bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Soil CO2 emission in ‘Tifton 85’ bermudagrass pasture fertilized with liquid pig slurry
Authors: Brandão Adilson Amorim , Couto Eduardo Guimarães , Rodrigues Renato de Aragão Ribeiro , Weber Oscarlina Lúcia dos Santos , Júnior Osvaldo Borges Pinto
Published: July 2021

The application of liquid pig slurry (LPS) to pastures offers potential as a fertilizer but could have a direct influence on soil CO2 emissions. This study evaluated soil carbon dioxide emissions after successive LPS applications to soils under pasture cultivation. The experiment was carried out on ‘Tifton-85’ bermudagrass pasture cultivated in a red-yellow oxisol soil in the municipality of Lucas do Rio Verde-MT, Brazil. Two treatments were evaluated: the control and an application of 20 m3 ha-1 of LPS after each cut of the pasture. The CO2 emissions from the soil were determined using a high-precision infrared gas analyzer. Soil temperature and soil moisture were determined as were micrometeorological variables. The application of LPS had a significant effect on soil C-CO2 flow. The average flow of C-CO2 from the soil for the control treatment and with the application of LPS was 0.236 g C-CO2 m-2 h-1 and 0.291 g C-CO2 m-2 h-1, respectively. The application of LPS increased the accumulated CO2 emissions from the soil by 23.2%. Soil temperature and moisture are the main factors regulating the process of soil CO2 emission. These factors therefore need to be considered when evaluating the impact of LPS application on greenhouse gas emissions
Anatomical and physiological characteristics of leaves from Eugenia dysenterica DC. can predict nutritional deficiency symptoms
Authors: Bessa Layara Alexandre , Vitorino Luciana Cristina , Silva Fabiano Guimarães , Filho Sebastião de Carvalho Vasconcelos
Published: July 2021

Plants receiving insufficient concentrations of the different essential nutrients may respond symptomatically to this stress. However, when the first visible symptoms of nutritional deficiency appear, plants already exhibit significant changes in their structure. As seedlings of E. dysenterica are important for the recovery of degraded areas and as the fruits of this species are widely exploited commercially, we decided to evaluate whether the omission of nutrients may affect the leaf anatomical ultrastructure, dry matter production and the synthesis of photosynthetic pigments in this plant, in an attempt to use data of this nature to predict symptoms of nutritional deficiency in seedlings of this species. For this purpose, we grow seedlings in a hydroponic system, offering all nutrients and also omitting each nutrient individually. Thus, we evaluated the effect of the omission of each nutrient on the anatomical leaf structure, dry mass production and the synthesis of photosynthetic pigments. Seedlings that grew in the absence of Ca and Mn exhibited compromised spongy parenchyma and mesophyll development, while the omission of K and Mg increased the number of epidermal cells and stomata. Low dry mass production in E. dysenterica was related to the omission of S and Mn, while P, N and Fe deficiencies directly affected the synthesis of pigments. Thus, leaf anatomical and physiological data can predict nutritional deficiency conditions, enabling the user to diagnose the deficiency before the onset of symptoms in E. dysenterica seedlings. Our results may help investigators to understand the effects of nutritional omissions on other native Cerrado plants
Sources and doses of nitrogen in plant cane production and residual effect on the first ratoon of sugarcane in a savannah Red Oxisol
Authors: Gomes Flávio Henrique Ferreira , Soares Frederico Antonio Loureiro , Teixeira Marconi Batista , Sousa Antonio Evami Cavalcante , Silva Edson Cabral da , Vidal Vitor Marques , Bastos Alefe Viana Souza , Silva Nelmicio Furtado da , Cunha Fernando Nobre , Morais Wilker Alves , Santos Leonardo Nazário Silva dos , Costa Cicero Teixeira Silva , Dantas Leonardo Rodrigues
Published: July 2021

The expansion of sugarcane cultivation, especially in areas with low natural soil fertility, such as savannah regions, requires greater efficiency in the application of nutrients, mainly nitrogen (N). The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of the application of different sources and doses of nitrogen on the dry matter yield and productivity of sugarcane in the plant cane cycle and the residual effect of such application on the first ratoon cycle of sugarcane (var. SP80-1816) cultivated in a dystrophic Red Oxisol. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design analyzed in a factorial scheme of 2 × 4 with three replications. The evaluated factors consisted of two sources of N (ammonium nitrate (AN) and urea (U)) and four doses of N (0, 60, 120 and 180 kg ha-1). Samples of the aerial part of the sugarcane were collected. The structural components of the aerial part were separated, and the leaf dry matter (LDM), stalk dry matter (SDM) and dry matter of the aerial part (DMAP) were analyzed. The productivity of stalks (PS) was determined by weighing all stalks present in the useful area of each plot. In the plant cane cycle, AN resulted in greater gains in the SDM and PS of sugarcane than did U. In the first ratoon cycle, a residual effect was observed in response to N application, which showed an increase in SDM and PS. Under the conditions of this study, to achieve a higher PS in both cycles, the application of 180 kg N ha-1 is recommended
Pollen morphology of Malvaceae genera from Saudi Arabia and its taxonomic significance
Authors: khalik Kadry Abdel , Ruzayza Suad Al- , Assiri Abdullah , Elkordy Ahmed
Published: July 2021

