bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
El carácter polisémico de educación de calidad en el nivel universitario: una aproximación desde sus actores principales
Authors: Clara Zafra Miguel Ángel , Vega Zárate César
Published: July 2021

Este estudio muestra los resultados derivados de una investigación exploratoria cuyo propósito fue analizar la percepción de diversos actores sobre la noción de calidad inserta en el ámbito de la educación, particularmente en un nivel universitario. Para ello, se realizó un estudio de carácter cuantitativo con alcance correlacional y de corte transversal. Luego de seguir un muestreo de tipo no probabilístico por conveniencia, se obtuvo un total de 763 sujetos categóricos. Los resultados indican que 59.8 % de los encuestados considera que el principal atributo para referirse a una educación de calidad debe ser el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje, además de que la evaluación de la calidad en las instituciones de educación superior debe realizarse a través de los procesos de acreditación y certificación que realizan los organismos evaluadores. Posteriormente, se obtuvieron los análisis correlacionales a través de un análisis de correspondencias múltiples (ACM). Las percepciones de los diversos actores categóricos son divergentes y varían según el contexto donde se desarrollan, lo cual indica que aun estudiando a los principales actores universitarios, la educación de calidad es polisémica. Finalmente, se sugiere dirigir el debate hacia la construcción de una definición transdisciplinar que conjunte las diversas perspectivas.
“Geopolitical Disorder” in the World and Russia
Authors: Chernega V. N.
Published: July 2021

The article considers the state of the modern international system, in connection with which are disputed the affirmations concerning its multipolarity or the already emerging bipolarity, embodied by the United States and China. Neither the first nor the second definition is based on the concept of “pole”, as it was formed during the years of opposition between the United States and the Soviet Union. The current situation can rather be described as a “geopolitical disorder”. Traditional and emerging powers are fighting for a higher place in the new hierarchy, forging new alliances, often opportunistic, that predetermines the volatility and instability of the system. For States that are inferior in total national power to the United States or China, particularly for Russia, this creates new opportunities, especially in the framework of multilateral diplomacy. At the same time Russia, due to its economic weakness and the threat of a general technological backwardness, risks losing its status of power or, at least, being seriously squeezed by competitors. Hence the need for it to moderate its ambitions as a power and concentrate on implementing reforms aimed at modernizing the economy. The predicted decrease for some time in the resources of the state, due to this, will also require to adapt its foreign policy priorities and to focus on vital national interests.
Contemporary Foreign Economic Relations of Russia with the Countries of Northern Europe
Authors: Volkov A. M.
Published: July 2021

Recently new problems have arisen that have complicated Russia’s foreign economic relations with foreign countries. The countries of Northern Europe were no exception. The economic situation in many countries was far from optimal. Problems with economy took place in the euro area. A significant drop in oil prices led to a slowdown in economic growth in the Russian Federation and a sharp decline of ruble exchange rate. Since 2014, various Western sanctions have emerged, followed by retaliatory sanctions from Russia. Against this background, the analysis of the dynamics of Russian economic relations with the Nordic countries is of particular interest. A sharp decline in foreign economic indicators occurred in 2015–2016. Subsequent development has shown different dynamics. On the one hand, by the end of the 2010s foreign trade with Finland and Sweden did not reach the level of 2013–2014 (primarily due to the decline in oil prices), but on the other, foreign trade indicators with Denmark and Norway were exceeded (due to Russian exports). Year 2020 brought new problems – the coronavirus pandemic and the associated restrictions on the movement of goods, services and people, as well as the rupture of production chains, which had an impact on foreign economic relations – and exacerbated the old ones: a new sharp drop in oil prices and a new depreciation of ruble. The article reveals the features of the general dynamics and commodity structure of foreign trade with each of the observed countries. The significant dependence of Russian exports, primarily on energy supplies, is considered in detail. Special attention is given to the general dynamics of foreign direct investment in Russia. The problems of modern development of Russian export and import were analyzed.
Crisis in Bilateral Economic Cooperation between Russia and Spain
Authors: Nikulin K. A.
Published: July 2021

The article examines the dynamics and features of the trade and economic partnership between Spain and Russia from 2014 to the present, considering the latest challenges. The once promising trajectory of the development of bilateral trade and mutual investment has undergone significant tests: in addition to the sanctions pressure of the collective West countries, the situation has been complicated by the global crisis in the world economy, significant changes in world markets for goods and services, and the COVID-19 pandemic. In these conditions, the study of indicators of Russian-Spanish trade and economic interaction is of interest both from the point of view of forming a forecast for the development of bilateral economic relations and highlighting those industries towards which the emphasis in trade and investment is gradually shifting. The question arises: is it possible to return to the indicators of bilateral trade and investment inherent in Russian-Spanish economic relations before the imposition of sanctions? The data on the bilateral trade presented by the Russian and Spanish national statistics differ insignificantly in terms of the total trade turnover but have severe differences at the level of the trade balance. Based on both countries’ statistical databases, the author of the article presents the possible reasons for such discrepancies and considers the general dynamics of the state of foreign trade between Russia and Spain. In addition to stating the negative trends in foreign trade, there are problems in investment cooperation, which until recently was considered one of the “strongholds” of bilateral cooperation under the pressure of sanctions.
Russia and Latin America: Constants and Variables in Trade and Economic Relations
Authors: Yakovlev P. P.
Published: July 2021

