bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
En quête de pertinence et d’égalité ? Quand les prescriptions des dépistages des cancers gynécologiques s’emmêlent
Authors: Bloy Géraldine , Rigal Laurent
Published: December 2019

Cet article croise épidémiologie et sociologie pour réfléchir aux inégalités sociales présentes dans le dépistage des cancers gynécologiques (cancers du col de l’utérus et du sein). Il cherche à en préciser les logiques de prescription « ordinaires », en les référant à un système de prescripteurs, pour éclairer la fabrique des inégalités sociales en matière de dépistages gynécologiques. De la prescription, l’analyse remonte aux principaux acteurs professionnels, gynécologues et médecins généralistes, et examine comment leurs logiques d’action cohabitent, plus qu’elles ne s’articulent de façon synergique, pour produire des problèmes de pertinence et des gradients sociaux dans la réalisation des frottis et mammographies de dépistage. Le (dys)fonctionnement de l’organisation de l’offre de soins pour ces dépistages est le produit d’une histoire spécifique, saisie à un moment de tension particulier. L’analyse repose sur deux enquêtes originales autour des pratiques préventives des généralistes, dont nous mobilisons le volet dépistage des cancers gynécologiques, et est adossée à la littérature.
Association of life habits and fermented milk intake with stool frequency, defecatory symptoms and intestinal microbiota in healthy Japanese adults
Authors: Shima T. , Amamoto R. , Kaga C. , Kado Y. , Sasai T. , Watanabe O. , Shiinoki J. , Iwazaki K. , Shigemura H. , Tsuji H.
Published: December 2019

Few studies have examined the effects of smoking habit, the frequency of alcohol drinking, exercise, and fermented milk consumption on defecatory symptoms and gut microbiota composition, and particularly their interactive effects. We examined the effect of these lifestyle factors on bowel movements and gut microbiota composition in 366 healthy Japanese adults by analysis of covariance. Smoking did not affect defecatory symptoms but was negatively correlated with total bacteria and Enterococcus counts. Drinking frequency was significantly positively correlated with a feeling of incomplete evacuation and counts of the Bacteroides fragilis group and Acidaminococcus groups. Exercise frequency tended to be negatively correlated with the Bristol Stool Form Scale score and was significantly negatively correlated with the counts of Enterobacteriaceae and positively correlated with the Prevotella counts in the faeces. The frequency of fermented milk consumption was not significant but tended to be positively correlated with stool frequency. The frequency of fermented milk consumption was significantly positively correlated with the counts of the Atopobium cluster, Eubacterium cylindroides group, Acidaminococcus group, Clostridium ramosum subgroup, and Lactobacillus in the faeces. The frequency of consumption of probiotic Lactobacillus casei-containing fermented milk was significantly positively correlated with stool frequency. The counts of probiotic Lactobacillus casei in the stool was positively correlated with the counts of Bifidobacterium and total Lactobacillus. These results suggest that smoking, alcohol drinking, exercise, and consumption of fermented milk, particularly containing probiotic L. casei, differently affect bowel movements and gut microbiota composition in healthy Japanese adults.
Jóvenes mapuche en movimiento: la metafísica sedentaria en foco
Authors: Causa Laura Kropff
Published: December 2019

Pensar la movilidad de jóvenes indígenas como problema de investigación coloca en discusión tres dimensiones teóricas: la relación entre espacio y práctica social; la construcción de aboriginalidad en distintos contextos; y la edad como categoría que estructura la vida social. A partir de situaciones que involucran a jóvenes mapuche en la provincia de Río Negro (Argentina), este artículo se propone abordar la discusión poniendo en tensión la metafísica sedentaria inherente a los estados nacionales desde un enfoque centrado en la movilidad como práctica social que involucra fricciones múltiples. Así, se introducen, en primer lugar, las fijaciones y movilidades diferenciales producidas en el marco del proceso histórico de incorporación de la Patagonia al Estado argentino. Se trata de un proceso que supuso una configuración territorial específica en términos geopolíticos y productivos que, a la vez que consolidó la articulación entre el Estado, la nación y el territorio, instaló la dualidad entre lo rural y lo urbano. En segundo lugar, el artículo aborda las movilidades y las fricciones que se producen a nivel de prácticas cotidianas que se estructuran en la intersección entre edad, aboriginalidad y género, habilitando y disputando recorridos con efectos en la configuración territorial a nivel comunitario.
Jóvenes indígenas en América Latina: reflexiones para su investigación desde la antropología
Authors: Ruiz Maya Lorena Pérez
Published: December 2019

