bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of exogenous alpha-tocopherol on physio-biochemical attributes and agronomic performance of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) under drought stress
Authors: Shah Wadood , Ullah Sami , Ali Sajjad , Idrees Muhammad , Khan Muhammad Nauman , Ali Kashif , Khan Ajmal , Ali Muhammad , Younas Farhan
Published: August 2021

Water being a vital part of cell protoplasm plays a significant role in sustaining life on earth; however, drastic changes in climatic conditions lead to limiting the availability of water and causing other environmental adversities. α-tocopherol being a powerful antioxidant, protects lipid membranes from the drastic effects of oxidative stress by deactivating singlet oxygen, reducing superoxide radicals, and terminating lipid peroxidation by reducing fatty acyl peroxy radicals under drought stress conditions. A pot experiment was conducted and two groups of lentil cultivar (Punjab-2009) were exposed to 20 and 25 days of drought induced stress by restricting the availability of water after 60thday of germination. Both of the groups were sprinkled with α-tocopherol 100, 200 and 300 mg/L. Induced water deficit stress conditions caused a pronounced decline in growth parameters including absolute growth rate (AGR), leaf area index (LAI), leaf area ratio (LAR), root shoot ratio (RSR), relative growth rate (RGR), chlorophyll a, b, total chlorophyll content, carotenoids, and soluble protein content (SPC) which were significantly enhanced by exogenously applied α-tocopherol. Moreover, a significant increase was reported in total proline content (TPC), soluble sugar content (SSC), glycine betaine (GB) content, endogenous tocopherol levels, ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT) peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities. On the contrary, exogenously applied α-tocopherol significantly reduced the concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). In conclusion, it was confirmed that exogenous application of α-tocopherol under drought induced stress regimes resulted in membrane protection by inhibiting lipid peroxidation, enhancing the activities of antioxidative enzymes (APX, CAT, POD, and SOD) and accumulation of osmolytes such as glycine betaine, proline and sugar. Consequently, modulating different growth, physiological and biochemical attributes.
COVID-19 knowledge, attitude and frequent hand hygiene practices among taxi drivers and associated factors in urban areas of Ethiopia
Authors: Natnael Tarikuwa , Adane Metadel , Alemnew Yeshiwork , Andualem Atsedemariam , Hailu Faris
Published: August 2021

Background

Although several studies have been conducted on COVID-19 knowledge, attitude and prevention practices among healthcare workers and the general population, there has not been any study among taxi drivers in Ethiopia, including Dessie City and Kombolcha Town, the lack of which hinders providing evidence-based interventions to this target group. Thus, this study was designed to contribute to proper planning of COVID-19 intervention measures among taxi drivers in Dessie City and Kombolcha Town, Ethiopia.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 417 taxi drivers in Dessie City and Kombolcha Town during July to August, 2020. The data was collected using a structured questionnaire and an observational checklist. The collected data was checked, coded and entered to EpiData version 4.6 and exported to Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0 for data cleaning and analysis. The outcome variables of this study were good or poor knowledge, positive or negative attitude and good or poor frequent hand hygiene practices towards COVID-19. Bivariate (Crude Odds Ratio [COR]) and multivariable (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR]) logistic regression analysis were employed to identify factors significantly associated with good knowledge, positive attitude and good frequent hand hygiene practices among taxi drivers. Significance level of variables was declared at ap< 0.05 from the adjusted analysis.

Main findings

Out of the total 417 taxi drivers, 69.8% [95% CI: 65.2–73.9], 67.6% [95%CI: 63.1–72.2] and 66.4% [95% CI: 62.1–71.0] of the drivers had good knowledge, positive attitude and good frequent hand hygiene practices, respectively. Educational level (AOR = 7.55, 95% CI = 4.55–12.54), place of residence (AOR = 5.41, 95% CI = 1.4–20.08) and attitude towards COVID-19 prevention (AOR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.02–2.74) were factors associated with good knowledge about COVID-19. Further, age of taxi drivers greater than 30 years (AOR = 3.01, 95% CI = 1.76–5.13), educational level of secondary or above (AOR = 3.16, 95% CI = 1.88–5.31), income (AOR = 3.36, 95% CI = 1.48–7.61), and knowledge about COVID-19 (AOR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.21–3.54) were factors associated with positive attitude towards COVID-19 prevention. In addition, attitude towards COVID-19 (AOR = 5.5, 95% CI = 3.40–8.88) and educational level (AOR = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.15–2.95) were the factors associated with good frequent hand hygiene practices.

Conclusion

We concluded that the rates of good knowledge, positive attitude and good frequent hand hygiene practices were relatively low among taxi drivers in Dessie City and Kombolcha Town. We strongly recommended providing training about COVID-19 prevention measures for taxi drivers that considers age, education status and attitude areas essential to improve their knowledge, attitude and frequent hand hygiene practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Violence against doctors in Iraq during the time of COVID-19
Authors: Lafta Riyadh , Qusay Noor , Mary Meighan , Burnham Gilbert
Published: August 2021

Objectives

This study assessed patterns in reported violence against doctors working in 11 Baghdad hospitals providing care for patients with COVID-19 and explored characteristics of hospital violence and its impact on health workers.

