bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Crusader from Pittsburgh: Michael Musmanno and the Sacco/Vanzetti Case
Authors: Mulcahy Richard P.
Published: March 2021

Justice Michael A. Musmanno was a crusader for his entire public career. Moralistic in his thinking, he tended to see public affairs in terms of black and white, and good versus evil, with him always fighting for what he considered the morally correct side. His fight to win acquittal for Sacco and Vanzetti and his ongoing efforts to secure their exoneration after their execution truly defined him. There was never any question in his mind that both men were innocent, the victims of ethnic prejudice, xenophobia, and judicial failure that represented a stain upon America and its legal system. Musmanno felt he had a duty to wipe away that stain and sought to do so from 1927 to his death in 1968. In a lifetime marked by fighting for causes, clearing Sacco and Vanzetti, for Musmanno, was the most sacred cause of all.
Reading Deficits, Executive Functions, and Social Adjustment Problems: Direct and Mediated Relations
Authors: Ashraf Farzana , Fatima Shameem , Najam Najma
Published: March 2021

The main objective of the present study was to examine the direct and indirect relations between reading deficits, executive functions, and social adjustment problems in a sample of 210 adolescents. Results demonstrated significant positive correlations between reading deficits, executive function deficits, and social adjustment problems. Furthermore, the findings from two multimediation models indicated that, of three behavioral regulation deficits, inhibition, and, of five metacognitive deficits, initiate and working memory were significant mediators of the reading deficit-social adjustment problem association. We conclude that specific executive function deficits explain the association between reading deficits and social adjustment problems. Implications of the current findings are discussed along with suggestions for interventions to improve reading abilities and executive functions to make adolescents better able to adjust in their social context.
Impact of Physical Activity on an Individual’s Creativity: A Day-Level Analysis
Authors: Bollimbala Ashish , James P. S. , Ganguli Shirshendu
Published: March 2021

Physical activity is fast emerging as a predictor of complex cognitive processes, yet its impact on creativity is not well researched. This study analyzes the immediate and retention effects of an enjoyable physical activity intervention at the end of the workday on the divergent and convergent thinking components of creativity via a randomized controlled trial of 68 MBA students. The treatment group participated in a 15-min enjoyable physical activity (dance), and the control group participated in an enjoyable nonphysical activity (socialization), and their impact on divergent and convergent thinking was measured via parallel forms of Guilford Alternate Uses Task and Remote Association Task, respectively. Dance significantly improved divergent and convergent thinking immediately after the intervention and also showed retention at the end of the work day compared with preintervention levels, whereas socialization showed such an effect only on flexibility immediately after the intervention and no retention. The results support executive function hypothesis and ego depletion theory.
Early Adopters to Early Majority - What's Driving the Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Powered Transformation in Financial Services?
Authors: Chintalapati Srikrishna
Published: March 2021

From retail banking to corporate banking, from property and casualty to personal lines, and from portfolio management to trade processing, the next wave of digital disruption in financial services has been unleashed by the concepts and applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). Together, AI and ML are undoubtedly creating one of the largest technological transformations the world has ever witnessed. Within the advanced streams of research in AI and ML, human intelligence blended with the cognitive reasoning of machines is finally out of the labs and into real-time applications. The Financial Services sector is one of the early adopters of this revolution and arguably much ahead of its leverage compared to other sectors. Built on the conceptual foundations of Innovation diffusion, and a contemporary perspective of enterprise customer life-cycle journey across the AI-value chain defined by McKinsey Global Institute (2017), the current study attempts to highlight the features and use-cases of early-adopters of this transformation. With the theoretical underpinning of technology adoption lifecycle, this paper is an earnest attempt to comment on how AI and ML have been significantly transforming the Financial Services market space from the lens of a domain practitioner. The findings of this study would be of particular relevance to the subject matter experts, Industry analysts, academicians, and researchers focussed on studying the impact of AI and ML in the financial services industry.
Care transition from rehabilitation to home: A QI project using the RED Toolkit to decrease readmission rates
Authors: Bernard Jennifer R. , Creel Eileen L. , Pecoraro Rhonda K
Published: March 2021

Objective: This quality improvement (QI) project’s aim was to lower 30-day healthcare reutilization for patients aged 50 or older with hip fracture using an evidence-based discharge process method, the Re-Engineered Discharge (RED) Toolkit.Methods: The QI project of a revised patient discharge process to lower healthcare reutilization of Baton Rouge Rehabilitation Hospital (BRRH) hip fracture patients was implemented as an evidence-based quality improvement initiative. Inpatient and outpatient discharge process revisions were implemented at an inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) based on Re-Engineered Discharge (RED) Toolkit recommendations. Inpatient revisions included patient barrier identification with associated documentation changes to the IRF interdisciplinary team form. Outpatient modifications consisted of an After-Hospital Care Plan (AHCP), and two post-discharge Telephone Follow-Up (TFU) calls.Results: Healthcare reutilization and thirty-day hospital readmission for this project were measured at 8.5% and 5.7%, respectively. A decrease in healthcare reutilization of at least 1.6% was observed for the IRF. Most participants scored at a high level (88.6%) of “patient knowledge of self-management” post intervention. Out of participants who did not attend their first Primary Care Provider (PCP) appointment, 33.3% experienced healthcare reutilization. This result emphasized the importance of seeing one’s PCP post-discharge. Patient satisfaction increased by 5% and 6.73%, measured by Hospital Consumer Assessment of HealthCare Providers and Systems (HCAHP) scores for nursing care and physician care, respectively.Conclusions: Implementation of a RED Toolkit-based discharge process at an IRF positively impacted all three study outcomes and associated healthcare costs in lowering preventable readmissions.
Task variations for backtrack
Authors: Menyhárt László , Zsakó László
Published: March 2021

