bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Caracterización del comportamiento mecánico durante la fase de estricción de los aceros corrugados Tempcore 500C: experimentación y simulación
Authors: Hortigon Beatriz , Ancio Fernando , Herrera-Garrido María A. , Gallardo José M.
Published: September 2021

El cálculo de los valores de tensión y deformación verdaderos en probetas cilíndricas de metales dúctiles durante la estricción ha sido ampliamente estudiado por diversos autores partiendo, en todos los casos, de una geometría simétrica del cuello. En este estudio se analiza la evolución del perfil del cuello en las barras corrugadas de los aceros Tempcore, proponiendo una metodología experimental mediante análisis en 3D. Conocer el verdadero comportamiento hasta rotura de este acero es de vital importancia para describir su respuesta ante situaciones límites. Los resultados experimentales obtenidos son comparados con los de barras cilíndricas de acero similar, siendo ambos validados mediante análisis por Elementos Finitos. Dicha comparativa permite comprobar que la existencia de corrugas implica una reducción de la deformación en rotura debido a la concentración de tensiones que se origina en zonas próximas al arranque de las mismas.
Optimized Survey Design for Monitoring Protocols: A Case Study of Waterfowl Abundance
Authors: Kumar Alexander V. , Rice Mindy B.
Published: September 2021

Nationwide monitoring programs are important tools that quantify the status and trends of natural resources, providing important information for management and conservation decisions. These programs operate at large spatial scales with standardized protocols that require wide-spread participation. However, resource limitations can reduce participation, which can then compromise the spatial replication needed for nationwide inference. The Integrated Waterbird Management and Monitoring program is an example of a national monitoring program that could benefit from a reduction in sampling effort to facilitate increased participation and ultimately broader inference. Therefore, we examined various sampling schemes to determine whether it is possible to reduce the sampling effort while maintaining the statistical accuracy needed to support management. We found that instead of needing to census a National Wildlife Refuge, sampling effort could be reduced while accurately estimating waterfowl abundance to within 10% of the census count by surveying just two-thirds of all the sample units or three-fourths of the total survey area. Not only did this guideline apply to our five pilot National Wildlife Refuges, but it was also further validated by applying it to four additional National Wildlife Refuges. We hope that by applying this finding to other National Wildlife Refuges, we can increase participation in the program by reducing the logistical and financial burden of sampling.
Marx and history: the Russian road and the myth of historical determinism
Authors: Pires Guilherme Nunes
Published: September 2021

This paper aims to point out the limits of the historical determinism thesis in Marx’s thought by analyzing his writings on the Russian issue and the possibility of a “Russian road” to socialism. The perspective of historical determinism implies that Marx’s thought is supported by a unilinear view of social evolution, i.e. history is understood as a succession of modes of production and their internal relations inexorably leading to a classless society. We argue that in letters and drafts on the Russian issue, Marx opposes to any attempt associate his thought with a deterministic conception of history. It is pointed out that Marx’s contact with the Russian populists in the 1880s provides textual elements allowing to impose limits on the idea of historical determinism and the unilinear perspective in the historical process.
A Survey on Arabic Handwritten Script Recognition Systems
Authors: Djaghbellou Soumia , Bouziane Abderraouf , Attia Abdelouahab , Akhtar Zahid
Published: September 2021

The optical character recognition (OCR) system is still an active research field in pattern recognition. Such systems can identify, recognize and distinguish electronically between characters and texts, printed or handwritten. They can also do a transformation of such data type into machine-processable form to facilitate the interaction between user and machine in various applications. In this paper, we present the global structure of an OCR system, with its types (on-line and off-line), categories (printed and handwritten) and its main steps. We also focused on off-line handwritten Arabic character recognition and provided a list of the main datasets publicly available. This paper also presents a survey of the works that have been carried out over recent years. Finally, some open issues and potential research directions have been highlighted
An Integrated Process for Verifying Deep Learning Classifiers Using Dataset Dissimilarity Measures
Authors: Hond Darryl , Asgari Hamid , Jeffery Daniel , Newman Mike
Published: September 2021

The specification and verification of algorithms is vital for safety-critical autonomous systems which incorporate deep learning elements. We propose an integrated process for verifying artificial neural network (ANN) classifiers. This process consists of an off-line verification and an on-line performance prediction phase. The process is intended to verify ANN classifier generalisation performance, and to this end makes use of dataset dissimilarity measures. We introduce a novel measure for quantifying the dissimilarity between the dataset used to train a classification algorithm, and the test dataset used to evaluate and verify classifier performance. A system-level requirement could specify the permitted form of the functional relationship between classifier performance and a dissimilarity measure; such a requirement could be verified by dynamic testing. Experimental results, obtained using publicly available datasets, suggest that the measures have relevance to real-world practice for both quantifying dataset dissimilarity, and specifying and verifying classifier performance.
Factors Affecting Employee Retention in Zimbabwean Companies
Authors: Magaisa Gibbet Murambiwa , Musundire Austin
Published: September 2021

