bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Religião de matriz africana em São José de Ribamar/MA e a experiência de visitação acadêmica
Authors: Rodrigues Linda Maria , Rocha Elizandra
Published: November 2021

Este artigo objetivou relatar a experiência acadêmica realizada no Terreiro de Mina Nanã Buruque, localizado na Cidade de São José de Ribamar/Ma. Realizou-se uma visita técnica ao durante o festejo de Nossa Senhora Sant’Ana, por meio da disciplina de Fundamentos do Turismo II do Curso de graduação em Turismo/UFMA. As religiões de Matriz africana mantêm um calendário anual de atividades, denominadas de “obrigação”, mescladas com atividades de cunho interno, e atividades voltadas para a participação da comunidade sempre com fortes laços com a cultura popular. A metodologia utilizada foi a pesquisa bibliográfica e pesquisa de campo aliados aos objetivos e metodologia da disciplina, que considerou uma análise da chamada região geradora de visitantes (a Cidade de São Luís) por uma rota de trânsito (saída e chegada) até o município indutor de turistas (a Cidade/Terreiro). Por meio de autorização prévia do Sacerdote, responsável pelo Terreiro, fez-se a visitação. Concluiu-se que, apreender sobre as Religiões de Matriz Africana enquanto reafirmação de uma cultura de resistência social e da religiosidade africana no Maranhão foi de fundamental importância para os discentes do Curso de Turismo e também para um entendimento dos responsáveis pelo Terreiro e comunidade local, enquanto reafirmação das diferenças e como possibilidades de abertura para a geração de roteiros autossustentáveis. Foram identificados - os Terreiros - enquanto espaços de memória, que trazem traços identitários de resistência cultural de povos e etnias no Maranhão, como uma possibilidade real de visibilidade e condução equilibrada de futuros mercados para o setor.
O impacto da covid-19 nas periferias: uma análise espacial a partir dos casos e óbitos no Rio de Janeiro
Authors: Farias Heitor Soares , Sousa Gustavo Mota de , Rocha André Santos da , Oliveira Leandro Dias de
Published: November 2021

Após quase um ano, a pandemia da covid-19 não se revelou democrática como se anunciava: as periferias urbanas, mais vulneráveis socialmente, se revelaram espaços privilegiados de contaminação. Assim, o objetivo deste artigo é analisar os impactos da covid-19 nas periferias da Região Metropolitana do Rio de Janeiro, destacando a capital e os municípios que compõem a Baixada Fluminense. Apresentando um debate conceitual sobre vulnerabilidade social e dialogando com o campo da saúde pública, foram produzidos mapas e tabelas, a partir dos dados de casos e óbitos oficiais da Secretaria de Saúde do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, por município, e população estimada em 2020, do IBGE Cidades, para calcular as Taxas de Prevalência, de Mortalidade e de Letalidade, para buscar a compreensão analítica da difusão da covid-19 nos territórios periféricos do Rio de Janeiro. Apesar dos entraves das subnotificações, os resultados permitiram identificar um comportamento espacial semelhante entre grupos de municípios, evidenciando a importância da vulnerabilidade social como um elemento dos mais relevantes da difusão da covid-19.
Índices de extremos de temperatura do ar na Amazônia brasileira
Authors: Joseph Wisnel , Souza Adilson Pacheco de , Sabino Marlus
Published: November 2021

Esse trabalho visa verificar se há ocorrência de alterações nas tendências de índices de detecção de mudanças climáticas derivadas da temperatura do ar em 54 estações meteorológicas convencionais (EMC’s) na Amazônia brasileira. Foram utilizados dados das séries diárias de temperatura máxima e mínima do ar, com durações mínimas de 30 anos. Empregou-se o software Rclimdex 1.9.0 no processamento e controle de qualidade de 16 índices estatísticos, adotando nível de significância de 10% (p < 0,10). Os resultados obtidos indicam um aquecimento significativo nos últimos anos na Amazônia brasileira, com aumento nas porcentagens de dias quentes (temperaturas máximas superiores a 25 °C) e noites quentes (temperaturas mínimas superiores a 20 °C), redução das ondas de frio (friagens) e redução da amplitude térmica diária (com maior influência do aumento das temperaturas mínimas quando comparado com as máximas). As maiores alterações são observadas nas regiões de transição com o bioma Amazônico, principalmente com o Pantanal e Cerrado, permitindo associar a ocorrência desses processos com as anomalias na TSM (Temperatura Superficial do Mar) e com as atividades antrópicas desenvolvidas nessas regiões de transição.
Assessing the impact of Transportation on Climate Change
Authors: Debbarma Sohana , Kaushik Geetanjali
Published: November 2021

India's North-East Region has greater demand for road and personalized modes of transport powered by fossil fuels. And due to emissions, there has been evidence of climate change. It has been found that diesel cars cause greater emissions (per kilometer travelled) as compared to petrol cars; therefore, the use of diesel should be discouraged. The chapter suggests that the emissions in case of public transport passenger-km are lesser than other modes of transport. However, in the North-East Region, there is negligible share of public transport due to poor infrastructure and service facilities. Therefore, improvements should be made with regard to public transport system so that considerable number of passengers shifts to public transport modes. Further, it is inferred that use of alternate vehicle or fuel technologies like hybrid electric vehicles, biofuel, biodiesel, hydrogen fuel need to be initiated to mitigate the climate change.
Climate Changes and Atmospheric Pollution
Authors: Marques da Costa Gustavo , Alves Darlan Daniel , Martins Danielle Paula , Adam Katiucia Nascimento , Vieira Sabrina Antunes , Muller de Quevedo Daniela , Osório Daniela Montanari Migliavacca
Published: November 2021

