bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
E-Ticaret Sektöründe Algılanan Lojistik Hizmet Performansı ile Marka Sadakati ve Marka Güveni Arasındaki İlişki: Meslek Yüksekokulu Öğrencileri Üzerinde Bir Araştırma
Authors: Çağlar Berna
Published: December 2020

Bu çalışmada; elektronik ticaret sektöründe marka sadakati sağlamak amacıyla algılanan lojistik hizmet performansı ile markayla ilgili çeşitli yapıların arasındaki ilişki incelenmektedir. Bu amaçla; Anadolu Bil Meslek Yüksekokulu öğrencileri üzerinde kantitatif araştırma teknikleri kullanılarak araştırma yapılmıştır. Araştırma sürecinde elde edilmiş olan veriler, SPSS 21.0 paket programı ile değerlendirmeye tabi tutulmuştur. Araştırma hipotezlerinin analizinde güvenilirlik, faktör ve korelasyon analizleri kullanılmıştır. Bu araştırmanın sonucunda; elektronik ticaret sektöründe algılanan lojistik hizmet performansı ile marka sadakati ve markayla ilgili çeşitli yapıların göstergeleri arasında anlamlı ilişkilere ulaşılmıştır. Ayrıca; işletmelerin elektronik ticaret uygulamalarına ilişkin algılanan lojistik hizmet performanslarını arttırmaları sayesinde marka sadakati göstergelerinde elde edecekleri faydalar konusunda önerilere yer verilmiştir.
Comparative analysis of the national security strategies of the Republic of Serbia
Authors: Forca Božidar , Nikač Željko
Published: December 2020

At the end of 2019, the National Assembly adopted the National Security Strategy of the Republic of Serbia. This is the second document of this kind since Serbia became an independent state again, because the first document was adopted in 2009. This paper is an attempt at a comparative analysis of the mentioned documents that are of vital importance in the field of national security. In that sense, the paper first analyzes the concepts and structure of documents, then the basic attitudes and determinations and, most importantly, the the content of extremely important national documents. The authors' conclusion is that the new National Security Strategy from 2019 is qualitatively different as compared to the previous document, as well as that it has identified some important issues that require a broader and deeper theoretical elaboration.
Significance of pre-test interview in polygraph examination
Authors: Nakić Neda
Published: December 2020

Societies had been struggling against deception and trying to detect it until finally, in the twentieth century, an increasingly popular technique was developed - the use of polygraph. Used for police purposes, but also more and more frequently for private purposes, polygraph inspires trust and offers possibility of detecting whether a person is being dishonest or not. Polygraph does not detect lying, but rather records physiological responses which have been proved to accompany lying and emotional stress. Although polygraph examination consists of three stages, the interrogation being crucial, one should not disregard the significance of the first stage in which the examiner establishes a relationship of trust with the examinees, evaluates the basic pattern of their behaviour, explores the examinees' familiarity with crime, but also their familiarity with the functioning of the polygraph. The pre-test interview is an opportunity to gain new findings but also to detect errors and omissions that have occurred in the operative activities preceding the examination. A study that conducted within the Police Directorate of the City of Belgrade including 270 respondents confirmed that issues arose in the course of examination when the test was not sufficiently prepared and when the pre-test interview was not given sufficient attention. The presentation of obtained findings regarding the errors and omissions detected in the pre-test interview are aimed at familiarizing operatives with the procedure and problems related to polygraph examiners' giving findings due to previous omissions, in order to make their cooperation better and more efficient.
Does earnings management exert pressure on firms' return on assets and equity?: The case of Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Edesiri Godsday , Confidence Joel
Published: December 2020

Regardless of the viewpoints of prior studies on earnings management, no study has been carried out on whether earnings management exerts pressure on firms' return on assets and equity, particularly in SubSaharan Africa in a single study. Drawing inferences from the existing earnings management models, a dissimilar model of earnings management, unlike those used in prior studies, which may match the peculiarity of Sub-Saharan Africa is developed in this paper. The data used were obtained from the Stock Exchange database of Sub-Saharan African countries by employing the fixed and random effects statistical technique. Using the proposed earnings management model, the study finds the intriguing results that may contribute to knowledge and magnify the literature that, notwithstanding the fact that earnings management exerts significant pressure on firms' performances, it is even more so deemed as high in South Africa, only to be followed by West Africa, and low in East Africa. Interestingly, the study finds that the size of a firm plays a vital role in moderating the nexus between the earnings management and performances of Sub-Saharan African firms.
Measuring the risk of lending to small and medium-sized enterprises in the Republic of Serbia in light of modern banking regulations
Authors: Mitrašević Mirela , Bardarova Snežana
Published: December 2020

