bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
‘It's the outline of a pig and then it has the words underneath, “vegan for life”‘: Vegans and their Tattoos
Authors: Chen Peter John
Published: December 2020

This paper examines the relationships between vegans living in Australia and their tattoos. While tattooing has become an increasingly popular part of mainstream consumer culture, vegans often identify their tattoos in terms of major life events (of which catalysts to become vegan and vegan transition are but one), marks of remembrance or aides-mémoire, and tools to signal to other vegans and begin conversations with non-vegans. Defying simple classification, many of the tattoos sported by vegans are overlaid with multiple meanings. While some aspects of tattoo culture are found within this subset of tattooed people, practice behaviours such as ingredient checking shape tattoo acquisition practices, while the notion of veganism as an ‘final state’ has implications for the way tattoos are commonly seen as marking the ongoing flow of life events. Significantly, a high proportion of vegans’ tattoos express vegan themes implicitly or explicitly, with a significant minority seeing them as part of practices of activism and/or proselytisation. I conclude that this practice is non-trivial and represents an important political practice for many, but certainly not all, of my research participants.
[Review] Laura Jean McKay, The Animals in That Country. Scribe 2020. 288 pp.
Authors: Armstrong Phillip
Published: December 2020

[Review] Laura Jean McKay, The Animals in That Country. Scribe 2020. 288 pp. How do animals experience their lives and their worlds? How can we know? How can we represent their interests if we can’t know? Should we be trying to speak on their behalf at all?
In Memoriam: Dr Deidre Wicks (1949-2020)
Authors: Boyde Melissa
Published: December 2020

In Memoriam: Dr Deidre Wicks (1949-2020)
Shifting the Anthropocentric Paradigms Embedded in Film and Classification (ratings) Systems that Impact Apex Species
Authors: Ford Akkadia , Hammerton Zan
Published: December 2020

Human interactions with nature reveal contradictions and misunderstandings based upon anthropocentric colonising behaviours. Cultural forms such as film and media have played a key role in creating and perpetuating negative affect towards nonhuman species, particularly apex species, shark, crocodile, bear, and snake. From early Hollywood films through to contemporary online series, these majestic species have been subjected to vilification and denigration onscreen, resulting in speciesism, subjugation and colonisation of animals, whilst simultaneously extending human ‘authority’ over nature and perpetuating fear – particularly of apex species. A range of hybrid genre textual examples from screen and media, from fictional (feature) and factual (documentary) film and television (docu-nature series) will illustrate these paradigms. An ongoing issue is the anthropomorphising of species onscreen. Drawing upon extensive work since 2009 with international classifications (ratings) systems, this paper will also examine the positionality of the American Humane Association in monitoring the role and treatment of ‘animal actors’ in film; developing a compelling empirical case for the necessity for reform in classifications (ratings) systems, expanding classification Codes to include non-anthropocentric perspectives and the rights of nature with regard to nonhuman actors in public awareness. The necessity for a nuanced understanding of ontological damage to species is currently not a classifiable theme under any existing classification (ratings) systems. An outcome of this article is the proposed development and implementation of a new classification symbol designated as ‘Animal Shield’. This interdisciplinary article will be presented from the perspectives of an environmental ecologist and cultural film studies scholarship, building upon research into decolonising nature.
Animals in Drama and Theatrical Performance: Anthropocentric Emotionalism
Authors: Tait Peta
Published: December 2020

This article outlines how nonhuman animals are framed by the emotions of drama, theatre and contemporary performance and considers a distinctive tradition in western culture of enacting animal characters who function as surrogate humans. It argues that, contradictorily, while animal characters confirm anthropocentric emotionalism, drama also contains pro-animal values and concern for animal welfare. Animals embodying emotions in theatrical languages are part of the way animals are used in the traditions of western culture and to think and philosophize with, but they also indicate thinking about the emotions in theatrical performance. The article considers if, however, staging living animals can challenge or utilize anthropocentric emotionalism and whether such practices can support the ethical effort to draw attention to other animal species.
An Area-efficient Microstrip Diplexer with a Novel Structure and Low Group Delay for Microwave Wireless Applications
Authors: Yahya Salah I. , Rezaei Abbas
Published: December 2020

In this work, a novel structure of a microstrip diplexer consisting of coupled patch cells is presented. It works at 2.5 GHz and 4.7 GHz for wireless applications. The proposed structure is well miniaturized with a compact area of 0.015 λg2, fabricated on 0.787 mm substrate height. It has two wide fractional bandwidths (FBWs) of 28% and 17.9% at the lower and upper channels, respectively. Another feature of the proposed design is the low group delays, which are better than 0.4 ns for both channels. Moreover, the designed diplexer can suppress the harmonics up to 10 GHz. Meanwhile, the insertion losses at both channels are low. The design method is based on proposing an approximated equivalent LC circuit of a novel basic resonator. The information about the resonator behavior is extracted from the even and odd modes analysis of the proposed equivalent LC circuit. Finally, our introduced diplexer is fabricated and measured to verify the simulation results, where the simulated and measured results are in good agreement.
Adagrad Optimizer with Elephant Herding Optimization based Hyper Parameter Tuned Bidirectional LSTM for Customer Churn Prediction in IoT Enabled Cloud Environment
Authors: Venkatesh S. , Jeyakarthic Dr.M.
Published: December 2020

