bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
«Puliamo San Siro»: lottare contro lo stigma territoriale in un quartiere di edilizia popolare di Milano
Authors: Grassi Paolo
Published: December 2020

I quartieri periferici delle città sono spesso più esposti a problemi ambientali rispetto alle aree in cui vivono le élite urbane. Un complesso di edilizia popolare di Milano chiamato San Siro – dove conduco una ricerca etnografica da gennaio 2017 – sembra confermare questa affermazione. Negli ultimi anni lo spazio pubblico del quartiere ha subito un processo di progressivo deterioramento: i rifiuti vengono abbandonati in diversi angoli, le strade sono sporche. L’articolo descriverà come due comitati locali hanno provato ad affrontare questo problema attraverso strategie distinte. Il primo, il Comitato di Quartiere, è formato in maggioranza da un gruppo di anziani italiani; il secondo, il Comitato Abitanti, è invece collegato ai movimenti sociali milanesi che lottano per il «diritto all’abitare». Nonostante le loro diverse visioni, i due comitati perseguono un obiettivo molto simile quando attuano azioni volte a creare uno spazio pubblico “pulito” e “bello”: decostruire lo stigma territoriale e ottenere giustizia spaziale contro la loro marginalizzazione.
Waiting for Godot: A Cross Sectional Survey Based Analysis of the Hydroxychloroquine Prophylaxis Strategy against Covid-19 in India
Authors: Moni Merlin , Madathil Thushara , Palabatla Rahul , Balachandran Sabarish , Edathadathil Fabia , Gutjahr Georg , Madathil Sai B. , Pai Rajesh , Beena KV , Jayant Aveek , Sathyapalan Dipu T.
Published: December 2020

Background

India currently has the second largest burden of infections due to COVID-19. Health Care Worker (HCW) shortages are endemic to Indian healthcare. It should therefore be a huge priority to protect this precious resource as a critical component of the systemic response to this pandemic. Advisories from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) have focused on using hydroxychloroquine prophylaxis against COVID-19 in at risk HCW. This prophylaxis strategy has no evidence. In further jeopardy there appear to insubstantial attempts to build this evidence as well. In this connection, we commissioned a survey within our Institution to estimate the penetration of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) use and use this to statistically model the impact of current ongoing studies in India. We also briefly review the literature on HCQ prophylaxis for COVID-19.

Design and methods

A structured survey designed using RedCAP application was disseminated among healthcare professionals employed at an academic referral tertiary care centre via online social media platforms. The survey was kept open for the entire month of June 2020. The survey was additionally used to statistically model the size of studies required to comprehensively address the efficacy of HCQ in this setting.

Results

522 responses were received, of which 4 were incomplete. The ICMR strategy of 4 or more doses of HCQ was complete only in 15% of HCW in our survey. The majority of respondents were doctors (238, 46%). Amongst all category of responders, only 12% (n=63) received the full course. A majority of those who initiated the chemoprophylaxis with HCQ turned out to be medical professionals (59/63) with neither nurse nor other categories of healthcare workers accessing the medication. The respondents of our institutional survey did not report any life-threatening side effects. Presuming efficacy as per ICMR modelling for new registry trial on the lines of the published case control study, equal allocation between cases and controls and assuming a RR of 1.3.6, the power of such a study would be very low for n=2000 for event rates from 2.5-12.5%.

Conclusion

We report the low penetration of HCQ chemoprophylaxis among the healthcare workers of our institution. We highlight the inherent drawbacks in the study design of current national COVID related trial based on the statistical modelling of our survey results and published literature, and thereby emphasis the need of evidence-based strategies contributing to research policy at national level.
The determination of uranium in uranium concentrates using ethyl acetate
Authors: Guest R J , Zimmerman J B
Published: December 2020

A method is described for the determination of uranium in high grade uranium material. Uranium is separated from contaminants by means of an ethyl acetate extraction using aluminum nitrate as a salting agent. The uranium is then determined colorimetrically by the
sodium hydroxide-hydrogen peroxide method. The procedure is accurate, rapid and easily adaptable to routine work.
Treating acute myeloid leukemia among children with down syndrome
Authors: Kapoor Rajan , Mohan Karthik Ram , Roy Shuvendu , Pramanik Suman Kumar , Khera Sanjeev , Simalti A K
Published: December 2020

Background: Down Syndrome (DS) children with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have unique differences in clinical features, epidemiologic nature, and biologic patterns of disease compared with AML in children without DS. Aims and Objective: AML in DS children should be considered distinct disorder from AML in Non DS population and treatment needs to be customized for this population. In this retrospective study spanning from 2014 to 2019 we present our experience of managing leukemia in children with DS. Materials and Methods: From 2014 and 2019, 72 children aged below 18 years were managed at our institute with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Out of these 72 children with AML, 7 children were with DS which was confirmed by karyotyping. Majority of these children had M7 while M2 and M4 subtypes were seen in one child each. On conventional karyotyping in addition to trisomy 21 additional cytogenetic abnormalities were seen in 4 patients. Two children had trisomy 8. One child had deletion of 11 chromosomes and one had translocation between 8 and 21 chromosomes. Results: All 7 children were administered intensive chemotherapy with curative intent after informed parental consent. All 7 children achieved complete remission. Four out of 7 children had complications related to severe neutropenia. Conclusion: All patients of DS with AML should be offered chemotherapy with curative intent. Endeavour should be to give less aggressive chemotherapy protocol to bring down treatment related mortality.
Case Report on Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia: A Mask of Malignancy!
Authors: Sampagar Abhilasha , Patil Neha Giridhar , Bartakke Sandip , Shrividya S
Published: December 2020

