bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A secure cloud system for maintaining COVID-19 patient's data using image steganography
Authors: Subramanian Nandhini , Al-Maadeed Somaya
Published: October 2021

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has been life-threatening for many people and as such, a contactless medical system is necessary to prevent the spread of the virus. Smart healthcare systems collect data from patients at one end and process the acquired data at the other end. The cloud is the central point and the communication happens through insecure channels. The main concern, in this case, is the violation of privacy and security as the channel is untrusted. Traditional methods do not provide enough hiding capacity, security, and robustness. This work proposes an image steganography method using the deep learning method to hide the patient's medical images inside an innocent cover image in such a way that they are not visible to human eyes which reduces the suspicions of the presence of sensitive data. Methods: An auto encoder-decoder-based model is proposed with three components: the pre-processing module, the embedding network, and the extraction network. Features from the cover image and the secret images are extracted and fused to reconstruct the stego image. The stego image is then used to extract the ingrained secret image. shows the overall system workflow. Results: Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR) is the evaluation metrics used. The ImageNet dataset was used for training and testing the proposed model. shows the image results of the proposed method. Conclusion: During a COVID-19 screening test, private patient data such as mobile number and Qatari identity card are collected, transferred, and stored through untrusted channels. It is of paramount importance to preserve the privacy, security, and confidentiality of the collected patient records. A secure deep learning-based image steganography method is proposed to secure the sensitive data transferred through untrusted channels in a cloud-based system.
Machine learning screening of COVID-19 patients based on X-ray images for unbalanced classes
Authors: Mrad Ilyes , Hamila Ridha , Al-Emadi Nasser , Erbad Aiman , Hamid Tahir , Mazhar Rashid
Published: October 2021

Background: COVID-19 is a pandemic that had already infected more than forty-six million people and caused more than a million deaths by 1st of November 2020. The virus pandemic appears to have had a catastrophic effect on the global population's safety. Therefore, efficient detection of infected patients is a key phase in the battle against COVID-19. One of the main screening methods is radiological testing. The goal of this study is using chest X-ray images to detect COVID-19 pneumonia patients while optimizing detection efficiency. Methods: As shown in , we combined three methods to detect COVID-19 namely: convolutional neural network, transfer learning, and the focal loss function which are used for unbalanced classes, to build three binary classifiers which are COVID-19 versus normal, COVID-19 versus pneumonia, and COVID-19 versus normal pneumonia (normal and pneumonia). The database used includes a mixture of 400 COVID-19, 1,340 viral pneumonia, 2,560 bacterial pneumonia, and 1,340 normal chest X-ray images for training, validation, and testing of four pre-trained deep convolutional neural networks. Then, the pre-trained model that gives the best results was chosen to improve its performances by two enhancement techniques which are image augmentation, allowing us to reach approximately 2,500 images per class, and the adjustment of focal loss hyperparameters. Results: A comparative study was conducted of our proposed classifiers with well-known classifiers and obtained much better results in terms of accuracy, specificity, sensitivity and precision, as illustrated in . Conclusion: The high performance of this computer-aided diagnostic technique may greatly increase the screening speed and reliability of COVID-19 diagnostic cases. Particularly, at the crowded emergency services, it will be particularly helpful in this pandemic when the risk of infection and the necessity for prevention initiatives run contrary to the available resources.
An untested approach to facilitating visually enhanced mental simulation online with multiple learners: A mini guide
Authors: Doğan Burcu , Pattison Natalie , Alinier Guillaume
Published: October 2021

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the world in every aspect. Many universities and education centres adapted their teaching to online education. Virtual simulation has been endorsed by stakeholders not only for teaching healthcare students and workers, but also to be counted as practice hours for students. We propose an approach to facilitate simulation-based education (SBE) online in an interactive manner for multiple participants. Methods: Visually enhanced mental simulation (VEMS) is a low fidelity yet very immersive and engaging educational activity used for participants to practise non-technical skills such as decision-making and communication while others observe. Unlike ordinary mental simulation, participants can engage in VEMS as in a full-scale scenario-based simulation session, while being observed by peers. It is supported with visual elements such as a patient poster and laminated equipment cards for participants to illustrate the actions performed. Actions and patient parameters are also recorded with the timing by a facilitator on a white board. The scenario is followed by a debriefing involving all participants and observers. Recommendations: VEMS can be adapted to the online environment and be facilitated through platforms such as Microsoft Teams, Skype, Zoom, GoToMeeting, or Cisco WebEx easily using a shared screen with Microsoft PowerPoint and their associated chat function or the facilitator's web camera facing a noticeboard. A patient pictogram and transparent background equipment images can be used in PowerPoint to illustrate the actions verbalised by the participants. The facilitator can speak as the patient and illustrate and write down everything in PowerPoint as the participants engage in the scenario, so all the other session attendees can observe. Everyone can then attend the scenario debriefing online. Conclusion: Online VEMS offers an opportunity for participants to practise non-technical and communication skills. It is a low fidelity and low-cost approach to facilitating SBE that still needs to be tested with actual learners for ease of use, acceptability, and educational effectiveness.
Clinical and thoracic radiography features determine patient outcome in young and middle age adults with COVID-19
Authors: Frias Alexander Sosa , Vergara Santos Aimara de la C
Published: October 2021

