bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Special Operations Forces in United Nations Peace Keeping Operations
Authors: Dacin Octavian
Published: February 2023

Special Operation Force’s had started to participate in the United Nations peacekeeping operations not long ago, but the consensus on acceptability of their use in peacekeeping operations has already been reached. Present article analyzes views on SOF use in peacekeeping as expressed by the specialist and enshrined in guidance documents of different countries, explores normative regulation formalized in mandates of respective peacekeeping operations and contemplates typical SOF tasks in peacekeeping operations as defined by the UN in „United Nations Peacekeeping Missions Military Special Forces Manual“.
The Hermeneutics of the Notions of “classification” and “typology”
Authors: Postu Ion , Rusnac Veronica
Published: February 2023

In this article, the authors interpret the polyvalence of the notions of classification and typology, in order to highlight specific features and divergent elements. Some definitions are discussed and the dual nature of classification—as a process and as an outcome—is highlighted. Classification and typology are seen as conceptual operations, which are united by a single goal — the ordering of a given set of objects. The authors conclude that classification focuses on classes, and typology — on types, and that within classifications each element can be assigned to a single class, depending on the criterion chosen for differentiation, but within typology — the same element can be part of several types. In the context of the systematization of contemporary legal systems, the authors state that some of them cannot be attributed to any class, which goes against the logic of classification, instead, from the point of view of typology, there may be atypical legal systems, which they do not contain elements specific to any type.
Conceptual Landmarks Regarding the Right to Private Life
Authors: Butnaru Iulia
Published: February 2023

Despite the attention paid in recent years to privacy, there is still no agreement on the exact meaning of the term. We believe that of all the fundamental rights, privacy is the most difficult category to define because of the specific aspects inherent to it. Nowadays, it is more and more difficult to protect privacy and, in particular, the privacy of information as a value. At the global level there are fears regarding the violation of privacy due to the increase in the power and speed of information technology. By virtue of them, it is absolutely necessary to develop and implement at the state level a viable mechanism for the protection of the right to privacy. Considering the evolution over time of the notion of privacy, as well as taking into account the sensitive connotations it carries, we could define the right to privacy as follows: „The right to private life is a right to individualism, which consists in the ability to live safe from the eyes of others, as well as the ability to establish and develop relationships with others”.
The Normative Framework for Criminalizing War Crimes Against Persons in Terms of Comparative Law
Authors: Sorbala Mihail , Vasilascu Irina
Published: February 2023

The international community has reached a peak in which the development and security of humanity can no longer be addressed individually. In this context, it appears to be empirical to coordinate the efforts of all states to achieve the supreme interests of the international community. The principles and rules of international law relating to the conduct of hostilities, means and methods of combat used in armed conflict are intended to limit the destructive effects of military confrontations and to prevent unnecessary destruction, to humanize the use of force of arms, and to persuade combatants to refrain from excess, beyond any reason and justification. War crimes are condemnable not only from a legal point of view, but also from a moral, ethical or religious point of view, because they represent violations of legal norms, aiming to harm the innocent and unprotected.
Exploring the Potential of Wild Salvia macilenta Boiss. of Oman as Nutraceuticals
Authors: Nadaf Saleem , Sabahi Jamal , Lawati Ali , Mamari Almandhar , Kindi Fatima , Mawal Abdulaziz , Ruqaishi Houda , Ghafri Ahmed , Farsi Amina , Saady Nadiya
Published: February 2023

Background: Several plant extracts are now prescribed as nutraceuticals for human ailments in developed countries like China, France, Germany, the UK, USA including Oman. The objective of this study was to investigate on morphological characteristics, chlorophyll content of leaves, leaf chlorophyll, essential oil, and its chemical compounds to examine the possibility of isolating its incipient chemical compounds commercially in wild Salvia macilenta Boiss.
Methods: Leaf samples of ten randomly selected Salvia plants were collected from two diversified wadi habitats. Edaphic features of the sites were recorded and their chemical contents, determined. Morphological characters were measured and chlorophyll contents, recorded. The essential oil (EO) was extracted and analyzed for chemical compounds. The data were statistically analyzed.
Results: Al-Khoud plants had higher expressivity in all the morphological characters and chlorophyll contents than those of Halban. The EO yields of Salvia macilenta were 0.06 % (v/w) and 0.088 % (v/w) for the plant samples of Al-Khoud and Halban, respectively. The values of commonly occurring chemical contents of plants of two sites were found statistically similar (p<0.05). The top ten chemical compounds of plants contributed over 75% of the total and were common with seven chemical compounds. Of the ten top chemical compounds, alpha-Pinene, beta- Eudesmol, and Nerolidol contributed the highest in the same range from 61.13% (Al-Khoud) to 62.95% (Halban). These three compounds have the potential for use in both the pharmaceutical and perfumery industries.
Conclusion: Wild Salvia plants can be exploited with Good Agriculture Practices for their medicinal and aromatic application.
Determining Nursing Students’ Dominant Learning Styles and Evaluating the Affecting Factors Using Decision Tree Method
Authors: mehmet Didem , rkbir lknur , nba Bahar , l i
Published: February 2023

