bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Time domain reflectometry (TDR) for dielectric characterization of olive mill wastewater (OMW) contaminated soils
Authors: Comegna Alessandro , Coppola Antonio , Dragonetti Giovanna
Published: February 2020

Abstract. Olive mill wastewater (OMW) is a compound originating from oil mills during oil extraction processes. In the Mediterranean area, more than 30 million m3 of OMW are produced each year, which represents 95–97 % of world production. Such volumes of untreated OMW are usually directly disposed of into drainage systems, water bodies (such as streams, lagoons and ponds), or else are sprinkled on soils, causing potentially severe environmental problems to soils and groundwater. There is thus a serious waste management problem related to the olive oil industry, such practices no longer being acceptable. In the case of on-land OMW disposal, characterization and identification of this contaminant in soils is a fundamental task especially with a view to maintaining the integrity and quality of agroecosystems. In recent years, soils have been extensively studied to detect contaminants by using various geophysical methods. Among such techniques, time domain reflectometry (TDR) has shown, in different contexts, evident sensitivity and resolution capability for characterizing contaminated soil sites. In order to further exploit the potential of the TDR technique, in the present study we conducted a series of laboratory-controlled tests to explore how OMW influences the dielectric response of contaminated soils. The research led to the development of an empirical dielectric model to estimate the presence of OMW in variably saturated-contaminated soils with different textures and pedological features.
Mantle flow under the Central Alps: Constraints from non-vertical SKS shear-wave splitting
Authors: Löberich Eric , Bokelmann Götz
Published: February 2020

Abstract. The association of seismic anisotropy and deformation, as e.g. exploited by shear-wave splitting measurements, provides a unique opportunity to map the orientation of geodynamic processes in the upper mantle and to constraint their nature. However, due to the limited depth-resolution of steeply arriving core-phases, used for shear-wave splitting investigations, it appears difficult to differentiate between asthenospheric and lithospheric origins of observed seismic anisotropy. To change that, we take advantage of the different backazimuthal variations of fast orientation ϕ and delay time Δt, when considering the non-vertical incidence of phases passing through an olivine block with vertical b-axis as opposed to one with vertical c-axis. Both these alignments can occur depending on the type of deformation, e.g. a sub-horizontal foliation orientation in the case of a simple asthenospheric flow and a sub-vertical foliation when considering vertically-coherent deformation in the lithosphere. In this study we investigate the cause of seismic anisotropy in the Central Alps. Combining high-quality shear-wave splitting measurements of three datasets leads to a dense station coverage. Fast orientations ϕ show a spatially coherent and relatively simple mountain-chain-parallel pattern, likely related to a single-layer case of upper mantle anisotropy. Considering the measurements of the whole study area together, our non-vertical-ray shear-wave splitting procedure points towards a b-up olivine situation and thus favors an asthenospheric anisotropy source, with a horizontal flow plane of deformation. We also test the influence of position relative to the European slab, distinguishing a northern and southern subarea based on vertically-integrated travel times through a tomographic model. Differences in the statistical distribution of splitting parameters ϕ and Δt, and in the backazimuthal variation of δϕ and δΔt, become apparent. While the observed seismic anisotropy in the northern subarea shows indications of asthenospheric flow, likely a depth-dependent plane Couette-Poiseuille flow around the Alps, the origin in the southern subarea remains more difficult to determine and may also contain effects from the slab itself.
Exploitation of the far-offshore wind energy resource by fleets of energy ships. Part B. Cost of energy
Authors: Babarit Aurélien , Delvoye Simon , Clodic Gaël , Gilloteaux Jean-Christophe
Published: February 2020

Abstract. This paper deals with a new concept for the conversion of far-offshore wind energy into sustainable fuel. It relies on autonomous sailing energy ships and manned support tankers. Energy ships are wind-propelled ships that generate electricity using water turbines attached underneath their hull. Since energy ships are not grid-connected, they include onboard power-to-X plants for storage of the produced energy. In the present work, the energy vector is methanol. In the first part of this study (Babarit et al., submitted), an energy ship design has been proposed and its energy performance has been assessed. In this second part, the aim is to estimate the energy and economic performance of the whole system. Thus, an energy and economic model has been developed which is presented in the paper. Results show that an initial FARWIND system could produce approximately 100,000 tonnes of methanol per annum (approximately 550 GWh per annum of chemical energy) at a cost in the range 150 to 325 €/MWh, and that FARWIND-produced methanol could compete with gasoline on the EU transportation fuel market in the long term.
Integrated wind farm layout and control optimization
Authors: Pedersen Mads M. , Larsen Gunner C.
Published: February 2020

