bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A NOVEL ALGORITHM BASED ON CASCADING OF NEURAL NETWORK MODELS AND WAVELET TRANSFORM FOR IMAGE ENHANCEMENT
Authors: VERMA SHOBHIT , GUPTA HITESH
Published: January 2021

Image enhancement and restoration is pre-request of computer vision. The distortion and degradation of image suffered the process of pattern matching and quality of image. Wavelet is very important transform function play a role in image enhancement and image de-noising. The concept of wavelet used as soft thresholding and hard thresholding. A processing of data through wavelet is very efficient in process of neural network. In this paper we discuss the proposed algorithm for image enhancement based on self organized map network and wavelet transform. Basically self organized map network is unsupervised training mechanisms of pattern, due to this reason the processing of network is very fast in compression of another artificial neural network method. And the combination of wavelet and self organized map network have great advantage over conventional method such as histogram equalization and multi-point histogram equalization and another conventional technique of image enhancement.
PREEMPTIVE PRIORITY SCHEDULING WITH AGING TECHNIQUE FOR EFFECTIVE DISASTER MANAGEMENT IN CLOUD
Authors: O MAHITHA. , V SUMA.
Published: January 2021

Cloud computing has intern the attention of today’s leading IT industries offering huge potential for more flexible, readily scalable and cost effective IT operation. There is a significant anticipation for emergent innovation and expanded capabilities of a cloud-based environment as the cloud services are still in the infant stage. With all technology innovation, the biggest gain will be realized when the Cloud services are efficiently utilized. One of the prime contributions of Cloud is its capacity to handle a huge amount of data for either processing or storing. The inadequacy of this model is that it is prone to disaster. Some of the popular scheduling techniques applied by the researchers and leading IT industries are Round Robin, Preemptive scheduling etc. This research focuses on a novel approach for disaster management through efficient scheduling mechanism.This paper presents a Priority Preemptive scheduling (PPS) with aging of the low priority jobs in Cloud for disaster management. The implementation results show that the jobs at any instance of time are provided with the resources and henceforth preventing them to enter the starvation, which is one of the prime causes for disaster.
FINE GRAINED DUAL PHASE STEEL BY THERMO MECHANICAL PROCESSING
Authors: NEERAJAGARWAL NEERAJAGARWAL , CHAUDHARI G.P. , NATH S.K.
Published: January 2021

The effect of thermo mechanical processing (TMP) on the mechanical properties of HSLA steel was investigated. TMP was conducted using a laboratory open die forging machine.Multiaxial forging (MAF) and intercritical annealing methods were used. TMP is designed to obtain ultrafine grained (UFG) steels. MAF is performed on prismatic shaped samples up to nine strain forging steps to produce ultra-fine grained (UFG) ferrite-pearlite steel with higher strength as compare to as received steel.Fine grained (FG) ferrite-martensite dual phases (DP) steel was fabricated by using combined effect of warm MAF and intercritical annealing. The tensile strength of FG-DP steels was much higher than that of the coarse-grained (CG) counterpart, and the uniform elongations were significantly enhanced. This steel exhibited the superior combination of higher strength and more rapid strain hardening compared to those of CG-DP steel was explained in terms of their specific microstructural features.
ULTRASONIC ASSISTED CASTING OF ALUMINUM MATRIX COMPOSITE
Authors: GUPTA RAHUL , DANIEL B.S.S. , CHAUDHARI G.P.
Published: January 2021

In this study, we have investigated the effect of ultrasonic stirring in aluminium matrix composite (A359 + 20 vol % SiC ) with the reinforcement of 1 mole % of carbon black. Melting experiments were performed by employing four different conditions. These were – carbon black addition accompanied with mechanical stirring, carbon black addition accompanied with ultrasonic stirring, ultrasonic stirring but no carbon black addition and control specimen (without ultrasonic stirring and no carbon black addition). Hardness comparisons between the samples casted at different condition were made. Sample which was ultrasonically treated (UST) and carbon inoculated had higher hardness than a sample which was neither ultrasonically treated nor carbon black inoculated and the samples which was either ultrasonically treated or carbon inoculated. Microstructure study revealed that a sample which was ultrasonically treated had fine dendrite structure and more uniform distribution of SiC particles than the other samples. Porosity was observed with those samples which were not ultrasonically treated. Al4SiC4 particles were observed but Al4C3 particles weren’t observed.
THRUST FORCE ANALYSIS OF SPIKE BELL NOZZLE
Authors: KOWSIK V.GOPALA DEVA , JOSEPH CHRIS , JUSTIN M.P.ARUN , SAINATH R. , MURUGAN D.THANIKAIVEL , ILAKKIYA S.
Published: January 2021

Aerospike nozzle is often described as an inside-out bell shaped nozzle and named for its prominent spike located at centre. This project mainly focuses on design of various types of nozzles such as aerospike, truncated aerospike and spike bell nozzles. In theoretical approach, the efficiency of rocket nozzles is calculated with design parameters such as throat area, exit area, chamber pressure and so on. From theoretical approach it is inferred that the spike bell nozzle has an increased value of thrust when compared to other nozzle types. So meshing and internal flow analysis is carried out for spike bell nozzle alone by using ANSYS CFX 13.0 software. From this flow analysis it can be inferred that the exit Mach number of spike bell nozzle comes close to the theoretical design exit Mach number .Also the flow simulations for the spike bell nozzle is carried out for various parameters such as pressure, temperature and velocity.
GUIDED PUMP-AS-TURBINE: DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT FOR PICO-LEVEL ENERGY GENERATION
Authors: SINGH RITESH , GUPTA RISHABH , SINGH ANURAAG , SUBBARAO PMV
Published: January 2021