En este artículo se reflexiona sobre el reto que tiene la antropología para crear una perspectiva propia dentro del campo de investigación de las juventudes indígenas. Se abordan varios aspectos: la dificultad que existe cuando se trabajan como sinónimos, o equivalentes, la identidad indígena/india de origen colonial, con la que emplea cada pueblo para autodenominarse; la existencia histórica de categorías, en lenguas indígenas, para denominar al sector de población que nosotros llamamos joven para comprender sus transformaciones; cómo abordar la diferencia y la desigualdad de género y generación entre los pueblos indígenas; cómo atender los nuevos contextos de socialización en que el ser joven surge o se actualiza; cómo las condiciones estructurales y las dinámicas internas y externas han forjado o acentuado la diversidad y la desigualdad entre los jóvenes; y cómo el consumo globalizado no es por sí mismo generador de rupturas ni un forjador de identidades juveniles.
Data Speaks
Authors: Stevenson Carolyn N.
Published: December 2019

Qualitative research methods provide the researcher with opportunity to share the lived experiences of participants in an authentic manner. These narratives can be enhanced through visual expression, such as use of photos, which provide another way to exercise self-expression. Found poetry has a rich history in participant-based studies, while self-studies utilize poems as an opportunity to address more philosophical or poststructuralist opportunities. These forms of data collection can provide a rich, thick description of those often overlying on the peripherals of society. By offering participants the opportunity to personally select descriptive photographs and articulate expression in their own voice through poetry, the lived experiences can authentically be displayed.
A Distributed Framework and Consensus Middle-Ware for Human Swarm Interaction
Authors: Pour Sadrollah Ghazaleh , Barca Jan Carlo , Eliasson Jens , Khan Asad I.
Published: December 2019

A swarm of robots can perform a variety of missions that are time critical, cost sensitive, and too complicated for a single individual to undertake. In this context, the ability to design robust, scalable and flexible collective behaviours, for the coordination of large numbers of robots to complete particular tasks specified by a human operator, is crucial. For human swarm interaction, it is critical for the robots to be able to continuously achieve swarm's consent to perform tasks specified by a human operator in a dynamically changing environment. Furthermore, an appropriate quorum threshold should be defined as a variable determining the system's behaviour, which is beneficial in environments where stable connectivity might be an issue. These challenges therefore justify this research into designing a group decision-making process such as consensus algorithm for managing swarms of flying robots by considering various circumstances including battery limitations of the robots, possible node failures, and utilising appropriate sensory vision distance.
The Status of Research into Intention Recognition
Authors: Wang Luyao , Li Chunlin , Wu Jinglong
Published: December 2019

In recent years, service robots have been widely used in many fields, especially for assisting the elderly and disabled. For example, the medical care of patients with Alzheimer's disease has become a worldwide problem. Existing service robots with some intelligence quotient can perform actions that are programmed by a human. However, the robot cannot understand human intentions or communicate with people naturally. Understanding the intent of the service object could allow the robot to provide better service. Therefore, the most critical component of human-computer interactions is intention recognition. There are currently many methods by which intention recognition can be achieved, such as EMG, EOG and EEG. In addition, emotion is one of the important factors during intention recognition, and this has been a breakthrough notion. This chapter summarizes the current status of research into intention recognition and gives a brief description of the relationship between emotion and intention. We hope to provide more ideas for optimizing human-computer interactions.
Distributed Control of Robot Swarms
Authors: Panagou Dimitra , Stipanović Dušan M. , Voulgaris Petros G.
Published: December 2019

This chapter considers the problem of multi-agent coordination and control under multiple objectives, and presents a set-theoretic formulation which is amenable to Lyapunov-based analysis and control design. A novel class of Lyapunov-like barrier functions is introduced and used to encode multiple control objectives, such as collision avoidance, proximity maintenance and convergence to desired destinations. The construction is based on recentered barrier functions and on maximum approximation functions. Thus, a single Lyapunov-like function is used to encode the constrained set of each agent, yielding simple, gradient-based control solutions. The derived control strategies are distributed, i.e., based on information locally available to each agent, which is dictated by sensing and communication limitations. The proposed coordination protocol dictates semi-cooperative conflict resolution among agents, as well as conflict resolution with respect to an agent (the leader) which is not actively participating in collision avoidance, except when necessary. The considered scenario is pertinent to surveillance tasks and involves nonholonomic vehicles. The efficacy of the approach is demonstrated through simulation results.
Robotics-Based Learning Interventions and Experiences From our Implementations in the RobESL Framework
Authors: Karampinis Tassos
Published: December 2019

In this article, the author presents Robotics-based learning interventions and the experiences at 56th Junior High School of Athens within the RoboESL Erasmus project; as well as a teaching approach using Educational Robotics. The RoboESL project aims to exploiting the potential of robotics for developing extra-curricular constructivist learning activities in schools that will help children at risk of failure or Early School Leaving (ESL) practice and develop their creativity skills, raise self-esteem, motivate their interest in schooling, and finally encourage them towards staying at school. During the implementation, students worked in a constructionist learning environment and were engaged in team activities. The author runs the project for two consecutive school years using EV3 Lego Mindstorms and participated in dissemination events organizing workshops where the students participated in the program taught elementary school pupils.
Digital Participatory Platforms for Civic Engagement: A New Way of Participating in Society?
Authors: De Filippi Francesca , Coscia Cristina , Cocina Grazia Giulia , Lazzari Giulia , Manzo Stefania
Published: December 2019