The subject matter of this paper is measuring the risk of lending to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) from the point of view of the existing banking regulations. The paper starts from the hypothesis that an increase in the transparency of the credit risk measurement process would enable the timely detection of problems and leave room for the actions necessary for the management of small and mediumsized enterprises, as well as all creditors, and generate an opportunity for SMEs to provide more favorable sources of financing. In the research study, the well-known Altman Z-Score model was used to assess the probability of default and rank a company. The results of the application of the Z-Score model indicate that, to a certain extent, they can detect the companies in which bankruptcy may occur in the two years following the assessment, on the one hand, but they cannot be considered as reliable for the assessment of the probability of the bankruptcy of SMEs in the Republic of Serbia, on the other.
Principles of Airway management in emergencies
Authors: Dimić Nemanja , Savić Predrag , Mitić Radomir , Kalezić Nevena
Published: December 2020

Airway management is a crucial step in treating emergency medical conditions. Numerous complications, which can further worsen the patient's condition, can occur as a result of difficulties in airway management. The most well-known and frequently used tests for assessing the airway in emergencies are the Mallampati class and a series of abbreviated procedures, which are mnemonically called LEMON. They have a significant role in predicting difficult airway management and enabling the medical team to adequately prepare. When securing the airway, it is necessary to provide adequate equipment, monitoring and trained personnel. If an assessment is made that the airway management could prove to be difficult, it is best to follow das algorithms, which not only help doctors secure a problematic airway but also protect them from criminal liability should complications or even death of the patient occur. This way, securing an airway in emergencies can present a very serious, but not insurmountable problem.
Syncope as a dominant symptom of pulmonary embolism
Authors: Mitić Javorka , Đurđević Nataša , Janković Jelena , Vešović Radomir , Tabaković Dejan , Baralić Marko , Jordanova Elena , Janković Radmila
Published: December 2020

Introduction/aim Clinical signs and symptoms of pulmonary embolism (PE) are non-specific, which is why it is commonly not diagnosed on time or sometimes not diagnosed at all. We are presenting a case of pulmonary embolism manifesting with syncope as a dominant symptom. Case report A 74-year-old female patient was hospitalized at the Clinic for Pulmonary Diseases with PE manifested with syncope. At admission, she was afebrile, tachypneic, with normal cardiac function and normal blood tension. Upon auscultation, breathing was muffled with late inspiration crackles above the base of the left lung. There were no other significant findings. The chest X-ray recorded at admission showed a non-homogenous shadow towards the base of the left lung and minimal pleural effusion. The ECG and echocardiography findings were normal. Partial respiratory insufficiency was verified by the acid-base balance analysis. Inflammatory markers were significantly elevated, with erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 30mm/h, fibrinogen of 8.62g/l and D-dimer of 18.6mg/l. Anticardiolipin IgG and IgM antibodies were negative, as well as beta-2 GPI IgG and IgM antibodies. An MDCT lung angiography was performed because of the elevated values of D-dimer and tachypnea, which showed multiple emboli of various sizes in the distal part of the right pulmonary artery and all lobar branches, as well as an embolus in the lobar branch for the lower lobe of the left lung. After a neurology consult, a head CT was ordered because the patient had suffered from loss of consciousness, but there were no pathological densities in the brain. Colour Doppler Ultrasonography of the blood vessels in the lower extremities showed organized thrombosis of the left femoral vein. A vascular surgeon was consulted and he prescribed anticoagulant therapy and an elastic compressive stocking, with control Colour Doppler Ultrasonography to be performed in six months. Conclusion Although syncope is an easily detectable symptom, it is still an unregulated crossroad of many an internal and neurological disease.
The pull-out reparation technique for ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) of the thumb
Authors: Mitrović Mihajlo , Jelača Dražen , Mitrović Ivana
Published: December 2020

Introduction: Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) of the thumb injury is a very common injury. However, due to the complexity of the ligament anatomy, the inexperience of doctors and unavailability of diagnostic procedures, the ulnar collateral ligament of the thumb injury is most commonly overseen. The consequences are loss of thumb function, instability and pain in the metacarpophalangeal joint, and accelerated osteoarthrosis. For these precise reasons, there is a clear consensus that this injury should be treated operatively. Objective: The objective of this paper is to present the results of the pull-out technique for reconstructing the UCL ligament. Methodology: In between 2018 and 2020, we have operated on 11 patients with the UCL of the thumb rupture in our department. We approached the dorsoulnar side of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint of the thumb using the standard lazy S incision. In 9 out of 11 patients, a Stener ligament lesion was discovered. All patients had their ligament reconstructed using the pull-out technique, where the ligament was sewn through, then guided through a channel created using a K needle on the radial side of the base of the thumb. Postoperatively, a spica plaster orthosis was placed on the thumb. Results: The patients returned for re-evaluation 6, 12 and 24 weeks after surgery. Upon 24 weeks, the patients had no complaints regarding their thumb, they had full grip strength and could perform all the various grips. Two of the patients had a limited abduction amplitude of the thumb in the MCP joint, which didn't affect the outcome. There was no injury to the sensory branch of the radial nerve. Conclusion: The pull-out technique is a safe, quick and cheap operative technique for UCL of the thumb reconstruction.
Effect of lactic acid fermentation on the quality of brewer's spent grain as ruminant feed
Authors: Mladenović Dragana , Đukić-Vuković Aleksandra , Pejin Jelena , Kocić-Tanackov Sunčica , Radosavljević Milica , Milašinović-Šeremešić Marija , Mojović Ljiljana
Published: December 2020