Abstract. Design of an optimal wind farm topology and wind farm control scheduling depends on the chosen metric. The objective of this paper is to investigate the influence of optimal wind farm control on the optimal wind farm layout in terms of power production. A successful fulfilment of this goal requires: 1) an accurate and fast flow model; 2) selection of the minimum set of design parameters that rules the problem; and 3) selection of an optimization algorithm with good scaling properties. For control of the individual wind farm turbines, the two most obvious strategies are wake steering based on active wind turbine yaw control and wind turbine derating. The present investigation is a priori limited to wind turbine derating. A high-speed linearized CFD RANS solver models the flow field and the crucial wind turbine wake interactions inside the wind farm. The actuator disk method is used to model the wind turbines, and utilizing an aerodynamic model, the design space of the optimization problem is reduced to only three variables per turbine – two geometric and one carefully selected variable specifying the individual wind turbine derating setting for each mean wind speed and direction. The full design space spanned by these (2N + Nd Ns N) parameters, where N is the number of wind farm turbines, Nd is the number of direction bins, and Ns is the number of mean wind speed bins. This design space is decomposed in two subsets, which in turn define a nested set of optimization problems to achieve the fastest possible optimization procedure. Following a simplistic sanity check of the platform functionality regarding wind farm layout and control optimization, the capabilities of the developed optimization platform is demonstrated on the Swedish offshore wind farm. For this particular wind farm, the analysis demonstrates that the expected annual energy production can be increased by 4 % by integrating the wind farm control in the design of the wind farm layout, which is 1.2 % higher than what is achieved by optimizing the layout only.
The Role of Gender and Income Level in the Relationship Between Ego Functions and Resilience
Authors: Çakar Firdevs Savi
Published: February 2020

This study is a research conducted in the relational screening model aiming to examine the intermediary role of gender and income in the relationship between ego functions and resilience. The research was conducted with 251 participants who volunteered to participate among fourth-graders attending different undergraduate programs of a university. 49.8% of the participants were female, and 50.2% were male; the mean age was 23.6 years. The Resilience Scale for Adults and Ego Functions Assessment Scale were used as data collection tools in the research. Descriptive statistics, Pearson Correlation Coefficient and Multiple Regression Analysis were used in the analysis of data. Consequently, while resilience did not differ significantly in terms of gender, evaluating the truth from ego functions were found higher in men, and stimulant threshold and judgment were found to be higher in women. While it was determined that ego functions predicted resilience at a significant level, the intermediary role of gender and income level was not found in the relationship between ego functions and resilience. Consequently, it may be useful to consider ego functions as a variable in improving the resilience of young individuals.
Valoración de los conocimientos y prácticas culturales de la agricultura ancestral relacionados a las prácticas agrícolas sostenibles en la comunidad de Nahuizalco
Authors: López-Quintana Josué Mauricio
Published: February 2020

La agricultura es un proceso de obtención de productos destinados al consumo y comercio, para el bienestar económico y seguridad alimentaria de una población, en este proceso se utilizan una cantidad de recursos a disposición y se invierten cantidades determinadas de mano de obra y materiales. En El caso de Nahuizalco la agricultura representa una forma de vida vinculada a la identidad, la tradición y la religiosidad de sus productores quienes se encargan de producir para generar ingresos a sus núcleos familiares aún conservan un legado ancestral durante las varias etapas y momentos de las siembras. Se realizó un acercamiento etnográfico al proceso de cultivo de los cantones que actualmente Organizaciones no gubernamentales se encuentran implementando la visión agroecológica que retoma elementos de los conocimientos ancestrales de las comunidades indígenas de Nahuizalco para el desarrollo sostenible.
La evaluación docente en educación superior: características y desafíos
Authors: Cipagauta-Moyano Marisol Esperanza
Published: February 2020

La evaluación docente es un tema que atañe a la comunidad académica en general, cuyos resultados se emplean para el mejoramiento de los procesos en la enseñanza, el aprendizaje y el diseño de contenidos, principalmente. Evaluar el desempeño docente significa realizar un trabajo riguroso con el fin de tomar las medidas necesarias para fortalecer el quehacer en el ambiente de aprendizaje y, por ende, en los indicadores de calidad relacionados con este aspecto para la docencia universitaria en la gestión de operaciones. Los criterios, así como los instrumentos y modelos para evaluar el desempeño docente, pueden variar, y esto depende de varios factores: la metodología de estudio, presencial o a distancia, pues las mediaciones cambian al usar la tecnología como catalizadora entre el que enseña y el que aprende; los intereses administrativos de la institución; o bien la cultura de calidad definida, entre otros. La presente revisión se centra en la discusión de la evaluación docente realizada por los estudiantes como una invitación a revisar y potencializar este proceso en las instituciones de educación superior con el ánimo de implantar una cultura de evaluación. La revisión bibliográfica se hace durante el periodo comprendido entre 2016 y 2019, con especial énfasis en artículos científicos que hacen referencia a la evaluación docente desde perspectivas particulares y generales en las que se incluyen trabajos tanto de tipo cuantitativo como cualitativo.
Comparison of the technical and economic performances of two different shredders on pomegranate pruning residues
Authors: Yiğit Mete , Çanakcı Murad
Published: February 2020