Background: The new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emerged in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Researchers described COVID-19 mortality risk factors as being elderly, male, having comorbidities, and in some ethnicities. Some authors validated the use of first chest x-ray (CXR) severity scores (CSE) as an independent indicator of poor outcomes with COVID-19. Our objective was to evaluate the clinical and CXR findings as predictors of poor outcomes (death, needing intubation, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission) in patients with COVID-19. Methods: We performed a retrospective study of case-controls using a sample size of 60 patients admitted with the diagnosis of COVID-19 during the period of July-August 2020 to the Cuban Hospital in Qatar, as determined with the free online OpenEpi software (https://www.openepi.com/SampleSize/SSCC.htm). We defined cases as patients with a complication like death, needing intubation, ICU admission, or organ failure, and controls as patients who did not demonstrate the described complications. The dependent variables used were patient evolution divided into poor outcome or good outcome. The independent variables used were age, history of diabetes mellitus type II, and high blood pressure (HBP), CSE, and white blood count (WBC). The bivariate analysis was performed using the Chi-Square test or Fisher exact test. Multivariate analysis was done using binary logistic regression (IBM SPSS software 25). The results are expressed in Odds Ratio with p-value < 0.05 defined as statistically significant. Results: The bivariate analysis showed being older, having a history of HBP, diabetes, abnormal WBC, and high CSE were linked to poor outcome (p < 0.05) (). The multivariate analysis defined WBC and CSE with independent influence over the patient evolution (). Conclusion: We demonstrated that the value of WBC and CSE are predictors of poor outcome in patients with COVID-19. WBC increases the possibility of the described complications in COVID-19 patients 68,634 times and CSE 12,201 times.
Effective continuing interprofessional healthcare education to improve sepsis care in a tertiary children and women’s hospital in the State of Qatar “Culture of think sepsis”
Authors: Kiat-Floro Joy , Ashour Rasha A. , Janahi Mohammad , Labib Ahmed
Published: October 2021

Background: Sepsis is a medical emergency and a global economic and health burden. It is one of the leading causes of death worldwide with 1 death every 2.8 seconds and represents 20% of all deaths worldwide.

Sidra Medicine, the only pediatric tertiary care centre in the State of Qatar, in collaboration with Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), and Hamad Healthcare Improvement Institute (HHQI) share the national goal of reducing mortality due to sepsis and septic shock through an increase in healthcare provider compliance to the sepsis six bundle of care from 0% to 95% by the end of 2022. Methods: A multifaceted, interdisciplinary, comprehensive education and training program was designed and provided to healthcare practitioners across Sidra and comprised:

• Pre-implementation education

• Multidisciplinary education sessions and workshops

• Train-the-trainer nurse educator workshop

• Bedside interdisciplinary simulation-based education

• Sepsis case discussions during morning reports, academic activities, grand rounds, and morbidity and mortality meetings

• Annual Qatar National Sepsis Symposium

• September Sepsis-Awareness Month

• Pediatric and women sepsis e-learning module

• National Patient Safety Collaborative (NPSC) training sessions and storyboards in collaboration with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) and HHQI

 In addition, sepsis pathway posters, think-sepsis booklets and pocket cards, antibiotic preparation and administration cards, and family education materials in Arabic and English were produced and utilized. Results: Improved sepsis awareness and education was observed. 95% of providers successfully completed the e-learning module (). Compliance to the sepsis six bundle of care subsequently reached 81%. Sepsis mortality rate was 1.8% in the first two quarters of 2020 which is well below international mortality rates. Conclusion: Since 2018, Sidra Medicine embraced sepsis education and care through a national evidence-based sepsis guideline for early recognition and treatment which is positively reflected in low sepsis mortality rates for 2020.
Cybersecurity for next generation healthcare in Qatar
Authors: Zubair Mohammad , Unal Devrim , Al-Ali Abdulla , Reimann Thomas , Alinier Guillaume
Published: October 2021

Background: IoMT (Internet of Medical Things) devices (often referred to IoMT domain) have the potential to quickly diagnose and monitor patients outside the hospital by transmitting information through the cloud domain using wireless communication to remotely located medical professionals (user domain). shows the proposed IoMT framework designed to improve the privacy and security of the healthcare infrastructure. Methods: The framework consists of four modules:

1. Intrusion Detection System (IDS) using deep learning (DL) to identify bluetooth-based Denial-of-Service (DoS)-attacks on IoMT devices and is deployed on edge-computing to secure communication between IoMT and edge.

2. IDS is backed up with identity-based cryptography to encrypt the data and communication path.

3. Besides the identity-management system (to authenticate users), it is modeled with aliveness detection using face authentication techniques at the edge to guarantee the confidentiality, integrity, and availability (CIA) of the framework.