Pollen morphology of 20 species belong to seven genera (Abutilon, Althaea, Hibiscus, Malva, Pavonia, Senra and Sida) of Malvaceae from Saudi Arabia were studied by using light microscope (LM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Quantitative and qualitative pollen morphological characters which vary among investigated taxa are found in the pollen polarity, symmetry, size, shape, polar axis, equatorial diameter, P/E ratio, average height and width of spine, aperature character and spine index. The pollen grains vary from spheroidal, prolate spheroidal, oblate spheroidal to suboblate. All taxa were characterized by relatively large to medium sized pollen grains, numerous pores scattered irregularly all over the grain, and echinate sculpturing. Sida ovata is the largest size pollen grain (138.95) µm. On the other hand, Malva parviflora showed the smallest pollen size (52.28 µm). The average height and width of spine varied greatly among studied taxa. The highest spines (20.65µm) found in Sida ovata, while the shortest (3.19 µm) was found in Abutilon pannosum. Results of the pollen shape, size, and exine sculpture characters offered useful data for evaluating the taxonomy of Malvaceae both on subgeneric and sectional levels. A key for the identification of the investigated taxa based on pollen grains characters is also provided
Hop (Humulus lupulus L.) phenology, growth, and yield under subtropical climatic conditions: Effects of cultivars and crop management
Authors: Rangel Aleyda Acosta- , Rechcigl Jack , Bollin Simon , Deng Zhanao , Agehara Shinsuke
Published: July 2021

Commercial hop (Humulus lupulus L.) production occurs predominantly in temperate climates. The objectives of this study were to characterize the phenology of hops under subtropical climatic conditions and to determine the growth and yield potential. Two field experiments were conducted in Florida, southeastern United States. Rhizomes were planted in April. Data were collected during the establishment year. In the first experiment, we evaluated 7 American, 5 European, and 1 Japanese cultivars in a randomized complete block design. Bine height, main bine number, lateral shoot number, and dry cone yield (10% moisture) were recorded. Yield varied considerably, ranging from 0 to 197 kg ha–1. The top three yielding cultivars were ‘Cascade’, ‘CTZ’, and ‘Nugget’, all of which were American cultivars. Yield had positive correlations with main bine number and lateral shoot number, but it had no significant correlation with bine height. In the second experiment, we determined the duration of each phenological stage in ‘Cascade’. Reproductive phenology was characterized by premature and nonsynchronous flowering. Prolonged flowering resulted in multiple harvests over 61 days, starting in mid-June. We also evaluated crop management treatments, which consisted of three levels of hill spacing (76, 91, and 107 cm) and two nitrogen (N) rates (109 and 130 kg ha–1) in a factorial combination. Treatments were arranged in a split-plot design with hill spacing as the main-plot factor. Yield on a per-area basis increased with reducing hill spacing and increasing N rate by 41% and 38%, respectively. Our results demonstrate unique reproductive phenology of hops under subtropical climatic conditions, which prevents once-overharvest but enables the off-season supply of fresh hops over an extended period. This study provides a benchmark to develop production strategies for hops suitable to subtropical climates.
Effect of glyphosate and glufosinate on nutritional content and agronomic performance of maize possessing cp4epsps and pat transgenes
Authors: Araújo Gabriel Viana de , Albrecht Alfredo Junior Paiola , Albrecht Leandro Paiola , Carvalho Hudson Wallace Pereira de , Migliavacca Rafaela Alenbrant , Silva André Felipe Moreira
Published: July 2021

The aim of this study was to check the tolerance level of maize possessing the transgenes cp4epsps and pat, exposed to high rates of glyphosate or glufosinate. Field experiments were carried out in 2016/17 at the first growing season; and the other in the second growing season, in Palotina, state of Paraná (PR), Brazil. The design was completely randomized block with 4 replications, which were set up with variations of rates of herbicides: glyphosate (0; 2,160; 4,320; 6,480 and 8,640 g ae ha-1) (experiment 1) and glufosinate (0; 1,500; 3,000; 4,500 and 6,000 g ai ha-1) (experiment 2). The application was performed at the V4 stage. Plants were evaluated for injuries, final plant height, stem diameter, 100-grain mass, yield and content of P, K, S, Fe, Cu and Zn. The results show that there was no reduction in yield and 100-grain mass, as well as changes in nutrient contents, even with the use of high rates of glyphosate and glufosinate. This is explained by the rapid recovery of maize hybrids under favorable developmental conditions. Despite causing injuries and decreased height, application of glyphosate (up to 8,640 g ae ha-1) or glufosinate (up to 6,000 ai ha-1) did neither reduce yield and 100-grain mass nor the nutrient contents of grains. This shows the high selectivity of these herbicides. Nonetheless, crop injury and reduction in height were observed in maize plants for herbicide application. This indicates the risks of using herbicides above the rates recommended in the package insert, despite the absence of deleterious effects on yield
Evaluation of water lettuce, giant salvinia and water hyacinth systems in phytoremediation of domestic wastewater
Authors: Mustafa Hauwa Mohammed , Hayder Gasim
Published: July 2021

