bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatial–temporal distribution and forecasting model of precipitation using dynamic-statistical information fusion
Authors: Zhao Jun , Xu Jinchao , Wang Guoqing , Jin Juliang , Hu Xiaojie , Guo Yan , Li Xuechun
Published: February 2022

In order to explore the evolvement mechanism of hydrometeorological elements, spatial–temporal distribution of precipitation in the Huai river basin is studied by statistical drawing and empirical orthogonal function decomposition. How to make an objective combination for the predictive results of precipitation? Information fusion in data assimilation is introduced to merge the improved National Centers for Environmental Prediction coupled forecast system model version 2 (CFSv2) with the multilinear regression model. Firstly, in terms of time, the annual precipitation is apt to decline at most stations within 30 years, and precipitation mainly concentrates in the flood season. The characteristics of spatial distribution are similar to topographic features. It can also be found that precipitation gradually decreases from south to north. Secondly, from statistical forecasting, the relationship between precipitation and global sea surface temperature (SST) is explored. Prediction equation is established with SST and the average precipitation. Thirdly, from dynamic model forecasting, the CFSv2 original model and the CFSv2 statistical downscaling model are used to analyze the influence of model deviation on fusion prediction. The optimum interpolation assimilation method is applied for realizing the optimal integration of statistical and dynamic model prediction. Finally, the standardized precipitation index (SPI) is calculated by the combined forecasting of annual precipitation to evaluate drought conditions. The results show that SST is an important factor affecting precipitation, which may be applied as a forecasting direction with other factors. The merged precipitation prediction skill by the CFSv2 original model and the statistical model do not have the great promotion, which is still lower than the prediction skill only by the statistical model. However, the merged precipitation prediction skill by the CFSv2 statistical downscaling model and the statistical model is better than the prediction skills by the two models mentioned above, respectively. These indicate that when the prediction difference between the models is large, the merged prediction error cannot be minimized. When the prediction skill levels are equal, there is an improvement in the merged result. So, it is necessary to revise the climate dynamic model by downscaling. What is more, the obtained drought levels match the actual disaster conditions, providing theoretical support of hydrology and meteorology for the prevention of natural disasters.
¿Comieron perdices? Perfiles socioeconómicos en casos de divorcio durante la primera mitad del siglo XX, provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina
Authors: Valobra Adriana María , Queirolo Graciela
Published: February 2022

El divorcio vincular en América Latina ha sido estudiado, en particular, en relación con aquellos países donde se dio tempranamente su sanción legal. Sin embargo, hasta no hace mucho tiempo, las indagaciones sobre Argentina eran más bien excepcionales. En general, se pueden agrupar en tres líneas: el análisis de discursos políticos y lecturas de género sobre los alcances de las leyes en relación con el matrimonio y las causales de divorcio; estudios de microhistoria sobre la prensa y cartas enviadas al gobierno que suelen señalar que había un consenso divorcista en la población aunque sus afirmaciones sobregiran las posibilidades de las fuentes y tipo de enfoque sobre las mismas; y estudios de corte estadístico que han hecho aportes interesantes sobre el alcance nacional, la distribución geográfica y las dificultades que presentan las series para reflexionar sobre otros aspectos. Este trabajo recurre a una serie de datos construidos a partir de fuentes judiciales a fin de analizar los perfiles sociales reconstruidos en expedientes que en 1955 ingresaron como divorcio a los tribunales de la ciudad de La Plata (provincia de Buenos Aires).
Ciberactivismo feminista en Chile. La experiencia del Observatorio Contra el Acoso Callejero
Authors: Merino Belén Elena , Jara Reyes René
Published: February 2022

Este artículo aborda la cuestión del ciberactivismo feminista, centrándose en la experiencia del Observatorio Contra el Acoso Callejero (OCAC) en Chile entre los años 2014 y 2017. A partir de un análisis enfocado en su estrategia digital, el artículo explora sus efectos en tres ámbitos: la organización del colectivo, su identidad y su capacidad para instalar el tema de la violencia de género en la agenda pública siendo propulsor del proyecto de ley llamado “Respeto Callejero”. Se utilizaron diversas técnicas de estudio, como entrevistas con las participantes del movimiento y análisis de las métricas de Facebook y de palabras claves en medios tradicionales y digitales. Como parte de los resultados destaca el hecho de que antes del surgimiento de esta organización no existía en Chile cobertura mediática sobre acoso callejero y es, por tanto, la estrategia digital de posicionamiento y llamado a la acción que desarrolla el OCAC lo que provoca un cambio paulatino en estas materias, instalando el tema de la violencia de género en espacios públicos.
Stegosaur tracks from the Upper Jurassic of Portugal: new occurrences and perspectives
Authors: Guillaume Alexandre R.D. , Costa Francisco , Mateus Octávio
Published: February 2022