The Project- “Guided Pump as Turbine” aims to further research in the field of Pico Hydel Projects. This has been accomplished by building a prototype “Pump as Turbine” apparatus consisting of a centrifugal pump running as turbine to generate power. Along with these apparatus the centrifugal pump is converted to guided-pump where stator is appropriately introduced into the system. The purpose of this is to enhance the efficiency of the system. The project holds tremendous benefit by way of providing power/electricity to small communities dwelling in regions having potential for pico-scale hydel power exploitation. The development of the prototype is accomplished under a controlled environment. Head availability and the flow rate are the two measures against which it is optimized. Furthermore, the effect of introducing guide vanes, hitherto unknown, was investigated and analyzed. Analysis was done first on power and efficiency of produced by technology and then on a dimensionless basis to facilitate scaling up/down of PAT capacity for further research. The project has accomplished a detailed analysis of the characteristics of a pump running as a turbine, over a variety of conditions, with and without guide vanes.
FABRICATION OF MICRO-WELL IN PMMA BY PCM AND X-RAY LITHOGRAPHY
Authors: BHOSALE SACHIN , MISAL PROF. N.D.
Published: January 2021

During the last decade there has been a rapid development in Micro-Fabrication Technology driven by the need for low-cost Micro-Components and Micro-Systems. Micro-Components will be required in a range of new products such as medical devices, Micro-Well, Micro-Pillar Micro-Fluidic Systems. Applications for Micro-Systems have stimulated innovative developments, created new markets and a demand for low-cost components. These are particularly important in manufacturing industries such as the automotive, chemicals, medical instruments, computer parts and telecommunication sectors. The drive towards miniaturization places is increasing demand for new techniques and novel processing technologies. This paper describes the Manufacturing of X-ray Mask with Photo-Chemical Machining (PCM) and the Fabrication of Poly-Methyl-Meth-Acrylate (PMMA) structures with X-ray Lithography Technology. Fabrication of low cost X-ray mask has been done on Copper sheet and Brass sheet using PCM. X-ray Lithography is used to obtain high aspect ratio Micro-Well, Micro-Pillar and Micro-fluidic channel. Synchrotron radiation of Beam line BL-07 at INDUS-2, RRCAT Indore is the source of X-ray for Lithography.
FORMULATION OF MATHEMATICAL MODEL FOR MAINTENANCE COST OF A STONE CRUSHING PLANT BASED ON DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS AND MULTIPLE REGRESSION
Authors: JOSHI PROF. ANJALI J. , MODAK DR. JAYANT P.
Published: January 2021

This paper presents the approach for the mathematical modeling of maintenance cost for the set up of new Stone Crushing Plant based on the dimensional analysis and multiple regression. Presented maintenance cost mathematical model is derived based on the generated design data. Design data is generated from actual design of all stone crushing plants followed by static and dynamic analysis. Estimation of design data is carried out based on the assumed plant layout. Dimensional analysis is used to make the independent and dependent variables dimensionless and to get dimensionless equation. Later, multiple regression analysis is applied to this dimensionless equation to obtain the index values based on the least square method. The mathematical model of maintenance cost is formulated using these obtained index values. Finally, the formulated model is evaluated on the basis of correlation and root mean square error between the computed values by model and the estimated values.
Dynamic Interaction between Manipulator and Omni-Directional Platform
Authors: Nikhade G. R. , Deshpande V. S. , Chiddarwar S. S.
Published: January 2021

Recent advancements in mechatronics has led to tremendous development of application of robots for industrial applications involving high health hazards, rough working conditions and difficult to reach locations. Robot assisted welding is one such high risk operation for human being. The industrial arc welding robots are either mounted on the floor, table or on overhead rails. In this scenario, the jobs to be welded are brought to shop floor. However, the on-sight joining of big pipes and structures with precision and speed, demands for mobility of welding robot. In this research work, a novel concept of mounting 5-dof welding robot on the omni-directional platform (Omni-WMR) is implemented to provides immense maneuvering mobility to the manipulator. This paper presents the combined dynamic model of omnidirectional mobile robot for welding operation to study the effect of dynamic interaction between manipulator and mobile platform. Dynamic interaction is carried out to find the variation in torque at manipulator link due to the motion of platform as well as its location on the platform. In addition, the variation in torque developed at platform wheels due to positioning the manipulator at two different locations on platform is accessed. For this, two case studies have been discussed to study the effect of dynamic interaction between manipulator and omni-directional platform.
Design and Implementation of a Lossless Serial High-Speed Data Compression System
Authors: Kumar J. Sunil , Kumar G. Mahesh
Published: January 2021

