bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Calitatea rezultatelor școlare ale elevilor în învățământul primar din Iordania
Authors: Al-Zboun Fadi , Neacșu Ioan
Published: December 2020

This research aims to identify the quality of school results for pupils in the primary schools in Jordan, through the school administration, teacher effectiveness, school environment, teaching strategies and evaluation. The main theme of the search is linked to school assessment results, to identify weaknesses that must be corrected, and the strengths to keep them, and the reasons that led to the failure to achieve certain goals by the pupils. To achieve the objectives of the study we applied two tools: questionnaire and interview, to study samples that were from the primary schools principals in Jordan. The study found that all areas of the study achieved a higher score.
Perspective axiologic-integratoare și formatoare ale evaluării școlare. Un demers aplicativ.
Authors: Lazăr Emil
Published: December 2020

The motivation for the choice of theme and the imperative for this paper have been determined by searching for an answer to the question what should we evaluate at Religion classes? A rare opportunity has been also the desire to put the issue of the religious education in line with the contemporary complex approach to education and assessment: lifelong education, education striving for values, competence, becoming, internalization, development of human nature, authentic assessment. Therefore, this paper is an attempt to do research on assessment in religious education, from the point of view of the purpose, the objectives of this school subject. The significance and reason for choosing the theme are given by the constructive perspective which the authentic religious education may have for the human training and development. The practical dimension of Religion as a discipline for the human axiology and behaviour is proved, though valuably is not made manifest.
Perception of international student’s towards education services in Romania: Expectations and challenges.
Authors: Kambuga Yusuph
Published: December 2020

The study examines the perception, expectations and challenges among international students studying in higher learning institutions in Romania. The study has employed an open- ended questionnaire to collect largest student opinions. The study has involved participants from the University of Bucharest, University of Politehnica, University of Ploiesti, Academic studies of Economic Bucharest (ASE), Babes Bolyai, and Carol Davila University of Medicine. The international students involved in this study were almost from Asia, Africa, Southern America, and Europe. The responses of international students were divided into two parts. The first part discusses the perception and expectations and the second part presents the challenges faces such as education style, financial difficulties, language barriers, Homesickness, supervision problems, and cultural/social adjustment.
Inteligența emoțională, suportul social și autoeficacitatea generală la adolescenți și tinerii adulți: o analiză comparativă.
Authors: Sava Elena Marinela
Published: December 2020

This research has as main objective to identify if there are differences between emotional intelligence, social support and self-efficacy, depending on the stage of human development, adolescence and adulthood. This research involved a total of 100 people in Romania who were divided into two groups, differentiated from the stage of human development. Differences have been identified as expected, except for emotional intelligence, as adolescents have been shown to report a higher level of emotional intelligence than young adults.
Intervenții în managementul greutății
Authors: Spînu Roxana-Mihaela
Published: December 2020

Given the high rate of obesity around the world and its treatment costs, any potential intervention should be highly cost-effective. The article aims to provide an overview of the different types of interventions in weight management, their specific advantages and disadvantages, as well as their effectiveness. Moreover, it presents behavioral, cognitive-behavioral interventions and eHealth interventions in weight loss programs. The latter represents an innovation in the field, given its apparent utility and benefits, although further research is still needed in order to gain a deeper understanding of the topic.
Taking the long way: conceptual framework development, symptomatology, and classification in aphasia
Authors: Buică Belciu Cristian
Published: December 2020

The present theoretical study aims to make an incursion into the history of description, definition and conceptualization of aphasia. Old and modern opinions on the etiology and symptomatology of aphasia are presented. Also, the types of aphasia and their prognosis are described.
Tres reflexiones sobre la sociología de la literatura
Authors: Riveiro María Belén
Published: December 2020

Este artículo parte de la identificación de indicadores de la constitución de un ámbito de estudios sociológicos dedicados a la literatura. A partir de allí la argumentación se estructura en tres reflexiones. En primer lugar, postula la riqueza del abordaje sociológico sobre el hecho literario tanto para el conocimiento de la literatura como para la producción sociológica. En segundo lugar, el artículo reflexiona de manera crítica sobre los supuestos teóricos y el recorrido histórico que lleva a las disciplinas a la especialización en subáreas como la de la sociología de la literatura. En tercer lugar, recopila una rica tradición de investigaciones que con sensibilidad sociológica formulan problemas de investigación relevantes sobre las múltiples dimensiones del hecho literario. Este ejercicio abre preguntas sobre nuestros modos de producción de conocimiento, sobre cómo se definen los problemas de investigación y sobre las vocaciones que definen la tarea científica.
Synthesis and photophysical study of divalent complexes of chelating Schiff base
Authors: Rashad Alaa , Ibrahim Farah , Ahmed Ahmed , Salman Ekhlas , Akram Evon
Published: December 2020