This article has been written for informatics teachers who want to issue back-track based tasks on their lessons or as homework or on competitions. We present a few methods to generate a more complicated problem from a simpler task, which will be more complex, and its solution needs a good idea or trick. Starting from an example, we lead the reader through increasingly di cult task variations.

Subject Classification: 97P50
Effects of Different Planting Patterns on the Growth and Yield of Maize and Soybean in Northwest China
Authors: Shen L. , Wang X. Y. , T. Yang T. , Teng Y. X. , Liu T. T. , Li L. H. , Zhang W.
Published: March 2021

Aboveground and belowground interactions are crucial in the over-yielding of intercropping systems. However, the relative effects of aboveground and belowground interactions on yields in maize (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max) intercropping systems are still unclear. Field experiments, including measurements of plant height, soil-plant analysis development (SPAD) value, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), root length density (RLD), root volume density (RVD), and grain yield, were conducted in 2018-2019 to analyze the advantages and effects of above-ground and belowground inter-species interactions. This study adopted three different planting patterns: mono-cropping maize (MM), mono-cropping soybeans (MS), and maize-soybean intercropping (IM and IS). This study showed that intercropping promotes the growth of maize and makes maize have a better photosynthetic environment, while the growth of intercropping soybeans is inhibited and the photosynthetic environment becomes worse. In the upper layer (0-40 cm) and close to the plants, the root growth and distribution of intercropped maize increased, resulting in greater root length density and volume density, while the root growth and distribution of intercropped soybean decreased, resulting in lower root length density and volume density. The intercropping increased the maize yield by 18.52-19.8%, and reduced the soybean yield by 55.87-57.44%. The results indicated that intercropping improves the competitiveness of maize and reduces the competitiveness of soybeans. The increase in maize yield made up for the loss of soybean yield and led to an overall significant advantage in the maize-soybean intercropping system.
Technical, Field, Economic and Energy Comparison of Cutter Bar Maize Header With Snap Roll Maize Header
Authors: Thakur Surinder Singh , Chandel Rupinder , Singh Manjeet
Published: March 2021

In India, most of the maize combine harvester currently being used employs snap roll type header. This type of header is costly, dependent on row spacing of maize crop and causes losses at headlands during turning. Moreover owing to its heavy weight its frequent lifting and downing during harvesting season causes hydraulic leakages in certain sections of combine. Therefore to overcome these problems a new light weight cutter bar Maize header is developed and evaluated for maize crop. The performance evaluation of the cutter bar type maize header is done in a dislodged and a partially lodged (30-40%) maize crop. For lodged crops, the header losses varied from 19.18-26.71% and for dislodged crops it was varied from 5.29-10.15% respectively. The cylinder losses for dislodged crop varied from 2.70-2.86% and for lodged crop it varied from 0.85-2.04%. The mean cleaning efficiency for lodged and dislodged maize crop was found as 88.87% and 90.58% respectively. The grain damage for lodged and dislodged crop was observed as 8.31% and 5.94% respectively. The trash content for lodged and dislodged crop was 2.75 and 3.45% respectively. The performance of snap roll and cutter bar was also done. Total losses with snap roll header were higher as 15.06% and lower for cutter bar as 10.85%. The brokens were higher for cutter bar as 5.94 and lower for snap roll as 3.45%. The trash content was 3.45% for cutter bar header and 2.24% for snap roll header. The total energy input in snap roll header, cutter bar maize header and maize dehusker cum sheller were 2360.05, 1970.90 and 3770.48 MJ/ha respectively.The cost of operatin with cutter bar maize header, snap roll maize header and maize dehusker cum sheller were 53.62 $/ha, 68.73$/ha 187.32 $/ha respectively.
Evaluation of Newly Released Cassava Varieties for Yield Performance, Reactions to Cassava Diseases and Farmers’ Preference in Adjumani District of Uganda
Authors: Abaca Alex , Odama Emmanuel , Komakech Alfred , Asiku Baron , Andrews Andema A. , Kassim Sadik
Published: March 2021

