: January 2023

У больных с хронической почечной недостаточностью отмечаются различные отоларингологические проявления, обусловленные уремическими токсинами и нарушениями электролитного баланса. В обзоре даны результаты исследования, в которых имеется информация о носовых кровотечениях как о наиболее частых ЛОР-проявлениях хронической почечной недостаточности, что объяснялось тенденцией к кровотечению, связанной с уремией или самим гемодиализом. Данный обзор показал, что, учитывая разнообразные проявления осложнений хронической почечной недостаточности, у больных с хроническими заболеваниями носа и околоносовых пазух необходимо выбрать индивидуальную тактику ведения больных.
Perspective Chapter: Hydroxyapatite – Surface Functionalization to Prevent Bacterial Colonization
Authors: García-Cadme Raisha , García Cano Irene , Castaño Oscar , Fernandez Javier
Published: January 2023

Microbial colonization is one of the main causes of implant loosening and rejection. Pathogenic contamination and the subsequent biofilm formation reduce the implant’s chance of survival and can be life-threatening to a patient. Among the many strategies employed to reduce the infection probability of bioceramics, surface functionalization plays a key role. This chapter is dedicated to describing the different strategies available to prevent bacterial colonization and the proliferation of hydroxyapatite-coated implants. Moreover, the factors intervening in the bacteria-implant interaction will be described, detailing the mechanisms involved during the contact, adhesion, and proliferation of bacteria. Finally, the characterization methods will be discussed, emphasizing the bioactivity and antibacterial assays.
Impact of Glycine Supplementation to Dietary Crude Protein Reduction in Broiler Chickens
Authors: Chukwudi Aguihe Paschal , Imuetinyan Ilaboya Ibinabo , Abiodun Joshua Deji
Published: January 2023

A 21-day experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary reduction of crude protein (CP) concentrations with graded levels of supplemental glycine (Gly) on growth performance of broiler chickens. Day-old chicks (n = 250) were randomly divided into five treatment groups which were divided into five replicates of ten chicks each in a completely randomized design. The treatments were as follows: T1 comprised of the control group with a standard CP diet (SCPD; 3100 kcal ME/kg and 22% CP) while T2, T3, T4 and T5 comprised of groups fed reduced CP diets (RCPD; 3100 kcal ME/kg and 19% CP) with supplemental Gly at 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8% graded levels, respectively. Weight gain (WG), feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) data was collected on a weekly basis. Final body weight and weight gain of birds fed control and 0.8% Gly diets were similar and higher (P < 0.05) than those fed other treatment diets. A similar FCR was recorded among birds fed control, 0.6% and 0.8% Gly diets but lower (P < 0.05) than other treatment groups. Therefore, a minimum level of 0.6% Gly supplementation is necessary to optimized performance of broilers (21-d old) fed RCPD.
The Blood Biomarkers of Asthma
Authors: Hao Chen , Yubao Cui , Rongfei Zhu
Published: January 2023

Asthma was a chronic inflammatory airway disease which characterized by complex pathogenesis, various clinical manifestations and severity. Blood biomarkers have been used to evaluate the severity of the disease, predict the efficacy and prognosis. Currently, some incredible progress in most of the research on biomarkers for asthma have achieved, including cell, antibodies, cytokines, chemokines, proteins and non-coding RNAs. We reviewed the application of these biomarkers in diagnosis, treatment, prognosis monitoring and phenotypic identification of asthma, in order to improve clinicians’ understanding of asthma biomarkers.
Effect of Motor Learning Feedback on Cognitive Functions in Parkinsonism
Authors: Saad El-Din Mahmoud Lama
Published: January 2023

Parkinson’s disease is characterized by cognitive impairments that impair motor control. The major goal was to see how motor learning feedback with enhanced motor learning cues affected cognitive skills in Parkinson’s patients. This study engaged the participation of 30 patients of both genders. The patients were split into two equal groups at random: The participants in the study were given motor learning feedback along with augmented motor learning cues and the selected cognitive therapy program, while the control group received only the selected cognitive therapy program. The patients were assessed by the computer-based cognitive assessment device (Reha-Com) and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scale. The study’s findings revealed a significant difference between the study and control groups (p = 0.0001), The study group exhibited a larger improvement in cognitive functioning than the control group. In Parkinson’s patients, motor learning feedback with enhanced cues has a significant beneficial effect on cognitive skills.
Sub-Saharan Migrations to Europe during the Three Last Decades
Authors: Barou Jacques
Published: January 2023

