bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Rare Genetic Disorders on Family Functioning
Authors: Vermeulen Karlijn , Kleefstra Tjitske , Janzing Joost , Rietman Marloes , Dongen Linde , Bokhoven Hans , Egger Jos , Staal Wouter
Published: December 2021

The increasing presence of genetic neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) results in greater demands for counseling. Many studies focus on the characteristics of patients, but less on family functioning. The aim of this study is to objectify parental stress and to study its relationship with child characteristics and environmental factors across several syndromes. 56 individuals with NDD participated: 24 with Kleefstra Syndrome, 13 with Koolen-de Vries Syndrome, and 19 with other rare (mono) genetic disorders. Parents were asked to complete the General Functioning subscale of the Family Assessment Device (FAD-GF), the Child Behavioral Checklist, and a questionnaire about demographic parental data. 25.5% of the families scored above the cut-off for pathological stress (>2.17). The mean FAD–GF score was 1.84. There was no significant difference between mean FAD-score of the subgroups (p=0,70). (Para)medical counselors should address this high amount of parental stress during counseling and consider these genetic syndromes as complex chronical illnesses.
Intervention Targeting Reading and Working Memory among Struggling Readers in Primary School
Authors: Fälth Linda , Brkovic Irma
Published: December 2021

Working memory is one of our core cognitive functions. It allows us to keep information in mind for shorter periods of time, allowing us to process and work with that specific information. In this randomized control trial, the effects of a training program that combine reading training and working memory training among struggling readers aged 8-9 were investigated. 30 pupils were included in the intervention group and 17 were assigned to the control group. The intervention group received a total of 60 training sessions divided into two eight-week training periods with a four-week pause in between. The results show that children in the intervention group improved significantly better than children in the control group on eight tests: Reading comprehension, Word decoding, Nonsense-word reading, Short-term memory, Working memory, Visuospatial short-term memory, Visuospatial working memory and Working memory for words. The effect was not confirmed for Sight word seeing.
Impact of COVID-19 pandemic (wave 2) and associated lockdown on wound care and the resultant increase in the number of amputations
Authors: G. Lokesh M. , S. Chandrashekar , Talwar Vini
Published: December 2021

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unparalleled impact on the socio-economic and healthcare structure of the entire world, including India. The risk of major amputations has increased during the COVID-19 lockdown.Aim of the study was to conduct a single-centered study on the prevalence of major amputations during the pre-pandemic and pandemic period to evaluate the indirect effect of the COVID-19 lockdown on people with lower limb cellulites and wounds. This study also emphasizes on the importance of easy and routine access to foot-care specialist.Methods: The data of patients attending the outpatient and emergency room of general surgery in K. R. Hospital with complaints of cellulites/wounds/ulcers during the months of March to July was evaluated. The number of amputations done during same time period was analyzed.Results: The patients attending outpatient department (OPD) during the lockdown had a fall, while cases and amputations immediately after lockdown had increased.Conclusions: The findings of the present study, reiterate the role of preventive actions in wound care and stress on the importance awareness of complications if such wounds are ignored.
A prospective study on the role of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy on surgical outcome in resectable oesophageal carcinoma
Authors: Deka Hrishikesh , Das Bhabesh Kumar , Paul Rajiv , Majumdar Supriyo
Published: December 2021

Background: Initial results of the chemo-radiotherapy for oesophageal cancer followed by surgery study (CROSS) comparing neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACRT) plus surgery versus surgery alone in patients with squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus or oesophagogastric junction showed a significant increase in 5-year overall survival in favour of the NACRT plus surgery group after a median of 45 months' follow-up. In this study we will interpret the short-term results of NACRT on resectable, locally advanced oesophageal carcinoma.Methods: Patients with clinically resectable, locally advanced cancer of the oesophagus or oesophagogastric junction (clinical stage T1N1M0 or T2-3N0-1M0, according to the AJCC, 8th  edition) were assigned to receive weekly administration of four cycles of NACRT (intravenous carboplatin [AUC 2 mg/mL per min] and intravenous paclitaxel [50 mg/m 2 of body-surface area] for 23 days) with concurrent radiotherapy (41·4 Gy, given in 23 fractions of 1·8 Gy on 5 days per week) followed by McKeown’s oesophagectomy from 01 January, 2020 to 31 May, 2021.Results: It was observed in our study that 38.46% patients had achieved a CPR after the administration of NACRT as per the CROSS-trial protocol which is comparable to PCR achieved in CROSS trial (29%). All the patients underwent an R0 resection during surgery (100%) which is comparable to CROSS trial (92%).12Conclusions: In our study which had collected data over a period of 17 months we learnt that the administration of NACRT in locally advanced oesophageal cancer was effective in reducing the tumor burden and achieving a satisfactory CPR of 38.46%.
A review of emerging innovations in COVID-19
Authors: Saggi Sakshi
Published: December 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has globally impacted humanity. Human health, productivity, social life and function is affected. Every country has felt effects, domestic as well as international. Emerging technologies also known as disruptive technologies have played a significant role in the pandemic. This literature review is a manifest overview on the utilization of existing technologies during the COVID-19 pandemic. The strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats of the innovative technologies under review have been summarized. Their benefits and further scope of disruptive innovations have been reviewed. The review aims to identify and highlight approaches/gaps for improvement and future application.
Preemptive kidney transplant: indication, outcome and complications
Authors: Alshebani Turki Badr , Alsufyani Sufyan Soud , Almutairi Ashwaq Menwer , Alsuwayq Ridha Mohammed , Wahhas Hadi Mubarak Al , Alhassawi Ali Salah , Alshahrani Ali Mohammed , Alghamdi Abdullaziz Mohammed , Alghamdi Asia Mohammed , Alzamami Jana Fahad , Alkodwr Muntadur Abdulmohsen
Published: December 2021

