bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of Trachway versus Conventional Modes of Intubation in Difficult Airway Management in COVID-19 Setups
Authors: Wu Meng-Yu , Yiang Giou-Teng , Ke Jian-Yu , Chen Chien-Sheng , Lin Po-Chen , Chen Yu-Long
Published: February 2021

Difficult airway management in critically ill patients remains a difficult task associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. In difficult airway populations, prompt effective intubation is more important to prevent hypoxia and neurological injury. During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, prolonged intubation time and repeated intubation can lead to an increase in the risk of infection. Therefore, digital devices can shorten intubation times and decrease the risk of infection among clinical staff. The advantages of the Trachway videolight intubating stylet suit these conditions. Trachway stylet intubation is an effective method for video laryngoscopy to enhance patient safety and improve the intubation success rate. However, a few studies have focused on the effect of stylet intubation by reducing repeated intubation and oxygen desaturation. In this study, we reviewed current data of Trachway intubation and shared our four major training scenarios in Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital via the Trachway videolight intubating stylet system for emergency intubation, comparing them with other modes of intubation.
A Myocardial Segmentation Method Based on Adversarial Learning
Authors: Wang Tao , Wang Juanli , Zhao Jia , Zhang Yanmin
Published: February 2021

Congenital heart defects (CHD) are structural imperfections of the heart or large blood vessels that are detected around birth and their symptoms vary wildly, with mild case patients having no obvious symptoms and serious cases being potentially life‐threatening. Using cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) technology to create a patient‐specific 3D heart model is an important prerequisite for surgical planning in children with CHD. Manually segmenting 3D images using existing tools is time‐consuming and laborious, which greatly hinders the routine clinical application of 3D heart models. Therefore, automatic myocardial segmentation algorithms and related computer‐aided diagnosis systems have emerged. Currently, the conventional methods for automatic myocardium segmentation are based on deep learning, rather than on the traditional machine learning method. Better results have been achieved, however, difficulties still exist such as CMRI often has, inconsistent signal strength, low contrast, and indistinguishable thin‐walled structures near the atrium, valves, and large blood vessels, leading to challenges in automatic myocardium segmentation. Additionally, the labeling of 3D CMR images is time‐consuming and laborious, causing problems in obtaining enough accurately labeled data. To solve the above problems, we proposed to apply the idea of adversarial learning to the problem of myocardial segmentation. Through a discriminant model, some additional supervision information is provided as a guide to further improve the performance of the segmentation model. Experiment results on real‐world datasets show that our proposed adversarial learning‐based method had improved performance compared with the baseline segmentation model and achieved better results on the automatic myocardium segmentation problem.
The Effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine-Associated Complementary and Alternative Medicine on Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Authors: Shen Wenjuan , Jin Bao , Pan Yujia , Han Yanhua , You Tianjiao , Zhang Zongyu , Qu Yangfan , Liu Sha , Zhang Yang
Published: February 2021

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a touchy clinical and public health problem worldwide, which adversely affects women’s health and health-related comorbidities for lifetime, and represents a tremendous burden for both the family of the patient and for society. According to the diagnostic criteria used and the population studied, the prevalence rate of PCOS is between 6% and 21%. However, current conventional modern medicines for PCOS are only moderately effective at controlling the signs and symptoms, while they are not thoroughly able to prevent complications. Therefore, many patients have turned to complementary and alternative medical (CAM) treatments. CAM use is wide spread among patients with PCOS, and more than 70% of patients use CAM at one point during their diseases. The patients’ primary motivations include dissatisfaction with available medications, perceive higher risk of drug side effects and crushing health burden and economic costs, desire for symptom relief, pursuit of shortening the course of disease, and the belief that CAM therapy is in accordance with the patients’ values and beliefs. At present, several CAM methods have been used in women with PCOS, which has achieved obvious effects. However, biologically plausible mechanisms of the action of traditional Chinese medicine- (TCM-) associated CAM for PCOS have not been systematically reviewed. This review briefly summarizes the current progress of the impact of herbal medicine on the outcomes of PCOS and introduces the mechanisms.
Design of Variable Damping INS for Ships Based on the Variation of Reference Velocity Error
Authors: Liu Chuang , Wu Qiuping , Hu Peida , Zhang Rong
Published: February 2021

Schuler oscillation damping is one of the key technologies to improve the long‐term precision of inertial navigation systems (INSs). Generally, a ship introduces the reference velocity to work on the external horizontal damping status to avoid the effects caused by maneuvers. However, the navigation accuracy is sensitive to the reference velocity error which will be affected by sea conditions and the ship’s maneuver. It is necessary to adjust the damping status dynamically as the change of the reference velocity error to ensure the accuracy and stability of INS. To address this problem, a novel variable damping system based on the variation of the reference velocity error is designed in this paper. First of all, this proposed method switched the damping status according to the variation of the reference velocity error in a certain period of time based on the principle of window detection. In addition, this paper designed a fuzzy controller to avoid the overshoot caused by the frequent switching of the damping status. What is more, a method of overshoot suppression was applied in this system. Simulation experiments were conducted to validate the theoretical analysis and the effectiveness of this method. Compared with the undamping system, constant damping system, and traditional variable damping system, the simulation results verified that the designed variable damping system can attenuate the system error caused by reference velocity error most effectively, thus improving the navigation accuracy of INS.
Development of Two Types of Skin Cancer in a Patient with Systemic Sclerosis: a Case Report and Overview of the Literature
Authors: Ulutaş Firdevs , Çomut Erdem , Çobankara Veli
Published: February 2021