The record of Late Jurassic stegosaur tracks from the Lourinhã Formation (Kimmeridgian-Tithonian) is here revised. Thirty-eight dinosaur tracks, preserved as natural infill casts, are here reported, and thirty-two of them are attributed to the ichnogenus Deltapodus. Four of those present impressions of skin, with polygonal scales and random pattern. Deltapodus is the most common ichnogenus in the track record of the Lourinhã Formation. The sizes and shape suggest one single dacentrurine trackmaker, which could be Miragaia longicollum, also common in the same horizons.
Sociologia: Revista da Faculdade de Letras da Universidade do Porto Marcas e transformações de um agente de produção científica sociológica (1991-2020)
Authors: Oliveira Maria João
Published: February 2022

This article analyses the main marks and transformations of Sociologia-journal of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities of the University of Porto, over its thirty years and fiftypublished issues. The data presented is of adescriptive nature and concerns the structural characteristics of the journal, its authors, and published texts. Through this case, it is intended to contribute, in the field of the sociology of science, to the understanding of the path of the production of sociological knowledge in Portugal.
Museu Escolar Oliveira Lopes : curadoria digital e preservação
Authors: Andrez Bárbara
Published: February 2022

This contribution results from the attendance of the Pilot Specialization Course in blended-learning format, Competences for 21st Century Museum Professionals, within the scope of Mu.SA Project - Museum Sector Alliance, summarizing the activity developed at the Oliveira Lopes School Museum during the Work-based Learning internship over 15 weeks. Based on an initial premise of collecting and preserving oral testimonies from former students, the development of ten audio visual objects was promoted as well as their documental production and the insertion of relevant metadata, following a specific task management. The focus on digital curation/preservation strategies validated the interoperability and the requirements for long term and continuous access, use and reuse of these conceived objects, with the creation of new objects and their availability through the Web 2.0.
Information Power and Russia’s National Security Objectives
Authors: Riehle Kevin P.
Published: February 2022

Russia’s operations in the information domain are an integral part of Russia’s interactions in the international environment. As one of Russia’s levers of national power, information operations work in concert with all other levers of national power to achieve a defined list of Russia’s national security objectives.  Judging from pronouncements, policies, doctrine, and actions, it appears that Russia’s objectives are: 1) Protect the Putin regime; 2) Control the post-Soviet space; 3) Counterweigh the unipolar actor in the world; 4) Portray Russia as an indispensable player in world affairs; and 5) Divide and disrupt the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union (EU). Russian information operations can be traced through information themes directly to those Russian national security objectives.  Some themes can address multiple objectives simultaneously, and the methods for communication can differ based on the target. However, Russian information operations are not standalone activities but work in concert with all other levers of national power to achieve Russia’s overarching objectives.
Incel Ideology, Radicalization and Mental Health
Authors: Moskalenko Sophia , González Juncal Fernández-Garayzábal , Kates Naama , Morton Jesse
Published: February 2022

Incels (involuntarily celibates) are an online community of men who feel disenfranchised because they are unable to find a romantic and sexual partner. Incels tend to blame society for placing too much value in physical appearance and for endowing women with too much power in mate selection, a grievance that sometimes translates into violent misogyny. Mass-casualty Incel attacks have led the security services in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. to classify Incels as a violent extremist threat. However, little empirical research is available to inform the understanding of Incels, or to qualify their potential danger to the public.
Filling this gap, this study presents an important empirical datum by reaching beyond media headlines and online activity, to assess Incel ideology, mental health, and radical intentions through in-depth surveys of 274 active Incels. Most Incels in our study reported mental health problems and psychological trauma of bullying or persecution. Incel ideology was only weakly correlated with radicalization, and ideology and radicalization were differentially correlated with mental health measures. Most Incels in the study rejected violence. The discussion considers implications of these findings for detection, policing, and non-criminal interventions focused on the Incel community.
Efficacy of a Web-Based Intervention for Depressive Disorders: Three-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Guided and Unguided Self-Help With Waitlist Control
Authors: Krämer Rico , Köhne-Volland Lea , Schumacher Anna , Köhler Stephan
Published: February 2022

Background

Digital health apps are efficacious treatment options for mild-to-moderate depressive disorders. However, the extent to which psychological guidance increases the efficacy of these apps is controversial.

Objective

We evaluated the efficacy of a web-based intervention, called Selfapy, for unipolar depression. We also investigated differences between psychotherapist-guided and unguided versions.

Methods

Selfapy is a cognitive behavioral therapy–based intervention for depressive disorders. Participants with mild-to-severe depressive disorders were assigned randomly to participate in either guided (weekly 25-minute duration telephone calls) intervention, unguided version, or waiting list (control group) for 12 weeks. We assessed depressive symptoms at the start of the study, midway through the intervention (6 weeks), at the end of the intervention (12 weeks), and at follow-up (6 months). The main outcome was difference in the Beck Depression Inventory score between the start of the study and the end of the intervention. Secondary outcomes were the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology—Self Report, the Hamilton Rating Depression Scale, and the Beck Anxiety Inventory.