4. At the cloud level, another IDS using MUSE (Merged-Hierarchical-Deep-Learning-System-with-Layer-Reuse) is proposed to protect the system against Man-In-The-Middle attacks, while the data is transferred between IoMT-EDGE-CLOUD. Results: These four modules are developed independently by precisely analyzing dependencies. The performance of IDS in terms of precision is 99% and for the identity-management system, the time required to encrypt and decrypt 256-bit key is 66 milliseconds and 220 milliseconds respectively. The true positive rate is 90.1%, which suggests real-time detection and authentication rate. IDS (2) using MUSE (12-layer) the accuracy is >95%, and it consumes 15.7% to 27.63% less time to train than the smaller four-layer model. Conclusion: Our designed models suit edge devices and cloud-based cybersecurity systems and support the fast diagnosis and care required by critically ill patients in the community.
Qatar Biobank: COVID-19 biorepository project
Authors: Afifi Nahla , Fthenou Eleni , El Deeb Marwa , Frenneaux Michael , Al Thani Asma , Latif Al Khal Abdul
Published: October 2021

Background: The rapid spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its resulting disease (COVID-19) is one of the greatest global public health crisis of the recent decades. The COVID-19 Biorepository is a national project aimed to support the high demand of biomedical research by multiple groups and the need to have access to high quality, curated clinical data, and specimens contributing to the understanding of, and response to, the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts in Qatar. Methods/Case presentation: Patients with a laboratory diagnosis of COVID-19, who were Qatar residents that could communicate in Arabic, English, Hindi, and Urdu were eligible to participate in the study. COVID-19 diagnosed patients were recruited at the time of their disease period from the main three public hospitals (Communicable Disease Center, Cuban, and Hazm Mebaireek Hospitals) serving as isolation facilities of symptomatic patients in Qatar, during a 7-month period from March 2020 until September 2020. Consented participants were followed up on a weekly basis until recovery, and then monthly for a year. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected in electronic questionnaires via a face-to-face interview by trained Qatar Biobank (QBB) staff. Results: A total of 2097 consented participants were recruited up to September 2020, males (N = 1050) and females (N = 1047), with a mean age of 41 years (SD: 15.5). 61.0% of the participants had at least one follow up while 27% adhered to monthly follow up visits. Data was collected for 99.7% of the participants, while the follow up process is still ongoing. In total there are 107,171 high quality specimens in the biorepository including plasma, erythrocytes, buffy coat, serum, PAXgene whole blood, nasopharyngeal secretions, and DNA. Conclusion: The COVID-19 Biorepository is a national asset to illuminate the pathophysiological and identify markers of disease prognosis as well as to describe the clinical features and epidemiology of COVID-19 in Qatar and worldwide.
Development of an in-house COVID-19 serology ELISA Test
Authors: Chowdhury Shazeda , Taleb Sara , Elgamal Mahmoud , Hassan Nesyia , Nomikos Michail , Hssain Ali Ait , Zughaier Susu M
Published: October 2021

Background: COVID-19 pandemic created an unprecedented demand for reagents and diagnostic tools to confirm COVID-19 cases. Thus, the development of a robust in-house diagnostic test is considered of high importance. Within a few days after exposure, the human body produces specific antibodies that recognize the surface proteins of the invading SARS-CoV-2 virus. Therefore, virus specific immunoglobulins are neutralizing antibodies and their appearance in the blood is a good sign of immunity. The aim of this study was to develop an in-house COVID-19 serology ELISA test to quantify induced antibody responses. This test can help identify convalescent plasma donors with high antibody titers that can be used to treat other patients. Methods: Spike protein antigen is highly expressed in SARS-CoV-2. Recombinant protein corresponding to the spike receptor-binding domain (RBD), which binds to specific antibodies circulating in COVID-19 patients’ blood was used as the antigen in this colorimetric ELISA test. Briefly, a 96-microtiter well plate was coated with RBD protein, where serum dilutions were added. Antibody titers were detected using an anti-human IgG- peroxidase labelled antibody and the substrate o-phenylenediamine dihydrochloride; measured at optical density (OD) of 450 nm (). Results: The in-house quantitative serology test was validated using serum samples collected from severe COVID-19 patients (n = 282) admitted to the intensive care unit at Hamad General Hospital. Serum samples from non-COVID-19 (n = 10) were used as a negative control. We detected high antibody titers in ~90% of COVID-19 sera. In contrast, no SARS-CoV-2 specific antibodies were detected in the serum of non-infected subjects (n = 6), pooled human serum collected before 2019, or Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) infected subjects (n = 3) confirming the specificity and the sensitivity of this in-house serology test. Conclusion: This in-house quantitative serology test is sensitive, specific, and inexpensive. The test can address the rising issue of COVID-19 supply chain globally and foster the capacity-building efforts envisioned by Qatar University.
Lighting Enhancement of Classrooms in Heritage School Buildings Based on the Greenship Rating Tools
Authors: Susan Susan , Prihatmanti Rani
Published: October 2021

