bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of natural rainfall on the migration characteristics of runoff and sediment on purple soil sloping cropland during different planting stages
Authors: Wang Yi , Ni Jiupai , Ni Chengsheng , Wang Sheng , Xie Deti
Published: June 2021

Due to the difficulty in monitoring subsurface runoff and sediment migration, their loss loads are still not clear and need further study. This study monitored water and soil loss occurring within experimental field plots for two calendar years under natural rainfall events. The sediment loss load was quantified by considering the corresponding water flow flux and its sediment concentration. The results showed that 60.04% of the runoff and 2.83% of the sediment were lost underground. The annual underground sediment loss reached up to 54.6 kg*ha−1*yr−1. A total of 69.68% of the runoff yield and 67.25% of the sediment yield were produced during the corn planting stage (CPS: March–July). Heavy rain and torrential rain events produced 94.45%, 65.46% of the annual runoff and 94.45%, 76.21% of the sediment yields during the corn-planting stage and summer fallow period (SFP: August–September). The rain frequency, rainfall, and rainfall duration of each planting stage significantly affected the resulting runoff and sediment yield. Measures aimed at the prevention and control of water-soil loss from purple soil sloping land should focus heavily on torrential rain and heavy rain events during the CPS and SFP. This paper aims to provide a practical reference for quantifying the water and soil loss from purple soil sloping cropland.
Prediction of standard aeration efficiency of a propeller diffused aeration system using response surface methodology and an artificial neural network
Authors: Roy Subha M. , Tanveer Mohammad , Gupta Debaditya , Pareek C. M. , Mal B. C.
Published: June 2021

Aeration experiments were conducted in a masonry tank to study the effects of operating parameters on the standard aeration efficiency (SAE) of a propeller diffused aeration (PDA) system. The operating parameters included the rotational speed of shaft (N), submergence depth (h), and propeller angle (α). The response surface methodology (RSM) and an artificial neural network (ANN) were used for modelling and optimizing the standard aeration efficiency (SAE) of a PDA system. The results of both approaches were compared for their modelling abilities in terms of coefficient of determination (R2), root mean square error (RMSE), and mean absolute error (MAE), computed from experimental and predicted data. ANN models were proved to be superior to RSM. The results indicate that for achieving the maximum standard aeration efficiency (SAE), N, h and α should be 1,000 rpm, 0.50 m, and 12°, respectively. The maximum SAE was found to be 1.711 kg O2/ kWh. Cross-validation results show that best approximation of the optimal values of input parameters for maximizing SAE is possible with a maximum deviation (absolute error) of ±15.2% between the model predicted and experimental values.
Urban stormwater harvesting for domestic water supply: a water evaluation and planning approach
Authors: Pravin S. S. , Gajendran C. , Divya T.
Published: June 2021

Renewable groundwater and surface water supplies are insufficient for the current worldwide urban population as water demand is increasing rapidly. Usage per capita in urban areas transcends 160 liters per day. Climate change is projected to increase water demand even more. Sources of surface water from stormwater runoff can be used to fulfill this requirement. The main objective of this work is to assess the water supply and demand in the dry conditions of the Coimbatore region, Tamil Nadu, India, and to use the water evaluation and planning method to create a model for supply and demand in the future. There are more than three dozen surface water bodies in and around the metropolitan center. Most sources are heavily encroached upon. By linking stormwater runoff from its respective elevation to the accessible surface water bodies, an additional water supply source can be obtained. By using the water evaluation and planning framework as a guide, models were developed to determine potential needs, and to compare demand and supply, water usage, lack of water use, and population coverage. The enhanced stormwater drainage system for Coimbatore city was designed in such a way that the various roads were connected to the major water bodies. The domestic water demand in the future is predicted to be around 27 million cubic feet (MCFT). Meanwhile, the possible amount of stormwater collected in the selected water bodies is predicted to be 50 million cubic meter (MCM) to 320 MCM. This study concluded that 100% of urban domestic water demand can be met if the urban stormwater is utilized by harvesting and storing in surface water bodies.
Utilization of activated carbon derived from waste plastic for decontamination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons laden wastewater
Authors: Ilyas Muhmmad , Ahmad Waqas , Khan Hizbullah
Published: June 2021

Serious environmental deterioration caused by synthetic waste plastics, and the pollution of freshwater resources are the most alarming and marked challenges of the 21st century. Therefore, immense scientific efforts are being made towards the management of waste plastics and treatment of polluted water. The current study reports on the utilization of waste polyethylene terephthalate (wPET) and waste polystyrene (wPS) for fabrication of activated carbon (AC) and its application for the removal of hazardous polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) pollutants from water. AC was prepared from wPET and wPS by carbonization under a N2 atmosphere followed by chemical activation with 1 M KOH and 1 M HCl. The AC was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, surface area analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Adsorption of PAHs from aqueous solutions through AC was examined by batch adsorption tests. The optimum parameters for maximum adsorption of PAHs were found to be: initial PAHs concentration 40 ppm, 2 h contact time, pH 3, 5, and 7, 50 °C temperature and adsorbent dose of 0.8 g. Kinetic and isotherm models were applied to evaluate the adsorbent capacity for PAHs adsorption. The kinetic study shows that the adsorption of these PAHs onto AC follows pseudo-second-order kinetics. The experimental results demonstrated that the Langmuir isotherm model best fitted the data. The thermodynamic factors calculated such as entropy change (ΔS°), enthalpy change (ΔS°) and free energy change (ΔG°) show that the adsorption process is non-spontaneous and endothermic in nature. Results were also compared with the efficiencies of some commercial adsorbents used in practice. This examination revealed that the novel plastic-derived AC possesses a great potential for elimination and recovery of PAH elimination from industrial wastewater.
PROMOTING THE EXPORT OF HIGH TECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS BY THE US PROCESSING INDUSTRY
Authors: Minat V. N.
Published: June 2021

