bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quality of Sugar Beets under the Effects of Digestate Application to the Soil
Authors: Baryga Andrzej , Połeć Bożenna , Klasa Andrzej
Published: November 2020

Management of digestate from production of biogas has a great environmental importance. One of feedstock for biogas generation is beet pulp, a side product of sugar beet processing plant. In the paper a closed loop of beet pulp utilization at sugar beet plantation is presented. Effects of soil application of digestate obtained from digestion of sugar beet pulp were compared with standard mineral fertilizers. The field experiment was performed in three successive growing seasons. The studies were concentrated on quality of sugar beets grown under effects of two fertilization treatments—soil application of digestate cv. standard mineral fertilizers. It was found that some important quality indices (weight of single sugar beet root, content of sucrose in root tissues) were higher for beet harvested from digestate treatment compared to standard mineral fertilization (control). The concentration of harmful component (amide nitrogen) in sugar beets grown under conditions of digestate soil application was lower than in the control. It can be concluded that soil application of digestate from processing of sugar beet pulp can be treated as environmentally sound and effective method of its management.
Spiritual Ecology: On the Way to Ecological Existentialism
Authors: Mickey Sam
Published: November 2020

Spiritual ecology is closely related to inquiries into religion and ecology, religion and nature, and religious environmentalism. This article presents considerations of the unique possibilities afforded by the idea of spiritual ecology. On one hand, these possibilities include problematic tendencies in some strands of contemporary spirituality, including anti-intellectualism, a lack of sociopolitical engagement, and complicity in a sense of happiness that is captured by capitalist enclosures and consumerist desires. On the other hand, spiritual ecology promises to involve an existential commitment to solidarity with nonhumans, and it gestures toward ways of knowing and interacting that are more inclusive than what is typically conveyed by the term “religion.” Much work on spiritual ecology is broadly pluralistic, leaving open the question of how to discern the difference between better and worse forms of spiritual ecology. This article affirms that pluralism while also distinguishing between the anti-intellectual, individualistic, and capitalistic possibilities of spiritual ecology from varieties of spiritual ecology that are on the way to what can be described as ecological existentialism or coexistentialism.
Transformation or Progression from Adenocarcinoma to Small Cell Lung Cancer Detected by Serially Tracking Mutations in the Blood
Authors: Kulasinghe Arutha , Monkman James , Nalder Mark , O’Leary Connor , Ladwa Rahul , O’Byrne Ken
Published: November 2020

Background: Circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) has emerged as a promising biomarker for monitoring non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This has enabled the monitoring of clinically actionable mutations over the course of therapy. Case presentation: We present the case of a 74-year-old female who was treated with EGFR inhibitors for NSCLC which later transformed to SCLC. The kinetics of ctDNA was monitored by measuring the EGFR Exon 19 mutant L747–A750 > P and PIK3CA E545K over the course of therapy. Stabilisation of the PIK3CA mutation was found in response to therapy, however there appeared to be increasing levels of the EGFR mutant, potentially reflective of untreated EGFR-driven disease. Conclusion: The key finding described here, revealed by mutational tracking of mutations from the blood, is that clinically actionable mutations are assessable and may demonstrate clinical utility in measuring disease burden, multiple clones and progression non-invasively for lung cancer.
Obscuration Threshold Database Construction of Smoke Detectors for Various Combustibles
Authors: Jang Hyo-Yeon , Hwang Cheol-Hong
Published: November 2020

The obscuration thresholds for various smoke detectors and combustibles, required as an input parameter in fire simulation, were measured to predict the accurate activation time of detectors. One ionization detector and nine photoelectric detectors were selected. A fire detector evaluator, which can uniformly control the velocity and smoke concentration, was utilized. Filter paper, liquid fuels, and polymer pellets were employed as smoke-generation combustibles. The nominal obscuration thresholds of the considered detectors were 15 %/m, but the ionization detectors activated at approximately 40 %/m and 16 %/m, respectively, on applying filter paper and kerosene. In contrast, the reverse obscuration thresholds were found quantitatively according to the combustibles in the photoelectric detector. This phenomenon was caused by differences in the color of the smoke particles according to the combustibles, which is explained by single-scattering albedo (ratio of light scattering to light extinction). The obscuration thresholds for liquid fuels (kerosene, heptane and toluene) as well as fire types of polymer plastic pellets were also measured for several photoelectric detectors. A database of obscuration thresholds was thereby established according to the detector and combustible types, and it is expected to provide useful information for predicting more accurate detector activation time and required safe egress time (REST).
An Automated Pipeline for Image Processing and Data Treatment to Track Activity Rhythms of Paragorgia arborea in Relation to Hydrographic Conditions
Authors: Zuazo Ander , Grinyó Jordi , López-Vázquez Vanesa , Rodríguez Erik , Costa Corrado , Ortenzi Luciano , Flögel Sascha , Valencia Javier , Marini Simone , Zhang Guosong , Wehde Henning , Aguzzi Jacopo
Published: November 2020

