bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Virtual Brand Communities: Engagement Profiles and Typology
Authors: Taher Ahmed , El Shahed Heba
Published: September 2024

Within the prevalent digital communication era, users have utilized digital connectivity to form social aggregations and virtual communities (VC) with unique features. Recently, millions of internet users have joined one or more brand virtual communities to serve their communication, knowledge-seeking, entertainment, and self-fulfillment needs. Virtual communities represent different contexts, objectives, and technical configurations catering to diverse consumption patterns. This article is the first to present virtual communities’ typology focusing on passion, professional, social, and commercial brand communities. This article also explores a comparative framework for brand communities’ engagement profiles in the four types of brand communities. Moreover, it outlines recommendations for future research relating to VC’s engagement in behavioral studies.
A Critical Analysis of the Dialectic Science-Religion Relationship in Popular Science Show Discourse
Authors: Abdelraouf Eslam
Published: September 2024

In light of the advancing digital environment and the interest in boosting scientific content published on digital platforms, this paper seeks to define and critically analyze the discourse of popular science shows (henceforth, “PSS”). Considering the fact that religion serves as a major foundational component in the Arab social and cultural context, the research focuses on the dialectic issues between science and religion with a view to determining indicators of influential and ideological hegemonic practices by PSS content creators toward viewers. Analysis is applied against the lines of Fairclough’s Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) theory. Accordingly, this paper analyzes the three discourse dimensions adopted by the program Addaheeh (The Nerd) PSS episodes that addressed scientific issues with religious-scientific dialectics. Addaheeh is selected for being the YouTube PSS with the highest viewership and strongest influence (BBC 2019). The findings affirm that Addaheeh uses a language and discourse strategies that exercise epistemic authority on viewers; impose ideologies as manifested by several inferences, lines of reasoning and tendencies adopted by the content creator; and inculcate viewers with ideological line of Addaheeh. As per the findings, Addaheeh proceeds with a biased approach, adopting a given perspective toward religiously controversial and scientifically unsettled issues.
أطر معالجة مواد الرأي في الصحف العربية لقضايا المياه: دراسة تحليلية في ضوء نظرية الصراع
Authors: Elhamy Hossam Mohamed , Dhaif Zuhair
Published: September 2024

This study analyzes how a number of Arab newspapers approach water issues and the different perspectives they present about the water crises and water insecurity in the region. The paper examines the extent to which the framing of the topic tends to escalate the issue using conflict theory, or de-escalate it using what the author calls ‘adaptive-compatibility’ frames. Adaptive-compatibility methods are defined in this article as the ways in which the news attempts to portray the issue in a conciliatory manner, where they offer solutions and endeavor to de-escalate the crisis. Applying quantitative methods, the research analyzes 183 articles on the issue of water. The sample was drawn from articles published from January 2019 to April 2021, in six Arab newspapers: Al-Ahram, Asharq Al-Awsat, Al-Riyadh, Al-Zaman, An-Nahar, and Al-Ghad. The analysis demonstrated that the most prominent frame in the sample is one based on conflict. It was found that nearly 60% of the sample included the introduction of some kind of conflict over water resources, whether by referring to conflict mechanisms only or referring to the conflict and adaptive-compatibility mechanisms combined. The results also indicated that there is evident effort being exerted by the authors to communicate their concerns about water issues to the public and to decision-makers. Accordingly, the predominant approach to water issues by journalists in Arab countries is alarmist, focused on crises, and warning of impending conflicts over water. The research proposed a conceptual model of interpretation to help in understanding and predicting how conflicts over water resources are represented or going to be framed in newspaper articles.
The Use of Social Media in the Patient-Doctor Relationship: The Case of Iraq
Authors: Numan Haitham
Published: September 2024

Many highly regarded medical doctors have developed guidelines to promote themselves professionally when connecting with their patients through social media sites (Sullivan 2018). However, many still use these platforms for marketing rather than disseminating appropriate medical information. This paper surveyed a sample of medical doctors in Iraq, and it aimed to analyze the motivations behind their use of social media to communicate with their patients. Follow-up interviews were organized at eight medical locations in Iraq, where the doctors were interviewed to gain additional data. Social media offers doctors the ability to enhance their relationships and improve their marketing, and this study identified high overall social media usage among doctors in Iraq (with 79% male doctors and 21% female doctors using social media). The participants’ listed specialties were as follows: 8% dentists, 10% internists, 20% general surgeons, 12% urologists, 4% cancer doctors, 9% OB-GYN, 4% family specialists, 9% pediatricians, 5% dermatologists, 2% ophthalmologists, 3% rheumatologists, and smaller percentages of anesthesiologists, radiologists, and orthopedists. Years of experience also proved to influence social media use, with less experienced doctors using it more often.
Contemporary Arab and International Trends in Electronic Public Relations Studies (Arabic)
Authors: Neyazy El Saifi Hassan
Published: September 2024

