bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic Structure and Diversity among Species of Salacia: An Endangered Medicinal Herb of Western Ghats, India
Authors: Patil Chandrashekhar G , Kamat Sheetal Ganapati , Vasudeva R
Published: August 2021

Salacia is one of the medicinally valuable genus, distributed throughout tropical areas which include India, Sri Lanka, Southern China and other Southern Asian Countries. The genus Salacia is represented by 21 species in India, among them eight species are recorded from the state of Karnataka in the Southern part of India. Despite its pharmaceutical importance, very little information exists about the genetic diversity of Salacia at molecular level. Hence the present study was carried out to evaluate the genetic among six species of Salacia namely S. chinensis, S. malabarica, S. oblonga, S. macrosperma, S. reticulata and S. gambleana with the help of ISSR marker analysis. Dendrogram and genetic distance were generated adopting Unweighted Paired Group Method with Arithmetic mean (UPGMA) in the NTSYS-pc software. Basic genetic parameters were calculated by analysing the genetic data with Pop gene 1.32 and GenAlEx 6.2 software. The overall polymorphism across the ten primers screened revealed 26 % polymorphism. A 60% polymorphism was scored for the primer UBC 841, whereas, no polymorphism was observed for primer UBC 840 and ISSR 6. The average observed heterozygosity was more than expected heterozygosity. Observed heterozygosity (Ho) ranged from 0.15 (UBC 841) to 0.38 (ISSR 6) with an average of 0.25, whereas expected heterozygosity (He) ranged from 0.10 (UBC 843) to 0.35 (ISSR 6) with an average of 0.23 for Salacia species. The higher heterozygosity pointed towards increased genetic diversity amongst the species. ISSR marker analysis showed high level of inter and intra population genetic differentiation.
Nitrate starvation associated with strong light induces astaxanthin accumulation in a new green microalga Haematococcus pluvialis isolated from Algerian freshwater
Authors: Meryem Sadoud , Meriem Mokhtar , Sarah Bouamar , Nabil Bouziane , Meryem Belabbas , Ali Riazi
Published: August 2021

The unicellular microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis is of great interest because it is an exclusive and the richest source of natural astaxanthin (3, 3’- dihydroxy-β-carotene-4, 4’-dione). We carried out an isolation and screening of a new H. pluvialis strains with high astaxanthin production potential from Algerian freshwater. The isolated strains were assessed for their growth and astaxanthin accumulation under different stress conditions associated with high light intensity. The main goal of the present study was to select highly astaxanthin-producing H. pluvialis strains from the Algerian environment. Eighteen microalgae strains in total were isolated on a Bold’s basal medium from 48 aseptically collected freshwater samples from 5 different regions of Algeria. The identification of H. pluvialis was made according to morphological criteria. Growth tests have led to the selection of the best H. pluvialis strain that will be grown under stress (nutrient starvation and variable salinity) associated to high light intensity (200 µmol photons.m-2.s-1) to determine the optimal conditions of astaxanthin accumulation. Optimal nitrate concentration giving rise to maximum biomass was 0.50 g/L. Nitrate starvation associated with high light irradiance was most effective in induction of astaxanthin accumulation which reached 67.25 ± 2.28 mg/L in H. pluvialis cells. H. pluvialis morphology under such stress has shown the occurrence of mature aplanospores with thick cell wall. These results clearly show that the isolated H. pluvialis strain has a good performance to synthesize astaxanthin under nitrate starvation associated with high light irradiance suggesting its possible industrial culture for the production of this pigment.
Impact Of Cardiovascular Risk Factors In Type 2 Diabetics Living In Tlemcen And Saida,Western Algeria
Authors: Didaoui Hayat , Saber Yacine
Published: August 2021

The aim of the current study was to assess cardiovascular risk (modifiable and non-modifiable factors) in type 2 diabetics, living in Tlemcen and Saida (West Algeria) on a group of 315 diabetics type 2 of which; 160 patients in the Tlemcen region (64% man and 96 % woman) and 155 patients in the Saida region (90 % man and 65% woman) (western Algeria) during the period of December 2018 - May 2019. Filling of a questionnaire for patients on dietary habits, socio-economic factors, with anthropometric parameters such as weight, height and Body Mass Index were measured as well as lifestyle, a biochemical assessment was carried out and an assessment of the nutritional contributions during 24 hours were made. The results of our study showed that the frequencies of cardiovascular risk factors in the patients studied are probably related to lifestyle (smoking) more than 80% were females with family history including diabetes and hypertensia. 30% were overweight, Glycated hemoglobin level was above the recommended value in both sexes which represents one of the cardiovascular risk factors, energy imbalance and high calorie foods are also recorded in our population. Our study showed a positive relationship between cardiovascular risk factors and type 2 diabetes. The Type 2 Diabetic Population living in Tlemcen and Saida Area was Highly Exposed to Cardiovascular Risk Factors. For better management of our diabetics, we recommend: Launch a national prevention program with well-structured objectives based on information on nutrition, dietetics and healthy living among patients at risk through associations in public health.
Phytochemical potential and antioxidant activity of Phaseolus vulgaris .L (Var, Sidi Ferredj) in the face of salt stress
Authors: Rahma Laredj-Zazou , Fawzia Toumi-Benali , Zineb Tifouri
Published: August 2021

