bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Arctic EER Today
Authors: Bercha Frank G.
Published: April 2022

Technologies, engineering and analysis, and regulatory provisions relating to arctic Escape Evacuation and Rescue (EER) today and in development are reviewed. Current national and international regulatory performance based regime has necessitated the development of tools for the evaluation and setting of performance based goals such as availability and reliability requirements, mirrored in current Transport Canada and ISO standards. To facilitate setting of reliability targets in the Canadian standards, a multifaceted research and development program was initiated in parallel with its regulatory developments. Full scale manned and model tests, engineering and computer simulation, and world wide consultations and studies on human performance in life threatening conditions, comprise this R&D programme. Concurrently, industry and the private sector have addressed the frontier and arctic EER needs through analyses, development of novel systems, and participation in framing performance based standards. Use of conventional EER systems and technologies was found to have limited applicability in ice populated waters, requiring the development of systems and procedures suited to the environmental, operational, and logistical requirements of arctic offshore regions. The paper summarizes available and emerging regulatory, modeling and research, and technological developments in arctic EER and gives recommendations on a number of promising directions.
Global Ice Loads on Arctic Drillships
Authors: Wang Bo , Daley Claude , Sayed Mohamed , Liu Jiancheng
Published: April 2022

This paper reports on an exercise to predict ice loads on Arctic drill ships using analytical, model ice basin test-based empirical, and numerical methods. An example drillship has been employed, and pack ice has been considered in theoretical and numerical analyses. Two analytical models for predicting the ice force have been employed for the head-on ice-ship interaction scenario with low ice concentration. One model is that the ice load is estimated as the average rate of momentum transfer between ice floes and ship hull. Another model is that the ice load is estimated based on the calculation of the motion and drag of ice floes as they move around the ship. In numerical modeling, a parametric study has been conducted to simulate different ice structure interaction scenarios using the Particle-In-Cell (PIC) method. Different parameters including ice thickness, ice concentration, ice movement velocity, and ice movement direction have been investigated in the interaction modeling. Based on numerical results, a formula for calculating the ice load has been developed to reflect the role of the pertinent parameters on expected ice forces and movements of the drillship. The comparison of results from all ice load models and numerical modeling shows a reasonable agreement. This study serves to help bound estimates of load and also provides insights into the different methods of global ice load prediction for this particular application.
Supporting Arctic operations with real-time ice information from satellite images
Authors: Hall Richard
Published: April 2022

The increase in human activity in the Arctic region has led to a rise in the need for improved management, monitoring and surveillance of the region. The weather conditions may change quickly and dangerously, while the presence of sea ice poses an increased risk to ships and platforms. For these reasons, the need for frequently updated information (ice edge, icebergs, and ice floes, wind and wave conditions) has increased. This paper presents the role satellite images can play in supporting human activity in the Arctic.
Automated Detection of Hazardous Sea Ice Features from Upward Looking Sonar Data
Authors: Fissel David , Kanwar Anudeep , Borg Keath , Mudge Todd , Marko John , Bard Adam
Published: April 2022

Upward-looking sonar (ULS) instruments provide extended continuous measurements of ice thicknesses and ice velocities data that are important for establishing metocean design criteria related to oil and gas operations in areas with seasonal or year-round ice cover. This paper describes the development of algorithms for the detection and measurement of hazardous ice features including: large individual ice keels with thicknesses of 5 to well over 20 m; long sections of thick hummocky (rubble) sea ice; and occurrences of multi-year ice floes. Large individual ice keels are detected using an ice draft threshold technique to identify very thick ice floes which are then categorized as to total width using a Rayleigh criteria and/or a minimum user specified threshold value (e.g. 2 m). The detection of thick hummocky ice is based on minimum criteria of ice draft data segments having median values exceeding 2.5 m and segment lengths exceeding 100 m. For qualifying segments, a selection parameter γ, defined as the 90th percentile over the 50th percentile value of ice drafts divided by the standard deviation was computed; hummocky ice is characterized by γ > 2 and is also very common for 1.5< γ <2. Results from the ongoing algorithm development for detection of multi-year ice features will also be discussed. Ice velocities can also pose difficulties for offshore oil and gas operations in terms of floating drilling platform station keeping when particularly large ice speeds occur and/or ice drift directions changing rapidly or erratically.
Bond Enhancement for Sandwich Shell Ice Wall
Authors: Marshall Peter W. , Palmer Andrew , Richard Liew J. Y. , Wang Tongyun , Thein Ma Khine Wa
Published: April 2022