Imaging technologies are being deployed on cabled observatory networks worldwide. They allow for the monitoring of the biological activity of deep-sea organisms on temporal scales that were never attained before. In this paper, we customized Convolutional Neural Network image processing to track behavioral activities in an iconic conservation deep-sea species—the bubblegum coral Paragorgia arborea—in response to ambient oceanographic conditions at the Lofoten-Vesterålen observatory. Images and concomitant oceanographic data were taken hourly from February to June 2018. We considered coral activity in terms of bloated, semi-bloated and non-bloated surfaces, as proxy for polyp filtering, retraction and transient activity, respectively. A test accuracy of 90.47% was obtained. Chronobiology-oriented statistics and advanced Artificial Neural Network (ANN) multivariate regression modeling proved that a daily coral filtering rhythm occurs within one major dusk phase, being independent from tides. Polyp activity, in particular extrusion, increased from March to June, and was able to cope with an increase in chlorophyll concentration, indicating the existence of seasonality. Our study shows that it is possible to establish a model for the development of automated pipelines that are able to extract biological information from times series of images. These are helpful to obtain multidisciplinary information from cabled observatory infrastructures.
Advanced Fiber-Coupled Diode Laser Sensor for Calibration-Free 1f-WMS Determination of an Absorption Line Intensity
Authors: Liger Vladimir , Mironenko Vladimir , Kuritsyn Yury , Bolshov Mikhail
Published: November 2020

A new scheme for a calibration-free diode laser absorption spectroscopy (DLAS) sensor for measuring the parameters of harsh zones is proposed. The key element of the scheme is a micro-prism retroreflector (MPRR). The MPRR facilitates an increase in the mechanical stability of the sensor and a decrease in the background thermal radiation in the hot areas of a tested zone. Reduction in the broadband thermal emission allowed the application of a differential logarithmic conversion (LC) technique for elimination of the residual amplitude modulation and other sources of non-selective attenuation of the probing laser beam. LC allows the use of a 1f-wavelength modulation spectroscopy (WMS) detection scheme. Combination of LC and a 1f-WMS algorithm provided a new modification of calibration-free DLAS, which could be particularly useful for probing harsh zones with pronounced strong turbulence and high levels of acoustic and electrical noise. The influence of the experimental parameters and characteristics of the main electronic components of the recording and processing system on the accuracy of the integral line intensity determination is investigated theoretically and experimentally. The proposed optical scheme of a DLAS sensor and algorithm for the data processing allowed the integral intensity of an absorption line to be obtained. The potential for the scheme was exemplified with a single water vapor absorption line at 7185.6 cm−1. Simultaneous detection of several absorption lines and data processing using the developed algorithm provides the final goal of a DLAS sensor—determination of temperature and partial pressure of a test molecule in a probed gas volume. The developed scheme allows the spatial multiplexing of the radiation of different diode lasers (DLs), which can be used if various test molecules are to be detected, or absorption lines of a test molecule are detected over different wavelength intervals.
Development of Microemulsions Containing Glochidion wallichianum Leaf Extract and Potential for Transdermal and Topical Skin Delivery of Gallic Acid
Authors: Sae Yoon Attawadee , Sakdiset Pajaree
Published: November 2020

Glochidion wallichianum (GW) is a good source of antioxidants, including gallic acid, promoting its development as a microemulsion. We constructed five pseudo-ternary phase diagrams comprising isopropyl myristate (IPM), water, and surfactant mixture (Smix)—i.e., Labrasol®:HCO-40® (1:1) with Transcutol® (1:1, 2:1, 3:1), and Tween80:Span80 (3:2) with Transcutol® or propylene glycol:ethanol (1:1). Additionally, blank and GW extract-loaded microemulsions were prepared at an IPM:Water:Smix ratio of 10:30:60 (high water content) and 30:10:60 (high oil content) from each Smix. The physical characteristics, skin permeation, and disposition were evaluated. The formulations with high water content and conductivities provided higher gallic acid permeation and disposition than those with high oil content. The Smix of Labrasol®:HCO-40® (1:1) and Transcutol® (1:1) promoted the highest gallic acid permeation (enhancement ratio 1.78 ± 0.12) and was suitable for transdermal delivery. However, the 1% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose control gel, the microemulsion with Smix of Labrasol®:HCO-40® (1:1) with Transcutol® (2:1), and Smix of Tween80:Span80 (3:2) with propylene glycol:ethanol (1:1) could provide higher skin accumulation of gallic acid than that with other formulations. The microstructures, ratio of surfactant:cosurfactant, and compositions of microemulsions were found to affect the skin permeation and disposition of gallic acid and require optimization to act as transdermal or topical delivery carriers.
Ramping Up Customer-Centric Modular Design Projects: Mobile App Development for Pandemic Relief
Authors: Medini Khaled , Wiesner Stefan , Poursoltan Milad , Romero David
Published: November 2020

Today’s fast-growing demands at the global level for mobile applications (apps) cause customers to call for the customization of their apps to fit their individualized needs and business realms. Customization is a challenge for apps-development companies when they want to satisfy their numerous users in a crowded competitive market. Moreover, pursuing customization involves additional challenges when ramping up app development projects in order to meet demands at a larger scale. To address this challenge, we proposed a framework to systematize and support mobile apps’ development consistently with a customer-driven approach and modular design philosophy. From a practical point of view, the proposed framework integrates quality function deployment (QFD), axiomatic design (AD) principles, and practices from the ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) framework. The framework supports a systematic process for translating customer needs into design parameters as well as supporting prioritization of ITIL practices for further development. The effectiveness of the framework was explored in practice through a case study about an app supporting relief in the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, as well as a survey among potential users. The assessment of the framework indicated an average score ranging between 3.58 and 3.92 in a five-point Likert scale for all of the items used in the survey.
Oral prednisolone for acute lower respiratory tract infection in clinically unrecognised asthma: an exploratory analysis of the Oral Steroids for Acute Cough (OSAC) randomised controlled trial
Authors: Hawkey Sean , Young Grace J , Little Paul , Moore Michael , Hay Alastair D
Published: November 2020

Background

Acute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRTI) is often treated in primary care with antibiotics. The recent Oral Steroids for Acute Cough (OSAC) randomised controlled trial (RCT) showed corticosteroids were not an effective alternative in adults without a diagnosis of asthma with ALRTI.

