bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sportsmanship Behaviors in Early Adolescence and Gender and Family Attitudes
Authors: Eröz Mehmet Fatih , Kılıç Tahir , Özcan Sedat
Published: April 2024

Introduction and Aim:
Sportsmanship is a concept defined as the awareness of having the values required by sports and the golden key of sportive activities. In addition to changes in early adolescence, family attitude and gender are thought to be among the concepts affecting sportsmanship. This study aimed to examine sportsmanship behaviors and family attitude and gender characteristics.
Materials and Methods:
The study group consisted of a total of 300 students with a mean age of 12.48±.79, randomly selected from second-level primary schools in Isparta province. In the research conducted with a survey design, the "Physical Education Course Sportsmanship Behavior Scale (PECSBS)" developed by Koç (15) and the personal information form were used as data collection tools. In the data analysis, frequency, percentage, arithmetic mean, and standard deviation were used as descriptive statistical methods for personal information. Since the data were normally distributed, the t-test was used for paired groups, and the ANOVA test was used for multiple comparisons.
Findings:
According to the findings, the students’ sportsmanship behaviors were at a high level. According to gender, a statistically significant difference was found in favor of female students in the sub-dimensions of displaying appropriate behavior and avoiding inappropriate behavior and in the overall scale. According to the family attitudes of the students, there was no statistically significant difference in the sub-dimension of displaying appropriate behavior. However, in the sub-dimension of avoiding inappropriate behavior and in the overall scale, the scores of the students with democratic family attitudes were found to be higher than the scores of the children of families with liberal attitudes.
Conclusion:
When the sportsmanship behavior scores of second-level primary school students were examined, it was seen that female students scored higher than male students. It is thought that changing family attitudes will improve the sportsmanship behaviors of society.
Mujeres ensayistas del Caribe Hispánico: Cuba, Puerto Rico y República Dominicana. Un estado de la cuestión
Authors: Meza Márquez Consuelo
Published: April 2024

In the intellectual history of Latin America there is a gap regarding the production of women in the essay genre. It is the essays of identity, of male workmanship, that build the canon regarding the themes and the ways of being approached. The gender essays that the women writers have done arearticulated in response to this dominant vision of the social, political and cultural processes of Latin American countries. They reveal a strong discontent with the construction of female identity, a concern for the construction of full citizenship and represent a response to the political and cultural social demands of women and other marginal groups. The intellectuals debated, discussed and argued with the proposals that the dominant speeches carried in this regard and the gender essay becomes the “weapon of combat.” What is presented here is aimed at recovering this body of knowledge in the literary history of Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. A work of literary archeology of themes, works and authors from the twentieth century. The book Women Essayists of the Hispanic Caribbean: Hilvanando el silencio (2007) by Anna Freire Ashbaugh, Lourdes Rojas and Raquel Romeu, provides a panoramic view of the group of essayists from each country. Other researchers such as Catharina Vallejo, Ivette Sóñora, Carmen Dolores Hernández and Consuelo Meza Márquezwill expand that corpus and point out some thematic features of the essayist work of authors such as Luisa Campuzano, Mirta Yáñez, Nara Araujo, Marta Núñez Sarmiento and Zaida Capote Cruz de Cuba; Concha Meléndez, Rosario Ferré, Norma Valle Ferrer, Nara Negrón Marreño and Silvia Álvarez Curbelo of Puerto Rico; and, from the Dominican Republic, Camila Henríquez Ureña, Carmita Landestoy, Carmen Durán and Rosa Inés Curiel Pichardo.
Mechanical, physical and thermal properties of polylactic acid filament composite reinforced with newly isolated Cryptostegia grandiflora fiber
Authors: Arumaiselvan Udhayakumar , Kalimuthu Mayandi , Nagarajan Rajini , Mohan Murali , Ismail Sikiru O. , Mohammad Faruq , Al-Lohedan Hamad A. , Krishnan Kumar
Published: April 2024

By leveraging the properties of natural or plant fibers and possibilities through three-dimensional (3D) printing technology, a composite filament was fabricated by incorporating newly isolated Cryptostegia grandiflora fiber (CGF), as a reinforcement with polylactic acid (PLA) by using a twin-screw extruder. The fabricated composite filament and pure PLA filament were 3D-printed, using fused deposition modeling (FDM). This study investigated the mechanical, physical, and thermal properties of the 3D-printed CGF reinforced composite filament samples. The mechanical properties of the samples fabricated with 10 wt% CGF were better than that of samples with pure PLA. In addition, impact, tensile, flexural strengths and hardness were increased by 35.6, 33.6, 14.1, and 1.7%, respectively, when compared with the sample with pure PLA. The fractured surface morphology of tensile samples showed a uniform distribution of CGF within the PLA. The addition of CGF improved the thermal stability of the 3D-printed CGF/PLA composite sample by 15%. Therefore, the printed structure could serve as an alternative material for various uses, considering contemporary concepts of sustainability, availability, environmental friendliness, and cost effectiveness.
Safety, professionalism and excellence in Anesthesiology
Authors: Whizar-Lugo MD Víctor M.
Published: April 2024