This study aims to suggest some strategies for improving the quality of lighting in adaptive reuse buildings. Recently, several concerns have been raised about the lighting environment of heritage buildings that have been adaptively reused for a different function. These changes may lead to a problem for the occupants of the building, particularly on the indoor lighting quality. It is regarded as one of the most affected variables in the building of heritage that is adaptively reused. Green Building Council Indonesia (GBCI) has been concerned about this issue, particularly to the requirements related to lighting power density and control, visual comfort, outside view, and daylight. The purpose of this research is therefore to suggest some strategies for improving the quality of lighting in the two classrooms of two heritage schools in Surabaya, Indonesia, based on the Greenship Interior Space rating tool. There are three credits for lighting power density and control, and one credit for visual comfort criteria. By performing light mapping measurements, calculations, and computer simulation, this analysis is qualitative. To capture the condition of the classrooms examined, building observation was also performed. The observation shows that the existing condition gains four credits only. If adopted, the strategies proposed could achieve eight credits, which is covers 80% of the assessment points. The higher credits achieved reflect a better lighting environment and better value for energy efficiency and conservation.
Optimal Design of Barangay Rogongon Microgrid System
Authors: Tahud Anacita Palma , Estoperez Samuelle Jane Dahili , Wayco Jeryl Manlupig , Estoperez Noel Regis
Published: October 2021

In this research, specifically an electrical distribution system design of the proposed microgrid in a remote barangay, Brgy. Rogongon, in Iligan City, is presented. Due to limited access and limited-service electrical utility grid, about 10 % of the Philippine household population at a development disadvantage. Through the project, potential sites for hydropower and solar PV installations as well as distribution pathways were identified using Geographic Information (GIS). Household surveys were conducted to obtain the 5 yr projected load demand and the results are presented in thematic maps. The electrical distribution system of the microgrid was designed and simulated using Just Another Electrical Distribution Network Software (JAED.NS). The system simulation showed an acceptable 5.94 % estimated total system loss which implies that the designed electrical distribution system is feasible.
Using deliberate mistakes to heighten student attention
Authors: Philip Abey , Bennett Dawn
Published: October 2021

Attracting and retaining students’ attention is a concern for educators at every level of education, including those in higher education. Despite compelling evidence that student-centred pedagogies enhance attention, motivation and learning gain, exposition-centred delivery in forms such as lectures persists across higher education. Contemporary research on student attention suggests that student concentration in class begins to wane within 10 minutes; that neither tutorials or lectures tend to engage students effectively; and that the optimum length of a lecture is as little as 30 minutes. Where previous studies of student attention have focussed on the impacts of active listening, flipped classrooms and authentic assessment, the exploratory study reported here sought to determine the impact of a “deliberate mistake strategy” (DMS). The study engaged 103 undergraduate business students who self-assessed their attention span before and after a DMS was employed within their semester-long unit. Analysis of the students’ self-report involved paired sample t-tests and revealed that students’ attention span had increased significantly as the result of their engagement in DMS; there were no significant gendered differences. Cohen’s d revealed a large effect size with students reporting that DMS had helped them to increase their perceived attention span when in class. Amid continued debate about how to engage students and growing realisation that multiple approaches are needed, the findings suggests that the use of a simple strategy such as DMS merits further attention.
Trayectorias en la construcción del conocimiento referente a las infancias y a la educación infantil
Authors: Restrepo Restrepo Nataly , Henao García Nadia Milena , Zapata Ospina Beatriz Elena , Suárez Urrego Roberto Antonio
Published: October 2021

el libro Trayectorias en la construcción del conocimiento referente a las infancias y a la educación infantil es resultado de un proceso de investigación y autoevaluación de la Línea Infancias que resignifica los saberes, las prácticas y los discursos que se construyen alrededor de las infancias y la educación infantil en los diferentes contextos y campos de saber.
Nuevas lógicas globales ante antiguas tensiones locales
Authors: Ruiz Arias Miriam , Jima González Alexandra , Llumiquinga Vilatuña Ana María , Pineda Gómez Hernán Darío , Morato Farreras Jordi , Montoya Restrepo Jorge , Paradela López Miguel
Published: October 2021

En este libro se aborda el estudio de varios fenómenos, tensiones y conflictos políticos, económicos y territoriales actuales, tanto de carácter internacional como nacional, que se plantean desde la perspectiva de diferentes movimientos o grupos sociales. El objetivo general es mostrar el origen y las consecuencias de dichas tensiones políticas, sociales y territoriales, indicar cuáles son los actores implicados en ellas y proponer alternativas para solucionarlas.
вast crops in russia and abroad: the state, problems and prospects of their processing
Authors: Новиков Э.В. , Басова Н.В. , Безбабченко А.В.
Published: October 2021

Представлен анализ состояния, проблем и перспектив производства и переработки лубяных культур в России и зарубежных странах, используя многолетние собственные и другие исследования. Показано, что: с 2010 года площади посева лубяных культур в РФ увеличивались, но при этом, она, входя в тройку лидеров по производству льняных тканей, пока отстает от зарубежных стран по темпам роста первичной и глубокой переработки, по-прежнему остается проблема покупки нового технологического оборудования силами льнопенькозаводов. Основными производителями лубяных культур являются СНГ, Аргентина, Канада, США, Индия, Чехия, Германия, Франция, Бельгия, Голландия, Казахстан и другие. Определены в РФ: основные регионы возделывания лубяных культур; динамика роста цен на технологическое оборудование и волокно первичной переработки; состав и цены различных линий их первичной переработки; мировые производители льняных тканей. Сформулированы причины, тормозящие эффективность первичной и глубокой переработки лубяных культур в РФ.