Phaseolus vulgaris.L (var, Sidi Ferredj), a local fabaceae, (creation by the services of the technical institute of vegetable and industrial crops: ITCMI Algeria, after adaptation to the coastal soils), has proven its capability for tolerance to salt stress, through its phytochemical potential, allowing it to resist this abiotic constraint. The objective of our study was to highlight the metabolic capital, in particular the phenolic compounds synthesized by P. vulgaris.L (var, Sidi Ferredj), subjected to salt stress at different concentrations and to valorize this capital by antioxidant activity. Potting trials of the species, which were the subject of our study, were conducted in a greenhouse and under semi-controlled conditions, applying salt stress induced by irrigation with increasing salinity solutions. NaCl-based (0.50,100 and 200 meq.l-1) and a second one based on a combination of NaCl and CaCl2 salts (100 and 150 meq.l-1); the study was completed by the quantification of the phytochemical potential in response to this salinity stress, and which were total phenols, flavonoids and tannins . The antioxidant potential was assessed according to the DPPH test. The results obtained showed that the concentrations of NaCl (50 and 100 meq.l-1) stimulated the accumulation of phenolic compounds, with remarkable contents of total phenols, flavonoids and condensed tannins, unlike the concentration of 200 meq.l-1 NaCl, which appeared to be unfavourable and induced a reduction, particularly total phenols, while the antioxidant activity raised with the increase in salt stress.
Impact of environments factors in reproductive function: Protective effect of cinnamon against the mercury chloride induced toxicity in female Wistar rats (ovary and brain)
Authors: Ouzna Dali , Mouad Zouba , Baghded Sebti , Hichem Mai , Sofiane Bouazza , Abbes Dellal , Hadjer Bekhadda , Dalila Ferrag , Benali A. I. , Khalloua Z. C. , Abbassia Demmouche
Published: August 2021

Mercury affects several organs and disrupts their functioning, and cinnamonis known for its antioxidant properties so in this study we evaluate the effectof cinnamon extract against the effect of mercury in ovary and brain. 20 female wistar rats were subdivided into four groups (01):received gavage andintraperitonial injection of physiological serum, (02): received gavage withphysiological serum and intraperitonial injection of HgCl2at dose of 0.25mg/Kg/BW/7days, (03): received gavage with hydroalcoholic extract of cinnamonat dose of 100mg/Kg/BW/7days and intraperitonial injection of physiologicalserum, (04): received gavage with hydroalcoholic extract of cinnamon atdose of 100mg/Kg/BW/7days and intraperitonial injection of HgCl2 at dose of0.25mg/Kg/BW/7days. Ovaries and brains were removed to weigh and prepared for histological study and blood were collected for hormonal study.The body weight increased significantly in the mercury-treated group (p =0.001) compared to the control group, a significant increase of left ovaries (p= 0.011) in the treated group with mercury compared to the other groups.The histological section on the brain of the mercury-treated group showsdiffuse cerebral fibrosis. Histological study shows an irregular developmentof ovarian follicles and an increase of atretic follicles in mercury treatedgroup, and cinnamon protect the ovary from the oxidative damage ofmercury. Cinnamon has protective effects against inflammation and oxidative stress in ovarian tissue and brain.
Seasonal estimates and potential nutritional assessment of the brown alga Cystoseira amentacea var. Mountane strict (fucales, phaeophyceae) from Khadra Beach (Algeria)
Authors: Boukhatem Tawfiq , Chadlia Rabah , Hamed Djahira , Tahlaiti Amina
Published: August 2021

The main objective of this work is to characterize the seasonal influences on the potential nutritional assessment of extracts of the brown alga Cystoseira amentacea var. stricta, harvested on the khadra coast, in the wilaya of Mostaganem (Algeria). The Stricta cystosira extracts have been shown to have high seasonal physicochemical parameters in which the biochemical parameters determine that the maximum total chlorophyll content was 21.38 μg / ml, with a maximum value of 8.45 ± 1.06 μg / ml. Carotenoids and. the humidity give a 52% Spring with 22.6% of ash in the Autumn, with a 15.5% wilting and 21 ± 1.16% carbohydrate and 130 (AAE / 100g) of ascorbic acids in the Summer, the lipids it exceeds 19.8%. a 120 G AE / 100g total phenolic content record in the winter with a better anti-free radical activity it exceeds 0.71 (EAA / mg) in the Autumn and 50% inhibition of the percentage of CI to give a 6.31 μg / ml at the L The results indicated a change in biochemical compositions were abundant according to the seasons. These results have proved to be an important contribution to the valorization of these species of macroalgae and isolation some bioactive molecules in the different pharmaceutical field as a source of recent biochemical compounds and selected as important nutritional products.
Study of the floristic diversity of Acacia tortilis population- in Bechar region (Southwestern Algeria)
Authors: Abdelkader Guenaia , Okkacha Hasnaoui , Assia Bekkouche
Published: August 2021

