bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An update of Vaccine development against Entamoeba histolytica
Authors: Oryakhil Qudratullah , Hanif Muhammad , Irfan Mohammad
Published: June 2021

Purpose: This review literature reveals designing of an effective vaccine against Entamoeba.histolytica, but due to some major limiting factors a successful vaccine has not been designed yet. The researches focusing on designing an ideal vaccine are summarized in this review literature. The major limiting factors leading to the failure of this particular vaccine are also discussed here

Methodology: This study is literature based focusing on recent advancement and contribution to vaccine designing. The epidemiology and pathogenesis of Entamoeba histolytica has been studied posing a major health threat. Some vaccines candidates and adjuvants have also been studied having promising results but require clinical trials.

Findings: The major finding in this review is less investment on tropical diseases and lack of long term immunity also needs to be elucidated. Various proteins associated with the chemical structure of Entamoeba histolytica are immunogenic and can be used as potential vaccine candidates. The interaction of Entamoeba histolytica with gut microbiota may result into new strains of the pathogen leading to evasion strategy of this particular parasite. In asymptomatic cases it colonizes the large intestine and sometimes spread to other soft organs of the body causing abscesses. Entamoeba histolytica can be transmitted through polluted water and food. The international transport of food materials may have a major role in Entamoeba histolytica transmission.

Recommendation: Further researches may be the base for an effective vaccine having long term immunological memory against Entamoeba histolytica. An effective vaccine may be effective in all age groups with no adverse effects. The improvement in hygiene and health care system may the possible ways of combating amoebiasis.
The Effect of Inflation, Interest Rates and World Oil Prices on Gold Prices in Indonesia with the US Dollar Exchange Rate as an Intermediary Variable
Authors: Kalsum Ummi , Hidayat Randy , Oktaviani Sheila
Published: June 2021

This study aims to determine the effect of inflation, interest rates, and world oil prices on fluctuations in gold prices in Indonesia with the US Dollar exchange rate as an intermediary variable. This research is a type of explanatory research with a quantitative approach. The data used are monthly time series data for 2014 - 2019 with a sample of 72 samples. Hypothesis testing in this study uses path analysis, is a development technique of multiple linear regression. This technique is used to test the amount of contribution shown by the path coefficient on each path diagram of the causal relationship between cariables X1, X2, and X3 on and its impact on Z. The results of this study indicate that the effect of inflation, interest rates and worl oil prices on exchange rates individually has very little effect. The effect of inflation, interest rates, world oil prices and the exchange rate on gold prices individually shows a negative value for inflation and interest rates means that the effect is small, while for the world oil price and the dollar exchange rates shows a positive value which means that it has a large effect on the price of gold. The effect of inflation, interest rates and world oil prices on gold prices through the exchange rate, all variable show a negative value, this indicates that the effect is very small.
Penyuluhan dan Pelatihan Stimulasi Periode Emas Anak 1000 HPK di Wilayah Puskesmas Sipoholon, Kabupaten Tapanuli Utara Tahun 2019
Authors: Pakpahan Sulastry
Published: June 2021

National data according to the Indonesian Ministry of Health in 2015, 11.5% of children under five in growth and development of abnormalities. Knowledge and awareness of the importance of stimulation of growth and development during the 1000 HPK period is needed so that parents can take advantage of this period to form children who have intellectual, emotional, language, creative and positive character. Activities carried out by providing counseling to pregnant women, mothers or husbands with toddlers and training to health cadres. The implementation of the activity lasts 3 days, divided into 2 stages, namely day 1-2 is the implementation of health education  and day 3 is the implementation of training. The number of health education participants was 57 people and training participants were 48 people. Each participant was given a questionnaire to measure the increase in knowledge after the implementation of the activity. The results of this activity was obtained that the participants' knowledge increased by 24.56% in very good categories, 22.8% in good categories, and 43.38% in adequate categories. The increase in the knowledge of the training participants in the very good category increased by 27.1%, the good category was 20.8% and the moderate category was 47.9%. Health education and training about growth and development stimulation during the 1000 HPK period can increase knowledge and awareness of mothers, families and health cadres so they are expected to be able to apply the knowledge received during the training in everyday life and to the surrounding community.
Medidas de salud pública no farmacológicas recomendadas por la OPS en el contexto COVID 19
Authors: VALENZUELA RAMOS MARISEL ROXANA , REVILLA VILLANUEVA CÉSAR MANUEL , BERMEO FLORES MARY LISSET , BENAVENTE TIMOTEO ROMINA ADAMAR , GARCIA JUNCHAYA ALICIA BEATRIZ , PANTA JUÁREZ GRACE TERESA
Published: June 2021