Dialysis and kidney transplantation are the only available management approaches for these patients. Estimates show that the survival rates and quality of life are significantly higher for patients that receive kidney transplantation than others with dialysis. In addition, the effectiveness of preemptive kidney transplantation was well-evidenced in the literature. It had been further demonstrated that performing preemptive kidney transplantation significantly reduces the complications of renal transplantation and dialysis and was incredibly cost-effective when compared to dialysis. Furthermore, evidence regarding its effectiveness was well-established among studies in the literature as a safe primary management approach for patients suffering from end-stage kidney disease. This literature review discussed preemptive kidney transplantation's indications, outcomes and complications. Our findings indicated the efficacy of the approach for patients suffering from end-stage kidney disease. However, the appropriate selection of the patients was a critical issue. Besides, serious efforts should be exerted to prepare the patient perioperatively. Nevertheless, kidney functions were reported to increase following preemptive kidney transplantation. Graft rejection and delayed graft functions were also reported to follow preemptive kidney transplantation. However, the estimated rates are lower than those for patients having transplantation following the start of dialysis. We encourage further relevant investigations to further elaborate on the long-term findings, prognosis, and complications.
The House on Mango Street: A Parable of Degeneration or a Chicana Rewriting of Charles Kingsley’s The Water-Babies
Authors: Manuel Carme
Published: December 2021

Reading Charles Kingsley’s The Water-Babies (1863) makes it possible for Esperanza Cordero to imagine an idyllic site of empowered identity in The House on Mango Street. Yet, I argue that Esperanza’s transformed identity can only reside outside her original community and that her journey from the sad red house of Mango Street to her reconceived clean house at the end of the text is necessarily a trajectory of desired uprootedness that follows the script presented in The Water-Babies. Like Tom, Kingsley’s protagonist, Esperanza undergoes a metamorphosis to shed off the traits that categorize her as Chicana in order to embrace a remodeled subjectivity and, consequently, become an ontologically deterritorialized Hispanic.
Hybrid perspectives: Muslim and secular discourses in French politics
Authors: Firmonasari Aprillia , Udasmoro Wening , Salzano Roberta
Published: December 2021

Increased immigration, especially from Muslim-majority countries, has been broadly debated in French socio-political life. Frictions have been common between two groups: Muslims and non-Muslims who identify themselves as ‘defenders of secularism.’ At the same time, however, hybrid strategies have emerged in which Muslims and non-Muslims have sought to culturally and socially adapt themselves. Through a review of online French media published between 2017 and 2020, as understood using social constructivism, this study explores the groups’ construction of hybrid identities. Discourses were analyzed to identify their ideological schemes, utterances, references, and arguments, with linguistic analysis facilitated by NVIVO software. Analysis shows that the hybrid discourses of non-Muslim ‘defenders of secularism’ have been more prominent than those of Muslims. Furthermore, the narrative tendencies of these hybrid discourses indicate that non-Muslim groups have sought to promote diversity in religious practices in France, while Muslim groups have sought to integrate themselves into broader French society.
Assessing Safety Culture and its Relationship with Mental Load and Job Stress in the National Gas Company
Authors: Sepehr Parvin , Jabbari Mousa , Erfani Fard Marzieh , Rezapour Shokoofeh , Samimi Kazem
Published: December 2021