Results

Of 401 participants, 301 participants (75.1%) completed the intervention. Changes in the Beck Depression Inventory from baseline differed significantly between groups at the postintervention (F2,398=37.20, P<.001). The reductions in scores for both guided and unguided intervention groups were greater than that for the control group, with large between-group effect sizes (guided vs control: d=1.63, 95% CI 1.37 to 1.93; unguided vs control: d=1.47, 95% CI 1.22 to 1.73) at postintervention. No significant differences were found between guided and unguided intervention groups (P=.18). At follow-up (6 months), treatment effects on the primary outcome were maintained for both intervention groups (guided: F1,194=0.62, P>.999; unguided: F1,176=0.13, P>.999).

Conclusions

Both guided and unguided versions of the intervention were highly effective in reducing depressive symptoms. Follow-up data suggest that these effects could be maintained. The guided version was not superior to the unguided version.

Trial Registration

German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00017191; https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5hnx

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

RR2-10.1186/s13063-021-05218-4
Web-Based Research Trends on Child and Adolescent Cancer Survivors Over the Last 5 Years: Text Network Analysis and Topic Modeling Study (Preprint)
Authors: Kim Hyun-Yong , Kang Kyung-Ah , Han Suk-Jung , Chun Jiyoung
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND

Being diagnosed with cancer during childhood or adolescence can disrupt important periods in an individual’s physical, psychosocial, and spiritual development and potentially reduce the quality of life (QOL) after treatment. Research is urgently required to improve the QOL for child and adolescent cancer survivors, and it is necessary to analyze the trends in prior research reported in international academic journals to identify knowledge structures.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to identify the main keywords based on network centrality, subgroups (clusters) of keyword networks by using a cohesion analysis method, and the main theme of child and adolescent cancer survivor–related research abstracts through topic modeling. This study also aims to label the subgroups by comparing the results of the cohesion and topic modeling.

METHODS

A text network analysis method and topic modeling were used to explore the main trends in child and adolescent cancer survivor research by structuring a network of keyword (semantic morphemes) co-occurrence in the abstracts of articles published in 5 major web-based databases from 2016 to 2020. A total of 1677 child and adolescent cancer survivor–related studies were used for data analyses. Data selection, processing, and analyses were also conducted.

RESULTS

The top 5 keywords in terms of degree and eigenvector centrality were risk, control interval, radiation, childhood cancer treatment, and diagnosis. Of the 1677 studies used for data analyses, cluster 1 included 780 (46.51%) documents under risk management, cluster 2 contained 557 (33.21%) articles under health-related QOL and supportive care, and cluster 3 consisted of 340 (20.27%) studies under cancer treatment and complications.

CONCLUSIONS

This study is significant in that it confirms the knowledge structure based on the main keywords and cross-disciplinary trends in child and adolescent cancer survivor research published in the last 5 years worldwide. The primary goal of child and adolescent cancer survivor research is to prevent and manage the various aspects of the problems encountered during the transition to a normal life and to improve the overall QOL. To this end, it is necessary to further revitalize the study of the multidisciplinary team approach for the promotion of age-specific health behaviors and the development of intervention strategies with increased feasibility for child and adolescent cancer survivors.

CLINICALTRIAL
The effectiveness of serious games in improving processing speed among elderly people with cognitive impairment: A systematic review and meta-analysis (Preprint)
Authors: Abd-alrazaq Alaa , Ahmed Arfan , Alali Haitham , Aldardour Ahmad Mohammad , Househ Mowafa
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND

Cognitive processing speed is known to decline by age. Processing speed refers to the time that an individual takes from receiving a stimulus to reacting to it. Serious games, which are video games employed for training and educational purposes, have the potential in improving processing speed. Numerous systematic reviews have summarized the evidence about the effectiveness of serious games in improving processing speed, but they are undermined by some limitations.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to pool the evidence about the effectiveness of serious games in improving processing speed among elderly people with cognitive impairment.

METHODS

A systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was undertaken. Two search sources were used in this review: 8 electronic databases as well as backward and forward reference list checking. Two reviewers independently checked the eligibility of the studies, extracted data from the included studies, and appraised the risk of bias and quality of the evidence. Evidence from the included studies was synthesized using a narrative and statistical approach (i.e., meta-analysis), as appropriate.

RESULTS

Out of 548 publications identified, 16 RCTs eventually met all eligibility criteria. Very low-quality evidence from 8 RCTs and 6 RCTs showed no statistically significant effect of serious games on the processing speed as compared with no or passive interventions groups (P=0.77) and conventional exercises (P=0.58), respectively. A subgroup analysis showed that both types of serious games (cognitive training games (P=0.26) and exergames (P=0.88)) are as effective as conventional exercises in improving processing speed.