Methods

Questionnaires were completed by 505 hospital doctors (38.6% male, 64.4% female) working in 11 Baghdad hospitals. No personal or identifying information was obtained.

Findings

Of 505 doctors, 446 (87.3%) had experienced hospital violence in the previous 6 months. Doctors reported that patients were responsible for 95 (21.3%) instances of violence, patient family or relatives for 322 (72.4%), police or military personnel for 19 (4.3%), and other sources for 9 (2%). The proportion of violent events reported did not differ between male and female doctors, although characteristics varied. There were 415 of the 505 doctors who reported that violence had increased since the beginning of the pandemic, and many felt the situation would only get worse. COVID-19 has heightened tensions in an already violent health workplace, further increasing risks to patients and health providers.

Interpretation

During the COVID-19 epidemic in Iraq an already violent hospital environment in Baghdad has only worsened. The physical and emotional toll on health workers is high which further threatens patient care and hospital productivity. While more security measures can be taken, reducing health workplace violence requires other measures such as improved communication, and addressing issues of patient care.
Childcare and depression during the coronavirus pandemic in South Africa: A gendered analysis
Authors: Nwosu Chijioke O.
Published: August 2021

Background

The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic resulted in the closure of businesses and schools, the remote provision of services and the disruption of the services of professional childminders. These disruptions resulted in a significant increase in parental responsibility for childcare. Such a substantial increase in time requirements for childcare domestically has potential mental health consequences. We therefore ascertained the relationship between childcare and depression in South Africa during the pandemic.

Methods

Data came from the National Income Dynamics Study-Coronavirus Rapid Mobile Survey, a longitudinal telephonic survey conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa. The outcome was a depression index obtained from the two-item Patient Health Questionnaire while the main covariate was the average number of hours spent in taking care of children per weekday. We employed the ordered logit model.

Findings

We found a positive relationship between spending more hours on childcare and worse depressive health for caregivers in both periods analyzed. Childcare responsibilities preventing/mitigating the ability of caregivers to work as well as preventing caregivers from searching for jobs moderated the depression-childcare relationship.

Conclusion

These findings highlight the need to carefully consider policy responses aimed at containing the pandemic. We advocate a multi-stakeholder approach to mitigating the mental health impact of COVID-19 by encouraging more collaboration between government, school authorities, employers and parents/guardians.
Global optimization of default phases for parallel transmit coils for ultra-high-field cardiac MRI
Authors: Terekhov Maxim , Elabyad Ibrahim A. , Schreiber Laura M.
Published: August 2021

The development of novel multiple-element transmit-receive arrays is an essential factor for improving B1+ field homogeneity in cardiac MRI at ultra-high magnetic field strength (B0 > = 7.0T). One of the key steps in the design and fine-tuning of such arrays during the development process is finding the default driving phases for individual coil elements providing the best possible homogeneity of the combined B1+-field that is achievable without (or before) subject-specific B1+-adjustment in the scanner. This task is often solved by time-consuming (brute-force) or by limited efficiency optimization methods. In this work, we propose a robust technique to find phase vectors providing optimization of the B1-homogeneity in the default setup of multiple-element transceiver arrays. The key point of the described method is the pre-selection of starting vectors for the iterative solver-based search to maximize the probability of finding a global extremum for a cost function optimizing the homogeneity of a shaped B1+-field. This strategy allows for (i) drastic reduction of the computation time in comparison to a brute-force method and (ii) finding phase vectors providing a combined B1+-field with homogeneity characteristics superior to the one provided by the random-multi-start optimization approach. The method was efficiently used for optimizing the default phase settings in the in-house-built 8Tx/16Rx arrays designed for cMRI in pigs at 7T.
Racial, ethnic, and gender differences in obesity and body fat distribution: An All of Us Research Program demonstration project
Authors: Karnes Jason H. , Arora Amit , Feng Jianglin , Steiner Heidi E. , Sulieman Lina , Boerwinkle Eric , Clark Cheryl , Cicek Mine , Cohn Elizabeth , Gebo Kelly , Loperena-Cortes Roxana , Ohno-Machado Lucila , Mayo Kelsey , Mockrin Steve , Ramirez Andrea , Schully Sheri , Klimentidis Yann C.
Published: August 2021