The article is focused on the digital participatory platforms (DPPs) as a tool to enhance civic engagement through dialogue and interaction with the Public Administration and to reduce Digital Divide. To this end, the article presents the objectives and the outcomes of “My Smart Quartier,” a project funded within the ERASMUS + 2017 Program, in which the Department of Architecture and Design (DAD) of the Politecnico di Torino participates with a consortium of European partners. The aim of this project is the setting up and testing strategies and actions to reduce digital illiteracy and increase citizen participation. Best practices from the project partner countries (France, Italy, Spain, Portugal) are selected and analyzed in order to understand if they can constitute innovative ways of participation and civic engagement. Specifically, the article identifies some parameters and indicators that can be used to bring out key success factors of digital participatory platforms.
Phase and Mineralogical Transformations of Opal Clays in the Production of Ceramic Bricks
Authors: Bozhko Yuliya A. , Lapunova Kira A. , Orlova Marina E. , Lazareva Yana V.
Published: December 2019

Due to a wide range of studies, it has been established that siliceous clays can be an alternative source of raw materials for the production of various types of structural ceramics. Their wide occurrence contributes to their usage in industrial production. Siliceous clays have a specific mineralogical composition and were previously considered only as an additive to increase the plasticity of the main raw material. The chemical composition, properties of green and fired siliceous clays of the Malchevsky deposit has been studied in detail. They consist of 67-70% silica, 13-15% alumina, and 1-3% alkaline earth oxides. The main minerals are opal silica and beidellite. These thermographs confirm the presence of montmorillonite, zeolites, mica and hydromica, opal silica and quartz. It is established that siliceous clays belong to the groups of medium dispersed and highly plastic raw materials. Despite the increased molding moisture and great shrinkage, they are moderately sensitive to drying and allow you to get molding masses with high binding property. At the firing temperature of 1000-1020 ° C, the brick is free from defects, the strength grade is M200-250, and the frost resistance is F75. There are X-ray data of siliceous clays burned at temperatures of 900, 950, 1000, 1050, 1100° C. Significant phase transformations become noticeable at a temperature of 1000° C, when the process of transition of amorphous opal silica to cristobalite begins. At 1050° C, the formation of a glass phase begins. The results obtained suggest that the main phases of the fired material based on siliceous clays are quartz and cristobalite with a low degree of structural perfection and the formation of the microstructure occurs in the interval 1000-1100° C. So, siliceous clays can be considered as the main and additional material for the production of various types of structural ceramics.
Technological Peculiarities of Non Autoclaved Foam Concrete Production on the Base of Volcanic Pumice Aggregates
Authors: Arzumanyan Avetik
Published: December 2019

Armenia is known for its large reserves of various volcanogenic tuff, pumice and slag natural porous active rocks, which due to their favorable technical properties are also interesting from the point of view of using as aggregates for foam concretes. In this research first of all the types of volcanic pumice rocks having the greatest activity and porosity are considered. At the same time, a relatively dense and chemically active lithoidal variety of pumice was used as a fine, and a highly porous Ani type pumice as a coarse aggregate. The use of coarse aggregates is unacceptable in foam concretes, but in this case, taking into account that the Ani type pumice has an average density of 350-500 kg/m2, which is equivalent with foam concrete, it was decided to test as a coarse aggregate in the form of grains up to 20 mm in size. With proper dose selection, along with a positive reinforcement effect and reduction of shrinkable deformations, it will simultaneously reduce the cost of concrete by reducing the consumption of the most valuable cement component. Experience has shown that existing methods for foam concrete mixture production are not acceptable for such concretes, therefore, in order to prevent high quantity of water absorption and weighting of highly porous coarse aggregates, resulting in foam suppression and other negative consequences, there was a need to develop foam concrete mixture technology, which is presented in this research.
Resource-Saving Technologies in the Thermal Insulation-Structural Foam Glass Production
Authors: Kuznetsova O.V. , Yatsenko N.D. , Subbotin A.I. , Klimenko M.Yu.
Published: December 2019

The modern building materials market places high demands on heat-insulating and heat-insulating structural materials. In this connection, the issues of developing high-quality building materials obtained on the resource-saving technologies basis allowing to solve two interrelated problems are topical. The first problem is the industrial waste generated and existing stocks disposal. The second is associated with a decrease in the traditional raw materials deficit [1]. These problems solution, combining rational technological solutions, is based on the scientific research achievements in this area, in particular in the foam glass production. The priority scientific research areas in the foam glass materials production are the developments related to the study, the new raw materials use and the production of foam glass mixture compositions on their basis, which provide, along with the necessary performance properties, high environmental safety requirements [2, 3].
To Determination of Stresses in the Stretched Armature of Extracredly Compressed Elements in the Limit Condition
Authors: Peresypkin Evgeniy N. , Peresypkin Sergey E.
Published: December 2019