Cassava viral diseases particularly cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) and cassava mosaic disease (CMD) have put pressure on cassava breeders to develop varieties that are resistant/tolerant to them. Several cassava varieties have been rolled out to farmers with the latest being NAROCASS series that are tolerant to these diseases. The yield performance of these new varieties have not been documented in some sub zones like Adjumani district that falls within a major West Nile agro-ecology of Uganda. Therefore this study sought to established yield performances of, reactions to major diseases, and farmers’ preference to these newly released cassava varieties in Adjumani. Results showed significant (P ≤ 0.05) differences among cassava varieties and experimental sites for all the parameters evaluated. Average yield performance by varieties were in the order of a local cassava—Alifasia (8.7 t/Ha) lowest, NAROCASS 2 (18.55 t/Ha), NASE 14 (33.97 t/Ha), NASE 19 (41.26 t/Ha), and NAROCASS 1 (41.71 t/Ha) highest. CMD foliar symptom was present at all sites on a local cassava—Alifasia, and on NAROCASS 1 in Ayiri parish, Ukusijoni sub-county. CBSD foliar symptoms were observed on off-types (TME 14) in the plot of NASE 14 in Miniki Parish only whereas CBSD root necrosis was observed at all sites on the local cassava—Alifasia, and on NASE 19 in Maaji parish, Ukusijoni sub-county. Cassava root rot disease was localised in Ukusijoni sub-county only. Farmers’ preferences to these newly released cassava varieties were in the order of NASE 19 (40.96%), NAROCASS 1 (24.86%), NAROCASS 2 (15.82.28%), NASE 14 (15.54%), and a Local cassava—Alifasia (2.83%). Result from this study strengthens the information gap in the breeding process towards developing a cassava variety with farmer-preferred attributes, and can also inform the utilisation of these improved cassava varieties in Adjumani district.
The Impact of Characteristics of Immigrant Offenders on Attitudes Towards Immigrant Crime
Authors: Vuk Mateja , Doležal Dalibor , Jovanović Ena
Published: March 2021

Minority threat theory and existing research show that public attitudes towards certain types of offenders (e.g. ethnic and racial minorities) are often more punitive. Research also reveals that a significant proportion of the public associates the increase of immigration with higher crime rates. Negative attitudes, as well as an overall anti-immigration sentiment, have been increasing internationally. Therefore, we hypothesise that the public will have more negative and punitive attitudes towards immigrant offenders than towards citizens. Using a sample of students from the University of Zagreb, this research tested the above-mentioned hypothesis and explored whether factors like immigration status, ethnic identity, type of offense, and the age of the hypothetical offender impact student attitude on immigrant crime. To test this proposition, we used online surveys with factorial vignettes. The results show that participants ask for harsher sentences for undocumented immigrants, but immigrant status and the national origin of the immigrant are not associated with the perception of recidivism, dangerousness, or criminal typicality of offender.
Motivational Factors in Choosing a Maritime Career: Descriptive Research among Croatian Students of Secondary and Higher Maritime Education
Authors: Slišković Ana , Galić Marko , Russo Andrea
Published: March 2021

The conducted research was induced by the lack of research into the motivation for choosing a maritime career in Croatia, which is a traditional maritime country. The main objective of the research was to examine the reasons for enrolling in secondary school programs and undergraduate studies related to two maritime orientations (nautical navigation and marine engineering) in Croatia. The survey involved 403 students from seven secondary schools and 264 students of undergraduate studies. The reasons for enrolling in maritime education are categorized into two groups; motivation related to choosing a maritime career and motivation unrelated to a maritime career. The analysis of the obtained data indicated that the choice of maritime education orientation was dominated by the motivation underlying the selection of the maritime profession (79 % in the secondary and 93 % in the higher education students' sample). The identified reasons (strong interest in the nature and dynamics of the maritime profession, employment opportunities, wage rates and tradition) were categorized according to the level of autonomous regulation in selection. The reasons for choosing a maritime course of education unrelated to the maritime profession are particularly prevalent in the sample of secondary school students.
Investigation of Solar Flare Classification to Identify Optimal Performance
Authors: Kakde Aditya , Sharma Durgansh , Kaushik Bhavana , Arora Nitin
Published: March 2021

When an intense brightness for a small amount of time is seen in the sun, then we can say that a solar flare emerged. As solar flares are made up of high energy photons and particles, thus causing the production of high electric fields and currents and therefore results in the disruption in space-borne or ground-based technological system. It also becomes a challenging task to extract its important features for prediction. Convolutional Neural Networks have gain a significant amount of popularity in the classification and localization tasks. This paper has given stress on the classification of the solar flares emerged on different years by stacking different convolutional layers followed by max pooling layers. From the reference of Alexnet, the pooling layer employed in this paper is the overlapping pooling. Also two different activation functions that are ELU and CReLU have been used to investigate how many number of convolutional layers with a particular activation function provides with the best results on this dataset as the size of the dataset in this domain is always small. The proposed investigation can be further used in a novel solar prediction systems.
Incorrect U-turning of vehicles at intersections with traffic lights
Authors: Krukowicz Tomasz , Firląg Krzysztof , Sterniczuk Ewelina
Published: March 2021