For the management and sustainable use of natural bio-resources it is necessary to quantify and valorize this heritage. In the case of the floristic diversity of Acacia tortilis, the only natural woody stand in Bechar-Algeria, scanty studies have been undertaken. Hence in this study, the general overview of the flora diversity state in the 58 plots of 9 stations was made by the analysis of various indexes: Shannon, Simpson, species evenness, floristic richness, disturbance index, biological and biogeographically spectra. We listed 103 species belonging to 37 families and 85 genus, the important plants belonged to the Asteraceae and Brassicaceae. The most important species are: Pulicaria crispa, Asteriscus graveolens, Launea arborescens, Matricaria pubescens, Moricandia arvensis, Farsetia aegyptiaca, Zilla macroptera. The biological spectrum indicated a dominance of the Chamaephytes and the predominance of the Therophytes; the phytogeographic spectrum showed an important endemism (44%) in which 36% species belong to the SaharoArabian element; The Shannon, Simpson, and Evenness diversity indices, were relatively high, thereby indicating a diversity variation between the stations, witch increased South towards North. It was prominent in Zouzfana, Taghit, and Abadla stations, and the higher values of disturbance Index reflected the greater level of anthropization in these courses. The future accumulation of this regression, many risk loss of the last naturally wall of desertification, biodiversity, national economy and sand advancement. Therefore, it is recommended to apply pastures protection, pastoral charge control, and elaborate an environmental value of this species.
Significant effects of temperature on biological properties of ZnO
Authors: Eruva Rajasekhar
Published: August 2021

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is an inorganic compound and it usually appears as a white powder. The powder is widely used as an additive into numerous materials. Inorganic nanoparticles are made by combining organic materials with inorganic materials which forms hybrids and has unique properties. The biological properties of zinc oxide nanoparticles like absorption coefficient, refractive index, concentration, conductivity, pH-values and temperatures were investigated. The diffusion techniques facilitate the measurement of the biological properties of liquids. The results show that absorption coefficient decreases with increasing the thickness of the zinc oxide pellet. The resistivity of the ZnO decreases with increasing the temperature was observed. The concentration of the sample increases conductivity also decreases. Zinc oxide refractive index changes with wavelength. The pH depends on temperature and biological effects were observed at lower concentration and which are playing a vital role in the metabolism of human beings and plant systems. The pH-profiles were measured after 24 h. One-way ANOVA showed significant differences of all tested materials. Variant refractive index can generate resonant cavity that can enhance phase shift of output light and fabricate a variety of optoelectronic device. Materials of high thermal conductivity are widely used in heat sink applications and materials of low thermal conductivity are used as thermal insulation. The biological properties like absorption coefficient, refractive index, concentration, conductivity, pHvalues and temperature were used in many advanced biological, medical and engineering applications such as heat exchangers.
Study of plant biodiversity in an artificial forest plantation (Pinus halepensis and Cupresus sempervirens) in the region of Sidi bel abbes, Algeria
Authors: Fatiha Barka , Mohamed Bouazza , Mohamed Terras , Zohra Mekki Fatima , Abdelkader Ammam
Published: August 2021

The present study focuses on an analysis of the evolution of plant biodiversity dynamics in a steppic zone from a phytoecological standpoint, concentrating on a set of reforested species in the Sidi Bel Abbes region (Cas de Ras El Ma). The research work is based on geographical, physiological, biometric and clima c aspects. The results obtained from this study include the botanical and biological aspects of each species selected. The comparison of the di erent biological, morphological and biogeographical spectra reveals the importance of therophytes, which is consistent with a signi cant degeneration accented by stressors during the recent decades, with the presence of strong therophy za on which eliminates sylva c forma ons at the level of these steppic ecosystems. Despite the presence of a shrub layer, which can present an illusion to the contrary, it is no longer a forest ecosystem, but a pre-forest ecosystem transforming into a sca ered matorral characterized by a oris c diversity of seed plants. The distribution of families in the study area is heterogeneous, with Fabaceae domina ng at (13.46%), followed by Poaceae (11.54%), Lamiaceae with (7.69%), Ranunculaceae, Asteraceae, Lili- aceae, Cistaceae, Cupressaceae, Carphyllaceae, Papaveraceae, Pinaceae, Fagaceae and Brassicaceae with (3.85%). The ac ons of the management plans enabled us to determine the various factors that in uence the development and the distribution of the plant species in the region of Sidi Bel Abbes and the strategy of protec on and preservation for a sustainable development.
The eco-innovation impact on economic and environmental performance of EU Member States
Authors: Mačiulytė-Šniukienė Alma , Sekhniashvili Dali
Published: August 2021