Anesthesiology is a safe science and a professional status of medicine that implies safety, excellence and professionalism that guarantees each patient that there will be no harm to their physical, emotional and social integrity. This is an ideal goal, not easy to achieve and for which each anesthesiologist must acquire scientific knowledge, develop increasing skills and empathy during their professional practice. Reducing the current morbidity and mortality figures in anesthesiology requires a high concept of professionalism that includes our responsibilities as doctors, as members of a civil society attached to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights where medical care is our responsibility. As anesthesiologists we are obliged to ensure the well-being of our patients, observing the highest level of professional quality.
Safety and efficacy of Arcedin™ infused anti-gray hair serum in adult human subjects with partially gray hair
Authors: Merja Apeksha , Patel Nayan , Patel Maheshvari , Patnaik Saurav , Ahmed Asrar , Maulekhi Shatakshi
Published: April 2024

Background: Hair graying is a common sign of aging resulting from complex regulation of melanogenesis. It occurs due to many factors, including age, oxidative stress, psychological stress, and malnutrition. Objective: Assessment of safety and effectiveness of an anti-gray hair product when applied to healthy adult human subjects having partially gray hair. Methods: Total 32 subjects, aged 20 to 55 years, were initially enrolled and 29 subjects successfully completed the study, which spanned a total of five visits over 120 days. The subjects were provided with ThriveCo® Hair Prime Serum as test product and adjunct shampoo to use at home. Hair serum was evenly distributed across scalp and gently massaged into the hair roots. Primary evaluations included reduction in hair graying, improvement in hair growth, and Graying Severity Score (GSS) for reduction in graying severity. Results: After 120 days of treatment, the GSS exhibited a significantly decrease (p-value <0.01) to 7.00, indicating significant effect of the hair serum in reducing severity of hair graying. Additionally, a substantial improvement (p-value <0.01) in hair growth was observed, with 86.57% and 13.41% of hairs in the anagen (A) stage and telogen (T) stage respectively (A:T ratio= 6:1). Image-Pro analysis using the L* value demonstrated marked improvement of 6.19% on Day 120 from baseline Day 01, further indicating the anti-graying effect of the hair serum. Furthermore, all the subjects experienced visible enhancement in general appearance of hair and scalp. None of the subjects experienced any adverse events during entire study duration. Conclusion: Test product ThriveCo® Hair Prime Serum containing Arcedin™ demonstrated efficacy and tolerability in reversing the hair graying. Furthermore, following a 120-day usage, this hair serum demonstrated significant enhancements in hair growth, visual appearance, and strength, solidifying its potential as a beneficial addition to a comprehensive daily hair care regimen.
Disabling pansclerotic morphea in an adult Yemeni patient: a case report
Authors: Ali Alshami Mohammad , Al-shami Ahlam Mohamed , Mohammad Alshami Hadeel
Published: April 2024

Pansclerotic morphea is a highly rare, treatment-resistant, and debilitating variant of localized morphea that affects the entire thickness of the skin and sometimes involves muscles and bone. It manifests as expanding sclerotic plaques that eventually coalesce over the whole trunk or circumferentially extend into the extremities. It is also associated with an increased risk of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Herein, we present the first case of a 30-year-old male patient with typical features of pansclerotic morphea in Yemen. Our patient’s case is unique because it presents a new sign not reported before, namely the boxer-jump sign, besides other previously reported typical signs.
Alpha-lipoic acid and diabetic cardiac autonomic neuropathy
Authors: Serhiyenko Victoria , Serhiyenko Ludmila , Serhiyenko Alexandr
Published: April 2024

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) supplementation may provide benefits in the prevention of diabetes-related vascular and neuronal comorbidities. The mechanism of ALA influence on diabetic neuropathies pathogenesis is not well-known. Thus, further investigations aimed to understand the mechanism of action and for confirmation of the beneficial effect of ALA on biochemical parameters, dynamics of independent cardiovascular tests daily, monitoring of electrocardiography, arterial wall stiffness parameters among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathies and its associated comorbidities may be needed to validate this clinical findings.
Klinefelter syndrome and fertility preservation
Authors: AB Naafs Michael
Published: April 2024

In this mini-review pathophysiology, symptoms, diagnosis and management of Klinefelter syndrome (KS) patients are discussed, including fertility preservation. The real complete spectrum of KS phenotypes remain still to be fully elucidated. Hypogonadism and infertility are almost invariably present. Almost all organs of KS patients are associated with increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Treatment is multidisciplinary for associated speech, language, learning and neurocognitive difficulties. Pharmacologic treatment is by topical or i.m administration of testosterone replacement therapy (TTR).The effect of TTR on compromised spermatogenesis is not well known. In this millennium fertility preservation by testes sperm extraction (TESE) via biopsies and fathering by subsequent intra cytoplasmc sperm injection (ICIS) has become possible with some 60% success rate in small studies. However, offspring data of KS patients are lacking and many knowledge gaps still exist.
Removal works of materials containing asbestos
Authors: Melo da Silva Pinto Ana Catarina de
Published: April 2024

Study of risks arising on the removal works of materials containing asbestos. Job safety is a science that aims to promote worker protection in their workplace, with the purpose of reducing accidents and work -related diseases. Health and safety services have the goal of predicting and assessing the risks inherent in a given activity and acting by controlling and preventing accidents and job diseases.
Revolutionizing cosmology: the small bang model and its implications on universe genesis
Authors: Ulianov MSc PhD Dr Policarpo Yoshin
Published: April 2024