At recent times, customer churn is an important activity in quickly developing industries such as telecom, banking, e-commerce, etc. Earlier studies revealed that the cost of getting a new customer is considerably higher than the cost of retaining the existing ones. Therefore, it becomes essential to predict the nature of customer churn for retaining the customers to a greater extent. The advent of deep learning (DL) models have begun to be employed for efficient CCP. This paper presents a new Adagrad Optimizer with Elephant Herding Optimization (EHO) based Hyper-parameter Tuned Bidirectional Long Short Term Memory (AG-EHO-BiLSTM) for CCP in Internet of Things (IoT) enabled Cloud Environment. The proposed AG-EHO-BiLSTM model initially acquires the customer data using its devices like smart phones, laptop, smart watch, etc. Next, the gathered data will be classified by the use of Bi-LSTM model, which determines the customers as churner or non-churner. The efficiency of the Bi-LSTM model can be increased through hyper parameter tuning techniques, namely Adagrad optimizer and EHO algorithm to optimally select the parameter values namely learning rate, number of hidden layer and epochs. The performance validation of the AG-EHO-BiLSTM model takes place on benchmark dataset and the simulation outcome reported the supremacy of the AG-EHO-BiLSTM model over the comparative methods.
A study on farmers’ choice in integrating paddy and cattle farming as farm management practices
Authors: Widarni N. A. A. , Kusumastuti T. A. , Putra A. R. S.
Published: December 2020

The study was conducted to examine the farmers’ choice on the technology of the paddy and cattle integration farming and determine factors that affected the integrated adoption. Primary data were collected through personal interview from 198 respondents divided into three categories (‘no integration’, ‘partial integration’, and ‘full integration’) based on the farmer’s utilization of manure and crop residues at Magelang Regency, Central Java Province, Indonesia. Then, the data were analyzed by multinomial logit by using ‘no integration’ as a baseline. The results revealed that 60.6% of farmers had applied ‘full integration’, although most farmers rarely adopt both fermentation and composting technology. In conclusion, formal education, frequency of training, and farming experience were found significant in affecting the integration of paddy and cattle farming practice.
Unfertige Studien 7: Der Tod Marwāns II. und das Massaker von Mosul
Authors: van Ess Josef
Published: December 2020

The aim of this article is to present two early examples of eye-witness-like reports found in Arabic historiography. The two events in question are the death of al-Marwān, the last Umayyad caliph, in 750 CE, and a massacre ordered or let happen by the new governor of Mosul, which took place in the same year. In the narration of the flight and killing of al-Marwān, the protection of the female family members is the main motive for al-Marwān’s actions. The Massacre of Mosul must have been a traumatic experience that endured in the collective memory, involving unprecedented atrocities against civilians. The historian al-Azdī (d. 945 CE) could base his account on the living tradition of the local families even 150 years after the event. There are reports from the perspectives both of victim and perpetrator. The prominent role of women is a characteristic feature of the narrations concerning both events. In the presentation of the texts, particular weight is given to details and nuances which communicate the emotional attitudes or the narrators towards the events and the moral lessons exemplified by them. This is the only way to recognize what could be called the “soul” of the text.
An original multiplex method to assess five different SARS-CoV-2 antibodies
Authors: Favresse Julien , Brauner Jonathan , Bodart Nicolas , Vigneron Alain , Roisin Sandrine , Melchionda Sabrina , Douxfils Jonathan , Ocmant Annick
Published: December 2020

Objectives

Accurate SARS-CoV-2 serological assays are urgently needed to help diagnose infection, determine past exposure of populations and assess the response to future vaccines. The study aims at assessing the performance of the multiplex D-tek COVIDOT 5 IgG assay for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies (N, S1+S2, S1, S2 and RBD).

Methods

Sensitivity and dynamic trend to seropositivity were evaluated in 218 samples obtained from 46 rRT-PCR confirmed COVID-19 patients. Non-SARS-CoV-2 sera (n=118) collected before the COVID-19 pandemic with a potential cross-reaction to the SARS-CoV-2 immunoassay were included in the specificity analysis.

Results

A gradual dynamic trend since symptom onset was observed for all IgG antibodies. Sensitivities before day 14 were suboptimal. At ≥21 days, sensitivities reached 100% (93.4–100%) for N, S1+S2, S2 and RBD-directed IgG and 96.3% (87.3–99.6%) for S1-directed IgG. In 42 out of 46 patients (91.3%), all five antibodies were detected at ≥14 days. The four remaining patients had between 2 and 4 positive antibodies at their respective maximal follow-up period. The specificity was 100 % for S1+S2, S2 and RBD, 98.3% for N and 92.4% (86.0–96.5%) for S1-directed IgG. The combined use of antigens increases the early sensitivity whilst enforcing high specificity.