El COVID 19 causado por el síndrome respiratorio agudo severo coronavirus 2 (SARS-cov-2). Esta especie de coronavirus inicialmente tomó el nombre del nuevo coronavirus de 2019 (2019-nCoV) fue llamado así por la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) el 12 de enero de 2020. Después ésta nombró oficialmente la enfermedad como enfermedad de coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) y el Grupo de Estudio de Coronavirus (CSG) del Comité Internacional propuso nombrar el nuevo coronavirus como SARS-CoV-2, ambos publicados el 11 de febrero de 2020 (Guo et al. 2020). Actualmente es catalogada como una enfermedad muy infecciosa, además de multifacética, multifactorial y multisistémica, que provoca en el organismo humano respuestas desde asintomáticas hasta enfermedades graves que llevan a la muerte a un gran sector de la población mundial (Hewitt et al. 2020). En este sentido, el presente trabajo de investigación tiene como fin difundir las medidas de salud públicas no farmacológicas recomendadas por la Organización Panamericana de la Salud en el contexto COVID 19.
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)/SARS-CoV-2: Hopefully,
the Human-Virus Battle Ends Soon on a Positive Note
Authors: Kandi Venkata Ramana
Published: June 2021

The emergence and re-emergence of infectious diseases
are not uncommon to humans. We have been seeing this,
repeated many a time in the past, that the new/novel microbial
species emerge and pose a potential threat to the whole of
mankind. Among those infectious diseases which threatened
mankind, the Smallpox virus appears to have had the greatest
impact. Smallpox virus was suspected to be present on the
earth since 10,000 B.C., but its presence and the effect on
humans was established only in the late 18th century to the
early 20th century when people suffered from its
consequences. Most people (>75%) infected with smallpox
died, leaving a sense of doom among humans. Later, or
probably during the same time, there was the emergence of
an infectious disease called “plague”, which swept across many
countries and caused a lot of mortality. This disease was also
called the black death, due to the nature of lesions caused
and the thousands of people who were dying in very less time.
We have also seen the emergence of a novel influenza virus,
the Spanish flu (1918) which caused a severe pandemic.
Interestingly, all these infectious diseases caused pandemics
involving several countries, and causing increased mortality,
especially in the European continent. In this editorial I discuss
the significance of the most recent pandemic caused by the
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV2), also called Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19).
Genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance studies in Amaranthus (Amaranthus tricolor L.)
Authors: KUMAR SANJAY
Published: June 2021

The experiment was conducted during 2016-17 at Horticulture Research Farm, Department of Applied Plant Science (Horticulture), Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow to study the “genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance in Amaranthus(Amaranthus tricolor L.)”.The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications. The analysis of variance revealed significant difference among all the genotypes for the attributes. Higher genotype coefficient of variation (GCV) was observed for seed weight per plot, spikes per plant, leaves per plant and branches per plant. Thephenotype coefficient of variation(PCV) was also found higher in leaves per plant followed by branch, spike per plant and seed weight per plant. Maximum heritability (broad sense) was obtained for seed weight per plot followed by test weight, green leaves yield per plant and days to full maturity. The genetic advance was found maximum for length of leaves followed by test weight, days to full maturity and percent dry matter.
FROM FACTOR THEORY TO ACTOR THEORY- A NEW READING IN ARABIC GRAMMAR -
Authors: ALKUBAISY Mahmood Fawzi Abdullah , ABDULAZEEZ Ahmed Safaa
Published: June 2021

This research aims to reconsider the theoretical approach to grammatical rules according to a new vision derived from serious attempts in our rich scientific heritage from the references of Ibn Jinni the grammar (d. Academic teaching for many years, and the findings of descriptive linguistics in the present era, blending these trends in a new theoretical direction, in building the theory of Arabic grammar on a descriptive basis, relying on the verbal verb of the speaker in directing the syntactic movements on the last words; In order to facilitate the learners and an innovation in theorizing, which is a feature of the age in various sciences, we have divided this research into three topics, the first of which is the elevations, the second is the posts, and the last of which is the tracts. Heritage, adhering to the sober principle in preserving the language, facilitating its learning, and dealing with it in new ways that have the spirit of heritage, and the approach of the future.
Trayectoria socio-técnica del sistema tecnológico feria de la agricultura familiar en la provincia del Neuquén
Authors: Apablaza Gustavo Federico
Published: June 2021

El siguiente trabajo propone describir la trayectoria de las ferias pertenecientes a la agricultura familiar en la provincia de Neuquén. Estas pueden ser consideradas como parte de un sistema de producción, distribución e intercambio de bienes que se constituye como una tecnología de acceso a los mercados. Especialmente se estudia la trayectoria socio-técnica y las múltiples configuraciones que el sistema configuro estableciendo tres fases de despliegue. Ese proceso permitió situar al sistema en una trayectoria histórica concreta vinculada a contextos socio-económicos específicos. Este expresa complejas y heterogéneas relaciones sociales que hacen posible tanto la producción como el intercambio de bienes y servicios en el marco de alianzas, cada vez más complejas, que implicaron procesos de alineación y coordinación propios.
Technical Note: Electrochemical Testing for Pitting Corrosion Above Ambient Temperatures Using the Syringe Cell
Authors: Panindre A.M. , Frankel G.S.
Published: June 2021