The paper presents a novel VLSI architecture for high-speed data compressor designs which implement the X-Match algorithm. This design involves important trade off that affects the compression performance, latency, and throughput. The most promising approach is implemented into FPGA hardware. This device typical compression ratio that halves the original uncompressed data. This device is specifically targeted to enhance the performance of Gbits/s data networks and storage applications where it can double the performance of the original systems. To get high compression rate or to get high data rate of communication not restriction to follow the parallel architecture of data compression. By using existing method the main draw backs are 1. Variation in compression 2. Throughput, 3.Latency, 4.High space, 5. High power. So by using this proposed method we can reduce the variation in the compression, latency and increase through put. And this novel VLSI architecture has a power consumption of 81mwatts power
Interesting Video Frames Capturing on Digital Video Development Platform
Authors: Nethaji D. , Joans Mary , Shoba Mrs. S. J. Grace
Published: January 2021

Video surveillance has been a popular security tool for years. Video surveillance systems produce huge amounts of data for storage and display. Long-term human monitoring of the acquired video is impractical and in-effective. This paper presents a novel solution for real-time cases that identify and record only “interesting” video frames containing motion. In addition to traditional methods for compressing individual video images, we could identify and record only “interesting” video images, such as those images with significant amounts of motion in the field of view. The model would be built in simulink, one of tools in matlab and incorporated with davinci code processor, a video processor. That could significantly help reduce the data rates for surveillance-specific applications.
Analysis and Exposure of Parkinson’s Disease Signal in the Vicinity of Wavelet Transform
Authors: Raju P.V.Rama , Durga P.N.T.L. , Anusha B.G.S. , Bhogeswararao A. , Krishna M.BalaSai , Rao Dr.V.Malleswara
Published: January 2021

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a gradual progressive central neurodegenerative disorder that affects body movement and is characterized by symptoms such as muscle rigidity, resting tremors, loss of facial expression, hypophonia, diminished blinking, and akinesia [4]. This work aims at providing new insights on the Parkinson's disease fragmentation problem using wavelets [1, 2, 3]. The present work describes a computer model to provide a more accurate picture of the Parkinson's disease (PD) signal processing via Wavelet Transform [7, 8, 9, 10]. The Matlab techniques have been uses which provide a system oriented scientific decision making modal [7, 8]. Within this practice the applied signal has been compared in a sequential order with dissimilar cases in attendance in the database. Special biomedical signals have been considered from Gait in Aging and Disease Database [6] and Physio bank [5]. Analyze the signal under consideration and renowned the holder 100% truthfully.
Artificial Neural Network (ANN) based Object Recognition Using Multiple Feature Sets
Authors: Barthakur Manami , Thakuria Tapashi , Sarma Kandarpa Kumar
Published: January 2021

In this work, a simplified Artificial Neural Network (ANN) based approach for recognition of various objects is explored using multiple features. The objective is to configure and train an ANN to be capable of recognizing an object using a feature set formed by Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Frequency Domain and Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) components. The idea is to use these varied components to form a unique hybrid feature set so as to capture relevant details of objects for recognition using a ANN which for the work is a Multi Layer Perceptron (MLP) trained with (error) Back Propagation learning.
Expert System for Diseases Occur due to Diabetes
Authors: Tambakhe Manoj D. , Sikchi S. S. , Ghonge Mangesh M. , Kathole Atul B.
Published: January 2021

This paper explains expert system which will be able to fully diagnoses and treat the diseases caused by diabetes. For example Pancreas, Thyroid and Parathyroid glands are some diseases caused by diabetes. Furthermore, the expert system will give first aids in emergency cases caused by diabetes. Since, diabetes diseases are widely spreads in the India; we chose it to be the primary target from the diabetes diseases. Our expert system is not meant to replace the human physician but using such system may be useful in cases like overcoming the problems of the shortage in human physicians and accuracy and speed in processing facts. This system can be used to help the physician in their work.
Brain Cancer Detection using Neuro Fuzzy Logic
Authors: Ghodke Laxmi , Naik Apeksha , Konale Rahul , Mehta Suchit
Published: January 2021

This paper presents an approach of computer-aided diagnosis for early prediction of cancer cells in brain. It extracts the texture from the given brain MRI sample.It uses image processing techniques followed by neuro classification for prediction of Cancer for a given MRI sample. A neuro fuzzy approach is used for the recognition of the extracted region. The implementation is observed on various types of MRI images with different types of cancer regions.
Fairness as a result of balancing rights and responsibilities
Authors: Ахвердян А.Г.
Published: January 2021

Человеческая цивилизация на протяжении всего своего существования искала эффективные механизмы обеспечения принципа справедливости в рамках своей жизнедеятельности, так как справедливость является одной из базовых фундаментальных основ для построения и качественного развития государственности. В связи с этим автор рассматривает пропорциональный баланс прав и обязанностей человека и гражданина как один из основных критериев справедливости в обществе.

Throughout its existence, human civilization has been looking for effective mechanisms to ensure the principle of justice within the framework of its life, since justice is one of the basic fundamental foundations for the construction and qualitative development of statehood. In this regard, the author considers the proportional balance of the rights and duties of a person and a citizen as one of the main criteria of justice in society.
Psychological aspects of studying corruption
Authors: Бирюкова Г.М.
Published: January 2021

В данной статье представлен анализ основных причин коррупции, психологические особенности должностных лиц, организующие коррупционную среду. Представлены психологические особенности взаимодействия и механизмы коррупционного поведения в системе «взяткодатель – коррупционер».