The objective of this research was to ascertain the best conditions for efficient applications of water lettuce, giant salvinia and water hyacinth in improving the quality of low strength domestic wastewater. Water quality assessment of the wastewater samples before (influent) and after treatment (effluent) with effect to retention times (6, 12 and 24 h) was analysed. The outcome of the study at 6 h retention showed that water lettuce (6.8–7.0 pH, 50.5% colour, 46.7% biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and 37.8% chemical oxygen demand (COD)), giant salvinia (6.9–7.1 pH, 40.5% colour, 60% BOD and 43.2% COD) and water hyacinth (6.7–6.9 pH, 45.5% colour, 53% BOD and 35.1% COD) reduction values were achieved. At 12 h retention, water lettuce (6.6–7.0 pH, 57.2% colour, 77.1% BOD and 74.6% COD), giant salvinia (6.4–6.8 pH, 81.1% colour, 66.7% BOD and 72.2% COD) and water hyacinth (6.4–6.7 pH, 61.9% colour, 70% BOD and 61.1% COD) reduction values were achieved. Similarly, for 24 h retention, water lettuce (6.6–7.0 pH, 76.7% colour, 53.2% BOD and 70.3% COD), giant salvinia (6.6–7.0 pH, 91.4% colour, 74.7% BOD and 81.0% COD) and water hyacinth (6.4–6.9 pH, 74% colour, 58% BOD and 67.2% COD) reduction values were achieved. These findings indicated that the retention times of 12 and 24 h provided suitable conditions to break down the organic contaminants present in the shallow ponds.
Drinking water quality assessment of river Ganga in West Bengal, India through integrated statistical and GIS techniques
Authors: Ali Syed Yakub , Sunar Sangeeta , Saha Priti , Mukherjee Pallavi , Saha Sarmistha , Dutta Suvanka
Published: July 2021

An attempt has been made to assess the water quality status of the lower stretch of river Ganga flowing through West Bengal for drinking using integrated techniques. For this study, 11 parameters at 10 locations from Beharampur to Diamond Harbour over nine years (2011–2019) were considered. The eastern stretch of Ganga showed a variation of Water Quality Index (WQI) from 55 to 416 and Synthetic Pollution Index (SPI) from 0.59 to 3.68 in nine years. The result was endorsed through a fair correlation between WQI and SPI (r2 > 0.95). The map interpolated through GIS revealed that the entire river stretch in the year 2011, 2012, and 2019 and location near to ocean during the entire period of nine years were severely polluted (WQI > 100 or SPI > 1). Turbidity and boron concentration mainly contribute to the high scores of indices. Further, the origin of these ions was estimated through multivariate statistical techniques. It was affirmed that the origin of boron is mainly attributed to seawater influx, that of fluoride to anthropogenic sources, and other parameters originated through geogenic as well as human activities. Based on the research, a few possible water treatment mechanisms are suggested to render the water fit for drinking.
Hydraulic performance of helical-step dropshaft
Authors: Ren Weichen , Wu Jianhua , Ma Fei , Qian Shangtuo
Published: July 2021

Aiming to achieve energy dissipation and prevention of cavitation erosion, a kind of dropshaft in urban drainage systems called the helical-step dropshaft is introduced in this paper. It dissipates flow energy by means of step geometry and prevents cavitation erosion through air entrainment. To verify its availability, the hydraulic characteristics of the helical-step dropshaft were experimentally investigated, including the flow regimes, the efficiency of energy dissipation, characteristics of air entrainment and pressure distribution. The results demonstrate that, even for a large discharge, flow can be discharged smoothly and steadily, and a high energy-dissipation rate of over 87% is achieved. There are three distinct flow regimes observed in the dropshaft, namely nappe flow, mixed flow and skimming flow. Moreover, there is no less than 1.6% air concentration and a reasonable pressure distribution on the step surface. This study provides an attractive alternative for the design of drop structures.
The Role of Transport Infrastructure in Development of Border Region
Authors: Berezhnaya L. Yu.
Published: July 2021

Social and economic development of regions is closely connected with transport industry functioning, which was proven by numerous academic works. However, the problem of transport infrastructure importance for border regions was actually neglected. In fact transport on state periphery plays an important role in regional development and in some cases becomes a key factor of realizing foreign-economic potential. This article on the basis of functional approach to the research object describes an attempt to substantiate the role of transport infrastructure in the development of border region through identifying its foreign-economic function. The essence of this function implies the capacity of transport infrastructure to build in-regional and inter-regional flows of goods, services and people travel and at the same time to carry out operations of international exchange of goods. The importance of infrastructure for border regions is demonstrated by dynamics of indicators of railway construction and investment into fixed funds of transport industry: growth rates of these indicators are much higher for border regions in comparison with internal regions. It proves the importance of intensive development of transport on border territories to provide integrity of the country and to realize the potential of foreign-economic links.
Information Modeling and Analysis of Labour Productivity Dynamics at Enterprises-Leaders
Authors: Mikhnenko P. A.
Published: July 2021