The article shows that during the two decades of the 21st century, a new reality of trade and economic relations between the Russian Federation and Latin America (Latin-Caribbean America – LCA) has been formed and filled with concrete content, which, it can be argued, has passed the test of complementarity, and in a number of cases reached the level of large-scale partnership. According to the author, these relations are not artificially done geoeconomic construction, but a consequence of both objective factors that bring Russia and the LCA closer together (including in approaches to achieving the sustainable development goals and restructuring of the existing system of world economic relations), and the efforts of state bodies, business circles, representatives of the expert community interested in the development of Russian-Latin American cooperation. Of course, over the past decades the dynamics of trade and economic relations between Russia and Latin America has not always been stable, at some point it was largely lost, there was some pullback and “surrender” of some significant positions. This happened in large part because in the conditions of increased turbulence in the international markets and rapid global changes, the parties sometimes lost a promising vision of the future of Russian-Latin American economic cooperation, did not find opportunely new areas of cooperation attractive to both sides. In fact, positive introductory approaches to strengthening relations on the principles of strategic partnership have been periodically tested, especially in times of renewed international instability that has eroded the established world order. But each time the parties mobilized existing internal reserves and offered extraordinary areas of interaction. An example of the most recent time is the Russian vaccine Sputnik V, which has crossed political boundaries on the map of Latin-Caribbean America, became the core of the so called “vaccine diplomacy” and opened a “second breath” in the relationship between Russia and the LСA in the key area of business cooperation.
Russia Trade with Africa: The Current State of Affairs
Authors: Konstantinova O. V.
Published: July 2021

Russia is strengthening its geopolitical influence. An example of this is the holding of the first Russia-Africa summit and economic forum in Sochi in October 2019. This event showed how important Africa is for Russia and how important Russia is for Africa. It was an epoch-making event that demonstrated to the world the degree of Russian-African mutual interest.

With what has Russia approached this event and how will economic cooperation develop? This work is devoted to this. The article deals with the issues of mutual trade between Russia and African countries. The main African trade agents of the Russian Federation in recent years have been identified. The state of trade between Russia and African countries has been analyzed, according to which the indicators have grown significantly due to the increase in the volume of Russian exports to African countries. This, especially in the context of solving the import substitution program and developing new markets, is extremely promising, since the African market is large and Russian goods are competitive on it, which opens up new opportunities for increasing trade and cooperation.

The main export and import positions have been determined. According to the study, it is necessary to revise export positions on the part of Russia, in particular, the transition from the fuel and energy direction to industrial goods, the provision of services and new technologies. Diversification of African exports is also necessary, by increasing the added value of goods, a transition to the industrialization of production and the use of high technologies.

In this regard, the most promising seems to be the strengthening of cooperation between Russia and Africa in the direction of increasing the volume of trade, promoting Russian education, high technologies, services, medicine, increasing investment in the fuel and energy complex of African countries, cooperation in agriculture, fish farming, construction, water purification and other mutually beneficial directions. This will strengthen the positions of Russia and Africa as leading players in the world arena and will serve to strengthen the polycentric world order.
Strategic Triangles and Balancing in World Politics
Authors: Degterev D. A. , Ramich M. S.
Published: July 2021

Trilateral diplomacy is a common format of interaction in international relations, which forms various configurations of the balance of power within the framework of triangles. The concept of a “triangle” is characterized by ambivalence, has a variety of characteristics and principles of formation.

The article provides an overview of the theoretical discourse on strategic triangles, as well as of practical examples of trilateral diplomacy of the past and present day. The main characteristics of strategic triangles and the features of changes in their configuration are identified (the case of USA–PRC–USSR triangle). Classification of both symmetric and asymmetric triangles (unicenter and bicenter) are given, the concept of buffer states, as well as regional conflicts with the participation of a great power as a defender, are presented.

The most influential countries at the global and regional levels, forming geopolitical triangles, are identified basing on the Composite Index of National Capability (CINC). The concept of pivot states is analyzed permitting to indicate relatively small but geopolitically important countries, forming triangles together with influential states.