CONCLUSIONS

There is no superiority of serious games over no or passive interventions and conventional exercises in improving processing speed among older adults with cognitive impairment. Yet, our findings remain inconclusive due to the low quality of the evidence, the small sample size in most included studies, and the paucity of studies included in the meta-analyses. Therefore, until more robust evidence is published, serious games should be offered or used as an adjunct to existing interventions. Further trials should be undertaken to investigate the effect of serious games that target specifically processing speed rather than cognitive abilities in general.
New Generalization of Homeomorphism in Topological Spaces
Authors:   P.G. Department and Research Centre of Mathematics, Naraian P. G. College, Shikohabad, U.P., (India), YADAV DIWARI LAL , GARG MANOJ ,   P.G. Department and Research Centre of Mathematics, Nehru P. G. College, Chhibramau, Kannauj, U.P., (India)
Published: February 2022

In this paper we introduce a new class of closed maps namely g#s-closed maps also introduce a new class of homeomorphisms called g#s*-homeomorphisms and prove that the set of all g#s*-homeomorphisms form a group under the operation composition of maps.
Template Analysis of a Longitudinal Interprofessional Survey: Making Sense of Free-Text Comments Collected Over Time
Authors: Brown Melanie Jane , Pullon Sue , McKinlay Eileen , Gray Lesley , Darlow Ben
Published: February 2022

Surveys are widely used in interprofessional education (IPE) research and these often collect free-text data. The potential contribution of free-text data to analysis and interpretation is often missed through separate reporting of qualitative and quantitative results, or free-text analyses being superficial or limited to subsets of data. There is little published guidance on how to maximize the use and integration of free-text comments with quantitative responses in large datasets collected over multiple years. Analysis of all qualitative comments, within the context of their related quantitative answers, enables exploration of changes in participants’ construction of meaning over time. This article describes how we used template analysis to analyze 3,626 free-text responses, collected as part of a five-year survey exploring the impact of an IPE program on health professionals’ attitudes to teamwork and early careers. We outline the main procedural steps undertaken by a team of researchers and we share our insights into the methodological challenges encountered. This article aims to inspire other researchers at the planning stage of research proposals, and assist them with practical ideas during data extraction, management, analysis, and reporting of large free-text datasets. We conclude that template analysis has methodologically sound, pragmatic utility in IPE longitudinal survey research
ESG investment: a new word or a new world?
Authors: Buniakova Anastasia V. , Zavyalova Elena B.
Published: February 2022

Modern investors and financiers are increasingly considering a wide range of non-financial factors when making investment decisions. ESG investment (investing), which considers environmental (E), social (S) and governance (G) aspects of companies activities, has been gaining momentum for quite a while. At the same time there is no clear definition or understanding of the boundaries of ESG investing now. That explains the relevance of the research with its purpose to examine the essence of the ESG investment concept and the basic features distinguishing it from other kinds of investing. This purpose is fulfilled through the methodology of system analysis, methods of historical and comparative analysis. As a result, the authors concluded that, despite its comprehensive nature and growing relevance, ESG investing cannot be considered an umbrella term for all types of values-based investment. This is due to the concepts semantic emphasis on the three groups of ESG factors, ESG risks and their impact on financial results. Arguably, the growing use of the similar terms ESG investing, sustainable investing and responsible investing reflects the interest of various stakeholders in the characteristic features of these concepts.
E-commerce in China amid COVID-19 pandemic restrictions
Authors: Revinova Svetlana Yu. , Ivashchenko Ekaterina A.
Published: February 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on all areas of life, including e-commerce. Most experts note a positive effect on e-commerce. E-commerce volume has grown all over the world. At the same time, structural changes took place; consumers changed their behavior and priorities. The purpose of the research is to study the role of e-commerce in China during the period of pandemic restrictions and analyze the statistical and structural changes in e-commerce during the epidemic. Quantitative and qualitative analysis is provided and the prospects for e-commerce in China are identified. When conducting the study, the methods of statistical and comparative analysis were used. The data sources were materials from the National Bureau of Statistics of China and other open sources. To determine the prospects for e-commerce, a model with an additive component was build. The data was deseasonalized, several trend variants were calculated, and the most suitable trend was selected, best approximating the sales data. The analysis showed that China has seen growth in e-commerce during the pandemic, but not as strong as expected. It is noted that before the pandemic, e-commerce grew at a reasonably rapid pace, and the pandemic only accelerated it a little. During the pandemic, those companies that had not previously used the Internet were forced to switch to new sales forms. The epidemic also prompted people to try many new products and services and then develop new consumer habits, which in the long term will continue the growth of e-commerce.
Trade relations between Russia and the countries of North Africa in the food sector: state, problems and prospects
Authors: Belova Irina N. , Al-Hamati Mohammed Abduljalil
Published: February 2022

Currently, Russia is actively building economic cooperation with the states of the African continent. The state of trade relations between Russia and the countries of North Africa is studied. The dynamics of trade turnover, both in value and in physical volume, the commodity structure of exports and imports, the place of the countries of this region in the Russian export and import of agricultural raw materials and food, the influence of factors that stimulate and hinder trade relations between the countries are analyzed. The importance of the markets of the countries for mutual supplies is substantiated; the problems and prospects of expanding trade relations between these countries in the food sector are identified.
Analisis Kinerja Load Balancing pada Server Web Menggunakan Algoritma Weighted Round Robin pada Proxmox VE
Authors: Arifwidodo Bongga , Metayasha Vassa , Ikhwan Syariful
Published: February 2022