Serious growth in labour productivity is an essential task of Russian economy today, which was formulated in the national goals of the Russian Federation and the national project ‘Labour Productivity and Employment Support'. Current mathematic models and methods of analyzing the given problem cannot identify key factors affecting the capacity of the enterprise to provide a considerable growth in productivity in the short-term and medium-term perspective. The article puts forward a mathematic model for analyzing labour productivity dynamics, which was designed on the informational approach to system analysis. Specific features of the model are the use of the hypothesis theorem to get estimation of relative probability of achieving the target indicator and 2 variants of interpretation of probability to realize the situation factor. The research object is representative sample of industrial enterprises in Russia included in the top-100 leaders by labour productivity growth. The authors set and resolved the task to estimate relative steps of target information that determine the degree of conformity of an increase in key finance and economic parameters with attaining the goal, i.e. growth in labour productivity at the enterprise in 3-year perspective. As a result of modeling it was shown that the degree of relative expediency of high rates of proceed rise tend to decline as the ranges of labour productivity grow. At the same time the degree of relative of high rates of asset turn-over growth steps up in line with decreasing durability of operative cycle of the enterprise. In contrast to many works dealing with this problem it was shown that relative expediency of fundequipment at the enterprise is more noticeable for medium and high rates of labour productivity growth and extremely low in the record range. The obtained results demonstrate applied opportunities to use logic-mathematic tools of the information approach to analyze indicators of economic efficiency of business.
Debatable Aspects of Progressive Taxation of Individual Incomes in Russia
Authors: Garnov A. P. , Levkevich M. M.
Published: July 2021

The present research deals with debatable aspects connected with introduction of progressive taxation of individual incomes in this country. In spite of the fact that in 2021 an attempt was made to introduce the progressive scale on income tax, different political parties put forward their own approaches substantiating them by demonstrating their regulating impact on economy. It is necessary to realize that progression in taxation involves not only the scale alteration. Today the possibility of progressive tax introduction is being discussed on the background of cutting their number in the fiscal system. In fact such innovations, despite their advantages, could have irrevocable consequences. Among key threats we can mention an increase in the shadow share of economy; administration challenges connected with labour intensity and extra costs; growing capital outflow abroad; general drop in economy competitiveness due to declining entrepreneurial urge towards profit maximization, etc. The article systematizes approaches presented by political parties for discussion and structures the author's approach to introduction of progressive rates based on generalized experience of best practices, adapted to Russian reality. The results of practical testing of authors' vision illustrated by income tax by different rates gives an opportunity to compare the tax burden, which can be estimated in order to enlarge citizens' groups with different levels of incomes.
Inflationary Processes in Russia Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Ramazanov Dz. I. , Onopyuk E. Yu.
Published: July 2021

The article examines inflationary processes in Russia and the impact of the coronavirus recession on them. The need for this study is due to the fact that the existing factors of inflation in modern conditions "overgrown" with new causes due to changes in the world economy. Using the methods of positive and normative analysis, tabular and graphical analysis, factors that have a particular impact on inflation are considered, taking into account the events taking place in the world economy. As a result, the study showed that the exchange rate, the situation on the food market and budget financing are the factors that had the most significant impact on inflation in Russia. The conclusion is made about the significant role of the dynamics of the ruble exchange rate in the deployment of inflation, the contribution of agflation and price disparity to the consumer price index. The directions of struggle against price disparity and their use in anti-inflationary strategy are considered. The duality of the nature of public debt and inflation is revealed, a conclusion is made about the possibility of increasing public debt, and possible inflationary scenarios for the economy are given. Based on the results of the study, it is proposed to use an anti-inflationary strategy that would fully take into account inflation factors and adequate anti-inflationary policy instruments. The growth of public debt, according to the authors, will have a delayed inflationary effect; tightening of monetary policy is in conflict with the achievement of sustainable rates of economic growth. Anti-inflationary policy should be aimed at leveling external shocks while maintaining the guidelines for a stimulating monetary policy.
Industrial Clusters in Russia: Old Problems and New Challenges
Authors: Gagarina G. Yu. , Chaynikova L. N. , Sorokina N. Yu.
Published: July 2021

Industrial clusters, on the one hand, act as a tool of today's industrial policy pursued in sectoral and territorial aspects and, on the other hand, they are the object of state support, which is carried out within the frames of the program of cluster policy. Nowadays state support of industrial clusters includes mainly measures encouraging production localization aimed at product output within the frames of sectoral plans of import substitution and national projects. It is shown that key difficulties arising in using the cluster approach in Russia are the absence of methodology needed to estimate potential cluster market, restricting the cluster by borders of entity of the Federation or a group of municipal structures, underdeveloped forms of interaction between enterprises - cluster participants, absolutization of cluster pattern and the absence of concrete steps aimed at cluster development on the part of its participants, bodies of regional administration and other concerned parties. It is proven that state support of industrial clusters in the Russian Federation should target at cutting administrative, institutional and other barriers for cluster participants and promoting the development of their industrial competences. In this case cluster policy in the aspect of industrial cluster support can become an important driver of building spots of national economy growth, raising competitiveness of regions and sectors on the international level.
Plataformas de visualización de datos tolerantes a fallos por medio de MongoDB.
Authors: Gómez Coaboy Edy , Carrión Jumbo Joe
Published: July 2021