This article presents an analysis of the main causes of corruption, psychological characteristics of officials, organizing a corruption environment. The psychological features of interaction and mechanisms of corrupt behavior in the system "bribe-giver - corrupt official" are presented.
Historical stages of the formation of an order as a legal act of a public administration body
Authors: Чернышов А.В.
Published: January 2021

В статье раскрываются наиболее общие закономерности формирования и развития системы правовых актов в России, начиная с XV века вплоть до советского периода. Выделяются значимые этапы в становлении приказа в качестве самостоятельного вида правовых актов. Определяются генетические, функциональные и иерархические связи приказа с иными актами государственного управления. История формирования приказа в качестве правового акта дополняется семантическим анализом понятий, использовавшихся для обозначения формы правовых актов в различные периоды времени.

The article reveals the most general patterns of the formation and development of a system of legal acts in Russia from the 15th century until the Soviet period. Significant stages are distinguished in the formation of the order as an independent type of legal acts. The genetic, functional and hierarchical links of the order with other acts of public administration are determined. The history of the formation of the order as a legal act is supplemented by a semantic analysis of the concepts used to denote the form of legal acts at various periods of time.
SMART CONTRACTS FOR THE DIGITAL ECONOMY: THE NEW NORMALITY
Authors: Мусатов В.В. , Попова А.В.
Published: January 2021

Человеку по своей природе свойственно все упрощать и оптимизировать процесс своей работы. Изобретение компьютера и вычислительной техники позволили людям упростить и облегчить математические вычисления. Очередь оцифровывания добралась и до договорного права. В настоящей статье автор на основе гражданского законодательства Российской Федерации и зарубежных стран проводит анализ возможности применения смарт-контракта и юридические последствия его использования.

It is human by nature to simplify and optimize the process of his work. The invention of the computer and computing technology allowed humans to simplify and facilitate mathematical calculations. The line of digitization has also reached contract law. In this article, the author analyzes the possibility of using a smart contract and the legal consequences of its use based on the civil legislation of the Russian Federation and foreign countries.
A Liberdade de Expressão e a Justiça Brasileira
Authors: MEDRADO V. A. , Medrado Vitor Amaral
Published: January 2021

Fruto de tese de doutorado defendida no início de 2018, a 1ª edição desta obra pretendeu aliar, de um lado, uma profunda reconstrução dos fundamentos históricos, filosóficos e jurídicos da liberdade de expressão e, de outro, a análise das principais decisões brasileiras sobre o assunto. De lá para cá, todavia, sobrevieram vários casos jurídicos dignos de nota, cujas análises foram incorporadas nesta 2ª edição. Entre estes casos, está a rejeição pela Primeira Turma do Supremo Tribunal Federal da denúncia da Procuradoria-Geral da República contra o então presidenciável e atual Presidente da República, Jair Bolsonaro, por crime de racismo (Inq. 4694/DF). Este e outros casos mais recentes corroboram a tese inicial de que há em curso uma progressiva sensibilização da Justiça Brasileira, sobretudo do Supremo Tribunal Federal, quanto a necessidade de salvaguardar a liberdade de expressão frente aos assédios ocasionais das tiranias provisórias, sejam elas políticas, morais ou religiosas. No mais, o leitor encontrará na presente edição a mesma defesa inexorável do direito humano fundamental à liberdade de expressão, como uma das fronteiras da dignidade humana e um dos alicerces da vida democrática.
TINJAUAN MANFAAT PENETAPAN JANGKA WAKTU TERTENTU BAGI WAJIB PAJAK DENGAN PEREDARAN BRUTO TERTENTU
Authors: Kurachman Taufik
Published: January 2021

Peraturan Pemerintah nomor 23 Tahun 2018 bertujuan memberikan kemudahan dan juga insentif bagi UMKM dengan menekankan pengurangan tarif menjadi 0,5% dan penetapan jangka waktu tertentu yaitu 7 tahun untuk WP perorangan, 4  tahun untuk WP badan usaha berbentuk koperasi, CV, atau firma dan 3 tahun untuk WP badan berupa PT. Pembatasan waktu bertujuan memberikan kesempatan UMKM untuk belajar pembukuan dan membuat pelaporan keuangan. Tetapi apakah periode waktu releksasi cukup untuk mencapai tujuan? Untuk menjawab permasalahan tersebut, penelitian ini menggunakan metode deskriptif kualitatif, dimana data dan informasi diperoleh melalui studi pustaka dan wawancara dengan UMKM. Studi tersebut memberikan temuan penting. Pertama, sebagian WP belum mengetahui penetapan jangka waktu tersebut. Kedua, sebagian WP belum memahami tujuan penetapan jangka waktu tersebut, Ketiga sebagian WP belum siap untuk menggunakan pembukuan serta berharap penetapan jangka waktu tersebut dihilangkan. Untuk itu DJP perlu meningkatkan fungsi penyuluhan penetapan jangka waktu dan pembuatan laporan keuangan.