The problem of determining stresses in a stretched reinforcement of inflexible eccentric-compressed reinforced concrete elements is considered when the height of the compressed zone in the limit state exceeds its boundary value corresponding to the condition of equal strength of the section. Instead of the generally accepted linear dependence of the stresses under consideration on the height of the compressed zone, an elliptic relationship more expedient from different points of view has been proposed.
Concentration of Thermal Stresses in Metal Materials and Constructions under Local Heating
Authors: Deryushev Victor V. , Zaitseva Marina M. , Evseev Dmitriy Z. , Kosenko Elena E.
Published: December 2019

Considerable thermal stresses arising in thin-walled metallic materials and structures loaded with tensile stresses can lead either to their complete destruction or to the appearance of discontinuity zones in them.
Different types of amyloid concomitantly present in the same patients
Authors: Martini Francesca , Buda Gabriele , De Tata Vincenzo , Galimberti Sara , Orciuolo Enrico , Masini Matilde , Petrini Mario
Published: December 2019

Different types of amyloid concomitantly present in the same patient is believed to be improbable. We reported four cases of patients with plasma cell disorders who were found to have biopsy proven concomitant different types of amyloid fibrils deposition. We characterized amyloid fibrils using immunogold electron microscopy. There is lack of experience in the treatment of these frail and elderly patients, who are on the threshold between necessity of chemotherapy for AL amyloidosis and necessity to avoid harmful treatment related toxicity. All patients with a systemic amyloid syndrome require therapy to prevent deposition of amyloid in other organs and prevent progressive organ failure. Stem cell transplant (SCT) is preferred, but only 20% of patients are eligible Requirements for safe SCT include systolic blood pressure >90 mm Hg, troponin T <0.06 ng/mL, age <70 years, and serum creatinine ≤1.7 mg/dL Nontransplant candidates can be offered melphalandexamethasone or cyclophosphamide-bortezomibdexamethasone.
Utility of Neutrophil–Lymphocyte Ratio, Platelet–Lymphocyte Ratio, Mean Platelet Volume–Platelet Count Ratios: Diagnostic and Prognostic Markers in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Prostate Carcinoma, Stomach Carcinoma, and Aplastic Anemia
Authors: Srikanth V S , Pillai M Gopala Krishna , Keechilot Cinzia , Rajkumar Ashwin , Tatineni Tushar
Published: December 2019

Introduction: The purpose of the study is to study the potential role of neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet–lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and mean platelet volume (MPV)–platelet ratio as diagnostic and prognostic markers in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), prostate cancer, stomach cancer, and aplastic anemia. Materials and Methods: We have conducted the present study by screening 208,486 patients who have got admitted during January 2013–June 2017 as in patients in our hospital. The data collected were analyzed for NLR, PLR, and MPV–platelet ratio. Inclusion Criteria: Patients admitted with a diagnosis of HCC, prostate cancer, stomach cancer, and aplastic anemia irrespective of the age and gender. Exclusion Criteria: Patients with multiple malignancies, the presence of secondary infection, and any source of sepsis. SPSS tool was used for statistical analysis. Results: Cost-effective predictive and prognostic biomarkers identified in the study are – NLR for liver cancer, prostate cancer, and stomach cancer; PLR for prostate and stomach cancer; MPV/plate ratio can be used in addition to NLR for liver cancer. These ratios were not significant in aplastic anemia. Conclusion: From our study, we conclude that NLR and PLR are better cost-effective predictor and prognostic markers of HCC, prostate cancer, and stomach cancer. These ratios can be used at the primary health-care level as it can be derived from a simple complete blood count/peripheral smear. Early identification of carcinoma is possible using these potential markers along with the respective clinical presentations and symptoms. These ratios will reduce the financial burden on the patients from rural and low socioeconomic background and will aid in better management of the disease process.
Study of the Use of Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine in Indian Cancer Patients
Authors: Shetty Nishitha , Rai Paraashar Ravindranath , Shetty Arpitha
Published: December 2019

Objectives: The use of alternative forms of medicine is well known in India, especially amongst cancer patients but there are very few studies that have investigated its usage and benefits. A study was conducted to determine the prevalence of the use of Traditional medicine, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) by cancer patients visiting a cancer care center. This study laid an emphasis on the predictors of use of CAM. Materials and Methods: This is an observational study conducted from March 2017 to May 2017 at a tertiary cancer care center. After obtaining informed consent, patients were handed a questionnaire and their responses were analyzed. Data analysis tools of Microsoft Office Excel 2007 were used for statistics. Results: A total of 407 patients took part in the study. The prevalence of traditional medicine and CAM was found to be 23.5% (96 patients). The mean duration of CAM use was 4.8 months (0.25 months–48 months). About 77% of the users had an education level below the upper primary level, of which 30.02% were illiterate. About 62.5% of the users were below poverty line. Nearly, 41.7% of the patients had not received any allopathic treatment before starting traditional medicine and CAM and did so for a mean duration of 4 months. About 53% of the patients who received some form of traditional medicine and CAM claim to have experienced some symptomatic benefits from its use. Nearly, 68.75% of the users were simultaneously receiving conventional anticancer therapy. Traditional medicine and CAM use was disclosed to the treating physician by 55% of the patients. Conclusion: Traditional medicine and CAM use have been shown to have a high prevalence among the less-educated and the economically backward sections of the society. There is not sufficient data to support the effectiveness and safety of traditional medicine and CAM. physicians have to acknowledge the increasing incidence of traditional medicine and CAM use in the population and actively inquire and educate the patients on its use.
FoxO3a Gene Down-regulation in Pathogenesis of Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Mirzaie Malihe , Nasiri Mahboobeh , Karimi Mehran , Yavarian Majid , Kavosi Arghavan
Published: December 2019