Para el siguiente trabajo de investigación se analizan las funcionalidades de un sistema distribuido para visualización de datos, por medio de un clúster de almacenamiento tolerante a fallos que permita el análisis estadístico, mediante la integración de herramientas. Se utiliza para experimentación datos abiertos del Instituto Nacional de Estadísticas y Censos sobre matrimonios correspondientes al 2018. Se ha integrado MongoDB Atlas y Compass, que permiten la visualización de datos en un esquema distribuido en la nube. Se realiza la carga de datos que serán mostrados mediante gráficos y análisis detallado de cada uno. El uso de MongoDB Atlas para el modelado de documentos resulta simple de desplegar y proporciona funcionalidades para una mayor adaptabilidad escalable a los desarrolladores y analistas de datos. Posee interfaces gráficas útiles al momento de trabajar con bases de datos, también interpreta diferentes lenguajes, siendo una de las herramientas que ayudará en la actualidad y futuras generaciones al tratar con modelos de consultas. Este trabajo está enfocado para fines educativos con el objetivo de realizar la visualización de los datos y hacer réplicas de la información mediante servidores en la nube, se plantean asuntos a discutir en la implementación de estas herramientas para futuras investigaciones. Los resultados muestran las funciones de clúster tolerante a fallos con herramientas de visualización ágiles y simples de implementar, por lo que es una alternativa a evaluar para las organizaciones con necesidades de plataformas de visualización.
Diagnóstico del clima organizacional en una institución educativa privada de la ciudad de Guayaquil.
Authors: Guzmán Reyes Marilyn , Ancín Adell Irene , Prieto Coello Sixto
Published: July 2021

El objetivo de este estudio es determinar la incidencia del clima organizacional en los colaboradores de una institución educativa privada de la ciudad de Guayaquil. Su enfoque es cuantitativo, con un alcance exploratorio descriptivo. El estudio se llevó a cabo mediante un cuestionario aplicado a 209 empleados de diferentes áreas de la institución educativa y se aplicó el instrumento de medición de clima organizacional de Ortega (2017). La recolección de datos se realizó en línea a través de Google Forms y el análisis se efectuó con el programa SPSS 2.0. Los resultados reflejaron, por un lado, que la misión y los objetivos de la unidad educativa son conocidos y están interiorizados por los trabajadores, y, por otro lado, que las recompensas de la unidad educativa constituyen uno de los factores que presenta niveles más bajos de satisfacción laboral.
Modelo econométrico de los gastos operativos de la banca en el Ecuador: Periodo 2012 – 2019
Authors: Ron Amores Eduardo , León Vega Luisa , Márquez Sánchez Fidel , León León Viviana
Published: July 2021

Este análisis permite medir el desempeño relativo en cuanto a los expendios administrativos con el que se maneja el sector bancario y poder de esta forma establecer parámetros de comparación de estos. Se basó en un estudio de los gastos que están en propensión a los activos de acuerdo con los recursos que cuentan. Mediante el análisis de regresión de mínimos cuadrados ordinarios, se obtuvo una medida común para cada unidad bancaria.
Crowdsourced Community Support Resources Among Patients Discharged From the Emergency Department During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Pilot Feasibility Study (Preprint)
Authors: Agarwal Anish K , Southwick Lauren , Schneider Rachelle , Pelullo Arthur , Ortiz Robin , Klinger Elissa V , Gonzales Rachel E , Rosin Roy , Merchant Raina M
Published: July 2021

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed strains on communities. During this public health crisis, health systems have created remote methods of monitoring symptom progression and delivering care virtually.

OBJECTIVE

Using an SMS text message-based system, we sought to build and test a remote model to explore community needs, connect individuals to curated resources, and facilitate community health worker intervention when needed during the pandemic. The primary aims of this pilot study were to establish the feasibility (ie, engagement with the text line) and acceptability (ie, participant ratings of resources and service) of delivering automated well-being resources via smartphone technology.

METHODS

Eligible patients (aged 18 years or older, having a cell phone with SMS text messaging capability, and recently visited the emergency department) were identified using the electronic health record. The patients were consented to enroll and begin receiving COVID-19–related information and links to community resources. We collected open-ended and close-ended resource and mood ratings. We calculated the frequencies and conducted a thematic review of the open-ended responses.

RESULTS

In 7 weeks, 356 participants were enrolled; 13,917 messages were exchanged including 333 resource ratings (mean 4) and 673 well-being scores (mean 6.8). We received and coded 386 open-ended responses, most of which elaborated upon their self-reported mood score (29%). Overall, 77% (n=274) of our participants rated the platform as a service they would highly recommend to a family member or friend.