Aim and Background: Identifying the learning styles is important to ensure full and effective learning in nursing students studying in a field that requires clinical practice and experience. For this aim, determined the dominant learning styles of nursing students and to evaluate the affecting factors using the decision tree method.
Methods: The study was conducted with 421 students studying nursing at a university in Turkey. “CART”, “CHAID” and “QUEST” decision tree algorithms were used to evaluate the factors affecting learning styles.
Results: Of the students, 48% had visual, 36% tactile, 9% kinesthetic, and 7% auditory learning styles. In the decision tree model, living place and university entrance scores were found to have statistically significant effects on learning styles (p<0.05).
Conclusion: This study determined that nursing students predominantly had the visual learning style and that the living place was the variable with the most pronounced effect on learning style.
The impact of statin therapy in the COVID-19 patients with very high cardiovascular risk
Authors: Demirci Duygu , Demirci Deniz , Cam Hande , Onder Kubra , gul Figen , Koker Gokhan , elik Gulhan
Published: February 2023

Antithrombotic and anti-inflammatory impacts of statins have been studied in viral pneumonia. However, the clinical benefits of statins have not been fully explored in high-risk patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Therefore, the present study assessed the effect of statin use in hospitalized COVID-19 patients with very high cardiovascular risk. Consecutive COVID-19 patients admitted from June 1 to December 31, 2020, were analysed retrospectively. Propensity score-matched analysis was used for creating a 1:1 matched cohort. COVID-19 patients with and without statin use were compared for demographic data, comorbidities, treatments, laboratory findings and in-hospital outcomes. 707 patients (56±9.3 years old; 37% female) were included. Among those, 24.6% (n=174) received statin therapy. A propensity-matched group of 342 patients (171 receiving statins and 171 not receiving statins) was demarcated. The present study demonstrated that statin use significantly reduced in-hospital mortality within 30 days (primary end-point) in univariate (OR=0.314, 95% CI: 0.195 to 0.507) and multivariable-adjusted analysis (OR=0.348, 95% CI: 0.187 to 0.648). Among hospitalized COVID-19 patients with very high cardiovascular risk, statin use was found to be significantly associated with reduced in-hospital 30-days mortality.
Vascular effects of gestational diabetes can be recognized by carotid intima-media thickness: a prospective case-control study
Authors: Kahraman Ercan , Senturk Metin , Aladag Hulya , m Engin
Published: February 2023

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a systemic disease that has poor maternal and fetal health outcomes. Patients who are diagnosed with GDM are more likely to encounter cardiovascular system diseases during pregnancy and after birth. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is used as an early indicator of diseases such as coronary artery disease. This study aims to define the effects of hyperglycemia at an early term using CIMT, maternal and fetal doppler flows in patients diagnosed with GDM. The study included 132 pregnant women who had reached the 24th gestational week. (GDM group n=65, Control group n=67) Comparisons were performed between women with similar demographic characteristics who received a 100-gr oral glucose test (OGT) and GDM diagnosis and who did not. The participants’ routine hemograms and biochemical tests were done during OGT. Fetal biometrics, amniotic fluid index, uterine artery doppler flow, and bilateral CIMT measurements were performed during the obstetric examinations. Gravida, para, and live birth rates of the GDM group participants were higher than those of the control group (p=0.003, 0.002, 0.002 respectively). The amniotic fluid index was found to be higher in the GDM group (p<0.001). Fasting glucose values and platelet counts were higher in the GDM group (p=0.031 and p<0.001). Other laboratory data demonstrated no statistically meaningful differences between the groups (p>0.05). When the doppler measurements were compared, umbilical artery pulsatility index values were discovered to be similar between the groups (p=0.509). While the right uterine artery (UtA) pulsatility index was higher in the GDM group (p<0.001), no statistically significant differences were found between the groups in terms of the left UtA pulsatility index (p=0.485). Right and left CIMTs were higher in the GDM group (p=0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001 respectively). While in the GDM group there was a positive correlation between the thrombocyte level and uterine artery resistance (r=0.336, p=0.006; r=0.397, p=0.044 respectively), no similar correlations were found in the control group. This study found that GDM patients had inflammation, increased resistance in uterine artery flow, and increased CIMT. It has been shown, there is a correlation between CIMT and glucose levels and between thrombocytosis and UtA resistance in GDM patients. Uterine artery doppler data and CIMT measurements could be used as an indicator of systemic inflammation and cardiovascular disease in patients with GDM.
Complicated and suppurative skin soft tissue infections: our four-year cases
Authors: Kurt Celali
Published: February 2023

Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are common community and hospital-acquired infections and rarely result in severe morbidity and mortality. It is not always possible to obtain cultures and isolate the causative agent in these patients, primarily treated with empirical antibiotics. In this retrospective cross-sectional study, 57 patients with complicated SSTI followed between 2018 and 2022 with purulent and necrotizing characteristics or growth in blood cultures were included. Thirty-eight patients (66.7%) were male, and 39 (68.4) had diabetes. In 43 (75.5%) patients, the infection was in the lower extremity and gluteal region. Gram-positive agents were detected in 35 patients (61.4%), Gram-negative agents were found in 13 patients (22.8%), and Gram-positive and Gram-negative mixed growth was detected in 1 patient (1.8%), and no causative agent could be produced in 8 (14%) patients. Of the 21 Staphylococcus aureus produced, 4 (19%) were methicillin-resistant (MRSA). Growth was detected in blood cultures in three patients (5.3%), and all were streptococcal bacteria. It was observed that 31 patients (54.4%) required hospitalization for treatment, and 29 (50.8%) required surgical intervention such as drainage, aspiration, debridement, or amputation. Three patients (5.3%) died, and four (7%) underwent amputation. There was no significant difference between diabetic and non-diabetic patients regarding factors and mortality–morbidity. In the logistic regression analysis, none of the variables of gender, type of causative agent, presence of diabetes, and site of infection significantly affected severe morbidity and mortality. Since it was detected at a low rate in our cases, it can be said that MRSA and P.aeruginosa do not need to be considered in every patient for the initial empirical treatment, Gram-negative rods can be taken into account, especially in diabetics, and broad-spectrum and combined antibiotics are not needed in the vast majority of patients. Microbiological follow-up and sensitivity studies at regional and global scales will need to continue to guide empirical treatments in SSTIs.
The effect of kinesio taping on neck pain in academicians
Authors: Uzun Gokce , Demirel Emre , Inceoglu Feyza , Arpaci Muhammed , Arslan Ayla , Pekmez Hidir
Published: February 2023

Pain in the neck is one of the oldest and most common problems known to mankind. Neck pain is generally defined as a feeling of discomfort felt in the side and back of the neck. This study aimed to investigate the effect of KT on neck pain in academicians with neck pain. We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of taping by using the Bournemouth Neck Questionnaire before and after to evaluate neck pain. A total of 40 people, 18 male, and 22 female participated in the study. Academicians with neck pain were included in our study. Demographic information such as age, height, weight, gender, regular sports habits, daily smoking, and chronic disease status was questioned. "Y" and "I" bands were applied to the participants. The "Y" band was applied to the lower end of the cervical 7th vertebra (Vertebra Prominens) with submaximal tension, and the other two ends were applied to the right end of the right end to the proc. mastoideus of and temporal bone the left end to the processus (proc.) mastoideus of the left temporal bone. The "I" band was applied to the pars transversa of the trapezius muscle with moderate tension. The applied bands remained on the participants for 72 hours (3 days). In addition, the Bournemouth Neck Pain Questionnaire consisting of 7 questions was applied to the participants, questioning the intensity of pain, inadequacy in activities of daily living, inadequacy in social activities, anxiety, emotional aspects of depression, kinesiophobia, and ability to control pain. The Bournemouth Neck Pain Questionnaire was administered twice before and 10 days after the taping procedure and the results were compared. It was observed that the Bournemouth Neck Pain Scale scores before taping were higher than after taping in the participants included in the study. The decrease in Bournemouth Neck Pain scale scores after taping was statistically significant (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the Bournemouth Neck Pain Scale scores between those who do and do not do regular sports before taping (p>0.05), but a statistically significant difference was found after taping (p<0.05). It has been concluded that KT is an effective method in the treatment of neck pain in academics who spend a long time at the computer and desk. We believe that the study will contribute to clinicians, researchers and the literature.
Our anesthesia management in a bipolar pregnant case in third trimester
Authors: Tunc Yeliz , Karaaslan Erol , Ozkan Ahmet
Published: February 2023

Bipolar disorder is one of the most common psychiatric disorders during pregnancy. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a potent treatment option for pregnant bipolar cases who do not respond to medical treatment and have a high risk of suicide. In this report, we aimed to present the anesthesia management of a 34-week pregnant woman with bipolar disorder who underwent ECT due to the increase in the frequency of manic episodes despite medical treatment. Induction of labor remains an important risk in the application of ECT in third-trimester pregnant women. Further large-scale randomized controlled studies using different anesthetic agents are needed.
Comparison of effectiveness of video-assisted learning and didactic lectures in learning physiology among 1st year MBBS students
Authors: Abraham Minu , Vadasseril Elizabeth , Varghese Ceema
Published: February 2023

Background: Video-assisted learning makes the learning environment effective and engaging for a wide range of learners with different levels of prior knowledge and interests.

Aim and Objectives: The objectives of this study were to compare the effectiveness of video-assisted learning and didactic lectures as teaching methods among 1st year MBBS students and to evaluate the feedback regarding the teaching methods from students.

Materials and methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted among 100 1st year MBBS students. A pre-test in the form of MCQ was used to assess the knowledge regarding the topic. Students were divided into two groups based on their roll numbers. Group 1 attended video-assisted learning, while the group two students attended didactic lectures. At the end of session, post-test was provided to all students to assess the knowledge gained. Feedback was taken from students at the end of session. Statistical analysis was performed using two-way repeated measures mixed ANOVA to determine whether there is any difference in the average score before and after intervention as well as between the video assisted learning and traditional method. Mann–Whitney U-test was used for comparing the feedback score between two teaching methods.