The objective of this chapter is to present the central concepts, parameters, and methods for the monitoring of climate changes, with a focus on air pollution, and the possible global and regional impacts of climate changes as well. There are plant species used as bioindicators that have a high sensitivity or ability to accumulate environmental pollutants. Another method that this chapter will present is the use of receiver models that employ both mathematical and statistical approaches to quantify the individual contribution of a given number of emission sources in the composition of a sample. The data presented in this chapter will provide reliable bases and methodologies for environmental control, supporting the adoption of more restrictive policies.
Gendering Information and Communication Technologies in Climate Change
Authors: Wong Sam
Published: November 2021

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) have long been seen as a solution to problems associated with climate change. Their effectiveness has, however, been questioned for not taking gender seriously. This paper tries to explain why, and how, women are more constrained than men from using ICTs in tackling climate change. Women have less access to technology information and finance and suffer greater deprivation in terms of land rights. Intersected with the analysis of class, this chapter also examines why poor, working class households are less represented in decision-making in policy design and resource allocations. To address the gender inequalities, this paper calls for a need to contextualise the process of gender mainstreaming and to scrutinise the interplay between old and new institutions in gender inclusion. Apart from advocating gender-sensitive funding mechanisms for needy women, and men, it also suggests a deeper understanding of the agency-structure dynamics and the gender-class interactions in tackling digital exclusion.
Climate Change and Sustainability Issues in Indian Newspapers
Authors: Thirumalaiah Nirmala , Aram I. Arul
Published: November 2021

Climate change conferences had wide media coverage – be it on newspaper, radio, television or the internet. The terms such as ‘climate change', ‘global warming', and ‘El Nino' are gaining popularity among the public. This study examines the news coverage of climate change issues in the major daily newspapers—The Times of India, The Hindu in English, and the Dina Thanthi, Dinamalar, and Dinamani in regional language (Tamil)—for the calendar years 2014 and 2015. This chapter describes how climate change influences nature and human life, and it is the basis for social and economic development. The news coverage of climate change and sustainability issues helps the reader better understand the concepts and perspectives of environment. Climate change communication in regional newspapers and local news stories may increase the public's interest and knowledge level regarding climate change and sustainability issues.
Assessing the Hydrological Effect of Climate Change on Water Balance of a River Basin in Northern Greece
Authors: Koukouli Panagiota G. , Georgiou Pantazis E. , Karpouzos Dimitrios K.
Published: November 2021

In this work, the impacts of climate change on the water resources of the Olynthios River Basin in Northern Greece, were assessed. For this purpose, the climate change scenarios SRES and RCPs were used (SRES A1B, Α2 and RCP4.5, 8.5) - which were taken from two climate models, CGCM3.1/T63 and CanESM2, respectively - for two time periods (2031-2050 and 2081-2100) and for the baseline period (1981-2000). The downscaling was performed using the weather generator ClimGen. The monthly water balance of the Olynthios River Basin was estimated with the use of a conceptual water balance model. Results showed that the annual runoff of the river basin of Olynthios will decrease in response to climate change under all scenarios for both time periods. The results highlight the necessity for adequate adaptation strategies which could improve agricultural water management and reduce the impacts of climate change on agriculture.
Climate Change, Scorpion Ecology, and Envenomation
Authors: El Hidan Moulay Abdelmonaim , Kahime Kholoud , Laaradia Mehdi Ait , Bouimeja Btissam , Aabadi Fadoua , Mansour Abdellaziz Ait , Touloun Oulaid , Chait Abderrahman
Published: November 2021

Every year, more than 1 million cases of scorpion envenomation are reported worldwide. Scorpions are thermophilic organisms. They are sensitive to weather and climate conditions, in such a way the ongoing trends of increasing temperature and more variable weather could lead to scorpionism spreading. There has been considerable debate as to whether global envenomation will be impacted by climate change which has focused on snake and spider envenomation risk. This debate didn't give enough interest to scorpion stings and its burden risks, in spite their widespread potential effects in many regions. Here, the authors review how climate and climate change may impact scorpion activity as well as scorpion envenomation. They contrast ecological and behavioral characteristics of these arthropods, and how weather, climate, climate change, and socioeconomic factors may have very different impacts on the spatiotemporal occurrence and abundance of scorpions, and the resulting scorpion envenomation.
Essence of International Environmental Law to Address the Effects of Climate Change
Authors: Chowdhury Md. Mahfuzar Rahman
Published: November 2021