Background: Schiff base compounds derivative from1,2,4-triazole, and their transition metal complexes play an essential role in coordination and bioinorganic chemistry due to biological and industrial applications.
Objectives: This work aims to prepare and characterize 1,2,4-triazole Schiff base and its complexes with a theoretical study, photophysical properties, and surface morphology for these complexes.
Methods: 1,2,4-triazole Schiff base prepared by condensation reaction between 4-Amino-3-mercapto-5-phenyl-4H-1,2,4-triazole and 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde, then Schiff base reacted with Co2+, Ni2+, and Cu2+ ions, the synthesized 1,2,4-triazole Schiff base, and its complexes were characterized by infrared spectra, magnetic susceptibility, conductivity measurements, photophysical properties, and surface morphology measured by atomic force microscopy. The practical results were reinforced with a theoretical study, using PM3 calculation and HyperChem program, for these Schiff base complexes. Then, the proposed structures of the prepared complexes.
Results: 1,2,4-triazole Schiff base act as a chelate ligand. The coordination has occurred through the oxygen of the phenolic group O-H and the nitrogen of the imine group N=C of Schiff base with divalent metal ions. Cobalt complex has a tetrahedral geometry, while the nickel and copper complexes have square planar geometries. The stability of all compounds was studied by calculating the energy gap by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and theoretical calculations. Copper Schiff base is a more stable complex due to the lower value of the energy gap, and the copper Schiff base complex is more semiconductivity than the other complexes. Surface morphology, properties of chelating Schiff base ligand and its complexes measured by atomic force microscopy, cobalt Schiff base complex is higher roughness. The bond length of (-C=N-), (-C-O-),(M-O), and (M-N) are affected in the coordination with metal ions, the bond length of the square planar geometry more affected than tetrahedral geometry.
Conclusions: All compounds were prepared successfully, characterized, and photophysical properties were studied.
A Fuzzy Implementation of Bio metrics With Five Factor Authentication System For Secured Banking
Authors: Hemamalini S. , Manuel M. L. Alphin Ezhil
Published: December 2020

Remote authentication is the most commonly used method to determine the identity of a remote client.Secure and efficient authentication scheme has been a very important issue with the development of networking technologies. In a Generic Framework for Authentication, preserving security and privacy in distributed systems provide three factors for authentication of clients. This paper investigates a systematic approach for authenticating clients by five factors, namely RFID card, PIN, biometrics, One Time Password (OTP) and keypad ID. The conversion not only significantly improves the information assurance at low cost but also protects client privacy in distributed systems.
Konsep penalaran bayani, irfani dan burhani pada pembelajaran aqidah ahlak dalam pendidikan islam
Authors: Purwati Yayuk , Devi Aulia Diana
Published: December 2020

This paper aims to describe the concept of reasoning bayani, irfani and burhani on the learning of Aqidah Akhlak in Islamic education. aqidah akhlak learning innovations in Islamic education in schools to overcome the growth of children. The direction and purpose of Islamic education is to foster students with early integrity and national loyalty, so that it is necessary to multiply its efforts in the field of science. Some aspects of science that need attention include: First, updating the epistemological method of the history of Islamic civilization and learning from the relevant curriculum organization. Second, the epistemological paradigm reform of Bayani's reasoning aims to be Abid al-Jabiri's trilogy of reasoning, namely Bayani reasoning, Irfani reasoning and Burhani reasoning in the learning of Aqidah Akhlak. All three are very linear reasoning that goes hand in hand but still only bayani is made a top priority. And the third circular linking between the three and all reasoning can complement each other. And thirdly in accordance with the value of global issues in the learning materials aqidah Akhlak, as well as the progress of the times and the complexity of the issues faced by mankind, especially the Muslim community, the issue must be acted on locally but globally. This is a response to the progress of modern architecture, so Islamic religious education in the school is very necessary and needs to be considered its existence.
A Queer(er) Genocide Studies
Authors: Nellans Lily
Published: December 2020

This paper examines how queerness interacts with and is implicated in traditional genocides, i.e. those directed at racial, religious, national, and ethnic groups - the groups defined as protected classes in the Genocide Convention. It poses the following question: How can scholars of Genocide Studies learn from the queer theory-Genocide Studies nexus? To answer, this paper demonstrate how three distinct queer theory concepts can be woven with Genocide Studies to reveal novel insights into some of the field’s preeminent questions. Specifically, it draws on queer intellectual curiosity, heteronormativity, and reproductive futurism. Connecting queer theory with Genocide Studies yields empirical, analytical, and normative insights into the latter. Deploying queer theory concepts in Genocide Studies ensures the field is more attentive to queer lives, something all academic disciplines should strive for, and advances the field’s understanding of genocide as a phenomenon.
Testimonio, ética y arte en la filosofía de Giorgio Agamben: en torno al concepto de “lo inapropiable
Authors: Periáñez Luis
Published: December 2020

Testimonio, ética y arte en la filosofía de Giorgio Agamben: en torno al concepto de “lo inapropiable
Copia, marcas “anómalas” y eclosión del refrán en los testimonios de la lírica gallego-portuguesa (Cancioneiro da Ajuda, Lisboa)
Authors: Arbor Aldea Mariña
Published: December 2020