Introduction: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common malignancy found in the pediatrics with the peak prevalence between the ages of 2 and 5 years. The constitutive activation of PI3K/AKT pathway inhibits the tumor-suppressor role of FoxO3a (a member of the forkhead class O [FoxO] transcription factor family) in a variety of cancers and leads to tumorigenesis. This study aims to investigate the expression of FoxO3a in three different stages of pediatric ALL in mRNA level. Subjects and Methods: In this case-control study, 70 patients with childhood ALL and 70 healthy age- and gender-matched as the control group were enrolled. Real-time quantitative RT-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression level of FoxO3a in children with different stages of ALL and healthy children as a control group. Results: Data showed that the expression of FoxO3a mRNA was lower in newly diagnosed ALL patients compared to controls (P < 0.0001), maintenance (P = 0.0342), and relapse (P = 0.0006) groups, while no difference was observed between other groups. In addition, T-ALL patients showed decreased expression of FoxO3a compared to Pre-B ALL ones (P < 0.0001). Conclusion: The study results suggest that FoxO3a plays a tumor-suppressor role in ALL. Thus, its up-regulation seems to be a plausible therapeutic strategy for this type of tumor.
Evaluation of Pulmonary Infiltrate in Febrile Neutropenic Patients of Hematologic Malignancies
Authors: Das Chandan K , Gogia Ajay , Kumar Lalit , Sharma Atul , Thulkar Sanjay , Xess Immaculata , Madan Karan
Published: December 2019

Background: Pulmonary infection is the major risk during neutropenia induced by chemotherapy as well as stem cell transplantation. In spite of potent new-generation antifungal and broad-spectrum antibiotics, one-third of patients usually die from infectious complications. Early diagnosis and prompt administration of appropriate therapy improve the survival. Materials and Methods: We prospectively carried out the study to identify the infectious etiology of pulmonary infiltrates in febrile neutropenia patients by imaging and bronchoscopy. Bacterial culture, fungal culture, galactomannan and molecular diagnosis for pneumocystis, and other infectious agent were carried out in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and blood. Results: A total of 27 patients were evaluated. Half of the patients belonged to acute leukemia (46%). We had a diagnostic yield of 65% with the most common isolates being Gram-negative bacteria and Aspergillus species. Conclusion: Gram-negative organisms were the predominant infectious agents of pulmonary infection. Our finding emphasizes the importance of BAL in evaluating pulmonary infiltrates in neutropenic patients with hematological malignancies.
Résilience, Capacité de l’État, et Défis du Développement Durable dans les Zones à Risque: Réflexions sur le cas de Haïti et du Japon
Authors: Onguny Philip , Mfenguie Ramatou
Published: December 2019

Cet article examine les liens entre la capacité de l’État, la résilience et la vulnérabilité territoriale. Bien qu’il y ait beaucoup de travaux sur les liens entre le développement durable et la capacité de l’État, peu d’études ont examiné l’incidence de l’emplacement géographique sur les mécanismes de résilience et la capacité de l’État. En s’appuyant sur la littérature relative aux réactions du Japon et de Haïti aux tremblements de terre de 2011 et 2010, cet article tente de combler cette lacune en examinant comment et pourquoi les infrastructures sociales, économiques et environnementales renforcent la capacité d’un État à réagir de manière significative aux catastrophes, particulièrement celles des zones à haut risque. Plus précisément, nous examinons comment et pourquoi les infrastructures sociales, économiques et environnementales pourraient servir d’indicateurs de la capacité de l’État dans les zones à risque. L’objectif de l’article est donc de proposer des réflexions sur les interconnexions entre la capacité de l’État, la résilience – en tant que mécanisme de développement durable – et la vulnérabilité territoriale.Mots-clés : développement durable, capacité de l’État, résilience, vulnérabilité territoriale, Haïti, Japon.
Ufen nwet ketu mi Eka Iban, a Sculptural Discourse
Authors: Okagbo Vivian , Obot Felix Denis , Graves Nelson
Published: December 2019