The study sought to provide a visualization of the development of Arab and international public relations research via the internet to determine the extent to which Arab research aligns with the global context, and find out whether social networks have made a paradigm shift in their research or not. By using meta-analysis, a random sample was chosen of two international public relations magazines. All electronic public relations research published in them (2008-2019) were analyzed in addition to all Arab online research and theses. The study found that Arab research failed to keep pace with the global context, as technological developments brought about changes in foreign electronic public relations research. Arabic research did not appear until early 2007, while foreign research began in 1992. Additionally, Arab research continues to adopt old approaches to studying public relations. Although foreign studies gradually shift from description to theory, the majority of Arab research still focuses on description, employing mass communication theories that are inconsistent with the electronic environment and incapable of an optimal explanation. Foreign studies have also witnessed a general trend of approach diversification, while the majority of Arab researchers have limited themselves to quantitative approaches, especially surveying. Indeed, they need to diversify in order to better describe and interpret electronic public relations organization and practice.
Crime News in a Loyalist Press Environment
Authors: Gibbs Joseph
Published: September 2024

Several laws regulate and influence reporting on crime in the United Arab Emirates, a country in which journalism functions within a Loyalist Press environment. These include elements in the 1980 press law and the recently updated penal code and cybercrimes laws. This legislation can secure the confidentiality of police investigations, protect privacy, and prevent the spread of false information, but it can also hinder timely reporting and the dissemination of important facts. Viewed through the Social Responsibility theory of the press, its effects include preventing fulfillment of the media requirement of full access to current information. Additionally, factors such as an official emphasis on “happiness” may influence news coverage.
Applying the Four Models of Science Journalism to the Publics’ Interaction with Coronavirus News
Authors: Khairy Lobna
Published: September 2024

Since the outbreak of coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, the news has been covering its rapid developments by the minute, while feeding the eager publics the information they seek regarding its origin, health-threats, symptoms, preventative measures, and global impact. It is thus of pressing importance, to track the Egyptian publics’ interactions with Coronavirus news and to test the four science journalism models by applying them to the publics’ consumption of, and reaction to, Coronavirus news. Coronavirus is a global health concern, and although the research sample tests the local Egyptian publics’ interactions with Coronavirus news, the findings of this research can be of global relevance and interest. The study’s results are derived from a survey circulated electronically over the course of two weeks, yielding 437 responses. The findings conclude that the publics’ interacted the most with the Contextual Model, which ultimately relies on providing audience-relevant information. The second most popular model was the Public Participation Model, which serves as an interactive model intended to engage publics. Following those two models, is the Science Literacy model, which builds on translating complex scientific information to aid in educating the audience; the least popular model amongst publics was the Lay Expertise Model, which offers publics, as well as scientists, diverse sources for news.
The Effect of using Artificial Intelligence Technologies in Presenting News Stories in Virtual Reality Immersive Experiences (Arabic)
Authors: Atyah Marwa
Published: September 2024

This study aims at uncovering the effect of using artificial intelligence (AI) techniques on two levels of virtual reality (360° video and immersive 3D) while presenting news stories in recipients’ immersive experiences. To achieve this goal, a field experiment was designed to collect the feedback and responses from individuals. Later, we designed and applied the immersive measure on these responses and found that there are differences for recipients while using 360° video and immersive 3D in the spatial dimension during the experiment. On the other hand, there is no difference between the two technologies in terms of the dimensions of time or sense. The results also showed that the 360° video technology supports the knowledge dimension when compared to immersive 3D. From this study, we can conclude that applying immersive journalism with the support of virtual reality technologies has started to appear clearly in the media field, especially with the major strides in AI technologies that support digital platform algorithms being used in presenting this kind of content.
Religious Identity and Egyptian Electronic Newspaper Reporting on the War on Terror (Arabic)
Authors: Elmawla Hafez Oweis Mohamed Gad
Published: September 2024

The study aims to identify the characteristics of religious identity discourse in Egyptian online newspapers (e-newspapers) in the context of the “War on Terror”. Factors and variables contributing to a crisis of religious identity, in addition to recommendations to manage this crisis, are identified and analyzed. The study relies on Religious Discourse Analysis and takes a comparative, qualitative approach. A sample survey of Egyptian electronic newspapers was used to analyze religious content of the online newspapers Al-Ahram, Al-Wafd, and Al-Watan from January and February 2019. The analysis and comparison of the three e-newspapers finds that there is an abundance of press discourse material being generated on all three platforms, each differing in how they portray the crisis of religious identity. Further, different newspapers and journalists differed in their reporting according to their different backgrounds, biases, or political leaning. Moreover, the study found that the major cause of the religious identity crisis is academic curricula and religious studies textbooks that include ideas that threaten the identity of society and maintain the absence of democracy. Such unregulated and unstandardized content in disseminated educational material results in the blocking of channels of dialogue, confirming oppression, injustice, and a lack of freedom.
Film Review | Watching “Us” in the Middle East
Authors: Mansour Maher
Published: September 2024