La edición de las cantigas copiadas en el Cancioneiro da Ajuda (A) y el estudio de este manuscrito en sus más pequeños detalles materiales y organizativos nos enfrentan a un problema que afecta a los poemas dotados de refrán: se trata de la identificación y marcaje, en el proceso de copia, de este elemento estructural de la composición. En este trabajo analizaremos los diversos sectores del códice en el que se detectan marcas anómalas –en determinados casos corregidas en los márgenes del folio con las oportunas notas técnicas–, los textos que ofrecen estribillos de dudosa interpretación y los autores a los que pertenecen, así como su distribución a lo largo de la antología poética. Queremos verificar, así, cómo funciona el refrán y en qué cronología se produce su eclosión, y si estos sectores coinciden, y por qué, con zonas del manuscrito que ya habían sido identificadas en trabajos previos como “zonas de conflicto” en la copia inestable de un cancionero que, a partir de un determinado momento, sigue fuentes diversas, no orgánicas, que no fueron sometidas al filtro previo que caracteriza el primer sector del códice.
Gramática de valências e sintaxe dialetal no âmbito galego-português: algunsexemplos práticos
Authors: Sánchez Rei Xosé Manuel
Published: December 2020

Desde su aparición como disciplina lingüística en el siglo XIX, la dialetología se centró preferentemente en fenómenos fonéticos, morfológicos y lexicales. La sintaxis, a pesar de su relevancia como una de las componentes centrales de la gramática, estuvo practicamente olvidada en los trabajos dialetológicos clásicos, y no solo en el espacio gallego-portugués, sino también en otras lenguas. La gramática de valencias, una das más relevantes escuelas lingüísticas del siglo XX, puede favorecer la investigación de fenómenos sintácticos dialectales. Para ello, debe partirse de la importancia sintáctica y de las caraterísticas semánticas de los verbos y ver como las variaciones dialectales se manifestan en sus cuadros predicativos.
Una democracia frágil sin valores democráticos: Brasil en el siglo XXI
Authors: De Oliveira de Castro Henrique Carlos , Vizcarra Castillo Sofia Isabel
Published: December 2020

La elección como presidente de Jair Bolsonaro en el año 2018, sorprendió a algunos medios académicos y políticos. Sin embargo, a la luz de la trayectoria histórica y política de Brasil, su elección no parece una sorpresa. Por ello, nos proponemos reflexionar, a partir del concepto de cultura política hibrida, sobre la elección de Bolsonaro en 2018 como un reflejo de la fragilidad de la democracia brasileña. A partir del análisis de datos cuantitativos y cualitativos de la Séptima Ola de Encuesta Mundial de Valores (EMV), recolectados entre 2018 y 2019, caracterizamos la cultura política de los brasileños como autoritaria y conservadora, a pesar de un apoyo general a la idea democrática. En ese sentido, entendemos que esta cultura política ha aportado al desarrollo de una democracia inercial que se sostiene en formas, pero no en valores democráticos. Desde esta perspectiva, la democracia nació muerta en Brasil. Asimismo, usamos hechos de la historia política para indicar que la regla en la política brasileña es la inestabilidad. Nuestras conclusiones indican que la democracia sigue siendo frágil, tanto por cuestiones relacionadas con la tradición política como por la cultura política híbrida, agravada por la elección de un presidente que defiende claramente una salida autoritaria.
Perfil sociodemográfico dos pacientes confirmados para Covid-19 residentes no Espírito Santo, Brasil
Authors: Ferreira André Diego Da Silva , Perovano Leonardo Santos , Barboza Lorrana Inacia , Nascimento Wilker Marcolino , Da Silva Franciele Montenegro , Reis Erika Cardoso dos
Published: December 2020

Introdução: No final de 2019 o mundo foi acometido com o surgimento de uma doença, a Covid-19, que é causada pelo novo coronavírus SARS-COV-2, sendo inicialmente detectada na China e posteriormente se tornado uma pandemia, pois a doença ultrapassou várias fronteiras. Estudos deixam evidente que gênero, classe e raça apresentam condições de vulnerabilidade em relação à exposição da Covid-19, e estudos contribuem para a identificação dos grupos vulneráveis. Diante do exposto, realizou-se um estudo transversal de todos os casos confirmados com o objetivo de analisar as características sociodemográficas e a distribuição dos casos confirmados de Covid-19 nos municípios do Espírito Santo (ES). Método: O estudo trata de uma pesquisa observacional transversal, que foi desenvolvida em duas etapas metodológicas. A primeira destina-se à obtenção da base de dados da Secretaria de Estado da Saúde do Espírito Santo (SESA) dos casos confirmados, realizada no dia 01/06/2020. A segunda etapa contemplou a recodificação, ordenação e distribuição das características sociodemográficas segundo região de saúde no Microsoft Excel e SPSS. Resultados: Até 31/05/2020 foram registrados 13.386 casos confirmados da Covid-19 de residentes no ES. O perfil sociodemográfico predominante entre os pacientes é de pessoas pardas e pretas (39,4%), com ensino médio completo (26,4%), entre 20 e 39 anos (39,7%) e do sexo feminino (54,1%). Conclusão: Com o passar dos três meses iniciais da pandemia de Covid-19, podemos constatar os impactos diferentes entre os grupos populacionais devido a vários fatores. Por tratar de uma doença que apresenta alta disseminação por contato, regiões populosas como a região metropolitana de Vitória-ES apresentam o maior número de casos dentro do ES.
On the contracts related to matrimonial property
Authors: Salma Jožef
Published: December 2020