The decline of the Zimbabwean economy characterised by the high inflation rate has rendered it difficult for Zimbabwean manufacturing to retain talented employees. The quantitative research methodology was adopted in this paper. The sample size of the study comprised 100 respondents who were randomly selected from the manufacturing companies in Zimbabwe. The sample size of the study was made out of 10 managing directors 10 managers 10 supervisors and 70 employees drawn from the 50 manufacturing companies that were randomly selected. It was established that the companies are failing to retain talented employees and a lot of the employees are leaving the organisations. Retrenchments and restructurings have become the order of the day. The study recommended that employees needed to implement employee retention strategies to remain viable.
The Moderating Role of Gender on Pathos and Logos in Online Shopping Behavior
Authors: Verma Vishal , Anand Swati , Mishra Kushendra
Published: September 2021

Many research studies and observations have made it evident that there exists a difference between the shopping behavior of the male and female. The objective of this research paper is to explore the moderation effect of gender on the influence of pathos & logos in online shopping. Pathos can be explained as the emotional quotient in the purchasing behavior whereas Logos can be understood as the logic behind purchasing a particular product. Structural Equation Modeling is used for the final analysis and interpretation of the formulated hypothesis. The three approaches used are Chi-square Difference, Pairwise Parameter Comparisons & Nested Model Comparisons to know the moderating role of gender on the relationship between pathos & logos in online shopping. The findings of this research conclude that females are more governed by emotions, which is a complex buying behavior. The practical implication of this research paper is beneficial not only for the customers who frequently purchase the goods online but also for the e-commerce companies who are in the online trading business.
The Effects of Cross-Border E-Commerce Platforms on Transnational Digital Entrepreneurship
Authors: Duan Carson , Kotey Bernice , Sandhu Kamaljeet
Published: September 2021

This research examines the important concept of transnational digital entrepreneurship (TDE). The paper integrates the host and home country entrepreneurial ecosystems with the digital ecosystem to the framework of the transnational digital entrepreneurial ecosystem. The authors argue that cross-border e-commerce platforms provide critical foundations in the digital entrepreneurial ecosystem. Entrepreneurs who count on this ecosystem are defined as transnational digital entrepreneurs. Interview data were dissected for the purpose of case studies to make understanding from twelve Chinese immigrant entrepreneurs living in Australia and New Zealand. The results of the data analysis reveal that cross-border entrepreneurs are in actual fact relying on the significant framework of the transnational digital ecosystem. Cross-border e-commerce platforms not only play a bridging role between home and host country ecosystems but provide entrepreneurial capitals as digital ecosystem promised.
The E-Commerce Investment and Enterprise Performance Based on Customer Relationship Management
Authors: Sun Yili , Wang Ping
Published: September 2021

In the current dynamic and complex competitive environment, the implementation of enterprise e-commerce plays an important role in the development of external business process activities. Through the Internet, information sharing and business process collaboration between enterprises and customers can be realized. This kind of e-service activity based on e-commerce process is particularly important for customers. However, many business managers have some doubts about the implementation of customer service-oriented online business activities, because customer service-oriented online business activities need a lot of IT investment, and the performance of this e-business activities is not easy to measure.
Decorative Art Pattern Mining and Discovery Based on Group User Intelligence
Authors: Shen Kangning , Tu Rongrong , Yao Rongju , Wang Sifeng , Luhach Ashish K.
Published: September 2021

With the continuous developments of real estates and the increasing personalization of people, more and more house owners are willing to search for and discover their preferred decorative art patterns via various house decoration cases sharing websites or platforms. Through browsing and analyzing existing house decoration cases on the Web, a new house owner can find out his or her interested decorative art patterns; however, the above decorative art pattern mining and discovery process is often time-consuming and boring due to the big volume of existing house decoration cases on the Web. Therefore, it is becoming a challenging task to develop a time-efficient decorative art pattern mining and discovery method based on the available house decoration cases provided by historical users. Considering this challenge, a novel LSH-based similar house owners clustering approach is proposed. A set of experiments are designed to validate the effectiveness and efficiency of our proposal.
Research on the Risk of Social Stability of Enterprise Credit Supervision Mechanism Based on Big Data
Authors: Meng Tao , Li Qi , Dong Zheng , Zhao Feifei
Published: September 2021

The study aims to establish a platform-based enterprise credit supervision mechanism, and combined with big data, accurately evaluate the credit assets of enterprises under the influence of social stability risk, and improve the ability of enterprises to deal with risks. Using descriptive statistical methods, the study shows that most local enterprises exist in the form of micro loans, which promotes the development of local economy to a certain extent, but it is a vicious cycle of economic development; The overall prediction accuracy of the single enterprise risk assessment model under the influence of social stability risk is 65%. Compared with the single algorithm, the prediction accuracy of the integrated algorithm model is significantly improved, and the prediction accuracy can reach 83.5%, the standard deviation of data prediction is small, and the stability of the model is high.
Dendritic Cell–Specific Role for Pellino2 as a Mediator of TLR9 Signaling Pathway
Authors: Oleszycka Ewa , Rodgers Aoife M , Xu Linan , Moynagh Paul N
Published: September 2021