A previous paper (Marshall et al 2009) describes the Singaporean concept for an Arctic caisson, consisting of a pre-fabricated hollow steel shell, transported to site on a submersible heavy-lift vessel, and filled with concrete after being set on a prepared foundation. The resulting curved sandwich shell, steel-concrete-steel (30-500-30 mm), was shown to be capable of resisting the full range of broad-area and higher localized patch loads specified in the draft ISO 19906. Tests of a large-scale shell reinforced with J-hook radial ties inside the sandwich showed excellent performance. However, this would be more expensive to fabricate than a plain double shell. Finite element analysis and large-scale testing of the latter showed it to be vulnerable to early disbanding and loss of serviceability, even though its ultimate strength exceeded the ISO guidelines. Various methods of bond improvement have been proposed, with the goal of approaching the shear and tensile strength of the fiber-reinforced bulk concrete. Recent small scale testing (ASTM shear push-out) will be reported, exploring two methods of surface treatment which improve strength and ductility at the concrete-steel interface. They are called “hairy epoxy” and “steel Velcro.”
Ice Hazard Radar
Authors: O'Connell Barbara J.
Published: April 2022

Ships transiting polar regions would benefit from a marine ice navigation radar that could help them differentiate between dangerous multi-year ice and thick first-year ice. Conventional marine radars are designed for target detection and avoidance. Enhanced marine radars provide a higher definition image of the ice that the vessel is transiting through and may help the user to identify certain ice features, but they cannot distinguish first year ice from old ice. This paper presents one approach for the automated identification of sea ice types by a marine radar using cross-polarization technology.
What’s Going on in the Russian Arctic
Authors: Velikhov Evgeny Pavlovich , Kuznetsov Vyacheslav Petrovich , Makarov Vladimir Ivanovich , Mikhailichenko Vladimir Vladimirovich , Lavkovskiy Stanislav Alexandrovich , Glumov Ivan Fedorovich
Published: April 2022

This paper provides an overview of the status of affairs and activities currently going on in the Russian Arctic. It covers issues such as: delimitation of the Arctic shelf; operation of the nuclear icebreaker fleet; development of oil and gas deposits in coastal areas and in the Barents and Kara Seas; development of Russian territories situated beyond the Ural; operation of the Northern Sea Route and activities of Non-Commercial Partnership “Northern Sea Route”.
Eye injuries in club and school sports –current national figures
Authors: Jendrusch G , Henke T , Schnell D , Platen P
Published: April 2022

Problemstellung: Visuelle Defizite im Sport fallen besonders ins Gewicht, weil das visuelle System alle Aktivitäten beim Sport kontrolliert und korrigiert. Im Sport besteht aber auch das Risiko, eine Augenverletzung zu erleiden, z.B. durch Balltreffer oder in Zweikampfsituationen. Ziel ist es, aktuelle (nationale) Zahlen zu Augenverletzungen im Vereins- und Schulsport zu präsentieren sowie das Risiko von Augenverletzungen in verschiedenen Sportarten aufzuzeigen. Methoden: Ausgewertet wurden 2.392 Augenverletzungen auf der Basis von 221.273 im Zeitraum von 1987-2017 erfassten Sportverletzungen (Vereinssport) aus der Sportunfalldatenbank der Ruhr-Universität Bochum und der ARAG Allgemeine Versicherungs-AG (Düsseldorf). Zusätzlich wurden Augenverletzungen im Schulsport auf Basis der Daten der Deutschen Gesetzlichen Unfallversicherung (Berichtsjahr 2019) analysiert. Ergebnisse: 1,08% aller Sportverletzungen im Vereinssport sind Augenverletzungen. 19,7% dieser Verletzungen mussten im Krankenhaus behandelt werden, 13,9% mussten operiert werden, 56,9% der Verletzten waren arbeitsunfähig. Mit über 50% dominieren die stumpfen Traumata, z.B. Prellungen. Augenverletzungen sind in den Sportarten Wasserball, Squash, Badminton und Tennis im Kollektiv der Vereinssportunfälle stark überrepräsentiert (Injury Proportion Ratio (IPR)=5,1-8,8). Im Schulsport liegt der Anteil an Augenverletzungen bei 1,83%. Diskussion: Augenverletzungen im Vereins- und Schulsport sind zwar relativ selten, häufig aber schwerwiegend. Basierend auf den Hinweisen, die sich aus der erhöhten IPR bei einigen Sportarten ergeben, sollten weitere Studien das Verletzungsrisiko für Augenverletzungen in verschiedenen Sportarten genauer analysieren. Bei Sportarten mit erhöhtem Augenverletzungsrisiko sollten (schul-)sporttaugliche Brillen (plus Augenschutz) verwendet werden.
Automatisk Nummerpladegenkendelse (ANPG)
Authors: Kammersgaard Christensen Tanja
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe collection of personal data increases with the advancement of investigative possibilities. One of the newer tools used by the police and others in the Nordic countries is ANPR. The wider scope of personal data used in investigations increasingly threatens the right to privacy. This has led to additional focus at both the ECHR and EUC. The current article is based on case law from ECHR and ECJ and focuses on the Danish regulations concerning ANPR. The content of the Danish regulations and the proportionality of the ANPR system are critiqued. The problems cited may also be relevant for other Nordic countries, especially Sweden, where the police are lobbying for the installation of extensive surveillance equipment in police vehicles.
Expanded choreography and history writing in the flesh
Authors: Vedel Karen
Published: April 2022