Results: There was statistically significant increase in the post test scores in both the group. Although both the teaching methods were equally effective, the score change was high in the video-assisted learning group but was not statistically significant (P = 0.907).

Conclusion: Video-assisted learning is an effective learning method in physiology.
Nurses’ knowledge of prevention of sepsis at neonatal care unit in Mosul city, Iraq
Authors: khaleel Rayyan , Alsaeed Hana , Shosha Ghada
Published: February 2023

Objective: To determine the nurses’ knowledge toward prevention of sepsis in neonatal care unit in Mosul city.
Methodology: This descriptive hospital-based study included nurses from pediatric teaching hospitals in Mosul city from 10th March 2022 to the 15th May 2022. The sample size consisted of all available (60) nurses, who worked in the hospital during the study period. Data were collected using a questionnaire designed by the researchers. Data was analyzed by SPSS version 25.
Results: The majority of the study sample were females (68.3%) and 31.7% were male. According to age, 40% of the sample was aged between 20-24 years, while 31.7% age ranged between 25-29 years. Majority of the sample’s level of education was diploma (36.7%), while 20% were bachelor. A third of the study sample (31.7%) had no previous training related to sepsis.
Conclusion: In a third of the study population, no prior training in sepsis and its prophylaxis was available. Nurses at the neonatal care unit in Mosul City had good knowledge about sepsis prevention, and their educational background, length of hospital employment, years of experience, and training program all had an impact. There are no statistically significant differences in the expertise of nurses based on their gender or age.
Prevalence of cancer cases among population of Kirkuk, Iraq from 2016-2020
Authors: Mohammed Hussein , Shakoor Jenan , Mahmood Nazar , Kumait Abid , Kareem Araz
Published: February 2023

Objective: To present a clear picture of the cancer cases reported in Kirkuk between 2016 and 2020 and to identify the top 10 instances in both genders.
Methodology: This cohort/retrospective study was conducted at oncology/hematology center in Kirkuk governorate from January, 2021 to May, 2022. The data were collected from the official records of oncology/hematology center in Kirkuk governorate and consisted of 4917 cancer cases during the five years period from 2016 to 2020.
Results: A total of 4719 cases of all cancer types in Kirkuk were recorded from 2016-2020. Of these, 64.2% were females and 35.8% males. Age of 65.8% cases was between 41-70 years, with a mean of 52.624±22.593 years. For both genders, breast cancer was the most common (1532), followed by lung cancer.
Conclusion: Breast cancer is on the top of ten cancers and is on the rising trend. The Ministry of health should plan for a strategy of regular screening for breast cancer in women and increasing the awareness of the women regarding breast self-examination for early detection.
The Effect of Midazolam and Magnesium Sulfate on Preoperative Anxiety in Patients Undergoing Rhinoplasty Operation
Authors: Demirkiran Hilmi , Yetkin Hilmi , Kacar Cemal , Demir Canser , Tekeli Arzu
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Preoperative anxiety is a common psychological condition caused by many factors and can affect anesthesia results, postoperative analgesia, and surgery. This study investigated the effects of midazolam and midazolam combined with magnesium sulfate on preoperative anxiety.
Materials and Methods: Sixty patients in the ASA I-II group, aged between 18-60 years, undergoing rhinoplasty operations were included in the study. Patients included in the study were randomly divided into two groups using the sealed envelope method. The first group (Group M; n:30) received 0.02-0.04 mg/kg midazolam in 100 ml isotonic, and the second group (Group MM; n:30) received 2g magnesium sulfate+0.02-0.04 mg/kg midazolam in 100 ml isotonic administered intravenously 15 minutes before surgery. In addition, state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI-TX) was evaluated preoperatively at 0. minutes and postoperative at 0., 3., 6. hours and the visual analog scale (VAS) was evaluated at 0., 3., and 6. hours postoperatively.
Results: 66.7% were female (n:40), 56.7% were ASA-I (n:34), the mean age was 26.17±5.57(18-41) years, and the mean surgery time was 64±12.64 (35-90) minutes. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups regarding age, gender, ASA, and surgical duration of the cases. In addition, heart rate, systolic arterial pressure, diastolic arterial pressure, mean arterial pressure, and VAS decreased compared to preoperative values, while TOF and STAI-TX values increased in both the M and the MM groups.
Conclusion: Midazolam and midazolam-magnesium sulfate can be safe and effective for preoperative anxiety.
The Relationship between Serum Ferritin Level and Insulin Resistance in Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Yurekli Ugur , Altunbas Riza
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are risk factors for diabetes mellitus, and their prevalence is increasing. Ferritin has emerged as a biomarker of low-grade inflammation in addition to its role in iron metabolism. The study aims to determine the correlation between ferritin and insulin resistance (IR) in MetS.
Materials and Methods: In this study, ferritin, glucose (fasting), and HOMA-IR were measured from serum samples obtained from 98 MetS patients and 100 healthy volunteers. Serum ferritin, glucose, insulin, and HOMA-IR results were compared between the MetS and the control group. Correlation analysis was performed between ferritin and HOMA-IR in control and MetS patients.
Results: Serum ferritin (Control: 93,9±30,13; MetS:200±57,31 ng/ml), glucose (Control: 100,9±11,86, 123,9±21,52 ng/dl), insulin (Control: 4,11±2,57; MetS:15,99±5,71 µU/ml) and HOMA-IR (Control: 1,04±0,74; MetS:5,07±2,33) revealed to be higher in MetS compared to control. The correlation between serum ferritin level and HOMA-IR in MetS patients was revealed. This correlation was not found in the control group.
Conclusion: In MetS, high serum ferritin level increases insulin resistance. While the positive correlation of ferritin with insulin resistance occurs at high ferritin levels, this is not observed at low ferritin levels.
WORK EXPERIENCE OF THE LLP “JV” CASPI BITUM" IN PREVENTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS
Authors:   LLP ", Bekzhigitov E.T. ,   Republican Training Center",   PARASAT", Zhonova Sh. E. ,   LLP "Republican Training Center" PARASAT"
Published: February 2023