The trade policy pursued by the US government certainly provides as one of the most important measures to stimulate the export of those commodity groups that determine the development of the  country's  economy,  shape  its  innovative  nature  and  the  possibilities  for  the  expansionist promotion of American capital in the global, global geo-economic space. Such goods include high tech products of the American manufacturing industry, the forms, means, tools and methods of export  promotion  of  which  are  the  subject  of  this  study.  Having  studied  the  evolutionary dynamics  of  the  volume  and  structure  of  the  stimulating  elements  of  export  regulation  of American high-tech products  for  the  period  1946–2019,  we  identified  long-term trends characterizing the effective combination of assistance, encouragement, assistance and support to national exporters of the relevant commodity groups in the foreign trade activities of the United States. Based on the results of the study, conclusions are drawn about the unconditional priority of  stimulating  the  export  of  high-tech  products  of  the  US  manufacturing  industry  during  the entire  period  under  consideration,  characterized  by  a  flexible combination of the use of appropriate  forms,  means,  tools  and  methods  of  this  stimulation.  The  author  emphasizes  the primacy of expediency and efficiency in the choice of directions for the expansionary promotion of high-tech products of the American economy to the foreign market, which, of course, is of practical interest for Russian use.
The Chick Embryo Chorioallantoic Membrane Model: A Research
Approach for Ex Vivo and In Vivo Experiments
Authors: Fraguas-Sánchez Ana Isabel , Martín-Sabroso Cristina , Torres-Suárez Ana Isabel
Published: June 2021

Background:

The chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model has attracted
a great deal of interest in pharmaceutical and biological research as an alternative or complimentary
in vivo assay to animal models. Traditionally, CAM assay has been widely
used to perform some toxicological studies, specifically to evaluate the skin, ocular and
embryo toxicity of new drugs and formulations, and to perform angiogenesis studies. Due
to the possibility to generate the tumors onto the CAM, this model has also become an
excellent strategy to evaluate the metastatic potential of different tumours and to test the
efficacy of novel anticancer therapies in vivo. Moreover, in the recent years, its use has
considerably grown in other research areas, including the evaluation of new anti-infective
agents, the development of biodistribution studies and in tissue engineering research.

Objectives:

This manuscript provides a critical overview of the use of CAM model in
pharmaceutical and biological research, especially to test the toxicity of new drugs and
formulations and the biodistribution and the efficacy of novel anticancer and antiinfective
therapies, analyzing its advantages and disadvantages in comparison to animal
models.

Conclusion:

The chick chorioallantoic membrane model shows a great utility in several
research areas, such as cancer, toxicology, biodistribution studies and anti-infective therapies.
In fact, it has become an intermediate stage between in vitro experiments and animal
studies, and, in the case of toxicological studies (skin and ocular toxicity), it has even replaced
the animal models.
Gut Microbiota as an Emerging Therapeutic Avenue for the Treatment of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Ralli Tanya , Neupane Yub Raj , Saifi Zoya , Kohli Kanchan
Published: June 2021

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the leading causes of death related to liver diseases
worldwide. Despite this, there is no specific treatment approved for the disease till now, which could be
due to the poor understanding of the pathophysiology of this disease. In the past few decades, several scientists
have speculated the root cause of NAFLD to be dysbalance in the gut microbiome resulting in a susceptibility
to the inflammatory cascade in the liver. Herein, we hypothesize to fabricate a novel formulation containing prebiotic
with probiotics which thereby would help in maintaining the gut homeostasis, and be used for the treatment
of NAFLD. The proposed novel formulation would contain a Bifidobacterium sp. with Faecalibacterium
prausnitzii in the presence of a dietary fibre having hepatoprotective activity. These two strains of probiotics
would help in increasing the concentration of butyrate in the gut which in turn would inhibit intestinal inflammation
and maintain gut integrity. The dietary fibre would serve a dual mechanism; firstly, it would act as a prebiotic
helping in the proliferation of administered probiotics, and secondly, it would protect the liver via its own
hepatoprotective action. This combinatorial approach would pave a new therapeutic avenue for the treatment of
NAFLD.
Nanoparticle Vaccines
Authors: Acharya Rituparna
Published: June 2021