Ubiquitination regulates immune signaling, and multiple E3 ubiquitin ligases have been studied in the context of their role in immunity. Despite this progress, the physiological roles of the Pellino E3 ubiquitin ligases, especially Pellino2, in immune regulation remain largely unknown. Accordingly, this study aimed to elucidate the role of Pellino2 in murine dendritic cells (DCs). In this study, we reveal a critical role of Pellino2 in regulation of the proinflammatory response following TLR9 stimulation. Pellino2-deficient murine DCs show impaired secretion of IL-6 and IL-12. Loss of Pellino2 does not affect TLR9-induced activation of NF-κB or MAPKs, pathways that drive expression of IL-6 and IL-12. Furthermore, DCs from Pellino2-deficient mice show impaired production of type I IFN following endosomal TLR9 activation, and it partly mediates a feed-forward loop of IFN-β that promotes IL-12 production in DCs. We also observe that Pellino2 in murine DCs is downregulated following TLR9 stimulation, and its overexpression induces upregulation of both IFN-β and IL-12, demonstrating the sufficiency of Pellino2 in driving these responses. This suggests that Pellino2 is critical for executing TLR9 signaling, with its expression being tightly regulated to prevent excessive inflammatory response. Overall, this study highlights a (to our knowledge) novel role for Pellino2 in regulating DC functions and further supports important roles for Pellino proteins in mediating and controlling immunity.
Signal Integration by Translocation and Phosphorylation of PKCδ in the B Cell Alternate Pathway
Authors: Khan Naeem , Hu Yongmei , Lowell Clifford A , Rothstein Thomas L
Published: September 2021

B cell signaling for activation via the BCR occurs as an isolated event only in vitro; in real life, BCR signaling takes place within a complex milieu that involves interactions with agents that trigger additional receptors. Chief among these is IL-4. We have shown that BCR signaling is reprogrammed by IL-4 receptor engagement and that this reprogramming involves creation of a new, signalosome-independent, Lyn-dependent alternate signaling pathway in B cells isolated from BALB/cByJ mice. A unique aspect of the alternate pathway is protein kinase Cδ (PKCδ) phosphorylation. In dissecting this pathway, we unexpectedly found that Lyn is associated with IL-4Rα, that IL-4 induces Lyn activation, and that Lyn immunoprecipitated from IL-4–treated B cells capably phosphorylates PKCδ in a cell-free system. However, PKCδ phosphorylation does not occur in the absence of BCR triggering in vivo. This raised the question of why IL-4 alone failed to produce PKCδ phosphorylation. We considered the possibility that Lyn and PKCδ may be spatially separated. As expected, before any treatment, Lyn is located primarily in the membrane fraction, whereas PKCδ is located mainly in the cytosol fraction. However, when anti-Ig follows IL-4 treatment, PKCδ is found in the membrane fraction and phosphorylated. This translocation of PKCδ to the membrane fraction is not affected by loss of Lyn, although PKCδ phosphorylation requires Lyn. Thus, PKCδ phosphorylation through the alternate pathway represents the result of signal integration, whereby neither IL-4 nor anti-Ig working alone produces this outcome, but together they achieve this result by Lyn activation (IL-4) and PKCδ translocation (IL-4 followed by anti-Ig).
miR-29a-3p enhances the radiosensitivity of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells by inhibiting ADAM12
Authors: Jiang Cuihong , Liu Feng , Xiao Shuai , He Lili , Wu Wenqiong , Zhao Qi
Published: September 2021

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common malignant tumor in the head and neck, and radiotherapy is the main approach for this disease, while irradiation resistance is a huge challenge that influences radiosensitivity. This study aims to determine the role and function of miR-29a-3p and ADAM12 in the radiosensitivity of OSCC cells. The expression pattern of ADAM12 in OSCC cells was searched in TCGA database. The binding of miR-29a-3p and ADAM12 was predicted by Starbase and verified using dual luciferase reporter gene assay. The RNA or protein expressions of miR-29a-3p and ADAM12 were measured by RT-qPCR or western blot. OSCC cell lines were treated by various γ-ray irradiation dosages before the alteration on miR-29a-3p expression and on the cell viability, proliferation, migration and cell apoptosis was detected. ADAM12 was highly expressed in OSCC cells, whose expression in resistant cells was positively correlated with irradiation dosage. Overexpression of ADAM12 in OSCC cells lead to increased cell proliferation and migration ability as well as inhibited cell apoptosis. miRNAs potentially binding ADAM12 in PITA, microT, miRmap and targetscan were screened, among which miR-29a-3p had the maximum differential expression levels in OSCC cells determined by RT-qPCR. Overexpression of miR-29a-3p resulted in suppressed cell viability, proliferation, migration ability and increased cell apoptosis, while this expression pattern can be partially counteracted by ADAM12 overexpression in OSCC cells. miR-29a-3p through targeting and inhibiting AMDM12 enhances the radiosensitivity of OSCC cells.
Recovering of oxygenation, physical function and disability in patients with COVID-19
Authors: Bertacchini Laura , Paneroni Mara , Comini Laura , Scalvini Simonetta , Vitacca Michele
Published: September 2021