Brewer's spent grain (BSG) was used in this study as a support for the immobilization of Lactobacillus paracasei NRRL B-4564, thus enabling the recirculation of immobilized biomass in repeated-batch fermentation. The chemical composition and the energy parameters of the fermented and non-fermented BSG were analyzed and compared. Moreover, the probiotic features of L. paracasei were analyzed to examine the possibility of using fermented BSG as a functional ingredient in ruminant diets. The results obtained indicate that the fermented BSG had significantly higher protein and ash contents, as well as a significantly lower content of fiber fractions. Furthermore, the fermentation process increased the BSG energy content. The analysis of probiotic potential revealed a high tolerance of L. paracasei to pH 2.5 and bovine bile, autoaggregation ability and antimicrobial activity, suggesting that the fermented BSG with immobilized microbial biomass can be used as functional feed in ruminant diets.
Translation work of Romanians from the territory of present day Vojvodina in the 19th and the first decades of the 20th century
Authors: Maran Mirča
Published: December 2020

The paper presents different aspects of the translation work of Romanians from the territory of the present day Vojvodina (Banat) during the 19th and the first decades of the 20th century, up until the Second World War. The translation work in administration, education, religious institutions, and primarily in journalism and literature, has played an important role in the multicultural society of Banat. Various languages, cultures, traditions and religions interacted and intertwined there, and the society functioned on principles which enabled mutual understanding and cooperative work of all those who lived in Banat, regardless of the differences. The first translations in the Romanian language, primarily from German and Serbian, appeared in the 18th century, for the needs of state administration, education or religious work. The translations became more diverse and of a higher quality thanks to the work of the first elite Romanian intellectuals from the period of the late Enlightenment, the representatives of whom were Paul Iorgovici, Constantin Diaconovici Loga, and Sofronie Ivacicovici. In the 19th century, the translations got new content in the form of publication of multilingual posters, invitations, association rules, monetary instructions, newspaper articles, religious books, but also literary works, among which the most prominent were the translations of Hungarian literary works to the Romanian language, done by the writer and publicist Alexandra Tintariu. In the period between the two World Wars, translation work also gained new content because translations from German and Hungarian to Romanian stopped as the focus was placed on translations from Serbian to Romanian and vice versa.
Books and education as a means of nazification of Vojvodina Germans
Authors: Barović Vladimir
Published: December 2020

This paper analyses the book as a means of Nazi indoctrination of Germans in Vojvodina in the 1930s. The paper presents books by Nazi authors that were used as the main literature for ideological indoctrination in the Nazi spirit. Less well-known data are given from the Novi Sad bookstore "Kultura", which specialized in wider scale Nazi literature. The Private German Teachers' School in Novi Vrbas, which was the centre of Nazi propaganda, is a special focus. This is important to mention because future teachers used their position to ideologically guide their students in the Nazi spirit through books. It was published and reported in the Serbian press of that time about the Nazi propaganda that was conducted in the area of the Danube County (Dunavska Banovina). The conclusion of this paper suggests that the books had a huge impact on the nazification of Germans as a Yugoslav minority, at a time when other media (except the press) were hardly present in the national community.
Development of Romanian literary creation in Vojvodina after the First World War
Authors: Popović Virđinija , Nemet Ferenc , Nenadić-Žurka Marija
Published: December 2020

In this paper we will analyse the historical progress of the development of the Romanian intelligentsia in Vojvodina, the establishing of Romanian institutions as a result of intellectual activism, but also the emergence of the first magazines and writers in Vojvodina who contributed to the development of Romanian mentality and culture in this area. In the first part of the paper, we will present the historical context of the appearance of the first publications in Romanian, then the presence of literary works in Romanian magazines, publication of the first books in Romanian and the beginnings of the publishing house Libertatea from Pančevo. The aim of this paper is to show to a wider readership the development of the Romanian writing culture in Vojvodina after the First World War until the last decades of the twentieth century, when the Romanian books can be placed side by side with the books of other minorities in Vojvodina. Romanian literature, although relatively "young", developed rapidly, reaching the level of the literature in the home country in less than a century. Due to its geographical origin and intercultural permeation on the territory of Vojvodina, Romanian literature is unique, interesting and can be explored as a special cultural phenomenon.
Ludic displacement of a biblical myth: 'the Binding of Isaac'
Authors: Vujanov Jovana
Published: December 2020