Background: Accidents may occur for varying reasons, including unsafe behaviors, which originate from the safety culture of the organization. Job stress and mental load may also be contributory to accidents. This study aimed to assess safety culture and its relationship with mental load and job stress in a national gas company in Iran.
Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted over a period of one year. This study used the NASA-TLX task load index, a standard questionnaire approved by the American National Institute of Mental Health to measure job stress, and the standard Health and Safety Executive safety culture questionnaire. All personnel was counted, and the total number of employees was 122. Statistical methods of t-test, correlation coefficient, and averaging have been used. Data were collected and analyzed in SPSS software and Microsoft Excel software.
Results: The average mental load of employees was 61.51, i.e., moderate level. The average job stress and employee safety culture were 180.43, i.e., high level, and 331.34, i.e., desired level. The mental load was assessed as moderate, safety culture was optimal, and job stress was high. A significant relation was found between safety culture and mental load (correlation coefficient: -0.278; p = 0.03). Besides, the mental load was significantly related to job stress (correlation coefficient=0.293; p =  0.2).
Conclusion: Controlling stress and reducing the mental load in sensitive work environments is important and can lead to a higher level of safety culture in the organization.
Iron, Zinc and Copper from Cereal Food Sources and Cognitive Performance in Older Adults in China
Authors: Wang Yibing , Sun Xun , Ma Hui , Qu Xueling , Wang Haitao
Published: December 2021

Background: We aimed to determine the risk factors associated with cognitive performance in older adults in China.
Methods: A longitudinal study was conducted in a group of 1,898 adults aged 60 yr and over in China, Cognitive score was determined by a modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICSM). The dietary intake of iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) from cereal source foods (CSF) were calculated by using Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and Chinese Food Composition Tables. Descriptive statistics and multivariate mixed regression models were utilized to explore the association between the intake of these elements and cognitive function.
Results: The mean dietary intakes of Fe, Zn and Cu from CSF were 12.01, 6.90 and 1.30 mg/d respectively. Compared with participants in the high-cognitive group, those in the low-cognitive group had lower total dietary intakes of Fe, Zn and Cu. However, with respect to ratios of CSF-Zn, CSF-Fe and CSF-Cu to their respective total values, participants in the low-cognitive group had significantly higher ratios than those in the high-cognitive group. The results of multivariate mixed regression model revealed that although total dietary Zn intake was positively linked with cognitive function, the CSF-Zn/Zn ratio was negatively associated with cognitive performance.
Conclusion: Excessive intake of Zn from a specific food source, such as CSF, was found to be negatively associated with cognitive status. Avoiding over-intake of Zn from CSF foods and diversifying intake of Zn from different food sources seemed to protect individuals from cognitive decline.
Reward-Seeking Behaviors and Behavioral Activation Therapy in Depressed Individuals
Authors: Kamali Ghasemabadi Hossein , Ganji Mahdi , Eslami Mohammadreza , Karimpour Vazifehkhorani Alireza
Published: December 2021

The article's abstract is not available.
Innovative Proposal Concerning the Human Factors Shaping Institutional Responses to Domestic Violence – the IMPRODOVA Project
Authors: Kersten Joachim , Vogt Catharina , Lobnikar Branko
Published: December 2021

The introductory chapter of this book presents the book's structure as a whole and gives a brief overview of its single chapters and their interrelatedness. The aim of IMPRODOVA - Improving Frontline Responses toHigh Impact Domestic Violence was to deliver recommendations, toolkits and collaborative training for European police organisations and medical and social work professionals to improve and integrate theinstitutional response to high-impact domestic violence. IMPRODOVA had two main components: analysis of current institutional responses to high-impact domestic violence and the development of effectivesolutions to improve those responses. Efforts were made to avoid a one-size-fits-all approach and contextualise our solutions, tools and guidelines to make them applicable to a wide range of societies.
Frontline Response to Domestic Violence in Slovenia
Authors: Jereb Karmen , Koropec Oberčkal Aleksander , Prislan Kaja , Slak Boštjan , Lobnikar Branko
Published: December 2021

In Slovenia, domestic violence is a common social problem that infringes upon fundamental human rights. Results of a European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights survey from 2014 showed that, after the age of 15, 22 % of Slovenian women had experienced physical and/or sexual violence, which is 11 % lower than for the EU overall. The European Institute for Gender Equality, in their report from 2017, estimated that the cost of intimate partner violence against women in Slovenia could amount to EUR 440 million annually. Violence against women continues to be underreported and stigmatised. The Slovenian police are one of the main front-line responders that react to domestic violence incidents. A comprehensive protocol is set in place that enables the police to react as effectively as possible. Interinstitutional cooperation is also available to deal with a case of violence in a multidisciplinary team treating domestic violence. Despite the national policy on preventing and eliminating domestic violence, raising public awareness about it, allocating resources to education and training initiatives, an intervention programme for perpetrators, as well as a coordinated system for providing victim assistance – some deficiencies remain in the implementation of these policies.
A Digital Communication Platform for Inter-Agency Collaboration to Manage High-Impact Domestic Abuse
Authors: Vogt Catharina
Published: December 2021