Aim of study: The study aimed to examine the technical and economic performances of two different shredders for three windrow densities of pomegranate residues.Area of study: The study was conducted in the Serik District of Antalya Province, Turkey.Material and methods: Two different pruning residue shredders driven by tractor power take off (PTO) were used. Machine‑I has pick‑up, shredding, screen units. Machine‑II only has a shredding unit. The experiment was conducted at windrow densities of 1.49, 2.10, and 2.41 kg/m2 in a pomegranate orchard; the study used a completely randomized split‐plot design with two treatments and three replications.Main results: The power values for the increasing windrow densities were 8.00, 11.73, and 18.47 kW/m for Machine-I and 5.08, 5.68, and 6.48 kW/m for Machine-II. Moreover, the average particle length of 68.6 mm shredded by Machine‑I was approximately 20 mm smaller than that of Machine‑II. The minimum unit energy value of Machine-II was 2.53 kWh/t at the maximum windrow density of 2.41 kg/m2. This value for Machine-I was 5.58 kWh/t at the medium windrow density of 2.10 kg/m2. The lowest unit cost for Machine-I and Machine-II was calculated as 27.2-7.1 US$/t (at medium density) and 16.8-3.5 US$/t (at maximum density), respectively.Research highlights: The appropriate windrow densities for Machine-I and Machine-II were different in terms of energy requirements and total unit cost. Machine-I is more effective at consistently chopping the residues than Machine-II, but it requires more energy and a higher unit cost.
Satisfaction with health care system: A comparative study between market-based insurance model of the United States and “out-of-pocket” model in developing and low-income countries
Authors: Lakhan Ram , Gillette Sean Y. , Lee Sean , Sharma Manoj
Published: February 2020

Background and purpose: Access to healthcare services is an essential component for ensuring the quality of life. Globally, there is inequity and disparities regarding access to health care. To meet the global healthcare needs, different models of healthcare have been adopted around the world. However, all healthcare models have some strengths and weaknesses. The purpose of this study was to examine the satisfaction among a group of undergraduate students from different countries with their health care models namely, insurance-based model in the United States and “out-of-pocket” model prevalent in low-income countries.Methods and materials: The study utilized a cross-sectional research design. Undergraduate students, representing different nationalities from a private Southeastern College, were administered a researcher-designed 14-item self-reported electronic questionnaire. Independent t-test and χ2 statistics were used to examine the differences between two health care systems and the qualitative responses were analyzed thematically.Results: Satisfaction towards health care system between the United States and low-income countries was found significantly different (p < .05). However, students in both settings experienced an inability toward affording quality healthcare due to economic factors and disparities.Conclusions: There is dissatisfaction with health care both in the United States and low-income developing countries among a sample of undergraduate students representing these countries. Efforts to ensure low-cost affordable health care should be a global goal.
ICU nurses’ knowledge, attitude and behavior about ICU acquired weakness
Authors: Li Mingming , Pan Yanbin
Published: February 2020

Background and objective: Intensive care unit (ICU) acquired weakness (ICU-AW) is muscle weakness caused by neuromuscular dysfunction, which can cause muscle mass and muscle strength decline, and is one of the common complications of ICU. ICU-AW can affect patients' daily activities and long-term quality of life. We sought to understand the current knowledge, attitude and behavior of ICU nurses relative to ICU-AW, and analyze the factors influencing the knowledge, attitude and behavior.Methods: Design: A cross-sectional survey. A survey was conducted of 236 ICU nurses using a self-designed questionnaire.Results: The knowledge, attitude and behavior scores of ICU nurses were 17.05 ± 6.003, 17.47 ± 5.538 and 19.84 ± 5.100, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that education level, previous exposure to ICU-AW and ICU-AW-related knowledge were the three factors affecting ICU nurses' knowledge of ICU-AW. Education level and previous exposure to ICU-AW were the two factors affecting attitude. Education level and ICU-AW-related knowledge were the factors influencing nurses’ behavior (p < .05).Conclusions: ICU nurses have a lower knowledge and attitude score on ICU-AW and a higher score on ICU-AW intervention practice. Relevance to clinical practice: ICU nurses need to acquire more theoretical knowledge and deepen their understanding of ICU-AW, so as to prevent the incidence of ICU-AW.
Nursing competence in Austria: Brightening the Black Box-A mixed methods study to estimate the content validity of the German version of the Nurse Professional Competence Scale
Authors: Kellerer Jan Daniel , Rohringer Matthias , Raab Isabella , Deufert Daniela
Published: February 2020

The assessment of nursing-related competences by suitable instruments has become more relevant. Internationally, applicable instruments have been developed. The German-language version of the Nurse Professional Competence (NPC) Scale seems to be appropriate to measure competences of registered nurses in Austria. The psychometric properties of the scale have not been tested so far. The aim of this study was to examine the content validity of the German version of the NPC Scale. A mixed methods design was applied. Qualitative data were summarized by interpretative-reductive technique; the content validity index (CVI) was used to analyze the quantitative data. Data interpretation was performed by merging the results of the quantitative and qualitative analysis. As a result of the content analysis, five categories were determined to summarize the comments and critique. These categories referred to insufficient precision of terms and items, lacking profile-specific scale content to the theoretical construct of nursing-related competences, missing adequacy of the scale for the use in all nursing-related settings, and annotations for the revision of single items. Quantitative analysis showed 85 of 88 items as content valid by computing each single item. The dimension-specific CVI/Averages ranged between 0.90 and 0.97, the CVI/Average for the whole scale was 0.93. After merging the results of both qualitative and quantitative data analysis, the NPC Scale can actually not be evaluated as a content valid instrument for assessing nursing-related competences in an Austrian context. Substantial item-specific and dimension-specific deficiencies imply that competences cannot be thoroughly assessed. A substantial contentual revision of the current German version of the NPC Scale is recommended.
Teaching and practicing the Quadriga in Medieval Norway: A Reading of Barlaams og Josaphats Saga
Authors: Eriksen Stefka G.
Published: February 2020