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an uncommon rheumatic disease in which the underlying main histopathologic feature is a thickening of the skin due to excessive accumulation of collagen in the extracellular tissue. Fibrogenesis, chronic inflammation, and ulceration may eventually promote skin neoplasms. Although nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the most frequent type, there have been restricted case reports and case series with skin cancers in SSc patients in the literature. Herein, we describe a 78-year-old woman diagnosed with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis thirteen years ago and associated nonspecific interstitial pneumonia that was successfully treated with high cumulative doses of cyclophosphamide. She developed basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the skin in the follow-up. She is still on rituximab treatment with stable interstitial lung disease as indicated by pulmonary function tests and high-resolution chest computed tomography. To our knowledge and a literature search, this is the first reported patient with SSc with two types of skin cancer. In this review, we also aimed to emphasize the relationship between SSc and skin cancer, and possible risk factors for SSc-related skin cancer.
Sensitive Quantification of Liensinine Alkaloid Using a HPLC-MS/MS Method and Its Application in Microvolume Rat Plasma
Authors: Wei Fen , Gou Xilan , Xu Xiao , Wang Sicen , Bao Tao
Published: February 2021

Liensinine, an important alkaloid in lotus seed, exhibits multiple functions such as anti-AIDS, anticancer, antidepressant, and antihypertensive properties. In this study, a highly sensitive HPLC-MS/MS method was developed and validated for the quantification of liensinine in microvolume rat plasma as low as 45 μL. Chromatographic separation was carried out using a reverse-phase Gemini-C18 column (100 mm × 3 mm i.d. × 5 μm), and mass selective detection using multiple reaction monitoring was attained using an electrospray ionization source, which operated in the positive mode. Dauricine was used as the internal standard. The precursor-to-product ion transition m/z 611.15 > 206.10 was selected for the detection of liensinine; m/z 625.25 > 206.10 was used for the detection of dauricine. The developed method is linear over the concentration range of 0.05–1000 ng/mL with an excellent coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.991). The recoveries ranged from 92.57% to 95.88% at three quality control levels. Intraday and interday precision and accuracy are less than 12.2% and 6.59%, respectively. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) is 0.05 ng/mL. The matrix effect was insignificant and acceptable. The validated method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of liensinine in rats. This method can be used for in vivo studies as well as quality control of traditional Chinese medicines and herbal tea containing liensinine alkaloid.
[Retracted] A novel TUBG1 mutation with neurodevelopmental disorder caused by malformations of cortical development
Authors: Shen Ru , Zhang Zhen , Zhuang Yu , Yang Xiaohong , Duan Lifen
Published: February 2021

Neurodevelopmental disorder caused by malformations of cortical development is a rare neurological disease. Heterozygous missense variants in the TUBG1 gene lead to malformations of human cortical development, which further result in intellectual disability, developmental retardation, and epilepsy. To the best of our knowledge, only thirteen patients and a total of nine pathogenic TUBG1 variants have been described in the published literature. This study reports the case details and genetic data analysis of a girl (aged 8 years, 9 months) with developmental delay, psychomotor regression, epilepsy, and left external ear deformity. A novel TUBG1 mutation was identified by whole‐exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing, confirming that this mutation may be the cause of the neurodevelopmental disorders. This case report characterizes the phenotypic spectrum, molecular genetic findings, and functional consequences of novel pathogenic TUBG1 variants in neurodevelopmental disorders caused by cortical development malformations.
The Relationship between Erythrocytes and Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Wang Yaqi , Yang Peiyuan , Yan Zhaoli , Liu Zhi , Ma Qiang , Zhang Zehong , Wang Yunxia , Su Yan
Published: February 2021

High blood glucose level (hyperglycemia) is a leading indicator of diabetes mellitus (DM). Erythrocytes are the most abundant cells in the circulation and the first to perceive changes in plasma composition. Long-lasting hyperglycemia affects the structure and function of erythrocytes. The detection of erythrocyte-related indicators can provide a valuable reference for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of DM and its complications. This paper reviews the normal structure and function of erythrocytes, the changes in erythrocytes in patients with diabetes, and the role of erythrocytes in the development of diabetic complications to provide more indicators for the early prevention of DM complications and to monitor the therapeutic effect of DM.
Plasma Resolvin D2 to Leukotriene B4 Ratio Is Reduced in Diabetic Patients with Ischemic Stroke and Related to Prognosis
Authors: Miao Zhijuan , Tang Xin , Schultzberg Marianne , Zhao Yuwu , Wang Xiuzhe
Published: February 2021