Interagency cooperation is a necessary response to domestic abuse to care best for victim-survivors. However, for many reasons especially pertaining data security, digital solutions to support such action remain scarce. This chapter explains what needs to be considered when installing such a tool into a network of front-line responders' activity by pointing to the advantages of digital communication platforms to manage high impact domestic abuse and summarising what IMPRODOVA researchers' expertise presented regarding the status quo of exchange of information in domestic abuse cases. Afterwards, criteria are defined that need to be fulfilled by an ICT tool set up for the management of domestic abuse by professional front-line responders. Moreover, criteria to be fulfilled by the users of the ICT tool set up for the management of domestic abuse by professional front-line responders are discussed. Finally, the stashcat® app is presented as a suitable tool meeting the before defined criteria to a great extent. This is also attested by the evaluation of the stashcat® app during its piloting by a Slovenian network of front-line responders. In sum, this chapter shows that digital solutions can assist professionals to communicate quick and effectively when supporting victim-survivors of domestic abuse.
Development of a Training Platform on Domestic Violence
Authors: Pfleiderer Bettina , Juszczyk Paulina
Published: December 2021

As part of the IMPRODOVA project, a training platform with training formats and materials was designed to optimise front-line response strategies and enhance interorganisational cooperation to prevent, investigate and mitigate domestic violence. The teaching concept involved two pillars: training platform can either be used as an online self-learning tool to train oneself individually combined with knowledge assessment, case studies and training videos or as a source for training materials on domestic violence for trainers who want to conduct a training on domestic violence on their own. The chapter explains the needs identified through the IMPRODOVA research and requests from front-line responders, focusing on the most relevant topics for the police, the health and the social sector. The training materials specially designed for this training platform and tailored to each domestic violence responder group are presented. The chapter addresses the challenge that even though the English international platform provides a good overview on the EU level and corresponding policies, it does not necessarily reflect national/local context and reference frameworks. The chapter concludes with a description of the evaluation results of the IMPRODOVA training platforms and highlights gaps to improve the platform's usability.
Recommendations for an Innovative Gender-Sensitive Training and Education for Various Frontline Responder Groups
Authors: Pfleiderer Bettina , Juszczyk Paulina
Published: December 2021

Rigid gender roles and gender stereotypes can limit both women's and men's choices, opportunities and access to power and resources. While both sexes suffer from domestic violence, women are more likely to experience repeated and severe forms of abuse, including sexual violence. However, the concept of gender goes beyond numbers, and it is an important human factor that is not integrated sufficiently in existing training, risk assessment tools and procedures. Understanding the gendered nature of domestic violence, but nevertheless taking into account that both men and women can suffer from violence, or be perpetrators, enables front-line responders to develop services that are sensitive to the different needs of individuals affected by domestic violence (DV). This chapter introduces the principles of innovative gender-sensitive training and education for various front-line responder groups. This chapter explains the reasons for it and how the gender norms and perceptions identified in the IMPRODOVA research, which may have a negative impact on front-line responders' responses to DV, were addressed in all IMPRODOVA instruments and guidelines in teaching formats.
Roadmap Towards an Integrated European Response to Domestic Violence
Authors: Lobnikar Branko , Vogt Catharina , Kersten Joachim
Published: December 2021

The main goal of the IMPRODOVA project was to find ways to optimise domestic violence intervention and prevention. We found that effective cooperation of front-line responders comes from a common understanding of the problem. When trying to understand the phenomenon thoroughly, we realised that cross-national comparison of domestic violence definitions is a complex undertaking, as different countries use varied definitions. Intimate partner violence, domestic violence and family violence are used across all countries to describe the phenomenon. However, we can observe primarily gender-based definitions in all three front-line responders sectors. One of the promising findings of our analyses is that international standards are relatively well implemented in all the partner countries. For better cooperation of all stakeholders, we developed a training platform on domestic violence and supported it by analysing the possibilities of using the digital communication platform for inter-agency collaboration to address domestic violence adequately. Multidisciplinary cooperation across the sectors in risk assessment and case documentation was mentioned by many countries as a favourable objective, resulting in more dynamic and comprehensive risk assessment processes. That leads to developing a risk assessment tool – the Domestic Violence Risk Assessment Integration Module to achieve a more integrated European response to domestic violence.
Domestic Violence Risk Assessment and Case Documentation
Authors: Mela Marianne , Houtsonen Jarmo
Published: December 2021