Differences in obesity and body fat distribution across gender and race/ethnicity have been extensively described. We sought to replicate these differences and evaluate newly emerging data from the All of Us Research Program (AoU). We compared body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio from the baseline physical examination, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) from the electronic health record in up to 88,195 Non-Hispanic White (NHW), 40,770 Non-Hispanic Black (NHB), 35,640 Hispanic, and 5,648 Asian participants. We compared AoU sociodemographic variable distribution to National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data and applied the pseudo-weighting method for adjusting selection biases of AoU recruitment. Our findings replicate previous observations with respect to gender differences in BMI. In particular, we replicate the large gender disparity in obesity rates among NHB participants, in which obesity and mean BMI are much higher in NHB women than NHB men (33.34 kg/m2 versus 28.40 kg/m2 respectively; p<2.22x10-308). The overall age-adjusted obesity prevalence in AoU participants is similar overall but lower than the prevalence found in NHANES for NHW participants. ALT was higher in men than women, and lower among NHB participants compared to other racial/ethnic groups, consistent with previous findings. Our data suggest consistency of AoU with national averages related to obesity and suggest this resource is likely to be a major source of scientific inquiry and discovery in diverse populations.
Validation of a redesigned pan-poliovirus assay and real-time PCR platforms for the global poliovirus laboratory network
Authors: Sun Hong , Harrington Chelsea , Gerloff Nancy , Mandelbaum Mark , Jeffries-Miles Stacey , Apostol Lea Necitas G. , Valencia Ma. Anne-Lesley D. , Shaukat Shahzad , Angez Mehar , Sharma Deepa K. , Nalavade Uma P. , Pawar Shailesh D. , Pukuta Simbu Elisabeth , Andriamamonjy Seta , Razafindratsimandresy Richter , Vega Everardo
Published: August 2021

Surveillance and detection of polioviruses (PV) remain crucial to monitoring eradication progress. Intratypic differentiation (ITD) using the real-time RT-PCR kit is key to the surveillance workflow, where viruses are screened after cell culture isolation before a subset are verified by sequencing. The ITD kit is a series of real-time RT-PCR assays that screens cytopathic effect (CPE)-positive cell cultures using the standard WHO method for virus isolation. Because ITD screening is a critical procedure in the poliovirus identification workflow, validation of performance of real-time PCR platforms is a core requirement for the detection of poliovirus using the ITD kit. In addition, the continual update and improvement of the ITD assays to simplify interpretation in all platforms is necessary to ensure that all real-time machines are capable of detecting positive real-time signals. Four platforms (ABI7500 real-time systems, Bio-Rad CFX96, Stratagene MX3000P, and the Qiagen Rotor-Gene Q) were validated with the ITD kit and a redesigned poliovirus probe. The poliovirus probe in the real-time RT-PCR pan-poliovirus (PanPV) assay was re-designed with a double-quencher (Zen™) to reduce background fluorescence and potential false negatives. The updated PanPV probe was evaluated with a panel consisting of 184 polioviruses and non-polio enteroviruses. To further validate the updated PanPV probe, the new assay was pilot tested in five Global Polio Laboratory Network (GPLN) laboratories (Madagascar, India, Philippines, Pakistan, and Democratic Republic of Congo). The updated PanPV probe performance was shown to reduce background fluorescence and decrease the number of false positives compared to the standard PanPV probe.
Exploration of associations between deliberate self-poisoning and psychiatric disorders in rural Sri Lanka: A case-control study
Authors: Pushpakumara P. H. G. J. , Dawson A. H. , Adikari A. M. P. , Thennakoon S. U. B. , Abeysinghe Ranil , Rajapakse T. N.
Published: August 2021

Psychiatric disorders are important predictors of deliberate self-harm. The present study was carried out to determine the associations between DSM-IV TR Axis- I & II disorders and deliberate self-poisoning (DSP) in a rural agricultural district in Sri Lanka. Patients residing in the district who presented with DSP were randomly selected for the study. Both the cases and age, sex, and, residential area, matched controls were assessed for DSM-IV TR Axis- I & II disorders based on the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-TR Axis I and II Disorders (SCID I & II) conducted by a specialist psychiatrist. Cases consisted of 208 (47.4%) males and 231 (52.6%) females. More than one third (37%) of males and more than half (53.7%) of females were aged below 20 years. DSM-IV TR axis-I and/or II psychiatric diagnoses were diagnosed in 89 (20.3%) of cases and 14 (3.2%) controls. Cases with a DSM-IV TR axis-I diagnosis were older than the cases without psychiatric diagnosis (32 and 19 years), p<0.0001. Having a depressive episode was associated with a 19 times higher risk for DSP. Being a male aged > = 30 years and having an alcohol use disorder carried a 21 times excess risk for DSP. A fivefold excess risk for DSP was found among 10–19 year old females with borderline personality traits. Depressive disorder and alcohol-related disorders were significantly associated with the older participants who presented with DSP. The overall prevalence of psychiatric disorders associated with DSP in rural Sri Lanka was significantly lower compared to the rates reported in the West and other countries in the region. Therefore, health and research priorities to reduce self-harm in Sri Lanka should focus both on psychiatric and non-psychiatric factors associated with DSP.
Knowledge and attitude towards COVID-19 and its prevention in selected ten towns of SNNP Region, Ethiopia: Cross-sectional survey
Authors: Endriyas Misganu , Kawza Aknaw , Alano Abraham , Hussen Mamush , Mekonnen Emebet , Samuel Teka , Shiferaw Mekonnen , Ayele Sinafikish , Kelaye Temesgen , Misganaw Tebeje , Shibru Endashaw
Published: August 2021

Background

COVID-19 is highly infectious viral disease that can lead to main clinical symptoms like fever, dry cough, fatigue, myalgia, and dyspnea. Since there is no drug to cure the disease, focusing on improving community awareness related to prevention methods is crucial. But there was no regional level study addressing the reach of information, community knowledge and attitude related to COVID-19 and its prevention, and this study was done to inform and assist communication related to the disease responses during early introduction of the disease to the setting.