Conclusions

Sensitivities at ≥21 days and specificities were excellent, especially for N, S1+S2, S2 and RBD-directed IgG. Caution is however required when interpreting single S1-directed reactivities. Using a multiplex assay complies with the orthogonal testing algorithm of the CDC and allows a better and critical interpretation of the serological status of a patient.
Gel point determination of gellan biopolymer gel from DC electrical conductivity
Authors: Jahan Nusrat , Shahnaz Sakiba , Hossain Khandker S.
Published: December 2020

Gellan is an anionic bacterial polysaccharide, which in aqueous solution dissociates into a charged gellan polymer molecule containing carboxyl ions and counter ions and forms thermoreversible gel under appropriate conditions. In this study, we investigated the effect of polymer concentration, the concentration of added monovalent metallic ion, and temperature on the DC electrical conductivity of the gellan. Results suggest that the DC conductivity decreases with the increasing polymer concentrations and the added monovalent metallic ions. Such a decrease in DC conductivity can be attributed to the reduction of the mobility of counter ions due to the increase in the crosslinking density of the gellan network. DC conductivity of gellan gels was increased with temperature, which is interpreted as the dissolution of physically cross-linked networks, thus increasing the mobility of counter ions. The behavior of temperature variation of DC electrical conductivity reveals an abrupt change at a specific temperature, which can be considered a way to determine the gel point or sol–gel transition temperature T
c of this thermoreversible biopolymer gel. This result agrees with that of rheological measurements where the viscosity showed a similar trend with temperature and diverges to infinity at the temperature close to T
c.
Kartographie gelebter Ökotopien
Authors: Daniel Antje , Exner Andreas
Published: December 2020

Die Forschung zu Utopien erfährt neuerdings einen Aufschwung. Sie behandelt jedoch überwiegend fiktionale Sozialutopien. Konkrete utopische Praktiken im Sinne gelebter Utopien wurden dagegen noch kaum untersucht. Viele gelebte Utopien fokussieren auf das Mensch-Natur-Verhältnis. Der vorliegende Artikel fasst diese Praktiken als gelebte Ökotopien und schlägt eine Systematisierung entlang der Dimensionen von Grenzziehung, Temporalität und strategischer Praxis vor. Diese Systematisierung wird anhand empirischer Beispiele für gelebte Ökotopien aus verschiedenen Praxisfeldern illustriert. Indem vielfältige gelebte Ökotopien einen differenzierten Zukunftsraum im Hier und Jetzt eröffnen, politisieren sie den Raum und bieten Beispiele für konkrete Alternativen zur dominanten Form des Mensch-Natur-Verhältnisses.
Experiences of a Little Cuban Town in Quarantine Because of Covid-19: Trade of Agricultural Products in the Search for Food Security
Authors: Milian Gómez Jorge Freddy , Delgado Triana Yanelys
Published: December 2020

Food systems and trade of agricultural products have been affected by States measures in response to the evolution of the Covid-19 pandemic. Cuba, a Caribbean island, is equally hard hit by Coronavirus pandemic. Cuba’s reality becomes much more complex when it has to face the economic and financial blockade imposed as a unilateral coercive measure by the US government, causing the impossibility of buying raw materials abroad to produce first need products and food. This essay, framing the global problem of Covid-19, aims to understand how trade of agricultural products is regulated in Cuba in times of pandemic for quarantine areas, taking specific municipality experiences as a model. It is necessary to disseminate the good experiences following three main constitutional principles: right to adequate food, food safety and municipal autonomy. Main results are based on demonstrating if there is an appropriate articulation between local government, producers and trader’s direct benefits to strengthen the food security of population will be obtained.
PPARGC1A promoter DNA-methylation level and glucose metabolism in Ecuadorian women with Turner syndrome
Authors: Álvarez-Nava Francisco , Salinas Marco , Bastidas Daniela , Vicuña Yosselin , Racines-Orbe Marcia
Published: December 2020

Objectives

Reduced gene expression of PPARGC1A in subjects with insulin resistance (IR) has been reported. Insulin resistance occurs early on the course of Turner syndrome (TS). The main objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between PPARGC1A promoter DNA methylation status in lymphocytes and insulin sensitivity and secretion in Ecuadorian females with TS.

Methods

We examined a cohort of 34 Ecuadorian patients with TS along with a sex-, age- and BMI-matched reference group. All subjects received a standard 75 g oral glucose tolerance test. Insulin resistance and secretion indices were calculated. The PPARGC1A methylated DNA/unmethylated DNA ratio and mitochondrial content (mtDNA/nDNA ratio) were further determined.

Results

Notably, the PPARGC1A DNA methylation level was significantly higher in TS subjects than the reference group and correlated with IR indices. Conversely, mitochondrial content was significantly lower in the study group than healthy controls and negatively correlated with the PPARGC1A methylated DNA/unmethylated DNA ratio in TS individuals. PPARGC1A promoter DNA methylation status contributed to 20% of the total variability in Homeostasis Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) independently of BMI or age in TS subjects.