Risk assessment is a cornerstone of domestic violence prevention and intervention. From the front-line responders' perspective, risk assessment constitutes a process that starts from identifying the factors increasing the likelihood of violence and then continues to plan safety measures to manage the sources of risks and prevent the recurrence of violence. To address some of the shortcomings related to the risk assessment of domestic violence, the IMPRODOVA project developed a Risk Assessment Integration Module, RAIMO. The overall purpose of RAIMO is to bridge the gaps between different risk assessment tools and professional perspectives and thereby to generate a shared understanding of risk assessment in multiprofessional and cooperative contexts. While RAIMO can be utilised in learning, teaching and as a databank, in this chapter, we focus on the key aspects and findings in risk assessment research. The chapter also aims to equip front-line responders with applicable information to revise or remodel the existing risk assessment procedures, networks, and tools.
Frontline Response to High Impact Domestic Violence in Bulgaria
Authors: Vassileva Margarita , Delpeuch Thierry
Published: December 2021

t According to the NGO Women Against Violence Europe, an estimated 30 per cent of women in Bulgaria suffer from domestic abuse every year. Thirty-five women were murdered in the context of domestic violence in 2018. The mistrust of law enforcement and the justice system inherited from the communist regime discourages victims from seeking assistance from the police and the judiciary. The issue of violence against women surfaced in the government's agenda due to the debates around the ratification of the Istanbul Convention, which was ultimately rejected. The country policies are characterised by a lack of change in the legal frameworks, a lack of official data, a lack of sufficient financing from the state budget, and a lack of established procedures for handling domestic violence cases. Ineffective coordination between institutions, the failure to make official statistics publicly available, the lack of a national register of acts of domestic violence, the requirement of proof of systemic violence to initiate criminal proceedings, and the lack of resources to support NGOs are all obstacles that result in a high number of acts of domestic violence that goes unaddressed by the courts. NGOs are at the forefront of the fight against domestic violence.
What climate change means for farmers in Africa: A triptych review Right panel: Climate extremes and society's responses, including mitigation attempts as part of preparedness of African farmers
Authors:   Visiting Professor in Africa and Asia for Agromet Vision, Netherlands, Indonesia, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Stigter CJ , Ofori E ,   Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
Published: December 2021

In this paper in three parts, climate change is approached by dealing with the three sides from which the danger comes: (i) global warming, (ii) increasing climate variability, (iii) more (and possibly more severe) meteorological and climatological extreme events. These are the three panels of this triptych review and the right panel on climate extremes and society’s responses, including mitigation attempts as part of preparedness of African farmers, is this part. The occurrence of more (and possibly more severe) extreme meteorological/climatological events, as another likely consequence of climate change, is discussed, reviewing the literature and dealing for Africa with recent droughts and famines. It appears that there is more than sufficient proof that the numbers of disasters have risen globally, and on average at an increasing rate, over the last half a century, with more evidence in the later decades. Extreme hazards have a shorter recurrence time but whether they also have become more severe cannot be easily determined. This is due to developments in observations, populations and vulnerabilities and lack of developments in climate models. Only for increased temperature related disasters, severity has clearly become larger. However, recent more realistic calculations appear to suggest that there has been little change in drought over the past 60 years. In physical terms, there is also little or no evidence of increased severity of floods over the past century. Increasing farmer preparedness will be an important part of better responses to these conditions. The traditional response farming as to droughts, floods (annual recession and recurrent occasional ones), strong winds and other serious disasters should be among starting points. At the end of this paper, the contributions that tropical agriculture can make to reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs) in win-win situations are also dealt with. Soil carbon sequestration has a higher mitigation potential than emission reductions in African agriculture, although both may be important. These are best achieved under management systems with higher carbon density, as well as improved soil conservation. Agroforestry, assisted natural regeneration, forest rehabilitation, forest gardens, and improved forest fallow projects should all be eligible under the Clean Development Mechanism. Throughout the paper text boxes are used that illustrate local conditions that must be taken into account to understand the impacts/consequences of climate change for African farmers and how they may cope with them.
Effect of drying method and variety on quality of cassava starch extracts
Authors:   Federal College of Agriculture, Nigeria, Akintunde BO , Tunde-Akintunde TY
Published: December 2021