The analysis of the state, problems and prospects of production and processing of bast crops in Russia and foreign countries is presented, using many years of own and other research. It is shown that: since 2010, the area of sowing of bast crops in the Russian Federation has increased, but at the same time, it is one of the three leaders in the production of linen fabrics, while it lags behind foreign countries in terms of growth rates of primary and deep processing, there is still a problem of buying new technological equipment by 31 flax mills. The main producers of bast crops are the CIS, Argentina, Canada, the USA, India, the Czech Republic, Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Kazakhstan and others. The following are defined in the Russian Federation: the main regions of cultivation of bast crops; the dynamics of price growth for technological equipment and fiber of primary processing; the composition and prices of various lines of their primary processing; world manufacturers of linen fabrics. The reasons hindering the effectiveness of primary and deep processing of bast crops in the Russian Federation are formulated.
Investigation of Purchase Decisions Based on Product Features offered
Authors: Iskamto Dedi
Published: October 2021

This study aims to determine the relationship between the influence of the product in terms of product form, product quality, product type, product utilization, and product durability. This research is a quantitative study where the research data processing uses SPSS 26. Found a low average value on information search indicators and post purchase behaviour, while the highest average value is found in the needs recognition indicator. In the product variable, the lowest average indicator is in the product form, while the product type has the highest average value. The regression equation test shows that the effect of the Product Features variable on the purchasing decision variable is positive and significant.
Radular Morphology of Thiarid from Raja Ampat
Authors: Isnaningsih Nur Rohmatin
Published: October 2021

Radula in gastropods is considered as a constant and conservative character that can be used in classification and phylogenetic at certain taxa level. However, character of radula is also ecophenotypic, so that the morphology of the radula can also indicates intraspecific variations that able to detect differences among species. The insights of the radular morphology specific to Thiaridae is important for classifying species within this family. Through an enzymatic procedure using the proteinase-K, five radula of Thiarid from Raja Ampat were extracted. The results of research on radula showed that the five species studied had the taeniglossan radula type. The band of the radula is 1.8 - 4.8 mm long and consists of marginal teeth, lateral teeth, and rachidian. The radula formula is 2/1/R/1/2 with a 3-4/1/3-4 rachidian pattern and a 2-3/1/2-3 lateral teeth pattern. The mesocone shape of the rachidian and lateral teeth varies between rounded and pointed.
Front Matter
Authors: Jmi Admin , Pringgenies Delianis
Published: October 2021

Front Matter
Back Matter
Authors: Jmi Admin
Published: October 2021

Back Matter
נוירו־פדגוגיה
Authors: לוצאטו אפרת
Published: October 2021

בעשרים השנים האחרונות נצפה בעולם עניין רב בקשר שבין ידע ממדעי המוח לחינוך, ונעשו ניסיונות ליצור קשר בין שני תחומי עניין ומחקר אלו. ייעודו של תחום הנוירו־פדגוגיה הוא לגשר בין הידע המצטבר במחקרים מתחום מדעי המוח לבין חקר החינוך, בעיקר בהיבטים פרקטיים של תהליכי הוראה ולמידה. נוירו־פדגוגיה, המכונה בספרות גם נוירו־חינוך, הוא תחום דעת בין־תחומי המשלב וממזג תחומים שונים, כמו מדעי המוח, פסיכולוגיה וחינוך, ומטרתו לשפר ולדייק את ההבנה הפרקטית והתיאורטית של תהליכי למידה והוראה. מטרותיו המרכזיות מתמקדות בהבנה טובה יותר של האופן שבו אנו לומדים, בפיתוח שיטות הוראה ותוכניות לימודים, בפיתוח אסטרטגיות למידה ובתרומה להתוויית מדיניות חינוכית, על בסיס מדעי ועל סמך ממצאים אמפיריים.
Has Continued Exposure to Banana Xanthomonas Wilt Worsened Farmers’ Welfare Over Time? Evidence From Banana-Producing Households in Uganda
Authors: Mbabazi Esther Gloria , Kikulwe Enoch M. , Kyanjo Joseph Lule , Mulumba Nasser , Kato Edward , Gotor Elisabetta
Published: October 2021