Peningkatan jumlah lalu lintas webserver mengakibatkan peningkatan kinerja server. Kondisi penggunaan satu server dirasa kurang efektif, karena dapat menyebabkan server down jika mendapat beban trafik yang berlebihan. Penyeimbangan beban adalah teknik mendistribusikan beban lalu lintas ke beberapa server dan dapat diterapkan pada teknologi virtualisasi. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui kinerja load balancing pada web server menggunakan algoritma weighted round robin yang diimplementasikan pada lingkungan virtualisasi Proxmox VE. Pengukuran kinerja jaringan dilakukan dengan mengirimkan trafik request HTTP ke web server. Saat membagi beban kerja digunakan empat skenario weighted round robin load sharing, WRR 2:1, WRR 3:1, WRR 4:1, dan WRR 5:1 kemudian diukur unjuk kerjanya berdasarkan parameter Quality of Service yaitu throughput, delay, packet loss, dan penggunaan CPU. Hasil penelitian ini, sistem load balancing dapat diimplementasikan dengan baik pada lingkungan virtualisasi. Pembagian kerja skenario penjadwalan yang paling baik adalah pada WRR 2:1, karena mampu membagi beban secara merata antara kedua server. Sehingga menghasilkan rata-rata throughput tertinggi 6.717 Mbit/s, nilai delay terendah 0.505 ms, dan tidak ada paket yang hilang. WRR 2:1 juga membuat kedua web server tersebut mendapatkan beban kerja yang seimbang, dengan perbedaan penggunaan CPU pada koneksi 5000 mencapai 2,244%, koneksi 10000 mencapai 4,528%, dan koneksi 15000 mencapai 3,111%.
The Effect of Sinergic Transformational Leaders, Academic Culture On The Sustainability Organization Performance of University Lecturer in Indonesia of the Corona Virus (Covid-19) Era
Authors: Saragih Lisnatiawati , Salim M Noor , Chan Syafrizal , Nurhayati Mafizatun
Published: February 2022

The study aims to determine and analyze the effect of transformational leaders, academic culture on of the Sustainability Organization Performance  of University Lecturers in Indonesia of the Corona Virus (Covid-19) era. This study use quantitative research method with survey technique to respond the test hypotheses that have been formulated. The respondents are 150 lecturers, the sampling technique used was cluster random sampling technique. The instrument of transformational leader, academic lecture and Sustainability Organization Performance  were validated with the product moment correlation, while reliability was measured by the Alpha Cronbach. Hypothesis testing using path analysis. The results of data analysis using path analysis, showed that, (1) there is the effect of direct transformational leaders on the lecturers Sustainability Organization Performance , (2) there is the effect of direct academic culture on the lecturers Sustainability Organization Performance , and (3) there is the effect of direct sinergic transformational leaders on the lecturers academic culture. Implications of research efforts to bring down the lecturers Sustainability organization Performance , the effectiveness of sinergic transformational leaders must be increased, the improve the effectivity of academic culture.           Keyword:  Sinergic Transformational Leaders, Academic Culture On The Sustainability Organization Performance
Studi Eksploratif Dampak Pandemi Covid-19 Terhadap Kegiatan dan Operasional di KSP Sejahtera Bersama Cabang Serang
Authors: Permana Angrian , Puspa Rani , Widyanty Winda
Published: February 2022

Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mendapatkan informasi terkait kendala yang dihadapi oleh KSP Sejahtera Bersama Cabang Serang akibat dari adanya pandemic Covid-19. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode eksplorasi dengan pendekatan ilmiah menggunakan metode studi kasus kualitatif yang digunakan untuk mendapatkan informasi kendala kinerja yang diakibatkan oleh pandemic Covid-19.  Penelitian ini menggunakan responden sebanyak lima orang yang terdiri dari tenaga penyuluh koperasi, anggota koperasi, dan staf administrasi.  Responden dalam penelitian ini menggunakan inisial R1, R2, R3, R4, dan R5 dengan maksud menjaga kerahasiaan. Wawancara dilakukan dengan cara semi-terstruktur yang dilakukan dengan perntanyaan yang sudah disiapkan berdasarkan literature terkait. Hasil penelitian ini yaitu terdapat kendala yang dialami oleh anggota, staff, dan penyuluh koperasi yang disebabkan oleh terganggunya likuiditas dan proses Penundaan Kewajiban Pembayaran Utang (PKPU) yang dialami oleh Koperasi Sejahtera Bersama. Kata kunci: Kinerja Koperasi, anggota koperasi, staff operasional, penyuluh koperasi,  pandemic covid-19, studi eksploratif
Impact Measurement of Procurement Practices on Value for Money in the Gambian Public Sector: An Empirical Study
Authors:   College of Management & Information Technology, American International University, West Africa, The Gambia, Sanneh M. , Olanipekun W.D.
Published: February 2022