Positive law in Serbia does not provide for the possibility of a marital agreement. After the comparative analysis, the author suggests that the introduction of this type of contract into our legal system would certainly prevent a number of equitable distribution disputes. If this type of contract was introduced, it would certainly promote the free will of spouses as well as the advantages of having the separate property.
Combating the organized crime by means of an unorganized law
Authors: Beljanski Slobodan
Published: December 2020

The author points out the differences in definitions of organized crime and the problems that may occur in application of provisions having undetermined or open contents. In the second part of the work the author analyses disharmony that exists between certain provisions of the amended law on organization and competence of state authorities in combat against organized crime with the constitution of the Republic of Serbia, the Constitutional charter, the Charter on Human and minority rights and civil rights, the International Covenant on civil and political rights and the Convention against torture and other severe, inhuman or degrading sentences or procedures.
Case note: Rotaru v. Romania
Authors: Dakić Milena
Published: December 2020

Članstvom u Savetu Evrope Rumunija je prihvatila visoke standarde zaštite ljudskih prava i sloboda ali i obavezu da svoje nacionalno zakonodavstvo uskladi sa tim standardima i obezbedi potrebne mehanizme za njihovu zaštitu. U tom cilju ona je donela nove propise prihvatajući tekovine demokratskih zemalja Evrope. Međutim, neki od tih propisa ne ispunjavaju u potpunosti preuzete obaveze, obzirom da svojim rešenjima i dalje pružaju mogućnost zloupotrebe od strane organa vlasti na štetu zajemčenih osnovnih ljudskih prava i sloboda. S jedne strane, Rumunija je usvojila Zakonodavnu uredbu kojom su data određena prava građanima koje je progonila komunistička vlast nastojeći da time ublaži posledice izražene u nemogućnosti ostvarivanja osnovnih ljudskih prava i sloboda ili njihovom ograničenju. S druge strane pojedini propisi kao što je Zakon o organizaciji i delovanju Rumunske obaveštajne službe i dalje ostavljaju prostora da se pod plastom novog sistema i zajemčenih prava ona i dalje ograničavaju i krše. Stavove koje je Sud zauzeo odlučujući u slučaju Rotaru protiv Rumunije treba da posluže kao smernice u kreiranju naše zakonodavne regulative u ovoj veoma osetljivoj oblasti, a posebno u pogledu uređivanja načina i metoda prikupljanja, čuvanja i korišćenja podataka o građanima, organima koji poseduju takva ovlašćenja kao i mehanizme njihovog nadzora. Pored zakonskih odredbi koje bi sadržale potpuna i kvalitetna rešenja navedenih pitanja, važno je obezbediti njihovu adekvatnu i doslednu primenu od strane nadležnih organa. Posebno mesto treba da zauzme i sistem zaštite u slučaju njihove povrede pred domaćim sudovima, kao državnim organima koji treba da garantuju ostvarivanje zakonom utvrđenih prava. Sve to bi u određenoj meri predstavljalo potvrdu da smo prihvatili demokratske principe novog evropskog poretka, i time stvorili osnovu da se zaista smatramo i budemo prihvaćeni kao deo moderne Evrope.
The protecting power in an armed conflict
Authors: Lopičić-Jančić Jelena
Published: December 2020

The notion of Protecting Power is a very important legal institution in the settlement of many issues between the parties to the conflict in contemporary international law. It is regulated by the Geneva Convention Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War of August 12, 1949 and thus accepted by a large number of states. The Geneva Convention of 1949 provides for the supervision and control of implementation of international humanitarian conventions as well as international treaty and customary law of the war and this fact is of special importance for resolving the problems related to the prisoners of war. Another important novelty introduced by this Convention is that in addition to the International Committee of Red Cross it includes other impartial humanitarian organizations in the category of Protecting Powers. Undoubtedly, this Convention brings humanization of the status of war prisoners. In addition, the institution of the Protecting Power as well as the Convention as a whole, contribute to better criminal law protection of the prisoners of war.
Cooperation between a forensic psychiatry and the court
Authors: Đurđev Branislav , Kapamadžija Borislav , Ostojić Biljana , Zlatanov-Bogunović Julijana
Published: December 2020

In his everyday court activities a judge has to consult a forensic psychiatry court expert very often nowadays. There is a shortage in the current law regulations, however, in that field, according to law processing solutions. The relationship between a judge and a forensic psychiatry court experts is not defined completely according to problems because of different concepts concerning scientific approaches, and the low and psychiatric terminology - thus there is need for a further education in order to gain a better understanding. Discussing various questions and dilemmas that have emerged from such relationship, the author suggest a greater affirmation of a forensic psychiatry court expert sub-specialist that is the one of a neuropsychiatrist (psychiatrist) in the court, as well as introducing of private testifying which should be done at a participant's demand, which would improve the quality of testifying in general, by its corrective role. The authors also discuss the dangers of trial expertise, the question of conscious and unconscious manipulation, psychodynamic interaction between participants in the trial, of some illogical phenomenon according to premises needed for pronouncing security measures by No 63 and No 64 paragraph of OKZ SRJ as well as the question of testifying to an individual as a morally and guilt responsible person for the work, except in some extremely complicated cases or in imperative applications of complex diagnostic methods which require participation of other experts as well, including a medical board and institutional processing.
Kant's philosophy of law
Authors: Stepanov Radivoj
Published: December 2020