Background. Diabetes mellitus (DM) aggravates symptoms and prognosis of acute ischemic stroke (AIS), and inflammation plays an important role therein. Resolvin D2 (RvD2) is one of the specialized pro‐resolving mediators (SPMs), while leukotriene B4 (LTB4) is a classic proinflammatory mediator. The ratio of RvD2 to LTB4 is an index of pro‐resolving/proinflammatory balance. We aim to explore the role of RvD2/LTB4 ratio in ischemic stroke complicated with DM. Methods. The plasma levels of RvD2 and LTB4 were analyzed by enzyme immunoassay in stroke patients with DM (DM + AIS group) or without DM (nonDM+AIS group). Patients were followed up at 90 days after stroke onset, and modified Rankin Score (mRS) was assessed. The association of RvD2/LTB4 ratio with stroke severity and prognosis was also analyzed. Results. The plasma levels of RvD2 were positively correlated to LTB4. The RvD2/LTB4 ratio in DM + AIS group was lower than that in the nonDM+AIS group. No correlation was found between the RvD2/LTB4 ratio and infarct size or NIHSS score. The RvD2/LTB4 ratio at baseline was significantly lower in the poor prognosis group (mRS ≥ 3) than that in the good prognosis group (mRS ≤ 2). Conclusions. Our study indicated that the balance between pro‐resolving and proinflammatory mediators was impaired by diabetes in ischemic stroke. The RvD2/LTB4 ratio may serve as a biomarker of prognosis for ischemic stroke.
Estimation Model for Bread Quality Proficiency Using Fuzzy Weighted Relevance Vector Machine Classifier
Authors: Ali Zainab N. , Askerzade Iman , Abdulwahab Saddam
Published: February 2021

Estimation of the quality of food products is vital in determining the properties and validity of the food concerning the baking and other manufacturing processes. This article considers the quality estimation of the wheat bread that is baked under standard conditions. The sensory data are collected in real-time, and the obtained data are analysed using the efficient data analytics to predict the quality of the product. The dataset obtained consists of 300 bread samples prepared in 15 days whose vital physical, chemical, and rheological measures are sensed. The measures of the read are obtained through sensory tools and are gathered as a dataset. The obtained data are generally raw, and hence, the required features are obtained through dimensionality reduction using the Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA). The processed data and the attributes are given as input to the classifier to obtain final estimation results. The efficient Fuzzy Weighted Relevance Vector Machine (FWRVM) classifier model is developed for this achieving this objective. The proposed quality estimation model is implemented using the MATLAB programming environment with the required setting for the FWRVM classifier. The model is trained and tested with the input dataset with data analysis steps. Some state-of-the-art classifiers are also implemented to compare the evaluated performance of the proposed model. The estimation accuracy is obtained by comparing the number of correctly detected bread classes with the wrongly classified breads. The results indicate that the proposed FWRVM-based classifier estimates the quality of the breads with 96.67% accuracy, 96.687% precision, 96.6% recall, and 96.6% F-measure within 8.96726 seconds processing time which is better than the compared Support vector machine (SVM), RVM, and Deep Neural Networks (DNN) classifiers.
Kayexalate-Induced Esophageal Ulceration in a Patient with Decompensated Cirrhosis: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Kumar Kishore , Patel Harish , Saad Muhammad , Baiomi Ahmed , Dev Anil
Published: February 2021

Hyperkalemia is one of the most common electrolyte abnormalities encountered in clinical practice. The treatment of hyperkalemia includes removal of excess potassium from the body using cation exchange resins, e.g., sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate) is one of the most practiced modalities in clinical medicine. Colonic mucosal necrosis and perforation are the serious gastrointestinal side effects associated with sodium polystyrene sulfonate (SPS) use, which have been reported with or without concomitant use of sorbitol. However, the catastrophic bleeding esophageal ulcer has been rarely described in our literature search. Due to the risk of colonic necrosis, the FDA has issued a warning to avoid concomitant sorbitol use with Kayexalate. We present an individual with acute hematemesis due to bleeding esophageal ulcer immediately after treatment with Kayexalate therapy. Though the exact mechanism by which Kayexalate causes esophageal ulcer to be elucidated, nonetheless it is worthwhile to be vigilant about its potential adverse effects. Our case highlights the rare but certainly the life-threatening complication of Kayexalate therapy.
Investigation of the Cross‐Cutting Polycrystalline Diamond Compact Bit Drilling Efficiency
Authors: Zhang Chun-Liang , Yang Ying-Xin , Ren Hai-Tao , Cai Can , Liu Yong , Yang Ming
Published: February 2021