A 10-year-old boy with autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) was treated at a local setup with repeated blood transfusions and steroids considering an idiopathic etiology. After 7 months of unresponsiveness, the child started developing recurrent fever with night sweats and pain in the abdomen which was diagnosed as tuberculosis on account of granulomatous necrotizing lesion on computed tomography (CT)-guided lymph node biopsy and treated for the same. Four months later, when the child presented to our center in anemic heart failure, work-up with positron emission tomography-CT and excisional biopsy of mesenteric lymph node led to the diagnosis of advanced Hodgkin's lymphoma with B symptoms. AIHA in pediatric age group, unlike in adults, is usually secondary. Our report stresses on a thorough evaluation of AIHA as it can mask a malignancy for a long duration and alter its course if treated with steroids, making the patient resistant to further chemotherapy.
Patient-Reported Shoulder Morbidity and Fatigue among Breast Cancer Survivors: An Insight from a Tertiary Care Cancer Hospital
Authors: Basu Abhishek , Mondal Janmenjoy , Swetha Bhukya , Chakrabarty Shinjini , Ghosh Debjit , Gangopadhyay Subhendu , Mandal Bidyut
Published: December 2020

Context: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Indian women with an annual mortality of around 87,000. Treatment for breast carcinoma may lead to swelling of the ipsilateral arm, shoulder stiffness, arm pain, and cancer-related fatigue. Very few centers in India have reported the arm and shoulder morbidity treated in their hospitals. Aims: The aim was to evaluate the predictive factors of arm and shoulder morbidity and fatigue among breast cancer survivors. Settings and Design: This was a retrospective analysis based on a prospectively maintained database. Materials and Methods: Early and locally advanced cases of breast cancer patients were screened for the study during 2015–2018. Eligible participants were invited to fill up the predetermined questionnaire, and their demographic and treatment-related information was accrued from a file archive. Follow-up period was estimated from the date of tissue diagnosis to last contact/time of interview. Results: Shoulder stiffness was the most common complaint followed by arm numbness. Obesity and diabetes played a crucial role in most of the morbidities and fatigue. The median fatigue score was 34, and the median time of appearance of lymphedema was 13 months. Modified radical mastectomy and radiotherapy to axilla were statistically significantly (P = 0.04 and 0.01, respectively) associated with greater shoulder stiffness and arm swelling. Conclusions: Obesity, diabetes, type of surgery, the extent of axillary dissection, and radiation plan are the major predictive factors of arm and shoulder morbidity. Further prospective validation is necessary for future breast cancer survivorship programs.
Antibody Drug Conjugates
Authors: Bala Stalin , Prasad Siva K
Published: December 2020

Antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) are chemically engineered drugs consisting of monoclonal antibody (mAb) and cytotoxic compound attached chemically by a linker. Upon attachment to a specific target antigen, ADC enters into the cell and payload is released, which finally leads to cell killing. Payloads are broadly divided into tubulin-disrupting agents and DNA-damaging agents. Most of the current ADCs utilize humanized mAbs, and fully human mAbs are under investigation. ADC development process is accelerated by better designing and bio-engineering methods.
Daratumumab Plus Carfilzomib: An Optimistic Approach in Relapsed/ Refractory Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Dubey AP , Khatri Sameer , Maggo Sachin , Singh Nilabh K , Sharma Durgesh
Published: December 2020

Background: Although with the introduction of novel agents, clinical outcomes have significantly improved in patients of multiple myeloma (MM); however, nearly all relapse, requiring subsequent treatment. Patients who have been heavily treated for relapsed/refractory MM (RRMM) have limited options and poor survival outcomes. Carfilzomib plus daratumumab combination have been evaluated in a phase 1b study in patients of RRMM progressing after 1–3 lines of therapies including bortezomib and an immune-modulatory drug. However, data are lacking evaluating the efficacy of this combination in RRMM patients who have progressed or have suboptimal response on either of these drugs (carfilzomib or daratumumab). Methods: Prospective analysis of data of 19 RRMM patients who progressed after multiple lines of therapy (including bortezomib and lenalidomide/pomalidomide) and had suboptimal response/stable/progressive disease after receiving carfilzomib or daratumumab based combination as last therapy. All patients received combination of carfilzomib plus daratumumab along with dexamethasone (DKd) after prior consent. Daratumumab (16 mg/kg IV) was administered weekly (days 1, 8, 15, and 22) during cycles 1 and 2, every 2 weeks (days 1 and 15) during cycles 3–6, and every 4 weeks thereafter. Carfilzomib was administered weekly on days 1, 8, and 15 of each 28-day cycle. Patients received an initial carfilzomib dose of 20 mg/m2 on day 1,2; 27 mg/m2 on day 8, 9, 15, 16 of cycle 1, which increased to 70 mg/m2 on day 1, 8, 15 from cycle 2 onwards if deemed tolerable. Dexamethasone was given as fixed-dose of 40 mg weekly. Results: Eighteen of 19 patients (including 3 high risk cytogenetics) to DKd (CR-4, very good partial response-10, partial response-02). After median follow-up of 16 months, progression-free survival (PFS) was 95%. Median PFS was not reached. Three patients who were transplant eligible received high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem-cell transplantation and achieved minimal residual disease negativity. The most frequent all grade side effects were hematological, which included neutropenia 30%, anemia 70%, and thrombocytopenia 42%. Most frequent non hematological side effects were nausea 40%, vomiting, cough, respiratory tract infections, asthenia, and loss of appetite. Conclusion: Carfilzomib plus daratumumab based combination in RRMM patients has shown promising results in phase Ib study, where patients with prior exposure to either of these drugs were excluded. Our data show similar or better response of this combination in patients who had progressive disease/stable disease/minimal response to either of carfilzomib or daratumumab. This combination can be a better option in heavily treated RRMM (with prior exposure to either of carfilzomib or daratumumab) producing deeper and durable responses. A larger study may be required to prove this benefit.
Crescimento de espécies arbóreas nativas em recuperação de área degradada no litoral do Paraná
Authors: Schaffer Luiz Henrique , Mattar Eduardo Abilhoa , Nakajima Nelson Yoshihiro , Silva Samuel Alves , Borges Ricardo Aguiar , Borges Augusto Venicius Possa , Carpanezzi Antonio Aparecido , Neves Edinelson José Maciel , Angelo Alessandro Camargo , De Britez Ricardo Miranda
Published: December 2020