The main strategic triangles of the modern world order are analyzed, presenting mostly countries of Asia (China, Japan, India), Russian Federation, USA and EU. The main trends of global competition based on geopolitical triangles in the XXI-st century are identified.
Requirements for Foreign Economic Relations in the Context of Achieving the Development Goals of the Russian Economy
Authors: Shirov A. A. , Gusev M. S.
Published: July 2021

The article analyzes the current state of Russian foreign trade and its impact on the development of the economy. The main changes that occurred in the global economy during the crisis caused by the new coronavirus pandemic are considered. It is concluded that most of the trends that formed in the global economy before the crisis are likely to receive additional acceleration after its end. In this regard, additional restrictions may be imposed on traditional Russian exports. It is stated that foreign trade should become one of the key factors that ensure the stability of the Russian economy in the medium and long term. The requirements for the balance of payments and the exchange rate that ensure the stability of the macroeconomic dynamics and parameters of foreign trade are determined. Given the current trends in the parameters of the world economy and trade, it should be assumed that the structure of Russian exports will not undergo significant changes over the next 15 years. This means that for the next 15 years, the development of the export potential of the fuel and energy sector, the diversification of the geography of energy supplies, remains one of the key tasks of the foreign economic strategy. The key restrictions of the integration processes in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) are evaluated.
The EAEU Free Trade Agreements as a New Viable Format for the Russian Trade Policy
Authors: Zuev V. N. , Ostrovskaya E. Ya. , Skryabina V. Yu.
Published: July 2021

The Regional Trade Agreements (RTA) as a legal format of trade between countries has been actively developed within the last decades. Russian involvement in RTAs until recently was modest. However, after the EAEU creation in 2015, trade policies of the member countries have changed. Setting up the RTAs has become an important priority of the EAEU’s common trade policy. In this study, the assessment is made of the significance for the Russian domestic policies of the already signed and planned FTAs. The focus of the methodology of the study lies in computations of three trade indices: export significance index (suggested by authors and based on the revealed comparative advantage index), trade intensity index and symmetric trade introversion index, which were calculated for the totality of trade partners of Russia for 2019 (193 countries) in order to identify the most promising countries to conclude new FTAs. Authors come to a conclusion that the already signed Russian RTAs and newly planned Russian common FTAs on behalf of the EAEU have a potential to generate trade. Another important result of the study is that it provides the list of the first-priority countries for the new-coming FTAs for Russia and the EAEU partners in terms of efficiency in generating trade, that are - Egypt, Turkey, Algeria, Republic of Korea and Mongolia. The authors suggest to make similar calculations for other countries to support the revealed pattern.
GUAM Activity in the Post-Soviet Space: Intentions, Results, Prospects
Authors: Belashchenko D. A. , Tolkachev V. V. , Shmelev A. P. , Shodzhonov I. F.
Published: July 2021

Integration processes in the post-Soviet space actualize the topic of several individual organizations prospects considering current trends on the international scene, particularly the ODED-GUAM. This formation is specific because it was initially created without the participation of the Russian Federation and also formed as an alternative to the Common-wealth of Independent States and other integration projects where the leading role was recognized for the Russian Federation.

The study consists of two parts. The first part examines the development process of the ODED-GUAM organization and high-lights the main stages of its existence. The transformation of the conceptual ideas of the organization’s development from a global to a local actor in world politics was also mentioned in the article. The study conducts a broad analysis of the organization’s source base, evaluates the results that the organization has achieved and the reasons of its composition change.

The second part of the study is devoted to the analysis of the prospects for the development of this organization from the standpoint of neorealism (structural realism) taking into account the combination of endogenous and exogenous factors.

The totality of moments related to the specifics of the ODED-GUAM conceptual component evolution, the episodic nature of its activities, the presence of the internal conflict of interests among participating countries, the leading international actors positions towards the organization, allows us to consider the integration entity is mostly the artificial construct that unified states that were for one reason or another out of key integration projects of the Russian Federation in the post-Soviet space. It is also relevant to consider the ODED-GUAM as a tool for promoting the interests of such actors as the United States and the EU in the post-Soviet space, as an instrument of information, ideological, and economic pressure on Russia and its partners in integration entities.

In fact, the prospects of the ODEDGUAM organization are directly dependent on the position and policy of external actors who consider this organization as one of the platforms to influence the Russian Federation as well as the People’s Republic of China and the integration projects implemented by these countries.
The Union State and the Union Economy: Political Economy of Russian-Belarusian Cooperation
Authors: Vilisov M. V.
Published: July 2021