This study investigated the effect of public procurement processes on Value for Money (VFM) in National Disaster Management Agency. The objectives of the study was to determine the effect of procurement packaging on value for money in NDMA, establish the effect of procurement method on value for money in NDMA and investigate the effect of procurement scheduling on value for money in NDMA. The study employed a descriptive survey method. Primary data with aid of a structured questionnaire were adopted. Pearson’s Correlation coefficient analysis was employed to test the hypothesis. Findings revealed that procurement packaging, procurement method and procurement scheduling all significantly affects value for money. The study concluded procurement planning affects value for money. The study made the following recommendations: the need for procurement officers to use good procurement packaging where they allow bidders to submit bids for one or multiple lots; the need for procurement officers to embrace all procurement methods depending on the circumstance and the nature of the project so as to be as comprehensive as possible since each procurement method has its own advantage; the need for procurement officers to involve stakeholders and superiors in project scheduling so as to streamline any inconsistency. Keywords: Public Procurement, Public Sector, Resource Based View, Value for Money
Evaluating the Impact of Critical Success Factors of Business Intelligence on Firm Performance
Authors:   College of Management & Information Technology, American International University, West Africa, The Gambia, Fabiyi O. , Olanipekun, W.D.
Published: February 2022

The paper examined the arguments and counterarguments within the scientific discussion on business intelligence and organisation performance. Today’s market place and space is one that is always evolving, revolving and the case of unpredictability which can be seen from the view of economic downturn from time to time. Based on this, organizations look for ways to improve the way they do business to keep ahead of the competition and increase revenue. Specifically, more insight can be gained, and even better decisions made, by coupling business relevant information with an easy-touse predictive analytics/ business solution. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of business intelligence on performance. The data came from the primary source with the aid of a structured questionnaire that was administered to the respondents. Quantitative analysis was carried out on the data related to the 115 organizations. Descriptive and inferential statistics was employed in analyzing the data. A systematic literary approach to data analysis is Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient which was used to test the hypotheses at 5% level of significance. The results of the analysis show that business intelligence actually has a positive impact on the overall performance outcome of the organizations. however, a detailed analysis suggests that the impact of the success factors is stronger with business analysis and analytics, which shows that business intelligence is not just tools or software as seen by many but includes other processes and methodologies which at the end of the day is more important for making better business decisions and providing higher value of outcome for the organization. The study therefore recommends that strategic management must demonstrate their commitment to business intelligence with resources, action, guidelines, and activities. It is also important for management to support continuous knowledge management, data analysis, data warehousing, data mining while also fostering a culture that constantly ensures the enshrinement of business intelligence practices. Keywords: Business Intelligence, Data Mining, Data Warehouse, Knowledge Management, Business Analytics
Law, Politics and Leadership in Contemporary Africa – An Examination of Facts
Authors:   Office of the Vice Chancellor Head of Quality Assurance & Legal Unit, American International University, West Africa, The Gambia, Obasi Nwele, J.
Published: February 2022

Every society need to deal with legal matters, solve political and leadership problems, and, because of the nature of legal, political and leadership tasks as daunting issues, a scholarly solicitor and/or advocacy approach may be very necessary to prevent disputes and prosecution problems of leadership issue in Africa. Corruption and Fraud has been an endemic issue in the global political affairs for ages, and recently cybercrime has joined the litany of the cankerworm that impede success of democracy and development and social tranquility of nations, especially arising from electoral issue fraud. To control and manage human resource capital, in relation to stock of or supply of mineral resources, material and financial, money, and other assets that can be drawn on by a person, organization or state, to establish an effective and viable economy, individuals, organizations and governments need to maintain true leadership principles and political order that follow rules of law. It is a fact that Africa as a part of the world, especially in the new global politics tries to align to the protection of its environment against corruption and fraud. This study examines the level, and the indices of corruption and fraud in relation to true leadership principles and political order that follow rules of law in Africa. Primary and secondary data were used in this research, which aims at discovering appropriate measures to squarely or effectively address crimes related to misuse of political and leadership powers and corruption, economic fraud and cybercrime in Africa. Binary logistic regression and chi-square were applied. The findings reveal that economic development, politics, democracy and rule of law has a nexus to addressing the complex nature of entrenching true democracy; fighting corruption, fraud, and cybercrime in individual, organization, and government. The findings further indicate that coordinated and coherent academic/intellectual crossroad crusade is what is needed/required to restore Africa to glory land. Keywords: Law, Politics, Leadership, Contemporary Africa, Corruption, Fraud, Cybercrime, Economic Development Proceedings Reference Format
Breaking the Backbone of Difficult Concepts in the New Secondary School Physics Curriculum in Africa
Authors:   1Department of Science and Technology Education Lagos State University Ojo, Lagos Nigeria 2,3,4,5,6 Africa Centre of Excellence for Innovative and Transformative STEM Education (ACEITSE) Lagos State University Ojo, Lagos., Onyewuchi Francis A. , Adewusi Michael A. , Okebukola Peter , Odekeye Tokunbo , Gbeleyi Olasunkanmi , Awaah Fred
Published: February 2022