The article presents a brief overview of the environmental activities of the enterprise. In the realities of today, environmental protection is becoming a priority for every state and enterprise. After all, it is only in a healthy environment that you can achieve great results in production and take a leading position in all indicators. Every year, LLP "JV"CASPI BITUM" plans and carries out environmental protection measures, in particular for the protection of atmospheric air, rational use of water resources, protection of land resources, waste management, landscaping. The company carries out these measures to prevent environmental risks, to minimize the negative consequences of production activities, as well as to comply with the Aarhus Convention to publish articles in the media to publicize its environmental activities.
Recensioner
Authors: Olsson Annika , Pirholt Mattias , Bohlin Anna , Torell Örjan , Lysell Roland , Qvarnström Sofi , Borg Alexandra , Bruhn Jørgen
Published: February 2023

Annika Olsson om Margareta Petersson, Globaliseringens ansikten: den indoengelska romanenStockholm: Carlssons, 2008, 400 s.

Mattias Pirholt om Leena Eilittä, Ingeborg Bachmann’s Utopia and Disillusionment: IntroductionHelsingfors: Finnish Academy of Science and Letters, 2008, 164 s.

Anna Bohlin om Boel Englund & Lena Kåreland, Rätten till ordet: En kollektivbiografi över skrivandeStockholmskvinnor 1880–1920 Stockholm: Carlsson, 2008, 409 s.

Örjan Torell om Christer Ekholm och Staffan Thorsson (red.), Främlingskap och främmandegöring: Förhållningssätt till skönlitteratur i universitetsundervisningenGöteborg: Daidalos, 2009, 554 s.

Roland Lysell om Johan Sahlin, Om kyrklundheten: Värde, kunskap och skrivande i Willy Kyrklunds Om godhetenLund: ellerströms, 2008, 252 s. (diss. Växjö)

Sofi Qvarnström om Peter Forsgren, I vansklighetens land: Genus, genre och modernitet i Elin Wägners smålandsromanerGöteborg: Makadam förlag, 2009, 263 s.

Alexandra Borg om Örjan Torell, Den osynliga staden: en gestaltningsmodell hos Olof Högberg, Ludvig Nordström, Bertil Malmberg, Birger Sjödin, Karl Östman, Lars Ahlin och andra svenska författare fram till våra dagarUmeå: Bokförlaget H:ström – Text & Kultur, 2009, 301 s.

Jørgen Bruhn om Christer Johansson, Mimetiskt syskonskap: en representationsteoretisk undersökning av relationen fiktionsprosa- fiktionsfilm Stockholm: Acta universitatis stockholmiensis, 2008, 446 s. (diss. Stockholm)
Världar att besöka eller bebo
Authors: Manderstedt Lena , Palo Annbritt
Published: February 2023

Fansites as literary venues
This article discusses fansites as literary venues. The point of view is descriptive; how fansites function, which activities are taking place and what participants find interesting. The discussion is based on material from five fansites, i.e. websites where readers share material posted by other readers and publish their own material, and participants engage in storytelling, reading and literary activities, albeit not in the same manner as students taking literature at universities. The digital technology offers possibilities to explore and expand massive text archives beyond geographical and economic limitations.
It has been implied that new media bring about new narrative alternatives and possibilities, but new media do not necessarily bring about new, narrative structures. However, both the material from the fansites as well as scholars specializing in narrative and media indicate that the existence of digital media give the readers other possibilities to develop a sense of transmedial thinking and reading. Therefore, this article also discusses narrative and media forms, the construction of meaning through fan fiction as well as fansites as interactive and dialogical rooms.
Queera lustar
Authors: Isaksson Malin , Lindgren Leavenworth Maria
Published: February 2023

Queer Desires: Fan Fiction about Vampires and Slayers

In this article we analyze a selection of fan fiction stories in which fans engage in an intertextual dialogue with a source text. As an Internet-published literary form, fan fiction (or fanfic) is fairly new and the relatively democratic means of publication have meant a dramatically increased production. However, the intertextual dialogue with the source text reveals connections between fanfic and previous forms of rewritings. It is therefore rather in terms of content that fan fiction can be said to represent new strategies when negotiating the source material.