The syringe cell method has been further developed to evaluate the temperature dependence of pitting corrosion in passive alloys that pit above ambient temperature without artifacts associated with crevice corrosion. The pitting potential of commercially available duplex stainless steel type 2205 was measured at different temperatures by using a hot plate to heat the specimen. Breakdown potentials decreased by about 1 V at test temperatures above 50°C. The critical pitting temperature (CPT) of the alloy was determined to be between 54°C and 59°C by scanning the temperature of the specimen surface during constant potential holds. In all experiments, pits were observed in the area defined by the electrolyte droplet in contact with the specimen surface. Using a more conventional approach mentioned in ASTM Standard G48 Method C, the CPT of the alloy was determined to be 55°C.
In-Service Agricultural Mechanics Needs of Montana Mid-Career Agricultural Educators
Authors: Toft Joshua T. , Perry Dustin K. , Falk Jeremy M.
Published: June 2021

Agricultural mechanics—a pillar of many secondary agricultural education programs—is a dynamic, constantly changing field, requiring educators to continually evolve their programs to maintain relevance. This study explored the in-service agricultural mechanics needs of Montana mid-career agricultural educators. We used mean weighted discrepancy scores and descriptive measures to analyze demographics and perceived levels of importance and competency to teach agricultural mechanics content areas. The areas of highest perceived importance of teaching were welding safety, mechanical safety, and construction and shop safety. The areas that educators felt least competent to teach were differential leveling, profile leveling, and cleaning motors. Mean weight discrepancy scores revealed the greatest discrepancies between importance and competence to teach in the areas of electrical safety, computer aided design, and differential leveling. Agricultural educator associations and industry experts should collaborate with advisory groups, local businesses, and organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce to determine the relevance of low-ranking content areas and create professional development opportunities for educators in these areas.
Then What? Quantifying SBAE Teacher Career-Decisions Post-Migration
Authors: Haddad Becky , Milliken D. Brett , Stewart Josh , Velez Jonathan J.
Published: June 2021

Complex career decisions, such as teacher mobility, are often reduced to stigmatizing labels that do little to account for the state of teaching as a profession or credit those engaging in migratory decisions as making healthy career choices. Through our study, we focused on understanding workforce mobility, teaching as an unstaged profession, and the current quantifications existing around SBAE teacher migration. We drew on over 100 years of data from California as we quantitatively explored and synthesized the career decisions of migrating SBAE teachers. This snapshot offers a means of understanding the Teacher Career Cycle (Fessler & Christensen, 1992) in light of the implications for the teaching career as a series of choices rather than a stretch of time at an individual school. Implications of this conceptualization of migration stretch beyond SBAE to administration.
Investigating the Effects of Cognitive Style Diversity on the Hypothesis Generation and Troubleshooting Ability of Undergraduate Students Enrolled in an Introductory Agricultural Mechanics Course at Louisianna State University
Authors: Figland Whitney L. , Blackburn J. Joey , Stair Kristin S. , Burnet Michael F.
Published: June 2021

Problem solving has been regarded as one of the most important cognitive skills in everyday life. The complexity of problem solving in technical areas is a critical component to developing the problem solving abilities of agricultural education students. This study grounded in Kirton’s Adaptation- Innovation Theory (A-I Theory), sought to identify the effects of cognitive style diversity on the time to solution and hypothesis generation ability of undergraduate students enrolled in an agricultural mechanics course at Louisiana State University during the spring semester of 2018 (n = 17) and spring semester of 2019 (n = 15). Students were divided into three groups based on their Kirton’s Adaptation- Innovation Inventory (KAI) scores into three cognitive style diversity groups including (a) homogenous innovative, (b) homogenous adaptive, and (c) heterogenous. Overall, the more heterogeneous cognitive style diversity group was able to solve the problem more quickly as well as being the most successful group to hypothesize correctly, with the homogeneous innovator group being the slowest to reach conclusion. From the results of this study, it is recommended that educators consider cognitive styles when grouping students in undergraduate courses that are heavily laboratory based.
Pre-Service Teachers Self-Perceived Training Needs Associated with Program Design and Management and Leadership and SAE Development
Authors: Hainline Mark S. , Smalley Scott W.
Published: June 2021