“Us,” Jordan Peele’s newly released horror film, raises questions about American identity that will appear very different to viewers outside the United States. Peele has claimed that “Us” aims to hold up a mirror to American society, showing “us” how “we are our worst enemies.” But for international viewers, especially those who have experienced overseas oppression from the United States, the questions of violence and otherness that this film raises will have a special resonance. The film begins in 1986, when a young Adelaide (Madison Currie) wanders off into a haunted house called “Vision Quest” while on a beach vacation with her parents. The sign at the entrance of the attraction invites the visitor to “find yourself.” Wandering in a hall of magic mirrors, Adelaide finds a living reflection of herself, and is traumatized.
Gender and Issues of Digital Identity among Arab Women: An Ethnographic Study of a Sample of Facebook Users in Algeria (Arabic)
Authors: Tabet Mostapha , Hadji Hanane
Published: September 2024

تستهدف الدراسة التعرف على تمثلات الهوية الرقمية للمرأة الجزائرية، وإلى أي مدى توجد تحديات تواجه المرأة أثناء تقديمها لهويتها الرقمية عبر شبكة الفيسبوك، وما حدود العلاقة بين الهوية الرقمية والالتزام الجندري من وجهة نظر المرأة الجزائرية. وتندرج الدراسة الحالية ضمن الدراسات الإثنوغرافية الكيفية التي تحاول أن تستكشف وتفسر حقيقة تجليات هوية المرأة الجزائرية في الفضاء الافتراضي وفقاً للسياق الثقافي للمجتمع الجزائري، وحيثيات تشكل تلك الهوية، من خلال رصد بعض الهويات الرقمية التي تم التعرف عليها، وملاحقتها وتتبع المنشورات والتعليقات، خلال فترة دراسة امتدت من ٢٨ سبتمبر ٢٠٢٠ حتى ٢٨ نوفمبر٢٠٢٠، وذلك بالاعتماد على أدوات الملاحظة بالمشاركة والمقابلة المفتوحة مع مفردات العينة التي تمثلت في٥٠ مستخدمة للفيسبوك؛ من النساء الذين يتحدثون اللغة العربية، كونها اللغة الرسمية الأكثر تحدثًا في الجزائر. واتفقت العينة محل الدراسة على أن هنالك فروقات شاسعة بين انعكاس هوية المرأة الرقمية على فيسبوك مقارنة بالرجل، ويتحكم في ذلك الجوانب الاجتماعية والنفسية لكلا الجنسين التي قد تجعل المستخدم يخاف التصريح بهويته أو يستحيي من ذلك، وكذلك الرقابة الأسرية، وخصوصية كل فرد، واختلاف الغاية من استخدام فيسبوك.
Role of World Cup Soccer in Healing the Gulf Region: Zeal of Qatar’s Sport Diplomacy and Soft Power
Authors: Singer Nermeen
Published: September 2024

The study discusses the importance of the Qatar World Cup in 2022 and its implications for Gulf area relations in terms of sports diplomacy and soft power influence. This research employs a descriptive-analytic technique. Descriptive literature reviews synthesize individual studies and discuss the research procedures and findings of referenced studies. Numerous worldwide worries about the issue with the gulf nations’ embargo in regaining sovereignty and the Islamic and cultural values that are foreign to Western audiences will continue to put Qatar’s reputation management and branding tactics under pressure. Nonetheless, maintaining a role on international soccer grounds via partnerships, ownerships, and tournaments, as well as aggressively attempting to improve and ameliorate the nation’s international position, aided Doha in its sports policy objectives in the years leading up to and during the tournament. Its commitment to leaving a lasting legacy beyond December 2022 will also aid the state throughout the post-event era of empowerment. Finally, the article provides an overview of recent research on Qatar’s worldwide strategic plan for sport, whether for investing and diversifying state income or political and policy diplomatic purposes.
Information At War: Hamas vs. the IDF (Book Review)
Authors: Seib Philip
Published: September 2024

Excerpted from Information at War: Journalism, Disinformation, and Modern Warfare To be published by Polity Books, summer 2021 The persistent conflict between Israel and Hamas only occasionally attracts much attention beyond its own region, but for the women, men, and children on the ground this is not a “small” war. When fighting flares up, civilian casualties are abundant, mainly on the Palestinian side. Gaza, or the Gaza Strip, has been governed by Hamas since the Palestinian Legislative Council elections of 2006. Israel and Egypt control Gaza’s land borders, and Israel has imposed a maritime blockade. About two million people live in Gaza’s 139 square miles (about twice the size of Washington, D.C.), 65 percent of whom are age 24 or younger.
Digital and Traditional Media’s Handling of Freedom Issues: A Comparative Study among Egyptian and Saudi Youth (Arabic)
Authors: El Badaoui Souraya A. , Attia Bassant
Published: September 2024