The Small Bang Model (SBM) introduces a revolutionary framework for the genesis of the universe, challenging conventional cosmological theories. By sug-gesting the universe originated from a zero-mass state, facilitated by antimatter black holes, the SBM provides fresh insights into galaxy formation and the dis-tribution of matter and antimatter. This paper outlines the SBM’s foundational principles, contrasts it with the Big Bang theory, and highlights its potential to resolve longstanding cosmological puzzles. Notably, it presents empirical valida-tions demonstrating distinct mass relationships between supermassive black holes and their host galaxies, supporting a novel classification into matter and anti-matter galaxies. The Small Bang model is founded on two pivotal concepts: the theory of Cosmic Inflation and the principle of ’Shunyata Universe’s Genesis’ (or’Emptiness Universe’s Genesis’), a framework envisioning the universe’s incep-tion as small, empty, and cold, entirely devoid of matter or energy. Within this Shunyata beginning, the cosmos as we witness today, abundant in matter and energy, was forged during the 2µs duration of cosmic inflation. Throughout this period, the substantial energy of the Inflaton field was harnessed either through the mediation of micro black holes or directly by the Inflaton’s influence on the spacetime fabric itself. This era was marked by the continuous creation of matter and antimatter particle pairs (such as proton-antiproton and electron-positron, including the creation of photon-antiphoton pairs), permeating the entire expand-ing universe. The SBM predicts that the massive annihilation of antiparticles, induced by the inflaton field throughout the entire universe in the final 15 ns of cosmic inflation, generated two tomographic scans: Cosmic Antiproton Tomogra-phy (CAT) radiation and Cosmic Positron Tomography (CPT) radiation. These two tomographies serve as evidence of the inflaton field’s existence, allowing us to calculate its principal parameters and also to create images of the interiors of hydrogen clouds that formed the first galaxies at the end of cosmic inflation. This phenomenon has not yet been fully understood by physicists because the photons from CAT radiation have shifted into the microwave range, generating the Cos-mic Microwave Background (CMB), and the CPT radiation has transitioned into the FM range, producing the Cosmic FM Background (CFMB), which is 1013 times weaker than the CMB. This weaker signal can be confused with noise gen-erated by FM equipment, thus remaining undetected. These SBM findings offer a groundbreaking perspective on the early universe’s dynamics and the distribu-tion of cosmic matter, and dark matter origin, deepening our understanding of cosmic inflation. Consequently, we invite physicists to study, comprehend, and assess the new cosmological Shunyata beginning, proposed by the Small Bang Model.
El neofascismo italiano, entre ruptura y mito nostálgico de Mussolini
Authors: Re Matteo
Published: April 2024

Pocos meses después del final de la Segunda Guerra Mundial, el neofascismo italiano se reorganizó en un partido, el Movimiento Social Italiano (1946-1995), heredero directo de la tradición fascista. En este texto, analizaremos cómo se produjeron las rupturas del neofascismo italiano, considerando tres momentos principales: el contexto de la migración de antiguos fascistas al comunismo o a la democracia cristiana; las disputas entre las corrientes internas del MSI: el centro conservador mayoritario, la inspiración republicana revolucionaria de Saló y el fascismo espiritualista de Julius Evola; por último, la normalización del MSI en la vida política en la década de 1990 y su posterior disolución. A lo largo de su historia, e incluso en la siguiente fase, la Alianza Nacional postfascista, el MSI cuestionó la doctrina fascista, sufrió contrastes internos entre una función estabilizadora en clave anticomunista y una praxis antisistema, pero apenas cuestionó el mito mussoliniano, que sigue influyendo en la derecha italiana.
Dinámica genotípica y dispersión, en biomas colombianos, de mutaciones kdr asociadas con resistencia a piretroides en el mosquito Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)
Authors: Aguirre-Obando Oscar Alexander , Valencia-Marín Bryan Steven , Duarte-Gandica Irene
Published: April 2024

Introducción: En Colombia, Aedes aegypti se encuentra presente en el 80 % del país y poco se conoce sobre las mutaciones kdr que están relacionadas con la resistencia a piretroides (PY), así como la influencia de los diferentes biomas (principalmente la temperatura) y el transporte pasivo de carga terrestre, en el mantenimiento y diseminación de poblaciones que presenten estas mutaciones. Objetivo: Modelar el comportamiento de las frecuencias genotípicas asociadas a la mutación kdr Val1016Ile + Phe1534Cys, en poblaciones de A. aegypti, considerando el movimiento de las poblaciones del vector entre biomas colombianos a través del transporte pasivo por carga terrestre. Método: Se obtuvieron datos de la literatura asociados con la dinámica poblacional y los parámetros del ciclo de vida del mosquito asociados con las temperaturas de cada bioma colombiano y el transporte de carga terrestre a través de camiones entre los biomas. Además, se evaluó el impacto del costo evolutivo para las mutaciones kdr Val1016Ile y Phe1534Cys representado en las tasas de ovoposición y muerte. Resultados: El comportamiento de las poblaciones está influenciado tanto por el costo evolutivo de los genotipos resistentes como por el transporte pasivo de carga y, que una vez los genotipos resistentes lleguen a un bioma gracias al transporte de mosquitos mediado por camiones, estos se mantienen allí. Conclusión: La migración pasiva a través del transporte de carga terrestre, como medio de flujo genético de individuos portadores de resistencia a PY entre diferentes regiones o biomas, se revela como un factor esencial para la diseminación, y el costo evolutivo como un factor determinante en la dinámica, de las mutaciones kdr en las poblaciones de A. aegypti.
Microsporogénesis y ultraestructura de granos de polen de la mora andina Rubus glaucus (Rosaceae)
Authors: Rincón-Barón Edgar Javier , Torres-Rodríguez Gerardo Andrés , Zarate Diego A. , Cuarán Viviana Lucia , Santos-Heredia Carolina , Passarelli Lilian M.
Published: April 2024