Aim

To investigate if corticosteroids are beneficial for ALRTI in patients with unrecognised asthma.

Design & setting

An exploratory analysis was undertaken of the primary care OSAC trial.

Method

A subgroup analysis was performed in patients who responded ‘yes’ to the following International Primary Care Airways Group (IPCAG) question: did you have wheeze and/or at least two of nocturnal cough or chest tightness or dyspnoea in the past year. Sensitivity analyses were carried out on those who answered ‘yes’ to wheeze and at least two of the nocturnal symptoms. The primary outcomes were as follows: duration of cough (0–28 days, minimum clinically important difference [MCID] of 3.79 days) and mean symptom severity score (range 0–6; MCID 1.66 units).

Results

In total, 40 (10%) patients were included in the main analysis: mean age 49 years (standard deviation [SD] = 17.9), 52% male. Median cough duration was 3 days in both prednisolone (interquartile range [IQR] = 2–6 days) and placebo (IQR = 1–6 days) groups (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 1.10; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.47 to 2.54; P = 0.83), equating to 0.24 days longer in the prednisolone group (95% CI = 1.23 days shorter to 2.88 days longer). Mean symptom severity difference was –0.14 (95% CI = –0.78 to 0.49; P=0.65) comparing prednisolone with placebo. Similar findings were found in the sensitivity analysis.

Conclusion

No evidence was found to support the use of corticosteroids for ALRTI in patients with clinically unrecognised asthma. Clinicians should not use the IPCAG questions to target oral corticosteroid treatment in patients with ALRTI.
“UDARNIK” SANATORIUM IN ZHELEZNOVODSK: ABOUT INFLUENCE OF URBAN-PLANNING FACTORS ON ARCHITECTURE
Authors: Tokarev A. , Sidorenko N.
Published: November 2020

The provision of recreation to the working population was one of the main tasks that the government of the USSR had to solve already during the first years of the Soviet regime. In this regard, they prescribed a line of improvement concerning the state of health resort areas of the country. Large-scale realization of new holiday homes, health resorts and medical complexes had started in the areas, which were located along the Black Sea coast, and in the towns of the Caucasian Mineral Waters. Design in resort areas was complicated by the presence of mountainous terrain and the special structure of historical buildings. A successful example of a medical facility in a resort city is the building of the “Udarnik” sanatorium, which was designed by Fomin I. A. and Roslavlev M. I. in Zheleznovodsk. The article is devoted to this building. The paper provides an analysis of the formation of the urban-planning situation that determined the location and shape of the design area. The initial and implemented schemes of planning organization of the health resort’s territory are analyzed. The influence of the historical context of the area on the volumetric solution of the structure is revealed. The relationship between the health resort and other significant objects of Zheleznovodsk is established. In the urban-planning decisions of «Udarnik», the authors managed to take into account the surrounding low-rise buildings and the significant height difference of the landscape.
PREVALÊNCIA DA LINFADENITE CASEOSA EM OVINOS E CAPRINOS DE MUNICÍPIOS DO ESTADO DO AMAZONAS E SUSCEPTIBILIDADE IN VITRO DE CORYNEBACTERIUM PSEUDOTUBERCULOSIS AOS ANTIMICROBIANOS
Authors: Neto Jose Vicente Ferreira , Matos Rodrigo Antônio Torres , Junior Felício Garino , Araújo José Allan Soares de , Pereira Karolline de Assis
Published: November 2020

Linfadenite caseosa é uma enfermidade que acomete pequenos ruminantes. Objetivou-se verificar a prevalência da linfadenite caseosa no Amazonas, e avaliar susceptibilidade in vitro do Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis aos antimicrobianos. Foram avaliados 1280 animais. Observou-se que 4,53% dos animais apresentaram abscessos e/ou cicatrizes. No teste de susceptibilidade in vitro aos antimicrobianos, em ovinos o C. pseudotuberculosis apresentou 100% de sensibilidade à ampicilina, amoxicilina com ácido clavulânico, cefotaxima, ciprofloxacina, norfloxacina, sulfazotrim e tetraciclina. Em caprinos, verificou-se 100% de sensibilidade à amoxicilina com ácido clavulânico, cefotaxima, ciprofloxacina, norfloxacina. Concluiu-se que a enfermidade possui baixa prevalência em ovinos e caprinos no estado do Amazonas.
HUBUNGAN PENGGUNAAN ALAT PELINDUNG DIRI (APD) DENGAN KEJADIAN INFEKSI SALURAN PERNAPASAN AKUT (ISPA) PADA PEKERJA KILANG PADI
Authors: Sirait Reni Aprinawaty , , Vina Novianti , Ginting Luci Riani Br
Published: November 2020

Respiratory Protection Equipment (APD) is a set of tools used by workers to protect all or part of their body from the possibility of potential occupational hazards such as ISPA (Upper Respiratory Infection) in Rice Refinery Workers in Dalu X-B Village, Tanjung Morawa Sub-District, Deli Serdang Regency. The number of patients with ARI in 2015 was found to be 452 cases and increased in 2016 by 469 cases. The use of respiratory protective equipment is often considered unimportant or trivial by workers, especially in workers who work in the informal sector. Every worker needs to wear respiratory protective equipment especially workers whose work environment contains a lot of dust so workers must be obliged to use a complete respiratory protective device when doing work because to maintain personal safety and personal health while working.