Environmental problems are enormous around the world and threaten the global environment. In most cases, these problems are caused by rapid growth of population and poverty. Climate change and sustainable development are inter-linked and are priority issues in the development continuum. Any adverse impact on the environment and biodiversity can cause the restriction of resources and limit available options. Concerted efforts of all the states can bring positive result to address the effects of climate change. Compliance with the treaty provision and sharing of resources and actions among the states can ensure proper utilization of resources and sustainable development.
Air Pollution and Climate Change
Authors: Kumar Ashok , Omidvarborna Hamid , Shandilya Kaushik K.
Published: November 2021

Climate records kept worldwide clearly show that ongoing changes are happening in our eco-systems. Such climate changes include temperature, precipitation, or sea level, all of which are expected to keep changing well into the future, thereby affecting human health, the environment, and the economy. The natural causes by themselves are not able to describe these changes, so to understand these, scientists are using a combination of state-of-the-science measurements and models. Human activities are a major contributor due to the release of different air contaminants through various activities. Air pollution is one case-in-point, a human-made factor that contributes to climate change by affecting the amount of incoming sunlight that is either reflected or absorbed by the atmosphere. An overview of modeling techniques used to relate air quality and climate change is presented. The discussion includes the role of air pollution levels affecting the climate. Emerging topics such as black carbon (BC), fine particulate matters (PMs), role of cook stove, and risk assessment are also covered.
Effect of Climate Change on Tropical Dry Forests
Authors: Sinha Pooja Gokhale
Published: November 2021

Around 1.6 billion people in the world are directly dependent on forests for food, fodder, fuel, shelter, and livelihood, out of which 60 million are entirely dependent on forests. Forests silently provide us with ecosystem services such as climate regulation, carbon sequestration, harbouring biodiversity, synchronizing nutrient cycling, and many more. Tropical Dry Forests (TDF's) occupy around 42% of total forest area of the tropics and subtropics and facilitate sustenance of world's marginalized populations. Change in vegetation composition and distribution, deflected succession, carbon sequestration potential, nutrient cycling and symbiotic associations would affect TDF at ecosystem level. At species level, climate change will impact photosynthesis, phenology, physiognomy, seed germination, and temperature-sensitive physiological processes. In order to mitigate the effects of climate change, specific mitigation and adaptation strategies are required for TDF that need to be designed with concerted efforts from scientists, policy makers and local stakeholders.
Climate Change and Violence in Post-Conflict Colombia
Authors: Malamud Marina
Published: November 2021

The aim is to explain the link between climate-related issues and violent patterns in Colombia after the 2016 peace agreements. The main premise is that the effects of an erratic climate has an indirect but relevant influence in the emergence of new forms of violence. In other words, the climatic change and environmental degradation act as a “stressor” in different forms of violence in this commodity-based economy recovering from more than 50 years of internal armed conflict. The qualitative approach is based on semi-structured interviews with government representatives and academics to track different perspectives. It is argued that key environmental and climate-related issues in new forms of conflict after the peace deal are linked to the fragmentary distribution and control of land, the ongoing forced migration patterns, and expansion of a new and more lucrative illicit economy.
Promoting Peace Through Climate Change Adaptation
Authors: Havea Peni Hausia
Published: November 2021

Climate change has affected people's peace in the form of impact on livelihoods, health, and/or well-being. Most of these peace impacts, however, are felt significantly by people who are living in the low-lying communities in the Pacific, who are within and/or close to the Ring of Fire. This chapter is based on a study of peace and climate change adaptation that was conducted in the Pacific island region in 2016. It took place in five communities in Suva, Fiji: Vatuwaqa, Raiwaqa, Raiwai, Samabula, and Toorak. It highlights the impact of climate change on peace, and then it indicated how peace can be promoted in the form of climate change adaptation for these communities. Based on the results of this research, the author recommends that peace should be incorporated into the Pacific islands national adaptation plan.
Multidimensional Impact of Climate Change on Human Reproduction and Fertility
Authors: Choudhari Ranjana Hanumant
Published: November 2021

Research has identified a multidimensional, interactive relationship between climate change variables and an adverse (mostly) impact on the mammalian reproductive systems, reproductive organs, and fertility in animals, but direct evidence establishing the impact of climate change on reproductive health and fertility in humans is limited. Climate change has established direct or indirect linkages with re-emergence, geospatial redistribution of pathogens of likely reproductive health significance in humans. Similarly, alterations in growth, mortality rate, reproduction, and spatiotemporal distribution of vectors (e.g., zika virus – Aedes aegypti) and intermediate hosts (e.g., Schistosomiasis – snail) of certain infectious diseases of reproductive health importance are influenced by climate change variables like temperature, precipitation, and humidity. The exposure channels or effect pathways, through which the regional and global climate change can directly or indirectly influence the human reproductive ability, health, fertility, progeny, and thus, ultimately, demography can broadly be classified as physical variables, chemical hazards, biological agents, factors related to psycho-socio-behavior, and economy. The chapter is an overall account of how each of these factors, as an inherent component of climate change has the potential to cause a variable degree of impact on human reproduction from a medical point of view. As human reproductive systems are highly vulnerable to diseases and other post-catastrophic effects of extreme climate change events, so it is high time to understand the adversity and resort to proper and sustainable control measures for a healthy reproductive life of future generations.
Climate Change and the Circular Economy
Authors: Mathur Aakriti , Singh Kanwal Deepinder Pal
Published: November 2021