Aided by the reportage of photography, Ufen nwet ketu mi Eka Iban investigates the radical turn in the reality of motherhood and aggressive feminism in Nigeria. Grounded on Buchi Emecheta’s The Joys of Motherhood (2007); Mi Eka Iban is at the telos of a narration of the lives of real mothers of my country. Engaging the photographic image as the censure on which the passing memoriam of the discourse of the day to day lives of real women, this essay attempts to expose the temerity of neo-feminity in a new epoch of Nigerian history. Adopting Emecheta’s novel as the synchronic take off point for the discourse of feminist radicalism, the writer asserted that history and culture are not single narratives, instead together struggle to come to terms with the relations of power. Engaging Michel Foucault’s Power/Knowledge and Kobena Mercer’s cosmopolitanism hyped on the reality of a counter narrative of global contemporaneity the essay explicates the impact of media saturation and globalisation on society, particularly womanhood in post 1960s Nigeria. These influences reveal the reality of Mercer’s “dialogical principle” of cross-cultural interface (2016) that transformed perceptions of motherhood. A simulacrum of Foucauldian “capillary modes of power” narrates how the media saturation of postcolonial/post-independence climes inflects Mercer’s “dialogical principle” of cross-cultural interface. This transforms perception of motherhood and narrates that radical turn.Key Words: sculptural discourse, reportage of photography; temerity of neo-feminity, simulacra; “capillary modes of power”
New Media Use and Proficiency among Communication Educators in Select South-South Universities Nigeria
Authors: Amannah Peace Ireju , Ebitimi Emberru
Published: December 2019

This study set out to appraise new media use and proficiency among communication educators in select South-South universities in Nigeria. To achieve this, three universities comprising of University of Uyo, Rivers State University and Delta State University were selected and a census of their communication educators was collected as representative sample for the study. The specific objectives of the study included to ascertain how communication educators in South-South Universities utilize new media applications, evaluate their level of proficiency in the use of new media applications and propose ways of utilizing new media applications for enriching communication education in Nigeria among other things. A sample size of 50 was used for the study and using the Weighted Mean Scores analysis, the study found that the communication educators use new media application more as a tool for personal communication that as a tool for teaching and research. This implies that whereas the new media applications can be used for other purposes, communication educators are yet to explore the possibility of using the new media applications beyond personal communication. The study also found that the proficiency level of communication educators in the use of new media applications is just average and so on. The study therefore recommended that Communication educators should be trained on how to effectively use new media applications as a means of curriculum instruction beyond personal communication. It further recommended that policy makers should include new media applications as part of the means for curriculum delivery in the educational system and that students should be encouraged to use new media applications more as toolsfor educational development than for personal communication as has usually been the case among others.Key: communication, new media, educators, students, social media
Political Culture, Elite Privilege and Democracy in Nigeria
Authors: Jatula Victor
Published: December 2019

This article examined the effect of Nigeria's political culture on its nascent democracy. Drawing on findings from a range of historical and empirical studies, the paper investigated how compatible Nigeria’s political culture is with democracy’s core values- liberty, justice and equality. Findings from a variety of references showed ways in which Nigeria’s political culture not only shapes state inefficiency and poor economic outcomes, but also provided evidence of how culture disrupts efforts at national unity and diversity. The study also showed how Nigeria’s political culture creates a winner-take-all approach to elections to the extent that widescale post-election violence is normalized. Culture also shapes hard attitudes towards the press and suppression of fundamental human rights. In sum, Nigeria’s political process is not likely to consolidate or deliver democratic dividends. The paper recommended that for democracy to act as catalyst for development across Africa, political awareness and social mobilization through new media are crucial.Key Words: African politics, Nigeria, democracy, political culture, development
Iconolatry and Pentecostal Christianity: The Nigerian Experience
Authors: Obineche John Okwudiri
Published: December 2019

This work “iconolatry and the African Christianity: the Nigerian experience”, examines the resurgence of the veneration and otherwise the worship of icons and symbols that shook the foundation of the early church history now in Nigerian Christianity. It could be recalled that iconolatry as the worship of images or icons, was one of the major issues in Christian history that led to the iconoclastic controversy in the 8th century of Christianity (c725 to 787). More so, iconolatry was one of the burning issues in the 16th century protestant reformation that vehemently criticized the Roman Catholic Church for idolatry. From the historical perspective of the contemporary trend in African Christianity, especially in Nigeria, this work observed that image worship or veneration has taken a center stage in the beliefs and practices of the entire spectrum of faith in Nigerian Christianity, especially the new Christian religious movements here represented by the Pentecostals. This paper is therefore poised to lead the Nigerian church (Christianity) to cast a retrospective look at Christian history to guide against the obvious resurgent of iconolatry for which the church suffered a great deal in history.Key Words: Iconolatry, African Christianity, Pentecostal, Pentecostalism, Catholicism, Idolatry, Nigeria, Iconography
Growth, carcass and meat quality traits of two South African meat rabbit breeds
Authors: North M.K. , Zotte A. Dalle , Hoffman L.C.
Published: December 2019