This research was used analytic survey method by using cross sectional design. Samples were taken as many as 62 workers with sampling techniques using total sampling. This research was carried out in two rice milling industries in the village of Dalu XB, Tanjung Morawa District, Deli Serdang District. The data collection was carried out by direct interview using a questionnaire to find out the data of the age of the workers, long work, and education level. Data analysis performed was univariate and bivariate with statistical tests using the Chi Square test with α = 0.05. With the results there was a relationship between the use of respiratory protective equipment with the incidence of acute respiratory infections (ISPA) in Rice Refinery Workers in Dalu X-B Village, Tanjung Morawa District, Deli Serdang District in 2017 with pValue (= 0.01) ≤ α (= 0.05). For rice refinery workers must be able to comply with regulations that have been determined in the use of masks and Rice refinery workers.
Aprendiendo a programar con el Robot Educativo Programable (REP)
Authors:   , Lencina Paula
Published: November 2020

La presente investigación, titulada “Aprendiendo a programar con el Robot Educativo Programable (REP)” se concreta con el objetivo de delinear una propuesta pedagógica y metodológica que contribuya al aprendizaje del Paradigma Imperativo de la programación de computadoras en los estudiantes de primer año de las carreras del área de Informática de la Universidad del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (UNNOBA), utilizando como recurso didáctico el REP. Si bien el dominio de los fundamentos de programación de computadoras es una habilidad esencial a ser desarrollada por los estudiantes de las carreras de la mencionada área, los datos estadísticos sobre los resultados de las asignaturas afines y los informes y tutorías de los ingresantes, revelan una acusada dificultad en la introducción de los estudiantes a la programación imperativa, reflejado en el bajo rendimiento académico, un elevado índice de deserción y un significativo desgranamiento en los años posteriores. Por tal motivo se indagará sobre la aplicación de robots como herramienta educativa en nivel superior, se determinará el modo en que debe utilizarse un robot para realizar actividades educativas dentro del paradigma imperativo de la programación de computadoras, se diseñará una interfaz para su utilización, se propiciará la experimentación y se estimularán las competencias asociadas a la resolución de problemas y se facilitará el aprendizaje de un lenguaje de programación a través del REP. El estudio se desarrollará mediante un diseño experimental puro y el producto final será un documento que incluya estrategias áulicas que permitan incorporar instrumentos tecnológicos no tradicionales, como el Robot Educativo Programable, a las actuales propuestas educativas de la UNNOBA en lo referido a la programación imperativa, las cuales, aplicadas de manera sistemática puedan a mediano plazo también dar respuesta a la problemática de la deserción y el desgranamiento estudiantil. Se realizará un estudio de caso en el marco de la materia “Introducción a la Programación Imperativa” (IPI), perteneciente al primer año de estudios de las carreras del área de Informática de la mencionada universidad.
Thermal performance of Rice Husk Ash mixed mortar in concrete and masonry buildings
Authors: Selvaranjan Kajanan , Gamage J.C.P.H. , De Silva G.I.P. , Attanayaka Vajira
Published: November 2020

Rice Husk (RH) is an agricultural waste which is produced in huge amounts from the milling process of paddy rice. Rice Husk Ash (RHA) is a by-product material obtained from the combustion of rice husk. The amorphous silica-rich RHA (84-90 wt%) has a wide range of applications. This research focused on the possibility of utilizing RHA in the process of developing a mortar with low thermal conductivity to enhance the thermal comfort in concrete and masonry buildings. The thermal conductivity of mortar was determined by Lee’s Disc method, and the results were compared to the data for conventional mortar as well as commercial thermal insulation materials. The results indicate a significant reduction in thermal conductivity in the mortar developed with RHA
Asymptotic stress field at the tip of an inclined crack terminating to an interface
Authors: Marsavina Liviu , Sadowski Tomasz
Published: November 2020

This paper presents the numerical results for the asymptotic stress field and the fracture parameters at the tip of an inclined cracks terminating to a bi-material ceramic interface. The numerical analysis was carried out using FRANC2D/L fracture analysis code. A biaxial specimen was modeled for producing different mixed mode loads and two materials combinations of Al2O3 and ZrO2 were considered. The influence of the material combination and applied mixed mode load on the singularity orders, stress distributions and stress intensity factors is highlighted.
The determination of normal stresses in cross-section of the four-flue reinforced concrete chimney
Authors: Borzęcki Krzysztof , Słowik Marta
Published: November 2020

In the paper the way of calculation of compressive stresses in the cross-section of a four-flue reinforced concrete chimney has been presented. Two types of cross section have been considered: the full cross section and the cross section weakened by openings. The analysis described in the paper refers to the chimney arrangement in diamond shape in relation to wind flow.
Assessment of Software Project Proposal using Analytical Hierarchy Process: A Framework
Authors: Akinnuwesi Boluwaji , Uzoka Faith-michael
Published: November 2020