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o crescimento das espécies Senna multijuga, Myrsine coriaceae, Schizolobium parahyba var. parahyba, Inga edulis, I. marginata e Citharexylum myrianthum na recuperação de uma área degradada pela pecuária. O experimento foi desenvolvido na Reserva Natural da Guaricica em Antonina, PR. Foram testados quatro tratamentos com diferentes densidades de indivíduos de cada espécie, cada um com três repetições em blocos de 3.000 m2. A avaliação foi baseada nas variáveis: altura total (h), diâmetro a 1,30 m do solo, área de cobertura da copa, área basal e mortalidade. Com exceção da mortalidade que foi comparada pelo teste de Kruskal-Wallis, as demais variáveis foram comparadas pelo teste de Tukey a 5% de significância. I. edulis apresentou o melhor desenvolvimento e I. marginata o pior, enquanto M. coriacea apresentou a menor mortalidade e S. multijuga a maior. Estes resultados se expressaram entre os tratamentos, pois maior densidade de I. edulis gerou maior h média e maior densidade de S. multijuga gerou maior mortalidade. Maiores proporções de I. edulis tendem a aumentar a eficiência de projetos de restauração, enquanto C. myrianthum e M. coriacea também apresentam potencial para plantios na região do estudo.
Preliminary study for the suitability of eucalyptus chips and coal for combustion in a fluidized bed reactor
Authors: Auler Angenor Geovani , Mem de Sá Matheus Vilares , Eichler Paulo , Mattia Jaqueline Lidorio de , Silva Guilherme , De Souza Guilherme , Santos Fernando Almeida
Published: December 2020

The combustion with fluidized bed reactors has as main advantages the best energy utilization of combustible materials and a lower generation of pollutants. The fluidization success depends on the characteristics of the particles that compose the bed. This research aimed to perform a preliminary evaluation and characterization of the energy potential and the fluidization curves in fluidized beds formed by binary mixtures of eucalyptus chips + sand and mineral coal + sand. We tested: 1) physical characterization of solid fuels; 2) chemical characterization of combustible materials; 3) thermogravimetric analysis of fuels; 4) determination of the fluidization curves and minimum fluidization velocity for a polydisperse bed. We observed 19.15 MJ kg-1 of lower calorific value for eucalyptus chips and 10.1 MJ kg-1 for coal. The increase in biomass percentage in mixture caused a pressure drop in bed, indicating the formation of preferred paths and a necessity to increase fluid velocity. The fluidization of coal and Eucalyptus chips can be viable in a bubbling fluid bed process, motivating future theoretical and experimental studies involving the application of this methodology in the development of clean and sustainable technologies.
Exposição de trabalhadores a ruído e vibração em atividades de colheita florestal semimecanizada
Authors: Masioli William , Fiedler Nilton César , Lopes Eduardo da Silva , Oliveira Felipe Martins de
Published: December 2020

Objetivou-se analisar o nível de exposição de trabalhadores a ruídos e vibração de mãos e braços por máquinas utilizadas na colheita semimecanizada de madeira. A pesquisa foi realizada em áreas operacionais de uma empresa florestal na região Sul do Espírito Santo, em povoamentos de Pinus elliottii com 40 anos de idade. Analisou-se ruído e vibração nas atividades parciais do ciclo de trabalho do corte com motosserra e extração de madeira com trator agrícola equipado com grua e carreta. O nível de exposição a ruídos foi mensurado com dosímetro e a vibração com acelerômetro, seguindo as normas NHO-01 e ISO 5349-1. As atividades de corte e extração superaram o limite de exposição a ruídos, apresentando 100,8 dB (A) e 91,3dB (A), respectivamente. Para o corte, a análise de vibração demonstrou níveis de fadiga em ambos os eixos estudados, destacando o desgalhamento com maior exposição (0,265 m s-²). Observaram-se níveis de fadiga nos eixos xy dos membros superiores dos trabalhadores durante a extração, com destaque para o deslocamento carregado e vazio (0,174 m s-²). Observa-se a necessidade de adoção de medidas que diminuam a exposição dos operários às condições inadequadas, sendo consideradas indispensáveis para o desempenho das atividades.
Fitorreguladores na calogênese e rizogênese em Eugenia involucrata
Authors: Golle Diego Pascoal , Reiniger Lia Rejane Silveira , Stefanel Charlene Moro , Serrote Caetano Miguel Lemos
Published: December 2020