This paper looks at artist driven initiatives in Denmark since the 1980s that have aimed to document, collect, and archive the remains of an art form otherwisedeemed short-lived, ephemeral, and marginal to the history of the performing arts. Approached through recent dance history as well as dance and archivaltheory, it unpacks how dance artists have taken on the task to create platforms to allow for insights from the past to inform the present as well as the future.The discussion engages two examples, each of which belongs to a different archival paradigm, before investigating in more detail a still ongoing dancearchival/(hi)story project initiated in 2018 by a group of choreographers and dancers whose concept of their craft is informed by an expanded notion ofchoreography. Facilitating platforms for transgenerational exchanges between dance artists, the project named Danish Dance Stories explores participatoryformats for the sharing of tangible remains, documents, stories about dance and the lives of dancers as well as the corporeal transmission of choreographicmaterial, training approaches, artistic philosophies, and proposals. It will be argued that in the project’s entanglement of the ephemeral with the remains,the stories and the embodied traces, dance history writing becomes an artistic project in itself.
Violators of the legal prescriptions of narcotics and psychotropic substances trafficking
Authors: Belyaev Ivan Yur'evich
Published: April 2022

The article is devoted to the scientific development of the problem of a special subject of crime, the composition of violations of the rules of trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. The subject of the study is the problem of the subject composition of violations of the rules of trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. The author examines in detail the grounds for bringing various categories of persons to criminal responsibility under Article 228.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, analyzes the existing judicial practice and conducts a statistical analysis of the categories of persons brought to criminal responsibility under this article. The necessity of introducing a qualifying feature in Part 2 of this article is justified by analyzing the collected statistical material and theoretical developments. There is also a study of the public danger of crimes committed by persons using their official (official) position. The author examines the current state of the doctrine of criminal law, the arguments of authoritative scientists on the subject under consideration. The scientific novelty of the study consists in the collection and analysis of statistical material by categories of persons brought to criminal responsibility under Article 228.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation and its detailed analysis. It is argued that the commission of a crime by an official increases the public danger of such an act, in this regard, the author examines the necessity and validity of fixing the relevant qualifying feature in the text of the norm of Part 2 of Article 228.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. The author draws the following conclusions: 1) among the subjects of this crime, two groups of persons can be clearly distinguished; 2) it is reasonable to create a qualified corpus delicti for officials. The author also made proposals to improve the legal technique of the domestic criminal law in terms of supplementing Part 2 of Article 228.2 of the Criminal Code with a new qualifying feature.
If Japan was a Person
Authors: Ruschkowski A. Eva
Published: April 2022

The language memoir has informed a wealth of research on multilingualism. Polly Barton’s book 50 Sounds (2021), in which she narrates her experience of moving to Japan as part of the Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme, is another example of autobiographical writing with rich insight into LX learning. The article examines Barton’s exploration of relationships in and with an LX and reflects on the importance of transferential phenomena in LX acquisition. Parallels between LX and L1 learning during infancy are also investigated. The findings seem relevant for a psychodynamic understanding of LX learning that takes object relations into account and will hopefully result in more research.
Breast Cancer Survivorship Experiences
Authors: Ambali Parambil Neethu , Kannan Srinivasan
Published: April 2022

Background: With advancement in early detection and treatment number of breast cancer survivors are on the rise. Long term survivors have in addition to medical problems related to treatment, psychological distress and challenges related to body image, sexuality and stigma. The survivorship issues related to breast cancer are largely under studied in India.

Methods/Design: This is a retrospective cohort study of breast cancer survivors from 2016 Hospital-Based Cancer Registry (HBCR) of a Tertiary Cancer Centre (TCC). Baseline data will be collected from registry. Quantitative data on present status and issues of survivors will be done by a cross sectional survey. In depth interviews will be done to explore the challenges of survivors and lived experiences of the co- survivors. Documents about cancer will also be reviewed to find out existing guidelines on breast cancer control.

Discussion: Understanding survivorship experiences will help to improve their quality of life and guide health workers and caregivers in providing the much-needed supportive care in their journey throughout the disease.
Resilient and Sustainable Water Infrastructure
Authors: Atkinson Cameron , Curnin Steven , Murphy-Gregory Hannah
Published: April 2022

Background: Lifeline critical infrastructures are pivotal for the uninterrupted flow of goods and services that are crucial to the functioning of society (Singh, 2021). This review will be the second in a series of four systematic literature reviews examining the resilience and sustainability of critical lifeline infrastructures in Australia, with a focus on the state of Tasmania. The first SLR examined energy infrastructure. The recent passing of the 2021 Security Legislation Amendment (Critical Infrastructure) Bill in Australia, coupled with the lack of a governing document at the state level in Tasmania, necessitates a review to uncover the governance settings, which will aide in increasing the resilience and sustainability of water infrastructures, contributing to broader critical lifeline infrastructure resilience, in Tasmania.

Methods/Design: Following the 2015 PRISMA-P (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analysis Protocols), the review focuses on scholarly sources that address the governance of water infrastructures. In addition to governance settings, secondary evidence is sought regarding interruptions to water infrastructures; policy problems and solutions; and resilience and sustainability definitions.