Introducción: Los estudios sobre la microsporogénesis de Rubus glaucus son inexistentes y poco es conocido sobre la ultraestructura del polen. Objetivos: Describir la microsporogénesis, y la ultraestructura de los granos de polen en Rubus glaucus. Métodos: Flores en diferentes etapas de desarrollo fueron incluidas en parafina o en resina. Las secciones se tiñeron con Safranin-Alcian Blue, PAS-Amidoblack y Lacmoid o incluidas en resina y teñidas con Azul de Toluidina. Secciones ultrafinas fueron observadas mediante microscopía electrónica de transmisión (MET). Para la observación con microscopía electrónica de barrido (MEB), el material se fijó y se deshidrató en 2.2 dimetoxipropano, luego se usó hexametildisilazano (HMDS) y las muestras se recubrieron con oro. Resultados: Las anteras se diferencian a partir de una masa celular en los extremos distales de los filamentos estaminales. Inicialmente, la pared de las anteras presenta varias capas celulares y al madurar se reducen a la epidermis y al endotecio. Los microsporocitos experimentan meiosis simultánea y forman tétradas tetraédricas. El tapete desarrolla actividad secretora hasta que se liberan los granos de polen, luego el contenido celular se desorganiza y experimenta autólisis. Al formarse la esporodermis, primero se deposita la exina y luego la intina en forma centrípeta. Los granos de polen son tricolporados, isopolares, oblados a peroblados, con simetría radial, de contorno circular con ápices romos en vista polar, elipsoidales en vista ecuatorial. La exina es gruesa, tectada, perforada estriada. La ectexina está formada por un tectum interrumpido por perforaciones y gruesas columelas. La membrana del colpo posee pequeños gránulos como restos de exina y orbículas en la superficie. La intina desarrolla patrones estructurales conocidos. El polenkit es inconspicuo. Conclusión: El desarrollo de las anteras sigue los patrones de las angiospermas. La microsporogénesis simultánea, el depósito centrípeto de la esporodermis, y los patrones de ornamentación observados han sido descritos previamente para la Familia Rosaceae.
Sustainability of dual exploitation (fry and adults) of the fish Semaprochilodus laticeps (Characiformes: Prochilodontidae) in Colombia
Authors: Bocanegra-Mora Joan Stiven , Ajiaco-Martínez Rosa Elena , Ramírez-Gil Hernando , Barreto Carlos Guillermo
Published: April 2024

Introduction: Semaprochilodus laticeps is a freshwater fish species native to the Orinoco Basin that is exploited in Colombia at two different stages of its life cycle: fry (for the ornamental trade) and adults (for the consumer market). This double exploitation of juveniles and adults raises concerns about the population stability of the species. Objective: To evaluate the sustainability of the exploitation of the species in these two life stages. Methods: 1 277 specimens of S. laticeps were sampled between June and December 2017. Population parameters were estimated from length-frequency data using ELEFAN 1 routine of the FISAT II package. Length at first maturity (Lm) and length at maximum yield (Lopt) were determined using the Froese and Binohlan equations. Virtual population analysis was performed based on Jones length cohort analysis. Results: Population parameters were as follows: K = 0.75, L∞ = 53.1 cm LE, Z = 2.92 yr-1, M = 1.24 yr-1 and F = 1.68. Lm was estimated to be 29.6 cm SL and Lopt at 33.4 cm SL. Of note, 96.3 % of the fish caught in the consumer fishery exceeded Lm and 80 % exceeded Lopt. The results of the virtual population analysis suggested that a very low proportion (0.85 %) of the population was caught as fry, possibly due to natural mortality. Conclusions: Based on the results, as no indicators of overexploitation were identified, it is recommended to continue with the dual use of S. laticeps. It is recommended to maintain the existing conservation measures, such as the closed season during the reproductive period, to ensure sustainable fishery exploitation. The results obtained can serve as a reference to analyze the situation of other species currently fished for both the ornamental (fry) and food (adult) markets.
Spatial and temporal dynamics of the primate community in a regenerating forest of the Manu Biosphere Reserve, Peru
Authors: Mendoza-Soto Jackeline Aida , Colan-Rodriguez Renato Walter , Reyes-Lizarraga Gladys Milagros , Amaru-Castelo Javier , Marquina-Montesinos Edgar Luis , Oakley Joseph
Published: April 2024