The Binding of Isaac, a 2011 video game by Edmund McMillan, is a postmodern take on the biblical episode of the same name which can be characterized as a displacement, in terms of Lubomh Doležel's Heterocosmica. It presents a radical intervention on the original narrative, one that creates a polemical anti world transmitted through the perspective of Isaac, a boy suffering abuse from his televangelism-obsessed mother. The main fabric of the game is his grotesque, gamified fantasy about encountering the delusional parent, which is filled with anxiety about his own sinfulness, with a counterweight that can be found in entities imported from popular culture, especially video games. The game's roguelike genre enables a procedural expression of the experience of abuse through an iterative storytelling technique, with the interplay of difference and repetition forming a cyclical narrative about the (im)possibilities of contemporary ludism to amend trauma.
Social history of sports development: From the cave to the entertainment for billions
Authors: Penezić Slobodan
Published: December 2020

Nowadays, sports and sports competitions are indisputably superior forms of popular entertainment and also sort of activities that are a part of everyday life for almost all of us, whether we are observers or direct participants in some of them. For the same reason, they are also some of the most profitable industries that bring huge profits and popularity to many of its actors. For all those reasons, the social context of the present role of the sport is certainly an important topic for analysis, as well as the history of changes that have resulted in the position and influence that sports hold in the modern society, and vice versa. Therefore, this text has an ambition to highlight the broader horizon of events that have led to a place that sports occupy today. On the other hand, it also sheds some light on the complicity and interactivity that existed from the beginning, along the line, between sport and the society, a culmination of which is visible in current spectacular outlines of sporting events. In this way, it points to one of the primary aspects of all sports events, but also to those secondary visible elements that today are often in the primary focus of all participants, due to the money and the attention that are following sports and sport athletes.
Overview of price discrepancies among hotels positioned in the same category
Authors: Temelkov Zoran
Published: December 2020

Hotels have a variety of pricing methods at their disposal when defining adequate pricing strategy. Nevertheless, irrespective of the complexity and the manner in which room prices are calculated all methods are based on certain factors which have an influence on the final room rate. Accordingly, the perception regarding the impact of each factor along with the expected value provided to the customer will cause for hotels to charge different prices. The prices offered on Booking.com for hotels falling in different categories allow examination of the potential price differences among five, four, three and two stars hotels in multiple cities in Europe. The findings suggest that even though two hotels may belong to the same category, their prices may differ few hundreds of per cents which implies that the level of value offered to guests can vary significantly.
Covid-19 pandemic and global tourism
Authors: Luković Stevan , Stojković Dragan
Published: December 2020

The tourism industry represents a significant part of the global economy. However, tourism demand is very sensitive to crisis events, such as economic crises, epidemics, pandemics, natural disasters and terrorist attacks. Regarding this, the primary research goal of the paper is to analyze the impact of the Covid-19 disease on global tourism. During 2020, in order to prevent further spread of this contagious disease, almost all countries in the world have introduced a ban on movement, closing of borders and other important health measures. The review of the relevant literature provided in the paper shows that the introduced measures have a negative impact on the global hospitality, travelling and tourism industry.
Business intelligence and open data: The possibilities for the derivation of valuable information in tourism domain
Authors: Blagojević Marija , Papić Miloš , Garabinović Dušan
Published: December 2020

This paper aims to introduce the concept of data analysis which could easily be implemented by anybody involved in the subject matter with basic IT knowledge and skills. The paper is divided into two parts, the first of which presents an overview of related research from two points of view: (1) publications which refer to the analysis, or the overall use of open data from the tourism domain and (2) publications which use business intelligence tools to analyse tourism data. Results indicate that there is a significant number of publications but none of them combines the two issues in the field of tourism (open data and business intelligence). The second part refers to the possibilities of using Power BI, the business intelligence tool for analysing available open data about tourism in Serbia.
Analysis of structural capital as a component of intellectual capital in ICT enterprises
Authors: Lekić Nemanja , Vapa-Tankosić Jelena , Rajaković-Mijailović Jasmina , Lekić Snežana
Published: December 2020

The success and competitiveness o f modern companies depends on their intellectual capital. Intellectual capital is an intangible asset that can be viewed through three basic sub-levels: human, structural and relational capital. The aim o f this paper is to research structural capital and its basic components: systems and programs, research and development, and intellectual property law. A pilot study in this area was conducted from June to August 2020. The research was conducted with an anonymous questionnaire on a sample o f 102 respondents employed in companies in the ICT sector o f the Republic o f Serbia. The results showed that employees in this sector rated systems and programs as the most important factor o f structural capital. These results should serve as a guide in the management o f structural capital in ICT companies in order to create a working environment that contributes to the overall growth and development o f the company, both in national and international environment.
Development of a motorised plantain chipping machine and performance evaluation using response surface methodology
Authors: Etoamaihe Ukachi , Isaac Sylvia
Published: December 2020