The parallel track scraping principle of conventional PDC bits largely limits the cutting efficiency and working life in deep formations. Cross‐cutting polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) bit may be an efficient drilling tool that increases the rock‐breaking efficiency through both cross‐cutting and alternate‐cutting modes of the PDC cutter. The motion track equation of the cross‐cutting PDC bit was derived by using the compound coordinate system, and the motion track was analyzed. Meanwhile, through the unit experiment and discrete element simulation, the cutting force, volume‐specific load, and crack propagation were analyzed under different cutting modes. Through establishing a nonlinear dynamic model of the bit‐rock system, the speed‐up mechanism of the novel bit was analyzed based on rock damage, rock stress state, and motion characteristic of the bit during the rock‐breaking process. Compared with unidirectional cutting, cross‐cutting produces less cutting force, more brittle fracture, and a greater decrease of formation strength. The novel PDC bit can put more rock elements into a tensile stress condition than a conventional PDC bit, and the plastic energy dissipation ratio of the cross‐cutting PDC bit is lower while the damage energy consumption ratio is higher than they are for conventional bits, which is beneficial to increasing the ratio of fracture failure and improving rock‐breaking efficiency. Laboratory drilling tests show that the cross‐cutting PDC bit can create mesh‐like bottom‐hole features. Drilling contrast experiments show that a mesh‐like bottom‐hole pattern can be obtained by using the cross‐cutting PDC bit, of which the ROP is obviously higher than that of the conventional bit when drilling in sandstone or limestone formation. Meanwhile, the influence of deviation angle, weight on bit, and rock properties on cutting efficiency of the cross‐cutting PDC bit are studied.
Risk Factors of Diarrhoea among Children Under Five Years in Southwest Nigeria
Authors: Ugboko Harriet U. , Nwinyi Obinna C. , Oranusi Solomon U. , Fagbeminiyi Fasina F.
Published: February 2021

Diarrhoea is the passage of three or more loose or liquid stools per day or more frequent passage than is normal for an individual. Diarrhoea alters the microbiome, thus the immune system, and is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in young children. This study evaluated the association between the risk factors and diarrhoea prevalence among children under five years in Lagos and Ogun States, located in Southwest Nigeria. Participants included 280 women aged 15–49 years and children aged 0–59 months. The study used quantitative data, which were assessed by a structured questionnaire. Data obtained were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences Software Version 25.0 and Microsoft Excel 2013. The relationships and/or association between variables were evaluated using Pearson's Chi Square and logistic regression tests. One hundred and eighteen (42%) of the children were male, and 162 (58%) were female. The majority of the children belonged to the age group 0–11 months (166). Age (p=0.113) and gender (p=0.366) showed no significant association with diarrhoea among the children. The majority of the mothers belonged to the age group 30–34. Multivariate analysis showed that the mother's level of education (95% CI for OR = 11.45;P=0.0001) and family income (95% CI for OR = 7.61,P=0.0001) were the most significant risk factors for diarrhoea among children. Mother’s educational status, mother's employment, and family income were the factors significantly associated with diarrhoea in Southwest Nigeria. The study recommends that female education should be encouraged by the right government policy to enhance the achievement of the sustainable development goal three (SDG 3) for the possible reduction of neonates and infants' deaths in Nigeria.
An Efficient Polynomial Time Algorithm for a Class of Generalized Linear Multiplicative Programs with Positive Exponents
Authors: Zhang Bo , Gao YueLin , Liu Xia , Huang XiaoLi
Published: February 2021

This paper explains a region-division-linearization algorithm for solving a class of generalized linear multiplicative programs (GLMPs) with positive exponent. In this algorithm, the original nonconvex problem GLMP is transformed into a series of linear programming problems by dividing the outer space of the problem GLMP into finite polynomial rectangles. A new two-stage acceleration technique is put in place to improve the computational efficiency of the algorithm, which removes part of the region of the optimal solution without problems GLMP in outer space. In addition, the global convergence of the algorithm is discussed, and the computational complexity of the algorithm is investigated. It demonstrates that the algorithm is a complete polynomial time approximation scheme. Finally, the numerical results show that the algorithm is effective and feasible.
Immune Dysfunction in Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Challenges during COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Langerbeins Petra , Eichhorst Barbara
Published: February 2021

The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has been first described in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, and has led to a worldwide pandemic ever since. Initial clinical data imply that cancer patients are particularly at risk for a severe course of SARS-CoV-2. In patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), infections are a main contributor to morbidity and mortality driven by an impaired immune system. Treatment initiation is likely to induce immune modulation that further increases the risk for severe infections. This article aims to give an overview on pathogenesis and risk of infectious complications in patients with CLL. In this context, we discuss current data of SARS-CoV-2 infections in patients with CLL and how the pandemic impacts their management.
The Effects of Modifying Dysfunctional Appraisals in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Using a Form of Cognitive Bias Modification: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial in an Inpatient Setting
Authors: Woud Marcella L. , Blackwell Simon E. , Shkreli Lorika , Würtz Felix , Cwik Jan Christopher , Margraf Jürgen , Holmes Emily A. , Steudte-Schmiedgen Susann , Herpertz Stephan , Kessler Henrik
Published: February 2021