Teacher educators face the perpetual challenge of providing pre-service teachers with the most pertinent pedagogical and content-related knowledge and skills to ensure their success in the field of education. Using a modified version of a Borich needs assessment instrument, we assessed the agricultural education training needs of agricultural education pre-service teachers (n = 69) at Iowa State University related to program design and management and leadership and Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE) development. The General Program Standards for Agricultural Education, developed by the Iowa Council on Agricultural Education, served as a guide for assessing the areas of pre service teachers’ training needs. Mean weighted discrepancy scores\ (MWDS) were calculated for needs assessment items which served as a means to rank the areas of needs expressed by the Iowa State University agricultural education pre-service teachers. The areas of training needs were assessed as a whole and by grade classification. Overall, all 25 items included in the instrument were indicated as an area of need and the calculated MWDS ranged from 2.29 – 9.05, and variance of training needs was discovered between pre-service teachers of various grade classifications. Implications for agricultural education teacher educators and recommendations were discussed.
A Subset of Brain Neurons Controls a Sexually Dimorphic Proboscis Holding Behavior in Adult Drosophilia Melanogaster
Authors: Ahmad Sameera , Amin Kush , Chen Yu-Chieh David , Dahanukar Anupama
Published: June 2021

Taste is essential for humans and animals alike to evaluate food quality and make important decisionsabout food choice and intake. How complex brains process sensory information to produce behavioris an essential question in the field of sensory neurobiology. Currently, little is known about tastecircuits in the brain as compared to other sensory systems. Here, we used the common vinegar fly,Drosophila melanogaster, to explore the potential role of brain neurons labeled by a transgenic line(VT041723-GAL4) in producing “proboscis holding” behavior (extrusion of the mouthpart withoutwithdrawal). By utilizing the GAL4/UAS binary expression system, we expressed a heat-activatedcation channel (UAS-dTrpA1) in these brain neurons and artificially activated them by elevationof temperature, subsequently examining behavior in the heat-activated proboscis extension reflex(PER) assay. We found that activation of these neurons induced proboscis holding. Interestingly, theproboscis holding phenotype was sexually dimorphic. Male flies rarely showed proboscis holdingand those that did had shorter proboscis holding durations. On the other hand, both mated and virginfemales showed significantly more proboscis holding and had longer proboscis holding durationsthan male flies. Overall, we identified a subset of brain neurons labeled by the VT041723-GAL4 linethat controls a sexually dimorphic feeding response (proboscis holding) upon activation.
Does Parenting Moderate the Relation between Stress and Children’s Emotion Regulation?
Authors: Lopez-Villegas Karina , Quiñones-Camacho Laura , Davis Elizabeth
Published: June 2021

Parenting behaviors greatly influence children’s ability to regulate their emotions and handle stressfulsituations. Stressful life events can be particularly problematic for children as they are less able toeffectively manage these situations. Parenting behaviors that are warm and focus on directly helpingthe child handle negative emotions may serve as protective factors against the negative effects ofstress on children’s regulatory abilities. The aim of this study was to explore the role of parentalwarmth and parents’ emotion-focused reactions as moderators of the effect of stress on children’semotion regulation. A total of 184 children between the ages of three to eleven years old (M = 7.66,SD = 2.30) participated in this study. Parents reported on their child’s emotion regulation, exposure tostressful life events, and on how they, as parents, deal with their child’s negative emotions. Parentalwarmth was coded from an interactive task. Results showed that parental warmth moderated therelation between stress and child emotion regulation, such that children of highly warm parentshad better emotion regulation even when experiencing high stress. Parents’ reactions to theirchild’s negative emotions moderated the effects of parental warmth on child emotion regulation,such that parental warmth was particularly important for children of parents who place less focuson their child’s emotions when they experience a negative event. Our findings partially supportedour hypotheses and offer new insight into the importance of parental warmth as a protective factoragainst the negative consequences of stress on children’s emotional functioning.
The Queer Confessional: Foregrounding the Discordant Poetics of Henri Cole Through the Troubling of Genre
Authors: Rodil Jan Leonard Maramot , Axelrod Steven
Published: June 2021

This paper is a research study on a nascent American Poet, Henri Cole, whose scholarly archiveremains minimal, positioning itself as a fundamental starting point to which to begin a discussionaround a new, but critical voice within the field of American Poetics. The discordant poetics of HenriCole are informed by two distinct traditions within the canon of 20th and 21st century Americanpoetics, namely that of a queer and confessional mode to which he stands at the intersection ofboth movements. However, Cole’s scholarly archive is woefully small due to his recent publicationpresence in the literary field. Thus, research was focused on analyzing Cole’s chief poetic inspirations(Hart Crane and Elizabeth Bishop) as well as recursive forays into queerness and confessionalpoetics. In identifying that intersection, I argue that Cole is at the forefront of troubling poetic genrethrough the proposal of a ‘queer confessional’ mode of poetics. Cole troubles the notion of truththrough utilizing a queer perspective on the confessional genre that has historically fell to criticismsof histrionics and overt inwardness. Instead, this paper aims to subvert a long history of literarycriticism through instead focusing on how a queer confessional form ‘retrieves’ the confessional asa radical, poetic gesture that relishes in the instability of truth-making through a simultaneous reaffirmationof poetic genre. Cole thus disrupts and revises the notion of literary tradition through hisqueer perspective; in which his ‘queer confessional’ proposes a poetics of liberation.
Fear Of Cancer Recurrence Among Black And White Mothers
Authors: Acheampong Rechael , Bergman Katelynn , Sweeny Kate , Wilson Melissa
Published: June 2021

Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR), often defined as fear, worry, or concern related to the possibility that cancer may return or progress, is frequently expressed by breast cancer survivors. Previous research on breast cancer survivors suggests that mothers tend to report greater FCR than non-mothers and that FCR differs by ethnicity. This existing body of research often treats motherhood and race as separate entities by which to examine levels of FCR. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the differences in FCR between Black and White mothers. Breast cancer survivors were recruited using Amazon’s MTurk service (n =138) and were asked to respond to self-report questionnaires regarding FCR and demographic information. An independent t-test revealed that black mothers (n = 37, M = 3.94, SD = 0.58) tended to report greater FCR levels than White mothers (n = 54, M = 3.54, SD = 0.92; t(88.46) = -2.55, p = 0.01). Our findings provide initial support for differences in FCR among mothers of different races. Potential explanations for the observed differences are discussed. Further research is needed to identify the causes of differences in FCR levels among Black and White mothers in order to craft informed interventions for these populations.
Analysis of Pulmonary Complement Protein Expression Following Organic Dust Exposure
Authors: Ibrahim Sarah , Sveiven Stefanie , Nordgren Tara
Published: June 2021

Organic dust, as found in agricultural farm work, is ranked among the highest occupational exposure hazards by the CDC. Agricultural dust containing endotoxins, pesticides, mold, and other chemicals, contributes to increased rates of respiratory diseases among these workers. Human bronchial epithelial cells (HBEC), which line upper airways, are frequently exposed to pathogens. Understanding the role of HBEC in inflammation following dust exposure (DE) is necessary to understand the mechanisms underlying inflammatory diseases. The complement system, a nonspecific and non-adaptable defense mechanism, is composed of circulating proteins that promote inflammation by attacking the cell membranes of pathogens and recruiting immune cells that secrete mediators of inflammation. We characterized complement protein expression in DE-treated HBEC using previously generated SWATH proteomics data and Western blotting. Western blotting identified that DE treatment in HBEC mediates the release and activation of C3, while data identified via SWATH-MS proteomics indicated significant upregulation of CD59—a regulator of complement activation. These data suggest that DE-HBEC may regulate complement activation and aim to elucidate the mechanisms by which HBEC promotes the complement system, and thus induce pulmonary inflammation in the presence of organic dust.
Blazing Beetles: The Effect Of Temperature On The Locomotion of A Namib Dune Beetle
Authors: Philips Jonathan , Cobos Anthony , Higham Timothy
Published: June 2021

Deserts represent some of the harshest ecosystems for life to survive in. In order to thrive, species must find novel adaptations either through behavioral or physiological modulation. The Namib desert of Southern Africa is no exception. In the Namib, temperatures can swing from 10 to 30°C throughout the day. Previous studies have indicated that there is temperature dependence in muscle power output in ectotherms. With the Namib being an understudied ecosystem, the present study aimed to investigate if invertebrate muscle output is affected by wild temperature fluctuations. Onmyacris plana, a Tenebrionid beetle endemic to the dunes of the Namib, was chosen due to being dorsally flattened, which results in low heat storage capacity. Although the thermoregulatory strategies, running ability, size and metabolic needs of O. plana have been studied, there have been no studies on the effect of temperature on the running performance of O. plana. We collected 8 beetles from the dunes and kept them in a vivarium in the lab. Beetles were subjected to three temperatures, to represent temperatures commonly experienced throughout the day. They were then placed on a 1-meter trackway in the lab and we made them run while recording them with a high-speed camera. Using the Matlab DLTdv5 digitizing tool we quantified their speed throughout the trials and analyzed differences in speed for the three treatments. We found no significant differences between running ability for beetles running at daytime temperatures and had significant difficulty in getting the beetles to run at temperatures experienced early in the morning. Our findings suggest that the beetles have a threshold muscle temperature which, if met, is sufficient for running at maximal speeds.
Shakespeare's Violent Women: A Feminist Analysis Of Lady Macbeth
Authors: Reyes Camila , Kenny Amy
Published: June 2021

There are numerous examples in which the female characters in William Shakespeare’s plays go against the era’s gender norms and enact violence. I argue that Lady Macbeth is one of these violent women whose violence defies gender roles, but this violence also simultaneously upholds traditional patriarchal modes of power. Lady Macbeth uses violence that stems from her feminine excess to advance patrilineage and her position within Scotland. In trying to understand her violence, I make use of a feminist analysis of Lady Macbeth by Cristina León Alfar and historical interpretations of the gender norms of the era. Lady Macbeth’s violence elucidates the dilemma of the prominence of Shakespeare’s female characters. While she has a significant role in the actions of the play, she still maintains hierarchical systems of power that are predicated on women’s subjection.
Voicing Lyrical Dance: (Re)Considering Lyrical Dance And Dance Hierarchy
Authors: Zumaya Julia , Kraut Anthea
Published: June 2021