Introduction: Application software helps organizations to perform effectively and efficiently in the competitive environment and hence provide value-added services to customers. High significance of application software stimulates organizations to carrying out thorough evaluation of software project proposals that vendors submit with the view of selecting best proposal with optimal performance when implemented. This process entails a number of assessment criteria, multiple conflicting goals, and increasingly turbulent environment. Therefore the need arises for the use of Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) for assessment. Aim: This research focused on development of AHP based model for software project proposal assessment and select proposal that guarantees optimal performance when implemented. Materials and Methods: AHP process was divided into 3 phases: Decomposition phase for identification of decision alternatives and evaluation criteria; Measurement of Preference phase for identifying relative importance of criteria using pairwise comparison matrix; and Synthesis phase to establish percentage of relative priorities for ranking proposals and select the best. Results: 64 variables were established and were hierarchically arranged into 4 levels based on degree of preference. It was evident from the priority graph that functionality (35.26%), quality (22.00%) and usability (19.34%) had the higher priority weights, while cost (2.47%) and vendor services (6.26%) had the least. Conclusion: AHP based software project proposal evaluation framework was presented whereby functionality, quality and usability have more consideration than cost elements in the assessment of software projects. Future work attempts to include organizations size, type of business, and experience criteria in the AHP model and implement the framework.
Antibacterial Effects Of Aqueous Extract Of Onion (Allium Cepa) And Garlic (Allium Sativum) On Some Clinical Bacterial Isolates
Authors: Fashola Muibat Omotola , Opere Bolanle Olaitan , Saibu Gbemisola M. , Bello Olorunjuwon O. , Yovoyan Tobi Simeon , Usman Olanike Falilat
Published: November 2020

Introduction: Many medicinal plants produce antioxidants and antimicrobial properties which protect the host from cellular oxidation reactions and other pathogens highlighting the importance of search for natural antimicrobial drugs. Method : The antibacterial activity of 25, 50 and 100 mg/ml aqueous extract of garlic and onion on S.aureus, S. Typhi,P. aeruginosa and E. coli isolates were carried out using agar well diffusion method. The antibacterial activity of the aqueous plant extract were measured by zones of inhibition and the antibiotic sensitivity test of the bacteria isolates was done using the disc diffusion method. Results: Inhibition zone diameter of 18 mm, 19 mm, 21 mm and 27 mm were observed for E.coli, P.aeruginosa, S.aureus, and S.Typhi respectively using 100 mg/ml of garlic while for onion, 11.5 mm, 12 mm, 12 mm and 13 mm inhibition zone diameter were observed for the same bacteria isolates respectively. It was observed that the increase in concentration of garlic is needed for better antibacterial activity while increasing concentration does not have a significant effect on the antibacterial activity of onion. The results of the antibiotic tests showed that most of the tested organisms exhibited multiple drug resistance to the conventional antibiotics including cotrimoxazole, chloramphenicol, amoxillin, streptomycin and septrin. Conclusion: Garlic extract showed greater antimicrobial potential compared with onion extract and the widely used antibiotics. Thus, aqueous garlic extract may be more effective in the treatment of bacterial infections in order to overcomethe problem of multidrug resistance of bacterial pathogens.
Ethno-botanical survey, review and informatics of medicinal plants used by indigenous people of Lekki, Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos State, Nigeria
Authors: Taiwo Korede.c , Makinde Sunday.c.o , Ojekale Anthony.b , Sowunmi Margaret A. , Oyetunji Opeyemi , Lasisi Malik. O.
Published: November 2020

The use of medicinal plants (herbal) is common among the rural populace in most countries, Nigeria inclusive. Aim: The present investigation is a survey of ethnopharmacology of medicinal plants and preparations used to manage common ailments within the people of Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria. Method: Respondents from two rural communities (Lekki Oke and Isale Lekki) were used for this study. Results: The survey results returned 43 plants as been commonly used medicinal plants. About 28 (44%) of these had scientific data backing their medicinal usage. Nutraceuticals account for about 37 (58%) of the plants surveyed. About three quarters (74%) of the surveyed plants have multiple uses with verified data corroborating these. The leaves and roots (20%) are the most commonly employed parts of the plant for medicinal treatment, while the stem and whole plant are the least used (2%). Decoction (35%), concoctions (20%) and macerations (17%) are the most common preparation modes of the plant extracts. Conclusion: The study data and informatics therein showed that with advancement in extraction, analytical and evaluation techniques, empirical data are confirming the efficacy of these herbs used by the locals. The culture and traditions of the Lekki people in the use of herbals for health management is further affirmed with this survey. The culture and traditions of the Lekki people in the use of herbals for health management is affirmed with this survey.
Privacy in targeted advertising: A survey
Authors: Ullah Imdad , Boreli Roksana , S. Kanhere Salil
Published: November 2020

Targeted advertising has transformed the marketing trend for any business by creating new opportunities for advertisers to reach prospective customers by delivering them personalised ads using an infrastructure of a variety of intermediary entities and technologies. The advertising and analytics companies collect, aggregate, process and trade a rich amount of user's personal data, which has prompted serious privacy concerns among individuals and organisations. This article presents a detailed survey of privacy risks including the information flow between advertising platform and ad/analytics networks, the profiling process, the advertising sources and criteria, the measurement analysis of targeted advertising based on user's interests and profiling context and ads delivery process in both in-app and in-browser targeted ads. We provide detailed discussion of challenges in preserving user privacy that includes privacy threats posed by the advertising and analytics companies, how private information is extracted and exchanged among various advertising entities, privacy threats from third-party tracking, re-identification of private information and associated privacy risks, in addition to, overview data and tracking sharing technologies. Following, we present various techniques for preserving user privacy and a comprehensive analysis of various proposals founded on those techniques and compare them based on the underlying architectures, the privacy mechanisms and the deployment scenarios. Finally we discuss some potential research challenges and open research issues.
Unmasking Concealed 5G Privacy Identity with Machine Learning and GPU in 12 mins
Authors: Tea Vui Huang
Published: November 2020