Introduction: Dysfunctional appraisals about traumatic events and their sequelae are a key mechanism in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Experimental studies have shown that a computerized cognitive training, cognitive bias modification for appraisals (CBM-APP), can modify dysfunctional appraisals and reduce analogue trauma symptoms amongst healthy and subclinical volunteers. Objective: We aimed to test whether CBM-APP could reduce dysfunctional appraisals related to trauma reactions in PTSD patients, and whether this would lead to improvements in PTSD symptoms. Methods: We compared CBM-APP to sham training in a parallel-arm proof-of-principle double-blind randomized controlled trial amongst 80 PTSD patients admitted to an inpatient clinic. Both arms comprised a training schedule of 8 sessions over a 2-week period and were completed as an adjunct to the standard treatment programme. Results: In intention-to-treat analyses, participants receiving CBM-APP showed a greater reduction in dysfunctional appraisals on a scenario task from pre- to posttraining (primary outcome) assessments, compared to those receiving sham training (d = 1.30, 95% CI 0.82–1.80), with between-group differences also found on the Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory (PTCI; d = 0.92, 95% CI 0.46–1.39) and the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5; d = 0.63, 95% CI 0.18–1.08), but not for long-term cortisol concentrations (d = 0.25, 95% CI –0.28 to 0.78). Reductions in dysfunctional appraisals assessed via the scenario task correlated with reductions on the PTCI, PCL-5, and hair cortisol concentrations from pre- to posttraining time points. Conclusions: Results support dysfunctional appraisals as a modifiable cognitive mechanism, and that their proximal modification transfers to downstream PTSD symptoms. These findings could open new avenues for improving present therapeutic approaches.
The Future Perfect, Otherwise: Narrative, Abstraction and History in the Work of Fredric Jameson
Authors: La Berge Leigh Claire
Published: February 2021

There has long been a tension in Fredric Jameson’s work regarding the extent to which it is possible or warranted to develop transhistorical categories for literary interpretation across of the whole of the capitalist mode of production. In my contribution to this symposium, I take up the problem of how Jameson’s Allegory and Ideology participates in such questions in its consideration of periodisation and narrativisation through the particular construction of allegory, from the early modern age to our financial present.
Virtuous mobility: moralising vs measuring geographical mobility in Africa
Authors: Pirie Gordon H.
Published: February 2021

Mobility practices, discourse and measurement need rethinking in an age of energy shortages, environmental anxiety and virtual mobility. Standard numerical indexes and other proxies for geographical mobility can be misleading, not least in formulating public policy. The extremes of spatial mobilities in Africa may require particularly sensitive consideration; the peculiar social, psychological and economic dimensions of geographical mobility on the continent certainly need registering. Yet the exceptionalism of the African case is overdrawn and the developmentalism inherent in yearnings for more mobility is a short-term exaggeration. Revaluing totemic mechanised mobility is urgently required. The way we act on, and the way we think, talk and write about, geographical mobility needs reconceptualising in terms of fairness, equity, environmental justice, and human rights.
Contribution des produits de cueillette dans l’alimentation humaine. Cas de Detarium microcarpum
Authors: Kouyaté Amadou Malé , Van Damme Patrick , Meulenaer Bruno De , Diawara Hamidou
Published: February 2021

Les fruits de Detarium microcarpum sont très prisés des populations maliennes en saison sèche chaude. Nous avons donc cherché à évaluer leurs valeurs alimentaires et propriétés physico-chimiques en fonction de la diversité pédoclimatique au Mali. Une enquête ethnobotanique sur Jes valeurs alimentaires a été menee auprès des ethnies bobofing, sénoufo et minianka au sud du Mali. Trente échantillons de fruits ont été analysés au laboratoire (goût, sucre alimentaire, protéines, matière sèche, vitamine C et pH). Des corrélations ont été établies entre ces paramètres et les dimensions des fruits. Les résultats ont montré que les fruits de D. microcarpum sont très utilisés dans l’alimentation humaine de la zone de recherche. Ils ont également montré que ces fruits peuvent constituer une source de protéines végétales et de sucre alimentaire. Les connaissances locales et les paramètres physico-chimiques des fruits de D. microcarpum peuvent justifier la valorisation de cette plante.
Évaluation participative de nouvelles lignées de mil (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) sélectionnées pour les régions arides tunisiennes
Authors: Loumerem Mohamed , Van Damme Patrick , Sgair Mongi , Reheul Dirk , Behaeghe Tillo
Published: February 2021