Introduction: Amazonian forests with varying degrees of anthropogenic disturbance in the process of natural regeneration harbour many sympatric primate species. However, studies on their usage by primates are still lacking. Objective: To comprehensively study the spatial and temporal dynamics within the primate community in a regenerating forest within the Manu Biosphere Reserve. Methods: Two sets of historical data from Crees Foundation for Manu were analyzed, comprising records from January 2011 to February 2023 and corresponding to data obtained through incidental data and Terrestrial In-line Transects in three types of forest with different degrees of historical disturbance. Results: Lagothrix lagothricha and Ateles chamek showed a preference for less disturbed forests; Plecturocebus toppini, for more disturbed forests; and the other species did not show a clear preference. Regarding vertical stratification, A. chamek, L. lagothricha and Alouatta sara showed a preference for the upper stratum, P. toppini, Saimiri boliviensis and Sapajus macrocephalus showed a preference for the middle and upper strata and Leontocebus weddelli and Aotus nigriceps, for the middle stratum. According to the temporal activity of each species, seven species (A. chamek, S. macrocephalus, S. boliviensis, P. toppini, L. lagothricha, L. weddelli, and A. sara) were observed during the day, four were similar. Conclusions: The primate community varies according to disturbance gradient due to the preferences of some species. The recorded primates make a differentiated use of the vertical strata and most of them show diurnal activity.
Extended repair in SGD-mediated conversation involving speakers with dysarthria
Authors: Kurlenkova Sasha , Satchidanand Antara
Published: April 2024

Background: The ability to engage successfully in repair is central to accomplishing shared conversational activities. Based on two case studies, this paper describes one strategy individuals with dysarthria who use speech generating devices (SGD) may engage in to manage extended repair in multiparty conversation. Method: Conversation Analysis was applied to video data of two extended repair interactions involving an aided speaker and two interlocutors, one familiar, the other less familiar. Results: Aided speakers took an agentive role in the organization of repair when dyadic repair with the less familiar conversant was unsuccessful by selecting the more familiar partners to participate in repair. Aided speakers capitalized on the partner shift by immediately switching to use of idiosyncratic communication modalities and by making reference to past shared experiences relevant to the repair. Conclusion/Discussion: The use of this strategy warrants further exploration as a means for managing extended repair in SGD-mediated conversation.
Gaze and tactile sense
Authors: Prochnow Romy Regina , Eilertsen Lill-Johanne
Published: April 2024

Background: Visual and hearing impairments are common co-morbid conditions for Down syndrome (DS). Combined sensory loss can present major communication challenges, which affect the opportunities for equal participation, learning, and development. This article focuses on facilitating social interaction.   Method: The study uses conversation analysis based on video recordings of naturally occurring interaction during various activities in school. The sample consists of five children with DS and combined sensory loss and their teachers. Results: The results indicate that the pupils use gaze and vision actively in interaction with adults and respond actively to the other's communicative use of gaze. Gaze is an important resource for the pupils and is strategically used to regulate, orient, and establish attention, but also to express interest and intention. Discussion/conclusion: Despite the pupils’ visual impairment, eye contact plays an important role in their communication. To optimize meaning-making and communicative participation, it is important to have knowledge of the individual child's specific sensory and communication challenges as they occur in social interaction. This will increase the opportunity to uncover pupils’ communicative strategies, resources, and tactile preferences, which in turn are prerequisites for the facilitation of participation, learning, and development.
Fifteenth Anniversary Perfect Beat Forum
Authors: Johnson Bruce
Published: April 2024

Fifteenth Anniversary Perfect Beat Forum
A finite-element method model for a ferromanganese and silicomanganese pilot furnace
Authors: Sparta M. , Risinggård V.K.
Published: April 2024

We report on the development of a finite-element method model for a pilot furnace for the production of manganese alloys. The model is a multiphysics model that addresses material flow, electrical conditions, heat transfer, and physical and chemical transformations. It is capable of studying both quasi-steady and transient states in time-dependent simulations. The model includes common charge materials and fluxes and can simulate production of both ferromanganese and silicomanganese alloys with acid and basic slags, as well as changing charge compositions. The model output provides access to the material distribution in the furnace during furnace runs, temperature profiles, current paths, energy balances, and alloy and slag production rates and compositions.
Impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on the South African water sector
Authors: Nikki Funke  , Audrey de Wet  , Ayanda Mafunda  , Lisa Schaefer  , Wouter le Roux
Published: April 2024

An analysis of the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on the South African water sector is presented. The study identified and focused on three main themes:  water revenue collection, water service delivery, and water sector operations. The Covid-19 pandemic negatively impacted these aspects and exacerbated pre-existing problems in the water provision landscape of South Africa. Business continuity management was identified as a top priority for water sector institutions in South Africa to ensure the continued provision of critical water services. In-depth case study research is recommended to establish how water sector institutions in South Africa dealt with the Covid-19 pandemic and how this can inform their disaster preparedness and management going forward.
Aquatic macroinvertebrate community colonisation and succession in macadamia orchard and communal area reservoirs: a case study of Luvuvhu River valley, South Africa
Authors: Thendo Mutshekwa  , Lutendo Mugwedi  , Ryan J Wasserman  , Farai Dondofema  , Ross Cuthbert  , Tatenda Dalu
Published: April 2024