The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standard for 5G telecommunications specifies privacy protection schemes to cryptographically encrypt and conceal permanent identifiers of subscribers to prevent them from being exposed and tracked by over-the-air eavesdroppers. However, conventional privacy-preserving protocols and architectures alone are insufficient to protect subscriber privacy as they are vulnerable to new types of attacks due to the utilization of the emerging technologies such artificial intelligence (AI). A conventional brute force attack to unmask concealed 5G identity using a CPU would require ~877 million years. This paper presents an apparatus using machine learning (ML) and a graphics processing unit (GPU) that is able to unmask a concealed 5G identity in ~12 minutes with an untrained neural-network, or ~0.015 milliseconds with a pre-trained neural-network. The 5G concealed identities are effectively identified without requiring decryption, hence severely diminishing the level of privacy-preservation. Finally, several ML defence countermeasures are proposed to re-establish privacy protection in 5G identity.
Imagologiczne badanie etnoobrazu w dzienniku podróży "Przez zakątki Gruzji. W poszukiwaniu skarbu krainy wilków" Ołeksija Bobrownikowa
Authors: Rozinkiewicz Natalia
Published: November 2020

W artykule przedstawiono twórczość oraz sylwetkę współczesnego ukraińskiego pisarza Ołeksija Bobrownykowa jako przedstawiciela prozy wędrownej. Omówiono podstawowe narzędzia autorskiej kreacji literackiego etnoobrazu Gruzinów, jaki wyłania się z dziennika podróży Przez zakątki Gruzji. W poszukiwaniu skarbu krainy wilków. Pisarz przy pomocy takich chwytów, jak kontrast, aluzja, retrospekcja, zdołał odtworzyć typowe cechy (historyczne, geograficzne, krajobrazowe, etnograficzne, kulturalne, bytowe, moralne i inne) kaukaskiej krainy. Pozwoliło to we współczesnej ukraińskiej prozie wędrownej oddać wyobrażenie o całym narodzie jako „innym” środowisku kulturowym, odmiennym od ukraińskiego. 

Utwory tego typu, jak analizowany tu dziennik, sprzyjają komunikacji międzykulturowej i jednocześnie są cenne dla wzajemnego poznania się przez narody, ponieważ w pole widzenia podróżnika trafiają cechy etnicznej psychologii i charakteru. Jest to bodziec dla zrozumienia procesu formowania się świadomości indywidualnej i zbiorowej oraz tożsamości, a jednocześnie – procesu tworzenia się wielkich mitów o innychludach i narodach.
Gest w epoce jego technicznej reprodukowalności
Authors: Pijarski Krzysztof
Published: November 2020

Wprowadzenie do numeru
Tropiciele. O fotografii performatywnej
Authors: Iversen Margaret
Published: November 2020

Posługując się analizami praktyk artystycznych z lat 70., a także odwołując się do współczesnych interpretacji użycia fotografii w sztuce surrealistycznej, autorka proponuje w artykule pojęcie "fotografii performatywnej" i stara się pokazać, jak dalece zmienia ono sens samej fotografii oraz zakres jej możliwego artystycznego użytku.
Gesty. Próba fenomenologiczna
Authors: Flusser Vilem
Published: November 2020

Artykuł jest próbą fenomenologicznego opisu tego, w jaki sposób gest obecny jest w przestrzeni fotografii i w jaki sposób wpływa na jej zdolność do przedstawiania obrazu rzeczywistości.
Gest autobiograficzny. Okrutny teatr fotografii Zdzisława Beksińskiego
Authors: Węgrzyn Klaudia
Published: November 2020

Na poruszane w pracy wątki składa się omówienie dwóch obszarów badawczych: twórczości artystycznej Zdzisława Beksińskiego (głównie fotografii) przez pryzmat Teatru Okrucieństwa Antoine'a Artauda (performatywnego i afektywnego aspektu działania na odbiorcę). Teoria i formuła przemocy obrazu oparta jest na rozważaniach Susan Sontag, najnowszej ikonologii W. J. T. Mitchella, estetycznym reżimie obrazów Jacques'a Ranciera oraz przedstawieniu negatywnym Theodora Adorna. Prace Beksińskiego analizowane przez pryzmat autobiografii i psychoanalizy tworzą brikolaż, w którym zakodowane zostają kulturowe i wyobrażeniowe artefakty.
Tajne archiwa Ziemi
Authors: Czeczot Katarzyna
Published: November 2020

Recenzja wystawy Angeliki Markul, „To, co stracone, jest na początku”, kurator: Jarosław Lubiak, Centrum Sztuki Współczesnej – Zamek Ujazdowski, Warszawa 25 marca – 31 lipca 2016.
Gesture in the Age of its Technological Reproducibility
Authors: Pijarski Krzysztof
Published: November 2020

Introduction to the issue
Models of Thinking the World
Authors: Jaar Alfredo , Pijarski Krzysztof
Published: November 2020

Krzysztof Pijarski talks with Alfredo Jaar about the main themes of his work.
A Book of Her Own: R. H. Quaytman’s Visual Historiography – A Conversation with Katarzyna Bojarska
Authors: Howe Quaytman Rebecca , Bojarska Katarzyna
Published: November 2020

A conversation with the artist R.H. Quaytman about the project of the Book, which she has been "writing" since 2001, and whose 35th chapter was presented at the Museum Sztuki in Łódź (2019-2020). The conversation is devoted to her visual historiography as well as to how she manages images in order to create life- and art-stories.
Statuy i status quo. Czas pomników w Stanach Zjednoczonych
Authors: Zaremba Łukasz
Published: November 2020