 Government Regulation no. 23/2018 aims to provide convenience and incentive for MSMEs by emphasizing tariff reduction to 0.5% and determination of a certain period of 7 years for individual WP, 4 years for WP business entity in the form of cooperatives, CV, or firm and 3 years for wp entities in the form of PT. Time restrictions aim to provide MSMEs the opportunity to learn bookkeeping and make financial reporting. But is the time period sufficient to achieve the goal? To answer the problem, this study uses qualitative descriptive methods, where data and information are obtained through library studies and interviews with MSMEs. The study provides important findings. First, some WP does not know the time frame. Second, some WP does not yet understand the purpose of setting that time frame, the third part of WP is not ready to use bookkeeping and expect the determination of that time frame to be eliminated. Therefore, DJP needs to improve the counseling function of the determination of time frame and the creation of financial statements..
INTEGRASI INFORMASI DAN COOPERATIVE TAX COMPLIANCE: ANALISIS INSTITUSIONAL KOMPARATIF
Authors: Darono Agung
Published: January 2021

Integrasi informasi dan cooperative tax compliance: analisis institusional komparatif. Transformasi administrasi perpajakan terkait dengan pengawasan kepatuhan pajak yang dilakukan oleh Direktorat Jenderal Pajak (DJP) ditandai antara lain dengan mulai diperkenalkannya cooperative tax compliance (CTC). Hal ini merupakan kesempatan bagi wajib pajak untuk menjadikan transparansi pengelolaan pajaknya untuk dipertukarkan dengan kepastian besarnya kewajiban pajak yang harus dibayar. Penelitian ini dengan strategi studi kasus dan prosedur analisis institusional komparatif (comparative institutional analysis) menelaah lebih dalam bagaimana integrasi informasi menjadi bagian yang dominan dari implementasi CTC di Indonesia. Temuan dan rekomendasi penelitian ini bahwa integrasi informasi sebagai bagian dari CTC cenderung menggunakan pendekatan host-to-host dan real-time, yang seharusnya masih dapat diperluas dengan pendekatan lain seperti batch-processing, extract-transform-load (ETL) ataupun pelaporan dengan standar format data tertentu (seperti eXtensible Business Report Language/XBRL) sehingga diharapkan akan mempermudah wajib pajak yang ingin mengimplementasikan CTC sebagai bagian dari pemenuhan kewajiban pajaknya.
Adivasis, Integration and the State in India: Experiences of Incompatibilities
Authors:   Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, School of Social Sciences and Humanities, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Guwahati Campus, Assam, India, AMBAGUDIA JAGANNATH , MOHANTY SASMITA ,   Department of Political Science, Rajdhani College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
Published: January 2021

Anthropologists, administrators and policy makers debated the adivasis question in the post-independent India from the perspectives of isolation, assimilation and integration. Amidst discourses, integration approach was followed to address the adivasi issues in the post-colonial period. Following the integration approach, the Indian state made series of promises to the adivasis in terms of granting equal citizenship rights in social, economic, political and cultural spheres; providing equal opportunities and committed to preserve and protect adivasi culture and identity. Despite such promises, adivasis continue to live at the margin of the post-colonial state, and thereby experiencing different forms of marginalization, dispossession and deprivation. They have developed cynicism towards the integration policy and experiencing declining sense of involvement in the (mainstream) society. The integration approach of the Indian state has become a means of exclusion for the adivasis in India. Within this backdrop, the paper critically examines the contemporary dynamics of integration of adivasis in the Indian state.
Community Management of Forests and Social Capital in Tribal and Non-Tribal Villages of Odisha
Authors:   Utkal University Odisha, India, BEHERA ANANYA
Published: January 2021

The paper focuses on the creation of different forms of social capital in the context of CFM (Community Management of Forests) in tribal and non-tribal communities in Odisha using case study method. What is found is that CFM has made a substantial contribution to the building of social capital. On the front of bonding, bridging capital, close similarities are observed between the tribal and non-tribal villages. The extent of linking capital is slightly higher in tribal villages than non-tribal villages.
More Than Winning: A Mixed Methods Grounded Theory Investigation of the Career Development Event Preparation Process
Authors: Bowling Amanda M. , Ball Anna L.
Published: January 2021

Preparing teams to compete in Career Development Events (CDEs) is a significant teacher concern yet is potentially a highly motivating and impactful component of a total school-based agricultural education program. This mixed methods, grounded theory study, observed seven agriculture teachers preparing CDEs teams over four months of CDE competitions from the local chapter level and progressing to the state level competition. The study aimed to examine the action of CDE preparation and determine if similar patterns existed for successful teachers when preparing CDE teams. Each teacher was observed onsite during a CDE practice, and we used an observational instrument to document the preparation strategies utilized. Following the observed practice, we interviewed all the participants. The data were analyzed, and a pattern of structured instructional activities emerged. Additionally, a theory was developed to conceptualize the process of preparing CDE teams. From the findings, it is recommended that agriculture teachers use a combination of motivational and instructional strategies while identifying and controlling for intervening issues to enhance their desired student outcomes for preparing CDE teams.
College and Career Ready? A Snapshot of 12th Grade National FFA Members
Authors: Copeland Britt A. , Talbert B. Allen , LaRose Sarah E. , Russell Mark A.
Published: January 2021