The world is presently facing a climate catastrophe of its own making through the unabated increase in greenhouse gas emissions. Global consumption patterns are to blame, as presently, the global annual demand for resources outpaces the annual rate of the earth's ability to regenerate those resources. Thus, there is an urgent need to reduce the global demand for resources to a sustainable level, through the adoption of a circular economy. Individual consumption behavior habits form the basis of global consumption patterns, and therefore, adoption of sustainable consumption habits and lifestyles are necessary for addressing the climate crisis. In this chapter, the authors assess the potential for addressing the climate crisis through the adoption of a circular economy and sustainable consumption behavior. The authors also evaluate the extent of adoption of sustainable consumption behavior in India and make recommendations for adopting a circular economy in India.
Smart Grid-Integrated Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure
Authors: Qamber Isa S. , Alhamad Mohamed Y.
Published: November 2021

The movements for any type of electric vehicle (EV) can be powered by wheels or driven by rotary motors. EVs derive their power from various sources, including fossil fuels. In the long term, reducing the cost of electrically powered vehicles (EDV) is seen as an essential ingredient to increase consumer acceptance. In addition, it aims to reduce the weight and volume of EDV. Moreover, the focus is on improving the performance, efficiency, and reliability of the EDV. The development of innovative modules is important when the acceleration of production and marketing needs to be improved. Consumers are looking for the production and transmission of electrical energy. This contributes to a greener environment. One of the most important parts of an EV is its battery. A proposed model presented in this chapter considers several parameters: solar radiation (PV panels), EV backup battery, and main charger. The model allows energy storage to be developed efficiently.
Impact of Charging on Battery Life and Battery Degradation in Electric Vehicles
Authors: Ezzeldin Mamdouh Ahmed , Ali Ahmed Mohsen , Mahmoud Jomana Ashraf , Rabie Sohaila Ahmed , Ammar Hossam Hassan
Published: November 2021

Electrical vehicles are the future of the world; hence, there is a necessity to pave the way for the upcoming technology and to ensure its contribution to the society fairly. Nevertheless, if the EVs completely replaced the fuel-based cars, more EV charging stations would be needed which might develop overconsumption of the main grid power causing remarkable instability. Consequently, the micro grids become the solution to this problem, in which they are defined as relatively small networks of energy sources and loads at the distribution level that aim to provide electricity to remote locations where the charging stations are located. In this chapter, the EV is considered as a load to the micro grid indirectly through the EV charging stations. Thus, micro grid loads will be retrieved from experimental data of an actual prototype electric vehicle to reflect on the battery degradation in a micro-grid connected system.
Battery Swapping Station
Authors: Ahmad Furkan , Al-Ammar Essam A. , Alsaidan Ibrahim
Published: November 2021

State-of-the-art research to solve the grid congestion due to EVs is focused on smart charging and using (centralized, de-centralized, vehicle-to-grid) stationery energy storage as a buffer between times of peak and off-peak demand. On the other hand, the charging of EVs introduces new challenges and opportunities. This can prove to be beneficial for the EV aggregator as well as to consumers, regarding the economy. Also, EV as distributed storage makes the grid more steady, secure, and resilient by regulating frequency and the spinning reserve as backup power. However, the charging time and range anxiety lead to peak challenges for the use of EVs. In this chapter battery swapping station (BSS) as solution to the EV charging station is discussed.
Islamic Social Finance: Integrating Zakah Funds in Microfinance and Microenterprise Support Programs
Authors: Kachkar Omar Ahmad , Alfares Marwa
Published: November 2021

Alleviating poverty and inequality are among the central objectives of zakah in the Islamic economic system. These objectives are also on top of the 17 SDGs of the UN 2030 Agenda. This research argues that microenterprise support programs (MSPs) have been proven as effective tools in combating poverty. However, lack of funds has always been a major challenge for the sustainability of those programs. Channeling zakah funds to MSPs will directly contribute to empowering deprived populations and helping them to lift themselves out of the poverty cycle. Two zakah-based MSPs have been analyzed in this chapter. The first one is the Asnaf Entrepreneurship Program of Lembaga Zakah, Malaysia and the second one is Baitul Maal Muamalat Indonesia (BMMI). According to literature, using zakah in (MSPs) requires a strict implementation of best practices including screening program beneficiaries, providing professional training and monitoring to businesses, and finally applying a graduation scheme.
Social Impacts of Blockchain Innovations in the Malaysian Socio-Economic Transformation 2030
Authors: Ahmad Zainal
Published: November 2021

This chapter highlights the challenges, opportunities, and social impacts of blockchain technology in the creation of a vibrant STIE ecosystem for Malaysia. As a systemic approach, the 10-10 Malaysian Science, Technology, Innovation, and Economy (10-10 MySTIE) Framework outlines the applications of blockchain vis-à-vis nine other technologies in 10 socio-economic sectors or Malaysian Grand Challenges (MGC). As Malaysia embarks on socio-economic transformation into a knowledge-intensive economy by 2030, five challenges must be addressed before leveraging on the opportunities presented by blockchain innovations in the MGCs. The economic and social impacts of blockchain as a catch-up or leap-frogging technology can be further explored to raise the return on value and competitiveness in the corresponding 30 national niche areas. In conclusion, readers may benefit from experiential learning using the process flow for ecosystem development and templates for 8i ecosystem and collaborative platform for carbon footprint using blockchain innovations.
Electronic Payment Performance
Authors: Yu YouBin , Chung Tinfah
Published: November 2021