W 2015 roku do kościoła w Charleston wszedł uzbrojony młody biały mężczyzna i zabił dziewięcioro Afroamerykanów. Kierował się pobudkami rasistowskimi, wzorował na żołnierzach Konfederacji i wcześniej chętnie fotografował się z konfederacką flagą. Zdarzenie to po raz kolejny uruchomiło w Stanach dyskusję nie tylko o ideowym, ale również materialnym dziedzictwie stanów Konfederacji, między innymi wszechobecnych w miastach Południa pomnikach: upamiętnieniach konfederackich przywódców, ale również anonimowych żołnierzy. Pomniki te stały się przedmiotami burzliwych sporów. Część z nich usunięto odgórnie (Nowy Jork, Nowy Orlean), część została obalona w oddolnych akcjach aktywistów (między innymi Durham i Chapel Hill, o których mowa w artykule); spora grupa została jednak obroniona przez republikańskie władze stanowe.
Artykuł – pisany z perspektywy studiów nad kulturą wizualną – ma na celu rozpoznania swoistości medium pomnika w kontekście tych sporów. Stawia tezę, że najważniejszą właściwością medium uznawanego dziś za przestarzałe (statyczne, niezmienne, ciężkie, fizyczne, publiczne itd.) jest zdolność przedstawiania się jako naturalne, odwieczne, „historyczne”. Pomniki te nie tylko służą przekłamywaniu historii wojny domowej w stanach Południa (w szczególności wymazując z niej niewolnictwo). W czasie swojego powstania – przede wszystkim kilkadziesiąt lat po wojnie – były narzędziami agresywnej polityki segregacji i podkreślać miały dominację białych oraz trwałość przedwojennych podziałów rasowych.
W rozpoznaniu swoistości medium pomnika pomóc ma analiza współczesnej artystycznej interwencji pomnikowej – odsłoniętego w grudniu 2019 roku dzieła Kehinde Wileya Rumors of War. Dzieło to, z perspektywy krytyki artystycznej wpadające w pełne pułapki polityki reprezentacji, z perspektywy studiów nad kulturą wizualną okazuje się ważnym przewodnikiem, wchodzącym w skomplikowany dialog z pomnikami pięciu konfederackich przywódców do dziś obecnych na Monument Avenue w Richmond, stolicy secesjonistów.
History Is Present
Authors: Kurz Iwona
Published: November 2020

Introduction to issue 25 “History Is Present”.
Encountering Others through Graphic Narrative. Layers of Empathy in Hanneriina Moisseinen’s "The Isthmus"
Authors: Nikkilä Aura , Vuorinne Anna
Published: November 2020

In this article, we analyze Hanneriina Moisseinen’s historical comic The Isthmus within the framework of empathy. By focusing on the role of multimodal storytelling – the combination of drawings, text, and photographs – we explore the ways in which The Isthmus invites the reader to empathize with the marginalized others of the past, both human and non-human. We propose that empathy should be understood as a multidimensional phenomenon of imagination, feeling, and understanding. To discuss how Moisseinen’s comic elicits empathy, we apply Elisa Aaltola’s theory of varieties of empathy, which provides a nuanced account for understanding how living beings relate to and understand each other. We argue that comics storytelling has the possibility not only of fostering the reader’s capacity to imagine the lives of others, but also to invite them to attend to the experiences of others through affect, embodiment, and reflection.
Magnigrafika dla nadempatycznych. Stany chorobowe wspólnot emancypacyjnych a wystawy dotyczące chorób przewlekłych
Authors: Jarosz Ewelina
Published: November 2020

Tekst jest krytyczną analizą kulturową obserwacji niespójności i sprzeczności mechanizmów funkcjonowania emancypacyjnych wspólnot działających w polu sztuki, kultury i nauki, a także recenzją dwóch zorganizowanych w Polsce wystaw poświęconych systemowej naturze chorowania. W części pierwszej, pożądany, empatyczny i afirmatywny obraz emancypacyjnych wspólnot i proponowanej przez nie polityki kulturowej rozpatrywany jest pod kątem osobistej historii oraz takich czynników jak warunki zatrudnienia, nadprodukcja czy feministyczne postulaty troski i solidarności między kobietami. Wskazuję w niej na momenty, w której kulturowy proces emancypacji niebezpieczne dostraja się do logiki krytykowanych systemów. Przyglądając się niuansom sytuacji ekonomicznej i społecznej kulturowych emancypantek, które w późnokapitalistycznym wyzysku grup marginalizowanych dostrzegają stany chorobowe, przechodzę następnie do części recenzenckiej, poświęconej wystawom oferującym wspólnototwórczy impuls: „Kreatywne Stany Chorobowe: AIDS, HIV, RAK” w Galerii Miejskiej Arsenał w Poznaniu oraz „HIVstorie: Żywe polityki”, zorganizowaną przez Biennale Warszawa we współpracy z EUROPACH oraz Instytutem Socjologii Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego.
On Cinematic Voracity: Cannibalism, Masochism, and Unbearable Images
Authors: Kmak Aleksander
Published: November 2020

The contemporary theory of cinema of discomfort shows that unbearable images make us feel and think about le dispositif and our gaze itself, its sensual and engaged features. With an example of Caniba, an experimental documentary about a cannibalistic murderer, I point out its self-reflexivity and relations between cannibalism and cinematic masochism. Reflecting on Freud’s, Lacan’s, Deleuze’s work as well as and McCormack’s concept of ‘cinemasochism’, I extract the latter’s sensual dimension of iconophagy – the process of devouring images and letting to be devoured.
Zgorzel w krajobrazie. O wizualizowaniu nekrocenu
Authors: Stachowicz Marcin
Published: November 2020