Migrations from Sub-Saharan Africa to Europe are recent. Slave trade organized by Europeans to the America created some possibilities of settlement in Europe between the sixteenth and the nineteenth centuries for Black African persons, but the phenomenon was marginal. Migratory flow really begins in the twentieth century. Colonial troops arrived in France to take part in the battles of the First World War. After this first experience, voluntary migrations were organized by some communities of West Africa to some harbors in France. In the sixties, the phenomenon increased but concerned only men whose purpose was to come back rapidly at home with their savings. Little by little, different European countries were concerned by the immigration of women and families coming from all parts of Africa. This article aims to describe and analyze the transformations of the migratory flows and the ways of integration in the receiving societies with cases concerning mainly France and the UK.
Design and Analysis of High Power RF Window
Authors: Kumar Alaria Mukesh
Published: January 2023

Gyrotron has proven to be an efficient source for RF generation at high power and high frequency level. Gyrotron has very significant and specific role to play, particularly, in plasma, material, spectroscopy and energy research. The chapter covers the selection of dielectric materials and power handling capability of RF windows. The design analysis of RF window with window disk thickness and diameter are optimized considering the minimum return loss and the minimum insertion loss by using CST microwave studio. The advantage of the double disc window cooling is most effective. In the 42 GHz window design, double disc winnow are using and the temperature on the disc of RF window does not exceed 100 degree C and found in safe limit. The design of RF window depends on the dielectric characteristics like dielectric constant, loss tangent, permittivity, etc., of the window materials. The dielectric permittivity and loss tangent of window material affect the absorption and transmission of RF power. The thermal analyses are performed by using finite element analysis code ANSYS code on the basis of electrical design of RF window.
Diabetes – A Silent Killer: A Threat for Cardiorespiratory Fitness
Authors: Joseph Theyamma , C. Vadasseril Jacquline
Published: January 2023

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a noncommunicable, lifestyle-related chronic metabolic disorder of global involvement, characterized by elevated blood sugar levels, manifested by hyperglycaemia, polyuria, polydipsia and polyphagia. DM is associated with acute and chronic complications which lead to reduced quality of life, premature morbidity and mortality. T2DM is linked with overweight, obesity, reduced physical activity and a genetic component. T2DM is named a silent killer because the primary disease is silent at the early stage and usually gets diagnosed when presenting with a vascular event such as stroke or heart attack. Impaired cardiorespiratory fitness plays a crucial role in acceleration of cardiovascular complications resulting in premature organ damage, morbidity and mortality. Regular physical activity, resistance training and reduction in sedentary life style along with diet control and drugs help to control DM and prevent or delay complications. This chapter deals with diabetes as a disease, its prevalence, risk factors, signs and symptoms, pathophysiology, pathogenesis and underlying mechanisms, acute and chronic complications, along with measures to enhance cardiorespiratory fitness and control DM and a word of caution to the younger generation to be aware of the silent killer.
Artificial Intelligence for Ovarian Stimulation
Authors: Emperaire Jean-Claude , Charles Eldridge J.
Published: January 2023

Ovarian stimulation, the basis of treatment strategies for infertility, from anovulation to in vitro fertilization, is a highly efficient therapeutic procedure. The stimulation should ensure a complete development of the follicle(s) along with maturation of the oocyte(s), all without risking hyperstimulation and multiple pregnancies. For these reasons, a stimulation protocol should be personalized, and its evolution must be continually scrutinized using measures of both blood hormone levels and ovarian responses by ultrasound. Essentially all of the stimulation algorithms proposed to date focus only on determination of the starting dose of gonadotropin. But ovarian stimulation should be continually monitored until the final decision is made to trigger or to abort the cycle. This decision can be achieved through use of an experience-based computer software system that monitors menstrual cycles through a beginning pregnancy. This software (StimXpert®) should work effectively with a classical stimulation as well as a controlled hyperstimulation for IVF. It may also be modified from experience-based to evidence-based programming through progressive learning.
Management Guide of Sucking Insect Pest
Authors: Ghosal Abhijit
Published: January 2023