Development of innovation is recognised as a most powerful tool for the economic growth of countries. However, their effects on the quality of the environment are still being debated. To achieve sustainable development, eco-innovation becomes significant. EU countries expand eco-innovation activities, but it is not clear whether its development achieves the goal of economic growth and improves the quality of the environment.
Purpose – to present how EU Member States perform in economic growth, environment and eco-innovation development and to evaluate eco-innovations impact on economic and environmental performance.
Research methodology – the random effect regression was used for investigation relationship between eco-innovation, economic growth and environmental performance.
Findings – eco-innovation development influences not only EU MS economic growth but also has a positive effect on environmental performance.
Research limitations – eco-innovations development and economic growth can be interdepended, but this research investigates just one-way dependence. Granger causality test can be used for relationship assessment in the future.
Practical implications – the research results can be used for both the development of environmental policy and the policy of business support for eco-innovation implementation.
Originality/Value – study results confirmed previous assessment results on eco-innovation and economic growth and provided new knowledge of their effect on environmental performance.
On the Two-body Problem with Mass Loss Depending on Both Time and Radius Vector
Authors: Elipe Antonio , Calvo Manuel , Abad Alberto , Docobo José A.
Published: August 2021

The dynamics of the two-body problem with general mass-loss functions that depend on both the independent variable and the radial distance are studied. These functions have been considered by Docobo and coworkers to explain the so-called “periastron” effect. By means of some appropriate changes of variables we reduce the integration of this problem to a perturbed harmonic oscillator that is solved by means of the Krylov–Bogolioubov (KB) averaging method. By using the fact that the KB method provides approximate solutions that are first-order accurate in the small parameter ϵ in intervals of length 1/ϵ, we may get first-order accurate solutions for all physical time t ≥ 0 and therefore to study the asymptotic behavior of solutions for all t ≥ 0. These results extend previous studies of the authors for the first Gylden–Mestchersky problem.
A Self-similar Solution of Hot Accretion Flow: The Role of the Kinematic Viscosity Coefficient
Authors: Zeraatgari Fatemeh Zahra , Mei Liquan , Mosallanezhad Amin
Published: August 2021

We investigate the dependency of the inflow-wind structure of a hot accretion flow on the kinematic viscosity coefficient. In this regard, we propose a model for the kinematic viscosity coefficient to mimic the behavior of the magnetorotational instability that would be maximal at the rotation axis. Then, we compare our model with two other prescriptions from numerical simulations of the accretion flow. We solve two-dimensional hydrodynamic equations of hot accretion flows in the presence of thermal conduction. The self-similar approach is also adopted in the radial direction. We calculate the properties of the inflow and the wind such as velocity, density, and angular momentum for three models of the kinematic viscosity prescription. On inspection, we find that in our suggested model the wind is less efficient at extracting the angular momentum outward where the self-similar solutions are applied than it is in two other models. The solutions obtained in this paper might be applicable to hydrodynamical numerical simulations of hot accretion flows.
A Search for Wandering Black Holes in the Milky Way with Gaia and DECaLS
Authors: Greene Jenny E. , Lancaster Lachlan , Ting Yuan-Sen , Koposov Sergey E. , Danieli Shany , Huang Song , Jiang Fangzhou , Greco Johnny P. , Strader Jay
Published: August 2021

We present a search for “hypercompact” star clusters in the Milky Way using a combination of Gaia and the Dark Energy Camera Legacy Survey (DECaLS). Such putative clusters, with sizes of ∼1 pc and containing 500–5000 stars, are expected to remain bound to intermediate-mass black holes (M
BH ≈ 103–105
M
⊙) that may be accreted into the Milky Way halo within dwarf satellites. Using the semianalytic model SatGen, we find an expected ∼100 wandering intermediate-mass black holes if every infalling satellite hosts a black hole. We do not find any such clusters in our search. Our upper limits rule out 100% occupancy but do not put stringent constraints on the occupation fraction. Of course, we need stronger constraints on the properties of the putative star clusters, including their assumed sizes and the fraction of stars that would be compact remnants.
Morphological phylogenetic analyses and taxonomic revision of the Panorpa davidi group (Mecoptera: Panorpidae)
Authors: Ning Li , Wang Ji-Shen , Hua Bao-Zhen
Published: August 2021

Abstract

The Chinese Panorpa species without anal horn are normally assigned to the Panorpa davidi group. Here, we taxonomically revise the P. davidi group, which currently includes 17 known species and four new species: P. gaokaii sp. nov., P. huayuani sp. nov., P. uncinata sp. nov. and P. yaoluopingensis sp. nov. Panorpa shanyangensis Chou & Wang, 1981 and P. sexspinosa zhongnanensis Chou & Ran, 1981 are treated as junior synonyms of P. sexspinosa Cheng, 1949. We describe for the first time the male of P. stigmosa Zhou, 2006, and the females of P. curva Carpenter, 1938, P. davidi Navás, 1908, P. difficilis Carpenter, 1938, P. fructa Cheng, 1949, and P. jinchuana Hua, Sun & Li, 2001. A key to species of the group is provided. Phylogenetic analyses of maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood based on 79 morphological characters show that the newly defined P. davidi group is a well-supported monophyletic group and is sister to the genus Cerapanorpa Gao, Ma & Hua, 2016.
Commémorer le génocide des Arméniens à Lyon en 1985
Authors: Toulajian Sophie
Published: August 2021