The six fanfics chosen for the analyses are of the slash and femslash varieties in which samesex couples who are not romantically or sexually linked in the source text are paired. The fanfics take as their starting points Joss Whedon’s tv-series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and J. R. Ward’s romantic novels in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. Authors of femslash pair the two Slayers Buffy and Faith and authors of slash engage the characters Vishous and Butch in a homoerotic relationship. Aside from analyzing examples of the fanfic form, the selection of stories based on source texts centering on vampires means an opportunity to investigate the function of this literary trope. Its attraction for fanfic authors can be said to stem from the figure’s inherent possibilities of representing alternative, queer sexualities.

By analyzing narrative strategies and selected themes we argue that the (fem)slash texts illustrate negotiations both with genre and gender conventions of the source texts and a resistance to the heteronormative structures of today’s popular culture.
Asymmetric Reactions of Retail Gasoline Prices on the Changes in Crude Oil Prices in Chosen US Cities
Authors: Szomolányi Karol , Lukáčik Martin , Lukáčiková Adriana
Published: February 2023

Many empirical studies state that retail gasoline and diesel prices react more quickly when the crude oil price rises rather than decreases. In the paper, we confirm these asymmetric reactions of retail fuel prices in selected cities in the United States of America. We use the adjustment cost function in the linear-exponential form to derive nonlinear retail gasoline and diesel reaction functions. The correspondent model is estimated with the system's generalised method of moments. The model allows us to compute average one-gallon gasoline and diesel price biases from the increase in oil by one dollar per barrel caused by the given asymmetric reactions. The average biases differ from city to city; their values are between 0.02 cents in Los Angeles and 0.44 cents in Cleveland.
Optimal Selection of Parameters for Production of Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) by Electrolysis in Molten Salts using Machine Learning
Authors: Andonovic Viktor , Kovaci Azemi Mimoza , Andonovic Beti , Dimitrov Aleksandar
Published: February 2023

The production and use of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have become extremely wide within the last decade. Hence, the high interest in producing non-expensive and quality CNTs has motivated many research projects. This research considers the design and development of new technology for producing MWCNTs by electrolysis in molten salts using non-stationary and stationary current regimes. The electrolysis is simple, ecological, economical, and flexible, and it offers possibilities for accurate control of various parameters, such as applied voltage, current density, or temperature. We infer the underlying relationship between the parameters and the quality of the experimentally produced MWCNTs by using explainable tree-based Machine Learning (ML) models. We train several models in a supervised manner, whereas in model covariates, we use the parameters of the MCWNTs, and as a target variable, the quality of the produced MWCNT. Domain experts label all the experimental examples in our data set. Controlling these parameters enables high-yield production and, particularly important, obtaining MWCNTs, which are up to ten times cheaper than other existing technologies.
Mathematical Analysis in Characterization of Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) as possible Mosquito Repellents
Authors: Andonovic Viktor , Kovaci Azemi Mimoza , Andonovic Beti , Dimitrov Aleksandar
Published: February 2023

Mosquitoes are a great threat to human health to date and are a subject of interdisciplinary research involving scientists from many areas. Recently much attention has been put to novel approaches to mosquito repellent products that involve the use of novel materials, such as carbon nanomaterials, where it is essential to determine their properties. This research discusses the full molecular characterization of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) produced by electrolysis in molten salts. Each CNT has its mathematical representation due to its hexagonal lattice structure. Multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are considered. The focus is on determining their structural parameters: innermost and outermost diameters, chiral indices m and n, number of walls, and unit cell parameters. Corresponding frequency parts of Raman spectra of four experimentally produced CNTs are elaborated, and Python programming and Mathematica are employed for the most accurate (m,n) assignment. Determining the chirality of these samples enables the calculation of other structural properties, which are performed now, including their graph representation. The latter enables the evaluation of different distance-based topological indices (Wiener, Balaban, Sum-Balaban, Harary index, etc.) to predict some index-related properties of the molecules.
Factors of Profitability: Evidence from the Serbian Manufacturing Sector
Authors: Rađo Dijana , Peštović Kristina
Published: February 2023

This paper aims to investigate factors of profitability in the manufacturing sector in the Republic of Serbia. The research is based on the sample of 220 observations of financial statements of listed companies on the Belgrade stock exchange from sector C – manufacturing during 2017-2020. Profitability was measured as a return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE) being the two most common ratios. Primarily, the descriptive statistics of ROA and ROE were conducted. The results showed that manufacturing companies achieve a positive rate of profitability but at a low level (ROA is 0,0263 and ROE is 0,0595). Furthermore, two regression models were conducted to investigate which internal factors significantly affected ROA and ROE as dependent variables. The independent variables were set: fixed assets ratio, size, current ratio, leverage, and growth. Results of the first model showed that size, current ratio, and growth have a significant positive impact on ROA, while leverage significantly negatively impacts ROA. Results of the second model show that size and growth have a significant positive impact on ROE, while leverage negatively impacts it.
Growth on Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate (SDS) by a Bacterial Consortium Isolated from Volcanic Soil
Authors: Rusnam . , Syafrawati S , Rahman Mohd Fadhil , Nasution Fachri Ibrahim , Khayay Mohd Ezuan
Published: February 2023