The demand for macadamia nut production worldwide has led to increased use of pesticides and chemicals for pest and disease control. Reservoirs in these macadamia farming sectors are at . The current study investigated macroinvertebrate colonisation and succession associated with two macadamia orchards and two communal area reservoirs.  The potential effects of stressors from these land uses was tested for and compared using stone substrates over a 6-week period. Stone substrates from both reservoir types were abundantly colonised over time and the total macroinvertebrate taxa and abundance showed an increasing trend across the sampled weeks, with macadamia orchards having the highest number of macroinvertebrate taxa. Strong ecological succession was observed across reservoirs, with the initial succession of early colonisers – i.e., Chironominae (, Ostracoda (and Anax sp. (predator) within communal area reservoirs, and Chironominae, Ostracoda Radix natalensis (scrapers) in macadamia orchard reservoirs – followed by predatory colonisers such as Gyrinidae larvae, Trithemis sp. (macadamia orchard reservoirs), and Ranatra sp. (communal area reservoirs). Macroinvertebrate community structure differed significantly across sites and weeks, with no similarity being observed for communities across the different reservoirs. Redundancy analyses further highlighted 11 sediment chemistry variables (i.e., pH, resistivity, P, K, Na, Ca, Mg, Cu, B, Fe and S) which were significantly related to macroinvertebrate community structure. Thus, sediment variables were found to be better predictors of macroinvertebrate community structure in macadamia orchard reservoirs than communal area reservoirs. Consequently, we concluded that differences in colonisation ability among taxa and environmental stressors were important factors driving succession. These results add to the understanding of the macroinvertebrate colonisation processes and environmental stressors within agricultural landscapes, which can aid in the development of conservation management of freshwater ecosystems.
Historical Demography and Climate Driven Range Shifts in the Blue-spotted Salamander Under the Climate Change Scenarios
Authors: PERKTAS UTKU , Elverici Can , Yaylalı Özge
Published: April 2024

This study integrates phylogeography with distributional analysis to understand the demographic history and range dynamics of a limited dispersal capacity amphibian species, Blue-spotted Salamander (Ambystoma laterale), under several climate change scenarios. For this we used an ecological niche modeling approach, together with Bayesian based demographic analysis, to develop inferences regarding this species' demographic history and range dynamics. The current model output was mostly congruent with the present distribution of the Blue-spotted Salamander. However, under both the Last Interglacial and the Last Glacial Maximum bioclimatic conditions, the model predicted a substantially narrower distribution than the present. These predictions showed almost no suitable area in the current distribution range of the species during almost the last 22.000 y before present (ybp). The predictions indicated that the distribution of this species shifted from eastern coast of northern North America to the southern part of the current distribution range of the species. The Bayesian Skyline Plot analysis, which provided good resolution of the effective population size changes over the Blue-spotted Salamander history, was mostly congruent with ecological niche modeling predictions for this species. This study provides the first investigation of the Blue-spotted Salamander’s late-Quaternary history based on ecological niche modeling and Bayesian-based demographic analysis. In terms of the main result of this study, we found that the species' present genetic structure has been substantially affected by past climate changes, and this species has reached current distribution range almost from nothing since the Last Glacial Maximum.
Genetic diversity of European tree frogs (Hyla arborea group): A systematic review
Authors: Birbele Elza , Di Marzio Alessandro , Grauda Dace , Vimercati Giovanni , Deksne Gunita
Published: April 2024

Amphibian populations are increasingly threatened by global change and the study of their genetic diversity is a major conservation priority. Western palearctic tree frog species of the Hyla arborea group are commonly distributed across Europe and the Middle East and many have declining populations. We performed a PRISMA systematic review to gain insight into the genetic diversity of H. arborea group. Sixteen published studies were included in the final qualitative analysis. While the genetic diversity of H. arborea group species was widely variable, it could often be explained by phylogeographic history. Populations in Western and Northern Europe had lower genetic diversity, with some populations also affected by habitat fragmentation. However, important regions of high genetic diversity were found in the Balkan peninsula for H. arborea sensu stricto and around the Black Sea for H. orientalis. Genetic diversity of H. molleri, H. savignyi, H. meridionalis, H. felixarabica, H. intermedia, H. sarda has been investigated only across extensive phylogeographical studies, while data regarding their genetic diversity at the local level are missing. Through our review, we identify knowledge gaps about the genetic diversity of the H. arborea group that require further investigation, of and illustrate how filling these gaps might translate into future conservation efforts.
Dinka Jeričević – the Iron Lady of Croatian Scenic Design
Authors: Petranović Martina
Published: April 2024

The paper examines the theatrical career and artistic expression of Dinka Jeričević (Vukovar, 26 September 1947), a distinguished Croatian scenic designer and one of the few women in the profession, especially at the time of her formative years, when she also served as the only female technical director in Croatian theatres. Creating over six hundred scenic designs, collaborating with the most prominent Croatian theatrical directors, and working in almost all Croatian theatres, as well as several theatres abroad, as both an in-house and guest designer, Jeričević significantly influenced and personally marked the history of Croatian scenic design over the last fifty years. Furthermore, her long-standing educational work with directors and producers at the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Zagreb and her passionate mentoring of emerging designers in theatre practice contributed greatly both to the education of numerous young theatre professionals and to shaping contemporary Croatian scenic design. Finally, by becoming actively involved in continuous and pertinent efforts of the Croatian Association of Artists of Applied Arts (ULUPUH) to improve the professional and legal status and working conditions of Croatian designers, she actively participated in the social betterment of Croatian scenic design(ers). Even though she is recognized and acknowledged in her professional environment, and presented with numerous prizes and awards, her career in the theatre has never been the subject of any scholarly analysis. The paper therefore attempts to address some of her design principles and contribute to the systematisation, valorisation and contextualisation of her multiple, diverse and outstanding artistic and professional accomplishments in national theatre.
Construction of the Modern Woman Thinker’s Identity: Valéria Dienes (1879-1987), the Philosopher and Founder of the Art of Movement School and her Contribution to Women’s Emancipation
Authors: Acsády Judit
Published: April 2024