ract Rabbits could contribute to meat production in South Africa. However, little research has been done on rabbit farming in the country, including on the performance of locally available meat breeds. This study examined the meat production of the New Zealand White (NZW) and Phendula rabbit breeds. The live weights (LW) and average daily gains (ADG) of 80 (44 male, 36 female) NZW and 40 (22 male, 18 female) Phendula rabbits, housed in single-sex groups of three, were recorded from weaning (5 weeks) until slaughter (11 weeks). The slaughter weight, and carcass, organ, and carcass portion weights were recorded for 10 male rabbits and 10 females of each breed, and the physical and proximate chemical quality of the loin meat was determined. The breeds differed for the reference carcass (RC) yield (NZW: 85.3 ± 0.14%; Phendula: 84.9 ± 0.24%) and the proportions of the low-value fore (NZW: 38.6 ± 0.26%; Phendula: 37.6 ± 0.28%) and high-value intermediate (NZW: 19.6 ± 0.16%; Phendula: 20.4 ± 0.28%) parts. Females had greater LW and ADG at 11 weeks old, and reduced dressing percentages, but greater RC yields owing to lighter heads and red offal. Females also had smaller proportions of the fore part. Meat quality did not differ between the breeds or sexes. Overall, both breeds compared well to previous reports. However, they appeared to mature relatively early, as indicated by the significant sex differences, and the high carcass and meat fat content.Keywords: carcass portions, meat yield, New Zealand White, Phendula
Effects of clove powder supplementation on performance, blood biochemistry, and immune responses in broiler chickens
Authors: Al-Mufarrej S.I. , Fazea E.H. , Al-Baadani H.H. , Qaid M.M.
Published: December 2019

The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of clove (Syzygium aromaticum) supplementation levels on performance, blood parameters, and immune response of broilers. A total of 336 one-day-old broilers were assigned to one of eight treatments: 1% to 6% clove supplementation levels, a positive control (vaccinated) and a negative control (unvaccinated). Bodyweight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, serum protein profile, and immune responses were measured weekly. Lymphoid organs were weighed at 21 and 35 days. Levels of dietary clove between 2% and 6% supplementation resulted in a gradual decrease in weight gain and feed intake with an increase in feed conversion ratio at two and three weeks, whereas those that received 4% to 6% supplementation had reduced weight gain and the 3% to 6% supplemented animals consumed the least amount of feed at four and five weeks. High levels of clove supplementation (4%, 5%, and 6%) resulted in reduced total serum protein and albumin and the greatest activity of aspartate aminotransferase at 35 days. Antibodies to viruses against which the birds had been vaccinated were not affected by different levels of clove supplementation compared with the positive control. However, they were increased in birds in the negative control group without vaccination. Relative weights of lymphoid organs were not affected by any treatments at 21 and 35 days. These results indicate that clove supplementation at levels greater than 2% can lead to negative effects on performance without improving the health of the liver and immune responsiveness of broilers.Keywords: Gallus domesticus, serum biochemical, enzymes, antibody titers, lymphoid organs
A tradição alimentar no contexto das agroindústrias familiares de alimentos: o caso da Microrregião Norte do Corede do Vale do Rio Pardo – RS/Brasil
Authors: Guske Ana Claudia , Karnopp Erica , Etges Virginia Elisabeta
Published: December 2019

A partir da constatação de que existe um número relevante de agroindústrias familiares na Microrregião Norte do Corede do Vale do Rio Pardo, contexto marcado pela produção de tabaco e soja, a presente pesquisa teve como objetivo analisar se a tradição alimentar, presente entre agricultores familiares, proprietários de agroindústrias familiares, expressa-se enquanto ressignificação do saber-fazer das famílias frente à homogeneização dos hábitos alimentares promovidos pela globalização. Foram pesquisadas as agroindústrias familiares formalizadas entre 2000 e 2015, sendo compreendidos 12 estabelecimentos. Concluiu-se que 75% das agroindústrias familiares pesquisadas expressam tradição na sua produção, pois os alimentos agroindustrializados fazem parte da história da família. Esses alimentos não se contrapõem somente à homogeneização dos hábitos alimentares, mas rebatem a própria globalização.
Benefits of Using Service-Learning in the Preparation of Teachers: An Analysis of Agricultural Education Teacher Educators' Beliefs and Intentions
Authors: Roberts Richie , Edwards M. Craig , Robinson J. Shane
Published: December 2019

In the 1990s, higher education institutions began to dedicate substantial resources to support the integration of service-learning (SL) in courses across university campuses. However, a dearth in the knowledge base endures in regard to understanding how faculty members’, and especially agricultural education teacher educators’, underlying beliefs about the benefits of SL may influence their intentions and associated planned behaviors. This study, therefore, sought to understand the behavioral beliefs and intentions of agricultural education teacher educators regarding their use of SL as a method of instruction. To accomplish this, we used descriptive statistics to describe results derived from measures of relationships among the variables of interest. Overall, the teacher educators perceived that SL could provide benefits to classrooms and communities. Findings also revealed statistically significant relationships (p < .05) among the dependent variables and participants’ prior SL experiences. Despite reporting positive beliefs about the method, participants generally indicated they did not intend to use or highlight SL in their teaching methods courses. Future research should explore the chasm that exists between teacher educators’ beliefs and their intentions to use the method in the preparation of agricultural education teachers.
Mathematics Efficacy and Professional Development Needs of Tennessee Agricultural Education Teachers
Authors: Dossett Jason , Stripling Christopher T. , Haynes J. Chris , Stephens Carrie A. , Boyer Christopher
Published: December 2019