Against the background of political instability in Belarus and unsuccessful attempts to “deepen integration” in 2019-2020, the political economy of Russian-Belarusian cooperation as a subject of study goes far beyond academic interest and is of great practical importance. The article suggests that explanation of the integration difficulties in inside the nature of the existing Belarusian political and economic model, which becomes the main object of analysis. By analogy with the political economic model of “Putinomics” by С.Miller and the results of a comparative analysis, the political economic model of “Lukashenomics” and its main strategies (centralization of power, a high level of social obligations, state control of the economy, extraction of “political rent” from relations with Russia and the priority statehood over state solvency) are explained. On the basis of the model of resilience and stability of state systems developed earlier by the author as part of the team, the influence of the “Lukashenomics” on the resilience and stability of the state system of Belarus is determined. The fundamental incompatibility of the existing Belarusian and Russian political economic models is revealed and the prospects for the development of Russian-Belarusian relations in the context of possible scenarios for the transformation of the Belarusian model are determined.
The Historical Perspective of Russian Turn to the East: How Russia Became an Eastern Power in XXI Century
Authors: Loreto Cecioni R.
Published: July 2021

Russia’s so-called “turn to the East” policy has become one of the widely discussed issues among other issues in contemporary international relations. The new strategic relations with China and the beginning of a new era in Sino-Russian bilateral relations are the most representative results of the “turn to the East”. The history behind these relations is a factor with tend to be ignored by those discussing the matter. However, the historical view of Sino-Russian relations can provide us with new horizons in their interpretation. This article analyses the “turns to the East” from a historical point of view and theorizes new approaches towards their conceptualization. From the historical point of view, Russia’s “turns to the East” can potentially help the two countries overcome very profound obstacles in bilateral relations, such as the problem of Russia’s image in China after the border disputes with the Qing Empire. Undoubtedly, the “turns to the East” policy’s implications in the economic development of Russian Far East is one of the central topics. As well, the historical analysis of this policy can enrich nowadays discussion about Russian identity and Russia’s position in the East-West paradigm. Also, this article draws attention to the commercial aspect of Sino-Russian relations, which nowadays still represent an important criterion in judging the “turn to the East” policy’s effectiveness. By including examples of other countries’ relations with China, we tried to underline how history has become an instru- ment for developing relations with modern China and how this opportunity is applicable in the Sino-Russian context too.
Russia and Turkey in Regional and Geopolitical Space
Authors: Dolgov B. V.
Published: July 2021

The article is devoted to examine Russian-Turkish relations in the historical retrospective review. The regional and geopolitical goals which Russia had to realize in XVII – beginning XX centuries and which is stipulated the necessity to ensure Russia security and further economical development are revealed. The factors which led to push of Russia and Turkey interests and which became the cause of Russian-Turkish military conflicts which is occurred at interval of cooperation and partnership in this period are represented. The results of Russian military and political efforts which allowed realize the tasks to liberate Crimea, for Russia passage to Black Sea and to Mediterranean Sea basin, to support Balkan peoples to win their national independence, what strengthened Russian regional and geopolitical positions considerably are examined. The character of Russian-Turkish relations in Soviet period which passed the stages of the cooperation and confrontation which caused “Cold War” is revealed.

The main attention is allotted to analyze in details the recent stage of Russia – Turkey relations. The character of the actual Turkish ruling elite, which is represented of the Justice and Development Party (JDP), which is confessing the ideology of the moderate Islamism and Neo Osmanism is exposed. The internal social and economical politics of JDP is examined. The goals and intentions, which Turkish leadership pushed forward, are analyzed and their influence on Russian-Turkish relations is inspected. The activity of the Turkish foreign politics on the different directions in the Arab World, Europe, countries of CIS, Moslem regions of Russian Federation is examined. In the conclusions the differences and common interests in the foreign politics of Russia and Turkey and the possibility of their cooperation are analyzed.
Russian-Greek Relations: Is There a Light at the End of the Tunnel?
Authors: Kvashnin Yu. D.
Published: July 2021

At the end of the first decade of the 21st century, relations between Russia and Greece entered a protracted period of stagnation, which continues to this day, despite numerous attempts by both countries to intensify political dialogue. One of the reasons is the general degradation of Russia’s relations with the Western countries, which intensified in the middle of the last decade against the backdrop of the Ukrainian crisis. At the same time, the “sanctions wars” have become an important, but not the only reason for the reduction in bilateral contacts. There were other factors as well: Greece’s dissatisfaction with the excessively close cooperation between Russia and Turkey, different views on NATO’s Eastern enlargement, as well as interchurch disagreements.

On the economic plane, Russian-Greek cooperation was hampered by the desire of Greece to diversify its energy supplies, the food embargo regime introduced by Russia against the EU countries, as well as the policy of investment protectionism pursued by Greece towards Russian companies.