The present cases report describes middle-time course of respiratory and physical variables in eight COVID-19 patients who were transferred from ICU of COVID Hub in our subacute COVID-19 unit. Secondly, they were admitted in a pulmonary rehabilitation unit and, at discharge, a tele-rehabilitation program was provided as a continuum of care at home. Time course of oxygenation, physical function and disability were recorded. As expected, the acute event produced in these patients a dramatic worsening in oxygenation and physical activities, with a substantial improvement in oxygenation and mild disability after the sub-acute stay.  After rehabilitation program, the patients showed additional improvement in particular in physical function. Anyway, this recover was not complete for all patients. The majority of COVID-19 survivors experienced ARF recovered oxygenation, physical function and disability within a median time of 137 days. A minority needs further follow up and rehabilitation maintenance due to incomplete recovery.
A case of B.1.1.7 SARS-CoV-2 UK strain with an atypical radiological presentation
Authors: Doğan Emrah , Tapan Utku , Oral Tapan Özge , Alaşan Fatih , Olcay Sabri Serhan , Çınar Olcay Tuğba
Published: September 2021

The new UK strain was first described in December 2020. It was seen for the first time in Turkey in February 2021. It is not yet known whether the new strain has different CT patterns compared to the classical type. We present a 68-years-old male patient with an atypical CT presentation in which GGOs are gathered around the areas of paraseptal emphysema accompanied by CT and clinical findings. This involvement is an unexpected pattern because of the atypical distribution of the GGO.
Full medical treatment of COVID-19 associated large pneumothorax - A case report
Authors: Fantin Alberto , Castaldo Nadia , Vailati Paolo , Morana Giuseppe , Patruno Vincenzo
Published: September 2021

A 52-year-old man was re-admitted two weeks after recovering from severe COVD-19 following a 3-days history of cough and worsening shortness of breath. The chest radiograph showed a large right-sided pneumothorax. The first attempt at drainage, performed through a large bored tube, failed. Due to the large dimension of the pneumothorax, and the lung condition (extensive consolidation and diffuse bullous dystrophies), the only thoracic surgical approach prospected was a pneumonectomy. Willing to preserve the lung, the pulmonology team attempted a multi-phase medical-oriented strategy based on medical thoracoscopy. Therefore, the patient underwent 5 chest tube insertions, 2 talc pleurodesis, and an intrapleural blood patch. Air leakage resolution was progressively achieved, and the patient became asymptomatic.
            We strongly encourage a medical thoracoscopic approach for the patient presenting with recurrent pneumothorax in order to ensure complete lung re-expansion and preserve lung parenchyma.
Exploring understandings of sexual consent amongst Life Orientation student-teachers through intergroup dialogue
Authors: Khau Mathabo
Published: September 2021

In this article, the author reports on how intergroup dialogue was used amongst Life Orientation (LO) student-teachers to deconstruct the heteropatriarchal notions of sexual consent, in the context of gender-based violence (GBV). Three sessions of intergroup dialogue were arranged between third-year student-teachers and female survivors of GBV from a local Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) in exploring the perceptions of sexual consent, to deepen their understanding regarding the concepts of shaming, blaming and silencing that perpetuate GBV in communities. Third-year LO student-teachers engaged in dialogue with four youth survivors of GBV from a local NPO who shared their experiences of GBV and sexual consent. The heteropatriarchal views to GBV held by student-teachers were disrupted through the dialogues between the two groups thus enabling a greater understanding of sexual consent and the role played by shaming, blaming and silencing of victims in perpetuating GBV. The findings highlighted that intergroup dialogue could be a useful tool in creating norm-critical and sex-positive schools and communities.
Algorithms yield upper bounds in differential algebra
Authors: Li Wei , Ovchinnikov Alexey , Pogudin Gleb , Scanlon Thomas
Published: September 2021

Consider an algorithm computing in a differential field with several commuting derivations such that the only operations it performs with the elements of the field are arithmetic operations, differentiation, and zero testing. We show that, if the algorithm is guaranteed to terminate on every input, then there is a computable upper bound for the size of the output of the algorithm in terms of the size of the input. We also generalize this to algorithms working with models of good enough theories (including, for example, difference fields).

We then apply this to differential algebraic geometry to show that there exists a computable uniform upper bound for the number of components of any variety defined by a system of polynomial PDEs. We then use this bound to show the existence of a computable uniform upper bound for the elimination problem in systems of polynomial PDEs with delays.
Fine Selmer groups of congruent p-adic Galois representations
Authors: Kleine Sören , Müller Katharina
Published: September 2021

We compare the Pontryagin duals of fine Selmer groups of two congruent p-adic Galois representations over admissible pro-p, p-adic Lie extensions
$K_\infty $
of number fields K. We prove that in several natural settings the
$\pi $
-primary submodules of the Pontryagin duals are pseudo-isomorphic over the Iwasawa algebra; if the coranks of the fine Selmer groups are not equal, then we can still prove inequalities between the
$\mu $
-invariants. In the special case of a
$\mathbb {Z}_p$
-extension
$K_\infty /K$
, we also compare the Iwasawa
$\lambda $
-invariants of the fine Selmer groups, even in situations where the
$\mu $
-invariants are nonzero. Finally, we prove similar results for certain abelian non-p-extensions.
On the existence of free subsemigroups in reversible automata semigroups
Authors: Francoeur Dominik , Mitrofanov Ivan
Published: September 2021