Vu que les moyens disponibles pour la sélection du mil (Pennisetum glaucum) pour les régions arides tunisiennes sont limités et suite aux enseignements tirés de la bibliographie sur la sélection du mil, on a choisi la méthode EVP (évaluation variétale participative) pour impliquer les paysans du mil dès le début des travaux de sélection pour créer de nouvelles variétés du mil plus performantes que les cultivars traditionnels locaux. Les méthodes de recherche participative ont été mises au point pour résoudre certains problèmes de mécompréhension entre les petits paysans et les chercheurs. Il s’agit de ne plus considérer le fermier comme un destinataire muet de la technologie, mais de l’inviter plutôt comme un partenaire dans la recherche.De 2001 à 2003, neuf tests ont ainsi été conduits dans la zone sud-est du pays où le mil est la céréale dominante pendant l’été. Les lignées testées étaient des obtentions du programme d’amélioration des populations locales de mil à l’IRA. Rappelons que ces lignées ont été obtenues sans avoir fair des contrôles de rendement sur des parcelles en station expérimentale. On a évité routes les étapes classiques d’un travail d’amélioration en passant de la lignée à l’agriculteur. Le but était de tester et de sélectionner les meilleures lignées directement dans des conditions de cultures des paysans. Dans la majorité des essais on a identifié un matériel végétal qui répond en grande partie aux besoins des paysans. Il s’agit d’une amélioration de la productivité (paille et panicule) avec une bonne valeur agronomique générale et une qualité de grains répondant aux attentes des consommateurs. Les limites des lignées proposées sont apparues sur tous les sites d’évaluation, aucune des lignées n’a pu démontrer des performances de précocité superiéures aux cultivars locaux durant les deux années d’essai. A l’issue de routes ces évaluations participatives, de nouvelles connaissances ont été acquises pour nous encourager à aller plus loin dans cette démarche de sélection participative du mil dans les régions arides tunisiennes en impliquant beaucoup plus des paysans et sites d’essais.
The lack of refugee burden-sharing in Tanzania: tragic effects
Authors: Morel Michèle
Published: February 2021

The United Republic of Tanzania has been and currently still is one of the most important host countries in the world for refugees. The majority of those refugees have been living in camps for many years and have no prospect of a durable solution of their situation via repatriation, integration or resettlement. As a result, Tanzania is confronted with protracted refugee situations. The purpose of this article is to answer the question who is responsible for the plight of these refugees. Tanzania’s national refugee policy since the 1960s is analysed, whereby a clear evolution can be observed from an ‘Open Door’ policy to a policy with heavy restrictions and the absence of local integration as a durable solution. However, it will be concluded that it is not Tanzania but the international community that is to be held responsible. There is a lack of international refugee burden-sharing, as evidenced by the lack of an international legal framework for durable solutions for refugees. A ‘common but differentiated responsibility’ should be the basis of international cooperation to solve protracted refugee situations such as those occurring in Tanzania.
Contributions of agroforestry practice in Ondo State, Nigeria, to environmental sustainability and sustainable agricultural production
Authors: Adekunle Victor Ajibola
Published: February 2021

Man is using more energy, land, water, and natural resources than ever before. Population increase also leads to increasing food insecurity. In view of this, the contributions of agroforestry (AF) to enhancing food security and environmental conservation were assessed. The study was carried out in Ondo state, Nigeria, situated in the tropical rainforest ecological zone. Data were collected with pre-tested questionnaires administered to 300 farmers - household heads, randomly selected from four Local Government Areas (LGAs). Information was gathered on farmers’ awareness of and involvement in AF systems, willingness to plant, retain or take care of trees planted, farm location and sizes, tree species commonly retained/planted on farmland, major causes of deforestation, extension education in AF and other information relevant to the study. Data were analyzed using a descriptive statistics and χ2 model. Results revealed that the primary occupation of the majority of the respondents (80%) is farming. Land is mainly obtained through lease from landowners (52%). This is followed by those who inherited land (26%). Very few respondents (6%) have their farms on government land through AF (Approved Taungya System). Most farmers (67%) were willing to plant, retain and take care of trees on their farmland to provide shade for crops, for edible fruits, timber and firewood, erosion and leaching control, biodiversity conservation, reduction of global warming, and increased crop yield. Average yearly crop yield (cassava and maize) from AF farms was 750 kg/ha against 630 kg/ha for non-AF farms. Agroforestry is a means of increasing food production and at the same time, it makes wood available to rural dwellers. However, there is a need to improve both formal and informal AF education among the rural communities for agroforestry to become more widely accepted by local populations.
Microcredit, money transfers, women, and the Cameroon diaspora
Authors: Ardener Shirley
Published: February 2021

The paper introduces the topic of Rotating Savings and Credit Associations (ROSCAs) and several other forms of microcredit institutions, variations of which are found in most communities around the world, and considers the impact on them of the current financial crisis. For many women and men, poor and wealthy alike, these institutions have been economic and social lifelines. Among many African peoples, they provide the main source of rural and urban credit, both for sustainable living and entrepreneurial endeavour. This paper draws on the experience of contemporary Cameroonians, including those in the diaspora, in particular that of Dr Bridget Teboh. Social anthropologists have espoused ROSCAs for many decades. This paper cites the increasing attention such institutions now get from governments, NGOs, bankers and economists, and considers the impact of the current worldwide financial crisis on the behaviour of those who save in them.
Researching gender: the challenge of global diversity today
Authors: Longman Chia
Published: February 2021