The greatest success has been achieved in the humanitarian field. Due to the cultural and historical closeness of the two peoples, as well as due to the disappointment of the Greeks in the results of European integration, Greece remains one of the few countries where most people treat Russia with sympathy. At the same time, the perception of Russia by the Greeks is distorted and often fragmentary. The positive effect of Russian-Greek humanitarian cooperation is often overshadowed by negative coverage of Russian foreign policy in the Greek media.
GEODYNAMICS
Authors:   Lviv Polytechnic National University, Tretyak Kornyliy , Palianytsia Bogdan ,   Lviv Polytechnic National University
Published: July 2021

The goal. Identify the relationship between seasonal temperature changes and vertical and horizontal displacements of GNSS control points based on data obtained by the automated monitoring system of the Dnipro HPP dam in the period from 2016 to 2020. Input data. The research used data of uninterrupted GNSS measurements obtained at 16 points of the Dnipro HPP dam from mid-2016 to mid-2020. Method. A specially developed software product analyzes the GNSS time series of measurements pre-processed by the GeoMoS system to determine the parameters of seasonal displacements and their relationship with seasonal changes in air temperature. The GNSS time series analysis. Based on the conducted research, the influence of environmental temperature has a decisive effect on the cyclicity of dam deformations. This applies to both horizontal and vertical displacements but in the absence of significant changes in the water level in the upper reservoir. Values of extreme displacements increase closer to the middle of the dam and decrease at the edges. This tendency is observed every year in the study period. According to the three-year GNSS dam monitoring, the amplitude of semi-annual horizontal oscillations of the control points relative to the dam axis is in the range of 15-18 mm. Almost all vectors of horizontal displacements are perpendicular to the axis of the arcuate dam. In the first half of the year, the vectors of horizontal displacements aim to widen the dam, and in the second half of the year - at compressing the dam. The analysis of the data represents that almost every year, extreme deviations, both horizontal and vertical, occur in February and August. Temperature extremes occur faster than excessive GNSS displacements. For the dam of the Dnipro HPP, the extreme horizontal displacements lag on average by 37 days, and the vertical ones - by 32 days from the extreme temperatures. The deformations of the dam are related to the concrete structure temperature, which changes with a certain delay relative to the air temperature. The magnitudes of extreme displacements and the epoch of their manifestation depend on the dam's design and its technical parameters. For each dam, these extreme displacements and the periods of their representation will be different. Accordingly, monitoring these displacements and their changes over time is one of the criteria for assessing the general condition of the dam. Scientific novelty and practical significance. The regularities of the connection between the change of temperature and the displacements of the GNSS points, revealed during the research, can be used for the further study of data processing and analysis of the hydraulic structures monitoring.
GEODYNAMICS
Authors:   Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University, Zyhar Andrii , Savchyn Ihor ,   Lviv Polytechnic National University, Yushchenko Yuriy ,   Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University, Pasichnyk Mykola ,   Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University
Published: July 2021

Purpose. The aim of the research is mathematical analysis and forecasting of dispersive soils behaviour based on the study of inclinometric observations data in the area of the natural-technical system of the Dnister PSPP. Methodology. The research methodology is based on mathematical analysis and modelling of processes occurring in the mountain massif on which the Dnister PSPP is located, using the finite element method. Results. The paper presents an analysis of the results of geotechnical monitoring of the behaviour of dispersive soils, implemented on the basis of inclinometric measurements on the territory of the Dnister PSPP. Quantitative parameters of horizontal displacement distribution in inclinometric wells are established. They made it possible to detect negative dynamics in the geological horizons N1-2ap and N1p+v, which is apparently caused by technogenic load caused by the Dnister upper reservoir. The behaviour of dispersive soils under the influence of natural and technogenic loads has been modelled. Based on the simulation results, the change of the sign of deformations under the influence of additional load, which can be the filling of the Dnister upper reservoir, is confirmed. Obviously, the use of this method alone does not allow full detecting and tracking modern geological, seismic and geodynamic processes. A combination and detailed analysis of different monitoring methods (geophysical, geodetic, parametric, vibrometric, hydrogeological, temperature, visual-instrumental and others), as well as modelling the behaviour of the object under the influence of natural and technogenic factors is optimal. Such simulations could be used in the design of other objects of this type, so this is a promising area for further research. Originality. For the first time, a mathematical analysis and forecasting of the behaviour of dispersed soils in the area of the natural and technical system of the Dnister PSPP was conducted on the basis of studying the data of inclinometric observations. Practical significance. The proposed technique can be used in the design of other objects of this type, as modelling the behaviour of the object under the influence of natural and technogenic factors makes it possible to assess possible risks and prevent them.
GEODYNAMICS
Authors:   Baku State University, Piriyev Rahman
Published: July 2021