Le présent article étudie la mobilisation des militants arméniens lors de la manifestation le 24 avril 1985 à Lyon, qui commémore le début du génocide des Arméniens de l’Empire ottoman. Il situe d’abord la question arménienne en France au début des années 1980 et présente les acteurs religieux et les clivages entre les acteurs politiques de la cérémonie. Ensuite, il étudie la part des référents et des pratiques français et arméniens dans la tenue de la manifestation et l’occupation de l’espace central de la ville. Enfin, il analyse l’hybridation des modes d’actions protestataires par d’autres militants, en périphérie de la cérémonie. Il conclut sur la porosité entre actions de deuil et de lutte et sur la valeur performative de la mobilisation pour la diaspora arménienne.
Kleptomanes ou nécessiteuses ?
Authors: Albert Anaïs
Published: August 2021

Au début de la Première Guerre mondiale, dans un Paris affecté économiquement par le conflit, des femmes sont prises la main dans le sac, en train de voler dans les grands magasins. À partir d’un fonds d’archives original (les plaintes pour vol classées sans suite par le préfet de police), cet article propose d’étudier à nouveaux frais l’opposition traditionnellement établie entre la bourgeoise kleptomane volant par folie et l’ouvrière dérobant des objets par nécessité ou par avidité. Les documents policiers permettent de dresser un portrait analytique des voleuses et donnent partiellement accès à leurs discours de justification, ainsi qu’aux techniques de vol et aux objets dérobés. Cette histoire au « ras du sol » de la capitale en guerre permet de réinterroger le diagnostic de kleptomanie à travers le prisme de l’histoire sociale.
Long-time stability of the quantum hydrodynamic system on irrational tori
Authors: Feola Roberto ,   Dipartimento di Matematica, Università degli studi di Milano, via Saldini 50, I-20133, Italy, Iandoli Felice , Murgante Federico ,   Laboratoire Jacques Louis Lions, Sorbonne Université, 5 place Jussieu, 75005, Paris, France,   International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), Via Bonomea 265, 34136, Trieste, Italy
Published: August 2021

We consider the quantum hydrodynamic system on a $ d $-dimensional irrational torus with $ d = 2, 3 $. We discuss the behaviour, over a "non-trivial" time interval, of the $ H^s $-Sobolev norms of solutions. More precisely we prove that, for generic irrational tori, the solutions, evolving form $ \varepsilon $-small initial conditions, remain bounded in $ H^s $ for a time scale of order $ O(\varepsilon^{-1-1/(d-1)+}) $, which is strictly larger with respect to the time-scale provided by local theory. We exploit a Madelung transformation to rewrite the system as a nonlinear Schrödinger equation. We therefore implement a Birkhoff normal form procedure involving small divisors arising form three waves interactions. The main difficulty is to control the loss of derivatives coming from the exchange of energy between high Fourier modes. This is due to the irrationality of the torus which prevents to have "good separation'' properties of the eigenvalues of the linearized operator at zero. The main steps of the proof are: (i) to prove precise lower bounds on small divisors; (ii) to construct a modified energy by means of a suitable high/low frequencies analysis, which gives an a priori estimate on the solutions.
Microsatellite Loci for the Threatened Pearl Darter and Cross Amplification in Channel and Coal Darters
Authors: Kreiser Brian R. , Clark Scott R. , Schaefer Jacob F.
Published: August 2021

The Pearl Darter Percina aurora is an imperiled species of fish currently only found in the Pascagoula River drainage in southern Mississippi. We tested 60 microsatellite loci identified by Illumina pair-ended sequencing. Forty of these loci were polymorphic in Pearl Darters with a mean number of alleles per locus of 11.5 and mean observed and expected heterozygosity values of 0.818 and 0.805, respectively. Eleven to 17 of these loci were also polymorphic in the closely related Channel Darter P. copelandi and Coal Darter P. brevicauda. These loci should prove useful in genetic studies associated with informing future management decisions for Pearl Darters and conservation efforts in other species of darter.
Is NATO Brain Dead?
Authors: Can Muhammed
Published: August 2021

Turkey has always been a strategic member of NATO, not just because of its military prowess as a regional power but also because of its geostrategic location. However, President Erdogan's assertive foreign policy decisions predominantly in conflicts in Libya and the East Mediterranean Sea laid bare vulnerabilities among the NATO members. Moreover, President Emmanuel Macron's warnings regarding the decreasing role of NATO intensified controversies between Turkey and allied members. This chapter seeks to find answers with regard to underlying domestic factors of Turkish foreign policy. It conceptualizes the term ‘patronal politics' in the context of Turkish politics that have prevailed in former Soviet Republics for decades.
Jihadist Hybrid War as an Asymmetric Military Threat to the Euro-Atlantic Security System
Authors: Maisaia Vakhtang
Published: August 2021