Prilog ima četiri dela: predkritičko razdoblje, kritičko razdoblje filozofija prava i pravne države i dodatak. U razvoju misli nemačkog filozofa Imanuela Kanta razlikuju ce uglavnom dva perioda: predkritičko (do početka 1770. godine) i kritičko razdoblje. Kritičko razdoblje je određeno njegovim glavnim delima - Kritika čistog uma, Kritika praktičnog uma i Kritika moći suđenja. U predkritičkom razdoblju Kant ce bavio pretežno problematikom prirodnih nauka i filozofijom prirode. U svom kritičkom periodu Kant je polazio od toga da je neophodno da ce kritički istraže saznajne mogućnosti čoveka. Tek na osnovu toga ce mogu izgraditi teorijska filozofija, etika i filozofija prirode. U svom osnovnom etičkom delu Kritika praktičnog uma pripisuje Kant umu kao praktičnom umu, za razliku od teorijskog, zakonodavno a ne samo regulativno značenje. Kant insistira na dostojanstvu, vrednosti i slobodi svakog čoveka. Zakon praktičnog uma može imati samo formu sveopšteg zakonodavca. Osnovni zakon čistog praktičnog uma Kant formuliše na sledeći način: delaj tako da maksima tvoje volje može da važi kao princip sveopšteg zakonodavstva. Država je za Kanta zajednica ljudi podređena pravu i pravnim zakonima. Sloboda počiva u pravu svakog čoveka da ce pokorava samo onim zakonima na koje je dao svoj pristanak.
Complicity
Authors: Vukosav Milorad
Published: December 2020

In order to define the meaning of complicity one shall first determine the meaning of offender of criminal act. There is an extensive and a restrictive meaning of the offender of criminal act. There are many theories of complicity. The complicity means that two or more persons participate in the act of commission or in the act that is closely connected to the act of commission of criminal act. The condition sine qua non for complicity is that there is a subjective link between the accomplices, but one shall not overlook the objective link without which there cannot be any complicity. The accomplice is a person who produces the cause for the consequence of the criminal act, contrary to the person who aids to the commission of the criminal act, who produces the condition for the consequence of the criminal act. In order to appraise criminal liability of accomplices, one shall take under consideration that the complicity is the only form of collaboration in the criminal act where the criminal liability may be imposed even for the negligent commission of criminal act. There are criminal acts in which complicity is impossible.
Propagation of stochastic electromagnetic high-order Bessel-Gaussian beams in the oceanic turbulence
Authors: Liu Yong-Xin  , Chen Zi-Yang  , Pu Ji-Xiong  ,   Fujian Key Laboratory of Light Propagation and Transformation, College of Information Science and Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen 361021, China
Published: December 2020

Recently, the laser beam propagation in the oceanic turbulence has become a hot research topic. In addition to the characteristics of free diffraction and self-reconstruction, the high-order Bessel-Gaussian beam is a kind of typical vortex beam because of the existence of a spiral phase factor with orbital angular momentum. Researchers have investigated the self-reconstruction property of the high-order Bessel-Gaussian beams in the free space, also carried out intensive researches on the transmission characteristics of high-order Bessel-Gaussian beam in the ABCD optical system and in the atmospheric turbulence. However, to the best of our knowledge, to date there has been no investigation on the propagation of this laser beam in the oceanic turbulence. In this paper, we will study the propagation characteristics of the random electromagnetic high-order Bessel-Gaussian beams in the oceanic turbulence, and discuss the variation of the normalized spectrum intensity, the spectral degree of polarization, and the spectral degree of coherence. By using the extended Huygens-Fresnel diffraction integral formula, the general expression for the cross spectral density matrix of the stochastic electromagnetic high-order Bessel-Gaussian beams propagating in the oceanic turbulence is obtained, and the statistical properties of the random electromagnetic high-order Bessel-Gaussian beams propagating in the seawater are investigated by numerical calculation. The numerical results show that the oceanic turbulence can affect the normalized spectral intensity distribution of the random electromagnetic beam. With the increase of the transmission distance, the center of the zero-order Bessel-Gaussian beam becomes depressed, and the center of the higher-order Bessel-Gaussian beam will become flat and then depressed. As the transmission distance increases far enough, regardless of the zero-order or higher-order, the intensity distribution will eventually evolve into the quasi Gaussian shaped distribution. The variation of the degree of polarization of each point on the x axis is related to the coherence length (xx，yy) and the oceanic turbulence parameters. The spectral coherence of the origin and any point on the x axis also changes with the increase of x, and the rate of dissipation of mean-square temperature T has influence on the spectral coherence. This research is of great value for applying the high-order Bessel-Gaussian beam to the optical communication, optical imaging and underwater exploration in the ocean.
Lattice Boltzmann model of gas-liquid two-phase flow of incomprssible power-law fluid and its application in the displacement problem of porous media
Authors: Lou Qin , Huang Yi-Fan , Li Ling ,   School of Energy and Power Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China,   Shanghai Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow and Heat Transfer in Power Engineering, Shanghai 200093, China
Published: December 2020