Krytyczna analiza cyklu fotograficznego "Distaster Cruisin'" Ady Zielińskiej.
A History of Architecture that Makes a Difference
Authors: Gzowska Alicja
Published: November 2020

A review of Łukasz Stanek's 2019 book Architecture in Global Socialism. The author draws attention to Stanek's innovatory methodology and wide-ranging research in this volume devoted to socialist architects working in the Global South. According to Gzowska, Architecture in Global Socialism examines architectural phenomena virtually absent in historiography, ones that are crucial not only for the urbanization of the Global South but also reverberate globally until today.
Empatyczne obrazy
Authors: Szcześniak Magda , Zborowska Agata
Published: November 2020

Wprowadzenie do numeru 26 „Empatyczne obrazy”.
re-considered escape ways
Authors: Cahn Miriam , Bojarska Katarzyna
Published: November 2020

Conversation with Miriam Cahn on the occasion of her exhibition at the Modern Art Museum in Warsaw.
Useful Ties: Liliana Piskorska’s “Sourcebook / Książka źródeł”
Authors: Sułkowska Gabriela
Published: November 2020

A critical commentary on Liliana Piskorska's work in progress project "Sourcebook/Książka źródeł".
Internal Waves Formation and Propagation in the Persian Gulf
Authors: Mosaddad Seyed Majid
Published: November 2020

The Persian Gulf (PG), as a semi-enclosed water basin extends in[47-57] E, [24-30] N, geographic domain. Particularly, northern part of the PG shows more baroclinicity and turbulence because of the river inflow from the Arvand, bottom and costalstresses.Furthermore, wind stress has many effects rather than in mid deep domain of the PG. Thermocline development in the PG is observed because of studying the data measured in the Mt. Mitchell cruise in 1992 by different models from winter to summer. The studied turbulence in the northern part of the PG is navigated from winter to summer due to the internal wave’s activity and stability intensified through water column.
Karakterisasi Asap Cair Hasil Pirolisis Sampah Kantong Plastik sebagai Bahan Bakar Bensin
Authors: Anom I Dewe Ketut , Lombok John Z
Published: November 2020

Plastic bag waste is garbage that is difficult to degrade in nature. Hoarding plastic bag waste can reduce soil fertility because it cannot be broken down by microorganisms quickly. Burning plastic bag waste can produce toxic gases and have a negative impact on human health and the environment. To solve the problem, the plastic bag waste is converted into liquid smoke as fuel oil. The method used to convert the plastic bag waste into liquid smoke is pyrolysis. The fractionation of liquid smoke at temperatures below 200oC produces 36.20% clear liquid which has similar properties to gasoline fuel. Characterization of the physical and chemical properties of the gasoline fraction liquid smoke has a density of 0.76 g/mL; a viscosity of 0.80 cP; boiling point at 146.9oC; flash point at 30.60oC; a calorific value of 10,520 cal/g; with the octane number of 98 RON. GC-MS analysis shows that the gasoline fraction liquid smoke consists of 45 chemical compounds which can be classified into alkanes, alkenes, cycloalkanes and alcohols.
Évolution des parois rocheuses gelées de haute montagne sous forçage climatique
Authors: Ravanel Ludovic , Magnin Florence , Gallach Xavi , Deline Philip
Published: November 2020

Avec le réchauffement du climat, la dégradation du permafrost est à l'origine d'une intensification des processus géomorphologiques sur les versants de haute montagne. Dans les parois rocheuses, les écroulements se multiplient et leur volume augmente, posant des problèmes de sécurité non seulement à haute altitude (infrastructures, alpinistes), mais également pour les fonds de vallée. Cet article présente les travaux récemment menés dans le massif du Mont-Blanc sur la relation entre climat et écroulements à différentes échelles de temps, les effets des épisodes caniculaires et la répartition et l'évolution du permafrost de paroi.

Under global warming, permafrost degradation tends to intensify geomorphological processes on high mountain slopes. In the perennially frozen rock walls, the number and volume of rockfalls is increasing, causing safety problems not only at high altitude (infrastructure, mountaineers) but also for the valleys. This article summarizes recent work carried out in the Mont-Blanc massif on the climate-rockfall relationship at different time scales, the effects of heat waves, and the distribution/evolution of rock wall permafrost.
Retours sur le colloque Capteurs et sciences participatives
Authors: Payan Sébastien , Turcati Laure , Hornung Jeremy
Published: November 2020

Les projets Caspa (Capteurs et sciences participatives) représentent un nouveau type de projets pluridisciplinaires, au croisement de la recherche scientifique, de la démocratie participative et de l'innovation technologique. Ces projets proposent des modalités d'actions concrètes en faveur d'une meilleure surveillance de l'environnement et d'une transition écologique inclusive (qui n'exclue personne). Cet article, issu d'une réflexion collective amorcée en avril 2019 lors d'un colloque dédié, présente les différentes étapes du cycle de vie d'un projet Caspa et en souligne les problématiques inédites, les défis singuliers et les aspects qu'il est utile de prendre en compte pour en assurer le bon déroulement.

SENCIS (Sensors and citizen science) projects represent a new kind of multidisciplinary projects, at the crossroads between scientific research, participatory democracy, and technological innovation. These projects offer tangible solutions towards better environmental monitoring, and inclusive ecological transition. This paper, which stems from a seminar held in April 2019 dedicated to this topic, highlights the distinctive steps of a SENCIS project lifecycle, and underlines its specific issues, challenges, and aspects which are to be taken into account in order to ensure its success.