As a result of new emerging pathological conditions, new microorganisms
have set a challenge in front of the researchers for the development of treatment and
vaccination strategies. In the area of vaccine development, new effects have been made
to invent new vaccines and also to improve the efficacy of the currently available
vaccines. A wide variety of vaccines have been developed from killed whole
organisms, subunits and RNA or DNA fractions. To overcome the side effects of these
vaccines, nanoparticles may carry the payload and deliver them on the target site. The
nanoparticles have the potential to improve the efficacy of these antigens and reduce
the side effects to a large extent . These nanoparticles should have the ability of safe
delivery of the antigens, protect them from degradation, control release and
biocompatible. In this study, we intended to discuss different characteristics of the
nanoparticles along with their properties and the variety of payloads for
immunstimulation.
Voorhuwelijks samenwonen en echtscheiding in Vlaanderen
Authors: Corijn Martine , Pasteels Inge , Mortelmans Dimitri
Published: June 2021

De toename van het ongehuwd samenwonen ging in Vlaanderen samen met een verdere toename van het aantal echtscheidingen. Als het voorhuwelijks samenwonen een testfase zou zijn waarbij enkel de geslaagde koppels huwen, dan zou dit ongehuwd samenwonen de echtscheidingskans moeten verkleinen. In Vlaanderen stellen we vast dat kort ongehuwd samenwonen met de huwelijkspartner de echtscheidingskans niet beïnvloedt en dat langer ongehuwd samenwonen de echtscheidingskans verkleint. Vóór het eerste huwelijk ongehuwd samenwonen met een andere partner verhoogt echter wel de echtscheidingskans. Een jongere leeftijd bij het huwelijk en/of bij de geboorte van het eerste kind blijven eveneens factoren die het risico op een echtscheiding in het eerste huwelijk vergroten.
Abstract :
The increase of unmarried cohabitation went in Flanders along with a further increase of the number of divorces. If premarital cohabitation was a period to test the union with only the succesfull ones being converted into a marriage, then premarital cohabitation is supposed to decrease the divorce risk. In Flanders we observe that a short premarital cohabitation with the marriage partner does not affect the divorce risk, but that a longer premarital cohabitation effectively decreases the divorce risk. However, having cohabitated with another partner before the first marriage increases the divorce risk. A younger age at the frist marriage and/or at the birth of the first child remains a factor that increases the divorce risk.
Grootouders én kleinkinderen over contact na echtscheiding
Authors: Jappens Maaike , Van Bavel Jan
Published: June 2021

Naast ex‐partners en hun kinderen, zijn ook grootouders betrokken partij bij een echtscheiding. Dit artikel onderzoekt het verband tussen echtscheiding van ouders en contacten tussen grootouders en kleinkinderen. Daarbij maken we optimaal gebruik van het multi‐actordesign van de studie ‘Scheiding in Vlaanderen’, waarin beide partijen hierover bevraagd werden. We baseren ons eerst op een steekproef van meer dan 1300 grootouders, waarna we deze resultaten vergelijken met eerdere resultaten op basis van de antwoorden van deelnemende kleinkinderen. Analyses van beide datasets tonen aan dat als ouders gescheiden zijn, grootouders en kleinkinderen elkaar minder frequent zien dan wanneer de ouders gehuwd zijn. Dat geldt vooral voor grootouders van vaderskant. De verblijfsregeling van kinderen blijkt een belangrijke rol te spelen: naarmate kinderen een groter of kleiner gedeelte van de tijd bij vader respectievelijk moeder wonen, zien zij ook de grootouders langs die kant meer of minder.
Abstract :
A divorce can have major consequences for ex‐partners and their children, but also grandparents are involved. This article investigates the association between a parental divorce and contacts between grandparents and grandchildren. We make use of the multi‐actor survey ‘Divorce in Flanders’, in which grandparents as well as grandchildren were asked about contact frequency. We first focus on a sample of more than 1300 grandparents, and then compare these results with results based on the answers of grandchildren participating in the study. Analyses on both datasets show that, when compared to a situation where parents are married, grandparents and grandchildren with divorced parents see each other less often. This is particularly the case when paternal grandparents are considered. The living arrangement of grandchildren seems to be decisive in this matter: grandchildren have especially less contact with grandparents on the side of a non‐residential divorced parent.
Eenzaamheid na scheiding : verdomd alleen, gelukkig met twee of…?
Authors: Pasteels Inge , Heylen Leen , Mortelmans Dimitri
Published: June 2021