Sap feeders have typically piercing sucking mouthparts through which they suck sap from the plant, and due to this feeding, the plant produces specific symptoms. Their role as transmitting plant viruses is well known and considered a very important factor in achieving a desirable yield. Their small size, ability to develop quick resistance and biotypes make them very difficult to manage. Insecticide is considered the most potent weapon to cope with the sap feeders because of its quick knockdown effect and ease of application. At the same time, its indiscriminate use makes the situation harsh, leading towards the disruption of several ecological phenomena. We have seen a significant increase in honey bee colony collapse disorder in recent years, owing to extensive crop coverage with neonicotinoids. Similarly, the emergence of whitefly and jassids in Bt cotton as the dreadest pests is a result of not following the conservation of refuge strategy. As the crop ecosystem is a centre of multiple interactions between several biotic organisms along with abiotic factors, holistic approaches need to be developed combining cultural, mechanical, physical, biological, biopesticidal, and chemical management incorporating the host plant resistance.
Therapeutic Potential of Metformin in Diabetes Mellitus-Related Cardiovascular Complications
Authors: Tan Hongmei , Tao Jun
Published: January 2023

The diabetic population continues to grow worldwide, resulting in many chronic cardiovascular complications, including atherosclerosis and diabetic cardiomyopathy, as well as an increase in the incidence of heart failure. Metformin, as the first-line oral therapy for type 2 diabetes, lowers blood glucose and reduces the incidence of diabetes mellitus (DM)-related cardiovascular events, such as myocardial infarction. The cardiovascular protective effect of metformin is due not only to the relief of insulin resistance and the improvement of glucose and lipid metabolism but also to the inhibition of oxidation and inflammation. Metformin exerts its multiple effects primarily through AMPK-dependent and AMPK-independent mechanisms. This chapter reviews the beneficial effects of metformin on DM-related cardiovascular complications and dissects the potential molecular mechanisms.
Perspective Chapter: Uptake Capacity of Metals (Al, Cu, Pb, Sn, Zn) in Contaminated Water Metal Production Trade Village Dong Xam, Thai Binh, Vietnam by Vetiveria zizanioides
Authors: Trung Minh Nguyen , Yun Seong-Taek , Kwon Jang-Soon , Thu Tra Doan
Published: January 2023

This chapter describes experiments, carried out under controlled environment conditions to investigate the uptake capacity of metals (Al, Cu, Pb, Sn, and Zn) by Vetiveria zizanioides to treat contaminated water from “metal production trade village Dong Xam, Thai Binh, Vietnam.” The roots have a high hyperaccumulation capacity of Al, and it is much more than “reference plant” about 17- up to 30-folds, and the upper parts of shoots S2, and S3 are higher 1.2-fold. In vetiver plant the Cu concentration can be obtained up to 660 mg/kg in root, and 46.2 mg/kg in shoot, and it can withstand and be alive at 46 mg/L of contaminated solution. The lead translocation from root to shoot reached to about 41%. The tin is absorbed in the leaf chop with ratio: Root varied from 82% up to ∼277% in the leaf chop. The zinc may be moved from roots and accumulated by the shoots of vetiver. The ratio shoot: root gets up to 46%. The study shows that vetiver had the high tolerance to trace metals Al, Cu, Pb, Sn, and Zn than other species plants. This plant has potential for usage in the phytoremediation of metals contaminated soil and wastewater from trade villages of Vietnam and other countries.
On a Pair of Quantum Integral Transforms to the Conscience Field
Authors: Bulnes Francisco
Published: January 2023

All quantum field processes can be altered through a diphase of time in its natural evolution, producing a nonlinear perturbation in space-time, which will produce a singular state called anomalous energy state, which in the mind study is called symptom. Quantum integral transforms are created and developed to eliminate said energy perturbation, considering the ground operator as kernel of the transform. In the mind study, we say that there is an anomalous behavior in a person when this energy perturbation is created and this becomes an energy bundle or singularity that affects the sensible, emotive, or even rational zones of the mind. The quantum transforms propose to establish theoretically the elimination or vanishing these anomalous energy states, and the possibility to recover the free and natural evolution of the conscience and therefore of the mind.