A motorised plantain chipping machine was developed. The machine is made up of a cutting device, a feeding mechanism, the support frame and an electric motor as a source of power. The cutting mechanism consists of the stainless steel blades, a connecting rod, a guide frame for the blades and pulleys. The blades are arranged perpendicular to the plantain tubers. During Performance Evaluation using Response Surface Methodology it was found that the chipping efficiency increased as the number of cutting blades are increased. Also the chipping efficiency increased with the speed of the machine but was not affected by the inclination angles of the blades. The linear effects of speed, the linear and quadratic effects of the number of blades significantly affected the chipping efficiency of the machine at 5% probability.
Socio-demographic determinants as predictors of elementary school pupils social competences in Kosovo and Metohija
Authors: Kompirović Tatjana
Published: December 2020

The goal of this research is to investigate the differences in social competences of pupils in relation to certain socio-demographic characteristics (gender, academic success, parental educational background, parental employment status, birth order, and hometown). The research, conducted in the period of March-May 2015, involves 705 7th and 8th grade pupils from the territory of Kosovo and Metohija. The assessments of pupils' social competences in school were carried out by the class teachers (N=47). The Scale of Social Behavior in School (Social Competence Subscale) was applied in the research. The obtained results indicate that social competences of the pupils vary in relation to the selected socio-demographic variables. Accordingly, we found statistically significant relations between the gender, academic success, hometown, and educational background of parents. Regarding the dependence between social competences, parental employment status and birth order, no significant differences were found. The obtained results are partly accordant with some previous research.
Sign languages: Then and now
Authors: Isaković Ljubica , Kovačević Tamara , Srzić Maja
Published: December 2020

A way of communication on an equal footing with oral and written speech is sign language. Oral speech is a common way of communication, written speech has, with the development of information technologies, been taking up more and more space. In a parallel with them, communication can also take place through sign language, which is, to deaf people, as well as to all those who use it, a natural, simple and easy way to communicate. Relationship towards sign language has changed significantly throughout history from acceptance and isolated use, to complete rejection, and then to encouraging its adoption and emphasizing its importance for the cognitive, emotional, educational, social, and general development of deaf children. Serbian Sign Language (SSL) serves deaf people in Serbia as a means for everyday communication, for expressing desires, willingness, for learning, for intellectual discussions, for expressing personal style. Although the standardization of the Serbian Sign Language was completed in 2015, even nowadays we may still find certain gestures of expression varying in different regions. Different countries have different sign languages that are not reciprocally understood in use. They are distinguished by their own grammar (semantics, morphology, and syntax), different from the grammar of spoken languages. The distinguishing and recognition of sign languages in the world has led to changes in the field of education of deaf children. In bilingual schools, children acquire both sign and spoken languages, and teachers know both of the mentioned languages. The importance of sign language in the education of deaf children is emphasized.
Women's principle and the issue of universal guilt in the novel 'Petruša i Miluša' by Petar Sarić
Authors: Jeftimijević-Mihajlović Marija
Published: December 2020

The main characteristic of the novel Petruša i Miluša by Petar Sarić is an elaborate narrative scheme in the form of two voices, mother's and daughter's, two stories that flow and intertwine, and build a third-a story about a story. With this novel and its specific structure, Sarić, on one hand, continued the formal refinement that begun in his previous novels. On the other hand-on the issue of basic poetic-philosophical assumption connected to the question of personal and general (metaphysical) human guilt-he went further concerning both his creative work and the entire Serbian prose with similar thematic preoccupations. The Dionysian principle is represented by the imperatives of the body, the laws of blood, and Petruša's instinctive reaction, through her unrestrained nature that, at the same time, strives for self-renewal and self-destruction. It is a form of the female principle-creative and destructive at the same time, dark, chthonic as opposed to Miluša's Apollonian orientation, worshiping of light, and her mental illumination. Petruša i Miluša is not a model of a family novel (although it can be assumed). Still, in Sarić's novel, the family is just a focus into which the courses of overall existence converge and in which things are condensed and reflected by their true dimensions. This fact is not at all surprising bearing in mind his previous novels (Sutra stiže Gospodar, and especially Dečak iz Lastve), Sarić has already proved himself as a writer who searches for the deepest secrets of human nature, introducing a reader to the dark realm of the human soul, which is shaped according to his artistic creation and creative intuition.
The case study by Slavenka Drakulić: Whose victim is Mileva Einstein?
Authors: Ahmetagić Jasmina
Published: December 2020

By embedding the "theory of sadness" phrase in the novel's title (Mileva Einstein, a theory of sadness), Slavenka Drakulić suggests that she sees her heroine's life as a paradigm of melancholy and depression. By diving into the psychology of a woman who has been portrayed during the two decades as wilingless and gloomy, always lacking the sense of self-fulfillment, the author is trying to reveal the key drivers which are responsible for Mileva's humiliating life circumstances-non-assertiveness, suppression, adjustment, feeling of inferiority, inability to tolerate separation and addiction, as well as a tendency to deny the facts. The protagonist illuminates her own feelings of inferiority due to her birth physical defects which pushed her into the science. She compensates her low self-esteem by school achievements and by nurturing the love relationship towards the symbiosis and removal of self-boundaries. Therefore, the love loss is a personal impoverishment and an identity issue. The novel is told by the omniscient narrator influenced by the influx of Mileva's stream of consciousness (still unreliable, since it is a testimony of "melancholy effect" and distortion of reality). The heroine faces the deepest truth about herself and at the same time turns away from it. Intertwined contradictions and ambivalences are revealing that the main cause of Mileva's tragedy is her pathological sadness. Using the psychoanalytical repertoire of object relations, we point out that, following the loss of the object, the heroine transferred her libido to herself and became self-obsessed in a destructive manner. By suggesting to the reader why Mileva Marić Einstein's response to the circumstances was depression (amidst all other psychological possibilities), Slavenka Drakulić's work is breaking the journalistic boundaries and emerges as a psychological novel.
Patēriņa elastības izmantošana un novērtējums elektroenerģijas tirgos
Authors:   , Broka Zane
Published: December 2020