Met data van “Scheiding in Vlaanderen” werd emotionele en sociale eenzaamheid bij 2916 mannen en 3332 vrouwen bestudeerd met als doel na te gaan of gescheidenen meer gevoelens van eenzaamheid ervaren dan gehuwden en of de duurtijd sinds de scheiding een verschil uitmaakt hierbij. De resultaten tonen aan dat gescheiden mannen en vrouwen die heden single zijn kampen met gevoelens van eenzaamheid en dit zowel in de emotionele als de sociale dimensie. Echter, het is niet zozeer de scheiding op zich maar wel de afwezigheid van een ‐vooral samenwonende‐ partner waardoor het risico op eenzaamheid verhoogt. Wat sociale eenzaamheid betreft, bevestigen we eerder de isolatiehypothese en de resource hypothese dan de bevrijdingshypothese. De duurtijd van de partnerstatus heeft minder invloed op emotionele eenzaamheid. Enkel voor gescheiden vrouwen die single zijn, vinden we dat emotionele eenzaamheid vermindert naarmate de periode van single zijn langer duurt. Wat sociale eenzaamheid en de duurtijd van de partnerstatus betreft, geldt voor mannen dat de kans om sociaal eenzaam te zijn aanzienlijk lager is wanneer men langer in een huwelijk, in een ongehuwde samenwoonrelatie of in een LAT‐relatie verblijft in vergelijking met kortdurig gehuwd zijn. We vinden dus geen bevestiging van het dyadic withdrawal principe.
Abstract :
Using data from the “Divorce in Flanders”‐project, feelings of emotional and social loneliness of 2916 men and 3332 women were explored. We tried to find out whether the likelihood of feeling lonely did differ for divorcees according to married people. Current partnership status and the duration of that partnership status were the main variables under consideration. Results showed that divorcees without a current partner experience more feelings of emotional loneliness compared to married people or to divorcees with a new partner.  Regarding social loneliness, we found evidence for the isolation hypothesis and the resource hypothesis, meaning that divorced people without a current partner experience deficits in the broader circle of social contacts.  About the duration of the current partnership status results showed that feelings of emotional loneliness of single women decrease as time goes on. For men, the likelihood of social loneliness decreases also if their relationship with a spouse, a co‐resident partner or even a non‐resident partner takes longer.
Concept Libraries for Repeatable and Reusable Research: Qualitative Study Exploring the Needs of Users (Preprint)
Authors: Almowil Zahra , Zhou Shang-Ming , Brophy Sinead , Croxall Jodie
Published: June 2021

BACKGROUND

Big data research in the field of health sciences is hindered by a lack of agreement on how to identify and define different conditions and their medications. This means that researchers and health professionals often have different phenotype definitions for the same condition. This lack of agreement makes it difficult to compare different study findings and hinders the ability to conduct repeatable and reusable research.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to examine the requirements of various users, such as researchers, clinicians, machine learning experts, and managers, in the development of a data portal for phenotypes (a concept library).

METHODS

This was a qualitative study using interviews and focus group discussion. One-to-one interviews were conducted with researchers, clinicians, machine learning experts, and senior research managers in health data science (N=6) to explore their specific needs in the development of a concept library. In addition, a focus group discussion with researchers (N=14) working with the Secured Anonymized Information Linkage databank, a national eHealth data linkage infrastructure, was held to perform a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis for the phenotyping system and the proposed concept library. The interviews and focus group discussion were transcribed verbatim, and 2 thematic analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Most of the participants thought that the prototype concept library would be a very helpful resource for conducting repeatable research, but they specified that many requirements are needed before its development. Although all the participants stated that they were aware of some existing concept libraries, most of them expressed negative perceptions about them. The participants mentioned several facilitators that would stimulate them to share their work and reuse the work of others, and they pointed out several barriers that could inhibit them from sharing their work and reusing the work of others. The participants suggested some developments that they would like to see to improve reproducible research output using routine data.

CONCLUSIONS

The study indicated that most interviewees valued a concept library for phenotypes. However, only half of the participants felt that they would contribute by providing definitions for the concept library, and they reported many barriers regarding sharing their work on a publicly accessible platform. Analysis of interviews and the focus group discussion revealed that different stakeholders have different requirements, facilitators, barriers, and concerns about a prototype concept library.
Understanding the Information Needs of Patients With Ovarian Cancer Regarding Genetic Testing to Inform Intervention Design: Interview Study (Preprint)
Authors: Zhang Yan , Yi Siqi , Trace Ciaran B , Williams-Brown Marian Yvette
Published: June 2021

BACKGROUND

Experts in gynecological cancer care recommend that all patients with invasive or high-grade ovarian cancer (OC) undergo genetic testing. However, even patients who intend to take or have taken genetic tests have many unaddressed information needs regarding genetic testing. Existing genetic counseling falls short of adequately addressing this challenge.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to investigate the genetic testing–related information needs of patients with OC to inform the design of interactive technology-based interventions that can enhance communication of genetic testing information to patients.

METHODS

We interviewed 20 patients with OC who had taken genetic tests and gathered genetic testing–related messages from an active OC web-based community. The interview transcripts and web-based community messages were analyzed using the qualitative content analysis method.