The present volume establishes that Christian liturgy and religious rituals were the main tools for the transformation of the self after the introduction of Christianity in various cultural contexts of medieval Europe. The liturgical ritual was the ultimate arena and outer manifestation of the cognitive and behavioral changes required by individuals and which were inspired in them by the Church. In this article, I will discuss whether the same tools for transformation were relevant in medieval Norway and how self-reflection and cognitive change were triggered not only during the liturgy but also through other activities, such as the reading of literature. The primary focus will be on the medium of the book, here exemplified by an Old Norse translation of the pan-European legend about Barlaam and Josaphat as preserved in its main manuscript Holm Perg 6 fol., c. 1250. By Studying the content of the saga, its narratological structure, and the mise en page of the manuscript, I will argue that the text foregrounded the Christian quadriga model of interpreting and may have served to teach this model to its readers, i.e. members of the upper social class in medieval Norway during the second half of the thirteenth and the beginning of the fourteenth century. This book itself, with its specific mise en page, may thus be seen as a tool assisting in the transformation of the self, in a similar way as the liturgy.
On cover:Monks singing the Office and decorated initial A[sperges me.]. Gradual Olivetan Master (Use of the Olivetan Benedictines), illuminated manuscript on parchment ca. 1430-1439. Italy, Monastero di Santa Maria di Baggio near Milan, Ca 1400-1775.Beinecke Ms1184: The olivetan Gradual. Gradual. General Collection, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University.
Kirkelig undervisning og menighet i samspill. Refleksjon over endring de siste tiårene
Authors: Birkedal Erling
Published: February 2020

Kirkelig undervisning har endret seg betydelig de siste tiårene. Det samme gjelder rammebetingelser og virksomhet i menigheter i Den norske kirke generelt. I denne artikkelen reflekterer jeg over endringen og samspillet mellom undervisningen og menigheten som helhet. Det pekes på noen utfordringer for den videre utvikling.
Management of endometriosis-related infertility: Considerations and treatment options
Authors: Lee Dayong , Kim Seul Ki , Lee Jung Ryeol , Jee Byung Chul
Published: February 2020

Endometriosis is a common inflammatory disease in women of reproductive age and is one of the major causes of infertility. Endometriosis causes a sustained reduction of ovarian reserve through both physical mechanisms and inflammatory reactions, which result in the production of reactive oxygen species and tissue fibrosis. The severity of endometriosis is related to ovarian reserve. With regard to infertility treatment, medical therapy as a neoadjuvant or adjuvant to surgical therapy has no definite beneficial effect. Surgical treatment of endometriosis can lead to ovarian injury during the resection of endometriotic tissue, which leads to the deterioration of ovarian reserve. To overcome this disadvantage, a multistep technique has been proposed to minimize the reduction of ovarian reserve. When considering surgical treatment of endometriosis in patients experiencing infertility, it should be kept in mind that ovarian reserve can be reduced both due to endometriosis itself and by the process of removing endometriosis. In cases of mild- to moderate-stage endometriosis, intrauterine insemination with ovarian stimulation after surgical treatment may increase the likelihood of pregnancy. In cases of severe endometriosis, the characteristics of the patient should be considered in a multidisciplinary manner to determine the prioritization of treatment modalities, including surgical treatment and assisted reproduction methods such as in vitro fertilization. The risk of cancer, complications after pregnancy, and infection during oocyte retrieval should also be considered when making treatment decisions.
Corpus Stylistic Analysis of Thomas Harris' The Silence of the Lambs
Authors: Adil Jaafar Eman
Published: February 2020

This paper aims to employ one of the corpus stylistic methods to analyze Thomas Harris's
novel, The Silence of the Lambs. Recently, technology has invaded our lives. To put it
differently, researchers depend highly on computers to access and gain information about
certain data. Thus, it is crucial to keep up with the up-to-date developments concerning
computational methodologies and toolkits. Corpus stylistics helps to find certain features
that cannot be understood without using the techniques of computers. In order to achieve
this goal, a quantitative and qualitative methodology is applied. Corpus stylistics helps to
analyze lengthy texts more efficiently. This is not to say that it substitutes the manual
stylistic one. In fact, both the corpus and manual stylistic analyses work hand in glove, and
they complement each other. The tool that is used to conduct the analysis by examining
keywords and key semantic domains is Wmatrix3. In addition to the previous tool,
AntConc is a complementary tool to investigate n- grams in the novel and to point out their
significance to the overall interpretation.
New chorological records for the Iberian Bryophyte Flora. IX
Authors: Cano María Jesús , Guerra Juan
Published: February 2020

A partir del estudio de muestras recolectadas y revisadas principalmente en el marco del Proyecto Flora Briofítica Ibérica (FBI), aportamos un total de 27 novedades corológicas provinciales para España. Se han de destacar los hallazgos de Syntrichia handelii en Granada, una especie catalogada como amenazada en España, Bryum mildeanum, Didymodon sicculus, Neckera besseri y Physcomitrium readeri novedades para Galicia, Cataluña, Andalucía y Extremadura, respectivamente y Bryoerythrophyllum ferruginascens y Schistidium strictum cuya distribución se extiende de los Pirineos a la cordillera Cantábrica.