A new incompressible gas-liquid two-phase flow model for non-Newtonian power-law fluid is proposed based on an incompressible lattice Boltzmann model. And the fundamental physical mechanism of Newtonian fluid displacing non-Newtonian power-law fluid liquid in porous medium is studied by using the proposed model. The effects of capillary number Ca, dynamic viscosity ratio M, surface wettability θ, porous medium geometry, and power law index n on the displacement process are investigated. The comprehensive results show that with the increase of capillary number, the displacement process turns faster, the fingering phenomenon becomes more obvious and the displacement efficiency decreases. However, for different values of power-law index n, the effects of the Ca on the displacement process have some differences. Specially, the decrease rate of displacement efficiency becomes slow if the displaced fluid is shear thickening fluid as compared with that if the displaced fluid is shear thinning fluid. On the other hand, the displacement efficiency decreases as dynamic viscosity ratio M increases. And the effect of the viscosity ratio on the displacement process becomes more obvious for the low value of the power-law index n. Moreover, the effect of the surface wettability of the porous medium on the displacement process is also related to the size of the power-law index. With the increase of the contact angle of the porous medium, the fingering phenomenon turns less obvious, and the displacement efficiency increases. However, with the increase of power-law index n, the influence of the contact angle on the displacement process decreases. Besides, the displacement processes with different geometric types of the porous media are also studied in the work. The results show that comparing with the case of porous medium denoted by circle shape and square shape, the fingering phenomenon obtained by the case of triangular shape is most obvious, and the displacement efficiency is lowest.
Latent based temporal optimization approach for improving the performance of collaborative filtering
Authors: Al-Hadi Ismail Ahmed Al-Qasem , Sharef Nurfadhlina Mohd , Sulaiman Md Nasir , Mustapha Norwati , Nilashi Mehrbakhsh
Published: December 2020

Recommendation systems suggest peculiar products to customers based on their past ratings, preferences, and interests. These systems typically utilize collaborative filtering (CF) to analyze customers’ ratings for products within the rating matrix. CF suffers from the sparsity problem because a large number of rating grades are not accurately determined. Various prediction approaches have been used to solve this problem by learning its latent and temporal factors. A few other challenges such as latent feedback learning, customers’ drifting interests, overfitting, and the popularity decay of products over time have also been addressed. Existing works have typically deployed either short or long temporal representation for addressing the recommendation system issues. Although each effort improves on the accuracy of its respective benchmark, an integrative solution that could address all the problems without trading off its accuracy is needed. Thus, this paper presents a Latent-based Temporal Optimization (LTO) approach to improve the prediction accuracy of CF by learning the past attitudes of users and their interests over time. Experimental results show that the LTO approach efficiently improves the prediction accuracy of CF compared to the benchmark schemes.
Plasma BCAA concentrations during exercise of varied intensities in young healthy men—the impact of endurance training
Authors: Gawedzka Anna , Grandys Marcin , Duda Krzysztof , Zapart-Bukowska Justyna , Zoladz Jerzy A. , Majerczak Joanna
Published: December 2020

Background

Branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) i.e., leucine (Leu), isoleucine (Ile) and valine (Val) are important amino acids, which metabolism play a role in maintaining system energy homeostasis at rest and during exercise. As recently shown lowering of circulating BCAA level improves insulin sensitivity and cardiac metabolic health. However, little is known concerning the impact of a single bout of incremental exercise and physical training on the changes in blood BCAA. The present study aimed to determine the impact of a gradually increasing exercise intensity—up to maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) on the changes of the plasma BCAA [∑BCAA]pl, before and after 5-weeks of moderate-intensity endurance training (ET).

Methods

Ten healthy young, untrained men performed an incremental cycling exercise test up to exhaustion to reach VO2max, before and after ET.

Results

We have found that exercise of low-to-moderate intensity (up to ∼50% of VO2max lasting about 12 min) had no significant effect on the [∑BCAA]pl, however the exercise of higher intensity (above 70% of VO2max lasting about 10 min) resulted in a pronounced decrease (p < 0.05) in [∑BCAA]pl. The lowering of plasma BCAA when performing exercise of higher intensity was preceded by a significant increase in plasma lactate concentration, showing that a significant attenuation of BCAA during incremental exercise coincides with exercise-induced acceleration of glycogen utilization. In addition, endurance training, which significantly increased power generating capabilities at VO2max (p = 0.004) had no significant impact on the changes of [∑BCAA]pl during this incremental exercise.