CONCLUSIONS

This approach is designed to broaden the reach of health systems, tailor to community needs in real time, and connect at-risk individuals with robust community health support.
The Impact of Covid-19 on the Identification of Victims of Modern Slavery and their Access to Support Services in Australia
Authors: Chazal Nerida , Raby Kyla
Published: July 2021

This article examines how COVID-19 impacted the identification and access to support of modern slavery victims in Australia during 2020. It is the first comprehensive analysis of the pandemic’s impact on modern slavery victimisation in Australia. The key finding of the research is that COVID-19 exacerbated existing barriers to identifying victims of modern slavery in Australia and referring them to government funded support, related to the linkage of the provision of support with criminal justice processes. The reliance on policing capacity to identify and refer victims meant that when police and other government resources were diverted into the large-scale COVID-19 emergency response, there was less capacity for police to undertake this vital function, resulting in the under-identification and referral to support of victims of modern slavery.
The Finance of Sex Trafficking and Impact of COVID-19
Authors: Ewen Phoebe
Published: July 2021

This paper examines how COVID-19 has impacted the lives of sex workers and how changing circumstances may make them and others even more vulnerable to exploitation into sex trafficking. It explores the perceptions and policies that keep sex workers from receiving the financial support needed to keep them safe at this time. It considers how sex work may be driven further underground, and the implications of this on the security of the workers involved. It also considers how the behaviour of clients may change as a result of the virus, examining the supply and demand drivers of online sexual exploitation of adults and children. This paper also outlines the fluidity of criminal nature, how criminals are adapting to changing circumstances and finding new ways to identify, groom, and exploit victims into sexual slavery. Finally, it analyses the implications that COVID-19 has had on the nature of money laundering and the related effects on the ability of financial institutions to operate as the ‘eyes and ears’ in the fight against global sex trafficking. It concludes with recommendations that can be made to financial institutions and related agencies, to respond rapidly to emerging risks and new trends in sexual exploitation and money laundering.
‘They don’t play or run or shout...They’re slaves’:1 The First Survey of Children’s Literature on Modern Slavery
Authors: James Charlotte
Published: July 2021

This article provides the first survey of children’s literature on modern slavery and analyses the emergence of this movement. Exploring fictional texts and survivor accounts, this article explores how these texts bring modern slavery to children from the news and media. It examines the various trends that emerge from these pieces, including the countries included, types of slavery highlighted, the ages and genders of individuals, and the authors of these texts, survivors or not. It also includes preliminary conclusions about the effectiveness of those texts as educational tools, discussing how these texts highlight signs of slavery and unpack its scale.
“A Colossal Work of Art”: Antislavery Methods of Visual Protest From 1845 to Today
Authors: Jeffery Hannah , Murray Hannah-Rose
Published: July 2021

In 1967, the faces of black antislavery figures were woven into the fabric of the urban US environment to showcase radical black narratives and empower segregated black communities. Murals depicting the faces of Frederick Douglass, Nathaniel Turner and Ida B. Wells lined the streets alongside visualizations of self-emancipated figures slashing chains and unshackling bodies. Although these 1960s murals visualized subversive antislavery narratives in the streets for the first time, the cultural form of black protest murals was not new. In this paper, we trace the visual lineage of antislavery protest from the nineteenth century panorama to the modern antislavery mural.
Ripped at the Seams: RMG Sector Workers During a Global Pandemic
Authors: Hansen Christopher , Sahai Ridhi , Bansal Vaiddehi , Iyer Mithila , Iqbal Jafar , Parpiani Maansi , Davis Michelle , Kysia Kareem
Published: July 2021

Authors from NORC at the University of Chicago conducted a five-month rapid assessment of COVID-19’s impact on the Ready Made Garments industry (RMG) in Bangladesh and India with funding from the Global Fund to End Modern Slavery (GFEMS). The research presented here highlights the increased risk of forced labor among vulnerable working populations associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The rapid assessment addresses descriptive and normative questions about the short- and long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Bangladesh and India’s RMG industries. Qualitative data collection methods included 19 semi- structured key informant interviews (KIIs) with governmental and non-governmental stakeholders and actors across the RMG supply chain. KIIs were informed by a systematic review of recently published media articles, reports, white papers, and other online content. RMG sector stakeholders, including private sector supply chain actors, policy actors, and implementing partners, can use this research to adapt programs and address the multi-faceted challenges facing apparel workers during a global pandemic.
Listening to Local and Foreign Sex Buyers of Men and Women in Cambodia
Authors: Sommer Miller Samantha , Miles Glenn , Havey James
Published: July 2021

Research on prostitution and trafficking has largely focused on the exploitation of girls and young women. This research comes out of the “Listening to the Demand” two-part study by an independent research team on the sex industry in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. “Listening to the Demand” is a series of research exploring often over-looked populations in the anti-trafficking conversation, including men and transgender people. The first of the studies was completed in 2013 and focuses on men who purchased sex with female sex workers. Interviews of 50 Cambodian and 50 foreign heterosexual and bisexual males explored the respondents’ views and use of prostituted women in Southeast Asia’s sex industry. The second part of the research was completed in 2014 and focuses on men who purchase sex with men. In this second part of the project, 51 Cambodian and 23 foreign men who have sex with men were interviewed about their views of prostitution, the individual sex worker, and their experiences of Cambodia’s sex industry. Due to its comparative nature, the research seeks to deliver information on the differences in culture between the foreign and Cambodian men who seek to pay for sexual services. Results point to the need for proper sex and gender education as well as different approaches when planning projects to reach out to men purchasing sex. In gaining a deeper knowledge of the beliefs and behaviours among the demand population, the findings suggest more holistic approaches are needed to combat the exploitation of sexual services in Cambodia.
Prosecuting Human Trafficking - Progress in the UK
Authors: Garbers Kate
Published: July 2021