There are many transformations in developing and understanding military strategy, and new realities have delivered fresh trends in analyzing, planning, performing, and reviewing combat operations. The transformation in military strategic thoughts is affiliated with the new conception of the Fourth Generation Warfare, adopted at the turn of 20th and the 21st centuries. According to some academic conceptualizations, Fourth Generation Warfare is defined as military conflicts that involve the following elements: high technology, terrorism, a non-national or transitional base, a direct attack on enemy's culture, highly sophisticated psychological warfare especially through manipulation of the media, deliver of a high-intensity, short duration attack and creating a sense of vulnerability, debilitation, and abasement in the enemy.
Energy Security as Added Value for NATO's New Missions
Authors: Chitadze Nika
Published: August 2021

In today's world, it is a fact that energy plays an important role in protecting the national interests of the big countries and in implementing a number of strategic goals. For example, it can be taken into account the recent active geopolitical interventions by the Russian Federation and the intensive use of energy diplomacy to satisfy the political ambition of the Kremlin. First of all, it should be mentioned about the recent growth trends of energy interdependence between Russia and European partners of NATO. It is known that the European members of North Atlantic alliance consume more than 450 billion M3 of natural gas per year. At the same time, more than 60% of natural gas export of Russia in carried out on the European market. According to the data of 2018, “Gazprom” has exported 200.8 billion M3 on the European market. This chapter explores energy security as a part of NATO's mission.
Approximate Analytical Solution of a Power-Law Pseudoplastic Fluid in a Boundary Layer over a Porous Plate: A New Application of Multi-Stage Parker-Sochacki Method
Authors: Akindeinde Saheed Ojo , Adewumi Olusegun Adebayo , Lebelo Ramoshweu Solomon
Published: August 2021

In this paper, based on Parker-Sochacki method for solving a system of differential equations,a multistage technique is developed for solving the nonlinear boundary layer equations of powerlawfluid on infinite domain. The problem domain is split into subintervals over which the boundaryvalue problem is replaced with a sequence of subproblems. In a shooting-like approach, the boundarycondition at infinity is converted to an equivalent initial condition. By recasting the problem as apolynomial system of first-order autonomous equations, the sub-problems are solved with Parker-Sochacki method with very high accuracy. The interval of convergence of the solution is deriveda-priorly in terms of the parameters of the polynomial system, which guides optimal choice of thediscretization parameter. The technique yielded a convergent piecewise continuous solution over theproblem domain. The results obtained, demonstrated graphically and in tables, compared well withexisting ones in the literature.
Numerical Simulation of Paraffin Melting Process in an Inclined Channel
Authors: Li Yan , You Guo You , Qunzhi Zhu
Published: August 2021

Numerical simulation of the melting of paraffin in the inclined straight channel shows that the melting speed of paraffin is faster in the early stage and gradually slows down in the later stage. It is found that heat conduction is the main heat transfer mode in the early stage of paraffin melting. With the increasing number of liquid paraffin, natural convection occurs in the liquid paraffin. The liquid paraffin with higher temperature flows upward due to the effect of buoyance and lift, and convection heat transfer gradually increases and takes the dominant position in the melting process.
Methods of the Controlled Growth and Post Separation for Chirality-Specific Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Yan Yi Xin
Published: August 2021

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) as a promising candidate in a wide range of applications have shown great potentials in optical, electronic, magnetic and mechanical fields. Precisely due to their excellent characteristics and performances, it has attracted widespread attention, and much progress has been made during recent decades. However, due to the huge challenge in controlled synthesis and purification, obtaining SWCNTs with consistent chirality has seriously limited their high-end industrial applications. In this article, we will review the approaches recently developed in chirality-controlled preparation of SWCNTs. Among them, we will introduce the mechanism of templated growth of SWCNTs from chiral affinities, including cloning and seeds designing strategies. The preparation of SWCNTs catalyzed by noble metal and assisted with weak oxidant have been illustrated as well. Meanwhile, we will also discuss some chirality-selective separation approaches, which pay more attention to post-processing strategies by purifying the chiral SWCNTs with functional reagents. We expect that these strategies in controlling the chirality of CNTs will shed more light on the mechanism and process for atomic structural control of CNTs, and may also be applicable in the controlled synthesis of other nanomaterials.
Preparation, Expectations, Experience, and Environment of a College/University Athletic Training Residency: An Ethnographic Study
Authors: Eberman Lindsey E.
Published: August 2021

Context

Athletic training residency programs are proliferating rapidly, yet only 1 accredited residency is housed outside of physician-practice or clinic settings.

Objective

The focus of this article was to explore the structural and cultural factors that support a residency program in a college/university athletic training facility.

Design

Qualitative ethnographic study.

Setting

Boston University Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education–accredited residency program.

Patients or Other Participants

The unit includes 16 full-time athletic trainers (2 of whom are residents, 6 of whom are residency faculty/preceptors) and 3 fellowship-trained primary care sports medicine physicians.

Data Collection and Analysis

I made observations, engaged in discussions, and conducted interviews for 34 days (159.5 hours) over 4 months. Data analysis involved examining transcriptions, field notes, and observational summaries of dialogue and behaviors, reactions, and my own interpretations. I used an inductive coding process to develop meaningful concepts, grouping them together to classify the data and identify themes and subthemes characterizing the structures of the culture.