Baltijas energosistēmu sinhronizācija ar kontinentālās Eiropas tīklu plānota 2025. gadā un pārvades sistēmas operatori ir atzinuši vajadzību pēc lielākas vietējo balansēšanas resursu iesaistes. Tāpēc jāpalielina Latvijas energosistēmas elastība. Promocijas darbā uzmanība pievērsta energosistēmas elastības uzlabošanai, izmantojot patēriņa resursu elastību un optimizējot balansēšanas procesu kopumā. Darbā piedāvāta optimāla balansēšanas rezervju aktivizācijas stratēģija, ko iespējams iekļaut Baltijas pārvades sistēmas operatoru darba procesā, kur tradicionāli dispečeru darbs balstīts galvenokārt uz cilvēkresursu izmantošanu. Turklāt darbā novērtēti ieguvumi, ko Latvijas energosistēmas darbībā var sniegt patēriņa reakcijas (DR) izmantošana. Tas paveikts, detalizēti modelējot iekārtas ar patēriņa vadības iespējām Latvijas energosistēmas kontekstā. Promocijas darbā izstrādāti vairāki rīki un metodes patēriņa reakcijas vērtības noteikšanai Latvijas energosistēmā. Līdztekus ar optimizētu balansēšanas procesu tas var palīdzēt uzlabot Latvijas un Baltijas energosistēmu elastību.
Diversifying European agricultural systems by intercropping
Authors: Jensen Erik S. , Chongtham Iman R. , Dhamala Nawa R. , Rodriguez Carolina , Carton Nicolas , Carlsson Georg
Published: December 2020

Cropping system diversification is a key factor in developing more sustainable cropping and food systems. The agroecological practice of intercropping, meaning the simultaneous cultivation of two or more species in the same field, has recently gained renewed interest as a means of ecological intensification in European agricultural research. We discuss some recent research developments regarding 1) intercropping for ecological intensification in agroecological and conventional cropping systems, 2) studies on nitrogen resource use by cereal-grain legume intercropping cultivation, 3) the role of intercropping in the management of biotic stressors, especially weeds, and 4) intercropping as a means of creating cropping systems that are more resilient to the abiotic and biotic stress associated with climate change. Finally, we propose methods for the greater adoption of intercropping in European agriculture by unlocking farming systems from upstream and downstream barriers, with the aim of developing more sustainable agricultural and food systems.
Strategies for scaling up Agroecological experiences in Europe
Authors: González de Molina Manuel
Published: December 2020

There is a growing consensus that the dominant food regime is not viable and that there is a serious risk of food collapse. Building a food system based on sustainability is therefore an urgent task. For years, agroecology has been developing strategies for scaling out agroecological experiences. However, the current institutional framework blocks the growth of these experiences, relegating them to the sidelines. The main challenge facing agroecology is to expand the scale of agroecological experiences, building an alternative food system and challenging the hegemony of the corporate food regime. In this paper, a change in strategy of agroecological practices is proposed, aiming at the formation of local agroecological-based food systems that, by increasing in scale, impose a new institutional framework. This goal will only be possible through social mobilization focused not only on agricultural production or distribution but also on food consumption, weaving social alliances that promote change. This can be done by politicizing food consumption.
Study of Menstrual Abnormalities and its Association with Demographic Factors among Female Medical Students
Authors: Kanti Vaibhav , Verma Vandana , Singh Naresh Pal
Published: December 2020