This paper examines the United Kingdom’s approach to prosecutions and convictions of modern slavery and human trafficking offences. It focuses on the UK’s journey and the progress that it has made thus far, from having no legislation by which to tackle this crime to the newly enacted Modern Slavery Act (2015). The paper observes the low numbers of prosecutions leading to convictions as well as the difficulty in effective data collation and recording of trafficking offences. The paper focuses on a non- governmental organisations experience of working with victims and law enforcement agencies, using a sample of seventy four case files to record interactions with the criminal justice process. Further the paper suggests that in order for the Modern Slavery Act (2015) to obtain successful convictions, prosecution should only be seen as part of the solution and not the whole solution. It will only be a successful part of the UK narrative if it is used in conjunction with effective, long-term victim support and prevention efforts.
Repressed Memories: Historical Perspectives on Trafficking and Anti-Trafficking
Authors: Scully Eileen
Published: July 2021

Modern international trafficking in forced labor took hold during the 1850s, and crossed into the twentieth century as a seemingly intractable global phenomenon. Contemporaries described this worldwide enterprise as the “white slave trade.” As shorthand for sex-trafficking, “the white slave trade” has a very long pedigree. The first cross-national, public-private coalition against trafficking in women and children was forged in the late nineteenth century by the London-based National Vigilance Association. This coalition generated the foundational treaties and directional momentum for international anti-trafficking projects across the twentieth century and into the twenty-first.
A Qualitative Course-based Inquiry into the Use of Strengths-based Language in Child and Youth Care Residential Field Practicums
Authors: Bellefeuille Gerard , Biton Lerynne , Chinchilla Yulieth , Doniego Francesca , Iqbal Hiba , Lin Vivian , Parokkaran Anett , Sison Angelo
Published: July 2021

The strengths-based approach is a cornerstone of relational-centered Child and Youth Care (CYC) practice. However, few studies have investigated the use of the strengths-based approach in a CYC residential setting for youth and children. Hence, this qualitative course-based study explores the use of strengths-based language as observed by CYC students in residential field practicums. Data were collected through an online semi-structured interview (using the Google Meet platform) with a purposive sample of third- and fourth-year CYC students at MacEwan University, Canada. Four main themes were extracted from the data analysis: “not in plain sight”, “a product of feeling stressed”, “lacking the confidence to speak out”, and “reframing”.
Predicting optimal treatment regimens for patients with HR+/HER2- breast cancer using machine learning based on electronic health records
Authors: Cui Zhanglin Lin , Kadziola Zbigniew , Lipkovich Ilya , Faries Douglas E , Sheffield Kristin M , Carter Gebra Cuyun
Published: July 2021

Aim:
To predict optimal treatments maximizing overall survival (OS) and time to treatment discontinuation (TTD) for patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) using machine learning methods on electronic health records.
Patients/methods:
Adult females with HR+/HER2- MBC on first- or second-line systemic therapy were eligible. Random survival forest (RSF) models were used to predict optimal regimen classes for individual patients and each line of therapy based on baseline characteristics.
Results:
RSF models suggested greater use of CDK4 & 6 inhibitor-based therapies may maximize OS and TTD. RSF-predicted optimal treatments demonstrated longer OS and TTD compared with nonoptimal treatments across line of therapy (hazard ratios = 0.44∼0.79).
Conclusion:
RSF may help inform optimal treatment choices and improve outcomes for patients with HR+/HER2- MBC.
Effects of Marbling and Postmortem Aging on Consumer Assessment of United States Lamb Loin
Authors: Phelps M. R. , Garmyn Andrea , Brooks J. C. , Mafi Gretchen , Duckett Susan , Legako Jerrad , O'Quinn Travis , Miller Mark
Published: July 2021

Consumer sensory analysis was performed to evaluate the effects of three marbling categories [LOW, Intermediate (MED), and HIGH] and 2 postmortem aging categories (21 d and 42 d) on the palatability of lamb loin chops as determined by U.S. consumers and to determine the relationship between marbling, flank streaking, intramuscular fat percentage (IMF), and palatability traits. Marbling and aging did not interact to affect any of the scores for palatability attributes, their acceptances, or the frequency of their overall eating quality classifications (P < 0.05). Consumers rated HIGH treatments (P < 0.05) as more tender, juicier, and with greater flavor liking and overall liking than MED or LOW, which were similar for all traits (P > 0.05). Aging also influenced (P < 0.05) all traits, as consumers scored 21 d samples greater for all palatability traits than their 42 d counterparts. A greater (P < 0.05) percentage of consumers categorized 42 d samples as ‘unsatisfactory’ and fewer as ‘better than everyday’ or ‘premium quality’ than 21 d samples. A larger proportion of consumers categorized HIGH samples as ‘premium quality’ than MED or LOW and fewer called HIGH ‘good everyday quality’ compared to MED (P < 0.05). Flank streaking, marbling score, and IMF were all influenced (P < 0.01) by marbling category in a linear fashion. Increasing marbling score, more so than flank streaking, was positively linked to increasing eating quality scores. Also, tenderness, juiciness and flavor liking are major drivers for consumer sensory scores for overall liking, with flavor liking having the strongest relationship to overall liking of lamb. Overall, consumers preferred HIGH marbling over LOW and MED marbling loin chops, but had difficulty distinguishing between LOW and MED. Furthermore, extending postmortem aging of lamb loin from 21 to 42 d reduced scores for eating quality traits.
Evaluation of Product Quality of Low-Salt Pork Sausage Using Prerigor Pork Ham
Authors: Chin K. B. , Lee C. , Kim G.
Published: July 2021

ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to develop pork sausages with reduced salt content using the pre-rigor pork ham to have similar product quality to regular-salt (1.5%) sausages.Materials and MethodsPork ham with pre-rigor (< 1 h after slaughter) and post-rigor (> 1 d after slaughter) were purchased at the local market. Sausages containing pre-rigor pork hams with various salt contents (0– ∼1.5%) were manufactured and compared to the post-rigor sausages with regular salt (1.5%). To confirm the states of pre-rigor and post-rigor, pH and temperature of pork hams were measured. The pH, color, cooking loss (CL, %), expressible moisture (EM, %), textural properties, lipid oxidation (TBAR), protein oxidation (VBN) of the sausages were measured, while the protein solubility and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) of meat batter were measured. The experiment design was one-way analysis of variance at a significant level of 0.05.ResultsThe pre-rigor ham had higher pH and temperature than the post-rigor ham, as expected. Protein solubility of pre-rigor sausages was higher than those with reduced salt concentrations (< 1.0%). However, no differences in CIE color values (L*, a*, b*), CL, TBARS, and VBN were observed among treatments. The EM (%) of pre-rigor sausages with 0.5 and 1.0% salt were similar to those with pre-rigor sausages with 1.5% salt. Textural properties of sausages were not different between pre-rigor with various salt levels (0.5∼1.5%) and post-rigor sausages with 1.5% salt. High intensity of myosin heavy chain band was shown in pre-rigor meat batters as compared to the post-rigor ones.ConclusionPre-rigor sausages containing 1.0% salt had similar characteristics to those with post-rigor with 1.5% salt. This result indicated that the amount of salt on sausages could be reduced by approximately one-third of regular-salt (1.5%) level without detrimental effects.
Ractopamine-Induced Changes in the Mitochondrial Proteome of Postmortem Beef Longissimus Lumborum
Authors: Zhai C. , Suman S. P. , Li S. , Nair M. N. , Beach C. M. , Edenburn B. M. , Boler D. D. , Dilger A. C. , Felix T. L.
Published: July 2021

ObjectivesRactopamine is a β-adrenergic agonist approved as growth promotant in beef cattle, and it increases muscle deposition while limiting fat deposition. Dietary ractopamine causes a muscle fiber shift in cattle, and the biochemistry of mitochondria in postmortem beef skeletal muscles is influenced by fiber type. Therefore, dietary ractopamine may potentially affect mitochondrial functionality. Nonetheless, the influence of ractopamine on beef skeletal muscle mitochondrial proteome has not been evaluated. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the effects of ractopamine on mitochondrial proteome of postmortem longissimus lumborum (LL) from beef cattle.Materials and MethodsPen-housed crossbred steers were fed either a corn-based basal diet (CON) or a diet top-dressed with Optaflexx 45 (Elanco Animal Health) to provide 400 mg of ractopamine hydrochloride/steer per day (RAC). Ractopamine was fed the last 28 d prior to the harvest. The animals were harvested, and carcasses were chilled for 24 h. The LL muscle samples were obtained from nine (n = 9) RAC and nine (n = 9) CON carcasses. Mitochondrial proteome was analyzed using two-dimensional electrophoresis, and the digital gel images were analyzed. The protein spots exhibiting more than 1.5-fold intensity differences (P < 0.10) between RAC and CON were subjected to in-gel tryptic digestion and were identified by tandem mass spectrometry.ResultsSeven differentially abundant proteins were identified in the mitochondrial proteome. Three proteins were over-abundant (P < 0.10) in RAC, whereas four spots were over-abundant in CON. The proteins over-abundant in RAC mitochondrial proteome was complement component 1 Q subcomponent-binding protein, very long-chain specific acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, and aconitate hydratase. On the other hand, ATP synthase subunit β, prohibitin, Cytochrome b-c1 complex subunit, and thioredoxin-dependent peroxide reductase were over-abundant in CON samples. The differentially abundant proteins belong to four functional groups; i.e., energy metabolism (ATP synthase subunit β, Cytochrome b-c1 complex subunit 1, and aconitate hydratase), chaperone activity (complement component 1 Q subcomponent-binding protein and prohibitin), antioxidant activity (thioredoxin-dependent peroxide reductase), and lipid metabolism (very long-chain specific acyl-CoA dehydrogenase).ConclusionDietary ractopamine impacts mitochondrial proteome in postmortem beef LL muscle and influences the abundance of proteins involved in cellular metabolism and protective mechanisms. The increased protein synthesis and leanness previously reported in ractopamine-fed cattle may be attributed to the decreased expression of enzymes involved in respiratory electron transport pathways and the increased expression of enzymes involved in lipolysis.