We prove that the semigroup generated by a reversible Mealy automaton contains a free subsemigroup of rank two if and only if it contains an element of infinite order.
Waterbird Foraging Habitat Selection in Balikpapan Bay: Water Depth and Patch Area as Important Factors
Authors: Putera Alexander Kurniawan Sariyanto , Perwitasari-Farajallah Dyah , Mulyani Yeni Aryati , Lhota Stanislav , Herliansyah Riki , Sodikin Sodikin
Published: September 2021

Balikpapan Bay is one of the wetlands providing potential foraging habitat for waterbirds in Indonesia. Potential habitat loss due to oil industry expansion, recent waterbird occurrence, and co-occurrence of two closely related species with similar foraging characteristics led to habitat selection. Habitat selection could be affected by food as an intrinsic factor and extrinsic factor, for example, accessibility to the physical and biological components of the habitat. This study aimed to measure the foraging habitat selection, identify significant habitat quality parameters for the habitat selection and predict the foraging habitat selection model. We used one-zero sampling for collecting foraging habitat selection data, corer sampling for prey data, and collecting the abiotic environment, and Generalized Linear Modelling (GLM) to build the model. We identified four species as the migrant Little Egret (Egretta garzetta), Great Egret (Ardea alba), Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea), and Lesser Adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus). All species, except Purple Heron, selected foraging habitats. A simple mathematic model of foraging habitat selection was significantly affected by two factors: water depth and patch area. A large patch area may provide primary prey abundance for waterbirds, while a low water depth level may give easy access to the prey.
Déterminants clés de la pratique optimale de l’allaitement exclusif au niveau de la communauté urbaine de Niamey, Niger
Authors: Halima Diadie Oumarou , Abdourahamane Balla
Published: September 2021

L’allaitement maternel exclusif (AME), mode d’alimentation de prédilection pour les nourrissons, demeure insuffisamment pratiqué.  ’objectif général de cette étude était de contribuer à la pratique optimale de l’AME au niveau de la communauté urbaine de Niamey. Cette étude transversale, d’une durée de 3 mois a porté sur un échantillon de 400 mères d’enfants de 0-6 mois choisi, par commodité au cours de leurs consultations nourrisson au niveau des centres de santé. Les résultats ont montré que l’initiation précoce à l’allaitement maternel a concerné 48% d’enfants ayant été mis au sein dans l’heure qui suit la naissance, et que seulement 33, 5% des mères ont pratiqué l’AME. Cependant, l’analyse statistique traduit une association entre l’allaitement maternel exclusif et certains des facteurs testés. Ces facteurs clés permettant d’optimiser la pratique de l’AME demeurent: la connaissance de la durée et de la définition de l’AME, la connaissance des avantages de l’AME pour la mère tels que : retarde la fertilité et renforce le lien mère/enfant ; la connaissance des avantages pour l’enfant notamment: enfant grossit bien ou l’enfant est toujours en bonne santé et enfin le caractère économique de l’AME. Ces données permettent une meilleure orientation des interventions axées sur la pratique optimale de l’allaitement maternel à Niamey.

 

English title: Key determinants of exclusive breastfeeding optimal practice in the urban community of Niamey, Niger

Exclusive breastfeeding, the preferred feeding mode for infants, remains insufficiently practised. The overall objective of this study was to contribute to the optimal practice of exclusive breastfeeding in Niamey urban community. This cross-sectional study included a sample of 400 mothers of children aged 0-6 months chosen for convenience during their infant consultations at the health centre level. The results showed that 48% of children who were breast-fed within one hour of birth were introduced early to breastfeeding, and only 33.5% of mothers practiced exclusive breastfeeding. However, the statistical analysis shows an association between exclusive breastfeeding and some of the factors tested. These key factors for optimizing the practice of exclusive breastfeeding remain: knowledge of the duration and definition of breastfeeding, knowledge of the benefits of breastfeeding for the mother such as: delays fertility and strengthens the mother/child bond; knowledge of the benefits for the child in particular: child grows well or the child is always healthy and finally the economic character of the breastfeeding. These data allow a better orientation of interventions focused on the optimal practice of breastfeeding in Niamey.
Modèle de distribution des nématodes chez le poisson chat (Clarias anguillaris (Linnaeus, 1758)) dans deux réservoirs du Burkina Faso (Afrique de l’Ouest)
Authors: Sinare Yamba , Boungou Magloire , Kangoye Malika N. , Kabre Gustave B.
Published: September 2021

Paracamallanus cyathopharynx, Procamallanus laevichoncus, Rhabdochona congolensis, Contracaecum sp., Anisakis sp. et une espèce non identifiée. Les nématodes étaient plus nombreux dans le réservoir de Ziga. Cependant, la prévalence des nématodes n’a pas varié dans les deux sites. Les nématodes adultes étaient plus diversifiés dans le tube digestif et les larves étaient fréquentes dans la cavité et dans les tissus des organes. Parmi les espèces de nématodes étudiés, Anisakis sp. a été rencontrée chez les poissons pour la première fois au Burkina Faso. Cette investigation a permis de connaître les espèces de nématodes qu’héberge C. anguillaris au Burkina Faso. Ces espèces n’avaient pas la même distribution chez l’hôte de même que les différents stades. Les adultes étaient rencontrés dans le tube digestif et les larves dans les tissus et les mésentères