RESULTS

Data analyses produced a comprehensive taxonomy of the genetic testing–related information needs of patients with OC, which included five major topic clusters: knowledge of genetic testing as a medical test, genetic testing process, genetic testing implications for patients, implications for family members, and medical terminology. Findings indicated that patients wanted to receive information that was relevant, understandable, concise, usable, appropriate, sympathetic, and available when needed. They also preferred various channels to receive information, including internet-based technologies, print, and conversations with health care providers.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with OC need a range of information to address the uncertainties and challenges that they encounter while taking genetic tests. Their preferences for channels to receive information vary widely. A multichannel information delivery solution that combines both provider-led and peer-to-peer education models is needed to supplement existing genetic counseling to effectively meet the genetic testing–related information needs of patients with OC.
Nationwide multi-channel sexual reproductive health and gender based violence messaging campaign in Sierra Leone (Preprint)
Authors: Chukwu Emeka , Gilroy Sonia , Sesay John , Garg Lalit , Dickson Kim Eva
Published: June 2021

BACKGROUND

UNFPA launched two one-month campaigns to reach Sierra Leoneans at scale with critical Sexual Reproductive Health and gender-based violence messages during the Coronavirus 2019 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE

The intervention objective was to deliver Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) and gender-based violence (GBV) messages to mobile phone subscribers in Sierra Leone. This paper presents the intervention’s messaging campaign design, deployment methodologies, and design-decisions; shows campaign effectiveness; and share lessons learned, including call pickup rates and listening-duration.

METHODS

We designed and deployed a two-phased campaign – phase one targeted Freetown (urban) residents, and phase two targeted Sierra Leoneans nationwide (urban and rural). Phase one delivered Family Planning, Maternal Health, Gender Based Violence (GBV), and Coronavirus 2019 messages through automated voice calls, SMS, radio jingles, and social media. Phase two of the campaign delivered national GBV only campaign messages through SMS and Radio jingles.

RESULTS

In phase one, only 31% of the 1,093,606 initiated automated calls to 290,000 subscribers were picked up, and this dropped significantly at 95% confidence (p=1) after each of the four weeks. Also, at 95% confidence levels, a significant number of subscribers did not listen to the complete messages when repeated (p=1). Thirty-one million two hundred (31.2 million) SMS messages were sent to all 3.9 million active Africell subscribers in Sierra Leone during the second phase. Also, SRH and GBV messages were aired on thirteen national radio stations in Sierra Leone during the second phase. The national toll free helpline for GBV cases reported an increase in calls and attributed it to the campaign.
Automated call interventions are cost and human resource intensive. Call pickup rates, listening duration, language, and consideration for users’ ability to re-reference messages are key factors when selecting scalable messaging campaign channels. The drop in the number of subscribers picking up automated calls from the first to fourth week was significant at a confidence level of 95%. According to the GBV helpline operators, the increase in calls reporting GBV was attributable to our campaign.

CONCLUSIONS

Only a third of subscribers called with pre-recorded messages picked up their calls. When automated calls are repeated, it leads to a significant drop in call completion rates. There was an increase in demand for service to the GBV helpline in the month following the campaign. A multi-channel messaging campaign helped reach different groups of young people.
A Comparison of Different Modeling Techniques in Predicting Mortality With the Tilburg Frailty Indicator: Longitudinal Study (Preprint)
Authors: van der Ploeg Tjeerd , Gobbens Robbert
Published: June 2021

BACKGROUND

Modern modeling techniques may potentially provide more accurate predictions of dichotomous outcomes than classical techniques.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we aimed to examine the predictive performance of eight modeling techniques to predict mortality by frailty.

METHODS

We performed a longitudinal study with a 7-year follow-up. The sample consisted of 479 Dutch community-dwelling people, aged 75 years and older. Frailty was assessed with the Tilburg Frailty Indicator (TFI), a self-report questionnaire. This questionnaire consists of eight physical, four psychological, and three social frailty components. The municipality of Roosendaal, a city in the Netherlands, provided the mortality dates. We compared modeling techniques, such as support vector machine (SVM), neural network (NN), random forest, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, as well as classical techniques, such as logistic regression, two Bayesian networks, and recursive partitioning (RP). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) indicated the performance of the models. The models were validated using bootstrapping.

RESULTS

We found that the NN model had the best validated performance (AUROC=0.812), followed by the SVM model (AUROC=0.705). The other models had validated AUROC values below 0.700. The RP model had the lowest validated AUROC (0.605). The NN model had the highest optimism (0.156). The predictor variable “difficulty in walking” was important for all models.

CONCLUSIONS

Because of the high optimism of the NN model, we prefer the SVM model for predicting mortality among community-dwelling older people using the TFI, with the addition of “gender” and “age” variables. External validation is a necessary step before applying the prediction models in a new setting.
L1 Use and L2 Vocabulary Retention: Help or Hindrance?
Authors: Yi Du
Published: June 2021

Although exclusive use of the second language has long been considered as an important principle of second language teaching and the learners’ first language has been suggested to have very limited role to play, recent studies have shown a different view that the L1 should be used as a tool to facilitate learners’ second language learning. The present study investigated L1 use in the area of English vocabulary teaching by examining nine Chinese EFL learners who were at different proficiency levels. The findings showed that the use of Mandarin Chinese led to better immediate and lasting retention of the vocabulary they have learnt and that it benefited both lower-proficiency and higher-proficiency learners. The study also offers some implications for Chinese EFL teachers and suggests that the implementation of the English-only policy in the EFL classroom should be reexamined.
SPECTRAL EVALUATION AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF SYNTHESIZED 4H-1,4-BENZOTHIAZINES
Authors: GOYAL ARUN
Published: June 2021

Objective: 4H-1,4-Benzothiazines constitute an important class of heterocycles containing 1,4-thiazine ring fused to benzene ring. They are extensively used as tranquilizer, antispasmodic, central nervous system depressant, antiulcer, antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, anticancer agents, fungicides, etc. Therefore, these observations prompted us to synthesize substituted 4H-1,4-benzothiazines and investigate their antimicrobial activity against selected bacterial and fungal strains.