Conclusions

Our collective findings suggest that expression of PPARGC1A and lower mitochondrial number affect the metabolic phenotype in TS subjects.
Temporal calibration and synchronization of robotic total stations for kinematic multi-sensor-systems
Authors: Thalmann Tomas , Neuner Hans
Published: December 2020

Despite the increasing interest in kinematic data acquisition, Robotic Total Stations (RTSs) are still relatively seldom used. No matter if Mobile Mapping Systems or Control & Guidance, GNSS is mostly used as position sensor, which limits the application to outdoor areas. For indoor applications, a combination of relative sensors is usually employed. One reason why RTSs are not used is the challenging time referencing and synchronization. In this work we analyze the challenges of a synchronized kinematic application of RTSs and present solutions.

Our approach is based on a wireless network synchronization to establish a precise temporal reference frame. The achievable synchronization quality is thoroughly examined. In addition we develop a kinematic model of spherical measurements, that incorporates timing related parameters. To estimate these parameters we propose a temporal calibration utilizing an industrial robot. Both parts of our approach are evaluated using a test setup of two total stations, proofing an overall synchronization accuracy of 0.2 ms. An overall horizontal kinematic point accuracy of 2.3 mm reveals the potential of sufficiently synchronized RTSs.
Empirical analyses of robustness of the square Msplit estimation
Authors: Wiśniewski Zbigniew , Zienkiewicz Marek Hubert
Published: December 2020

The paper presents Msplit estimation as an alternative to methods in the class of robust M-estimation. The analysis conducted showed that Msplit estimation is highly efficient in the identification of observations encumbered by gross errors, especially those of small or moderate values. The classical methods of robust estimation provide then unsatisfactory results. Msplit estimation also shows high robustness to single gross errors of large values. The presented analysis of Msplit estimators’ robustness is of a chiefly empirical nature and is based on the example of a simulated levelling network and a real angular-linear network. Using the Monte Carlo method, mean success rates for outlier identification were determined and the courses of empirical influence functions were specified. The outcomes of the analysis were compared with the relevant values achieved via selected methods of robust M-estimation.
Remarks on a Tropical Key Exchange System
Authors: Rudy Dylan , Monico Chris
Published: December 2020

We consider a key-exchange protocol based on matrices over a tropical semiring which was recently proposed in [2]. We show that a particular private parameter of that protocol can be recovered with a simple binary search, rendering it insecure.
The Strategic Common Law Court of Aharon Barak and its Aftermath: On Judicially-Led Constitutional Revolutions and Democratic Backsliding
Authors: Weill Rivka
Published: December 2020

There is renewed scholarly interest in studying the dynamics of constitutional revolutions and the explanations for the rise of constitutional courts around the world. At the same time, there is growing discussion of democratic backsliding and concern that democracies are exhibiting extremism, weakening of opposition forces and constitutional courts, and violations of civil and political rights that are pertinent to vibrant democracies. Scholars try to study both phenomena and understand the relationship between them. Israel is an important case study for both agendas. This Article analyzes the jurisprudence of Aharon Barak, one of the greatest jurists of our time with a worldwide reputation for revolutionizing both Israeli constitutional law and comparative constitutional law. It explains the tactics and strategy used by Barak to revolutionize Israeli constitutional law on issues of reasonableness, proportionality, standing, justiciability, constitutional review, equality, and supra-constitutional law. It reveals how each revolution paved the way for the next. It offers explanations for the effectiveness of these judicially-led revolutions as well as possible bases for their legitimation. Barak was a common law judge and ultimately treated parliamentary sovereignty as a doctrine arising from common law and constrained by common law, though he never quite put it in these terms. The Article concludes with explanations for the political backlash experienced by the current Israeli Supreme Court that some have characterized as democratic backsliding. It argues that the Court contributes to the development of law as part of a dialog and interaction between the different branches of government. As the Court operates within these dynamics, it must understand and take into account the institutional, political, and social environments in which it operates to preserve legitimacy and achieve efficacy. Barak was a strategic player that laid foundations for an expansive judicial power, but his Court was very prudent in utilizing that power. His successors may have contributed unintentionally to the backlash against the Court by following Barak’s substantive jurisprudence, but not necessarily his prudent tactics and strategy.
Overlooked diversity in Argentine caviomorph rodents: the need to increase field efforts
Authors: Pardiñas Ulyses F. J. , Galliari Carlos A. , Krauczuk Ernesto R. , Rey Nicolás R.
Published: December 2020