Methods

Community based cross sectional study was conducted in selected ten towns of SNNPR, Ethiopia. Multi-stage sampling was used to select 1239 participants. Semi-structured questionnaire was designed, pre-tested and uploaded to SurveyCTO data collection system with security patterns. Knowledge was assessed considering awareness about signs and symptoms, confirmatory test (laboratory test), what to do if there is a suspect, availability of drug to cure the disease, mechanisms of transmission, prevention methods and most at risk groups. Attitude was assessed using 11 statements including seriousness of disease, being at risk, possibility of prevention, and benefits of staying at health facilities. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression were performed to manage data using SPSS version 25.

Results

Almost all respondents (99.8%) heard about the disease. The mean score of knowledge was 52.3% (SD = 18.9) while the mean score attitude was 80.8% (SD = 6.48). Educational status, housing condition and marital status were associated with having good knowledge while occupation, housing condition, age and overall knowledge were associated with having positive attitude.

Conclusion

Even though almost all respondents had heard about the COVID-19, knowledge and attitude related to COVID-19 and its prevention were low. Awareness creation should be intensified using different local languages to improve community awareness, overcome misconceptions and minimize consequences of the disease.
Complementary treatment comparison for chronic pain management: A randomized longitudinal study
Authors: Bicego Aminata , Monseur Justine , Collinet Alain , Donneau Anne-Françoise , Fontaine Robert , Libbrecht Dominique , Malaise Nicole , Nyssen Anne-Sophie , Raaf Mélissa , Rousseaux Floriane , Salamun Irène , Staquet Cécile , Teuwis Sandrine , Tomasella Marco , Faymonville Marie-Elisabeth , Vanhaudenhuyse Audrey
Published: August 2021

Background

In chronic pain, it seems that the effect of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is boosted when it is combined with hypnosis. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of self-hypnosis combined with self-care (i.e., a type of CBT) compared to music/self-care, self-care and psychoeducation/CBT and to evaluate their long-term effects.

Methods

An open label randomized clinical trial enrolled patients with chronic pain and was carried out at the University Hospital of Liège (Belgium). Patients were randomized into four groups: self-hypnosis/self-care, music/self-care, self-care, psychoeducation/CBT (7 monthly sessions of 2 hours). Two follow-up sessions were delivered at 6- and 12-month. Levels of pain, fatigue intensity, anxiety, depression, insomnia severity, disability, health locus of control, mental and physical quality of life and attitudes (control, disability, harm, emotion, medical cure, medication, solicitude) towards pain were assessed before and after the treatments, and at follow-up.

Results

203 patients were randomized: 52 in self-hypnosis/self-care, 59 in music/self-care, 47 in self-care, and 45 in psychoeducation/CBT. No group effect was found. A significant time effect was showed. Directly after the treatment, all groups decreased in pain attitudes and physical quality of life. Perceived control increased. At 6-month, all patients kept their levels of physical quality of life and perceived control, and showed decrease in pain intensity, harm, emotion and medical cure. At 12-month, scores that had change previously remained ameliorated, a decrease in insomnia severity and an increase in internal locus of control were observed.

Conclusions

The present findings are encouraging as they display long-term beneficial effects of complementary biopsychosocial-based treatments in chronic pain. It seems that patients continued to apply the learnt strategies as improvements were observed one year after the treatments had ended.
Inovação e reforma nos currículos da formação de professores em tempos democráticos no Brasil (1990/2000)
Authors: Ferreira Marcia Serra , Martins Maria do Carmo
Published: August 2021

Neste artigo, as noções de inovação curricular e de relação teoria-prática, presentes em textos acadêmicos e documentos oficiais para a formação de professores no Brasil, são problematizadas, possibilitando a emergência de uma história curricular do presente, com foco nas reformas educacionais dos anos 1990/2000. No diálogo com Michel Foucault e Thomas Popkewitz, elementos do discurso pedagógico ganham duração e potência e expressam um sistema de raciocínio que cria regras e produz verdades para essa formação no país. Inscreve-se como uma contribuição ao debate teórico-metodológico sobre as reformas educacionais em tempos de democracia, assumindo a relação entre conhecimento e poder, nestas ondas reformistas recentes, como capaz de estruturar nossas percepções e práticas sociais.
The influence of school accountability incentives on Advanced Placement access: Evidence from Pennsylvania
Authors: Beach Paul , Zvoch Keith , Thier Michael
Published: August 2021