Introduction: The regularity of menstrual cycle depends on many factors like genetic makeup, hormonal balance, weight and height, chronic medical illness and psychological problems. Life of medical students is very stressful, their food habits and sedentary lifestyle make them more prone for many menstrual abnormalities. Aim: This study was conducted to find out the menstrual abnormalities and its association with different biological variables like BMI, food habits and physical activity. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at U.P.U.M.S. Saifai, Etawah between July-August 2019 on 150 Female medical students. All the willing female medical students were asked to fill preformed self-structured questionnaire (weight, height, menstrual pattern and abnormalities, food habits, addiction, physical activity, relevant medical and surgical history) and association was sought between menstrual abnormalities and different demographic factors by using Pearson chi-square test. Results: The mean age of students were 21.9 years. Mean age at menarche was 13.4 years. A total of 2.7% students ate junk food daily; 18% (27) girls had irregular cycles out of which only five girls had taken treatment for this. Amount of blood loss during menstruation was found to be increased in 5.8% girls that consumed junk food (p=0.13). There was no significant correlation found between pattern of menstrual cycle and BMI, physical activity, addiction. Dysmenorrhea and PMS was less in the girls that were on restricted diet for weight reduction (46.1% and 61.5%, respectively) but this difference was not statistically significant. There was significant association between dysmenorrhea and regular consumption of junk food. Dysmenorrhea and PMS was also less in the girls that exercised regularly (45.2% and 69% respectively) (p=0.4). PMS was significantly associated with addiction to tea or coffee (p=0.04). Conclusion: In this study dysmenorrhea and PMS was the most common menstrual abnormalities. Medication was being taken mostly for dysmenorrhea. Most of the parameters did not show a significant association so a larger study or multicentric study is required.
A Case of Unilateral Hyperlucency on Chest X-Ray- A Diagnostic Dilemma
Authors: Khan Nafees Ahmad , Arif Mohammad , Bhargava Rakesh , Shameem Mohammad , Sultana Sadaf
Published: December 2020

Unilateral hyperlucency of the lung is not an uncommon finding which arises from a variety of conditions, like technical, congenital and acquired. Here, the author presents a case of diaphragmatic hernia which presented as unilateral hyperlucency on chest radiography. A 45-year-old female, presented with complaint of shortness of breath for 2-3 years, increased since 15 days and pain in abdomen for 2-3 years. She consulted a doctor where a chest X-ray was done and was advised Intercostal tube insertion with the diagnosis of left-sided pneumothorax and was referred to us for further management. Instead of her vitals were stable on examination. On auscultation, breath sounds were of decreased intensity. A chest X-ray was then done which showed unilateral hyperlucency of the left side with the presence of air fluid level. The CECT thorax showed a large diaphragmatic hernia through which the large intestine and stomach were occupying the left hemithorax. Therefore, a thorough evaluation should be done before reaching a definitive diagnosis in such patients.
Effect of COVID-19 on Individuals with Hearing Impairment in India
Authors: Umashankar Abishek , Prabhu Prashanth
Published: December 2020

COVID-19 has proven to be pandemic and affecting the day to day life of normal individuals. However, individuals with disability, especially with hearing impairment face even more difficulty. They are unable to get their routine evaluation and therapy, the maintenance of their hearing restoration devices has also found to be cumbersome. The strategy that they can use during this lockdown period has been discussed.
Clinical Profile of nCOVID-19 Cases in Andaman and Nicobar Islands: A Case Series
Authors: Singh Shashank , Mahesh KP Karun , Sharma Sushil K , Daga Mradul Kumar , Mawari Govind , Karra Vijay Kumar , Kumar Naresh
Published: December 2020

nCOVID-19 (2019 novel corona virus) is a naive infective virus that brought the whole world to standstill. The clinical features attributing to its infection have a broad spectrum, ranging from minimally symptomatic to respiratory failure and death. The aim of present case series was to assimilate data regarding the clinical characteristics of first 11 cases of COVID-19 infection in the local population of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Various clinical features, biochemical and individual parameters were compiled that may affect the disease evolution and then, subjected to descriptive analysis. Out of 11 patients, six patients had a definitive known source of their infection and four patients had history of close contacts with first six ones. Only one patient had unknown source of the infection. Majority of the patients remained asymptomatic to pauci-symptomatic. Mean duration of symptomatic period was less than seven days (5.6 days). In this series, out of 11 patients, 2 (18%) were females and rest all were males (82%). Four of the patients had fever, four had cough and four had weakness and fatigue, two had malaise, three had anorexia, one had dyspepsia and one diarrhea. None of the patient landed in Intensive care unit (ICU). Patients were treated with empirical combination therapy including Azithromycin (500 mg OD) and Oseltamivir (75 mg BD) irrespective of their symptoms. Additionally, Hydroxychloroquine (200 mg BD) was given to symptomatic ones. Conclusively, less dreadful clinical presentation of this infection was faced in this population.
Core‐shell structured HZSM‐5@mesoSiO2 catalysts with tunable shell thickness for efficient n‐butane catalytic cracking
Authors: Yang Qingxin , Li Yuming , Chen Zhentao , Hu Linxie , Li Zhenye , Wang Yajun , Zhao Zhen , Xu Chunming , Jiang Guiyuan
Published: December 2020