Lyrical dance intertwines fluid movement aesthetics, emotional narratives, and musicality within competition and commercial dance contexts. However, dance scholars tend to criticize lyrical dance, both directly and indirectly, perceiving it as over-the-top yet underdeveloped. When making such statements, they implicitly contrast lyrical dance with “high art” values that privilege a particular mode of “meaning-making” as rooted in the canon of concert dance forms, such as modern and ballet. However, lyrical dance does not prioritize elements of “high art,” meaning that these scholars critique lyr- ical dance more for what it is not. My research, in response, challenges such hierarchical biases by understanding lyrical dance from the perspectives of those who practice it. With IRB-approval, I conducted interviews with ten lyrically trained dancers from both private-sector, competition dance studios and collegiate dance departments in Southern California. My findings assess lyrical dance’s values regarding expression, “freedom,” connectivity, and affirmation of skill—focusing on the latter for the sake of this article—recognizing that lyrical dancers actively shape each value through their dedication to lyrical dance practices. By voicing the lyrical dancers’ perspectives and their reasons for embracing the practice, I aim to show the need to reconsider lyrical dance on its own terms, challenging persisting critiques within scholarship.
Rituele normen
Authors: Peels-Matthey Saskia
Published: June 2021

This article is an introduction to a group of Ancient Greek inscriptions that may be called ‘ritual norms’ (also known asleges sacrae, ‘sacred laws’). These are epigraphical documents concerning rituals that are performed in the context of specific cults, and which are of a prescriptive character. The article discusses three key questions. In the first part of the article I aim to answer a basic question: what are ritual norms? The second question concerns the function of ritual norms. The third part of the article is about the way in which ritual norms acquire authority. How were they considered legitimate and enforceable? A separate section concerning authority is reserved for the use of tradition (anchoring and anchoring innovation) in this genre.
Implementation of a Decision Support System and Business Intelligence Algorithms for the Automated Management of Insurance Agents Activities
Authors: Massaro Alessandro , Panarese Antonio , Gargaro Michele , Vitale Costantino , Galiano Angelo Maurizio
Published: June 2021

Data processing is crucial in the insurance industry, due to the important information that is contained in the data. Business Intelligence (BI) allows to better manage the various activities as for companies working in the insurance sector. Business Intelligence based on the Decision Support System (DSS), makes it possible to improve the efficiency of decisions and processes, by improving them to the individual characteristics of the agents. In this direction, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are valid tools that help insurance companies to understand the current market and to anticipate future trends. The purpose of the present paper is to discuss a case study, which was developed within the research project "DSS / BI HUMAN RESOURCES", related to the implementation of an intelligent platform for the automated management of agents' activities. The platform includes BI, DSS, and KPIs. Specifically, the platform integrates Data Mining (DM) algorithms for agent scoring, K-means algorithms for customer clustering, and a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) artificial neural network for the prediction of agents KPIs. The LSTM model is validated by the Artificial Records (AR) approach, which allows to feed the training dataset in data-poor situations as in many practical cases using Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms. Using the LSTM-AR method, an analysis of the performance of the artificial neural network is carried out by changing the number of records in the dataset. More precisely, as the number of records increases, the accuracy increases up to a value equal to 0.9987.
Information-Centric Blockchain Technology for the Smart Grid
Authors: Sang Lanqin , Hexmoor Henry
Published: June 2021

This paper proposes an application of blockchain technology for securing the infrastructure of the modern power grid - an Information-Centric design for the blockchain network. In this design, all the transactions in the blockchain network are classified into different groups, and each group has a group number. A sender’s identity is encrypted by the control centre’s public key; energy data is encrypted by the subscriber’s public key, and by a receiver’s public key if this transaction is for a specific receiver; a valid signature is created via a group message and the group publisher’s private key. Our implementation of the design demonstrated the proposal is applicable, publisher’s identities are protected, data sources are hidden, data privacy is maintained, and data consistency is preserved.
A Survey on Federated Identity Management Systems Limitation and Solutions
Authors: Aldosary Maha , Alqahtani Norah
Published: June 2021

An efficient identity management system has become one of the fundamental requirements for ensuring safe, secure, and transparent use of identifiable information and attributes. Federated Identity Management (FIdM) allows users to distribute their identity information across security domains which increases the portability of their digital identities, and it is considered a promising approach to facilitate secure resource sharing among collaborating participants in heterogeneous IT environments. However, it also raises new architectural challenges and significant security and privacy issues that need to be mitigated. In this paper, we provide a comparison between FIdM architectures, presented the limitations and risks in FIdM system, and discuss the results and proposed solutions.
Embedding Quality into Software Product Line Variability Artifacts
Authors: Daniel Mworia , Lawrence Nderu , Michael Kimwele
Published: June 2021