Based on a variety of evidence (photographs, feces, specimens), three previously unsuspected caviomorph rodents are reported from Argentina: (1) a spiny rat (Echimyidae) probably belonging to the genus Phyllomys, in northern Misiones Province near Iguazú National Park; (2) an undetermined octodontid (Octodontidae) in western Chacoan Córdoba Province; and (3) the octodontid Spalacopus (Octodontidae), in high-Andean ranges of San Juan Province. The latter constitutes the first record of the genus for Argentina, and all the three findings highlight the necessity to increase collecting efforts in the country.
Serratia marcescens as a cause of unfavorable outcome in the twin pregnancy
Authors: Kljakić Duško , Milosavljević Miloš Z. , Jovanović Milan , Popović Vesna Čolaković , Raičević Saša
Published: December 2020

Several Serratia species are widely distributed in nature, but Serratia marcescens is the only species frequently isolated in hospitals. This pathogen is mainly responsible for nosocomial infection, mostly in immunocompromised hosts. A 26-year-old woman with a twin pregnancy, regularly controlled, was hospitalized at 24 + 5 weeks of gestation due to scant vaginal bleeding, lower abdominal pain, and body temperature up to 37.5°C. Gynecological examination revealed bleeding accompanied by dilatation of the cervix. The laboratory analyses revealed leukocytosis with elevated C-reactive protein (CRP). Treatment was initiated with intravenous antibiotic administration. After admission, fetal membranes spontaneously ruptured, and an extremely preterm dichorionic female twin birth occurred at 25 + 0 weeks of gestation. Both infants died two days after labor. Pathological and microbiological analyses revealed chorioamnionitis caused by S. marcescens. According to the antibiogram, antibiotic treatment was continued for the next 7 days. The examination of cervical and vaginal discharge samples was negative three days and two weeks after therapy. S. marcescens may cause spontaneous miscarriages and, in this important case, caused loss of discordant twins in an extremely preterm birth by an immunocompetent patient. Infection by S. marcescens cannot be excluded as a cause of discordant growth and needs to be confirmed by further research.
Strong convergence of the functional nonparametric relative error regression estimator under right censoring
Authors: Fetitah Omar , Almanjahie Ibrahim M. , Attouch Mohammed Kadi , Righi Ali
Published: December 2020

In this paper, we investigate the asymptotic properties of a nonparametric estimator of the relative error regression given a functional explanatory variable, in the case of a scalar censored response, we use the mean squared relative error as a loss function to construct a nonparametric estimator of the regression operator of these functional censored data. We establish the strong almost complete convergence rate and asymptotic normality of these estimators. A simulation study is performed to illustrate and compare the higher predictive performances of our proposed method to those obtained with standard estimators.
Influence of land development on the ecological status of small water bodies
Authors: Dudzińska Anna , Szpakowska Barbara , Pajchrowska Maria
Published: December 2020

Small water bodies play a specific role in the landscape, as they increase the mosaic pattern of a given area, retain water and affect hydrological regime in adjacent soils. These water bodies are the most important in landscapes that have been largely transformed by man, such as agricultural and urban landscapes. The author of this study assessed the ecological status of small water bodies using the Q index and determined the impact of the development of adjacent areas on their ecological status. The analysis of the Q index referring to water bodies showed that its values changed considerably not only during the whole study period but also during one year (from 1.74 to 4.28). The land use analysis in the designated buffer zones stretching within 500 m and 1000 m from the water bodies showed that arable land occupied the largest area. This fact determines the ecological status of these water bodies. Ecotones that develop around ponds can function as biogeochemical barriers reducing pollution in the area. A total of 116 species of vascular plants were identified in the water bodies under study. Herbaceous plants constituted the largest group – 87 species. Trees and shrubs were represented by 16 species and macrophytes by 16 taxa.
Phosphorus forms in the sediment of seagrass meadows affected mainly by fungi rather than bacteria: a preliminary study based on 31P-NMR and high-throughput sequencing
Authors: Zhao Muqiu , Wang Hui , Wang Shuai , Han Qiuying , Shi Yunfeng
Published: December 2020

Microorganisms play an important role in the circulation of phosphorus (P) in the sediment of coastal wetland ecosystems. In this study, solution 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) was used to determine different forms of P in the sediments of four different seagrass meadows and a bare tidal flat, while high-throughput 16S and ITS rRNA gene sequencing was used to determine the microbial community composition. The solution 31P-NMR spectra revealed six forms of the P compounds detected by the NaOH-EDTA extraction of sediments, where Ortho-P was the most dominant P compound, followed by Mono-P. The Po compounds were more varied in the seagrass meadow sediments and more abundant compared to the bare tidal flat. Bacterial communities in the sediments collected from E. acoroides and fungal communities in the bare tidal flat were relatively different from those at the other sites. The relative abundance of P-cycling-related fungi belonging to the phylum Ascomycota was 26.20% and was much higher than that of bacteria (only 0.29%) belonging to the class Bacilli. Mono-P was the major factor determining the distribution of P-cycling-related fungi and negatively correlated with the relative abundance of Aspergillus and Trichoderma. We believe that fungi can affect P forms in the sediment of seagrass meadows more than bacteria.
Zambian farm blocks: A vehicle for increased private sector investments
Authors: Middelberg Susanna L. , van der Zwan Pieter , Oberholster Cobus
Published: December 2020