With the expansion of the digital public sphere, tackling freedom issues has been widely transferred from traditional mass media to digital platforms. Based on the constructive approach that demonstrates the recipient’s active ability to give meaning to what he/she is exposed to, and what "Binge-watch", this study aims at identifying the various visions of youth in Egypt and Saudi Arabia on the political, social, and religious freedom issues discussed in series presented on Netflix digital platform as well as traditional television channels. The study adopted a survey approach to a sample made up of (300) Egyptian and Saudi youth. Thus, this study reveals the excessive increase of binge-watching Netflix series at the side of the collected sample of Egyptian and Saudi youth, in comparison to the decline in the rate of their exposure to series presented on traditional TV channels. Furthermore, the study also shows the limited role of traditional and new media platforms in forming the youth vision of freedom issues. It is, moreover, manifested that generating meanings related to such issues is subject to several internal and external factors associated with youth and their surrounding context, not to their exposure to any platform viewing patterns or content.
Women’s Activisms and the Future of Feminist Movements in the Arab Region (Book Review)
Authors: El-Shaarawi Sarah
Published: September 2024

On Tuesday, December 7th, 2021, Arab Media & Society hosted a virtual panel discussion titled “Arab Media Between Conflict & Peace.” Following the panel, Managing Editor Sarah El-Shaarawi spoke with panelist Dr. Sahar Khamis about her co-edited volume Arab Women’s Activism and Socio-Political Transformation: Unfinished Gendered Revolutions (Palgrave Macmillan, 2018). The volume combines diverse perspectives from across the region and beyond, unpacking the emergent and evolving forms of gendered activisms and feminisms, and complicating the narratives. Edited in collaboration with Dr. Amel Mili (bios below), Dr. Khamis shares how the book came together, what it contributes to the literature on regional feminist and media studies, and how it fits into the current sociocultural moment of an ever-changing Arab world.
The Role of Egyptian Science YouTube Channels in Promoting Scientific Literacy- An analytical study based on Media Richness Theory (Arabic)
Authors: Kedwany Shereen
Published: September 2024

Due to the rapid technological and scientific advances nowadays, the need to improve scientific literacy has become increasingly important for Arab citizens. YouTube is a Web 2.0 video-sharing platform, widely used by ordinary citizens-called “YouTubers”- to increase the public's interest in science and science literacy. Through the theoretical framework of Media Richness Theory, this descriptive study aims to understand how individuals use YouTube as an online community to promote science literacy.This study employs qualitative content analysis of videos and comments of the most Egyptian viewed and subscribed user-generated scientific channels on YouTube (El-Da7ee7, Egychology, and El-Espitalia). The results show that in terms of richness, scientific YouTube channels are considered a high rich medium. Inspired by its publishing capacity, independent YouTubers became big hits by simplifying and popularizing science through their videos. Their success is backed by millions of views and subscribers, but most importantly, by having active comment sections on which users share their thoughts on the information presented and discussed among themselves.
The Effect of Media Literacy on Misinformation and Deep Fake Video Detection
Authors: Shawky El Mokadem Sarah
Published: September 2024

Misinformation has become a major problem in virtually all societies. The emergence of deepfake AI technology has only exacerbated issues around misinformation and disinformation. One way to try to limit the negative effects of fake news and false information in a society is media literacy. This study focused on the effect of media literacy on detecting fake news in both video and text messages. Based on Inoculation Theory, three hypotheses were suggested and a quasi-experimental research design was conducted. The participants included 204 highly educated Egyptians who were divided into three groups. One group was given a powerpoint lecture on the meaning of misinformation, its consequences, how to verify information received via social media, and examples of fake news. The second group was given a similar presentation but instead of talking about misinformation in general the presentation focused on deepfake AI technology. The third group was the control and were not given any media literacy information. Two types of fake messages were evaluated by each group; a Facebook post with text and an image and a deepfake video. The results of the study suggest the effectiveness of media literacy lectures in raising the rate of detection of fake news whether in the form of text or video. Results also indicated a decreased probability of sharing the fake messages. The study recommends designing media literacy lectures including both information on misinformation in general and specific information on the new technology creating fake news like deepfake.
Organizational Identity in the Egyptian Telecom Sector: A Field Study (Arabic)
Authors: Abdelfadil Gad Zeinab Saleh
Published: September 2024

This study attempts to identify and explore the process of organizational identity formation inside the Egyptian telecommunication sector using a field survey and a questionnaire answered by 200 employees at varying administrative levels. By identifying and exploring the process, phases, and characteristics of organizational identity formation, this study identifies the most important contributing factors, such as the visual production and dissemination of branding and stationery. In turn, this study’s findings are used to determine the role of communication culture in forming organizational identity in its primary phases. The study finds that respondents perceptions of the components of identity differed within Egyptian communication companies. Integrated in the job application process is an identity screening and compatibility analysis, where a potential employee or candidate’s social upbringing, social normalization, and culture are huge determining factors in their application’s success and alignment with the company cultural identity and evolution. There are several spotlighted indexes that measure and explain the organizational identity in Egyptian communication companies including company slogan and logo that are periodically reviewed; the company trademark, using technology to get tasks done within the company; the company’s corporate social responsibility activities, and providing a top-quality service.
Academic and Research Programs in Exercise Science, South Korea
Authors: Park Kyung-Shin , Song Wook
Published: September 2024