Methods: In the present research work, 2-Amino-3,5,6-trichlorobenzenethiol condensed with β-diketones/β-ketoesters in the presence of dimethyl sulfoxide followed by oxidative cyclisation leading to the formation of 4H-1,4-benzothiazines. The spectral investigation confirmed the synthesis of these bioactive compounds. All synthesized compounds were screened for their antimicrobial activity (antibacterial and antifungal) using agar well diffusion method.

Results: The minimum inhibitory concentration values of synthesized compounds gave excellent results against bacterial as well as fungal strains (Escherichia coli [Gram negative] MTCC 2939, 58–158 μg/mL, Bacillus subtilis [Gram positive] MTCC 441, 41–124 μg/mL, Streptomyces griseus [Gram negative] MTCC 1998, 85–128 μg/mL, Fusarium oxysporum MTCC 1755, 142–151 μg/mL, Aspergillus niger MTCC 281, 59–78 μg/mL, and Rhizopus stolonifer MTCC 2591, 85–118 μg/mL).

Conclusion: Synthesized substituted benzothiazines have potential to be used as a new class of antibacterial and antifungal drugs. Further biomedical research is required to make 4H-1,4-benzothiazines related compounds as potential antibacterial and antifungal drugs.
KARANJ (PONGAMIA PINNATA) – AN AYURVEDIC AND MODERN OVERVIEW
Authors: THAKUR SHIFALI , KAURAV HEMLATA , CHAUDHARY GITIKA
Published: June 2021

Pongamia pinnata is one of the significant herbal plants with different therapeutic medicinal properties. P. pinnata is a potential medium-sized legume tree, also known as Karanja. It is widely distributed in Indian Western Ghats. This plant is mostly cultivated around coastal areas, riverbanks, tidal forests, and roadsides. Conventionally, the leaves, seeds, and the whole plant were utilized in the treatment of many ailments. There are various phytochemicals isolated from the P. pinnata plant. Karanjin is the principal furanoflavonoid of the plant. It was known to be the first crystalline compound isolated from this plant. The plant is therapeutically important in traditional medicine as well as in modern drugs. Oil extract from the P. pinnata seeds is utilized in agriculture and pharmacy. Seed oil is also proved to be a biofuel in recent studies. There are various therapeutical uses of the P. pinnata, including antiulcer, anti-diarrheal, antiplasmodial, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-lice, and others. The karanja seeds contain 27-40%(w/w/) oil. Commercially, the seed oil of the P. pinnata is used as biodiesel. The present review article reveals the overall ayurvedic and modern therapeutic information of P. pinnata with various reported ayurvedic literature and scientific pharmacological studies.
Legal Termination of Employment: Investigating the relationship between Performance Appraisal and Legal Termination
Authors: Mohammed Sinan Bahaulddin
Published: June 2021

The primary goal of this study is to look at the link between annual performance appraisals at private hospitals and legal termination; specifically, the study looked at whether employees are fired for poor performance after being appraised by performance appraisal management. This study employed a quantitative way to analyze data from four different private hospitals to determine whether employees are fired for poor performance after being reviewed by a performance assessment management system. A total of 100 questionnaires were issued, however only 68 were returned. The findings of this study revealed that in private hospitals, there is a poor and weak link between performance appraisal evaluation and legal termination.
Central nervous system Tuberculomas in a patient with disseminated multi-drug resistant tuberculosis; A case report
Authors:   Junior resident, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Government Medical College, Amritsar Punjab, India, Kaur Harveen , Singh Dilbag ,   Junior resident, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Government Medical College, Amritsar Punjab, India, Kaur Amritpal ,   Junior resident, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Government Medical College, Amritsar Punjab, India, Kajal N.C ,   Professor, Department of pulmonary Medicine, Government Medical College, Amritsar Punjab, India, Sharma Mukul ,   Junior resident, Department of CTVS, Apollo Hospital, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Published: June 2021

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Although Mycobacterium tuberculosis can involve any organ, most commonly the lung, central nervous system (CNS) tuberculosis is the most devastating form of the disease. Tuberculoma is the most common parenchymal lesion in CNS tuberculosis which could be found in any portion of the intracranial space. The global rates and numbers of drug resistant TB are rising. With increasing globalization, the spread of drug-resistant strains of TB has become a mounting global public health concern. We present a case of 27-year-old male with disseminated multi-drug resistant (MDR) TB who presented with neurological symptoms and multiple CNS Tuberculomas. The patient was started on regimen for Multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), which allowed the serial resolution of intracranial tuberculomas. Keywords: Tuberculosis (TB), Multi-drug resistant (MDR) TB, Central nervous system (CNS) TB, Tuberculoma, MRI brain
The influence of mismatch between power and status on employee voice behavior
Authors: Wang Wei , Yuan Ping , Yang Yuru
Published: June 2021