Conclusion

We have concluded that an exercise of moderate intensity of relatively short duration generally has no effect on the [∑BCAA]pl in young, healthy men, whereas significant decrease in [∑BCAA]pl occurs when performing exercise in heavy-intensity domain. The impact of exercise intensity on the plasma BCAA concentration seems to be especially important for patients with cardiometabolic risk undertaken cardiac rehabilitation or recreational activity.
Response of Pruning on Growth, Fruit Yield, Nutritional Quality and Nutrient Uptake of Two Okra Varieties (Abelmoschus esculentus)
Authors: Tswanya M. N. , Amuzie U. , Babatunde O. , Akinwale A. , Bashiru T. , Kyuka C. , Abubakar I.
Published: December 2020

Field experiment was conducted at the Research Farm of Biotechnology Advanced Research Centre, Sheda Science and Technology Complex, Garki-Abuja in 2017 and 2018 cropping seasons to evaluate response of pruning on growth, fruit yield, nutritional quality and nutrient uptake of okra. The experiment had eight treatment combinations viz: Two okra varieties (Clemson spinless and Gungo Local) and four pruning rates (0, 1 stem, 2 stems and 3 stems), replicated three times. The experiment was factorial fitted into Randomized Complete Block Design. Data were collected on number of leaves per plant, number of fruits, green fruit yield, nutritional quality and nutrient uptake. Data was analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) M.STAT package and treatment means compared using least significant difference (LSD) at 5% probability level. Pruning is beneficial to performance of okra. Plants with 2 stems pruning produced the highest fruit yield (11.60 t ha-1) in 2018 while control plots had the least values (1.80 t ha-1, 1.60 t ha-1) in 2017 and 2018, respectively. It could be concluded that 2 stems pruning increased fruit yield of okra and Clemson spinless performed better than Gungo Local variety and could be recommended for farmers within the study area.
Reduction of Malaria by Insecticide-Treated Mosquito Nets in Potiskum, Yobe State, Nigeria
Authors: Ali Audu , Bala Aminu Y. , Okwuonu Elijah S. , Orakwelu Chinemerem H. , Aguzie Ifeanyi O.
Published: December 2020

Aims: The study was conducted to assess prevalence of malaria pre- and post-distribution of insecticide treated nets (ITNs) in Potiskum Local Government Area, Yobe State, Nigeria.

Study Design: Retrospective and cross-sectional.

Place of Study: Potiskum Local Government Area, Yobe State, Nigeria.

Materials and Methods: Prevalence of malaria infection in ten political wards pre-distribution of ITNs was investigated using secondary data sources from Roll Back Malaria and Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response offices. Thin and thick blood smears used to evaluate malaria prevalence post-distribution of ITNs were prepared from blood samples of 520 patients seeking medical attention from the General Hospital, Potiskum. Questionnaires were also handed out to the same set of patients.

Results: Prevalence of malaria infection pre- and post-distribution of ITNs in the study area was 57.9% and 22.9% respectively. Respondents to the questionnaire (n = 216) had mosquito nets, of whom 85% owned long-lasting ITNs and the remaining, conventional nets, but 35% used ITNs in their homes and 63% of those owning ITNs received them free-of-charge from local health centers.

Conclusion: If the impact of ITNs as an effective malaria vector control measure must be sustained, there should be a corresponding awareness program, which should be aimed at encouraging proper and constant use of ITNs.
Baseline Tryptase Levels Correlate with Baseline Basophil Levels in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia-Chronic Phase
Authors: Mathew Anisha , Naithani Manisha , Saha Sarama , Chetia Rituparna , Nath Uttam Kumar
Published: December 2020

Aims: To study whether there is any correlation between baseline blood basophil count and serum tryptase levels in newly diagnosed chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML-CP) patients.

Settings and Design: 40 newly diagnosed CML-CP patients were enrolled from Medical Oncology Hematology OPD based on their baseline BCR-ABL status (done in department of Biochemistry).

Methods and Materials: Serum tryptase level was measured using Sandwich ELISA and peripheral blood basophil count was estimated using automated cell counter & peripheral blood film examination. BCR-ABL quantification was done using real time PCR after conversion of RNA (extracted from whole blood) to cDNA.

Statistical Analysis Used: SPSS Version 23.

Results: Baseline peripheral blood basophil levels showed a significant correlation with baseline serum tryptase levels (p<0.01) and tryptase level also correlated with EUTOS score, which has basophil count as one of the parameters. This may signify that serum tryptase levels can be a surrogate marker of the basophil compartment in CML-CP.

Conclusions: Based on findings of the present study and other studies available in literature, serum tryptase can be utilised as a surrogate marker of the basophil compartment in CML-CP.
Study and Analysis of Energy Use Efficiency of a Local Gas Roasting Oven
Authors: Igo Serge Wendsida , Namoano David , Compaoré Abdoulaye , Sawadogo Gaël Lassina , Ouedraogo Drissa , Bathiebo Joseph Dieudonné
Published: December 2020

This work concerns the energy efficiency study and analysis of a gas roasting oven developed by a local craftsman. The oven energy efficiency was determined by the Water Boiling Test (WBT) method. The temperatures of the walls as well as the ambient temperature were recorded to evaluate the heat losses by convection towards the environment. The energy balance of the oven then allows to calculate the heat losses from the fumes. The results show that the heat losses by fumes through the chimney are the greatest (50% of the energy consumed). Losses through the walls are relatively low (15%). The oven efficiency is around 35%, which is relatively low. These results show that optimization work must be carried out in order to improve the energy efficiency of the equipment.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Symptom Clusters and Their Association With Patient‐Reported Outcomes and Treatment: Analysis of Real‐World Data
Authors: Touma Zahi , Hoskin Ben , Atkinson Christian , Bell David , Massey Olivia , Lofland Jennifer H. , Berry Pamela , Karyekar Chetan S. , Costenbader Karen H.
Published: December 2020

Objective

To identify discrete clusters of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients based on symptoms and investigate differences across clusters.