Este trabalho objetivou avaliar o efeito de fitorreguladores na calogênese e rizogênese em discos foliares de Eugenia involucrata. Foram testadas, em dois experimentos, combinações de ácido naftalenoacético (ANA) e 6-benzilaminopurina (BAP) e de 2,4-diclorofenoxiacético (2,4-D) e BAP. Aos 45 dias de cultivo todos os tratamentos formaram calos, principalmente naqueles em que foram empregados ANA isolado e, também, combinado com BAP, bem como 2,4-D e BAP (5:5 e 10:10 µM). Apenas ANA isolado (10 µM) induziu  rizogênese. Aos 90 dias de cultivo pôde-se perceber  melhor o efeito dos fitorreguladores, observando-se que 2,4-D e BAP (5:5 e 10:10 µM) favoreceram a calogênese, enquanto para rizogênese o melhor tratamento foi com 10 µM de ANA. É possível mediar processos de desdiferenciação e rediferenciação celular a partir de discos foliares de Eugenia involucrata.
Diodos emissores de luz (LEDS) no cultivo in vitro de Eugenia involucrata
Authors: Stefanel Charlene Moro , Reiniger Lia Rejane Silveira , Silva Leandro Dutra da , Rabaiolli Silvia Machado dos Santos , Da Silva Karol Buuron
Published: December 2020

Esse trabalho objetivou avaliar o efeito do tipo de luz no cultivo in vitro de Eugenia involucrata. Os tratamentos consistiram do cultivo sob diodos emissores de luz (LEDs) de cor vermelho, azul, verde ou branco e lâmpadas fluorescentes. Nos cultivos sob LEDs branco e azul foram observadas as maiores médias de estabelecimento; sob o azul e lâmpadas fluorescentes, o maior número de folhas; sob o azul, o maior número de brotos; sob o branco, menor contaminação bacteriana; e sob o verde os piores resultados. LEDs azul, vermelho, branco e lâmpadas fluorescentes influenciam favoravelmente a propagação in vitro de E. involucrata.
Cardiovascular aspects of COVID-19
Authors: Kurz David J. , Eberli Franz R.
Published: December 2020

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is primarily a pulmonary disease, but also affects the cardiovascular system in multiple ways. In this review, we will summarise and put into perspective findings and debates relating to the diverse aspects of cardiovascular involvement of COVID-19. We will review evidence for the role of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), the risk of pre-existing cardiovascular disease in COVID-19 susceptibility and course, and the mechanism of acute and long-term myocardial injury.
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) uses membrane-bound angiotensin converting-enzyme-2 (ACE2) as a receptor for cell entry. ACE2 is part of an important counter-regulatory circuit antagonising the harmful effects of angiotensin II on lung and heart. Modulation of ACE2 may therefore affect disease susceptibility and disease course. However, observational clinical studies and one randomised trial have so far not yielded evidence for harmful or beneficial effects of blockers of the RAAS during COVID-19. Age, gender, and multi-morbidity all increase susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2. In contrast, pre-existing cardiovascular diseases do so only minimally, but they may aggravate the disease course.
Direct SARS-CoV-2 infection of the heart tissue and myocytes is rare. Nevertheless, COVID-19 may lead to myocarditis-like acute cardiac injury, characterised by myocardial oedema, but lacking extensive myocyte loss and lymphocytic infiltration. Independent of this, increases in cardiac biomarkers (troponin, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, D-dimer) are frequent, especially in the phase of severe systemic inflammation and acute respiratory distress syndrome, and quantitatively associated with poor outcome. The pulmonary infection may result initially in right ventricular dysfunction, but in cases with severe systemic infection hypoxia, hyperinflammation and cytokine storm heart failure may eventually ensue.
Unlike other infections and inflammatory states, COVID-19 does not appear to trigger acute coronary syndromes. In children, even mild COVID-19 can induce a multisystem inflammatory syndrome with Kawasaki-like symptoms frequently accompanied by cardiogenic shock.
In the eye of the hurricane: the Swiss COVID-19 pandemic stepwise shutdown approach in organ donation and transplantation
Authors: Immer Franz F , Benden Christian , Elmer Andreas , Krügel Nathalie , Nyfeler Susanne , Nebiker Mathias , Wilhelm Markus J , Hirzel Cédric , National Committee for Organ Donation (CNDO)  , Medical Committee (CM)  , Swisstransplant Infectious Diseases Working Group (STAI)
Published: December 2020

AIMS OF THE STUDY
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has an ongoing severe impact on health care, but there is a lack of information on COVID-19 and its effect on organ donation and solid organ transplantation. Early in the pandemic, Swisstransplant, the Swiss National Foundation for Organ Donation and Transplantation, set up a national stepwise shutdown approach to avoid a collapse of transplant activities during phases of the pandemic with sufficient available healthcare capacities. The approach allowed regional adaptation of transplant-associated activities depending on available healthcare capacities, instead of implementing a rigid centralistic system. The aim of this study was to describe the stepwise shutdown approach and to determine whether this flexible approach would be helpful for avoiding complete cessation of transplant activities during a pandemic.