The livelihoods of millions of banana-farming households have been affected by Banana Xanthomonas Wilt (BXW) in Uganda for nearly two decades. The disease has no known cure, all banana cultivars grown are susceptible to it and it is endemic in all banana-producing regions in the country. This study analysed the long-term impact of the disease on the livelihoods of banana-producing households. Using a balanced panel dataset of 1,056 households, which were visited in 2015 and revisited in 2018, provides the opportunity to empirically measure the long-term consequences of the disease on farmers’ economic wellbeing in the four major banana growing regions in Uganda. We find striking results pertinent to disease incidence, success in disease management, household income and poverty when deploying BXW control practices. Although the disease has remained present in farmers’ fields, there is a significant reduction in household poverty levels. Results show that some farmers expanded the production of beans and coffee without encroaching on their banana plantations. Increase in bean production was largely through intercropping. Investment in coffee was constrained by land ownership, hence only a viable venture for the wealthy farmers who own bigger pieces of land. Land-poor farmers continued to rely on bananas for their livelihoods. Consistent participation in disease management training significantly influenced adoption of the cultural control practices. Consequently, farming households that systematically adopted these practices were able to maintain low levels of disease incidence, improve productivity by 438 kg/ha/year and increased their daily and annual household income by US$1.75 and UGX 2.383 million (US$648), respectively. The findings suggest that banana is an important crop to smallholder farmers and expansion into other cash crops requires bigger resource outlays, and that despite continued exposure to BXW, farmers’ income increased over time. Farmers should continuously and systematically use the recommended control practices to avoid BXW resurgence and, consequently, a reduction in their income.
WIELKOPOLSKA (GREATER POLAND) MILITARY
MUSEUM: HISTORY OF AN UNUSUAL MUSEUM
Authors: Łuczak Jarosław
Published: October 2021

The beginning of historical-military museology
in Poznan dates back to the mid-19th century when the
Poznan Society of Friends of Learning assumed the responsibility
to save historic monuments, and began to establish the
Museum of Polish and Slavic Antiquities in the Grand Duchy of
Posen (Poznan). The task was to collect archival, library, and
museum materials, including militaria. As a result of these
efforts, in 1882, the Mielżynski Museum was established
which boasted an exquisite painting gallery, containing historical
painting, a rich archaeological and military collection,
and a sizeable collection of so-called historical mementoes:
weapons, orders, decorations, etc.
In the aftermath of the Greater Poland Uprising 1918
–1919, the Hindenburg Museum founded in 1916–1918
was transformed into a Military Museum. The ceremonial
opening was held on 27 October 1919 by Józef Piłsudski,
Poland’s Chief of State. The quickly growing collection was
moved from Marcinkowskiego Avenue to the barracks
in Bukowska Street, and subsequently to a new seat at
1 Artyleryjska Street in Poznan. The solemn opening of the
Wielkopolska Military Museum was held on 22 April 1923
by the Commander of the 7th Corps District Major-General
Kazimierz Raszewski. In 1939, anticipating the threat of war,
the most precious objects were evacuated eastwards, and
looted there. The items which stayed behind ended up in
German museums. The mementoes connected with the history
of the Polish military were destroyed, and the Museum
was wound up.
The first attempts at reactivating the Museum following
WW II failed. It was only with the 1956 revolt that civil and
military authorities changed their approach, The National
Museum in Poznan undertook the first efforts. The Museum
did not go back to its pre-WW II seat, but found home in
a modern building in the Old Market Square in Poznan, to
be ceremoniously launched on 22 February 1963 by the
Commander of the Operational Air Force in Poznan Brigadier
General Pilot Jan Raczkowski.
Having recreated its collection, the Wielkopolska Military
Museum, already as a Branch of the National Museum in
Poznan, has held many exhibitions and shows. Moreover,
it has released many publications, and run a broad range
of educational activities. Among other projects, it has also
made reference to the pre-WW II Museum. On 27 December
2019, a new jubilee exhibition ‘Wielkopolska Military
Museum 1919–2019’ recording the 100-years’ history of the
oldest historical-military museum in Poland was inaugurated.
Hardness and Conductivity of Die Forged ZYK530 Magnesium Alloy
Authors: CAO Fenghong , XU Yaohui , CHEN Chang , QIN Zhaohui , DENG Chi
Published: October 2021

The relationship among the microstructure, hardness and electrical conductivity of the as-forged ZYK530 Mg alloy after heat treatment was analyzed and studied using a microscope, X-Ray Diffractometer, eddy current conductivity meter, and Vickers microhardness tester, to explore optimum heat treatment process of ZYK530 Mg alloy. The results show that: with the prolongation of holding time, the electrical conductivity and microhardness show the same change trend, both of which show an oscillatory upward trend, and then decrease in an oscillatory downward trend after reaching the  peak value. There is a linear positive correlation between the conductivity and the hardness, and the fitting results of the conductivity and hardness are in good agreement with the measured results; combined with the actual production, when the heat-treatment is 480 ℃ × 8 h + 220 ℃ × 3 h, the highest hardness is 79.2 HV, the electroconductivity is 36.2%IACS, and the comprehensive performance is the best, which is the best heat treatment process.
Let Us Let the Spectators Back in!
Authors: Hassanmirzaei Bahar , Seif Barghi Tohid
Published: October 2021