The text of this paper is based on a lecture given at the symposium of the Ghent African Platform “Researching Gender in/on Africa” at Ghent University in December 2009. It addresses some general challenges faced by 'gender studies' as an autonomous field versus ‘gender research’ as an integrated topic within mainstream disciplines in academia. Gender studies have sometimes superseded ‘women’s studies’ and expanded to cover the terrain of study of various forms of diversity including men’s and transgender studies. We will show that the ‘mainstreaming’ of gender in public policy at local, national and transnational levels is a development which may potentially lead to the loss of a – feminist – political edge. Secondly, while gender studies with their emphasis on socially constructed gender as opposed to biological essentialist understandings of ‘sex’ appear to face the challenge of a popular ‘new biological determinism’, it is shown that the binary model of sex/gender in fact has been criticised for some time now from within feminist theory and gender research. This is (selectively) illustrated with research from four disciplines, including the work of African gender studies scholars, i.e. feminist philosophy, social sciences (in particular socio-cultural anthropology), history and biology itself. This then shows how the accusation that gender studies would be ‘socially deterministic’ without attending to bodily matters or materiality is unfounded. Finally, it is argued that there is still a need for gender studies to become more culturally diverse, more global and transnational in its outlook, by becoming more deeply attuned to the way gender intersects with other forms of difference and taking into account postcolonial critiques of western feminist paternalism, without falling into the trap of cultural relativism.
Les jeunes dans la rébellion du nord de la Côte d’Ivoire : les raisons de la mobilisation
Authors: Fofana Moussa
Published: February 2021

Le conflit armé qui a éclaté en Côte d’Ivoire le 19 septembre 2002 a conduit à la partition du pays entre le Nord et le Sud. La rébellion des Forces Nouvelles qui contrôle la moitié nord du pays a justifié son action par la dénonciation de l’exclusion et des injustices sociales dont les« nordistes » seraient les victimes. Cette rébellion a été rejointe par de nombreux jeunes originaires du Nord. Cette étude basée sur les études de cas et biographies de 22 jeunes combattants de la rébellion et des entretiens avec leurs leaders montre les raisons justifiant leur engagement. Elle questionne leurs perceptions du conflit et analyse les rhétoriques de la justification. Il ressort que dans l’ensemble des cas, l’engagement a pour but la reconnaissance de leur citoyenneté qui passe par l’acquisition de canes d’identités. Le sentiment victimaire né de l’exercice de la violence légale par les forces de l’ordre, la vengeance, le besoin de sécurité ou encore l’attrait pour le métier des armes nourrissent les motivations qui conduisent à l’enrôlement des jeunes. L’étude montre aussi l’existence d’un environnement s’appuyant sur la parenté, un discours culturel et la mobilisation de la mémoire ancestrale collective qui ont favorisé l’adhésion des jeunes nordistes au mouvement rebelle. Au-delà des expériences individuelles, l’étude découvre, non une armée ethnique mais plus une organisation à base identitaire engagée dans la renégociation violente de son appartenance nationale.
Social impact and impoverishment risks of the Koga irrigation scheme, Blue Nile basin, Ethiopia
Authors: Eguavoen Irit , Tesfai Weyni
Published: February 2021

The Koga project is the first new large-scale irrigation scheme in the Blue Nile river basin since the 1970s and may thus serve as an example of the tremendous changes of landscape and livelihood that are accompanying current water development projects in Ethiopia. This article analyzes the impoverishment risks arising out of the development-induced relocation of households in Koga. Following the Impoverishment R.isk and Reconstruction model, seven of eight impoverishment risks could be identified, namely temporal landlessness, homelessness, joblessness, social marginalization, loss of household assets, social disarticulation and food insecurity, though the majority of relocated households succeeded in moving to other rural areas and did not face the challenges caused by urbanization. The Koga project and the local municipality undertook activities to reverse the impoverishment risk for the relocated households, but focused on the reconstruction of material livelihood assets (land, houses and compensation). The extent of rural-urban migration as a result of the project was underestimated. Proactive activities by the affected households succeeded in reducing their risk of impoverishment if they were informed early enough about the irrigation project.
Town, village and bush: war and cultural landscapes in south-eastern Angola (1966-2002)
Authors: Brinkman Inge
Published: February 2021

In most of the literature on the subject, urban and rural areas are presented as real physical entities that are geographically determined. Obviously such an approach is important and necessary, but in this contribution I want to draw attention to ‘the urban’ and ‘the rural’ as ideas, as items of cultural landscape rather than as physical facts. This will result both in a history of ideas and a social history of the war in Angola as experienced by civilians from the south-eastern part of the country. The article is based on a case-study that deals with the history of south-east Angola, an area that was in a state of war from 1966 to 2002. In the course of the 1990s I spoke with immigrants from this region who were resident in Rundu, Northern Namibia, mostly as illegal refugees. In our conversations the immigrants explained how the categories ‘town’ and ‘country’ came into being during colonialism and what changes occurred after the war started. They argued that during the war agriculture in the countryside became well-nigh impossible and an opposition between ‘town’ and ‘bush’ came into being that could have lethal consequences for the civilian population living in the region. This case-study on south-east Angola shows the importance of a historical approach to categories such as ‘urbanity’ and ‘rurality’ as such categories may undergo relatively rapid change – in both discourse and practice.
Cross-coupled control based on real-time Double Circle contour error estimation for biaxial motion system
Authors: Bo Li , Taiyong Wang , Peng Wang
Published: February 2021