Interest in research on the detection of earthquake (EQ) precursors is growing year by year. In this direction, the paper analysed the results of earlier studies, as well as positive results of some studies conducted in the last 5 years. In particular, during the study of EQs, ultra-low frequency (ULF) precursors attract special attention. The study compared the results of electromagnetic (EM) monitoring studies conducted in the ULF range in earlier years and the results of EM monitoring studies conducted in the last 5 years have been compared. The positive results of the researchers investigating the changes in the EM field before the EQ in the ULF range were reviewed. Thus, ULF anomalies from relatively weak (with 4<Mw<5) and shallow (with a depth of less than 50 km) EQs were repeatedly observed in 2017 in Indonesia. Before strong EQs, ULF promising EQ precursors were revealed. High ULF amplitude anomalies were recorded before the 2011 Tohoku megaEQ. Anomalous changes of the Earth's induction vector were identified in 6 observatories in Japan. Similar anomalies were also recorded in the ULF range (0.001-0.083 Hz) by the Teoloyucan (Mexico) and Tucson (the United States) geomagnetic observatories from August 1 to September 16, 2017, before the Chiapas EQ in Mexico with a magnitude 8.1. On the whole, the research discovered several dozen EM precursors of EQs with different amplitude, spectral and time parameters. The study was based on the analysis of numerous data for the periods 1976-2010 and 2007-2016 conducted by various researchers. In addition, an original approach is proposed. It consists in the study of geoelectric field changes (ULF precursors of EQs) as they are more sensitive. Processing and interpreting these changes can lead to precise detection of EQ precursors. Thus, this makes it possible to identify geodynamic active zones in which an EQ may occur.
Status of Small-scale Rubber and Shifting Cultivators at Bandarbans District, Bangladesh
Authors: Pitol Md. Najmus Sayadat , Azad A. K. M. Abul Kalam , Hara Yonosuke
Published: July 2021

The study explored the general overview of the small-scale rubber cultivators and shifting cultivators at Bandarbans District, Bangladesh. The living standard of small-scale rubber cultivators were higher than the shifting cultivators. The all-small-scale rubber farm households were divided into three classes rich, medium, and poor according to their present wealthy status where all shifting cultivators were unfortunately poor. The rich farm household of rubber cultivators had the highest annual income (177857 BDT) and shifting cultivators had an average lowest annual income (43842 BDT). In total 58% farmers had started latex collection, and 42% percent farmers were waiting to start latex. It seemed that only shifting cultivators worked as day labor and not involved in any other part-time profession. They had less livestock and agricultural land. About 48% of farmers cultivated banana as the intercrop in the rubber garden for the first few years followed by fruits (13%), ginger (11%), vegetables (8%), pineapple (8%), garlic (6%) and rice (6%). All the respondents (100%) faced financial, VAT and transportation problem. About 88% respondents faced clone selection problem followed by insufficient land allocation (85%), marketing problem (79%), shortage of skilled manpower (65%), latex collection (58%), skilled tapper (52%), diseases (17%) and others (25%).
Climate Change: Impacts on the Production of Cotton in Pakistan
Authors: Siyal A. L. , Mahesar T. G. , Sufyan F. , Siyal F. K. , Jatt T. , Mangi F. H. , Burdi I. H. , Hossain A.
Published: July 2021

Climatic changes seriously threaten Agriculture globally year to year, especially in developing countries like Pakistan. Agricultural productivity directly influenced by Climatic factor i.e., increase in high temperature, heavy rainwater, precipitation, flood and deficiency of irrigation etc. Climate patterns reduce global temperatures by 2.9 to 5.5 degrees Celsius by 2060, and crop yields are at high risk of these trends. Extreme temperatures negatively regulate crop phenology, leading to significant reductions in crop yields. Temperatures and changes in the rainy season affect the cotton growth and make threats the stability of cotton production and quality in Pakistan. Cultivation of Cotton is especially targeted on its thread, but its oil extensively uses as an incoming vegetable oil and make an essential contribution to the oil industry across the country. Pakistani farmers survey and prepare to get quality fiber and lint yield, Pakistan also meets 18.8 percent demands of oil from cotton seeds. Additionally, there is strong need from industry to strengthen cotton oil so it can be used directly as vegetable cooking oil. This research provides approaching into the climatic conditions of Pakistan and their effect on the production of better cotton.
Sonographic Measurement of Spleen to Left Kidney Ratio among Saudi Children
Authors: Elserag Taha , Abukonna Ahmed , Medani Afaf , Abdelkreem Saida , Musa Mustafa
Published: July 2021

Objective: Spleen length varying according to many factors such as individual height, age and weight, determination of mild splenomegaly might be extremely inaccurate. The goal of this study was to determine the spleen to left kidney ratio in different age group among school age children in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted on 150 healthy subjects (66 boys and 84 girls) their age ranged from 7 to 15 years. The study was conducted at the Taawon clinic in Kharj city, Saudi Arabia. The sonographic examination was performed using Siemens (Acuson X300) machine with convex probe (3.5 – 5 MHz). Spleen and left kidney lengths were measured as well as weight and height of the subjects.

Results: The result of the study showed that there is no significant different between boys and girls regarding spleen and left kidney lengths (p > 0.05). The spleen to left kidney ratio was found to be about 1.1 with 1.3 as the normal upper limit in the study sample.