: COVID-19 has stricken the world since the beginning of 2020. The pandemic is not controlled yet, and also the new variants of the virus are rapidly spreading. To reduce the virus's person-to-person transmission rate, health authorities and the government applied limitations to all activities (including sports activities). As a result, all football matches and team training worldwide were suspended for a limited period until a reduced infection risk was recognized. Even though training and competitions were gradually resuming worldwide, no spectators were allowed to attend any matches. After the successful experience of resuming football matches and tournaments following tight restrictions in keeping the players, staff, and organizers safe, it is time to let the spectators back in the stadiums and establish the needed guidelines. This commentary will highlight the most important aspects and issues that need to be addressed if the football federation and associations decide to let the spectators back into the stadiums, as football will lose its enthusiasm and financial turnover.
Substance Use and The Necessity for Harm Reduction Programs in Prisons: A Qualitative Study in Central Prison of Sanandaj, Iran
Authors: Saberi Zafarghandi Mohammad Bagher , Eshrati Sahar , Arezoomandan Reza , Farnia Marziyeh
Published: October 2021

Background: For decades, harm reduction programs for addiction have been started in Iranian prisons. The programs comprise methadone maintenance treatment, antiretroviral treatment, and other harm reduction programs implemented as a triangular clinic. Despite the lack of funding to provide mental health services, particularly for substance use and harm reduction in prisons of low- and middle-income countries, Iran provides well-developed services. Objectives: The study investigated the implementation and achievements of harm reduction programs in Sanandaj prison located in the center of Kurdistan Province, west of Iran. Materials and Methods: This was a qualitative cross-sectional study. We used various information sources such as a checklist and group discussions. The participants were chosen by the purposive sample method and included prison authorities and harm reduction service providers and recipients. The data were analyzed by content analysis. The MAXQDA 12 software was used to manage the data. Results: The harm reduction programs included opioid substitution therapy, providing information and education, voluntary counseling and testing for blood-borne diseases, providing condoms, hepatitis C virus screening, and antiretroviral treatment. Following the implementation of the program, a significant decrease in violence, self-injury, illegal drug use and shared syringes, HIV-positive new comers, and no necessity for the needle and syringe program when starting methadone treatment was reported. Conclusions: Commitment to a strict ban on the entering of drugs to the prison is a reason for the use of high-risk methods of drug use and behaviors such as injection, self-injury, or violence. Sharing syringes and needles is a major cause of the transmission of HIV and hepatitis viruses among drug users. Harm reduction programs, especially methadone maintenance treatment and antiretroviral treatment, have reduced a large proportion of drug-related harms in prisons. Scaling up the programs and their extension to post-release treatment will greatly reduce the country's health costs.
Patients and Nursing Students’ Viewpoints on the Importance of Caring Behaviors in a Hospital Affiliated to Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences in Iran
Authors: Salehitali Shahriyar
Published: October 2021

Background: Effective caring depends on the agreement between patients and nurses’ care behaviors. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate patients and nursing students’ viewpoints about the importance of caring behaviors in a hospital affiliated to Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences in Iran. Methods: In this descriptive and analytic study, 50 patients and 50 nurses were selected using the convenience sampling method. Data were collected by the Larson questionnaire. This self-report questionnaire was completed by the patients and students, and then the data were analyzed by descriptive and analytical statistics in SPSS. Results: The patients considered availability, education, and communication as the most important caring behaviors in caring, while the nursing students deemed comfort and convenience, appropriate communication, and monitoring and follow-up as the most significant behaviors in caring. Nursing students and patients’ viewpoints were not in agreement in the most important and relatively most important caring behaviors (P > 0.05). However, their viewpoints concorded regarding insignificant caring behaviors (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Based on the results of this study, further attention should be focused on patient needs in clinical nursing students’ education is necessary.
Relationship Between Depression and Its Severity with Dialysis Adequacy in Hemodialysis Patients in Ahvaz Teaching Hospitals
Authors: Ahmadi Halili Shahla , Kharaj Mahdieh , Sabetnia Leila , Hayati Fatemeh , Pourshams Maryam
Published: October 2021

Background: Depression is a prevalent psychological disorder among hemodialysis patients and is associated with a variety of adverse outcomes. Dialysis adequacy also affects hemodialysis patients' survival rates. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of depression in hemodialysis patients and its association with dialysis adequacy. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 205 individuals undergoing hemodialysis at Ahvaz teaching hospitals in 2019 were included. The depression level was determined using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) for the participants aged below 65 years and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) for the patients aged above 65 years. Dialysis adequacy measures, including the Kt/V and urea reduction rate (URR), were calculated using standard formulas. Results: In this study, 60.5% of the participants suffered from depression, and the overall prevalence of depression was 54.6% in individuals aged below 65 and 67% in those aged above 65 years. Among the patients with age below 65 years, 19 persons (17.6%) were suffering from mild depression, 22 individuals (20.4%) were suffering from moderate depression, and 18 individuals (16.7%) had severe depression. Among the patients aged above 65 years, moderate depression was found to affect 45 persons (46.4%), and 20 individuals (20.6%) had severe depression. The mean values of Kt/V and URR were not significantly correlated with depression scores (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Depression is a common disorder among hemodialysis patients in Iran; however, it is not significantly associated with dialysis adequacy. However, the results of studies on the relationship between depression and dialysis adequacy cannot be analyzed simply.
Three new species of the subterranean genus Guiodytes from Guangxi, China (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Clivinini)
Authors: Huang Sunbin , Zhou Jiajun , Tian Mingyi , Faille Arnaud
Published: October 2021