The article describes the problem of incorrect U-turns at intersections with traffic lights. Statistical data on road incidents related to U-turns are presented. Then, the international, Polish and foreign regulations concerning u-turning at intersections with traffic lights were analysed. The situations in which U-turns are allowed or prohibit-ed are presented. The differences in design rules for junctions with U-turns in different countries have been taken into account. A literature review was also carried out that outlined various current U-turns around the world, including the design of turning places, the location of turning points, road safety when turning, and the impact of U-turns on traffic conditions.
The further part of the article presents the results of field tests of the U-turn at 6 intersections located in Warsaw. The research was conducted by video observation. The results were broken down by age, gender, place of regis-tration of the vehicle, type of vehicle, and the effect of incorrect turning. Data on road incidents at the examined intersections were also analysed. Data from the database kept by the Police were compared with the measure-ment data. A regression analysis was performed between the types of recorded incorrect manoeuvres and the number of accidents at the intersection. The results of statistical analysis carried out do not indicate the existence of a relationship between the number of identified incorrect U-turns and the number of road incidents at inter-sections.
Based on the research, it was found that the phenomenon of incorrect U-turns at intersections with traffic lights is common, and the use of directional (protected) signals does not eliminate this phenomenon. The conclusions indicate practical solutions to reduce the number of illegally U-turning vehicles. The recommended actions are related to the stage of shaping the road network, designing the road geometry and organizing traffic and traffic lights, and auditing road safety, as well as the stage of road operation.
Theoretical aspects of modern security threats. Definitions, typologies, evolution
Authors: Rogozińska Agnieszka
Published: March 2021

In the literature on the subject, the term “security” is accompanied by the terms “non-threatening state”, “non-threatening state of peace”, “state of peace”, “state of certainty”. The lexical meaning of the term (Latin sine cura – no worries) should be understood as a situation in which there are no threats. In the context of lexical meaning, the term security means a risk-free situation. Contemporary understanding of the term focuses its attention on learning security understood as the resultant of the theory and practice of providing a reference subject with the possibility of survival (existence) and the pursuit of own interests, particularly using opportunities, taking challenges, minimizing risk and counteracting all types of threats. Definitive approaches to the term security indicate that it should be understood as a state and process. The state of security should be understood as a sense of confidence of the subject and guarantee of its survival, while the process – as chance for improvement and development of state’s means to protect and defend it. The current catalog of security threats proposed by Barry Buzan was extended in the second half of the 20th century from military nature threats to threats of a political, economic, social, and environmental nature. These changes have redefined the modern understanding of security. The main research problem was formulated as the question: what are the theoretical aspects of contemporary security threats? The article aims to analyze and diagnose contemporary definitions of security and its threats. The research process uses methodological methods of scientific cognition, mainly analysis and criticism of literature.
The importance of mucormycosis infections on example of Rhino Orbital Cerebral Mucormycosis
Authors: Pałka Łukasz , Gaur Vivek
Published: March 2021

Mucormycosis is an angioinvasive fungal infection, characterized by high morbidity and mortality and is strongly dependent on the patient’s general health condition, initial site of infection, and the time from diagnosis to treatment commencement. It has been reported that the occurrence of mucormycosis has increased rapidly, also among immunocompetent patients. Moreover, the rise in number is expected to continue. Among all clinical manifestations of mucormycosis, the rhino-orbital-cerebral type (ROCM) is the most common. The aim of this article is to increase the awareness of mucoral infections, especially ROCM, and to describe its first symptoms, as proper treatment requires immediate surgical and medical intervention.
Pre-competition and training anxiety among athletes practising gymnastic disciplines
Authors: Basiaga-Pasternak Joanna , Biskup Aleksandra
Published: March 2021

Introduction: The gymnastic disciplines abound in difficult and risky technical elements. Excessive anxiety is a factor which can have a destructive effect on the athlete both at the stage of motor learning, as well as when performing during competitions. Anxiety is a natural human emotion, but whether it has positive or negative influence on an individual’s performance clearly depends upon its level. Aim of the study: The study aimed to determine the level of anxiety (as state, cognitive anxiety and somatic anxiety) among male and female gymnasts in situations before starting competitions and before training when mastering new, difficult elements. The following research questions were formulated: • Does the level of anxiety in the participants during learning new elements differ from the level of anxiety before starting to compete? • Does the level of somatic anxiety in the gymnasts during learning new elements differ from the level of anxiety before starting to compete? • Does the level of cognitive anxiety in the gymnasts during learning new elements differ from the level of anxiety before starting to compete? • What is the level of trait anxiety characteristic of the participating gymnasts? Material and method: Twenty eight people were assessed (14 women and 14 men) who professionally practice gymnastic disciplines. The average age of respondents was 18 years. All subjects were competing at championship level and had been practicing their sport for a minimum of 10 years. The Spielberger’s self-evaluation questionnaire (State-Trait-Anxiety Inventory, STAI) and the Smith’s, Smoll’s, Schutz’s Reaction to Competing Questionnaire (The Sport Anxiety Scale, SAS), as adapted to Polish by Krawczyński, were used in the research. Results: By adopting the criterion of statistical difference p  0.05 it was proven that there are statistically significant differences between the level of anxiety before training and before competition: state anxiety (p=0.033), somatic anxiety (p=0.004), and cognitive anxiety – attentions disorders (p=0.011). When analysing the average values of the participants, it was noted that they are characterised by an average trait anxiety level. Conclusion: The participating athletes who train in gymnastic disciplines are characterised by an average level of trait anxiety. The gymnasts experience stronger anxiety before competition than during a demanding training session.
Shaping motor activities of young football players in comprehensive training using the Fitlight system
Authors: Duda Henryk
Published: March 2021