Discussion: Findings from this review will contribute to a comprehensive understanding of how the resilience and sustainability of water infrastructures may be enhanced via deeper knowledge of their governance settings. This research is directed at Tasmanian policy-makers, practitioners, industry specialists, and researchers to inform and enhance their decision-making on this important topic.
Taxonomic revision of the Pheidole megacephala species-group (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) from the Malagasy Region
Authors: Salata Sebastian , Fisher Brian L.
Published: April 2022

Background

The Malagasy Region, one of the top megadiversity regions, hosts one of the highest numbers of endemic and threatened organisms on earth. One of the most spectacular examples of ant radiation on the island has occurred in the hyperdiverse genus Pheidole. To this date, there are 135 described Madagascan Pheidole divided into 16 species-groups, and 97% of Malagasy species are endemic to the island. This study is a taxonomic revision of the Pheidole megacephala group, one of only two species-groups comprising a combination of native, endemic taxa and widely distributed introduced species.

Methods

The diversity of the Malagasy members of the megacephala group was assessed via application of qualitative morphological and DNA sequence data. Qualitative, external morphological characteristics (e.g., head shape, gaster sculpture, body colouration) were evaluated in order to create a priori grouping hypotheses, and confirm and improve species delimitation. Mitochondrial DNA sequences from cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene fragments were analyzed to test the putative species previously delimited by morphological analyses.

Results

We recognize three species belonging to the megacephala group: P. megacephala (Fabricius, 1793), P. megatron Fischer & Fisher, 2013 and P. spinosa Forel, 1891 stat. nov. Pheidole spinosa is redescribed and elevated to the species level. The following names are recognized as junior synonyms of P. spinosa: P. megacephala scabrior Forel, 1891 syn. nov., P. picata Forel, 1891 syn. nov., P. picata gietleni Forel, 1905 syn. nov., P. picata bernhardae Emery, 1915 syn. nov., and P. decepticon Fischer & Fisher, 2013 syn. nov. The results are supplemented with an identification key to species for major workers of the megacephala group, high-resolution images for major and minor workers, and comments on the distribution and biology of all Malagasy members of the group. Our study revealed that Pheidole megacephala, a species listed among the 100 worst invasive species worldwide, occurs in both natural and disturbed sites in the Malagasy region. The two remaining members of the megacephala group, most likely endemic to this region, are also present in anthropogenic habitats and often co-occur with P. megacephala. It appears that the Malagasy members of the group are generalists and dominant in anthropogenic habitats. Additionally, we documented the presence of supermajors in colonies of P. spinosa—a phenomenon previously not known for this group.
Las telarañas, insospechadamente importantes en la construcción de nidos, al entorpecer el movimiento de los ectoparásitos
Authors: Moreno Ortiz Daianna , Suárez-Rodriguez Montserrat , Macías García Constantino
Published: April 2022

Debido a las consecuencias para la eficacia biológica de muchas especies de aves, el diseño, los materiales y métodos utilizados en la construcción de los nidos están condicionados a diferentes presiones selectivas. Los ectoparásitos que habitan en los nidos comprometen el desarrollo y la supervivencia de los pollos afectando la eficacia biológica de los padres. En respuesta, han evolucionado numerosas estrategias de defensa, incluyendo el uso de materiales repelentes. Un componente común de los nidos de aves son las telarañas y su uso se atribuye al hecho de que ayudan o brindan cohesión a los elementos que componen los nidos. Nosotros exploramos la hipótesis de que las telarañas cumplen una función antiparasitaria en los nidos de aves. Primero, caracterizamos la presencia de telarañas en nidos de varias especies de aves urbanas y corroboramos que es un componente ubicuo en todos los nidos de todas las especies. Posteriormente, evaluamos el efecto de las telarañas sobre la movilidad de ectoparásitos malófagos. Encontramos que las telarañas reducen significativamente la cantidad de ectoparásitos que logran atravesar nidos artificiales, y mostramos que ese efecto es proporcional a la cantidad de telarañas en el sustrato. Nuestros resultados sugieren que las telarañas desempeñan una función más generalizada que la de brindar apoyo estructural a los nidos: controlar las poblaciones de ectoparásitos. La disponibilidad de telarañas depende de diversas interacciones ecológicas, y puede impactar la eficacia biológica de las aves determinando el estado de sus poblaciones. Dado que la diversidad y abundancia de insectos y de arañas tejedoras se ven afectadas por la urbanización, proponemos que el estudio de estos efectos ayudará a entender la permanencia de aves en las ciudades.
Los inventarios forestales nacionales como herramienta para evaluar el estado y la tendencia de las especies exóticas
Authors: Lázaro-Lobo Adrián , Ruiz‐Benito Paloma , Castro-Díez Pilar
Published: April 2022