We appreciate the opportunity to review academic curriculum and current research focus of Exercise Science programs in South Korea. The information of this paper was collected by several different methods, including e-mail and phone interviews, and a discussion with Korean professors who attended the 2009 ACSM annual conference. It was agreed that exercise science programming in South Korea has improved over the last 60 years since being implemented. One of distinguishable achievement is that exercise science programs after the 1980’s has been expanded to several different directions. It does not only produce physical education teachers but also attributes more to research, sports medicine, sports, leisure and recreation. Therefore, it has produced various jobs in exercise-related fields. Some of exercise science departments do not require teacher preparation course work in their curriculum which allows students to focus more on their specialty. Secondly, we believe we South Korea has caught up with advanced countries in terms of research quality. Many Korean researchers have recently published and presented their investigations in international journals and conferences. The quality and quantity of these studies introduced to international societies indicate that Exercise Science programs in South Korea is continuing to develop and plays an important part in the world.
Investigating the impact of oral probiotic supplementation for acne management: A randomized controlled trial
Authors:   omplife Beijing Testing Technology., LTD, Beijing, China, Shi Zhifeng , Malfa Patrizia , De Ponti Ileana , Yu Xiaoyan , Lo Re Marta , Tursi Francesco ,   Synbalance Srl, Origgio, Italy, 3Complife Italia Srl, Garbagnate Milanese, Italy
Published: September 2024

Background: Acne vulgaris (AV) is a common skin disorder that affects up 10% of the worldwide population. Its pathogenesis involves a complex interplay of factors, leading to the development of cutaneous lesions (papules, pustules, and comedones). This clinical trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a specific probiotic formulation composed by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum PBS067, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus LRH020, and Limosilactobacillus reuteri PBS072 in improving AV symptoms in adult subject from the APAC region. Materials and methods: A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical study was carried out on 64 women supplemented for 56 days plus a follow-up period. Instrumental evaluations of different skin parameters and clinical assessments of lesions were performed at 28 and 56 days after supplementation (T28 and T56, respectively) and during follow-up (T70). Results: A significant increase in skin hydration was achieved by probiotic group compared to the placebo (p < 0.05). An improved trend in sebum content and pH resulted in a statistically significant difference with respect to placebo (p < 0.05 for the former parameter at T28 and T70; p < 0.05 for the latter at T70). A progressive decrement of lesions was demonstrated at each endpoint considered by probiotic supplementation, reaching significant values for non-inflammatory ones at T56 and T70 (p < 0.05 and p < s0.01, respectively). Conclusions: This specific probiotic formulation may help improving acne symptoms, offering a possible adjuvant therapy to the conventional one and thus overall ameliorating the patient’s quality of life. Key words: Acne vulgaris, Food supplements, Skin disease, Dermatology, Probiotics, Clinical trial
Vulvar lichen sclerosus in female children
Authors:   Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Hassan II, Fes, Morocco, Kalmi Noura ,   Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Hassan II, Fes, Morocco, Baybay Hanane , Choukri Souad , Douhi Zakia , Elloudi Sara , Soughi Meryem , Kouskous Faical , Kojmane Widade , Hida Moustapha , Mernissi Fatima Zahra
Published: September 2024

Background: Vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS) is an uncommon inflammatory dermatosis affecting the anogenital region. There are two peaks of incidence: one in prepubertal girls and the other in postmenopausal women. Its etiopathogenesis remains unknown. Objective: The objective was to specify the clinical characteristics of VLS in the female pediatric population in order to plan early treatment. Results: A total of 12 pediatric female patients were identified in the study. The mean age of onset was six years. Numerous potential etiological factors for VLS development were identified. Pruritus was the main symptom in a significant proportion of the patients. All patients had a good response to topical therapy with no significant side effects. Conclusion: VLS should be suspected in the presence of chronic vulvar pruritus in order to avoid tragic repercussions in adulthood. Appropriate treatment for each patient is essential as is the prevention of the side effects of applied treatments. Key words: Vulvar Lichen Sclerosis; pediatric; adolescent
Trichotillomania: A case report and review of the literature
Authors:   Department of Dermatology, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Kelambakkam, Tamil Nadu, India, Soundary Santhanakrishnaan , Jayakar Thomas
Published: September 2024

Trichotillomania is a form of impulsive disorder characterized by repetitive, deliberate, and irresistible pulling of one’s own hair resulting in traumatic alopecia that is commonly seen in children. It has a fluctuating course that waxes and wanes in association with a stressful or emotional event. It produces non-scarring alopecia at the onset and if not addressed on time, it may lead to permanent scarring alopecia. In this article, we report a case series of trichotillomania with a review of the literature. Key words: Trichotillomania, Alopecia, Bezoar, Hair loss in children
Impact of Institutional and Non-institutional Agricultural Credit on Farmers-income and Constraint Analysis in Telangana, India
Authors: Udayasree Y , Karuni Y Archana , Suhasini K , Supriya K
Published: September 2024