During biodegradation, microorganisms can directly metabolize surfactants for energy and nutrients or co-metabolize them with other compounds. Maximum growth of the bacterial consortium on SDS was seen between 30 and 35 °C, while the optimal pH range for bacterial consortium growth was between 6.5 and 7.5. As for the nitrogen source, 2 g/L of ammonium sulfate was optimum in supporting the growth of SDS. The greatest growth rate of the bacterial consortium was recorded at a concentration of between 1 and 1.5 g/L of SDS (p<0.05). At 2–3, g/L of SDS, the bacterial consortium grew more slowly, and at 5 g/L, growth was severely inhibited. Almost complete degradations of SDS were observed in 3, 5 and 6 days at 0.5, 0.75 and 1 g/L SDS, respectively while higher concentrations showed partial degradation with no degradation observed at 2.5 g/L SDS after 6 days of incubation. In this study, the maximum growth rate, or max, Ks, and Ki were 0.517 h-1 (95% confidence interval of C.I. from 0.404 to 0.629), 0.132 (g/L) (95% C.I. from 0.073 to 0.191) and 0.909 (g/L) (95% C.I. from 0.544 to 1.273), respectively. Heavy metals like mercury, copper, and chromium can severely stunt growth if they are present in the environment. It was discovered through research into growth kinetics that Haldane substrate inhibition kinetics may be used to model the growth rate. This bacterial consortium has the right properties for the bioremediation of SDS-polluted environments.
A Two-level Factorial Design for Screening Factors that Influence the Growth of Staphylococcus sp. strain Amr-15 on Acrylamide
Authors: Rahman Mohd Fadhil Abd , Khayat Mohd Ezuan , EL-Mongy Mahmoud Abd , Yakasai Hafeez Muhammad
Published: February 2023

Due to the fact that it breaks down into acrylamide over time, polyacrylamide is one of the most important sources of acrylamide in soil. As a strategy for bioremediation, the breakdown of acrylamide by the action of microbes has seen a gradual but consistent increase in attention all over the world. A previously isolated molybdenum-reducing bacterium with amide-degrading capability was further identified on significant parameters contributing to optimized growth on acrylamide using a two-level factorial design in this study. The two-level factorial design was adopted in the screening of five independent factors influencing the growth of the bacterium on acrylamide. These factors include pH, temperature, incubation time, acrylamide concentration and glucose concentration. The two-factor factorial design was successful in finding important contributing parameters in the growth of this bacterium on acrylamide, which were acrylamide concentration, pH and incubation time (p<0.05) that can be further optimized using RSM in future works. The important contributing factors or parameters were analysed using ANOVA, Pareto’s chart and perturbations plot and other diagnostic plots. The diagnostic plots such as half-normal, Cook’s distance, residual vs runs, leverage vs runs, Box-Cox, DFFITS, DFBETAS all supported the two-level factorial conclusion. This study was carried out using an acrylamide range well within the range reported to be tolerated by most acrylamide-degrading microorganisms. Incubation time is an expected result since longer incubation time allows more growth and incubation time ranging from two to five days for optimized growth has been reported in many acrylamide-degrading microorganisms. Most of the acrylamide-degrading microorganisms grow well in near-neutral conditions, of which the results obtained in this study conforms to the published literature trends.
Response Surface Method for the Optimization of E. cloacae Strain UPM2021a Growth on Acrylamide as a Nitrogen Source
Authors: Abubakar Aisami , Manogaran Motharasan , Yakasai Hafeez Muhammad , Yasid Nur Adeela , Shukor Mohd Yunus
Published: February 2023

Acrylamide is often used in soil stabilization works. It is a neurotoxin and leachate from such stabilization works contaminate soils all around the world. E. cloacae strain UPM2021a which had been previously isolated and demonstrated the ability to degrade acrylamide was further studied for its critical parameters contributing to the optimum growth of acrylamide. The Box-Behnken design was utilized in optimizing the three previously identified significant components (pH, incubation time and acrylamide concentration). Of the three factors, acrylamide and pH were the significant factors. The response surface plot exhibited evidence of interactions. Predicted optimal conditions were determined using the "Numerical Optimisation" toolbox of the Design Expert software. Two optimal conditions were tested. The model predicted a maximum growth of 10.686 (95% C.I., 10.458 to 10.913) which was verified through experimental results with a growth of 11.257 (95% C.I., 11.051 to 11.462) with the actual results being near to the predicted values but was significantly higher than the predicted values. The second numerical optimization gave a solution with a predicted maximum growth of 9.305 log CFU/mL (95% C.I. from 9.011 to 9.614) which was verified through experimental results with a growth of 9.978 log CFU/mL (95% C.I. from 9.830 to 10.126) with the actual results were also significantly higher than the predicted values. This means that other methods which employ more runs such as CCD or a different optimization approach such as Artificial Neural Network may be employed in the future to close the difference between the model predicted and actual experimental values. Despite this, the RSM exercise gave far better growth on acrylamide than OFAT with a higher response of about 2 log CFU/mL unit indicating the utility of RSM over OFAT in the optimization of growth of this bacterium on acrylamide.
Immobilization of Bacillus sp. Strain Neni-8 in Dialysis Tubing Reduced Copper Toxicity to the Molybdenum Reduction Process
Authors: Uba Garba , Abubakar Aisami , Yakasai Hafeez Muhammad
Published: February 2023