This study employed hierarchical piecewise growth modeling and two interrupted time series models to examine the effect of introducing an Advanced Placement (AP) school accountability incentive on AP access in Pennsylvania. Specifically, we examined whether adoption of an advanced course access accountability indicator was associated with an increase in AP course offerings initially and in the three years after the policy intervention. We also analyzed if the indicator differentially affected schools we hypothesized as sensitive or nonsensitive to the policy and examined demographic differences between those school groups. Pennsylvania’s AP accountability incentive was associated with an initial increase in schools’ AP course offerings, but the trajectory of change during the post-policy intervention period did not differ from the pre-policy baseline period. Also, the sizeable gap between schools with the most and fewest AP course offerings did not narrow across time. Instead, the gap widened. Our results suggest that adoption of AP school accountability incentives may not be a long-term solution to improving AP access for all schools or narrowing disparities in access between schools. We call for examinations in other states to determine if, and under what conditions, AP accountability incentives increase AP course offerings while narrowing access disparities.
An Institutionalist Approach to AI Ethics: Justifying the Priority of Government Regulation over Self-Regulation
Authors: Ferretti Thomas
Published: August 2021

This article explores the cooperation of government and the private sector to tackle the ethical dimension of artificial intelligence (AI). The argument draws on the institutionalist approach in philosophy and business ethics defending a ‘division of moral labor’ between governments and the private sector (Rawls 2001; Scheffler and Munoz-Dardé 2005). The goal and main contribution of this article is to explain how this approach can provide ethical guidelines to the AI industry and to highlight the limits of self-regulation. In what follows, I discuss three institutionalist claims. First, principles of AI ethics should be validated through legitimate democratic processes. Second, compliance with these principles should be secured in a stable way. Third, their implementation in practice should be as efficient as possible. If we accept these claims, there are good reasons to conclude that, in many cases, governments implementing hard regulation are in principle (if not yet in practice) the best instruments to secure an ethical development of AI systems. Where adequate regulation exists, firms should respect the law. But when regulation does not yet exist, helping governments build adequate regulation should be businesses’ ethical priority, not self-regulation.
Bulk plasmon polariton in hyperbolic metamaterials excited by multilayer nanoparticles for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensing
Authors: Liu Runcheng , Zha Zhipeng , Shafi Muhammad , Li Can , Yang Wen , Xu Shicai , Liu Mei , Jiang Shouzhen
Published: August 2021

The capability to support large wave vector bulk plasmon polariton (BPP) waves enables the application of hyperbolic metamaterials (HMMs) in sensing. However, there is a challenge arising from the excitation of BPP, and the highly confined polarization waves are unable to meet the requirements of practical application. In this study, an HMM/bilayer silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) platform is proposed that allows the excitation and utilization of BPP for use as a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate. According to the research results, the bilayer Ag NPs provide stronger plasmonic property and act as a light-matter coupler, so as to generate a large wave vector of scattered light and excite the BPP within the HMM. Besides, Ag NPs provide the nano antenna structure, and decouple the BPP into localized surface plasmon (LSP) that can be used directly to excite the electric fields. In addition, HMM produces a modulating effect on the plasmon resonance peak, which makes it possible to overlap the spectrum of resonance peak with excitation wavelengths, thus leading to a strong absorption peak at the incident laser wavelength region. Experimentally, the platform was applied to achieve SERS detection for adenosine molecules with a concentration of 10−6 M. It is believed that this plasmonic platform has a potential of application in surface-enhanced spectroscopy.
Frequency synchronization detection method based on adaptive frequency standard tracking
Authors: Geng Xin , Du Baoqiang , Zhang Jianwei , Tian Erlin
Published: August 2021

In order to achieve wide-band high-resolution frequency measurement, a frequency synchronization detection method based on adaptive frequency standard tracking is proposed based on the quantized phase processing. First, the nominal value of the measured frequency signal was obtained from the rough frequency measurement module. Then, the field programmable gate array generated the nominal value of the measured frequency. After that, the direct comparison between the tracking frequency and the measured signal was carried out. Finally, the group quantized processing module gave the final result according to the phase full-period change time. Experimental results showed that the method has a wide frequency measurement range and high accuracy and can obtain frequency stability of the order of 10−13/s.
How the Female Subject was Tempered. An Instructive History of 8 March and Its Media Representation in Naša Žena (Our Woman)
Authors: Petričević Paula
Published: August 2021

The author explores the socialist emancipation of women in Montenegro during World War II and its aftermath, using the example of the 8 March celebrations. The social life of this ‘holiday of the struggle of all the women in the world’ speaks powerfully of the strength and fortitude involved in the mobilization of women during the war and during the postwar building of socialist Yugoslavia, as well as the sudden modernization and unprecedented political subjectivation of women. The emancipatory potential of these processes turned out to be limited in the later period of stabilization of Yugoslav state socialism and largely forgotten in the postsocialist period. The author argues that the political subjectivation of women needs to be thought anew, as a process that does not take place in a vacuum or outside of a certain ideological matrix, whether socialist or liberal.
‘Daughters Too Are Our Children.’ Gender Relations and Inheritance in Njeguši
Authors: Sedlenieks Klāvs
Published: August 2021