New spaces had opened for women as intellectuals, artists and thinkers in European societies by the first decades of the 20th century. Women became involved in social modernization. The earlier endeavours of women, both as individuals and as members of organizations, contributed to structural changes and new laws regulating their possible intervention in public life. One of the most significant changes concerned education. Women and young girls could attend secondary school and higher education. The personal history of philosopher Valéria Dines, a multi-faceted intellectual of her time, serves as a unique example of a modern woman thinker. Her work was embodied in the activities and network of progressive thinkers of that era in the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy and later in Hungary after World War I.. The paper focuses on two aspects of her oeuvre that were directly connected to women’s emancipation, her writings – both correspondence with feminist activists and her journal entries – and the establishment of the school of orchestrics. The study is based on archival sources and her writings.
Life Writing between Fact and Fiction: Croatian World War II Women Diarists
Authors: Kardum Marijana
Published: April 2024

This article initiates the discussion of intellectual women’s experiences of the Second World War in Croatia/Yugoslavia with the introduction of the recently discovered war diaries of Jewish intellectual Ina Juhn Broda (1899–1983) and journalist Vinka Bulić (1884–1965), along with the war diary of the nurse Lujza Janović Wagner (1907–1945). These scattered examples of intellectual women’s life-writing and their role in women’s transition from one to another totalitarian regime lack a thorough analysis and theoretical interpretation. This article therefore analyses how World War II represented a major shift in women’s rethinking of war and peace, but also of the Yugoslav future as a socialist project. It also discusses the very nature of the genre and sees the act of writing (about) oneself as a substitution for abruptly discontinued intellectual activity and the public presence of these women intellectuals.
Nije kretsko sve što sja. Ostava zlatnog nakita iz Nina-Privlake i njegove navodne sličnosti s kretskim ranobrončanodobnim nakitom
Authors: Tomas Helena , Pavlović Ana
Published: April 2024

Na lokaciji Privlaka kod Nina slučajno je nađena skupina zlatnih predmeta, koja se interpretira kao ostava. Nejasne su okolnosti njezina pronalaska. Skupina se sastoji od bikoničnih perlica, zlatnih traka i dva dugmeta. U prvim publikacijama raspravljalo se o mogućem egejskom podrijetlu tog nakita. U članku su izneseni pregled brončanodobne povijesti istočne obale Jadrana te detaljna usporedba svih komada nakita i sličnih egejskih primjeraka. Dokazano je da u nekim slučajevima postoje izvjesne podudarnosti s egejskim ranobrončanodobnim primjercima, ali ne i izravne paralele. Zaključuje se da naveden nakit na istočnu jadransku obalu nije stigao iz Egeide.
Manus Dei u Sabazijevom kultu
Authors: Odorčić Ema
Published: April 2024

Sintagma Manus Dei odnosi se na najupečatljivije spomenike Sabazijeva kulta, simbolima prekrivene ruke, od kojih je većina bila izrađena od bronce. Danas je poznato preko 80 ruku koje su pripisane Sabaziju. Položaj ovih ruku, odnosno gesta kod koje su palac, kažiprst i srednji prst podignuti, a prstenjak i mali prst spušteni, najčešće se u literaturi naziva benedictio Latina. Pronađene su na širokom području koje uključuje rimske provincije Trakiju, Afriku, Hispaniju, Galiju, Germaniju, Makedoniju, Ilirik/Dalmaciju, Panoniju, Daciju i Meziju, te područje Italije, Grčke, Male Azije i Hersoneza Tauričkog, s time da ih je najviše pronađeno u Italiji. Datiraju se od 1. st. pr. Kr. do 3. stoljeća nakon Krista. Nakon općih podataka o Sabazijevom kultu, odnosno nekoliko ključnih informacija o kultu koje saznajemo iz literarnih izvora i epigrafskih spomenika u uvodnom dijelu, slijede poglavlja u kojima su analizirani ključni elementi i karakteristike brončanih ruku. Osim nekoliko teorija o značenju geste benedictio Latina, kao i mogućim funkcijama pojedinih ruku, analizirani su i simboli, gdje je potrebno istaknuti pojedine primjerke s istim ili sličnim rasporedom dotičnih simbola. Naposljetku, analizirane su i tri brončane ruke pronađene na hrvatskom povijesnom prostoru.
Nova epigrafska potvrda imena kneza Branimira u Lepurima kod Benkovca
Authors: Basić Ivan
Published: April 2024