The present study is to analyse Impact of institutional and non-institutional Agricultural credit on farmers income and Constraint analysis. The study was conducted in 3 districts, 6 mandals, 12 villages and 120 sample farmers were selected for the study. Cost of cultivation (cost concepts) and income measures were used to analyse impact of agricultural credit on farm household income. Garette’s ranking technique was used to analyse the constraints faced by farmers in availing Agricultural credit. The cost of paddy cultivation was ₹78212.78 for institutional farmers and ₹80,726.78 for non-institutional farmers. ₹62050.96 is the Net Return for institutional farmers, whereas ₹54879.66 is for non-institutional farmers. Institutional farmers had a return on investment per rupee of 1.81, while non-institutional farmers had a return of 1.69. The major constraint faced by farmers is delays in loan disbursement. Agricultural credit has a positive impact on farm income. Therefore, the increase in institutional loans has improved the borrower farmers' economies. Timely disbursement of loans, simplifying the application procedure/documentation procedure and educating farmers about agricultural loans are suggested to improve crop loans availing in institutions.
Determination of Adoption Traits and Key Production Constraints of Improved Maize Varieties Using Participatory Research Appraisal
Authors: Afriyie-Debrah Charles , Ribeiro Priscilla Francisco , Obeng Elvis Agyei , Baffoe Eric , Debrah Philip Yaw , Amoah Francisca Owusu
Published: September 2024

Introduction: Maize is a staple crop critical to the food security and livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa. Despite the availability of improved maize varieties, adoption rates among farmers remain suboptimal. Understanding the traits that drive adoption and identifying key production constraints is essential for the development and dissemination of varieties that meet farmers' needs.
Aims: This study aimed to identifying the most valued traits of improved maize varieties from the farmers' perspective, assessing the socio-economic and biophysical factors influencing the adoption of these varieties and identifying the main production constraints faced by farmers in different agro-ecological zones.
Study Design: The study was conducted in three regions representing diverse agro-ecological zones. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select a representative sample of maize farmers. Data collection involved focus group discussions (FGDs), key informant interviews (KIIs), and household surveys. PRA tools such as pairwise ranking and matrix scoring were employed to capture qualitative and quantitative data on adoption traits and production constraints.
Place and Duration of Study: The study took place at Ejura Sekyeredumasi, Nkoranza South District and Wenchi Municipal district, between June 2017 and December 2017.
Methodology: Descriptive statistics were used analyzed the demographic characteristics of maize farmers as well as socioeconomic factors influencing the adoption of improved maize farming technology using SPSS 16 version. Data collected included; socio-demographic characteristics, adoption of improved maize varieties and constraints to maize production.
Results: The results showed that about 78 % and 18 % of farmer respondents perceived that both fertilizers and improved seed were too expensive. Other constraints to maize production were drought, high cost of other agro-inputs, lack of improved cultivars and poor soil fertility significantly influenced the adoption of improved maize farming technologies in the area
Conclusion: The study underscores the importance of incorporating farmers' preferences and addressing context-specific production constraints in maize breeding programs. Enhanced extension services, improved seed distribution systems, and tailored agronomic practices are recommended to increase adoption rates and improve productivity. Participatory approaches in agricultural research are vital for aligning breeding objectives with the real-world needs of smallholder farmers, ensuring the relevance and impact of improved maize varieties in the Ghana.
Challenges for Mathematical Modeling of Multidrug-resistant Tuberculosis in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Anozie Ebube Henry , Asenuga Oluwabusola Oluwakorede , Sargwak James Ponman , Ezeako Emmanuel Chimeh , Nwafor Ifeoma Roseline , Alhassan Yusuf , Ifeanyi Udoh Joseph , Azubuike Eberechukwu Osinachi , Nwokafor Chibuzo Valentine
Published: September 2024

Background: In sub-Saharan Africa, where there are inadequate diagnostic and reporting facilities, limited data availability hinders the accurate estimation of key parameters in mathematical models of multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis. Furthermore, gaps in knowledge about multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) dynamics add another layer of complexity to these modeling efforts.
Methods: We analyzed databases such as google scholar, PubMed, scopus, Web of Science etc, using relevant keywords to identify relevant articles on challenges for mathematical modeling of multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis in sub–Saharan Africa covering the period from 2010 to the present.
Results: This review highlights the epidemiology of multidrug resistant tuberculosis in sub–Saharan Africa and the limitations in mathematical modeling of multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in the region.
Conclusion: Accurate diagnosis and reliable data are crucial barriers to effective modeling. The review also underscores the potential of machine learning techniques to improve data quality and address issues related to incomplete data, suggesting that these methods could become essential components of future mathematical models.
Investigating the Ochratoxin Production Potential of Aspergillus spp in Indian Rice: A Comprehensive Study
Authors: S. Nandinidevi, , C. Jayapradha, , V. Paranidharan,
Published: September 2024