Las invasiones biológicas son un componente importante del cambio global, el cual está amenazando la biodiversidad y servicios ecosistémicos del planeta. Para gestionar y mitigar los impactos del cambio global, es importante disponer de herramientas de monitorización que permitan evaluar sistemática, periódica, rápida y eficazmente los impactos de las especies exóticas a diversas escalas. Los inventarios forestales nacionales (IFNs) constituyen una herramienta emergente para el seguimiento de la estructura y dinámica de los bosques a grandes escalas espaciales. Los IFNs han sido usados globalmente para evaluar la diversidad biológica, la distribución de especies y el aprovisionamiento de servicios ecosistémicos en bosques. Además, tienen potencial para estudiar diversos aspectos de las invasiones biológicas, tanto desde un punto de vista teórico como aplicado. En este estudio revisamos la bibliografía disponible para conocer qué trabajos sobre especies exóticas se han publicado utilizando IFNs. Encontramos 96 estudios que usaban IFNs para evaluar el estado o dinámica de las especies exóticas en Estados Unidos (74), Europa (20), Canadá (1) y Australia (1). Más de la mitad de los estudios fueron realizados sobre distribución, riesgo de expansión, demografía o impactos de plantas exóticas (64). Los estudios restantes utilizaron IFNs para investigar riesgo de expansión o daños causados por otro tipo de especies exóticas, como insectos (20), patógenos fúngicos o protistas (6), insectos y patógenos (4), ciervos (1) y por el caracol gigante africano (1). Finalmente, discutimos las oportunidades y las limitaciones de los IFNs, resaltando su potencial para ampliar estudios teóricos y aplicados sobre invasiones biológicas.
Predictive Value of Brückner Test in Detecting Refractive Errors among Children
Authors: Kotwal Neha Nitin , Kulkarni Varsha , Khandgave Tejaswini
Published: April 2022

Introduction: Uncorrected refractive errors form a major ocular morbidity in children. They often go unnoticed and affect child development. The prevalence of refractive error in Indian children is 10.8%. They are known to affect the overall development of children. However, if the error is high it could lead to amblyopia or strabismus. Snellen’s visual acuity along with cycloplegic refraction is an accepted method to detect refractive errors, but in children, it needs special skill, patience and understanding. The Brückner test is useful for early detection of refractive errors especially in children. Aim: To re-evaluate the results of Brückner test in the form of sensitivity, specificity and provide data about a simpler, easy, ergonomic technique for mass screening of refractive errors. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Bharati Hospital (tertiary care hospital), Pune, Maharashtra, India, among 532 children (1064 eyes) in the age group of 2-15 years visiting the Ophthalmology Outpatient Department from October 2018 to September 2020. Position and size of pupillary crescent was recorded among children with direct ophthalmoscope. Children were classified according to errors of refraction as Emmetropia (no crescent), Myopia {inferior crescent (mild (<1/3), moderate (1/3-2/3), high (>2/3)}, Hypermetropia {superior crescent (mild (<1/3), moderate (1/3-2/3), high (>2/3)}. Subsequently, cycloplegic refraction was performed using auto-refractometer. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the test for emmetropia, myopia and hypermetropia were calculated. Subjective refraction was prescribed to children diagnosed with refractive errors during the course of this study. Results: A 275 females and 257 males (mean age 8.3 years) were included in this study, out of which, the study found 354 Emmetropic eyes, 326 Myopic eyes and 384 Hypermetropic eyes. Sensitivity of Brückner for emmetropia was 86.4%, specificity was 95.2%. Whereas for myopia, sensitivity was 95.1% and specificity was 94.6%. Also for hyperopia sensitivity was 95.3% and specificity was 98.8%. The crescent size was found to be significant (p-value<0.001) in diagnosing grades of myopia and hypermetropia as divided. Conclusion: The Brückner test has good sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value. It is a useful, accurate, and simple screening test.
Knowledge of Farmers towards Use of ICT for Empowerment of Rural Women in Dehradun District of Uttarakhand
Authors: Kandari Trishika , Bose Dipak Kumar
Published: April 2022

The study was conducted in Dehradun district of Uttarakhand to measure the knowledge of farmers towards use of ICT for empowerment of rural women in Dehradun district of Uttarakhand. A total number of 120 respondents were selected purposively from six villages in the Doiwala block based on maximum access and usage of ICT tools among women. The data was collected using the personal interview method with a pre-structured interview schedule, and then appropriate statistical analysis was performed to obtain meaningful results. The study's findings revealed that the majority of respondents (54.17%) belonged to the middle aged group, and the majority of respondents (80.83%) belonged to the marginal sized land holding category, i.e. up to 1 ha. It was found that the majority of the respondents (64.17%) were educated from primary to high school and 46.67% of the respondents belonged to the middle category of mass media exposure. The findings also revealed that the majority of the respondents (51.67%) had a medium level of knowledge towards ICT followed by 25.83% and 22.50% of the respondents with high and low levels of knowledge respectively.
Knowledge and Adoption of Drip Irrigation System and Its Management Practices by Bt Cotton Growers in Parbhani District of Maharashtra
Authors: Akash Laxman Ambhure , Mazhar Syed H.
Published: April 2022