The increasing speed of e-payment adoption is driven by multiple factors: Generation Z (individuals born between 1990s to early 2010s), easy payment methods, open banking ecosystem, rewards incentive, network, and the onset of COVID-19 in 2020. The Malaysian government hopes through collaboration with banks and payments industries to reach a cashless society, leveraging on the existing infrastructure to accelerate the migration to e-payments. The problems that emerge in a cashless society and secured e-payment need to be well considered by the related parties, particularly the policymakers and regulators, to position Malaysia on the right path to embark on the most advanced global trend. Therefore, this chapter aims through contextual analysis to investigate the trend performance and social impact on secured electronic payment (e-payment) in Malaysia during the period of 2016-20.
Unearthing Customer Engagement in Mobile Wallet Usage
Authors: Ho Ree Chan
Published: November 2021

Customers are switching to mobile wallets in making online purchases these days as the result of the convenience of this payment mode. This chapter aims to understand customer attitude towards the gratification sought from mobile payment and further investigate its influence on promoting customer engagement. Uses and gratification theory offered the underpinning theoretical explanation in the development of the conceptual framework for this study. This chapter provided a theoretical explanation in discoursing the role of the mobile wallet for promoting customer engagement. The linkage to the customer engagement for the mobile wallet operators was missing in the literature. In addition, the conceptual development of mobile wallets based on the uses and gratification perspective was critical in providing the foundation needed for mobile payment literature.
The Influences of Reference Groups Towards the Usage of E-Wallet Payment Systems
Authors: Diong Ivan H. W. , Toh Evelyn B. H.
Published: November 2021

This chapter investigates how the three referent groups (peers, parent, media) of subjective norms (SN) influence the intention of millennials to adopt e-wallets. This study is supported by the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and stimulus-organism-response (SOR) framework. A total of 215 usable responses were obtained and analyzed using SPSS 25 and SmartPLS 3.2.6. The data is collected using a self-administered survey (Lancaster Qualtrics) and distributed randomly using the snowball sampling technique. The results indicate that the decomposition of SN has a significant relationship towards the intention of millennials to adopt e-wallets. This chapter also provides useful insights on what are the other factors that would build the intention of millennials towards the usage of e-wallets. Moreover, TPB along with the SOR framework supports the findings and provides better credibility to this study. This chapter concludes that brands should leverage more capital on media advertisements rather than peer referrals if they want to capture a larger market.
Некоммутативные методы в аддитивной комбинаторике и теории чисел
Authors: Shkredov Ilya Dmitrievich
Published: November 2021

Обзор посвящен приложениям теории роста в неабелевых группах к ряду задач теории чисел и аддитивной комбинаторики. Мы обсудим гипотезу Зарембы, теорию сумм-произведений, геометрию инциденций, аффинное решето и другие вопросы.
Библиография: 150 названий.
Association of vitamin D deficiency with COVID-19 severity and mortality in Iranian people: a prospective observational study
Authors: Fatemi Alireza , Ardehali Seyed Hossein , Eslamian Ghazaleh , Noormohammadi Morvarid , Malek Shirin
Published: November 2021

Background: As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to escalate, it is important to identify the prognostic factors related to increased mortality and disease severity. To assess the possible associations of vitamin D level with disease severity and survival, we studied 248 hospitalized COVID-19 patients in a single center in a prospective observational study from October 2020 to May 2021 in Tehran, Iran. Methods: Patients who had a record of their 25-hydroxyvitamin D level measured in the previous year before testing positive with COVID-19 were included. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level was measured upon admission in COVID-19 patients. The associations between clinical outcomes of patients and 25-hydroxyvitamin D level were assessed by adjusting for potential confounders and estimating a multivariate logistic regression model. Results: The median (interquartile range) age of patients was 60 years (44–74 years), and 53% were male. The median serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level prior to admission decreased with increasing COVID-19 severity (P=0.009). Similar findings were obtained when comparing median serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D on admission between moderate and severe patients (P=0.014). A univariate logistic regression model showed that vitamin D deficiency prior to COVID-19 was associated with a significant increase in the odds of mortality (odds ratio, 2.01; P=0.041). The Multivariate Cox model showed that vitamin D deficiency on admission was associated with a significant increase in risk for mortality (hazard ratio, 2.35; P=0.019).Conclusions: Based on our results, it is likely that deficient vitamin D status is associated with increased mortality in COVID-19 patients. Thus, evaluating vitamin D level in COVID-19 patients is warranted.
Global Health Training Collaborations: Lessons Learned and Best Practices
Authors: Chang Kathy Z. , Gracey Kristina , Lamparello Brooke , Nandawula Bridget , Pandhi Nancy
Published: November 2021