The success of any software product line development project is closely tied to its domain variability management. Whereas a lot of effort has been put into functional variability management by the SPL community, non-functional variability is considered implicit. The result has been dissatisfaction among clients due to resultant poor quality systems. This work presents an integrated requirement specification template for quality and functional requirements at software product line variation points. The implementation of this approach at the analytical description phase increases the visibility of quality requirements obliging developers to implement them. The approach proposes the use of decision tree classification techniques to support the weaving of functional quality attributes at respective variation points. This work, therefore, promotes software product line variability management objectives by proposing new functional quality artifacts during requirements specification phase. The approach is illustrated with an exemplar mobile phone family data storage requirements case study.
Agregometría plaquetaria, un abordaje sencillo de un estudio complejo.
Authors: Bravo Garzón María Alejandra , Ramos Ramos Gloria , Galvis Roncancio Diego , Mantilla Cardozo Barbarita María , Reyes Cortés Óscar Iván
Published: June 2021

Introducción: simplificar la interpretación de la agregometría plaquetaria en adultos con sospecha de trastornos de la función plaquetaria usando un panel de agonistas que incluye el ácido araquidónico. Métodos: plasmas de sujetos sanos fueron analizados para obtener curvas de agregación plaquetaria con cuatro agonistas (ADP, epinefrina, colágeno y ácido araquidónico). Se obtuvieron los valores máximos de agregación para cada agonista. Los datos sobre el porcentaje máximo de agregación fueron analizados con el método de Shapiro-Wilk. Resultados: 90 sujetos sanos contribuyeron con 270 muestras. Los porcentajes máximos de agregación por transmisión de luz para cada agonista no siguieron una distribución normal, por lo cual se expresaron como medianas: 85,7%, 86,1%, 84,3% y 88,4% para ADP 5 μM, colágeno 2 μg/ml, epinefrina 10 μM y ácido araquidónico 1 μM, respectivamente. Puesto que el percentil 2,5 fue mayor al 60% para todos los agonistas, se escogió este valor como el límite inferior de la normalidad. Conclusión: el porcentaje máximo de agregación plaquetaria es el parámetro más importante para la evaluación de los resultados de las curvas de agregación plaquetaria, permitiendo simplificar la interpretación de la agregometría en adultos, incluyendo un agonista como el ácido araquidónico.
Análisis de supervivencia de cáncer gástrico no metastásico en Bogotá (Colombia).
Authors: Ramos Guette Pedro Luis
Published: June 2021

Objetivos: evaluar la supervivencia global y libre de enfermedad; y los factores pronósticos en pacientes con cáncer gástrico no metastásico. Materiales y métodos: se trata de un estudio de cohorte bidireccional; en la clínica Oncocare se registró la información de las características clínicas, demográficas y los tiempos de recaída y muerte por cáncer u otras causas de una cohorte de 130 pacientes con cáncer gástrico durante el período 2003-2012. Los pacientes fueron seguidos en intervalos cada 4 o 6 meses, en los cuales se documentaba el estado vital y la presencia de recaídas locales o sistémicas de la enfermedad. Se realizaron análisis descriptivos y se estimaron funciones de supervivencia usando el método de Kaplan-Meier. Se llevó a cabo análisis de regresión de Cox para identificar factores asociados a la supervivencia. Resultados: se identificaron 130 pacientes en esta cohorte. La mediana de seguimiento fue 20,36 meses, la edad promedio de las mujeres fue 61,6 años, del sexo masculino fue el 55,15%. El estadio clínico era avanzado en el 72,09%. Se presentaron recaídas en un 19,23%, se observó un 16,92% de muertes. El análisis multivariado no evidenció asociación de los factores pronósticos: estadio clínico, grado histológico, tipo histológico, estado funcional, tipo de quimioterapia, con la supervivencia libre de enfermedad y global. Conclusiones: los tiempos de supervivencia libre de enfermedad y global observados en la cohorte no se relacionan con ningún factor pronóstico analizado; probablemente se requiera mayor número de pacientes y una cohorte multiinstitucional para poder evidenciar la asociación de estos factores con la supervivencia.
Atmospheric oxidation of α,β-unsaturated ketones: kinetics and mechanism of the OH radical reaction
Authors: Illmann Niklas , Gibilisco Rodrigo Gastón , Bejan Iustinian Gabriel , Patroescu-Klotz Iulia , Wiesen Peter
Published: June 2021