Results

I identified 3 themes: resident preparation and expectations, residency experience, and environment. In the first theme, I identified that the residents came into the residency having some deficiencies and incongruent expectations of the program. In the second theme, I observed the residents gained depth of knowledge, skills, and abilities in their focused area of practice, and they improved self-reflective practices through their exposure to clinical specialists and the varied pedagogical approaches within the program. The environment included both benefits and challenges in having a residency. Engagement in interprofessional and collaborative practice and a culture of teaching and learning supported the residency environment.

Conclusions

Athletic health care administrators must clearly communicate expectations when recruiting candidates, consider the training and commitment of their staff, and ensure culture of health care education within their unit before developing a residency, regardless of setting.
Critical oxygen (flammability) index of hydraulic fluids - preliminary trials
Authors: Sarin N K
Published: August 2021

This investigation is the first attempt at MRL to apply the critical oxygen index of flammability method to hydraulic fluids in order to determine their relative fire-resistance in quantitative terms and to provide a more efficient means of detecting qualitative
changes in the product formulations.
An ASTM standard (D2863) test procedure was modified slightly, using an asbestos tape soaked in hydraulic oil and held vertically in a glass tube reservoir before igniting it inside a controlled atmosphere of oxygen and nitrogen. Preliminary trials indicate that this procedure can be employed to
determine relative oxygen index of flammability for almost all types of hydraulic fluids. Although the oxygen indices may not represent absolute values due to a change in the standard procedure, a relative measure of the fire-resistance can be achieved.
Further studies are recommended to refine the proposed procedure.
What works for poor farmers? Insights from South Africa’s national policy evaluations
Authors: Chapman Sarah A. , Tjasink Katherine , Louw Johann
Published: August 2021

Background: Growing numbers of developing countries are investing in National Evaluation Systems (NESs). A key question is whether these have the potential to bring about meaningful policy change, and if so, what evaluation approaches are appropriate to support reflection and learning throughout the change process.Objectives: We describe the efforts of commissioned external evaluators in developing an evaluation approach to help critically assess the efficacy of some of the most important policies and programmes aimed at supporting South African farmers from the past two decades.Method: We present the diagnostic evaluation approach we developed. The approach guides evaluation end users through a series of logical steps to help make sense of an existing evidence base in relation to the root problems addressed, and the specific needs of the target populations. No additional evaluation data were collected. Groups who participated include government representatives, academics and representatives from non-governmental organisations and national associations supporting emerging farmers.Results: Our main evaluation findings relate to a lack of policy coherence in important key areas, most notably extension and advisory services, and microfinance and grants. This was characterised by; (1) an absence of common understanding of policies and objectives; (2) overly ambitious objectives often not directly linked to the policy frameworks; (3) lack of logical connections between target groups and interventions and (4) inadequate identification, selection, targeting and retention of beneficiaries.Conclusion: The diagnostic evaluation allowed for uniquely cross-cutting and interactive engagement with a complex evidence base. The evaluation process shed light on new evaluation review methods that might work to support a NES.
Exploring the challenges in leadership roles experienced by nurse managers in a mining primary healthcare setting in South Africa
Authors: Nene Sanele E.
Published: August 2021

Background: The challenges in leadership roles hinder the rendering of quality primary healthcare service in the mines. Mining, the heart of the South African economy, requires good health to its personnel to carry out operations. However, nurse managers, the leaders in a mining primary healthcare setting experience difficulties in their leadership roles.Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore and describe the challenges in leadership roles experienced by nurse managers in a mining primary healthcare setting in South Africa.Method: The study was conducted in a mining primary healthcare setting in West Rand, Gauteng province, South Africa. A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive design that is contextual in nature, using a phenomenological approach, was adopted. Data from nurse managers in the mine were collected and data saturation was reached by the seventh participant. The study followed Giorgi’s four stages of the phenomenological descriptive data analysis. An expert independent coder in qualitative research coded the data, and consensus on the findings was reached with the researcher.Results: Three subthemes emerged from the study: mining management and unions interfere with nurse managers’ leadership roles, incongruent mining primary healthcare policies and communication gap between nurse managers and mining management.Conclusion: The triangulation of nurse managers, mining management and unions requires a collective fusion to directly tackle the challenges in leadership roles in mining primary healthcare.
A Spirit-Word-Community hermeneutic for the ‘preaching as reimagination’ approach
Authors: Pembroke Neil
Published: August 2021

Walter Brueggemann offers an important approach to preaching that he describes as ‘reimagining the world’. He suggests that such imagining must be Spirit-led. It is argued that this homiletic strategy requires a fuller hermeneutic description than Brueggemann offers. A Spirit-Word-Community hermeneutic is commended. The Spirit leads and inspires. ‘Word’ is taken to mean the canonical witness to divine revelation. It is assumed to be normative for the belief and practice of the Christian Church. The way the world is reimagined needs to correlate with the Word. The act of checking the accuracy of the correlation, however, is not left to the individual preacher; it is the work of community.Contribution: The article contributes to the focus and scope of the journal through providing a correlation of hermeneutic theory – especially that of Paul Ricoeur – and homiletic thought. The aim is to provide a rigorously developed hermeneutic for preaching with suggestions as to how it can be used in practice.
‘The godly person has perished from the land’ (Mi 7:1–6): Micah’s lamentation of Judah’s corruption and its ethical imperatives for a healthy community living
Authors: Boloje Blessing O.
Published: August 2021