From the study of samples mainly collected and reviewed under the Flora Briofítica Ibérica Project, we provide 27 new provincial records for Spain. Special mention deserves the new Iberian locality in Granada for Syntrichia handelii, an endangered species in Spain, Bryum mildeanum, Didymodon sicculus, Neckera besseri y Physcomitrium readeri new for Galicia, Catalonia, Andalusia and Extremadura, respectively and Bryoerythrophyllum ferruginascens y Schistidium strictum whose distribution range is extended from the Pyrenees to Cantabrian mountain range.
Integrated Education for Sustainable Character, Human Rights, Cultural Diversity Based on Family Life Education: Focusing on University Students
Authors: Kim WooJoung , Ju YoungAe
Published: February 2020

This study examined human rights perception, cultural diversity perception, level of character perception, and influencing factors for university students in order to prepare basic data on integrated education methods of character, human rights and cultural diversity and education program models. The research questions are as follows. 1. What are university students’ perceptions of character, cultural diversity and human rights? 2. What is the status of the experience of family life education on character, cultural diversity, and human rights, and is it related to the level of perception? 3. What variables affect character perception, cultural diversity perception, and human rights perception? The survey targeted 407 students at two universities in Seoul and used IBM PASW Statistics as a tool to analyze data. The study results are as follows. First, university students’ character, cultural diversity and human rights perception were above average; however, empirical education is still required because they had low scores in the area of action. Second, male university students have less experience in family life education on character, cultural diversity and human rights compared to female university students. Third, it is necessary to integrate education for character, cultural diversity and human rights because the most influential factors in character perception, cultural diversity perception and human rights perception were character education. The role of family life education should be considered important because personality education in the home showed a relatively high correlation.
Ethnographie d’une mobilisation pour l’eau, bien commun dans les Alpes italiennes
Authors: Blanchard Melissa
Published: February 2020

En 2011, un référendum d’initiative populaire contre la privatisation de l’eau s’est tenu en Italie. Sur tout le territoire national, des mouvements sociaux ont été à l’origine d’actions organisées pour sensibiliser la population à l’importance d’inscrire l’eau dans la sphère du commun. À partir d’une recherche ethnographique menée en 2011 sur la mobilisation dans la région alpine du Trentin, cet article se donne deux objectifs. D’une part, il examine la façon dont le discours sur l’eau, bien commun a été élaboré, en conjuguant trois arguments différents : la crise du néolibéralisme, la tradition alpine des biens communs et les luttes sociales des peuples andins. Il informe donc sur les dynamiques de « globalisation de l’ethnicité » dans nos sociétés contemporaines. D’autre part, il analyse comment le discours développé au sein de la mobilisation italienne pour l’eau, bien commun remet en question les transformations récentes du service public et propose une refonte de celui-ci. Le service public devrait dès lors inclure à la fois le bien (commun) qu’il faut gérer, le service qu’il faut octroyer et de nouvelles formes de gouvernance basées sur la participation citoyenne.
Invoquer les communs
Authors: Castellanos Bianet
Published: February 2020

La Riviera Maya, au Mexique, est devenue le terrain de jeu des riches et des célébrités. Le passage du tourisme de masse aux boutiques haut de gamme et au tourisme élitiste a provoqué un vaste développement le long de cet axe. À côté de ce paradis se trouvent des bidonvilles sans eau courante ni électricité. L’explosion du prix de l’immobilier et l’érosion des communs rendent les choses difficiles pour les travailleurs émigrés, la plupart étant Autochtones et travaillant dans l’industrie touristique pour pouvoir acquérir une terre et un logement. Cet article examine le cas des migrants mayas qui vivent dans unecoloniade squatteurs, la Colonia Mario Villanueva. Squatter est, depuis longtemps, une pratique qui permet d’accéder à la terre. Pourtant, les squatteurs sont confrontés à des menaces constantes d’expulsion de la part des propriétaires fonciers et de l’État qui leur refusent l’accès aux services publics de base comme l’eau courante, l’électricité et les routes goudronnées. Malgré les épreuves et le manque de services publics, les migrants mayas considèrent leur lutte pour le logement comme enracinée dans les pratiques foncières communautaires autochtones et comme une forme de résistance contre l’État et le capital mondial. Cette étude de cas illustre la manière dont le concept de « communs » est invoqué dans un milieu urbain où la propriété privée est enchevêtrée avec la diminution du soutien que l’État apporte à un régime foncier communautaire et aux services publics.
Services publics et autonomie chez les Inuit du Nunavik (Arctique québécois)
Authors: Hervé Caroline
Published: February 2020