Interest in global health training experiences among trainees from higher income countries has grown. The Working Group on Ethics Guidelines for Global Health Training (WEIGHT) clarified best practices in 2010 based on expert consensus. These guidelines address both balancing priorities in international partnerships and local sustainability concerns related to short-term experiences. However, the guidelines can be difficult to implement in actual practice. Because our organization predated the availability of these consensus guidelines, we reviewed our current set of practices for hosting service–learning programs at our rural Ugandan clinic for adherence to the WEIGHT guidelines. The discrete activities and standardized processes developed over 10 years of hosting experiences were grouped into broader hosting categories, with consensus among the hosting and sending volunteer coordinators of our non-governmental organization partnership. These practices were then mapped to the WEIGHT guidelines. We found our implementation strategies map these guidelines into a clear checklist of actions that can be used by coordinators involved in global health training programs. We include some of the historical reasons that led to our current processes, which may help other partnerships identify similar practice gaps. We anticipate that this action-oriented checklist with historical context will help accomplish the difficult implementation of best practices in global health training collaborations.
U-Shaped Association between Maternal Hemoglobin and Low Birth Weight in Rural Bangladesh
Authors: Carpenter Rebecca M. , Billah Sk Masum , Lyons Genevieve R. , Siraj Md Shahjahan , Rahman Qazi S. , Thorsten Vanessa , McClure Elizabeth M. , Haque Rashidul , Petri William A.
Published: November 2021

Low birth weight (LBW) is associated with a higher risk of neonatal mortality and the development of adult-onset chronic disease. Understanding the ongoing contribution of maternal hemoglobin (Hgb) levels to the incidence of LBW in South Asia is crucial to achieve the World Health Assembly global nutrition target of a 30% reduction in LBW by 2025. We enrolled pregnant women from the rural Tangail District of Bangladesh in a Maternal Newborn Health Registry established under The Global Network for Women’s and Children’s Health Research. We measured the Hgb of pregnant women at enrollment and birth weights of all infants born after 20 weeks gestation. Using logistic regression to adjust for multiple potential confounders, we estimated the association between maternal Hgb and the risk of LBW. We obtained Hgb measurements and birth weights from 1,665 mother–child dyads between July 2019 and April 2020. Using trimester-specific cutoffs for anemia, 48.3% of the women were anemic and the mean (±SD) Hgb level was 10.6 (±1.24) g/dL. We identified a U-shaped relationship where the highest risk of LBW was seen at very low (< 7.0 g/dL, OR = 2.00, 95% CI = 0.43–7.01, P = 0.31) and high (> 13.0 g/dL, OR = 2.17, 95% CI = 1.01–4.38, P = 0.036) Hgb levels. The mechanisms underlying this U-shaped association may include decreased plasma expansion during pregnancy and/or iron dysregulation resulting in placental disease. Further research is needed to explain the observed U-shaped relationship, to guide iron supplementation in pregnancy and to minimize the risk of LBW outcomes.
Serological Responses in Patients Infected with Mayaro Virus and Evaluation of Cross-Protective Responses against Chikungunya Virus
Authors: Bopp Nathen E. , Jencks Kara J. , Siles Crystyan , Guevara Carolina , Vilcarromero Stalin , Fernández Diana , Halsey Eric S. , Ampuero Julia S. , Aguilar Patricia V.
Published: November 2021

Mayaro virus (MAYV) is an alphavirus endemic to both Latin America and the Caribbean. Recent reports have questioned the ability of MAYV and its close relative, Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), to generate cross-reactive, neutralizing antibodies to one another. Since CHIKV was introduced to South America in 2013, discerning whether individuals have cross-reactive antibodies or whether they have had exposures to both viruses previously has been difficult. Using samples obtained from people infected with MAYV prior to the introduction of CHIKV in the Americas, we performed neutralizing assays and observed no discernable neutralization of CHIKV by sera from patients previously infected with MAYV. These data suggest that a positive CHIKV neutralization test cannot be attributed to prior exposure to MAYV and that previous exposure to MAYV may not be protective against a subsequent CHIKV infection.
Mining-Associated Malaria Epidemics
Authors: Shanks G. Dennis , Wongsrichanalai Chansuda
Published: November 2021

Tropical alluvial gold and gem miners are often an especially at-risk population for malaria infection. Geographical areas of mining-associated malaria epidemics in the recent past include Southeast Asia (Cambodia, Thailand, and Myanmar); the Amazon basin (Brazil, French Guyana, Suriname, Columbia, and Peru); and tropical Africa. Mobile populations of young adult men engaged in the hard labor of mining may experience severe malaria especially if they lack preexisting immunity and are irregularly consuming antimalarial drugs. Particular problems occur because much of this informal mining activity is illegal and done in isolated areas without access to health services and with evidence of emerging antimalarial drug resistance. Concentrating vulnerable populations in an ecologically disturbed landscape is often conducive to epidemics, which can then spread as these highly mobile workers return to their homes. Mining-associated malaria endangers malaria elimination efforts and miners need to be addressed as a group of particular concern.
Dust impact on concentrated solar power: A review
Authors: Zereg Kacem , Gama Amor , Aksas Mounir , Rathore Neelam , Yettou Fatiha , Lal Panwar Narayan
Published: November 2021