The stereotypes of Montenegrin gender relations depict men doing war and women constrained to lead extremely hard lives consisting of reproduction and domestic work. In this study with a focus on Njeguši, the author instead demonstrates how gender relations are characterised by a dynamic process which defies attempts to present a one-dimensional picture. For example, the widespread tradition that sons inherit, to the exclusion of daughters, proves to be linked to the much less problematised principle of virilocal marriages, with the consequence that women are strongly encouraged to leave family property, while men are morally bound to stay on it. The reverse condition is that women are able to enjoy freedom of movement while men have difficulty finding spouses, and once married many of them live apart from their wives. The author also addresses the business of ‘importing’ brides as well as the phenomenon of brother-and-sister households.
Being a Muslim in Belgrade. Ivan Ejub Kostić in Conversation with Armina Galijaš
Authors: Galijaš Armina , Kostić Ivan Ejub
Published: August 2021

Armina Galijaš interviewed Ivan Ejub Kostić on several occasions in Belgrade during 2019. The topic of the interviews was the contemporary sociopolitical position, the history, and the daily life of Muslims in Serbia and in Belgrade, a subject on which Ivan Ejub Kostić is an expert. He was born in Belgrade in 1979 and has lived there ever since. Islam is an integral part of his life, not only as a religion that he embraced over 15 years ago but also as a field of scholarly and sociopolitical interest. His elaborate answer to the question, ‘What is it like to be a Muslim in Belgrade?’ offers insights into both Ivan’s personal path and Muslim lives in Belgrade and in Serbia today.
An intensity modulated fiber-optic carbon monoxide sensor based on Ag/Co-MOF in-situ coated thin-core fiber
Authors: Wang Lian , Zhou Juncheng , Chen Yuhao , Xiao Liu , Huang Guojia , Huang Xinyue , Yang Xiaozhan
Published: August 2021

An intensity modulated fiber-optic carbon monoxide (CO) sensor by integrating in-situ solvothermal-growth Ag/Co-MOF sensing film is fabricated and evaluated. The Michelson interference sensing structure is composed of single-mode fiber (SMF), enlarged taper, thin-core fiber (TCF), and Ag film as the reflector. Ag/Co-MOF was coated on the cladding of the TCF as the sensing material, and the enlarged taper is located between TCF and SMF as the coupler. The structure, morphology, compositions and thermal stability of the Ag/Co-MOF sensing film were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), etc. The sensitivity of the sensor is 0.04515 dB/ppm, and the fitting parameter of the CO concentration is 0.99876. In addition, the sensor has the advantages of good selectivity, good signal and temperature stability, and it has potential application in trace CO detection.
Radiocarbon-dating an early minting site: the emergence of standardised coinage in China
Authors: Zhao Hao , Gao Xiangping , Jiang Yuchao , Lin Yi , Zhu Jin , Ding Sicong , Deng Lijun , Zhang Ji
Published: August 2021

The origins of metal coinage and the monetisation of ancient economies have long been a research focus in both archaeology and economic history. Recent excavations of an Eastern Zhou period (c. 770–220 BC) bronze foundry at Guanzhuang in Henan Province, China, have yielded clay moulds for casting spade coins. The technical characteristics of the moulds demonstrate that the site functioned as a mint for producing standardised coins. Systematic AMS radiocarbon-dating indicates that well-organised minting developedc. 640–550 BC, making Guanzhuang the world's oldest-known, securely dated minting site. This discovery provides important new data for exploring the origin of monetisation in ancient China.
Study of the Influence of the Mastic Coating of Untreated Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement on the Permanent and Resilient Behavior
Authors: Gaillard Laura , Chazallon Cyrille , Hornych Pierre , Quezada Juan Carlos , Geffard Jean-Luc
Published: August 2021

Reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) arises from the demolition of asphalt road layers. The Optimal Recycling of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavements Project concerns the cold recycling of 100 % RAP without binder addition in base and subbase layers of low-traffic roads. In this context, a test program was performed with Rhine region materials to evaluate the impact of the mastic coating of untreated RAP. A source of reclaimed asphalts with 4.4 % of bitumen is tested before (RAP) and after binder extraction (RAP-BE) and then is compared to an unbound granular material (UGM) with a similar particle-size distribution. Repeated load triaxial tests were conducted at several frequencies to study the permanent and resilient behaviors. The results show that the RAP before binder extraction and the UGM present similar permanent behaviors, while the aggregates without binder reveal low strains. Concerning the resilient phase, the RAP and the RAP-BE show similar levels of strains, but the resilient moduli of the UGM are significantly lower than those of the RAP. From the experimental results, the nonlinear elastic Boyce model was fitted and brings out a highly anisotropic mechanical behavior of the RAP. Finally, the RAP shows a frequency-sensitive viscous behavior because of the bitumen in the mastic, while the effect of the frequency is negligible for the RAP-BE.
Mapping Food Policy Groups
Authors: Levkoe Charles Z , Schiff Rebecca , Arnold Karen , Wilkinson Ashley , Kerk Karen
Published: August 2021