High school graduates must be College and Career Ready to be successful in their future academic and employment pursuits. Employability skills such as communication, leadership, and critical thinking are in high demand from colleges and employers. High school academic success is an indicator the person has the skills and background necessary for success in further education. We conducted a descriptive study of 2018-2019 high school senior members of the National FFA Organization to provide an updated and focused look into its student membership. The goal was to assess the level of employability skills and academic success retained through high school considering the skills desired by 21st Century employers. Exploring, defining, and understanding the current National FFA student membership’s achievements and interests in career pathways is important to ensure the optimal educational experience for today’s youth. The study occurred in fall 2018 with 2,087 respondents completing the online survey. Respondents reported self-perceived high employability skill levels and above average academic success. This could imply study respondents are College and Career Ready.
Arizona Agriculture Teachers’ Mathematical Content Knowledge
Authors: McNall Sarah , Rice Amber H.
Published: January 2021

Mathematics and science are both essential to the field of agriculture; however, while science curriculum is currently integrated in many secondary school-based agricultural education classrooms nationwide, mathematics integration remains limited. The opportunity for students to engage in real world applications of mathematical content through school-based agricultural education programs exists, but if teachers do not possess the content knowledge necessary to teach mathematics, students are then left at a disadvantage for learning the content. The purpose of this study was to determine Arizona agriculture teachers’ perceived and actual mathematical content knowledge. The objectives of this study were to describe teachers’ perceived mathematical content knowledge, actual mathematical content knowledge, and the relationship between perceived and actual mathematical content knowledge. The content knowledge framework was utilized in determining teachers’ content knowledge for the subject area of mathematics. A quantitative analysis revealed school-based agricultural education teachers perceived their average mathematical ability as being at a moderate level, while their average actual mathematical ability was 44% on a mathematics content exam. The analysis also revealed a negative correlation between teachers’ perceived ability and years spent teaching and a positive correlation between teachers’ actual ability and years spent teaching. It is recommended that mathematics requirements at the teacher preparation level be reexamined. Additionally, professional development for Arizona school-based agricultural education teachers in various mathematics content is encouraged.
Communicating with Diverse Audiences about Sustainable Farming: Does Rurality Matter?
Authors: Gibson Kristin E. , Lamm Alexa J. , Lamm Kevan W. , Warner Laura A.
Published: January 2021

There has been a dramatic shift in how people engage with agriculture over the past 50 years in the United States, leading to little interaction between consumers and the farm. Despite extension initiatives to communicate with urban consumers about agriculture, the disconnect between consumers and agricultural producers continues to grow. Research has shown consumers rely primarily on the media for information about agriculture resulting in misconceptions about its impact on the environment. Consumers’ negative views about agriculture’s impact on the environment may lead to support for and implementation of environmental policies that create issues for agricultural producers rather than policies that support both production agriculture and the environment. This study, guided by audience segmentation and framing theory, sought to explore differences in public perspectives regarding agriculture’s impact on the natural environment, specifically with rural, urban, and suburban residents. Data were collected from 797 Georgia residents living in rural, urban and suburban areas using an online survey instrument. The results found perspectives on agriculture’s impact on the environment were moderately high and bimodal; both positive and negative. Statistically significant differences were found between urban and suburban residents’ positive perspectives on agriculture’s impact on the environment and between urban, suburban, and rural residents’ negative perspectives on agriculture’s impact on the environment. The findings imply extension educators need to tailor outreach programs based on the rurality of residents in order to effectively communicate with audiences, particularly when combatting negative framing with urban audiences.
The Success Trap: A Case Study of Early Career Agricultural Education Teachers’ Conceptualizations of Work-Life Balance
Authors: Traini Haley Q. , Yopp Ashley M. , Roberts Richie
Published: January 2021

Little progress has been made to understand the (in)abilities of school-based agricultural education (SBAE) teachers to balance their work and life responsibilities. Nevertheless, advancing this conversation is critical, especially in light of ongoing teacher shortage trends. In response, this study’s purpose was two-fold: (1) examine how early career teachers in Louisiana co-constructed their conceptualizations of work-life balance as SBAE teachers, and (2) illuminate the contextual factors that shaped how the early career teachers negotiated meaning regarding their reified views of worklife balance. When interpreting findings through the lens of landscapes of practice, five themes emerged: (1) The Success Trap, (2) The Work Eclipse, (3) Aspired Boundaries, (4) Grin and Bear It – Silence, and (5) Undercurrents of Change. The findings speak against the dominant narrative perpetuated by various actors and forces in the discipline that have championed the notion that worklife balance should be the ultimate goal. Instead, our findings problematize this notion by illuminating how early career teachers in Louisiana visualized success and work-life balance in diverse and complex ways. As a result, researchers offer implications and recommendations to help reimagine how early career teachers can better traverse issues of work and life in the SBAE landscape.
Recruitment and Retention of Agriculture Teachers in the Southeast: An Empirical Analysis of the STAR Program
Authors: Guffey Kristie B. , Young Jeffrey S.
Published: January 2021