The Zambian government has introduced the farm block development programme (FBDP) to facilitate agricultural land and rural development and encourage private sector investment. This study assessed whether the FBDP achieves these goals. Key obstacles and possible opportunities were also identified and, where appropriate, specific corrective actions were recommended. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews conducted in Lusaka with various stakeholders of the FBDP. The FBDP is designed to facilitate agricultural land development and encourage private sector investment. However, the programme falls far short in terms of implementation, amidst policy uncertainty and lack of support. This is evident by the insecurity of land tenure which negatively affects small- and medium-scale producers’ access to financing, lack of infrastructure development of these farm blocks, and constraints in the agricultural sector such as low labour productivity and poor access to service expertise. It is recommended that innovative policy interventions should be created to support agricultural development. This can be achieved by following a multistakeholder approach through involving private, public and non-profit sectors such as non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and donors.
Antimicrobial magnetic poly(GMA) microparticles: synthesis, characterization and lysozyme immobilization
Authors: Erol Kadir , Tatar Demet , Veyisoğlu Aysel , Tokatlı Ali
Published: December 2020

Micron-sized magnetic particles currently find a wide range of applications in many areas including biotechnology, biochemistry, colloid sciences and medicine. In this study, magnetic poly(glycidyl methacrylate) microparticles were synthesized by providing a polymerization around Fe(II)-Ni(II) magnetic double salt. Adsorption of lysozyme protein from aqueous systems was studied with these particles. Adsorption studies were performed with changing pH values, variable amount of adsorbent, different interaction times and lysozyme amounts. The adsorption capacity of the particles was investigated, and a value of about 95.6 mg lysozyme/g microparticle was obtained. The enzyme activity of the immobilized lysozyme was examined and found to be more stable and reusable compared to the free enzyme. The immobilized enzyme still showed 80% activity after five runs and managed to maintain 78% of its initial activity at the end of 60 days. Besides, in the antimicrobial analysis study for six different microorganisms, the minimum inhibitory concentration value of lysozyme immobilized particles was calculated as 125 μg/mL like free lysozyme. Finally, the adsorption interaction was found to be compatible with the Langmuir isotherm model. Accordingly, it can be said that magnetic poly(GMA) microparticles are suitable materials for lysozyme immobilization and immobilized lysozyme can be used in biotechnological studies.
Smartphone-Sucht – Ursachen, Folgen und Prävention der exzessiven Nutzung
Authors: Scherenberg Viviane
Published: December 2020

Angesichts der hohen Verbreitung von Smartphones in der Bevölkerung, aber auch der Zunahme an Apps, gerät das Thema Smartphone-Sucht immer mehr in den Blickwinkel der Forschung sowie der Prävention und Gesundheitsförderung. Auf Basis vorliegender Studien gibt der Beitrag einen Überblick über die gesundheitlichen Folgen sowie psychologischen Ursachen des exzessiven Smartphone Gebrauchs, um mögliche präventive Maßnahmen abzuleiten.
Association of bisphenol A with puberty timing: a meta-analysis
Authors: Meng Hui , Zhou Yunping , Jiang Yunxia
Published: December 2020

Objectives

The results of existing studies on bisphenol A (BPA) and puberty timing did not reach a consensus. Thereby we performed this meta-analytic study to explore the association between BPA exposure in urine and puberty timing.

Methods

Meta-analysis of the pooled odds ratios (OR), prevalence ratios (PR) or hazards ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated and estimated using fixed-effects or random-effects models based on between-study heterogeneity.

Results

A total of 10 studies involving 5621 subjects were finally included. The meta-analysis showed that BPA exposure was weakly associated with thelarche (PR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.93–0.99), while no association was found between BPA exposure and menarche (HR: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.89–1.12; OR: 1.02, 95% CI: 0.73–1.43), and pubarche (OR: 1.00, 95% CI: 0.79–1.26; PR: 1.00, 95% CI: 0.95–1.05).

Conclusions

There was no strong correlation between BPA exposure and puberty timing. Further studies with large sample sizes are needed to verify the relationship between BPA and puberty timing.
The therapeutic potential of mitochondrial transplantation for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders
Authors: Espino De la Fuente-Muñoz César , Arias Clorinda
Published: December 2020

Mitochondrial activity is essential to support neural functions, and changes in the integrity and activity of the mitochondria can contribute to synaptic damage and neuronal death, especially in degenerative diseases associated with age, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Currently, different approaches are used to treat these conditions, and one strategy under research is mitochondrial transplantation. For years, mitochondria have been shown to be transferred between cells of different tissues. This process has allowed several attempts to develop transplantation schemes by isolating functional mitochondria and introducing them into damaged tissue in particular to counteract the harmful effects of myocardial ischemia. Recently, mitochondrial transfer between brain cells has also been reported, and thus, mitochondrial transplantation for disorders of the nervous system has begun to be investigated. In this review, we focus on the relevance of mitochondria in the nervous system, as well as some mitochondrial alterations that occur in neurodegenerative diseases associated with age. In addition, we describe studies that have performed mitochondrial transplantation in various tissues, and we emphasize the advances in mitochondrial transplantation aimed at treating diseases of the nervous system.
The soundscape as the transformatrice in some Dene songs and stories
Authors: Spencer Jasmine
Published: December 2020