Cassava tubers are main sources of calories and dietary fibre for Nigerians. Cassava tubers are highly perishable and need to be processed immediately after harvest. Cassava can be used for human consumption, livestock feed or industrial purposes. Cassava starch is one of the main industrial products of cassava processing. The long drying times for cassava starch production during sun drying have necessitated the need for alternative drying methods. However, the quality of the starch obtained from these alternative drying methods needs to be investigated. Starch was produced from four different varieties (TME 1, TMS 30572, TMS 01/1235 and TMS 01/1181) of cassava using two drying methods (sun and oven drying at 40o C). The physical (yield and moisture content), functional (water binding capacity, swelling power and solubility) and pasting properties of the starch produced were investigated. The moisture content varied from 9.24 to 10.48%, with oven dried TME 1 having the lowest values and sun dried TMS 01/1181 having the highest value. The yield of starch obtained from drying the four varieties using the two drying methods increased from 458.5 to 687.2g per kg of cassava tuber. The water binding capacity, swelling power and solubility increased from 97.97 to 99.83 g water/g sample, 11.69–14.19 g/ml and 10.20 – 12.96% (g soluble solids/ g DM of whole starch sample) respectively, for the different varieties dried using the two drying methods. Peak viscosity, trough, break down, final viscosity, peak time and pasting temperature values for the four cassava varieties were in the range of 335.76–619.89 RVU, 135.67–192.35 RVU, 199.38–433.99 RVU, 196.01–257.72 RVU, 3.23–3.91 min and 70.05–72.95oC, respectively for the two drying methods. The values obtained from the cassava varieties considered were generally significantly different (except colour) which shows significant effect of cassava variety used on starch properties. Also, cassava starch samples dried at lower temperature have better functional and pasting properties. This indicates that alternative drying methods should be used at temperatures lower than 40oC in order to obtain products of high quality.
Application of the flour of four leguminous crops for the control of tenebrionidae beetle (Tribolium castaneum - herbst)
Authors:   University of Douala, Cameroon, Tamgno BR , Ngamo Tinkeu SL ,   University of Ngaoundéré, Cameroon
Published: December 2021

Provender used to breed animals is constituted mainly of cereal flour. However, due to poor post-harvest technologies, more than 35% of annual crop yield is often lost during storage as a consequence of insect attack. While synthetic insecticides constitute an efficient method for reducing these losses; current excessive usage runs the risk of increasing the food insecurity. The use of entomotoxic proteins of leguminous plant for grain storage has been advocated as an alternative method with limited or no effect on the quality and safety of the grains or their products. This study was carried out as an evidence of bioactivity of four flours of seeds of Phaseolus vulgaris , Pisum sativum and two varieties of Glycine max (SJ320 and DOCKO) against adults of Tribolium castaneum Herbst which is a very resistant stored product pest to chemicals in Northern Cameroon. The growth of ten couples of T. castaneum in different formulations made by the mixture of sorghum flours with leguminous seed flours is evaluated 50 days after application. The research carried out reveals that the population of T. castaneum is important in the soybean formulations. In the pots of bean and pea flours, the average numbers of living pests were respectively 21.17 ±10.5 and 32.38 ±18.3 against 65.99 ±28.1 and 95.2 ±36.7 for the pots containing soybean SJ320 and DOCKO flours, respectively. In treatments PP20 and BB20, the number of nymphs 82.4±6.7, 86.6±2.7, respectively and the larvae V 22.2±9.9, 68.8±8.9 in that order decreases comparatively to the control 143.6±7.4, 142±12.5, respectively . The incorporation of these promising flours of pea and bean at a rate of 20% during manufacturer of provender used to feed animals can contribute to their better cereal food conservation and can reduce the residues of chemical pesticides in the environment. The formulation with 20% of black beans or pea flours in sorghum flour ensures an effective control of T. castaneum. The development of a bio insecticide made of flour of pea or black bean is to be considered seriously since their residues are not poisonous to consumers. Cereals which are important and indispensable for the production of animal feed can be preserved from insect attack by the use of natural products, which will contribute to diminish the toxicity of chemical preservatives used in feed, environmental pollution and the phenomenon of resistance of insects to chemical pesticides.
Health and food safety concerns of early dietary introduction of unmodified cow milk to infants in developing countries
Authors:   Kyambogo University, Uganda, Ssemukasa EL , Kearney J ,   Dublin Institute of Technology, Dublin, Ireland
Published: December 2021

The timing of introduction of unmodified cow milk is critical in infant feeding. The objective of this review is to explore the underlying reasons f or the early dietary introduction of unmodified cow milk to infant diets in the sub- Saharan African countries and also to assess the health and food safety concern s for its early introduction. Public health organisations including the America n Academy of Paediatrics recommend that unmodified cow milk should not become part of infant diet before 12 months. Despite the recommendations and the evidence for an increased risk of multiple adverse health outcomes, the prevalence of early weaning and the early introduction of unmodified cow milk remain high in sub-Saharan African countries such as Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia. Return to paid employment, inconsistent infant feeding advice from clinical professionals and maternal sickness are often the registered reasons by the mothers for the early introduction of breast milk substitutes. Therefore, parents should be educated on the health and food safety concerns of early introduction of unmodified cow milk. Unlike breast milk, unmodified cow milk does not provide a balanced diet for infant s aged below 12 months. It contains excessive levels of protein, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and calcium and insufficient levels of iron, vitamin C, and linoleic acid for human infant requirements. Consequently, the early introduction of unmodified cow milk is associated with risks of iron deficiency anaemia, protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome and increased renal solute load. Moreover, the introduction of unmodified cow milk into the infant diets should be delayed as long as possible to prevent the nutritional, health and food safety risks associated with its earlier introduction. It is also important that exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months in sub -Saharan African countries is promoted as it will extend breastfeeding benefits of prevention of iron deficiency anaemia and provide protection against infant nutritional childhood infections. Mothers should also be taught about proper infant feeding practices.
What climate change means for farmers in Africa: A triptych review Middle panel: Introductional matters and consequences of global warming for African farmers
Authors:   Visiting Professor in Africa and Asia for Agromet Vision, Netherlands, Indonesia, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Stigter CJ , Ofori E ,   Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
Published: December 2021