School-based agricultural education programs are recognized as contributors to teaching contextualized mathematics and supporting STEM education. This study examined the mathematics teaching efficacy and professional development needs of Tennessee school-based agricultural education teachers related to teaching contextualized mathematics. Tennessee agricultural education teachers were moderately efficacious in Personal Mathematics Teaching Efficacy and Mathematics Teaching Outcome Expectancy, and this may negatively impact the teaching of mathematical concepts found in Tennessee’s agricultural education curricula. Also, similarities and differences were found in the teachers’ professional development needs based upon mathematics teaching efficacy. Future research should seek to discover factors impacting the development of mathematics teaching efficacy among school-based agricultural education teachers. We also recommend professional development related to teaching contextualized mathematics be tailored to the different needs of teachers by states or regions.
Volume 15, Number 6
Authors: Opioid Management Journal of
Published: December 2019

November/December 2019
Kinderen krijgen in apocalyptische tijden
Authors: Hens Kristien , Schaubroeck Katrien
Published: December 2019

Procreation in the face of an apocalypse: Some ethical considerations

In the field of procreation ethics both Kantian and consequentialist arguments have been developed purporting to show the moral impermissibility of having (more than two) children. A survey of the most important arguments leaves us wondering whether one could derive general obligations or prohibitions from abstract principles and apply them to deeply personal decisions about whether or not to have children (and how many). At the same time it is undeniably true that having children, however private the decision to procreate may feel, has an impact far beyond the private sphere. While we argue that the answer to the question whether or not to have a child cannot be derived from moral principles, we recognize that moral considerations about global and intergenerational justice do pertain to the question. We therefore develop an alternative framework for traditional Kantian and consequentialist approaches in procreation ethics, which we call holistic virtue ethics.
Yardangs and Dunes: Minimum- and Maximum-Dissipation Aeolian Landforms
Authors: Lorenz Ralph D.
Published: December 2019

Abstract. Yardangs are ridges formed in soft rock by aeolian erosion in a unidirectional wind environment, and often have a 4 : 1 length : width ratio that is associated with a minimum-drag shape for a given width. Dunes are emergent aeolian landforms formed by accumulation and removal of sand particles. Dunes have a range of morphologies (barchans, stars, linear, transverse etc.) which can be mapped to the sand supply and the diversity of wind directions. The dune pattern that generally emerges is one that maximizes gross bedform normal transport (GBNT). For fixed imposed wind speed, a minimum drag force corresponds to a minimum dissipation, whereas maximum sand transport corresponds to maximum dissipation. These examples illuminate a more general paradox in non-equilibrium thermodynamics, wherein entropy production rates may be maximized or minimized depending, vaguely, on the degrees of freedom in the system. In these geomorphological examples, however, the difference is informatively clear: whereas yardangs emerge simply by removal of material alone and dissipation is minimized, dunes form by the much less constrained removal and accumulation to maximize dissipation.
EFFORTS ON GENDER BALANCE CAPACITY BUILDING IN GIT
Authors: Tripathi P. , Thapa R. B.
Published: December 2019

Abstract. The Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region is among the most discrete and diverse region facing various ecological, environmental and socio-economic threats in terms of increasing demands for natural resources and its consequences in the form of overexploitation, disaster, droughts, extreme weather, and climate change etc. Geospatial information technology (GIT) with Earth observation (EO) data are effectively supporting the implementation of development agendas in HKH by providing extensive solutions to above-pressing issues by not only addressing them but also providing services in daily life. These technologies have effectively bolstered in time via innovation, creating jobs and confidence in people that supports filling the data and knowledge gaps in the region. However, the involvement and participation of women in GIT is mere in the region despite their vital role in environmental management and decision making. Realizing the issue, we acknowledged and implemented the twin challenges i.e. capacity building and gender equality for building the pathways to sustainable development via innovative steps and processes to bridge the gender imbalance in GIT workforce in HKH. For the purpose, we organized various capacity building trainings and workshops with a broad focus towards GIT applications in forest, agriculture, water management, drought and climate change along with the hands-on exercises. In addition, specific women focused training programs i.e. Empowering Nepali Women through Technology Training and Women in GIT were organized during 2017 and 2018 respectively. These efforts delivered optimistic results in terms of building confidence, decision making and more women participation showing an increment of ~5% participation by women in 2017–2018 fiscal year with respect to 2016–2017 fiscal year. In HKH nations with less social parity, the information delivered by this gender mainstreaming effort will have life-changing implications to achieve workforce parity.