The new senior secondary school physics curriculum for Anglophone West African countries came into use in 2015. Since the beginning of its implementation, even though, the performance of the candidates has not been high, yet reported empirical studies on the difficulty level of the content, and specifically the topics or concepts have been scant. Moreover, there have never been any published studies which conducted an in-depth probe into the aspects of the topics students find difficult in physics and science in general, beyond mere cataloguing of such topics, nor have there been any, in which students were qualitatively engaged in making inputs towards the amelioration of the topic difficulty. This is a huge gap in literature which this study determined to fill. The effort is significant to the extent that understanding the areas of difficulties of the topics as perceived by the students is good pointer towards remedy by teachers and stakeholders. The study therefore undertook five missions: (a) to find out the topics in the new physics curriculum that secondary school students find difficult (b) undertake in-depth probe of the specific aspects of the topics for which students have learning difficulty. (c) probe the possible causes of or factors responsible for these difficulties (d) determine if school location, school ownership and students’ gender have impacts on students’ perception of physics topics difficulty; and (e) deriving from students’ views, suggest how physics can be made easy to learn. A sample of 1,105 students was drawn from 21 secondary schools in Nigeria and Ghana. These schools comprised 12 private and nine public schools randomly selected from rural and urban areas. 75% of the schools were urban while about 25% were rural. Randomly selected 10 students and five teachers were interviewed for qualitative data, while all the participants were involved in responding to the questionnaire. From data gathered, five top most difficult topics were refractive index, electromagnetism, radioactivity, curved lenses and sound: production, propagation and modulation. Rich qualitative data unique for this study, was reported. There was marked difference between urban and rural, private and public, but not in gender. Recommendations were made for better teaching and meaningful learning. Keywords: Backbone of difficult topics; meaningful learning of physics
RAPD profiling in detecting genetic variation in Glaucium (papaveraceae) species: Edible and medicinal plant
Authors: Jiao Lei , Xiao Huaping , Zhao Xu , Abarghuei Mirazimi
Published: February 2022

Glaucium is a genus belonging to Papaveraceae subfam. Chelidonoideae Ernest
that contains about 23 species. The distribution of Glaucium species
relatively widely covers western Asia and the Mediterranean region and is
decreased from central Asia to the European countries. As a country, Iran
harbors relatively more species of the genus Glaucium (10 species) and
hence, this country is considered as the hot spot of the genus. No detailed
Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) studies were conducted to study
Glaucium genetic diversity. Therefore, we collected and analyzed three
species from 6 provinces of Iran regions. Overall, 60 plant specimens were
collected. Our aims were 1) to assess genetic diversity among Glaucium
species 2) is there a correlation between species genetic and geographical
distance? 3) Genetic structure of populations and taxa. We showed
significant differences in quantitative morphological characters in plant
species. G. flavum var. serpieri depicted unbiased expected heterozygosity
(UHe) in the range of 0.188. The Mantel test showed correlation (r = 0.66,
p=0.0001) between genetic and geographical distances. We reported high
genetic diversity, which clearly shows the Glaucium species can adapt to
changing environments since high genetic diversity is linked to species
adaptability. Present results highlighted the utility of RAPD markers and
morphometry methods to investigate genetic diversity in Glaucium species.
Investigation on morphology and physiology of nitrogen efficiency in different pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) inbred lines
Authors: Ulas Firdes , Erdogdu Saliha , Yetisir Halit , Ulas Abdullah
Published: February 2022

In this study, two hydroponic experiments were carried out in a nutrient
solution growth system in a growth chamber to determine the morphological
and physiological background of nitrogen efficiency in pepper (Capsicum
annuum L.). In the first experiment, 16 pepper inbred lines and 2 pepper
commercial rootstocks were screened under 2 nitrogen (N) doses (0.3 mM and
3.0 mM N) in a completely randomized block design with 3 replications. In
the second experiment, four pepper lines (N-efficient: 21-H- 1-1 and AH-2-3,
N-inefficient: ERU 1248 and 24-H-6) selected in the first stage of the study
were grafted reciprocally and tested under 2 N doses. By using nitrogen
efficient lines (21-H-1-1/24-H-6, 21-H-1-1/ERU 1248, AH-2-3/ERU 1248,
AH-2-3/24-H-6) as rootstocks increased growth and biomass production
compared to non-grafted control plants (N-inefficient), while using
N-efficient lines (1248/21-H-1-1, ERU 1248/AH-2-3, 24-H-6/21-H-1-1,
24-H-6/AH-2-3) as scion (ERU caused lower shoot growth than the control
(N-efficient). It is also seen that well-developed strong root systems are
the most important factor contributing to N use efficiency in pepper.
Genetic diversity and gene-pool of Aegilops tauschii Coss. (Poaceae) based on retrotransposon-based markers
Authors: Li Sha , Jiang Xiaomei , Mehri Shahram
Published: February 2022