Rice (Oryza sativa), world’s second most important cereal crop and most commonly consumed grains in the world. Though more than 100,000 species of fungi are known to exist, majority of mycotoxigenic fungi belong to the species of Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Fusarium. Among Aspergillus spp, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus ochraceus are known to produce Ochratoxin A (OTA), a notable mycotoxin having adverse effects due to ubiquitous presence, renal toxicity and lengthy persistence. Totally eighty-one samples including unpolished (n = 36) and polished rice samples (n = 45) were collected in various districts of Tamil Nadu to identify ochratoxigenic fungi particularly Aspergillus spp. Out of 81 samples, 62 % (50/81) of samples including unpolished (n = 24) and polished rice (n = 26) documented the occurrence of ochratoxigenic fungi. Extraction of OTA was carried out by agar plug method and the ability of fungus to produce OTA was quantified by RP HPLC-FLD analysis. Among the fungal genera, Aspergillus spp (80 %) recorded the predominant fungus in rice. Molecular confirmation of ochratoxigenic fungi A. niger and A. ochraceus isolates was performed by 18s rDNA analysis. OTA producing ability by RP HPLC-FLD analysis revealed A. ochraceus of section Circumdati recorded the highest OTA production than A. niger isolates of section Nigri. The concentration range of OTA by A. ochraceus vary between 12.33 - 196.84 ng/g and 0.18 - 2.82 ng/g respectively in A. niger isolates. Among the A. ochraceus isolates, potent isolate AO 9 documented the highest OTA production (196.84 ng/g) followed by AO 6 (104.74 ng/g). Similarly, in A. niger AN 1 showed highest production of 2.82 ng/g followed by AN 5 isolate (1.25 ng/g) respectively. The objective of the study is to determine and quantify the ochratoxin production potential of Aspergillus spp in Indian rice by RP HPLC-FLD analysis. The occurrence of Aspergillus spp in rice and the subsequent ochratoxin production raise concern about possible health risk to animal and human environment upon consumption. Hence there is need for improved storage practices and regular monitoring to prevent the prevalence of Aspergillus fungus and OTA contamination in rice supply chain.
An Overview of Pharmaceutical Applications and In vitro Micropropagation Techniques for Rare and Endangered Plant Species
Authors: Sivakumar P. , Chitra M. , Sasikala K. , Selvamurugan M. , Karunakaran V.
Published: September 2024

Many rare and endangered plant species possess valuable secondary metabolites with pharmacological applications. These bioactive compounds are often integral to traditional medicine systems, highlighting the cultural significance of these plants. The health benefits of many medicinal species are not fully validated by contemporary scientific research, and some may be facing extinction due to habitat loss, overharvesting or climate change. This situation highlights the urgent need for effective conservation strategies of the species and sustainable cultivation methods. Micropropagation is a valuable technique for producing large numbers of plants from a single explant, significantly aiding in the conservation and commercial cultivation of rare species. Among the various types of explants, shoot tips and nodal segments have been identified as the most effective explants for micropropagation. These explants can be induced to generate multiple shoots in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing Benzyl aminopurine (BAP). Thidiazuron (TDZ), Kinetin (KIN), or 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) are commonly used in MS medium to promote shoot and root development in both direct and indirect organogenesis processes. Rooting of the plantlets was typically achieved using MS medium either supplemented with Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) or devoid of auxins, depending on the species and the specific requirements for rooting.
Assessment of Physical Properties of Black Gram and Green Gram Seeds in Relation to the Design of Seed Metering Mechanisms
Authors: B S Madhusudan , Kumar A Kesav , Jeyamary Stephan , B S Nataraja , K N Nagarjuna
Published: September 2024

In 2023, a comprehensive study was carried out at the Department of Agricultural Engineering, IARI, New Delhi, India, focusing on the investigation of vital physical properties encompassing size, sphericity, test weight, bulk density, true density, coefficient of static friction, and angle of repose for black gram and green gram seeds. Black gram seeds were characterized by mean dimensions of 4.90 mm (length), 3.74 mm (breadth), 3.57 mm (thickness), and a geometric mean diameter of 4.02 mm. In contrast, green gram seeds exhibited corresponding values of 5.08 mm, 4.06 mm, 3.99 mm, and 4.45 mm. Sphericity percentages were quantified as 82% for black gram and 86% for green gram. Mean bulk density measurements of 0.86 g/cc (black gram) and 0.87 g/cc (green gram) were accompanied by true density values of 1.36 g/cc and 1.38 g/cc, respectively. The mean angle of repose measurements were recorded as 24.06° (black gram) and 23.94° (green gram). The mean coefficient of static friction exhibited variability across different materials: 0.50 (aluminum), 0.45 (mild steel), 0.47 (galvanized iron), and 0.60 (plywood) for black gram seeds; while for green gram seeds, corresponding values were 0.48, 0.43, 0.45, and 0.57. Additionally, the mean thousand-grain weight was found to be 41.82 g for black gram and 46.18 g for green gram.
TRANSFORMATIVE BUSINESS GROWTH STAGE MODEL TO FACE UNCERTAINTY
Authors: Bachtiar Nia Kurniati , Waharini Faqiatul Mariya , Yuliani Nur Laila , Tai Do Anh , Hanh Pham Van
Published: September 2024