The importance of research into voice behavior for organizational effectiveness has recently become even more evident. We explored the impact of the mismatch between power and status on employees' voice behavior through the mediating mechanism of power struggle and the moderating mechanism
of power distance. Hypotheses were derived from legitimacy theory. Participants were 647 Chinese employee–supervisor dyads. We found that the mismatch between employees' sense of power and status positively predicted their voice behavior via power struggle, and the positive indirect
relationship was amplified when power distance was at a higher level. Theoretical contributions and future research directions are discussed.
Representações sociais dos alunos do Ensino Médio sobre as práticas pedagógicas dos seus professores de História
Authors: Diniz Rosimeire Ferreira , Vieira Vânia Maria de Oliveira
Published: June 2021

Esta pesquisa toma como objeto as práticas pedagógicas de professores de História, do Ensino Médio, na perspectiva dos alunos. De natureza quanti-qualitativa explicativa, busca na Teoria das Representações Sociais (TRS) de Moscovici (1978) o respaldo teórico-metodológico. Realizada com 76 alunos de três escolas públicas de Frutal/MG, apresenta como objetivo compreender as representações sociais (RS) construídas pelos alunos sobre as práticas pedagógicas dos seus professores de História. A coleta foi realizada a partir de um questionário contendo questões abertas e fechadas e a Técnica de Associação Livre de Palavras. Para as análises, além da TRS, contou-se com o auxílio do software EVOC e análise de conteúdo de Bardin (2011). Os resultados mostram que os alunos estão construindo RS ancoradas em elementos que evidenciam sentimentos dilemáticos - por um lado, reconhecem que o conhecimento e as provas são importantes para a formação; por outro, os procedimentos didáticos são cansativos e não auxiliam o processo de aprendizagem.
Crimea and the Crimean Tatars of the early XX century through the eyes of the English traveler Mary Holderness
Authors:   Marjani Institute of History of Tatarstan Academy of Sciences, Seytkhalilova Leylya S. , Alieva Arzy Yu. ,   Marjani Institute of History of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences
Published: June 2021

The given article analyzes the material contained in the essay of the English traveler Mary Holderness “Notes relating to the Manners and Customs of the Crim Tartars” as a part of work published in London in 1823 based on the results of her travels across the Russian Federation. In 1816, Mary Holderness made a trip to the Crimea, where for four years until 1820 she lived in the village of Karagoss in the Crimea.
A new stage in the study of the medieval Solkhat and its districts (Review of the Book: A Code of Monuments of History, Architecture and Culture of the Crimean Tatars. Volume IV. Old Crimea)
Authors:   Institute of Archeology of Crimea of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Maiko Vadim V.
Published: June 2021

The review considered the next IV Volume of a multi-volume publication: A Code of monuments of history, architecture and culture of the Crimean Tatars, prepared jointly by the Crimean Scientific Center of Sh. Marjani Institute of history of Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tatarstan, the Department of History of Fevzi Yakubov “Crimean Engineering and Pedagogical University” and the State Hermitage with the involvement of specialists studying the history and archeology of Solkhat. This volume is entirely devoted to the monuments of history, archeology and architecture of Solkhat – Stary Krym and its district of the second half of the XIII-XIX centuries. For the first time in Russian historiography, the most complete list of cultural heritage objects has been collected. All archaeological works were carried out in Solkhat and its district from the second half of the 1920s and up to today. Previously unpublished photographs and drawings are given in the volume. This publication is rightly considered a new stage in the study of this unique historical place of the Crimea.
Crimean Tatars in the socio-economic processes in the Crimean ASSR (20–30 years of the XX century)
Authors:   Fevzi Yakubov Crimean Industrial Pedagogical University, Kondratjuk Grigorii N. ,   Marjani Institute of History of Tatarstan Academy of Sciences
Published: June 2021

The article analyzes the relationship between the measures of the new economic policy and social processes in the Crimean ASSR. The NEP of 1920 was supposed not only to destroy economy, but also to form a national proletariat in the republic. The Crimean Tatars were supposed to become a social base for supporting the transformations of the Bolshevics. In the Crimean cities, unlike the industrial regions of the RSFSR, there was no proletariat. NEP formed it. Despite of the beginning of the industrialization policy, a radical change in the methods of economic regulation, this task was embodied in the 1990s as well.
Khan Jelaleddin and the Tatars at the Battle of Grunwald
Authors:   Institute of Political sciences of the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Chazbijewicz Selim , Namatov Mirlan A. ,   International University of Kyrgyzstan, Namatov Nurlan A. ,   International University of Kyrgyzstan
Published: June 2021