This article describes the collaborative efforts of various state and national agencies working together to recruit and retain agriculture teachers in the states of Kentucky, South Carolina, and Ohio. We contrast multiple measures of recruitment and retention in these states with those from the comparator states of Arkansas, West Virginia, and Alabama. The strategies outlined market to new agriculture teachers and maintain current teachers in the profession targeting work-life balance, emotional, physical and social health. These have been a focal point in the federal State Teach Ag Results (STAR) program, but the effects of participation in STAR on recruitment and retention require additional investigation. Using a difference-in-differences regression model, we assume parallel trends and no spillovers (SUTVA) between participating and non-participating states in the Southeastern US and Ohio Valley regions to model changes in multiple measures of recruitment and retention of agriculture teachers. We find a positive and significant effect of STAR participation on recruitment, an insignificantly positive effect of participation on retention, and an insignificantly negative impact of participation on creation of new agricultural positions in public schools. Our results suggest that recruitment is lagged behind existing positions, which necessitates further work investigating new policy aimed at filling those positions before creating any new ones.
Professional Life Phases: Identifying Professional Development Needs for Florida Agriscience Teachers
Authors: Thornton Kelsey M. , Coleman Bradley M. , Bunch J.C. , Roberts T. Grady
Published: January 2021

For learners to be better prepared to solve current and future complex problems, teachers must continue to strengthen and refine their teaching and learning practices throughout their career. One known modality to assist teachers in refining their pedagogical skills is teacher participation in professional development opportunities. The purpose of this study was to identify the self-perceived professional development needs of agriscience teachers in Florida based on their professional life phase. All three career phases shared modifying instruction for students with special needs as one of their top identified instructional practice needs. It is recommended that agricultural education professional development organizers consider years of experience when planning workshops and opportunities. The “cookie cutter” method or “one size fits all” themes for professional development may not be the most effective way to continue offering these workshops since the findings of this study and others indicate differing needs of agriscience teachers based on professional life phase and years of experience.
The Role of Collaboration Throughout the Agricultural Education Student Teaching Experience
Authors: Smalley Scott W. , Solomonson Jay , Schramm Kelsey R.
Published: January 2021

When educators collaborate to create different products, construct knowledge, and solve problems, they develop their collegiality and it motivates them to return each year. Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory (1962) aided in the understanding of pre-service teachers’ experiences related to collaboration during their teacher preparation program. The purpose of this study was to investigate the collaborative efforts conducted among student teachers hosted in school-based agricultural education programs. Findings in this study indicated that working with other teachers enhanced pre-service student teacher’s ability to create activities. Participants believed technology could enhance collaboration. Collaboration occurred with various audiences throughout the student teaching semester with participants indicating they primarily worked with their cooperating teacher, other student teachers, and agriculture teachers. Many regularly collaborated with their former high school agriculture teacher. The results indicate that teacher preparation programs need to develop collaborative opportunities throughout the collegiate experience
Review of Innumeracy in the Wild: Misunderstanding and Misusing Numbers by Ellen Peters
Authors: Karaali Gizem
Published: January 2021

Ellen Peters’s new book Innumeracy in the Wild: Misunderstanding and Misusing Numbers (Oxford University Press, 2020) is a whirlwind tour of psychological research on numeracy and its interactions with decision-making. The book is packed full of convincing arguments about the impact of numeracy and innumeracy on people's decisions and life outcomes, piles of supporting evidence and relevant references, and detailed expositions of multitudes of research results. Thus, it can serve the motivated reader well as a comprehensive literature review of psychologically oriented research on numeracy and decision-making.
Health-related quality of life in children with immunoglobulin A nephropathy – results of a multicentre national study
Authors: Mizerska-Wasiak Małgorzata , Adamczuk Dominika , Cichoń-Kawa Karolina , Miklaszewska Monika , Szymanik-Grzelak Hanna , Pietrzyk Jacek A. , Pukajło-Marczyk Agnieszka , Zwolińska Danuta , Rybi-Szumińska Agnieszka , Wasilewska Anna , Bieniaś Beata , Sikora Przemysław , Firszt-Adamczyk Agnieszka , Stankiewicz Roman , Szczepańska Maria , Pańczyk-Tomaszewska Małgorzata
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) may lead to end stage renal disease and severely affect patient functioning and wellbeing. The aim of the study was to evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children and adolescents with IgAN, and compare HRQoL in relation to the disease course, social status and psychological factors, such as expressing anger and perceived personal competence.

Material and methods

The multicentre cross-sectional study included 51 patients ≥ 8 years from 7 paediatric nephrology centres in Poland. Psychometric analysis was performed using the Kidscreen-52 questionnaire to evaluate HRQoL, the Anger Expression Scale to evaluate the severity of anger and the Personal Competence Scale to measure general perception of personal competence.

Results

Mean age of patients was 14.54 ±3.69 years; duration since the dia­gnosis of IgAN was 4.98 ±3.9 years. Patients with IgAN rated their psychological wellbeing as significantly worse compared to healthy peers (p < 0.05). The presence of proteinuria was associated with significantly worse physical wellbeing (58.72 ±18.45 vs. 74.44 ±22.97; p < 0.05). Current therapy (steroids/immunosuppressive drugs) had no effect on HRQoL in the study group. Perceived personal competence was rated high by 49% of children in the study group. Children with IgAN were characterized by lower intensity of expressed anger (p < 0.001) and significantly higher intensity of suppressed anger (p < 0.01) compared to reference ranges. Severity of expressed anger correlated positively with the parent relations and school environment dimensions of HRQoL.