English title: Nematode distribution pattern in catfish (Clarias anguillaris (Linnaeus, 1758)) in two reservoirs of Burkina Faso (West Africa)

Clarias anguillaris is a fish widely consumed in Burkina Faso. Among the parasites of this fish, we note the nematodes whose diversity and preferred organs are not very well known. This work shows diversity and distribution of nematodes of C. anguillaris. The host fish were sampled in two reservoirs in Burkina Faso; namely the Loumbila dam and the Ziga dam. At each sampling, the host fish were examined for nematodes. The digestive tract, for its part, was separated from the secondary organs after dissection, and each part was examined for the collection of nematodes. A total of 268 Clarias anguillaris were examined. Of the fish examined, 74.63% were infected. 06 species of Nematodes were collected: Paracamallanus cyathopharynx, Procamallanus laevichoncus, Rhabdochona congolensis, Contracaecum sp., Anisakis sp. and an unidentified nematode. Nematodes were more abundant in Ziga dam. However, the percentage of nematodes infestation did not vary at both sites. Adults’ nematodes were more diverse in the digestive tract and larva were more found in the cavity and in the tissues. Among the species of nematodes studied, Anisakis sp. was encountered for the first time on fishes in Burkina Faso. This investigation allowed to discover the nematode species harbored by C. anguillaris in Burkina Faso. These species did not have the same distribution in the host nor the different stages of the nematodes. Adults were found in the digestive tract and larvae in tissues and mesenteries.
Impacts of artisanal and small-scale gold mining on soils in northern regions of Côte d’Ivoire: cases of Boundiali, Korhogo and Tengrela
Authors: Beda Jean C. A. , Ouattara Jean-Marie P. , Messou Aman , Coulibaly Lacina
Published: September 2021

The development artisanal and small-scale gold mining in recent years in Côte d'Ivoire could pose a risk to soils and health of local communities. This study aimed at assessing the impacts of artisanal and small-scale gold mining on the soils in the areas in the northen localities (Boundiali, Korhogo and Tengrela) of Côte d’Ivoire, where those activities are accentuated. Field observation and physico-chemical parameters analysis (potential hydrogen (pH), cation exchange capacity (CEC), organic matter (OM)) and pollutants (mercury (Hg), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As) and cyanide (CN)) in soil samples were carried out. The results indicate that artisanal gold mining create soils erosion and consequently, soil structure destruction. Trace metals concentrations were 0.0001-0.0051 mg/kg (Hg), 0.002-0.32 mg/kg (CN), 18.90-73.10 mg/kg (Cu), 16.40-50.1 mg/kg (As) and 10.20-26.60 mg/kg (Zn). Geoaccumulation index (Igeo) in soils showed uncontamination for Hg and Zn, uncontamination to moderate contamination for Cu and moderate to strong contamination for As. According to ecological risk index (Eri), As could pose considerable to high risks to biota in study area. This study highlights serious risks to soil biota and human health, from artisanal gold mining activities. Thus, it is necessary to clean-up arsenic-contaminated soils.
Nutrient composition and functional properties: Suitability of flour of sweet potatoes (Ipomea batatas) for incorporation into food production
Authors: Waidyarathna G.R. Nipuni Nayanathara , Ekanayake Sagarika
Published: September 2021

Sweet potatoes are effortlessly grown and high yielding food crop. However, these are considered as underutilized produce with limited incorporation into food industry. Hence the objectives of this study were to determine the nutrient composition and functional properties of twelve (12) sweet potato varieties available in Sri Lanka to study the potential to be incorporated into food production. The varieties analysed were Ama, Dhawala, Wariyapola White, Wariyapola Red, Shanthi, Hordi Malee, CARI 09, CARI 273, Ranabima, Gannoruwa White, Chithra and Makandura Purple. Determination of moisture, ash, crude protein, crude fat, dietary fiber (soluble/insoluble), carbohydrates and functional properties were by standard methods. Ash, crude fat and crude protein contents comprised less than 7% (dry matter; DM) with total carbohydrate content varying between 49-80% DM in studied sweet potatoes. Total dietary fiber comprises approximately 8.5% (DM) with the highest proportion being insoluble dietary fiber. Functional properties resulted a swelling capacity of 15-27 mL with high oil absorption capacity (120-220%), emulsion activity (42-48%) and stability (above 35%), and bulking density (0.62-0.95 g/cc) with least gelation concentration of 18-30%. The results prove the ability of the studied sweet potato flours to be incorporated in composite flour mixtures and novel food products.
Pratiques et contraintes de l’élevage de la chèvre rousse de Maradi en milieu rural au Niger
Authors: M'Bareck Molid Aziada , Ousseini Mahaman M. Mouctari , Salissou Issa , Mahamadou Chaibou
Published: September 2021