Introduction. In the actions of football players, due to the dynamics of the playing field, the ability of perception is of great importance for game effectiveness. This instruction not only determines good orientation in the game, but also significantly facilitates perception in action. Therefore, considering its importance for an effective game, apt methods are being sought out to improve the level of this disposition among football players. Aim of the work and research questions. This study is of utilitarian nature. The main research objective is aimed at modifying the current concept of teaching methodology in sports games on the example of football, which involves activation of a player’s orientational and spatial spheres. The following research questions were posed: • Will the implementation of the Fitlight system for teaching football techniques improve the spatial orientation of young football players? • Will the use of the Fitlight system in training increase the level of action in the game among young footballers? • Can football training be improved by introducing the Fitlight system? Materials and test methods. The method of pedagogical experiment was used to study the effectiveness (learning and teaching) of special motor skills. The technique of parallel groups was used: experimental (E) and control (C). In experimental research, the independent variable was the method of developing and transmitting information using the Fitlight system based on the mental action of the player, c considering the development of spatial orientation in the process of teaching movement activities (special techniques). The dependent variables were measurable results concerning development of the spatial orientation level in practical activities and the players’ mastery of technical activities in game conditions. Research was conducted on an annual basis (in 2018-2019) among young football players of RKS Garbarnia Kraków - junior class C1 - age of the respondents: 14-15 years. The study participants comprised 30 young players, divided into 2 subgroups: experimental (E) and control (C), each consisting of 15 players. The experimental group participated in the experimental training unit twice a week; practical classes lasting 90 minutes. A total of 60 training units were conducted. These classes were carried out using the Fitlight system to teach technical activities that were characterised by a greater pool of exercises in the field of spatial orientation and also including greater mentalisation (concentration, divisibility of attention). Results. Analysis of the research results allowed to confirm the significance of training using the Fitlight system. The experimental group, in relation to the control, demonstrated higher values in the level of spatial orientation and, above all, higher parameters in the simulated game.
As causas dos conflitos intraestatais e as bases para a reconciliação: uma breve análise sobre o conflito colombiano e o recente processo de paz
Authors: Madruga Leonardo Agrello
Published: March 2021

Este trabalho visa realizar uma breve análise sobre as origens do conflito entre Estado colombiano e as FARC, bem como sobre as características do recente processo de paz firmado, a fim de dialogar com alguns supostos teóricos que tratam acerca de motivações para o início de conflitos intraestatais, assim como sobre características importantes em torno da resolução de conflitos por meio da reconciliação.
Research on Magnetically Targeted Drug Delivery System Based on Fullerene Derivatives
Authors: WANG Ying , SU Li , LI Bing , JIN Ningning , LU Riji , ZHANG Jing
Published: March 2021

A carboxyl-terminated fullerene pyrrolidine derivative was synthesized by 1, 3-dipolar cycloaddition of imine ylide (FP-COOH). UV-Vis, FT-IR and MALDI-TOF respectively verified the effective synthesis of compounds. The compound (FP-COOH) was used as an intermediate, and then the hydrothermal chemical bonding method was used to load ferric oxide on the compound (FP-COOH). Its purpose was to form a magnetic targeting carrier system (FP-IONP-COOH). Then use the non-covalent method to combine FP-IONP-COOH with doxorubicin. The ultimate goal was to improve the side effects of doxorubicin. The solubility experiments showed that both FP-IONP-COOH and FP-IONP-COOH/DOX had good water solubility. The investigation of magnetism showed that FP-IONP-COOH has good magnetism. Finally, in vitro release experiments further verified the targeting of FP-IONP-COOH/DOX. The cumulative release of DOX at 48 h could be as high as 82 %, whereas the accumulated release of FP-IONP-COOH/DOX at 48 h was only 48 %, and was able to continuously release for more than 120 h, demonstrating its good sustained release in vivo.
Corrosion Properties of Electropolished AISI 316L Austenitic Biomaterial in Relation to Electropolishing Conditions
Authors: ZATKALÍKOVÁ Viera , MARKOVIČOVÁ Lenka , UHRÍČIK Milan , HANUSOVÁ Patrícia
Published: March 2021