Climate change seriously influences the livelihoods of African farmers. It was, therefore, felt useful to make an inventory of what climate change really means for them. In this review in three parts, climate change is approached by dealing with the three sides from which the danger comes: (i) global warming, (ii) increasing climate variability, (iii) more (and possibly more severe) meteorological and climatological extreme events. These are the three panels of this triptych review. Vulnerable communities already suffer. They are, therefore, urgently in need of assistance aimed at building resilience, and at undertaking climate change adaptation efforts to survive and to maintain their livelihoods. Climate change adaptation projects - especially if implemented in the context of adaptation strategies at the macro level - often mobilize public and private stakeholders, engaging them in the problem-solving process. Scientists have an important role to play in these projects. One of the major problems in guiding rural change, in a rural response to climate change, is the low formal level of education that most farmers have and for which governments have done very little to upgrade it. Improved climate literacy is needed among farmers and a better trained extension that can guide farmers in further rainfall monitoring and rainfall interpretation. Further agro-ecosystem observations that, with the rainfall distribution, explain yields and yield differences are also needed. While it is relatively easy to define technical messages that can be communicated, one must look beyond “adaptation to current climate variability“. The basic vulnerability factors of communities must be targeted. One of the problems faced is that experts on climate variability and climate change do not really know what information the grassroots need in the short- and medium-term. However, people assisting vulnerable communities do not know what science generated products are available and how to use them. In this first part of the paper, the consequences of global warming are dealt with at length. Increasing temperatures and changing rainfall patterns get attention first. Other consequences of increasing atmospheric carbondioxide contents and how they influence agricultural production in Africa are also discussed. Ten text boxes distributed over the three parts illustrate local conditions that must be taken into account to understand the impacts/consequences of climate change for African farmers and how they may cope with them.
Milan and its lost river: when surviving images represent unique narrations of invisible relationships
Authors: Oldani Andrea
Published: December 2021

One of the most predictable implications of photography consists of the ability to fix some images returning them in a variable timeframe for the observation. In all the major world cities, it is common to incur in some book where recent photos are compared to old ones searching the same point of view in order to make the comparison more accurate and stimulate the critical ability of the observer. An exercise that sometimes stimulates a sort of regret for the past, pointing out a diffused excess of nostalgia for times gone by. Nevertheless, the reality and meaning of modern city images are not always so prosaic. What happens when photographs are evocative of a reality that is completely lost in the collective imaginary even though it still exists and functions, despite being forgotten and buried in the depths of the city? This is the case of very few pictures capable of telling the story of a city, Milan, and its only “real” river, the Olona, whose waters, humiliated and rejected, continue to flow in total amnesia. It is a different story when photography does not have the role of nourishing nostalgia, but the power to make visible and explain the variation of a presence and its progressive obliteration. Some pictures testify to the passage from the bucolic amenity of the river and its banks in a pre-urban context to a muscular urban infrastructure. A rigid channelized river, shown with confidence, is trying to keep its presence, until the moment of its inevitable decline and disappearance. It is in these images that the possibility of reconsidering the Olona as a part of the new project for the city lies.
Captive and Captor Representations at Canadian Penal History Museums
Authors: Chen Ashley , Fiander Sarah , Piché Justin , Walby Kevin
Published: December 2021

This article examines representations of prisoners and prison staff from 45 penal tourism sites across Canada. Drawing from literature on representations of criminal justice, we demonstrate that the objects, signs, and symbolism in these heritage sites are curated in ways that can create separation between penal spectators and prisoners. Positive representations of prison staff stand in contrast to depictions of prisoners who are often demonized in museum displays through emphasis placed on narratives, relics, and images of danger and violence. Arguing that these depictions generate conditions for the support and justification of punitive practices including incarceration, we conclude by reflecting on what our findings add to social science literature on representations of captives and captors.
Gamble on the Uncertain. Negotiating Medical Decision-Making
Authors: Serra Helena
Published: December 2021