Na ulomku luka oltarne ograde iz crkve sv. Martina u Lepurima kod Benkovca prepoznaje se ime hrvatskog kneza Branimira (879‒892). Iako tekstovno manjkavo, ime kneza grafijski vjerno reproducira ime s natpisa istog kneza iz Gornjeg Muća, datiranog 888. Otprije je utvrđeno da je oba reljefa izradila tzv. Benediktinska klesarska radionica iz vremena kneza Branimira, što osnažuje ovdje izneseni prijedlog čitanja. Branimirovom vladavinom datiran je gradbeni natpis opata Teodeberta iz iste crkve u Lepurima, objavljen prije desetak godina. Čitanje kneževa imena na još jednom natpisu iz Lepura dodatno precizira vrijeme izrade jednog od ansambla liturgijskih instalacija te crkve, ujedno otvarajući mogućnost da je ista klesarska radionica na obama lokalitetima izvela ne samo reljefe nego i natpisni tekst. To je osmi po redu epigrafički spomen kneza Branimira.
Uloga Roma iz Jugoslavije u razvoju međunarodnog romskog pokreta 1971–1981.
Authors: Papo Hutinec Bibijana
Published: April 2024

Na temelju objavljenih izvora, dokumenata iz fonda Socijalističkog saveza radnog naroda Jugoslavije i Socijalističkog saveza radnog naroda Hrvatske, jugoslavenskog i stranog tiska te dostupne literature, u ovom radu analiziraju se ključni događaji u okviru međunarodnog romskog pokreta u razdoblju 1971‒1981, njihov društvenopolitički kontekst te uloga Roma iz Jugoslavije u njima. Tada su održana tri svjetska kongresa i utemeljena je Međunarodna romska unija kao prva trajna globalna romska organizacija te su se intenzivirali odnosi između Roma u svijetu i Indije. U radu se prikazuju političke aktivnosti romskih predstavnika iz različitih republika SFRJ, kao i aktivnosti istaknutog jugoslavenskog diplomata Aleša Beblera, koji je Rome podržavao u zahtjevima za priznanje statusa narodnosti u Jugoslaviji.
Giuseppina Martinuzzi’s Political Activities Involvement Struggle Women Suffrage
Authors: Višković Olja
Published: April 2024

Giuseppina Martinuzzi (Labin, 1844 – Labin, 1925), pedagogue, teacher, poet, social and political activist, was one of the most prominent figures in Istrian history. A member of a bourgeois family and educated at home, her desire for further education led her to earn the title of teacher. She was employed in schools in Istria, Muggia and Trieste in working-class districts among the poorest classes of society. Teaching in these schools shaped Martinuzzi’s personality and encouraged her to become a political activist and fighter for social change. Her active involvement in politics began at the onset of the 20th century, initially advocating for irredentist positions, but she then turned to socialism and stood out as one of the first Istrian socialists. Although she had a bourgeois background, she was dedicated to the fight for workers and peasants, especially the Labin miners, and called for their right to education, equal rights for all citizens and women’s suffrage. Using the existing bibliography and sources (Martinuzzi’s manuscripts), the paper presents her achievements with emphasis on her activism for women’s suffrage.
Feminism without Fortune: Figures of Femininity in Selected Texts of Adela Milčinović
Authors: Peternai Andrić Kristina , Žužul Ivana
Published: April 2024

During the fin-de-siècle in Croatia, when the professionalization of women’s writing was still in its infancy, Adela Milčinović1 published her first articles, literary reviews, and vignettes. This paper is dedicated to an analysis of the author’s literary texts (the novellas “Nedina ljubav” [Neda’s Love] and “Sjena” [Shadow], the play Bez sreće [Without Fortune], and Autobiografija [Autobiography]), which we read as representations of the social status of women in that era. We assert that these representations are characterized by a series of ambivalences, which may ultimately signal the instability of gender boundaries. The texts are predominantly about female characters who forge their own gender identity by transgressing the common social functions of femininity. Although it could be assumed that these are proto-feminist efforts, the paper examines the effects of female emancipation and the subversion of patriarchy.
Inclusion of by-products of the brewing and wine industry in dairy goats
Authors: Steffen Kevin Denis , Muro María Gabriela , Trigo María Soledad , Rodrigues-Matias Lucas , Cordiviola Carlos Ángel , Arias Rubén Omar
Published: April 2024

The aim of the following work was to evaluate a diet formulated with byproducts from the brewing and wine industry for lactating goats and quantify its potential in terms of nutritional quality and quantity. Twelve multiparous Nubian x Saanen goats, 2.75 years old (+ 1,24) during an experimental period of 12 weeks: 2 weeks of habituation and 10 weeks of testing. In both diets the goats grazed 6 hours on natural grass. Diet T0 (n = 6): Commercial feed: 500 g/day/goat (16% CP and 2.6 Mcal ME/kg DM) and diet T1 (n = 6): non-traditional balanced feed: 500 g/day/goat (16% CP and 2.6 Mcal ME/kg DM). Productive performance and health parameters were evaluated in goats fed with both diets during a period of 5 weeks starting 35 days postpartum. Total dry matter intake (DMI), milk production and corrected (MY and MYC), live weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), degree of FAMACHA© and quantitative coproparasitological diagnosis (EPG and OPG) were measured. A greater DMI was observed at T0 compared to T1 (p < 0.05). MY, MYC, BW, BCS, FAMACHA©, EPG and OPG did not show significant differences (p > 0.05) between both diets (T0 vs T1) throughout the experimental period evaluated. Goat health parameters throughout the study were within the physiological range during the production cycle and did not interfere with dietary treatments. The formulation of the diet with barley bagasse and grape pomace in dairy goats had a productive behaviour and health parameters like those of the commercial diet evaluated, without affecting milk production.