In this article, I theorize the soundscape of Dene “myth”—stories and songs that are both philosophically and literally true—by defining an interpretive template for listening actively to these ecologically and spiritually powerful expressions. I offer two central and interlinked concepts for figuring the soundscape: (1) narrative revitalization and (2) animal grammar. Together these concepts describe the power of animal stories to live: and to enable life. As a key premise of my analysis, I accept Dene “myth” as true.
The misleading nature of flow charts and diagrams in organizational communication: The case of performance management of preschools in Sweden
Authors: Ledin Per , Machin David
Published: December 2020

It has become common to find diagrams and flow-charts used in our organizations to illustrate the nature of processes, what is involved and how it happens, or to show how parts of the organization interrelate to each other and work together. Such diagrams are used as they are thought to help visualization and simplify things in order to represent the essence of a particular situation, the core features. In this paper, using a social semiotic approach, we show that we need to develop a much more critical sense of how these diagrams and flowcharts can easily abstract, conceal and substitute actual causalities, work roles and relationships. We demonstrate this using the example of a series of interrelated flows-charts used to implement a new system of target-based learning in preschool/kindergartens in Sweden – a system which works highly in favor of a rapidly privatizing education sector. Here, the flow charts shape how school processes and learning are presented to devalue the former system and value the new.
Croatia’s Presidency of the European Union and the Western Balkans . A New Momentum or a Missed Opportunity?
Authors: Cipek Tihomir
Published: December 2020

This text will reconstruct the main determinants of Croatia’s foreign policy to the European Union (EU) and the Western Balkans. It will demonstrate why, after joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and the EU, Croatia needs a new foreign policy goal. I will advocate a thesis that Croatia is looking for a place of its own within the EU, but that it has not yet managed to find it due to its dual foreign policies approach—the government’s, which was pro-European, and that of the previous president of the country, which was pro-American. The election of the new president and the presidency of the EU has given Croatia a chance to set a new goal for its foreign policy. Specifically, in its focus on Europe, could Croatia’s new role be found in guiding the enlargement process in the Western Balkans?
In vitro antimicrobial, antioxidant, cytotoxic activities, and wound healing potential of Thymbra capitata ethanolic extract
Authors: Hepokur Ceylan , Misir Sema , Tunç Tutku , Tutar Ugur , Hepokur Ali Ihsan , Çiçek Mehmet
Published: December 2020

Objectives

In this study, we aimed to detect the chemical compounds of Thymbra capitata ethanolic extract (TC-EtOH) as well as to evaluated its antimicrobial, antioxidant, cytotoxic activities, and in vivo wound healing effects.

Methods

The chemical composition of TC-EtOH was analyzed by Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Antioxidant and antimicrobial properties were determined with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), disc diffusion test and broth micro-dilution (minimal inhibitory concentration [MIC]) methods, respectively. Cytotoxic activity was tested on MG63 (human osteosarcoma) and MCF-7 (human breast carcinoma) cells by 2,3-bis-(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide (XTT) assay. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) protein levels were determined by ELISA.

Results

The major components of TC-EtOH were tetratria contane (14.92%), camphor (12.50%), and terpineol (10.77%). TC-EtOH showed powerful antimicrobial activity in C. Tropicalis (0.03 mg/mL). The IC50 values of the TC-EtOH of the DPPH were determined 21.5 μg/mL. The IC50 values were calculated 37.28 and 44.40 μg/mL on the MG63 and MCF-7 cell lines, respectively. It was observed that the wounds treated with TC-EtOH showed a faster healing.

Conclusions

According to results, T. capitata species are thought to be natural antioxidants and a novel pharmaceutical compound for the pharmaceutical industry.
Knowing about Genocide: Armenian Suffering and Epistemic Struggles
Authors: Savelsberg Joachim J.
Published: December 2020

How do victim and perpetrator peoples generate conflicting knowledge about genocide? Using a sociology of knowledge approach, Joachim J. Savelsberg answers this question in the context of the Armenian genocide committed during the First World War. Focusing on Armenians and Turks, Savelsberg examines strategies of silencing, denial, and acknowledgment in everyday interactions, public rituals, law, and politics. He draws on interviews, ethnographic accounts, documents, and eyewitness testimony to illuminate the social processes that drive dueling versions of history. Ultimately, this study reveals the counterproductive consequences of denial in an age of human rights hegemony, demonstrating the implications for populist disinformation campaigns against overwhelming evidence.
Dysregulated healing responses in diabetic wounds occur in the early stages postinjury
Authors: Boodhoo Kiara , Vlok Mare , Tabb David L , Myburgh Kathryn H , van de Vyver Mari
Published: December 2020