METHODS
A retrospective nationwide study was conducted to evaluate donor procurement and solid organ transplantation activity in Switzerland during the COVID-19 pandemic (1 January to 31 May 2020). To assess the impact of the flexible stepwise shutdown plan on overall transplantation activity in Switzerland, we compared total and individual numbers of transplanted organs during the first wave of the pandemic with the transplant activity immediately before the pandemic.

RESULTS
The pandemic evolved heterogeneously across Swiss cantons, severely affecting western cantons and the Ticino. Overall, there was a reduction in deceased donor transplants in Switzerland of 16.7% in March and April 2020 (during the pandemic) compared with January and February 2020 (prior to the pandemic), the decline mostly driven by kidney transplants (−27.6%) and to a lesser extent by transplants of vital organs (heart, lungs, liver) (−5.9%). In May 2020, solid organ transplantation activity in Switzerland again exceeded the average of pre-pandemic months (January and February), with 35 transplanted organs, but the increase from April to May 2020 was exclusively driven by liver and kidney transplants.

CONCLUSION
The Swiss stepwise shutdown approach in organ donation and transplantation helped to maintain a limited national organ procurement and vital organ transplant activity, avoiding a complete nationwide shutdown of organ donation and transplant activity. We therefore propose a flexible shutdown approach that regulates transplant activities dependent on regional healthcare resources rather than uniform centralistic regulations. This approach proved to be especially useful during a regional heterogeneously evolving pandemic.
The Influence of Instagram Advertising on Destination Visit Intention
Authors: Tobias-Mamina Rejoice Jealous , Kempen Elizabeth , Chinomona Rudo , Sly Megan
Published: December 2020

The current study examines the effect of social media-based (Instagram) influencer advertising, on advertising cognition, attitude towards a brand, brand beliefs, as well as intention to visit a tourist destination, on a sample of consumers in Gauteng Province of South Africa. The study sought to understand the mechanism by which influencer advertising affects consumer decision making. It proposed a unified social media influencer attitude-model. To test the model, a survey questionnaire was administered among 404 Instagram users who have visited a destination of choice Instagram page. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was undertaken to assess the dimensionality and validity of the measurement scale. The study used a path modelling technique to test the proposed hypotheses. The results of structural equation modelling (AMOS 25) indicated that the relationship between exposure to influencer advertising and brand belief was robust. However, exposure to influencer advertising showed a moderate positive effect on both advertising cognition and attitude towards the destination. Consequently, attitude towards the advertising (Ad), brand beliefs and brand attitude had a significant and positive effect on destination visit intention. While traditional models of advertising efficacy theorised that advertisements transform consumer attitudes mainly by modifying their brand beliefs, this study however found that consumers’ advertisement cognition, brand-linked beliefs, attitude towards the brand and their intention to visit a tourist destination of choice are influenced by their assessment of the of advertisement information.
Agrotourism Niche-Market in Ghana: A Multi-Stakeholder Approach
Authors: Eshun Gabriel , Mensah Kobby
Published: December 2020

The study examined multi-stakeholder inputs into agrotourism development in Ghana. Particular emphasis was placed on the potential and anticipated challenges for the emerging niche-market. The study employed a qualitative approach using a purposive sampling of 35 stakeholders selected from mainly tourism and agricultural related organisations in Ghana. The qualitative data generated were thematically analysed. The results of the study indicated that most of the stakeholders have no official documentation on agrotourism in the country. This notwithstanding, the stakeholders have a positive perception of agrotourism as a niche-market, with potential for becoming a market leader in the tourism sector in Ghana. The challenge, however, is the quality of frontline employees who, according to the literature, lack communication skills. The study showed amply that considerations such as public education on agrotourism, supporting locals with farm tools and equipment, giving technical assistance through capacity building, will help stimulate agrotourism in the country. In sum, the study presents a cardinal focus for agrotourism emergence in Ghana, and serves as a trajectory for a more robust development of the niche-market in Africa and beyond.
Local Residents’ Assessment of South Africa as a Domestic Leisure Travel Destination
Authors: Dlomo Nokulunga C , Ezeuduji Ikechukwu O.
Published: December 2020

Market research has realised that identifying tourists’ needs and wants, and making concerted efforts to satisfying them is the hallmark of destination marketing. This study explores locals’ perception of South Africa (SA) as a leisure travel destination, and ways of marketing the destination, using the case of Mtubatuba Local Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal. We used a structured questionnaire to collect data from 400 respondents. Results show that respondents perceive South Africa as a favourable leisure travel destination. Results also show that better promotion of South Africa as a domestic leisure travel destination should be made, mostly through the usage of Technology. Young (18-30 years of age), female, and employed residents, and those with tertiary education, show higher demand for domestic tourism than their counterparts. This study recommends that domestic tourism marketing efforts by South African Tourism should be amplified targeting these demographic groups. Intensive and continuous domestic tourism promotion (using social media and other modern forms of Information and Communication Technology), competitive pricing (through reduced operational costs and bundle pricing), and further improvements on national security are areas that still need national attention. Domestic tourism demand translates into international or foreign demand.
Non-Technological Food Service Innovation Models: Towards Building Value Creation in Restaurants within Hotels in Nairobi County, Kenya
Authors: Kamau Sarah Wambui , Kalui Benjamin
Published: December 2020