Micah 7:1–6 represents the prophet’s lamentation of the deficiency of moral value in a beloved nation. The oracle is a watershed in the Book of Micah that is aptly characterised by certain degrees of socio-economic and religious unfaithfulness, especially in privileged circumstances. The oracle unit (Mi 7:1–6) forms the darkest descriptions of degrees about the apparent moral wasteland of ancient Judah. The prophet’s metaphors are used to describe the miserable moral morass of society form a kind of compendium with a progression of thoughts and coherence of moral depravity. This article underscores that when people and society live in dishonesty and corruption, the essentially integrated spiritual-ethical-community of health and prosperity that is expected to unfold in time of covenant fidelity will eventually be reduced to poverty and despair, where people hunt each other for survival. This article explores aspects of dishonesty and corruption in the Book of Micah that are pointers to the tragic situation, analyses the various descriptions of corruption in the oracle unit and consequently examines its ethical imperatives for community living.Contribution: As a biblical, literary and theological interpretation of Micah’s oracle concerning ancient Judah’s moral morass, this article brings together moral insights that are potentially viable for making major contributions to the life of people and just social order in an economics of affluence, politics of oppression and corruption in societies.
A case report of detecting subclinical coagulopathy in a patient with boomslang (Dipholidus typus) bite
Authors: Tambwe Mungela J. , Lalloo Vidya , Engelbrecht Andreas , Pelle Pholosho
Published: August 2021

The boomslang (Dipholidus typus) has a predominantly haemotoxic venom. Because of the consumptive nature of the coagulopathy, signs and symptoms are usually delayed by up to 72 h after the bite. Traditional laboratory coagulation assays have a long turnaround time, by which time the patient’s bleeding and clotting profile has changed. A 25-year-old male patient was bitten by a boomslang. Despite two normal laboratory coagulation assay results, a point-of-care rotational thromboelastometry showed low fibrinogen levels, leading to the administration of monovalent antivenom. This report highlights the value of point-of-care thromboelastometry in the care of patients with subclinical boomslang envenomation.
Anchoring human resource management to sustain employee performance at Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality
Authors: Sixpence Samuel , De Braine Roslyn , Bussin Mark , Mthombeni Morris
Published: August 2021

Orientation: Practices employed to manage the human resources at Johannesburg (JHB) Metropolitan Municipality were explored to unearth their impact on employee performance.Research purpose: The study sought to reveal the human resource management (HRM) practices that could support employee performance at local government.The motivation for the study: The achievement of organisational goals depends on HRM practices that enhance employee competencies. Employee performance in municipalities is often considered to be substandard. This study aimed to strengthen HRM practices to enhance performance at JHB Metropolitan Municipality.Research approach/design and method: The qualitative inquiry adopted an interpretive stance to reveal participants’ experiences that relate to employee performance. Ten participants were identified purposively and the obtained data were analysed with the assistance of the Atlas.ti software.Main findings: Whilst the organisation’s employee-attraction practices were strong, its retention practices were weak. Employees generally felt undervalued, which negatively affected their morale and the organisation’s goal attainment.Practical/managerial implications: The organisation should introduce effective employee-retention strategies, focussing on thorough needs analyses, skills development and rewards linked to performance. Building employee commitment should be prioritised.Study contribution: Human resource management effectiveness in the Johannesburg Municipality would be enhanced by appropriate soft HRM investment in senior management either through recruitment or development or both. Furthermore, the municipal culture should change from HRM practices that are influenced by tradition to an adaptive approach that responds to public-sector dynamics and varying employee expectations.
Measuring Agile software project success beyond the triple constraint
Authors: Kandengwa Emilia , Khoza Lucas T.
Published: August 2021

Background: The triple constraint – cost, scope and time – has been previously used to measure the success of traditional developed software projects. However, these triple constraints are no longer effective to measure the success of Agile software projects. Research shows that there are many other metrics that are being used to measure Agile methods beyond the triple constraint. Organisations are adopting Agile methods for a number of reasons which in turn are benefiting the software developing organisation in various ways. However, these software developing organisations still face challenges when adopting Agile methods.Objective: This study aimed to investigate the different metrics to be considered when measuring Agile software project success beyond the triple constraints.Method: Data were collected through an online survey. The population of interest included Agile specialists who are working on Agile software projects. The collected data were analysed using IBM SPSS version 26.Results: Our results showed that software developing organisations implementing Agile software projects are using strategic metrics that bring value to software developing organisations when measuring their Agile software projects. One of the most cited metrics is customer satisfaction, which is believed to show more value because software projects cannot be accepted unless customers see the value in such projects.Conclusion: There is a pragmatic shift in software development method, adoption and implementation. Organisations that are eager to see success are now shifting from using traditional methods to Agile methods of software development, and by doing so, success is inevitable.