Abstract. The OH radical initiated oxidation of 3-methyl-3-penten-2-one and 4-methyl-3-penten-2-one was investigated in two atmospheric simulation chambers at 298 ± 3 K and 990 ± 15 mbar using long-path FTIR spectroscopy. The rate coefficients of the reactions of 3-methyl-3-penten-2-one and 4-methyl-3-penten-2-one with OH radicals were determined to be (6.5 ± 1.2) × 10−11 cm3 molecule−1 s−1 and (8.1 ± 1.3) × 10−11 cm3 molecule−1 s−1, respectively. To enlarge the kinetics data pool the rate coefficients of the target species with Cl atoms were determined to be (2.8 ± 0.4) × 10−10 cm3 molecule−1 s−1 and (3.1 ± 0.4) × 10−10 cm3 molecule−1 s−1, respectively. The mechanistic investigation of the OH initiated oxidation focuses on the RO2 + NO reaction. The quantified products were acetoin, acetaldehyde, biacetyl, CO2 and peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) for the reaction of 3-methyl-3-penten-2-one with OH radicals and acetone, methyl glyoxal, 2-hydroxy-2-methylpropanal, CO2 and peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) for the reaction of 4-methyl-3-penten-2-one with OH, respectively. Based on the calculated product yields an upper limit of 0.15 was determined for the overall organic nitrates (RONO2) yield derived from the OH reaction of 4-methyl-3-penten-2-one. By contrast, no RONO2 formation was observed for the OH reaction of 3-methyl-3-penten-2-one. Additionally, a simple model is presented to correct product yields for secondary processes.
The middle atmospheric meridional circulation for 2002–2012 derived from MIPAS observations
Authors: von Clarmann Thomas , Grabowski Udo , Stiller Gabriele P. , Monge-Sanz Beatriz M. , Glatthor Norbert , Kellmann Sylvia
Published: June 2021

Abstract. Measurements of long-lived trace gases (SF6, CFC-11, CFC-12, HCFC-22,
CCl4, N2O, CH4, H2O, and CO) performed with the Michelson
Interferometer for Passive Atmospheric Sounding (MIPAS) have been used to infer
the stratospheric and mesospheric meridional circulation. The MIPAS data set
covers the time period from July 2002 to April 2012. The method used for this
purpose was the direct inversion of the two-dimensional continuity equation
for the concentrations of trace gases and air density. This inversion predicts
an “effective velocity” that gives the best fit for the evolution of the
concentrations on the assumption that an explicit treatment of Fickian diffusion
can be neglected. These effective velocity fields are used to characterize the
mean meridional circulation. Multiannual monthly mean effective velocity fields
are presented, along with their variabilities. According to this measure, the
stratospheric circulation is found to be highly variable over
the year, with a quite robust annual cycle. The new method allows us to track the
evolution of various circulation patterns over the year in more detail than
before. According to the effective velocity characterization of the circulation,
the deep branch of the Brewer–Dobson circulation and the mesospheric
overturning pole-to-pole circulation are not separate but intertwined phenomena.
The latitude of stratospheric uplift in the middle and upper stratosphere is
found to be quite variable and is not always found at equatorial latitudes.
The usual schematic of stratospheric circulation with the deep and the shallow
branch of the Brewer–Dobson circulation and the mesospheric overturning
circulation is an idealization which best describes the observed atmosphere
around equinox.
Sudden stratospheric warmings and the quasi-biennial oscillation cause a
pronounced year-to-year variability of the meridional circulation.
Harnessing stratospheric diffusion barriers for enhanced climate geoengineering
Authors: Aksamit Nikolas O. , Kravitz Ben , MacMartin Douglas G. , Haller George
Published: June 2021

Abstract. Stratospheric sulfate aerosol geoengineering is a proposed method
to temporarily intervene in the climate system to increase the reflectance of shortwave radiation and reduce mean global temperature. In previous climate modeling studies, choosing injection locations for geoengineering aerosols has, thus far, only utilized the average dynamics of stratospheric wind fields instead of accounting for the essential role of time-varying material transport barriers in turbulent atmospheric flows. Here we conduct the first analysis of sulfate aerosol dispersion in the stratosphere, comparing what is now a standard fixed-injection scheme with time-varying injection locations that harness short-term stratospheric diffusion barriers. We show how diffusive transport barriers can quickly be identified, and we provide an automated injection location selection algorithm using short forecast and reanalysis data. Within the first 7 d days of transport, the dynamics-based approach is able to produce particle distributions with greater global coverage than fixed-site methods with fewer injections. Additionally, this enhanced dispersion slows aerosol microphysical growth and can reduce the effective radii of aerosols up to 200–300 d after injection. While the long-term dynamics of aerosol dispersion are accurately predicted with transport barriers calculated from short forecasts, the long-term influence on radiative forcing is more difficult to predict and warrants deeper investigation. Statistically significant changes in radiative forcing at timescales beyond the forecasting window showed mixed results, potentially increasing or decreasing forcing after 1 year when compared to fixed injections. We conclude that future feasibility studies of geoengineering should consider the cooling benefits possible by strategically injecting sulfate aerosols at optimized time-varying locations. Our method of utilizing time-varying attracting and repelling structures shows great promise for identifying optimal dispersion locations, and radiative forcing impacts can be improved by considering additional meteorological variables.