The food service industry has to continuously innovate; however, concerns have been raised regarding the issue of distinctive and customized innovation models. The study aimed at the general objective to investigate how non-technological food service innovation models create value in restaurants. The specific objective was to establish and explore the relationship between non-technological food service innovation models and value creation. The study used a cross-sectional descriptive survey research design which involved those hotel restaurants in Nairobi County that were registered with the Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA) as at 2016. Multistage stratified sampling—as well as purposeful and random sampling techniques—were used with a sample size of 385 respondents. Data collection instruments included questionnaires, interview guide, and observation-checklist, achieving a response rate of 82.9%. The coded data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical data analytical methods. Hypotheses were tested using multinomial regression, t-test and chi-square. Food service innovation model had no significant relationship with value creation in restaurants (p-value of 0.554). The study concludes that there is a need for a systematic procedure/model for developing non-technological food service innovations. To these end the study proposes a new food service innovation model with new variable such as consultation of professionals. This will enable an innovative organizational culture and lead to significant cost savings in the food service industry, among other benefits.
The Making of a ‘Big 5’ Game Reserve as an Urban Tourism Destination: Dinokeng, South Africa
Authors: Burton Calum , Rogerson Christian , Rogerson Jayne
Published: December 2020

Since 2000, against the background of chronically high levels of city unemployment and of the stagnation or rundown of the manufacturing sector, many urban governments across South Africa pivoted towards the building of competitive tourism economies as an anchor for local economic development, employment creation and small enterprise development. With the tourism sector being the most popular sectoral focus for local economic development programming in South Africa, the evolution of place-based development initiatives around tourism is a topic of policy relevance. This paper contributes to tourism scholarship concerning new product innovation and development for urban tourism in South Africa. It investigates the unfolding planning and challenges of a unique tourism development project for the creation of a ‘big 5’ game reserve located on the periphery of the country’s major metropolitan complex and economic hub, Gauteng province. The evolution of the project and the challenges of destination development are themes under scrutiny.
Opening the Door for Wider Application of the Tourism Area Life Cycle Model with Application to the Rietvlei Nature Reserve, Tshwane, South Africa
Authors: de Jager Anna E , Nicolau Melanie D
Published: December 2020

In this paper, the Tourist Area Life Cycle (TALC) model was adapted for application to an urban green space that is not necessarily a tourist destination. Important components of the TALC model, such as carrying capacity, critical life cycle points and a variety of scenarios relevant to urban green spaces that do not primarily have a tourism focus were considered in the development of an adapted model that could be of value in the management of a variety of functions in such spaces. A case study approach was followed, in which the model was applied to the Rietvlei Nature Reserve in Tshwane (South Africa). The functions and benefits of the Rietvlei Nature Reserve include the protection of a portion of the Highland grassland biome with the associated biodiversity, recreation, opportunities for environmental education research, and water provisioning to the City of Tshwane. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected through observation, individual interviews, focus groups and questionnaires, with a total of 558 respondents. The data included primary and secondary sources, and the researchers’ own observations. The management of a variety of ecosystem services provided by the conservation area and surrounding urban landscape plays an important role in the life cycle of this urban green space. The value of this study lies in demonstrating that an adaptation of the TALC model can be of value in the sustainable management of the ecological services that urban green spaces provide to urban dwellers.
An Exploratory Analysis of Visitor Spending at a Cultural Event in Eswatini
Authors: Herman Uwe , Tshipala Ndivhuwo Norman , Dlamini Neliswa
Published: December 2020

Tourism is seen as a crucial part of the economy of eSwatini. eSwatini now focuses on marketing itself as a cultural tourism destination where tourists are able to experience ancient Swazi ceremonies such as the Umhlanga (Reed Dance) ceremony. Research into traditional rural, cultural events such as the Umhlanga ceremony has not received significant attention. This study presents an exploratory spending profile of visitors to the Umhlanga ceremony. A quantitative research method was utilised for the study. Data was analysed to determine general spending by event visitors on spending associated with the event. Lastly, data was analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) comparisons with Tukey's multiple comparisons and t-tests in order to determine if there were any significant associations between the demographic variables and the spending patterns. Findings indicated that place of residence, employment status, level of education, age, travel party size, local residential location, gender, transportation and number of visits had a significant influence on the average expenditure within the destination. This was the first study of its kind on a cultural event in eSwatini and it provides an insight into the complex nature of such events which may assist event stakeholders in enhancing the sustainability of these types of events in future.
Penegakan Hukum dan Kedaulatan Pada Wilayah Perbatasan Negara Oleh Tentara Nasional Indonesia di Provinsi Sulawesi Utara
Authors: Ardani Nasution Hilmi
Published: December 2020