Methods

Data were collected in the US and 5 European countries via the Adelphi Real World Lupus Disease Specific Programme, a cross‐sectional survey. Rheumatologists provided data for 5 consecutively consulting adult patients with SLE, who were invited to participate. Identified SLE symptoms were reduced to factors based on commonly concurrent symptoms, using principal‐component factor analysis. Factors were used as covariates in a latent‐class cluster analysis to identify discrete patient clusters. Patient‐reported outcomes and physician‐reported data were compared across clusters.

Results

Among 1,376 patients, 87% were female and 74% were White. We identified 4 patient clusters (very mild, mild, moderate, and severe) based on 39 signs/symptoms. Physician‐reported symptom burden, organ involvement, disease activity, and the number of flares increased with increasing cluster severity (P < 0.0001). Patient‐reported impact (health status, fatigue, work productivity impairment, anxiety/depression, and emotional impact) increased with increasing cluster severity (P < 0.0001). Glucocorticoid and immunosuppressant use increased, and antimalarial use decreased, with increasing cluster severity. In all clusters, <20% of patients received biologics; >15% of patients not receiving biologics were considered eligible for treatment by their physician. The proportion of physicians and patients satisfied with treatment decreased with increasing cluster severity (P < 0.0001).

Conclusion

Our large, international, real‐world survey of SLE patients and physicians demonstrated strong associations between increased impairment, organ involvement, and humanistic burden in SLE, highlighting an unmet need for effective treatment options in patients with high disease activity.
Materials, Actuators, and Sensors for Soft Bioinspired Robots
Authors: Ilami Mahdi , Bagheri Hosain , Ahmed Reza , Skowronek E. Olga , Marvi Hamid
Published: December 2020

Biological systems can perform complex tasks with high compliance levels. This makes them a great source of inspiration for soft robotics. Indeed, the union of these fields has brought about bioinspired soft robotics, with hundreds of publications on novel research each year. This review aims to survey fundamental advances in bioinspired soft actuators and sensors with a focus on the progress between 2017 and 2020, providing a primer for the materials used in their design.
Enhancing Cationic Drug Delivery with Polymeric Carriers: The Coulomb‐pH Switch Approach
Authors: De Luca Sergio , Treny Jennifer , Chen Fan , Seal Prasenjit , Stenzel Martina H. , Smith Sean C.
Published: December 2020

A new coulomb‐pH switch method is proposed to enhance the efficient release of cationic drugs under acidic conditions occurring near tumor cells or during uptake into cells via endocytosis. The strategy is based on incorporation into the polymeric carrier of both weak acid and weak base functionalities. The consequence of this new design is that the polymeric vector adopts negative charge at physiological pH—facilitating complexation—while at late endosomal pH of 4.5, the polymeric vector adopts a positive charge—promoting highly efficient release of the drug. To illustrate the strategy, molecular dynamics simulations are carried out for a representative system comprising of a peptide dendrimer Gly‐Lys(Arg)2 as a model cationic drug and a short poly(4‐vinyl imidazole)‐b poly(acrylic acid) (PVI‐b‐PAA) block co‐polymer vector. Simulations suggest that these coulomb‐pH switch vectors bind the cationic drug effectively at pH = 7.0 and release it decisively once the charge state is changed to reflect pH = 4.5, as indicated by hydrogen bonding, close contact, and distance correlation analyses. Complementary experiments with bespoke synthesized peptide dendrimers indicate that the complexation involves much larger aggregrates than the one‐to‐one simulation; however unambiguous evidence is provided for the dissolution of the aggregates at pH = 4.5.
Catalytic ozonation of ethyl acetate over mesoporous manganese oxides synthesized by a sonochemical method
Authors: Xu Zhongjun , Qin Zhiyuan , Zhang Tingting , Chen Xiaochun
Published: December 2020

Ethyl acetate is one of typical volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitting from solvent use, and removing ethyl acetate from exhaust air is vital to VOCs abatement. The mesoporous manganese oxide (MnOx) samples were sonochemically synthesized by the reduction of KMnO4 using Mn(NO3)2. The characterization shows that γ‐MnO2, β‐MnO2, and bixbyite‐like Mn2O3 were obtained by calcining the MnOx samples from 200°C to 500°C. The results show that γ‐MnO2 and β‐MnO2 possess more Mn4+ than bixbyite‐like Mn2O3. β‐MnO2 has the highest contents of surface oxygen species (Oads) and average oxidation state (AOS) among the MnOx catalysts. Based on a 7‐day test, β‐MnO2 performed the highest activity for the catalytic ozonation of ethyl acetate compared with the other MnOx catalysts. The results show that ethyl acetate is easy to be destroyed but difficult to be completely mineralized by catalytic ozonation. Lower gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) leads to higher CO2 selectivity and more intermediate products form in the catalytic ozonation of ethyl acetate under higher GHSV. A further study indicates that β‐MnO2 has a long‐term stability for catalytic ozonation of ethyl acetate because the accumulation and the decomposition of intermediate products are in a dynamic equilibrium during the catalytic ozonation.