In ruminants, even trace amounts of molybdenum can be lethal. In areas with high pollution, molybdenum levels in soil and mine tailings can exceed 20,000 ppm. Bioremediation of molybdenum can be challenging when toxic copper is also present. This research presents a novel approach using dialysis tubing and the molybdenum-reducing activity of Bacillus sp. strain Neni-8 for molybdenum removal from aqueous solutions. Molybdenum blue (Mo-blue), produced during enzymatic reduction, is insoluble in dialysis tubing and this can be a twofold advantage as a method of removal and as a method to protect bacterial cells from heavy metal inhibition, especially copper. In this experiment, we assess the toxicity-shielding effect of dialysis tubing for molybdenum reduction to Mo-blue by this bacterium in the presence of copper. As the concentrations of copper were increased, both free and immobilized cells were strongly inhibited. Modelling using the dissociationone-phase exponential decay model gave an IC50 value for the immobilized form of 0.1107 mg/L (95% confidence interval from 0.073 to 0.217 while the IC50 value for the free cell system was 0.023 mg/L (95% C.I. from 0.019 to 0.028). Since the confidence interval for the IC50 values did not overlap, the immobilized system gave better protection from copper than the free cell system. Toxicity to free cells was higher than toxicity to cells trapped in dialysis tubes, suggesting that trapping Mo-reducing cells may be an effective strategy for the bioremediation of water or wastewater contaminated with multiple heavy metals.
Environmental and Health Impacts of Cement Industry
Authors: Soni Sachin , Dandge K.P
Published: February 2023

An integrated development of the nation is very much desirable to ensure food, health and economic security for all the people of the country. Development projects should go on but it should not create ecological imbalance, because destruction of environment poses serious threat to the survival of human race. However, the factors such as population explosion, rapid industrialization, over exploitation of natural resources, increased transportation etc. have resulted in change of climatic conditions, depletion of ozone layer, increase in air, water and noise pollution. Under proper Environmental Management Plan, the adverse environmental effects of development projects can be mitigated to a great extent. Industrialization is recognized as the backbone for development. Availability of resources coupled with infrastructural facilities, accelerate industrial growth. The cement sector notably plays a critical role in the economic growth of the country and its journey towards conclusive growth. Cement is vital to the construction sector and all infrastructural projects. The construction sector alone constitutes about 5-7 per cent of the country's gross domestic product. The industry occupies an important place in the Indian economy because of its strong linkages to other sectors such as construction, transportation, coal and power. The Environmental impact assessment has been carried out to assess the existing base line environmental scenario of the area and based on the activities of proposed grinding unit, environmental management plan has been suggested. The plan will identify and address the impacts and design imitative measures to manage such impacts in a manner as to conserve environment and ecology of the area. The EMP has been prepared with a view to ultimately ensure that the adverse impacts can be minimized if these cannot be prevented altogether.
Quantitative Finance Model Visualizer Using High-Frequency Trading Algorithms
Authors: Kumari Soumya , Verma Xitiz , Shree Yashaswini , Khan Mohammed Shagil , Sunanda Prof
Published: February 2023

Our project is about quantitative finance which refers to the methodology of applying disciplines from mathematics, statistics, and finance with computer programming to create a financial tool for future stock prediction. Stock market prediction is a very tough job as very high precision is needed. So many models have been used earlier but none of them are reliable and consistent. Thus, we propose a solution using deep learning, as it uses current output in further steps and understands the relationship between them.RNN has a vanishing gradient problem which happens due to the use of the same parameters repeatedly. This problem is avoided by the use of different parameters at each step. We balance the situation by adding variable-length sequences, generating variable-length sequences, and keeping the learnable parameters count constant. We are introducing gated cells like LSTM. Also, RNN can't retain the data for a long duration. Hence, we are planning to use the LSTM model which is a kind of RNN that has long-term memory. Lstm works on time series data and time series data can be influenced by any tiny noise. Time series data helps us to track differences over time. For this project, we are using high- frequency data which means everyday data fluctuation is included. Also, we are using the random forest for noise reduction and outlier detection. Random forest is normalizing our output and provides accuracy. Keywords: Artificial Intelligence; machine learning algorithms; Deep learning;