The aim of this paper is to analyze the medical decision-making process in the admission of patients into a Liver Transplant Program in a hospital in Lisbon, Portugal. The relationships and main strategies established among the medical specializations involved in this process will be investigated. The theoretical basis was drawn from medical sociology, in particular, from the social constructivist approaches, which highlight the relation between medical power and knowledge in the construction of medical decision-making. I attempt to elucidate the processes of negotiation through which a medical decision is constructed. The research methodology included non-participant observation and semi-structured interviews with participants from the two medical specializations of interest: liver surgeons and hepatologists. The management of risk and uncertainty in relation to patients’ access to liver transplantation is discussed and the strategic alliances that are formed during medical decision-making in search of consensus are investigated. The research findings show that medical practices and knowledge do not converge linearly to produce a coherent network of actions with a view to decision-making. Instead, medical decision-making is constructed through complex processes of negotiation. The different natures and levels of uncertainty and indetermination that are inherent in the social world of medicine have a fundamental influence on medical decision-making.
Edgework, Fun, and Identification in a Recreational Subculture: Street BMX Riders
Authors: Scott Shane , Austin D. Mark
Published: December 2021

The sociological study of risk-taking behavior is a relatively recent development. Lyng (1990) and others have developed the field of edgework, or the “sociology of risk-taking.” In this study, we examine a group of edgeworkers to understand the role of fun and identity in a group of BMX “freestyle” bicycle riders and conclude that these riders reject rational reasons, in the sense of the term envisioned by Weber, for riding in favor of choosing an activity that they report as fun, which leads to feelings such as self-actualization and fulfillment. Additionally, they are not concerned that others, outside of the subculture, recognize their status as participants, further suggesting that rationality played little into the calculation used to define success by this group.
Considering Essays: The Social Construction of Subcultural Value
Authors: Grills Scott
Published: December 2021

The article examines the social processes that accompany the social construction of value within subcultural settings. Taking the evaluation of university essays as the case-at-hand, this paper argues for the importance of attending to the generic social process of assigning evaluative meaning. Specifically, this article locates these processes relative to the themes of: 1) socialization of new academics, 2) contextualizing the essay pedagogically and pragmatically, 3) grades as currency, 4) recipes of action and meaning-making, 5) assigning grades, and 6) managing troublesome cases. The collective work that we do to rank, sort, evaluate, and determine the relative worth of social objects reflects a set of processes that are to be found in multiple settings. This article contributes to our understanding of these rather central everyday life activities.
Rescuing the Error: A Methodological Note on the Use of Reflexivity in the Research Process
Authors: Cruz Sofia Alexandra , Monteiro Bruno
Published: December 2021

This article explores the opportunities of a research strategy that integrates both the observation of the object and the observation of the subject (researcher). In a research about shopping centers’ workers, the researchers tried to show how the methodological misfortunes experienced by them, sometimes seen as errors, supported the inquiry on the very experiences of workers. Moreover, such misfortunes enabled an increased awareness about the effects and limits of the conceptual and technical instruments then used. In fact, only the integration of reflexivity in the course of the research enabled further knowledge about workers’ social profiles and the temporal structures of their work activity. Thus, this article highlights the advantages that exist in evidencing and reflecting upon the methodological adversities as a preliminary step to their sociological exploration and shows how the theory is not something to be applied to others, but also that helps the researcher to keep his/her work under close scrutiny.
Fungicides and Bacillus subtilis against fungi isolated from commercial seed of Side oats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula)
Authors: Zárate-Ramos Alicia , Quero-Carrillo Adrián Raymundo , Miranda-Jiménez Leonor , Nava-Díaz Cristian , Robles-Yerena Leticia
Published: December 2021

Banderita (Bouteloua curtipendula), produces abundant and appetizing forage for cattle under extreme arid conditions. The demand for its seed in Mexico is a direct function of the potential for the establishment of pastures and therefore, the sanitary quality of this is fundamental. Phytopathogenic fungi affect the seed and establishment of prairies. The objective was to evaluate in vitro the effect of six agrochemicals and one biological against fungi associated with Banderita seed, to reduce losses caused by these. Treatments were carried out in PDA culture medium combined with Captan, Thiophanate-methyl, Mancozeb, Benomil, Prochloraz, Thiabendazole and Bacillus subtilis at concentrations according to the case of 0 (control), 0.005, 0.001, 0.05, 0.01, 0.5, 0.1, 1.5, 10, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 mg L-1, against Alternaria alternata, Bipolaris cynodontis and Fusarium incarnatum. The bi-directional colony diameter was measured every 48 h. The effective concentration of 50% was estimated by a non-linear regression model; in relation to the percentage of inhibition of mycelial growth. Bacillus subtilis presented higher mycelial inhibition 97% (P <0.05), followed by Thiophanate-methyl (96%), Prochloraz (94%), Captan (93%) and Mancozeb (92%). Benomyl and Thiabendazole showed low inhibition of fungi with 46 and 37%. B. subtilis and Thiophanate-methyl are the products with the greatest possibility of controlling pathogens associated with Banderita grass seeds.