Conclusions

We found lower HRQoL in regard to physical and psychological wellbeing in a group of Polish children with IgAN compared to healthy peers. HRQoL should be monitored in this patient group.
Molecular economy of nature with two thyrotropins from different parts of the pituitary: pars tuberalis thyroid-stimulating hormone and pars distalis thyroid-stimulating hormone
Authors: Ertek Sibel
Published: January 2021

Thyrotropin (TSH) is classically known to be regulated by negative feedback from thyroid hormones and stimulated by thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) from the hypothalamus. At the end of the 1990s, studies showed that thyrotroph cells from the pars tuberalis (PT) did not have TRH receptors and their TSH regulation was independent from TRH stimulation. Instead, PT-thyrotroph cells were shown to have melatonin-1 (MT-1) receptors and melatonin secretion from the pineal gland stimulates TSH- subunit formation in PT. Electron microscopy examinations also revealed some important differences between PT and pars distalis (PD) thyrotrophs. PT-TSH also have low bioactivity in the peripheral circulation. Studies showed that they have different glycosylations and PT-TSH forms macro-TSH complexes in the periphery and has a longer half-life. Photoperiodism affects LH levels in animals via decreased melatonin causing increased TSH- subunit expression and induction of deiodinase-2 (DIO-2) in the brain. Mammals need a light stimulus carried into the suprachiasmatic nucleus (which is a circadian clock) and then transferred to the pineal gland to synthesize melatonin, but birds have deep brain receptors and they are stimulated directly by light stimuli to have increased PT-TSH, without the need for melatonin. Photoperiodic regulations via TSH and DIO 2/3 also have a role in appetite, seasonal immune regulation, food intake and nest-making behaviour in animals. Since humans have no clear seasonal breeding period, such studies as recent ‘’domestication locus’’ studies in poultry are interesting. PT-TSH that works like a neurotransmitter in the brain may become an important target for future studies about humans.
Relationship between age and in-hospital mortality during 15,345,025 non-surgical hospitalizations
Authors: Walicka Magdalena , Puzianowska-Kuznicka Monika , Chlebus Marcin , Śliwczyński Andrzej , Brzozowska Melania , Rutkowski Daniel , Kania Lidia , Czech Marcin , Jacyna Andrzej , Franek Edward
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Mortality, whether in or out of hospital, increases with age. However, studies evaluating in-hospital mortality in large populations did not distinguish between surgical and non-surgical causes of death, either in young or in elderly patients. The aim of the study was to assess in-hospital non-surgical mortality in a large group of patients, with a special focus on the elderly.

Material and methods

Data from the database of the Polish National Health Fund (NHF) regarding hospitalizations of adult (≥ 18 years) patients not related to surgical procedures in the years 2009–2013 were used to assess in-hospital mortality.

Results

15,345,025 hospitalizations were assessed. The mean in-hospital non-surgery-related mortality rate was 3.96 ±0.17%, and increased from 3.79% to 4.2% between 2009 and 2013. The mean odds ratio for in-hospital death increased with the age of patients, reaching a 229-fold higher rate in the ≥ 95 years age group as compared to the 18–24 age group. The highest mean mortality was associated with respiratory diseases (6.91 ±0.20%), followed by heart and vascular diseases, nervous system diseases, as well as combined gastrointestinal tract, liver, biliary tract, pancreas and spleen diseases (5.65 ±0.27%, 5.46 ±0.05% and 4.01 ±0.13%, respectively).

Conclusions

The in-hospital non-surgery-related mortality rate was approximately 4%. It significantly increased with age and, regardless of age, was highest in patients suffering from respiratory diseases.
Jak przemieszcza się „próżnia”? Wędrówki tezy Stefana Nowaka między obszarami i kontekstami
Authors: Pawlak Mikołaj
Published: January 2021

Teza Stefana Nowaka o „próżni socjologicznej” to najczęściej przywoływane twierdzenie o polskim społeczeństwie. W artykule przedstawiono, jak za pomocą tego pojęcia spoglądano z zewnątrz na polskie społeczeństwo i jak pojęcie to próbowano odnieść do innych społeczeństw. „Próżnia socjologiczna” została porównana z podobnymi pojęciami tj. „załamywanie się społeczności”, „społeczeństwo klepsydry”, „perspektywa braku środka”. W artykule przedstawiono także wędrówkę pojęcia „próżni socjologicznej” pomiędzy czterema polami tematycznymi: Solidarność, społeczeństwo obywatelskie, kapitał społeczny, jakość demokracji. Pojęcie „próżni socjologicznej” nie wywędrowało poza polski kontekst, gdyż jest silnie naznaczone przekonaniem o jego unikalności. W trakcie swych wędrówek po różnych kontekstach tematycznych zostało tak przekształcone, aby służyło jako pojęcie wytrych, za pomocą którego socjologowie wyjaśniają niepożądane przez nich zjawiska.