Chronic wounds are a serious and debilitating complication of diabetes. A better understanding of the dysregulated healing responses following injury will provide insight into the optimal time frame for therapeutic intervention. In this study, a direct comparison was done between the healing dynamics and the proteome of acute and obese diabetic wounds on days 2 and 7 following injury. Full thickness excisional wounds were induced on obese diabetic (B6.Cg-lepob/J, ob/ob, n = 14) (blood glucose 423.25 ± 127.92 mg/dL) and WT control (C57BL/6J, n = 14) (blood glucose 186.67 ± 24.5 mg/dL) mice. Histological analysis showed no signs of healing in obese DM wounds whereas complete wound closure/re-epithelisation, the formation of granulation tissue and signs of re-vascularisation, was evident in acute wounds on day 7. In obese DM wounds, substance P deficiency and increased MMP-9 activity on day 2 coincided with increased cytokine/chemokine levels within wound fluid. LC-MS/MS identified 906 proteins, of which 23 (Actn3, Itga6, Epb41, Sncg, Nefm, Rsp18, Rsp19, Rpl22, Macroh2a1, Rpn1, Ppib, Snrnp70, Ddx5, Eif3g, Tpt1, FABP5, Cavin1, Stfa1, Stfa3, Cycs, Tkt, Mb, Chmp2a) were differentially expressed in wounded tissue on day 2 (P < 0.05; more than two-fold) and 6 (Cfd, Ptms, Hp, Hmga1, Cbx3, Syap1) (P < 0.05; more than two-fold) on day 7. A large number of dysregulated proteins on day 2 was associated with an inability to progress into the proliferative stage of healing and suggest that early intervention might be pivotal for effective healing outcomes. The proteomic approach highlighted the complexity of obese DM wounds in which the dysregulation involves multiple regulatory pathways and biological processes.
Providing Opportunities for Meaningful Activities for Covid-19 Patients: A Community Response
Authors: Knowles Emily , O'Donnell Casey , Lynch Amy , Snethen Gretchen
Published: December 2020

Context: Patients hospitalized for Covid-19 are at high risk for experiencing isolation, boredom, anxiety, and depression. These psychosocial issues can contribute to poorer health outcomes.

Objective: The purpose of this project was to bridge the gap between patient needs and available resources: bringing supplies to the patients, such that they could participate in meaningful activities in the isolation of their rooms, with hopes of mitigating aspects of loneliness and boredom.  

Case Report: This case study describes the activities of the occupational and recreational therapy academic programs initiated in order to resource supplies from the community in response to a request from the hospital. A carload of technology and non-technology activity resources were delivered to the hospital and distributed to patients.  A treating physician provided an overview of the patient response.

Patient Experience: Staff reported fewer complaints of isolation and boredom following the delivery of resources. This also increased staff morale.

Conclusion: Providing resources patients can independently utilize may reduce feelings of isolation and boredom, which may improve health outcomes.
Risk Factors of Collateralized Loan Obligations and Corporate Bonds
Authors: Wahrenburg Mark , Barth Andreas , Izadi Mohammad , Rahhal Anas
Published: December 2020

Structured products like collateralized loan obligations (CLOs) tend to offer significantly higher yield spreads than corporate bonds (CBs) with the same rating. At the same time, empirical evidence does not indicate that this higher yield is reduced by higher default losses of CLOs. The evidence thus suggests that CLOs offer higher expected returns compared to CB with similar credit risk. This study aims to analyze whether this return difference is captured by asset pricing factors. We show that market risk is the predominant risk factor for both CBs and CLOs. CLO investors, however, additionally demand a premium for their risk exposure towards systemic risk. This premium is inversely related to the rating class of the CLO.
90Sr and 137Cs inventories in the depots and biogenic fluxes of the typical forest stands in the Chernobyl exclusion zone
Authors:   National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine, Holiaka D.M. , Levchuk S.E. , Yoschenko V.I. , Kashparov V.A. , Yoschenko L.V. , Holiaka M.A. , Pavliuchenko V.V. , Diachuk P.P. , Zadorozhniuk R.M. , Morozova V.S. ,   Institute of Environmental Radioactivity at Fukushima University, Fukushima, Japan
Published: December 2020

The paper reports results of the study of depots and biogenic fluxes of 90Sr and 137Cs in the typical coniferous (Scots pine) and deciduous (Silver birch) forest ecosystems of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone during 2016 - 2018. Data on activity concentrations and shares of the total activity of the studied radionuclides in the components of aboveground and underground biomass and their vertical distributions by 10 cm layers of the soil profile up to a depth of 1 m are presented. The downward and upward fluxes of 90Sr and 137Cs activity (including the processes of their deposition as a result of growth and formation biomass) are calculated in annual terms. Significantly higher 90Sr mobility in elements of forest ecosystems than 137Cs is confirmed. The estimated flux values for the investigated forest areas indicate a gradual further increase in the share of these radionuclides in the aboveground biomass components (up to 0.9 %·year-1 from the total activity in forest ecosystems) owing to the increase of organic matter stocks.