Les Inuit du Nunavik (Arctique québécois)réclament aux gouvernements du Québec et du Canada plusd’infrastructures locales et plus de logements sociaux pourenrayer le problème de surpeuplement dans leurs villages. Ilsdemandent plus de services sociaux et de soutien psychologique pour lesaccompagner sur la voie de la guérison individuelle etcollective. Au même moment, ils tentent de sortir de ladépendance par rapport à ces gouvernements et de cheminerjusqu’à l’autonomie politique. Cet article explorecette ambigüité entre services publics et autonomie dans lavie politique du Nunavik. Par le moyen d’une analyse desrelations entre les Inuit et les gouvernements, il propose d’encerner les racines historiques et les manifestations contemporaines. Ils’intéresse enfin à la façon dont le conceptde « commun » s’articule avec le politique.
Impact of quality and pre-primary education on school readiness and numeracy in Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Authors: Loomis Colleen , Maleq Kathrine , Pellandini Ilenia , Akkari Abedeljalil
Published: February 2020

The article examined the impact of pre-primary education in Lao PDR on children’s school readiness and numeracy. Using a quasi-experimental research design, we compared children (ages 4 and 5, N = 445) in five districts across three groups: (1) attending a school with an NGO-government collaboration, (2) attending a school without an NGO-collaboration, and (3) not attending school. Quality was assessed using the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale. Results show that pre-primary schools with an NGO-collaboration were higher in quality than other schools. Children in a school with an NGO-collaboration scored higher on school readiness than both other groups of children; the impact on numeracy differs by age. Five lessons learned are discussed.
Characteristics and Treatment of Pediatric Patients in an Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Clinic
Authors: Kaiser Grady , Degenhardt Brian F. , Michael Menke J. , Snider Karen T.
Published: February 2020

Context

Osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) is recognized as an adjunctive medical approach for the treatment of pediatric patients, but few studies have detailed the pediatric conditions that prompt the use of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) or the types and frequency of OMT used.

Objective

To present descriptive data of pediatric patients receiving OMT from a neuromusculoskeletal medicine/OMM outpatient clinic.

Methods

Data were drawn from electronic health records from a single outpatient specialty clinic for pediatric clinical encounters involving OMT that took place between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2016. Encounter notes and billing records were reviewed for demographic information, presenting complaints, clinical assessments, somatic dysfunction assessments, OMT techniques used, and payment method. Data were categorized by patient age and analyzed.

Results

Five hundred thirty-seven pediatric patients (321 girls, 216 boys) received OMT during the study. These patients accounted for 1688 clinical encounters (1106 for girls, 582 for boys). Mean (SD) number of encounters was 2.7 (1.3) encounters for boys and 3.5 (1.1) encounters for girls. A higher percentage of patients younger than age 2 were boys, while a higher percentage of patients older than age 2 were girls (both P=.005). Musculoskeletal complaints and assessments were the most common for children aged 6 years and older; misshapen head, feeding difficulties, and colic were the most frequently reported for children younger than 6 years. There were 8557 somatic dysfunction assessments documented; thoracic and cervical somatic dysfunction were most commonly assessed. There were 8485 OMT techniques documented, and myofascial release was most frequently used. Encounters with self-pay patients (n=72) involved fewer somatic dysfunction assessments (P<.001) than encounters with patients using private insurance (n=1060) or Medicaid (n=542).

Conclusion

The electronic health records reviewed in the current study revealed descriptive data of pediatric patients presenting to an OMM clinic; these data were rarely documented in previous literature. They may be used by clinicians to better understand the role of OMM as a pediatric adjunctive medical approach and to identify conditions to target for future outcome studies based on common presenting complaints.
Analysis of Green and Non-green Energy Poverty among Rural and Urban Households in Oyo State, Nigeria
Authors: Ajetunmobi O. A. , Oladeebo J. O.
Published: February 2020

In rural and urban areas of Nigeria where alternative fuels were available, shift away from domestic wood fuel use were not taking place on a very large scale. The urban dwellers that normally use kerosene and gas were now systematically shifting to using charcoals. If energy situation should continue this way, economic growth and human development will be hampered in Oyo State. This study therefore, analysed the green and non-green energy poverty among rural and urban households in Oyo State of Nigeria. Multistage random sampling technique was used to select samples of two hundred and forty (240) respondents with the aid of structured questionnaire. The result showed that the mean age of all the respondents was 49.3 years while 66% of them were women. The average household size was 5 and 39% of the respondents attended tertiary institutions. Their primary occupation was farming (57%). The major energy sources available to the respondents were kerosene and charcoal (54%). The energy expenditure approach result showed that, 55% of the rural respondents were energy non-poor, 58% of the respondents in the urban areas were energy poor. The relative measure of energy poverty result revealed that 70.8% of all the respondents were energy poor. The logistic regression results showed that household size (p≤0.01), education (p≤0.01), expenditure on food (p≤0.01) were variables which positively determined energy poverty of the rural households; age (p≤0.01), household size (p≤0.01), education (p≤0.01) and expenditure on food (p≤0.01) were positive significant variables which determined energy poverty of the urban households and household size (p≤0.01), expenditure on food (p≤0.01) were positive significant variables that determined energy poverty of the pooled data. In conclusion, there should be an awareness, affordable prices of various energy types, advancement in technology, maintenance practices and revitalization of energy projects in the study area.
Egg Characteristics in Two Strains of Japasese Quail Eggs (Coturnix coturnix japonica)
Authors: Ezekiel Udoh, Jessie , Abayomi Adeoye, Adelani , Ndifreke Mbaba, Ekaette
Published: February 2020