Conclusion: Spleen to left kidney length ratio becomes a promising method to detect non palpable splenic enlargement. Mild splenomegaly is considered if the spleen to left kidney ratio is greater than 1.3 in the absence of kidney disorders.
Surgical Management of Cervico-facial Cystic Lymphangioma in Children
Authors: Oulghoul O. , Hadid F. , Benhoummad O. , Rochdi Y. , Raji A.
Published: July 2021

Introduction: Cystic lymphangioma or cystic hygroma is a congenital malformation of the lymphatic system that manifests as a soft, benign, and painless mass. It originates from remnants of embryonic lymphatic tissue that retains the potential for proliferation.

Material and methods: Our retrospective study involved 16 cases of cystic lymphangioma managed between 2017 and 2020.

Results: This study included 9 girls and 7 boys with a mean age of 4.2 years. Cystic lymphangioma was visible in 7 cases at birth and in 6 cases before the age of 2 years, and beyond 2 years in 3 cases. The tumor was cervical in 11 cases, including one case of parotid extension, and 02 cases of sub maxillary extension, jugal in one and one case of parotid localization, and one case of lingual localization. Surgical indication was based on clinical examination and imaging in all cases. Excision was considered complete in 12 cases and incomplete in four cases. In three cases, excision was difficult due to adhesion to the internal jugular vein and the carotid bifurcation, base of the tongue in one case and facial nerve in one case. Early complications were, hematoma [one case], lymphorrhea [one case], jugal recurrence [one case] nine months after surgical excision.

Conclusion: Cervico-facial cystic lymphangioma is a particular pathology whose management is challenging, complex and multidisciplinary.
Delayed Recurrent Post Cochlear Implantation Hydroma: A Four Patients Series
Authors: Oulghoul O. , Hadid F. , Benhoummad O. , Rochdi Y. , Raji A.
Published: July 2021

Objective: we report our series of late hydroma after cochlear implantation, this complication has not been widely reported in the literature. Method: retrospective study.

Results: four children who had undergone a cochlear implantation aged between 3.2 and 5.3 years (median 4.5 years) were studied. The hydroma episode occurred 4 months to 3 years after cochlear implantation. Two patients had two recurrent episodes. No obvious etiological factors were found, including trauma or infection. No patient benefited from a fine needle aspiration or drainage, all the patients were treated with a broad-spectrum antibiotic with corticosteroid and a slightly compressive bandage with good results in all cases.

Conclusion: Late-onset hydroma is a minor complication with no obvious etiology and good evolution and risk of recurrence, its management remains no codified due to the limited number of cases reported in the literature.
Rhinolitiasis about 16 Cases and Review of the Literature
Authors: Benhoummad Othmane , Chehbouni Mohamed , Rochdi Youssef , Raji Abdelaziz
Published: July 2021

Rhino lithiasis is defined as a solid concretion secondary to the gradual deposition of calcium salt around an exogenous or endogenous central formation in the nasal cavity it is a relatively common condition in developing countries. We report a retrospective study spread over period of 9 years, from January 2012 to December 2020, relating to 16 cases of rhino lithiasis treated in our department. The protocol Included for each patient: an anamnesis, an ENT examination meticulous and systematic scam. Patients consulted for purulent and fetid rhinorrhea associated with nasal obstruction rhino lithiasis affected as many adults as children, the formal sex was affected in 68% of cases un favorable socioeconomic conditions were noted, in 75% of cases diagnostic times ranged from six months to ten years, the examination she the rhinolith as a grayish, hard concretion, unilateral in 15 cases ( 5 cases on the right an on the left ) and bilateral in one case in 2 cases, a foreign body was visualized on endonasal examination, the treatment consisted of an instrumental extraction by natural means (100% of cases) under general Anas the sea in 75% of cases the size of the rhinoliths varied between 5 to 30 mm in diameter. An underlying foreign body was found intraoperatively in 6 cases. Complication was rare (epistaxis: 3 cases), No recurrence was detected. It is always necessary to evoke a rhinolithiasis in front of a chronic unilateral fetid rhinnorhea with or without nasal obstruction on the same side. The nasosinus scanner confirms the diagnosis and helps to prepare the therapeutic strategy alongside the endonasal endocopic examination with the rigid optic which remains a means used both in diagnosis and in therapy.
Leisure Activities for Patients with Diffuse Connective Tissue Diseases
Authors: Nascimento Marielle Fornazzaro , Velho Paulo Eduardo Neves Ferreira , Corrêa Raphaela Espanha , Tolocka Rute Estanislava
Published: July 2021