Three new species of the genus Guiodytes Tian, 2013 are described from the limestone caves of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, southern China: Guiodytes weii Huang & Faille sp. nov. and Guiodytes yueliangensis Huang & Tian sp. nov. from Dapo Dong and Huang Dong caves, respectively, in Huanjiang County, northernmost Guangxi; Guiodytes inexpectatus Tian & Zhou sp. nov. from the Zhuzhu Dong cave in Longzhou County, southwestern Guangxi. All of the six known species of Guiodytes are endemic to Guangxi, ranging from the southwest to the northernmost. A modified key to species and a distribution map for Guiodytes are provided.
The Modeling and Optimal Control of a Hybrid Propulsion System for an Ice-Capable Tanker
Authors: Zhou Yi , Pazouki Kayvan , Norman Rosemary
Published: October 2021

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With the effects of global warming, the North Sea Route has become an economic option for cargo transportation because of the shorter distance between East Asia and Europe. Generally, conventional mechanical propulsion systems installed in ice-capable tankers suffer from significant drawbacks because of poor fuel efficiency when sailing at low speed, therefore, advanced technologies have been applied such as diesel electric and nuclear-powered propulsion; however, drawbacks still exist. Hybrid propulsion is a more environmental-friendly, economical solution for ships with icebreaking capability, which can address the drawbacks in both diesel electric and nuclear power systems. In this paper, modeling of system components is presented and implemented in MATLAB Simulink. A primary control strategy is applied to the system to ensure system stability, and an advanced secondary strategy is developed and applied to the power sources to minimize fuel consumption. Given two scenarios, the simulation results of the hybrid propulsion system developed in this research and those of diesel electric propulsion systems with DC and AC distribution systems are compared and indicate that the hybrid system can offer up to 22.4% fuel savings over ice-loading condition, and 39.5% fuel reduction over the particular voyage of varying speed in open water is applied in this paper.

Introduction

In recent years, some sea routes that were previously blocked by ice have become increasingly accessible in the warmest months of the year due to the effects of global warming. Researchers have estimated that, by 2030, the percentage of Arctic shipping will have increased to 25% of cargo trade between Europe and Asia (Lasserre 2019).

Northern Sea Route (NSR) shipping provides benefits for international trade, but challenges still exist. Increasing carbon emissions have seriously impacted the Arctic environment (Hassol & Corell 2006). Table 1 shows the total number of ships using Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) in Arctic waters in 2015, and associated black carbon emissions, as published by the IMO (Comer et al. 2017). As it is shown, oil tankers made up just 4.5% of all ships entering Arctic waters but despite their low proportion, they were responsible for 17% of black carbon emissions. Thus, an environmentally friendly and fuel-efficient propulsion system to reduce these emissions from tankers trading in Arctic waters is required.
Fatores motivacionais para o trabalho em instituições de ensino superior
Authors: Azevedo Leonardo Ferreira de , Teixeira Maria Waldilene Sousa , Gomes Filho Antoniel dos Santos
Published: October 2021

O estudo da motivação tornou-se importante para as organizações, pois os colaboradores motivados tendem a permanecerem por mais tempo na empresa, além de produzirem com mais eficiência, assim, impactando no clima organizacional que tende a melhorar constantemente. Diante disso, a presente pesquisa teve como objetivo geral identificar os fatores motivacionais apresentados por colaboradores de Instituições de Ensino Superior (IES) por meio de uma revisão da literatura. Para tanto, buscou-se descrever os fatores para satisfação dos colaboradores das instituições de ensino superior; verificar as estratégias criadas para motivação dos colaboradores nas Instituições; identificar as principais teorias da motivação que fundamentam as estratégias da gestão de pessoas para motivar os colaboradores.  Sobre a esfera metodológica adotou-se uma pesquisa de natureza básica com objetivo exploratório, utilizando-se da abordagem qualitativa, configurando-se como revisão de literatura sistemática. Com relação aos resultados obtidos verificou-se as variáveis que motivam os colaboradores dentro das IES como a presença de treinamento e desenvolvimento na organização, comunicação mais eficiente, evitando possíveis ruídos e conflitos entre as pessoas, além da percepção positiva dos colaboradores referente ao reconhecimento recebido. Também é perceptível, as relações interpessoais satisfatórias nas instituições, promovendo um ambiente de trabalho mais agradável e proveitoso para os funcionários das IES. Assim, pode-se concluir que as variáveis apresentadas neste estudo contribuem para a satisfação dos colaboradores nas IES.