Over the past decades, there has been a rapid expansion in the number of Food Policy Groups (FPG) (including food policy councils, strategies, networks, and informal alliances) operating at municipal and regional levels across North America. FPGs are typically established with the intent of bringing together food systems stakeholders across private (e.g., small businesses, industry associations), public (e.g., government, public health, postsecondary institutions), and community (e.g., non-profits and charitable organizations) sectors to develop participatory governance mechanisms. Recognizing that food systems challenges are too often addressed in isolation, FPGs aim to instill integrated approaches to food related policy, programs, and planning. Despite growing interest, there is little quantitative or mixed methods research about the relationships that constitute FPGs or the degree to which they achieve cross-sectoral integration. Turning to Social Network Analysis (SNA) as an approach for understanding networked organizational relationships, we explore how SNA might contribute to a better understanding of FPGs. This paper presents results from a study of the Thunder Bay and Area Food Strategy (TBAFS), a FPG established in 2007 when an informal network of diverse organizations came together around shared goals of ensuring that municipal policy and governance supported healthy, equitable and sustainable food systems in the Thunder Bay region in Ontario, Canada. Drawing on data from a survey of TBAFS organizational members, we suggest that SNA can improve our understanding of the networks formed by FPGs and enhance their goals of cross-sectoral integration.
Integrative Governance for Ecological Public Health: An Analysis of ‘Food Policy for Canada’ (2015-2019)
Authors: Andree Peter , Ballamingie Patricia , Coulas Mary
Published: August 2021

Normatively grounded in the ecological public health paradigm, this paper speaks to the role of public policy in addressing food and nutrition-related health challenges through a critical analysis of the 2019 Food Policy for Canada (FPC). We draw on primary data gathered through a SSHRC-funded Partnership Grant, Food: Locally Embedded, Globally Engaged (FLEdGE). Qualitative research methods include interviews with key stakeholders and policy makers, critical review of national food policy consultation documents, participant observation in government-, industry- and civil society-led conversations about the food policy, as well as an investigation of stakeholder responses to the FPC announcements of 2019. Our analysis focuses on how Canada’s new food policy: adopts an integrative, pan-Canadian approach; explicitly connects health and environmental dimensions of food; augments food security in a systematic way; addresses unique food security and health issues facing Indigenous Peoples; improves the health of food environments, such as those in Canada’s schools; and, meaningfully includes relevant stakeholders in food system governance. Against these expectations, we assert that the Food Policy for Canada does not yet provide an integrative, systems-based approach to addressing food and nutrition-related health issues consistent with the ecological public health approach, despite significant progress made. We conclude by proposing a research agenda for tracking Canada’s food policy implementation and development going forward.
FLEdGE (Food: Locally Embedded, Globally Engaged) Partnership
Authors: Blay-Palmer Alison
Published: August 2021

The Food: Locally Embedded, Globally Engaged (FLEdGE) SSHRC-funded Partnership has deep roots in relationships developed over time among academics and community-based practitioners. FLEdGE emerged from community-driven research in Ontario on food hubs and community resilience dating from 2010. From there it expanded to include seven research nodes across Canada and three thematic international working groups, with over 90 researchers, students, and community partners involved in the project. As a multi-institutional project, FLEdGE has nodes in British Columbia (Kwantlen Polytechnic University)/Alberta (University of Alberta), Northwest Territories (Wilfrid Laurier University), northern Ontario (Lakehead University), eastern Ontario (Carleton University), southern Ontario (Wilfrid Laurier University; University of Guelph; University of Waterloo); Quebec (McGill University; Dawson College); and Atlantic Canada (Dalhousie University; Carleton University). There are two or more lead researchers in each node, typically from different disciplines and several community partners in each node. In this way, FLEdGE branched out to include more than 90 partners and collaborators.
Colloids, nanostructures, and supramolecular assemblies for papermaking
Authors: Wang Yongsheng , Huo Haiyan , Qian Xueren , Shen Jing
Published: August 2021

The dominating role of colloid science in papermaking processes, as exemplified by wet-end chemistry, is now well known. The concept of colloids dates back to about 160 years ago. In certain cases, however, the term “colloids” can have an overlapping meaning with the modern terms “nanomaterials” and “supramolecular assemblies”. The latter terms, and the scientists who have gravitated to those terms, have enriched colloid science, providing new insights into colloidal systems. It is proposed here that reconsidering papermaking in light of these multi-disciplinary sciences has potential to facilitate effective teaching and learning pertaining to universities that have pulp and paper programs. Enhanced integration of basic sciences with papermaking may further our understanding and broaden existing research areas, which is likely to create breakthroughs in basic research, applied research, and product development.
Thermal pyrolysis characteristics and kinetic analysis of nanofibrillated cellulose/graphene oxide composites
Authors: Meng Xia , Wang Shengdan , Gao Wenhua , Han Wenjia , Lucia Lucian A.
Published: August 2021