Leisure is everyone right, regardless of the clinical condition of each individual. The quality of life (QoL) of patients with dermatoses has been related to the practice of leisure activities (PLA); however, little is known about this practice in these patients. This study aimed to verify the PLA in patients with Diffuse Connective Tissue Diseases (DCTD). This is a descriptive, qualitative, and quantitative field study with patients seen at the Dermatology Outpatient Clinic (Hospital de Clínicas) of the University of Campinas (UNICAMP), São Paulo, Brazil.  A form was used, containing closed questions about the sociodemographic and clinical profiles, and an open question about leisure. The responses were categorized according to the classification of leisure cultural content. Descriptive statistics, construction of a crosstable and the Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used. Data from 62 patients were collected, who aged between 19.4 and 75.3 years (average of 49.32±12.55 years). Among the patients, 80.6% were female and 70.9% were diagnosed with Cutaneous or Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (LE). The most practiced leisure activities were those related to manual and virtual content, mentioned by 24.6% of the patients. Another 18.0% reported preferring to stay at home or sleep (other activities), and no patient reported physical-sports or tourist leisure practices. The PLAs were little varied, showing 75.8% of the patients taking only one type of content related to these practices and 12.9% not carrying out any leisure activities. The elderly were the ones who most reported manual and virtual activities. An association was found between the variety of leisure content practiced and literacy level. Illiterate patients were those who least reported activities related to leisure, when compared to those who completed elementary school (X² = 24.686; p= 0.035). Before diagnosis, 56.5% of the patients performed physical activities, of which 27.4% could be classified as physical-sports leisure. After the disease development, only 19.7% of them maintained physical activities, and, of all the activities practiced by them, only 9.7% could be considered as leisure activities, but none as physical-sports leisure. Thus, it appears that leisure practices among patients with DCTD are scarce and little varied, which interferes with their QoL. The orientation and practice of these activities are necessary so that they can make choices and vary the types of activities practiced. Likewise, more studies, which can support actions that encourage and enable the leisure practices of these patients, play an important role.
Side Effect Profile of COVID-19 Vaccine among Health Workers in a Tertiary Health Institution in South-South Nigeria
Authors: Oriji Peter C. , Allagoa Dennis O. , Obagah Lukman , Oguche Obielumani I. , Ohaeri Onyekachi S. , Tekenah Ebiye S. , Ozori Stanley E. , Atemie Gordon
Published: July 2021

Background: Side effect following vaccination usually ranges from mild to moderate and occasionally severe in a small proportion of people. Covid-19 vaccine is no exception as side effects have been reported which are mostly mild to moderate and transient. The chances of any of these side effect following vaccination differ according to the specific COVID-19 vaccine.

Objective: To determine the side effect profile of the Health workers that received the COVID-19 vaccination in the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.

Materials and Method: This study was a descriptive cross-sectional study. It was carried out between 15th and 30th April 2021 among 151 health workers that received COVID-19 vaccination in the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. The data were collected with a predesigned questionnaire and were analysed using IBM SPSS 23.0 version.

Results: About 52.3% were female health workers, 49.0% were aged between 36–45 years. Side effects were reported in 9 of every 10 health workers who received the vaccine. Most side effects (53.0%) started on the day of vaccination. The most common side effect was pain at the injection site, and it was reported by 104 recipients of the vaccine (68.9%). Fever, headache, tiredness and chills were reported in 57.0%, 49.0%, 47.7% and 43.7%, respectively.

Conclusion: As with medications and other vaccines, COVID-19 vaccines have side effects. Protective immunity against COVID-19 is developed following vaccination. In the face of a still rapidly evolving situation, what seems obvious is that vaccination currently remains the best route to achieving herd immunity.
Cross-Sectional Household Survey of Risk Behaviors Related to Viral Hepatitis among Adults in Sokoto-Nigeria
Authors: Hudu Shuaibu A. , Hamal Nabil S.
Published: July 2021

Background: Viral hepatitis is a deadly disease which can manifest as acute, chronic, hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver failure and responsible for 1.34 million deaths globally, a number comparable to deaths caused by tuberculosis and higher than those caused by HIV.

Objectives: The goal of this survey was to find the vastness of different risk factors associated with Viral Hepatitis and to describe the connection between these risk and sociodemographic factors among adults in Sokoto-Nigeria.

Methods: This cross-sectional survey was carried in nine local government areas in the state. A two-stage cluster sampling was utilized and adults who were living in the selected household were interviewed. A multivariate linear regression model was used to evaluate the relationship between sociodemographic indicators and diﬀerent viral hepatitis risk factors.

Results: Seven hundred and twenty eight respondents were recruited for this survey. Sharing nail cutters, body piercing, and razor blade use were the most pervasive risk factors among respondents. Males, married couples, respondents somewhere in the range of 27 and 40 years of age, and people with low educational achievement were more likely to be exposed to risk factors associated with Viral Hepatitis.

Conclusion: The risk of viral hepatitis was moderately high among the survey subject. Consequently, explicit projects like forum, classes and persistent instruction on preventive measures for viral hepatitis ought to be custom fitted to these forums. These projects could be directed by government specialists like the Ministry of Health Sokoto and other support agencies and non-governmental organizations.