Sulawesi Utara sebagai salah satu wilayah Republik Indonesia memiliki kawasan laut yang luas dan berbatasan langsung dengan negara-negara tetangga. Potensi alam besar yang bersumber dari laut Sulawesi Utara berpotensi memberikan pemasukan negara yang sangat besar, selain itu juga berpotensi menimbulkan kerugian yang tidak kalah besarnya bagi negara jika penegakan hukum dan kedaulatan tidak dikedepankan. Salah satu peran penegakan hukum dan kedaulatan di wilayah perbatasan laut dilaksanakan oleh Tentara Nasional Indonesia (TNI), dibebankan tugas yang berat untuk menjaga kewibawaan negara dengan cara penerapan hukum yang sesuai dengan peraturan perundang-undangan yang belaku nasional maupun nasional. Berdasarkan latar belakang tersebut, rumusan masalah yang akan dijawab dalam tulisan ini adalah bagaimana penegakan hukum dan kedaulatan di kawasan perbatasan negara di Provinsi Sulawesi Utara oleh TNI ? Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk menjabarkan tentang peran penegakan hukum dan kedaulatan oleh TNI dan memberikan gambaran kondisi nyata di kawasan perbatasan. Penelitian ini diharapkan dapat dijadikan sebagai bahan pertimbangan pemerintah dalam mengambil kebijakan terkait dengan kawasan perbatasan negara. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah kualitatif dengan bentuk penelitian hukum normatif dan empiris. Hasil penelitian bahwa Tentara Nasional Indonesia melaksanakan penegakan hukum dan kedaulatan sesuai dengan peraturan perundang-undangan yang berlaku, dilaksanakan dengan berkoordinasi dengan instansi terkait penegakan hukum. Permasalahan yang dihadapi di kawasan perbatasan Sulawesi Utara adalah antara lain pencurian ikan dan penyelundupan, terdapat juga permasalahan hukum terkait dengan kewarganegaraan di wilayah pulau Sulawesi Utara yang menimbulkan kebingungan dalam penegakan hukum oleh Tentara Nasional Indonesia. Kesimpulan bahwa TNI dalam hal ini Angkatan Laut (AL) memiliki tugas untuk melakukan penegakan hukum di laut sebagai bentuk dari penegakan kedaulatan Republik Indonesia di laut, namun penegakan hukum oleh TNI AL tidak termasuk dalam hal melaksanakan fungsi peradilan.
Multilateralism and Nationalism in an Era of Disruption: the Great Pandemic and International Politics
Authors: Sakwa R.
Published: December 2020

The Great Pandemic of 2020 has caused a shock to international politics. But has it forced a radical restructuring of the international system and a change in the way international actors behave? a survey of the effects of the pandemic demonstrates that it has sped up existing trends, but has not brought about any transformation. The three-tier international system established after 1945 survives, but the struggle between two contesting models of global order (the Atlantic power system and the associated liberal international order and the alignment of sovereign internationalist powers) has intensified to consolidate a nascent new bipolarity in international affairs. Multilateralism has long been under threat, but its degradation has accelerated as bodies such as the World Health Organization have been challenged over their handling of the coronavirus pandemic, and the dangers of distant supply chains and the recrudescence of nationalism have accelerated deglobalisation. The legitimacy of state action has been revalidated as the only effective actor in handling the crisis. But this has been accompanied by the intensification of national populist challenges not only to liberal universalism, but also to sovereign internationalism. The return of great power politics entails the accelerated erosion of the dense structures of the international community developed in the post-war years, and signals a return to the period when a previous international system (the Vienna order established in 1815) came to an end in the early years of the 20t h century. Attacks on the UN and other multilateral institutions of the Yalta era means that the struggle between the rival models of world order will be less constrained by the guardrails of the international system, and thus the Second Cold War may well be more dangerous than the first.
Schrems II: Will It Really Increase the Level of Privacy Protection against Mass Surveillance?
Authors: Stehlík Václav , Vardanyan Lusine
Published: December 2020

An important event that once again brought to the forefront issues related to mass surveillance was the judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union (hereafter referred as CJEU) delivered on July 16, 2020 in the case of Data Protection Commissioner v. Facebook Ireland Ltd. and Maximilian Schrems (Schrems II). It can be considered as the first serious precedent in the field of surveillance, which is aimed at ensuring privacy in the field of national security. Therefore, it becomes an important issue to assess its impact on the legal framework of international transfers of personal data and on the level of privacy protection. The impact of the judgment on the level of privacy protection and mass surveillance is particularly important now that CОVID-19 contact tracing programs are being widely used. In this research we try to trace the formation of the approach to mass surveillance in the case-law of CJEU before and after the Schrems II. We also try to point out some of the difficulties that the process of cross-border data transfer will face after the Schrems II. The main question of the study is whether the approach of the CJEU developed in the Schrems II will actually increase the privacy protection against mass surveillance. We conclude that the Schrems II is an important decision with serious consequences that go beyond the direct impact on data transfer between the EU and the US. It can have controversial influence of the level of privacy protection. Together with the positive trend of formation of more harmonized global data protection standards it can create many unresolved problems in the field of international data transfer and in economic dimension.
NESNELERİN İNTERNETİNİN (IoT) İNŞAAT MÜHENDİSLİĞİNDEKİ ROLÜ: RFID UYGULAMALARI
Authors: UYGUNOĞLU Tayfun , TOPÇU İlker Bekir
Published: December 2020