Electropolishing is recommended for various biomedical applications of austenitic biomaterials because it enables to achieve high brightness, very low surface roughness, excellent corrosion resistance and reduced bacterial attachment without residual surface tensions. The quality of an electropolished surface depends strongly on the composition of used electrolyte and on the applied electropolishing conditions. In this article the corrosion properties of eight AISI 316L surfaces electropolished in the same solution but at the different conditions were evaluated on the bases of the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) test and exposure immersion test. The aim was to find whether in the frame of recommended electropolishing conditions (temperature, current density, time) the optimal combination exists which would provide the best corrosion properties of the surface passive film. The results showed that the electropolishing temperature 50 ºC should be preferred due to the lower roughness parameters and minimizing the possibility of the bacterial attachment.
Green Synthesis and Characterization of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Using Mulberry Fruit and Their Antioxidant Activity
Authors: ABBES Nedra , BEKRI Imene , CHENG Meilin , SEJRI Nejib , CHEIKHROUHOU Morched , XU Jun
Published: March 2021

Biosynthesis of metal-oxide nanoparticles using plant extracts has been attracting increasing interest. In this study, we focused on the green synthesis of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanomaterials using zinc acetate as a precursor and mulberry fruit extract as a green reducing agent and determined the antioxidant activity. Powder X-ray diffraction and UV-Vis and Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FT-IR) spectroscopy were used for structure elucidation and to determine the crystallinity of the synthesized product. The morphology of samples was determined using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Our results indicated the successful synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles. SEM findings revealed the nanoparticles to be spherical; they were found to agglomerate and showed a narrow space between particles, which could be indicative of improved activity. The antioxidant activity of ZnO nanoparticles was determined using a 2,2-Diphenyl-1-Picryl-Hydrazyl (DPPH) free-radical scavenging assay taking into account time and concentration. Our results indicated that ZnO nanoparticles with mulberry fruit extract that were synthesized using green chemistry could effectively scavenge the free DPPH radicals, thereby confirming their superior antioxidant activity.
Auf der Suche nach der neuen Mittelklasse – Replik auf Nils Kumkar und Uwe Schimank
Authors: Reckwitz Andreas
Published: March 2021

Der Aufsatz antwortet auf die Auseinandersetzung von Nils Kumkar und Uwe Schimank mit Andreas Reckwitz’ Theorie der neuen und der alten Mittelklasse. Im Zuge dessen werden das Abstraktionsniveau, die historische Entwicklung und der Umfang der beiden Klassen geklärt. Detailliert werden die Milieustudien des Heidelberger SINUS-Instituts für die Analyse der neuen und alten Mittelklasse ausgewertet. Der Aufsatz endet mit einer Diskussion der Ursachen für die „Abwehrreflexe“ der Soziologie gegenüber der neuen Mittelklasse.
Amerikanische Drug Treatment Courts – Eine sinnvolle Ergänzung für den Umgang mit betäubungsmittelabhängigen Straftätern in Deutschland?
Authors: Leder Angelina
Published: March 2021

Seitdem im Jahr 1989 der erste Drug Treatment Court in Miami gegründet wurde, haben sich Drug Treatment Courts nahezu flächendeckend über die Vereinigten Staaten von Amerika verbreitet. Das Phänomen der Drug Treatment Courts wurde auch international erfolgreich exportiert. In Deutschland sind die "Drogengerichte" in der kriminologischen sowie strafrechtlichen Literatur hingegen bislang kaum rezipiert worden. Drug Treatment Courts sind spezielle Justizprogramme, die betäubungsmittelabhängigen Straftätern alternativ zum traditionellen Strafverfahren die Teilnahme an einer justiziell überwachten Therapie anbieten. Drug Treatment Courts gelten damit als Unterfall der Problem-Solving-Courts. Während Drug Treatment Courts von Praktikern entwickelt wurden, bietet die Theorie der Therapeutischen Jurisprudenz ein wissenschaftliches Fundament. Der Beitrag beleuchtet die Institution der U.S.-amerikanischen Drug Treatment Courts und diskutiert das Konzept als Ergänzung deutscher Regelungen zum Umgang mit betäubungsmittelabhängigen Straftätern.
Erwähnung der Täterherkunft in der Verbrechensberichterstattung: Welchen Effekt hat die populistische Medienschelte?
Authors: Dittrich Anja , Klimmt Christoph
Published: March 2021