The study evaluated effect of strain on external and internal egg indices of two strains of Japanese quails (Cinnamon Brown (CBS) and Panda White (PWS) Strains)). 300 birds per Strain were reared in a Completely Randomized Design in an intensive system of management practice with ad libitum feed and water for 10 weeks. Strains were considered treatments. 300 eggs were used for  External (Egg Weight (EW), Egg Length (EL), Egg Width (EW), Eggshell Weight (SW), Shell Thickness (ST) and  Internal (Yolk Height (YH), Yolk Diameter (YD), Albumen Weight (AW), Albumen Diameter (AD), Albumen Height (AH), Haugh Unit (Hu)) egg parameters. Data were subjected to ANOVA of SAS Ver.9.2. Strain significantly (p < 0.05) affected all external egg parameters of Japanese quails except EW measured. The mean values obtained in EL (2.90 ± 0.01 cm) and ED (2.47 ± 0.01 cm) for PWS were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that of CBS with 2.86 ± 0.01 (EL) and 2.36 ± 0.0 (ED) while 0.82 ± 0.01 g (SW) and 0.11 ± 0.02 cm (ST) for CBS were higher (p < 0.05) significantly than 0.80 ± 0.01 g (SW) and 0.07 ± 0.01 (ST) for PWS. Strain significantly (p < 0.05) influenced all internal egg parameters of Japanese quails exception of YH and YW measured. CBS had higher mean values of 3.25 ± 0.03 cm (AD), 2.35 ± 0.01 cm (YD) and 1.42 ± 0.06 (YC) than PWS with 3.14 ± 0.02 cm (AD), 2.30 ± 0.01 cm (YD) and 1.16 ± 0.03 (YC) while PWS was superior in AH (0.42 ± 0.01 cm), AW (1.77 ± 0.04 g) and Hu (62.10 ± 0.12%) compared to CBS with AH (0.40 ± 0.00 cm), AW (1.66 ± 0.03 g) and Hu (60.67 ± 0.38%). However, CBS had a better external egg quality because of the heavier and thicker shell mean which protect the internal egg contents while PWS performed better in internal egg parameters as Hu qualifies a good quality egg. In conclusion, Cinnamon brown strain of Japanese quails should be reared for egg production purpose as it has better external egg quality to protect the internal egg contents.
Assessment of a Climate-smart Cropping Combination for Integrated Crop and Livestock Production System
Authors: Tembo Langa , Chabala Lydia M. , Sianangama Pharaoh C.
Published: February 2020

Aims: To investigate sustainable climate-smart cropping combinations for integrated production of crops and livestock.

Study Design: The mother baby trial design was used. The mother trial being an on-station experiment and the on-farm being baby trials. The experiment was arranged as a split plot design. The main plots were 3 types of soil amendments; cattle manure, fertilizer and a control. The subplots were eight (8) crop combinations, arising from velvet bean, cowpea, rhodes grass and ryegrass.

Place and Duration of Study: The on-station field experiment was located at Liempe farm of the University of Zambia, in Chongwe district. The on-farm experiments were laid in Mazabuka and Chibombo districts of Zambia for two consecutive seasons, 2016/17 and 2017/18 cropping  seasons.

Methodology: The cropping combination responses were measured based on variable performance of maize test-crop. The ‘soil amendments type’ and ‘crop combination’ performance were evaluated using analysis of variance. Means were separated using Fisher protected Least Significant Difference (LSD) at α = 0.05. Principal component analysis (PCA), was also undertaken to further understand responses among crop combinations. Farmers reactions arising from experimental implementation was qualitatively analysed using content analysis.

Results: Significant differences (P = .05) across cropping combinations on measured variables (for maize test crop) were exhibited among soil amendments type at an on-station trial during the 2017/ 18 season. Fertilizer soil amendment type was the best performer followed by manure and the control. Significant differences (P = .05) were also obtained among crop combinations across soil amendment type in all experimental sites. Crop combinations with velvet bean performed better than others. Qualitative grass inspection showed that rhodes grass was a better performer than rye grass.

Conclusion: Maize grown in combination with legumes particularly velvet beans and rhodes grass are a viable option as a smallholder farming practice in a changing climate.
Assessment of Genetic Diversity in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) under Irrigated and Drought Stress Condition
Authors: Perween Sadia , Kumar Anand , Prasad Bishun Deo , Choudhary Mukesh
Published: February 2020