The fabrication process determines the microstructure and physical properties of material to some extent. In this study nanofibrillated cellulose /graphene oxide (NFC/GO) composites were fabricated by casting and evaporation methods, respectively. The microstructure and thermostability of the composites were investigated. The composites fabricated by the casting method had more uniform layered microstructure than those made by the evaporation method. The thermogravimetry analysis indicated that in the stage of 100 to 220 °C diffusion, the mechanisms of the Ginstling-Brounstein equation (D4) and the one-way transport equation (D1) can be regarded as the most suitable thermal pyrolysis reaction models for the composites made by the casting method and the evaporation method, respectively. However, in the stage of 220 to 380 °C, the two types of composites showed totally different thermal pyrolysis mechanisms. The results manifested that forming methods could indeed affect the microstructure and thermal degradation process of composites.
Strategy to enhance the sugar production using recyclable inorganic salt for pre-treatment of oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB)
Authors: Hassan Nursia , Khairil Anwar Nur Amirah Khairina , Idris Ani
Published: August 2021

Inorganic salts were used for the pretreatment of oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB) to enhance the delignification and saccharification yield of OPEFB. The sequential pretreatment of OPEFB using sodium phosphate dodecahydrate (Na3PO4.12H2O) and zinc chloride (ZnCl2) proved to be an effective approach. OPEFB was delignified by 58.8%, producing a maximum total reducing sugar (TRS) yield of 0.97 g/g under optimum pretreatment conditions of 15% Na3PO4.12H2O, 60 min (30 min/stage) pretreatment time, 10% solid to liquid ratio, and pretreatment temperature of 121 °C. In addition, structural and morphological analysis of the pretreated OPEFB using field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and X- ray diffraction (X-RD) revealed major structural changes, such as the generation of porous structure, which allows for better enzyme accessibility. Moreover, recycle experiments showed encouraging findings, as the spent pretreatment liquid with pH adjustment can be recycled efficiently for at least 5 times without a substantial decrease in its effectiveness.
Role of soil microbes in sustainable crop production and soil health: A review
Authors: Shah K.K. , Tripathi S. , Tiwari I. , Shrestha J. , Modi B. , Paudel N. , Das B.D.
Published: August 2021

Abstract. Global food production needs to be increased in order to feed the world’s growing population and at the same time, the reliance on inorganic fertilizers and pesticides should be minimized. To accomplish this goal, the various beneficial associations between plants and soil microorganisms should be explored. The soil microbes are bacteria, actinomycetes, viruses, fungi, nematode, and protozoa. They have an important soil function that has fulfilled several useful tasks in the soil system. Microbes support biological nitrogen fixation of different biological transformations that support the accumulation and utilization of key nutrients, support root and shoot growth processes, disease control, and improve soil quality in crop cultivation. Soil microbes offer nutrient-dense nourishment improved crop production and recycle soil solutions. They play an essential role in decomposing organic matter, cycling nutrients, and fertilizing the soil. Besides, they improve plant growth on various physiological parameters of plants by a number of mechanisms. The mechanism involved in growth promotion includes plant growth regulators, production of different metabolites, and conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia in direct and indirect ways. In addition, soil microbes offer resistance against diseases. This review outlines the significant impact of soil microbes on sustainable agricultural growth, the benefits of microbes in maintaining soil health, and their interactions.
Correlations between quantitative traits of winter common wheat-breeding tool for increasing grain yield
Authors: Tsenov N. , Gubatov T. , Yanchev I.
Published: August 2021

Abstract. Information on the relationships between quantitative traits affecting yields is extremely important for winter wheat. For it, the annual genotype*environment interaction is palpable and often masks the influence of individual traits on grain yield. The aim of the study is to determine the traits through the selection of which the grain yield could be significantly increased in the future. The data from three field multifactorial experiments were used (FERT, PGR, ABC), in which a significant influence of various factors (year, point, density, fertilization) on the size and variation of all studied traits was established. In the database thus formed the observed strong variance in the values of the traits is a great prerequisite for the established correlations to be accepted with a high degree of reliability. The mutual influence in the formation of each of the traits is a good basis for their grouping, according to the type of their effect on yield. 1) The characteristics, number of grains per m2 (NGm), grain weight per spike (WGS) and number of productive tillers per m2 (NPT) have a significantly positive effect on grain yield, 2) the weight per 1000 grains (TGW) and number of grains in spike (NGS) are traits that have a direct effect, but it is unstable in manifestation and 3) the traits, as height of stem (HOS), total plant biomass (TBM), and harvest index (HI) do not show a direct effect on grain yields. A significant increase in yield in the breeding of winter wheat can be achieved by increasing the number of grains per unit area (NGm). This is possible while maintaining the achieved level of number of grains in spike (NGS) with a parallel increase of tillering productive ability (NPT). The increase of this trait by selection should be taken into account when reducing the grain size (TGW). This will increase the chance of increasing the number of grains in the spike (NGS), will reduce the weight of the grain per spike (WGS), which in turn will be a prerequisite for optimizing the stability of lodging