A series of core‐shell HZSM‐5@mesoSiO2 with tunable shell thickness from 10 to 70 nm was prepared and studied for n‐butane catalytic cracking. With introducing of SiO2 shell, the catalytic performance of HZSM‐5@mesoSiO2 was largely enhanced, and n‐butane conversion rate per Al site reached to 2.43 min−1 over HZSM‐5@mesoSiO2(1:4) at 675°C which is nearly twice to that of HZSM‐5 (1.34 min−1). The diffusion property of n‐butane over as‐prepared sample was quantified by measuring the diffusional time constants using zero length column chromatography technique (ZLC). Combining with chemical reaction kinetic analysis, the quantitative relationship between diffusion property and catalytic performance was effectively established for the first time in n‐butane catalytic cracking. Positive linear correlation between diffusional time constant (D/R2) and n‐butane conversion rate per Al site could be found, which confirms that diffusion enhancement by hierarchical structure is an effective strategy to improve the activity of HZSM‐5 in catalytic cracking.
The effectiveness of removal from exposure and reduction of exposure for managing occupational asthma: Summary of an updated Cochrane systematic review
Authors: Henneberger Paul K. , Patel Jenil R. , de Groene Gerda J. , Beach Jeremy , Tarlo Susan M. , Pal Teake M. , Curti Stefania
Published: December 2020

Background

The objective was to update the 2011 Cochrane systematic review on the effectiveness of workplace interventions for the treatment of occupational asthma.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted with the selection of articles and reports through 2019. The quality of extracted data was evaluated, and meta‐analyses were conducted using techniques recommended by the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions.

Results

Data were extracted from 26 nonrandomized controlled before‐and‐after studies. The mean number of participants per study was 62 and the mean follow‐up time was 4.5 years. Compared with continued exposure, removal from exposure had an increased likelihood of improved symptoms and change in spirometry. Reduction of exposure also had more favorable results for symptom improvement than continued exposure, but no difference for change in spirometry. Comparing exposure removal to reduction revealed an advantage for removal with both symptom improvement and change in spirometry for the larger group of patients exposed to low‐molecular‐weight agents. Also, the risk of unemployment was greater for exposure removal versus reduction.

Conclusions

Exposure removal and reduction had better outcomes than continued exposure. Removal from exposure was more likely to improve symptoms and spirometry than reduction among patients exposed to low‐molecular‐weight agents. The potential benefits associated with exposure removal versus reduction need to be weighed against the potential for unemployment that is more likely with removal from exposure. The findings are based on data graded as very low quality, and additional studies are needed to generate higher quality data.
Determining the influence of the Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba's opioid policy on prescription opioid use amongst WCB recipients
Authors: Kraut Allen , Shafer Leigh Anne
Published: December 2020

Background

Opioid medications are commonly used by Workers Compensation Board (WCB) claimants following workplace injuries. The purpose of this study is to describe the impact of an opioid management policy on opioid prescriptions amongst a WCB‐covered population compared to changes in the use of these medications in the general population of a Canadian province.

Methods

We linked WCB claims data from 2006 to 2016 (13,155 claims, 11,905 individuals) to Manitoba provincial health records and compared opioid use amongst this group to 478,606 individuals aged 18–65. Linear regression was performed to examine the change over time in number of individuals being prescribed opioids for various durations and dosages of 50 or more, and 120 or more morphine equivalents (ME)/day for both the WCB and Manitoba population.

Results

WCB claimants totaled 2.5% of Manitoba residents aged 18–65 who were prescribed opioids for non‐cancer pain. After the introduction of the opioid use policy for the WCB population in November 2011, the number of people prescribed opioids declined 49.4% in the WCB group, while increasing 10.8% in the province as a whole. The number of individuals using 50 ME/day or more declined 43.1% in the WCB group and increased 5.8% in the province.

Conclusions

Opioid management programs organized by a compensation board can lead to a substantial reduction in the prescription of opioid medications to a WCB client population, including individuals who were prescribed higher doses of these medications when compared with general trends in the community.
Clinical presentation and evolution of Xia‐Gibbs syndrome due to p.Gly375ArgfsTer3 variant in a patient from DR Congo (Central Africa)
Authors: Mubungu Gerrye , Makay Prince , Boujemla Bouchra , Yanda Stephane , Posey Jennifer E. , Lupski James R. , Bours Vincent , Lukusa Prosper , Devriendt Koenraad , Lumaka Aimé
Published: December 2020

Xia‐Gibbs syndrome (XGS) is a very rare genetic condition. The clinical spectrum is very broad and variable. The phenotype and evolution in a Congolese boy with XGS have been reported. At 6 years he had speech delay, drooling, marked hyperactivity, attention deficit, aggressive behavior, and intellectual disability. Dysmorphological evaluation revealed strabismus, mild unilateral ptosis, uplifted ear lobes, flat philtrum, thin upper lip vermillion, high arched palate, and flat feet. Patient‐only whole exome sequencing identified a known pathogenic frameshift variant in the AHDC1 gene [NM_001029882.3(AHDC1):c.1122dupC;(p.Gly375ArgfsTer3)]. The clinical follow‐up revealed the deterioration of his fine motor skills and significant cerebellar phenotype including tremor, pes cavus, and gait instability at the age of 12 years. This patient was compared with three previously reported patients with the same variant but did not identify a consistent pattern in the evolution of symptoms with age.