Bu çalışmada inşaat mühendisliği alanında nesnelerin interneti (IoT) özeliğini kullanılarak RFID yöntemiyle gerçekleştirilen uygulamalar araştırılmıştır. Başta betonarme yapılar olmak üzere, hidrolik yapılar ve yapı malzemesi alanındaki RFID etiketlerinin hangi amaçlar doğrultusunda kullanıldığı incelenmiştir. Nehir yataklarındaki oyukların takibi, betonarme yapılardaki gerinimlerin takibi, betonarme donatılarının korozyonu takibi, şantiyedeki hafriyatların takibi, beton içerisindeki nemin takibi ve prekast elemanların sevkiyatından kullanıldığı alanlardaki takibine kadar birçok uygulamalarda RFID teknolojisinin başarıyla kullanıldığı görülmüştür. Sonuç olarak, RFID etiketlerinin farklı İnşaat Mühendisliği uygulamalarından da zamanla kullanılabileceği ve oldukça büyük faydalar sağlayacağı görülmüştür.
PRINCIPLES OF CHOOSING CONTAINERS FOR STEGANOGRAPHIC SYSTEMS
Authors: MUSTAFAYEVA Esmira
Published: December 2020

In this study, the general principles of choosing containers to create perfect steganographic systems, as well as the characteristics, types, volume, size, format, stability of containers against attacks are considered. The process of entering information into a container is described, and the stability of steganograms with respect to passive and active attacks is analyzed. The distinguishing aspects of the formats of modern graphic containers, the advantage and disadvantages of the Internet protocols TCP, IP, VoIP and SCTP which are used as containers are discussed. To determine the effect of containers on steganographic stability, a theoretical information model of steganographic system with a passive intruder has been suggested. The dependence of the stability of steganographic systems on the technology of introducing hidden messages into a container is explained and the probability distributions of containers and steganograms are analyzed. It was shown that the stability of steganographic systems depends on the probability distributions of containers and steganograms, and only in the case they are identically distributed, the steganographic system is completely stable.
KAJIAN TEOLOGIS TENTANG PENDIDIKAN AGAMA KRISTEN DALAM ALKITAB
Authors: Tubagus Steven
Published: December 2020

Seiring berkembangnya teologi liberal pada abad 18-19 M, ada pendapat yang muncul bahwa Pendidikan Agama Kristen tidak ada dalam Alkitab. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mendeskripsikan kajian tentang keberadaan Pendidikan Agama Kristen dalam Alkitab. Metode yang digunakan adalah kualitatif dengan studi pustaka. Hasil penelitian adalah sebagai berikut: Pertama, Pendidikan Agama Kristen di dalam Alkitab sudah ada dalam Perjanjian Lama di mana Allah menyatakan diri kepada bangsa Israel dan memberikan pengajaran melalui para nabi. Kedua, Perjanjian Lama berpusat pada hukum Allah, dan Allah telah memberikan Sepuluh Hukum Taurat kepada umat Israel sebagai dasar pendidikan. Ketiga, dalam Perjanjian Baru Yesus, murid-murid Yesus, dan juga jemaat mula-mula selalu memberikan pengajaran sebagai wujud dari intervensi Allah.
Bienestar psicológico y satisfacción vital percibida, actividad física y deporte y personas adultas maduras y mayores
Authors: Aquino Llinares Nieves , Gavala González Juan
Published: December 2020

El objetivo principal de nuestra investigación es entender las diferentes percepciones de las personas mayores sobre su bienestar y satisfacción de la vida de acuerdo con los deportes que practican o el ejercicio que realizan regularmente. Analizamos de forma específica las posibles relaciones o asociaciones dentro de diferentes aspectos del bienestar psicológico y la satisfacción de la vida percibida, teniendo en cuenta la intensidad de su actividad física y deporte y los motivos por los que los practica. Los datos se han obtenido a partir de un estudio realizado en el municipio de Dos Hermanas (Sevilla), tomando una muestra de población de 419 personas mayores de 54 años, seleccionada por muestreo estratificado, por cuotas, con afición  proporcional y un nivel de confianza del 95%. En el estudio se examinan las asociaciones que existen entre 14 declaraciones que evalúan el bienestar psicológico y la satisfacción de vida y 5 categorías de realización de deporte mediante un análisis unfolding. Los principales resultados de nuestro estudio ilustran cómo las personas mayores que practican deporte regularmente y muestran interés en ellas declaran que se sienten bien consigo  mismas, pueden lograr cada desafío, establecen metas que dan sentido a sus vidas, tienen amigos en los que pueden confiar y sienten plena satisfacción con su vida actual.
A (des)influente participação do Presidente da República na concretização das políticas públicas agasalhadas no orçamento
Authors: Huckleberry Portella Siqueira Vanessa
Published: December 2020

No arcabouço do atual mosaico orçamentário, reservamo-nos à árdua tarefa de explorar as nuances que permeiam as mais variadas normas alocadoras de receitas, de cuja discussão se extrairá a aparentemente paradoxal conclusão – mormente à luz do “presidencialismo de coalizão” – segundo a qual se revela irrisória, a despeito da nítida supremacia do Executivo sobre o Parlamento, a margem de negociação relacionada à alocação das receitas orçamentárias.