Die Erwähnung von Herkunftsinformationen (z. B. Nationalität) über Verdächtige und Täter in der Kriminalitätsberichterstattung kann Vorurteile in der Bevölkerung schüren. In jüngster Zeit haben Rechtspopulisten erheblichen Druck auf die Nachrichtenmedien ausgeübt den Migrationshintergrund von Tatverdächtigen und Tätern offenzulegen und damit von der lange gepflegten Berufsnorm (Pressekodex, Ziffer 12.1) abzuweichen, die vorsah, solche gruppenbezogenen Informationen möglichst zurückzuhalten. Die vorliegende Inhaltsanalyse von 9.032 Artikeln der Kriminalitätsberichterstattung von zehn deutschen Tageszeitungen zeigt, dass zwischen 2014 und 2018 die Häufigkeit der Herkunftserwähnungen deutlich zugenommen hat, insbesondere in der Frankfurter Allgemeinen Zeitung. Diese Zunahmen betreffen sowohl explizite (Nationalität) als auch implizite (z. B. Sprache, Aussehen, Aufenthaltsstatus) Verweise und sind nicht auf Schwerverbrechen beschränkt, für die der reformierte Pressekodex seit 2017 ein „öffentliches Interesse“ an der Täterherkunft annimmt. Die Befunde sind brisant mit Blick auf mögliche vorurteilsfördernde Wirkungen auf das Publikum und zugleich aufschlussreich mit Blick auf den Umgang des Journalismus mit populistischer Kritik.
Karl Rahner and Religious Agnosticism
Authors: Verkamp Bernard J. ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: March 2021

Back in the early 1960s, Karl Rahner acknowledged that ‘religious agnosticism’ (‘religiöse Agnostizismus’) did have “some truth” in it [meint etwas Richtiges] (Rahner and Vorgrimler, Kleines Theologisches Wörterbuch, 13; Theological Dictionary, 16). On the Hegelian assumption that a thing being defined involves as much what it is not, as what it is, this paper will explore in what sense Rahner thought that religious agnosticism does contain an element of truth, by contrasting his interpretation of its component parts to that of the nineteenth century agnostic trio of Herbert Spencer, Thomas H. Huxley, and John Tyndall.
Narrativa, memória e saberes: entrevista com o professor Reiner Hildebrandt-Stramann
Authors: Mazo Janice Zarpellon , Begossi Tuany Defaveri
Published: March 2021

A presente entrevista busca registrar no contexto da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), especialmente em virtude das comemorações dos 50 anos do Centro de Educação Física e Desportos (CEFD), o testemunho de Reiner Hildebrandt-Stramann, um dos professores que subscreveu sua influência na referida instituição e no campo da Educação Física brasileira. A narrativa propõe rememorar, de modo particular, o período em que o professor dividiu suas ideias, compreensões e pensamentos sobre a Educação Física, no CEFD/UFSM. O testemunho sinaliza, especialmente, os sentidos e significados percebidos pelo docente sobre a recepção de sua proposta de intervenção relacionada às aulas abertas à experiência, na referida instituição. Sublinha-se que esta concepção de ensino contribuiu para a mudança de paradigma em relação ao movimento humano no contexto escolar brasileiro e colaborou para a legitimação da Educação Física neste âmbito.
Can we reduce oxidative stress with liver transplantation?
Authors: Aydin Mesut , Dirik Yaren , Demir Canan , Tolunay Harun , Demir Halit
Published: March 2021

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the levels of lipid peroxidation (MDA) and antioxidants such as reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the blood serum of patients with cirrhosis and liver transplantation. Methods: In this study, serum malondialdehyde acid (MDA) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), and catalase (CAT) activities were measured spectrophotometrically and compared to the results of the healthy control group. Results: SOD, CAT and GSH activities were significantly decreased in the patient groups compared to the healthy control group (p<0.05). MDA levels were significantly higher in the patient group compared to the healthy control group (p <0.05). Conclusions: In conclusion, this study demonstrated that oxidative stress may play an important role in the development of liver cirrhosis and in liver transplantation. This study is the first one to show how MDA, SOD, CAT and GSH levels change in liver cirrhosis and liver transplantation, while further studies are essential to investigate antioxidant enzymes and oxidative stress status in patients with cirrhosis and liver transplantation.
A Pharmacist-Led Oral Chemotherapy Program’s Impact on Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patient Satisfaction, Adherence, and Outcomes
Authors: Dennison, PharmD Taylor , M. Deal, MS Allison , Foster, MD Matthew , Valgus, PharmD, MHA, BCOP John , Muluneh, PharmD, BCOP, CPP Benyam
Published: March 2021

Patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) can be treated with oral tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Pharmacist-led oral chemotherapy programs (POCPs) can improve TKI adherence rates, but evaluation of patient satisfaction with such programs is rare. The purpose of this analysis was to compare the satisfaction of patients with CML taking TKIs enrolled in a POCP program with that of those not enrolled. Secondary objectives were to assess adherence rates, patient-reported value, early molecular response (EMR) rates, and major molecular response (MMR) rates. This study utilized an anonymous telephone survey of patients who had taken TKIs for at least 3 months. Molecular response was determined by chart review. Of 40 patients surveyed, 50% were enrolled in the POCP, and the POCP group had more African Americans than the non-POCP group. More patients in the POCP were satisfied with their care than in the non-POCP group (100% vs. 75%, p = .047). There were no differences in high patient-reported adherence (55% vs. 60%, p = 1.000), patient-reported value for integrated services (95% vs. 90%, p = 1.000), achievement of EMR (75% vs. 75%, p = 1.000), or MMR (85% vs. 85%, p = 1.000). Patients in the POCP received more structured clinical pharmacy services; however, both groups felt the clinical pharmacist played a major role in their care (85% vs. 90%, p = 1.000). Patients in the non-POCP group reported lower satisfaction than those enrolled resulting from fragmented care that was likely due to external specialty pharmacies. Irrespective of POCP enrollment, patients reported clinical pharmacists play a major role in their therapy and value integration of their specialty pharmacy and medical team.
Heterogeneous Change Detection on Remote Sensing Data with Self-Supervised Deep Canonically Correlated Autoencoders
Authors: Figari Tomenotti Federico
Published: March 2021