Au Niger, l’élevage caprin occupe une place importante dans l’économie des ménages ruraux. Une étude a été conduite dans la région de Maradi afin de caractériser les pratiques de gestion des élevages des chèvres rousses et analyser leurs contraintes. Ainsi, 180 agro-éleveurs répartis dans 12 villages de la région ont été questionnés. Les thèmes abordés au cours des interviews ont porté sur : les caractéristiques du ménage, les objectifs de production, le mode de conduite des animaux, la gestion de l’alimentation, la santé animale ainsi que les contraintes auxquelles les producteurs font face. Les résultats ont révélé que la majorité (72,8%) des propriétaires des caprins sont des femmes. Les caprins sont élevés en priorité comme épargne pour subvenir aux besoins du ménage. Pendant la saison sèche, plus de la moitié (51%) des éleveurs font recours à l’achat du son de blé pour la complémentation des animaux. Diverses sources des compléments minéraux sont utilisées, notamment le sel de cuisine, les pierres à lécher, le natron et le sel de Bilma. La pénurie d’aliments a été identifiée comme la contrainte majeure de l’élevage caprin (57,8%). Elle est suivie par les maladies animales (17,2%) et la stabulation en saison de pluies (7, 8%). L’amélioration de l’élevage de la chèvre rousse passe par la prise en compte de toutes les contraintes de production.

English title: Practices and constraints of Maradi red goat breeding in rural areas in Niger

In Niger, goat farming plays an important role in the economy of rural households. A study was conducted in the Maradi region to characterize the management practices of red goat farms and analyze their constraints. Thus, 180 agro-pastoralists spread out in 12 villages of the region were questioned. The themes addressed during the interviews included: household characteristics, production objectives, animal husbandry, feed management, animal health and the constraints faced by producers. The results revealed that the majority (72,8%) of goat owners were women. The feeding system is based on natural pastures and crop residues. During the dry season, more than half (51%) of the farmers used wheat bran for animal complementation. Various sources of mineral supplements are used, including cooking salt, lickstones, natron and Bilma salt. Food shortage has been identified as the major constraint to goat farming (57.8%), followed by animal diseases (17.2%) and stalling during the rainy season (7.8%). The improvement of the breeding of the red goat requires the taking into account of all the constraints of production.
Prevalence and correlates of herbal medicine use among Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) clients at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH), Blantyre Malawi: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Mbali Hawah , Khaki Sithole Jessie Jane , Nyondo-Mipando Alinane Linda
Published: September 2021

Background There has been an unprecedented explosion in the popularity of herbal preparations during the last few decades. Herbal medicines are commonly used by HIV/AIDs clients. There is limited data on the prevalence of herbal medicine and correlating factors of herbal medicine use in Malawi. This study establishes prevalence and factors contributing to the use of herbal medicine among HIV/AIDS clients attending the ART clinic at QECH, Blantyre Malawi.Methods A cross-sectional study design was used to interview 211 conveniently sampled clients at QECH ART clinic. The questionnaire addressed socio-demographic, clinical characteristics, NCD-HIV comorbidity, and herbal medicine utilization. The main outcome of the study was herbal medicine use since the initiation of ART. Logistic regression analysis was done in Stata version 16. Both unadjusted and adjusted models were fitted for potential confounders. ResultsThe prevalence of use of herbal medicine was reported in 17.5% (n=37) of the ART clients. The adjusted logistic regression analysis showed that urban residence was statistically associated with reduced use of herbal medicine (adjusted Odds Ratio –AOR: 0.04, 95% CI: 0.169, 0.976).ConclusionThere is a high prevalence of use of herbal medicine among clients taking ART. Herbal Medicine has the potential to cover the gaps in health coverage in rural communities.
Decentralising diabetes care from hospitals to primary health care centres in Malawi
Authors: Pfaff Colin , Malamula Gift , Kamowatimwa Gabriel , Theu Jo , J Allain Theresa , Amberbir Alemayehu , Kwilasi Sunganani , Nyirenda Saulos , Joshua Martias , Mallewa Jane , J van Oosterhout Joep , Van Lettow Monique
Published: September 2021

BackgroundNon-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes and hypertension have become a prominent public health concern in Malawi, where health care services for NCDs are generally restricted to urban centres and district hospitals, while the vast majority of Malawians live in rural settings. Whether similar quality of diabetes care can be delivered at health centres compared to hospitals is not known. MethodsWe implemented a pilot project of decentralized diabetes care at eight health centres in four districts in Malawi. We described differences between district hospitals and rural health centres in terms of patient characteristics, diabetes complications, cardiovascular risk factors, and aspects of the quality of care and used multivariate logistic regression to explore factors associated with adequate diabetes and blood pressure control. ResultsBy March 2019, 1339 patients with diabetes were registered of whom 286 (21%) received care at peripheral health centres. The median duration of care of patients in the diabetes clinics during the study period was 8.8 months. Overall, HIV testing coverage was 93.6%, blood pressure was recorded in 92.4%; 68.5% underwent foot examination of whom 35.0% had diabetic complications; 30.1% underwent fundoscopy of whom 15.6% had signs of diabetic retinopathy. No significant differences in coverage of testing for diabetes complications were observed between health facility types. Neither did we find significant differences in retention in care (72.1 vs. 77.6%; p=0.06), adequate diabetes control (35.0% vs. 37.8%; p=0.41) and adequate blood pressure control (51.3% vs. 49.8%; p=0.66) between hospitals and health centres. In multivariate analysis, male sex was associated with adequate diabetes control, while lower age and normal body mass index were associated with adequate blood pressure control; health facility type was not associated with either. ConclusionQuality of care did not appear to differ between hospitals and health centres, but was insufficient at both levels.
Epidemiology of Cancers in Zambia: A significant variation in Cancer incidence and prevalence across the nation
Authors: Kalubula Maybin , Shen Heqing , Makasa Mpundu , Liu Longjian
Published: September 2021

BackgroundCancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. More than two-thirds of deaths due to cancers occur in low- and middle-income countries where Zambia belongs. This study, therefore, sought to assess the epidemiology of various types of cancers in Zambia.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective observational study using the Zambia National Cancer Registry (ZNCR) population based data from 2007 to 2014. Zambia Central Statistics Office (CSO) demographic data were used to determine catchment area denominator used to calculate prevalence and incidence rates of cancers. Age-adjusted rates and case fatality rates were estimated using standard methods. We used a Poisson Approximation for calculating 95% confidence intervals (CI). ResultsThe seven most cancer prevalent districts in Zambia were Luangwa, Kabwe, Lusaka, Monze, Mongu, Katete and Chipata. Cervical cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer and Kaposi’s sarcoma were the four most prevalent cancers as well as major causes of cancer related deaths in Zambia. Age adjusted rates and 95% CI for these cancers were: cervix uteri (186.3; CI = 181.77 – 190.83), prostate (60.03; CI = 57.03 – 63.03), breast (38.08; CI = 36.0 – 40.16) and Kaposi’s sarcoma (26.18; CI = 25.14 – 27.22). CFR were: Leukaemia (38.1%); pancreatic cancer (36.3%); lung cancer (33.3%); and brain, nervous system (30.2%). The cancer population was associated with HIV with p- value of 0.000 and a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.818.ConclusionsThe widespread distribution of cancers with high prevalence observed in the southern zone may have been perpetrated by lifestyle and sexual culture (traditional male circumcision known to prevent STIs is practiced in the northern belt) as well as geography. Intensifying cancer screening and early detection countrywide as well as changing the lifestyle and sexual culture would greatly help in the reduction of cancer cases in Zambia.
The French Revolution and the British Revolutionary Controversy
Authors: Haywood Ian , Fallon David
Published: September 2021

This video introduces the French Revolution and the fierce controversy over it which
ensued in Britain during the 1790s. Exploring the debate’s major contributors,
arguments, its development, and its visual dimensions, the video shows how
Romanticism was shaped by and responded to the tumultuous political events in
Britain and Europe. It reveals how key Romantic writers such as Wordsworth and
Shelley, as well as central concepts and developments, such as feminism, the
imagination, the inner life, nature, poetry, and rebellion, were powerfully
influenced by the initial controversy.
The Novel
Authors: Lloyd Nicky
Published: September 2021

This video essay offers an introduction to the Romantic-period novel. Beginning with
the premise that, until recent decades, Romantic-era fiction suffered a critical
neglect due to its association with the category of popular fiction, it seeks to
emphasize the formal diversity and the cultural and political resonances of the
novel in the period. Beginning with a discussion of the formal origins of the
Romantic-period novel, it uncovers its key sub-genres and thematic concerns and its
significance as an integral component of Romantic print culture.
Opium and the Romantics
Authors: Morrison Robert
Published: September 2021

Opium was an unremarkable part of daily life in Romantic Britain. It was highly
prized by the medical community as a painkiller, and people of every age and class
actively and unselfconsciously used it to treat a wide range of major and minor
ailments. The Romantic age, however, also marks the crucial moment when British
opium-eaters began to celebrate the drug, not for its medicinal powers, but for its
recreational properties, as seen especially in the works of John Keats, Samuel
Taylor Coleridge, and Thomas De Quincey.
Women’s Fiction
Authors: Ogawa Kimiyo
Published: September 2021

This essay gives an overview of women’s fiction published between the late 18th and early 19th century, focusing on their interest in sensibility, education, and marriage. Women’s novels during this period were very much influenced by the literary genre called the novel of sensibility, which celebrates emotional concepts such as sentiment, delicacy, and sensibility. In promoting education for women, many female novelists not only vindicated women’s capacity to reason, but also recommended moral feeling for others. Although Mary Wollstonecraft, Maria Edgeworth, and Susan Ferrier believed that women should embrace reason, they knew that domestic affections were necessary. Affectionate ties or compassion are key to understanding the novels of Charlotte Smith and Mary Robinson. Possessing neither was detrimental to the happiness of heroines of this period, and this is typically observed in Elizabeth Inchbald’s A Simple Story (1791) – pursuing one’s desire without restraint would lead to self-destruction. Jane Austen and Mary Shelley were writing their novels when the radical movement connected to Mary Wollstonecraft’s assertion about the need for women’s education had subsided: excessive indulgence of emotions and sexual appetite were cautioned against in their novels. Although in the early 19th-century sexual transgressions were condemned, some novelists such as Charlotte Dacre explored the theme of women’s sexual freedom.