The business landscape was characterized by rapid change, intense competition, and various substitute products. These factors shortened business life cycles and hindered business growth. Therefore, there was a need for a more appropriate model that could suit the current condition. The study aimed to develop a transformative Growth Stage Model (GSM) effectively adapted to modern challenges and uncertainty. This qualitative approach involved inductive theory building with seven case studies of SME owners in Yogjakarta and Central Java. Developed models, patterns, and interview themes were built, including resilience, business performance, and leadership for the early growth, growth, and decline stages. In addition, these patterns and themes were used to develop three stages of transformative GSM known as GSM 4.0.
Uma Revisão Integrativa sobre a Terapia Afi rmativa no Brasil: Atualizações desde 2009
Authors: S. Santos Bianca , V. Hohendorff Jean
Published: September 2024

Affi rmative Therapy is a specifi c set of psychological knowledge, combined with a psychotherapeutic approach, that understands the complex issues related to prejudice against sexual and gender diversity hat LGBTQIAP+ people face. This Integrative Review brings together Brazilian publications on Affi rmative Therapy since 2009 (the year in which the fi rst Brazilian work on the subject was published), with the aim of characterizing them according to the topics they covered. Searching for affi rmative therapy, 25 publications were selected from the BVS, LILACS, Portal de Periódicos CAPES and Google Scholar databases. The publications were classifi ed according to the topics covered, resulting in six distinct categories: Affi rmative Clinic; LGBTQIAP+ People; Psychopathologies and Suicide; Issues on Repathologization; Literature and Other LGBTQIAP+ Issues; and Other Topics. We noticed an increase in publications between 2020 and 2022. The main shortcomings identifi ed in relation to the practice of traditional psychology were the still cis-heterocentric curriculum of psychology courses, the prejudices of psychologists, and the lack of training to work with LGBTQIAP+ people. Keywords: Affi rmative Therapy, sexual and gender minorities, Psychotherapy, sexual prejudice, gender prejudic
The annual cycle of gross primary production, net community production, and export efficiency across the North Pacific Ocean
Authors: Palevsky Hilary I. , Quay Paul D. , Lockwood Deirdre E. , Nicholson David P.
Published: February 2016

We measured triple oxygen isotopes and oxygen/argon dissolved gas ratios as nonincubation‐based geochemical tracers of gross oxygen production (GOP) and net community production (NCP) on 16 container ship transects across the North Pacific from 2008 to 2012. We estimate rates and efficiency of biological carbon export throughout the full annual cycle across the North Pacific basin (35°N–50°N, 142°E–125°W) by constructing mixed layer budgets that account for physical and biological influences on these tracers. During the productive season from spring to fall, GOP and NCP are highest in the Kuroshio region west of 170°E and decrease eastward across the basin. However, deep winter mixed layers (>200 m) west of 160°W ventilate ~40–90% of this seasonally exported carbon, while only ~10% of seasonally exported carbon east of 160°W is ventilated in winter where mixed layers are <120 m. As a result, despite higher annual GOP in the west than the east, the annual carbon export (sequestration) rate and efficiency decrease westward across the basin from export of 2.3 ± 0.3 mol C m−2 yr−1 east of 160°W to 0.5 ± 0.7 mol C m−2 yr−1 west of 170°E. Existing productivity rate estimates from time series stations are consistent with our regional productivity rate estimates in the eastern but not western North Pacific. These results highlight the need to estimate productivity rates over broad spatial areas and throughout the full annual cycle including during winter ventilation in order to accurately estimate the rate and efficiency of carbon sequestration via the ocean's biological pump.
From Alfvén waves to kinetic Alfvén waves in an inhomogeneous equilibrium structure
Authors: Pucci F. , Vásconez C. L. , Pezzi O. , Servidio S. , Valentini F. , Matthaeus W. H. , Malara F.
Published: February 2016

Kinetic Alfvén waves are believed to primary form fluctuations in a hydromagnetic turbulence at scales of the order of the ion inertial length. We study a model where an initial Alfvén wave propagates inside an equilibrium structure which is inhomogeneous in the direction perpendicular to the equilibrium magnetic field. In a previous paper this situation has been considered in a particular configuration where the initial wave vector is parallel to the magnetic field and the wave is polarized perpendicular to the inhomogeneity direction. Here we consider other configurations, with a different polarization and possible initial oblique propagation. We employ numerical simulations, using both a Hall‐magnetohydrodynamics and a Hybrid Vlasov‐Maxwell model. Results show that in all the considered cases the time evolution leads to the formation of kinetic Alfvén waves within the inhomogeneity regions, which are identified by a comparison with analytical linear theory results. Then, in this context the formation of kinetic Alfvén waves seems to be a general phenomenon which could be also extended to more complex situations, like turbulence. Kinetic simulations show that kinetic Alfvén waves modify the ion distribution function, generating temperature anisotropy of both parallel and perpendicular to the local magnetic field as well as particle beams aligned along the local magnetic field. These results could be relevant both in the solar corona and in large‐scale structures of the solar wind, where Alfvénic fluctuations are present along with large‐scale inhomogeneities.