Change detection is a well-known topic of remote sensing. The goal is to track and monitor the evolution of changes affecting the Earth surface over time. The recently increased availability in remote sensing data for Earth observation and in computational power has raised the interest in this field of research. In particular, the keywords “multitemporal” and “heterogeneous” play prominent roles. The former refers to the availability and the comparison of two or more satellite images of the same place on the ground, in order to find changes and track the evolution of the observed surface, maybe with different time sensitivities. The latter refers to the capability of performing change detection with images coming from different sources, corresponding to different sensors, wavelengths, polarizations, acquisition geometries, etc. This thesis addresses the challenging topic of multitemporal change detection with heterogeneous remote sensing images. It proposes a novel approach, taking inspiration from recent developments in the literature. The proposed method is based on deep learning - involving autoencoders of convolutional neural networks - and represents an exapmple of unsupervised change detection. A major novelty of the work consists in including a prior information model, used to make the method unsupervised, within a well-established algorithm such as the canonical correlation analysis, and in combining these with a deep learning framework to give rise to an image translation method able to compare heterogeneous images regardless of their highly different domains. The theoretical analysis is supported by experimental results, comparing the proposed methodology to the state of the art of this discipline. Two different datasets were used for the experiments, and the results obtained on both of them show the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Evaluation of New Sesame Varieties for Growth and Yield Performance during the Deyr Season in Afgoye, Somalia
Authors: Siad Shuaib Abdullahi , Ismaan Hassan Nuur , Isse Mohamud Mohamed , Mohamud Abdullahi Omar , Islam Mohammad Sohidul , Mohamed Abdinur Elmi
Published: March 2021

Aims: The field experiment was conducted to evaluate new sesame varieties for growth and yield performance.

Study Design: A randomized completely block design (RCBD) with four replications was used for the experiment.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted during the Deyr season (September-November) 2016 at the experimental farm of Somali Agriculture Technical Group (SATG), Afgoye, Somalia.

Methodology: Growth and yield characters of the varieties were measured during the trial. A complete of six sesame varieties was used for the trial. The new varieties were Setit, Yemeni, Nigerian, Humera and Indian while a local variety, Dunyar, was used as a control.

Results: Results from the experiment revealed that growth parameters such capsule length, number of branches per ∙plant, number of capsules per plant and number of seeds per capsule were significantly different among the varieties. Yield performance of the sesame varieties was also significantly different. It was observed that Humera variety showed the highest seed yield of 2.82 ton per hectare while the Indian variety has given the lowest seed yield of 0.67 ton per hectare. The highest straw yield of 3.45 ton per hectare was recorded for Local variety while the lowest straw yield of 2.76 ton per hectare was observed in Setit variety. Likewise the highest biological yield of 6.18 ton per hectare was observed at Dunyar variety while the lowest biological yield of 3.61 ton per hectare was recorded for Indian variety.

Conclusion: The growth and yield of these particular varieties did not outperform the local variety, thus, future studies would be essential to look for other alternative methods and cultivars that would help increase the productivity.
Study of Fish Biodiversity of Nijhum Dwip, Noakhali, Bangladesh
Authors: Khalil Md. Ibrahim , Sultana Tasnim , Hasan Md. Robiul
Published: March 2021

Aims: The investigation was concerned to assess the diversity status of fish in Nijhum Dwip, Hatiya, Noakhali with its management actions.

Place and Duration of Study: Nijhum dwip declared as marine protected area is blessed with unique ecosystem with holding numerous flora and fauna species diversity. Data and fish sample were collected from February, 2019 to July 2019 for a period of five month.

Methodology: The current research was grounded on visiting fish landing center and fish market, on spot date collection, interview of the fishermen and the fish traders, sample collection and secondary data collection.

Results: In investigation, 39 species in 22 families were witnessed. The maximum numbers of fish species (8) were observed from the family Cyprinidae. From the survey, 4 species were endangered (EN), 5 species were vulnerable (VU), 2 species were near threatened (NT), 22 species were least concern (LC) categories, 6 species were not threatened (NO) which is grounded on IUCN (2015) list of threatened fishes of Bangladesh. The marine fish and freshwater fish alignment in the research region were 33% and 67% in turn.

Conclusions: The species scarcity or decline is demonstrated by the non-availability and less availability of some of the species in the adjacent area as well as in the country. The policy makers, researchers as well as local people would be able to aware with their existing biodiversity status and also significance of fish fauna of the study area by appropriate evaluation and proper documentation of fish fauna.