There is a water scarcity problem in Marathwada region of Maharashtra, and cotton is the major crop in the region which required water very precisely at every stage. As a result, it was thought that the research would be very useful in determining the level of knowledge and adoption of drip irrigation system of Bt cotton growers. The study was conducted in Parbhani district of Marathwada region of Maharashtra state. A total number of 120 respondents were selected by purposive sampling from 12 villages under Selu, Jintur and Pathri Taluka as they have highest area in drip irrigation in Bt Cotton. Descriptive research design was adopted for the study and data were collected by personal interview method by using pre structured interview schedule. The findings of the study reveal that the majority (75.83 per cent) of the respondents had medium level of knowledge about drip irrigation system followed by 15 per cent and 9.17 per cent of the respondents having low and high level of knowledge, respectively. It also reveals that 61.67 per cent respondents of had medium level of adoption of recommended management practices related to drip irrigation system for Bt cotton followed by 24.16 per cent respondents having a low level of adoption and 14.66 per cent had high level of adoption. It was found that independent variables i.e., education, size of land holding, area under drip irrigation, annual income, source of information, social participation, mass media exposure, risk orientation and economic motivation were positively and significantly related to the dependent variable, i.e., knowledge and adoption of management practices of drip irrigation for Bt-cotton.
Predicting Financial Fragility in Nigeria: Does the Filter Method Matter?
Authors: Omeni Ihejirika, Peters , Blessing Egemba
Published: April 2022

This study has applied two distinct methods of analysis to evaluate and compare the predictive ability of certain EWIs of financial crisis when gaps are generated using two filter methods – the Hodrick – Prescott and Kalman Filters. First, the receiver operating characteristics curve where the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AU-ROC) curve and distance to corner were the basis of evaluation and 2, the logistic regression encompassing the estimates for individual indicator parameters, the model Expectation-Prediction Evaluation and the Hosmer-Lemeshow (HL) and Andrews Tests for goodness-of-fit. On the basis of the AU-ROC and Distance to Corner, the study concludes that the credit-to-GDP gap is a predictor of financial crisis in Nigeria. On the other hand, the Logit regression leads to the conclusion that none of the EWIs tested (Credit-to-GDP gap, Nonperforming loans, Loan-to-Deposit ratio and asset prices) could predict financial crisis at the 5% level of significance although credit-to-GDP gap could at 10%. Nevertheless, both the AU-ROC and Logit regression, suggest that credit-to-GDP gap outperforms Non-performing loans, Loan to deposit ratio and asset prices as EWIs of financial crisis in Nigeria. Going by the results of the AU-ROC curve and the Logistic regression, we do not find any significant difference whether gaps are from HP filter or Kalman filter. It is hoped that regulatory authorities apply the EWIs of financial crisis with caution, explore the different methodologies available and identify which EWI, filter method as well as the analytical model suitable for their jurisdiction.
Impact of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises on Economic Development of Nigeria
Authors: Olaniyi Oladimeji Abeeb , Adekanmbi Adewale Mathew
Published: April 2022

Nigeria has made it one of its primary goals in recent decades to develop its industrial base through the formation, maintenance and expansion of small and medium scale enterprises in order to achieve economic development. Fiscal incentives, grants, support and aid from bilateral and international agencies, as well as specialized institutions, have all been used to help the SME sector thrive. However, SMEs in Nigeria have not performed creditably and so have not played the crucial and lively role that they should have in the country's economic growth and development. As a result, the government, citizens, operators, practitioners, and organized private sector groups have all expressed concern about the situation. Using time series data set from 1991 to 2020, this study utilized the Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS) to analyze the impact of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) on the development of the Nigerian economy. The study found a long-run relationship between small and medium scale enterprise and economic development in Nigeria. Our findings also indicate a unidirectional relationship from gross domestic product to commercial bank loans to SMEs. However, there is no causal relationship between inflation and gross domestic product; interest rate and gross domestic product, while none of the economic growth indicators report a bi-causal relationship. The study hereby recommends that government should assist prospective entrepreneurs to have access to finance and necessary information relating to business opportunities to enable them to reduce their operating costs and be more efficient to meet the market competitions.
Reference Values of Transverse Foramina: A Quantitative Cadaveric Study of the Cervical Segment of the Nigerian Spine
Authors: Omonkheoa Oyakhire Michael , Lucky Omeh Ufuoma , Anthony Osunwoke Emeka
Published: April 2022

Aim: To evaluate dimensions and provide reference values of transverse foramina of Nigerian Spines.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria between April 2021 and August 2021.

Methodology:  Measurements were taken on 57 cervical vertebrae ranging from C2 to C7. The bones were prepared by soil and water maceration. Only fully ossified bones of Nigerian origin were selected and were all free from deformities, evidence of trauma, fractures, osteoporosis.