Many sites with high solar radiation face high dust loads that reduce energy generation by concentrated solar power plants. This review presents the attenuative impacts of atmospheric aerosols, as well as reflectivity losses due to soiling of solar reflectors, by covering both experimental investigations and numerical studies; along with presenting the theoretical background. The chemical nature of aerosols, and the physics of soiling and atmospheric extinction phenomena (scattering and absorption) are also reviewed. Suspended particles like aerosols result in atmospheric extinction of the solar radiation that reaches the concentrators, and the deposition of these particles on the solar reflectors provokes decreases up to 80% in their reflectivity, and thus enhances the cumulus of optical losses and the reduction of energy production. Even though dust affects both CSP and photovoltaics, CSP technologies suffer more losses. The impact of dust should be particularly considered during the planning phase of solar thermal plants, since its consequent reduction in energy output can be severe. While there have been multiple papers to review dust-related problems for PV, the present paper is the first literature review dedicated to the impact of soiling on concentrated solar power.
Illumination promoting biomass production in wastewater treatment for Rubrivivax gelatinosus
Authors: Wu Pan , Xu Xiaohan
Published: November 2021

In order to improve the reuse degree of Rubrivivax gelatinosus (R. gelatinosus) resource in soybean producing wastewater (SPW) treatment, the impacts of diverse illumination strength on R. gelatinosus biomass and organic contaminant abatement were discussed. It was reported that with the best illumination strength (6,000 lux), the production (3,800 mg/L) of biomass was increased by sixty percent of dark group. COD removal and protein removal rate got 85 and 80%. Influence of diverse illumination strength on R. gelatinosus growth were divided into three aspects, including illumination limitation (0−5,000 lux), illumination saturation (5,000−7,000 lux), illumination inhibition (8,000 lux or higher). Meanwhile, at 6,000 lux, bacteriochlorophyll and carotenoids contents, ATP production were increased by 200, 200, 43.9% severally. Appropriate illumination improved ATP production by increasing the generation of bacteriochlorophyll and carotenoids in photosynthesis. Augment of energy production provoked the biomass production and wastewater treatment. Nevertheless, low or high illumination strength was un-advantage for R. gelatinosus growth due to the illumination deficiency or restrian. Moreover, 6,000 lux shortened the treatment time from 96 h to 48 h.
6112 Sayılı Kanun Çerçevesinde Yayın Hizmeti İlkeleri ve İhlalleri
Authors: YILDIZ Ecem Ezgi , BAYKAL Kemal Cem
Published: November 2021

Toplumsal sorumluluk teorisine göre, yayıncılar özgür olmakla birlikle bu özgürlüklerini kamu yararına uygun bir biçimde kullanmalıdır. Teoriye göre, izleyici denetimi ve özdenetimin yanı sıra, yayıncı kuruluşların aşırıya kaçmayan bir hukukî denetime tabi olmasında herhangi bir sakınca bulunmamaktadır. Bu çalışmada, Türkiye’de radyo ve televizyon yayıncılığını düzenleyip denetlemek için çıkarılan 6112 Sayılı Kanun’un kurduğu sistemin uygulamadaki işlerliğini ölçmek amacıyla RTÜK’ün 2020 yılı içerisinde aldığı tüm kararlar incelenmiş; Kanun’un 8. maddesinde öngörülen yayın hizmeti ilkelerinin ihlâlleri ve bu ihlâller için uygulanan yaptırım verileri analiz edilmiştir. Çalışmada betimleyici araştırma yöntemi uygulanmıştır. Kanunda öngörülen yaptırımlar oldukça katı olmasına rağmen yayın hizmeti ilkelerinin televizyon kuruluşları tarafından 1876 kez ihlâl edildiği, bu ihlâllerinin medya hizmet sağlayıcılarının yalnızca %16’sı tarafından gerçekleştirildiği ve bazı kuruluşların bir yıl içerisinde 140’ın üzerinde ihlâl gerçekleştirdiği tespit edilmiştir. Yaptırıma uğrayan programların yaklaşık %77’si ticarî iletişim yayınlarıdır. Kanun’un bazı hizmet sağlayıcı kuruluşlar için caydırıcı olmaması ciddi bir problem teşkil etmektedir. Bu problemi çözmenin en etkili yolu, ifade özgürlüğünün toplumun tüm kesimleri tarafından benimsenmesi ve izleyici denetimi ile özdenetimin etkin hale getirilebilmesidir.
Optimized Breast Cancer Classification using Feature Selection and Outliers Detection
Authors: Yusuf A. B , Dima R. M , Aina S. K
Published: November 2021