This article is a translation from Polish of the scientific work of the Polish historian of the Crimean Tatar origin Selim Chazbijewicz “Khan Jelaleddin and the Tatars at the Battle of Grunwald”. It examines the role of the Tatar cavalry and the significance of the Battle of Grunwald for Poland and Lithuania. The Tatars played a special role in the military history of Poland and Lithuania in the XII–XIV centuries. Their ubiquitous presence in wars and battles in Eastern Europe was well known to their contemporaries, who perfectly understood that without their military assistance, no belligerent side could claim victory over its opponents. Their decisive role in battles can be explained mainly by their use of nomadic light cavalry, which was practically invincible in those centuries. The Battle of Grunwald took place on July 15, 1410 during the Polish-Lithuanian-Teutonic War. The union of the crown of the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, headed by King Vladislav II Jagaila and Grand Duke Vytautas, finally defeated the German-Prussian knights of the Teutonic Order, headed by Grand Master Ulrich von Jungingen. Most of the leaders of the Teutonic Knights were killed or taken prisoner. The Teutonic Order will never regain its former power again, the financial burden of war reparations caused internal conflicts and economic recession in the territories under their control. The battle altered the balance of power in Central and Eastern Europe and heralded the rise of the Polish-Lithuanian alliance as the dominant political and military power in the region.
Historical and geographical analysis of the Cronicle of Remmal Khodja “Tarih-i Sahib Giray Khan”
Authors:   Southern Federal University, Shalak Maxim E.
Published: June 2021

This article is devoted to the analysis of the historical work of the famous Ottoman scholar Muhammad Nidai Kaisuni-zade, well known as Remmal Khodja, his work “Tarih-i Sahib Giray Khan”, which was written in the middle of the XVI century. This source, is dedicated to the history of the reign of Khan Sahib Giray (1532–1551), it will be studied here for the purpose of revealing information on the historical geography of the Crimean Khanate and adjacent territories. The beginning of this analysis was published in № 2, 2018 of this journal. In his chronicle Remmal Khodja describes nine military campaigns of Sahib Giray. He describes in details the routes of movement of the Tatar troops, gives the places of crossings and location sites of the troops. Very valuable are the characteristics given by the court historian to the opponents of the khan and descriptions of the terrain on which the fighting was conducted. From the above I mentioned information, it may seem, that Remmal Khodja described the events as if he was its direct witness. In all the military campaigns of Sahib Giray, described by Remmal Khodja, can be traced four directions of those campaigns. To the west – to Moldavia, to the north – to Russia and Lithuania, to the east – to the Astrakhan Khanate, and south-east – to the Caucasus. Of all the directions, the North Caucasus region is described in more detailed way in the source, since Sahib Giray made four campaigns to this territory. The revealed information gives us the chance to clarify the boundaries of the Crimean Khanate, the lands that were in its vassal dependence, the location of sites and fortresses, as well as the areas of residence of some North Caucasian tribes. The only publication of “Tarih-i Sahib Giray Khan” was implemented in 1973 by O. Gökbilgin. The scientist published a Chronicle in the modern Turkish transcription, providing it with a French translation.
Modulations in carbon and nitrogen assimilation patterns in rice plants exposed to elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations
Authors:   Department of Environmental Sciences, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore - 641 003, India, Rajkishore S.K. , Doraisamy P. ,   Department of Environmental Sciences, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore - 641 003, India, Maheswari M. ,   Department of Environmental Sciences, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore - 641 003, India, Subramanian K.S. ,   Department of Nano Science & Technology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore - 641 003, India, Prabhu R. ,   Department of Nano Science & Technology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore - 641 003, India, Vanitha G. ,   Department of Physical Sciences and Information Technology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore - 641 003, India
Published: June 2021

Aim: To study the influence of elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations on the carbon and nitrogen assimilation patterns in rice plants. Methodology: Rice (Oryza sativa) plants were placed in Open Top Chambers (OTCs) and exposed to elevated levels of CO2. The treatments consisted of three levels of CO2 (398, 550 and 750 µmol mol-1) and three levels of nitrogen (0, 150 and 200 kg ha-1) and replicated five times in completely randomized design. Results: Leaf nitrogen was significantly reduced by 10.6 % and 6.5 % during later stages in rice plants exposed to CO2 @ 750 µmol mol-1 and 550 µmol mol-1, respectively over the ambient CO2. Rice plants under elevated CO2 did not exhibit any variations in Nitrate Reductase activity in leaves in comparison to ambient CO2 at tillering stage. Interestingly, NRase activity in leaves decreased at flowering stage whereas NRase activity in roots increased at same stage. The highest mean nitrogen values (0.58, 0.89 and 1.35 %) were observed in Camb (ambient CO2 concentration) and the lowest values (0.51, 0.80 and 1.27 %) in C750 in roots, straw and grains, respectively. Elevated CO2 @ 750 µmol mol-1 significantly increased the above ground biomass (straw and grain) by 15.6 and 40.1 %, respectively, over the ambient CO2 of 398 µmol mol-1. Interpretation: Elevated CO2 enhanced the grain productivity but affected the quality of rice grains. Thus, excessive nitrogen fertilization above the current recommendation is necessary for future high CO2 environments.