Genetic variation is an essential feature of biological variety for
conservation methods, particularly for scarce and strictly endemic species.
Iran's population genetic structure, genetic variation, and morphological
variations are all unknown. Because of the therapeutic value of this
species, six regional populations of Aegilops tauschii were studied for
genetic diversity and population structure. To uncover within and among
population genetic variation in this plant, we employed six
inter-retrotransposon amplified polymorphism (IRAP) markers and 15 combined
IRAP markers. The AMOVA test indicated a substantial genetic difference
(PhiPT = 0.66, P = 0.010) among the tested populations, as well as the fact
that 85 percent of overall genetic differences was related to
within-population variety and 15 percent to genetic divergence across
populations. The Mantel test revealed a substantial positive connection
between genetic distance and geographical distance across the populations
investigated. Based on (IRAP) markers, these findings suggested that
regional populations of Aegilops tauschii are well separated.
High flow nasal oxygen therapy (HFNO) in opposition to non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIV): Advantages, disadvantages and their use in COVID-19 infection: Brief review
Authors: Dmitrović Radmila , Lazović Biljana , Simonović Isidora
Published: February 2022

In the last few decades, different devices for oxygen application have become available, such as low flow systems, high flow systems (HFNO), and non-invasive ventilation (NIV). They are widely applicable and have many advantages as well as disadvantages. HFNO modalities decrease dead space, improve alveolar ventilation, and apply oxygen up to 60 l/min, delivering it humidified and heated opposite NIV, which increases anatomical dead space, maintains adequate minute ventilation, and is used in more conditions than HFNO, etc. In our research, we included 12 articles. The study was conducted using literature published up from 2013 to July 2020. In our research we used following keywords: 'non-invasive ventilation', 'high-flow nasal oxygen', 'advantages', 'disadvantages', 'COVID-19'. The HFNO system appears to be more successful than standard oxygen treatment and non-inferior to NIV. It is simple, easy to apply but still insufficiently researched. More research is needed in the future on the benefits and disadvantages of the HFNO system.
Semantics of “Shaking One’s Head” Gesture as a Unit of Russian Communicative System
Authors:   Lomonosov Moscow State University, Korosteleva Anna
Published: February 2022

The study was carried out by the method of semantic communicative analysis, which the author expands to Russian kinesic means (pose, mimic, gesture). These means are regarded as units of communicative level which reflects the interconnection between the position of the speaker, the listener and situation. This system includes such elements as the purport, variative sets of constructions as well as the units these constructions are made of. These means are not only heterogeneous (in particular, they include both verbal and kinesic units), they are characterized by extramentality of meanings and require special methods of defining their semantic parameters. In the paper with the help of scientific instruments of the school of semantic communicative analysis, the invariant parameter of Russian “shaking one’s head” gesture is identified. The obtained results can form the basis of the vocabulary description of this gesture in the dictionaries of a new type. The article also covers the question of the functioning of “shaking one’s head” gesture within the artistic text, where it aquires an aesthetic charge.
Linguodidactic Potential of Diachronic Data in Teaching Russian as a Foreign Language in Chinese Universities
Authors:   School of Foreign Languages Peking University, Xu Yin
Published: February 2022

The article is devoted to the study of the prospect of introducing knowledge of the history of the Russian language in the teaching of Russian as a foreign language in China. This article reports the main results of a survey of teachers and students and testing in Russian morphology, specially compiled for the current study. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of the mechanism of error origin and ways to overcome them.
A Child in Soul, an Executioner by Fate? (review on the premiere performance of “The Story of the Seven” based on Leonid Andreev᾿s “The Story of the Seven Who were Hanged”)
Authors:   Lomonosov Moscow State University, Mikhailova Maria
Published: February 2022

The review is a detailed analysis of the premiere performance “The Story of the Seven”, based on the “The Story of the Seven Who were Hanged” by Leonid Andreev directed by Ivan Komarov on the “Other” Stage of the Sovremennik Theater at the end of 2021. The author of the review focused on the problem of “translating” the epic work into the language of drama. Particular attention is paid to the “key” moments of the prose text, which became an impulse for the director, pushing him to the figurative embodiment of the word. A comparison of the composition of Andreev’s story with the compositional solution of the play is made. It also is pointed to a particular expressionism of the stage performance, which does not coincide with the stylistic of Andreev’s expressionism, which shows the freshness and originality of the director’s and actors’ approach.
Sonnet and Epic Poems as Forms of Contemporary Slovenian Poetry
Authors:   Institute of Slavic Studies, RAS, Starikova Nadezhda
Published: February 2022

In the article on the example of the works by outstanding poets Milan Jesih and Boris A. Novak, are considered the current trends and artistic phenomena of contemporary Slovenian versification. Both authors remain faithful to the traditional genre types and forms of the classical poetic paradigm are the sonnet and the epic poems. The sonnet is Jesih’s calling card (the collections “Soneti”, 1989, and “Soneti drugi”, 1993); Novak’s work has recently been associated with the epic (the trilogy “Vrata nepovrata: epos”, 2015–2017). Slovenian poets are distinguished not only by their adherence to the canonical examples of world literature, but also by their innovative attitude towards them, the desire for their transformation and renewal, as well as the active promotion of this approach.