Breast cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in women throughout the world. It is on the rise, especially in developing countries, where the majority of cases are discovered late. Breast cancer develops when cancerous tumors form on the surface of the breast cells. The absence of accurate prognostic models to assist physicians recognize symptoms early makes it difficult to develop a treatment plan that would help patients live longer. However, machine learning techniques have recently been used to improve the accuracy and speed of breast cancer diagnosis. If the accuracy is flawless, the model will be more efficient, and the solution to breast cancer diagnosis will be better. Nevertheless, the primary difficulty for systems developed to detect breast cancer using machine-learning models is attaining the greatest classification accuracy and picking the most predictive feature useful for increasing accuracy. As a result, breast cancer prognosis remains a difficulty in today's society. This research seeks to address a flaw in an existing technique that is unable to enhance classification of continuous-valued data, particularly its accuracy and the selection of optimal features for breast cancer prediction. In order to address these issues, this study examines the impact of outliers and feature reduction on the Wisconsin Diagnostic Breast Cancer Dataset, which was tested using seven different machine learning algorithms. The results show that Logistic Regression, Random Forest, and Adaboost classifiers achieved the greatest accuracy of 99.12%, on removal of outliers from the dataset. Also, this filtered dataset with feature selection, on the other hand, has the greatest accuracy of 100% and 99.12% with Random Forest and Gradient boost classifiers, respectively. When compared to other state-of-the-art approaches, the two suggested strategies outperformed the unfiltered data in terms of accuracy. The suggested architecture might be a useful tool for radiologists to reduce the number of false negatives and positives. As a result, the efficiency of breast cancer diagnosis analysis will be increased.
A New Special 15-Step Block Method for Solving General Fourth Order Ordinary Differential Equations
Authors: Atabo Victor Oboni , Adee Solomon Ortwer
Published: November 2021

A new higher-implicit block method for the direct numerical solution of fourth order ordinary differential equation is derived in this research paper. The formulation of the new formula which is 15-step, is achieved through interpolation and collocation techniques. The basic numerical properties of the method such as zero-stability, consistency and A-stability have been examined. Investigation showed that the new method is zero stable, consistent and A-stable, hence convergent. Test examples from recent literature have been used to confirm the accuracy of the new method.
Fabrication and Characterization of a Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell using Natural Dye Extract of Rosella (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) as Photosensitizer
Authors: Willoughby A. A. , Soge A. A. , Dairo O. F. , Olukanni O. D. , Durugbo E. U. , Michael W. S. , Adebayo T. A.
Published: November 2021

The relatively low energy conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) is a key challenge hindering the commercialization of the solar cell. The photochemical performance of the dye used as a photosensitizer for the DSSC greatly determines the efficiency of the solar cell. This study demonstrates the suitability of dye extracted from rosella (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) flowers as a photosensitizer for a DSSC. The natural dye was extracted using the acid water extraction method and was characterized using FTIR spectroscopy and UV–vis spectrophotometry. The absorption spectra of the dye were examined to determine the aptness of the dye as a photosensitizer in DSSCs. The IR absorption spectra of the extracted dye confirmed both amine and hydroxyl compounds as functional groups in the natural dye, which established the suitability of the dye as a photosensitizer in DSSCs.The UV-vis absorption spectra of the natural dye within the visible region illustrate that the aqueous extract from rosella flowers has stable absorption of visible light, thus validating the natural dye as a good candidate for photosensitizer in a DSSC. The fabricated DSSC delivered a short-circuit current of 5 ?A and an open-circuit voltage of 0.637 V.
УЛОГА ФЕНОМЕНОЛОШКОГ СТАВА У ПРОБЛЕМУ ДРУШТВЕНЕ СТВАРНОСТИ АЛФРЕДА ШИЦА
Authors: Миленковић Душан
Published: November 2021

In this paper, the thought of the Austrian-born theorist Alfred Schutz, presented in the articles published in the first volume of his collected papers, is examined from the perspective of the role that Edmund Husserl’s phenomenological attitude plays in it. Advocating the importance of analyzing the structure of the world of everyday life in his phenomenology of the natural attitude, Schutz uses various aspects of Husserl’s phenomenology, without paying special attention to the phenomenological attitude itself. Therefore, the paper discusses the extent to which Schitz’s understanding of the natural attitude and its world depends on this concept of Husserl’s philosophy, with special reference to Shutz’s theory in his article “On Multiple Realities”. After showing that Husserl’s phenomenological attitude cannot be compared to the “attitude of scientific theory” discussed in the article on multiple realities, the paper additionally analyzes the absence of the phenomenological attitude in Schutz’s thought while turning to Maurice Natanson’s critique of Schutz’s theory.
ОДБРАНА ЈЕДНЕ МЛАДОСТИ АКЦИЈАША: ПРИЛОГ КУЛТУРИ СЕЋАЊА
Authors: Станојевић Ненад М.
Published: November 2021

Услед модернизацијских процеса, брзих друштвених промена, иновација и осавремењивања, често се са ниподаштавањем односимо према нашој традицији и прошлости. Из жеље да се раскрсти са прошлошћу долази до одбацивања мно- го чега, без критичког преиспитивања. Није целокупна прошлост, нити све што је старо, за одбацивање, презир и негирање. Морамо се запитати да ли је све у социјалистичком систему, који је у периоду транзиције у капитализам најчешће на удару критика, тако црно како се често представља у данашње време. Једна од тачки спорења су и Омладинске радне акције (ОРА). Некима у лепом сећању, као извор многих познанстава, сећање на младалачки полет, дружење, рад на изграђи- вању ратом разорене државе и сл., а некима извор не тако лепих сећања, напротив. ОРА су у СФРЈ организоване по завршетку Другог светског рата, прва већа савезна омладинска радна акција организована је већ 1946. године: изградња пруге Брчко– Бановићи. Ова традиција акцијаштва је потрајала све до 1990. године.