A set of 48 rice genotypes were evaluated to assess the magnitude of genetic diversity under irrigated (control) and reproductive stage drought stress conditions during Kharif, 2018 at Rice Research Farm, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour (Bhagalpur), India. On the basis of D2 statistics, all the genotypes were grouped into nineteen clusters in irrigated condition with cluster I consisting of maximum number of genotypes (24) followed by cluster III (7) and rest of the clusters were represented by single genotype in irrigated condition. Under drought stress condition, forty eight genotypes were grouped into eleven clusters, cluster I consisted of maximum number of genotypes (24) followed by cluster II and III (8 genotypes in each cluster) and rest of the clusters were mono-genotypic. The highest inter-cluster distance was recorded between cluster XVIII and XIX (28.53), followed by cluster X and VIII (24.20), cluster XIII and XVIII (23.98) and cluster VII and XVIII (23.79) in irrigated condition while in drought stress condition the highest inter-cluster distance was observed between cluster IX and X (31.72), followed by cluster V and IX (28.77), cluster VI and VII (25.98) and cluster IV and IX (25.98) indicating wider genetic diversity among the genotypes between these clusters. The hybridisation programme involving genotype of cluster XVIII and cluster XIX under irrigated condition and the genotypes of cluster IX and X under drought stress condition could be undertaken to isolate high yielding segregants, since these genotypes have high yielding potential, number of effective tillers per hill, relative water content, leaf area, root biomass, panicle length, biological yield, harvest index, plant height, number of fertile grains per panicle, total number of spikelets per panicle, leaf area and proline content with more genetic distances. The parents for hybridisation could be selected on the basis of their large inter-cluster distance for isolating useful recombinants in the segregating generations. Hence, these genotypes might be used in a multiple crossing programme to recover transgressive segregants. Therefore, it is suggested that if the diverse genotypes from these groups along with the other desirable attributes are used in breeding programmes, it is expected to produce better segregants for high grain yield and yield contributing traits due to non-allelic interaction.
Diversity of Traditional Medicinal Plants in Agro Forestry Landuse in Govind Pashuvihar Wildlife Sanctuary Uttarakhand India
Authors: Aziem Showkat , Negi Ajeet Kumar , Mir Naseer A.
Published: February 2020

The present investigation was carried out to document ethano-medicinal plant diversity in agroforestry land-use in Govind pashuvihar wildlife sanctuary Uttarakhand. For the present study 10 sample plots of 1 hectare each were randomly placed in 5 selected villages across the wildlife sanctuary. A total of 29 plant species including 22 herbs, 5 shrubs and 2 tree species were recorded to have medicinal importance in the local recipe. Asteraceae (4), Rosaceae (4) and Polygonaceae (4) form the dominant families of medicinal importance. These plants were used to treat a total of 17 different diseases. The medicinal plants in high altitudes are facing multiple threats due to multiple causes and it is thus imperative to have alternative land-use for conservation of these medicinal plants and agroforestry being the prominent land-use could be precursor for the conservation of medicinal plants and evade pressure from the natural habitat.
Evaluation of Zinc, Vitamin C and Vitamin E Levels in Male Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Ositadinma Ifeanyichukwu Martin , Martina Ngwu Amauche
Published: February 2020

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the serum/plasma levels of zinc, vitamin C and E in male subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus to establish their concentration pattern.

Place and Duration of Study: Medical outpatient clinic, Chemical Pathology Laboratory of Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital, between January and December 2016.

Methodology: This prospective cohort study enrolled 40 male individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus and 40 apparently healthy control, within the age range of 45-75 years. Zinc, vitamin C, vitamin E, and fasting blood glucose levels were determined at pre-treatment, six months and 12 months into treatment.

Results: The mean values of zinc, vitamin E and fasting blood glucose were significantly higher at pre-treatment compared to apparently healthy control values (147. 76 +/- 32.95 vs 114.31+/- 15.58 µg/dl, 11.88 +/- 3.13 vs 3.42 +/- 0.21 mg/dl and 8.08 +/- 3.22 vs 5.25+/- 0.35 mmol/l respectively) (p=<0.001, <0.001, and <0.001 respectively). At 6 month into treatment in comparison to pre-treatment values, there were significant decreases in vitamin C (3.90+/-0.97 vs 5.15+/-1.43 mg/dl) (p= 0.04). At 12 month into treatment in comparison to pre-treatment values, there were significant decreases in vitamin C (3.25+/-0.16 vs 5.15+/-1.43 mg/dl) (p= <0.001). At pre-treatment, vitamin C significantly decrease from 6.49 +/- 0.96 mg/dl in age group 45-64 years to 4.10 +/- 0.76 mg/dl in age >65 years (p=0.01).

Conclusion: The levels of vitamin C were lower at six months, but lowest at 12 month into treatment. Also vitamin C levels were found to be lower in age >65 years.
What Does Recent Survey Data Say About the Effect of Corruption on Poverty in Africa?
Authors: Eshun Joseph , Baah Justice Ackom
Published: February 2020

Poverty is perpetuated by increased levels of corruption. It diverts resources, which denies the poor masses their right to enjoy necessities to improve their living standards. To estimate the impact of corruption on poverty, the study relied on the random effect, fixed effects and the instrumental variable regression techniques. The estimates from the instrumental variable regression show that OLS underestimates the effect of corruption on poverty levels in Africa. That's, it shows that the OLS estimates are biased downwards due to inconsistencies as a result of the endogeneity of the levels of corruption. While the instrumental variable technique produces an estimated effect ranging from .805-1.073 increased levels of corruption on lived poverty index, the OLS estimates an impact within a range of approximately .058-.168. This paper confirms the governance model of the effect of corruption on poverty through its effects on reducing the credibility of public institutions. The study thus recommends that public institutions must be strengthened, financed and be equipped to be able to apply the rule of law, thereby helping reduce corruption.
Unionization Efforts by Physicians Between 2000 and 2024
Authors: Rooke-Ley Hayden , Richman Barak , Bowling Daniel S. , Nikolov Margaret , Schulman Kevin
Published: December 2024

This cohort study examines trends in attending physician unionization efforts.