Results: Mean values of the transverse diameter were as follow; C2=4.76±0.50mm for left and 5.50±0.44mm for right, C3=4.20±0.58mm for left and 5.10±0.69mm for right, C4=5.28±1.07mm for left and 5.38±0.67mm for right, C5= 5.29±0.81mm for left and 5.77±0.76mm for right, C6= are 6.02±0.87mm for left and 6.12±1.36mm for right, C7=14.09±1.73mm for male and 13.81±1.93mm for females

Conclusion: The result of the present work will further the understanding of morphological parameters of cervical spine region of Nigerian population. It will further be important in designing country specific anatomical screw plates, spinal implants.
Computational Translation Features of Chinese Translation of Emily Dickinson's Poetry: A Comparison of Kang Yanbin's and Wang Jinhua's Translations
Authors: Zhou Jianxin
Published: April 2022

Up to now, Chinese scholars have made great achievements in study of Emily Dickinson's poetry, but studies of Chinese translation of her poetry, which is an important part of Emily Dickinson's studies and is necessary and feasible as well, are far from enough. By using python programming language to write program code for word segmentation and part of speech tagging, and with the help of authoritative Chinese Thesaurus, big data statistics and analysis on formal and vocabulary features of Kang Yanbin's and Wang Jinhua's Chinese translation of Emily Dickinson's poems are made, and translation features of the two translations are summarized, which will showcase one of the features of Chinese translation of Emily Dickinson's poetry in China. It is found that in comparison, Wang's translation is more fluent and easy to read, yet due to the too many explanatory, descriptive and connective words added in translation, as well as large difference between the original and the translation in the number of punctuation marks, especially of dashes, Wang’s translation is less concise and faithful. Kang's translation is faithful to original form, and is terse and concise, but sometimes there exists excessive conciseness which entails inadequate expression, and the retardant coherence, as well as occasionally use of rare words sometimes make Kang’s translation obscure, which hinder fluency and readability to some degree.
Investigation of Mathematics Self-report Levels of Secondary School Students in Terms of Various Variables
Authors: Ocak Gürbüz , Zerdali Emine , Boyraz Serkan
Published: April 2022

Aims: In this study, mathematics self-report levels of secondary school students were examined in terms of gender, grade level and participation in Support and Training Courses (STC) were and the findings and suggestions were provided. For this purpose, the problem of the research consists of the question "Do the mathematics self-report levels of secondary school students show a significant difference in terms of some variables?"

Study Design:  In the study, since a study was conducted to determine the mathematics self-report levels of secondary school students, the general survey model, one of the quantitative research methods, was preferred.

Place and Duration of Study: The study population of the research consists of 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grade secondary school students in Afyonkarahisar in the 1st semester of the 2021-2022 academic year. While 298 participants were reached, in the preliminary examination of the data obtained from the reached sample, it was seen that 281 data sets were suitable for use.

Methodology: "Personal Information Form" was used to obtain information about the demographic characteristics of secondary school students, and "Mathematics Self-Report Inventory" developed by [5] to determine the levels of mathematics self-report. The descriptive analysis was used to determine self report levels of the participants; and the comparisons in terms of grade, gender and STC participation were made through t-test and ANOVA.

Results: In terms of interest value sub-dimension, it is seen that the general level of the participants is "high" (X=27.66). In terms of usability sub-dimension, the general level of the participants is "high" (X=19.97). In terms of success value sub-dimension, the general level of the participants is in the "high" category (X=24.04). In terms of personal-value sub-dimension, the general level of the participants is in the "medium" category (X=13,73). The scale general score averages of the participants, on the other hand, are at a “high” level (X=85,41).

Conclusion: When the mathematics self-report levels of secondary school students and the scores obtained from the whole self-report scale were examined, it was determined that there was no significant difference in terms of the gender variable. There was a significant difference in the mathematics self-report levels of secondary school students in terms of grade levels. It has been determined that this difference is in favor of 5th and 6th grade students.
Comparative Studies on the Physicochemical Characteristics and Lipid Contents of Desert Date (Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del) Kernel and Pulp Oils
Authors: Aremu Matthew Olaleke , Andrew Chrysanthus , Oko Odiba John , Odoh Raphael , Zando Caleb , Usman Abdullahi , Akpomie Timothy
Published: April 2022

Aims: This work is aimed at investigating physicochemical parameters and compositions of fatty acid, phospholipid and sterol of desert date (Balanites aegyptiaca) kernel and pulp.

Study Design: Balanites aegyptiaca fruit is one of the oldest feed-stocks in Africa of which little or no attention has been given to it. The plant plays a diverse cultural and traditional role in different societies. Therefore, it is very important to explore more about the chemical composition of the kernel and pulp oils of Balanites aegyptiaca; since it is currently attracting considerable research interest as a result of its diverse beneficial properties.

Methodology: The physicochemical parameters, fatty acids, phospholipids and phytosterols of B. aegyptiaca seed and pulp oils have been analyzed and compared with the standards and that of conventional oil for easy assessment of their suitability for nutritional and industrial applications.