In contour machining, contour error is a major factor affecting machining quality. In order to improve the performance of contour following, many control techniques based on real-time contour error estimation have been developed. In this paper, a Double Circle contour error estimation method is proposed. First, based on the kinematic information of the reference point on the command trajectory, five interpolation points closest to the actual point are obtained. Then the approximate contour error is obtained by employing the Double Circle approximation method. Compared with the common contour error approximation methods, the proposed method can achieve high precision approximation. In addition, according to the proposed contour error approximation method, the cross-coupled control strategy is improved. Experiments prove the effectiveness of the proposed estimation method and control strategy.
Simulating Speech Error Patterns Across Languages and Different Datasets
Authors: Strömbergsson Sofia , Götze Jana , Edlund Jens , Nilsson Björkenstam Kristina
Published: February 2021

Children’s speech acquisition is influenced by universal and language-specific forces. Some speech error patterns (or phonological processes) in children’s speech are observed in many languages, but the same error pattern may have different effects in different languages. We aimed to explore phonological effects of the same speech error patterns across different languages, target audiences and discourse modes, using a novel method for large-scale corpus investigation. As an additional aim, we investigated the face validity of five different phonological effect measures by relating them to subjective ratings of assumed effects on intelligibility, as provided by practicing speech-language pathologists. Six frequently attested speech error patterns were simulated in authentic corpus data: backing, fronting, stopping, /r/-weakening, cluster reduction and weak syllable deletion—each simulation resulting in a “misarticulated” version of the original corpus. Phonological effects were quantified using five separate metrics of phonological complexity and distance from expected target forms. Using Swedish child-speech data as a reference, phonological effects were compared between this reference and a) child speech in Norwegian and English, and b) data representing different modes of discourse (spoken/written) and target audiences (adults/children) in Swedish. Of the speech error patterns, backing—the one atypical pattern of those included—was found to cause the most detrimental effects, across languages as well as across modes and speaker ages. However, none of the measures reflects intuitive rankings as provided by clinicians regarding effects on intelligibility, thus corroborating earlier reports that phonological competence is not translatable into levels of intelligibility.
A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Primary Care Practice Characteristics and Healthcare Professionals’ Behavioral Responses to Change
Authors: Grady Victoria M. , Soylu Tulay G. , Goldberg Debora G. , Kitsantas Panagiota , Grady James D.
Published: February 2021

The recent decade brought major changes to primary care practices. Previous research on change has focused on change processes, and change implementations rather than studying employee’s feelings, perceptions, and attitudes toward change. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to examine the relationship between healthcare professionals’ behavioral responses to change and practice characteristics. Our study, which builds upon Conner’s theory, addresses an extensive coverage of individual behaviors, feelings, and attitudes toward change. We analyzed survey responses of healthcare professionals (n = 1279) from 154 primary care practices in Virginia. Healthcare professionals included physicians, advanced practice clinicians, clinical support staff, and administrative staff. The Change Diagnostic Index© (CDI) was used to measure behavioral responses in 7 domains: anxiety, frustration, delayed development, rejection of environment, refusal to participate, withdrawal, and global reaction. We used descriptive statistics and multivariate regression analysis. Our findings indicate that professionals had a significantly lower aptitude for change if they work in larger practices (≥16 clinicians) compared to solo practices ( P < .05) and at hospital-owned practices compared to independent practices ( P < .05). Being part of an accountable care organization was associated with significantly lower anxiety ( P < .05). Understanding healthcare professionals’ responses to change can help healthcare leaders design and implement successful change management strategies for future transformation.
Aviation infrastructures in the Republic of China, 1920–37
Authors: Brazelton Mary Augusta
Published: February 2021

This essay investigates technical aspects of the history of aviation in the Republic of China, focusing on the period between 1920 and 1937. It suggests that Chinese authors and administrators came to see the establishment of technical infrastructure as dependent on the education of personnel who could assume responsibility for maintaining and expanding Chinese aviation ventures, rather than on specific technologies or practices. Magazines and journals in the 1920s reflected concerns with the establishment of weather observation and reporting, radio communications, and technical education in service of aviation; the last of these was critical for the first two. Provisions for technical work and training were reflected in contracts that were drawn up in the years around 1930 to establish three aviation projects in the Republic: the China National Aviation Corporation (CNAC), the Eurasia Aviation Corporation, and Southwest Airlines. Subsequent contracts and reports for CNAC and Eurasia in the years before the 1937 outbreak of war with Japan suggested a particular emphasis on the technical education of personnel as an important step in building Chinese aviation infrastructures.