Results: The results of some physicochemical parameters of kernel and pulp oils were acid value (26.35 and 15.60 mg KOH/g), peroxide value (3.82 and 5.90 meq/kg), saponification value (162.40 and 198.60 mg KOH/g), iodine value (55.20 and 142.50 mg of I/100 g), specific gravity (0.93 and 0.92), kinematic viscosity (2.12 and 1.65 St) and refractive index (1.41 and 1.39), respectively. The most concentrated fatty acids were palmitic acid (14.53%) < linoleic acid (35.65%) < oleic acid (38.27%) for the kernel oil while that of pulp oil were linolenic acid (8.21%) < oleic acid (16.80%) < palmitic acid (32.70%) < linoleic acid (33.56%). Arachidic, behenic, lignoceric and myristic acids were all present in small quantities with none of them recording up to 1.0% in either of the samples. Caprylic, capric and lauric acids were determined but not detected in both oils. The fatty acid composition of kernel and pulp oils contained a healthy mixture of all the types of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. The value of polyunsaturated/saturated index (P/S) which is associated to the impact on human health was higher in the pulp oil (2.47). Phosphatidylcholine had the highest content in both oils that is 75.99 and 25.88 mg/100 g, respectively. The total values of phytosterols for kernel and pulp oils were 85.00 and 9.87 mg/100 g, respectively.

Conclusion: Balanites aegytiaca kernel and pulp oils have the potential to substitute several materials used in manufacturing oil in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. However, in order to extend usage, these oils should be refined in order to improve the colour and taste.
Determination of Vitamin Contents of Maize (Zea mays L) Produced and Stocked from Rural Conditions in Cote D’ivoire
Authors: Désiré Kouamé , H. M. Biego Godi , Gilles Léonce Niamketchi , Ysidor Konan , Daouda Sidibé
Published: April 2022

Aims: Maize is prized for its richness in nutrient compounds. Despite its socio-economic importance, maize faces a quality problem that is sometimes very delicate. Indeed, maize during different production, post-harvest processing, storage and transport conditions is exposed to bio-aggressors that can alter the quality of this cereal. With this in mind, this study was conducted to determinate the vitamins contents of maize produced and stored in five maize-producing regions of Côte d’Ivoire.

Study Design: A total of 1 500 samples of maize as grains, epis and spathes were collected at rate of 500 samples by region (Gbêkê, Poro, Hambol, Indénié-Djuablin and Gontougo) and sent to the laboratory for analysis of the vitamin contents.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out during March 2016 to January 2017. Then, the analyses of the collected sample took place at the Biotechnology, Agriculture and Valorisation of Biological Ressources Laboratory of the Félix Houphouët-Boigny’s University, Abidjan.

Methodology: Vitamins determination was carried by High Performance Liquid Chromatography. A total of twelve vitamins were evaluated namely 9 water-soluble vitamins (thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, choline, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, biotin, folic acid and cobalamin) and 3 fat-soluble vitamins (β-carotene, vitamin E and K).

Results: Results show a significant difference between vitamins contents of the different maize forms and regions. The mean values ranged from 0.09 ± 0.04 to 557.24 ± 10.97 mg / kg for water-soluble vitamins and from 0.31±0.25 to 4.20±1.00 mg / kg for fat-soluble vitamins. Choline was the most abundant of the water-soluble vitamins while β-carotene and vitamin E were the most abundant of the fat-soluble vitamins. Maize grains and epis had the highest levels of these vitamins all of the regions. Maize spathes samples, especially those from Indénié-Djuablin and Gontougo, showed the lowest concentrations.

Conclusion: A significant variability from one region to another can be noticed at level of vitamins regardless the type of maize. Maize vitamin contents seem to be related to maize form (grains, epis, spathes), maize variety, agronomic practices, post-harvest treatments and storage structure.
First Trimester Placental Volume and Uterine Artery Doppler in Pregestational Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Pregnant Women
Authors: Mahmoud Eman Taher , Hagras Ahmed Mahmoud , Zaiton Hossam Abd El-Hafiz , Soliman Ahmed Tawfik Morsi
Published: April 2022

Background: Pregestational diabetes is diabetes diagnosed before pregnancy comprises approximately 13 % of all diabetes in pregnancy, while gestational diabetes i.e. diabetes with onset or first recognition in pregnancy comprises the remaining 87%. This work aimed to evaluate the effect of pregestational diabetes mellitus on placental volume and uterine artery Doppler during the late first trimester of pregnancy compared to non-diabetic pregnant women during the same period of gestation.

Methods: This prospective study was conducted on 100 pregnant females from 11 weeks to thirteen 13 weeks gestation. Patients were divided into 2 equal groups: group A included pregnant women with pregestational diabetes mellitus and group B: included non-diabetic pregnant women as a control group. All cases were subjected to clinical examination, laboratory investigations (fasting blood sugar, 2Hrs post-prandial blood sugar, HbA1c and creatinine clearance test) and specific investigations (Mindray DC30 ultrasound and Transabdominal examination).

Results: HbA1c was a positive significant correlation with PI, RI, creatinine clearance and fasting blood sugar, there was a positive significant correlation between fasting blood sugar and PI and RI, there was a positive significant correlation between RI and PI (P<0.05).

Conclusions: Pre-gestational DM does not induce demonstrable alterations in first trimester placental volume, while it induces demonstrable alterations in the first trimester placental development as regards to uterine artery velocimetry Especially PI and RI are significantly increased.